Meet Jenn
Before I became a global expert on Instagram marketing, published author, and international speaker, I was an aspiring forensic scientist and even finished top of my class with a Master’s in Forensic Science.
So, how did I end up teaching Instagram for a living?
Well… you know, life happened!
And I couldn’t be more grateful.
Meet Jenn
Before I became a global expert on Instagram marketing, published author, and international speaker, I was an aspiring forensic scientist and even finished top of my class with a Master’s in Forensic Science.
So, how did I end up teaching Instagram for a living?
Well… you know, life happened!
And I couldn’t be more grateful.
When all the plans fell through
There was a day when I didn’t live and breathe all things social media. Back then, I had finished my Master’s in Forensic Science and was working in sales for a high-end restaurant supply company. I was applying for jobs in the forensics field and then the recession hit. Everything changed and being in sales, I had to leave that job, as most of clients were closing or cutting back on everything. I ended up bouncing through a few jobs – administration back to bartending and then into human resources.
Then the job I was at in human resources had an option for me to move into more creative and marketing work and I took it. And that was how I forayed into the world of social media marketing.
It started as a hobby
In the midst of getting a government contracting company to embrace social media, working with a lot of retired military personnel who are averse to sharing ANY-thing on social media, I learned a lot of lessons about how to approach social media for marketing. And I figured, hey, if I can get these guys to overcome their hesitation, I’m sure others could use this too.
So, I started a blog! Jenn’s Trends was launched in 2013. And it was purely a hobby. There was no strategy, no posting schedule, no revenue model. It was fun and I enjoyed it. I created blog posts frequently and whenever inspiration struck (which was about 3 times a week lol).
When all the plans fell through
There was a day when I didn’t live and breathe all things social media. Back then, I had finished my Master’s in Forensic Science and was working in sales for a high-end restaurant supply company. I was applying for jobs in the forensics field and then the recession hit. Everything changed and being in sales, I had to leave that job, as most of clients were closing or cutting back on everything. I ended up bouncing through a few jobs – administration back to bartending and then into human resources.
Then the job I was at in human resources had an option for me to move into more creative and marketing work and I took it. And that was how I forayed into the world of social media marketing.
It started as a hobby
In the midst of getting a government contracting company to embrace social media, working with a lot of retired military personnel who are averse to sharing ANY-thing on social media, I learned a lot of lessons about how to approach social media for marketing. And I figured, hey, if I can get these guys to overcome their hesitation, I’m sure others could use this too.
So, I started a blog! Jenn’s Trends was launched in 2013. And it was purely a hobby. There was no strategy, no posting schedule, no revenue model. It was fun and I enjoyed it. I created blog posts frequently and whenever inspiration struck (which was about 3 times a week lol).
And then came Instagram
Instagram had been launched and lots of my friends were using it for fun. Writing a blog on social media TRENDS, I finally gave in and realized I’d have to learn and understand Instagram too. So I downloaded that little app and my life and career have never been the same!
I immediately fell in love with Instagram. I’ve always loved photography, so an app dedicated to photos was right up my alley (this was back before we even had videos, let alone Stories and Reels!). And I LOVED the community interaction. People were responsive and engaged and positive. I was connecting with people immediately and building friendships with total strangers. I was obsessed!
But for as fun as it was, how could Instagram be used for business?
I started researching everywhere but there wasn’t any good advice. Everything was, back then, use filters, like other people’s posts, and use hashtags. But there was no strategy, no case studies, no traffic generating tips. There was no good business advice.
And then came Instagram
Instagram had been launched and lots of my friends were using it for fun. Writing a blog on social media TRENDS, I finally gave in and realized I’d have to learn and understand Instagram too. So I downloaded that little app and my life and career have never been the same!
I immediately fell in love with Instagram. I’ve always loved photography, so an app dedicated to photos was right up my alley (this was back before we even had videos, let alone Stories and Reels!). And I LOVED the community interaction. People were responsive and engaged and positive. I was connecting with people immediately and building friendships with total strangers. I was obsessed!
But for as fun as it was, how could Instagram be used for business?
I started researching everywhere but there wasn’t any good advice. Everything was, back then, use filters, like other people’s posts, and use hashtags. But there was no strategy, no case studies, no traffic generating tips. There was no good business advice.
Here comes Jenn!
Fun fact: if I see a problem, I’m genetically predisposed to find a way to fix it.
