Week 17: Wrapping It Up

As the semester comes to a close, I’ve taken some time to reflect on how much my understanding and approach to social media has evolved. Before this class, I was creating content on a whim and hoping for results. Now, I’ve learned that managing social media for a business isn’t just about being present—it’s about being purposeful. This course taught me that effective social media marketing requires strategy, structure, and tools that make consistency sustainable.

One of the most eye-opening aspects of this class was realizing the importance of content planning. I created a 30-day content calendar for my brand, CocoShuffles, which gave me clarity and direction. Mapping out what to post, when to post it, and how each piece of content fits into a larger narrative helped me visualize the long-term goals of my brand. Though I haven’t yet implemented this system in full, having it prepared makes me feel equipped to launch a more consistent presence moving forward.

In addition to the calendar, I was introduced to tools like Hootsuite, which allow me to schedule posts in advance across multiple platforms. Systems like these are game-changers for small business owners because they save time, reduce burnout, and allow us to focus on engagement and creativity instead of scrambling to post every day. While I haven’t started using Hootsuite yet, it’s now on my list of essential tools to integrate into my workflow.

Although I haven't seen measurable growth in my social media following just yet, that's because I’ve only just begun to build the systems needed for sustained success. The class helped me understand the "why" behind each post and the importance of tailoring content to different platforms. By studying how other businesses succeed—or fail—I noticed how consistency, community engagement, and authentic content make a difference. I’ve also learned to pay attention to data and feedback, which I’ll be using as I implement my strategy over the next few months.

Overall, my perspective on social media has changed significantly. It’s no longer just about aesthetics or hopping on trends. I now see it as a powerful marketing tool and a direct line to customers. This class gave me a framework to make social media work for my business instead of feeling overwhelmed by it. If I had one suggestion for future versions of this class, it would be to spend more time exploring tools like Hootsuite, Canva, and Meta Business Suite, and how to integrate analytics into our strategy more effectively.

This class gave me more than just information—it gave me a system and a sense of direction. While the real growth is still ahead, I now feel prepared to take the next steps with confidence and clarity. I’m grateful for this experience, and excited to apply what I’ve learned in the months to come.

Week 16 Part B: Building Out Your Strategy

Running a brand online is more than just hitting “post.” It’s about intention, consistency, and knowing how to transform digital moments into business growth. For my Social Media for Business class, I developed a 30-day content plan to strategically grow CocoShuffles, my dance tutorial platform and personal brand.

This post outlines the systems I’m putting in place to ensure that my social content is both effective and sustainable across the platforms I’ve chosen: Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts. Here's what it takes to show up every day—and why it matters.

 Platform Strategy

Each platform has a unique rhythm, so I chose:

• Instagram: For polished Reels, behind-the-scenes Stories, carousels with tips, and occasional Lives.

• TikTok: For raw, energetic short-form dance content with trending audio.

• YouTube Shorts: For repurposed versions of my best Reels and TikToks to reach a wider audience.

Weekly Breakdown: Time Budget & Tasks

I designed a weekly rhythm to keep momentum high without burning out. Here's the breakdown:

Day	Tasks	Platform(s)	Estimated Time
Monday	Brainstorm + Film 2 Videos	IG, TikTok, YouTube	3 hrs
Tuesday	Edit + Write Captions	All	2 hrs
Wednesday	Post 1 Reel/Short + Engage	IG, TikTok	1.5 hrs
Thursday	Film Stories + Prep Carousels	IG	1.5 hrs
Friday	Post Tutorial + Reply to DMs/Comments	IG, TikTok	2 hrs
Saturday	Behind-the-Scenes + Quick Live	IG, TikTok	1 hr
Sunday	Analytics Review + Weekly Planning	All	2 hrs

That’s about 13 hours a week—a part-time job’s worth of effort to grow a full-time dream.

Week 1 Sample Calendar (May 27 – June 2)

Monday: Film a trending shuffle dance + a motivational “talk to camera” video.
Tuesday: Edit clips, write captions, and draft a beginner dance tip carousel.
Wednesday: Post a Reel about how I learned my favorite move. Respond to comments.
Thursday: Capture daily routine on Stories. Prep a “before and after” style Reel.
Friday: Post a mini tutorial. Respond to DMs and thank top commenters.
Saturday: Go Live with a quick freestyle + post a blooper for fun.
Sunday: Review analytics—Which post got the most saves? What content sparked DMs? Plan next week accordingly.

