10 Essential Social Media Tips Every Business Owner Should Know
For most small business owners, social media often feels like a full-time job. It’s easy to get caught up in the hype of “likes” and “follows” without really understanding how these platforms can help you connect with the people who genuinely want what you offer.
That’s why I’ve pulled together these 10 practical, essential social media tips that can actually make a difference.
These aren’t the usual “post daily” recommendations; they’re tips that cut through the noise, helping you focus on quality over quantity, and make social media work for your business without draining your time.
Each tip is designed to help you avoid common mistakes and build a social media strategy that feels achievable… even if you’re managing it all yourself.
1. Frequency Isn’t Everything
Consistency is crucial, but posting daily isn’t the golden rule. Posting for the sake of it can backfire, making followers lose interest if there’s no value behind your content. Think quality over quantity—give your followers something they’ll want to engage with rather than just filling a daily quota.
2. The Algorithm is Always Watching
Every interaction—likes, comments, shares—feeds the algorithm, but it’s more nuanced than that. Social media platforms track how long people spend on your posts, how many engage, and the type of content they interact with. To work with the algorithm, prioritise content formats that hold attention, like carousels and videos, and aim to get viewers to stick around.
3. You Don’t Have to Be on Every Platform
Spreading yourself thin across every social platform usually leads to burnout. Instead, focus on where your ideal clients spend their time and where your strengths lie—Instagram for visual storytelling, LinkedIn for B2B connections, and so on. Mastering a few platforms is far more effective than dabbling in all.
4. Content Repurposing Saves Time and Boosts Reach
One of the best ways to maximise your time is through content repurposing. A blog post can be turned into an infographic, broken into social media posts, or recorded as a short video. This approach stretches your reach and saves time by using the same content in multiple ways.
5. Engagement Matters More Than Follower Count
A huge follower count is impressive, but genuine engagement is what drives real business results. A smaller, active audience that likes, shares, and comments is far more valuable than thousands of silent followers. Look for ways to spark conversation and interaction—those are the people who might eventually become clients.
6. Social Media Search is Gaining Traction
People are increasingly using social media as a search tool, so it pays to include relevant keywords in your captions and profile description. Avoid stuffing them in unnaturally; focus on clarity, and ensure that anyone searching for your industry can easily find you.
7. Calls to Action Don’t Always Mean ‘Buy'
Calls to action (CTAs) don’t have to be all about sales. Encouraging followers to comment, share, or save can help build brand loyalty and improve engagement. Try mixing up your CTAs. Ask for opinions, invite questions, or suggest tagging a friend who’d find your post helpful. It’s a subtle way to encourage interaction without coming across as too salesy.
8. Be Strategic with Hashtags and Location Tags
Instead of overloading your posts with hashtags, focus on ones that are highly relevant to your niche or location. The goal is to attract people who are genuinely interested, not just anyone who comes across your content. It’s quality over quantity, even with hashtags.
9. Professional Imagery Isn’t Always Necessary
On social media, authenticity often outshines polish. Behind-the-scenes photos, user-generated content, and everyday moments can perform better than professionally shot images. So, don’t feel like every post has to look like a photoshoot. Real-life shots can create a stronger connection with your audience.
10. Be Aware of Copyrighted Music and Images
Copyright issues are easy to overlook but can lead to fines and content takedowns. Stick to royalty-free music and images you have permission to use. When in doubt, use the resources available on the platform to keep your content copyright-compliant.
Ready to Make Social Media Work for You?
Each of these essential social media tips is designed to make social media simpler, more effective, and less time-consuming. By focusing on quality, engagement, and consistency, you can build a social media presence that feels authentic and sustainable without needing to be online 24/7.
Want to see these tips in action?
At Starfish Marketing, I help businesses just like yours build a social media presence that connects with the right people, without the extra stress. Let’s have a chat about how we can make your marketing work smarter for you.
If you're reading this coming into the festive season, get your free copy of 12 festive social media ideas here. It's more than 12 social posts – it's ideas to help you generate multiple social posts that you can tailor for your business.
