If you’re running a small business—whether you’re whipping up sourdough in your kitchen or fixing fences in between school drop-offs—you know the hustle is real. And with every penny spent needing to work overtime, marketing can feel like you’re throwing spaghetti at a wall and praying it sticks. But here’s the truth: good marketing doesn’t need to break the bank. It just needs to be smart.
Over the past few years working with various small businesses, I’ve seen what works and what flops harder than a dad trying to use TikTok lingo. So, whether you’re new to marketing or just tired of yelling into the social media void, here are the best marketing practices for small businesses in today’s wild, scroll-happy world.
Know Who You’re Talking To
Before you boost that post or pay for a graphic, take a minute to figure out who you’re actually trying to reach.
Who are your people?
Are they parents? Retirees? Dog lovers? Over-caffeinated entrepreneurs?
Once you know who you’re talking to, it becomes so much easier to pick your platform, write your message, and choose where your ad dollars go. And trust me—this one step can save you from a LOT of wasted time and money.
Show Up Where Your Audience Already Is
It’s tempting to try to be everywhere, all the time. Instagram, Facebook, Threads, LinkedIn, YouTube Shorts, MySpace—(kidding. Kind of). But the reality? You don’t need to be on every platform. You just need to be where your audience hangs out.
If your customers love local community stuff, meet them there. That brings me to a hugely underrated strategy that I see working like magic lately: blog-based marketing.
Blog Ads = A Local Marketing Goldmine
You know how people say print ads are dead? They’re not entirely wrong. The ROI on a little 2” classified buried in the back of the paper? Questionable at best.
But blog ads? Oh honey—they’re alive and kicking.
Here’s why:
Blogs are trusted spaces
Readers come back because they like the voice, trust the content, and are genuinely engaged. That means when your business ad shows up in the content or sidebar, it’s being seen by people who already care about the local community. You’re not shouting into the void—you’re being introduced at the neighborhood potluck.
Your ad can be visual
Unlike a black-and-white word-only ad, a blog ad can include your logo, images, contact info, and clickable links. Which easily directs people straight to your website, online store, or booking link.
If you want to take it even further, sponsoring a blog post or being featured in a business spotlight (like Stories Behind Success) is a powerful way to tell your story, build trust, and gain visibility without sounding like a sales pitch.
Don’t Sleep on Email Marketing
Listen, I know the inbox is a busy place—but email still reigns supreme.
Why? Because it’s personal. It’s direct. And you’re not battling an algorithm just to show up.
A simple monthly newsletter with updates, promos, or even a few behind-the-scenes pics can go a long way. Pair it with a blog feature or blog ad and you’ve just created a little marketing sandwich of delight.
Use Social Media with Intention (Not Exhaustion)
Posting every day? Not necessary.
Posting content that matters and gets engagement? Way more effective.
Social Media Tips
Share your blog feature when it goes live
Reuse it in newsletters
Pull quotes or testimonials for posts
Create reels or stories behind the scenes of your business
Don’t be afraid to be real. Your followers want to see YOU. Not just a perfectly curated feed.
Track What’s Working
No matter which method you use—blog ads, email campaigns, social media—track the results. Check your website traffic, see which posts got the most clicks, and adjust your strategy from there.
Marketing doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be progressively smarter.
At the end of the day, the best marketing strategy is the one that feels authentic, sustainable, and effective for you. Don’t be afraid to test things out, especially when it comes to blog-based advertising. For small businesses, it can be the difference between getting overlooked or getting booked out.
If you’re interested in ad placement here on IttyBitty4Life, please click here.
(Shameless plug? Absolutely. But also—solid advice.)
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