Episode 60: Creating a Winning Instagram Strategy with Jamie Samples

Created for This with Danielle Roberts

Social media and marketing expert Jamie Samples joins me on this episode to talk about making the most of Instagram. Instagram is such a great platform for getting to know others and creating relationships.

Here are Jamie's tips for growing and using your Instagram well are:

• Be authentic with your Instagram
• People want to see the faces of who is behind the account
• Use direct messages - be authentic with them, but use them
• Make it work for where you are - yes, have it be pretty but don't be afraid to share what's happening in your life

Tools to make it easier:

• Instazood (DM bot)
• Later

Follow along with Jamie on Instagram/Website/Twitter

Her official bio in her own words: I am a social media specialist, marketing professional, speaker and founder of Yellow Barn Media. But that’s only a fraction of who I really am. I am a wife, a mother, a horse enthusiast, an animal lover, an American patriot, a country chick and an eternal optimist with endless energy and a contagious smile. I’m based in Howell, Michigan, not far from the town where I was born and raised. If I could live anywhere else, it would be Kentucky, because it’s horse country and I have fond memories from visiting my granny and granddaddy’s farm as a child. The sweet smell of bluegrass and the tasty chicken tenders and waffle fries from Chick-Fil-A are hard to forget. Staying close to family is a priority, so I’ll be in Michigan for many years to come.

I’m blessed to have the best husband an entrepreneur could ask for. He’s supportive of the business and the passion I have for nurturing it. Eddie is one-of-a-kind and I am blessed to share my life with him. In 2015, we welcomed our first child, Edison into our family. Every day he teaches me to look at the world with fresh perspective no matter what the day may bring and inspires me to strive to be a better person at home and in the office. Our family also includes two and four-legged friends alike. We are owned by a Welsh Pony, a mini-donkey, a flock of free range chickens, two dogs and a handful of cats. All of our four legged animals were adopted from an animal rescue and joined our lives at just the right moment in time.

My Entrepreneurial Roots My father was a small business owner, role model, and mentor. He always encouraged me to dream big and follow my heart. It came as no surprise that I would follow in his footsteps. When I was 13, I started my first business. I bought and resold horse equipment at local weekend competitions. Selling horse supplies in between the classes I competed in earned me to enough money to continue buying more gear for my own horse. My entrepreneurial adventures also included a dog obedience company, showing, raising and selling show quality rabbits and I dabbled in direct sales selling air and water purification units. As a young professional, I worked for corporations in administrative, human resources and management positions. I had many positive experiences and honed my skills managing projects, finding efficiencies, engaging and reaching an audience. In 2008, I was ready to leave my cubicle behind and share my accumulated expertise with small business owners. That year, I launched Yellow Barn Media and have never looked back.