What to post when you're starting out on social media

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‘What the hell do I even post?’

As a small business owner, I know how hard it can be to keep going.

Even harder is perhaps starting out.

Where do you even start?

There’s a fear of posting the wrong thing.

What will people think of me?

What if I make a mistake?

What if I fail before I even get started?

I’ve started (and failed) many online businesses over the last 20 years.

But in doing so, I’ve come to settle on a few content pillars that I’d put in place right away when I get going with a new project.

Out of all the projects I’ve started over the years, two have ‘clicked’, providing me with a six-figure business and a five-figure hustle.

If I was starting out with my small business online right now, here are a few things I’d be making sure I posted to my socials from Day One:

#1 Build your business story

People love a story and one that centres around your business will always go down well. It also serves to build trust; people become invested in what you’re doing, especially if it aligns with their views and way of life. How did you start? What was your initial vision? What values do you adhere to? What challenges did you face when you started out? Exploring these kinds of aspects gets your audience familiar with who you are and what you do.

#2 Showcase your products or services

Highlight your products or services in an engaging way. Share high-quality photos or videos that showcase their features and especially benefits. You can use tools like Canva (free and paid) or Adobe Express but I also use PlaceIt a lot to create mockups of some of the products I sell online.

#3 Share your expertise

Position yourself as an expert in your industry by sharing helpful tips, advice, and insights – for free at first. This builds your credibility and demonstrates the value you can provide to your customers. The more you build your credibility, the more people will start opening their wallets for you later on down the line.

#4 Give a behind-the-scenes look

Give your followers a glimpse into the day-to-day operations of your business. This humanises your brand and helps customers feel more connected to you. This connection is important. People are less likely to buy from you if they don’t feel connected to you.

#5 Engage with your audience

Respond to comments, ask questions, and encourage your followers to interact with your content. This fosters a sense of community and shows that you value your customers. Make them feel special – they’ll value you for it.

#6 Celebrate milestones and achievements

Share updates about exciting developments in your business, such as new product launches, awards, or partnerships. This helps build momentum and excitement around your brand. Growing in public shows your authenticity and also your vulnerability.

#7 Work with others in your niche

Work with complementary businesses or industry influencers to create co-branded content or host joint promotions. This can help you tap into new audiences and expand your reach.

The key to effective social media marketing for small businesses, whatever your industry, is to be authentic, consistent, and provide value to your audience. Focus consistently on these content ideas and you'll be well on your way to building a strong online presence and driving growth for your business.

It won’t happen overnight. The key thing to keep in mind is the compound effect - a little every day will soon start to take effect. You will need patience.

But you can do it!

In this week’s paid newsletter this Sunday, you’ll receive these downloads:

1. An 8-page, in-depth guide to building your brand on social media - a deep dive into creating a brand on social media from Day One. Perfect if you are starting out or need a reset.

2. Building Trust Through Brand Storytelling - 5 social media templates to grow your brand grow.

3. 30 social media prompts for your small businesses - a month’s worth of social media post ideas, designed to boost your engagement levels.

You can upgrade here ahead of the weekend to ensure you get your bundle on the weekend.

Enjoy the rest of your week.

Patric

Ps. I’ve recently launched my Pro version of my newsletter.

Every Sunday, I’ll send you deep dive guides, templates, and social media prompts for the week ahead.

All designed to help you grow your local business with social media.

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