These days, it’s clear that every business should be on social media. Just having an account isn’t enough—you need to be active and engaging. Posting once in a while or sharing random images won’t get you noticed.
People now spend 141 minutes per day scrolling through social media. That’s a lot of time—and a big opportunity for businesses to grab their attention. But to do that, you need a smart plan.
In this blog, you’ll learn how to promote your business with these social media tips, see real-life examples from brands that are doing it right, and get practical tips to help you make the most of your efforts.
1. Start with a Social Media Marketing Plan
Before you jump into posting, take some time to build a solid social media marketing plan. This will help you stay focused and get better results.
Begin by setting clear goals. Think about what you want to achieve with social media. Your goals might include:
- Getting your brand noticed
- Driving more visitors to your website
- Collecting emails or leads
- Increasing sales
- Offering better customer service
- Building a loyal community
- Expanding your professional connections
If you haven’t already defined your target audience, now’s the perfect time. One of the most important social media tips is to be as specific as possible. Knowing who your audience is will help you figure out which platforms they use, what content they like, and when they’re most active online.
Here are a few simple ways to learn about your audience:
- Ask them directly: Use polls, surveys, or even the comments section to hear what they want.
- Use social media analytics: Most platforms offer insights that show you your audience’s age, gender, location, and interests.
- Look at your competitors: See what kind of content works well for similar brands. This can give you new ideas and help you understand your own audience better.
Once you know your goals and audience, start building your content plan. It’s perfectly fine to make changes as you figure out what works best.
A content calendar is a helpful tool to stay organized. You can plan posts around sales, holidays, or new product launches. But don’t forget to stay flexible! Social media is always changing, so be ready to jump on trends or share spontaneous content when the moment feels right.
2. Pick the Best Social Media Platforms for Your Brand
You don’t need to be active on each and every social media platform. In fact, one of the best social media tips is to focus your efforts where your audience actually spends time—trying to show up everywhere can waste time and energy.
For example, if your customers are mostly older adults, Facebook is a great choice. But if they’re not using TikTok, there’s no need to pour effort into it.
Here’s a look at one of the most popular platforms for online businesses:
Instagram is perfect for reaching millennials and people who love visual content. It’s a great place for brands that can share eye-catching photos, fun videos, or helpful tips.
It’s especially popular with fashion and beauty brands, but also works well for everything from pet supplies to bookshops. With over 1.4 billion monthly users, Instagram is a powerful tool for promoting your business.
What works well on Instagram:
- Post high-quality, visually attractive photos and videos
- Use Stories to share quick updates, special offers, or behind-the-scenes moments
- Try Reels for short, engaging video content
- Chat with your audience in the comments or DMs to build relationships
Choose platforms based on where your ideal customers spend their time—and focus your efforts there for the best results.
Facebook is one of the biggest social media platforms, with over 3 billion people using it every month. It’s especially effective for reaching older audiences, but it’s also popular among users aged 25 to 34.
Facebook is a great place to connect with your customers, collect reviews, and build trust. If you use Shopify, you can even link your store to Facebook and Instagram so customers can shop right from your posts.
A Facebook page—like the one from Gymshark—can help build credibility, especially with customer reviews shown right on the page.
What works well on Facebook:
- Post a variety of content—text updates, photos, videos, and links
- Create Facebook Groups to build a strong, engaged community
- Go live with Facebook Live to chat with your audience in real time
- Use Facebook Ads to run targeted promotions and reach the right people
TikTok
TikTok is one of the fastest-growing social platforms, and its users love discovering new things. Many people go on TikTok not just to be entertained—but to find new products, brands, and ideas.
In fact, 44% of Gen Z users say TikTok has helped them discover something new. If your target audience is young (especially between 18 and 24), TikTok is a great place to be.
What works well on TikTok:
- Make fun, authentic videos that follow trends
- Join popular challenges and use trending sounds or effects
- Team up with TikTok creators to reach more people
- Use hashtags wisely to help more users find your content
Keep your videos short, engaging, and straight to the point
TikTok is all about creativity, so don’t be afraid to experiment and show your brand’s personality!
Pinterest may not be the biggest platform out there, with around 570 million monthly users, but it has something special: people go there ready to discover and shop. In fact, 80% of users say they’ve bought something they found on Pinterest.
It’s especially great for brands targeting women, as nearly 70% of Pinterest users identify as female.
