Guest post by Francesca Alexander, Social Global Grind
There’s a quiet kind of panic among small business owners these days. You hear it in passing, in meetings, even in workshops:
“Social media just feels too hard.”
“We gave it a go, but nothing seemed to work.”
“We’re already stretched. We can’t do what the big brands are doing.”
Here’s the truth. The game has changed. Being present online isn’t optional anymore. It’s your first handshake, your first impression, and in some cases, your only shot.
The good news? You don’t need to post every day or spend a fortune. You just need a smarter plan.
What’s changed in 2025?
These platforms have shifted in how they reward content. It’s not about having a perfectly curated feed anymore. It's about being consistent, being human, and making it easy for your audience to connect with you.
Social media now favours:
Short-form video that feels natural and conversational
Profiles that post regularly, even once a week
Honest moments behind the business, not just polished promotions
The customer journey has changed too. People check your socials before they check your website. If you’re not showing up, someone else is. And they’ll take the attention that could have been yours.
Why SMEs are still getting stuck
Many small businesses still treat social media as a side task. It’s the thing that gets squeezed in after emails and invoicing. But in 2025, it’s one of the most important ways to build trust and reach the people who need what you offer.
We see this pattern often:
A team member takes over because they’re “good with Instagram”
Posts go up without a real plan or message
Engagement stays low
Confidence drops, and social gets written off as not worth it
The problem isn’t the platforms. The problem is the lack of strategy.
What’s actually working for small businesses right now
You don’t need to be everywhere. You just need to be clear and intentional about where and how you show up.
Here are the tactics that are helping our clients build real traction:
Batching content once a month using simple planning tools
Choosing one or two platforms and showing up there with consistency
Sharing short videos that answer real customer questions or show behind-the-scenes moments
Partnering with local businesses and tagging them in posts
Repurposing content from newsletters, blogs, or workshops to get more life out of what you've already created
These are moves that work. They work because they’re simple, repeatable, and grounded in the reality of how people consume content today.
A word on equity and visibility
At Social Global Grind, we believe small businesses deserve the same access to visibility as large ones. But that means working smarter, not harder. It means dropping the hustle mindset and building systems that support your energy.
You don’t need to be everywhere. You need to be where it matters, and you need to show up with intention.
That’s why we teach content sprints, storytelling frameworks, and planning techniques that help you stretch one idea into a week’s worth of valuable content. Because marketing should build momentum, not burn you out.
Not sure where to start? Try this.
Choose one platform where your audience already is
Post once a week, something real from your business
Use your own voice, not something overly polished or corporate
Ask a question. Start a conversation. Show people you’re listening
You don’t need to do it all. You just need to start with what feels manageable and meaningful.
One final thought: your voice matters. Your business matters. Your story deserves to be heard.
Social media is no longer a nice-to-have. It’s where credibility, community, and connection are built. If you're feeling stuck or unsure where to begin, reach out to Belle PR. They know this region.
They understand how to bring your message into the light with authenticity and clarity.
And if you want support building a strategy that fits your style and schedule, we’re here for that too at socialglobalgrind.com.
Keep showing up. Your community is waiting.
