If you’ve ever gone down the social media research rabbit hole, you know there are so many rules. It can honestly be overwhelming and exhausting! While some of these so-called “rules” come from experts with real experience, others... not so much. With so much noise out there, we want to tell you what you don’t need to stress about.
1. You Don’t Need to Post Every Day
One of the first things you’ll hear is that you need to post three times a day to grow. Sure, posting frequently can help with growth, but for small businesses, that’s just not always feasible. You’ve got a lot going on! So instead of burning out, set a realistic goal.
For us, we’ve found that 2-3 posts a week is our sweet spot. Would we love to post more and grow faster? Of course. But our priority is our clients, so our account stays on the back burner sometimes—and that’s okay! Focus on consistency that works for you and your schedule.
2. “SEO Hacks” Don’t Work
There’s a rumor floating around that you should “stuff” your Instagram reels with keywords. The trick? Type out as many keywords as possible, shrink the text, and move it off-screen to "trick the algorithm."
Here’s the thing: the algorithm is smarter than that. This hack has been debunked. Instagram's algorithm is designed to catch these shortcuts, not reward them. Instead of trying to cheat the system, use keywords in a thoughtful way. Place them in your captions or on-screen text where they actually make sense. SEO is still important, but nothing beats high-quality content and a great user experience.
3. Your Aesthetic Isn’t as Important as You Think
We’ve all seen those perfectly branded Instagram feeds and thought, “I need mine to look like that!” But here's the truth: while consistent branding matters, your Instagram doesn’t need to look like a polished, perfect scrapbook.
In fact, raw, authentic content often performs better than a meticulously planned post. Don’t be afraid to share that imperfect Reel where you’re talking to the camera in your living room. Authenticity resonates more with people than you might think, so don’t hold back just because it doesn’t fit “the aesthetic.”
4. Focus on Building Community, Not Chasing Virality
We’ve all dreamed of that viral video that blows up and puts us on the map. And while that’s great, making virality your sole goal is a recipe for burnout and disappointment.
Building a loyal, engaged community is far more valuable. A community will support your business over the long term, while a viral video is often just a fleeting moment that people forget as soon as they scroll to the next clip. Focus on nurturing real relationships—those are the ones that pay off.
5. Less Data-Driven Doesn’t Mean Less Effective
There’s a lot of pressure to create the perfect marketing strategy based on data, data, and more data. Don’t get me wrong, strategy matters. But not everything you post needs a spreadsheet behind it.
Sometimes, trusting your intuition and creativity can lead to just as much success as a data-driven approach. Over-planning can come off as robotic or inauthentic, so mix it up! Let your creative instincts lead the way every now and then.
6. Strategy Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated
Speaking of strategy, it doesn’t need to be a 10-page document with charts, graphs, and detailed analyses. You’re running a small business, not a Fortune 500 company!
Keep it simple: pick a few clear goals, understand your audience, check out what your competitors are doing, and build a content calendar. That’s it! You don’t need an MBA to make an effective marketing plan.
Keep It Simple, Keep It Real
Social media doesn’t have to be complicated. Stick to what works for you, stay authentic, and don’t get bogged down by all the “rules.” And if none of it works for you, reach out! We’re always happy to help with your social media strategy.
What are some of your unpopular social media opinions?
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