Want to build a loyal fanbase, get more eyeballs on your brand, and turn those social media likes into cold, hard cash?
Then, you’re in the right place, my friend.
At Plann, we know a thing or two about creating engaging and consistent content that resonates with audiences. After all, we’ve made an entire app that helps you do all that and then some.
But to get the most out of your social media posts, you need some ideas to flesh out your brand content calendar.
That’s where this post comes into play.
Below are some of the best social media post ideas to stop users mid-doom scroll and turn those lurkers into happy customers.
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Why is Engagement Important for Small Business Social Media?
Engagement is the foundation of any successful social media strategy, but it’s more than simple likes and shares. It’s about creating meaningful connections with your audience, leveraging the algorithms to increase your visibility, and creating a tight-knit online community ready to buy what you’re selling.
Think about it.
You’re much more likely to buy from a brand you know and trust than someone you’ve never seen before. Posting the right type of social media content with high engagement helps you organically build trust signals and break down barriers to purchase.
How Often Should I Post to Keep My Audience Engaged?
There is no one-size-fits-all “sweet spot.”
It all depends on what you can consistently manage.
Remember, a small business that posts quality content across social media channels 2x per week will have a higher chance of converting its audience than a brand that randomly pops up every other month.
Why?
A brand that consistently posts stays top of mind and builds a recognisable and trustworthy brand.
The other brand only creates problematic questions in the consumer’s mind, such as, “Who is this?” and “Why am I following them?”
How Can I Measure The Success of My Social Media Posts to See Which Ideas Are Working Best?
To understand what resonates with your target audience, track key engagement metrics such as likes, comments, shares, and saves.
Beyond engagement, pay attention to link clicks, profile visits, and conversions to see the direct impact of your social media marketing on your business. Use built-in analytics on each platform or third-party tools like Plann to analyze patterns and performance over time.
By learning how to identify the types of posts that generate the most engagement and sales, you can refine your content strategy and focus on social media post ideas that best support your business goals.
Read More: How Social Media Can Drive Growth and Increase Reach for Small Businesses
Do I Need to Use All Social Media Platforms to See Success as a Small Business?
Nope, you don’t need to be on every social media platform.
Instead, choose social media networks where your target audience is most active. By hanging out in these spaces and creating content for those social media users, you’ll attract the right type of followers and see higher engagement.
Always look at the demographics of each channel and the types of content that perform best to get a better idea if it’s the right fit for your small business.
However, don’t fall into the trap of putting all your eggs in one basket. You want to diversify where you’re growing your audience in case a platform closes down like Vine.
Read More: Getting Started On Social Media For Your Small Business
5 Small Business Social Media Post Ideas
Ready to start growing your online audience? Here are five tried and true strategies for getting more engagement from your social media posts.
1. Share User-Generated Content
Here’s the thing: No one cares if you think your product is great, but people do care what customers have to say.
Reading or hearing about the experiences of others gives us more confidence in our purchasing decisions.
That’s why user-generated content (UGC) is one of the most powerful social media posts for small businesses.
When you feature a customer or client who’s had a great experience with your product or service, you showcase your brand’s value and give your followers that all-important social proof.
Start by encouraging satisfied customers to tag you in their posts or send in their stories. Then, pair their testimonials with a high-quality photo or a quick video clip that brings their words to life.
Here’s an example from Shreddy, a fitness app. The brand constantly spotlights its users to prove that their workout programs get results and the monthly subscription is worth every penny.
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2. Educate Your Audience
Educational content is a fantastic way to deliver value, build trust, and position yourself as the go-to expert in your niche. When you provide actionable tips related to your industry, you’re helping your audience solve problems and make smarter purchasing decisions.
To make these tips easy to digest, break them down into bite-sized pieces that work well as carousel posts or short videos. Eye-catching graphics and infographics are engaging content pieces that help followers understand key points at a glance.
Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Pinterest are great platforms for this type of content, giving you plenty of options to reach a bigger audience.
One small business that does educational content ideas well is Skoon, a small skincare brand from South Africa. The account consistently shares valuable information about major skin care problems, educating its audience on the causes and what type of products will address their concerns.
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3. Share Product Development and Sneak Peeks
Sharing sneak peeks and countdowns for new products or services is the perfect way to build excitement and anticipation.
And those emotions?
They are potent accelerators for engagement!
Giving followers a behind-the-scenes look at what’s coming up makes them feel like insiders and keeps them eagerly awaiting the big reveal.
To make the most of this strategy, add a countdown sticker to your Instagram Stories or post daily updates with hints and teasers. Showcase close-up shots or drop intriguing details that spark curiosity without giving it all away.
One brand that is the master of building anticipation is Tala. The UK active and leisure wear brand slowly teases new products before dropping a complete look at the entire collection and opening up a waitlist.
Why a waitlist?
Those who sign up get early access to shop before anyone else. It drives the feeling of exclusivity and grows their email list at the same time.
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4. Create Day in the Life Video Content
Want to show your audience what makes your brand tick? Day in the life videos are a fun, authentic way to take followers behind the scenes of your small business. Sharing your daily hustle, favorite routines, or even a peek at your workspace on social media helps humanize your brand and creates a personal connection with your audience.
And boy, does it work!
Take a look at Brooki Bakehouse, a viral sensation from Australia. After the bakery’s owner, Brooke Saward, started posting “day in the life” videos on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube Shorts, her engagement and sales went through the roof.
To make these videos engaging, keep them short and sweet, focusing on moments that capture your day’s highlights — from prepping orders to brainstorming new ideas.
P.S. Brooke has some great tips for small business owners as well.
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5. Get Creative and Try Newsjacking
Newsjacking is all about jumping on trending topics or breaking industry news that connects with your brand or industry. By sharing your take on current events, you’re creating relevant content and leveraging the newsworthiness of a topic to increase your brand visibility.
To do this right, pick topics that genuinely tie into your brand’s values or expertise and add your unique perspective. Keep your tone appropriate to the news — lighthearted for fun stories or more thoughtful for serious topics. Instagram, TikTok, Threads, and X are ideal platforms for Newsjacking where timely updates and fresh insights have a big impact.
When done well, Newsjacking can boost engagement, increase your visibility, and position your brand as one of the top industry leaders.
Case in point: Oreo.
During the 2013 Superbowl powercut, the brand immediately tweeted: “Power out? No problem. You can still dunk in the dark.”. The post went viral, receiving 10,000+ retweets, 18,000+ likes, and 5,000+ shares in 60 minutes.
Power out? No problem. pic.twitter.com/dnQ7pOgC
— OREO Cookie (@Oreo) February 4, 2013
Start Planning Your Social Media Posts
With these creative social media content ideas, you’re almost set to boost engagement and grow your business like never before.
All that’s missing?
A content scheduling tool designed to get you results.
Sign up for a free 7-day trial of Plann Plus today and get access to everything you need to create top-performing posts on social media.
By everything, we mean everything. A content calendar, hashtags, AI caption writers, single-click cross-posting, and even a built-in partnership with Canva, so you don’t have to leave Plann to create your visuals.
