How to Actually Grow Your Social Media (Without Losing the Will)
- Naomi Carlin
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
Growing your social media can feel like trying to shout into a very loud room. You post, you hope, you refresh… nothing. But the good news? You do not need fancy tricks, specific hashtags or a part time marketing degree to make progress. You just need a simple, realistic plan that actually fits into your life.
Here is the honest version of what works.
Consistency matters (but not in a “post 3 times a day” way)
You do not need to live on Instagram. You do not need to post every day. You do not need to become a full time content machine.
What you do need is a rhythm you can actually keep up with.Whether that is:
Twice a week
Every other day
Three times a week
Pick something that does not make you want to run away and stick to it. Your audience will trust you more for it.
Good content beats more content
People do not want perfect. They want useful, interesting or relatable.
Think:
A quick tip
A behind the scenes moment
Something you learned this week
A genuine story
A mistake you made that others can avoid
No need for polished speeches or glossy graphics. Just be helpful and human.
Do not post and disappear
Replying to comments, reacting to stories, chatting to people is not “extra”. It is the thing that grows your account.
Think of social media like a party. If you walk in, say something, and then stand silently in the corner… no one remembers you. But if you have a conversation, people warm up to you quickly.
Visuals matter, but they do not need to be Hollywood
Clear, simple and on brand will take you further than trying to be a graphic designer at midnight.
A few tips:
Use good lighting
Keep things readable on a small screen
Do not overdo the text
Match your colours where you can
Consistency over chaos.
Hashtags and keywords: less is more now
Instagram is slowly nudging everyone towards three solid hashtags rather than big copy and paste lists.
Keep your tags:
Relevant
Specific
True to your business
And sprinkle keywords naturally into your captions so you show up in search.
The 50 30 20 content rule (the realistic version)
50 percent Helpful content
The stuff people save, share, nod at, or think “I needed that today.” Tips. Guides. Advice. Simple value.
30 percent Human content
Not oversharing, just letting people see the person behind the business. Your story. Your wins. Your mistakes. What you are learning.
20 percent Sales content
Your offers. Your services. What you do.No hard sell, just clear, friendly reminders.
This mix stops your page feeling like a catalogue and keeps people coming back.
**Social media growth strategies that actually work
and will not make you cringe**
Collaborate with the right people
Local businesses, partners, micro influencers, people who share your values. Not random accounts with 90k followers in another country.
Run simple, targeted ads
Not 500 pounds a month, just small, steady tests. A 20 pound boost can go a long way when the audience is right.
Host a giveaway that makes sense
Give something your people would want. Avoid the iPad giveaways, you will just collect followers who do not care.
Create something shareable
Useful checklists
Quick tips
Relatable moments
A quote that is not too cheesy
If your audience thinks “I know someone who needs this,” you are winning.
Use Stories and Lives
Short, real, simple.People love seeing things happen in real time.
**Content that connects
and actually converts**
Know who you are talking to
What do they worry about
What questions do they ask
What would make their day easier
Write for them, not for everyone.
Tell mini stories
People remember stories more than facts. Share moments, not essays.
Use clear calls to action
“Tell me what you think.”
“Tag someone who would love this.”
“Want the link Message me.”
Small prompts make a big difference.
Mix your formats
Images, reels, carousels, polls, keep things fresh without overwhelming yourself.
Check your insights
And when something works, do more of it. Simple.
Keep going, you are doing better than you think
Social media is not about perfection. It is about showing up, being human, sharing value and building trust over time.
Small, consistent effort grows into something brilliant.
And if you ever want help, a strategy, content support or someone to take the whole lot off your hands, we are here.
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