Monthly Themes

I mapped out four weekly content themes to keep my posts intentional and fresh:

• Week 1: Meet CocoShuffles – Introduce the brand and my vibe

• Week 2: Behind the Moves – Show practice, mistakes, growth

• Week 3: Tutorial Week – Offer value with educational dance content

• Week 4: Vibes & Community – Uplift, inspire, and connect

Engagement & Improvement Loop

Beyond posting, I’ve carved out time each week to respond to every comment and DM—because engagement builds trust. Sundays are dedicated to checking analytics and tweaking the next week’s plan based on what performed well.

Week 16 Part A: Developing Your Marketing Strategy

This semester has helped me understand how powerful — and time-consuming — social media marketing can be. By experimenting with different platforms and tools, I’ve learned not only how to grow my presence but how to build an intentional strategy that actually reflects my goals. Now that I’ve explored a range of tools, it’s time to refine my approach and focus on what works best.

The Platforms That Fit My Brand

The social media platforms that integrate best with my brand are Instagram and TikTok. These platforms are both highly visual, trend-driven, and ideal for the kind of content I create, which includes short-form videos, dance content, and collaborations with other creators. They are also ideal for building a personal brand, which is essential to what I’m doing.

Instagram gives me tools like Reels, Stories, Insights, and Collab features that I’ve found especially effective. For example, my best-performing post this semester was a collab with a friend who has a large following, which helped boost both reach and engagement. TikTok, on the other hand, rewards early adopters of trends, which makes it great for increasing visibility when timing and audio selection are on point.

Tools I’ll Take With Me

From this class and the reading materials, a few tools stood out as especially useful for building an organized and consistent strategy:

• Editorial Calendars: After learning about editorial calendars in the lecture, I see how helpful it is to plan content in advance. Having post ideas plotted around holidays, collaborations, or trends helps avoid the last-minute scramble and leads to more intentional posting.

• Scheduling Tools: Platforms like Meta Business Suite or Hootsuite make it easier to manage Instagram and Facebook in one place. I plan to use these tools to pre-schedule at least 50% of my content, especially when I know I’ll be busy or traveling.

• Insights & Analytics: I’ve learned that looking at numbers like reach, saves, and shares (not just likes) helps guide content creation. The Likeable Social Media textbook emphasized building content around what your audience wants to engage with — and analytics are the clearest way to know that.

• Google Drive: As mentioned in the lecture, using shared Google Docs and Sheets is a smart way to keep ideas organized and collaborate with others. I’ve started keeping a running list of caption ideas, trending sounds, and potential collab opportunities there.

What I Enjoyed Most

The platform I’ve enjoyed using the most is Instagram. I feel most comfortable with its features, and I like how easy it is to balance visuals, captions, and interaction through Stories and DMs. I also enjoy TikTok for its creativity, but I’m more selective about what I post there. I’ve learned that enthusiasm translates. When I’m genuinely excited about a trend or collab, the content performs better, and the audience can feel that energy.

Time Commitment Going Forward

Going forward, I believe my business should spend at least 6–10 hours per week on social media marketing. This includes time spent planning content, shooting/editing videos, writing captions, responding to comments, and reviewing analytics. It may sound like a lot, but in today’s digital-first world, especially for a brand rooted in creative expression, this kind of time investment is necessary to grow and remain visible.

Final Thoughts

This class gave me a chance to try new tools and platforms and reflect on what aligns best with my business. Using the guidance from the lecture and Likeable Social Media, I now feel more prepared to structure my strategy with intention. I’ll keep improving by using analytics to inform decisions, planning with editorial calendars, and leaning into the platforms I enjoy most. The future of my marketing isn’t just about posting, it’s about building connection, consistency, and creativity.

Week 15 Part B: What We Can Learn from FaceBook and Other Analytics

This month, I spent some time reviewing my Instagram analytics to better understand what’s working and how I can improve my content strategy. Even though I don’t currently post educational content, I focus on trends, short captions, and engaging visuals — and after diving into the data, I realized there’s a lot I can build on.

My Top Post: Collaboration Wins

The best-performing post this month was collabs with my friend Miranda, who has a large following. The engagement on that post was significantly higher than my solo content, and it also had the highest reach and share count. This made it clear that collaborations, especially with creators who have strong engagement, are a powerful tool for growing my audience and increasing visibility.

