Running a small business is tough, and it often feels like you’re juggling a dozen things at once. From managing operations to handling finances, there’s always something demanding your attention. And then there’s marketing. Where do you even begin? Whether you’re just getting started or looking to take your business to the next level, this 9-step guide will show you how to market your small business like a boss.
We believe in keeping things straightforward and practical, so you won’t need a huge marketing budget or a complicated strategy. What you do need is clarity, an understanding of your customers, and a few smart, effective tactics so you can start marketing your business today.
You can have the best products or services in the world, but if your message is unclear, potential customers won’t know why they should choose you. Your brand message is the foundation of your marketing. It should clearly explain what you do, who you help, and why it matters to them.
StoryBrand Framework:
The key to crafting a clear message is putting your customer at the centre of your story. Think of it like this; your customer is the hero (Luke Skywalker), and your business is the guide (Yoda) that helps them succeed. They’ve got a problem, and you’re here with the solution.
You’ll get clarity by identifying:
Once you’ve nailed your brand message, it should be clear on your website, in your social media posts, and throughout your marketing materials. Remember, if your customer can’t quickly understand what you do, they’ll move on to someone else. People don't buy the best products or services. They buy the ones they can understand the quickest (Donald Miller, CEO Storybrand).
To market like a boss, you need to know exactly who you’re speaking to. Not all customers are created equal, and you’ll get better results by targeting the right people. i.e. the ones who actually need what you’re offering.
Start by building customer personas or avatar. These are detailed profiles of your ideal customers. What do they care about? What are their pain points? Where do they spend their time online? Once you’ve got a clear picture of your audience, you can tailor your marketing efforts to speak directly to them.
Example Persona:
By knowing your audience, you’ll create marketing messages that resonate, leading to higher engagement and conversion rates.
Your website is your business’s digital shop front. Whether people find you through social media, a search engine, or referral, they will check out your website before deciding whether to do business with you. A professional-looking, easy-to-navigate website is essential.
You’ll need to ensure that:
Social media is one of the best tools you have for building relationships with your audience. It doesn’t matter whether you’re selling products or services, your customers are on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn, so you need to be there too.
You’ll get the most out of social media by being consistent and engaging. Here’s how:
If you’re ready to invest a bit, running targeted paid ads on social media can help you reach a wider audience without breaking the bank.
Content marketing is one of the best ways to position your business as a trusted expert. By providing valuable content that answers your customers’ questions, you’ll build trust, establish credibility, and keep your audience engaged.
Start with what you know. You don’t need to be a professional writer to share useful information. Answer the questions your customers ask you regularly, create how-to guides, or share tips related to your industry. This is where the They Ask, You Answer approach comes in. Your content should directly answer the questions your customers are searching for.
Types of Content to Consider:
Repurpose your content across different platforms to maximise its reach. For example, a blog post can become a series of social media posts or a video for YouTube.
Email marketing is one of the most cost-effective ways to keep your customers engaged. It allows you to stay in touch, build relationships, and offer exclusive deals or insights. You can build an email list without spending a fortune. With a homepage lead-generator you can offer something something of use in exchange for an email address.
You’ll get the best results by sending emails that are relevant, personal, and helpful. Focus on providing value to your subscribers rather than bombarding them with sales pitches. Use email to offer discounts, share tips, or announce new products or services.
When people search for businesses near them, you want your small business to be at the top of the results. That’s where local SEO comes in. If you’re not optimising for local searches, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity.
Here’s how to improve your local SEO:
Local SEO is an ongoing effort, but it’s one of the most effective ways to attract new customers in your area.
Collaborating with other small businesses is a great way to extend your reach. By partnering with businesses that complement yours, you can tap into each other’s customer base, creating a win-win situation.
Here are some ideas:
Collaborations help you build relationships within your community, increase visibility, and attract new customers.
To market like a pro, you need to know what’s working and what’s not. Track your marketing efforts and adjust based on the data. You don’t need complicated tools. Google Analytics and social media insights will give you all the information you need.
You’ll improve your marketing efforts by tracking:
By monitoring these metrics, you can refine your strategies and focus on what drives results.
Marketing your small business doesn’t have to be overwhelming or expensive. By focusing on a clear brand message, knowing your audience, and using smart strategies like social media, content marketing, and local SEO, you’ll get results that help your business grow.
At Simple Story Marketing, you’ll get clear, story-based marketing strategies that position your customer as the hero and guide them to success. Ready to take your marketing to the next level?
Schedule a call today to see how we can help you clarify your message and connect with your customers.
P.S. If you want to make 7 simple changes to your website content so it makes the customer the hero visit the homepage and download the free PDF.
