What is one piece of advice you wish you'd known when you first started with social media marketing? How would it have made a difference?

One piece of advice I wish I'd known when I first started with social media marketing is this: focus on quality over quantity, and understand your audience deeply before diving in. Early on, I thought posting frequently on every platform would lead to better engagement and faster growth. I didn't realize that creating fewer, more targeted, and high-quality posts tailored to a specific audience's needs would have a much greater impact. For example, when I first managed a campaign for a foundation repair company, I created general posts about the services. While they were informative, they didn't resonate with the audience. Later, I shifted my approach. Instead of generic content, I analyzed customer pain points-like cracked driveways or uneven floors-and created posts that addressed these issues directly, with visuals of before-and-after repairs and testimonials. Engagement and inquiries skyrocketed because the content felt personal and relevant. Social media is less about being everywhere and more about showing up where it matters most.

The most valuable advice I wish I'd known when starting social media marketing is that posting content alone isn't enough. Four years ago, I switched from a content-only approach to actively initiating conversations with my target audience, and it transformed how quickly I could turn connections into clients. When I started using social media marketing a decade ago, the 'post it and they will come' approach worked well. While the 'content is king' strategy is still being taught by experts, in today's noisy social media environment flooded with AI-generated content, it's a strategy that falls flat. What truly makes the difference in creating a faster sales cycle with more qualified leads is proactively engaging through comments, direct messages, and meaningful interactions - bringing the human touch back to social media marketing. Why This Approach Changed Everything: Creates personalized interactions tailored to individual needs Builds authentic relationships and trust faster than passive content Helps understand potential clients' challenges sooner Opens doors to additional opportunities like speaking engagements Prevents potential clients from choosing competitors The key is patience when using this process. One of the biggest mistakes I see people making with outreach is rushing to the 'sell' too quickly. Building trust takes time whether it's through content or conversation. However, actively reaching out and getting the conversation going results in qualifying who is the right fit faster, and builds trust more quickly than just posting and waiting for them to come to you. In today's AI-dominated landscape, genuine human connection is your strongest differentiator. If I had known this sooner, I would have spent less time perfecting posts and more time starting conversations that matter.

When I first got into marketing, I had no idea there were affordable tools out there to make the job easier and more strategic. It felt like everything was guesswork - throwing content into the void and hoping it worked. But then I discovered tools like Semrush, which completely changed the game. Platforms like these give you insights into keywords, search trends, and even your competition, helping you create a more targeted and impactful strategy without breaking the bank. Another key thing I've learned is that social media engagement is challenging for everyone, especially if you're not a household name. It's easy to look at big brands with millions of followers and feel like you're falling short. But the truth is, engagement is harder to come by across the board. What matters most is consistency and creating content that resonates with your audience, no matter the size. Marketing can feel overwhelming, but the right resources and mindset make all the difference. Start small, stay consistent, and use tools to make smarter decisions - it's all about working smarter, not harder.

One piece of advice I wish I would have known when I first started with social media marketing is to focus on the audience you are catering to. It is key to create content based on the audience you are targeting. While there are a lot of trends out there, if it does not cater to your audience, then do not use it. Sometimes I think people get so wrapped up in keeping up with the trends that they forget it if it something their audience would even want to see. This makes a big difference, because if you send out content to your audience that is not catered to their needs then they might unsubscribe or not support the company anymore. For example, a big social media trend going on right now is the hashtag 'TikTokRefugee'. This hashtag was created in the suspicion of TikTok being banned and users switching to other apps that are similar to TikTok, such as RedNote. However, let's say you are working for company who does not use TikTok. These companies can range from B2B Companies, Healthcare, Finance, Cybersecurity, Senior Living, etc. If you sent your audience an email campaign with the hashtag "TikTokRefugee', do you think they would understand that? The answer is most likely no, and they might lose some trust in your company because you are sending them information that is not applicable or relevant to them. Always understand your audience before you incorporate any kind of social media trends into your marketing campaigns.

I built my career on understanding audiences-what they care about, how they think, and what actually makes them engage. It's this mix of strategy and storytelling that lets me bridge the gap between what a brand wants to say and what people actually want to hear. If I had known earlier how critical it is to stay locked into audience behavior as platforms shift, I would've adapted faster. It's not about chasing trends for the sake of it; it's about using real insights to create content that feels fresh but is grounded in strategy. That's how you stay relevant and make an impact.

