Looking Back: 5 Social Media Lessons I Wish I Knew Sooner
- Juneffer Binti Sabastian Goh
- May 29
- 2 min read
Social media is a journey filled with trial, error, and unexpected lessons. When I scroll through my old posts, I cringe a little (we've all been there), but I also see growth. Hindsight is 20/20, and if I could rewind time, there are things I'd do differently. Whether you're a casual user, a budding influencer, or a brand refining your strategy, here are the hard-earned lessons I learned from my social media missteps—and how to avoid them.
1. Consistency > Perfection (Stop Overthinking!)
I used to agonize over crafting the "perfect" post. Should I use this filter? Is this caption witty enough? Is 9 PM the exact right time to post?
Spoiler: Perfect doesn't exist. What matters more is showing up consistently.
What I'd Change:
Post regularly, even if it's simple. Followers appreciate reliability, and algorithms reward consistency.
Batch-create content to avoid last-minute panic. A content calendar is your best friend.
Embrace "good enough." A genuine, timely post will consistently outperform a late, over-polished one.
2. Follow Trends
I chased every viral trend or hashtag early on, even when they didn't align with my voice or values. Sure, trends can boost visibility, but forced participation feels inauthentic, and audiences notice.
What I'd Change:
Stay true to your niche. If a trend doesn't fit, skip it. Your audience follows you for your perspective.
Share stories, not just highlights. Vulnerability (like admitting mistakes or sharing struggles) builds deeper connections.
Ditch the "salesy" tone. Followers tune out when every post feels like an ad.
3. Less Is More: Quality Over Quantity
I once believed posting daily was the key to growth. But flooding feeds with mediocre content led to follower fatigue—and my engagement dropped.
What I'd Change:
Focus on value. Ask: Does this post educate, entertain, or inspire? If not, rethink it.
Repurpose evergreen content. A great blog post can become a carousel, reel, or tweet thread.
Take breaks. Burnout shows in your content. It's okay to pause and recharge.
4. Engage, Don't Broadcast
Social media is social, but I treated it like a megaphone. I'd post and ghost, ignoring comments or DMs—big mistake.
What I'd Change:
Respond to comments and messages. Even a "❤️" or "Thanks!" builds community.
Ask questions. Polls, Q&As, and "caption this" prompts spark conversations.
Collaborate. Tag others, share user-generated content, and celebrate your audience.
5. Analytics Are Your Secret Weapon
For years, I avoided analytics because they felt overwhelming. But ignoring data meant flying blind.
What I'd Change:
Track what works. Which posts get saved/shared? What time do followers engage most?
Pivot quickly. If a strategy flops, adjust instead of clinging to it.
Test one variable simultaneously (e.g., captions vs. hashtags vs. posting times).
Bonus Lesson: Not Every Platform Is for You
I used to cross-post the duplicate content everywhere. But TikTok isn't LinkedIn, and Instagram isn't Twitter.
What I'd Change:
Tailor content to each platform. Short humor thrives on Twitter; tutorials shine on YouTube.
Audit platforms annually. If one isn't yielding results, let it go.
Remember this
Social media is a marathon, not a sprint. The beauty is that you can continually iterate, learn, and grow. While I can't undo my old posts, these lessons have shaped a more innovative, more intentional approach. So take a peek at your feed: What would you do differently?
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