7 effective ways to promote your small business on social media

Did you know that 90% of consumers say they’re more likely to buy from a brand they follow on social media? This highlights how important a strong social media presence is for small businesses.

Social media is a powerful tool to connect with customers and drive growth, but success requires more than just setting up a few accounts and hoping for the best. To see real results, you need a well-planned strategy beyond random posts. 

In this guide, we’ll walk you through effective tips to promote your small business on social media with ease and confidence.

1. Creating content that connects with your target audience 

The heart of every successful social media strategy is understanding your audience. Over 60% of Instagram users are between 18-34, making it ideal for targeting younger consumers. Meanwhile, 40% of LinkedIn users are in decision-making positions, making it the go-to platform for B2B marketing.

You can only create relevant content by knowing who you're speaking to. Content is king, but it’s only effective if it resonates with your audience. Think of your social media posts as a conversation, not just a sales pitch. 

Make your content visually appealing with high-quality images, videos, and infographics, but also ensure variety—mix promotional content with behind-the-scenes updates, tips, and community stories.

A local café could share posts about its coffee-making process, introduce baristas, or showcase customer testimonials. This helps humanize the brand and makes it more relatable to followers.

SMB tips: Use trending and local hashtags, like #SupportLocal or geotags, to reach potential customers searching for businesses in their area. Hashtags like these can boost your visibility, especially for local SMBs.

2. Finding the best time to post on social media

Timing is everything when it comes to social media. Posting great content at the wrong time can result in it being overlooked. Each platform has its peak engagement hours—Instagram tends to perform best during lunch hours and evenings, while LinkedIn thrives on weekday mornings.

A study shows that Instagram posts published between 11 AM and 2 PM on weekdays generally see higher engagement, as this aligns with users' lunch breaks and free time during the workday. However, it’s always smart to experiment with different times and track what works best for your audience.

SMB Tips: Create a content calendar to plan your posts in advance, ensuring you stay consistent and post when your audience is most active. Posting 3 to 4 times a week is usually ideal for small businesses on platforms like Instagram and Facebook.

3. Engaging with your fans to earn trust

Social media isn’t just about broadcasting your message; it’s about building a community. Genuine engagement is crucial to earning trust. Respond promptly to comments, messages, and reviews—this shows you value your followers’ input and are approachable.

A local retail shop could host a Q&A session on Instagram, allowing followers to ask questions about upcoming products or in-store events. Engaging directly with fans encourages more interaction and builds loyalty. 

SMB Tips: rankingCoach’s Automated Replies to Reviews allows you to efficiently manage reviews with consistent, personalized responses, saving you time while maintaining strong engagement with your audience.

Save time and reply faster with AI now

4. Collaborating with influencers and local partners

Collaborations with influencers and local businesses are a powerful way to expand your reach without a hefty marketing budget. Micro-influencers, who typically have between 1,000 to 100,000 followers, are particularly effective for small businesses. Their followers tend to trust their recommendations more than those of bigger influencers. 

Likewise, teaming up with local businesses for events or cross-promotions allows you to tap into each other’s customer base, creating a win-win situation that strengthens community ties and boosts visibility.

5. Boosting visibility with paid Social Media ads

While organic growth is important, paid social media ads can give your business an extra boost. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram offer highly targeted advertising options based on demographics, interests, and behaviors, allowing you to focus your budget where it counts. This ensures your ads are seen by the right people, driving more relevant traffic to your website or physical location.

SMB tips: Use lookalike audiences to find new potential customers who share similarities with your current customer base. With rankingCoach's AI-powered Social Media features, you can create smart ads faster and track performance in real-time to maximize your return on investments.

6. Showcasing reviews and user-generated content

Customers trust recommendations from others more than any paid advertisement, which is why showcasing reviews and user-generated content (UGC) can significantly boost your credibility. Positive reviews act as endorsements, and sharing user-generated content—such as customer photos or testimonials—builds a stronger connection with your community.

92% of consumers trust recommendations from friends and family over any form of advertising. Remember to encourage your happy customers to share their experiences and leave reviews.

SMB Tips: rankingCoach helps you stay on top of reviews with real-time alerts, so you can respond quickly and professionally, ensuring you never miss a chance to enhance your reputation.

7. Building a strong and sustainable Social Media Presence with rankingCoach 

Managing social media doesn't have to be overwhelming. rankingCoach simplifies social media marketing with powerful AI features:

• Advanced insights: rankingCoach helps you optimize your online presence by suggesting keywords, analyzing competitors, and generating fresh content ideas.
• Social media management: Easily manage multiple accounts from one dashboard, create and schedule posts, and monitor engagement, all in one place.
• AI social media ads: Launch Facebook and Instagram ads in minutes. 
• AI automated replies: rankingCoach offers real-time alerts and an AI assistant to help you respond to customer feedback quickly and professionally.
• Performance tracking: Track your social media performance and adjust strategies in real-time to maximize results.

Success on social media isn’t just about increasing followers—it’s about building relationships, creating valuable content, and making your brand a trusted part of your community. With rankingCoach by your side, you can navigate the complexities of social media marketing with confidence, ensuring your small business succeeds online.

Start now with rankingCoach 360