Category: Explainer

  • Messenger for Small Businesses

    This article was assisted with AI. We may include links to partners.

    What is Messenger?

    Messenger is Meta’s standalone messaging app, built for instant communication. It supports text, images, video, voice notes, and even calls—making it a direct, personal way for businesses to connect with customers. Integrated with Facebook and Instagram, Messenger helps extend conversations across platforms.

    Why small businesses use it

    • Support: Provide fast, personal customer support across your Meta social accounts
    • Engagement: Send promotions or updates with high open rates
    • Automation: Automate FAQs and responses with chatbots
    • Loyalty: Build loyalty through one-to-one interactions

    What content works best

    • Personalized customer service messages
    • Exclusive discounts and promotions
    • Event reminders and timely updates
    • Interactive polls, quizzes, or quick replies

    Who’s on Messenger?

    • Over 1 billion global users, spanning all age groups according to Sinch.
    • Millennials and Gen Z favor it for instant, informal chats
    • Older users increasingly adopting it via Facebook integration
    • Customers expecting quick replies and personal service

    Best times to post

    • Peak engagement aligns with phone check-in times
      • Mid-morning (9–11 AM)
      • Early afternoon (1–3 PM)
      • Evenings (6–8 PM)
    • Adjust timing based on audience location and habits

    How Postful Helps with Messenger

    Postful doesn’t currently support posting to Messenger, but it can still help small businesses prepare:

    • Draft and refine conversational message templates
    • Repurpose social content into Messenger-friendly updates
    • Save time by managing other platforms while prepping content for Messenger manually

    Simplify your social media workflow with Postful

  • Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) for Small Businesses

    This article was assisted with AI. We may include links to partners.

    What is Google Business Profile?

    Google Business Profile (GBP), formerly Google My Business, is a free tool that lets businesses control how they appear on Google Search and Maps. Verified profiles display key details like hours, location, reviews, and photos—helping potential customers make quick decisions.

    Why small businesses use it

    • Discoverability: Increases visibility in local Google searches and Google Maps
    • Manage business listing information: GBP is a surface to share official information about your business, including updates to hours, services, location, and contact information, as well as offers and events directly in search results
    • Trust-building: Build trust through reviews and accurate business info, as well as respond to comments and feedback

    What content works best

    • High-quality photos of your storefront, products, or services
    • Timely posts about promotions, events, or new offerings
    • FAQ-style updates that answer common customer questions
    • Quick responses to reviews (positive or negative)

    Who’s on Google Business Profile?

    • Local customers searching for products or services nearby
    • Mobile-first users looking for immediate options
    • Small businesses across industries like food, retail, services, and healthcare
    • Franchises and multi-location businesses managing multiple profiles

    Best times to post

    • During business hours or just before peak customer activity
    • Restaurants: late morning for lunch specials
    • Retail: early in the day for sales and promotions
    • Monitor GBP insights to see when your customers engage most

    How Postful Helps with Google Business Profile

    While Postful doesn’t yet support posting directly to Google Business Profiles, you can still:

    • Use Postful to draft and refine Google-ready updates
    • Repurpose existing social posts into GBP-friendly formats
    • Save time by posting content for your other channels while prepping GBP posts separately

    Manage your social media with less effort. Start with Postful today!

  • X (Twitter) for Small Businesses

    X (Twitter) for Small Businesses

    This article was assisted with AI. We may include links to partners.

    What is X (Twitter)?

    X, formerly known as Twitter, is a real-time social platform built for short posts (“tweets”). Users share text, links, images, videos, and polls, making it a hub for conversation, news, and trends. For small businesses, X offers immediacy, visibility beyond direct followers, and a chance to engage with customers in real tim

    Why small businesses use it

    • Reach audiences quickly with real-time updates
    • Join trending conversations using hashtags
    • Build community through replies and polls
    • Provide customer service directly and transparently

    What content works best

    • Short, conversational posts that invite replies
    • Visual content (images, GIFs, short videos)
    • Timely updates, promotions, or event coverage
    • Hashtag-driven posts tied to relevant trends

    Who’s on X (Twitter)?

