Photo by Lou Bowers
“I can’t stand social media!” I hear this all the time, especially when I mention that I’m a social media marketing and visibility expert for small—to medium-sized businesses.
It’s often followed up with, “I can’t keep up with all of the updates and changes that happen constantly on Instagram and Facebook.”
It’s important to stay current on social media trends and how they shift over time. Following trends helps your content appear in more searches and gives you a deeper connection with your audience because trends reflect what they’re interested in and looking for. Plus, algorithms love trending content and will push it out to more people.
An example is when carousels have gotten a glow-up that could help you increase your reach big time. If you haven’t heard, let’s talk later.
The most important thing to know about standing out online is to keep your audience in mind.
Here are five ways you can grow and gain attention on Social Media in 2025:
Create content that makes your audience look good for sharing it.
Humans are incredible creatures with big hearts and sometimes big egos. If your content is binge-worthy and makes the people sharing it look funny, smart, spiritual, generous, or caring (and the list could go on), there is a greater chance they’ll share your post on their stories or DM it to a friend.
This style of content can be any of the following:
- Inspirational quotes.
- Quick life hacks.
- Interesting thoughts and commentary.
- Dad jokes, puns, and funny memes.
Make sure your posts are relevant to your industry.
Offer small, satisfying achievements
Offering simple DIY tips and tricks does wonders for your credibility and can exponentially expand trust with your followers.
You’re seen as the business that offered a solution to their problem without asking for anything in return, but you do get a return. Your generosity has made you top of mind. Make these bits of advice micro-sized so they give a nice sense of accomplishment and don’t heed dangerous results.
A simple, easy home maintenance tip for seasonally shutting off and draining outdoor taps is perfect. A full-blown tutorial on how to snake your toilet using a kitchen whisk and a long drill bit is definitely too advanced.
Collaborate with complementary businesses
Imagine you have a lemonade stand, and your friend has a cookie stand right next to you. People who buy lemonade from you might also want cookies, and people who buy cookies from your friend might get thirsty and want lemonade.
Your lemonade and their cookies are complementary businesses because they work well together and help each other attract more customers. You’re not competing; you’re teaming up, in a way!
Now document that collaboration and let the social media world in. Show them the work in progress, the celebrations, and all the fun you’re having collaborating. Allow your audience to feel like they’re a part of the process!
I was talking with my friend Stacey Olson-Steele. She recently gave a TED talk titled The Future is Collaborative. During our conversation, she said, “Collaborating with one another allows us to create something more amazing than we alone could ever imagine. It’s incredibly energizing!”
People can feel that energy in your posts, and it’s magnetic! They’ll want more!
Foster a circle of support.
Content creation is a powerful tool for attracting attention to your business, but an engagement plan plays a solid supporting role in your overall strategy.
Think of it this way: Have you ever been at a party and been trapped in a conversation where the other person only told stories about themselves, didn’t ask you anything about yourself, and missed out on making a connection?
That’s what can happen if you skip the social part of social media. People want to know you care about what’s going on in their world. Plus, when you leave a thoughtful comment or ask a genuine question, people notice and get curious about who you are and what you’re up to. They come over to your profile to find out!
This is how online business friendships are formed!
Embrace your unfiltered presence
This is your permission slip to appear on social media as a human, not a Barbie. When your filming is a little rough, or your background isn’t perfectly staged, it signals to others that you’re someone they can feel comfortable with. This is why bloopers are so popular!
Keep in mind that all purchases are emotional, so helping people feel safe and like they belong is a huge step toward inviting them to use your product or service.
Bonus Tip: Start posting on new platforms like Threads and Bluesky. Being an early adopter shows you’re cutting-edge and willing to move into new spaces to spread your message. Very chic!
Keeping your audience in mind also means having a variety of content styles. Videos are great because they give the viewer a real sense of who you are, but sometimes it’s nice to consume a quick inspirational quote from a still post or serenely gather information by flipping through a carousel. Mixing up your content is inclusive because people absorb information in different ways.
Now get out there, start posting consistently, and try not to take yourself too seriously. 2025 is all about having fun with your social media content.
Lou Bowers is a renowned marketing and visibility expert who specializes in empowering individuals and businesses to showcase their unique brand identity and gain the visibility they deserve. With a passion for helping others succeed, Lou has worked with numerous brands, guiding them on a path to effectively connect with their target audience and generate meaningful client relationships.
Lou firmly believes that being the face of your brand is essential. By encouraging individuals to step into the spotlight and confidently represent their businesses, she helps them establish a strong and authentic presence that resonates with their audience.
Consistency is key in Lou’s approach. She emphasizes the importance of showing up consistently and encouraging businesses to maintain a cohesive and engaging online presence.
One of Lou’s core messages revolves around the concept of gaining visibility for your business. She understands that the know, like, and trust factor plays a vital role in attracting clients and fostering long-term relationships. Through her guidance, Lou assists brands in strengthening this factor, enabling them to establish credibility and create a positive reputation within their industry.