The Social Media Reality Check

The Social Media Reality Check

Cut through the social media noise with data-driven strategies that actually work. No fluff, no outdated tactics - just real results from real businesses. Each week, we share actionable insights, case studies, and proven methods that help businesses grow their social media presence authentically and sustainably.

Episodes

Why Your Brand Looks Great on Social Media But Isn’t Getting Results

April 22, 2025 • 8 mins
In this episode, I'm diving into one of the most frustrating problems business owners are facing right now: 👉 Beautiful, branded content that isn’t performing. You’ve got the polish. You’ve got the professionalism. But your numbers? Flat. And no, it’s not just the algorithm.

 

 

🎧 Here’s what you’ll learn:

 

  • Why aesthetic content alone won’t drive reach or engagement anymore
  • The #1 mistake business owners make when creating...
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The Power of Storytelling – Stop Posting, Start Connecting

March 18, 2025 • 10 mins
Social media is packed with content, but let’s be real—most of it gets scrolled past without a second thought. The difference between a forgettable post and one that stops someone in their tracks? Storytelling.   In this episode of The Social Media Reality Check, I’m breaking down why storytelling is the secret weapon for building emotional connections, keeping your audience engaged, and turning casual scrollers into loyal fans. No...
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Avoiding Social Media Burnout in Your Business

February 25, 2025 • 7 mins
Most business owners are feeling it—the constant pressure to post, engage, and chase trends while still running a business. Social media has become a full-time job, and burnout is at an all-time high. But here’s the truth: social media should work for your business, not the other way around.   In this episode, I break down why social media burnout happens and, more importantly, how to make content creation sustainable without drain...
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Behind the Scenes of a Killer Social Media Audit

February 18, 2025 • 7 mins
Most businesses are flying blind on social media—posting without knowing what’s actually working, measuring success by vanity metrics, and hoping for the best. But hope is not a strategy. In this episode, I break down the Social Media Audit Playbook, the exact process I use to help businesses uncover hidden growth opportunities, pinpoint what’s killing engagement, and create a roadmap for measurable results.   If you’re putting in ...
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The Instagram Detox Strategy – Why Posting Less Can Grow Your Account Faster

February 11, 2025 • 8 mins

This episode challenges the outdated “post daily” advice and reveals why posting less but engaging more is the smarter approach to Instagram growth. I break down The Instagram Detox Strategy—a proven method that shifts the focus from content overload to quality, connection, and conversion. If you’ve ever felt burnt out from the endless content treadmill or frustrated by low engagement, this episode is for you.

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Standing Out in a Sea of Copy-Paste Creators

February 4, 2025 • 5 mins
Tired of seeing the same social media trends recycled over and over? You’re not alone. 76% of social media users are overwhelmed by repetitive content (2024 HubSpot Study). People are zoning out, engagement is dropping, and if you’re blending in—you’re losing.   But here’s the truth: the creators and brands actually growing aren’t just following trends; they’re breaking them. So in this episode of The Social Media Reality Check, we...
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The Facebook Strategy That Works: How a Local Store Increased Engagement 423% Without Ads

January 21, 2025 • 6 mins
This episode cuts through the noise about Facebook being “dead for business” and showcases a case study of how a local retail client proved the naysayers wrong. Danielle Wheeler breaks down the exact steps her team took to help this client achieve a 423.7% engagement increase and nearly triple their impressions in 90 days—without spending a single dollar on ads. Key Strategies Discussed 1. Stop Selling, Start Connecting • Shift foc...
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I Tested 5 Viral Instagram Growth Hacks (So You Don't Have To)

January 14, 2025 • 10 mins
I tested five different growth strategies: follow/unfollow method, engagement pods, trend hijacking, giveaways, and cross-platform auto-posting. Each method was thoroughly tested with detailed tracking of results, costs, and impact on account health. My findings overwhelmingly showed that these "shortcuts" lead to decreased engagement, damaged account credibility, and wasted resources. Experiment Overview - Duration: 90 days - Plat...
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The Brutal Truth About Reels (And How to Fix Them)

January 7, 2025 • 8 mins
In this episode, we dive deep into what really drives results with Instagram Reels, backed by real client data and case studies. Learn why viral views don't always equal success and discover proven strategies for creating Reels that convert. Key Highlights Real Client Data Insights
  • Beauty Industry Client
    • Trendy Reel: 15,000 views → 2 sales
    • Educational Reel: 3,000 views → 15 sales
  • Service Business Client
    • Dancin...
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Your Social Media Schedule Is Broken Here's How to Fix It

January 7, 2025 • 9 mins
A deep dive into creating a sustainable social media content system that prevents burnout and delivers better results. Features a complete breakdown of the Content Power Week system and essential tools for implementation. The Content Power Week System Monday: Research & Ideation
  • Brain dump content ideas
  • Review performance metrics
  • Industry research
  • Content planning
  • No creation, just planning
Tuesday: Recording Day
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Social Media in 2025: What's Actually Working (With Real Data)

January 7, 2025 • 10 mins
Episode Overview An in-depth look at three real case studies showing how businesses achieved significant growth by being more intentional and doing less on social media. It features actual data and implementation strategies that will work in 2025. Key Case Studies Local Retail Store
  • Initial challenge: No reach despite following "best practices"
  • Strategy changes:
    • Community-focused content
    • Entertainment over sales
    • Strategic...
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The Social Media Reality Check You Need to Hear in 2025

January 7, 2025 • 7 mins
Episode Overview

In this episode, I break down the six biggest myths in social media marketing and share what's actually working right now, backed by my real client case studies and data.

Key Myths Debunked - Myth #1: Multi-platform presence requirement (B2B client grew 150% focusing on LinkedIn only) - Myth #2: Viral content necessity (Fitness studio grew 200% without viral posts) - Myth ...

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Your Social Media Reality Check Starts Here - About the Podcast

January 7, 2025 • 2 mins
An introduction to The Social Media Reality Check podcast, explaining our mission to deliver real, data-driven social media strategies that actually work for businesses. What This Podcast Is NOT
  • Another guru pushing dance trends
  • A platform promoting vanity metrics
  • A trend-chasing guide
Our Core Promise ✓ Actionable content without fluff ✓ Real business examples ✓ Practical implementation advice ✓ Unfiltered truth about s...
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