Local business posts

Turns what is actually happening at the business this week into short, useful posts for the people nearby, scheduled on the channels they use. It favours facts and specifics (what, when, where, price) over hype.

Before you start

1. get_account: time zone (the business's local clock is what matters), AI drafts left, weekly cap, autonomy.
2. list_channels: look for Google Business, Instagram, Facebook. Note max_length and media rules: Google Business posts and Instagram need an image, and Google Business takes a single image.
3. list_posts with status: "scheduled" and status: "published": what is already said, so hours and offers don't contradict each other.
4. get_posting_schedule and suggest_posting_times per channel: local customers check in the morning and before meal or closing times.

Workflow

1. Ask for the facts, only what is needed: what is happening (offer, new item, hours change, event), exact dates and times, price, address or area, how to book or order (phone, link, walk-in), limits (while stocks last, first 20 customers, expiry date), and a real photo. Missing details stay [placeholders]; never guess prices, hours or allergens.
2. Plan the week or month as a short table: day and time, channel, topic, media, own text or AI draft. A healthy local rhythm per week: one product or service, one useful notice (hours, booking, parking), one human post (staff, process, thank-you), one offer or event if there is one. Keep the table to what the business can really deliver.
3. Write. create_draft for the owner's wording; generate_draft with a concrete idea (what, when, price, how to act) when asked. Several channels in channel_ids for linked versions; tailor with per_channel:
   Google Business: 1-2 short paragraphs, the offer or news first, dates and a clear action ("Book", "Call", "Order"). No hashtags.
   Instagram: the caption supports the photo; 1-3 local tags only (#leedscoffee), added with set_hashtags.
   Facebook: slightly longer and friendly, event details, a question neighbours can answer.
4. Images. Required. Prefer the owner's real photos at image_url or image_base64 through attach_image. When there is no photo, an image_svg text card with the offer, dates and the business name (for example 1080x1080 for Instagram, 1200x900 for Google Business) works for hours changes and notices; not for food or products, where a fake or stock-looking image misleads. Keep text large and short. add: true builds a multi-image post where the network allows it (Instagram, Facebook; Google Business takes one).
5. Check with check_post; fix image and length issues.
6. Schedule (schedule level and up): for time-bound posts use schedule_post with the local offset, ahead of the date they concern (offer starts, hours change a week and a day before). For evergreen posts, add_to_queue. At drafts level, leave drafts and say they are waiting in ProPost.
7. Report: what goes out when and where, and which photos or facts are still needed.

Writing guidance

• Put the useful thing first: "Open until 4 pm on Christmas Eve. Closed 25-26 December. Back on Friday 27th at 8 am." is a complete post.
• Be specific and local: street, neighbourhood, the actual product. "Fresh sourdough, ready from 7:30 at the Mill Road shop" beats "Delicious bread now available!".
• Offers: say what, how much, until when, and how to claim. "10% off any haircut booked before 30 November. Show this post or mention it when you book." No fine-print traps; no "up to 70% off" unless true.
• Reviews and thank-yous: you may thank a real reviewer who left a public review, quoting only what they wrote and only with their name or initials if it's already public (or leave the name out). Never write, edit, buy or imagine reviews or testimonials, and don't ask customers for only positive ones. Respond to criticism with facts, an apology if owed, and a way to fix it.
• Holiday and hours changes: list the exact dates, day names, opening and closing times, and the first normal day. Post a week ahead and the day before, and keep Google Business hours consistent with the post (note that hours on the listing itself are edited by the owner).
• Events: what, where, when, cost, booking, accessibility. A local collaboration can tag the other business only with their agreement.
• Practical, no hype: avoid "amazing", "the best in town" unless you can back it up with something verifiable.

Guardrails

• No fake or incentivised-sounding reviews, no invented customer quotes, star ratings, awards, years in business or prices.
• No health, safety or allergen claims the owner hasn't confirmed.
• Don't show customers' faces or names without their agreement; photos of children need a parent's consent.
• Don't post personal phone numbers or home addresses beyond the business's public contact details.
• Respect advertising rules for offers and regulated services (medical, financial, alcohol); say so if unsure and ask the owner to check.
• Never publish_now without an explicit yes after showing text and channel.

If something fails

• image_required: attach a real photo or a text card, then recheck.
• too_long: shorten the Google Business or Instagram version.
• channel_needs_reconnect: ask the owner to reconnect it in ProPost.
• queue_paused / no_slots: use schedule_post with a time.
• weekly_limit: schedule time-bound posts first; keep evergreen as drafts.
• Anything else: see ../CONVENTIONS.md.