SocialSmart (2025)

11/02/2025

Some 2025 work highlights so far—grateful to create, collaborate & do what I love every day with the best people! 💻🎀

04/02/2025

Not sure how to celebrate Valentine’s Day on socials? I’ve got you covered with a V-Day content guide for your business to make things easy! 💌

15/01/2025

My 2025 trend predictions for social media. ⚡️

🎞️ Short-form video will still be king: It’s not just a trend anymore; it’s the way we consume content. TikTok is growing, and platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook are all leaning into video-first strategies. Grabbing attention quickly and delivering bite-sized, easy-to-digest content is the name of the game.

🤳 Brand identity will be EVERYTHING: Posting random content won’t cut it anymore—it’s about building a digital presence that reflects your values, your story, and you. In 2025, personal branding will explode, with a focus on authenticity and storytelling like never before.

💸 Shoppable content will be everywhere: Think “shop now” straight from a story or reel. Expect seamless, in-platform shopping experiences to become the norm, making it easier than ever to buy the products you love with just a tap.

💡 The “unfiltered” aesthetic is taking over: Messy, raw, behind-the-scenes moments will be front and centre. We crave authenticity, and in 2025, brands and individuals alike will embrace the messy, imperfect side of their journey—think mistakes, failures, and human experiences shared openly.

🎙 Voice and podcasting are about to steal the spotlight: Long-form content is back, but in voice-driven formats like podcasts. People want deeper, more meaningful conversations, and platforms like Instagram and TikTok are rolling out new audio features to meet the demand.

📲 Nostalgia meets modern: Hear me out—old-school platforms like MySpace and Vine may just make a comeback. Blending the raw, authentic energy of the past with today’s digital landscape, these spaces could offer a deeper sense of connection, creativity, and community

I’d love to hear your take—what do you think is going to shake up social media in 2025? Share your thoughts below!

06/01/2025

Refesh your socials for 2025! 💡

INSTAGRAM
〰️ Update your bio with relevant keywords and a clear call-to-action (e.g., “DM to book” or “Shop our latest”).
〰️ Contact details: Double-check that your website, email, and any other contact information are up-to-date.
〰️ Refresh your profile photo to align with your current brand. A recent, high-quality photo or logo will help make your profile stand out.
〰️ Organise your highlights—add updated covers and archive outdated stories.
〰️ Audit your feed: Archive posts that no longer reflect your brand or aesthetic, and make sure your feed looks cohesive.

FACEBOOK
〰️ Refresh your profile and cover photos to match your current branding, giving your page an updated, cohesive look.
〰️ Ensure your About section is complete with updated business hours, website links, and contact details.
〰️ Pin a post: Pin your best-performing content or an announcement about new offers, services, or products to keep it top of mind for visitors.
〰️ Engage with your followers: Respond to comments and messages in a timely manner to keep your audience engaged.
〰️ Share valuable posts in niche Facebook Groups to connect with your target audience authentically.

TIKTOK
〰️ Profile photo & bio: Ensure your profile photo reflects your brand (whether it’s a logo or a personal shot). Update your bio to reflect what you do and include a call-to-action.
〰️ Use trending sounds and hashtags to maximise your reach and tap into viral content.
〰️ Share tutorials or relatable “day-in-the-life” moments that resonate with your audience.
〰️ Contact info: Update your TikTok profile to include any relevant links or ways for followers to contact you, such as a website or email.

LINKEDIN
〰️ Update your profile photo: LinkedIn is a professional network, so having a high-quality, professional headshot is essential.
〰️ Refresh your profile headline with a compelling statement that clearly describes your expertise.
〰️ Update your experience section: Include any new accomplishments, projects, or awards you’ve received over the past year.
〰️ Share your expertise and engage with your network by commenting on relevant posts.
〰️ Contact details: Ensure your contact information and a link to your website or portfolio are easily accessible.

A little effort goes a long way—these small changes can have a big impact on how your platforms look and perform this year.

