The 3-Post Fix for When Engagement Tanks
(AKA what to do when the algorithm ghosts you)
You know that feeling when you post something you actually love…
and then…nothing
Not even your mum comments.
Before you throw your phone in the bin and decide the algorithm hates you, breathe. Engagement dips happen to everyone. It’s not personal, and it’s not permanent.
What your feed probably needs is a reset.
Here’s the 3-Post Fix I use (and give clients all the time) to bring engagement back to life and reconnect with your audience.
Post 1: The Reset
Let people see you again.
When engagement drops, it’s often because your content’s gone too polished, too same-same, or too distant.
Your audience hasn’t disconnected from your brand, they’ve just forgotten there’s a person behind it.
Post something that reopens that human connection.
A “real talk” caption about what’s been happening behind the scenes.
A throwback to your why. What was the reason you started, what you’re building, what challenges have you been facing?
A photo or video that feels spontaneous and unfiltered.
Post 2: The Value Hit
Now remind people why they follow you in the first place.
When engagement dips, your audience doesn’t need more content, they need more reason to care.
Share something that genuinely helps them, from your experience as a small business owner. It doesn’t have to be a big “how-to.” just something that you found helpful you can genuinely share with them.
Here are some small-business-friendly ideas…👇
If you run a product-based business:
“Three simple ways to get your product seen by more people.”
“The tool I use to pack orders twice as fast.”
“What I wish I’d known before my first market stall.”
“Here’s how I turn one customer review into a week of content.”
If you’re a service-based business or creative:
“The question I always ask clients before I start a project (and why it changes everything).”
“A tiny tweak I made to my website that instantly increased enquiries.”
“How I handle it when business feels quiet (because it happens to all of us).”
“My three-minute mindset reset before every client call.”
If you’re a local or community-based brand:
“Where I get my coffee when I need a brain break ☕ because small biz owners need rituals too.”
“The three locals who inspire me to keep showing up.”
“One small thing that’s helped me balance running a business and, you know, life.”
Pro tip: You don’t need to sound like a coach or a strategist, just share what you know. Your lessons and shortcuts are someone else’s lightbulb moment.
Post 3: The Engagement Spark
Once you’ve reminded people who you are (Post 1) and shared something helpful (Post 2), it’s time to open the conversation again.
This one’s all about showing your audience you actually want to talk to them, not just sell to them.
Here’s the key: ask questions that are easy to answer and authentically connected to what you do.
Skip the generic stuff and keep it real and personal.
Here are some examples by business type 👇
If you run a product-based business:
“If we made [product] in one new colour, what should it be?”
“Who’s the hardest person to buy for on your Christmas list?”
“What’s your go-to comfort item from your favourite small biz?”
(These kinds of posts create easy conversation while subtly keeping your product top of mind.)
If you’re a service-based business or creative:
“What’s one thing you wish someone had told you before you started your business?”
“If you could outsource one thing in your biz tomorrow, what would it be?”
(This opens genuine dialogue between founder and audience, and relatability builds loyalty.)
If you’re a local or community-based business:
“What song sums up your week so far?”
“Who’s one local biz you’ve loved discovering lately?”
(These posts drive connection, they make your audience feel like they’re part of your circle.)
Pro tip:
You don’t need hundreds of comments for this to work. Even five real replies mean five conversations you can nurture.
Remember this is about reminding your people you’re still here, still human, and still cheering them on.
The Takeaway
Engagement dips aren’t failure — they’re feedback.
Sometimes your audience just needs a reminder of who you are, why you’re here, and how you help.
Three intentional posts can do more for your brand than thirty random ones.
Connection. Value. Conversation.
That’s the fix.
If you want help building your own 3-Post Fix plan, that’s literally what we do at TSSP (and so much more!)
We help brands turn quiet feeds into communities that actually engage.