Insights from My Analytics

• Reels consistently outperform photos, especially when I use trending audio. I’ve also noticed more shares on Reels than on any other type of post.

• Short captions still work. My audience seems to prefer content that’s quick and easy to consume. Using just emojis or 1–2 word captions doesn’t hurt engagement.

• Evening posts do best, especially between 6–9 PM. Weekend evenings brought in the highest reach and engagement.

Analytics Tools on Instagram

Instagram Insights offers helpful breakdowns like:

• Reach (how many accounts saw a post)

• Engagement (likes, comments, shares, saves)

• Follower Growth (including locations and age ranges)

• Profile Activity (website clicks, profile visits, etc.)

Using these tools, I can track not just what’s popular, but also what’s leading people to take action — like sharing my posts or visiting my page.

Lessons from the Experts

From the article Best Social Media Practices for 2025, I learned that platforms are increasingly rewarding authenticityand video-based content. The article also encourages creators to lean into community-building and collaborations, which I’ve already seen work firsthand with my top-performing post.

Interpreting Social Media Analytics emphasized the importance of tracking engagement rate, audience demographics, and reach — not just likes. That’s something I’ve taken to heart. My collab post wasn’t just popular — it actually reached more people and had a higher share count than usual, which shows me the content was meaningful enough to spread.

How I’ll Improve Going Forward

• I’m planning to do more collabs, especially with creators who align with my niche and have engaged followings.

• I’ll keep using trending audio and Reels, and start testing out content that shows more behind-the-scenes moments or personal storytelling.

• I want to track which hashtags and post times consistently bring in higher reach and start building a system around that.

Final Thoughts

Looking at your analytics can feel intimidating at first, but once you get used to it, it becomes a powerful tool. It helps you stop guessing and start making intentional decisions. For me, it’s clear: collaborations, short-form video, and timing are my biggest opportunities — and I’m excited to see how using these insights will help me grow even more next month.

Week 15 Part A: What We Can Learn from Google Analytics

 Using Google Analytics to Grow My Business

Understanding how people find and interact with your content is one of the most important parts of growing any business in today’s digital world. After reading the SEO and Social Media lecture and exploring the Google Analytics for Business platform, I’ve learned how much power this tool holds for content creators and small business owners like myself. It goes far beyond counting clicks—it gives insight into what’s working, what’s not, and where your most valuable audience lives. Below are five Google Analytics features I believe would help me build a stronger, more strategic business.

1. Audience Overview

One of the first things I’d check regularly is the Audience Overview. This feature tells me how many users are visiting my site, whether they’re new or returning, what devices they’re using, and how long they stay. For someone running a content-driven brand, this helps me know if I’m keeping people engaged or if they’re bouncing quickly. It also helps me track growth over time and understand how changes in my content or promotions affect traffic. When paired with the insights from the PDF, like how important it is to have a mobile-friendly site, Audience data helps me make more informed design and content decisions.

2. Acquisition Channels

The Acquisition report tells me where my visitors are coming from—whether it's social media, search engines, direct visits, or referrals. This is especially helpful when I’m running campaigns across multiple platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and email. I can see which channels are driving the most traffic and which need improvement. The lecture emphasizes how vital it is to build a sphere of influence and drive targeted traffic; the Acquisition Channels report helps me measure exactly that. If I see most people coming from Instagram, for example, I know that platform is worth more of my energy.

3. Behavior Flow

The Behavior Flow feature shows how users move through my site—from the page they land on to where they go next and where they drop off. This kind of insight is gold when planning a content funnel or user journey. It helps me understand what content is grabbing attention and what’s losing it. If I want people to sign up for a class or buy a product, Behavior Flow helps me test whether that journey is working. It ties into what the PDF said about structuring content with a purpose: this data tells me if the structure I’ve created is actually converting.

4. Goal and Conversion Tracking

Google Analytics allows me to set up Goals—specific actions I want users to take, like signing up for a newsletter, making a purchase, or clicking a video. This is key for turning clicks into measurable business results. According to the lecture, successful SEO relies on more than visibility—it requires engagement and conversion. Tracking Goals helps me test different landing pages or call-to-actions to see what performs best. It also lets me focus on actions that matter for long-term growth, rather than just raw traffic numbers.

