5 Social Media Mistakes Small Businesses Are Still Making (and How to Fix Them)

Running a small business is basically a juggling act — orders, customers, emails, bills, and maybe even remembering to eat lunch. Then social media comes along like, “Hey, post three times a day, be authentic, go viral, and also master video editing in your spare time.” No pressure, right?

The truth: social media doesn’t have to be overwhelming. It just takes avoiding a few classic slip-ups that trip up even the best of us. Let’s dive into the top 5 social media mistakes I see all the time — and how you can fix them today.

1. Posting Without a Plan

Throwing spaghetti at the wall is great for dinner, but not for your content strategy. Random posts don’t build connection. Instead, make a weekly content calendar — think Motivation Mondays, Behind-the-Scenes Fridays, or Taco Tuesdays (because why not?).

2. Being All Sales, No Spice

If your feed sounds like a never-ending commercial, your followers will tune out faster than a bad infomercial at 2am. The golden rule? 80% value (tips, stories, inspiration) and 20% “Hey, buy my thing.”

3. Ghosting Your Audience

Social media is a two-way street. If someone comments, slide back in with a reply! Ask questions, drop emojis, start conversations. Engagement builds community — and customers stick around for community.

4. Trying to Be Everywhere at Once

Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, YouTube, X (ugh, still weird to say). Spoiler alert: you don’t need to be on all of them. Choose the 1–2 platforms where your people actually hang out. Quality over quantity every time.

5. Ignoring the Social Media Numbers

Posting without checking your analytics is like baking without ever tasting the cake. You’ve got to know what’s working (and what flopped). Use insights to guide your content — your future self will thank you.

💡 Pro Tip: Don’t overthink it. Consistency beats perfection. Post, learn, tweak, repeat. That’s how you grow.

xx

J

ailemastudio.com