Summers Social Media Co

Ah, social media marketing—the mythical beast that small business owners are constantly told to tame. It promises visibility, engagement, and, of course, customers lining up at your virtual (or real) door. Easy, right? Well, for many small business owners, it’s more like wrestling a bear while trying to juggle flaming torches. Let’s take a hilarious (and all too real) look at the trials and tribulations of social media marketing for small businesses.

1. “I’ll just post something real quick…”

Famous last words. What starts as a quick five-minute post idea turns into an hour-long descent into hashtag research, “aesthetic” debates, and self-doubt. Should you go with the artsy flat lay photo or the candid behind-the-scenes shot? What’s even trendy right now? Before you know it, you’ve spent 45 minutes deciding between “#ThrowbackThursday” and “#TBT” (because, you know, hashtags matter).

Reality check: By the time you hit “Post,” it’s dinner time, and you’ve got 12 likes from your loyal customers… and your mom.

2. Algorithm Woes

Nothing makes you feel more like a pawn in a tech overlord’s game than trying to understand social media algorithms. You post an amazing update—something clever, thoughtful, visually stunning. You’ve practically crowned yourself the next social media savant. But then… crickets. Meanwhile, your competitor posted a picture of a dog in a hat, and it’s viral.

Algorithm logic: “Oh, you posted at 12:06 PM instead of 12:00 PM sharp? Sorry, your content is invisible now.”

3. The Content Dilemma

Who knew that running a small business meant becoming a full-time content creator? It’s not enough to have a product or service—you now need to produce a constant stream of stories, reels, and engaging posts about it. People love authenticity, but not too much authenticity. Show behind the scenes, but make it polished. Be funny, but don’t try too hard. It’s like being told to “just be yourself” but on caffeine and with perfect lighting.

Small biz owner: “Do I really need to film myself making coffee every morning to prove I’m a human?”

For small business owners, social media marketing can feel like a full-time job wrapped in a maze of algorithms, content trends, and follower anxiety. But at the end of the day, it’s about experimenting, having fun, and staying authentic. You’ll make mistakes (everyone does), but you’ll also learn along the way.

So, embrace the chaos. Post the coffee picture. Respond to that cryptic comment. And remember: even if your post doesn’t go viral, you’re still out there, showing up, and that’s what matters.

And hey, if all else fails… just post a picture of a dog in a hat.

-Marissa Summers