Tell me, how many times have you sat down to post on social media, only to get stuck wondering what to say?

That’s what I thought.

By the end of this post, you’ll have a one-stop resource that not only educates but also empowers you to take actionable steps to grow your local business. Each section is packed with tips, insights, and strategies you can implement today.

Social media marketing is a powerful tool for local businesses, but knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. As a strategic partner dedicated to helping local businesses thrive, I’ve curated these 10 insights to make it simpler.

Let’s explore everything you need to know!

Psst… Want to download this guide so you can keep it handy? I created a downloadable PDF so you can do just that.

Download these 10 Things You Need to Know About Social Media Marketing for Local Business now!

Use the links below to jump to each section, or just scroll through the entire post step by step. It’s up to you!

#1 Help with Social Media: Finding Your Confidence

Before we delve into social media marketing for local business, we need to look at ways to get more confident at just showing up.

A common misconception about social media is that some people are naturally talented at it while others are not.

The truth is that this is a learned skill.

So what you need to understand to be successful is that you will get better as you practice. Everyone starts somewhere and it’s worth getting going today!

For example, my client “Cheryl” felt comfortable showing her product online but never showed herself. We eased her into it and a few months later, she opted to guest at a Facebook live event, and we used clips from that to support her Instagram. She has learned how to still her critical voice and show up despite the discomfort. It helped that her community loved seeing her in some of the posts!

Don’t be scared to ask for help and support as needed. You don’t need to be perfect—just start. Here’s how to get comfortable over time:

Step 1: Start Small: Post photos or B-roll videos without showing your face to ease into creating content. Highlight your products, workspace, or processes.
Step 2: Add Voiceovers: Use your voice to explain your products or services while showing visuals of your store. This adds a personal touch without the pressure of being on camera.
Step 3: Go Live: Once you feel confident, experiment with Instagram Stories or live Q&A sessions to engage directly with your audience.

#2 Creative Ways to Promote Your Business on Social Media Authentically

Figuring out creative ways to promote your business on social media can be as straightforward or complicated as you make it.

I’m not saying it’s easy. This is a crucial step that many people struggle with, even after they have spent years doing it. It’s actually pretty common for people to change up how they show up online, shifting their presence and brand slightly as they evolve.

One way to get (and keep!) your momentum going is to focus on authentic marketing. This is about more than just selling; it’s about forming genuine connections. Local businesses thrive when customers feel a personal connection to the owner.

If you’ve been struggling with this one, this post [LINK] will guide you through the process of authentic marketing.

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When learning authentic marketing, consider these guiding principles:

What Are Your Core Values? Reflect on what makes your business unique and how you align with your customers’ values. Let this drive your content.
What Stories Can You Share? Customers love relatable stories about your entrepreneurial journey, milestones, or even challenges you’ve faced.
How Can You Show Up Authentically? Respond to comments and DMs as yourself. Show your human side by sharing behind-the-scenes moments or celebrating small wins.

Why This Matters: Authenticity fosters trust and turns followers into loyal customers who value your integrity.

#3 Using the Client Profile for Brick-and-Mortar Marketing

Feeling like you’re shouting into the void with your social media content? Understanding your Ideal Client Profile will change that. Here’s how to build a profile that works:

Who Are They? Define the demographics (age, location, occupation) of your ideal customer. For example, are they young professionals in your city or families looking for local services?
What Do They Need? Identify the problems or pain points your products solve. For instance, if you run a bakery, your ideal client may value convenient, fresh pastries during their busy mornings.
Where Are They Online? Pinpoint which platforms your customers frequent and create content that matches theierenc

Tailoring your content to your ideal client ensures your message resonates, making them more likely to engage or buy.

So if you’ve been struggling with this one, this post will guide you through the process of creating your ideal client profile from start to finish.

#4 Instagram for Small Business: tools in your business account

Transitioning to an Instagram business profile unlocks new tools that help you grow strategically. It also requires a strategic shift. Let’s break it down:

Personal Account Characteristics: These accounts are great for creative freedom, personal sharing, and connecting with friends.

Business Account Benefits:

Insights: Get data on which posts are performing best.
Scheduling Tools: Plan your posts ahead of time to save time and stay consistent.
Ads Manager: Reach new audiences through targeted campaigns.

