Social Media Strategies for Small Businesses Amid Tariffs and Economic Uncertainty
- Hookle
- Apr 4
- 8 min read
Updated: Apr 10
Photo by Dimensions via Canva
Table of Content
Feeling the squeeze? You’re not alone. Small business owners across the U.S. (and beyond) are grappling with rising tariffs, higher costs, and economic uncertainty in early 2025. Many run on razor-thin margins - as one owner put it, “A 25% increase in any product is going to hurt... we can’t just raise our prices… we are losing a lot of money.”
Small business owners are grappling with rising tariffs, higher costs, and economic uncertainty
It’s tough out there, and it’s easy to feel anxious when every day brings new challenges. Since launching Hookle in 2017, we’ve been dedicated to supporting small business owners through major crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, helping them stay connected with their customers even when times get tough. By making social media management more affordable and accessible, we’ve helped small businesses simplify their social marketing and focus on what matters most. With years of experience, we’ve earned the trust of thousands of businesses who rely on us to manage their online presence.
But take heart: there are practical steps you can take today to stay resilient and even thrive. This guide will walk you through simple, actionable tips - from rallying your local community to streamlining tasks with smart tools - all tailored for busy entrepreneurs like you.
Let’s turn these headwinds into an opportunity to strengthen your business and keep moving forward!
Lean into Your Local Community
Above, Chris from Manchester’s Finest teamed up for a one-day event at Nell's restaurants to show how to make the best sandwich you've ever seen. A great, authentic short clip and a perfect example of local-level partnering.
One of the best ways to weather hard times is by strengthening local roots. Focus your marketing and networking efforts close to home. Why? A business that actively supports its community often gets support back - especially during tough times.
Consider partnering with nearby businesses for mutual benefit. For example, a local restaurant could team up with a community event or market: set up a food stall at a local fair, or collaborate on a joint promotion like Chris did above. By doing so, you reach more people and share customers with fellow businesses. This not only boosts sales for everyone involved, but also deepens relationships in your neighborhood.
Strong community ties can lead to word-of-mouth referrals that money can’t buy
Get involved: Sponsor a little league team, join the local business association, or host a community meetup at your shop. These small gestures make a big impression. When customers feel a personal connection - knowing you’re the café that donates to the food drive or the boutique that features local artisans - they’re more likely to stick with you.
Strong community ties can lead to loyal repeat customers and word-of-mouth referrals that money can’t buy. In uncertain times, that hometown goodwill is priceless.
Save Time with Smart Automation
Every hour counts when you’re wearing multiple hats. Embracing automation can be a game-changer for small business owners who constantly find themselves short on time.
Technology isn’t just for big companies - these days there are affordable tools that can automate your social media posts, emails, appointment reminders, inventory tracking, and more. By investing a bit of time to set up automation, you can create much smoother operations and reclaim hours from repetitive tasks.
Think about the routine chores that eat up your day: compiling sales reports, creating or scheduling social posts, answering the same FAQs. What if a tool could handle some (or most) of that?
Even simple steps - like using an email template or scheduling software - add up to big time savings
Even simple steps - like using an email template or scheduling software - add up to big time savings over a week. Fewer manual chores mean you can focus more on serving customers, planning strategy, or even catching your breath once in a while.
Not sure where to start? Begin with one task that frustrates you. For instance, if managing appointments or orders is chaotic, try an online booking system or POS that automates inventory updates. Or, if keeping up with social media is overwhelming, consider using an app (we’ll talk about Hookle shortly) that can consolidate and automatically schedule posts for you.
Automation tools often reduce errors too, since they handle processes consistently. You’ll work smarter, not harder - exactly what’s needed when you’re stretched thin.
Be Transparent with Your Customers
Cards and Coasters Above is a Board Game Cafe in Ontario, US. In this 5-minute clip, they discuss the impact of tariffs on their products and why they must raise prices. It's a very authentic, honest, and great example of transparency.
Honesty truly is the best policy, especially when it comes to navigating higher costs
Honesty truly is the best policy, especially when it comes to navigating higher costs. If you need to adjust your prices due to tariffs or inflation, be upfront with your customers about why. Clear, transparent communication builds trust. Customers appreciate when you level with them - it shows respect and authenticity.
In fact, experts advise that if you have to raise your prices because of rising costs, it’s wise to be open about it and explain the reason. People understand that costs are climbing everywhere; a simple note or conversation about the change can go a long way like above.
Also, find other ways to show you care about customers’ wallets. For example, maintain smaller, affordable options on your menu or offer loyalty discounts where you can. Even as you navigate your own higher costs, demonstrating that you’re mindful of providing value helps sustain goodwill. By leading with honesty and empathy, you invite your customers to join you on the journey rather than feel shut out by sudden changes.
Get Creative with Offers and Revenue
Get a Hug, which provides cute teddy bears, did this in a creative way on Instagram above - they offered a limited-time deal, and the engagement speaks for itself!
