If you’re running a growing business, chances are you’ve been in this loop:

One day, you’re in creative flow, mapping new ideas and big goals. The next, you’re buried in backend tech issues, chasing social content deadlines, or updating a half-broken website you haven’t touched in months.

You’re doing it all, but it’s starting to wear you down.

You didn’t build your brand to spend your nights learning automations or stressing over Instagram reels. You built it to make an impact – and to do that, you need space.

That’s where strategic delegation comes in — not just outsourcing tasks to save time but building a smart, brand-aligned support system that lets you stay focused on what you do best.

At twelve-o-one, we help small-but-mighty business owners scale with intention. Here’s how to decide what to delegate, what to own, and how to keep your brand’s heart at the centre while you grow.

What to Delegate: Tasks That Steal Your Time (and Drain Your Energy)

Delegating isn’t about giving up control. It’s about getting your time and clarity back so you can lead with purpose.

We recommend outsourcing these areas to experts — the ones that need attention but don’t require you to do it yourself.

1. Social Media Strategy & Content Execution

You know your brand deserves better than last-minute posts and outdated visuals. But planning, creating, posting, and engaging across platforms takes serious time and strategy – especially when juggling everything else.

Delegate:

• Content calendars, captions, and visual design
• Reels, stories, and post scheduling
• Platform management and engagement support

Example: Happy Bird Music Studio

This Ottawa-based music studio came to twelve-o-one looking for structure. Their team offered incredible programs for kids and adults, but they were stuck in the cycle of inconsistent posting and last-minute event promotion.

We helped them build a system that supported monthly camp launches, school-year program reminders, and seasonal events – all while giving their brand a fun, family-friendly presence online. With clear planning and support, their enrolment and engagement grew, and their stress decreased. They were able to reach new demographics while continuing to engage their existing community.

2. Website & Brand Refresh

Your brand is evolving – but your website and visual identity haven’t caught up. Maybe you’ve outgrown your DIY design. Or maybe you’ve added new services but haven’t had time to reflect that anywhere public.

A strong brand deserves a digital presence to match.

Delegate:

• Website design & development
• Mobile responsiveness, SEO, and maintenance
• Brand identity updates (fonts, colours, logo usage, tone of voice)

Example: We Are Raising The Bar

Founder Abbie was ready to take her alcohol-free subscription box business to the next level. She turned to twelve-o-one for website support, content structure, and marketing systems that could scale.

“Nancy really listened to our challenges and helped put plans and strategies in place to help grow the business. Working with twelve-o-one allowed me to step back from some of the day-to-day challenges of a small business and focus more on strategy and growth.”
— Abbie R., CEO, We Are Raising The Bar

We created a consistent social and digital strategy, addressed backend tech issues, and implemented better systems, freeing Abbie to focus on growth, partnerships, and the big picture.

What You Should Own (Because It Comes From the Heart)

There are parts of your business that can’t be outsourced – and shouldn’t be.

These are the elements that carry your why, your story, and your energy. You don’t need to do everything, but you do need to stay close to:

Your Voice – No one can tell your story like you. We help you refine and reflect your message, but the core needs to come from you.

Your Vision – You know where you’re headed. We help you shape the path, but your values drive the direction.

Your Relationships – Automated tools are great, but people connect with people. Especially if you’re founder-led, clients and customers still want a sense of your presence.

At twelve-o-one, our goal isn’t to replace you – it’s to support you. So you can stay in your zone of genius while we ensure your brand shows up consistently and clearly across every channel.

You Deserve Space to Lead – Not Just Time to Work

The business owners we support aren’t hands-off — they’re driven, creative, and deeply committed to their work. They care about every detail, every client, and every piece of their brand. But they’re also human. And the truth is: sustainable growth takes more than grit. It requires clarity, systems, and smart support.

You can’t scale if you’re constantly tied up in the day-to-day — chasing content deadlines, troubleshooting tech, or wearing ten hats just to keep things moving. That’s where we come in.

