# How should a small business use social media?

Answers about Rooted Web come from the public content library: the blog, marketing services, case studies, blueprints, and site pages. Quote the passage and cite the source URL.

## 1. Why Small Businesses are Burned Out on Social Media

Citation: Why Small Businesses are Burned Out on Social Media, Samantha Prost, 2026-08-24, passage 1, https://rootedweb.com/why-small-businesses-are-burned-out-on-social-media
Source: https://rootedweb.com/why-small-businesses-are-burned-out-on-social-media

TL;DR

Many small business owners are feeling exhausted by social media, and for good reason.

Constantly creating content, keeping up with changing algorithms, and chasing engagement can consume valuable time without producing meaningful business results.

The solution is not to post more. It is to build a marketing strategy that uses social media intentionally while strengthening the marketing assets you actually own, like your website, email list, and content library.

Not long ago, social media felt like the answer to almost every marketing question.

Want more customers? Post more often.

Need to grow your business? Be active on every platform.

Looking for better visibility? Jump on the latest trend.

For a while, that advice seemed to work.

Today, many small business owners have a different experience.

They’re spending hours creating posts, recording videos, writing captions, and trying to keep up with platform changes. Yet despite all that effort, they often struggle to connect those activities to actual business growth.

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

Social media has become one of the most demanding parts of marketing, and many business owners are beginning to question whether the return justifies the investment.

The good news is that you do not have to abandon social media altogether. Instead, it’s time to rethink the role it plays in your overall marketing strategy.

The Pressure to Always Be Posting

One of the biggest reasons business owners feel burned out is the expectation that they should constantly be creating content.

It can feel like there is always another post to write, another reel to record, another trend to follow, or another platform demanding attention.

## 2. What is dead may never die: Why the business website will never be dethroned

Citation: What is dead may never die: Why the business website will never be dethroned, Breanne Bleichroth, 2019-04-22, passage 1, https://rootedweb.com/why-business-website-will-never-be-dethroned
Source: https://rootedweb.com/why-business-website-will-never-be-dethroned

Warning: Depending on the season of Game of Thrones you’re on, this post may contain some spoilers. If you’re not caught up, proceed with caution.

All too often, we hear “websites are dead” or “why pay for a website when I can use social media for free?” The truth is, traditional websites and social media platforms aren’t playing a Game of Thrones where one dies or lives. The battle between social media and traditional websites is a ruse; in truth, they can and do work together to place your business on the Iron Throne, by making your business presence stronger and helping your customers know, understand and trust you.

Let’s think of the traditional website as House Stark—established and well known—and social media as House Targaryen—young, new to the game and hot (because, you know, dragons). While at one point, the two were battling for the chance to control Westeros, they eventually discovered that by joining forces, the battle for the Iron Throne was more likely to be won than lost.

There are pros and cons to both traditional websites and social media, but in the end, one is not better than the other; they are stronger together.

House Targaryen and social media

Just like Daenerys Targaryen is the blood of the dragon, social media is the blood of modern networking, which makes it so attractive to a variety of businesses. Social media allows small business owners to personally connect with potential customers and share the successes of their business. The best part? It’s easy to use and takes little to no investment to get started.

Social media allows your business to engage with customers and emphasize your brand, making it a great marketing tool. This is exactly how it should be used—but also where many benefits stop.

## 3. How to Use Video Marketing for a Small Business

Citation: How to Use Video Marketing for a Small Business, Samantha Prost, 2026-07-20, passage 2, https://rootedweb.com/how-to-use-video-marketing-for-a-small-business
Source: https://rootedweb.com/how-to-use-video-marketing-for-a-small-business

answer questions that might otherwise require a phone call.

Start With the Questions Customers Already Ask

One of the simplest ways to begin video marketing is to focus on real customer questions.

Think about the conversations you have every week.

Customers often ask:

- What exactly do you do?

- How does your service work?

- What should I expect if I hire you?

- How much does it cost?

- How long does it take?

Each of these questions can become a short video.

