Image Credit: microstock.in

I used to think social media was just about trends and filters. You know, pretty product pics, scheduled hashtags, and trying to go viral with audio that wasn’t even relevant to my brand. But that approach? It got me nowhere.

When I started running my online store, I followed all the “right” advice—post daily, write clever captions, use popular hashtags. Still, barely any engagement, and definitely no sales.

One night, exhausted and fed up, I just posted a messy behind-the-scenes video of me packaging orders in my living room. No fancy setup. Just me, talking like myself. And weirdly… that’s when people started noticing.

Turns out, people are tired of overly polished marketing. What they want is real—honest, relatable, and human. That was my first big lesson.

I stopped trying to “market” and started to talk. I told the story behind my products. I shared what inspired the designs. I posted customer reviews—even the mildly critical ones. I treated social media like a space for conversation, not conversion.

And slowly, things shifted.

I started encouraging buyers to tag me in their own posts. I made little reels that showed the work that goes into packing orders. I didn’t chase influencers—I partnered with micro-creators who genuinely liked my brand. They didn’t just post once; they followed up, replied to comments, and made people curious.

And instead of pushing everyone to my website, I made the shopping experience easier. Setting up TikTok Shop and Instagram Shopping felt weird at first, but the convenience it offered my followers made a huge difference. Fewer steps. More purchases.

I still run ads, but only the ones that feel authentic to my tone. I don’t write clickbait copy anymore—I write like I speak. I use video, always mobile-friendly, and I optimise for real humans scrolling, not just the algorithm.

The biggest mindset shift? I don’t treat content like a marketing tactic anymore. It’s part of how I show up for my customers. And consistency—showing up even on the days when I feel creatively stuck—has built real trust.

Don’t stress about going viral. Focus on being real.

Use your own voice. Share your messy process. Make your audience feel something. That’s what people remember—and that’s what builds lasting brands.

You don’t need a massive team or a big ad budget. You just need to start showing up like a human being. The rest grows from there.