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Why Social Media is Stressing Out Small Business Owners (and How to Fix It)

why social media is stressing out small business owners and how to fix it

If you’re a small business owner, you’ve probably felt it: that gnawing pressure to “do it all” on social media. Post every day, jump on every trend, chase the algorithms, and somehow, still find time to run your business.

Sound familiar?

We’ve written about this topic before (it’s a mission of ours to make social media stress free) both here and on social media, and the response made one thing clear: small business owners are overwhelmed.

Social media, which is supposed to help grow your business, is instead becoming a source of stress. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

social media

Why Social Media Feels So Overwhelming.

Small business owners feel that social media promises big results, and that it comes with even bigger demands.

  • The need for perfection. You feel like every post needs to be polished, creative, and “on-brand.”
  • The endless platforms. Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest—where does it stop?
  • The comparison trap. It’s hard not to feel like you’re falling behind when you see others crushing it online.
  • The ever-changing rules. Algorithms are constantly shifting, and keeping up can feel impossible.

All of this can leave you stuck in a cycle of:

  1. Posting inconsistently.
  2. Feeling guilty for not doing more.
  3. Burning out and stepping away entirely.

Sound familiar? You’re not alone.

What I’ve Learned From Working With Small Business Owners

The truth is, you don’t need to do it all to see results.

I’ve worked with countless solo and small business owners, and here’s the most important takeaway: simplicity wins.

Here’s what works better than trying to be everywhere, all at once:

  1. Choose one platform. Focus on the place where your audience hangs out the most. Spreading yourself too thin across multiple platforms only adds stress without improving results.
  2. Consistency over quantity. You don’t need to post every day. Instead, post regularly—whether that’s once a week or three times a week—and focus on making each post valuable.
  3. Prioritise your audience, not the algorithm. Sure, trends can be helpful, but they should never overshadow what really matters: content that serves your customers’ needs. (Post about algorithm)
Social Media Keep it simple

How to Simplify Your Social Media Strategy

Ready to take back control? Here’s a streamlined approach that works for small business owners:

1. Define your goals.

Are you using social media to drive sales, build a community, or showcase your expertise? Knowing your purpose will keep you focused.

2. Create a content plan.

Batch-create content ahead of time and rotate through simple themes: tips, behind-the-scenes, success stories, and FAQs. This removes the guesswork when it’s time to post.

3. Engage intentionally.

Set aside 15 minutes a day to respond to comments, answer questions, and engage with your audience. Relationships matter more than likes.

4. Measure what matters.

Track meaningful metrics like leads generated or conversations started—not just followers or likes.

Social Media Tools.

I’d initially planned to include a section to recommending social media tools that could streamline your social management process. However, given the vast array of tools available (and these are changing constantly) and the diverse needs of different businesses, I realised a one-size-fits-all approach wouldn’t be effective. The best tool for your business depends on various factors like budget, team size, the specific platforms you use, technical skills and the level of automation you need. To make the best choice, we encourage you to research and explore different options. Consider factors like ease of use, cost-effectiveness, and the specific features that align with your business goals. Or email us with your issue and we may be able to make a recommendation that would suit you.

social media mindshift

Resources in the shop.

We do have some downloads in the shop that may help with your social media in our shop- and we are constantly adding new ones. For example


Instagram Reels

Templates (100 Faceless Reels)

The Mindset Shift You Need

Social media is a tool, not a measure of your success or value as a business owner.

It’s easy to get caught up in the noise and believe that if you’re not doing everything, you’re falling behind. But the truth is, success on social media comes from clarity, consistency, and connection (yep she’s taking strategy again lol)—not chaos.

Less Stress, More Results

Simplify your social media strategy to save time, reduce stress, and actually see results.

Focus on showing up where it matters, creating content that serves your audience, and staying consistent with what works for your business.

Your Turn

Think about one thing you can do to make social media easier for your business?

If you’re looking for a streamlined plan that works for your business let us know! We have a range of options from helping you streamline your plan, to us creating and posting your content. Whatever you need, together we can shift the focus from stress to success.