Small businesses with no dedicated marketing team often share the same marketing problem. We’ve got some quick fixes for you
Managing social media for a small business can feel overwhelming, especially when there’s no dedicated marketing team and limited time.
For many small business owners, social media sits at the bottom of a long to-do list. You know you need to be visible online, but finding the time, inspiration, or know-how is a constant struggle. You’re not alone.
Many SMEs face the same frustrations: creating content from scratch, keeping up with ever-changing platforms, and trying to measure what’s working. This blog unpacks seven common social media problems and gives practical, achievable solutions with tools and ideas you can implement today.
1. Lack of strategy
Problem: Many SMEs post content without a clear purpose or plan. This results in scattered messages that don’t build brand awareness or lead to growth.
Quick fix: Set simple monthly goals (like “increase website clicks” or “build brand awareness”) and plan content themes around those goals. Use free tools like Trello or Google Sheets to map out weekly topics. Canva’s Content Calendar or Notion templates can also help you stay organised.
2. Inconsistent posting
Problem: You post five times in one week, then nothing for a month. This inconsistency hurts engagement and visibility.
Quick fix: Schedule your posts in advance to maintain a steady presence. Use scheduling platforms like Buffer, Hootsuite, or Meta Business Suite. You can block out one morning a month to plan and queue up content for weeks at a time, saving time and stress.
3. Not knowing what to post
Problem: It’s hard to come up with new ideas, especially when you feel like you’ve said it all before.
Quick fix: Create a rotating list of post types: behind-the-scenes, product highlights, testimonials, tips or FAQs, team introductions, or user-generated content. Tools like AnswerThePublic or ChatGPT can help generate topic ideas based on what people are searching for. You can also repurpose content. Turn a blog post into a short video or extract quotes to make graphics.
4. Low engagement
Problem: You’re posting regularly, but few people are liking, commenting, or sharing.
Quick fix: Social media is meant to be social. Ask questions in your captions, use polls and quizzes (especially on Instagram Stories or LinkedIn), and actively reply to every comment or DM. Tools like Later or SocialBee can help you test post times and formats to optimise engagement. Use emojis and informal language to make posts feel more human.
5. Over-reliance on one platform
Problem: You’re putting all your time into one platform but your audience may be more active elsewhere.
Quick fix: Use your website analytics or built-in social insights to see where your traffic comes from. Ask customers how they found you. Based on that, focus on two or three platforms that fit your audience best. For example, B2B businesses might find better traction on LinkedIn than TikTok.
6. Lack of time
Problem: Social media is the first thing to get dropped when business gets busy.
Quick fix: Treat social media like any other recurring business task. Block out a regular slot in your week (even 30 minutes) for content planning. Use batching techniques: write a week’s worth of posts in one go, then schedule them. Tools like Loomly or Planoly make this easy, and AI assistants can even help you write drafts.
7. No way to measure success
Problem: You’re not sure if your efforts are paying off, so it’s hard to justify the time spent.
Quick fix: Define simple Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): follower growth, engagement rate, website clicks, or enquiries. Use free analytics tools built into platforms (like Instagram Insights or LinkedIn Analytics) to track progress. For deeper analysis, tools like Metricool or Sprout Social offer more detailed reports.
Social media doesn’t have to be a time-draining mystery. With a little planning, some smart tools, and a consistent rhythm, even the busiest small business can build an effective, engaging online presence.
