Social Media Priorities for Small Businesses This Year

The start of a new year often brings a lot of pressure when it comes to social media. New platforms, new features, new “must-do” strategies, all while you’re already trying to run a business, manage life, and maybe recover from a busy or chaotic year.

If social media feels overwhelming right now, you’re not alone. And the good news? You don’t need to do more this year, you just need to do the right things.

Here’s what small business owners should actually be focusing on in social media this year, and what you can let go of.

1. Consistency Still Matters… But It Doesn’t Mean Daily Posting

Consistency has always mattered, but it doesn’t mean posting every day or chasing the algorithm. What matters more is showing up regularly in a way that’s sustainable for you.

Two to three intentional posts per week will always outperform sporadic bursts followed by burnout. The goal isn’t volume, it’s reliability. Your audience should know what to expect from you and feel confident that you’re present.

2. Engagement Matters More Than Follower Count

It’s easy to fixate on likes, follows, and views, but those numbers don’t always translate into business growth.

What matters now are meaningful interactions: comments, DMs, saves, and shares. These are signs that your content is resonating with the right people , the ones most likely to become clients or customers.

True followers will always be more valuable than vanity numbers.

3. Educational and Personal Content Is What Builds Trust

People want to learn from you and connect with you.

Educational content positions you as an expert, while personal or behind-the-scenes content reminds people there’s a real human behind the brand. You don’t need to overshare, but showing your process, values, and personality builds trust far faster than polished sales posts alone.

4. You Don’t Need Every New Platform or Feature

Every year brings new tools, trends, and “must-use” features. The truth? You don’t need all of them.

Choose one or two platforms and a few content formats you can realistically maintain. Master those before adding anything new. Social media should support your business, not run it.

5. Strategy Beats Spontaneity

Posting “when you remember” or only when inspiration strikes usually leads to inconsistency and frustration.

A simple strategy, even a basic monthly content plan creates clarity, saves time, and removes the daily stress of wondering what to post. When you have a plan, social media becomes more intentional and far less overwhelming.

ONE Final Thought

If social media has felt heavy, inconsistent, or confusing, that’s often a sign that strategy, not effort is missing.

This year doesn’t require a complete overhaul. It requires focus, intention, and a realistic plan that fits your business and your life.

If social media feels overwhelming or inconsistent, it’s often not a lack of effort, it’s a lack of strategy. If you’re ready for a clearer, more sustainable approach, Take Flight would love to help.

Is Instagram’s Declining Reach Hurting Your Business? Here’s What to Do About It

You may have noticed that your Instagram posts aren’t performing like they used to—and you’re not imagining it. In fact, Instagram’s organic reach has been steadily declining, with engagement dropping by as much as 28–30% year over year. That means your content is reaching significantly fewer people than it did just a year ago, even if your follower count has remained steady or grown.

For small business owners, this should be a wake-up call: you can no longer rely solely on the algorithm to get your content in front of the right audience.

What’s Going On?

Instagram, like most social platforms, is increasingly becoming a “pay-to-play” space. Current data shows:

• Organic reach is hovering around 4–5%, and trending lower each year.

• Posts from business accounts often get buried unless they spark high engagement or are backed by ad spend.

• Even followers who want to see your content may not unless they engage through DMs, saves, shares, or Stories.

Some small business owners have even shared that their story views have dropped by 70–90%, despite having thousands of followers. For those who depend on Instagram to generate sales and leads, that kind of drop can be devastating.

What You Can Do About It

Don’t panic—but don’t stay passive either. Here are five strategies to future-proof your growth:

1. Invest Strategically in Paid Ads
   Paid content now guarantees visibility where organic content often can’t. Even small ad budgets can go a long way when properly targeted.

2. Double Down on Reels and Stories
   Instagram is favoring video and real-time engagement. Reels and Stories tend to earn more reach than static posts.

3. Encourage Real Engagement
   Create content that invites DMs, shares, saves, or interactions through polls and questions—these signals help your visibility more than likes alone.

4. Incorporate User-Generated Content (UGC)
   UGC is trusted, relatable, and often performs better than highly polished brand content. Ask your customers to tag you, then reshare.

5. Go Beyond Instagram
   Build your email list. Show up on Pinterest or LinkedIn. Don’t put all your marketing eggs in one (Meta-owned) basket.

What This Means for Your Business

As the owner of Take Flight Social Media Consulting, I’ve had more and more conversations with clients who are confused or discouraged by dropping performance. The truth? Instagram is evolving, and so must your strategy. While this might feel overwhelming, it’s also an opportunity to become more intentional about how you connect with your audience.

Organic reach might be shrinking— but with the right mix of strategy, engagement, and diversified platforms, your visibility and business growth don’t have to.

Want help adjusting your social strategy to match today’s digital landscape? Let’s chat. I offer done-with-you and done-for-you consulting packages tailored to small businesses like yours.

Reach out by emailing hello@takeflightsoical.com or DM us on Instagram @TakeFlightSocial.