Picture the chalkboard sign outside a café. It tells people walking by what’s new: today’s special, an event this weekend, holiday hours. Your Google Business Profile has something similar built right in. It’s called posts, and plenty of Miami businesses have never used it.
What Google Business Profile posts are
Posts are short updates that show up on your profile when people find you on Google Search or Maps. You can add text, a photo, and a button like “Call” or “Learn more.” They’re free, and you can create them from the same place you manage the rest of your profile.
There are a few types:
- Updates: general news, like new hours, a new service or a recent project
- Offers: a promotion with start and end dates
- Events: something happening on a specific date, like an open house or a class
Why bother
People looking at your profile are often close to making a decision. A recent post shows them you’re active and gives them one more reason to reach out. It’s also a handy way to share timely information, like holiday hours, without waiting for someone to ask.
What to post
If you’re not sure where to start, here are some ideas that work for most local businesses:
- Holiday or seasonal hours. Thanksgiving and the end of the year are coming up. Let people know when you’re open.
- A recent job or project. One real photo and a sentence about what you did.
- A real offer you’re actually running, with clear dates and terms.
- An event. A workshop, a tasting, a community day, an open house.
- A common question answered. “How long does a typical install take?” in two or three sentences.
- Something new. A new service, a new team member, new equipment.
Keep it plain and simple
Google reviews posts before they go live, and some get rejected. The ones that sail through tend to be straightforward. A few tips:
- Write like you’re talking to a neighbor. Short, clear and friendly. Skip the hype.
- Use a real photo. Your own work, your team, your space. Avoid images covered in text.
- Keep phone numbers out of the text. Use the “Call” button instead.
- Make offers accurate. If you mention an offer, include the real dates and any conditions. Never promise something you won’t honor.
- Stay on topic. Posts should be about your business and what you do.
How often to post
You don’t need to post every day. A couple of times a month is a good, sustainable rhythm for most small businesses. Event and offer posts stay up until their end date, and updates stay visible on your profile as well, though newer posts naturally get more attention.
The key is consistency. A profile with a recent post looks more active than one whose last update was two years ago.
A simple monthly plan
- Week 1: a recent job or project with a real photo
- Week 3: a timely update, like hours, an event, or a helpful tip
That’s two posts a month, about ten minutes each. Easy to keep up.
The bottom line
Google Business Profile posts are a free, simple way to keep your profile current and give customers a reason to call. You don’t need to be a writer or a marketer. Just share what’s actually happening at your business, plainly and honestly.