How to Build a Brave, Meaningful, and Unforgettable Brand without Chasing Algorithms

In a world that often feels loud and uncertain, it can be tempting to shrink, to stay neutral, or to avoid rocking the boat.

But as business owners, it's time to dial up, not tone down.

When I work with brands, I remind them: the most impactful brands today aren’t the loudest, they’re the clearest. And clarity comes from strong values - lived, shared, and unapologetically shown.

I recently read this quote and it stuck with me.

“You can't be what you can't see, and you can't see what isn't shared.”

So, how do we step into that brave, visible space?

Let's take inspiration from two artists who embody courageous marketing and authentic branding: Doechii and Little Simz.

Photo credit - Karen Staniland-Platt

3 Ways to Make Your Marketing More Meaningful, Courageous, and Brave

1. Define Your Own Brand: Be Unapologetically You

I love that Doechii shows up in her full spectrum. She’s real, soft, strong, vulnerable and honest. She's not asking for permission in fact; she's created her own category. This is a powerful lesson for your social media presence as a small business.

Make it Practical: Your brand is not the algorithm. Don't let fleeting trends dictate your identity.

👉 Tip: Focus on building relationships by sharing what makes you you, not just what you think will get the most likes. And do that consistently, so you’re building a recognisable and unforgettable brand by being real, dynamic, and your whole self in every piece of content you create.

2. Make Your Ethics Visible: Live Your Values Out Loud

It's one thing to list your values in your "About Us" section, but are they truly guiding your decisions? Little Simz's lyrics, visuals, and business choices are her activism. Her values aren't just pretty words; they are embodied.

Make it Practical Your ethical branding should be visible in every aspect of your business. This means your values should inform:

• Who you collaborate with.

• How you treat your customers.

• The causes you choose to support.

• How you choose to show up, even when you feel misunderstood.

👉 Tip: Audit your brand touchpoints and ask: Is this aligned with my values? If not, rewrite it, redesign it, or let it go.

3. Celebrate the Process & start Connecting with Your True Fans

People don't just buy what you sell; they buy what you stand for. Over 70% of consumers are choosing to shop from brands who share their values. Both Little Simz and Doechii don't chase every trend; they're experimental, carefully curating their brand, and crucially, they bring their audience along for the journey, even the messy bits. They’re not on the hunt for new fans, they want to appeal to their true fans.

Make it Practical: You don't need to appeal to everyone, just the right people – your "true fans." By sharing your process, your struggles, and your triumphs, you build deep customer connection, ambassadors for your business. Focus on identifying your ideal customers and serving them exceptionally well. This authentic storytelling builds loyalty far beyond any marketing budget.

👉 Tip: Be experimental to start building real connection and trust. Share your journey — the behind-the-scenes, the missteps, the breakthroughs, the every day and keep the conversations going in DMs, email marketing or Stories on Instagram.

Be the Example

That story you're scared to tell, that pivot you're unsure how to share – that's your connection point. Your audience is probably going through the same thing. By strategically sharing, they will start to see feel seen and stay because they’re curious to learn more.

WHY IT MATTERS NOW

Crafting storytelling strategies that empower purpose-driven brands and leaders to do good, for people and for the planet is my super power.

I’m on a mission to make marketing meaningful again.

Because when we market with meaning, we don’t just make sales, we shift perspectives and create movements. And it matters…

This world can feel like it’s running on chaos and caffeine. As brands who care, not showing up might actually be the riskiest move of all.

When you stand up and share your values, your story, and your vision, you aren’t just marketing, you’re leading.

You’re creating space for others to do the same. You’re proving that under-represented business owners are visibly building ethical, powerful, unapologetic brands — and winning.

Remember: "You can’t be what you can’t see and you can’t see what isn’t shared."

So whether you’re launching a new product, telling your story online, or simply deciding to stop playing small, create content that you care about and that others can fan girl over too!

Ready to make your marketing truly impactful and aligned with your purpose?

5 Ethical Ways Female Founders Can Master Social Media Without Burnout

As female founders, we wear a thousand hats.

But for many, social media often feels like the one we handle with the least confidence.

I often speak about not having to chase trends or use manipulative tactics to grow online.

Ethical marketing is rooted in honesty, value, and connection. At its heart, it builds trust that lasts longer than a viral post. And when you pair it with storytelling, you unlock your superpower: the ability to connect deeply, inspire action, and turn followers into loyal supporters.

If you’re reading this feeling like you’re in over your head, remember you’re not alone. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the algorithm, unsure what to post, or simply exhausted from trying to do all the things. This blog post is your reminder to bring simplicity, clarity, and intentionality to your social presence.

Here are five ways to master social media without pressure and burnout:

1. START WITH YOUR WHY

Ethical marketing begins with clarity of purpose.
Ask yourself:

• Why did I start using social media for my business?

• What do I want my audience to feel when they interact with me?

• Am I creating to be liked, or to be remembered?

That question is your north star, especially when algorithms change or comparison creeps in. When your “why” is clear, your content has direction, and your strategy feels authentic rather than forced.

