Why Being Present—Not Just Visible—In Social Media Community Groups Can Be a Serious Power Move for Your Business

Published May 28, 2025

As a marketing team always on the lookout for the latest and greatest, it is easy to focus on the flashy stuff with tangible results — ads, reels, videos, posts, etc. There is something to be said about being active in community networks on social media.

We’re talking about local Facebook groups, LinkedIn communities, Reddit threads, and other local forums where real people connect with local business owners. This is a space where real conversations can happen, where questions are asked and solutions are provided. If you’re a business owner, being active in these spaces can do more for your brand than you might think.

Here’s why being present, not just visible, in community groups can be a serious power move for your business.

Trust is Built in Social Media Conversations, Not Campaigns

People are tired of being sold to. Commercials are on repeat everywhere. We see the same ads on our newsfeeds constantly. People are craving connection, and when that can’t happen in person, an active social group might be a good option.

The first thing to remember when being active as a business owner in a group is that anyone can see what you write. Our best advice is to steer clear of conversations that don’t have anything to do with your business. Avoid personal conversation and conflict. Instead, offer honest input, helpful advice, or encouragement on posts that relate to your business.

Position yourself as a trusted local resource offering friendly help or advice, not just someone trying to make a sale. Conversation leads to name recognition, thus leading to future business opportunities. 

It’s Market Research… Without the Price Tag

“My neighbor’s lawn looks nice and green but mine is not. Help!”

“I have wasps flying around my house and am finding some inside it too. What can I do to mediate the problem?”

“I have family members coming into town for the weekend and want to take them to a nice, local restaurant that has something for everyone. Where should we go?”

Do these statements sound familiar to you if you are a part of local groups? When fellow followers reply to these questions, you really get to know what people think. Each example could be a great segway into a conversation with someone if your business specializes in a solution for them.

Landscaper reply – “Sorry to hear your lawn isn’t looking great yet this year. It still might be early in the season though. Give that grass some time to grow and allow the Earth to do it’s thing before putting chemicals into the ground.” 

Pest Control Business reply – “Those wasps can be scary, especially if you have kids running around during this awesome weather! Do you know where the wasps are hanging out? Can you see a nest?”

Local Restaurant Owner reply – “Isn’t it awesome that we have so many great restaurants in town to choose from? I personally love taking out of town guests to XYZ, or ZYX.”

By paying attention and chiming in on these conversations, you’re gathering first-hand, real-time feedback that you can use to improve your messaging, your offerings, even your customer experience. Don’t speak initially from a business perspective. Speak from a neighbor talking to a neighbor offering FREE advice. Yes, free.

It Opens the Door to Meaningful Collaboration

Other business owners hang out in these spaces too and will see what you are saying. Whether they are competitors or just fellow business owners, you never know what will happen!

The restaurant owner reply above is a great example of a competitor giving a recommendation to another restaurant in town. Why wouldn’t a restaurant owner just say, “Come to my restaurant,” but instead is suggesting somewhere else?

The more you’re seen supporting others, the more support that can also come your way. Restaurant owners go out to eat at other restaurants. They enjoy the experience at other places, so it makes sense when Local Restaurant A says we love going to Local Restaurant B. In return, when Local Restaurant B owner wants to go somewhere, they will think of Restaurant A since they sent them some business! 

Partnerships, joint ventures, event invites, and referral relationships all grow from mutual visibility and engagement.

Referrals Happen Where Relationships Live

The more value you add to a community, the more others will start to recommend you. Think of the businesses in your community that support youth sports. The team parents are more likely to suggest one of their team sponsors over someone they don’t have a relationship with because they help out locally. 

If you’re active and helpful with a group, organization, team, guess what? You’re getting tagged so others can support you in return. That’s powerful and valuable because organic word-of-mouth marketing is truly something you can’t buy.

Why being present not just visible in social media community groups can be a serious power move for your business

Position Yourself as an Expert

As a business owner, it can be hard to turn off the sales pitch. But when you offer advice as the expert, without the sales pitch, you can become the natural go-to in the community. People notice these things. Your name will stick and when they need a product or service like yours, you’re top of mind.

