This section highlights not just my creative execution, but also my ability to evaluate performance and adapt strategies using real data. The insights below come from a sample analysis of Clemson Baseball’s Instagram account using Not Just Analytics, focused on content from the month of May. I included this to give you a clear sense of my approach to social analytics—how I interpret metrics, identify trends, and use data to inform smarter content decisions.
Top Performing Content
Several posts between May 17–19, 2025, drove strong performance across both follower growth and engagement. The highest-performing posts by follower increase were:
Top Plays (5/18) and All-ACC Selections (5/19): each gained +24 new followers
WIN Graphic (5/17): +22 followers
Pitcher of the Week (5/19): +15 followers
These same posts also led in likes, with:
WIN (5/17) receiving 3,286 likes
All-ACC (5/19) with 3,080 likes
Weekend Sweep & Pitcher Graphics with 2,176 and 1,957 likes, respectively
Takeaway:
Bold graphic design, team wins, and player recognition content consistently performed best in both engagement and growth.
Bold graphic design, team wins, and player recognition content consistently performed best in both engagement and growth.
Content Testing & Iteration
From a format perspective:
Photo posts were by far the most successful in generating followers, likes, and comments, outperforming both reels and carousels.
Photos brought in 875 likes, compared to 420 for carousels and 250 for reels
Similarly, follower growth and comment counts followed this same trend
Insight:
Despite the popularity of short-form video on social platforms, traditional photo posts remain the most effective format for this audience. This reinforces the importance of tailoring content format to what works best for a specific fanbase.
Despite the popularity of short-form video on social platforms, traditional photo posts remain the most effective format for this audience. This reinforces the importance of tailoring content format to what works best for a specific fanbase.
Platform-Specific Strategy
The Clemson Baseball Instagram saw the highest engagement when combining bold visuals with timely updates, particularly when recognizing players or announcing wins.
Collaborative posts with athlete accounts (e.g. @aidan_knaak) had engagement rates up to 1.92%, beating industry averages. In contrast, lower-engagement posts (under 0.6%) lacked contextual excitement or visual energy.
Collaborative posts with athlete accounts (e.g. @aidan_knaak) had engagement rates up to 1.92%, beating industry averages. In contrast, lower-engagement posts (under 0.6%) lacked contextual excitement or visual energy.
Strategic Takeaway:
Co-authoring posts with athletes and coaches improves reach and engagement. Timely, celebratory posts amplify community interaction.
Co-authoring posts with athletes and coaches improves reach and engagement. Timely, celebratory posts amplify community interaction.
Growth Metrics Over Time
Between April 20 and May 20, the account consistently gained daily followers, with notable spikes tied to successful game weekends and high-performing posts. Peak growth days closely aligned with the top content shared above.
Follower spikes:
Around April 21 (130+ new followers)
Around May 1 and May 17 (both showing strong bumps)
Understanding how content performs is just as important as creating it. By analyzing metrics like engagement rates, post formats, follower growth, and optimal timing, I’m able to back creative decisions with strategy. This data helps identify what resonates with the audience — whether that’s cinematic visuals, bold graphics, or timely player recognition — and guides future content to be even more effective.
These insights don’t just show what worked; they show why it worked. That’s what turns good content into a repeatable success. Whether it’s planning a post around high-traffic time slots or choosing a format that consistently drives engagement, every decision becomes intentional, informed, and results-driven. This approach ensures that creative work isn’t just visually strong — it delivers real impact.
