We get it. You should use hashtags. There are a billion and one blog posts on the subject, and — while they all provide valuable information — no one wants (or needs) to read another post about why you should be using hashtags. What we DO need to know are the hashtag secrets to get more followers and boost engagement. Why? Because hashtags can actually be your secret weapon to be MORE successful on social media with LESS work.

Let’s be real, social media is hard enough as it is, right? Putting yourself out there, coming up with content, and sticking with it on the regular can feel like a freaking full-time job. Truthfully, it’s understandable that some people (introverts and extroverts) struggle online. But, if you’re looking for a way to navigate the waters of social media as an introvert with a little bit of help, here are our best tips for you.

When it comes to outdated marketing advice, the age-old “You should start a blog!” is probably our favorite. It’s not that it’s bad advice — in fact, it can be excellent advice — provided that the person (or company) would actually benefit from having a blog. However, not everyone should have a blog — just like not everyone should be using every social media platform.

It’s super easy to get caught up in the general “rules” that we forget each individual case is different, which means what works for one person (aka blogging) might not be a good choice for you. If you’re asking yourself, “Should I start a blog?” or even wondering how to start a blog, here are a few questions you should ask yourself first…

We live in a world where “more” is often translated to “better”. More money, more likes, more followers. It can leave us searching for new and improved ways to get more faster. This is why buying followers on social media exists. It’s a quick way for people to get instant validation, but what may start as a legitimate attempt to grow your brand can actually cause more harm in the long-term.

We’re big believers in the philosophy that — when it comes to social media followers — more isn’t always better. We’ve seen it countless times with our clients over the years, people wishing they could have tens or hundreds of thousands of followers. We often think that more followers = more successful, so we spend a lot of time and energy trying to figure out how to get more followers on social media. We get it! We do it too. However, that’s not always in the case.

There are a billion and one articles online about what to do on social media. Usually, they mention some variation of the same thing — use hashtags, post consistently, be genuine, etc. Don’t get us wrong, those articles are *great*. (We write those articles sometimes.) However, no one is talking about what you shouldn’t do on social media. And, well, it’s time we spread the word.

If you’re guilty of breaking one or more of these, don’t stress! Most of us are. Social media is always a learning curve, and we learn best through our mistakes.

As a digital marketer company, one of the most valuable lessons we’ve learned managing social media profiles is that change is a really good thing. Even if you’ve got a tried-and-true social media strategy, the state of the internet is *constantly* changing. Plus, some of it is incredibly difficult to decipher — even for experts — meaning that even the best advice can sometimes be guesswork. (Seriously, have you tried to understand the Facebook algorithm?) That’s why it can be super important to try new things in order to boost your social media presence, even if those things don’t take a lot of time or effort.

If you’re an entrepreneur looking to reach your audience, chances are you should be looking online. From finding sources to reaching an international audience instantaneously, the world is at your fingertips without leaving the comfort of your living room.

We’ve been writing blog posts for a long time and have picked up quite a few tricks that have helped us write better blog posts along the way. The best news? It’s actually way less work than you might think.

We’ve spent nearly a decade learning the ins and outs of digital marketing. We’ve crafted social media strategies for small businesses, non profits, larger companies, authors, entrepreneurs, and more. And – while the platforms continue to change — some things have stayed the same.

When it comes to all things marketing, it’s pretty safe to say that we’ve been around the block a few times. We’ve spent thousands of hours working with clients — from local small businesses to an international iPhone app — and, while there are many different ways to use social media to your advantage, there are also a few common mistakes people (and businesses) make online.

Want to make sure you’re not wasting time online? Here are some major mistakes brands make on social media.

Real talk: Instagram is one of the most popular platforms out there. Unfortunately, for many brands (and marketers, to be honest) it can also be the most baffling. A lot has changed on the platform over the last few years with the introduction of Instagram Stories, Reels, and an increased emphasis on shopping, but—while the changing algorithm can sometimes make growing your Instagram (or even getting your content seen by existing followers) difficult. However, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to use Instagram to grow your brand, and utilizing Instagram Stories can help.