How to Build Connections and Master Algorithms: Insights from Social Platform Insiders
By Timothy Beck Werth on March 18, 2026
At a SXSW panel titled “Your First 90 Days as a Creator,” leaders from Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube shared essential tips for new creators. They discussed common pitfalls and unveiled secrets to capturing the algorithm’s eye.
Facilitated by creator economy strategist Antonia Alakija, the panel offered insights from experts who help guide early-career creators in expanding their reach and impact.
Here are the key mistakes new creators should avoid and advice on their journey:
1. Avoid Trend Chasing:
Berry advises creators not to jump on every trend. Identifying the right trends you can uniquely contribute to is crucial. Trost adds the importance of using AI to track viral trends’ life cycles.
2. Neglecting Brand Deal Planning:
Start building a consistent profile early on, as Berry notes brands look for creators with relatable content, making readiness key in appealing to potential collaborations.
3. Misunderstanding Key Metrics:
Engagement metrics now outrank follower counts. Sollenberger emphasizes making informed decisions based on audience activity insights for better content performance.
4. Inconsistency:
The algorithm rewards consistent posting. Sollenberger highlights that maintaining a sustainable posting schedule is more critical than quantity. Trost suggests developing a regular cadence to establish audience expectations.
5. Underutilizing Platform Tools:
Experimentation is essential. Use tools like Instagram’s Trial Reels to test content formats without impacting your main grid, as Sollenberger suggests.
6. Starting with Long-form Videos:
Begin with short-form content, such as Shorts and Reels, for easier engagement and production, according to Trost and Rhett McLaughlin.
7. Generalist Approach:
Berry stresses finding a niche as crucial, advocating for specificity in creator content to stand out in a crowded internet environment.
Identifying one’s niche can later lead to developing a broader personal brand. Berry encourages creators to channel their passions, asserting that specificity wins on the internet.
Timothy Beck Werth is the Tech Editor at Mashable, guiding the Tech and Shopping sections. With over 15 years of experience, he specializes in consumer technology, smart home gadgets, and men’s lifestyle products. His work spans from SPY.com to publications like GQ and The Daily Beast.