Saransh Gupta
May 09, 2025
“Social media is just for selfies and scrolling, right?”
That’s what I used to think.
Back when I was focused purely on referrals and cold outreach, I didn’t see the need for a digital presence. After all, as a business growth consultant, most of my early clients came through word-of-mouth. But as competition exploded, and traditional outreach hit a wall, I realized something critical: social media wasn’t optional—it was essential.
In working with startups and small businesses, I realized I needed to walk the same path I guide others through. So, I treated my own business like a case study, applying the same strategies I offer through my business consulting services, from digital marketing to strategic planning. It was a chance to test, learn, and refine in real time.
Today, I’ll show you how I used social media to grow my business consulting practice, and how you can replicate these steps whether you're running a startup, managing a B2B firm, or offering small business consulting services.
Let’s dive in.
1. I Stopped Posting Randomly and Started Strategizing Like a Business Planning Consultant
Most people use social media without a plan. I used to do that too—posting generic tips, links to blogs, and the occasional announcement.
Then I stepped into my business strategy consultant shoes and built a content roadmap aligned with my growth goals.
What did I want from each platform?
Who was I speaking to—startups, e-commerce brands, international companies?
What kind of content drove conversions?
By thinking like a CMO, I was able to design a posting strategy with real ROI.
Lesson: Social without strategy is like sailing without a compass.
2. I Focused on Platforms That Aligned With My Consulting Niche
As a B2B consultant and international business consultant, LinkedIn was my gold mine. That’s where founders, decision-makers, and CEOs hung out.
Instagram helped me connect with solopreneurs and early-stage startups looking for startup business consulting services. Twitter was great for sharing sharp insights and positioning myself as a digital marketing consultant.
I didn’t waste time trying to go viral on TikTok because my ideal client wasn’t there.
Lesson: Your audience determines your platform, not trends.
3. I Built a Brand That Looked Like Me, Not a Generic Business Consultant Near You
There are thousands of people calling themselves business consultants or digital marketing experts. So, I focused on building a brand voice that reflected my personality and values—honest, experienced, practical, and driven by results.
This helped me stand out from every generic “business consultant near me” search result and attracted people who resonated with my style.
Lesson: In consulting, your voice is your value.
4. I Showed Proof—Not Just Promise
Every business management consultant talks about results, but few show them. I flipped that.
I started sharing:
Before-and-after results for startup clients
Case studies of B2B growth
Behind the scenes of real strategy calls
Client testimonials and user-generated content
As a growth strategies for small business specialist, I showed exactly how I helped brands scale, optimize, and compete. That built trust faster than any ad ever could.
Lesson: Show what you’ve done, not what you can do.
5. I Turned Social Media Into a Lead-Gen Machine
Once I cracked the content code, I used paid ads to push high-performing posts. My digital marketing consulting services background came in handy here.
By using retargeting, custom audiences, and lookalikes, I attracted international leads, startup founders, and e-commerce consultants interested in collaborating.
And guess what? My cost-per-lead dropped while quality went up.
Lesson: Paid + Organic = Power Play.
6. I Shared More Than Just Business Wins—I Shared the Journey
One of the biggest turning points for me was when I stopped pretending to have it all figured out. I began sharing:
The mistakes I made early on as a startup business consultant
What I wish I knew before becoming a strategic management consultant
Lessons from failed campaigns
Small business advice that actually worked
This honesty struck a chord. Clients started saying, “It feels like you get it.”
And that’s the goal. As a business expert, it’s not about being perfect—it’s about being real.
Lesson: Vulnerability creates connection. And connection drives business.
7. I Networked With Purpose
Social media isn’t just about posting—it’s about engaging. I didn’t just wait for leads to come to me. I joined niche communities, interacted with fellow management consultants, left thoughtful comments, and even DMed people I wanted to collaborate with.
This is where the magic happened—real business consulting conversations that turned into calls, and then into contracts.
Lesson: Don’t post and ghost. Network like it’s 1999.
8. I Showed Up Consistently—Even When Nobody Was Watching
Let’s be honest—social media growth is slow at first. There were weeks when engagement was low and leads were nil. But I stuck with it. Because I understood that consistency compounds.
Much like when I advise clients as a business management consultant, you don’t build a strategy for instant gratification. You build it for sustained growth.
Lesson: Show up. Even when the applause is silent.
9. I Let My Clients Do the Talking
I leaned heavily on referrals and testimonials, especially from clients who used my small business consultant services. I’d share their feedback, tag them in posts, and even create mini-interviews.
This third-party validation carried weight, especially on LinkedIn, where decision-makers look for credibility.
Lesson: Your clients are your best content creators.
10. I Treated Social Media Like a Business Channel—Not Just Marketing
This is where many go wrong. They see social as a vanity tool. I saw it as a growth lever.
Just like a business planning consultant would advise, I treated it like any other revenue-generating department:
Monthly reporting
Content calendar reviews
ROI-focused campaigns
Lead-nurturing workflows
This mindset shift was a game-changer.
Lesson: Think like a business owner, act like a CMO.
Final Thoughts
Social media isn’t just about likes or going viral, it’s about building real connections that drive long-term value for your business. It opens doors to new markets, builds credibility, and keeps your brand top of mind. Whether you’re a startup founder or a growing B2B brand, integrating social media into your business strategy isn’t optional; it’s essential.
As someone who’s worked across industries and geographies, I’ve seen firsthand how the right digital moves can completely transform business outcomes.
If you’re looking to navigate this space strategically, I’m always up for a conversation—Saransh Gupta, business growth consultant and digital marketing expert
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