25 Top Social Media Content Ideas for Small Business

Coming up with social media content ideas for small business owners can be exhausting. That’s why we are here to help.

We understand that you have to manage multiple social media profiles. It is necessary to continually generate new social media content ideas for small businesses to keep your posts fresh and up-to-date.

After all, having a strong social presence is crucial in today's day and age.

This is especially true in an era where social commerce is booming. In 2024, social commerce revenue worldwide amounted to $699.4 billion and is expected to exceed $1 trillion by 2028.

Image via Statista

Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook are increasingly integrating shopping features.

They allow social media users to discover and purchase products directly within the app. For small businesses, this presents a massive opportunity to reach potential customers who already spend significant time.

But without a strong social media marketing strategy, you’ll miss out on an effective, fast, and inexpensive way to reach half the world's population.

Have you run out of social media content ideas for your small business?

Don’t worry.

We have compiled a list of 25 social media content ideas for small business owners that will help you keep your feed populated with engaging posts.

Engaging Social Media Content Ideas for Small Business Owners

Are you struggling with a creative block? Do you find it difficult to come up with new social media post ideas all the time?

Don’t worry. We got your back.

Here are 25 amazing social media content ideas for small business owners that you can use.

1. Repurpose Your Blog Posts

Having a blog is an excellent idea to keep your followers engaged. However, with the short attention span, many social media users lack the patience to read lengthy blog posts. Keep it concise and captivating!

Wondering how to start a blog? It's easier than you think, and it can be the foundation for all your content strategy!

Instead, they are drawn to bite-sized, visually engaging content like short text posts, infographics, and short-form videos.

This shift in consumer behavior presents a challenge and an opportunity.

The solution?

Repurpose your blog posts into social media-friendly content that captures attention and drives traffic to your website.

Repurposing blog posts does not require a complete overhaul. It involves breaking down your existing content into smaller, more engaging pieces for social media platforms.

Here are some social media content ideas for small business owners that you can try:

• Carousel Posts: Take the main key points from your blog post and create a visually appealing carousel for Instagram or LinkedIn. Each slide can highlight a single tip, statistic, or quote, making it easy for users to swipe through and absorb the information.

See how Canva used this content idea to generate social media traffic:

Image via Instagram

• Create Short-Form Videos: Developing creative social media content ideas for small businesses can be difficult. However, you can create content on Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube to summarize your existing blog post in under 60 seconds.

• Design Infographics: Condense your blog’s key data or steps into an infographic. Graphic design tools like Canva make it easy to create professional-looking visuals that are perfect for Pinterest, Facebook, or LinkedIn.

• Create a Thread on X: Break down your blog post into a series of tweets. Each tweet can highlight a key point, creating a thread that’s easy to follow and share.

• Develop a Checklist or Cheat Sheet: If your blog post includes steps, tips, or a how-to guide, turn it into a downloadable checklist or cheat sheet. Share it on social media with a link to your blog for more details.

Here’s a great way to convert your blog posts into cheat sheets for social media:

Image via Instagram

Posting regularly on your social networks helps you build a social media presence and stay connected with your audience.

Also, sharing excerpts from blog posts does help you post frequently and beat the algorithms of social media platforms that prefer more active accounts.

Pro Tip: When creating social media content ideas for small business, don’t use the same content for every platform. Instead, use tailored content for each social media platform to get more views and encourage engagement.

2. Go Behind the Scenes with a Day-in-the-Life Posts

Customers want to know more about the people behind their favorite brands. Social media platforms provide a wonderful avenue for brands to connect with their customers.

Instead of simply sharing generic insights about your company, take your audience behind the scenes.

Show them what a typical day looks like for you or your team.

This humanizes your brand and builds a stronger connection with your audience.

