Social media changes fast, and plenty of the advice that worked a few years ago doesn't any more. Some old favourites, like using 30 hashtags or asking for retweets, can even hold you back now.
These are 40 social media tips that still work for small businesses, grouped into planning, content, engagement and growth. Pick a few, get them into a routine, then come back for more.
If you only do three things
Post consistently, at least three times a week. Show real people and real work rather than stock photos. Reply to every comment and message quickly.
Those three habits will do more for your business than any trick or hack.
10 tips for planning your social media
A little planning saves hours every week.
Pick two platforms
Do two platforms well rather than five badly. Go where your customers already are.
Set one goal
More enquiries, bookings or sales. Every post should support it.
Batch your content
Write and design a week or a month of posts in one sitting.
Schedule ahead
Use a scheduling tool so posts go out even when you're busy. See our guide to scheduling.
Use a content calendar
Plan around awareness days, seasons and your own busy periods with our social media calendar.
Mix your content
Use a mix of helpful, behind the scenes, social proof and promotional posts.
Plan for quiet weeks
Keep a bank of evergreen posts for when things get busy.
Repurpose
Turn one blog post into five social posts, a carousel and a short video.
Check your bio
Make sure every profile says what you do, where and how to contact you.
Keep it consistent
The same name, logo and tone on every channel.
10 tips for better content
What you post matters more than how often.
Use real photos
Your team, your work and your customers beat stock photos every time.
Lead with video
Short vertical videos get the most reach on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.
Hook in the first line
The first sentence decides whether people keep reading.
Keep it simple
One idea per post. If it needs a long explanation, make it a carousel.
Show behind the scenes
People buy from people. Show how things are made and who makes them.
Share customer stories
Reviews, testimonials and before and afters, with permission.
Be helpful
Answer the questions customers ask you every week.
Add captions to videos
Most people watch with the sound off.
Use carousels
Step-by-step tips and before and afters work brilliantly as carousels.
Use three to five hashtags
Instagram now allows a maximum of five, so choose relevant ones.
10 tips for getting more engagement
The algorithms reward conversations, not just likes.
Reply to every comment
Quickly and personally. It shows you care and boosts your reach.
Answer messages fast
People expect a reply within a few hours.
Ask questions
Simple questions and polls get people talking.
Respond to complaints well
Calm, helpful and public, then move it private. Here's how to respond to negative comments.
Comment on other accounts
Join conversations with local businesses, suppliers and customers.
Tag people and businesses
Tag suppliers, venues and partners so they share your posts.
Run fair competitions
Comment to enter, never tag or share to enter on Facebook. See our competition guide.
Go live occasionally
Live Q&As and behind the scenes get priority in the feed.
Use Stories daily
Quick, informal updates keep you top of mind.
Thank people
Thank customers, reviewers and anyone who shares your posts.
10 tips for growing your business
Turn followers into customers.
Make contact easy
Phone, booking link and location should be one tap away.
Use a little ad budget
A small boost on your best posts reaches the right local people.
Check your insights
See what worked last month and do more of it.
Protect your accounts
Two-factor authentication and at least two admins. Here's what to do if you are hacked.
Don't buy followers
Fake followers kill your reach and your credibility.
Collaborate
Team up with businesses your customers also use.
Be patient
Social media builds trust over months, not days.
Get help when you need it
If you can't keep it up, hand it over rather than letting it go quiet.
Social media dos and don'ts
Do
- Post consistently, at least three times a week
- Show real people and real work
- Reply quickly to every comment and message
- Keep your profiles up to date
- Follow each platform's rules on competitions and promotions
- Measure what works and do more of it
Don't
- Buy followers or likes
- Use stock photos for everything
- Post the same thing on every platform without adapting it
- Ignore negative comments
- Offer rewards for reviews, which UK law now bans
- Disappear for weeks at a time
Rather hand it over?
We plan, write, design and schedule your social media every month, in your voice, and you approve everything before it goes out.
See our platforms and plans from £99 a month.
Social media tips FAQs
What is the most important social media tip for small businesses?
Be consistent. Posting three good posts a week, every week, does more than bursts of daily posting followed by weeks of silence.
How often should a small business post on social media?
Three to five times a week on your main platform is plenty for most small businesses. Quality and consistency matter more than volume.
Which social media platform is best for a small business?
It depends on your customers. Facebook suits local businesses, Instagram suits anything visual, LinkedIn suits B2B and professional services, and TikTok suits brands with younger audiences. Most businesses do best focusing on two.
How many hashtags should I use?
Three to five relevant hashtags on Instagram, which now allows a maximum of five, and one or two on X and LinkedIn. Our hashtag guide has more.
Should I outsource my social media?
If you don't have time to post consistently, yes. A good agency plans, writes and schedules everything while you approve it. Our social media management starts from £99 a month.
