Ready to stop guessing at social media and start leading it? We sit down with Susie Basiaco, founder of The Social Nest, to unpack how a former e‑commerce owner turned strategist builds real results without chasing every trend. Suzy shares the pivotal lessons that took her from packing secondhand books in her lounge room to shaping campaigns for micro, small, and mid‑sized businesses across Canberra and beyond.

We dig into the essentials of a useful social strategy: defining your audience, clarifying your point of difference, choosing content pillars, and setting KPIs that go beyond vanity metrics. Susie explains why you shouldn’t try to “propose on the first date,” mapping a practical funnel from brand awareness to conversion that respects how trust is earned online. You’ll hear where LinkedIn is underrated for services, when Meta’s ecosystem still wins, how TikTok fits for product brands, and why emerging platforms like Bluesky only matter if your customers are there.

If video feels daunting, Susie’s toolkit makes it doable: start with your phone, capture behind‑the‑scenes, use voiceovers if you’re camera‑shy, and build an evergreen content library that scales. We also get candid about the business side—setting boundaries, saying no, and managing expectations—so your marketing doesn’t burn you out. Plus, a quick take on emoji etiquette and keeping posts authentic in an AI‑heavy feed.

Whether you’re a tradesperson, a retailer, or a consultant, you’ll walk away with clear steps to cut through algorithms, grow a community of advocates, and turn attention into action. If this conversation helped, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review so more Canberra businesses can find it.