Here are a few social media content ideas for small business:

• Create short-form videos about how your company does certain things
• Create content that talks about your company's culture
• Create a video about how your company does certain things
• Create content that talks about your company culture
• Give your followers some behind the scenes content to let them know what a typical day looks like for your company
• Share some employee stories and testimonials

By letting your customers know more about your brand, you can build stronger relationships with them.

Here is Microsoft’s LinkedIn post about one of its employees:

Image via Instagram

3. React to Industry Trends or News in Your Own Voice

Entrepreneurs often juggle multiple responsibilities, leaving little time to consistently come up with fresh social media content ideas for small business owners.

Actually, there is no need to keep coming up with new social media content ideas for small business owners. You can also share previously published content, especially news related to your industry, and add your unique perspective to it.

Posting the latest news or other informational content about your industry can turn your page into a trusted resource for industry information.

This positions your business as a thought leader while making the content more engaging and interactive.

You may also create your own graphics or infographics using the statistics or insights given in the news articles.

Look at how Backlinko has shared content marketing trends on its social media page.

Image via Facebook

4. Leverage User-Generated Content

A survey revealed that 63.3% of consumers read customer reviews before purchasing items. However, 89% may not buy if they saw a negative review.

This ultimately highlights the importance of establishing trust with both current and potential customers. Sharing user-generated content is an excellent way to develop that trust and create a deeper connection with your audience.

It is one of the most creative social media content ideas for small business owners that you can use with minimal effort.

All you need to do is find content your users have shared and repost it on your social media pages. But, how do you do that?

Here’s how:

• Create a branded hashtag and encourage people to use it. For example, Coca-Cola used the hashtag #ShareACoke.
• Use the “Mentions” feature on Instagram to see all posts that mention your Instagram profile.
• Search for your brand name or product name on Pinterest, TikTok, Twitter, and other social media platforms.

When reposting user-generated content, always ask for permission first and give proper credit to the original creator.

This shows respect for their work and fosters a positive relationship with your community.

Also, consider running contests or challenges and encourage social media users to create content featuring your products or services.

This can be a powerful way of quickly generating a large volume of user-generated content and building brand awareness.

Daniel Wellington’s Instagram page contains some inspiration for social media content ideas for small business owners, as the brand shares a lot of user-generated content.

Image via Instagram

Look at how this user used hashtags for Daniel Wellington in this post and tagged the company.

Image Source: Instagram

5. Support a Social Cause that Fits Your Brand Values

Millennials and Gen Z people want to make a positive impact on the world. That’s why they are more likely to associate with brands that share a similar vision.

Does your small business engage in eco-friendly initiatives? Do you support women empowerment, animal welfare, or other such social causes?

If you do, proudly share your social initiatives with your audience. That’s one of the best social media content ideas for small business owners to win customers’ trust and respect.

Here’s an example from Adidas.

Image via Instagram

Pro Tip: Include a link to the non-profit organization or charity you support to raise funds and spread awareness.

6. Create Polls or Ask Questions

Want to better engage your followers? Try posting interactive content.

You can create polls or ask a question to your audience related to your small business or any other trending topic. A quiz is also a great idea to pique your audience’s interest and get them to engage with your content.

You may build content around your small business or incorporate hot and trending topics.

Here’s how TED incorporates quizzes as one of its social media content ideas for small business owners:

Image via Instagram

7. Start a “Motivational Mondays Series”

Do you get the “Monday blues?” We’re sure your followers get them too.

So, why not share a motivational quote on Monday morning? It’s one of the top social media content ideas for small business owners to help your audience start their week on a positive note. Motivational quotes are a great way to build a positive bond with your audience as you’re helping uplift their moods.

Similarly, you could also think along the lines of “Wednesday Wisdom,” sharing a motivational quote in the middle of the week.

Here is an example:

Image via Facebook

Consider incorporating your motivational posts into a social media content calendar to stay consistent.

Planning allows you to curate and schedule quotes that resonate with your brand's tone and target audience. A social media content calendar is a sure way to keep your feed fresh, engaging, and aligned with your overall content marketing strategy.