28/11/2024

Prep for the silly season. 🤳✨

The festive season is upon us, and it’s easy to get caught up in the madness. That’s why planning your content ahead is an absolute must to stay on top of things and avoid last-minute panic. Swipe to see my tips to keep things running smoothly for the end of November and into December.

Mark these key dates in your content calendar:
〰️ 25 November: Black Friday
〰️ 29 November: Cyber Monday
〰️ 25 December: Christmas
〰️ 31 December: New Year’s Eve

These dates are key moments for promotions, sales, or just getting festive with your followers. Plan content that aligns with each event to keep things relevant and exciting!

Also, best of luck to all businesses taking part in Black Friday!

12/11/2024

The Power of User-Generated Content (UGC) 🎞️✨

According to Social Media Today, 79% of consumers say UGC has a significant impact on their purchasing decisions, and 85% find it more influential than traditional branded content. These stats show how powerful authentic, community-driven content can be.

When you share real customer stories—be it a review, a photo, or a video—you’re not just marketing a product; you’re building a relationship. People trust other people, and seeing genuine testimonials can be the nudge that turns a curious browser into a loyal customer.

How to make the most of UGC:

〰️ Feature regularly: Reposting UGC consistently keeps your feed authentic and builds a loyal community.

〰️ Reward loyal fans: Give shoutouts, discounts, or collaborate with top UGC creators to encourage brand loyalty.

〰️ Incorporate in ads: UGC feels natural in paid ads, boosting their effectiveness and viewer resonance. It’s one of my clients’ best-performing ad strategies!

〰️ Use in testimonials: UGC doubles as powerful testimonials, adding credibility that resonates with potential customers.

Authenticity sells. Let your customers help tell your brand’s story, and watch the connections (and conversions) grow!

01/09/2024

Celebrating 4 years of SocialSmart.

Today marks four years since I started SocialSmart, and what a journey it’s been! Here are some of the most important lessons I've learnt along the way:

1. Balance is everything: Whether it’s between work and rest, creativity and strategy, or growth and stability, maintaining balance is key to sustaining both myself and my business. It’s about knowing when to push forward and when to pause, reflect, and recharge.

2. Build genuine relationships: One of the most rewarding aspects of this journey has been the relationships I’ve built. It’s about connecting with people, understanding their stories, and representing their brands authentically.

3. Celebrate the wins (big or small): It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and forget to celebrate. But every milestone, every successful campaign, and every small win is worth celebrating. Taking the time to acknowledge these moments keeps me motivated and reminds me of why I started this journey in the first place.

4. Embrace the learning curve: As a young entrepreneur, I’ve learnt that mistakes are inevitable, but they’re also invaluable. Embracing the learning curve means being open to change, learning from every experience, and continually moving forward.

Thank you to all my clients, friends, and family who have been part of SocialSmart’s journey.

Much love, Tia. 🤍

19/08/2024

Some work highlights of the year so far. 🎞️✨

1. Not exactly work-related—but here’s me during a much-needed family holiday in Italy. Being able to work on the go and remotely is one of the things I love most about my job.
2. My go-to treat during the workweek: croissants from . 🥐
3. My office setup featuring my favourite art piece EVER. Dankie liefste 🫶🏼
4. Visiting my dad’s company to shoot some content (and grab some wine, of course).
5. My WFH outfit this winter. If you know, you know. 🧥
6. Tell me you did social media reports without telling me. There’s nothing more satisfying than ticking off that last client report.
7. Ending the night with pizza at after a wine trade show with .
8. And lastly, Sundays are there to unwind and enjoy a glass of bubbly before the new week starts. 🥂

14/08/2024

I’ve put together this carousel to show you exactly how to create an engaging carousel post. 👀

Whether you’re new to carousel posts or just looking to up your game, I’ve got you covered. Swipe through to see my top tips for making your carousels stand out. 📝

Pro tips:
✨ Monitor overall engagement: Check your post’s overall performance metrics to see how well the carousel is connecting with your audience. Look at the total likes, comments, shares, and saves to understand what content your followers engage with the most.
✨ Test different formats: Experiment with different formats and lengths to see what resonates best with your audience.
✨ Stay updated: Keep up with social media trends to incorporate new and engaging elements into your carousels.

