You don’t need to sell your soul to the algorithm!
Social media marketing isn’t just about dancing on Reels or chasing the next viral trend. For small businesses, especially local ones, Facebook still holds real power.
But, most people are either doing too much, doing the wrong things, or not doing anything at all because the platform feels overwhelming. Let’s fix that.
Why Facebook still matters
1. Cutting Through the Noise
Sure, TikTok’s shiny. Instagram looks pretty. But Facebook has two massive benefits going for it:
- It’s still where your customers are (especially if they’re over 30).
- Its community tools are unbeatable – we’re talking local groups, events, marketplaces, and pages that people still use daily.
If you’ve got a product or service to sell, Facebook can absolutely help you grow your reach and brand awareness, if you use it well.
5 tips to improve your facebook marketing
1. Get involved in community groups (don’t just lurk and like)
Local groups are where trust is built. Whether it’s a “Fife Mums” group, “Perthshire Business Network,” or a hobby-based community, engagement is currency.
✅ Don’t just spam your link. Answer questions. Offer advice. Be useful.
✅ Share genuinely helpful content (like tips or guides) and sign off as your business.
✅ Keep it human. You’re not a walking billboard.
💡 Pro tip: Share stories that connect to your audience; behind-the-scenes, customer shoutouts, local insights. People remember people, not logos.
2. Post with purpose
Stop posting just to tick a box. Every piece of content should do one of these:
- Educate your audience
- Entertain them
- Inspire action
- Build trust
Rotate your posts between value and visibility, not every post needs to sell, but every post should connect.
And PLEASE, for the love of all that is good and holy – STOP TAGGING ALL FOLLOWERS IN EVERY POST. It’s a sure fire way to tire your audience, and have them click the unfollow button! Use it strategically. That is all.
3. Mix it up: Photos, videos, text and polls
No, you don’t need a full-blown production crew. Just vary your content formats:
- Photos – real-life pics beat stock every time. Show your face, your team, your work.
- Videos – short, snappy explainer clips or client shoutouts work great.
- Text Posts – raw, honest updates or client wins often get brilliant engagement.
- Polls – great for boosting interaction and market research.
Use what fits you, but keep it fresh.
4. Stop relying on AI for every post
Yes, AI can save time. But if your content reads like ChatGPT 101, your audience will scroll right past it.
Use AI for ideas or rough outlines, not copy-paste captions. Your audience wants to hear you, not a robot with perfect grammar and zero personality.
5. Don’t chase reach, chase relevance
It’s tempting to go viral. But going viral with the wrong audience doesn’t pay your bills.
Instead:
- Focus on speaking directly to your ideal client.
- Use language they’d use.
- Post about things they actually care about.
Would you rather have 100 likes from strangers or 5 DMs from potential customers?
Quick Do’s and Don’ts
✅ DO:
- Use local keywords in your captions (e.g. “Fife plumbing services”).
- Tag clients (with permission) to expand reach.
- Use Facebook Events for launches or local workshops.
🚫 DON’T:
- Copy/paste the same post across every platform.
- Post without a call to action.
- Post and ghost. If someone comments, reply!
Facebook isn’t dead. You just have to use it like a human, not a billboard.
Your community is literally on there. Join the conversation, add value, and stop overcomplicating it. When your content is real, helpful, and consistent, the reach and results will follow.