The Brandakin Blog

Social media tips, insights and how-tos from Emily Avdem Nelson.

laughing face on purple background with text "What Hurts More Than a Breakup? Watching Your Post Get 50 Views😂"

What Hurts More Than a Breakup? Watching Your Post Get 50 Views😂 entrepenuers small business mindset small business owners

Forget a breakup.

Have you ever spent hours creating the perfect post, finally hit publish, checked back a few hours later... and it had 50 views, two likes, and one of them was your own?

Yeah.

Th...

Don’t Forget to Celebrate How Far You’ve Already Come entrepenuers small business mindset small business owners

As business owners, we're always looking ahead.

The next goal. The next client. The next launch. The next milestone.

And while ambition is a beautiful thing, it can also make us forget to appreciat...

Photo of a smiling woman labeled “Emily” next to text that reads “Meet the owner of Brandakin Social Media” on a purple background with playful icons.

Why Getting Personal Online Is What Actually Builds Connection (Meet Me) behindthebrand entrepenuers small business

Some experts will tell you not to get personal online.

To keep things polished. Professional. Focused only on value.

I’ve never agreed with that.

Because the truth is, people don’t just follow co...

Your Content Performance Is Not Your Worth (And Never Will Be) content content ideas entrepenuers

Your life doesn’t change because a post flopped.

It doesn’t change because someone unfollowed you. It doesn’t change because a Reel you spent an hour on got 47 views instead of 4,700.

But somewher...

How to Protect Your Mental Health When Your Job Is Social Media entrepenuers small business mindset social media managment

Let’s Normalize Being Intentionally Online

If your job and your leads live on social media, you cannot treat your brain like an afterthought.

Your mindset is a business asset.

When you are chroni...

When Growth Feels Quiet: Why 2025 Was a Clearing, Not a Collapse entrepenuers small business mindset small business owners

2025 Didn’t Make Sense While I Was In It

There were so many moments in 2025 where I found myself asking:

What is this all for?

Plans shifted.
Opportunities fizzled.
Some things grew but quietly.

F...

A smiling woman with blonde hair and a rust-colored sweater sits on a gray couch, smiling at her golden retriever. The graphic reads “Rules for 2026” with a list: rest without guilt, trust my instincts, get out of my comfort zone, take some leaps. Text and visual branding match Brandakin Social Media.

My Rules for 2026 and Why I’m Letting Go of Overworking to Succeed entrepenuers small business small business mindset

If you have ever felt like you had to overwork, overthink, or over explain just to succeed, this one is for you.

For a long time, I believed success had to feel exhausting. Like if I was not constant...

Neutral graphic with pink text that says: “I picked a word for 2026 that demands more from me. (To be honest, it scares me a little.)” Represents a personal reflection and blog post about choosing a powerful word of the year.

My Word for 2026 Is Sovereign and Here’s Why It Matters for Growth and Confidence entrepenuers small business small business mindset small business owners

Every year, I choose a word to guide how I show up in my life and business.

Not because it sounds nice.
Not because I need motivation.
But because it reflects what I need to step into.

My word for 2...

Things I'm Letting Go in 2025 to Grow My Business in 2026 entrepenuers small business mindset small business owners

Kinda feels like my heart is right on my sleeve with this one 🥹

There are a few things that were hard to admit… but I truly believe awareness is the first step to growth. And I’m so ready for that...

Doing Business Differently Might Be Your Biggest Strength entrepenuers small business mindset small business owners

I’ve had to remind myself of this more times than I can count…

For years, I wrestled with the fact that I didn’t run my business the way everyone else seemed to. I don’t work traditional 9–5 hours....

A collage of a cheerful woman working in various cozy, creative environments—taking selfies, on the phone, using a computer, recording with headphones, and interacting with dogs—highlighting her approachable, confident personality and dynamic presence in her business. The center image features her smiling in a patterned dress with her hand in her hair, surrounded by softly tinted pastel panels of her in action.

Meet the Heart Behind Brandakin Social Media: Emily’s Story💛 behindthebrand brand loyalty entrepenuers

👋🏼Hey there, it’s time for a reintroduction!

I’m Emily, the founder and social media strategist behind Brandakin Social Media. Whether we’ve just connected or you’ve followed me for years, I wanted...

2025 Was a Lot, But You’re Still Showing Up entrepenuers small business mindset

I’ve had so many heart-to-hearts with business owners lately and there’s one thing I keep hearing on repeat:

“This year tried me.”

If you’ve ever sat at your kitchen table whispering “I can’t keep...

1 2

Want To Stay In The Know?

Join the list and receive occasional emails with updates, discounts, insights and more!

You're safe with Brandakin. We'll never spam you or sell your contact info.