Do You Need Social Media Help? Identifying Your Business's Biggest Social Media Struggles
Last month I sat down with a local business owner who was ready to throw her phone out the window after another frustrating day of "doing social media."
Sound familiar? (Don't worry, I talked her down from the ledge and the phone survived.)
Let's talk about something I've noticed after working with businesses across Gippsland – when people say they're "struggling with social media," they're actually struggling with one of three very different things. And until you identify WHICH ONE is your roadblock, the other areas will suffer - even those you might actually excel at! It's like having one flat tyre on your car; no matter how well the other three work, you're still not going anywhere.
The Three Pillars of Social Media Success
Ok so when it comes to social media, it isn't just one skill – it's actually three completely different skill sets bundled together:
Social Media Strategy - The thinking part
Content Creation - The making part
Social Media Management - The doing part
Let me break these down for you (in plain English, I promise).
Social Media Strategy: Knowing What The Heck You're Doing
This is where most businesses fall over first and its kind of the most important part. Strategy answers:
Who are you actually talking to? (And no, "everyone in Gippsland" is not specific enough!)
What do these people actually care about?
How can you talk about your business without boring people to tears?
How can you turn these people into your community?
You might need help with strategy if:
You post regularly but crickets... nothing happens
You look at your competitors and think "how do they make it look so easy?"
You've said the phrase "I don't know what to post about" more than once this month
You're not entirely sure WHO you're even talking to on social media
DIY Strategy Tips:
Spend an hour creating a simple customer avatar - give them a name, age, job, and list their biggest problems that your business solves
Look at your 5 most engaged posts from the past year - what do they have in common?
Ask your actual customers what content they'd find helpful from you (revolutionary, I know!)
When to get help:
When you've tried the DIY approach but still feel like you're throwing spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks. A good strategist (Soda Creatives, perhaps? wink wink nudge nudge) can help you see patterns you're missing and create a roadmap that actually makes sense for your specific business. If you've been stuck in the same spot for months, an outside perspective might be exactly what you need.
Content Creation: Making Stuff That Doesn't Suck
We get it, not everyone is a natural photographer, videographer, or writer. And that's completely fine!
You might need help with content creation if:
Your photos make your amazing products look... less than amazing
You've tried to film yourself and immediately wanted to crawl into a hole
You stare at a blank caption box for 20 minutes before giving up
You know what good content looks like, you just can't seem to create it yourself
DIY Content Tips:
Invest in a tripod or gimbal - seriously, a good tripod can stabilise your shots, improve lighting angles, and free your hands for demonstrating products or services!
Use free apps like Canva and Capcut for creating simple, professional-looking graphics and videos
Write captions like you're texting a friend, not writing a corporate press release
Batch your content creation (set aside one morning a month to take photos/videos instead of scrambling daily)
Use your phone's timer to take hands-free photos of yourself or your products
When to get help:
When content creation is becoming a major time drain or when the quality gap between your content and your competitors' is obvious. Also, consider getting help for special projects or seasonal campaigns where you need to make a big impact. Sometimes even just a half-day photoshoot with a professional can give you enough content to last for months.
Social Media Management: Systems So You Don't Lose Your Mind
This is the unsexy but crucial bit that makes everything else possible.
You might need help with management if:
You post in random bursts when you "find the time" (which is never)
You've got ghost town comments sections because you forget to check them
The thought of planning content makes you want to hide under your desk
You have no idea if what you're doing is actually working
DIY Management Tips:
Block out just 30 minutes each week specifically for planning your content
Use a free scheduling tool like Meta Business Suite or Later's free plan
Create a simple content calendar using Google Sheets (we can send you our template!)
Set a daily alarm on your phone to check and respond to comments
Save common responses to FAQs in your Notes app to quickly copy/paste
When to get help:
When you find yourself consistently dropping the ball despite your best intentions. If you've set up systems but can't stick to them, or if managing social media is taking time away from the parts of your business that actually make money. Sometimes the most cost-effective solution is to hand over the management to someone who can do it in half the time it takes you.
So... Which One Is Your Struggle?
Most businesses I meet are usually dealing with one primary issue, not all three. Figure out your main pain point, and suddenly social media becomes a lot less overwhelming.
That's exactly why we've shifted more towards workshops and training at Soda Creatives. I'd rather teach you how to fish than just hand you fish every month (though we're still happy to do that too if you hate fishing... this metaphor might be getting away from me).
Whether you need:
A strategy session to figure out WHO you're talking to and WHAT to say
Content creation help to make your business look as good online as it does in real life
Management systems that don't make you want to throw your phone into the nearest body of water
We're here to help Gippsland businesses stop stressing about social media and start using it as the powerful tool it can be.
Struggling with Social Media? We've Got You Covered!
Sign up for our monthly newsletter packed with actionable tips, insider tricks, and exclusive resources to help you master your social media. Get the latest strategies delivered straight to your inbox!
P.S. If you're thinking "I'm struggling with ALL THREE," don't panic! That's actually pretty common. Get in touch and maybe we can help!
