Social Media for Business Owners: A Quick Start Guide

In this post, we’ll review five key platforms and provide easy step-by-step instructions for setting up your business profile.

1. Facebook

Facebook is a widely used platform where users can connect, share content, and engage with friends, family, and businesses through posts, comments, and messaging. Your business can share community-driven content and events, such as special promotions, customer testimonials, and interactive polls, to nurture personal connections.

To get started:

1. Log in to your personal Facebook account (or create one if needed).
2. Go to Pages from the left menu, click Create New Page, and select Public Page.
3. Enter business details like page name, category, and description.
4. Upload profile and cover photos (logo and a relevant image).
5. Click Create Page, then start posting and inviting people to like your page.

2. Instagram

Instagram is a visual social media platform where users share photos and videos to connect with their audience and engage through likes, comments, and direct messages. You can use high-quality visuals and interactive stories to showcase products and behind-the-scenes moments while leveraging hashtags to increase brand visibility.

To get started:

1. Download the Instagram app and create a personal account (or log in if you have one).
2. Go to your profile, tap the menu icon, and select Settings.
3. Switch to a Professional Account under Account and choose Business.
4. Fill in business details like business category, contact info, and bio.
5. Upload a profile picture (logo) and start posting photos or stories to engage your audience.

3. LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a professional networking platform where individuals and businesses can connect, share knowledge, and promote their services to a professional audience. You can highlight your expertise and establish your brand as a thought leader through insightful posts, case studies, and networking.

To get started:

1. Log in to your LinkedIn account (or create one if needed).
2. Click For Business in the top right corner and select Create a Company Page.
3. Choose the page type Company.
4. Fill in company details like name, website, and industry.
5. Upload a logo and cover image, then click Create Page to complete the setup.

4. X

X is a microblogging platform where users post short messages (up to 280 characters), share media, and interact. Your business can engage in real-time conversations by sharing timely updates, responding quickly to customer inquiries, and participating in trending topics relevant to your industry.

To get started:

1. Sign up for an account on the X homepage (or log in if you already have one).
2. Go to Settings and click on Account Information.
3. Change your account type to Professional under Switch to Professional.
4. Fill in business details, including business name, bio, and website.
5. Upload a profile photo and header image, then start posting relevant content.

5. YouTube

YouTube is a video-sharing platform where users can upload, watch, and comment on content, with channels dedicated to a wide variety of topics, including entertainment, education, lifestyle, and more. Your business can create informative and engaging video content like tutorials, product demos, and customer stories to inform and build trust with your audience.

To get started:

1. Sign in to YouTube using your Google account (or create one if needed).
2. Go to YouTube Studio by clicking on your profile picture and selecting YouTube Studio.
3. Create a new channel by clicking Create a Channel and entering your business name.
4. Customize your channel by uploading a profile picture, adding a banner, and filling out the description and links.
5. Start uploading videos and engage with your audience through video content and comments.

5 More to Consider

While the social media platforms listed above capture the lion’s share of active users, many others can be highly valuable for specific business goals:

1. TikTok: Featuring short-form videos, best for businesses targeting younger audiences with entertaining content.
2. Reddit: A collection of discussion forums, great for niche audiences, feedback, and engagement with interest groups.
3. Medium: A platform for long-form articles, ideal for businesses aiming to establish authority in a field.
4. Pinterest: For visual discovery and DIY, perfect for businesses in design, fashion, food, and home decor.
5. Discord: Originally for gamers, its real-time chat capabilities hold promise for tech startups and creatives.