"What should I post?" is the question we hear more than any other from small business owners. Here are 30 content ideas that actually work, the kinds of posts that get engagement, build trust, and bring in customers.
We've grouped them into categories so you can mix and match throughout the month.
Behind the Scenes (Build Trust)
People buy from people. Behind-the-scenes content makes your business feel human and approachable.
- A day in the life: Take people through a typical workday. What does your morning look like? What projects are you working on?
- Your workspace: Show where the magic happens. Whether it's a professional studio or a kitchen table, people are curious.
- Process video: Film the process of making your product or delivering your service. Time-lapses work brilliantly for this.
- Before and after: One of the highest-performing formats on Instagram. Transformations are compelling.
- Packing an order or preparing for a job: Simple, relatable, and surprisingly watchable.
- Meet the team: Introduce yourself or your team members. Include a fun fact or two.
- Your origin story: Why did you start this business? What problem were you solving?
Social Proof (Build Credibility)
Reviews and results are some of your most powerful marketing assets. Don't be shy about sharing them.
- Customer review: Design a branded graphic with a review quote. These get saved and shared.
- Case study or result: "We helped [client type] achieve [result] in [timeframe]." Keep it specific.
- User-generated content: Repost photos or videos from happy customers (with permission).
- Client spotlight: Feature a customer and their story. They'll share it with their audience too.
- Milestone celebration: 100 clients, 2 years in business, 500 followers. Celebrate it and thank your community.
Educational Content (Build Authority)
Sharing your expertise builds trust.
- Answer a common question: What do customers ask you most often? Answer it in a post.
- Quick tip: One practical, actionable tip related to your industry. These perform exceptionally well as short videos.
- Myth busting: "A common misconception about [your service] is…" Bold takes get engagement.
- How-to guide: Break down a simple process step by step. The more specific, the better.
- Industry news or trends: Share something relevant happening in your field and give your take on it.
- Tools or resources you recommend: What helps you do your job better? Your audience will find it useful too.
Promotional Content (Drive Enquiries)
Don't be afraid to sell, just make sure it's not the only thing you post.
- Service spotlight: Pick one service and explain exactly what it includes, who it's for, and what the outcome is.
- Limited availability: "We have 2 spaces in April." Scarcity is a genuine motivator.
- Seasonal offer: Tie an offer to a relevant moment: new financial year, back to school, summer, Christmas.
- FAQ about your pricing: Address the cost question head-on. Transparency builds trust.
- What's included: Break down exactly what clients get when they work with you. Overcome objections proactively.
Engagement Content (Grow Your Community)
Content that invites responses boosts your reach on most platforms.
- Poll or question: "Would you rather X or Y?" or "What's your biggest challenge with [topic]?"
- This or that: Two options, people pick one. Simple, high engagement.
- Throwback: Early days of your business, an old project, or how things have changed.
- Fill in the blank: "The best thing about running my own business is ____." Invites responses and shares.
- Caption this: Post a funny or unusual photo from your business and ask followers to caption it.
Seasonal and Timely Content
- Bank holiday or seasonal content: Tie relevant content to the time of year. What does your business look like at Christmas, summer, or the new financial year?
- Awareness days: There's a national or international day for almost everything. Find ones relevant to your industry and create content around them.
How to Use These Ideas
The key is variety; this gives your audience a mix that doesn't feel like one long sales pitch.
If you'd rather not worry about any of this, our social media expert can provide advice, photography, branded content and monthly or weekly posts created for your business. Get in touch to find out more.