Potty training is sh*t but your social media needn’t be

If you've ever tried to potty train a toddler, you know it takes patience, consistency, and more than a few bribes (hello, chocolate buttons).

At the time of writing, I am two days into this journey, and I’ve eaten all the chocolate buttons.

Believe it or not, those same principles apply when you're mentoring someone - or being mentored - on social media marketing.

I’ve worked with creatives at various stages of their digital journey. One pattern I’ve seen time and time again? Social media is a lot like toddler toilet training. Here's why:

Everyone starts somewhere (usually in a mess)

Just like toddlers aren’t born knowing how to use the toilet, no one wakes up knowing how to create engaging reels or write viral posts. Early attempts will be clumsy—there might be some mishaps—but that’s how you learn. Progress is more important than perfection.

Routine is everything

Toddlers thrive on consistency, and so does your audience. Social media growth doesn’t come from one brilliant post—it comes from showing up regularly with relevant and relatable content.

Positive reinforcement works

When my toddler has a successful potty trip, he (and I) celebrate like we’ve won the lottery. I translate this across to social media mentoring – I’ll celebrate milestones with you, no matter how small they are. I know how exciting it is to have a comment on a post, when someone shares your post to their story or to gain your first follower.

Encouragement keeps momentum going.

There will be accidents

Even the most planned-out campaigns can flop. And that’s okay. Whether it’s a post that doesn’t land or a hashtag that backfires, these “accidents” are part of the learning curve. I’ll help you to think about what didn’t work, and what we can try next time.

Eventually, they get It

With the right mix of guidance, independence, and time, toddlers learn to navigate the world without nappies. The same is true for emerging social media marketers. With support from me and consistent effort, you'll start seeing results that feel natural, not forced.

Final thought: you don’t have to do it alone

Just as parents sometimes call in reinforcements (that reminds me – must make another trip to the “hootermarket” (supermarket) for some more chocolate buttons -  social media mentoring is smoother with expert support. I blend strategy, structure and a lot of real-world know-how to help individuals and small businesses grow confidently online.

Whether you're still “potty training” your online voice or looking to scale your strategy, I’ll help you ditch the guesswork and post with purpose.

Ready to make fewer messes and more impact?
Contact me today for mentoring that meets you where you are—and takes you where you want to go.

Do you want dutiful or beautiful social media?

In a world where it can feel like we scroll more than we speak, social media has become a dominant lens through which we view everything - brands, friends, causes, even ourselves. But as you build your online presence, whether personally or professionally, it’s worth asking: do you want your social media to be dutiful or beautiful?

Dutiful social media: Reliable, predictable, safe

Dutiful social media is the version that ticks all the boxes. It’s on schedule, consistent, follows the rules—platform best practices, posting calendars, engagement routines. It’s the kind of content that gets things done, hits deadlines, stays on brand and avoids risk.

You see this a lot – accounts that never miss a #MondayMotivation or #ThrowbackThursday. There's a calm rhythm to it, a comforting predictability. It’s not trying to surprise you—it’s trying to serve you.

And it does its job. Dutiful content can maintain presence, communicate clearly, and even build trust. But at its worst, it’s...forgettable. Scroll right past it, check a mental box, move on.

Beautiful social media: Riskier, rarer, more human

This is where I come in.

I create templates that are easy to use, but also bespoke to your brand and effective. I make sure that we get YOU across to your dream audience: your talent, personality and why they should buy from you in particular.

Beautiful social media doesn’t always follow the rules. It challenges expectations, prioritises emotions over algorithm, meaning over metrics.

This is where we find the magic—visually stunning content, deeply personal captions, honest storytelling or creative experiments. I’m a firm believer that marketing is full of experiments – try something and if it doesn’t work, try something else. By this trial and error approach, you’ll find out what works for you. Roughly the same as parenting a toddler, I’m rapidly finding out!

So which one do you want?

The truth is, social media strategy isn’t a binary choice. You don’t need to pick one and abandon the other, but finding a balance is really important.

The best social media presence? Likely a thoughtful blend—dutiful enough to be dependable, beautiful enough to be memorable.

In a world full of content, beautiful grabs attention—but dutiful holds it. Ask yourself not just what kind of content you’re posting, but why. What are you trying to offer? What are you trying to feel?

Because in the end, the best social media isn’t just dutiful or beautiful—it’s meaningful.

I’m ready and waiting to help you go from dutiful to beautiful with bespoke Canva templates – get started here.

