The Small Business Guide to Free Marketing That Works

Zero to Digital Hero: The Small Business Guide to Free Marketing That Works

The Small Business Guide to Organic Marketing Success

By Cheryl Friedenberg
Digital Marketing Consultant
High Key Impact, LLC
Blue Bell, PA & West Palm Beach, FL

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction: Why Organic Digital Marketing Matters for Small Businesses
  2. Building Your Digital Foundation: Creating a Website That Works
  3. SEO Fundamentals: Getting Found Online
  4. Social Media Mastery: Platform-Specific Strategies
  5. Reputation Management: Turning Reviews into Revenue
  6. Implementing a Review Generation System
  7. The Digital Marketing Audit: Your Roadmap to Success
  8. Conclusion: Putting It All Together

Introduction: Why Organic Digital Marketing Matters for Small Businesses

After fifteen years of helping small businesses navigate the digital landscape, I’ve seen countless trends come and go. What hasn’t changed is the fundamental truth that organic digital marketing remains the most cost-effective, sustainable way for small businesses to build a loyal customer base.

Unlike paid advertising, which stops working when you stop paying, organic marketing builds assets that continue generating business for years. It’s like owning a property rather than renting—over time, your digital assets appreciate rather than drain your bank account.

As a small business owner, you might feel overwhelmed by the constantly evolving digital landscape. I wrote this guide to cut through the noise and give you actionable strategies that have stood the test of time. These are the same techniques I’ve used to help hundreds of local businesses across the country transform their online presence from invisible to influential—without breaking the bank.

Let’s get started on your journey to organic digital marketing success.

Building Your Digital Foundation: Creating a Website That Works

Your Website Is Your Digital Storefront

Before discussing specific marketing channels, we must discuss your digital foundation: your website. Think of your website as your digital storefront—open 24/7, representing your business even when asleep. Would you open a physical store with broken windows, confusing signage, and products scattered randomly? Of course not. Yet many small businesses do exactly this online.

The Myth of Website Complexity

One of the most persistent myths I encounter is that building an effective website requires technical expertise or significant financial investment. You don’t need to be technically adept anymore. With platforms like WordPress, Wix, and Squarespace, creating a professional-looking website has never been simpler. You can also outsource to a website designer or developer who typically uses WordPress.

The key is focusing on these elements:

  1. Mobile-First Design: Over 60% of web traffic now comes from mobile devices. Your website must look and function flawlessly on smartphones.
  2. Page Load Speed: Research shows that 40% of visitors will abandon a website that takes more than 3 seconds to load. Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to test your site’s performance.
  3. Straightforward Navigation: Visitors should find what they want within three clicks. Think about your customer journey and design accordingly.
  4. Compelling Calls to Action: Every page should guide visitors toward taking a specific action—contacting you, signing up for a newsletter, or making a purchase.
  5. Contact Information: Make your phone number, address, and hours visible on every page. Don’t make potential customers hunt for this information.

Technical SEO Checklist

While content and keywords (which we’ll cover next) are crucial, certain technical aspects of your website directly impact your search rankings:

  1. Mobile Responsiveness: Google primarily uses the mobile version of your site for ranking.
  2. Site Speed: Compress images, minimize code, and consider a content delivery network (CDN) to improve loading times.
  3. Secure Connection (HTTPS): Sites without SSL certificates (showing as “not secure” in browsers) are penalized in search rankings.
  4. Structured Data Markup: Help search engines understand your content with schema markup (Schema.org).
  5. XML Sitemap: Submit your sitemap to Google Search Console to ensure all your pages are discovered and indexed.

By focusing on these foundational elements, you’re not just creating a website—you’re building a powerful marketing asset that forms the hub of your digital presence.

SEO Fundamentals: Getting Found Online

The Power of Organic Search

Search engine optimization (SEO) might sound technical, but at its core, it’s about being found by people actively looking for what you offer. Unlike interruption marketing, SEO connects you with customers with buying intent.

Keywords: The Language of Your Customers

The most effective SEO starts with understanding the exact word groupings and phrases your potential customers use when searching. After fifteen years in this industry, business owners are often surprised by the disconnect between industry terminology and customer language.

Start by listing 20-30 search terms related to your business, then use tools like:

  • Google Keyword Planner
  • Ubersuggest
  • AnswerThePublic

These will help you expand your list and identify terms with reasonable search volume and lower competition.

Content That Converts

Once you understand customer language, you need content that addresses their questions and needs. This content should:

  1. Target-Specific Keywords: Each page should focus on one primary keyword and several related terms.
  2. Answer Customer Questions: Format content to address specific pain points and questions.
  3. Include Local Signals: For local businesses, include city names and neighborhood references naturally in your content.
  4. Maintain Readability: Use short paragraphs, bullet points, subheadings, and conversational language.
  5. Update Regularly: Search engines favor fresh content, so update your website regularly.

