About
Effective social media management goes beyond posting content— it requires a strategic approach to align your brand’s values and missions with the ever-evolving digital world, all while speaking fluently to your target audience.
Our goal is to help businesses stop feeling invisible online and start building a brand presence that people recognize, trust and remember.
Most businesses don’t struggle with social media because they lack ideas; they struggle because they lack knowledge, time, and consistency.
Before working with us, clients often feel overwhelmed, inconsistent, or unsure what’s working. Social media starts to feel like noise instead of a tool for growth.
That’s where our signature approach, the audience-led growth system, comes in
A content engine built on monitoring social data of behavior, not assumptions.
-
We audit the patterns and behaviours of your existing audience. We audit what they are indicating they want more of, what they are telling you isn't landing, and outline the opportunities that are sitting within your socials for quick growth. Decisions are based on data, not opinions.
-
Your consumers are also consuming your competitors, so we use their audiences to find the patterns behind them. This allows us to create content that feels relevant, familiar, and trust-building to the people you actually want to reach - while feeling unique to you and your brand.
-
We use intentional content testing to validate messaging, format and storytelling before increasing volume in order to ensure your content earns attention and consistency before scaling.
-
We track movement, not vanity metrics. Numbers are only impactful if you know what they symbolize. We track specific numbers in order to show you how people are progressing to the next steps you want them to take. We can show not only what we’re doing, but also why it’s working.
Our Story:
Hadley Media was founded in 2019 when Hadley Gardner began managing social media for family businesses and local connections. What started as helping a few businesses establish an online presence quickly evolved into something much bigger, as more businesses began seeing the impact social media was having on their visibility, growth, and brand recognition.
During COVID, many businesses closed their doors and paused marketing efforts altogether. At the same time, however, a new wave of businesses began launching and leaning heavily into the visibility and exposure social media could provide.
This became a pivotal moment for Hadley Media. While the industry was shifting rapidly, the company used that time to build the foundation of the business by refining systems, strengthening processes, and clarifying its long-term vision. It was clear early on that social media would continue to play a massive role in the future of business growth and consumer connection.
As businesses began reopening, many needed help rebuilding their visibility and reconnecting with customers online. TikTok had just exploded, platforms were evolving quickly, and business owners knew they needed to show up online — they just didn’t know where to start. The industry was craving clarity, strategy, and consistency, and Hadley Media positioned itself to provide exactly that.
Today, through strong community relationships and word-of-mouth growth, Hadley Media continues to expand alongside the businesses it serves. The agency is proud to be a trusted name for social media support in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, helping local and regional businesses grow while also serving clients across North America.
Meet the Team
Hadley Gardner
Founder & CEO
Hi, I’m Hadley Gardner, owner of Hadley Media. I’ve always had a passion for social media, editing, and creating in whatever way possible. That creative spark, paired with being a natural leader, allowed me to build the dream job I have today.
Hadley Media was created from a love of storytelling and helping brands show up authentically online. I thrive in creative spaces, whether that’s developing content, hosting, or collaborating closely with our clients to bring their vision to life.
Outside of work, I love spending time with my husband, our two dogs, traveling, and finding inspiration everywhere I go. You’ll almost always find me working, not because I have to, but because I truly love what I do and the clients we’re lucky enough to serve.
Client Manager
Emma Copeland
Hi, I’m Emma, Social Media Manager and Content Specialist at Hadley Media since 2023. I’ve worked across a variety of industries and love the perspective each one brings. I have a strong eye for visual storytelling and creating scroll-stopping content that connects with audiences.
Every brand I work with is treated as if it were my own, and my passion for social media and content creation shines through in every post, video, and campaign I craft.
When I’m not exploring socials for new ideas, you can find me spending time with my friends, boyfriend, family, and my dogs Millie & Mabel, planning get-togethers, trips, or nights out, trying new experiences, or finding balance with pilates. I love living life fully and bringing that energy into the work I do.
