Starting a small business is exciting but it can also feel overwhelming when it comes to marketing. With limited time and budget, you need strategies that actually work and won’t drain your resources. By focusing on clear messaging and the right channels, you can make the most of your resources.
A few smart marketing moves can help you reach customers, build credibility, and boost revenue from the start. Here are some proven tips to get your marketing off the ground:
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Start With Your Ideal Customer in Mind
Before spending a dollar on ads, get clear about who you’re trying to reach. Ask yourself:
- Who is most likely to buy my product or service?
- Where do they spend their time (online and offline)?
- What problem am I solving for them?
A laser focus on your target customer will help you choose the right channels and messages instead of spreading yourself too thin.
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Claim Your Digital Real Estate
Even if you don’t have a full website yet, getting a simple landing page is easy and effective for having customer discover your online presence. Here’s how to make sure customers can find you:
- Create a Google Business Profile so you show up on Maps and local searches. Ensure your business information is up-to-date and accurate. Add high-quality photos and videos to appeal to customers.
- Set up social profiles on the platforms your audience uses most (often Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok).
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- Tip: Depending on your bandwidth, it’s better to stick to one platform that you can post on consistently rather than create profiles for every platform.
- Make your contact info, hours, and payment methods crystal clear everywhere you’re listed.
This is the foundation that makes all other marketing efforts more effective.
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Use Social Media to Tell Your Story
You don’t need fancy production because on social media, authenticity wins. Share behind-the-scenes posts, introduce your team, show your product in action, or highlight happy customers. A consistent presence builds familiarity and trust.
Tip: Use short-form video (Reels, TikToks, YouTube Shorts). It gets higher reach, and you can repurpose the same content across multiple platforms. You can use your phone to record videos and edit the videos for free on apps like TikTok or CapCut.
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Collect Emails from Day One
Even if you’re not sending polished newsletters yet, start building an email list. Offer something small in exchange for emails like a discount code or free sample.
Email marketing is one of the most cost-effective ways to bring customers back. It lets you send offers, announce new products, or simply remind people that you exist.
Most websites will offer an email capture tool. You can then connect to a free email marketing tool like MailChimp to start sending out communications.
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Optimize Your Website for Conversions
Your website is often the first impression of your business. Make sure it’s mobile-friendly, easy to navigate, and has clear calls-to-action (like “Buy Now,” “Book a Call,” or “Sign Up”).
Simple tweaks, like adding testimonials or improving product photos, can dramatically increase sales.
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Run Promotions and Limited-Time Offers
Scarcity drives action so try and incorporate flash sales, limited-time discounts, or bundled offers. This creates urgency and encourages quick decisions.
Promote these offers across email and social channels for maximum reach.
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Encourage Online Reviews
Social proof matters. Positive reviews on Google, Yelp, or industry-specific platforms build credibility and influence buying decisions.
Ask happy customers to leave reviews and make it easy for them with direct links. You can include these links on your receipts, in email confirmations, or in-store QR codes.
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Invest Small in Targeted Ads
A modest ad spend, think $5–$10 a day, can go a long way when targeting locally.
Options include:
- Facebook/Instagram ads aimed at people within a certain zip code.
- Google Ads for keywords customers use when they’re ready to buy (e.g., “best coffee near me”).
- Boosted posts for high-performing social content.
Start small, track results, and double down on what works.
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Turn Every Customer into a Marketer
Word of mouth is gold for new businesses. Encourage referrals by:
- Offering a small discount or perk for both the referrer and referee.
- Giving away stickers at checkout.
- Adding a friendly “If you loved us, tell a friend!” to receipts or emails.
- Creating a shareable moment – like a photo-worthy packaging or branded hashtag.
Your happy customers can become your most powerful sales team.
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Measure, Learn, Adjust
Marketing is not “set it and forget it.” Pay attention to what drives sales, whether that’s Instagram posts, Google searches, or local flyers. Free tools like Google Analytics, Facebook Insights, and your payment processor’s reports can help you spot trends.
Double down on what brings results and don’t be afraid to drop what doesn’t.
You don’t need a massive budget or a professional marketing team to grow your small business. Start with a few focused tactics: know your audience, show up online, collect customer info, and test small ad campaigns. Over time, you’ll build both visibility and trust, and that translates directly into revenue.
Free Tools to Take Action
MailChimp: Lets you send emails to contacts to keep them informed, engaged, and coming back.
Canva: Gives you the tools to create social media graphics and edit pictures with a range of free templates.
ChatGPT: Generate content for your website and social media instantly using AI.
Yelp: Get your business seen by locals.
Buffer: Allows you to schedule out social media posts in advance to have a consistent posting schedule.
Additional Recommendations for Limited Bandwidth
Recruit interns or contractors. When cash is limited, consider hiring interns or contract-based workers to gain specialized skills and resources for a specific project without the expense of a full-time hire.
Payment Processing for Small Businesses
If you’re a new business, you’re probably looking for a payment processor to help you navigate the process of accepting payments.
Beyond just accepting credit cards or mobile payments, the right provider helps you get paid faster, reduce costs, and create a seamless checkout experience for your customers.
With Valmar, you get a payments partner that has transparent pricing, easy setup, and tools designed to grow with your business. We take the complexity out of payments so you can focus on what matters most – serving your customers and increasing sales. If you’re ready to simplify transactions, contact us today.
