Social Media Marketing Tips for Small Businesses

Let’s be honest: social media can feel like a weird mix of pressure and possibility. One minute you’re posting a product photo you’re proud of, and the next, you’re wondering if you should’ve added a trending sound, started a dance challenge, or somehow turned it into a reel. If you’re running a small business, it’s easy to feel like you should be doing more—but more doesn’t always mean better. 

Here’s the truth: you don’t need to go viral. You just need to show up in a way that feels authentic to your brand and connects with the people who are already looking for you. So, no marketing speak, no fluff. Just practical, personality-driven tips that’ll actually help your social media stand out.

Let’s break it down!

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1. Start With One Platform and Get Really Good at it

You don’t need to be on every platform to win at social media. In fact, being everywhere often means you’re doing a whole lot of nothing.

Instead, ask yourself:

• Where are your people hanging out?
• What platform feels most natural to you?

If you’re a visually-driven brand, Instagram might be your sweet spot. Got a loyal community? Facebook Groups could be gold. Trying to educate or share tips? TikTok or YouTube Shorts might do the trick.

Start with one, build confidence, and then branch out if it makes sense.

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2. Be a Person, Not a Brochure

Here’s the thing: nobody opens Instagram thinking, “I can’t wait to see some sales copy today.” Social media is social. That means your posts should feel like a conversation, not a pitch.

Talk like a human. Show your face. Tell stories. Be honest about what’s going well and what’s messy. That’s what people connect with—and that connection builds trust.

People want to buy from people. So make sure there’s a human behind your handle.

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3. Use Video (Yes, Even If You’re Camera-Shy)

Video is kind of unavoidable now—and for good reason. It builds trust fast. But you don’t need to be a polished influencer to do it right.

Try this:

• Answer a frequently asked question on camera
• Do a quick behind-the-scenes of your process
• Share a win (big or small!) from your day

Don’t overthink production. Your audience wants real, not perfect. Film in good lighting, speak clearly, and keep it short. That’s it.

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4. Create a Content Bank (So You’re Not Scrambling)

You don’t have to reinvent the wheel every week. Build a content bank—aka a folder or doc where you stash post ideas, captions, photos, graphics, reviews, FAQs, and more.

Even better, break your content into easy themes like:

• Behind-the-scenes (your day, your team, your space)
• Customer love (testimonials, user-generated content)
• Tips + education (anything that makes your audience smarter)
• Promos + products (just don’t only post these)

Then schedule some of it out in advance and give yourself the gift of not thinking about it every day.

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5. Respond Like You’d Text a Friend

When someone comments on your post, sends a message, or tags you in a story—respond! It sounds simple, but it’s one of the most overlooked parts of social media.

No one likes shouting into a void. A little reply can go a long way in building community. You don’t need to write an essay—just respond like you’re chatting with a friend.

This also boosts your engagement, which helps your content get seen by more people.

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6. Don’t Stress About the Algorithm—Just Be Consistent

The algorithm isn’t your enemy, but it’s not your BFF either. You can’t control it, but you can control what you post and how often you show up.

Aim for consistency over perfection. Even if you only post twice a week, do it regularly. That helps people know what to expect—and shows the algorithm that you’re active.

Plus, the more you show up, the better you get at figuring out what works.

7. Make Your Bio Actually Useful

That little space at the top of your profile? Yeah, it matters.

Make sure your bio clearly says:

• Who you are
• What you do
• Who you help
• And where people can go to learn more

Add a link that takes people to exactly where you want them to go—whether that’s a product page, appointment scheduler, or email sign-up.

Think of your bio as your digital front door. Make it easy to walk through.

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8. Use Hashtags with Intention (Not Desperation)

Hashtags can help new people discover your content, but stuffing your captions with 30 random tags isn’t the move.

Instead, use a mix of:

• Local tags (if you’re location-based)
• Niche tags your audience actually follows
• A few broader tags for reach

Test and tweak. See what brings in engagement, and drop what doesn’t.

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9. Celebrate the Small Wins

Hit 100 followers? That’s 100 real people who care about what you do.

Got your first comment from someone who isn’t your mom? Screenshot it and do a happy dance.

Social media growth is a long game. Celebrate every step—it makes the process way more enjoyable, and your audience will love being part of it.

10. If You’re Stuck, Ask for Help

Here’s your permission to not do it all alone.

Whether you need someone to help you come up with content ideas, manage your account, or just tell you what’s actually working—there are people (like us!) who geek out over this stuff and are happy to help.

At Crafted InHaus, we work with small businesses that want to get serious about their marketing without selling their soul to the algorithm gods. We keep it real, keep it smart, and always keep it human.
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Ready to Make Social Media Work for You?

Social media doesn’t have to feel like a full-time job you didn’t apply for. With a little strategy and a whole lot of personality, it can become a tool that grows your business—and actually feels fun along the way.

So start small. Stay consistent. Be yourself. And if you need someone in your corner, you know where to find us.

Let’s talk!