Busy Blooming with Tess Barclay

Tess Barclay
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Apr 2, 2026 • 25min

Instagram & YouTube just won.. TikTok is panicking: What's working on social media in April 2026

Welcome to WORK!!!! 💅🏻 Today we're kicking off the month with our state of social media to unpack what's working, what's happening, platform updates, social media news & more! Thanks to Storyblocks for sponsoring this video. Get 15% off any annual plan for a limited time, only available through this link: https://www.storyblocks.com/tessbarclayBusy Blooming HQ: https://www.busyblooming.ca/hq
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Mar 25, 2026 • 16min

Here's *exactly* how you're going to blow-up on Instagram & TikTok in April 2026

It's TIME to clock-in!! We're kicking-off a new instalment at the office of monthly content strategies! Join HQ: https://www.busyblooming.ca/hqTime stamps00:00 Intro 3:29 Overview of the strategy & HQ5:02 Let's BEGIN!! I know the intro is long I had things to SAY lol13:46 Outro & chatCheck out Rella & use code BUSYBLOOMING for for 10% off annual plans or 3 months: https://getrella.com/?via=busyblooming
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Mar 18, 2026 • 1h 4min

She worked at YouTube: The algorithm doesn't hate you, make the Substack & it's not too late

Welcome to WORK!! Today we're sitting down with @alexis_barber to dive into the unfiltered behind the scenes of the creator economy!🔗 CHECK OUT ALEXIS:Substack: Too Smart For This (https://toocollective.substack.com/)Instagram: @alexisbarberTikTok: @alexisbarber_YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UC7-YnRrflV9g6nLMWUkwDtA🎧 LISTEN ON THE PODCASTListen on Apple: https://apple.co/3OsCVEKListen on Spotify: http://bit.ly/3CHpmPoListen anywhere else: https://pod.link/1565886767📥 SPONSORThanks to Storyblocks for sponsoring this video. Get 15% off any annual plan for a limited time, only available through this link: https://www.storyblocks.com/tessbarclay⸻⏱️ CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS0:00 Intro4:00 Creators drive more culture than legacy media6:20 The state of the creator economy in 20269:48 The best formula for a successful creator in 202612:21 Viewing yourself as a startup as a creator15:07 The years you spend building the wrong thing18:02 How to build a cohesive brand without being "niched down"23:00 Long form content & how to grow on Substack31:38 The biggest misconception about YouTube right now33:44 The truth about thumbnails & titles from inside YouTube36:38 Can you grow from vlogs on YouTube in 2026?39:01 Should you be doing YouTube Shorts?46:48 Does YouTube actually push small creators?50:15 How to make social media your 9-to-5: 3 pillars56:47 Alexis's Creator Essentials group cohort1:03:00 Outro & Thank you!!⸻🔗 LINKSBusy Blooming HQ: https://www.busyblooming.ca/hqDescript: https://get.descript.com/tessClickUp: https://try.web.clickup.com/tessRiverside: https://riverside.fm/?via=tess-barclayRella: https://getrella.com/?via=busybloomingMy content creator essentials: https://www.amazon.com/shop/tessbarclayMy ShopMy (clothes, tech, etc.): https://shopmy.us/shop/tessbarclaySome links are affiliate links — I may earn a commission if you sign up (at no extra cost to you!) 💸📌 FOLLOW USBusy Blooming IG → https://www.instagram.com/busybloomingg/Tess IG → https://www.instagram.com/tessbarclay/TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@tess.barclayBusy Blooming® is a registered trademark. All content, formats, and segments are original works. Unauthorized reproduction or translation is not permitted.#creatoreconomy #socialmedia #youtubegrowth
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Mar 11, 2026 • 44min

Content therapy: Feeling cringe, social media "success" in 2026, creating when you're struggling..

Welcome to WORK!! Today we're clocking in for a content therapy meeting chatting about ALL things social media, content creation, growing in 2026, mental health, success, sharing your personal life & more!! Special Xero offer: Get 90% off for 6 months using this link. Terms & Conditions apply.* https://referrals.xero.com/p9bgvx98mnw20:00 Intro3:56 How to start from scratch on social media in 2026? 10:28 How do I stay consistent when my mental health isn't?15:49 How do I re-brand without losing followers? 18:47 When are you successful as a creator & how to stay content when you're so far away from your goals? 23:37 What do I do when I don't like the product a brand sent me? 25:03 How to post more when I want to spend less time on social media?27:33 How to deal with cringe when people I know follow me? 29:33 How to grow on social media when my life is boring? 32:44 How to grow a personal brand without sharing my personal life? 36:44 How to deal with comparison as a content creator? 39:25 How to make a series unselfish? 42:06 HQ pricing update!!
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Mar 4, 2026 • 28min

Instagram is thriving & TikTok is flopping: What's working right now on social media in March 2026

