Content Crashing
Dear Barb, do I need to post on social media every day to stay relevant?
Dear Content Counter,
If I had a dollar for every time a groomer worried about their social media presence, I could probably hire someone else to manage my own accounts… and maybe even throw in a ring light. When I first started grooming, hashtags were just symbols to indicate a phone number in our booking diaries (and yes, these were literal diaries, not a booking app… vintage).
But to put it simply, no you do not need to post every day.
You need to groom dogs, maintain your marbles, and occasionally empty your bladder (should you be so blessed).
The Myth of the Algorithm Gods
Somewhere along the line, someone told groomers that if you don’t post every day, Instagram will banish you into the ether.
Spoiler: it won’t
The algorithm doesn’t care if you post daily - it cares if people interact with what you post. I could post daily pictures about which novelty earrings I’m wearing but eventually, it clogs the feed and people lose interest (it was worth a try). People interact with what feels real.
So instead of chasing “daily content”, chase connection.
If your audience feels like they know you, your grooming style, your tone, your love of their dogs, they’ll stick around no matter how often you post.
Principles for Posting
1. Consistent not constant.
Two or three posts per week over beat seven rushed ones every time.
2. Show your face.
I know, I know, “Barb, we’re groomers, not models”. Well call them crazy but some owners like to see the human behind the sharp tools pointed at their dog. A selfie, a story, the coffee you spilt all over your grooming smock - they all build trust.
3. Share what you do and more of what you want to do.
I wish all dog collars came with “don’t forget the before photo” because there is nothing worse than a dazzling after photo with no evidence of where you started. Secondly, don’t post oodles of Groodles if you don’t want to see more of them.
4. Batch like crazy
Film or photograph several dogs in one day, then preschedule your posts for the week. Work smarter not harder, lovelies!
5. Say Barb-bye to perfection
Nobody is analysing your hashtags or judging your lighting (well… except other groomers, but we’ll forgive them for that). The people that will actually be paying your bills just care about happy, clean, well-groomed dogs and a groomer they can trust - not cinematic masterpieces.
The bottom line is we’re dog groomers, not professional content creators.
Our social media accounts are our salon windows, not our full-time job.
Post consistently enough to remind your followers you’re brilliant at what you do and the rest of the time? Spend it doing what you do. Because darling, the most authentic, engaging version of your business is you actually enjoying it.
Happy scrolling,
Barb-bye!
