At the end of 2025, I shared two podcast episodes breaking down my best and worst Instagram content from the year. And when I teased those episodes on Instagram, I got a lot of questions about how I actually decide what makes a post “good” or “bad.”

The obvious answer is data. I look at analytics, engagement, and performance. But the deeper answer (and the one that’s mattered way more for the long-term growth of my business) is that there’s a metric I care about even more than what Instagram shows me.

For years, I’ve relied on what I call my ground beef metric to gauge whether my content is actually doing what it’s supposed to do: building connection, trust, and relationships that eventually lead to inquiries and bookings.

In this episode, I’m breaking down what my ground beef metric is, why vanity metrics don’t tell the full story, and how to tell if your Instagram content is actually working, even when the numbers feel confusing or discouraging.

We’re talking:

1. Why Instagram metrics matter (but shouldn’t control your emotions)
2. The real reason posts sometimes don’t perform, even when they’re good
3. What the ground beef metric is and how to use it to gauge audience connection
4. Why Instagram Stories play such a big role in building trust
5. How connection compounds over time into inquiries and bookings
6. What to focus on if you want Instagram to feel easier and more fun again

If you’ve ever felt frustrated looking at your Instagram analytics, questioned whether your content is “working,” or wondered why posting feels so emotional sometimes, this episode will give you a totally different way to measure success.

Links & Resources

1. 📱 Join my free Instagram Consistency Challenge: maddiepeschong.com/ig
2. 💻 Get coached in Rebrand, my 12-month program for photographers ready to book more brand photography clients
3. 📝 Blog: Read more tips and tools to grow your brand photography business
4. 🔄 Listen to my Best & Worst Instagram Content episodes (and how I evaluated them)
5. 💬 Questions or episode ideas? DM me on Instagram!

Let’s Connect:

1. Website: maddiepeschong.com
2. Instagram: @maddiepeschong

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