Leveraging content marketing services can help you stand out across various social media platforms. Additionally, using a content calendar template is a smart way to save time and help maintain consistency in your social media content ideas for small business owners.

8. Share Memes

Memes are ruling social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram these days. They are hilarious and make for fun social media posts.

If you think they are childish and not suitable for business, you are wrong. Memes are excellent social media content ideas for small businesses, as they offer something entertaining and help break the monotony of your typical content.

Here’s an example of Netflix sharing an entertaining meme on Instagram. It’s engaging because it encourages people to comment on what their current mood is like.

Image via Instagram

9. Announce a Contest or Giveaway

People love free stuff. Hosting a contest or giveaway is a great way to engage your existing followers and win new ones.

What do you need? Well, nothing much.

A great product shot. Instructions on how to enter, preferably by tagging friends and following your brand.

And, Voila! You have some amazing midweek social media content ideas for your small business.

Here is an example of a giveaway being announced on Instagram.

Image via Instagram

When adding offers or giveaways to your list of social media content ideas for small business owners, ensure the rules and entry requirements are clear. Use relevant hashtags to increase visibility and reach a wider audience.

You can also improve your content strategy with influencer marketing. You can partner with other businesses or find micro-influencers to cross-promote the giveaway and expand your reach even further.

Additionally, the prize should be relevant to your target audience and align with your brand.

After the giveaway, announce the winner publicly and follow up with participants to thank them for their participation. Partnering with various types of influencers during a promotion offers a valuable opportunity to nurture leads and strengthen relationships with potential customers.

Pro Tip: Before announcing a giveaway, you should also determine how you will pick the winners. Mention that in your marketing material to get more followers excited about winning the prize.

10. Host An “Ask Me Anything” Session

Humans are curious by nature. Tap into this insatiable curiosity by hosting an “Ask Me Anything” session on your Facebook page or any other social media account.

There are countless ways to make the most of these social media content ideas for small businesses. You could host a live video session, responding to real-time questions in the comments, or even run a series of Instagram Stories with question stickers to create an interactive experience.

Here is an “Ask Me Anything” announcement on X.

Image via X

11. Run a Social Media Takeover

A social media takeover is when you let an influencer, an industry expert, or a team member take over the social media page for your small business for a specific period. It is a kind of influencer marketing.

A social media takeover is one of the best social media content ideas for small business owners because it can help expand your reach. If an influencer takes over your account for a fun Q&A session or live stream, their followers will flock to your page. You will be able to reach new audiences without putting in any extra effort.

Hosting a social media takeover is like having an expert in your corner. They can answer questions from your followers, engaging them in a fun and interactive way.

Here is an example of an account takeover by Finnair. One of their crew members took over their Instagram account for 3 days.

Image via Instagram

You may also work with influencers to do live streams at a specific time.

12. Start a Challenge

Social media challenges tend to go viral very quickly. Most challenge videos that you see online involve dancing or eating something terrible.

But, you need not go that far when choosing social media content ideas for small business owners.

Here is an idea from the rug company, Ruggable. It started the Camp Ruggable challenge that challenged viewers to “make a mess.” The videos were then used as social proof to show viewers how easy it was to wash their rugs.

Image via Facebook

13. Create a How-to Video

Nowadays, people turn to the internet to look for answers to any and all questions they may have. A tutorial or a how-to video A tutorial or a how-to video is one of the social media content ideas for small business owners to provide the answers that their audience is looking for.

Not only do your viewers get something of value, but it also cements your position as an authority on the subject.

Check out this Instagram post on how to clean your washing machine seal.

Image via Instagram

Pro Tip: When making a video for social media, ensure that you use a high-quality camera and non-blurry footage showing your product in the best light.

14. Share a Tip or Trick

Does shooting a how-to video sound like too much work? Well, you can always post a tip or trick related to your niche and useful for your audience.