    • X users are roughly 2:1 male according Exploding Topics. Compiled data shows that other social networks are closer to 1:1 (45% to 55% female to male).
    • 57.6% of users are 34 and under, 29.6% are between 35-54 years old according to recent data.
    • Journalists, influencers, and thought leaders driving conversations
    • Niche communities built around industries, hobbies, or causes
    • Customers who use X for feedback and customer service

    Best times to post

    • Mid-morning on weekdays is a high engagement window for users just starting or taking a morning break from work according to Sprinklr.
    • Late afternoon to early evening, especially between 3 PM and 4 PM, is another window that sees high engagement.
    • Your audience’s time zones and habits may impact when is the best time to reach them.

    How Postful Helps with X (Twitter)

    Postful makes staying active on X easier for small businesses:

    • Generate authentic, on-brand tweet ideas with AI
    • Schedule posts for peak engagement hours (coming soon!)
    • Repurpose and redraft tweets for different audiences
    • Use templates for customer stories, updates, and other post ideas

    👉 Streamline your Twitter presence with Postful

  • LinkedIn for small businesses

    LinkedIn for small businesses

    What is LinkedIn?

    LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional networking platform, designed for career development, business growth, and industry insights. Unlike casual social media platforms, LinkedIn emphasizes professional connections, thought leadership, and recruitment. Small businesses use it to showcase expertise, attract talent, and build relationships with partners or customers.

    Why small businesses use it

    • Reach decision-makers and industry professionals
    • Build credibility through thought leadership content
    • Attract qualified talent with job postings
    • Expand into new markets with global networking

    What content works best on LinkedIn

    • Thought leadership posts, articles, and industry insights
    • Educational content (how-tos, case studies, advice)
    • Company culture updates and behind-the-scenes stories
    • Job postings and recruitment announcements
    • Infographics, short videos, or slide decks to simplify ideas

    Who’s on LinkedIn?

    • Professionals across industries: tech, finance, healthcare, education, and more
    • Users range from early-career employees to senior executives and entrepreneurs.
    • 47.3% of LinkedIn users are 25-34, followed by 18-24 (28.7%) and 35-54 (20.7%) according to Statista
    • Strong global presence, with rapid growth in emerging markets

    Best times to post

    • Posting between 9 am and 5 pm on weekdays see the highest engagement with the following time slots performing the best according to LinkedIn:
      • Monday at 4 pm
      • Tuesday at 4 pm
      • Wednesday at 2 pm
      • Thursday at 4 pm
      • Friday at 1 pm
      • Saturday at 10 pm
      • Sunday at 7 am
    • Thursday and Friday see improved engagement
    • Avoid posting late evenings and weekends, when professional activity drops

    How Postful Helps with LinkedIn

    Postful streamlines LinkedIn marketing for small businesses by:

    • AI support for refining ideas and crafting posts
    • Redrafting content for different audience segments
    • Repurposing content into multiple networks and reengagement
    • Coming soon! Scheduling posts for peak engagement times

    Boost your LinkedIn presence with Postful

  • Threads for small businesses

    This article was assisted with AI. We may include links to partners.

    What is Threads?

    Threads is Meta’s text-based social platform, launched in 2023 as a companion to Instagram. Threads focuses on real-time conversations and threaded discussions, making it a natural space for businesses to share updates, ideas, and engage with communities. Because Threads connects directly to Instagram accounts, businesses can carry over followers and grow their presence more easily.

    Why small businesses use Threads

    • Quick, conversational way to connect with customers
    • Easy cross-over with existing Instagram audience
    • Community-driven discussions build trust
    • Lower emphasis on polished visuals and writing

    What content works best on Threads?

    • Short updates, quick tips, and behind-the-scenes insights
    • Engaging questions or polls that invite replies
    • Timely updates or industry news
    • Stories about your brand, team, or values
    • To find discover trending topics, visit to the Threads search page to see the latest trending topics

    Who’s on Threads?

