I used to believe that if I just followed the latest trends, my marketing would magically fall into place. That if I jumped on the latest viral sounds, participated in every trending challenge, and crafted my content to match what the algorithm wanted, I’d finally see the results I was chasing. But after years of playing that game—posting, adjusting, and constantly feeling behind—I realized something big:

Trends come and go. But your brand? It deserves a strategy that feels timeless.

Before I took a whole year off from social media, marketing felt like a never-ending to-do list. There was always something new to keep up with. A new format. A new platform. A new strategy that someone swore was the “game-changer.”

But when I stepped away, something beautiful happened—I realized that my business was going to be just fine without it.

That realization changed everything.

Why Chasing Trends Isn’t a Marketing Strategy

When I look back on my time before stepping away from social media, I see just how much I was creating for the platform instead of creating for my business. I wasn’t focusing on what actually worked for me—I was focusing on what was working for everyone else.

And that’s where so many entrepreneurs get stuck.

Trends give the illusion that if we just hop on board at the right time, our business will explode. But here’s the truth: chasing trends is like running on a treadmill—you’re constantly moving, but you’re not actually getting anywhere. Sure, you might get a quick spike in engagement, but what happens when that trend fades? You’re left scrambling to find the next big thing, repeating the cycle over and over again.

The biggest shift happened when I stopped looking at trends as a strategy and started looking at them as tools—things I could use occasionally, but not things I needed to depend on for success. And when I made that change, I found myself creating content that actually felt good, content that didn’t feel forced or rushed, but instead felt aligned with the vision I had for my business.

How I Built a Marketing Plan That Felt Like Me

When I took a full year off social media, I didn’t stop marketing—I just started doing it differently.

Instead of spending hours trying to craft posts that would perform well on social media, I asked myself a different question: What kind of marketing actually makes sense for me?

I thought about the parts of my business that were already working and leaned into them even harder. I wrote longer-form content because I love writing, and I knew that my best clients were the ones who took the time to read my words. I doubled down on my email list because I wanted a direct connection with my audience—one that didn’t disappear because of an algorithm change. I focused on SEO and Pinterest because I wanted my content to work for me for months, even years, instead of fading away in 24 hours.

And it worked. The more I leaned into the strategies that actually aligned with my strengths, the easier marketing became. I didn’t feel the pressure to keep up with trends because I was building something that would last beyond them.

How to Build an Authentic Marketing Plan That Works for YOU

If you’ve ever felt drained by trying to keep up with the latest marketing trends, I want you to know that you don’t have to. There’s another way. A way that feels lighter, more aligned, and most importantly—more sustainable.

1. Ask Yourself What You Actually Enjoy Creating

Marketing is only effective if you actually do it consistently. And consistency is impossible when you’re forcing yourself to create content you don’t enjoy.

So take a step back and think about what comes naturally to you. Do you love writing? Start a blog or a weekly newsletter. Do you enjoy talking? Maybe a podcast or video content is the way to go. Does storytelling excite you? Focus on platforms that allow for deep, meaningful connection, like long-form captions or email sequences.

Marketing doesn’t have to be about squeezing yourself into a box that doesn’t fit. It should feel like an extension of who you are.

2. Focus on Long-Term Visibility, Not Just Quick Wins

One of the biggest lessons I learned when I stepped away from social media was how much more powerful long-term visibility is compared to short-lived engagement. When you create content that is built to last—like SEO-optimized blog posts, evergreen email sequences, or Pinterest-friendly content—you’re setting yourself up for marketing that continues working for you long after you hit publish.

Instead of constantly feeling like you have to churn out more and more content just to stay relevant, imagine creating something once and having it bring in new leads for months or even years. That’s the power of long-term marketing.

3. Show Up for the People Already Here

One of the biggest marketing myths is that you always need to be chasing more—more followers, more engagement, more views. But here’s the thing: the people who are already following you? They are the ones who are most likely to buy from you.

Instead of focusing all your energy on trying to attract new people, what if you poured that same energy into nurturing the ones who are already here? Reply to their emails, engage with them in your DMs, send them valuable content that makes them feel seen. The strongest businesses aren’t built on a massive audience—they’re built on deep connections with the right people.

4. Ditch the Need for Virality

For years, I thought that if I could just create one viral post, everything in my business would change. But do you know what I realized? Virality isn’t a business strategy—it’s luck.

Going viral might get you a surge of new followers, but if those people aren’t your ideal clients, it won’t translate to actual business growth. Instead of chasing viral moments, focus on consistent, intentional growth—because that’s what leads to sustainable success.

Stop Playing a Game You Don’t Even Want to Win

Looking back, I realize how much time I wasted trying to “win” at social media when I didn’t even want to play the game.

Now? I create what I want, when I want, in a way that feels authentic and sustainable.

And that’s the secret—marketing doesn’t have to feel exhausting. You get to build a strategy that fits your business, not what’s trending. So let this be your permission slip to stop chasing every new thing and start creating a marketing plan that actually feels good.

Because at the end of the day? Trends fade. But your business is here to stay.