Ok, I’m sick of it. I’m just going to say it- stop stressing about

“Am I doing this right”?

“How many times should I post on instagram/fb/whatever”?

“Should I use reels”?

“How do I get new followers”?

“How many hashtags should I use”?

“How do I get more likes/engagements”?

The number of times these and related questions get asked people in business groups, or my clients on a daily basis is insane.

It’s almost like people are scared of social media, that they need to be told “experts” what they “should” do.

One example is “you must use hashtags”. A colleague of mine did an experiment with hashtags- and now he doesn’t use them (woah mind blown- it made no difference to his account growth or engagement) In fact Instagram penalises the overuse of hashtags. The thing is and I know I’ve said this before, and I know I will say it again.

What works for one business may not necessarily work for yours.

No shit Sherlock.

 

So instead of stressing about the “shoulds,” here’s what I suggest:

• Focus on your audience. Who are you trying to reach? What do they care about? What kind of content do they want to see? Once you know your audience, you can create content that is relevant and interesting to them.
• Be yourself. People can spot a fake from a mile away, so don’t try to be someone you’re not. Just be genuine and authentic, and people will be drawn to you.
• Be consistent. Post regularly, but don’t spam your followers. Aim for a posting schedule that works for you and your audience.
• Interact with your audience. Respond to comments and questions, and participate in relevant conversations. This will help you to build relationships with your audience and keep them coming back for more.
• Have fun! Social media should be enjoyable. If you’re not having fun, it will show in your content.

Remember, social media is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes time and effort to build a following and see results. But if you’re consistent and authentic, you will eventually start to see the results you want.

Here are a few additional tips:

• Don’t compare yourself to others. Everyone’s social media journey is different. Focus on your own goals and progress.
• Don’t be afraid to experiment. Try different types of content and see what works best for your audience.
• Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results immediately. It takes time to build a following and see results. Just keep creating great content and engaging with your audience.

Social media can be a great way to connect with your audience, promote your business, and generate leads and sales. But it’s important to remember that there is no one-size-fits-all approach. What works for one business may not necessarily work for yours.

So instead of stressing about the “shoulds,” focus on your audience, be yourself, be consistent, interact with your audience, have fun and evaluate.