4 Content Apps That Make Showing Up on Social Media Way Easier for Hair, Beauty + Creative Educators

We all know that social media for online educators is important, but it shouldn’t be consuming every waking moment. After all, you didn’t become a business owner to spend all day editing reels, writing captions, and responding to DMs. And you definitely didn’t become an educator to also become an influencer.

If the social media grind has started to feel like a whole other full-time job, you don’t need to burn it all to the ground…you just need to implement systems and shortcuts that keep your content creation process smooth, streamlined, and optimized.

The right tech tools within your business don’t eliminate the need for strategy and creativity, but they do reduce friction and streamline your workflow. These are the four social media and content creation tools that I rely on, both personally and within my businesses, to make showing up online feel easier, sustainable, intentional.

1. Manychat

Here’s the truth about “click the link in my bio for more information” - it just isn’t working anymore. People are busy and attention spans are short, and that few extra seconds of labour for them to find the right link and then scroll through to find what they’re looking for…it’s just annoying enough to lose potential customers.

ManyChat solves that problem by automating DM responses and keyword triggers on Instagram, so when someone comments or messages a specific word, they instantly get send the link or resource they were looking for.

I use ManyChat during launches (like Seen and Sought After) by posting something that says “comment WORKSHOP to get the link”. Then, when somebody does comment, ManyChat is set up to deliver the link directly to their inbox immediately. From the audience’s perspective, it feels instant, personal, and polished, all while saving me hours of time every week.

But the real magic of ManyChat is that it keeps the conversation going. If someone planned to check your link later, but got interrupted (because life happens), they’ll see that DM the next time they open Instagram. That reminder brings them back to your content and your offer, and keeps them immersed in your world.

You don’t have to build complicated chatbots, either. Even the most simple ManyChat automations make a massive difference in user experience and overall conversion.

2. Descript

Descript is the backbone of my current content creation process, and I use it for every episode of [Sought After Educator], but it’s also how I clip, repurpose, and refine long-form content into a wide variety of social media posts. It turns audio or video content into a transcript so that editing becomes as easy as deleting text.

If you also create long-form content like podcasts, YouTube videos, or online courses, Descript will save you hours. And even if you’re only making short-form content like face-to-camera reels, it’s still worth using for how well it polishes your videos.

It’s also packed with helpful AI features like sound cleanup, filler word removal, and easy caption generation. I actually use descript for creating the majority of the captions on my videos, too.

Descript is your personal sidekick for content that looks and sounds sharp, which can only help you to stand out in a crowded feed.

3. InShot (and Edits)

When you’re creating quick content on the fly (and let’s be honest, who isn’t these days) sometimes you just need to grab your phone, film a few clips, and get something posted. InShot is a simple, intuitive tool for trimming reels or TikToks, adding text overlays, syncing clips to music, or stitching different clips together. And it’s designed to be super easy to do right from your phone.

It’s my personal go-to for B-roll reels, voiceovers, or any quick edits when I don’t want to open my laptop. You can export in any format, adjust the timing, and add creative touches that make your videos look polished and professional.

Another great tool that I’ve been playing around with lately is Instagram’s Edits app. It’s sleek, intuitive, and I can genuinely see it replacing InShot soon, althouh it’s not quite there yet. It offers beautiful text overlays, easy layering of clips, smooth transitions, and a native format that integrates seamlessly with reels.

As of right now, Edits is still a bit glitchy, but it’s getting better fast. For now, I use both tools depending on my workflow, but if you’re brand new to video editing for social media, Edits is a fantastic place to start.

4. Captions

These days, if you’re not adding captions to your videos on social media, you’re losing viewers. Think about it…most people scroll Instagram or TikTok on mute while they’re in line at the grocery store, in the waiting room, or catching up on their feed during nap time. If your video doesn’t have captions, your people are gone before your hook even lands.

Captions are also an important feature for accessibility, and as our attention spans become shorter and shorter with each passing day, strong visual hooks are more important than ever. If viewers can’t follow along and stay engaged with your video content, they’re going to move on.

The Captions app automatically generates captions that sync beautifully with your video’s rhythm, and you can customize the font, timing, and style right from your phone. There’s also another feature that is my personal favourite; the built-in teleprompter.

If speaking face-to-camera makes you nervous, you can upload your script into Captions, and it’ll scroll your text as you record just like your very own personal mini studio. It helps you stay concise, confident, and on topic. Captions also removes awkward pauses and trims dead space, which makes your videos tighter and easier to watch.

