Social Media Marketing for Small Businesses, Lazy Person's Guide

Social Media for Small Biz: The Lazy Person's Guide to Going Viral

Look, we get it. You're running a small business, which means you're probably the CEO, CFO, and janitor all rolled into one. The last thing you want to think about is crafting the perfect tweet or making TikToks.

But social media isn't going anywhere, and it's still one of the cheapest ways to get eyeballs on your business.

So, let's talk about how to do social media without wanting to throw your phone into the sea.

The "Post and Ghost" Method

First things first, forget what you've heard about needing to be "always on." That's a recipe for burnout, and burnt-out business owners don't make good content (or good anything, really).

Instead, try the "Post and Ghost" method:

1. Set aside one hour a week for social media.
2. Create a week's worth of content in that hour.
3. Schedule it all to post automatically.
4. Forget about it until next week.

Boom. You're now "consistent" without being chained to your phone.

The Secret Sauce of Virality

Now, let's talk about going viral. Everyone wants it, few achieve it, and it's about as predictable as a cat's mood. But there are a few tricks that can tip the odds in your favor:

1. Be the purple cow: In a field of regular cows, be the purple one. Say something unexpected, do something different, or show a side of your business no one's seen before.

2. Ride the wave: Keep an eye on trending topics and jump on them if you can relate them to your business. But please, for the love of all that is holy, don't force it. Nothing's cringier than a brand trying too hard to be cool.

3. The "Huh, interesting" factor: Share something that makes people go "Huh, interesting." It could be a surprising fact about your industry, a behind-the-scenes peek, or a counterintuitive tip.

4. Make 'em laugh: Humor is universal. If you can make people laugh, they'll share your content. Just remember, dad jokes are only funny when actual dads tell them.

Platform-Specific Hacks

Each social media platform is like a different party. You wouldn't wear a tux to a beach barbecue, right? Here's how to fit in on each platform without spending hours figuring it out:

TikTok:

• Keep it short (25 seconds or less).
• Hook 'em in the first second. Literally.
• Use trending sounds, but put your own spin on them.

Instagram:

• 30-second videos are the sweet spot.
• Use the first 3 seconds to grab attention.
• Stories are your friend. Use them liberally.

Twitter:

• 280 characters is your limit, but brevity is your friend.
• Join conversations. Twitter loves a good back-and-forth.
• Don't be afraid of threads for longer thoughts.

Facebook:

• 1-minute videos work well here.
• Despite the long character limit, shorter posts (under 80 characters) get more engagement.
• Facebook groups can be gold mines. Find relevant ones and participate.

LinkedIn:

• Keep videos around 1 minute.
• Write articles if you have expertise to share.
• It's professional, but not stuffy. Let your personality shine.

YouTube:

• Aim for 10-minute videos if you can sustain interest that long.
• Nail your titles and thumbnails. They're make-or-break for clicks.
• Consistency matters more here than anywhere else.

The "Good Enough" Philosophy

Here's the thing: perfect is the enemy of done. Your social media doesn't need to be Emmy-worthy. It needs to be authentic and consistent. A shaky behind-the-scenes video that actually gets posted is infinitely better than the perfectly scripted ad that never makes it out of your drafts.

The One Metric That Actually Matters

Forget followers, likes, and all that jazz. The only metric that really matters is this: Is your social media helping you sell more stuff?

If yes, keep doing what you're doing. If no, try something different.

It really is that simple.

Wrapping Up

Social media for small business doesn't have to be a full-time job. It doesn't have to be perfect. It just has to be authentic, somewhat consistent, and occasionally interesting. You can do that, right?

Remember, you're not trying to be an influencer. You're trying to influence people to buy your stuff or use your service. Keep that in mind, and you'll do just fine.

Now go forth and post. Or don't. We aren't the boss - you are.