Front Porch Marketing LLC

#FridayFunday - Hey Instagram, looks like 2008 wants its MySpace feature back! ?? I’ve been hoping to get it for months to add some GnR (just a humble brag). Now, some can add music to their profiles! ?? Are you going to bring back the profile song? #InstagramUpdate #ProfileSongs

#ThursdayThoughts - Instagram is introducing a new feature that lets users leave comments on their followers' Stories! Currently, this feature is available for users with both public and private accounts, but you can only comment on Stories from accounts you follow. The comments will be visible to anyone who can view the Story. This update is all about enhancing interaction and making conversations more engaging. What do you think about this new feature? Will it change how you interact with Stories? Let us know your thoughts!

#WednesdayWisdom - Instagram has updated its classic square grid style to a 4:5 grid layout for most users. The team at HeyOrca has shared tips on how you can make minor adjustments to your feed preview, allowing your IG feed to look a bit neater with the new format. With this change, will you go back and edit all of your old posts to fit the 4:5 layout, or will you simply move forward and adjust your new content?

#TuesdayTips - Big news: 3-Minute Reels are coming to Instagram! Meta is doubling down on Reels, increasing the length to 3 minutes. While it's still a way off from TikTok’s 10-minute videos, it’s clear that audiences are ready for longer content—after all, we’ve been watching movies for hours. This update also affects the algorithm. Longer Reels will now be recommended in both the Explore and Reels tabs, giving them the same weight as other formats. Do you think longer Reels will change the way you engage with content on Instagram? Let us know your thoughts!

#SocialMediaMarketingStrategy Monday - Instagram, powered by Reels, is on track to surpass Facebook as the leading social ad platform in the U.S. by 2025. With ad revenues projected to grow by 16%, reaching $37 billion, eMarketer predicts that over 25% of Instagram's ad revenue will come from Reels and other ad formats beyond Feed and Stories in 2025. For small businesses, this shift presents a great opportunity to focus on Reels and other newer ad formats to capture a larger, engaged audience. As Instagram invests in more immersive and dynamic ad placements, small businesses can leverage these formats to enhance brand visibility and engagement, often at a more cost-effective rate than traditional advertising methods.

#FridayFunday - ?? PSA: PLEASE DO NOT rely on AI or some overseas VA for your social media! ?? That’s like using the Blue Ridge Parkway instead of the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway. Sure, they both have views... but one’s the world’s longest bridge over water and the other’s just scenic vibes. ????? You could save a few bucks, but do you really want your social media to be this off-track? Go with a real human who knows your local flavor and won’t confuse iconic landmarks. ?? Big shoutout to our friends over at @GulfCoastUpdates for their spot-on “scenic route” memes—y’all are nailing it and having a blast while doing it! Keep those hilarious posts coming! ?? #LocalMarketing #RealHumansOnly #NailedIt

?? Nostalgia is HOT right now, y’all! ??? Creating or sharing throwback memes—whether it’s from old-school commercials, businesses, or music—can be a game-changer for connecting with your audience. Especially when it’s rooted in local history! Boomers and Gen X are LOVING it, and here’s why: Nostalgia is a powerful tool to spark engagement. And when you throw in local flavor—like iconic New Orleans ads or businesses—you get double the fun! In New Orleans, we can’t hear 'Let her have it.' without thinking of Frankie & Johnny’s Furniture warehouse commercials.?We all remember their catchy jingle, right? "Come on down to Frankie & Johnny’s, where you’ll save a TON!"? Boomers and Gen X see these throwbacks and their hearts (and likes) explode! ?? They instantly feel connected to their roots, and your brand gets all the engagement! Here are 3 ideas to create memes or share throwback content to spark some serious social media magic: 1. Share classic local commercials - Find old TV or radio ads from local businesses and give them a hilarious twist! Everyone loves reminiscing on ads they’ve seen a hundred times. 2. Post throwback photos of your business - Did your store have a "vintage" look or a hilarious old sign? Share it with a funny caption like, “Remember when...?” 3. Make meme mashups - Take clips from local commercials or throwback music videos and add witty, modern-day captions or relatable memes. So go ahead, dig through your local archives and bring back those iconic throwback moments—your followers will love you for it!

As a local New Orleans business, we know how special our city’s holidays are—and how they can be the perfect opportunity to connect with your community and promote your brand. Here’s how to make the most of local and religious holidays like Ash Wednesday: ?? 1. Share Meaningful Content: On Ash Wednesday, post about your brand’s commitment to mindfulness, reflection, or community. Share a thoughtful message that resonates with your New Orleans followers. ??? 2. Special Offers or Promotions: Celebrate local holidays by offering discounts or promotions tied to the occasion. For Ash Wednesday, you could promote a “Meatless Monday” special, highlighting your non-meat products or services. ?? 3. Engage with Local Traditions: Showcase your brand's connection to New Orleans traditions! Feature local events, share community photos, or highlight how your business is part of the tradition (like Mardi Gras prep or Lenten events). And remember—fasting on Ash Wednesday in New Orleans definitely doesn’t mean giving up beignets or crawfish. They're not meat... right? ?? #AshWednesday #LocalMarketing #NewOrleans

??Laissez les bon temps rouler, y’all! Eric, Darcee, & the whole Front Porch Marketing crew are sendin' you all the beads, crawfish, & king cake (calories don’t count on Fat Tuesday, right?). Whether you’re throwin’ beads or a dad like Eric & making sure Ricky isn't picking up the ones off the beer-soaked ground, we hope your Mardi Gras is wilder than a second-line parade! ??????? #MardiGras #LetTheGoodTimesRoll #FrontPorchMarketing

#SocialMediaMarketingStrategy Monday - Reminder: Gen X and Boomers are out here living their best social media lives, and they’re WAY more active than you think. If your target audience is 40+ (you know, the people who still remember dial-up internet), it’s time to stop acting like they’re not online. They’re DEFINITELY posting, reading, and sharing content—they just might prefer a different platform than your TikTok-obsessed nephew. So, do yourself a favor: learn what these seasoned pros actually enjoy and which platforms they’re using. Because if you're still trying to reach them on Snapchat… well, good luck.