Gone are the days when social media was just for selfies and pet videos. Today, it’s a money-making machine for businesses. According to Backlinko in 2025, over 5.24 billion people scroll through platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Tiktok every single day. That’s a goldmine of customers waiting to discover your brand!
But with so much noise online, how will you grow your business? How will you turn likes into sales and followers into loyal fans?
The answer isn’t luck, it’s strategy. I’ve cracked the code with seven simple steps that work for local businesses, online businesses, and everything in between.
Why Social Media Matters for Small Businesses
For small businesses, platforms like Facebook and Instagram are like a free megaphone to reach thousands of potential customers. According to Datareportal, 72% of Americans use social media daily. That means if your bakery, Ice cream truck, or any business you own isn’t online, you’re missing out on millions of eyeballs!
The best part? You don’t need to spend a fortune. Unlike pricey billboards or TV ads, social media lets you:
- Talk directly to customers (no middleman!).
- Build trust by sharing your story or behind the scenes.
- Compete with big brands, your viral post can beat their fancy ads any day.
Take my friend Jenny’s Coffee Shop: She posts latte art on Instagram, replies to comments fast, and now regulars drive across town just for her drinks. That’s the power of social media for small businesses.
The Power of Social Media for Business Growth
According to Business Dasher, more than 77% of small corporations within the US use social media, and 90% of social entrepreneurs agree that social media has improved brand promotion.
Brands like Glossier and Dollar Shave Club have skyrocketed in popularity, thanks to their savvy social media techniques.
By Growing a Business on Social Media, You can
- Increase brand awareness.
- Engage with customers directly.
- Bring more visitors to your website.
- Boost your sales by using both organic strategies and paid ads.
- Create a community around your brand.
Now, let’s dive into the seven steps you can take to grow your business on social media.
Step1: Pick the Right Social Media Platforms for Your Brand
One of the first things I learned when growing my business on social media was that not every platform is the right fit. In the beginning, I tried to be everywhere, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn, but it quickly became a failure. I was spending too much time posting on platforms where my target customers weren’t even active. That’s when I realized that choosing the right platforms is the key to success.
Top Platforms Simplified
- Facebook: Best for moms, dads, grandparents. Great for sharing news or building fan groups.
- Instagram: Perfect for food, fashion, or art. Teens and young adults love reels and stories.
- LinkedIn: Talk to office workers or other businesses. Share tips, not memes.
- Twitter (X): Fast chats and customer service. Think of news updates or quick replies.
- Pinterest: Ideal for recipes, crafts, or home decor. Mostly used by women planning projects.
How to Choose the Right Platform
Start by figuring out where your ideal customers spend most of their time online. Research their habits.do they like watching videos, reading posts, or scrolling images? Each platform has its own strengths, so pick the ones that match your content style and business goals.
I made the mistake of trying to run too many accounts at once. Instead, I now focus on two platforms that bring to me the most customers. This approach has saved me time and helped me build a stronger online presence. If you’re just starting out, choose one or two platforms first, and then You can add more later!
Key User Demographics and Best Uses
| Platform | Primary Users | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 18 to 65+, diverse audience | Brand awareness, community building | |
| 18 to 34, visually-oriented | Product showcases, engagement | |
| Professionals, B2B focus | Networking, industry insights | |
| 18 to 49, real-time updates | News, customer service |
Pro Tip: Avoid posting too many funny memes on your business profiles. Try to create reliable business profiles.
Step2: Develop a Strong Content Plan
Randomly posting on social media is like throwing spaghetti at a wall, most of it won’t stick.
When I started my candle business, I’d post whenever I felt like it, a photo here, a video there. After two months, my follower count was the same. Then I tried planning my posts for a week. Suddenly, people started commenting. And my followers’ growth was up to 60%. Lesson: A little planning = big results.
Define Your Brand Voice
Your brand voice is the personality behind your content. Do you want your brand to sound professional and serious, or friendly and casual? Maybe you want to add humor to make your content more fun. Having a clear brand voice helps people recognize and connect with your business.
When I started using a friendly and helpful tone, my audience responded much better, and engagement increased.
Create a Content Calendar
A content calendar helps you stay organized and consistent. Instead of struggling to come up with ideas at the last minute, you can plan your posts in advance.
I use Google Calendar to schedule my posts for the week, so I always know what’s coming next. Tools like Trello or Notion can also help you plan different types of content and keep track of what’s working.
