Why Your Small Business Needs a Marketing Strategy
Marketing can feel overwhelming when you’re spinning all the plates of running a small business. But the reality is that without a clear marketing strategy, you’re relying on guesswork. And when you’re trying to grow, guesswork might bring you the occasional quick win, but long term, it won’t deliver results.
Whether you’re just starting out or have been growing your brand for a while, a solid marketing strategy gives you structure, saves you time and helps you attract the right customers in a way that actually works. No one-size-fits-all tactics, just a plan that makes sense for your business.
What is a Marketing Strategy, Anyway?
A marketing strategy, put simply, is your plan for how you’ll promote your products/services, reach new customers, and grow your brand. It helps you get clarity on who you’re talking to, what you want to say, and where you need to show up.
It’s not about being everywhere. It’s about being in the right places with the right message.
Why Small Businesses Need One
A good marketing strategy helps small businesses:
– Stay consistent with messaging across platforms.
– Reach the right audience at the right time.
– Set clear goals and track what’s working.
– Use time and budget more efficiently.
Without a plan, it’s easy to waste hours on social posts that don’t land, campaigns that don’t convert, or copy that misses the mark. A strategy keeps things focused and stops you from shouting into the void.
Marketing Tips for Small Business Owners
If you’re not sure where to start, here are a few easy tips you can implement:
Know your audience: Understand who you’re speaking to and what they actually care about. This could be through conducting some simple customer surveys or polls, and keeping up to date with your analytics and insights to see who is following you or engaging with your content, and how they interact with your posts.
Set some goals: Are you trying to grow your audience, increase sales, or build trust? Your goals shape your tactics and help to form your content (and are especially important if you’re looking to invest in social media advertising).
Choose your channels: You don’t need to be on every platform. Focus on where your audience spends their time the most and start there. Just because a brand you like is on Instagram or TikTok, doesn’t necessarily mean you should be too.
Create helpful content: Whether it’s tips, insights, or behind-the-scenes moments, give people a reason to connect with you. Content pillars are a great way to organise what you want to post about and make planning content so much easier (Read our blog on understanding content pillars here).
Need Some Help With Yours?
If you’re feeling stuck or like you’re winging it week to week, you’re not alone. We work with small businesses and startups to create marketing strategies that are tailored, practical and easy to stick to. Whether you need a one-off plan or ongoing support, our approach to startup marketing support is flexible, affordable and built around what you actually need, not what everyone else is doing.
We know small business marketing doesn’t come with a huge team or budget. That’s why we make sure your strategy works hard, without adding more to your plate. Your business deserves a strategy that works as hard as you do!
Ready to build a marketing strategy that actually makes sense for your small business? Get in touch!