What works well on Pinterest:
- Use Rich Pins to add useful details like pricing or availability
- Group your content into organized boards based on themes or topics
- Write clear, keyword-rich descriptions so your pins are easier to find
- Pin regularly and post when your audience is most active
Pinterest is perfect for visually inspiring content—so if your brand has strong visuals, this platform can help drive traffic and sales.
LinkedIn might not be the first platform you think of for marketing, but it’s a powerful tool—especially for B2B (business-to-business) brands. It’s the go-to place for connecting with professionals, business owners, and industry leaders.
Creating a LinkedIn company page and sharing useful content can help you reach people who are genuinely interested in your products or services. It’s also a great way to build partnerships and grow your network.
What works well on LinkedIn:
- Share valuable insights, tips, and industry updates
- Use LinkedIn Articles to publish longer, in-depth content
- Join and engage in LinkedIn Groups related to your niche
- Highlight your team, company culture, and achievements
If your audience includes professionals or other businesses, LinkedIn is a smart platform to build trust and authority.
YouTube
YouTube isn’t just a video platform—it’s the second-largest search engine in the world. People use it to look up product reviews, how-to videos, unboxings, and more. Plus, YouTube videos can show up in Google search results, giving your brand even more visibility.
With users spending over 28 hours a month on the platform, YouTube is a great place to share helpful, engaging content that connects with your audience.
What works well on YouTube:
- Post high-quality, valuable videos like tutorials, reviews, or tips
- Use eye-catching thumbnails to grab attention and boost clicks
- Reply to comments to build a community and connect with viewers
- Try YouTube Shorts for fun, quick videos that reach more people
- If you want to educate, entertain, or explain—YouTube is a great place to do it.
Snapchat
Snapchat is a popular messaging app where users send quick photos and videos—called “snaps”—that disappear after being viewed. It’s a fun, casual platform that can be a great place to promote your small business, especially if you’re targeting a younger crowd.
Over half of Snapchat’s 510 million monthly users are between 13 and 24 years old (Gen Z and Gen Alpha), making it perfect for brands trying to connect with teens and young adults.
What works well on Snapchat:
- Share fun, short-lived content that appeals to a younger audience
- Use filters and lenses to boost brand visibility in a creative way
- Run Snap Ads to target specific groups and drive results
- Offer exclusive, limited-time deals to create urgency
Snapchat is all about being quick, real, and entertaining—so keep your content light, engaging, and timely.
Other Platforms
Besides the major social networks, there are also smaller or niche platforms that might be a good fit—especially if your audience is in a specific location or has unique interests. For example, apps like WeChat are hugely popular in some countries.
Doing research on your target audience will help you figure out if these lesser-known platforms are worth exploring for your business. Sometimes, the best place to market isn’t the biggest—it’s where your customers actually are.
3. Optimize Your Social Media Profiles
After choosing the best platforms for your business, focus on optimizing your social media profiles.
Think of your profile as your brand’s digital storefront—it should clearly show who you are, what you do, and why someone should follow or engage with you.
Here’s how to make sure your profiles leave a great first impression:
Use a Clear Profile Picture
Your logo or a professional image should be used consistently across all platforms. This helps people recognize your brand instantly, whether they see you on Instagram, LinkedIn, or Twitter (X).
Write a Strong Bio
Your bio is your elevator pitch. In just a few words, explain what your business does and who it helps. Be clear, friendly, and try to include a keyword or two to help your page show up in searches.
Example: “Helping small businesses grow online with smart digital marketing | 📍New York | 💼 www.growdigitaly.com”
Add a Website Link
Always include a link to your website or a landing page. Some platforms (like Instagram) let you use a tool like Linktree to share multiple links at once.
Include Contact Info
Make it easy for people to reach you. Add an email address, phone number, or direct message option depending on the platform.
Use Keywords
Just like on Google, keywords matter on social media too. Use words in your bio or description that your target audience might search for—like “digital marketing agency,” “handmade gifts,” or “local bakery.”
Stay On-Brand
Use colors, fonts, and language that match your website and other branding. This creates a consistent and trustworthy image across all platforms.
Pro Tip: Review your profiles regularly. Update your bio, links, or photos whenever something changes in your business—like a new product launch or promotion.
A well-optimized profile doesn’t just look good—it builds trust and helps new followers understand your brand right away. It’s one of the essential social media tips for growing your presence effectively.
