At Leaders in Digital, we’ve worked closely with women in marketing and tech who are not just creating content – they’re building movements, shifting narratives, and showing up with intention. And through that work, we’ve uncovered a number of truths about social media that rarely get talked about.
These are the insights that don’t often make it into mainstream strategy articles – but they matter. Especially for women in search, women in SEO, and women building brands with depth and purpose.
Here are five social media truths no one talks about (but should).
1. Your Best Clients May Never Like or Comment
In the world of SEO, we focus heavily on understanding search intent. However, on social media, we often forget that the same principle applies. Many people engaging with your content are not doing so publicly. They might never like a post or leave a comment – but they are watching, reading, and reflecting.
These silent followers are often the most aligned with your message. They may become your most committed clients or collaborators because something about your content resonated on a deeper level. We’ve seen women in marketing completely change their career direction, join communities, or reach out to work together – all because of a post they never interacted with directly.
What this means for your strategy:
Prioritise value and resonance over vanity metrics. Don’t fall into the trap of creating content purely for engagement. Create content for connection.
2. Going Viral Doesn’t Build Movements
Virality might feel like the ultimate goal, but it often brings short-term attention without long-term impact. A viral post that isn’t aligned with your brand’s values, purpose, or direction can attract the wrong audience and dilute your message.
We’ve worked with founders who went viral – and then struggled to connect with the new influx of followers who didn’t truly understand what they were about. In contrast, content that speaks directly to your target audience, even if it performs modestly in terms of reach, can generate more meaningful results. This includes attracting loyal clients, collaborators, or media opportunities.
What this means for your strategy:
It’s not about mass attention – it’s about reaching the right people. Make sure your content is aligned with your long-term goals, not just quick wins.
3. Posting Less Can Actually Help You Grow
There’s a prevailing idea that you need to be visible every day to stay relevant. But constant posting can often lead to burnout and dilute your message. In fact, we’ve seen women in SEO and marketing unintentionally bury their best content under the pressure of daily posting schedules.
Some of the most effective strategies we’ve supported have involved pulling back. By posting less frequently but with more depth and clarity, your message has more space to be seen, understood, and remembered. Reflection and strategy are often more powerful than speed.
What this means for your strategy:
Quality will always outperform quantity in the long term. Allow your ideas time to develop, and your content time to breathe.
4. Your Tone of Voice is a Strategic Asset
In a landscape filled with AI-generated content and formulaic captions, your tone of voice is one of the most powerful tools you have. It’s what makes someone pause while scrolling and recognise your content immediately. It’s what creates trust over time.
We work with women in marketing who want to sound like themselves online – not like a carbon copy of someone else. That means developing a consistent tone of voice that reflects your personality, values, and expertise. It isn’t just about sounding authentic – it’s about being strategic in how you show up, so your audience feels like they know you.
What this means for your strategy:
Don’t underestimate the value of your voice. Your tone builds recognition and loyalty, which ultimately leads to conversion.
5. Social Media SEO
Social Media SEO is no longer a nice-to-have – it’s an essential part of your digital strategy. Every caption, comment, and keyword-rich post contributes to how your brand shows up in search results. Platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok are becoming their own search engines, with users actively seeking solutions, brands, and content directly on social. This means your tone, consistency, and even your use of hashtags play a role in discoverability – not just engagement. For women in marketing and SEO, understanding how to optimise content across social platforms can significantly increase visibility and drive organic traffic where it matters most.
6. Stillness Can Be a Superpower
The tech world often promotes speed – faster launches, faster growth, more content, more features. But on social media, stillness can be incredibly powerful. Stillness allows for thoughtful reflection, quiet authority, and moments of true connection.
Some of our most successful campaigns have started with a single, thoughtful post. Not flashy, not fast – just clear, honest, and aligned. In a noisy feed, that kind of presence stands out. Your message doesn’t need to shout to be heard. It just needs to feel real.
What this means for your strategy:
Don’t be afraid to slow down. Stillness creates space for authenticity, and authenticity builds real, lasting relationships.
Final Thoughts
For women in search marketing, women in SEO, and those redefining digital spaces, these truths are more than just strategy – they’re a reminder that you don’t have to follow every algorithmic trend to succeed. You don’t have to post every day or create viral content to make a difference. You just have to show up in a way that’s aligned with who you are, who you serve, and what you’re building.
At Leaders in Digital, we support women marketers in stepping into that space with clarity, strategy, and confidence. Whether you’re a Women Techmakers Ambassador, a brand founder, or an in-house marketing lead, our message remains the same: the real growth doesn’t come from trends. It comes from the truth.
Let’s build with that.
Leaders in Digital are in support of breaking barriers, building meaningful connections and shaping the future of search marketing – together we can build something great! If you are interested in attending any events then get in touch!