And there was a problem:
no one was talking about how to use Instagram for business.
Here I had my little blog that was gaining some traction. I had met some incredible people within the industry who had online shows (back in the Google+ days!) and big audiences. So I started blogging about Instagram. I started experimenting with strategies. I started analyzing other accounts. I started testing theories. See… that whole science background came in pretty handy!
And I started blogging about all of it. I shared everything I tested, researched, learned, and dissected. I started hypothesizing strategies. I started recommending tactics for growth, exposure, and engagement. In fact, I’m not sure I can take full credit, but that whole “click the link in the bio” call-to-action was one of my early recommended tactics and I haven’t seen that recommended anywhere prior to my posts…
And, so, with lots of fresh content, high quality posts, and actionable tips, my blog started ranking on the first page on Google. I started getting asked to speak on podcasts and live shows. And I got some early breaks into various speaking gigs.
And this is where things really started to transform and grow into a full business model.
Here comes Jenn!
Fun fact: if I see a problem, I’m genetically predisposed to find a way to fix it.
And there was a problem:
no one was talking about how to use Instagram for business.
Here I had my little blog that was gaining some traction. I had met some incredible people within the industry who had online shows (back in the Google+ days!) and big audiences. So I started blogging about Instagram. I started experimenting with strategies. I started analyzing other accounts. I started testing theories. See… that whole science background came in pretty handy!
And I started blogging about all of it. I shared everything I tested, researched, learned, and dissected. I started hypothesizing strategies. I started recommending tactics for growth, exposure, and engagement. In fact, I’m not sure I can take full credit, but that whole “click the link in the bio” call-to-action was one of my early recommended tactics and I haven’t seen that recommended anywhere prior to my posts…
And, so, with lots of fresh content, high quality posts, and actionable tips, my blog started ranking on the first page on Google. I started getting asked to speak on podcasts and live shows. And I got some early breaks into various speaking gigs.
And this is where things really started to transform and grow into a full business model.
It's still about the science...
One of the big things that sets me apart from others in the Instagram space is that I still break everything apart scientifically. I don’t just listen to what other blogs are saying or directly quote back what Instagram tells us.
I still test everything. I still do case studies. I still look behind the news updates as to the impact of feature releases and changes. And I’m fortunate to have people around the world who will reach out to me when they get early access to features so that we can test them out and see what the strategy should be.
For years, I’ve been diagnosing trends, explaining algorithms, and predicting long term tactical impacts. And that’s how I’ve committed to helping brands and businesses around the world.
No brand is the same as any other. No account has the same implications as another. No two organizations have the same marketing strategy. And, so, no single Instagram strategy is universal.
I work with brands as a consultant, I work with members in my membership program, and I delve into every audience question but looking at each one as its own unique entity. Because they are. And it’s the science behind their account insights that help us target growth, engagement, and sales, bringing their Instagram strategy into focus and driving tangible results over time.
If you’re ready to work with me and take the scientific dive
into your Instagram strategy, let’s get started!
It's still about the science...
One of the big things that sets me apart from others in the Instagram space is that I still break everything apart scientifically. I don’t just listen to what other blogs are saying or directly quote back what Instagram tells us.
I still test everything. I still do case studies. I still look behind the news updates as to the impact of feature releases and changes. And I’m fortunate to have people around the world who will reach out to me when they get early access to features so that we can test them out and see what the strategy should be.
For years, I’ve been diagnosing trends, explaining algorithms, and predicting long term tactical impacts. And that’s how I’ve committed to helping brands and businesses around the world.
No brand is the same as any other. No account has the same implications as another. No two organizations have the same marketing strategy. And, so, no single Instagram strategy is universal.
I work with brands as a consultant, I work with members in my membership program, and I delve into every audience question but looking at each one as its own unique entity. Because they are. And it’s the science behind their account insights that help us target growth, engagement, and sales, bringing their Instagram strategy into focus and driving tangible results over time.
If you’re ready to work with me and take the scientific dive into your Instagram strategy, let’s get started!
Random Fun Facts About Me
4 times Dummies book author
Top 10 Social Media Blog
North American hybrid – born and raised in Canada but living my adult life in the US
Single mom to an incredible mini-me who is an artist in her own right
Pizza is my lifeblood
Hallmark channel and Real Housewives junky
Random Fun Facts About Me