At twelve-o-one, we help implement systems and strategies that free up your time so you can focus on your bigger vision: leading your brand, building relationships, and driving meaningful growth.

Whether you’re running a music studio, launching a subscription box, scaling an e-commerce business, or growing a service-based brand — you don’t have to do it all alone.

If you’re ready to scale with clarity – not chaos – this guide will help.

Understand what to delegate (and why)
Clarify your role as a founder or creative leader
Build a brand support system that works with you, not against you

Download the Brand-First Growth Blueprint

You don’t need to do everything yourself to stay authentic. You just need the right people in your corner – and that’s exactly what we’re here for.

Want Help Putting Your Strategy Into Action?

If you’re looking for a partner who understands branding, systems, and how to grow without losing your voice, let’s talk.

Book a free discovery call with twelve-o-one.

The post How to Scale Smarter in 2025: What to Delegate, What to Own, and How to Keep Your Brand at the Centre appeared first on 1201 Journal.

What exactly is the Instagram algorithm?

The Instagram algorithm consists of a set of instructions that determine when and how specific content is displayed to individual users. It takes into account numerous factors such as user history, location, profile, device, trends, relevance, popularity, and more. Algorithms play a vital role in deciding which content reaches the intended audience, from search engine optimization to social media platforms.

Since algorithms are constantly evolving, yesterday’s marketing tactics may not be as effective in the future. It’s crucial to adapt your strategy on each platform accordingly. While regularly posting with relevant hashtags is important on Instagram, it doesn’t guarantee reaching your target audience every time.

So, how does the Instagram algorithm work in 2025?

The Instagram algorithm determines the order in which users see posts while scrolling through their feeds. Based on specific signals, it prioritizes the best posts, pushing the most relevant ones to the top for maximum visibility, while others are placed further down.

Although the algorithm is subject to change, the following three key ranking factors can guide your Instagram strategy:

Relationship with the user: If a user has interacted with your past Instagram content, they are more likely to see your future posts. Therefore, fostering continual engagement is crucial for building a loyal audience.

User’s expressed interest: The algorithm analyzes whether a user interacts with similar posts and accounts while exploring Instagram. Users who engage with similar content are more likely to see your posts.

Post relevancy: When you publish a post on Instagram, the algorithm assigns it a relevancy score, which influences its visibility in the feed.

Consider the following general factors as well:

• High competition if users follow numerous accounts.
• Lower odds of visibility if users spend less time on Instagram or infrequently open the app.
• Business and creator accounts don’t face disadvantages in terms of organic reach compared to personal accounts.
• Instagram enforces community guidelines and may remove posts or suspend accounts for repeated violations.
• Misinformation labels are applied to posts containing false information, and repeated offense may lead to decreased visibility for the user’s content.

Instagram Feed and Stories

The majority of what users see on their feed and in Stories are recent posts from the accounts they follow. The algorithm further customizes the order of these feed posts and Stories based on various signals:

Basic information about the post or story: This includes factors such as likes, posting time, and location tags.

Data on the account behind the post: The algorithm considers how many people have interacted with the account recently, gauging its popularity and the likelihood of user interest.

User activity: Instagram tracks the number of posts liked, shared, and saved to predict which posts will interest the user.

User’s interaction history with the account: This involves measuring the user’s engagement with the account’s posts, including comments, likes, saves, and visits to the account’s profile page.

By analyzing this data, Instagram makes educated guesses about the content that should be presented on each user’s feed.

In March 2022, Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, introduced two features that allow users to customize their feed:

Following: This feature displays posts from followed accounts in chronological order.

Favorites: This feature prioritizes posts from accounts with the most interactions and allows users to view them chronologically.

However, the Instagram algorithm still personalizes the main feed based on the aforementioned signals.

Instagram Explore

The Explore page algorithm on Instagram aims to help users discover new content. It uses the same signals as the feed and Stories to curate and rank engaging content for individual users. User actions like likes, saves, and shares play a significant role in the Explore algorithm.

