Starting From Scratch: Learning to Manage Social Media and Grow Your Brand
As someone who is new to the world of social media, diving into platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube can feel overwhelming. Managing multiple accounts, understanding what your audience wants, and creating content that stands out are all new challenges. However, with each day, you learn more about what works and how to use these platforms effectively.
Here’s what I’ve learned so far in my social media journey, and how I’m slowly figuring out how to make it all work.
1. Getting Started: Facing the Learning Curve
When I first set up our accounts, it felt like I had entered a whole new world. Every platform has its own rules, trends, and audience behaviors. Learning to use Facebook is not the same as mastering TikTok or Snapchat.
My advice: Start small. Begin by focusing on one or two platforms that feel most intuitive to you. For me, it was Facebook and Instagram because they felt more familiar. Once you get the hang of these, you can expand to TikTok or YouTube, where content creation requires a different approach.
2. Trial and Error: Finding What Works
In the beginning, I had no idea what type of content would resonate with people. Should I post more photos, or focus on videos? How often should I post? It’s easy to feel lost, but I’ve learned that the key is to experiment while staying true to myself.
What I’ve discovered: You have to be willing to try different things and see what sticks. Sometimes a post that you thought was “just okay” might blow up with likes and shares, while something you spent hours perfecting doesn’t get much traction. That’s normal! But what’s most important is that I create content that I enjoy and reflects my life and interests. Staying authentic to who I am makes the process more fun and helps me connect with the right audience.
3. Using Tools to Make Life Easier
I quickly realized that managing five social media accounts without help is exhausting. I was spending hours switching between apps and trying to keep up with posts, comments, and messages.
The solution? Social media management tools like Hootsuite, Buffer, and Later. These tools allow me to schedule posts in advance, so I’m not constantly jumping from one platform to the next. This has been a huge time-saver and helps me stay consistent, which I’m learning is key to growing your audience.
4. Learning the Importance of SEO and Hashtags
In the beginning, I didn’t pay much attention to hashtags or keywords. I thought they were just extras that didn’t make much of a difference. But then I learned how important they are for getting your content seen.
What I’ve discovered: SEO (Search Engine Optimization) doesn’t just apply to websites; it’s important on social media too. On platforms like YouTube, keywords in your video titles and descriptions can make or break your visibility. On Instagram and TikTok, using the right hashtags can put your content in front of the right audience. It’s a lot of trial and error, but the more I learn, the better I get at optimizing my posts for discoverability.
5. Building Engagement With My Audience
At first, I focused mainly on posting content, but soon I realized that interacting with my audience is just as important. Responding to comments, answering questions, and even liking other people’s posts help build a community around your content.
My tip: Take time to engage with your followers. Ask them questions in your posts, run polls on Instagram Stories, or respond to their comments. The more you interact, the more people feel connected to you, which boosts your engagement and helps grow your following.
6. Tracking ROI: Is It All Worth It?
One of the biggest questions I’ve asked myself is whether all the time and effort I’m putting into social media is really worth it. How do I know if I’m seeing a return on my investment (ROI)?
What I’m learning: Social media ROI isn’t just about money—it’s about the time you invest and the growth you see in your brand. Right now, I’m focusing on measuring engagement rates, follower growth, and website traffic from social media. These metrics help me see what’s working and where I can improve. It’s a learning process, but with each new insight, I feel more confident about my social media strategy.
7. Staying Authentic While Learning
It’s easy to get caught up in trying to create “perfect” content, especially when you see influencers with huge followings. But what I’ve realized is that people are drawn to authenticity. You don’t need to be an expert; you just need to be real.
My personal goal: I want to stay true to myself and my brand while learning the ropes. People appreciate honesty, and they’ll follow along if they feel like they can relate to you. So, I’m embracing the learning process and sharing my journey, mistakes and all.
Managing social media may be new for me, but I’m learning that with time, patience, and willingness to experiment, we will build a successful online presence. Even when it isn’t always easy. I’ve faced also countless struggles along the way—spending countless hours trying to get everything right, falling down only to get back up again. I’ve invested hours and hours and a lot of money, and yet, the site still doesn’t run as it should. I’ve trusted people who claimed they could help, only to lose months of hard work. But despite the setbacks, I still believe in this project with all my heart. And when i see the smile on my girls face as she is so proud it gets easier. By focusing on engagement, learning how to use SEO and hashtags, and staying authentic, I’m starting to see the benefits.
If you’re just starting out like me, don’t be afraid to dive in and make mistakes, to fall a to get back up again. Follow your heart and what you believe in. Social media is a constantly evolving world, and we’re all learning as we go. The key is to stay consistent, adapt to what works for you, and keep creating content that reflects your true self. Success may take time, but with persistence, the results will follow.
With Love Nicole x0x0
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