If your sales are slowing or costs are rising, think outside the box to spark new revenue
Tight times call for a bit of creativity. If your usual sales are slowing or costs are rising, think outside the box to spark new revenue. Could you introduce a limited-time offer or special discount to entice customers? Limited-time deals - like a weekend flash sale or a bonus gift with purchase - can create a sense of urgency and encourage people to buy now rather than later.
They’re also a great way to clear out seasonal inventory or generate quick cash flow. Just be sure to frame it as a “thank you” or a community perk, so customers feel the love (and not like they’re being sold to under pressure).
Diversifying your income streams can also bolster your resilience. Maybe an online course, DIY kit, or subscription box related to your business could bring in extra income. For instance, a local bakery might offer a paid online baking class, or a salon could sell curated self-care kits.
These side offerings leverage your expertise and give customers new ways to engage with your brand. During the pandemic, many businesses found innovative ways to serve customers remotely - those ideas can still pay off today.
By experimenting with creative approaches, you might discover a new profit stream or customer segment
Some will stick, some won’t - and that’s okay. By experimenting with creative approaches, you might discover a new profit stream or customer segment you hadn’t tapped into before. At the very least, it keeps customers interested and shows that your business is dynamic and proactive, even in tough times.
Boost Your Social Media Presence
Above is a great example from Denver: Yoga Box, which boosted their presence on Google Business Profile by linking all their social profiles to their Google listing. This strategy cross-boosts their social media updates on Google search (and it's free!) when you search for "yoga studio in Denver".
In an unpredictable economy, staying visible is vital. You want to be the business that comes to mind when customers are ready to spend their hard-earned dollars. One of the most cost-effective ways to stay on their radar is through social media.
One of the most cost-effective ways to stay on their radar is through social media
Even if you run a tiny shop or solo operation, an active social media presence levels the playing field and keeps you connected with your audience. More than half of potential customers might discover you first on Facebook, Instagram, or other platforms before ever walking through your door or visiting your website.
And speaking of visibility - an up-to-date Google Business Profile is an essential tool. It’s free to set up and publish updates, just like you do on social media. Many entrepreneurs are still not aware of this huge opportunity. Whether you have a physical location or you're an online-only business, your Google profile is your next best thing to social media.
An up-to-date Google Business Profile is an essential tool
Being active on social media together with Google doesn’t mean you need to post every hour or master viral dances on TikTok. It’s about consistent, genuine engagement. Share updates about new products, behind-the-scenes peeks, customer shout-outs, or even the challenges you’re overcoming (authenticity is very relatable).
Use local hashtags or community groups to increase your reach in the neighborhood. And importantly, interact back – reply to comments, thank people for reviews both on social media and Google, and answer questions. This builds a loyal online community around your brand.
The best part? Social media marketing can be done on a shoestring budget. You can achieve a lot organically (without paid ads) simply by being present and responsive. If you do have a small budget, a targeted ad for a special promotion or local audience can be very effective without breaking the bank.
Simplify Social Marketing with the Right Tools
Social media management tools can be a lifesaver for small business owners, especially when balancing multiple tasks. These tools make it easy to create, schedule, and publish content across different platforms from one centralized location. This saves you time, reduces stress, and ensures that your business stays visible online, even when you're busy managing other aspects of your operation.
Social media management tools streamline multi-account management, content creation, and optimize posting times
With social media management tools, you no longer need to worry about logging into multiple platforms to post or remembering every detail. You can plan and schedule posts ahead of time, giving you more time to focus on running your business. These tools can also help streamline content creation, offer suggestions, and provide insights on the best times to post, ensuring you’re always reaching your audience when it counts.
One such tool is Hookle. Designed specifically for small businesses and entrepreneurs, Hookle helps you manage your social media efforts across multiple channels with ease. By simplifying social media marketing, Hookle allows you to plan, schedule, and publish your posts across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Google Business Profile, and more - all from one easy-to-use app.
When the U.S. government recently announced tariffs, Hookle responded by decreasing prices for most users
Thousands of businesses have relied on Hookle during times of uncertainty. The platform is designed to be affordable, especially when every dollar counts. In fact, when the U.S. government recently announced tariffs, we decreased prices for most users to make Hookle even more accessible for small businesses in these challenging times.
Conclusion: You’ve Got This
Photo by Tassii via Canva
Running a small business is never easy - and in uncertain times, it can feel downright overwhelming. But remember, you’ve navigated challenges before and you have a community of fellow entrepreneurs and customers rooting for you.
Focus on local connections, honesty, and brand visibility to build resilience
By focusing on local connections, streamlining your work, staying honest with your customers, thinking creatively, and keeping your brand visible, you’re building resilience day by day. Every small step - whether it’s scheduling a week of social posts or collaborating on a neighborhood event - adds up to a stronger foundation for your business.
We’re here cheering you on. In fact, if you’re ready to give your business a boost without breaking a sweat, we invite you to try Hookle and see how effortless managing your social media can be. Stay strong, stay positive, and keep innovating.
Download Hookle for free today and let it handle the social media hustle while you focus on what you do best. You’ve got this!
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