Marketing
December 18, 2024

What Marketing a Small Business Really Looks Like

Tayler Cusick-Hollman | Founder, CMO (She/Her)

What Marketing a Small Business Really Looks Like

When you’re marketing a small business, it can feel like you’re spinning plates—content creation, social media, strategy, and tracking metrics all at once. But the reality is, marketing isn’t about doing everything perfectly; it’s about creating a plan, staying consistent, and connecting with your audience in ways that matter.

At Enji, we understand the unique challenges of marketing a small business, which is why we’ve built tools like the Marketing Strategy Generator and Marketing Calendar to simplify the process. Let’s take a closer look at what small business marketing truly involves and how to make it work for you!

Today, we’re going to cover:

  • What marketing a small business really looks like
  • A day-to-day marketing schedule for small business owners
  • Marketing challenges for small businesses (and what you can do to combat them)

The Core Ingredients of Marketing a Small Business

Marketing a small business might feel overwhelming at times, but the truth is, it all boils down to a few key ingredients. Let’s break down what you need to know.

1. Strategy > Tactics

When it comes to marketing a small business, diving straight into tactics (ie. content buckets, or how many times a week you’re going to post) without a strategy is going to lead to wasted time and scattered efforts. Not what you need when you’re already struggling with time management. Instead, a strong marketing strategy gives you a clear roadmap, helping you focus your time and energy on what really moves the needle.

With our Marketing Strategy Generator, you can create a personalized strategy in minutes. No guesswork—just actionable steps that align with your business goals. Think of it as your guide to navigating the complex world of marketing with confidence and clarity. It’s not as hard as you’re making it—trust us.

2. Consistency Beats Perfection

Let’s be honest: small business owners are busy. Understatement of the year. It’s easy to put marketing on the back burner, especially when perfectionism creeps in. But here’s the thing—your audience doesn’t expect perfection; they just want consistency. Showing up regularly, even with simple content, builds trust and keeps your business top of mind.

Consistency isn’t just about frequency either; it’s also about maintaining a cohesive message. Whether you’re posting on social media, sending emails, or writing blogs, keeping your tone and visuals consistent helps build a recognizable brand. Plus, tools like our Marketing Calendar make it easy to plan your content and stay consistent without feeling overwhelmed.

3. Connecting with Your Audience

At its core, marketing a small business is about building relationships. Whether it’s through social media, email campaigns, or in-person interactions, the goal is to connect with your audience in a way that feels authentic and valuable.

But connecting doesn’t happen by happy little accidents—it’s intentional. (Sorry Bob Ross.) It starts with understanding who your audience is and what they care about. Are they looking for expert advice, product recommendations, or behind-the-scenes glimpses of your business? Whatever it is, meeting them where they are is key to building loyalty.

The Day-to-Day of Marketing for Small Businesses

While we love a good marketing strategy, marketing isn’t just about strategy; it’s a practice (most likely weekly, but closer to daily for some). Let’s talk about what marketing a small business really looks like.

1. Content Creation

Creating content is one of the most time-consuming aspects of marketing. From brainstorming ideas to crafting posts, it often feels like a never-ending task. But content is what drives your strategy forward, whether it’s a blog post, an email, or a quick Instagram story.

To make it a little easier, our AI Copywriter takes the heavy lifting out of content creation. Need a week’s worth of social captions or a compelling product description? It’s done in minutes, leaving you more time to focus on other areas of your business. (Bonus: It keeps your messaging consistent, too.)

2. Keeping Social Media in Check

Social media is a powerful tool, but it can also be a major time suck if you’re not careful. Staying on top of trends, responding to comments, and managing multiple platforms can feel overwhelming. That’s why having a plan is so important.

With Enji’s Marketing Calendar, you can schedule posts ahead of time and manage your content across platforms from one central hub. This means that it’s easier to keep you staying active without getting stuck in the social media rabbit hole.

3. Tracking What Works and What Doesn’t

Marketing isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it process. It’s about experimenting, analyzing, and adjusting based on what resonates with your audience. Are your email open rates improving? Is your social media engagement climbing? Tracking these metrics helps you refine your strategy for better results.

Our KPI Dashboard makes tracking simple. It consolidates all your key metrics into one place, so you can quickly see what’s working (and what’s not) without spending hours on data analysis.

Marketing Challenges Every Small Business Faces (and How Enji Helps Simplify Them)

During a recent presentation, we asked small business owners about their biggest marketing struggles. Here’s what they shared—and how Enji can help:

  • “Not knowing what to do and when.”
    This is where a strategy saves the day. Enji’s Marketing Strategy Generator breaks down what to focus on and when, so you’re never stuck guessing.
  • “Not enough time to do it all by myself. Clients take priority.”
    We get it—your clients always come first. That’s why Enji’s strategy is designed to fit your schedule. Most small business owners only have about an hour a week to market their business, so think of that as a permission slip to focus on what matters most while still making steady marketing progress.
  • “Not knowing what to say.”
    Even the tiniest idea is enough to get started. Our AI Copywriter can take your seed of inspiration and turn it into full-fledged captions, emails, or blog posts.
  • “Despise writing copy.”
    If writing isn’t your thing, Enji has your back. Again, our AI Copywriter does the heavy lifting, so you can focus on the parts of your business you actually enjoy.
  • “Not being consistent.”
    Consistency doesn’t have to feel like a chore. Enji’s marketing tools help you create a routine, so marketing becomes a regular (and manageable) part of your day instead of an afterthought.
  • “Figuring out what actually will get results!”
    Lastly, we know that tracking metrics is key to understanding what’s working. Enji’s KPI Dashboard shows you real-time performance data, making it easy to double down on what’s driving results and let go of what’s not.

FAQs: Marketing a Small Business

What are the most common marketing mistakes small business owners make?

One of the biggest mistakes is trying to do too much at once. Spreading yourself thin across every platform often leads to inconsistent efforts (which in turn, loses trust with your audience) and burnout. Another big mistake is failing to track results. Without analyzing what’s working, it’s easy to waste time and money on strategies that don’t deliver. 

How often should I post or create new content?

The ideal frequency depends on your audience and the platforms you’re using, but consistency is more important than volume. For social media, posting 3x times per week is a solid starting point. For blogs or newsletters, aim for once a month. The key is finding a schedule you can stick to without sacrificing quality. Tools like our Marketing Calendar make it easy to plan and maintain a realistic content schedule that works for you.

How do I find and target the right audience for my business?

Finding your ideal audience starts with understanding who benefits most from your product or service. Start by creating customer personas (more on customer personas here!)—detailed profiles that outline your target audience’s demographics, behaviors, goals, and challenges. Once you’ve built your personas, use your insights to guide your marketing efforts. 

What are the best ways to market during slow seasons?

Slow seasons are the perfect time to strengthen your marketing foundation. Use this downtime to plan campaigns, refresh your branding, or create long-form content like blogs or videos. Engage with your current audience through social media, newsletters, or loyalty programs to keep your business top of mind.

Making Marketing a Small Business Manageable

Marketing a small business doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With a solid strategy, consistent efforts, and the right tools, you can connect with your audience and grow your business without burning out. At Enji, we’re here to support you every step of the way, from planning your strategy to tracking your results.

Ready to make your marketing more manageable? Grab your free trial of Enji today and see how simple and effective marketing a small business can be!

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