Week 17: Final Post

   My experience with social media has evolved this semester and reshaped my personal and professional use of these platforms. Once, social media was just a way to keep in touch, showcase my not-so-serious side, and do some half-hearted promotions. Now, it's all about strategy. Anything less and I'll be talking to nobody on these platforms. Anything more and I might become a social media overlord. So, I think I hit the sweet spot here.

   Throughout the research carried out this semester, I found numerous groundbreaking methods for connecting with customers. The one that impressed me the most was short-form video content on platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels. When I saw how some businesses were using these platforms to create quick, engaging videos that captured attention while conveying essential information, I knew I had to give it a go. 

   Taking this all in pushed me to rethink what I was doing with my privacy (in not just a Facebook, but also in an online world at large). And it led to a surprising final project that wasn't at all what I'd first envisioned.

   Because of these new strategies, my business is noticing real changes. Engagement is way up, with levels of comments, shares, and direct interactions that are translating into way more visibility. I don't just have more followers since the implementation of these strategies; the actual people who follow me seem to be paying way more attention and are interacting way more with the stuff I put out. And folks are definitely showing way more interest in my products. All this improved visibility and attention has definitely led to more inquiries and sales, too.

   My ease in navigating social media platforms and their offerings has blossomed into confidence, thanks to the direct experience that I've gained through this course. I've spent time on several platforms, learning their ins and outs, and how best to utilize them for my interior design business. I've also done research on successful (and not-so-successful) practices that other businesses have used. This, combined with my firsthand social media experience, has given me a much clearer picture of how I need to be operating on those same platforms in order to see positive results.