40 BIG Ideas for Small Business Marketing

You want to stand out to your customers as King of the Jungle – the Mighty Duck or the Proud Peacock with the brightest plumage – but you’re a small business with an even smaller marketing budget. How can you grab BIG attention without spending big money?

ZOO Media Group is all about helping your business become the Top Dog. Our business branding strategies and small budget marketing ideas are designed to help you compete with King Kong corporations.

Here are the top 40 big ideas for small business marketing:

Build Your Foundations First

Become a Blogger – Search Engine Optimization

If you want to rule the small business marketing jungle, add high-quality content on your site. “Content is King” in a world where search engines prioritize helpful, relevant articles. Blogs allow you to show off your expertise, to promote your products and promotions, and to relay industry news while using effective search engine optimization techniques.

For blogs to work, the content must be well written, engaging, consistent and relevant! Blog posts sporadically throughout the month detailing your last vacation won’t bring readers to your website (at least not the ones you really want).

Plan weekly posts using keyword-rich, searchable titles and internal links and you’ll quickly find your website hits rising. Also include a comment area and respond to readers’ comments. Engage with other blogs in your field to grow your network. For more tips on setting up a successful blog click here.

The pluses of Google Business Profile – Local SEO

Take advantage of FREE business branding strategies with Google Business Profile to build your local visibility! Add business info, photos, promotions, products/services, attributes, FAQs, and your syndicate your blog articles with links back to your website.

Encourage customer reviews to strengthen trust and improve local rankings.

Google Business is a great vehicle to optimize your website, get your word out, get client reviews and get you on the map.

Access Review Websites and Portals –Social Proof & SEO

One of the best ways to boost your online presence is through other websites. Include your business on trusted review sites like Google Business, Facebook, Yelp, Trust Pilot, Trip Advisor, Epinions.com, and others. Next, find local business portals to add your business to. This type of link building strategy is a must for new businesses and websites.

Ensure your NAP (Name, Address, Phone) is consistent everywhere to boost Local SEO.

Ask Customers for Testimonials – Brand Building

Unfortunately, not every prospective customer will take your word for how great your business is. They might, however, listen to other customers. Create a section on your website for customer testimonials and embed Google reviews so the get updated automatically. Direct your customers to your Google Business, Yelp, Trip Advisor, or LinkedIn review pages and ask them to add share their experience. Encourage video testimonials for increased credibility.

Stylized Email Signatures – Branding

Signing off an e-mail or e-newsletter isn’t the same as signing off on the annual family Christmas card with a picture of the kids on the front. When it comes to small business marketing, it’s all about the fine details. Create an email signature with your name, position, contact information, and a bit about your business – a brief list of your products or services is a good idea too. Make sure you add your website address and socials and set them up as clickable links.  Consider adding a call to action too, like a link to Book a Consultation.

Unique & Cool Business Cards – Brand Building

How creative is your business card really? Just like in the animal world – to attract customers, you need eye-catching plumage. You need to get particularly creative when finding small budget marketing ideas, so it’s important that you design a unique and memorable business card. Make sure your business cards are scannable with a QR code linking to your website, restaurant menu, online portfolio, or contact form. And always remember to carry your business cards with you and give them out generously.

Embrace Social Media – Social Media Marketing

Social networking is a great way to expose your business to a wider audience. Look at is as your free audience builder! It’s okay if you don’t have Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok or LinkedIn in your personal life, but for your business to compete with the other fish in the sea, it should have a comprehensive, frequent social media presence.

Make sure your social networking content is relevant, branded, and professional. And remember to include links to your blog articles and website to increase potential visibility.

For Instagram, use Linktree or Beacons to add more links. Post consistently and professionally and consider making short-form video content. Start with 1–3 platforms where your target audience actually exists (ex: Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok).

Grow Your Audience & Connections

Build Relationships – Networking

Have a personal presence! Networking doesn’t just happen online. Meet other experts in your field at events and trade shows or try to find opportunities to speak at conferences. And don’t forget to bring your cool business cards! Balance online + in-person networking through trade shows, local business associations, and speaking opportunities.

Reward your Customers – Customer Appreciation

Who doesn’t love a rewards program? If customers have to choose between your business and another, they’re much more likely to go for the one that offers the most benefits. So developing a well branded and engaging rewards program can produce customer loyalty and big dividends.

Develop a loyalty or referral program offering points, perks, or VIP access.

Article Marketing – SEO + Authority Building

People trust proven expertise. One of the most effective ways to demonstrate yours is by publishing well-written articles on relevant, timely topics. Share your insights on industry blogs, LinkedIn Pulse, and local media platforms — and be sure to request a link back to your website to support SEO. Look for opportunities to contribute to trade journals, respected industry websites, and other authoritative online or print publications. Every feature strengthens your credibility and helps drive valuable traffic back to your brand.

