7 Marketing Strategies for Small Businesses
As a freelance consultant, I do my best to keep learning and growing my understanding of the latest marketing trends. I’ve decided to post a series in which I’ve distilled my research and learning into what I see to be the 7 most important considerations for small businesses building their marketing strategies.
Why the focus on small business? Primarily because that’s the nature of my current clients and so that’s where my focus has been. But also because I think the need for clarity is more prevalent for businesses needing to make their marketing budget work as hard as possible.
I’ll be going into more detail on each of these segments in subsequent posts, but for now, here are my top 7 marketing strategies for small businesses.
1. Local & Digital SEO for Visibility
One of the least attended elements of a small businesses’ portfolio is their own website. Optimise your website for local searches, keep your Google My Business listing updated, and use AI-powered tools to refine keyword strategies.
2. Social Media & Influencer Partnerships
Most small businesses will have a presence on social media, but are you effectively using Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn? Make sure you have individual strategies for each. And one of the most significant trends is the rise of micro-influencers – well worth considering as an avenue to build trust and expand reach.
3. AI-Driven Personalisation & Customer Engagement
The unmissable trend in marketing, but it’s absolutely something to consider. I’ve been spending a lot of time honing my abilities to utilise AI. With a strong foundational understanding of marketing strategy, AI can be very powerful to help optimise performance across all channels.
4. Video & Experiential Marketing
Potentially something you’ve considered but not actioned, creating engaging short-form videos (Reels, TikTok, YouTube Shorts) and hosting in-person activations, like pop-up events or workshops, will really help to enhance brand interaction.
5. Community-Centered & Ethical Branding
Support local events, sustainability initiatives, and partnerships, positioning your brand as socially responsible and community-focused. BUT … make sure to be authentic in both your reason for partnering, and your comms.
6. Smart Advertising & Retargeting
You don’t need big budgets to effectively use PPC, social media ads, and retargeting to keep your brand in front of potential customers while maximising marketing spend efficiency.
7. Referral & Loyalty Programs for Retention
If your business is tailored to this kind of activity, encouraging word-of-mouth marketing with customer referral discounts, loyalty programs, and exclusive member perks can be very powerful in helping to retain and grow your customer base.
If you found this useful, or it has sparked a curiosity for you with regards to your marketing needs, I'd love to chat more!