Have you ever spent time creating a post, written the caption, and hovered your finger over the ‘post’ button, just to change your mind because you think it’s not good enough to post?

Been there many times myself! I often think I’ll come back to something later, but end up with a draft folder full of ideas that never ‘made the cut.’

But here’s the thing, that ‘imperfect’ moment? It’s exactly the kind of content your audience is craving right now.

While I don’t recommend flying by the seat of your pants 100% of the time, I do think that adding real moments to your static schedule, ESPECIALLY in the summer, gives your brand an authenticity boost with your audience and helps connect people with what you’re doing right now.

So, this summer, I challenge you to stop overthinking your posts and make a point to share a few insights, in real time.

What Real-Time Content Is

Real-time content is exactly what it sounds like. It’s content that is happening live. It’s usually unfiltered, doesn’t have a long caption, and gives your audience a glimpse of the real, unedited you.

Real-time content can also be pre-scheduled in your overall strategy if you try it out and find that you love it. If you know you’re going to a networking event, hosting an event, selling at a market, etc. then schedule ‘Real-time Content’ instead of coming up with something in advance so you can post on the fly, but within your overall strategy.

And if you don’t have a strategy (first, give me a call! I can help with that), then this is a great way to fill your feed when you don’t have time to pre-plan.

A photo of feet in the ocean to share that we were offline for the day. — *Decided to skip out of the office for the day? Share it! (Because who doesn’t need a little Vitamin Sea during the summer?!)*

Why Real-Time Content Works

✅ It feels authentic

Posting in the moment shows the human side of your business. The parts that people normally don’t get to see in a polished social media feed.

Whether you’re setting up a market table, chatting with customers, or even posting a story about your current office set-up, these all feel real and authentic.

And authentic content builds trust.

✅ It invites engagement

When you’re posting live from your workspace, an event, or even your car as you make your way through your day, you can make your audience feel like they’re a part of your experience.

It sparks comments, replies and messages because it feels current.

Try adding:

A poll sticker (“What would you grab from this table?”)
A caption that says, “If you’re nearby, pop in today!”
A question like “Should I restock these again?” with a slider emoji

✅ It creates FOMO

Real-time content builds real-time excitement. When people see what they’re missing out on (think, limited product, a busy market, a sunny patio) they’re more likely to take action.

For businesses, it drives foot traffic. For service providers, it can encourage last-minute bookings.

Don’t be afraid to share urgency. You’re doing your audience a disservice if you don’t let them know when they’re about to miss out!

A Market vendor celebrates the last day of a trade show. — *Trade shows are a great time to schedule real-time content instead of stressing over pre-planning! (📷 @pedallerdesigns)*

Simple Ways to Post in the Moment

You don’t need an intricate plan to start adding these kinds of posts to your feed. Just your phone and a few minutes of your time!

Here are some easy ideas:

Snap a photo of your setup before opening 📸
Post a Story as you walk into a market or event
Film a 10-second morning routine (“Here’s how we open the doors!”)
Do a short Story tour of your table, display, or space
Go Live for 2–5 minutes with a quick update or “What’s new this week” check-in
Introduce a team member, vendor, or customer on the fly

Real-time doesn’t mean fancy. It means present and open for business

The thing is, the content you’re saving ‘for later’? Once it’s perfect, edited, and with the polished caption, it’s probably not going to connect the same way as it would have when posted in real time.

So next time you hesitate, ask yourself:

Would this help my audience feel closer to my business?
Would it make someone stop scrolling?
Would it spark a message, comment, or visit?

If the answer is yes, post it. Your audience is already interested in what you have to offer, they’re just waiting to be invited in!

Dairy Bar Halifax sharing their latest flavour. — Sharing new products, especially when you have them available for a limited time, is a great way to boost engagement on your feed! *(📷 @DairyBarHfx)*

Ready to Start Showing Up in the Moment?

If you’re a small business owner, seasonal operator, or local brand in Nova Scotia and want help creating real-time content, I’ve got you.

Whether you need help filming, capturing behind-the-scenes moments, or planning what to post on the fly, I offer hands-on content creation that shows the heart of your business while it’s happening.

Let’s create content that feels natural, authentic, and builds connection.

Reach out at kerra@kasocialmedia.ca or book an appointment to chat about real-time UGC, on-location content days, or custom summer coverage.

Your story’s already happening, let’s make sure your audience sees it!

The Power of Real-Time Content