The Backlink Algorithm

One of the most misunderstood aspects of SEO is backlinks—links from other websites to yours. These act as “votes of confidence” in search algorithms.

In my experience, small businesses get the best results by focusing on:

  1. Local Business Directories: Ensure your business is listed consistently on Google Business Profile, Yelp, Yellow Pages, and industry-specific directories.
  2. Chamber of Commerce and Business Associations: Membership often includes a link to your website.
  3. Local Partnerships: Exchange links with complementary (not competitive) local businesses.
  4. Community Involvement: Sponsor local events or charitable causes that mention sponsors on their websites.
  5. Content Partnerships: Contribute guest articles to relevant publications in your industry.

Quality always trumps quantity with backlinks. Ten links from reputable, relevant sites will boost your rankings more than 100 links from low-quality sites.

Social Media Mastery: Platform-Specific Strategies

The Strategic Approach to Social Media

After working with hundreds of small businesses, I’ve found that social media success depends not on being everywhere but on excelling where your specific audience spends their time. Let’s break down the unique opportunities on each platform:

Instagram: Visual Storytelling

Instagram rewards businesses that showcase their human side. The platform’s visual nature makes it ideal for:

  1. Behind-the-scenes Content: Show your team during the work day, during the production process, or show off your office culture. A florist showing the early morning flower market runs, or a restaurant sharing prep work creates authentic connections.
  2. User-Generated Content: Encourage customers to share their experiences with your products or services using a branded hashtag. A mattress store I worked with increased engagement by 47% by featuring customer photos of mattress deliveries.
  3. Instagram Stories: Use the 24-hour format for time-sensitive announcements, polls, and authentic moments. The casual nature allows personality to shine through.
  4. Instagram Reels: Short-form video content typically sees 22% higher engagement than standard posts. A furniture store in Montgomery County, PA, created reels with simple decorating tips that dramatically increased its local following.

Facebook: Community Building

Despite reports of its decline, Facebook remains powerful for small businesses, particularly those serving customers over 30. Focus on:

  1. Facebook Groups: Create a community around topics related to your business. A local physician I work with built a Facebook group around wellness and health activities, food, and lifestyle in the local area.
  2. Live Video: Facebook prioritizes live content in newsfeeds. Weekly live sessions answering customer questions can dramatically increase organic reach.
  3. Local Events: Facebook’s events feature remains unmatched for promoting in-person gatherings. Even simple in-store promotions benefit from the platform’s location-based notifications.
  4. Thoughtful Sharing: Instead of just broadcasting, create conversation starters. Posts that ask questions generate 2x the comments of standard announcements.
  5. Customer Spotlights: Feature loyal customers (with permission) to create community recognition and word-of-mouth.

LinkedIn: Establishing Authority

For B2B businesses or professional services, LinkedIn offers unparalleled opportunities:

  1. Thought Leadership Articles: The built-in publishing platform reaches professionals who are already in a business mindset. A consistent publishing schedule (even monthly) builds authority.
  2. Strategic Commenting: Engaging thoughtfully on industry leaders’ posts often yields better visibility than creating original content.
  3. Employee Advocacy: Encourage team members to share company business page content, expanding reach by an average of 561% compared to brand-only posting.
  4. Case Studies: Sharing specific client success stories performs significantly better than generic service descriptions.
  5. Video Content: LinkedIn’s algorithm favors native video, with company page videos sharing 5x more engagement than other content types.

Google Business Profile: Your Local Visibility Engine

While not traditional social media, Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) deserves special attention for local businesses:

  1. Google Posts: Regular updates appear directly in search results. Weekly posts about promotions, events, or news can drive significant traffic.
  2. Q&A Feature: Proactively add common questions and answers before customers ask them.
  3. Photo Updates: Businesses that add new photos weekly see 42% more directions requests and 35% more website clicks.
  4. Booking/Messaging Features: Enabling direct communication options reduces friction in the customer journey.
  5. Products/Services Catalog: The often-overlooked catalog feature gives you free Google Shopping listings.

Cross-Platform Integration

While each platform deserves a tailored approach, innovative businesses create content ecosystems where platforms support each other:

  1. Content Repurposing: Transform longer LinkedIn articles into Instagram carousel posts, Facebook discussions, and Google Business updates.
  2. Cross-Promotion: Use Instagram to share behind-the-scenes, Facebook to promote events, LinkedIn to demonstrate expertise, and Google Business to capture local search intent.
  3. Consistent Voice: While format changes between platforms, maintain a consistent brand voice that mirrors your business personality.

Remember: consistency trumps frequency. It’s better to maintain an excellent presence on two platforms than a mediocre presence on five.

Reputation Management: Turning Reviews into Revenue

The Crazy Impact of Online Review Ratings

A startling statistic: a Harvard Business School study found that a one-star increase in Yelp rating leads to a 5-9% increase in restaurant revenue. Your online reputation isn’t just about vanity—it directly impacts your bottom line.

