Hello, and welcome back to the Hashtag, It’s Summer podcast series which is my invitation to you to stay in touch with your Instagram book marketing and platform building in this super-busy season.
This is episode two, and contrary to what I previously said, this episode is about The Cringe!
I was supposed to record an episode about how to get started on Instagram but this question of how to tackle The Cringe would not leave me alone since I watched a clip of Ocean Vuong talking about how ‘Cringe Culture’ is holding back his creative writing students.
I’m sure what he says - I’ve included the clip in the podcast, and you can watch the og video below 👇🏼 - will feel relatable to many of you in the context of your writing, but what also occurred to me is how often this feeling shows up when writers and author have to talk about yourself, and your work, in order to build a platform or promote your book.
So, I’ve done my best to explore why writers and authors might experience cringe when it comes to posting on Instagram, and I’ve made six suggestions for ways you might start to overcome it.
I hope you enjoy the episode!
Next week’s episode is going to be a meaty one about growth on Instagram so, if that’s interesting to you, make sure you’ve subscribed on your podcast provider, or here on Substack, so you’re notified as soon as that episode drops.
Featured in this episode:
The Wake Up Instagram Challenge - a FREE week-long series of 10 min daily tasks to help you get back in front of your favourite people after you’ve been on a break. Sign up with your email address below. The challenge starts on Monday 25th August 2025.
Becky Brynholf who I’ve borrowed from in this episode: ‘on the other side of cringe is freedom’
This feels like a good time to tell you about my membership, TOO MUCH INSTAGRAM which is hosted here on Substack.
Members benefit from:
a weekly online chat where you can access feedback, advice and encouragement in a safe, judgement-free space
a monthly Ask Me Anything session where you can get more detailed advice with any sticky problems
fortnightly co-working sessions where we create posts in company (and there’s usually an opportunity for you to pick my brains)
a wealth of other resources, ideas, and tutorials to support you with using Instagram to get more readers
and you also get to be part of a brilliantly warm and welcoming community of writers and authors all facing in the same direction.
You can browse the archive here. Upgrade your subscription to become a member ❤️
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