In fact, this is one of the easiest social media content ideas for small business owners. Simply create an image giving away a valuable tip, trick, or hack. However, to maximize its impact, ensure you know the best time to post on social media to ensure it reaches your target audience when they're most active.

Here is an example from Thinkific.

Image via Facebook

15. Share Customer Testimonials

Positive reviews can do wonders for a small business. One of the best social media content ideas for small businesses is to share social proofs and testimonials.

This is taking it a notch higher than user-generated content. Not only do you get to know your audience, but you can also leverage their personal stories about your brand.

Do it like Depop, the online fashion marketplace, does it.

Here’s Depop featuring one of its successful sellers. You also get a peek into how Depop has benefited them as a small business.

Image via Facebook

Positive testimonials from customers foster trust in your brand. It can also help attract customers who are still on the fence about trusting your brand.

You can feature customer testimonials in different ways. Create a long YouTube video or share short reels on Instagram; you can do what suits you best.

16. Celebrate Milestones

As your small business grows and reaches new milestones, take the opportunity to thank your customers. This is one of the amazing social media content ideas for small businesses that can attract more customers.

Betty Crocker thanked all the “bakers and makers” when it celebrated its 100-year anniversary.

Image via Instagram

You can do the same and celebrate important milestones for your business, like an anniversary or gaining a certain number of social media followers.

17. Celebrate Social Media Holidays

There are numerous holidays throughout the year. Each of them could help you come up with great social media content ideas for your small business.

You don’t need to wait for the 4th of July, Thanksgiving, Mother’s Day, or Christmas. You can also celebrate #NationalDanceDay, #MothersDay, #FathersDay, or even #InternationalCoffeeDay.

Take a cue from Star Trek and celebrate International Coffee Day on Instagram.

Image via Instagram

Every day could be celebrated for one reason or the other. From “International Doctor’s Day” to “International Waffle Day,” you can come up with endless Thanksgiving marketing, Creative Mother’s Day marketing, and New Year marketing ideas.

In fact, there are various other social media content ideas for small business owners.

Pro Tip: You don’t need industry-specific events and can create content around generic international days like World Laughter Day, International Women’s Day, etc.

18. Let Your Audience Decide

When you are running short on social media content ideas for small business, take the easy way out. Leave it to your audience.

Ask your audience about the kind of content they would like you to post. Conduct a poll to narrow down the choices.

Besides social media content ideas for small businesses, you can also ask your audience for suggestions on product ideas, product names, and more.

When this brand wanted a name for its new product, it turned to its audience on social media.

Image via X

19. Answer FAQs

Your customers may have a lot of questions about your small business. With time, the list of frequently asked questions only grows longer.

So, why not take a few of these questions and create social media content ideas for small businesses by answering them?

Answering FAQs on your social media accounts saves time for you as well as your customers. You can pin them on your Facebook page or save them as Instagram highlights.

Get creative with social media content ideas for small business owners. Don’t stop at text when answering FAQs. You can create animated clips, images, infographics, and so much more when answering frequently asked questions.

Here is an example.

Image via Instagram

20. Bust Some Myths

The internet is a great place for seeking information. Social media, however, can sometimes be a breeding ground for myths and misinformation.

Some of these myths or misinformation could hurt your small business.

Take a look at this post below shared by aesthetician Ashley Renee. Many of her customers hesitated from getting microblading done because they thought it would make their eyebrows look unnatural.

Ashley, therefore, created a post debunking that myth.

Image via Instagram

Are there any such myths in your industry? Make a list of such myths.

We are sure you will get several social media content ideas for your small business when you start debunking myths.

21. Post about Trending Topics

There may be a million things you need to do in a day to run your business. But keeping your social media news feed engaging and interesting is also necessary.

Posting about trending topics is one of the social media content ideas for small business owners. Instead of trying to come up with fresh content every day, just hop on to the latest trends.

