Social media has become a huge part of both my personal and professional life. Between running my photography business, Golden Coast Photo Co., creating lifestyle content, and learning more about marketing, I have had the opportunity to experiment with several different social media platforms and tools. While each platform offers something valuable, I have also learned that what works well on one platform does not necessarily work on another.
Instagram is probably one of my favorite platforms, especially when it comes to promoting my photography business. I love that it allows me to showcase my work through photos, Reels, and Stories while connecting directly with potential clients. It essentially acts as a digital portfolio where people can see my photography style before deciding to book a session. Instagram Insights is another useful feature because it allows me to see how many people my content reaches and how audiences interact with my posts.
However, one thing I dislike about Instagram is how unpredictable engagement can be. Sometimes a post that I spend a significant amount of time creating receives very little attention, while something I put together quickly performs much better. This can make it difficult to determine exactly what my audience wants to see.
TikTok is another platform I use regularly, particularly for lifestyle content, personal experiences, and sharing parts of my everyday life. One of my favorite things about TikTok is its potential for organic reach. Unlike platforms where an established following can feel necessary, TikTok gives smaller creators opportunities to reach people who have never interacted with their content before. I also appreciate how the platform encourages creativity and authenticity rather than requiring everything to look perfectly polished.
On the other hand, TikTok can be frustrating because trends change so quickly. A video format that performs well one week might not receive the same attention the next. There is also pressure to post consistently, which can become overwhelming when balancing school, family responsibilities, and running a business.
Facebook has been especially useful for reaching local audiences. Through community groups and business pages, I can promote photography sessions and connect with people who are actively looking for services in their area. I like that Facebook encourages community-based interactions and allows customers to share recommendations with others.
My biggest frustration with Facebook is that organic reach can sometimes feel limited, especially on business pages. I have found that simply posting content is not always enough. Businesses need to participate in conversations, respond to comments, and find ways to make their posts relevant to their communities.
Another tool I find valuable is Canva. Although it is not technically a social media platform, it plays an important role in creating marketing content. Canva makes it easier to design promotional graphics, announcements, and other visual materials without needing advanced graphic design skills. I especially appreciate how accessible it is for small business owners who may not have the budget to hire a professional designer. However, because so many people use the same templates, it can sometimes be difficult to create content that feels completely original.
One of the biggest lessons I have learned is that social media success is not necessarily determined by the number of likes or followers someone has. From a marketing perspective, engagement, audience relationships, and conversions are often more important. For example, a photography post that receives only a handful of likes but leads to two bookings can be more valuable to my business than a video that receives thousands of views without generating any inquiries.
Overall, I believe social media is an incredibly valuable marketing resource, but it requires patience, creativity, and adaptability. Each platform has its strengths and weaknesses, and businesses need to understand their target audiences before deciding where to invest their time. As social media continues to evolve, I think the most successful brands will be those that balance analytics and marketing strategies with authentic connections.
AI Use Acknowledgment: I used ChatGPT (OpenAI, 2026) to assist with organizing and drafting this blog post. The personal experiences and perspectives discussed are based on my own background in photography, content creation, and marketing.
Leave a Reply