20 Creative Small Business Marketing Strategies
Small businesses have one massive advantage over big corporations: agility. You can be quirky, personal, and creative in ways that big brands can't. Here are 20 ideas to shake up your marketing.
Key Takeaways
- Personalization: Use handwritten notes and personal videos.
- Local Focus: Partner with neighbors and sponsor local events.
- Content: Teach, don't just sell.
- Experience: Create memorable moments for customers.
The Personal Touch
- Handwritten Thank You Notes: Include one in every package. It is rare and memorable.
- Birthday Video Messages: Send a quick 10-second personal video to top clients on their birthday.
- Customer Spotlight: Feature a loyal customer on your social media.
Local & Partnerships
- Sidewalk Chalk: Hire an artist to create a mural outside your shop.
- Pop-Up Shop: Partner with a complementary business (e.g., a bakery inside a coffee shop).
- Local Scavenger Hunt: Hide gift cards around the city and post clues on Instagram.
- Sponsor a Pet Adoption: Pay the adoption fees for a local shelter pet. It's great PR and a good cause.
Content & Education
- Free Classes: A hardware store teaching a "DIY Tiling" class sells more tile.
- Webinars: Host a Q&A session about your industry.
- User-Generated Content Contest: "Best photo with our product wins $100."
- Start a Podcast: Interview other local business owners.
Digital & Social
- Geofilters: Create a custom Snapchat/Instagram filter for your location.
- Flash Sales: "Mention this post in the next 2 hours for 50% off."
- AMA (Ask Me Anything): Go live and answer questions.
- LinkedIn Publishing: Write articles to establish B2B authority.
Guerrilla & Offline
- Business Card Draw: The classic "Win a Free Lunch" fishbowl still works.
- Branded Swag: Give away high-quality items (like tote bags) that people actually use.
- Vehicle Wrap: Park your branded car in high-traffic areas.
- Referral Bonuses: Give cash or credit for new leads.
- Support a Cause: Donate a % of sales to a local charity for a month.
Conclusion
Marketing is an experiment. Try three of these ideas this month. Keep what works, discard what doesn't, and keep having fun with your brand.