5. Real-Time Reporting

The Real-Time dashboard gives a live view of what’s happening on my site right now—who's visiting, what they're looking at, and where they came from. This is especially helpful when I launch a new post, product, or campaign. I can instantly see what’s getting attention and make quick decisions if something isn’t performing well. It also aligns with the SEO lecture’s point about keeping up with fast-changing trends. In a world where content can go viral in hours, being able to monitor performance in real-time is a major advantage.

Conclusion

Google Analytics is more than just a numbers tool—it’s a strategy dashboard. From tracking user behavior to optimizing traffic sources and conversions, each of these features provides valuable insights that can help grow a business smarter and more efficiently. Combined with the strategies from the SEO and Social Media lecture—like writing quality content, using keywords naturally, and leveraging social media influence—these analytics help create a feedback loop that improves both reach and results. I’m excited to apply these tools as I continue building my brand.

Week 14: Part B - comments

    This week, I commented on posts by April Haye, Jose Luna, and Alex Victoria. April’s review stood out for its honesty and practical take on free vs. paid social media tools—her point about small businesses saving time with free options really stuck with me. Jose connected each tool to his landscaping business in a relatable and strategic way, showing how Buffer is a smart starting point while keeping Sprout Social in mind for future growth. Alex’s post about The Whisker & Quill was creative and well thought out—I loved how she matched tools like Buffer and Later to the cozy, visual nature of her brand. From their research, I learned how important it is to choose tools that align with your brand’s goals and growth stage, and that even similar tools can serve very different needs depending on the business.

Week 12 Part B: Business Specific Tools

    This week, I commented on the blogs of Vanessa Sanchez, Robert Gleason, Katie Nava, and Troy Smith. Reading their posts gave me a broader understanding of how different tools can be used strategically depending on the type of business. Vanessa’s approach to keeping Iomi Bake active during a pause in operations was inspiring—her use of LinkedIn Groups and TikTok to stay connected to her audience showed me how important it is to maintain visibility and storytelling, even without active sales. Robert’s detailed breakdown of how VTubers use YouTube, Twitch, and TikTok helped me see how each platform serves a different purpose—depth, community, and reach—and how consistency across them builds a stronger brand. Katie’s thoughtful use of tools like Trello and Slack for internal communication reminded me that even small brands can benefit from strong organization, while her strategy for handling Yelp reviews showed a smart approach to building trust. Troy emphasized how tools like LinkedIn, Meetup, and Yelp can support both online visibility and in-person connection. I especially appreciated his point about seeing reviews as an opportunity for growth. Overall, these posts helped me see how integrating the right digital tools can strengthen both the customer experience and behind-the-scenes operations.

Week 14: Social Media Management Tools

 My Review of Social Media Management Tools for Coco Shuffles

As someone managing content for a personal brand across multiple platforms, I know how time-consuming it can be to post consistently, plan campaigns, and engage with my audience. I looked into several social media management tools this week to see what might help me stay more organized and save time as I scale Coco Shuffles. Here’s what I found after comparing four popular options:

1. Later

• Free Plan:

  • 1 social set (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, TikTok, LinkedIn)

  • 10 posts per profile per month

  • Visual content calendar

  • Basic analytics (limited)

• Paid Plans:

  • Starter ($25/month): 1 social set, 30 posts/profile, analytics, and Instagram hashtag suggestions

  • Growth ($45/month): Includes team collaboration, more posts, and full analytics

Thoughts: Later’s interface is really user-friendly and visual, which is great for someone like me who focuses heavily on dance and aesthetic branding. I love the drag-and-drop calendar and the ability to preview how the grid will look on Instagram. However, the free plan is very limited, and if you're posting to Reels or TikTok often, you’ll run into caps quickly. For visual brands, the paid plan is worth considering.

2. Buffer

• Free Plan:

  • 3 social channels

  • 10 scheduled posts per channel

  • Basic publishing tools

• Paid Plans:

  • Essentials ($6/month per channel): Unlimited posts, analytics, and engagement tools

  • Team ($12/month per channel): Adds user permissions and collaboration tools

Thoughts: Buffer is simple and efficient. If I were managing fewer accounts or just starting out, I’d consider the free version. I liked how clean the dashboard was, and it’s perfect for someone who just wants to schedule without a ton of bells and whistles. It’s a great low-cost option if you only need a handful of social platforms.

