Social Media for Small Businesses – 3 Tips to Get Started
Social media has evolved beyond just entertainment and keeping up with friends; it’s now a vital tool for… business growth. Whether you run a small café or provide repair services, a well-managed social media presence can be the key to your success. Here are three essential tips to help you start building your brand in social media!
Tip #1 – Choose the Right Platform
Starting out, you don’t need – and probably shouldn’t – create accounts on every social media platform. Why? Because keeping up with posts on three or four channels can be overwhelming. It’s better to focus on one platform and do it well.
Which platform should you choose? That depends on where your target customers are most active. Here’s a quick guide to help you decide:
Despite its age, Facebook is still the most popular social platform worldwide and the top choice for promoting small, local businesses. Setting up a business page here is essential, especially if your target audience includes older age groups.
Facebook is particularly effective for industries like restaurants and cafés that can showcase specials or daily menus. Businesses in other industries should also consider posting updates such as new services / products or special hours (especially during holidays, long weekends, summer season).
Plan what you want to share on Facebook. Ideas include:
- Company news (e.g., hiring new staff, opening a new location, or celebrating an anniversary),
- Behind-the-scenes updates (e.g., remodeling or redecorating your space),
- Tips and insights related to your industry (e.g., for renovation services, share advice on choosing between a bath or shower, or picking kitchen tiles).
Instagram
More visually-oriented than Facebook, Instagram is perfect for businesses in beauty and aesthetics, like:
- Hair salons,
- Beauty salons,
- Makeup artists,
- Nail stylists.
Other industries that can benefit from Instagram include:
- Restaurants,
- Home renovation/carpentry,
- Photography/videography services.
In addition to posts, make the most of video content on Instagram: use Stories and Reels to increase engagement and visibility.
LinkedIn
LinkedIn is a growing social platform for building professional connections and sharing work-related or expert content.
A LinkedIn company page is especially helpful for:
- Small businesses seeking business partners or investors,
- Companies planning to recruit soon,
- Business owners who want to build a personal brand as an industry expert.
Other Platforms
While less common, other social media platforms can still work for your business. For example, if you’re in the beauty industry, consider Pinterest. If your product or service targets teens and young adults, TikTok might be the way to go.
Tip #2 – Post Regularly
This might be the most important social media advice you’ll hear: post regularly! Regardless of whether you’re on Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube, algorithms favor accounts with consistent posting patterns. Accounts with sporadic or long gaps in content will struggle to grow.
Regularly doesn’t mean daily; starting out, one quality post per week is often enough. Just be consistent.
It’s tempting to post a flurry of exciting content in the first week, but what happens when you stop? Your audience may never see those initial posts if you drop off the radar. Staying consistent, even with a weekly or bi-weekly post schedule, establishes a rhythm that keeps followers engaged and builds a reliable audience.
Tip #3 – Add Social Links to Your Website
Though it seems obvious, this is often overlooked! Make sure to place links to your social media profiles anywhere you encourage contact, such as:
- In the website's Header and Footer,
- In the Contact section.
If social media is integral to your business, consider adding a dedicated section on your website to display, for example, your latest three Facebook posts or Instagram photos.
Remember that regular and current social media content is essential. If your website links to a Facebook page with the last post from two years ago, that’s not the best look…
In Summary: Getting started with social media can feel complex, but following these three basic rules will significantly improve your chances of success. Each platform has its unique audience, so focus on posting relevant content and keeping up consistent activity.
If you need help crafting a social media strategy or creating engaging content, HeyGoodGo is here to support you. Start today, and over time, watch your brand grow and attract an engaged client base! Reach out to us to learn more about how we can help you develop your social media presence.