For example, if a user is a fan of Avengers movies, Instagram may present popular Marvel content or even superhero content from other franchises like DC or Image on their Explore page.

To increase your chances of being featured on users’ Explore pages, utilize strategic hashtags and engage with recent trends. Leveraging hot topics and news stories can boost your posts’ ranking on users’ Explore pages.

Instagram Reels

Similar to Explore, Reels are usually seen by users who don’t follow the accounts posting them. The Instagram algorithm applies similar signals as it does for Explore but emphasizes content that entertains the user. It focuses on predicting whether a user will watch a Reel till the end.

To enhance the visibility of your Reels, share them on your feed first, accompanied by hashtags and a location tag. Additionally, engage with Reels that appeal to your target audience. Reels are designed to help users discover you, so it’s important to develop a strategy to maximize your Reel content as soon as possible.

Now that we’ve covered how the Instagram algorithm works, let’s explore different ways to adapt your approach and reach more customers.

Tips for working with the Instagram algorithm in 2025

Consider the following tips to leverage the Instagram algorithm for your business:

Focus on relationships, not just reach: Audience loyalty and continual engagement are more crucial than ever for earning top spots in your followers’ feeds. Foster relationships with your audience through tactics such as posting user-generated content on your Stories and sharing Reels.

Comment on posts from relevant users and brands: Engage with potential customers, influencers, and related businesses by leaving thoughtful comments on their posts. Be genuine, add value, and avoid generic responses or sales pitches.

Respond to comments promptly: Replying to comments, particularly while your post’s reach is at its peak, boosts social proof and encourages further engagement. It can spark conversations and increase the reach of your current and future posts.

Utilize hashtags effectively: Choose hashtags that your target audience actively searches to discover content and users. Engage with posts that use relevant hashtags, and click through to explore and interact with the content.

Repost past content to Stories: Repurposing previous posts ensures your best content receives additional visibility. However, avoid excessive repetition and keep your feed fresh by pruning repeated content.

Encourage engagement on your Stories: Use hashtag stickers with your branded hashtag, share user Stories, and employ interactive stickers like polls and questions to foster engagement, which can translate into higher reach for your static posts.

Share Instagram posts to Stories: Maximize your social media strategy by sharing your most important posts, such as new product announcements, to your Stories. This increases the chances of reaching your followers.

Consider paid options: If organic reach is limited, consider Instagram ads or influencer marketing to boost your visibility. Set a budget and monitor your spend to remain in control.

Monitor your results: Track your progress using Instagram Insights. Look beyond follower count and examine metrics like accounts reached, accounts engaged, and total followers to understand the impact of your Instagram marketing efforts.

Remember, while the Instagram algorithm may change, building and nurturing relationships with your audience remains essential. By adapting to algorithm updates and engaging with users both inside and outside your posts, you can find new ways to reach your intended audience on Instagram.

Ready to take your social media presence to the next level? Don’t let the ever-evolving digital landscape hold you back. At twelve-o-one, we specialize in helping entrepreneurs like you explode their social media reach and connect with their target audience.

With our customized done-for-you support and our proven Social Launch Intensive program, you’ll have all the tools and strategies you need to start growing your social media following and achieving your business goals.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to stand out in the crowded social media landscape. Take action now and reach out to twelve-o-one. Let us help you unlock the full potential of your social media presence. Contact us today to learn more and get started on your social media journey.

The post Understanding the Instagram Algorithm in 2025 (Latest Insights) appeared first on 1201 Journal.

Find a Profitable Niche:

Before diving into the world of online e-commerce, it’s crucial to identify a profitable niche. Research current market trends and analyze consumer demands to find a niche that aligns with your interests and has the potential for growth. Look for gaps in the market where you can provide a unique value proposition to your target audience.

