Every time I bring up hashtags someone tells me th Every time I bring up hashtags someone tells me they do not work anymore.

Here is my take. Hashtags are still live on Instagram and they are still one of the main ways people search through the platform. Until Instagram tells us they are done I am going to keep using them, intentionally.

What has changed is how you should be using them.

Instagram has officially capped hashtags at 5 per post. Instagram made this change deliberately because stuffing 20 to 30 generic tags into every post was not serving anyone. Hashtags are no longer a reach tool. They are a clarity tool that helps the algorithm understand what your content is about.

5 intentional hashtags beat 30 random ones every single time.

Here is how to pick yours:

-Think about your niche, your audience, and your location
-Think about what someone would actually search — not what you would call your post
-A clown costume post might use #halloweencostume or #cosplay instead of #clowncostume because that is what someone searching for inspiration is actually typing

One more thing most people are missing. Instagram is leaning heavily into SEO and keyword search now. The words in your caption are doing work that hashtags used to do. Write descriptively and use natural language your audience would actually search. The algorithm is reading your words so give it something to work with.

Save this before you write your next post.
More digital strategy every Tuesday — follow along so you do not miss it.
As I’m planning out this years Halloween photo sho As I’m planning out this years Halloween photo shoot I had to circle back to this gem. I think this year will top it. I think 🤔 #halloween #costume #crystalball #cosplay #spookyseason👻
@tiffanitrancalix throws the best parties… #90snig @tiffanitrancalix throws the best parties… #90snight #justagirl
We’ve never met a theme we didn’t like. #october # We’ve never met a theme we didn’t like. #october #costumeseason #90snight
@blaumshavemorefun sent me this reel from @_memoir @blaumshavemorefun sent me this reel from @_memoirsofatraveler and I have never found a better description of my life. Every night out dancing ends with a PT appointment with @therapeuticbydesignpt the next week.  These knees are not 22 anymore.
The truth is I’m in a better mood when I like my o The truth is I’m in a better mood when I like my outfit #mirrorselfie
Gift guides are one of the most powerful tools a c Gift guides are one of the most powerful tools a creator has during the holiday season — and most people are not using them.

This is part one of two. Today we are talking about gift guides for creators. Next Tuesday we are talking about gift guides for retail businesses and small business owners. Save both.

Here is what a well built gift guide actually does for you as a creator:

	•	Drives affiliate revenue through platforms like LTK, ShopMy, Amazon Associates, Collective Voice, Mavely, and Howl
	•	Lives on your blog with its own URL so you own it and it keeps working long after the holidays
	•	Gives you content to distribute across every platform including two Pinterest pins per guide — one to your LTK post and one to your blog
	•	Opens the door to add gift guides as a bonus deliverable in brand collab pitches — and yes, services count too

Start by planning your categories. Gifts for her. Gifts under $50. Stocking stuffers. The more specific the guide the more useful it is — and useful content gets saved and shared.

The creators who win the holiday season start building now.

Save this and start planning your first guide this week.
More digital strategy every Tuesday — follow along so you do not miss it.
Through shaving, waxing, laser, threading this one Through shaving, waxing, laser, threading this one hair prevails. #thisis40 #thisisperimenopause #losinghaironmyhead #growingiteverywhereelse
Fashion week never really stops in New Orleans. Fashion week never really stops in New Orleans. 

Last night @abbydumatrait and I were able to check out all of @shopcosmiccollective runway show pieces as well as her new fur and fringe combo stoles. @theclosetbyscsc hosted and we scoured the racks of what is available to rent. Yes, rent. The Closet is open by appointment to rent their clothes as well as jewelry, hats and other accessories. 

We ended the night with @bylauracitron and @anyoldiron at the grand opening party for Any Old Iron on Magazine Street. Their shop is the perfect addition to New Orleans and needs to be your next shopping stop!! Andrew and Laura are both just so incredibly talented and I’m excited for them to be in our city.
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content creation, digital marketing, personal branding · September 25, 2025

Why You Should Add a Newsletter to Your Marketing Strategy

Why should you add a newsletter to your marketing strategy?

Because your Instagram followers aren’t really yours.
Because the algorithm doesn’t always show your content to the people who need it.
Because newsletters let you show up where people actually pay attention—their inbox.

When you send a newsletter, you’re not just “posting and hoping.” You’re building a direct, consistent line of communication with your people. No distractions. No algorithm guessing. Just you, your brand, and your message.

