Why Trust and Transparency Are Key to Instagram Growth in 2025 (part 4)

02/03/25 • 18 min

Strut It: Bold Visibility through Instagram Marketing

This is the final episode of our four-part mini-series on Instagram Marketing Trends for 2025 — and we’re ending with a big one: Trust and Transparency. Today, we’re talking about why these are essential for growth and how you can use them to build a loyal, engaged audience on Instagram. Plus, I’ll walk you through a simple exercise to help you implement these principles in your business.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

[00:00] Why Trust & Transparency Matter in 2025 – The shift towards authenticity on Instagram
[03:01] The Power of Trust in Marketing – Why customers crave brands they can rely on
[05:26] Behind-the-Scenes Content Wins! – How ENDY Mattresses built credibility with transparency
[06:48] Social Listening 101 – How responding to your audience boosts engagement
[07:18] How to Build a Loyal Instagram Community – The power of showing up as YOU
[11:06] Turning Testimonials into Sales Magnets – The power of social proof
[12:56] The Consistency Formula – How authenticity + showing up regularly = trust
[14:20] My Personal Story on Building Trust – How sharing struggles deepens connections
[16:12] Your Homework – Actionable next steps to build trust with your audience

Key Takeaways:

Trust is everything—your audience is savvy and can spot inauthenticity from a mile away.
Transparency builds credibility—whether it's behind-the-scenes content, real-life struggles, or sharing your process, people connect with what’s real.
Engagement matters—actively responding to comments, answering questions, and incorporating feedback makes your audience feel valued.
Consistency + Authenticity = Trust—showing up regularly and staying true to your voice is the ultimate formula for building loyal followers.

EPISODE LINKS:

Part 1: Instagram Marketing Trends 2025: How Creative Bravery is Helping Brands Stand Out (Part 1)

Part 2: The Instagram Growth Hack No One’s Talking About for 2025 (Part 2)

Part 3: AI for Instagram: The Future of Content Creation in 2025 (Part 3)

Hootsuite Social Trends 2025 Report

Follow Elizabeth Marberry on Instagram

Apply for a Complimentary Instagram Breakthrough Session

CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST, ELIZABETH MARBERRY:
WORK WITH ELIZABETH

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What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Key Takeaways:

Trust is everything—your audience is savvy and can spot inauthenticity from a mile away.
Transparency builds credibility—whether it's behind-the-scenes content, real-life struggles, or sharing your process, people connect with what’s real.
Engagement matters—actively responding to comments, answering questions, and incorporating feedback makes your audience feel valued.
Consistency + Authenticity = Trust—showing up regularly and staying true to your voice is the ultimate formula for building loyal followers.

EPISODE LINKS:

Part 1: Instagram Marketing Trends 2025: How Creative Bravery is Helping Brands Stand Out (Part 1)

Part 2: The Instagram Growth Hack No One’s Talking About for 2025 (Part 2)

Part 3: AI for Instagram: The Future of Content Creation in 2025 (Part 3)

Hootsuite Social Trends 2025 Report

Follow Elizabeth Marberry on Instagram

Apply for a Complimentary Instagram Breakthrough Session

CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST, ELIZABETH MARBERRY:
WORK WITH ELIZABETH

Previous Episode

AI for Instagram: The Future of Content Creation in 2025 (Part 3)

AI is here, and it’s revolutionizing how entrepreneurs approach Instagram marketing. In part three of my Instagram Marketing Trends for 2025 series, I’m sharing the tools and strategies that have completely changed how I plan, create, and refine my content. From generating content ideas to streamlining workflows, this episode is packed with actionable tips to help you leverage AI without losing your unique brand voice. Whether you’re a busy solopreneur or an entrepreneur ready to scale, this episode will inspire you to embrace AI as your new content BFF.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

[00:00] Intro: Why AI is the key to working smarter, not harder, on Instagram in 2025.

[01:42] How experimenting with LinkedIn content taught me about persistence and storytelling

[06:00] How AI Simplifies Content Creation: Using AI tools for brainstorming, creating scripts, and repurposing content across platforms.

[12:20] Practical AI Applications:

Automating captions, emails, and social posts.
Editing with tools like ChatGPT, Canva Magic Design, and Instagram’s "Cut Silences."
Planning content calendars and generating viral ideas. [19:12] Favorite AI Tools for Instagram Marketing:
Canva’s AI-powered features for quick graphic creation.
Planoly/Later for smarter scheduling and audience insights.
Descript for seamless video editing.

[23:40] Start Small with AI: Tips to integrate AI into your workflow without feeling overwhelmed.

[29:00] Refining Your Brand Voice: How to use AI to sharpen messaging while staying authentic.

[32:45] Experimentation is Everything: Why testing and refining your strategies is crucial for long-term success.

EPISODE LINKS:

Try Descript for AI-assisted video editing

Part 1: Instagram Marketing Trends 2025: How Creative Bravery is Helping Brands Stand Out (Part 1)

Part 2: The Instagram Growth Hack No One’s Talking About for 2025 (Part 2)

Hootsuite Social Trends 2025 Report

Follow Elizabeth Marberry on Instagram

Apply for a Complimentary Instagram Breakthrough Session

PS: Next week, I’m wrapping up this mini-series with part four: Building Trust and Transparency in Instagram Marketing. Plus, I’ll share a sneak peek of how Juan Galan uses AI to grow his audience authentically. Don’t m

CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST, ELIZABETH MARBERRY:
WORK WITH ELIZABETH

Next Episode

Crafting Your 2025 Instagram Content Plan with AI & ChatGPT with Juan Galán

AI isn’t the future - it’s happening right now, and it’s reshaping how we create, engage, and grow on Instagram. In this episode, I’m joined by Juan Galán, founder of AI Creator Academy, to discuss how AI can help you create content faster, automate engagement, and convert followers into customers.

Juan has built multiple Instagram accounts into the tens of thousands using AI, and today, he’s sharing exactly how you can work smarter, not harder in 2025.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

[00:00] Welcome to the AI Revolution – How Instagram marketing is shifting in 2025
[02:34] AI & Content Creation – Why AI-powered content performs better (and how to use it)
[05:45] Best AI Tools for Instagram Growth – Juan’s go-to platforms for automation & engagement
[09:12] The Power of AI in DMs – How to automate outreach without sounding robotic
[12:06] Personal Branding & AI – Using AI without losing your unique voice
[16:41] How to Build an AI-Assisted Instagram Strategy – Step-by-step guide to implementation
[20:18] Overcoming AI Resistance – Why business owners need to embrace AI now

Key Takeaways:

AI saves time – Automate content creation and engagement without sacrificing quality
Data beats guessing – AI tools provide real-time analytics to refine your Instagram strategy
Personalization still wins – AI should enhance, not replace, your voice and authenticity
Engagement matters – AI can help you scale responses, but human connection remains key

Episode Links & Resources Mentioned: