Why Social Media Matters for St. Louis Businesses

Apr 2

Social media is one of the most powerful tools for St. Louis businesses looking to connect with their audience, increase brand awareness, and drive sales. Whether you run a coffee shop in Soulard, a boutique in Clayton, or a service-based business in St. Louis County, the right strategy can help you reach more customers locally.

With over 70% of small businesses using social media for marketing, the key isn’t just being online—it’s using the right platforms, strategies, and content to stand out in the St. Louis market.

1. Choosing the Right Social Media Platforms

Not all social media platforms serve the same purpose. Here’s how St. Louis businesses can use them effectively:

Facebook – Great for local engagement, ads, and events. Perfect for businesses targeting a broad demographic.
Instagram – Essential for visual storytelling, influencer partnerships, and reels. Ideal for food spots, boutiques, and creatives.
LinkedIn – The best platform for networking and B2B marketing. Great for service-based businesses.
TikTok – Powerful for organic reach and viral trends. Works best for brands with engaging, short-form content.

2. Leveraging Local Influencers to Build Trust

Influencer marketing isn’t just for big brands. Local influencers play a key role in helping St. Louis businesses grow their presence authentically.

✅ Local Bestie (@localbestie.stl) is a perfect example of an influencer connecting businesses with the St. Louis community. Partnering with influencers like this can help showcase your brand to an engaged local audience.

✅ Micro-influencers (1,000–10,000 followers) often have higher engagement rates than big influencers. Finding local food bloggers, fitness coaches, or mom bloggers can be a great way to promote your brand.

3. Creating Authentic & Organic Content

Customers are more likely to engage with natural, unpolished content rather than overly produced ads. Here’s how businesses can create content that feels real:

🔹 Behind-the-scenes content – Showcasing the process of making your product or running your business creates trust. Example: The Protagonist Cafe in Soulard frequently shares casual videos of their coffee-making process and local collaborations.

🔹 User-generated content (UGC) – Encourage customers to share their experiences and repost them. This builds credibility and community.

🔹 Reels vs. Static Posts – Instagram Reels reach a wider audience and help with organic growth, while static posts are often seen by a more loyal, engaged audience. A mix of both is key.

4. Using a Curated Feed for a Consistent Aesthetic

A cohesive Instagram feed helps build brand recognition. Explore STL Parks (@explorestlparks) does this well, using a consistent aesthetic to highlight green spaces around the city.

💡 How to apply this to your business:

Choose a consistent color scheme for your posts.
Plan your content in advance to maintain a balanced layout.
Use Canva or Adobe Lightroom presets to keep a unified look.

5. Small Business Social Media Strategies for St. Louis

🚀 Best practices for local businesses:

Run local ads targeting St. Louis ZIP codes. Facebook and Instagram allow hyper-local targeting to reach nearby customers.
Engage with local hashtags (#STLsmallbusiness, #STLmade) to show up in searches.
Post about community events to show involvement and reach a broader audience.
Collaborate with other businesses by doing joint giveaways or cross-promotions.

Example: A local bakery could collaborate with a coffee shop on an Instagram giveaway, increasing exposure for both businesses.

6. Engaging with Customers & Business Partners

Social media isn’t just about posting—it’s about engaging.

💬 Ways to boost engagement:

Respond to comments and DMs within 24 hours to keep conversations going.
Use Instagram Stories polls and Q&As to interact with your audience.
Share customer testimonials and positive reviews.
Tag other local businesses in your posts to build partnerships.

Final Thoughts: Social Media is a Game-Changer for St. Louis Businesses

Whether you're leveraging local influencers, creating organic content, or running targeted ads, social media is a powerful tool to increase visibility and drive sales for your St. Louis business. The key is consistency, authenticity, and engagement.

🚀 Need help with social media marketing in St. Louis? Let’s work together!

Sarah Hagan