How To USE Social Media TO Boost Your SALES (Without IT Driving You Mad!)

If you run a small business, chances are you’ve already been told a million times how important social media is. And yes, social media can be a powerful tool to help your business grow, attract new customers, and showcase what you do. But it can also feel a bit overwhelming, can’t it? Between creating content, posting regularly, and engaging with followers, it’s easy to feel like you’re chasing your tail.

Let’s break it down, shall we? Here’s how you can use social media to boost your small business without losing your mind in the process. And if all this seems like too much, or you need a little help, then give us a call. We can completely manage your social media accounts, or if you just need a little guidance we can arrange a coffee and a consultation and/or create an action plan for you to work with. After all, it can be daunting, but social media is not rocket science…

1. Be Authentic – You’re a Human, Not a Corporation

One of the biggest advantages small businesses have on social media is their ability to be ‘real’. Big companies often come across as polished and impersonal, but small businesses? That’s where you can shine by showing your personality.

People love to see the face behind the brand. Whether it’s sharing a quick selfie from your shop, a video showing how you make your products, or just a chatty post about what’s going on in your day-to-day, let your followers get to know the person (or team) behind the business. This builds trust and creates a connection that the big boys can’t always manage. HOWEVER…there is a limit to how much of your own personality that your followers want to see. Avoid veering away from the goals of your business social accounts with too much personal content, and definitely never post after a couple of glasses of wine on a Friday night (for obvious reasons). How does the saying go? ‘There is many a slip, twixt cup and lip (and Instagram)….’.

2. Consistency Over Perfection

Perfection isn’t always critical here, and every post doesn’t require professional photoshoots or slick graphics (although if budget allows, these are very helpful!). What matters more than having a perfectly curated feed is showing up regularly.

Whether you choose to post daily, a few times a week, or just a couple of updates here and there, the key is consistency. Consistent posting keeps your brand fresh in people’s minds, and it signals to social media algorithms (the gatekeepers of visibility) that your account is active and relevant.

Pro tip: If you're short on time, you can batch-create posts and schedule them ahead of time using specially designed online tools. That way, you can focus on running your business without worrying about what to post every day.

3. Engage – Don’t Just Broadcast

Social media isn’t just a one-way street. It’s not enough to post and then disappear. Make sure you’re also taking time to engage with your followers. Reply to comments, answer messages, and show some love to your customers by liking their posts or giving them a shout-out.

Building a community around your brand is one of the most effective ways to grow your business. It’s also a great way to get valuable feedback from the people who actually buy your products or services. This can be one of the more challenging aspects of running your own social media business account, as it requires regular monitoring of social channels and, if required, appropriate responses being posted, sometimes out of usual business hours. Again, responses must be professional, curteous and ‘on-brand’ for your particular business, when dealing with all types of followers.

4. MAKE THE MOST OF User-Generated Content (UGC)

If your customers are posting about your products, don’t be afraid to share it. User-generated content (UGC) is one of the easiest ways to build trust and authenticity. When potential customers see real people enjoying your product, it’s a huge confidence boost for your brand.

Encourage customers to tag your business or use a specific hashtag when they post about your products. Then, share their photos or reviews on your social media channels (with their permission, of course). Not only does this create great content for you, but it also makes your customers feel appreciated and part of your business journey. Another word of warning here (sorry!)…you should ensure that anyone whose content you share is aligned with your brand and your target followers as much as possible…avoid being associated with any users with extreme views that could be problematic and ultimately harmful to the brand that you have worked so hard to lovingly build up.

5. Focus on the Platforms That Work for You

You don’t need to be everywhere at once. Seriously. Pick one or two platforms that best suit your business, and focus your efforts there.

If you’re a visual brand, Instagram might be your best bet. If you’ve got lots to say and want to share your expertise, maybe Facebook or even LinkedIn is more your speed. And if you’re feeling brave, TikTok can work wonders for brands that have a playful or creative side.

The key is to put your energy into the platforms where your customers actually hang out. Don’t waste time trying to be everywhere and do everything (all at once…) - it’s not sustainable, and you’ll burn out faster than you can say “hashtag small business life”. It requires a little discipline to manage social media channels succesfully, but once on top of it the rewards can be huge. This is the shop window for most businesses these days, so fine tune the channels that you really need to, and maybe leave the others alone for now.

6. Keep an Eye on What’s Working

Lastly, remember to take a step back every now and then to see what’s working. Most social media platforms have built-in analytics that can show you what types of posts get the most engagement, what times your audience is most active, and how your follower numbers are growing.

Use this data to fine-tune your strategy. If your followers love behind-the-scenes posts, do more of that. If your product shots are getting lots of attention, keep them coming. The more you understand what resonates with your audience, the easier it will be to create content that actually works.

Social media doesn’t have to be a stressful, time-consuming task for your small business. By being authentic, engaging with your audience, and focusing your energy on the platforms that work best for you, it can become a powerful tool to connect with customers and grow your brand. And remember, it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Start small, stay consistent, and most importantly, have fun with it!

Aplomb Creative Marketing are experts in social media for businesses of all sizes, and specialise in Facebook Advertising (Meta), so for help with your social media, digital marketing and SEO, give us a call for a friendly chat. Let’s launch your business up to where it deserves to be…