Whether you’re a content creator, small business owner, or just getting started—newsletter marketing gives you the power to:

  • Share your voice fully (not just in 90 characters),
  • Highlight what you want people to see (your newest post, product, event, or offer),
  • And build trust that converts, long before someone ever clicks “buy.”

If you’re not using newsletters yet, consider this your sign. I’ll show you how I’m doing it, what’s working for me, and how you can build your own list—even if you’re starting from zero.

Tiffany sitting on the couch writing her newsletter

Section 1: Social Media Isn’t Enough Anymore

If you’re putting all your content on Instagram or TikTok and calling that a marketing strategy, we need to talk. I love social just as much as the next girl—I’m on there every day sharing looks, tips, blog posts, all of it. But here’s the truth: social media is noisy. It’s crowded. And no matter how good your content is, only a tiny portion of your audience is actually seeing it.

The algorithm doesn’t work in your favor. One minute you’re getting tons of engagement, the next it’s like crickets. And when that happens, it’s not about your content. It’s just how the platforms work.

Even worse? You don’t own your followers. If Instagram shuts down tomorrow or your account gets hacked, it’s gone. You’ve lost your audience and your access to them. That’s why I’m such a big believer in having a space that’s yours. A newsletter is where you stay in control. No algorithm. No guessing game. Just you and your people, right in their inbox.

Section 2: Newsletters Let You Build Real Connection

There’s something different about someone letting you into their inbox. It’s more intentional. You’re not just another post they scroll past while waiting in the pickup line. When someone opens your newsletter, they’re choosing to hear from you—and that builds real connection.

For me, it’s been one of the best ways to speak directly to my audience without distractions. No competing posts, no trending sounds—just my voice, my message, and a chance to share what’s actually important that week. Whether I’m breaking down fall fashion trends or giving marketing tips, my newsletter lets me go a little deeper.

Plus, I get to show more of my personality in a way that’s hard to do in a 10-second Reel. I can tell a story, link a blog post, share a product I love, or spotlight a brand I’m working with—and I know it’s landing in front of people who actually want it.

Tiffany's Newsletters
Screenshot
Screenshot

Section 3: You Can Repurpose What You’re Already Creating

The biggest objection I hear when I talk to clients or other creators about starting a newsletter is this: “I don’t have time to write something new every week.”

But here’s the thing—you probably already are.

If you’re posting to Instagram, writing blog content, creating product roundups, or sharing client wins, you have newsletter content ready to go. The trick is in how you package it. A caption becomes a paragraph. A Reel becomes a tip of the week. A blog post becomes the theme of your whole email.

For me, my newsletters often start with whatever I’m already working on. I just give it a little extra context or pull it together in a way that feels more curated. That’s the beauty of email—it doesn’t need to be brand new, it just needs to be valuable.

Section 4: You Own Your Email List

Social media is amazing—but you don’t own it. You’re at the mercy of algorithms, platform changes, and whether or not your post even shows up in someone’s feed.

Your email list? That’s yours. Every single subscriber signed up to hear from you. They raised their hand and said, “Yes, I want your content.”

When Instagram goes down or reach tanks for no reason (because… it happens), your email list is still there. It’s your most direct, reliable way to connect with your audience. And if you’re building a brand, launching products, or hoping to grow something long-term, that kind of access is gold.

Tiffany writing her newsletter

Section 5: Where to Start If You’re Ready to Add Email to Your Strategy

You don’t need a giant list or a complicated funnel to begin. You just need a reason to send an email and a platform to help you do it with ease.

Start by asking yourself:

  • What do I want to share regularly?
  • How often can I realistically show up in people’s inboxes?
  • What value can I offer that makes opening my email worth it?

Once you’ve got a plan, pick a platform that works for you. I personally use Flodesk because it’s beautiful, easy to use, and fits the vibe of my brand without me needing to be a designer. (That link gives you 50% off, by the way.)

Start simple. One email. One message. Show up, offer value, and be consistent. You can grow from there.

Ready to Get Started?

If you want a simple, beautiful email platform that actually makes you want to send newsletters, I can’t recommend Flodesk enough. That link will get you 50% off for your first year, which makes it an easy yes if you’re ready to elevate your email strategy.

Want to see email marketing in action?