That kind of authority can’t be faked—it has to be earned. No commercial or reel can portray authentic knowledge without the call to action. Community involvement helps you share your knowledge and earn the respect without the call to action.

The Bottom Line

There are many different ways to get your business name into the community. Local community groups on social media is just one way that you can position yourself as the expert. It can be time consuming, repetitive and can often times feel like you are just giving away advice for free, but that is the point!

We believe that no business grows in isolation. The brands that win long-term are the ones who build relationships, not just followers. Take a look at who sponsors the local youth baseball team, who buys pizza for the lady’s group in town, or sponsors the summer concert series that everyone likes to attend. Community networking is a strategy and is one of the most authentic, cost-effective ways to grow your business in today’s digital age.

If you’re not sure how to show up in your local or industry communities, we can help guide your strategy. Reach out to learn how to make your presence count.

Prioritize Real Conversations Over Content Dumping on Social Media

Published April 23, 2025
Image of a male looking at a social media post with a conversation. True Fit Marketing blog.

No matter who you ask or what you read, everyone has their own opinion on how much to post on social media channels. What we are here to talk about is that just because someone says to post 2-3 times a week on a channel, it doesn’t mean you should just content dump to hit a certain post amount. 

We understand it can be a challenge to constantly post good, creative content. However, brands that focus solely on content dumping without engaging their audience are missing out on the real power of social media – real conversations! Learn how to build natural, authentic engagement and have real conversations to increase your success on your social media channels.

The Shift from Advertising to Engagement

Think back to the beginning of social media. Brands used their channels as one-way communication tools, pushing out promotional messages in hopes of capturing attention. Sell, sell, sell! However, this outdated approach no longer delivers results. Consumers don’t necessarily want to be sold to anymore. Consumers today crave authenticity, personalization, and two-way interactions with the brands they follow.

Social media platforms are evolving to prioritize content that sparks meaningful discussions and drives engagement. Comments, shares, and conversations are weighted heavily by algorithms no matter the social network. So, the brands that actively engage with their followers will have a greater opportunity to see a larger organic reach than those simply posting content and moving on. 

Green background with adult male looking at faux social media post, with a conversation happening under it.

How to Build Authentic Engagement

  1. Respond to Comments and Messages
    Engagement is a two-way street. No one likes to have their comment or DM ignored. Replying to comments, answering DMs, and acknowledging your audience’s contributions foster community and trust. “Thanks for sharing!” or “Great question!” can go a long way in making followers feel valued. The tricky part right now is all of the spam bot DMs. The best advice we have is to report and delete. Report so the social network knows they are illegitimate and don’t dock your engagement because of the spam.
  2. Start and Join Conversations
    Instead of waiting for users to engage with your content, be the first to speak. Think of it like dating. Sure, it is scary to talk to that person at first, but when you ask that first thought-provoking question, try to get their opinion on something, and participate in trending conversations relevant to your industry. By actively contributing, your brand becomes part of the discussion rather than just a distant observer. A prime example of many brands coming together is when Duo from Duolingo “passed away”. Go back to Duolingo’s socials to see what we are talking about!
  3. Leverage User-Generated Content (UGC)
    Free content is the best content! When your followers give feedbacks, share results, tell their story when it comes to using or being a part of your brand, share that out! It provides high-level social proof for others and can help drive engagement. People might have similar results, similar stories and will want to give their two cents. 
  4. Adapt Your Tone to Fit the Platform
    Every social media platform has its own culture and communication style. A formal tone may work on LinkedIn, but a playful and casual approach might be more effective on TikTok or Instagram. Not to keep harping on Duolingo, but we have been studying the brand as a social team and have found they get it! Check out the differences between their social media pages.
  5. Experiment with Different Content Formats
    If the option to try something is available, try it! Experimenting with new content allows you to potentially find a new audience but also grow the relationship with your current followers. This can take time, but guess what? When you find something that works, social media will change it all up again anyway! Be open to new things!

The Bottom Line

Keep engagement at the forefront of your mind with every social media post. If there is nothing to say about the post, why post it? By prioritizing engagement over content dumping, your brand can build a loyal community, increase organic reach, and stay ahead of digital trends. Instead of simply talking at your audience, start talking with them—because real conversations drive real results.