Mix Up Your Content
To keep your audience engaged, try posting different kinds of content. Here are some effective options.
- Images and Videos: High-quality photos and engaging videos grab attention quickly. I noticed that when I started posting short behind-the-scenes videos, my engagement skyrocketed.
- Infographics: If you have complicated information to share, break it down into simple, visually appealing graphics. These get shared a lot because they make information easy to understand.
- Blog Posts and Articles: Sharing informative content positions you as an expert in your field. I started writing short, helpful blog posts related to my industry, and it helped me to build trust with my audience.
For Example: If you run a bakery, you can proportion mouth-watering snapshots of your products, post behind-the-scenes videos of baking techniques, and proportion recipes or baking tips.
Pro Tip: Start with just one post type you’re comfortable with. Posting 3 good videos a week beats 10 rushed ones!
So grab a notebook (or your phone) and jot down 5 post ideas right now. Done? You’ve already started!
Step3: Connect and Engage with Your Audience
Social media isn’t just for posting content, it’s about building real connections with your audience.
When I first started, I focused only on posting, but I realized that real growth happens when you interact with your followers.
My friend replies to every comment and asks questions like, “What new flavor should we try?”. In just 3 months His followers doubled. Why? Because People felt heard, not sold.
Reply fast to Comments/DMs
Replying to comments and messages shows your audience that you care about their thoughts. Even a simple “Thank you!” or answering a question can make a big difference.
When I started responding regularly, I noticed more people interacting with my posts.
Run Contests and Giveaways
Giveaways and contests are great ways to get more engagement. You can ask followers to tag friends, share your posts, or leave a comment for a chance to win a free product or discount. This not only increases engagement but also helps you reach new potential customers.
Ask Questions (Polls/Quizzes)
Polls and quizzes make social media fun and interactive. You can ask questions using Instagram Stories, Twitter polls, or Facebook surveys. This is a great way to understand what your audience likes while keeping them engaged.
Go live (no fancy setup needed)
Live videos on platforms like Instagram and Facebook allow you to interact with your audience instantly.
Whether you’re answering questions, giving tips, or showing behind-the-scenes content, live sessions help build trust and keep your audience interested.
For Example the jewelry shop of my friend, he did a live “How to style bracelets” session. Sales jumped 30% that week!
So next time someone comments, reply with a question: “What should we post next?” Watch the magic happen!
Step4: Make the Most of Hashtags and Keywords
Hashtags and keywords are powerful tools that help more people find your posts on social media.
When I started using social media for my business, I didn’t know how important they were. But once I learned how to use them properly, my posts started reaching more people.
How to Use Hashtags Effectively
Find popular hashtags
Research popular hashtags that relate to your business. You can use tools like Hashtagify to find trending ones.
Create your OWN hashtag
- Make it fun and easy like #MariasCookieClub or #BudgetFashionFinds.
- Encourage customers to use it: ‘Tag us in your photos!’
Don’t overdo it
Using 5 to 10 relevant hashtags per post is enough to keep your engagement high without looking spammy.
Using Keywords to Boost Visibility
Just like in websites, keywords help social media posts show up in searches. Use relevant keywords in your post captions and profile bio so that people searching for your products or services can easily find you.
For Example, A gym business uses keywords like “home workouts” and “beginner fitness tips” to attract locals by Googling those terms.
Pro Tip: Copy big accounts in your niche! See what hashtags/keywords they use, then tweak them for your brand.
Step5: Try Out Paid Social Media Ads
While organic growth is important, from time to time you need a little boost. Paid social media advertising is a great way to quickly grow your audience and reach specific customers based on their demographics, interests, and behaviors.
Why Paid Ads Work
- Laser Targeting: Show ads only to people who fit your ideal customer (e.g., “women aged 25-45 who love yoga”).
- Cheap & Flexible: Start with 3–5 a day. Pause anytime if it’s not working.
- Beat the Algorithm: Ads appear even if followers don’t see your organic posts.
Types of Paid Ads
- Facebook Ads: Perfect for targeting specific age groups, interests, and shopping behaviors.
- Instagram Ads: Best for businesses with eye-catching photos or videos (like fashion, food, and travel).
- LinkedIn Ads: Ideal for B2B businesses that want to connect with professionals.
Take the example of my friend, a dog walker who used Instagram ads targeting local pet owners. He booked 10 new clients in a week.
Pro Tip: Test two ad versions at $3 each. See which one gets more clicks, then put your money there!