Full disclosure…I’ve actually been doing more of my video editing in Descript lately, since I generally prefer working on my laptop. But if you’re someone who edits on your phone, Captions is a total game-changer.

Tools Don’t Replace Strategy

If there’s one thing I want you to remember, it’s that tools are here to make our lives easier - but they don’t replace strategy. You can automate, caption, and streamline to your heart’s content…but if your content doesn’t connect, it won’t convert, either.

These tools should enhance your existing strategy, not replace it altogether. They give us back some of our time and energy so we can focus on what really matters: creating the content that builds trust and credibility within our audiences and, ultimately, helps us to serve them better.

Being a sought after educator isn’t just about what you teach…it’s also about how it feels to learn from you, interact with you, and to be part of your online world. When your content can convey that feeling for you, it becomes like a magnet for your ideal clients.

PS. - Brand new and don’t know where to start? Captions is the easiest to use and has an immediate impact on your visibility and audience experience. Once you’re comfortable, try adding in one or two more tools to your workflow.

If this post gave you an idea or a new perspective, send me a DM on Instagram @itsJodiebrown. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Xo Jodie

Ps. Don't forget to subscribe to the Sought After Educator Podcast to get more insights like this delivered to your phone every week.

The Sneaky Ways Educators are Self-Sabotaging (and how to stop it so you can finally get the growth you deserve)

Online educators often find themselves stuck in the mud, even though they know that their education is incredibly valuable in their niche. They’ve got the talent, their students are getting results, and their reviews are glowing. But for some reason…momentum feels stalled, and growth seems to be just out of reach.

If this sounds like you, you’re definitely not alone, and it’s not because you’re not putting in the work. In fact, most educators I know are working their tails off! The problem is that a lot of them are stuck in something called an identity loop.

Identity loops are super sneaky. They keep us busy and feeling productive on the surface, but they’re quietly sabotaging our growth in the background. At a first glance, they may even seem like strategy problems (“my content isn’t converting” or “I need a new funnel”) but they’re actually rooted in your beliefs, self-image, and the habits you’ve built in your business.

I see smart, talented educators stuck in these identity loops in coaching sessions, in my DMs, and inside my programs all the time. But here’s the good news: you can absolutely break free from them. Once you learn to identify these unhelpful patterns, you can shift out of them, show up in a way that supports your momentum, and get back to growing your business.

Let’s talk about the five most common identity loops that creative educators fall into, and the shifts that will break the chains.

1. The Humble Expert

The Humble Expert has a reputation of pure gold that has been built through mastering their craft and getting amazing results. Students are raving, referrals are flowing, and maybe they’re even landing speaking gigs. On paper, they’re the definition of the sought after educator.

But when it comes time to actually sell their expertise? Not a peep.

Instead of showing up with well-earned authority and confidence, the Humble Expert remains soft, vague, and modest to a fault. They may hide behind being “helpful” instead of boldly claiming what they can do. Their work may speak for itself in the classroom, but in the online world, it gets lost in the noise.

I see this happen a lot with educators who deeply value their integrity. They’ve seen the fake screenshots, inflated claims, and slimy marketing tactics that feel totally out of alignment with their values. 

So instead of being seen as “that girl,” they play small, and they’re not getting the traction they deserve in their business because nobody gets to see what they offer.

Break the loop: Get crystal clear on your brand identity and the unique impact you create. Articulate your methodology, your unique lens, and your promise. Let go of the belief that selling is always pushy or fake. Serving with integrity is the most powerful way to help more people, and marketing yourself is an invitation into the transformation you create for your students.

2. The Content Hustler

The Content Hustler is showing up every day…posting reels, carousels, stories, maybe even on YouTube or a podcast. They’re sharing valuable insight and are often praised for how consistent they are. 

What their followers don’t see is that behind the scenes, they’re totally exhausted. And to add insult to injury, all of that content isn’t even converting into sales.

This identity loop is extra tricky because it feels and looks a lot like momentum. You’re staying busy, being seen, and constantly creating new things. But because you don’t have a clear client journey mapped out, your content isn’t leading anywhere except to a constant stream of likes and emojis in the comments…and no buyers.

Break the loop: Give every single piece of content a job. Visibility posts are to get new eyes on your offer, while nurturing content works to build connections with the ones that are already there. Conversion content’s job is to actually drive sales and turn followers into customers.