Welcome to WORK!! Today we’re so back unpacking our firstly monthly instalment of State of Social Media!! We’ll be unpacking what’s working in March 2026 on social media, Instagram new features, content inso, creator economy news & more! CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS00:00 Intro 3:15 Polished casual content is still in 4:25 Tess’ theory: The two types of creator in 2026 5:00 Expert personal brand + examples7:09 Chaotic personal brand + examples8:07 Influencers aren’t influential anymore 9:38 Niche audiences in 2026 are essential 10:26 Instagram updates: Stickers, Carousels & Adam Mosseri corner lol 12:15 YouTube updates: Voicenote comments & quizzes14:18 Podcasting news: Apple video & Jake Shane on Netflix 16:24 Average creator income & it’s not too late 20:30 Podcasts are the new late night22:04 The future of this channel & this podcast Check out Storyblocks at https://www.storyblocks.com/tessbarclay to level-up your content!ARTICLES + LINKS MENTIONEDAverage creator incomeFintech created for influencersVanity Fair the new late nightSubstack articles: https://mufarodawn.substack.com/p/the-rise-of-the-expert-influencerSubstack article 2: https://curatedbyamritasingh.substack.com/p/the-difference-between-being-an-influencerReddit thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/influencermarketing/comments/1rg8k7d/ive_spent_millions_on_influencer_marketing_ama/
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Jan 26, 2026 • 22min

Hitting 100k on YouTube in 2026: The one mindset that changed everything

Today we're kicking off our 3-part YouTube extravaganza to celebrate hitting 100k!! Today I'm sharing the one mindset that changed everything for me a few years ago about viewing YouTube as a puzzle piece. CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS00:00 Intro4:01 Mindset 1 - YouTube is the middle puzzle piece 6:03 Mindset 2 - Podcast & YouTube channel = the same thing7:06 How I combined the podcast & YouTube8:27 How I made YouTube the puzzle piece 13:15 Content ideas & trends for this week 16:43 After hours: How do you start from scratch on social?Check out Hostinger here: https://hostinger.com/tess and use code TESS for an additional 10% off! Their New Year Sale is on until Feb 17th where you can get started for $2.99! #youtube2026 #youtubegrowth #100kyoutube
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Jan 19, 2026 • 24min

AI influencers are here in 2026. They won't replace influencers, they will co-exist with us.

Will AI Influencers replace content creators in 2026? Welcome to WORK!! We're deep diving into AI-influencers today of everything that needs to come across your desk of how many AI influencers are there, are they getting brand deals & more! CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS00:00 Intro3:42 When did AI influencers start & who are they? 5:33 How many AI influencers are there & what’s the market?6:00 Gary Vee: Why I disagree on his take 7:04 Tess’ take: They’ll replace UGC, not influencers 8:57 Influence is expensive, not content (Alix Earle) 9:50 Tess’ take: It won’t replace, we’ll co-exist with AI influencers 11:06 Tess’ take: AI influencers will win who we love that they’re AI 14:08 How people are making money from AI influencers 16:17 Content idea & trend of the week18:59: After hours: Should you create a new channel for a new content pillar?Check out Brevo at https://get.brevo.com/tess and use my code TESS at checkout to save 50% on their Starter and Standard Plans for your first three months!
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Jan 12, 2026 • 40min

TikTok is dying in 2026: What's working right now on social media

Dive into the wild world of social media where creators are moving from broad audiences to intimate inner circles. Discover why polished-casual content is the new gold standard, and how raw, unscripted videos are making a comeback against AI saturation. Instagram and YouTube are evolving with new algorithms, prioritizing engagement over perfection. Tess shares actionable ideas for posting relatable content and encourages experimentation this month. Don't miss the latest trends and insights on influencer dynamics as we approach 2026!
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Jan 5, 2026 • 27min

You don't need to plan your 2026 content anymore you need to POST!! 📲 💅🏻 (yes, YOU!)

We've made it to the BEST year on social media & we have so much work to do today to get ready (even if you don't feel ready!!) Check out Rella & use code BUSYBLOOMING for for 10% off annual plans or 3 months: https://getrella.com/?via=busybloomingIn today's episode, I'm breaking down my method to get STARTED with our year at the office of consistency. A super quick 5-step planning routine, Q1 content strategy & habits that I'm taking into 2026 as a creator! CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS00:00 Intro2:08 How I'm using Rella to plan for 2026 4:06 Time to plan!! 4:44 Step 1: Stop, start, continue walk 5:16 Step 2: Big, scary vision board vs. 2026 vision board5:51 Step 3: To-do list & wish list vs. goals 7:36 Step 4: Creator habits & schedule 8:25 Step 5: Q1 Content strategy 9:07 10 Habits I'm doing in 2026 as a creator 9:31 No social media on my phone 10:40 Monthly meetings, habit stack filming, founder hour12:08 Batching, doing less, Notion & monthly challenges14:30 How to plan your content for January 17:05 Action item for the week 17:40 Content ideas & trends for the week 19:39: Voicenote: Should I niche down in 2026? 23:54 Hitting 100k!! & feeling cringe in your hometown lolBusy Blooming HQ: https://www.busyblooming.ca/hq#contentcreation #2026planning #2026goals
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Dec 1, 2025 • 29min

14 things to *not* post on social media in 2026 if you want to grow.. (my content icks lol)

We're getting UNFILTERED at work today unpacking what NOT to post in 2026 to grow on social media - basically a list of my content icks lol!CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS00:00 Intro4:23 ChatGPT content 6:26 Audio-only podcasts vs. YouTube podcasts 7:38 Podcast YouTube titles & thumbnails 8:27 Viral & views-only content 9:20 Instagram stories that don't do anything11:05 Content for pity (lol)13:17 Aesthetic-only content14:58 Break announcements 15:28 A "why" hook 16:21 Tips & hacks content (3 ways..) 17:26 Hustle fear-mongering energy 18:30 Day in my life vlogs 21:01 After-hours: How to grow on Instagram as a YouTuber?LINKSCheck out Storyblocks at https://www.storyblocks.com/tessbarclay to level-up your content!Busy Blooming HQ: https://www.busyblooming.ca/hq

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