Forward from Andrew Edwards, co-founder of designACE 

Hey there, Andrew here! I’ve got a bit of a confession: as much as I love working in digital strategy and helping clients build a strong social media presence, I totally get it—the world of social media can feel like a haunted house sometimes! Those nagging fears—"Am I posting enough? Am I reaching the right people?"—are enough to give anyone the chills.

Last week, Christine and I teamed up with Megan and Maya from The Why Not Agency at the Toronto Business Summit to dive right into these fears. Together, we set up a “Social Scaries” survey at our booth,inviting attendees to vote on their biggest social media spooks. With Halloween around the corner, we wanted to know: what really chills people about managing their online presence?

And here’s the thing—fear can have a big impact. It can slow down growth, stop you from reaching new customers, and even stall your business. We uncovered some eye-opening insights on how often these concerns hold people back. Excited to share more and explore ways to tackle those social media fears—let’s break down the barriers keeping your business from shining!
-ACE

Co-founder, designACE

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Top Social Media Fears Unmasked

After all the votes were tallied (thank you, pumpkin stickers! 🎃), here’s what we found:

🎃Falling Behind / Being Consistent

Consistency claimed the top spot by far! Let’s be real—who hasn’t felt like they’re constantly running behind on social media?

According to a Q2 2023 Sprout Social survey, 49% of marketers report that identifying and responding to trends is one of their biggest challenges in managing their brand’s social presence. This fear of "falling behind" really struck a chord with summit attendees. For many, the struggle to stay on top of emerging trends feels overwhelming. The challenge is more than just keeping up—it’s balancing relevance with authenticity, staying current without losing the brand’s voice. Just when marketers feel they’re catching up, a new trend surfaces, pulling them back into the race. It’s easy to see why so many find this an ongoing challenge in today’s fast-paced digital landscape.

Ace it! Use one of our engagement checklists to stay consistent with your interactions. It’s a simple way to keep your presence steady and meaningful without the stress of scrambling for the latest trend.

⏰Wasting Time

Time management was another big fear. Let’s face it—if you feel like you’re wasting time on social media, you probably are. According to Hootsuite, 68% of marketers struggle to prove the ROI of social media, leaving many feeling like they’re pouring hours into something without clear benefits. When you’re spending time curating posts and responding to comments without seeing results, it’s more than just time wasted—it’s the worry that all that effort might be in vain.

Ace it! Instead of trying to master it all yourself, free up your time by outsourcing. Working with designACE or The Why Not Agency lets you ace LinkedIn and Instagram, respectively, so you can focus on what you do best while we keep your social media growing.

🌎Reaching the Right Audiences

Imagine shouting into a crowd, only to feel like no one is listening. That’s how it feels when you’re unsure if your content is reaching the right people. Reaching your target audience is crucial but challenging, and marketers everywhere feel it. According to Sprout Social, many marketers struggle to find creative content ideas that keep their audience engaged. We heard this loud and clear at the summit—if you’re not connecting with those who care about your brand, it can feel like you’re broadcasting into a void.

Ace it! Start with understanding your ideal customer. Use our Empathy Mapping Guide to dive into what they think, do, say, and—most importantly—feel. When you know what makes your audience tick, your content will resonate and build meaningful connections.

✍️Knowing What to Post

Content creation pressure was another top scare for attendees. According to a report by Buffer, staying organized and producing consistent content takes planning and a solid strategy—something many small businesses and individuals struggle to keep up with. The fear of not knowing what to post or feeling drained of creative ideas left many attendees in a state of “content paralysis.” In a fast-paced social media world, the pressure to stay fresh and engaging never ends.

Ace it! Check out Answer the Public, a fantastic tool for discovering the top questions people are searching online about your topic. It’s a great way to spark fresh ideas and create content that directly addresses your audience’s needs!

🆕Learning a New Platform

With new platforms popping up all the time, the thought of mastering yet another one can be intimidating. For many, the fear of navigating unfamiliar platforms feels overwhelming—especially when each has its own unique features, rules, and culture. That’s why, for B2B sales, LinkedIn remains the best choice, with tools designed to build professional connections and drive business growth.

Ace it! Connect with designACE for a free LinkedIn audit and discover how you can shine on the platform! Let’s make LinkedIn work for you and your business. 

Facing Your Social Scaries (Without Running Screaming)

After seeing the results, one thing became clear: these fears aren’t going away on their own. But that’s where we come in. Christine and I are here to help you face these “haunted hallways” of social media and turn those fears into opportunities.

Imagine having a plan that makes consistency feel natural, where you’re confident your posts are reaching the right people, and where you spend less time stressing and more time seeing results. We specialize in making social media feel a little less scary—and a lot more strategic. At designACE, we believe that with the right tools and guidance, social media can go from a nightmare to one of your business’s most powerful allies.

Ready to face those Social Scaries head-on? Let’s chat about how we can take the fear out of your social media strategy. Book a free LinkedIn audit, and let’s start building a plan that works for you: Book Here.

Let’s turn today’s fears into fuel for tomorrow’s growth.