Find your Forum – Community Networking

Find relevant forums on social media and local business networking groups and get involved. Join relevant Facebook Groups, LinkedIn Groups, Reddit communities and participate thoughtfully. Discuss and network with fellow industry professionals. But avoid spamming the forum! A frequent insightful discussion is the goal – not postings about semi-relevant articles or off-topic content.

Create a Charitable Reputation – Brand Building

Support community causes and events. Donating to charity is one of those win-win marketing strategies. You can build a positive brand reputation in the community and can feel great about it too! Donating your products or services as an auction item for charitable events and foundations also boosts the visibility of your business. Attending these events, volunteering or sponsoring them can also provide an excellent networking opportunity to meet other community-minded business owners in your area and help build your brand.

Share your efforts online—customers appreciate socially responsible businesses.

Find Allies in the Jungle – Partnerships

Collaborate with businesses that share similar customers. Partnerships have benefits. Find businesses that are similar in concept or in your field of expertise and partner with them. Create alliances in the city so that when locals are looking for services, partner businesses can recommend you. Co-host webinars, bundles, social shoutouts, or promotions.

Organize a Hangout – Networking

Get social with potential clients and existing customers as well as other local businesses. Organize a networking hangout to let business owners and clients get to know your products or services a little better while building new contacts in the community. This could be online, or in person at your business or a local watering hole. Host pop-up demos, virtual meetups, office open houses, or community mixers.

Offer a lead magnet signup at the event to grow your email list.

Amplify Your Marketing With Advertising

Search engines are not only about building relevant content for organic SEO purposes. Use search engine marketing (SEM) such as Google Ads with small daily budgets targeting high-intent keywords to grow your business. Set max spend and track conversions to protect your budget! Search engines like Google will display your paid online ads to the web users that are interested in your products or services, and hopefully direct new traffic to your website. Pay per click ads are a great way to get exposure, and you only pay when your ad is clicked. And you can set your max spend in advance, so you don’t blow your budget!

Fly them around town – Local Advertising

Promotional flyers are time tested and proven to be effective in gaining an audience for your business. Design an eye-grabbing flyer and post it around town on mailboxes, doors, windshields, and light posts. When it comes to an engaging flyer, use a small amount of copy with a vibrant design, and your audience won’t be able to resist checking it out. Inexpensive guerrilla marketing techniques like this can sometimes produce a significant response. Don’t forget to use add QR codes too, so they can easily go to your site to learn more or buy your product/service.

Give your Flyer Wings – Guerrilla Marketing

To gain added exposure with this marketing strategy, let your flyer spread its wings! Expand beyond your neighbourhood by inserting flyers into event swag bags, coworking spaces, and place them on community boards to reach an even larger audience. Avoid restricting your flyers to the 10-mile radius around your business or home. If you don’t want to take the time to post the flyers yourself, consider using Canada Post for admail to targeted neighbourhoods if your budget permits.

Appreciation is KING – Customer Service

Customer service isn’t just about attracting clients – it’s about earning their loyalty, respect, and ongoing business. Improve efficiency and friendliness, and you’ll quickly find new customers coming your way. And while you are bringing in new clientele, show your previous customers that they’re just as important to you! Show appreciation with regular contact using thank you cards, email marketing and loyalty programs.

Digitize your Flyer – Email Marketing

While your flyer is growing legs in the real world, create a digitized flyer for your online followers. Build up an email list of your business prospects and current customers. Once compiled, you can create an e-newsletter for your readers. Include news, insider information, reviews, blog articles, special offers, promotions and coupons to show your customers you appreciate their continued loyalty. E-blasts allow you to reach outside the geographical confines of your area and into the wilderness beyond! But be sure to get consent and abide by Canada’s anti-spam legislation.
Use marketing automation tools to save time, such as Hubspot, Constant Contact or Mailchimp.

Advertise in Classifieds – Online Listings

Classifieds aren’t just for newspapers anymore. With the advent of the Internet came a new way to digitize small business marketing. Whole websites now exist that are devoted solely to classifieds. You’ve certainly heard of a few – Kijiji and Craigslist, for instance and now Facebook Marketplace, local business buy/sell groups. Post free ads for your products and services and gain added exposure.

Start an Affiliate Program – Online Marketing

Similar to marketing partnerships with other businesses, affiliate programs allow you to set up online allies. Through an affiliate program, another website owner agrees to feature your products and services on their site for a small fee, or you can promote another company’s products while you receive a fee for each sale or referral. These arrangements can boost online traffic, and help your site climb in search engine rankings. Work with influencers or complementary brands to earn referral traffic and sales.