I wish I knew consistency beats perfection early on. At first, I focused too much on perfect content, over-editing posts, and waiting for the "right time." That slowed growth. If I had just posted consistently, tested different formats, and learned from engagement data, I would've built momentum faster. Social media rewards volume and iteration-post, analyze, adjust, repeat. Growth comes from showing up, not obsessing over every detail.

When I started in social media marketing, I wish I'd known not to treat every platform the same. I used to post the same thing everywhere, and it just didn't work, what clicks on Twitter doesn't always land on LinkedIn. Once I started tailoring content to each platform, engagement shot up. The right people noticed, and it made everything more effective. It would've saved me so much time and effort if I'd figured that out earlier.

I wish I'd known that you not only can but should have fun creating social media content - regardless of whether it's for your personal or company brand. If you don't find your communication interesting or entertaining, how can you expect your followers to? I think we should all need to shift from posting solely for promotional purposes and start making it relatable to our audience in some way.

The biggest piece of advice I wish I knew when just starting with social media marketing is that there are no strict rules when it comes to strategy. There is no magical number of reels you need to post every single day nor a strict rule of how many stories you should have. Searching for what is "right" instead of focusing on what I wanted to share and how I wanted to show up stripped away the joy for me at the beginning of my social media marketing journey. I was constantly up doing research and looking for advice from other creators and marketers trying to find the most perfect way to show up on social. And that eventually leads to creative burnout. When I shifted my focus on the stories I am telling (and I highly recommend all my clients to do the same, regardless of what kind of business they own!) instead of how many seconds is my Instagram reel, I started to enjoy the content creation process. And that ultimately led me to grow organically on social, build an engaged community and generate leads for my business. There is no single right way of showing up online - there is only your truly authentic way. And in order to find it, the only thing you need to do is show up online consistently.

Looking back, the single most valuable lesson I learned early on in my social media marketing journey was the power of genuine connection. I initially focused heavily on acquiring followers, but quickly realized that a small, engaged community built on authentic relationships was far more valuable. By prioritizing meaningful interactions, consistently delivering valuable content, and actively listening to my audience's needs, I was able to build a loyal following that continues to support my brand to this day. This shift in focus not only improved my overall engagement but also significantly impacted my bottom line.

The best tip when starting out on social media is to focus on just one platform. Choose the platform where your target market is most active, and concentrate your efforts there. By narrowing your focus, you'll find it much easier to stay consistent, engage authentically, and build momentum. Building a community on one platform first allows you to gain traction and establish a strong presence. Once you've got an engaged audience, expanding to other platforms becomes simpler-you can leverage your existing followers to help grow your presence elsewhere. Remember, it's easier to build a following from a following! So, if you're just starting out, pick your platform wisely, stay consistent, and be genuinely social. Once you've nailed that, you can think about expanding.

One piece of advice I wish I'd known when I first started with social media marketing is the importance of having a clear content strategy alongside a broader marketing strategy. When I launched my elopement photography business, I jumped into social media without a plan-posting inconsistently and investing in ads without fully understanding my audience. I spent a lot of money learning what didn't work before realizing that success comes from intentionality. If I had developed a strategy from the start-mapping out content pillars, aligning my social media efforts with my overall marketing goals, and focusing on organic relationship-building-I would have saved both time and money. Now, I approach social media as part of a larger ecosystem, using it to nurture leads, educate my audience, and reinforce my brand's value. Having a strategic foundation makes every post more effective and ensures that social media works for my business rather than feeling like an endless content treadmill.

When I first started with social media marketing, I wish I'd known how important consistency is. It took me a while to realize that posting regularly isn't enough if you're not following a clear pattern. Having a plan helps you stay on track and keep your audience engaged. One thing that stood out to me is that you can't expect results overnight, so creating a rhythm with your content is key. If I'd understood this from the start, I would've avoided wasting time on random posts and instead focused on content that aligned with the audience's interests. With consistency, you build trust and keep your audience coming back. It helps to stay on top of trends, but if you don't post consistently, no one will notice the good content you create.

