We were lucky to catch up with James & Natalie Sailing Zephyr recently and have shared our conversation below.

James & Natalie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you manage your own social media?

For Sailing Zephyr, we manage our own social media rather than outsourcing it to a team or company. We chose this route because it allows us to maintain a personal, authentic connection with our audience. Since sailing is a lifestyle and journey we deeply care about, we wanted to ensure that every post and interaction reflects our values and experiences. Additionally, handling our own social media allows us to stay agile, respond quickly to messages, and share real-time updates that our community appreciates.

The results so far have been positive. We’ve been able to build a dedicated following on both Instagram and YouTube, with our audience feeling connected to our story and progress. Engaging directly with followers has fostered a sense of community, which has been one of the most rewarding aspects of managing our social media ourselves.

That said, managing social media can be time-consuming, especially when we’re also balancing sailing, filming, editing, and other responsibilities. One of the lessons we’ve learned is the importance of consistency. It’s essential to stay active and post regularly, but it’s also crucial to engage with the community by replying to comments and messages.

For business owners considering whether to manage their own social media or hire someone, here are some insights:
1. Authenticity matters: Audiences tend to appreciate personal, behind-the-scenes content that showcases the real side of your brand. If you can manage it while staying true to your voice, it can be very rewarding.
2. Time and energy: Social media management takes time and energy. If you’re in a position to hire help, it can free you up to focus on other parts of your business. However, if it’s a passion or closely tied to the heart of your brand, you might enjoy the process yourself.
3. Engagement is key: It’s not just about posting content, but also about responding to and engaging with your audience. Building relationships is often more valuable than simply gaining followers.

Ultimately, it depends on your business, goals, and available resources. Balancing social media with other priorities can be challenging, but the direct connection with your audience can be one of the most rewarding aspects of it!

James & Natalie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

We are a couple who embarked on a life-changing journey to live and explore the world by sailboat. Our story started with a passion for the ocean, adventure, and freedom. We both had traditional land-based careers, but the call of the sea grew stronger as we dreamed of living a life outside the confines of a 9-to-5 job. After a lot of planning, saving, and researching, we sold our belongings, bought our sailboat—Zephyr—and set out on the adventure of a lifetime.

Our journey isn’t just about sailing; it’s about living intentionally, embracing a minimalist lifestyle, and sharing the beauty of life on the water with others. We document this journey through Sailing Zephyr, a mix of adventure, sailing tips, life stories, and boat maintenance. Our content on Instagram and YouTube is a blend of stunning visuals, practical advice, and personal experiences.

What We Offer:

Through our social media platforms, we provide a variety of content that resonates with those who are interested in sailing, cruising, and living off the grid. Our YouTube channel is where we share longer-form content like boat tours, maintenance tutorials, and sailing vlogs. Instagram is where we offer quick glimpses into our daily life, adventures, and challenges. We also focus on providing helpful tips for others who want to get into sailing or cruising, whether they’re seasoned sailors or complete beginners.

The Problems We Solve:

Many people dream of a life on the water but don’t know where to start, what to expect, or how to manage the technical aspects of living on a boat. Through our content, we demystify the lifestyle. We provide insights into boat maintenance, the best cruising routes, and advice for those who might feel overwhelmed by the idea of taking the plunge into full-time sailing. We also create content around the mental and emotional side of the sailing lifestyle, helping others adjust to the challenges that come with it.

We also aim to inspire a sense of freedom and adventure, encouraging our followers to pursue their dreams, whether it’s traveling the world by boat or just making a big change in their own lives.

What Sets Us Apart:

We’re not a faceless brand; we’re real people, sharing real experiences. We talk openly about the highs and lows of the sailing life—from the thrill of finding new destinations to the struggles of dealing with boat repairs in the middle of nowhere. This raw, unfiltered approach helps us connect on a deeper level with our followers, who know they’re getting an honest look into our lives.

We also take pride in creating content that is both inspiring and informative. Whether it’s a tutorial on how to fix a water pump on a sailboat or a video documenting a remote island we visited, we aim to offer both practical value and a sense of adventure.

What We’re Most Proud Of:

One of the things we’re most proud of is the community we’ve built around Sailing Zephyr. Our followers are incredibly supportive, and many of them have reached out to share their own journeys and experiences with us. We love hearing how our content has inspired others to pursue their own sailing dreams or make bold changes in their lives. There’s nothing more rewarding than knowing we’ve helped someone take that first step toward their adventure.

We’re also proud of how far we’ve come. A few years ago, we were just two people with a dream and a boat. Now, we’ve been to remote islands, experienced different cultures, and grown our brand into something that truly resonates with people all over the world.

What We Want People to Know:

We value honesty, simplicity, and the pursuit of adventure. We want people to know that living a life on the water is possible, even if it seems like a big leap. It requires planning, hard work, and a willingness to adapt, but it’s also a life full of rewards.

We also want people to know that we are here to help. Whether you’re interested in learning more about sailing, cruising, or just seeking inspiration to make a change in your own life, we’re here to support and share what we know with you.

Lastly, we’re committed to continuing to create content that’s both beautiful and useful—whether it’s inspiring travel stories or practical tips for life on the water. Our goal is to build a community that embraces adventure, sustainability, and a deep love for the ocean.

