Have you ever wondered how you can get more customers for your business? Social media advertising is the answer! With almost 29 million social media users in Malaysia as of January 2024, it’s a sign that SMEs can consider advertising their brand online. However, preparation is crucial before doing so to minimise the risk of excessive spending. And with social media use on the rise, there are several trends and cost-effective methods businesses can try with minimal effort.

Benefits of Social Media Marketing for SMEs

Promoting your small business on social media will bring a lot of benefits in terms of customer reach and brand reputation, as detailed below:

1. Attracts Potential Customers

In today’s digital age, people spend significant time on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Therefore, establishing a presence on these platforms puts your business where your customers are. Furthermore, you can showcase your products, share success stories, or even run contests to generate buzz.

2. Easy Access to Customer Insights

With the analytics feature available for social media business accounts, you can track which posts perform well and what times your audience is most active. This information lets you make informed decisions to align your marketing strategies with your customers’ wants and needs.

3. Increases Brand Credibility

When customers see that you actively respond to comments, share customer testimonials, and maintain a professional yet approachable online presence, they are more likely to trust your brand. Moreover, positive reviews and user-generated content can make new customers more confident in choosing your products or services.

Social Media Advertising Tips for SMEs

How can you reap the benefits mentioned more effectively? Follow these tips while executing your social media marketing strategy!

1. Know Your Business Niche, Competitors, and Target Audience

First, understand what makes your business unique so that you can highlight it in your content. Then, study your competitors to identify what works for them and what doesn’t. More importantly, remember to tailor your content and ads to the needs of your audience by understanding what they like or struggle with.

2. Plan Your Content Ahead

Next, create a content calendar outlining your regular scheduled posts, including themes, hashtags, and special promotions. This planning ahead strategy allows you to balance promotional content, educational posts, and interactive content to keep your audience interested.

3. Interact with Your Audience

Social media is a two-way street. Posting content and hoping for the best is not enough; consider responding to customers’ comments, asking questions, and encouraging user-generated content. Interacting with your audience builds stronger relationships and increases your visibility on social media platforms, as algorithms often favour accounts that engage with their followers.

Latest Trends in Social Media

Another way to increase your social media marketing success is by paying attention to trends and implementing them in your content. Here are some of the most popular ones:

1. Appeal to Humour

Humour is a powerful tool in social media marketing, a trend that has seen tremendous success, as with the case of the brand Cikimeeyang. Ecah Daud, the mastermind behind it, made her brand stand out in a crowded market with her straightforward, funny posts.

One way to incorporate humour into your content is by using trending or funny audios. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels often have viral sound clips that brands can creatively adapt to their messaging. Whether it’s a popular meme sound, a relatable voiceover, or a funny remix, hopping on these trends can increase engagement and boost your reach.

To follow in Cikimeeyang’s footsteps, align the humour with your brand’s voice, values, and target audience’s preferences. A well-executed humorous post can go viral and make your brand more memorable to potential customers.

2. Appeal to Relatability

Khairul Aming’s success with Sambal Nyet is a perfect example of how relatability can boost your brand’s success. He shares stories his audience can connect with, whether about the challenges of running a business, personal growth, or everyday life. His transparent and down-to-earth approach makes his brand feel authentic and trustworthy.

To make your brand more relatable:

  • Show Real Struggles & Wins – Instead of only showcasing success, share the ups and downs of your journey as an SME owner. Malaysians appreciate honesty and behind-the-scenes moments.
  • User-Generated Content (UGC) – Feature customer testimonials, real product reviews, or customers using your product in their daily lives. This builds trust and social proof.
  • Casual & Conversational Language – Avoid overly formal marketing messages. Instead, use everyday language, local slang, or lighthearted captions to make your brand feel more approachable and engaging.
  • Share Day-in-the-Life Content – Malaysians enjoy following daily routines, whether it’s a business owner preparing orders, packing deliveries, or handling customer inquiries. This makes your brand feel more human and relatable.

3. Appeal to Engaging Content Styles

Malaysians enjoy content that feels personal and immersive, making vlog-style videos, behind-the-scenes content, and daily life snippets highly effective. Many successful brands and influencers, such as Siti Jamumall and Caprice, use this approach to create a sense of connection with their audience.

By showing raw, unfiltered moments—like the production process, a day in the life of a business owner, or customer testimonials—you can make your brand feel more authentic and relatable. Short-form videos, especially on TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts, are also popular for keeping audiences engaged.

Consider experimenting with live videos, product unboxings, and behind-the-scenes content to build stronger engagement with your audience.

Enhance Your Social Media Advertising Strategy Today

Succeeding in social media marketing requires a solid understanding of the latest trends and what your customers like. Therefore, remember to stay up-to-date as you detail your advertising plans! 

Should you ever need extra funds to execute your promotion strategy, fret not because Funding Societies is here to help you with the Micro Financing Solution! You can get a capital boost of up to RM200,000 with an affordable monthly rate starting from 0.8% and a flexible tenure just by completing an online application form. Are you interested? Visit this page for more information!