You open Facebook, stare at the empty box, and close it again. The last post on your page was in March. Sound familiar?
For a local business, social media isn't about going viral. It's about staying in the minds of people within a few miles of you, so when they need what you do, they think of you first. It also shows anyone checking you out that you're active, real and good at what you do. That's achievable in half an hour a week.
In short
- Pick one or two platforms where your customers actually are. You don't need to be everywhere.
- Show your work, your people and your local area, and share what you know.
- Post two or three times a week, consistently, rather than in bursts.
- End posts with a simple, clear next step.
Which platforms are worth your time?
| Platform | Best for |
|---|---|
| Most home-service businesses. Local community groups are where neighbours ask for recommendations. | |
| Visual work: landscaping, kitchens, bathrooms, decorating, salons, cafés. | |
| Business customers: commercial cleaning, fire safety, accountants, solicitors, facilities work. | |
| Nextdoor | Neighbourhood recommendations for home services. |
| Google Business Profile updates | Everyone. They appear on your Google listing, right where people are deciding. |
30 ideas for posts
Show your work
- A before-and-after of this week's best job.
- A "during" photo of the bit customers never see, explaining why it matters.
- A 20-second video walk-round of a finished job.
- A close-up of a detail you're proud of: a neat joint, a clean finish, a tidy cable run.
- A tricky problem and how you solved it.
- Your biggest job this month, in three photos.
Show your people
- Meet the team: one person, one photo, two lines about them.
- A work anniversary or a new qualification.
- Why you started the business.
- A day in the life, from first coffee to last job.
- The van, freshly cleaned and stocked, ready for the week.
Help and educate
- A seasonal tip, such as clearing gutters before winter or bleeding radiators in October.
- "Three signs you need…": a new roof, a boiler service, a deep clean.
- A common mistake people make, and how to avoid it.
- Answer a question a customer asked you this week.
- Myth or fact? Bust a common myth in your trade.
- A "how to choose a [your trade]" checklist.
- What a fair price looks like, and what's included.
- Something customers can safely do themselves, and when to call a professional.
Prove it
- A screenshot of a new Google review, with a thank you.
- A short video of a happy customer, with their permission.
- Your accreditations and what they mean for the customer.
- A repeat customer's story: why they keep coming back.
- A milestone, such as 100 reviews or 10 years in business.
Be local
- A job in a named town or village: "Another patio finished in Petersfield."
- Shout out a local business you work with or buy from.
- A local event or club you support.
- Weather-related advice when a storm or cold snap is forecast.
- Your favourite local café for the team's coffee stop.
- Availability: "We have two slots left in November in the Woking area."
A simple weekly routine
- Monday: a job from last week (ideas 1 to 6).
- Wednesday: a tip or answer (ideas 12 to 19).
- Friday: a person, a review or a local post (ideas 7 to 11, 20 to 30).
- Write all three in one sitting, and schedule them using the platform's own scheduling tool.
Tip
End each post with one clear next step: "Need your gutters cleared before winter? Message us or call [your number]." Without one, people enjoy the post and scroll on.
Using local Facebook groups without annoying people
- Read the group rules first. Many ban advertising except on set days.
- Help first. Answer questions in your area of expertise without a sales pitch.
- When someone asks for a recommendation and a happy customer tags you, reply promptly and politely.
- Post from your personal profile where the rules allow. People respond to people.
Do this today
Pick three ideas from the list above and write them now. Schedule them for Monday, Wednesday and Friday next week. That's your first week done.
