So, you took a break. Maybe life got loud. Maybe your inbox was all too much. Maybe your creativity packed up and left the building. Whatever the reason; you’re not alone, and you're not behind. You’re just. . . human.

The good news? Coming back doesn’t need to be a dramatic rebrand or a 27-slide story series explaining where you’ve been. You don’t owe anyone an apology. What you can do is show up with intention. Show up honestly. Show up with one post. Then another. And another. That’s how momentum starts. One step at a time.

Influencer marketing doesn’t have to feel awkward, transactional, or straight-up scammy, but let’s be honest, sometimes it does. If you’ve ever sent a message and instantly regretted it, or handed over product and heard nothing back, this one’s for you.

Here’s how to actually work with influencers in a way that’s authentic, effective, and doesn’t make you want to throw your phone.

You’ve got a killer product. Maybe it’s handmade, eco-friendly, or packed with personality. But let’s be honest. . . on Instagram, none of that matters if no one sees it. The scroll is relentless, the competition is wild, and you’ve got about three seconds to catch someone’s eye before they flick their thumb and move on.

So what actually makes a product stand out on the ‘gram? I’ve featured hundreds of small NZ businesses and seen what stops people mid-scroll . . . and what blends into the background.