Remember, content can’t do all the heavy lifting alone. The most successful educators you see online aren’t just posting consistently and hopping on trends…they’ve also built streamlined funnels, automated email sequences, and backend systems guiding people from “I just found your page” to “take my  money now.”

3. The Strategy Hopper

The Strategy Hopper suffers hard from “shiny object syndrome”, but business-flavoured. One week, they’re building a challenge funnel. Next, they’re re-writing their sales page. And then suddenly, they’re taking a new course and creating a whole new framework for their business. They’ve collected more webinars, memberships, and group programs than they know what to do with…and they’ve been collecting dust in their inbox for years.

Strategy Hoppers aren’t lacking ideas…in fact, they probably have too many ideas. What they actually need is focus and patience.

Switching up the strategy on repeat feels like progress, and it definitely keeps you busy, but it also keeps you stuck at square one. When the results don’t come fast enough, you assume the strategy must be the problem and drop it…when in reality, you just didn’t give it time to work.

Break the loop: Pick one strategy (yes, one strategy) and commit…full stop. Build it, run it, test it, refine it. Look at the data and take honest stock of what’s working, what’s not, and why. Then - and only then - can you consider adding something new.

Your business is like a garden, and if you dig up your seeds every week to plant new ones instead, nothing ever has time to grow. Quiet the noise, tune out the free workshops and endless templates, and give your strategy a chance to take root and grow.

4. The Best Kept Secret

The Best Kept Secret has an undeniably awesome offer, and their current students are obsessed…but outside of their immediate circle, nobody even knows their name.

Maybe you’ve been relying strictly on referrals, random collaborations, or bursts of visibility when an opportunity does just happen to fall from the sky. But when those one-off experiences disappear, so does your growth.

This is what I call “accidental visibility.” People find you, but there’s no framework in place to keep them coming back for more or guide them to action.

Break the loop: Build a visibility strategy that’s intentional, not accidental. Whether it’s applying to speak on podcasts, collaborating with other creators regularly, refining your SEO on your website, or setting up paid ads, map out how new people can consistently find you. Once the visibility is in place, you can connect it to a backend funnel so that when your people arrive, they quickly learn who you are, what you do, and exactly how they can work with you.

5. The Burnt-Out Multi-Passionate

As a fellow multi-passionate creator, I have a special place in my heart for The Burnt-Out Multi-Passionate. They’re running a salon, creating courses, launching products, teaching for a brand, and maybe even coaching other stylists. They love having multiple balls in the air, and of course, they’re good at all of them.

The problem is that they’re running on pure adrenaline. When they’re “on,” things move rapidly, but the second they take a minute to breathe, the momentum dies and results burn out right alongside the creator.

This particular identity loop thrives on the belief that “more is better”...think extra offers, new ideas, and yet another launch. And while that new project energy can be intoxicating, once you actually find yourself in the middle of everything, it’s completely overwhelming and that is exactly where you’re burning out.

Break the loop: First, take a deep breath and repeat after me: I cannot serve from an empty cup. Next, define one core offer, and build the backend structure to support it. And before you think I’m trying to tell you that you have to just choose one passion forever (I get it, it’s like choosing a favourite child) that’s not what I’m saying at all. You can still be multi-passionate, you just can’t do everything all at the same time.

Build one strong foundation first, then layer in the next project. That way, you’re not burning yourself out and then reinventing the wheel every few months. Your backend systems keep working, even when you take a step back to work on something new.

Feeling called out?

If you recognize yourself in one (or more) of these identity loops, you’re in good company. My clients have been there, my friends have been there, and I most definitely have also been there. These patterns are prevalent because they feel productive - and productivity is like a cozy security blanket for an ambitious business owner.

If I could tell you one thing, it would be this: this is not who you are, it’s just where you are right now.

Identity loops aren’t a death sentence, and they’re definitely not permanent. They’re signals that show you what needs to shift. When your brand, backend systems, and content strategy all work together in the same harmonious ecosystem, you can finally break the loop and settle into sustainability. You can finally stop spinning and second-guessing, and start actually owning your space as a sought after educator.

If this post gave you an idea or a new perspective, send me a DM on Instagram @itsJodiebrown. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Xo Jodie

Ps. Don't forget to subscribe to the Sought After Educator Podcast to get more insights like this delivered to your phone every week.

How Hair, Beauty + Creative Educators Can Build Sustainable Businesses Online (Without Posting 24/7)

Let’s be honest… whether you’re new to the online education space or you’ve been selling your course for years, content burnout comes for us all. This can be especially frustrating when you feel like you’re constantly creating new content, but things aren’t converting and your sales are sluggish.