Dress up Your Transportation – Brand Advertising

Magnets don’t have to be limited to your fridge door! Use vehicle wraps or magnets as mobile billboards.

Give your small business marketing mobility and let your brand travel with you with a well designed car wrap. Your car, truck or van is a free (and moving!) billboard for your company’s brand. If you can’t afford a full vehicle wrap, car decals and door magnets can be an effective way to alert more people to your business.

Road and Lawn Signs – Brand Advertising

Signs help you grab pedestrian and driver attention. Whether on the roadside or on lawns, eye-catching and branded signs show potential customers and your client’s neighbours that your business is popular. After completing a job, ask your customer if you can place a sign on their front lawn. Consider adding a QR code to your signage which links to your website. It’s a way for satisfied customers to promote your business to new potential clients in the area.

Get Creative & Build Engagement

Encourage Sharing – Social Media Tips

Sharing is caring. Social media and networking sites have added a whole new meaning to this old adage. Encourage your readers and audience to share your blog posts, pages, contests, and anything else you have online. This is the best way to expose your brand to an even larger audience. Ask followers to tag friends, share posts, and repost customer content.
User-generated content = relationship + reach.

Have fun with Film – Video Marketing

Okay, so maybe you won’t be using 8mm film (the heading did rhyme though), but creating online videos can go a long way to adding personality and energy to your brand. Show your customers your expertise in the field, while adding interest to your products or services. Create short educational or behind-the-scenes videos to build trust.

Create Contests – Engagement + Growth

Everyone loves a good contest. Contests can bring in a wave of new traffic to your site, as well as to your social networking properties. Grow your list and traffic through social giveaways, referral contests, trivia, or photo challenges. It’s a great way to get your small business marketing ball rolling.  Other examples of contest themes include draws, instant win, trivia, art, writing, and video contests.

Spread the Brand Love Around – Promotional Giveaways

Little things can travel immense distances in a person’s pocket. Invest in take-away branded promotional items, like pens and magnets. And think outside the box, too. Is your company a gardening business? Why not give out a small packet of seeds with your logo and name branded on them? Or maybe a little hammer key chain for a construction company? Keeping your brand on people’s minds will go a long way to cultivating new business. Make sure to choose useful items people keep (USBs, tote bags, blankets, hats, food items, etc.).

Become a Sponsor – Event Marketing

When you sponsor an event, your brand gets posted all over the facilities, mentioned in speeches, and placed on event materials. If you want to have big time airtime while having a little fun, put your money towards event sponsorship.

Or why not consider sponsoring a local youth sports team? By doing this, you’ll get your brand on their jerseys, and can feel good about supporting children in your community.

Sponsorship = more eyeballs on your brand and community goodwill.

Host a Webinar – Authority Building

Demonstrate expertise and generate leads through live educational sessions.

Webinars are a great way to show off your expertise in the field, and to engage potential customers concerning your services or products. It’s small business marketing that’s easy to do, tons of fun, and it’s a great way to build relationships while educating a large audience.

Become an Expert – Community Q&A

Answer questions on Quora, Reddit, LinkedIn and industry-specific forums to build credibility in the online community. As your audience begins to notice your expertise and professionalism, they’ll be more likely to use your business.

“Thank you” Coupons – Customer Appreciation

Send small incentives to keep customers coming back. When you send out customer thank you cards – whether it’s for appreciating their loyalty or just for filling out a survey – offer coupons. Giving 10% off a first purchase won’t dramatically affect your budget, but it will help create a loyal and appreciative customer base.

Sales & Outreach

Create an Elevator Pitch – Brand Differentiation

Define what makes you uniquely beneficial — your value message should be repeatable and memorable.

Find your individual selling proposition and run with it. Start using it in your marketing materials and sales pitches to show potential customers why your product stands out. Think of it as creating the most unique song among a tree of birds. How can you stand out from the flock?

Reach out to Your Audience – Direct Sales

Your audience won’t always come to you unsolicited; you need to reach out to them. Cold outreach still works! Consider cold calling potential clients or consumers in your area. Or, go back to basics with door-to-door sales. Email outreach + LinkedIn DMs are today’s door-to-door. These direct sales strategies demonstrate to people that you’re confident and excited to show off what your products and services can do!

Call the Press – Communication

When you have company news — send a press release to local media outlets and publish online.

Are you having an open house? Doing any renovations? Maybe you’re having a big sale? Write to the press. Press releases are another great small budget marketing idea that is often neglected as old fashioned or irrelevant. This could not be further from the truth. Press releases can be published both online and offline. When you write a press release for your business, you can create a buzz and also control the publicity surrounding your company.