Photos courtesy of Karen Staniland-Platt

2. YOUR PROFILE IS YOUR PITCH

In seven seconds, people decide whether to follow, explore or move on. There are small tweaks you can make (like a clear bio, a strong call-to-action, and high-quality images) that can increase engagement dramatically.

Here’s my simple 3-Part transformational formula to elevate your bio, include:

• Who you help

• How you help

• Proof of impact or personality

For instance, instead of “Wellness Coach | Mom | Smoothie Lover,” try:
“Helping exhausted mums reclaim energy through nutrition + mindset | 100+ clients thriving.”

That clear, honest and customer-focused clarity in your bio can shift curiosity into connection, and elevate your click-through rates.

3. CREATE CONSISTENTLY, NOT CONSTANTLY

Posting every day isn’t the goal.

What you do need is a repeatable, flexible and sustainable routine that honours your life and your values.

My 3C Method helps founders avoid burnout:

• Clarity: Define three content pillars (e.g. Add your personality, Share your purpose, Don’t forget to promote your services / products).

• Calendar: Batch posts and repurpose to save time.

• Confidence: Focus on being helpful and in service of others, not perfection. Engage in DMs and comment authentically. That way even if you aren’t posting, you’re still active online.

What you’re doing through this method is building visibility through connection without sacrificing your wellbeing.

4. MAKE FEATURES WORK FOR YOU (NOT AGAINST YOU)

You don’t have to be everywhere. But you do need to be deliberate where it matters.

Consider who your ideal clients or customers are and how they would spend time on social media.

For example, you could leverage platform features like Reels, Stories, Interactive Stickers, and LinkedIn’s Featured Section to connect with your audience in different ways.

Or repurpose one idea into multiple formats. Example: “How I Started My Business” can become:

• An Instagram carousel

• A TikTok video with three tips

• A Facebook Story with a poll

• A LinkedIn post with a call-to-action to your latest blog

Sprout Social confirmed that people who see your content across 3 or more formats are 70% more likely to buy from you.

So this approach maximises reach while keeping your workload light.

5. MEASURE THE METRICS THAT MATTER

Ethical marketing means focusing on meaningful results, not vanity metrics. Knowing which content drives action helps you double down on what works and let go of the rest.

Go back to your “why”. Why did you start marketing on social media and what will help you achieve your goals?

• Growth: Reach, profile visits, increasing follower numbers

• Connection: Saves, shares, DMs

• Conversion: Website clicks, inquiries, bookings or sales

Keep an eye on what content sparks DMs, prompts profile visits or an increase in shares, that’s your bread crumb trail to real results.

I shared these 5 ethical tips at a recent Social Media 101 Masterclass for the Female Founders Rise community who are empowering more than 10k women and non-binary entrepreneurs to build their visibility and scale their businesses with purpose.

If you're ready to stop spinning your wheels and start growing with meaning, start with one small, aligned step, even if it just means rewriting your bio or planning one week of posts ahead.

Or …

8 Top Tips to manage your socials over the holidays

While the country begins to wind down for the six week Summer holiday break here in the UK, Social Media Marketers are frantically beavering away to make sure their clients’ social media profiles are not on holiday.

Photography by Caz Saramowicz

Here are my 8 Top Tips to keep things ticking over:

• Understand how your audience will be using social media. Which platform would be best to focus on with less time on your hands.

• Plan and schedule you social media posts in advance. Schedulers are great to be able to plan and post automatically while you’re away. Either use platforms native to the platform you’re using or third-party tools such as Later, Sprout Social, Buffer, Hootsuite or Agorapulse for example.

• Prepare your customers in advance that you will be away to manage expectations. Update your website, social media platforms, Google Business Profile page and other automated responses with your opening times.

• Update your website information for customers to still refer to with summer deals, discounts or topical blogs for this time of year.

• If you do choose to check in over the holidays, use that time to check in with your audience, like, follow, comment and engage with their content as well brands and partners you love

• Use more video on the go - Stories, Reels, Lives, TikTok videos are quick, easy and fun to make. They don’t need to be polished and can show your audience a different side to your brand personality.

• Use this time to think about new, creative and innovative ways to connect with your audience. The next phase of the year offers a change of season and a very quick countdown to Christmas. Review the content you’ve previously posted, how can you breathe new life into your images, videos, tone of voice and branding.

• Turn off notifications on your phone and genuinely unplug.

Actually take time off! You deserve it. I try to only post after my holiday has finished, so I’m fully present while we’re on a break.

When you're ready to return, perhaps start with a few snapshots or highlights from your break and ease your way back online.

Truly unplugging from social media is the only way to get a genuine rest. Not to mention the pressure to share on social media takes you out of the moment. Set your own boundaries. Try and stay present rather than stressing about what filter to use. 

“A boundary is not that at which something stops, but that from which something begins” - Martin Heidegger.

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Need some help with planning content on your return to the office? I’m freeing spaces during September for power hours, so let’s get you sorted.

“Last year I felt that my social media was lacking. I booked a power hour. It was the best thing. I got an individualised breakdown assessing my Facebook Business Page. I was so impressed with Yolanda’s detailed information. What was even more thorough was the inclusive and accessible feedback.

Five stars from me!”

— Jennifer Smith, Motivational Speaker