Save this post for later or share it with fellow creators who need it! 💌

30/07/2024

AUGUST CONTENT IDEAS 💡

August is packed with opportunities to create engaging content that resonates with your audience. Here are a few ideas that you can work into your social media content plan for this month.

✨ 9 August - National Women’s Day (South Africa)
Let’s celebrate the incredible women of South Africa! Share stories of inspiring women in your community or highlight female leaders in your industry. This is a great opportunity for brands to show support.

🐘 12 August - World Elephant Day
For conservation organisations and wildlife enthusiasts, this is the perfect day to raise awareness about elephant conservation. Field guides can share educational content about elephants, while travel brands can spotlight wildlife safaris.

🍇 18 August - International Pinot Noir Day
Wine lovers, this one’s for you! Share tasting notes of your favourite Pinot Noir, host a virtual wine tasting, or run a special promotion on Pinot Noir. Restaurants can feature Pinot Noir pairings on their menus, and lifestyle brands can share a recipe that pairs perfectly with Pinot Noir.

🍹 25th August - National Whiskey Sour Day (United States)
Food and beverage brands - share your best Whiskey Sour recipes or run a special promotion on whiskey cocktails for the day. Bartenders can go LIVE with a mixology session, while lifestyle brands can share tips on hosting the perfect cocktail party at home.

📝 Here are some EXTRA ideas for this month.

Post ideas:
〰️ Showcase your product/service: Share high-quality images or videos demonstrating how your product or service benefits your audience.
〰️ Share customer stories: Feature testimonials or success stories from your customers to build trust.

Reel ideas:
〰️ Day in your life: Create engaging reels that show what a day in your life looks like.
〰️ New product sneak peek: Create excitement by teasing upcoming products or launches.

Story ideas:
〰️ Time-lapse: Post a time-lapse video of your work process or daily routine.
〰️ Answer FAQs: Address frequently asked questions with Q&A sessions.

Save this post to refer back to for August content inspiration! 📌

16/07/2024

Folders I have for every client. 📁✨

These folders have improved my workflow and help me stay on top of all my projects. Swipe to see how I keep everything organised as a social media manager. 👀

Extra tips for keeping your client folders organised and efficient:
〰️ Create subfolders: Within each main folder, set up subfolders to organise by month, campaign, or project for easier access.
〰️ Backup regularly: Always back up your folders to a cloud service to prevent any data loss - it’s a lifesaver!
〰️ Use templates: Create templates for documents you use frequently to save time and maintain consistency across your work.
〰️ Colour coding: Use colour coding (if possible) for quick visual identification of different types of folders - makes finding things a breeze.

24/05/2024

2024 so far.

This year has been incredibly productive, and I’m so grateful for all the opportunities to do what I love. I’ve settled in beautiful Wellington and am loving every moment of it. I’ve been fortunate to work with incredible clients and welcome new ones, all with the goal of improving their online presence.

Thank you all for your continued support. 🤍

10/04/2024

Your call-to-actions cheat sheet! 📝💡

Ever heard of CTAs? They’re the secret to boosting interaction on your posts! A call-to-action prompts your followers to take a specific action, like visiting your website, signing up for a newsletter, or even making a purchase.

⚡️ Why are they important? Well, they give your audience clear direction and encourage them to engage with your content. CTAs drive action, boost engagement, increase conversion, guide your audience, and enhance visibility.

Tips for effective CTAs:
〰️ Be clear and direct: Use concise language that clearly communicates the action you want your audience to take.
〰️ Create urgency: Instill a sense of urgency to prompt immediate action, such as limited-time offers or exclusive deals.
〰️ Offer value: Provide a compelling reason for your audience to engage, whether it’s exclusive content, discounts, or insider tips.
〰️ Tailor to platform: Customise your CTAs to suit your platform and audience preferences, optimising for maximum impact.