The truth is, content alone isn’t what’s growing businesses in the online education space anymore. If you’re posting consistently, chasing the trends, and still feel like you’re running in circles, you’re not doing anything wrong. Content is only one piece of a much bigger puzzle when it comes to marketing and scaling your business.

The industry has evolved, and so has your audience. Posting consistently or chasing trends can only take you so far if the strategy underneath isn’t aligned.

Content is the messenger… but without the right message, structure, and strategy behind it, even great content can fall flat.

Align (Your Brand Foundation)

This is the phase that most educators want to skip, and then they wonder why their marketing feels flat. Align is all about brand foundation and clear messaging, and it’s absolutely essential to articulate your unique method, message, and what you bring to the table as an educator.

In the Align Phase, you define exactly what you want to be known for in your niche. I’m not talking about general terms or vague titles…this is the part of your brand foundation that will tell potential buyers whether your offer is for them or not.

If your brand foundation isn’t clear, your content will never stick. Crystal-clear messaging is what makes you memorable, trusted, and referral-worthy in your industry.

Anchor (Your Backend Structure)

Once your message is dialed in, it’s time to create the systems that support it. The Anchor Phase is where attention turns into impact by making sure your audience can experience the full client journey. Sure, you can create a mindset shift or teach a quick tip with an Instagram post… but the real impact of your work happens inside your education.

Yes, I’m talking about marketing funnels and moving your community off social media alone.

When you have the right software it’s a game changer for your education business, (shout of to Kajabi, my personal fav)

This is where you’ll put your strategic opt-ins or low-ticket offers, create intentional nurture sequences that guide your audience deeper, and build a seamless client journey that leads to your main offer.

Marketing systems aren’t meant to replace your creativity... They actually protect it. They buy back the time and headspace you need to innovate and create. Ya know, so you can live your life not tied to your phone.

So what exactly is a marketing “system”?

A client journey that runs whether you’re online or not. Essentially, your sales funnel.

It moves someone from finding you to understanding how you solve their problem to deciding to work with you inside your offers.

Old advice? “Get an opt-in somehow, send a few sales emails, sell your offer.” Which isn’t working quite so well anymore because it ignores the client journey.

So what works now?

Instead of random email newsletters and chaotic launches, you will create a deliberate and clear pathway so you don’t feel like you’re pitching in the dark. You’re inviting people to a transformation that feels aligned with exactly what they need.

Relying on Instagram stories alone is not a strategy. It’s actually a huge gamble, because platforms can glitch, reach can drop for no reason, and accounts can get locked. You need a bulletproof backend that doesn’t rely on algorithms if you want to create true sustainability.

Attract (Your Visibility Strategy)

This is the part that gets all the attention, amirite?! Content, visibility, growth… YES please that’s what we want.

The Attract Phase is the part most educators want to start with at the very beginning, because it’s all about visibility. But without Align and Anchor in place first, the content you create to get more eyes on your offer actually has you shouting into the void.

Attract is about creating an actionable marketing plan that feels effortless because it’s rooted in clarity. With a precise message and a rock-solid backend system, your content is free to reach out to your audience and invite them into a client journey that feels tailor-made.

Each piece of content you put out is built on your brand foundation and messaging. This means that you’re repurposing key information across all formats (podcasts, reels, carousels, etc.), speaking to your audience’s specific lived experiences, and building trust and connection by showing them exactly how you can be of service.

Why I Teach This

I’ve seen my clients trying to replicate a launch strategy that worked in the past, but without brand clarity and a strategy, it fell flat on the second try. I’ve seen educators with viral visibility, but clunky backend systems that are costing them sales. And I’ve seen more people than I can count spinning their wheels and burning themselves out on content creation when they don’t have the systems in place to keep their businesses scalable and sustainable in the first place.

Once we worked through the 3-step framework together, their launches felt more strategic, their systems finally let them take a breath, and (you guessed it) their sales skyrocketed, too.

It’s time to stop second-guessing yourself against every email in your inbox or post that pops up on your feed.

Content is powerful, but it’s not the whole story. Real momentum and expansion comes when you Align your brand and message, Anchor your backend systems, and Attract with intentional content that calls your dream clients in like moths to a flame.

If this post gave you an idea or a new perspective, send me a DM on Instagram @itsJodiebrown. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Xo Jodie

Ps. Don't forget to subscribe to the Sought After Educator Podcast to get more insights like this delivered to your phone every week.