Social Media Strategy for Small Businesses That Want to Thrive

Social media strategy often reflects how we are growing, stretching, and evolving as small business owners and professionals.

Social Media Strategy for Small Businesses That Want to Thrive

In my recent conversation with Amanda Russell, founder of Amanda Gets Social, we explored what it looks like to build a social media strategy that supports sustainable business growth and a thriving life. Amanda works closely with small businesses and consumer packaged goods brands, and she brings a thoughtful, experience-based perspective shaped by years in digital marketing and her own entrepreneurial journey.

This conversation goes beyond social media tactics. We talk about visibility, fear, reflection, adaptability, energy, and how marketing decisions fit into the bigger picture of building a business that can evolve over time. While much of our conversation is grounded in small business and entrepreneurship, the themes we explore are equally relevant for leaders, nonprofit professionals, and individuals focused on career development who are thinking about visibility, adaptability, and how they want to evolve professionally.

What Gardening Can Teach Us About Entrepreneurship

Since we both love gardening, I asked Amanda what parallels she perceives between gardening and entrepreneurship, and her response stayed with me throughout the conversation. Growth does not happen overnight. It requires consistency, patience, and a willingness to keep showing up even when results are not immediately visible.

This perspective is especially relevant to organic social media strategy for small businesses, nonprofit organizations, and professionals building visibility over time. Many people expect fast traction and feel discouraged when progress builds slowly. Amanda’s insight reframes social media as a long-term investment rather than a quick fix.

Reflection Question
Where might you benefit from practicing patience and consistency instead of pushing for immediate results?

Putting Yourself Out There While Working Through Fear

A recurring theme in our conversation was visibility. I invited Amanda to talk about the fears that often come up when people put themselves out there, especially on camera or in real time. Fear often shows up as overthinking, procrastination, or waiting until something feels perfect.

We discussed the difference between true bandwidth limits and avoidance driven by fear. Learning to tell the difference can help leaders, jobseekers, and entrepreneurs make more intentional decisions about when to rest and when to stretch.

Reflection Question
Is there something you have been postponing because of fear rather than lack of capacity?

Social Media Strategy Beyond Likes and Follows

Amanda encourages people to move beyond surface-level metrics when setting social media goals. While likes, followers, and views can be useful data points, they are not the full picture.

Effective social media strategy starts with clarity. What are you trying to advance? Visibility, relationships, credibility, website traffic, partnerships, or conversations? Strategy works best when it is aligned with real goals, not arbitrary numbers.

Reflection Question
What would change if your social media goals were more directly connected to your broader professional or organizational priorities?

Adapting Your Strategy as Your Work Evolves

Entrepreneurship and career growth both involve continual reinvention. Amanda shared how she regularly reflects on the direction of her business, exploring new ways to support clients while staying aligned with her interests, energy, and values.

Social media platforms change. Roles evolve. Organizations shift. Being willing to adapt your marketing or visibility strategy over time is key to long-term sustainability and avoiding burnout.

Reflection Question
Where might your approach need to evolve to reflect who you are becoming as a professional or leader?

Using AI Without Losing Authenticity

We also talked about how Amanda supports clients in using AI tools to increase efficiency while maintaining a human, authentic voice. AI can be helpful for brainstorming, drafting, and organizing ideas, but it works best when paired with judgment, reflection, and intention.

The goal is not automation for its own sake. The goal is to create more space for thoughtful strategy, creativity, and meaningful connection.

Making Space for a Thriving Life Beyond Work

Another important part of this conversation was stepping away from screens. Even as a digital marketing professional, Amanda prioritizes time outdoors, reading, and other rejuvenating activities that support clarity and creativity.

Building a career or leading an organization does not require being available at all times. Energy, reflection, and non-work experiences play a meaningful role in sustaining effective leadership, decision-making, and long-term impact.

Reflection Question
What activities help you recharge and reflect, and how intentionally are you making space for them?

If You’re Navigating Growth, Visibility, or Change

This conversation offers several steady reminders for leaders, professionals, and small business owners navigating social media, visibility, and evolution:

• growth takes time and consistency
• fear is a normal part of visibility
• strategy works best when aligned with real goals
• evolution supports sustainability
• efficiency should reinforce authenticity
• reflection and rejuvenation matter

Social media can be a powerful tool when it is used with clarity and intention.

Listen to the Full Conversation

Listen to the full conversation with Amanda to explore these themes in more depth ➔

Related Resource

If this episode has you reflecting on how you show up professionally, how your work is evolving, or what you want to be more intentional about next, you may find this helpful:
Clarifying What Matters: Creating Direction for Your Career ➔