12 marketing ideas for small businesses

In need of some marketing inspiration to help get your business going? From social media marketing and understanding analytics, we’ve got you covered with these 8 marketing tips to help your business stand out from the crowd.

1. Consistent branding and messages

Having strong branding and logo’s is one of the powerful ways you can stay in the mind of your customers. Spending some time to plan and understand what your key messages are, where your branding is used is a worth-while exercise.

If you are a business that’s in the health industry for example, you want to ensure your sending out the right messages that align with your brand values (like sharing health tips, related products, healthy recipes etc). Your messaging needs to be clear to your customers so they know exactly what you do, how to get in contact and any other relevant details.

It’s also a good time to assess where your branding and logos are being placed and that they are all the same. If you have undergone a change in logo make sure they are all updated to avoid any confusion and to maintain a professional look.

2. Identify your target audience

Marketing works best when you’re speaking to the right people. Identify your ideal customers by looking at their demographics, interests, behaviours, and buying habits.

The more specific you are, the more effective your campaigns will be. With a well-defined audience, every piece of content, ad, and promotion will feel like it was made just for them. This ensures you’re spending your time and budget on marketing that actually connects, instead of casting a wide net and hoping for the best.

3. Get help with apps and tools

When you are trying to manage everything running your own business, it can feel overwhelming and hard to do it all. Luckily, there are thousands of apps out there which can help when it comes to marketing your business.

From helping with graphic design to scheduling your social media, these apps will help free up time and get the creative juice going. Here are a few to check out:

• Canva – helps to create stunning marketing collateral things like social media posts with ready made templates and the tools to create your own designs.
• Hootsuite – is a social media management program that lets you schedule posts, monitor and manage your social media accounts. It can also be integrated with Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and YouTube accounts.
• Dropbox – a cloud based app that you can store photos and files in, allowing you to free up storage on your devices and access the files anywhere.
• Buffer – is a social media tool that lets you schedule posts directly to Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and LinkedIn.

4. Analyse the data

Taking the time to understand the analytics and metrics behind your website and social media channels is vital. These details give you a direct insight into how your customers are interacting with your business, valuable data that can be used to steer your marketing decisions.

Looking at data like the demographics of your customers allows you create more targeted marketing campaigns. With the help of platforms like Google Analytics, you can see details like what time of day people are visiting your site, what pages they are looking at and for how long.

5. Create high quality content

Creating high quality content is an effective way to connect with your audience and build credibility. Your audience is constantly bombarded with messages, so you need to give them a reason to stop scrolling and pay attention. That means content that’s informative, engaging, and relevant to their needs.

Quality content can take many forms: blog posts, educational videos, infographics or social media updates. The format matters less than the value it delivers. If you run a landscaping business, for example, you could create seasonal lawn care tips. If you’re in retail, you might share styling ideas or product care guides.

To really make your content work for you, plan it strategically. Create a content calendar to stay consistent, use keyword research to improve search visibility, and repurpose your best-performing pieces across different channels to maximise reach. For example, a blog post could become a short video for Instagram, a carousel for LinkedIn, and a snippet for your email newsletter. When you consistently create and share high quality content, you build trust, grow your audience, and position your business as the go-to authority in your industry.

6. Optimise your website for mobile

With most Google searches coming from mobile devices, it makes sense to ensure your website is optimised for mobile viewing. You want your website to be easy to navigate, clean and appealing to customers. Having a mobile site can also help with your ranking with search engines like Google who rewards mobile sites with a higher ranking.
For those of us that aren’t so tech-savvy, fear not! Many platforms already have pre-built templates to create a mobile-friendly sites without having to go to too much hassle.

7. Nurture potential customers with email marketing

Email marketing is a cost-effective way to stay on your customers’ radar. Use your email list to deliver helpful tips, industry insights, special discounts, or updates on your latest products and services.
The key is consistency without being spammy. Every email should feel useful, relevant, and worth opening. Over time, you’ll build trust and keep your business top-of-mind when they’re ready to buy.

8. Encourage customer reviews

We all know how powerful word-of-mouth is in the business world, so when your customers share their good experience it’s important to get the word out there for others to see. There are many channels your customers can share their opinions. For example, social media, reviewing sites and directly on your website.

Put those rave reviews to good use by publishing them for other potential customers to see. Purchase behaviours are heavily influenced by the recommendations and experiences by other customers, so get the good word out there!

9. Partner with other businesses or influencers

Partnering with other businesses or influencers lets you tap into new customers and markets you might never reach on your own. The trick is finding the right fit.

Start by looking locally or within your niche. For example, a florist could collaborate with a wedding photographer for styled shoots, a yoga studio could team up with a health food store for wellness events, or a boutique could work with a jewellery maker on exclusive in-store pop-ups. These partnerships let you share costs, combine audiences, and create value-packed offers that benefit everyone involved.

Influencer partnerships work much the same way. Choose people whose followers match your ideal customer profile and who authentically align with your brand’s tone, values, and image. A smaller, highly engaged influencer audience is often more valuable than a massive but disengaged following. Collaborations could include giveaways, product reviews, affiliate partnerships, or content co-creation.

10. Invest in a customer relationship management system

Customer relationship management (CRM) systems help to capture important information about your existing and potential customers like their details, interactions, and sales history for example. These details can be used to help craft personalised and tailored marketing campaigns.

These campaigns can be things like social media adverts and email marketing and can be integrated with other programs, once again making your marketing activities a little bit easier!

11. Customer loyalty and affiliate programs

Strong relationships with customers don’t just happen; they’re built through consistent value and recognition. Loyalty programs do exactly that by rewarding repeat customers with perks like discounts, freebies, or exclusive access to special offers.

An affiliate program taps into your customers’ networks, turning their recommendations into a marketing engine for your business. By incentivising them to refer others to your business, you can grow your customer base organically while rewarding those who help make it happen. The result is a win-win for both your customers and your bottom line.

12. Contribute as an industry expert

Positioning yourself as an authority in your field can do wonders for your credibility and brand visibility. Share your expertise through guest articles, podcast interviews, panel discussions, or speaking at local and industry events.

If you run a gardening business, you could contribute seasonal planting tips to a lifestyle magazine. If you own an accounting firm, offer tax-season advice for small business owners on LinkedIn or local radio. The more people see you providing valuable, actionable advice, the more likely they are to remember and choose your business when they need your product or service.

Grow your brand, and protect it

While you’re out there winning customers and building your reputation, BizCover can help protect your business with quick, affordable insurance options. Compare quotes online, get instant cover, and safeguard your hard-earned success.