What many people get wrong about using social media is thinking that it’s the same whether you’re sharing personal reflections and humor with your besties, or whether you’re representing your business on Instagram..

The truth is that there are some important differences both in terms of the technicalities of your business account, and how you can optimize it so it serves your customers and clients well.

Optimization Tips: To make the most of a business profile, ensure your bio includes your location, hours, and a compelling call-to-action. Use a professional email and consistent branding across your posts.

I cover ways to adjust your strategy using these Instagram business account tools in this post. Give it a read and let me know what you think

#5 Social Media Tips for Small Business: 3 Types of Posts You Need

Chances are that you’ve had the experience of staring at a blank screen, fresh out of ideas for what to post for your small business. Or the opposite: you’ve taken a random photo and put it up just to get something up there!

This isn’t necessarily wrong but you do want to start learning some strategy behind how to get results on your business instagram.

This way you can get more results, and it’s easier to adjust things when you notice that results are waning.

“Jen” came to me with big plans for her business growth.

She was excited and ready to level up, and she knew she would need increased local visibility to make it happen.
“Jen” despised the time it was taking her to be present on social media. It took her away from the business work she excelled at, and at night she found herself stressing about what to post instead of enjoying time with her family.
She resented showing up to create content without knowing whether she was being effective, or how to measure that.
During our first few months together, I helped her set priorities and goals and demystified her ideal social media content.
During our 3rd monthly strategy call recently, “Jen” shared about the growth she’s seeing in her business. She has clarity and is purposeful in the time that she spends on her social media, which is also simplifying her other marketing efforts.
Even while outsourcing, she feels MORE in control of her business and her time than ever. Most importantly, she loves having someone alongside her as she grows her business.

Struggling with what to post? Here are 3 types of social media posts your business needs.

#6 Local Business Marketing Strategies to get foot traffic

Whew! You’re halfway through this guide on using social media in marketing your local business! How are you doing? Full speed ahead or flagging? Grab yourself a mocha to keep you going!

If you’ve been paying attention so far, you may be wondering how to ensure success in marketing to* your local* community.

The answer? Use local visibility strategies!

In a nutshell, here’s what it looks like:

Optimize Your SEO
Engage Locally on Social Media
Claim Your Google Business Profile

These steps are just the tip of it. I have this in-dept blog post on driving foot traffic to your local business. Every brick-and-mortar business has faced the frustrating moment when a new customer says, “I had no idea you were here!” But that can change with effective local strategies.

#7 Marketing to Local Community through online platforms

Do you already optimize multiple online platforms to market your local business online? Don’t worry, there is no shaming here if you haven’t yet!

While websites and social media are usually well-known in online marketing, basing a strategy on various forms of content isn’t discussed as often.

I am no gatekeeper over here at J Hamel Solutions. I love sharing all the ins and outs of social media marketing for your local business! Maximizing your types of content is one of those less obvious parts that many overlook and then miss out on building trust and loyalty with their clients and customers as a result.

In other words, you’re not connecting with your clients and customers through multiple touchpoints and varied platforms.

Here’s how you can think of your types of content and where to use them:

Short-Form Content: Use social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok to build connections and stay top of mind.
Long-Form Content: Blogs, YouTube, and newsletters let you go deeper, establishing authority and driving traffic to your website.
Email Marketing: This high-ROI channel keeps your audience engaged with promotions, updates, and personalized content.

Not ready to ace a pop quiz on maximizing all the content types yet? Not to worry, there’s more info all about it!

Why This Matters: A well-rounded strategy ensures your audience connects with your brand across multiple touchpoints, building trust and loyalty.

#8: Why is Social Media Important for Business? Becca’s Story

Outsourcing requires you to take everything you’ve learned so far about your ideal client, intentional posting, and authentic online engagement and use assistance to create a sustainable, aligned marketing presence that actually works.

Fact is, you can’t create an effective and consistent social media strategy without having the right systems, support, and boundaries in place. Sorry, no shortcuts!