Florists: Do you want a grid that's as beautiful as your bouquets?

Today is National Floral Design Day, so I thought I'd take the opportunity to support florists in making their grid as gorgeous as their geraniums.

Floral displays are works of art, both bold and delicate, and are filled with your care, love and passion. How wonderful would it be to be able to transfer this personality to your social media?

Read on to gain ideas on how to make your social media visually appealing and be considered your digital shop window. Your physical shop has kerb appeal and draws the eye in - its perfectly possible to create the same effect on social media and encourage your dream audience to stop scrolling and pop in. 

Defining your brand

When you look around your shop floor, how would you describe your style? Are your floral arrangements pastel and delicate, bold and bright or modern and glossy? 

Transferring this style to your content creation will give you a good start - do you have a selection of colours that you work with, are featured in your logo and can be seen across your website? Choosing a palette of two or three colours will create posts that look efficient and smart, without being too busy or cluttered. 

Showcasing your brand

Speaking of being smart and efficient, have you considered investing in a brand photography session to help you get the best out of your brand on social media?

I recently worked with the lovely Maria, from The Colourful Brand, who produced natural, smart yet relaxed images of me. Here, I'm handing over the reins to her so you can hear from the expert. 

  1. Reflect your unique style and values
    Think about the personality of your brand. Are you known for bold, dramatic arrangements, or do you specialise in soft, pastel tones? Personalised brand photography should embody your style by incorporating the colours, textures, and details that set your work apart. For example, if your brand emphasizes luxury and romance, ensure your imagery highlights these qualities with elegant compositions and warm, inviting lighting.
  2. Keep your imagery on point and on brand
    High-quality photos of your floral arrangements are essential, but don’t stop there. Showcase the vibrant textures of your bouquets, the inviting atmosphere of your shop, and even behind-the-scenes glimpses into your creative process. This variety makes your grid feel dynamic and authentic while giving your audience a deeper connection to your brand. Consistency in colours and aesthetic ensures your grid feels cohesive, polished, and instantly recognisable.
  3. Help your audience experience your brand
    We buy with our eyes and hearts. Use authentic images to let potential clients feel the warmth of your personality, the care you pour into every arrangement, and the joy your work brings. For example, include images of a happy bride holding your bouquet or a heartfelt thank-you or get well soon note from a client alongside their arrangement. These moments tell a story, build trust, and create an emotional connection that inspires clients to choose you.

These tailored photos aren’t just pretty pictures – they’re strategic assets. They help you create a cohesive and visually stunning grid that draws in your dream clients, sets you apart from competitors, and builds trust with your audience. High-quality imagery forms the foundation of a social media presence that’s not only visually appealing but also deeply engaging.

So, take a step back and scroll through your feed. Does it reflect your brand’s unique essence in a way that’s authentic, compelling, and scroll-stopping?

Thank you so much Maria - what fabulous tips! You can follow Maria over on Instagram here.

If you're sitting comfortably...

Steph here again - when you read through my social media posts, you'll see I love telling a story. I have mixed motherhood and marketing to become my personal brand and tell stories of how they can be so similar. The captions of your social media are the perfect place to tell the story of a bouquet, share the lovely experience you had setting up at a wedding or ask questions of your audience.

As well as storytelling, another perfect way to engage with your audience is to provide practical advice such as how to care for your flowers, the flowers that are currently in season or what else you can buy from your floristry store (perhaps you collaborate with a chocolate or English wine supplier, as The Cove do?). These type of posts are a great opportunity to engage with your audience - remember, social media is a two way street, and its so important to encourage readers to answer questions, participate in polls and submit user generated content to help build a community and ultimately stop them scrolling on.

To help you keep up to date with national awareness days and be able to guide your audience to purchasing the best flowers for the best occasion, how about purchasing my content calendar? Its the perfect place to gather all the dates you come across. To give you a start, here's a recent blog I wrote with some awareness days for creatives throughout the year.

Final thoughts...

Creating an Instagram grid as beautiful as your bouquets is not just about aesthetics; it’s about telling your story and connecting with your audience. 

Are you feeling a bit overwhelmed by all of this? I'm here to help your grid bloom! By working with me, you'll get bespoke Canva templates that showcase your brand to your dream audience.

To book your Canva templates bundle, click here. Remember if you're a TN Card holder, you'll get 10% off - just let me know in your enquiry.