Fall Into Sales: A Simple Guide to Seasonal Social Media Marketing for Small Business Owners

As summer winds down and pumpkin spice starts creeping into every corner, it’s time for small business owners to shift gears and get ready for fall! The upcoming season offers incredible marketing opportunities; but without a solid content plan, it’s easy to miss the moment.

Here are five easy tips to help you get your fall social media marketing off the ground:

1. Create a Fall Content Calendar

Planning ahead reduces stress and helps you stay consistent. Map out key dates like Labor Day, Halloween, and Thanksgiving, and align your promotions around them. Tools like Trello or Google Calendar work great for keeping things organized.

2. Tap Into Seasonal Trends

Think cozy sweaters, fall recipes, gratitude themes, and autumn colors. Incorporate these into your visuals and messaging to instantly resonate with your audience. Even a simple fall-themed color update to your feed can make a difference.

3. Plan Giveaways or Promotions

With kids back in school and fall routines settling in, shoppers are ready to spend. Whether it’s a seasonal bundle, a Halloween flash sale, or a Thanksgiving giveaway, this is the perfect time to spark engagement and boost sales.

4. Batch Your Content Ahead of Time

Spend a day each month creating and scheduling your content. Apps like Later, Buffer, or Canva’s Content Planner make this process simple—even for non-techies. This frees up your time and ensures your content stays consistent.

5. Engage Your Audience

Ask seasonal questions, run polls, and encourage user-generated content. “What’s your favorite fall activity?” or “Show us your Halloween costume!” are easy ways to start conversations and boost engagement.

Need Help Pulling It All Together?

Take Flight is here to help you plan, create, and execute a fall social strategy that works. Whether you need a full content calendar or just a few creative ideas, we’ve got your back.

Let’s chat and make your fall marketing soar. We’re waiting for your e-mail!

Instagram SEO 2.0: What’s Working in 2025

If it’s been a minute since you thought about Instagram SEO, it’s time for a refresh. In 2025, the platform has become even smarter about how it serves content—and that’s great news for small business owners looking to grow without relying on paid ads.

Instagram SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is all about how discoverable your content is within the app. That includes showing up on the Explore page, in search results, suggested Reels, and recommended accounts. The more your content aligns with what users are searching for, the better your chances of reaching new people—organically.

What’s Working Right Now:

1. Strong keyword placement in captions
Instagram’s algorithm now prioritizes text content more than ever. Your captions should include words and phrases your ideal customer is actually searching for—like “Orange County facial,” “summer skincare tips,” or “small business website design.”

2. Optimized bios
That one-liner under your name? It’s prime SEO real estate. Instagram uses your name field and bio to help users find you, so include keywords naturally. For example, “Social Media Strategist for Local Business” is more searchable than “Marketing Pro.”

3. Alt text that serves SEO
Alt text isn’t just for accessibility—it also helps with visibility. When uploading graphics or photos, write custom alt text that describes the image and includes a keyword. Example: “Business owner holding planner during content planning session.”

4. Content that matches intent
It’s not just about keywords—it’s about delivering what people want. If your caption says “social media tips,” make sure the content is helpful, skimmable, and saveable. Relevance = reach.

5. Reels titles and on-screen text
Instagram’s AI now reads on-screen text and listens to audio. That means your Reel intros should include searchable hooks or keywords for better discoverability.

What’s Not Working:

1. Hashtag overload
Throwing in 30 unrelated hashtags? That strategy has fizzled. Instagram favors quality and context over quantity.

2. One-word or emoji-only captions
Fun? Yes. Helpful? Not for the algorithm. Keyword-rich captions are essential for search visibility.

3. Ignoring alt text
Letting Instagram auto-fill alt text is a missed opportunity. Custom descriptions improve both SEO and accessibility.

4. Overly polished, stock-looking content
Today’s audience craves authenticity. Over-curated posts can feel impersonal and may get less engagement than behind-the-scenes or casual content.

5. Only posting static images
Static posts still matter, but if you’re not using Reels, you’re skipping the format Instagram is actively pushing.

6. Treating Instagram like a billboard
Posts that only promote your services without context or value tend to fall flat. Focus on creating engaging, helpful content that people actually want to interact with.

You don’t need to game the algorithm—you just need to speak your audience’s language and stay consistent.

Need help optimizing your Instagram for search? Take Flight is here to help. Let’s make your content work smarter, not harder.

Clients Ask: Why is Buying Followers a Bad Idea (and What to Do Instead)?

Clients ask us all the time: "How can I get more followers—fast?"

Small businesses and any one new to social media want those vanity numbers and believe a high follower count equals credibility and success. We get it. The pressure to grow quickly is real, and it can be frustrating when organic growth feels slow. That’s why many small business owners are tempted to take a shortcut and buy followers.

If you’ve ever considered purchasing followers, you’re not alone. But before you click “buy,” let’s set the record straight. Purchasing followers might boost your numbers, but it won’t grow your business. In fact, it can actually hurt your brand. Here’s why it’s a mistake—and what you should do instead to attract a real, engaged audience that actually converts…

The Problem with Buying Followers

At first glance, buying followers might seem like a quick way to boost your business’s presence. After all, a higher follower count must mean more credibility, right? Not exactly. Here’s why:  

1. Fake or Inactive Accounts

Most purchased followers are bots or inactive accounts. They won’t engage with your content, meaning your likes, comments, and shares won’t increase—just your number of followers.   

2. Lower Engagement Rates

Instagram’s algorithm prioritizes engagement. If you have thousands of followers but very few interactions, your content is less likely to be shown to real people.  

3. Potential Penalties

Instagram actively removes fake accounts and can penalize accounts that engage in inauthentic growth, meaning you could lose those followers just as quickly as you gained them.  

4. No Real Business Value

If your goal is to attract small business owners or entrepreneurs who might actually work with you, buying followers won’t help. A fake audience won’t book your services or recommend you to others.  

What to Do Instead: Authentic Strategies for Growth 

If you want real small business owners and entrepreneurs to follow you, the best approach is organic growth. Here’s how:  

1. Engage with Your Ideal Audience

Find and interact with small business owners by commenting on their posts, replying to their stories, and sending meaningful DMs. Authentic engagement fosters real connections and increases the chances of them following you back.  

2. Use Strategic Hashtags and Instagram SEO

Hashtags like #SmallBusinessMarketing, #EntrepreneurLife, and #SocialMediaTips can help business owners discover your content. Also, optimize your bio with keywords related to social media consulting so your profile appears in search results.  

3. Collaborate and Network

Partner with business coaches, industry leaders, or fellow entrepreneurs for live sessions, shoutouts, or collaborations. Cross-promotions introduce you to new, relevant audiences.  

4. Run Targeted Instagram Ads

Instead of buying followers, invest in Instagram ads that target business owners based on their interests and behaviors. This way, you attract the right audience—people who might actually become clients.  

5. Share Value-Driven Content

Consistently post high-quality content that provides real value. Share social media tips, success stories, and actionable advice that helps small business owners grow. The more valuable your content, the more likely people will follow and engage.  

The Bottom Line

A large follower count might look impressive, but if those followers aren’t real or engaged, it won’t benefit your business. Instead of wasting money on fake numbers, focus on building a community of real entrepreneurs who are genuinely interested in what you offer. Authenticity always wins in the long run.  

Are you looking for a strategy to grow your Instagram the right way? Let’s talk! Take Flight specializes in helping small businesses build a loyal, engaged audience—no shortcuts needed.