3. Hootsuite

• Free Plan: (No longer available as of late 2023)

  • They now offer only a 30-day free trial

• Paid Plans:

  • Professional ($99/month): 1 user, 10 social accounts, full publishing tools, inbox, analytics

  • Team ($249/month): 3 users, 20 social accounts, collaborative tools

Thoughts: Hootsuite is robust and built for agencies or large businesses. It has everything from scheduling and analytics to social listening and ad integration. But for an individual creator or small business like mine, it’s honestly way too expensive unless I’m scaling up with a team. The trial is helpful, but I don’t see it being worth the ongoing cost right now.

4. Metricool

• Free Plan:

  • 1 brand (includes all linked platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, etc.)

  • 50 scheduled posts/month

  • Basic analytics and competitor tracking

• Paid Plans:

  • Starter ($22/month): Unlimited posts, more platforms, team sharing, and bulk scheduling

  • Advanced ($45/month): More detailed reporting and additional features for agencies

Thoughts: I hadn’t heard of Metricool before, but I was impressed. It covers more platforms than most free plans—including TikTok and YouTube Shorts—and has useful analytics even at the free level. This might be the best value for solo creators like me who want to manage both long- and short-form video content without breaking the bank.

Final Thoughts: What I’d Choose

Based on my needs for Coco Shuffles—where I create short-form dance content, manage Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, and need to stay consistent—Metricool or Later seem like the best options. I’ll likely test Metricool first since its free version is generous and it allows more cross-platform support.

I’m not using a social media management tool yet, but this research convinced me it’s time to start. Scheduling content ahead of time and reviewing analytics in one place will definitely help me stay focused and avoid burnout. Once I test Metricool for a few weeks, I’ll consider upgrading to the Starter plan if it helps streamline my workflow and increase engagement.

Week 13 Part B: Developing Online Advertising

 

Title: Building Smart Ads for Coco Shuffles

As I continue to grow Coco Shuffles, I’m learning that marketing isn’t just about posting—it’s about having a goal. Whether it’s growing my following, getting signups for my shuffle tutorials, or capturing emails for future updates, every piece of content needs a purpose.

For this assignment, I created three sample ads tailored for Instagram and Facebook to reflect my brand’s aesthetic and attract my specific target audience: beginner and intermediate dancers interested in shuffle dancing.

My Three Ads

1. Video Ad – “Learn to Shuffle with Me”

This is a video montage of me dancing, paired with a voiceover where I personally invite viewers to learn to shuffle with me. It feels authentic and gives a strong sense of what I offer.

• Call to Action: “Learn to Shuffle – Tap to Get Started”

• Why it’s effective: The personal voiceover creates connection, while the visuals catch the eye quickly. It’s short, scroll-stopping, and speaks directly to a niche audience.

• Objective: Lead Generation – because it drives viewers toward signing up or messaging me for lessons.

2. Carousel Ad – “From Beginner to Shuffler”

This ad tells a story with videos—from a beginner moment to confident dancing. It visually mirrors the journey many of my followers are on or want to start.

• Call to Action: “Sign Up for My Beginner Course”

• Why it’s effective: Story-based content gets more engagement. Each swipe keeps the viewer invested, and the final frame gives a solution they can act on.

• Objective: Engagement – to increase interaction and encourage DMs or clicks.

3. Static Image Ad – “Shuffler Starter Kit”

This ad is more minimal but speaks to those who are new to the dance scene and might feel nervous. It’s welcoming and gives a clear next step.

• Call to Action: “Click to Get Free Starter Tips”

• Why it’s effective: It’s simple, direct, and relatable. Perfect for growing brand awareness and building trust.

• Objective: Traffic or Follower Growth – depending on whether the link leads to a site or encourages following for more.

What is an Ad Objective?

An ad objective is the goal you choose when setting up an ad campaign. It tells the platform what kind of result you want—like more followers, clicks, messages, or purchases. The algorithm then shows your ad to people most likely to take that action.

For Coco Shuffles, the most important objective is Lead Generation or Conversions. My goal is to help people learn to shuffle through tutorials and online programs, so I want my ads to drive actions like signups, follows, or DMs. These are trackable steps that lead directly to sales or long-term growth.