The S-O-O-S Way: Social Media Shout Outs for Small Businesses

“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16

In today’s world, word-of-mouth has gone digital. When people love a local business, they don’t just tell their neighbor across the fence—they tell the entire community with one tap on their phone. Social media shout outs are one of the most powerful, cost-free ways to build brand recognition, trust, and loyalty. At Bryant Consultants, we call this method The S-O-O-S Way: Shout Out On Socials.

This blog is your guide to coaching your employees—and even your customers—on how and when to shout out a local business. Done right, these simple acts create ripple effects of visibility and credibility that no paid advertisement can touch.

Why Social Media Shout Outs Matter

Before we dive into the “how,” let’s start with the “why.”

When someone tags your business on social media, they’re putting their personal stamp of approval on you. It’s social proof in action. Instead of you saying, “We’re great!”—your customers are saying it for you. And trust me, that carries far more weight.

A shout out:

• Builds awareness. Your business gets introduced to the person’s entire circle of influence.
• Builds credibility. If someone’s friend trusts you, they’re more likely to as well.
• Builds community. It shows you’re not just a business—you’re a neighbor, a friend, a supporter of local life.

This is why teaching your team (and gently coaching your patients or clients) to practice the S-O-O-S way is a growth tool that keeps giving.

The Best Time to Shout Out

Timing is everything. The best shout outs happen in real, everyday moments.

Think about these situations:

• When you’ve had a great experience. Just left your dentist? Post a selfie with your bright smile and tag the practice.
• When you’re using the product or service. Drinking your latte from the new coffee shop? Snap a pic of the cup with the logo.
• When you’re on location. Standing by the sign, mural, or storefront? Perfect photo opportunity.
• When you’re celebrating. Anniversaries, birthdays, “first day with braces,” or “grand opening” moments make natural shout outs.

The right time isn’t complicated. It’s simply when you feel grateful, delighted, or impressed. Encourage your team to recognize those little nudges—then post!

What a Check-In Does for a Business

One of the simplest shout outs is a check-in.

When someone checks in on Facebook or tags the location on Instagram, it tells all their followers: “I’m here. This place matters.”

For a business, check-ins:

• Boost your visibility in local feeds.
• Show up on maps and search results.
• Signal to others that “this is the place to be.”

It’s free advertising, and it multiplies with every customer who participates. Coaching your patients or clients to check in is a gentle way of saying: “Help us spread the word.”

What Tagging Does for a Business

Now let’s talk about tagging.

When you tag a business in your photo or story, you’re directly connecting your audience to their page. It’s like pointing a crowd toward their door and saying, “Go here!”

Tagging does three key things:

1. Gives visibility. The tagged business gets notified, and your post may even appear on their page.
2. Strengthens relationships. Businesses often repost tags, which creates mutual support.
3. Drives engagement. A tag opens the door for likes, shares, and comments from both your circle and theirs.

That’s double the impact from one simple action.

The Power of Pictures

Words matter—but pictures seal the deal.

When you take a picture of yourself at the business, holding the product, or standing by the sign, it makes the shout out personal. It says: “This isn’t just an ad. This is my life.”

Photos amplify credibility because they show real people in real places. And today’s platforms (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn) push photo and video content higher in the feed than plain text.

Encourage your employees and clients to snap pictures of:

• The storefront sign.
• The service or product in use.
• A happy selfie with the provider.
• A fun behind-the-scenes moment.

That image, paired with a simple caption, can be worth hundreds of dollars in free exposure.

Coaching Your Team in the S-O-O-S Way

Here’s where the magic happens: empowering your employees.

When your team understands the value of shout outs, they become natural ambassadors for your brand.

Here’s how to coach them:

1. Teach the Why. Explain how check-ins, tags, and photos bring in more patients and clients.
2. Model It. As a leader, post your own shout outs when you visit local places. Let them see you practice what you preach.
3. Make It Easy. Provide a branded hashtag, suggest captions, or set up a selfie spot in your office.
4. Celebrate It. Recognize employees who regularly support local businesses on socials. Encourage a “culture of shout outs.”

This isn’t about forced marketing—it’s about cultivating authentic community.

Coaching Your Patients or Clients

Yes, you can even coach your customers in a gentle, fun way.

Think about the power of a dentist saying: “We’d love it if you shared your smile with a check-in or tag today!” Or a café barista saying: “Don’t forget to tag us when you post your latte art.”

Practical tips for coaching customers:

• Put signage at checkout or in the waiting room: “Love your visit? Tag us!”
• Run fun shout-out contests: “Post and tag us to enter a monthly giveaway.”
• Thank them when they do it: “We saw your tag—thank you for the love!”

The key is to invite, not pressure. Keep it light, fun, and relational.

The Ripple Effect of Shout Outs

When employees and customers practice the S-O-O-S way, the effects ripple far beyond one post.

• Community growth. Businesses support businesses, and customers see a network of trust.
• Increased loyalty. People love being recognized and reposted.
• Organic growth. You’re not paying for ads—the growth happens through authentic connections.
• Kingdom impact. When your business shines in the community, you have greater opportunity to live out your values and point others toward Christ.

It’s not just about marketing. It’s about ministry, influence, and impact.

Action Steps for Small Businesses

Here’s a quick coaching checklist to implement the S-O-O-S way today:

1. Set up your social media handles clearly so people can find and tag you.
2. Create a branded hashtag that’s simple and memorable.
3. Coach your employees with a short training on shout outs.
4. Encourage customers with signage, contests, and gratitude.
5. Engage back by liking, sharing, and thanking everyone who tags you.
6. Track your growth—watch how check-ins and tags expand your visibility.

Bryant Consultants Call to Action

At Bryant Consultants, we don’t just teach you what to do—we walk alongside you to implement it.

If you’re ready to build a culture of community support and social shout outs in your small business, we can help you:

• Develop a S-O-O-S employee training plan.
• Create customized shout-out scripts and signage.
• Build a monthly content calendar that keeps your shout outs consistent.
• Coach your leadership team to celebrate and recognize participation.

Your business has a story worth sharing. Let’s make sure it gets told in the most authentic, community-building way possible.

👉 Contact Bryant Consultants today to start your S-O-O-S journey and watch your influence grow!

Closing Thought

Remember: every shout out is more than a marketing tool—it’s a testimony. It’s your way of letting your light shine before others, building not just a business, but a community rooted in trust, excellence, and Kingdom values.

So next time you grab that coffee, visit the dentist, or celebrate a milestone—don’t just keep it to yourself. Post it. Tag it. Share it. Shout it out. The S-O-O-S way.