Building Your SEO Strategy from the Ground Up

Published February 3, 2025
Building Your SEO Strategy from the Ground Up

If you’re a business owner or marketer looking to improve your website’s visibility, understanding and implementing SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is key. SEO involves techniques that help search engines like Google rank your website higher in search results, making it easier for potential customers to find you. Let’s walk through the basics of SEO and how you can build a strategy from the ground up.

What is SEO?

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. In simple terms, it’s the process of making your website more attractive to search engines. When someone searches for a topic related to your business, search engines like Google analyze websites to show the most relevant and high-quality results. SEO involves a mix of technical, creative, and strategic elements to ensure your website is among those top results.

SEO is essential for increasing organic (non-paid) traffic to your website. Imagine a potential client searching for services like yours – if your site is optimized correctly, you’re more likely to be found, giving you a significant advantage over competitors.

How SEO Works

Search engines use algorithms to analyze and rank web pages based on several factors, including keyword relevance, website speed, content quality, and more. Here are the main components of how SEO works:

  1. Keywords: These are the words and phrases potential clients use in searches. For example, if you own a landscaping business, relevant keywords might include “landscaping services,” “garden design,” or “landscape maintenance.” By incorporating these keywords naturally into your content, search engines can identify the relevancy of your site to these search terms.
  2. Content Quality: Content is a major ranking factor. Search engines reward websites with high-quality, informative, and engaging content. Regularly updating your site with valuable blog posts, guides, or videos signals to search engines that your website is a reliable resource.
  3. On-Page Optimization: This includes optimizing page elements like titles, headers, meta descriptions, and images. Properly structured pages make it easier for search engines to understand your content and index it effectively.
  4. Off-Page SEO: This aspect of SEO involves external factors like backlinks. Backlinks are links from other websites to your site. When reputable sites link to yours, it boosts your site’s authority and credibility, signaling to search engines that your content is valuable.
  1. Technical SEO: Technical aspects, such as site speed, mobile-friendliness, and secure connections (HTTPS), all influence your ranking. A well-optimized website provides a seamless user experience, which helps retain visitors and encourages them to engage further with your content.
  2. User Experience (UX): Search engines consider how people interact with your site. If people quickly leave your page (high bounce rate) or don’t engage with your content, search engines may interpret that your site isn’t providing relevant or engaging information.

Building Your SEO Strategy from the Ground Up

Steps to Build Your SEO from Scratch

  1. Keyword Research

   Start by identifying keywords that potential clients might use when searching for your services. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, or SEMrush to find popular search terms. Focus on a mix of high-volume and long-tail keywords (more specific phrases) that fit your business.

  1. Create Quality Content

   Content is one of the most critical parts of SEO. Your goal should be to produce valuable content that answers questions, solves problems, or provides insights to your audience. Aim for a regular content schedule, such as posting blogs once a week or twice a month, to keep your site fresh and relevant.

  1. Optimize On-Page Elements

   Each page on your website should have a unique title, meta description, and header tags (H1, H2, H3) that include your primary keywords. Optimize images with descriptive file names and alt text. These on-page elements help search engines understand what each page is about, increasing your chances of ranking well.

  1. Focus on Link Building

   Build relationships with other reputable sites and industry blogs. Offer to write guest posts, collaborate on content, or share links to valuable resources. High-quality backlinks from other sites show search engines that your site is trustworthy.

  1. Optimize Technical Aspects

   Ensure that your site loads quickly, is mobile-friendly, and uses HTTPS for security. A slow, unsecured, or hard-to-navigate website can discourage visitors and negatively impact your ranking. Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix to test and improve your site’s technical performance.

  1. Monitor and Adjust Your Strategy

   SEO is an ongoing process. Use tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to track your website’s traffic, user behavior, and keyword performance. Regularly updating your content, analyzing trends, and tweaking your strategy based on performance data can help keep your site ranking well.

The Bottom Line

SEO is a powerful tool for growing your online presence and attracting potential customers. By understanding keywords, creating quality content, optimizing your pages, and ensuring a positive user experience, you can build a strong SEO foundation. While SEO takes time to show results, consistency and strategic adjustments will help your business stay visible, competitive, and ready to attract the clients you’re looking for.

