How to Make Social Media Work for Your Business Without the Overwhelm
Managing social media as a business owner can feel like a full-time job—on top of the actual full-time job you already have. Gina Ford, founder of Babe Crafted, and I recently discussed this very topic on Instagram covering everything from content trends to sustainable strategies that make social media less stressful and more effective.
Missed the live? You can watch the full conversation here, or keep reading for the key takeaways!
The Reality of Content Creation: Why It Feels So Hard
If you’ve ever spent hours creating content only to get a handful of likes and zero leads, you’re not alone. Social media requires time, strategy, and consistency—but that doesn’t mean it should take over your life.
One of my clients once spent five hours creating a week’s worth of posts. That’s a huge mental load! Between brainstorming, designing, writing captions, and engaging with followers, social media can quickly become overwhelming.
The good news? You don’t have to do it alone (or spend hours glued to your phone). That’s where a solid strategy comes in.
What’s Actually Working on Instagram in 2025?
Reels are still going strong, but there’s been a shift. Here’s what’s performing well right now for most industries, across the board but especially for service providers (I'll provide examples from my own account for each type):
✅ Talking Head Reels – This is exactly what it sounds like. Just you and your phone camera, chatting it up. You can tell a story that a client recently told you, share a life lesson you've learned since starting your business, or walk someone through what it's like working with you. Example here
✅ B-Roll Reels + 'POV' Reels – These are great for the business owner who's a little camera shy and is intimidated by getting on camera and talking. You can grab a video you already have in your camera roll (you drinking coffee, taking a walk, your morning routine, etc), add a relatable hook on the screen, and pair it with trending audio, and boom! You're done. These are much easier to do because they take less. Example one & Example two
✅ 'Day in the Life' with Original Audio – While trending sounds have their place, 'Day in the Life' or vlog-style Reels that showcase original audio of authentic sounds that were caught during filming is gaining traction as people crave genuine connections. Example here
✅ Carousels – Carousels are making a comeback, especially for businesses that educate and share valuable insights. The key with carousels is to pique interest with a great hook on the 1st slide that makes you want to keep swiping to read the whole post. Example here & Educational carousel example
✅Recap Carousels - This could be a monthly 'photo dump' or an annual recap (think Spotify wrapped). These are great for nuturing your existing audience and giving them insight into what happens in your real life and biz. Annual example here. Monthly example here.
If You’ve Been Neglecting Your Instagram… Start Here
Let’s be real—sometimes Instagram falls to the bottom of the to-do list. If you haven’t posted in a while, and don't plan to post consistently but want to still use your Instagram as a 'landing page' for people who find you, this is what I'd do:
Pin three strategic posts to your profile:
An “About You” post so new followers know who you are.
A “How to Work With You” post so potential clients know what you offer.
A “Freebie or Value” post to encourage engagement.
If You Want to Start posting consistently... Try This
Plan your content in advance: A simple spreadsheet with post ideas and formats can make a huge difference in staying consistent without the last-minute scramble.
Focus on sustainable content: Stop reinventing the wheel! Repurpose content, batch-create, and stick to a schedule that works for you (not what some guru on TikTok says you should do).
Need Industry-Specific Content Ideas?
During the live, we brainstormed content ideas for different industries. Here are a few takeaways:
Childcare Providers: Share “day in the life” videos (while keeping kids’ identities private) or showcase fun activities and educational moments.
Pet Businesses: If you’re in the pet industry (like a poop scoop company!), lean into relatable content—like the struggle of finding dog poop hidden in leaves. And share your daily life with your pets. Accounts from the pet's perspective is a fun twist and is working well on Instagram right now.
Branding Photographers: So many photographers hide behind their work. Stand out by showing more of you! Behind-the-scenes footage, before-and-after edits, and personality-packed captions help you stand out.
TLDR: Keep It Real & Sustainable
✔️ Start with a posting schedule you can actually stick to—then build from there.
✔️ Make sure your content aligns with your business goals instead of blindly following trends.
✔️ Infuse your personality into your posts. That’s what makes people connect and engage!
Ready to Take the Stress Out of Social Media?
If managing your social media feels overwhelming, I can help.
Whether you need a full social media strategy, content creation, or just some guidance to get started, I’m here to make your life easier and your business shine online.
Click here to learn more about my services and how we can work together to create a stress-free social media plan that actually works for your business!
Let’s make social media work for you—without the overwhelm!
Comments