    • Strong adoption among Gen Z and millennials who are already on Instagram
    • Individuals 25 to 34 comprise 28.75% of the Threads user base, followed by individuals 18 to 24 age (20.36%) and those 35 to 44 (19.15%) according to recent data.
    • Celebrities, influencers, and creators building communities have the largest followings on Threads
    • Individuals seeking out alternatives to other text-based platforms gravitate to Threads

    Best times to post on Threads

    • 7am to 9am on weekdays, especially Tuesday through Friday saw the highest engagement on Threads according to a study by Buffer
    • Depending on your audience, early mornings, lunch breaks, and early evenings might perform best
    • Alongside timing, consistency matters more than volume to reach an audience on Threads

    How Postful Helps with Threads

    Postful makes it easier for small businesses to stay active on Threads:

    • AI tools for refining post ideas and drafts
    • Remixing and redrafting to fit different audience segments
    • Templates for conversational posts, polls, and quick updates (more coming soon!)
    • Coming soon: Scheduling to hit peak engagement times

    Stay consistent and authentic on Threads with Postful

  • Nextdoor for small businesses

    This article was assisted with AI. We may include links to partners.

    What is Nextdoor?

    Nextdoor is a hyperlocal social network where neighbors connect, share recommendations, and support local businesses. Unlike Facebook or Instagram, Nextdoor is built around specific neighborhoods, making it a powerful channel for local marketing.

    Why small businesses use Nextdoor?

    • Direct access to nearby customers
    • Trusted, word-of-mouth environment
    • Strong engagement on community issues, events, and recommendations

    What content works best on Nextdoor?

    • Community updates (sponsorships, local events, causes)
    • Practical tips related to your business (e.g., seasonal advice, how-tos)
    • Exclusive neighborhood promotions or discounts
    • Authentic stories about your team or business values

    Besides what you post, getting at least five (5) recommendations on your business page improves engagement according to Nextdoor.

    Who’s on Nextdoor?

    Homeowners, renters, families, and seniors who are invested in their neighborhoods. Users are verified, which creates a more trusted environment compared to other social networks.

    When to post on Nextdoor?

    • Posting between 5-7pm local time and on Thursday and Friday leads to the highest engagement according to Nextdoor.
    • Engagement can vary by neighborhood, so monitor your local trends

    Using Nextdoor with Your Broader Social Strategy

    Although Postful doesn’t currently support Nextdoor, many small businesses combine it with platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X/Twitter. That’s where Postful can help.

    • Plan and schedule posts across multiple networks
    • Remix and repurpose content for different audiences
    • Stay consistent without spending hours each week

    Looking for an easier way to manage your social media? Try Postful today

  • Instagram for small businesses

    This article was assisted with AI. We may include links to partners.

    What is Instagram?

    Instagram is a visual-first social media platform with over 1 billion monthly users. Businesses use it to share photos, videos, Stories, and Reels that build brand awareness, engage followers, and drive sales. Features like business profiles, analytics, and shopping tools make it especially useful for small businesses.

    Why small businesses use Instagram

    • Reach a large, active audience (especially ages 18–34)
    • Showcase products or services visually
    • Build community through comments, DMs, and Stories
    • Sell directly with product tags and in-app checkout

    What content works best on Instagram?

    • High-quality photos and videos
    • Reels for reach and discoverability
    • Stories for behind-the-scenes, polls, and quick updates
    • Educational or inspirational posts (tips, how-tos, quotes)
    • User-generated content to build trust

    Who’s on Instagram?

    • Strongest among millennials and Gen Z, but older demographics are growing according to Hootsuite
    • Engaged across lifestyle, food, travel, fitness, fashion, and entertainment niches
    • Businesses and influencers alike drive collaboration and commerce

    Best times to post on Instagram

    • Best days to post on Instagram: Mondays through Thursdays
    • Worst days to post on Instagram: Saturdays
    • Use Instagram Insights to track your audience’s exact activity
    MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
    10am –4pm10am – 4pm10am – 4pm10am – 3pm11am & 2pm9am –4pm10am– 12pm & 3pm
    Via Sprout Social, 2025

    How Postful Helps with Instagram

    Postful is an AI-powered social media tool built for small businesses. With Postful, you can:

    • Generate captions and post ideas in seconds for Instagram
    • Reuse content posted on other platforms
    • Repurpose posts as new content
    • Stay consistent without burning hours each week
    • Coming soon: Schedule posts for peak engagement times

    Streamline your Instagram marketing with Postful