Social Media Trends Small Businesses Should Try

Social media doesn’t sit still for long. One week, everyone’s making carousels, the next week it’s all short videos and AI-made memes. If you run a small business, you’ve probably felt that constant pressure to “keep up.” And it’s exhausting, right?

However, the good thing is that you do not have to do everything. You only have to pay attention to what works now, specifically the trends that will allow you to meet real people, rather than merely get likes.

And so, get yourself a cup of coffee, and we will take a tour of some of the social media trends that are capable of producing a real difference to your business this year.

Embrace Short-Form Video

Let’s start with the obvious one: video rules social media right now. TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts are where people spend hours scrolling - and small businesses are using them to show up in creative ways.

The reason why short videos are important is that the attention span of people is small. They won't sit around trying to understand an image that wasn't clear to them at first glance! Plus, several seconds of narration, comedy, or backstage filming can tell more than a picture could possibly do. HubSpot discovered that over fifty percent of consumers like short-form videos by the brands.

The beauty of it? You don't need a studio setup. Get your cell phone, get some good light, and get genuine. Demonstrate the process that goes on behind the counter, or how you package orders, or how your product can be used in real life.

Keep it human. The videos that hit hardest aren’t perfect - they’re honest. Show your personality, your small wins, even your bloopers. That’s what makes people want to follow you.

Build Trust Through User-Generated Content (UGC)

We can talk to people all day long about how amazing our brand is, but it is so much more persuasive when it is said by another person. It is the miracle of user-generated content.

So how do you get more of it? Ask! Ask your customers to share their experience with your product, repin their stories (with credit), or have an amusing hashtag competition.

Imagine you own a cozy café. You can also ask your followers to share their drink of choice with a hashtag of their own, such as #MyCoffeeMoment - and pin their favorites to your page. It is community building and free marketing in a nutshell.

When people see other real customers showing love, it hits differently. It feels human - and that’s what social media is supposed to be about.

Use Micro-Influencers for Niche Growth

Influencer marketing has grown a lot. These days, it’s not about chasing celebrities with millions of followers - it’s about finding the smaller creators whose audience actually cares.

Enter micro-influencers. They usually have between 1K and 50K followers, but their engagement is through the roof. According to statistics, they get around 60% more engagement than big influencers.

Why? Because they feel like real people. Their followers actually trust them.

If you sell handmade candles, a local home-decor creator who already loves cozy spaces is perfect for you. Give them a few products, let them test and share their honest thoughts - and you’ll reach an audience that’s already interested.

It’s less about reach, more about relevance. And it works.

Try AI Image Generating

Here’s a trend that’s saving small business owners everywhere: AI-powered visuals.

Creating good-looking graphics used to be a full-time job - or an expensive one. But now, tools like a high-quality AI image generator make it easy to design scroll-stopping images in minutes.

You just describe what you need - something like “a warm, inviting bakery scene with croissants on the counter and morning sunlight” - and boom, you get a custom image that fits your vibe.

Here’s why we love it:

• It’s fast. You can make campaign visuals on the same day you plan to post.
• It’s affordable. No need to buy stock photos or book photoshoots.
• It’s flexible. You can create different styles and moods whenever you want.
• And most importantly, it helps you stay consistent with your branding.

Of course, you still bring the creativity. The AI just helps you turn your ideas into something real, faster. Think of it as your new design assistant - one that doesn’t need coffee breaks.

Leverage Social Commerce

Scrolling, liking… buying? Social media platforms have become a shopping mall, officially.

Social networks, such as Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, all provide the opportunity to shop without leaving the application. And it is already working - social commerce will be at $1.2 trillion in sales worldwide by the end of 2025.

That’s huge.

If you’re not already on social media, it’s worth setting up. You can tag products in posts, use “Shop Now” buttons, and even create exclusive social-only discounts. The fewer steps between seeing and buying, the better. Moreover, you’re building brand awareness, and you have the opportunity to run ad campaigns. 

People don’t want to switch tabs or dig through websites anymore - they want convenience. Meet them where they already are.

Prioritize Authentic Storytelling

Everybody is over with picture-perfect. People don’t want to follow brands that feel like robots. They want the real stuff - the story behind your business, your values, and even your messy moments.

So tell your story. How did you start? What was the problem you were attempting to solve? Who do we have behind the brand?

You might post a throwback picture of your first office (or kitchen table), a post about what you are being inspired to work more on, or a story about a customer that made your day. These minor things make people feel related.

It is not about making big pretenses on social media but being relatable. Use honesty to your benefit.

Final Thoughts: Keep Showing Up, Keep Learning

Social media moves fast, but connection never goes out of style.

You don’t need to chase every trend or post every day. What matters most is showing up with intention -sharing stories, trying new ideas, and connecting with the people who genuinely care about what you do.

At the end of the day, social media is about connection, not algorithms. Keep testing, keep creating, and keep being human - because that’s what truly gets noticed.