The best social sharing snippet from Heidi in this interview… “It’s not gonna work if you’re not showing up.”
This episode with social media expert Heidi Schmidt is packed effective strategies for service-based providers feeling overwhelmed by social media. Heidi shares her ‘sweet spot’ in helping businesses with done-for-you social media services, consulting, and strategy sessions. Learn how to identify and tackle common social media struggles, engage with your audience effectively, and create captivating content across various platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. If you’re looking to up your social media game, this episode is for you!
01:11 Understanding Social Media Overwhelm
03:32 Strategies to Stop the Scroll
05:35 Effective Social Media Content
07:20 Crafting a Social Media Strategy
08:45 Posting Frequency and Platform Tips
11:58 Tools for Social Media Management
14:09 Repurposing Content for Maximum Impact
Resources
Loomly For visualizing and scheduling content across platforms.
DeScript For editing videos and pulling short clips.
Canva A lifesaver for creating and resizing graphics.
Where to Find Heidi
If you’re ready to stop the scroll and conquer social media, connect with Heidi…
Find her on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Threads
Website is HeidiJSchmidt.com
Podcast is Stop the Scroll.
Listen On Apple Podcasts
Listen on Spotify
Watch the Podcast or Read the Post Below
Let’s face it: social media can feel like a time-sucking, mind-bending puzzle, especially for service-based business owners juggling a million other tasks. You’re probably asking yourself: Is this even working? Do I really need to post on every platform every day?
If this resonates, you’re not alone. Heidi Schmidt, a social media strategist specializing in helping overwhelmed service providers, shared her best advice on tackling social media with purpose and strategy. Here are the key takeaways from our conversation.
Understanding Social Media Overwhelm
Heidi works with business owners who see the value in social media but feel stuck. Either they don’t know what to post, don’t have the time, or flat-out don’t want to do it.
Her solution? Tailored services ranging from done-for-you social media management to consulting and strategy sessions that guide clients toward managing their platforms more effectively.
“The key is reducing overwhelm,” she says. “Whether that’s by taking the reins entirely or giving them the tools to streamline their efforts.”
How to Stop the Scroll
Social media users are notorious for mindless scrolling. Your goal? Create content so compelling it makes them pause. Heidi’s podcast, Stop the Scroll, dives into actionable tips for standing out on platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
Here’s her top tip… Nail your hook.
“You have three seconds to capture someone’s attention,” Heidi explains. Whether it’s a Reel, a carousel, or a static post, start with something that intrigues your audience enough to click, read, or watch more.
Breaking Down Platforms and Their Purpose
Each social media format serves a different purpose…
- Reels – Best for increasing reach and capturing new followers.
- Carousels – Perfect for engagement and sharing educational content.
- Stories – A behind-the-scenes look to nurture existing followers and build connections.
“Don’t stress about doing it all,” Heidi says. “Focus on the formats that align with your goals and your capacity.”
What’s In a Social Media Strategy
A solid social media strategy begins with the basics:
- Define Your Value: What unique solutions do you offer?
- Know Your Audience: Understand their demographics, pain points, and online habits.
- Set Clear Goals: Are you aiming for brand awareness, lead generation, or engagement?
From there, Heidi advises creating content pillars—key topics you’ll cover—and engaging through thoughtful comments, polls, or hashtags.
How Much Should You Post?
The answer varies by platform, but for Instagram and Facebook, Heidi recommends posting at least 3–4 times a week for consistent results.
“Start with what you can maintain,” she says. “It’s better to post once a week consistently than five times one week and then disappear for a month.”
Repurpose, Don’t Reinvent
If creating new content feels daunting, repurpose what you already have. Here’s how…
- Turn blog posts into carousel graphics or Reels.
- Extract key points from a YouTube video for social captions.
- Reuse holiday content—your audience won’t remember last year’s post!
Pro tip: Keep your content fresh by tweaking formats (e.g., turning a carousel into a Reel) and adding new visuals or captions.
Heidi’s Golden Rule is Progress Over Perfection
“Stop letting perfect be the enemy of good,” Heidi advises. “It doesn’t matter if the caption isn’t flawless or the graphic isn’t perfect. What matters is showing up.”
The more you post, the more data you’ll have to measure what works and refine your strategy. Social media won’t work if you don’t post at all.
The Takeaway
Social media doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start small, stay consistent, and focus on what works for your business. As Heidi says, “Just start.”
Your audience is waiting—now’s the time to show up.