📩 Sign up for my newsletter here to get fashion tips, content planning tools, and a peek behind the scenes of my brand every month. I send two emails a month:
– Style x Strategy: A mix of branding, style, and confidence tips
– Content in Style: Tools, prompts, and trends for creators and business owners

XO,

Tiffany

In: content creation, digital marketing, personal branding · Tagged: creating a newsletter for your business, digital marketing

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NOLA Fashion Week 2025: What I Wore, What I Learned, and Why It Mattered

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About Me
I'm Tiffany. Although some of my favorite people call me Tippy. My favorite color is pattern. Seriously, I've never met a pattern I didn't like. My style is as bold as my personality and you should never trust my hair color. I am all about size inclusive style on a Nordstrom Sale budget.
  • What to Wear to Drag Brunch
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  • Night Time Swimming: Perfect Dinners for the Pool

Facebook

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Instagram

Every time I bring up hashtags someone tells me th Every time I bring up hashtags someone tells me they do not work anymore.

Here is my take. Hashtags are still live on Instagram and they are still one of the main ways people search through the platform. Until Instagram tells us they are done I am going to keep using them, intentionally.

What has changed is how you should be using them.

Instagram has officially capped hashtags at 5 per post. Instagram made this change deliberately because stuffing 20 to 30 generic tags into every post was not serving anyone. Hashtags are no longer a reach tool. They are a clarity tool that helps the algorithm understand what your content is about.

5 intentional hashtags beat 30 random ones every single time.

Here is how to pick yours:

-Think about your niche, your audience, and your location
-Think about what someone would actually search — not what you would call your post
-A clown costume post might use #halloweencostume or #cosplay instead of #clowncostume because that is what someone searching for inspiration is actually typing

One more thing most people are missing. Instagram is leaning heavily into SEO and keyword search now. The words in your caption are doing work that hashtags used to do. Write descriptively and use natural language your audience would actually search. The algorithm is reading your words so give it something to work with.

Save this before you write your next post.
More digital strategy every Tuesday — follow along so you do not miss it.
As I’m planning out this years Halloween photo sho As I’m planning out this years Halloween photo shoot I had to circle back to this gem. I think this year will top it. I think 🤔 #halloween #costume #crystalball #cosplay #spookyseason👻
@tiffanitrancalix throws the best parties… #90snig @tiffanitrancalix throws the best parties… #90snight #justagirl
We’ve never met a theme we didn’t like. #october # We’ve never met a theme we didn’t like. #october #costumeseason #90snight
@blaumshavemorefun sent me this reel from @_memoir @blaumshavemorefun sent me this reel from @_memoirsofatraveler and I have never found a better description of my life. Every night out dancing ends with a PT appointment with @therapeuticbydesignpt the next week.  These knees are not 22 anymore.
The truth is I’m in a better mood when I like my o The truth is I’m in a better mood when I like my outfit #mirrorselfie
Gift guides are one of the most powerful tools a c Gift guides are one of the most powerful tools a creator has during the holiday season — and most people are not using them.

This is part one of two. Today we are talking about gift guides for creators. Next Tuesday we are talking about gift guides for retail businesses and small business owners. Save both.

Here is what a well built gift guide actually does for you as a creator:

	•	Drives affiliate revenue through platforms like LTK, ShopMy, Amazon Associates, Collective Voice, Mavely, and Howl
	•	Lives on your blog with its own URL so you own it and it keeps working long after the holidays
	•	Gives you content to distribute across every platform including two Pinterest pins per guide — one to your LTK post and one to your blog
	•	Opens the door to add gift guides as a bonus deliverable in brand collab pitches — and yes, services count too

Start by planning your categories. Gifts for her. Gifts under $50. Stocking stuffers. The more specific the guide the more useful it is — and useful content gets saved and shared.

The creators who win the holiday season start building now.

Save this and start planning your first guide this week.
More digital strategy every Tuesday — follow along so you do not miss it.
Through shaving, waxing, laser, threading this one Through shaving, waxing, laser, threading this one hair prevails. #thisis40 #thisisperimenopause #losinghaironmyhead #growingiteverywhereelse
Fashion week never really stops in New Orleans. Fashion week never really stops in New Orleans. 

Last night @abbydumatrait and I were able to check out all of @shopcosmiccollective runway show pieces as well as her new fur and fringe combo stoles. @theclosetbyscsc hosted and we scoured the racks of what is available to rent. Yes, rent. The Closet is open by appointment to rent their clothes as well as jewelry, hats and other accessories. 

We ended the night with @bylauracitron and @anyoldiron at the grand opening party for Any Old Iron on Magazine Street. Their shop is the perfect addition to New Orleans and needs to be your next shopping stop!! Andrew and Laura are both just so incredibly talented and I’m excited for them to be in our city.
Good morning. I’ll be your halloqueen for the next Good morning. I’ll be your halloqueen for the next 31 days. #halloween #kingoween #halloqueen

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