Save this post to refer back to when you need to add a call-to-action in your caption. (Yes, it’s that easy. 😉)

08/03/2024

Let’s talk about ✨cleaning up✨ your Canva.

Canva is the ultimate platform to create eye-catching visuals for social media. Whether you’re a seasoned designer or just getting started, Canva offers a user-friendly platform packed with powerful tools to bring your ideas to life.

Let’s chat about some essential tips to tidy up your Canva workspace and make designing as easy as possible.

💡 Clean up your Canva:
- Start by decluttering your design space: Delete any old or unused designs to free up valuable storage.
- Periodically review and archive old projects to keep your workspace neat and efficient.

💡 Organise your content:
- Create templates for your regular content types, such as quotes, promotions, or blog graphics. Save them as presets for quick and consistent designs.
- Use Canva’s brand kit feature to save your brand colours, fonts, and logos. This ensures brand consistency across all your designs.
- Use folders to categorise your designs. Organise them by project, client, or content type for easy access.

💡 Make Canva effortless:
- Take advantage of Canva’s search feature to find templates, elements, and photos quickly. Use keywords to narrow down your search and find exactly what you need.
- Customise your workspace layout to suit your workflow. Arrange tools and panels for optimal efficiency.
- Explore Canva’s shortcuts to speed up your design process. Memorise common shortcuts for tasks like copy, paste, and group elements.

💡 Use Canva’s collaboration tools:
- Invite team members or clients to collaborate on designs in real-time. Share access to specific folders or designs to streamline communication and feedback.
- Use Canva’s comment feature to provide feedback and suggestions directly on designs.

Save this post for later! 🤳

27/02/2024

CANVA FONT PAIRINGS

In today’s digital world, every little detail counts when it comes to making your brand stand out. Font pairing might seem like a small thing, but it can make a big difference in how your audience perceives your brand.

By selecting fonts that complement each other, you can:
〰️ enhance readability
〰️ add visual interest
〰️ give your brand a distinct personality

But how do you know which fonts to pair together? 🤷‍♀️
It’s all about finding the right balance between different styles and personalities.

Here are a few simple font pairings to get you started:
1. Cormorant + Montserrat
2. Black Mango + Roboto
3. Josefin Sans + Nunito
4. Cinzel + Muli
5. Playfair Display + Source Sans Pro
6. Marcellus + Lato

Experiment with different combinations until you find the perfect match for your brand’s style and personality.

Remember, the goal is to create a cohesive and harmonious look that resonates with your audience and helps your brand stand out in a sea of competition. ✨

30/01/2024

Let’s talk about Profile Optimisation 👇✨

Social Media Profile Optimisation is the art of making your social media profiles work smarter and harder for you. It’s about improving your bio, profile image, and the content you share, ensuring they reflect your brand’s identity and appeal to your audience.

Why is it important?

1. First impressions matter: Your profile is often the first thing people see. Make sure it reflects your brand, your values, and what you’re all about.
2. Boost discoverability: Optimised profiles are more likely to appear in searches and recommendations, increasing your visibility.
3. Trust and credibility: A well-organised, professional-looking profile builds trust with your audience.
4. Engagement: Optimised profiles can lead to higher engagement and interaction with your content.

⚡️ Tips to optimise your social profiles:

〰️ Your profile picture should be clear, friendly, and professional.
〰️ Craft a compelling 160-character bio that introduces your essence, outlines your expertise, and leaves an irresistible impression.
〰️ Include relevant contact information. Whether it’s a business email, a link to your website, or a call to action, make sure people can reach out easily.
〰️ Share some personal touches. A hobby, a fun fact, or a beloved pet can add warmth and relatability to your profile.
〰️ Keep your content consitent and align your posts with your profile’s theme.
〰️ Use that precious link strategically - direct it to your latest content, product, or portfolio.
〰️ Given that most users access social media on mobile, ensure your content looks good on all screen sizes.

Implement these small and easy changes for significant results. Whether you’re a brand, influencer, or just here for fun, remember - your profile is a powerful tool. 💡

SocialSmart