4. Introduce Yourself
The first step in building your social media presence is simply letting people know who you are. Before promoting products or services, take a moment to tell your audience the story behind your brand. Think of it as your digital handshake.
Start by sharing a little about your background: What inspired you to start this business? What do you do? Who are you trying to help? People are naturally curious, and they connect more with brands that feel human and relatable.
A short video or a candid photo can go a long way when applying effective social media tips. Share your workspace, your team, your products—or even just your smile. Write in a warm and friendly tone, just like you’re talking to a new customer face-to-face. Once you’ve introduced yourself, pin that post to the top of your profile so anyone visiting your page for the first time sees it right away.
5. Use Hashtags Strategically
Hashtags are one of the easiest ways to get discovered on social media, but they only work if you use them with intention. Instead of adding random or trending tags to every post, think about what your ideal audience is actually searching for.
Use a mix of general, specific, and brand-related hashtags to reach a wider audience. General hashtags (like #smallbusiness or #skincare) can give you visibility. Specific (Niche) hashtags (like #handmadewithlove or #veganlipbalm) attracts a more targeted audience. And branded hashtags (like your business name or campaign slogan) help build recognition over time.
Don’t overdo it—focus on 5 to 10 meaningful hashtags per post, and make sure they’re relevant to the content you’re sharing. One of the key social media tips is to research what hashtags your competitors or industry leaders are using and experiment with what works best for your audience.
6. Run Social Media Ads
If you want to grow your audience and reach people who don’t already follow you, paid advertising is a great next step. Social media ads allow you to target specific demographics like age, location, interests, and behaviors. This ensures your message is getting in front of the right people.
The best part? You don’t need a big budget. Even with a small daily spend, you can run campaigns to promote a product, drive traffic to your website, build an email list, or simply boost a popular post.
One of the most effective social media tips is to sure your ad creative—whether it’s an image, video, or carousel—is visually engaging and clearly communicates what you’re offering. And always include a call-to-action (CTA), like “Shop Now,” “Learn More,” or “Sign Up Today.”
7. Run an Influencer Marketing Campaign
Influencer marketing isn’t just for big brands anymore. In fact, many small businesses are finding huge success by partnering with micro-influencers—those with smaller but highly engaged followings.
Look for influencers who align with your brand values and speak to your target audience. Their endorsement can feel more authentic than a traditional ad, especially if they’re already trusted by their followers.
You can offer free products in exchange for a review, or set up a commission-based partnership where they earn a percentage of every sale they generate. As part of your social media tips strategy, encourage them to create content like unboxings, tutorials, live Q&As, and giveaways. It’s a great way to build credibility and reach a whole new group of potential customers.
8. Set Up Shop
If you sell physical products, setting up a digital storefront on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or Pinterest makes the buying process seamless. Instead of clicking away to a separate website, your followers can browse and purchase directly through your social profiles.
This is especially useful for impulse purchases—someone sees your product, loves it, and buys it in seconds without ever leaving the app.
To get started, connect your ecommerce site (like Shopify) with your social profiles. One of the best social media tips is to tag products in your posts and stories so people can tap and shop instantly. Make sure your product photos are high quality and your descriptions are clear and helpful.
9. Go Live
Going live is a fantastic way to connect with your audience in a real, unfiltered way. It helps people see the faces behind the brand and builds trust in an authentic way.
You can use live sessions to showcase new products, answer questions, share tutorials, or take people behind the scenes. The beauty of live video is that it’s interactive—viewers can comment in real time, and you can respond directly, which makes them feel seen and valued.
Live videos often get boosted by the platform’s algorithm, making them a smart addition to your social media tips strategy. More people will see your content, and you can save and repurpose your live sessions later as regular posts or clips for Reels and Stories.
10. Engage with Your Audience
Social media is about community, not just content. If you post consistently but never respond to comments or messages, you’re missing a huge opportunity to build relationships.
Make time to reply to questions, like and reply to comments, and join conversations in your niche. Even a quick “thank you!” or emoji response can go a long way in making your followers feel appreciated.
The more you engage, the more your audience will engage back. Following proven social media tips helps create a positive feedback loop that boosts visibility and strengthens your brand reputation.
11. Run a Contest or Giveaway
Giveaways are a fun and effective way to boost engagement, increase reach, and grow your followers. The key is to make your giveaway relevant to your brand and easy to enter.
