How to run a social media page for a business (without going mad)

How to Run a Social Media Page for Your Business (Without Going Mad)

Running a business social media page sounds simple… until you’re staring at your screen wondering what on earth to post, why no one’s liking your reel, and how to keep up with the never-ending trends. Trust me, I’ve been there. Whether you’re just starting out or trying to breathe life back into your socials, here’s a real-life guide (with all the things I’ve learned running Doodle Zoo) to help you build a fun, engaging, and authentic business page.

1. Know Your Brand Before You Post Anything

Before you create a single reel or caption, ask yourself:

• What does my business stand for?
• Who am I trying to talk to?
• What vibe am I going for — fun, helpful, stylish, bold?

At Doodle Zoo, my brand is all about dogs, colour, fun, and community — so every post is made with that in mind. People will follow you for a consistent vibe. So pick your brand voice early and stick with it!

2. Choose the Right Platforms (and Don’t Try to Do Them All at Once)

Instagram is perfect for visual products and building a loyal community. TikTok is amazing for going viral and showing personality. Facebook is still great for older audiences and local connections.

Start where your audience already is. I began with Instagram because it’s perfect for cute dog pics and product photos — then expanded to TikTok as I got more confident.

3. Post Consistently (But Don’t Burn Out)

You don’t need to post every single day, but you do need to show up regularly. Whether it’s 3 times a week or daily, pick a schedule that works for you and stick with it. It builds trust, rhythm, and algorithm-friendly behaviour.

Batch your content if it helps. Take loads of photos or film a few reels in one go, then spread them out through the week.

4. Content Should Entertain, Educate or Inspire (Not Just Sell)

Nobody wants to follow a business that just screams “buy this!” all the time. Mix your posts:

• Behind-the-scenes content (people love seeing the real you!)
• Tutorials or how-to’s
• Relatable memes
• Customer shoutouts
• Product drops
• Polls, stories and questions to get people involved

Make your followers feel like part of your journey — not just customers.

5. Reels & Videos Are Key (But Keep Them Real)

Short-form video is the king of social media right now. But you don’t need to be a pro editor or have a fancy camera. Some of the best-performing videos are simple: a dog in a harness, a messy behind-the-scenes clip, or a funny voiceover.

Keep it real, keep it short, and keep experimenting. Trends can be helpful, but don’t force it if it doesn’t fit your brand.

6. Use Captions that Sound Like You

People connect with people. Whether your brand voice is calm and professional or silly and chatty (like mine often is), write captions like you’re speaking to a friend. Be relatable. Use emojis if they fit. Ask questions. And always include a clear call-to-action — whether that’s “tag a friend” or “check out our latest post.”

7. Don’t Sleep on Stories

Stories are where your audience really gets to know you. Use them daily to share updates, behind-the-scenes peeks, shoutouts, polls, countdowns, or just to chat with your followers.

They disappear in 24 hours, so there’s less pressure to be perfect. Use them to be real.

8. Engage More Than You Post

This is a big one. If you want people to comment on your posts, go and comment on theirs first. Reply to your DMs. Share customer content. Build relationships. Social media is just that — social. The algorithm rewards engagement, and your community will grow stronger for it.

9. Use Insights to Your Advantage

Once you’ve been posting for a while, check your analytics. What posts are getting the most saves, comments, shares? What time do your followers tend to be online?

Don’t obsess over numbers, but use them to work smarter. If reels on your packaging process are blowing up — make more!

10. Stay Patient and Keep Evolving

Growth doesn’t happen overnight (and yes, it can be slow). But stay consistent, learn from your audience, and don’t be afraid to try new things. I’ve made posts that flopped and posts I thought were random that ended up being my best ones. Social media is part strategy, part luck — so have fun with it!

 

Final Thought: Build Community, Not Just a Following

Your goal isn’t just to get more likes — it’s to build a space where your followers feel seen, involved, and excited about what you’re creating. Whether you’re selling dog harnesses or handmade candles, the most successful pages are the ones that make people feel something.

So don’t worry about being perfect. Be you, show up, and your community will come.