Jun 18, 2025 Joe Ballard

Event Recap: Scaling Solo – How to Grow Your Socials Without the Overwhelm

Past Event: Scaling Solo: How to Grow Your Socials Without the Overwhelm

Presented by Mariah Taubenheim
June 18, 2025 | Hosted by Social Media Breakfast Madison

Running your social media solo can feel like juggling flaming swords while riding a unicycle. At June’s Social Media Breakfast, attendees got a refreshing, tactical roadmap from Mariah Taubenheim on how to manage social media as a team of one—without burning out.

This session, Scaling Solo: How to Grow Your Socials Without the Overwhelm, was all about building systems, recognizing the signs that it’s time to bring in help, and learning how to scale with confidence and intention.

Couldn’t attend? We’ve captured the key takeaways, insights, and strategies below! Sincere thanks to volunteer, Joe for writing the recap of this event. You can also watch the event recap on our Social Media Breakfast Madison YouTube channel. Looking for the presentation deck? Check out the What’s Next section at the bottom of this page.

The Challenge of Doing It All

Most social media managers (especially solo ones) know the overwhelm all too well: constant content creation, inconsistent posting, lagging engagement, and no time left to strategize. Mariah Taubenheim kicked things off by acknowledging this struggle—and offering practical ways to regain control.

Quick Wins You Can Do This Week

You don’t need a 6-month strategy to get relief. Start with these three quick actions:

  • Create a Content Calendar: Spend 30 minutes planning your next month’s posts to reduce decision fatigue.
  • Batch Your Content: Produce multiple posts in one sitting to build consistency and momentum.
  • Use Scheduling Tools: Platforms like Buffer or Later can help automate your posting, freeing you up to focus on engagement.

Knowing When It’s Time to Scale

If you’re posting inconsistently, missing engagement opportunities, or struggling to meet deadlines—it may be time to call in reinforcements.

Options include:

  • Freelancers for project-based work ($30–$100/hr)
  • Virtual Assistants for routine tasks ($20–$40/hr)
  • Agencies for full-service solutions ($1,500–$10,000/mo)
  • Full-Time Staff for dedicated strategy and execution ($40K–$75K/yr)
  • Interns for budget-conscious support and training

Track What Matters

To make a case for scaling (or to simply improve what you’re doing), track the following:

  • Engagement Rate – Are people interacting with your content?
  • Conversion Rate – Are those interactions turning into leads or sales?
  • Website Traffic – Are people clicking through from your social posts?
  • Leads & Sales – Is your content helping you grow your business?

Remember: Consistency is the foundation of growth. The algorithm favors it. So does your audience.

Building a Support System

Whether you outsource or hire internally, Mariah Taubenheim stressed the importance of staying in the driver’s seat:

  • Create a Brand Guide to maintain voice and style.
  • Set clear expectations and deliverables.
  • Use agencies or teams that align with your goals and respect your vision.

Communicate Your Needs

To get internal buy-in, especially if you’re making a case for hiring help:

  • Show the data (ROI speaks louder than feelings).
  • Present a clear plan with goals and timelines.
  • Be transparent with expectations.

Key Takeaways

  • Streamline your social tasks and prioritize what moves the needle.
  • Track your metrics to understand what’s working.
  • Know the signs that it’s time to scale.
  • Hire smart—with clear goals and communication.
  • Use automation and outsourcing to free up your time.

 

Thanks, Gray Miller for sharing your sketchnote takeaways from the presentation!

 

What’s Next?

 

SPEAKER BIO

Mariah Taubenheim is the Founder of Raise Agency, a boutique social media and content creation agency based in Madison, WI known for its elevated, strategic approach to digital storytelling. With a background in photography, marketing, and brand management, Mariah has helped many businesses transform their social presence into powerful business tools. She’s passionate about helping founders and marketing leaders feel less overwhelmed and more empowered to grow — by blending creativity, strategy, and smart systems that support long-term success.

Big Thanks to Our Sponsors and Volunteers

SPONSORS:

 

NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT: Couillard Solar Foundation

The Couillard Solar Foundation promotes the expansion of solar energy in Wisconsin through partnerships with renewable energy focused, Wisconsin-based organizations. Our mutual goal is to help Wisconsin nonprofits, including schools, churches, conservation organizations, foodbanks and shelters, as well as other community organizations, join the renewable energy revolution.

Through grants and education, CSF helps to raise awareness of the importance of solar as a way to foster our mutual economic and environmental benefit.

Founded by the Couillard family, CSF is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization. The foundation is run by a volunteer board and has three paid staff members and two sub-contractors.

Connect with them at: