How often should a small business post on social media?

The short answer: three good posts a week on one platform beats a burst of daily posts that stops after a fortnight. Start there, add stories and short videos when you can, and only add a second platform once the first is running smoothly.

Keeping it up matters more than posting a lot

Most small businesses start their socials with a burst of energy, then go quiet when things get busy. A page that hasn't posted for two months makes people wonder if you're still open.

Posting steadily, week after week, does two things. Your followers keep seeing you, so you're the one they think of when they need you. And the platforms tend to show more of your posts to more people when you post regularly.

So pick a number you can keep up when you're at your busiest, not your quietest.

Which platform should a small business use?

You don't need to be everywhere. Start where your customers already spend their time:

• Instagram suits anything visual: salons, barbers, cafés, florists, makers.
• TikTok is great for reaching new people with short videos, even with very few followers.
• Facebook is still where a lot of local community groups and recommendations happen.
• LinkedIn is for selling to other businesses.

One platform done well beats three done badly.

What should a small business post each week?

If you're posting three times a week, give each post a job:

1. Show your work. A before and after, a finished job, your best-selling product.
2. Show the people. You, your team, or a happy customer (with their OK).
3. Give people a reason to get in touch. A free slot this week, a seasonal offer, a new service.

Add a few stories during the week, like behind the scenes, today's availability or a quick poll. Stories don't need to be polished.

Are short videos worth making?

Short videos are one of the best ways to reach people who don't follow you yet. On the TikTok account we run together, 89% of views over 60 days (8 August to 6 October 2026) came from TikTok's For You page, which shows videos to people beyond your followers.

They don't need to be complicated. A 15-second clip of your work, a quick tip, or a look behind the scenes is plenty.

How do you find the time to post?

The hardest part is finding the time. Instead of making something new every day, set aside one afternoon to take photos and short clips, then schedule them across the month. Most platforms let you schedule posts in advance for free.

How do you tell what's working?

Once a month, look at which posts did best. Don't just count likes. Look at shares, saves, profile visits and, most of all, messages and enquiries. Do more of what brings people in, and less of what doesn't.

When to get help

If you know your socials matter but they keep slipping to the bottom of the list, that's where we come in. We plan your content, make it, post it and report back each month, with packages from £350 a month. If you're weighing it up, here's what social media management costs in the UK. If you'd rather post yourself, a one-off Content Day (£95) gets you a month's worth of photos and short videos in one go.

Want to know what would work for your business? Book a free audit below and we'll tell you.