If you’re looking to improve your website’s SEO and attract more traffic, we’d be happy to help create a tailored strategy that works for your business! Reach out to us today to start building your SEO from the ground up.

Are Hashtags in Social Media Posts Dying?

Published November 18, 2024
Are Hashtags in Social Media Posts Dying?

Once the defining feature of social media platforms, hashtags have been powerful tools for boosting visibility, connecting with audiences, and participating in trends. But as platforms evolve and algorithms become more sophisticated, hashtags are not as omnipresent as they once were. For marketers, the question is: Are hashtags losing relevance, or are they here to stay?

The Rise and Evolution of Hashtags

Hashtags became popular on social media with Twitter’s introduction in 2007. They quickly became shorthand for grouping conversations, making it easy to follow trends and categorize content across platforms. Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn eventually adopted hashtags, cementing them as a primary tool for boosting organic reach and audience engagement. 

Marketers loved hashtags because they worked well for organic discovery. Whether promoting a campaign, generating UGC (user-generated content), or engaging with trending topics, hashtags could elevate a brand’s visibility across social feeds.

However, the digital world has evolved, and the importance of hashtags has shifted. To understand why, let’s examine both sides.

Arguments for Why Hashtags Are Fading

  1. Algorithmic Changes:

   Social media algorithms have become highly personalized, moving beyond hashtags to prioritize content based on a user’s behavior, engagement history, and preferences. This shift is particularly evident on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, where content is shown based on relevance and interest rather than hashtags alone. Users are discovering new content because the algorithm “learns” what they like, making hashtags less essential for visibility.

  1. Hashtag Saturation:

   With millions of users competing for attention, popular hashtags are oversaturated and can quickly become ineffective. Generic hashtags like #love or #instagood may have millions of posts, making it unlikely for a new post to gain traction within these categories. As hashtags lose their edge in reaching new audiences, marketers often question if they’re worth using at all.

  1. Platform-Specific Approaches:

   Platforms are increasingly emphasizing unique ways of content discovery that don’t rely on hashtags. TikTok, for example, promotes content via the “For You” page, driven by machine learning rather than hashtags. LinkedIn’s algorithm also prioritizes network-relevant content over hashtag searches. While hashtags can still aid discovery on some platforms, they aren’t the only means, and their impact varies from one platform to another.

  1. Emergence of Keywords and SEO in Social Media:

   Search functionality on social platforms is evolving to be more keyword-based rather than relying solely on hashtags. Instagram and YouTube now allow users to search directly for keywords, surfacing posts, profiles, and videos even if they lack hashtags. For marketers, this shift suggests that SEO strategies—like using relevant keywords in captions—are gaining ground over the traditional hashtag approach.

Are Hashtags in Social Media Posts Dying?

Why Hashtags May Be Here to Stay

  1. Niche and Campaign-Specific Hashtags:

   While broad, generic hashtags may have lost their effectiveness, niche and campaign-specific hashtags remain valuable. Branded hashtags like #ShareACoke or #MyCalvins continue to foster community engagement, drive user-generated content, and create a unique brand experience. These types of hashtags give followers a way to participate and feel connected to a brand in a more personal way.

  1. Social Listening and Trend Monitoring:

   Hashtags still play an important role in social listening. Marketers use hashtags to monitor trending topics, gauge audience sentiment, and track the performance of branded campaigns. By following relevant hashtags, brands gain insights into what audiences are talking about, which can inform content strategy and customer engagement efforts.

  1. Cross-Platform Consistency:

   Despite algorithm changes, hashtags still serve a practical purpose for cross-platform campaigns. They allow marketers to consolidate conversations around a campaign, making it easy to track engagement across Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and even TikTok. As long as brands want a unified campaign theme across platforms, hashtags will continue to be a useful tool.

  1. Discovery on Emerging Platforms:

   Although established platforms are experimenting with alternative discovery methods, hashtags are still fundamental to some newer social networks, particularly those where users can follow hashtag-specific feeds. For example, Threads, Meta’s new Twitter alternative, heavily relies on hashtags for content categorization. Emerging or niche platforms often rely on hashtags as they build out their discovery algorithms.