We are Sailing Zephyr, and we invite you to join us on our journey, wherever the wind may take us.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Building an audience for Sailing Zephyr on social media has been a journey in itself—one of patience, and consistency. When we first started sharing our sailing life on platforms like Instagram and YouTube, we had no expectations of going viral or building a huge following. We simply wanted to document our journey and connect with others who shared our passion for sailing and adventure. However, over time, our audience grew, and we realized that our story resonated with a much broader group of people than we initially anticipated.

The Beginning:

When we first started posting, it was just a way to keep friends and family updated on our travels. We shared our sailing experiences, the challenges of living on a boat, and the beauty of the places we visited. But, slowly, we began noticing that people outside our immediate circle were engaging with our content. This gave us the confidence to keep going and to be more intentional about sharing our story.

Lessons Learned:
• Patience is Key: Building an engaged audience doesn’t happen overnight. Over time, the community grew. The best advice we can give is to focus on the long-term journey rather than immediate results.
• Be Prepared for Setbacks: Social media algorithms can change, and engagement can fluctuate. There have been times when our posts didn’t get the traction we expected or when growth slowed. The key is to not get discouraged. Stay true to your brand and audience, and continue to adapt to the changes.

Advice for Those Just Starting:
1. Find Your Niche: One of the reasons Sailing Zephyr has resonated with so many people is that we’re not trying to be everything to everyone. We found a niche in the sailing and adventure space, which allowed us to connect with people who share similar interests. Don’t try to appeal to everyone—find your unique voice and stick to it.
2. Be Consistent, But Don’t Burn Out: Set a posting schedule that works for you. It’s important to remain consistent, but also take care of your mental health and avoid burnout. If you’re constantly stressing about creating content, it will show in your work. Find a balance that allows you to enjoy the process.
3. Engage with Your Audience: The more you engage with people, the more they feel connected to your brand. Respond to comments, answer questions, and show that you appreciate your followers. Building relationships and make friends all around the world!
4. Create Content You’re Passionate About: The best content comes from passion. If you’re genuinely excited about what you’re sharing, it will come across to your audience. Don’t just post for the sake of posting—make sure it aligns with your values and what you truly care about.

In the end, building an audience on social media is about sharing your story and being authentic. It takes time, but if you stay true to your passion, engage meaningfully with your community, and remain patient, the results will come.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

One of the most challenging moments on our journey on Zephyr came early on, when we realized just how much we were in over our heads. We had absolutely no sailing experience and no background in editing videos. We thought we could just jump in, sail off into the sunset, and share our journey through videos and photos. What we didn’t anticipate was how steep the learning curve would be—and how quickly we’d hit some pretty tough obstacles.

When we first bought the boat, we were excited and full of hope, but as soon as we set sail, reality hit hard. Every time we tried to sail, we faced something new we didn’t understand. From navigating tricky winds and currents to learning how to properly handle the boat in different conditions, we were constantly making mistakes. We’d get stuck in awkward situations, our sails wouldn’t cooperate, and we often felt like we were in way over our heads. There were times when we seriously considered turning back, thinking maybe this whole sailing dream wasn’t for us.

But the hardest part came when we started trying to make videos. We had no experience with video editing, no knowledge of how to film in a way that made sense, and certainly no idea how to make our content interesting or engaging. We would spend hours filming, only to realize the footage was shaky, poorly lit, or just didn’t capture what we wanted to share. When it came time to edit, we were completely overwhelmed. We had to teach ourselves how to use editing software from scratch. The process was slow, tedious, and at times, incredibly frustrating. We spent nights feeling like we’d never get it right.

There was one point when things were so tough that we seriously thought about selling the boat and going back to our old lives—back to stability, back to jobs we knew, back to a life where we didn’t have to constantly feel like we were failing. The combination of struggling to learn to sail, getting frustrated with editing, and feeling completely out of our depth made us question everything.

But we decided not to give up. We pushed through the tough moments, one step at a time. We kept learning from our mistakes, watching tutorials on sailing techniques, reading boat manuals, and practicing. We didn’t have any sailing mentors, so we had to figure things out by trial and error. And when it came to video editing, we kept at it—watching hours of tutorials, experimenting with different styles, and practicing until the process started to feel more natural.

What kept us going was the passion we had for the lifestyle and the dream we shared. We loved the idea of living on the water, exploring new places, and sharing our journey with others. Slowly, the sailing started to feel more natural, and the editing, while still challenging, became easier as we gained experience.

Looking back, we’re so grateful we didn’t give up. It wasn’t easy, and there were moments we felt completely defeated, but those tough times taught us resilience. We learned that setbacks don’t define you, but how you respond to them does. We didn’t have sailing experience or editing skills when we started, but by persevering, we gained both. And today, we’re able to look at our content, our sailing, and our journey and be proud of how far we’ve come. We’re so glad we kept pushing forward, because the rewards of sticking with it have been worth every challenge along the way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sailingzephyr.com/
• Instagram: @sailing.zephyr
• Youtube: Sailing Zephyr

Image Credits

Nat and James sailing zephyr