Conduct Market Research:

Market research plays a pivotal role in the success of your e-commerce business. Understand your target audience, their preferences, and buying behaviors. Identify your competitors and analyze their strategies. Conduct surveys, interviews, and analyze online forums and social media discussions to gather valuable insights. This information will help you refine your product offerings and marketing strategies.

Create a Business Plan:

A well-structured business plan acts as a roadmap for your e-commerce venture. Outline your business goals, define your target audience, and detail your marketing, operations, and financial strategies. Include a thorough analysis of your competition and a realistic projection of revenue and expenses. A solid business plan will not only guide your actions but also attract potential investors or lenders.

Choose the Right E-commerce Platform:

Selecting the right e-commerce platform is crucial for your online business. Evaluate different platforms based on their features, ease of use, scalability, and pricing. Consider factors like website design options, mobile responsiveness, inventory management, and integration with payment gateways. Choose a platform that aligns with your business needs and budget.

The Best E-Commerce Platforms of 2025

• Squarespace
• Square Online
• Ecwid
• Shopify
• Wix
• Weebly
• BigCommerce
• WooCommerce
• Big Cartel 

Build a User-Friendly Website:

Your website serves as the face of your e-commerce business. Design a visually appealing and user-friendly website that provides a seamless shopping experience. Ensure intuitive navigation, clear product descriptions, high-quality images, and easy checkout processes. Optimize your website for mobile devices, as a significant portion of online shoppers use smartphones and tablets.

Develop a Robust Marketing Strategy:

Effective marketing is crucial to drive traffic and generate sales. Leverage various digital marketing channels such as social media, search engine optimization (SEO), content marketing, email marketing, and paid advertising. Develop a cohesive strategy that focuses on reaching your target audience, building brand awareness, and driving conversions. Regularly analyze your marketing efforts and adjust your strategy based on performance metrics.

Implement Secure Payment Systems:

Establish trust with your customers by implementing secure payment systems. Choose reputable payment gateways that offer encryption and fraud protection. Enable multiple payment options to accommodate different customer preferences. Clearly communicate your security measures to build confidence and encourage conversions.  

Best Payment Gateways in 2025:

• Stripe
• Square
• Paypal

Optimize for Search Engines:

Search engine optimization (SEO) is vital to improve your online visibility and attract organic traffic. Conduct keyword research to identify relevant and high-ranking keywords in your niche. Optimize your website content, meta tags, URLs, and product descriptions with targeted keywords. Focus on creating high-quality, informative, and engaging content that appeals to both users and search engines.

Establish Strong Customer Support:

Providing exceptional customer support is crucial for the success of your e-commerce business. Set up channels for customers to reach out to you, such as email, live chat, or phone support. Respond promptly to inquiries, address customer concerns, and provide a seamless post-purchase experience. Build a reputation for excellent customer service to foster customer loyalty and positive reviews.

Continuously Adapt and Improve:

The e-commerce landscape is constantly evolving, so it’s essential to stay updated with the latest trends and technologies. Monitor market changes, track customer feedback, and analyze data to identify areas for improvement. Embrace innovation, experiment with new strategies, and be open to making necessary adjustments to keep your business competitive.

Starting an online e-commerce business in 2025 offers immense opportunities for success. By finding a profitable niche, conducting thorough market research, and implementing effective strategies, you can establish a thriving online presence. Remember to prioritize user experience, focus on marketing efforts, and provide excellent customer support.

At twelve-o-one, we understand the challenges of starting an online e-commerce business, and we’re here to help you every step of the way. We offer a range of comprehensive support to bring your business to the digital world. Whether you need assistance with branding, website development, social media management, or other digital marketing services, our team of experts is ready to guide you.

Don’t let your dreams of running a successful e-commerce business fade away. Take action today and let twelve-o-one be your partner in turning your vision into reality. Contact us now to learn more about how we can support you on your journey to online success. Start your online e-commerce business in 2025 with confidence.

The post A 10-Step Guide to Launching a Successful Online E-commerce Business in 2025 appeared first on 1201 Journal.