I wish I'd known that consistency beats perfection every time. When I started in social media marketing, I spent hours overthinking every post, trying to make each one 'perfect.' But what actually moved the needle wasn't having the perfect caption or the most polished graphic - it was showing up regularly with valuable insights.

One piece of advice I wish I had known when I first started with social media marketing is that engagement matters more than follower count. Early on, it's easy to get caught up in vanity metrics-chasing high follower numbers rather than focusing on the depth of interaction with the right audience. I could have accelerated meaningful growth and conversions much earlier if I prioritized quality engagement over sheer volume from the start. The Impact of Engagement Over Follower Growth In one of my eCommerce campaigns, we shifted focus from follower acquisition to audience interaction and conversion-driven engagement. Instead of running mass-follow ad campaigns, we: Increased community engagement by 45% through interactive content (polls, Q&A sessions, and user-generated content). Improved organic reach by 60% by doubling down on shares and comments rather than passive likes. Boosted conversion rates by 12% by using social proof from engaged customers in ad creatives and product pages. Benchmarks and KPIs That Matter Engagement Rate: Rather than chasing 100K followers, I learned that achieving a 5-7% engagement rate per post (likes, comments, shares) drives higher visibility and trust. Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC): Social ads became more cost-effective as we optimized for engagement-first audiences, lowering CAC by 20% compared to generic traffic campaigns. Conversion Rate from Social Traffic: High-engagement posts increased click-through rates (CTR) by 30% and social-driven sales by 12%. If I had understood this from the start, I would have built a more loyal and responsive audience earlier rather than focusing on follower count alone. Today, my approach centers on engagement-first content, knowing that an engaged 10K audience can drive more revenue than an unengaged 100K following.

Focus on quality over quantity when it comes to content. Early on, I believed that posting frequently across all platforms was the key to success, but this approach often led to rushed, less engaging content that didn't resonate with the audience. If I had concentrated on creating fewer, higher-quality posts tailored to my audience's preferences and platform-specific trends, I would have seen better engagement and a stronger brand presence sooner. For example, instead of generic posts, I could have invested time in creating educational videos or behind-the-scenes content that fostered real connections with followers. Prioritize valuable, audience-focused content over sheer volume. A thoughtful strategy aligned with audience interests drives engagement, builds trust, and delivers long-term results.

Social media rewards consistency more than creativity. The best content means nothing if no one sees it regularly. Posting once a week and hoping for traction is a waste of time. At Cohort XIII, engagement doubled when we committed to a structured schedule-daily updates, real-time responses, and ongoing conversations with our audience. The algorithm favors activity, and customers pay attention to brands that stay present. Vanity metrics distract from real growth. Likes and follows feel good but do not convert into meaningful engagement. The real impact comes from comments, shares, and direct messages that lead to actual conversations. Shifting focus to deeper interactions improved our customer retention by 40 percent. A strong social media strategy builds relationships first, and the sales follow naturally.

Once, I underestimated the impact of visual content. Images and videos are more engaging than text-heavy posts. They can convey a message quickly and powerfully. Investing in high-quality visual content pays off. With stronger visuals, our campaigns could have captured more attention. This would have increased user engagement and sharing. Our clients' messages would have reached a broader audience. Visuals would have significantly amplified our marketing effectiveness.

One piece of advice I wish I'd known when I first started with social media marketing is: Consistency matters more than perfection. Early on, I focused too much on crafting the "perfect" post, which often led to delays and missed opportunities for engagement. Had I understood the power of consistent posting-whether through thought leadership, industry insights, or customer success stories-I could have built stronger audience trust and momentum much sooner. Regular, value-driven content fosters brand familiarity and keeps your audience engaged over time, ultimately leading to better results than sporadic bursts of "perfect" content.

One key piece of advice I wish I'd known when starting social media marketing is: Consistency is more important than perfection. -Why It Matters: Many beginners spend too much time trying to create the perfect post, but in reality, showing up regularly and engaging with your audience matters more than flawless content. Algorithms favor accounts that post consistently, so sticking to a schedule boosts visibility and engagement. -How It Would Have Made a Difference: Instead of overanalyzing every post, I would have focused on testing different content styles, tracking what works, and refining over time. This approach builds momentum faster and creates a more authentic connection with followers. *Pro Tip: Use a content calendar and plan posts in advance to stay consistent without feeling overwhelmed.