Take a look at this post from Chubbies. It got their followers talking about the length of Matt Gay’s pants.

However, take note that they did not create a new post. They simply shared a screenshot from Front Office Sports.

Image via Instagram

22. Give Your Followers a Virtual Tour

Giving your followers a virtual tour is one of the best ways of saying, “come visit us.” You will find a lot of hotels, cafes, and restaurants using this type of social media content ideas for small business owners.

Take a look at the example below.

Four Seasons has cleverly used user-generated content to give you a peek into one of their properties.

Image via Instagram

Even if you don’t own a hotel or a restaurant, you can still add this to the list of social media content ideas for your business. And no, you don’t need fancy production equipment either.

However, what you will need to do is make your store nice to look at. After all, we live in a photo-sharing world and beautiful visuals get shared more.

Spruce up your store and share different types of videos on your social channels. You will have new customers visiting your store in no time.

23. Share Discounts and Promotions

As we said earlier, people love free stuff. As a small business, it may not be a good idea to keep giving away free items all the time.

However, offering discounts and promotions are social media content ideas for small business owners that you should explore.

The increased traffic to your store could do wonders for brand awareness. As more and more customers become aware of your business, it will surely boost sales.

Here’s an example of eBay announcing a discount on Adidas purchases.

Image via Instagram

24. Go Live

Start an Instagram or Facebook Live, and give your audience the chance to interact with you in real-time. Connecting and engaging with your audience is crucial to improving your social media game.

You can share a lot of information on a live video. From announcing a new product to doing a Q&A with your fans, the social media content ideas for small business owners are endless.

Here is an example from MTV.

Image via Instagram

25. Host X Spaces

Do you want to have in-depth conversations with your followers? Well, X spaces are a great way to do that. These conversations can be a great way to build a connection with your audience.

There’s more.

The tweets that you receive can be a goldmine of social media content ideas for your small business.

Check out this example below, where Bobby Umar shares LinkedIn tips for women content creators.

Image via Sprinklr

FAQ

Q1. How can I promote my business on social media?

A. The social media content ideas for small business that we shared above can be a great way to drive engagement across all social media platforms.

Here are a few social media ideas to promote your small business:

• Choose the right platforms
• Follow a well thought out content calendar
• Add branded hashtags to your posts
• Quickly address issues
• Create a community

Q2. Where can I find social media content ideas for small business owners?

A. We have rounded up 25 of the best social media content ideas for small business owners. However, there are many other ways to come up with social media post ideas.

Keep an eye out for trending topics or the latest news. You can always use them as social media content ideas for small business.

Q3. What should small businesses post on social media?

A. When it comes to social media posts for small businesses, the possibilities are endless.

Here are some effective social media content ideas for small business owners:

• Infographics
• Industry-related posts
• Question posts
• Behind the scenes posts
• Customer reviews and testimonials

Q4. How do small businesses plan social media content?

A. Social media marketing is crucial for the success of small businesses. Here’s how you can plan your social media content ideas for small businesses to run a successful social media campaign:

• Identify your target audience
• Drive engagement and build relationships
• Search social media platforms for new opportunities
• Find the best hashtags to use using hashtag generator tools
• Audit your social presence

Q5. How can small business owners improve their social presence?

A. Here are a few ideas to improve your social presence and meet your business goals:

• Find the right social media platforms
• Offer valuable content
• Post regularly
• Engage with your followers
• Keep up with the latest trends

Conclusion

We hope the social media content ideas for small business owners shared above will keep your creative juices flowing. However, not all ideas may work for you.

We recommend experimenting with different social media ideas to see what works for your business. See what kind of content ideas your audience responds to the best.

With time and a little planning, you can create social media content that boosts engagement and helps you create a community of like-minded people.

You can also invest in a content marketing service tailored to your budget to craft more engaging social media content ideas for small businesses to grow your reach and engagement.