For example, you could offer a free product bundle and ask users to follow your account, like the post, and tag two friends to enter. Or host a contest where followers submit photos using your product and choose a winner based on creativity.
You can also collaborate with other small businesses to expand your reach and cross-promote to each other’s audiences. One of the best social media tips is to clearly define the rules, entry deadline, and prize value—and always follow platform guidelines for contests.
12. Leverage Trends
Social media is driven by trends. From viral challenges and audio clips to memes and pop culture moments, jumping on a trend can dramatically boost your visibility.
Keep an eye on what’s trending on TikTok, Instagram Reels, and Twitter. Then, create your own version of that trend that fits your brand and audience. For example, if you run a fitness business and there’s a trending dance, film it in your gym gear with a fun caption about staying active.
Just be careful not to chase every trend. Instead, follow social media tips that align with your brand voice and feel natural—your audience will notice if it feels forced.
13. Create Community
One of the most powerful things you can do on social media is build a community, not just a following. A community is a group of people who feel connected to your brand, share your values, and want to be part of your journey.
Encourage user-generated content by asking customers to share their experiences with your product. Start conversations with polls and questions. Share customer shoutouts and thank them publicly.
You could even launch a private Facebook Group or Discord server where members get early access to new products, behind-the-scenes updates, or simply a space to chat.
Applying smart social media tips like building exclusive communities create loyalty—and loyal customers become your best promoters.
14. Use the Right Tools
Managing multiple social platforms can be time-consuming. The good news is, there are plenty of tools that can help you work smarter, not harder.
Use scheduling tools like Buffer, Later, or Hootsuite to plan and automate your posts across platforms. This keeps your content consistent and saves you from daily posting stress.
Design tools like Canva make it easy to create professional-looking graphics, while apps like CapCut and InShot help with video editing.
For more effective social media tips, use analytics tools like Sprout Social or your platform’s built-in insights to track performance and refine your strategy.
15. Test and Track Performance
No matter how great your content is, you need to know what’s actually working. This means testing different formats, posting times, captions, and visuals to see what your audience responds to best.
Use your platform’s analytics to measure reach, engagement, clicks, shares, and saves. These insights are key to refining your social media tips and understanding what’s resonating with your audience—and what’s not.
Maybe your audience loves short videos over photos. Or maybe engagement is highest on Tuesdays at 6 PM. Over time, tracking performance helps you make smarter, data-driven decisions that improve your results and save you time.
Social Media Marketing Tips and Best Practices
As you put your social media strategy into action, it’s important to follow a few key social media tips. These will help you stay focused, work smarter, and get better results over time.
Tailor Your Strategy for Each Platform
Every social platform is different—and so are the people using them. What works well on Instagram might not land the same way on LinkedIn or TikTok. Take the time to understand what kind of content performs best on each platform, and adjust your strategy accordingly.
Plan Ahead with a Social Media Calendar
A content calendar is a great tool to help you stay consistent with your posts. It helps you map out what to post, when to post it, and how to align your content with upcoming events, product launches, or holidays. If you work with a team or agency, it also keeps everyone on the same page.
Be Open to Exploring New Platforms
If you’re not seeing great results on one platform, don’t be afraid to try others. Maybe TikTok isn’t your audience’s thing—but Pinterest, YouTube, or even LinkedIn could be a better fit. Exploring new platforms can open the door to new opportunities and help boost brand visibility.
Keep an Eye on Trends
Social media moves fast, and trends change quickly. While your content calendar provides structure, it’s also smart to stay flexible so you can jump on trending topics, formats, or hashtags when they make sense for your brand. Timely, relevant posts often get more attention and engagement.
Keep Learning
If you’re new to social media marketing—or even if you’ve been at it for a while—there’s always something new to learn. Consider taking a course (many are free!) to improve your skills, understand platform algorithms, and stay ahead of the curve.
Final Thoughts:
Building a strong presence on social media doesn’t happen overnight. But with the right social media tips, strategy, consistency, and creativity, it’s one of the most powerful ways to grow your business.
And if you’re feeling overwhelmed by it all—don’t worry. You don’t have to do it alone.
👉 Grow Digitaly can help you craft a custom social media strategy, create standout content, and manage everything from ads to analytics. Let’s take your brand to the next level, together.