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If you're a small business owner trying to understand why all of the post you've shared on social media is not bringing you the clients you hoped for, you are not alone. As a business owner, you’re constantly looking for ways to connect with potential customers. Social media platforms like Instagram might seem like the perfect tool at first glance—after all, they’re visually engaging and widely used. But let’s take a closer look.
Here’s what I’ve found: to gain traction on Instagram, business owners are often forced to create silly, trendy, or highly aesthetic content—what many call "eye candy." Sure, this might earn you likes, shares, and even a few new followers, but do those followers actually translate into leads, sales, or foot traffic? The answer, more often than not, is no.
The Problem with Instagram for Business
No Links in Posts: Instagram intentionally doesn’t allow clickable links in posts. This means any effort you make to share a blog post, special promotion, or event information is confined to Instagram. There’s no easy way for your audience to visit your website, book a table, or shop online directly from your posts. That sucks—and as a business owner, it’s a huge missed opportunity.
You Don’t Own Your Followers: Here’s the reality: your Instagram followers don’t belong to you—they belong to Instagram. The platform decides how many of your followers see your posts, often requiring you to “pay to play” through ads to reach even a fraction of your audience. This system forces you to work even harder to bring people into your business, whether it’s a restaurant, clothing store, or online service.
Content Has a Short Shelf Life: The lifecycle of an Instagram post is painfully short. Most users scroll through images for just seconds before moving on. Even if your post gets some attention, it’s quickly lost in the crowded space of millions of daily posts.
Not Everyone Uses Social Media for Local Discovery: Believe it or not, many people don’t rely on Instagram or other social platforms to find local businesses. They’re searching for places to visit, shop, or dine through community resources or platforms designed for local discovery.
The Rockland County Now Difference
For businesses in tight-knit communities like those across Rockland County, a community-based platform like Rockland County Now is a game-changer. Here’s why:
Direct Connections: Rockland County Now is built to connect local businesses with the people who live, work, and visit the area. Unlike social media, your content here is purpose-driven, ensuring your audience sees what you offer without the distractions of viral trends or irrelevant posts.
Lasting Visibility: Your business profile on Rockland County Now doesn’t disappear into the void. Instead, it remains accessible and easily searchable by residents and visitors alike, keeping your business front and center.
A Platform Designed for Organic Growth: By actively engaging with the community on Rockland County Now, you can foster genuine connections that lead to lasting relationships with customers. Share your story, post special offers, list events, or simply show off what makes your business unique.
Why Community-Based Platforms Work
In a community like Rockland County, NY, the personal touch matters. Many residents prefer to support local businesses, and platforms like Rockland County Now make it easier for them to discover your business. Whether they’re searching for their next favorite restaurant, a boutique to shop at, or a professional service provider, being part of this platform ensures your business is part of the conversation.
On social media, your content might get likes, but on Rockland County Now, your business gets noticed.
Now we don't want to totally discredit all of the great ways social media can help your business grow, we just feel for business owners that don't have the time to create and share content every hour on a daily basis, social media might not be the best method for you. But for those curious about how we utilize social media to help increase website traffic, gain leads and customers, here's a few pointers you might want to try.
If you are creating blogs on your website, be sure to keep your content relevant to your business, products or services you offer. Include great images taken by you or your staff, or utilize free stock images which are professionally taken and available for many topics.
When sharing content on social media, always think about who your target audience is and what message you want to share. This will help you stay consistent and on topic for the content you share.
Add links to your website to your social media bio. This will help your followers and non-followers that discover your page have a way to get to your page.
If you want to be active on social media but do not have the skills or time, consider hiring or utilizing a professional social media management service. Most are affordable and very effective.
Ready to Stand Out?
Stop chasing fleeting likes and shares on social media platforms that aren’t built with your success in mind. Instead, join Rockland County Now and position your business where it belongs—at the heart of the community.
Let’s make your business the next must-visit spot in Rockland County.
Join Rockland County Now today and start connecting with customers who are ready to
support local.
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