Brandidly Blog
Why Posting Sales Isn’t Enough: The New Small Business Social Media Playbook
Managing your small business social media pages isn’t easy. How do you know when to post? what do you post?
Many business owners we work with at Brandidly Communications often have the instinct to focus on posting sales and promotions on social media. It makes perfect sense—after all, in most traditional advertising mediums, you buy space, give your best pitch, and aim for immediate sales.
However, small business social media requires a different, more sustainable approach to truly thrive and by posting only your sales and promotions you may actually be HURTING your brand.
How does that make sense for my small business social media?
Think of small business social media like fishing. Sure, you can go out each day and try to catch individual fish (customers) from a massive lake. Sometimes you’ll catch a few, but on other days, you might come home empty-handed. Now, imagine if instead, you built your own pond, stocked it full of fish, cared for them, and knew that when you were ready, you could easily catch what you needed without worry. That pond is your online community—filled with engaged followers who already love your brand and are primed to buy when the time is right.
Research shows that 71% of consumers who have a positive experience with a brand on social media are likely to recommend it to others (Lyfe Marketing). Moreover, businesses that engage consistently on social media see a 20-30% increase in customer retention rates (HubSpot). That’s the power of small business social media—it’s not just about immediate sales but developing a loyal audience. By sharing relatable stories, showcasing your expertise, and featuring your team, you create a warm, inviting space where customers feel connected to your brand. Picture your audience basking in the glow of your helpful content, travel tips, staff stories, and moments that highlight the heart of your business.
Okay, so what should we post?
A well-rounded small business social media strategy includes a mix of content types to engage and inform your audience. These can include:
- Educational Posts: Share tips, how-tos, and industry insights that help your audience solve problems or learn new skills.
- Behind-the-Scenes Content: Give followers a glimpse into your day-to-day operations, team culture, and values.
- Customer Testimonials and Success Stories: Highlight positive experiences from happy customers to build trust.
- Interactive Posts: Polls, quizzes, and Q&A sessions encourage participation and boost engagement.
- Inspirational and Motivational Content: Share quotes, milestones, and stories that align with your brand’s mission and inspire your audience.
- Promotional Content: Use sparingly to announce sales, product launches, and special offers while directing followers to your website.
Instead of constantly posting promotions, try a balanced strategy. Post sales and special offers on your website blog—this boosts SEO and website traffic—and use your social media channels to occasionally remind your audience to check those out. This approach keeps your feed engaging and relationship-focused while still driving sales when needed.
Ready to transform your small business social media strategy? Let Brandidly Communications help you build a thriving online community that turns followers into loyal customers.