Overwhelmed by all the information about managing social media? Becca’s story shows how outsourcing can make a difference:

The Challenge: Becca struggled to find time for marketing while running her business.
The Solution: By outsourcing, she gained a consistent posting schedule, tailored content, and peace of mind.
The Result: Her engagement grew, and she could focus on other areas of her business.

Why This Matters: Outsourcing lets you reclaim time while ensuring your social media drives results.

Related Post: How Outsourcing Social Media Transformed Becca’s Business and Peace of Mind

#9 Plan Ahead Like A Pro for Local Business Holiday Marketing

Shout out to everyone who’s still reading at this point. We’re just about there! ?

Local business holiday marketing is all about mapping out your seasonal promotions before the rush hits, so you’re showing up intentionally instead of scrambling last-minute. It’s not just about pushing sales; it’s about showing up for your community in ways that are generous, thoughtful, and on-brand.

Why does this matter for your overall social media strategy? Because planning ahead means your content becomes a source of value and connection instead of stress. And when your audience sees you show up consistently during the busiest time of year, it builds trust and keeps your brand top-of-mind when they’re ready to buy.

When you’re prepping your holiday marketing plan, here are some things you need to consider:

What holidays or events make sense for your business?
Choose the dates and moments that align with your values, your audience, and your offerings. Maybe that’s Small Business Saturday, maybe it’s a December open house, not every business needs a Black Friday blitz.
How early do you need to start promoting?
Spoiler: Earlier than you think. You need time to build buzz. Think in terms of weeks, not days. Start dropping hints and building excitement in early November (or even late October).
What kind of content will support your goals?
Don’t just post product photos. Mix in community stories, gift guides, sneak peeks, and behind-the-scenes prep.

For my clients (and me!), learning to plan ahead for holiday marketing was a game-changer. They used to feel overwhelmed by November, trying to “catch up” with what other businesses were posting. But once I created a flexible timeline and prioritized their audience’s rhythms, it all clicked. We could be more intentional, less reactive, and more in tune with the season.

Here’s what that looks like:

#10 Avoid the Common Pitfalls in Social Media Marketing for Your Local Business

Ding, ding, ding! Here we are at Mistakes when using social media marketing for local business — check out the full post here.

This is my favorite topic. I know I say that in every post, but this time it’s because understanding what not to do is often the fastest path to doing things right. So many local business owners are out here spinning their wheels, posting consistently but getting zero traction, and it’s usually because of a few totally fixable missteps.

It’s like finally learning to cook with spices: suddenly, everything you’re doing starts to work. You’re not guessing anymore. You’re seasoning with intention, and your audience? They can taste the difference.

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Do you remember when we talked earlier about building confidence and knowing your ideal client?
You might have read that and thought, “Sure, but I still don’t get results.”
But now I hope you can see how small shifts—like using your values to guide your content, or planning instead of winging it—add up to real visibility.

So many businesses are stuck in a loop of inconsistency, lack of clarity, or over-posting without purpose. That’s not you anymore. Now, you know what to watch out for, and how to fix it if you fall into those traps.

You’ve made it through all 10 elements—that’s a big deal. You’re not just guessing about social media anymore. You’re building a strategy that’s rooted in values, aligned with your community, and set up for long-term impact.

Key Takeaways

I hope this gigantic post about social media marketing for local business has put together the puzzle pieces of why social media is important to your business, marketing to and connecting with your local community, and avoiding common mistakes come together.

Social media marketing doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By following these 10 steps, you’ll develop the confidence, strategies, and tools to connect with your audience and grow your business authentically. Here’s a recap of what you’ve learned:

Start with confidence-building steps and embrace authenticity to show up online as your true self.
Use an Ideal Client Profile to create targeted, impactful content.
Transition to a business account on Instagram to access powerful tools and insights.
Develop a mix of relatable, educational, and sales content to keep your audience engaged.
Plan your holiday promotions and avoid common social media pitfalls for greater success.

By implementing these strategies, you’ll position your business as a trusted and approachable brand in your community.

Let’s Get Started!

Feeling inspired? Now’s the time to put these strategies into action. Download the free guide to keep these tips handy, or reach out to explore tailored support for your social media marketing. Let’s grow your local business together!

J Hamel Solutions

Social Media for Local Business: 10 Things You Need to Know

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