Step6: Track Your Performance and Make Changes
Posting blindly on social media is like driving with your eyes closed, you’ll crash! To grow on social media, you need to track your performance and see what’s working.
Here’s how my cousin’s food truck cracked the code:
They noticed their “Taco Tuesday” posts got 10x more likes than burger pics. So they stopped posting burgers and focused on tacos. Sales doubled in a month.
4 Numbers to Watch
- Likes/Comments/Shares: If your posts get crickets (silence), try posting at different times or using more videos.
- New Followers: Growing fast? Keep doing what you’re doing! Stuck? Try new hashtags or contests.
- Click-throughs: How many people click your links? Low clicks = boring captions (try adding emojis or questions!).
- Sales/Sign-ups: Track how many people buy or join your email list from social media.
Free Tools to Use
- Facebook/Instagram Insights shows your top posts and the best times to post.
- Google Analytics Tracks if social media fans visit your website.
- Use our social media growth calculator to help you measure your engagement and track your progress over time.
Pro Tip: Social media is always changing! Keep testing new ideas and adjust your strategy to stay ahead of the game.
Step7: Keep Up with the Latest Trends
Social media moves faster than TikTok dances. What’s hot today? Gone tomorrow. But staying updated doesn’t mean chasing every trend, just the ones that fit your brand.
3 Easy Ways to Stay Trendy
Stalk the Cool Kids
Follow big accounts in your niche. Notice what they’re posting (Reels? Polls?). Copy their ideas, not their posts.
Example: A coffee shop saw rivals using “GRWM” (Get Ready With Me) videos. They made “GRWM: Brewing Your Morning Coffee” → viral!
Play with New Features First
- Instagram Reels, Facebook Live Audio, Pinterest Idea Pins. Test one new tool a month.
- No pressure: Post a 10-second Reel showing your product in action.
Google “Social Media Trends 2025”
Spend 10 minutes a week reading free blogs or watching YouTube recaps.
Don’t be afraid to try new things! Staying ahead of the curve can give you a competitive edge and keep your audience excited about your brand.
Wrapping It Up
Social media isn’t just a trend, it’s a golden ticket for businesses ready to connect, engage, and grow. With 5.24 billion users scrolling daily in 2025, the opportunity is massive, but success demands strategy, not luck. Whether you’re a laundromat business owner, running an e-commerce store, or a startup, the seven steps we’ve covered are your roadmap to turning followers into fans and posts into profits.
Here’s the magic formula in a nutshell
- Fish where the fish are (pick the right platforms).
- Plan like a pro (content calendars save sanity).
- Talk, don’t shout (engagement builds loyalty).
- Get found (hashtags + keywords = free visibility).
- Boost wisely (even $3/day ads can spark sales).
- Track, tweak, repeat (data beats guesses).
- Stay curious (trends are your secret weapon).
In 2025 growing a business on social media can be challenging, but remember that, small steps create big wins. You don’t need a fancy budget or a viral moment. Start with one platform, one post idea, or one hashtag. Test, learn, and grow.
FAQs to Grow a Business on Social Media
What is the First Step to Growing my Business on Social Media?
The first step is to choose the right social media platforms for your enterprise. Focus on the systems where your audience is most active, including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Twitter, depending on your industry and dreams.
How do I Pick the Best Platform for my Business?
- Ask: Where does your audience hang out? (Example: Teens love TikTok/Instagram, professionals use LinkedIn.)
- Match your content: Visually appealing? Try Instagram. Selling to other businesses? LinkedIn.
- Start with 1-2 platforms to avoid burnout.
Do I Need to Pay for Ads?
Not always, but ads speed things up! Start with 3–5/day to target ideal customers. Test simple ads (like a product photo + discount code) and track results.
How can I Keep up with the Latest Social Media Trends?
Stay updated via following industry leaders, experiment with new platform features, attend webinars, and peruse blogs. Maintaining traits ensures your organization remains relevant and engaged.
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I am a seasoned entrepreneur with a passion for building and scaling successful businesses. With years of experience in launching and managing multiple ventures across the USA, I have gained deep insights into what it takes to thrive in the competitive business world. Through my writing, I share practical strategies, expert advice, and proven business tips to help aspiring entrepreneurs turn their ideas into profitable ventures. When I’m not busy running my businesses, I enjoy mentoring startups and exploring innovative ways to grow in the ever-evolving market.