If you’re staring at your analytics thinking, “Something’s not working,” this episode is for you. Yes, engagement rates are down across all platforms. That’s real. But most entrepreneurs are trying to fix the wrong problem. They’re trying to fix engagement when they should be fixing positioning, audience alignment, and conversion pathways.

In this solo episode, I walk you through what engagement benchmarks actually mean in 2026—and how to use that data without letting it derail your entire strategy.

You’ll learn:

• Why engagement rates naturally compress as platforms mature
• Why a 0.5 percent engagement rate today is not the same as it was three years ago
• Why getting louder is not the same as getting clearer
• Why not all engagement is equal (likes vs saves vs comments vs DMs)
• How algorithms now prioritize watch time, retention, relevance, and repeat interactions
• Three things to track that matter far more than a single engagement number

Timestamps:

00:00 Why Engagement Feels Broken

00:56 Engagement Isn’t Revenue

01:29 Platform Maturity and Rate Drops

02:08 Stop Posting More Start Positioning

03:18 Quality of Engagement Matters

03:54 Algorithm Shift to Repeat Attention

04:31 Reframe and Spot Misalignment

05:15 Three Metrics That Matter

06:00 Weekly Analytics Challenge

06:46 Final Strategy and Sendoff

Go into your analytics this week not to panic, but to spot patterns. Which content attracts the right people and leads to real conversations? And if you want a strategy that prioritizes revenue over reactions, visit NextStepSocial.com.

Learn more about Katie and Next Step Social & Podcasting:

Speaking: https://katiebrinkley.com/

Website: https://www.nextstepsocial.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkley

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingTrendsNow

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkatiebrinkley/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When you hear “industry benchmarks,” it sounds official and scientific—like there’s one magical engagement rate you’re supposed to hit to win. But here’s the truth: if you treat benchmarks like goals, they will quietly wreck your strategy.

In this episode, I break down why most people use benchmarks the wrong way, how they turn into vanity metrics, and how to reframe them so they actually help you make smarter decisions in your business.

What I cover in this episode:

• Why platform benchmarks are just averages, not targets for your business
• The hidden problem with chasing “ideal” engagement rates
• How benchmark-chasing leads to more posting, more burnout, and less impact
• What your real goal is (hint: it isn’t 3.7 percent engagement)
• Three things benchmarks actually are: direction, fuel for questions, and a reality check
• A simple framework for using benchmarks alongside your own data and outcomes

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Social Media Benchmarks

00:33 The Misleading Nature of Benchmarks

01:03 Understanding the Context of Benchmarks

02:26 The Real Purpose of Benchmarks

05:23 Strategic Use of Benchmarks

06:36 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Benchmarks are tools, not truth. This week, stop asking “Are we hitting industry averages?” and start asking “Is our content actually moving the needle on revenue?” If you want help turning the numbers into a strategy that works in real life, head to NextStepSocial.com and let’s build a plan around your business, not someone else’s average.

Learn more about Katie and Next Step Social & Podcasting:

Speaking: https://katiebrinkley.com/

Website: https://www.nextstepsocial.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkley

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/@rockymountainmarketing

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkatiebrinkley/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when the tool you use to think, plan, and create starts showing ads?

In this solo episode, I break down OpenAI’s move to test ads inside ChatGPT for free and Go plan users, and what that really means for marketers, creators, and small business owners. This isn’t just another ad unit. This is the start of ads entering a high-intent, conversation-first environment.

I’m not here to panic you or hype you up. I’m here to walk you through three things:

1. What to watch for
2. What to test
3. What you can ignore completely

Because the real story isn’t “ChatGPT has ads now.”

The real story is where attention is moving next.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction: Ads in ChatGPT

00:58 Initial Reactions and Concerns

01:24 Understanding the Strategy Behind Ads

02:09 Context and Clarity in Ads

02:44 Trust and High-Intent Environments

04:40 Testing and Positioning Your Brand

05:34 Content and Platform Relationships

06:54 What to Ignore and Final Thoughts

08:22 Conclusion and Challenge

Your challenge this week is simple:

If your ideal customer explained their problem out loud, would your brand sound like the answer?

If not, that’s what you need to fix next. And if you want help tightening that strategy, aligning your content, and building visibility that actually converts, head to NextStepSocial.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.