Recently at The CATALYST, we had the pleasure of hosting Kate Mayeski from Maverick May Solutions for an engaging and practical workshop titled “Social Media for Real People (Yes, Even You)”. The session focused on breaking down the barriers many small business owners face when it comes to social media—and how to overcome them with confidence and strategy.
The workshop kicked off with a powerful icebreaker centered around one question: “What’s holding you back?” Participants openly shared the common challenges they face with social media, which included:
- Lack of skill or knowledge
- Difficulty targeting their ideal audience
- Limited time
- Fear of judgment
- Discomfort being on camera
- Feeling overwhelmed by technology
Attendees were reminded that today’s social media landscape isn’t just about follower counts—it’s about attention and engagement. To succeed, businesses need to create content that resonates with their audience and sparks interaction.
Demystifying the Algorithm
Participants learned what an algorithm really is: the invisible force deciding what content users see, when they see it, and who sees it. The goal? Keep users engaged by showing them content they’re most likely to interact with. Understanding this is key to reaching the right audience effectively.
Factors that influence your reach include:
- Engagement
- Relevance
- Interaction history
- Recency
- Content type
- Profile credibility
- Strategic use of hashtags and keywords
Hashtags, Tagging, and Location—What’s the Difference?
Kate clarified the distinct roles these tools play:
- Hashtags help identify and categorize keywords.
- Tagging connects your post to people or businesses.
- Location tags identify where a video or photo was taken—useful for local visibility.
Platform-Specific Strategies
Participants explored the strengths of various platforms and how different types of content perform on each. It was emphasized the importance of repurposing content—adapting it to fit the tone and style of each platform rather than starting from scratch.
Attendees left with actionable steps:
- Start with one platform—get comfortable, build consistency, and expand when ready.
- Use analytics to guide your content strategy—watch for trends, test what works, and adjust.
- Progress doesn’t require perfection—slow and steady wins the social media game.
The CATALYST is proud to offer workshops like this to empower small business owners with the tools and knowledge they need to grow. Keep an eye on our [events calendar] for upcoming opportunities to elevate your business.
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