Mastering Social Media: Best Practices for Small Business Growth

As a small business owner, we know you've got a lot on your plate. Managing the day-to-day operations, strategising for growth, and that never-ending quest for success in the world of social media. It's a jungle out there, but fear not – we've got your back.

At Busy Made Simple, we hold regular team upskilling sessions to allow us to share our expertise and make sure our clients are getting the best of what we have to offer in every area of their business. Recently, we dove into some of the best practices for small businesses looking to make a big impact on social media.

Set Clear Expectations for Success

First things first – if you're delving into the social media realm, it's important to spend some time getting crystal clear (and honest!) about your expectations. Everyone wants more followers, more engagement, and ultimately, more sales. But here's the catch: You need to be honest with yourself (and your Virtual Assistant!) about what it is exactly that you are chasing.

Are you aiming for brand awareness, or are you gunning for sales? Having a precise goal in mind is a critical stop on your roadmap to social media success. But don’t forget that it’s ok to detour - as your business grows and you continue to gain a better understanding of your audience, you may find that your goals for social media will change, tool.

The Power of Paid Advertising

Paid advertising might seem like a daunting step, but we’ve found it to be worth exploring for some of our clients. Platforms like Instagram and Facebook allow you to target your audience with surgical precision. You can define demographics, interests, and even drill down to specific suburbs. 

Before you start, make sure that your accounts are ready for increased traffic. We recommend that you do an audit of your current account before you invest in paid ads. Look at things like your bio, links and of course, your content, then make an honest assessment about where you can make improvements to entice and build trust with your target audience.

Variety is the Spice of Social Media Life

While regular, quality content is crucial on social media, don’t be afraid to mix things up! Variety will help you to maintain balance in your feed. Aim for different post styles: educational, entertaining, inspirational, and sales-oriented. You want your followers to feel as though they are gaining value from your content. Avoid selling to them 24/7 as they will quickly get tired of this content and you’re more likely to see your followers count drop.

Don't forget about Reels, as they tend to attract 22% more engagement than regular posts. We’ll be covering these in more depth next month, including tactics to help you create video content as someone who identifies as an introvert, while saving you time and helping you avoid creative fatigue. You can sign up to our newsletter to stay informed and get access to our latest insights when they’re available.

Relatable Content and Networking

Find content that your audience can relate to and interact with. Simply put: the more they like it, the more it appears on their feed!

Look for opportunities for cross promotion, such as tagging other relevant brands or business owners in your posts, as this can be a game-changer. You never know who might share or engage with it, and it's a great way to broaden your reach.

Once you understand your target market, it’s time to think outside the box. Spend time determining where your audience is hanging out online, then join them! For example, doing a bit of research and following other accounts that are related to your industry can help to kickstart your follower growth as you may attract the attention of their audience members who are aligned with your offering.

Joining Facebook Groups

While they can be great for community building and promotion, quality over quantity is the name of the game when it comes to Facebook groups. Find groups that resonate with your audience, and slowly become a part of the community.

Be sure not to be too salesy; instead, focus on adding value and engaging in meaningful conversations.

Keep Learning

Social media is ever-evolving. What works today might not work tomorrow. So, keep learning and adapting. Don’t be shy to check out what your competitors are doing, explore new trends, and stay up-to-date with industry best practices.

We hope these tips help you navigate the world of social media for your small business. Remember, it's a journey of constant learning and adaptation, but with the right strategies, you'll be well on your way to online success.

If you feel like you could use some extra support to stay on top of the world of social media, or other parts of your business, we’re only a call away. 

We offer flexible support at all levels of growth, so you can focus on your passion and impact in the world and leave the heavy lifting to us!