Two Instagram updates caught my attention this week that you should know about:

Instagram's testing per-slide captions for carousels

This could be huge. Instead of one caption block for your entire carousel, each slide would get its own individual caption.

I'm already imagining the possibilities beyond basic tutorials:

• Myth-busting carousels - each myth gets debunked with specific data
• FAQ posts - each common question gets a dedicated answer
• Client transformation stories - each slide gets its own mini-testimonial
• Before / during / after transformations - detailed breakdown of your process at each stage

Since carousels already outperform single posts (they get about 12% more engagement), this update could make them even more powerful. Instagram confirmed it's in testing, so we'll see if it rolls out wider.

Instagram launched "Instants"

This is their answer to Snapchat, with some interesting twists. You share quick, unedited photos that disappear after your friends view them.

I know what you're thinking..."I thought Stories was their answer to Snapchat!" But here's what's different:

• Instants are saved in your private archive for up to a year
• You can compile them into Story recaps later
• No screenshots allowed (it's protected)
• Only works with Instagram's in-app camera (that means no uploads or filters)
• You add captions before taking the photo (no other edits allowed)

You've heard me talk about my ugly selfie strategy, now I'm brainstorming how I can work in "ugly instants"...

I'm thinking messy hair selfies holding up a mindset reminder scribbled on a post-it, my actual chaotic workspace mid-filming (cables everywhere), my doodles after a coaching call... the stuff that normally doesn't make it to the camera roll for permanent keeping.

Speaking of post-its, I've had the same sticky note on my computer for maybe 2 years now.

It literally says "Done by 1" and it's been one of my most effective accountability tricks. 👇

The goal is to get my social media posts done by 1pm every day. So if you start your workday at 9am that gives you 4 hours... totally feasible. I usually start around 11 or 12, so it's a gentle push to get content off my plate early.

Sometimes my Instagram post is quick and scrappy, but that's the point. It's all about building the muscle of consistent creation rather than waiting for the "perfect post" (which has no guarantee of better results).

The daily video challenge I'm trying:

One more thing I'm experimenting with as I get back into work is filming a 30-60 second video about my products every single day.

They follow the same general script of hook, context, problem, resolution, and call to action.

The magic is that by filming once a day, you're already in different environments, your hair's different, your makeup's different... it creates natural variety (which Meta loves for ads).

I've been carrying around my little mini mic 🎤 and filming on the go. We'll see how these perform compared to our usual content.

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Whether it's the "done by 1" rule, daily videos, or testing new Instagram features, momentum beats perfection every time.

Which is why I keep coming back to my simple 1-1-1-1 method:

One strategic reel
One daily story (or maybe an instant?)
One carousel (imagine the possibilities with per-slide captions!)
One DM automation.

It's all inside One & Done if you want to see how I keep things simple.

​CHECK OUT THE 1-1-1-1 METHOD →​

To my experimenting and your success,

~ Elise

P.S. That sticky note sits next to a few others that keep me going:

• I *GET* to post to millions of people
• Sent an email? SCHEDULE RESEND
• ...and other reminders I see literally every day at my desk