4 Insights Gained from My Journey in Social Media Marketing

I’ve been navigating the world of social media for several years now, and I’ve definitely picked up a lot along the way. Just like everyone else, I’ve fumbled and stumbled, trying to keep up with the ever-changing landscape.

Social media has taught me several valuable lessons, and I’ve put together some of the most impactful ones. Here are four key takeaways from my journey:

At first, I was pretty hesitant about diving into social media. It felt like just another chore. But once I started tweeting back in 2008, I realized how much I had underestimated its power.

What I discovered is that social media marketing isn’t just about clocking in hours and posting links, although that can play a role too. The real magic happens when you shift your focus to the community aspect—sharing, learning, and making connections. That’s when social media starts to shine.

Everyone has their own way of using social media and thinks their approach is the best. Some folks love engaging and connecting with others; some set up automated feeds to share useful info; some are constantly promoting their stuff; others do a mix of everything, while some barely use it.

Sure, there are some best practices for social media, but ultimately, it’s about doing what works for you. It should align with your goals, be flexible, and adapt to what gets the best results for you.

When I first entered the social media scene, I was awed by the big names—the ones with thousands of followers who seemed to be on top of the world. They rarely interacted with anyone outside their circle, and it felt like they were part of an exclusive club.

But I quickly learned that social media can create misleading perceptions. A large following doesn’t always mean valuable content or expertise. It’s important to dig deeper and decide for yourself who’s worth following.

Social media can be overwhelming without a clear direction. Whether you’re a business owner, an employee, or just someone exploring the space, it’s essential to have specific goals. Understand why you’re using social media and what you hope to achieve. Make sure your daily activities support these objectives.