Social Media for Local Businesses: A 30-Minute-a-Day Plan

Most local businesses fail at social media because they try to do five platforms badly. Pick one, commit for ninety days, and follow a repeatable content mix.

Choose one platform, honestly

• Facebook: community groups, events, older local audiences, service businesses.
• Instagram: anything visual — trades, food, salons, retail, before-and-afters.
• LinkedIn: B2B services, recruiting, professional referral networks.
• TikTok or Reels: fast growth if you are comfortable on camera.

The 4-post weekly mix

1. Proof: a finished job, a before-and-after, a happy customer.
2. Teach: one useful tip that costs you nothing to give away.
3. People: the team, the van, the workshop, the everyday reality.
4. Ask: an offer, an opening, or a direct call to book.

The 30-minute daily routine

1. 5 minutes: capture one photo or 15-second clip while working.
2. 10 minutes: write and schedule one post.
3. 10 minutes: reply to every comment and message.
4. 5 minutes: comment genuinely on five local business or community posts.

What to measure

Follower count is vanity. Track saves, shares, profile visits, and direct messages that turn into enquiries. If a post type consistently produces conversations, make more of it and drop what does not.

Consistency for ninety days beats a brilliant campaign that stops after three weeks.