02/12/2026
There, I said it.
You do not have to follow trends to grow.
To build a following.
To build a business.
To make a difference.
But you DO need to understand your audience and what they NEED or desire.
And more importantly, you need to know what your overall goals are and how social media fits within those “markers for success” – like getting more women into your funnel, filling seats in a course, or selling a digital product.
I always say…
“Your business is a cohesive ecosystem that has to work both internally and externally.”
That means everything from your initial touch points, to how people recognize and relate to your brand, and move through your funnels + the systems you set up on the backend MATTER.
So… rant over, let’s go back to the following trends thing, and what I mean by that. 🤓
I’ve seen SO many people saying even just this week that the best way to grow on social media is by posting relatable memes — and yes, if that feels aligned you can certainly do that!
…but also, you don’t have to. 🤷🏻♀️
The most important thing for building relationships and moving people through your funnels to convert starts with the following 👇🏻
☀️ Audience recognition.
Does your audience recognize themselves in what you’re sharing? Start with building your ideal customer personas and get specific down to their pain points, their desires, beliefs, demographics, etc.
☀️ Trust and loyalty.
Your lived experience is your greatest tool for building trust. People want to follow someone who gets it, not someone talking “at them.” Being human and showing the real side of life even if it’s just through stories matters.
☀️ Authority and leadership.
Anyone can use ChatGPT nowadays to sound like an expert, but our guts are wired to pick up on what is authentic and lived through, rather than cookie cut and pasted.
☀️ Be original.
What is your philosophy on your industry? Why do you do what you do? This helps people connect to a bigger idea, giving your brand weight and showing you as someone worth following.
Try these out and let me know how it goes! 💬
~ Joelle | thecreativista.com