For example, a contractor might create a video explaining what happens during the first consultation. A healthcare provider might explain how appointments are scheduled and what patients should expect.

When videos answer real questions, they are more useful and more likely to be watched.

Keep Videos Simple and Focused

Many small businesses delay video because they think it needs to be polished or complex.

That’s not necessary.

Most effective small business videos are simple and direct. They focus on one idea at a time and avoid unnecessary editing.

A good starting structure is:

- State the question or topic

- Provide a clear explanation

- Close with a simple next step

For example, a video might begin with, “Many customers ask what happens after they contact us.” Then, walk through the process in a straightforward way.

Short videos are often more effective than longer ones, especially when they stay focused.

Use Video on Your Website First

Social media often gets the most attention when people think about video, but your website is one of the most important places to use it.

Visitors who arrive on your website are already interested. They are trying to understand your business and decide whether to contact you.

Video can help by:

- Introducing the owner or team

## 4. 8 Social Media Trends to Look for in 2022

Citation: 8 Social Media Trends to Look for in 2022, Samantha Prost, 2021-12-09, passage 6, https://rootedweb.com/8-social-media-trends-to-look-for-in-2022
Source: https://rootedweb.com/8-social-media-trends-to-look-for-in-2022

tools” is up 22 percent year-over-year, which means that more people are on the hunt to either find out what this is or how to do it. And you should be too.

Social audio strategy from the top

Ah, social audio. Clubhouse launched in April 2020 but grew steeply in popularity in early 2021. Then, Twitter launched its social audio platform, Spaces, quickly after that, and Facebook is also reportedly trying to enter the audio format as we speak. But what does that mean for small businesses in 2022?

Let’s look back at that Hootsuite survey’s data. They found that 74.2 percent of respondents stated they were planning to invest in audio-only content in the next 12 months, and when asked how they wanted to do this, the most popular answer was “hosting/leading audio live streams as thought leaders.” Again, what does this mean for small businesses in 2022?

Well, it seems that the survey found it was most often VPs and mid-to large-size companies who planned to invest in social audio and thought leadership, as well as companies that were already very confident about providing social media’s return on investment (ROI). This makes sense for those companies with the boldness and budget to build a brand on social audio channels. That being said, it’s not for everyone.

Small businesses, those who can’t afford to invest all the time and money in social audio channels, can use them in different ways. One fantastic option is to be a guest host on someone else’s popular channel, showing what you have to offer on their dollar.

## 5. Why Small Businesses Need Local Marketing and Advertising

Citation: Why Small Businesses Need Local Marketing and Advertising, Ryan Berger, 2022-05-10, passage 1, https://rootedweb.com/why-small-businesses-need-local-marketing
Source: https://rootedweb.com/why-small-businesses-need-local-marketing

You’ve worked incredibly hard for your small business. You’ve been there day and night, building it from idea to full-fledged organization. Maybe you just launched a new product, or maybe you’ve reached a revenue goal. You have plenty to be excited about.

No matter the milestone, you may still be missing one key piece of the puzzle: you need to be marketing and advertising.

If you don’t think marketing and advertising are for you, especially at the local level, consider this: even the largest companies in the country are advertising—why shouldn’t you?

So, as a smaller organization in a crowded market, what can you do?

Organic Local Marketing Strategies

The first thing you can do to market your business is take advantage of free, organic marketing methods. Social media is one of the best tools to do this.

Select a few channels that make sense for your audience and create pages for your small business. Take Facebook, for example. Create a company page there, and build it out entirely. Include what you do and who you are so page visitors understand your small business and what it provides.

Social media are built for connections (hence the “social” part), so be sure to take advantage of them. The goal is to take users from this digital space and convert them into customers. By working to connect with your audience, you are, at worst, establishing yourself within the community. At best, you’re generating sales and bringing in revenue.

Don’t forget about your personal accounts either! Sharing content from your page and on your company page extends your reach and puts your message in front of more people. And, as we know, getting your name in front of people is the first step in establishing a customer-business relationship.

Paid Local Marketing Strategies