How to Make Social Media a Smart, Time-Saving Tool for Your Small Business

As a small business owner, you know you need to be on social media, but if posting to Facebook or Instagram feels like shouting into the void or worse, a massive waste of time, you’re not alone.

Many entrepreneurs think that if they just post more often, they’ll see results, but as Torie Mathis shared in her latest episode of SmartAsk, “just posting is just a waste of time.” So, what’s the smarter way?

Let’s dive into Torie’s actionable advice so you can finally make social media work for your business, without burning out.

Why Most Business Owners Struggle With Social Media

How many times have you stared at a blank post box, wondering what to say? Maybe you went all in for a week, posting multiple times a day, only to lose steam and disappear for a month. It’s frustrating, and understandably so.

Torie explains that posting at random, guessing what might work, and trying to keep up the daily grind isn’t just ineffective, it can actually hurt your brand. Prospective customers may doubt whether your business is still active or trustworthy if they don’t see consistent, purposeful content.

The root cause? Lack of strategy. But don’t worry, with the right plan, you can save time, grow your audience, and convert more customers.

The TAPS Method

Instead of random acts of posting, Torie recommends her TAPS method, a proven framework designed to ensure every social media post has a purpose.

Here’s what TAPS stands for.

T: Top of Mind

You need to post frequently enough that people don’t forget about your business. But it’s about more than frequency, it’s about making it clear you’re real, open, and ready to serve. New visitors want to see a current, active presence. Regular posting ensures potential customers recognize and remember you when they’re ready to buy.

A: Ask for Engagement

Questions are gold on social media. When you ask your audience for input, not only do you boost engagement (which social platforms love), you gain insights into what your customers care about, build a community, and widen your organic reach.

P: Photos

People connect with people, not just logos. Sharing photos of your team, products, workspace, or happy customers builds trust and showcases your personality and professionalism. Visual content also tends to perform better than text-only posts.

S: Sell, Sign Up, and Serve

Of course, you need to invite followers to buy, sign up for your email list, or take another step but don’t make it all about the sale. Mix in helpful advice, answer FAQs, and show off your expertise to serve your audience and earn their trust.

Content Calendar

Stop wasting hours wondering what to post. Torie suggests batching and scheduling your posts so you’re not chained to your phone every day. Use a content calendar that follows the TAPS rotation for example:

• Monday: Top of Mind
• Tuesday: Ask a Question
• Wednesday: Photo
• Thursday: Sell or Serve
• Friday: Top of Mind
• Saturday: Ask
• Sunday: Photo

You can switch it up, but the key is consistency, variety, and purpose. With resources like Torie’s ready-to-go content templates and monthly calendars, you can prep posts ahead of time and delegate posting, freeing you up to focus on your actual business.

Batch and Automate

Batch your posts a week or even a month in advance. Platforms like Facebook offer built-in scheduling so you can “set it and forget it.” Better yet, let a team member or VA handle posting once you’ve mapped out your plan with the TAPS method, you don’t have to do it all yourself.

Social Media

Social media marketing, done smart, is one of the best ways to get your business in front of more people, without a huge budget, advanced tech skills, or a big team. And with tools like the TAPS method and content calendars, you can stop wasting time and start seeing real results.

But social media is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to a smart marketing strategy. Let me ask you a question: Do you know how your marketing stacks up?

Find out by taking the SMART Marketing quiz. Get customized results on how to get smarter with your marketing, you’ll learn exactly what YOUR business should focus on, get tailored recommendations, and unleash your business’s true potential. It’s like having a personal marketing coach by your side!

And remember, you don’t need crazy tech skills, buckets of cash, or a dedicated staff to market your business. You don’t even need a lot of time.

What you need is to be smart, and social media marketing is smart for your business.

If you're ready to grow your business with smart marketing you can:

1. Sign up for weekly FREE Business Bytes with CEO, Torie Mathis

2. Get a SMART Funnel and begin to automate your marketing

3. Learn Digital Marketing with a Smart Marketing Course

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: TORIE MATHIS

Torie Mathis helps entrepreneurs grow their business with Smart Marketing.  She is a best-selling author, Army veteran, international speaker + trainer, and the CEO + Creative Director at Lake Shark Media. She also teaches entrepreneurs how to get smart with digital marketing at toriemathis.com