As small business owners, we know firsthand how hectic it can be juggling all the tasks that come with running a business. The last thing we want is to be constantly switching up our marketing plan every five minutes (no thank you). That's why we've put together a list of the best marketing ideas for small businesses in 2024. These small business marketing ideas are designed to be effective, manageable, and easy to implement, so you can focus on what you do best—running your business—without the constant stress of chasing the latest marketing trend.
In this article, we’re sharing:
- 4 marketing ideas that are effective in 2024
- How to use your small business size as an advantage
- Tips for putting these marketing ideas into action
1. Video Marketing
First up on our list is video marketing because we all need to do a lot more of it. But before you start stressing over expensive equipment and fancy studios, take a breath. Perfection is no longer the goal (and honestly we couldn’t be happier to leave it behind). Audiences crave authenticity. They want to see the real you and the real behind-the-scenes action of your business.Â
While video marketing is probably the biggest non-negotiable on this list of best marketing ideas, it can be pretty low-production. Your smartphone is your best friend here. 7-second videos work too. Capture snippets of your daily operations, customer interactions, or even a quick workspace tour. If you’re feeling ambitious, film a DITY (day-in-the-life). These videos can be used as B-roll for your website, social media, or even in your email newsletters.Â
Stock Photo Subscriptions
While we’d love to tell you to create all of your own content from scratch, we know that isn’t always realistic for a small business owner. Stock photos can help fill in the gaps when you need to post something, so consider investing in a paid photo subscription. As you compare options, make sure to go for one that includes B-roll and stock video too. For wedding pros, we love Sourced Co. For other industries, we also love Elevae Visuals, Haute Stock, or Editorial Stock Images. Or, if you really want a free option, both Dupe Photos and Kaboom Pics are great options for stock that isn't as generic as the options you'll find elsewhere!
2. User-Generated Content (UGC)
Next, let’s talk about User-Generated Content (UGC). UGC is powerful because it’s authentic and relatable. When real customers share their experiences with your products or services, it resonates more with potential customers than any polished ad ever could.
With that said, it can feel overwhelming to get started. We suggest trying to host contests or giveaways where customers submit photos or videos using your products. Then, take that content and feature these submissions on your social media channels or website. A great example is this Instagram reel which shows how engaging UGC can be when done well—but it can be as simple as this too.
3. Influencer Marketing
We talk to a lot of small business owners, and most think that influencer marketing feels out of reach—but that’s a misconception that influencer marketing is only for big companies with bigger budgets. The truth though, is that micro-influencers (or even local influencers) can be a great small investment for small businesses. They often have more engaged followers and are more affordable than big-name celebrities.
Finding the Right Influencers
If you decide to try influencing marketing this year, the best advice we can give you is to look for influencers who align with your brand values and have an engaged audience that matches your target demographic. Then, ask if you can collaborate with them on product reviews, sponsored posts, or even takeovers on your social media accounts.
Affiliate Programs
Similar to influencer marketing, consider creating an affiliate marketing program. This way, you can offer influencers (or even satisfied customers) an option to earn a commission for driving sales through their unique links. Win-win!Â
4. Content Marketing
Last on our list of best marketing ideas for small business owners, we have one of our personal favorites. Content marketing doesn’t give you instant results, but it’s a strategy that pays off over and over again in the long run. All you need to do is create valuable content, and in turn, you’ll help establish your brand as an authority in your industry and drive organic traffic to your site (like we’re doing with this blog post). Here’s exactly how to start a blog for your business.
3 More Tips When Jumping on These Marketing Ideas for Small Businesses
Whether you’re all set to batch a bunch of videos (like we’re doing over on Instagram), or you’re feeling called to reach out to your favorite influencers, here are two more tips for you before you get started.
Listen to Your AudienceÂ
One of the advantages of being a small business is your ability to listen and adapt quickly to your audience’s needs. Your size is actually a good thing. Use feedback to create content that resonates with your people—their pain points and interests should always be top of mind. Listening to your audience is as easy as just having conversations, but if you want to do some heavier research, we’ve got you covered in this guide on how to do customer research for small business owners.Â
Focus on PersonalizationÂ
If you’re planning on marketing to Gen Z, you need to personalize your content to them. Personalization can significantly boost engagement and conversion rates. Whether it's using their name in emails or suggesting products based on what they've bought before, this level of customization makes the customer experience better and helps your business stand out. Ultimately, personalized content helps you connect more deeply with your audience and get better results.
Social Media Can’t Be Your Whole Strategy
Social media is awesome, but it can't be your entire marketing strategy. Relying solely on it means you're missing out on other key areas like email marketing, SEO, and good old-fashioned word of mouth. Social platforms can change their algorithms or policies anytime, which can (and will) affect your business. Mixing in different marketing tactics helps keep your business stable no matter what happens on social media. Here are 3 ways to market your business without social media.
4 of the Best Marketing Ideas for Small Businesses
Ready to put these marketing strategies into action? If so, we want to help. Start your free trial with Enji today, and have a marketing strategy that you’ll stick to in a matter of minutes. Plus, we have a suite of marketing tools that are designed to not only simplify your marketing efforts but save you time implementing too. Learn more about how Enji can be your all-in-one marketing software here.