The Bottom Line

In short, hashtags are not entirely “dying,” but they are evolving. They are no longer the only way to be discovered, and their relevance varies widely by platform and campaign objective. For general posts, overuse of hashtags may seem outdated, while keyword-based optimization becomes increasingly valuable. However, hashtags retain significant value for campaign branding, community engagement, and social listening.

For now, the best approach is a balanced one. Hashtags may no longer guarantee reach on their own, but they’re still effective in the right context. Use niche, branded, or event-specific hashtags where they make sense, but don’t rely solely on them. As platforms continue to evolve, focusing on high-quality content and staying adaptive to algorithm changes will help marketers reach their target audiences—hashtags or not.

The Countdown is On: Preparing for the Biggest Shopping Time of the Year

Published November 7, 2024

With Black Friday and the Christmas shopping season just around the corner, brands and consumers alike are gearing up for what promises to be the most competitive retail period of 2024. While holiday shopping always brings a rush, this year’s trends show that financial concerns and early shopping are key factors in shaping consumer behavior. As we approach the holidays, it’s crucial for businesses to understand these shifts to make the most of the shopping frenzy.

3 Shopping Trends We Are Seeing in 2024

As we look at the forecast for the 2024 holiday season, several emerging trends stand out. These trends are driven by both economic pressures and changes in consumer expectations, offering brands an opportunity to tailor their strategies.

  1. Budget-Conscious Shopping
  2. Early Shoppers Are On the Rise
  3. Seamless Omnichannel Experiences

1. Brands Must Be Mindful of Pricing and Consumer Financial Difficulties

While it’s tempting to push for high-margin products during the holidays, brands need to be conscious of the financial strains many consumers are facing. Shoppers are more aware than ever of their spending habits, particularly when their budgets are stretched. Offering a range of price points is key. Brands that can provide affordable options alongside premium ones are more likely to retain customers.

Discounts and promotions are expected, but they shouldn’t sacrifice perceived value. Instead, focus on highlighting how your products are worth the investment—whether it’s through quality, durability, or added benefits such as extended warranties or sustainable features.

Additionally, offering flexible payment options like buy-now-pay-later can make your products more accessible to consumers facing financial challenges. This gives shoppers the confidence to make purchases without feeling the immediate financial strain, increasing the likelihood of completing the sale.

2. Shopping Early: The Best Move for Everyone

Encouraging early shopping is beneficial for both brands and consumers. For consumers, shopping early means having access to the best deals and avoiding the holiday rush, while brands benefit from smoother inventory management and reduced pressure on fulfillment systems.

We’ve all heard the stories of shoppers waiting anxiously for UPS deliveries on Christmas Eve, hoping their gifts arrive on time. Shopping early helps avoid the headaches of shipping delays, out-of-stock items, or settling for something less than perfect because your original gift idea wasn’t available. Brands that promote early shopping through reminders, countdowns, or early access deals will position themselves as helpful partners in reducing holiday stress.

From a brand perspective, early shopping allows for better logistical planning. Businesses can spread out orders, reducing the risk of bottlenecks and shipping delays that often plague the holiday season. Promoting early bird deals or exclusive pre-holiday offers also creates excitement and drives early conversions, reducing the reliance on steep last-minute discounts.

3. Seamless Omnichannel Experiences

Consumers are expecting a smooth transition between online and in-store shopping. Brands that can blend digital and physical shopping experiences, offering flexible pickup and return options, will capture the attention of customers seeking convenience. Personalized recommendations based on browsing and purchase history will also play a significant role in increasing sales.

Additionally, integrating mobile technology into the shopping experience is becoming essential for brands aiming to enhance omnichannel experiences. Mobile apps that offer features like in-store navigation, real-time inventory checks, and mobile payment options bridge the gap between digital and physical interactions. By enabling customers to easily switch between browsing on their devices and shopping in-store, brands can offer a seamless, consistent experience that keeps shoppers engaged and satisfied.

The Bottom Line

The 2024 holiday shopping season is set to be unique, shaped by emerging consumer trends and ongoing economic pressures. Brands that recognize the importance of budget-conscious shopping, sustainability, and omnichannel experiences will stand out from the crowd. By encouraging early shopping, businesses can ensure a smoother, more enjoyable shopping season for everyone involved. The countdown is on—are you ready for the biggest shopping time of the year?