Social media can bring in real customers for a local business, but only with a clear plan you can actually keep up. Posting more is rarely the answer. Posting with purpose usually is.
This guide collects our articles on choosing platforms, planning content, building a community and measuring what works, so you can spend your time where it counts.
Getting started
Which platforms, how often and what's realistic.
Best Social Media Platforms for Small Businesses in AustraliaInstagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok or YouTube? A strategic comparison for Australian small businesses covering what each platform is genuinely good at, and how your choice should connect back to your…Read the guideInstagram vs TikTok: Which Platform Is Right for Your Small Business?For small and medium businesses trying to decide where to invest limited time and budget, “should we be on Instagram or TikTok?” is one…Read the guideHow Often Should a Small Business Post on Social Media?"How often should we be posting?" is one of the first questions almost every small business asks when they start taking social media seriously…Read the guideIs Social Media Marketing Actually Worth It? A Realistic ROI Breakdown"Is social media marketing actually worth it?" is a fair question, and most answers you'll find online dodge it - either with vague reassurance…Read the guideWhy Your Social Media Isn’t Working (And How to Fix It)"We post regularly and it's just not working" is one of the most common things we hear from small business owners about social media.…Read the guide
Planning content
Ideas, pillars and a routine that saves time.
How to Plan a Month of Social Media Content in One AfternoonPlan, write and schedule a month of social media posts in one focused afternoon, using content pillars, batching and a simple review at the end of the month.Read the guideBuild a Content System Before You Hire HelpA practical content system and seven-field brief template to set up before you hire a social media manager or agency.Read the guide
Platforms
Getting the most from each one.
How to Set Up an Instagram Profile That Brings In Local CustomersYour Instagram profile is your shopfront on the app. How to set up the name, bio, links, highlights and pinned posts so local customers understand you and get in touch.Read the guideShort-Form Video for Small Businesses: How to Start Without a Film CrewYou don't need a film crew to use short-form video. What to film, how to shoot it on a phone and how to make video a habit without it taking…Read the guideIs LinkedIn Worth It for a Small B2B Business?If your customers are other businesses, LinkedIn may be where your buyers spend their professional time. When it is worth it, what to post and how to use it without…Read the guideLocal Facebook Groups: How to Use Them Without Being SpammyLocal Facebook groups are where many recommendations happen. How to take part helpfully, respond to recommendation requests and decide whether to start your own group.Read the guideHow to Grow a Local Audience on Social Media EffectivelyPosting more often is not a local growth strategy. A practical framework for Australian businesses: defining your local positioning, connecting social to your website and SEO, and using paid promotion…Read the guide
Community and trust
Comments, customer content, creators and giveaways.
Measuring and getting help
Know what's working and when to hand it off.
From DIY to Professional: When to Hand Off Your Social MediaMost businesses start their social media the same way: the owner does it themselves, in whatever gaps appear in the day. That's a completely…Read the guideFull-Time Hire, Freelancer, or Agency? Comparing Your Social Media OptionsOnce a business outgrows the owner squeezing in social media between everything else, there are really only three paths forward: hire someone in-house, bring…Read the guideHow to Choose the Right Social Media Marketing AgencyA practical framework for evaluating social media marketing agencies, including the red flags to watch for and the exact questions worth asking before you sign anything.Read the guide
More guides on this topic are on the way. They are added here as soon as they are published.