Let’s be real: running a small business is already a juggling act. Between managing inventory, handling customer service, filing taxes (ugh), and trying to have a life, the last thing you want to stress about is what to post on Instagram at 9:37 AM on a Tuesday. But here we are. Social media has become an essential part of doing business—like having a phone number or, you know, a front door.
At Evolve Digital Media Consultation (my agency), we work with small business owners every day who are trying to make sense of this digital marketing circus. And if there’s one thing we’ve learned? You’re not alone. Most small businesses face the same social media headaches. The good news? They’re fixable. Here are the most common pain points we see—and how to ease them without losing your sanity.
1. “I don’t have the budget for a full-time social media manager!”
Yep. We hear this all the time. Hiring a social media team is pricey. Between strategy, content creation, community management, and analytics, it can feel like you need a whole department.
Fix it: Start small and smart. You don’t need an entire team—you need a plan. Use free or low-cost tools like Canva for graphics, Later or Buffer for scheduling, and Google Docs (yes, really) for mapping out content. Or better yet, work with a freelance social media strategist just to help build a content calendar you can manage yourself. (Psst—we do this at Evolve Digital Media Consultation.)
Remember: consistency is more important than quantity. Three solid posts a week are better than a flurry of 20 followed by radio silence for a month.
2. “What the heck do I even post?”
You’re not a content creator. You’re a bakery owner, or a boutique fitness coach, or a dog groomer. And thinking of fresh, engaging content every day? That can feel impossible.
Fix it: Think like your customer. What questions do they ask you all the time? What do they wish they knew before working with you? That’s your content goldmine.
For example, if you run a skincare studio, share a quick reel on the top 3 mistakes people make with their routines. If you own a bookstore, show a behind-the-scenes of how you choose which titles to carry. If you’re a dog trainer, film a quick tip on stopping leash pulling. Content doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be helpful or relatable.
Still stuck? Create categories: behind-the-scenes, testimonials, tips, product highlights, FAQs. Rotate through them each week.
3. “No one’s seeing my posts.”
You poured your heart into that post about your new product line and… crickets. We get it. Algorithms are fickle beasts.
Fix it: Engagement is a two-way street. If you want more people to see your stuff, show up in the comments of your followers. Respond to DMs. Like and comment on posts from other local businesses. It builds goodwill and helps you get seen.
Also, video content is king right now (sorry, we don’t make the rules). Even short, casual videos tend to get way more reach than static posts. Start experimenting with reels, stories, or even TikToks if you’re feeling brave. And yes, you can film them with your phone. Authenticity > polish.
4. “I don’t have time for this.”
This is the ultimate catch-22: social media takes time, but you need social media to grow… so you can have more time.
Fix it: Batch your content. Set aside 2 hours every week to plan and schedule everything. One afternoon a month, grab a friend or team member and shoot a bunch of photos or videos you can repurpose. Turn blog posts into bite-sized captions. Reuse testimonials as quotes. The key is to build a library so you’re not scrambling every day.
Better yet, outsource the parts you dread most. Maybe you love chatting with followers but hate writing captions. Or you’re great at design but struggle with strategy. Whatever it is, there’s someone (hi!) who can take it off your plate.
TL;DR: You don’t have to do it all. You just need to do it with intention.
At Evolve Digital Media Consultancy, we believe social media shouldn’t be a stressor—it should be a tool that works for you. Whether you need a strategy session, content templates, or someone to take the wheel completely, we’re here to help you stop spinning and start growing.
Let’s get your digital presence working as hard as you do. Contact us to get started.
