Struggling for content ideas? Use these 11 basic and super adaptable social media ideas in your business. Stick them in the rotation and use them when you run out of unique ideas.

1. “This or That” - Get feedback from your audience, display different choices. AKA “Would you Rather” or “A, B, C, or D” (depending on the number of options).

Specific Ideas:

1. Industry trends.

   b. Service packages you offer.

   c. Outfit of the Day side-by-side comparisons.

   d. Art pieces.

   e. Design styles.

   f. Product comparisons.

   g. Software or programs.

   h. Real estate options.

   i. Menu items.

2. Testimonials/Reviews - Display feedback from former customers or clients. This shows social proof, which makes your brand more trustworthy. 

Specific Ideas:

1. Get permission to post (ex. Include in contracts/make sure the review you feature is posted publicly, like on Google or Yelp).
2.  Ask customers/clients if you can tag them or collaborate with them in your post for an extra boost.
3.  Feature worse reviews (like a 3) and show how you took that review to heart with updates.

3. Transparency - People want to see behind the scenes. Show the real, authentic “Why” or “What” behind your business. This shows authenticity, can work to promote your values, and makes your company more trustworthy. Avoid jargon and speak in a way that your audience will understand so they actually appreciate your post!

Specific Ideas:

a. Prices: break it down, show exactly why your pricing is that way, how you’re not ripping off your customers.

b. Manufacturer: give a tour, introduce the audience to real employees who work at the manufacturer, tell why you work with them.

c. Process: Basically, How it’s Made for your business, a step-by-step walkthrough of products being produced or services being performed.

d.  Materials: why you use certain materials, what’s the benefit, why you DON’T use certain materials.

e. Options: why you have certain products/services, why you don’t offer some anymore, why some products/services have different options (ex. Color choices for a t-shirt, add-on’s for services).

4. Quick Tips - By quick, we mean QUICK. Super short, digestible tips for your audience. This positions you as a helpful expert. 

Specific Ideas:

a. How to clean your oven.

b. Where to find the oil filter on your car.

c. What paint brush to use for what project.

d. How to do a simple DIY version of what you do. People who are willing to DIY your specific product/service either don’t shop from you anyway, or love your specific product and will more than likely come back, if not from loyalty, from convenience. If someone wants to buy from you, they will, even if DIY is an option. If you see there is a huge audience who wants to DIY your service/product, then start selling templates, instructional videos, or kits.

5. FAQ - You can take this easily from your website. If you don’t already have frequently asked questions listed anywhere, use this as a sign to start collecting questions your audience or customers ask you often. This is a great “Pinned” post so new followers can quickly get their questions answered.

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6. Employee/Client/Vendor Feature - Go in depth, dedicate a post to one particular person or business. Don’t think of it like an employee of the month. It’s not meant to be a competition or you playing favorites, it’s meant to show your audience that people who work with/for you enjoy it. Posts like this work to help build loyalty and trust. 

7. The Comparison - Comparing things will help customers see which is best for them. It shows your variety and your willingness to serve everyone. Just be sure to list pros and cons for both, or it comes off as insincere. Similar to “This or That”, but focuses more on facts than preference or emotion. You’re not looking to get feedback, you’re just putting the facts down.

Specific Ideas:

1.  Your store VS another store (bonus if you’re able to form a partnership or collaborate with them).

   b. Best selling product VS another product.

   c. This brand VS that brand.
   

8. Pros and Cons -  Zero in on specific products or services and show the pros and cons. For each con, give alternative products or services that can solve that problem. This is a great way to speak to customers who may not know what they want, or customers who need unique solutions to their problems.

9. Trends - Believe it or not, these posts can be made for most industries, not just fashion.

Specific Ideas:

1. Pricing trends (for specific industry, products, or services).
2. Seasonal behaviors (seasonal offers, buying habits).
3. New designs or technology (electric vehicles, AI).
4. Locations (vacations, trips, stores).
5. Actions (exercises, trending habits).
6. Styles (clothing, art, architecture).

10. A Little Controversial - Don’t be blatantly disrespectful, but don’t be afraid to stir the pot. The goal of these is to make your industry better, not alienate yourself from part of your audience. Done right, controversial content can position you as more trustworthy. You may lose a couple followers here and there, but that just means your following is closer to your exact target audience than before. 

Specific Ideas: 

1. Highlighting misleading/cringy content from your industry.
2. Showing how customers may be taken advantage of by others in your industry.
3. Pricing breakdown, and why those prices may be inflated or completely necessary in some companies.

11. Myth Busting - Very similar to FAQ, but this works great when you highlight specific objections. Objections are the potential roadblocks someone may have when considering business with you.  Use a Myth Busting post to highlight one objection and show how customers can gain more than they can lose. 

Common Objections:

1. Too expensive

   b. Takes too long/I don’t have time

   c. I don’t understand it/too confusing

   d. I’ve had a bad experience in the past

   e. I can do it myself

   f. I prefer my way/the old fashioned way

   g. I don’t want to risk it going wrong/losing business

   Tip: go through and figure out all the objections someone may have when considering your company. You should be able to list anywhere between 10-50.
   

Take these ideas and make them work for your industry and business. Check out more of the SMPL blog posts for more in depth educational content on social media.