Key Review Platforms for Small Businesses

While numerous review sites exist, focus your energy on platforms most relevant to your business:

  1. Google Reviews: These are critical for all local companies and appear directly in search results and maps.
  2. Yelp: Particularly important for restaurants, retail, and service businesses in urban areas.
  3. Nextdoor: Increasingly important for hyperlocal companies, especially home services.
  4. Industry-Specific Sites: Focus on verticals like TripAdvisor (hospitality), Houzz (home services), Healthgrades (medical), or Avvo (legal).

The Art of Review Response

How you respond to reviews is as important as the reviews themselves. 89% of consumers read businesses’ responses to reviews. Here’s my proven framework for effective responses:

For Positive Reviews:

  1. Personalize Your Thank You: Use the customer’s name and reference specific details from their experience.
  2. Reinforce Their Positive Points: Briefly highlight the aspects they enjoyed.
  3. Invite Their Return: End with a warm invitation to visit again.
  4. Keep It Concise: Aim for 2-3 sentences total.

Example:

“Thank you so much, Maria! We’re thrilled you enjoyed our new spring menu, especially the roasted vegetable pasta. Your kind words mean everything to our team, and we look forward to welcoming you back soon!”

For Negative Reviews:

  1. Express Appreciation: Thank them for taking the time to provide feedback.
  2. Apologize Specifically: Address their concern directly without making excuses.
  3. Explain the Steps you’ve Taken: Show how you’re addressing the issue.
  4. Take It Offline: Provide a direct contact method for resolution.
  5. Maintain Professionalism: Your response reflects your business character even if the review seems unfair.

Example:

“Thank you for bringing this to our attention, John. We sincerely apologize for the delay in your service last Tuesday. We’ve implemented additional staff training to ensure this doesn’t happen again. I’d appreciate the opportunity to make this right. Please contact me directly at (email or phone number) to discuss this further.”

Monitoring Your Online Reputation

You can’t manage what you don’t measure. Set up a systematic approach to review monitoring:

  1. Google Alerts: Create Google alerts for your business name, industry + location, and key personnel.
  2. Review Management Software: Tools like Podium, BirdEye, or ReviewTrackers consolidate reviews from multiple platforms.
  3. Weekly Review Check-ins: Designate weekly time to respond to new reviews across all platforms.
  4. Sentiment Analysis: Track the specific aspects of your business mentioned most frequently (positive or negative).

Responding promptly and professionally to all reviews indicates that customer feedback matters to your business—a quality that attracts new customers.

Implementing a Review Generation System

The Psychology of Review Requests

The biggest misconception about reviews is that happy customers naturally leave them. Satisfied customers rarely leave reviews unless prompted, while dissatisfied customers are highly motivated to share their experiences.

If you do not prompt happy customers to leave a review, you create a “review gap.” This gap misrepresents your typical customer experience. The solution is a systematic approach to review generation.

Creating Your Review Generation Framework

After implementing review systems for hundreds of small businesses, I’ve found this five-step framework consistently delivers results:

  1. Identify the Perfect Moment: Determine when customers feel most positive about your business. For restaurants, it might be right after a satisfying meal. For service businesses, it might be upon successful completion of a project.
  2. Create a Simple Request Script: Train staff to ask for reviews using a conversational, non-pushy approach.
  3. Remove Friction: Make leaving a review as easy as possible.
  4. Follow Up Appropriately: Send a gentle reminder if needed.
  5. Track and Adjust: Monitor which approaches generate the most reviews.

Technology Tools for Review Generation

The right technology makes review generation nearly effortless:

  1. QR Codes: Create custom QR codes that link directly to your Google or Yelp review pages. Place these on receipts, packaging, or table tents. A restaurant client in Blue Bell saw a 340% increase in Google reviews after implementing tableside QR codes.
  2. Text Message Links: Services like Podium or BirdEye allow you to send review request links via text message, which typically sees 5-8x higher completion rates than email requests.
  3. Email Automation: Set up post-purchase email sequences that request reviews at the optimal time (typically 24-48 hours after purchase or service completion).
  4. Point-of-Sale Integration: Most POS systems integrate review requests directly into digital receipts.
  5. Review Landing Pages: Create a simple page on your website that links to all your review profiles, making it easy for customers to choose their preferred platform. Only do this if you are confident in the reviews you will receive.
  6. Jotforms:  Use a Jotform for ‘feedback’ on your customer service.  When building the form, include areas for long answers when asking ‘how did we do?’. Also, include a rating option for your clients to give 1-5 stars.  If they give 4-5 stars, then a condition can be added to the form which jumps to your Google Business Profile requesting a review.

Sample Review Request Processes

Here are specific workflows that have proven effective across different industries:

For Retail Businesses:

  1. Include a review request on printed receipts with a QR code.
  2. Train cashiers to mention the request during checkout
  3. Follow up with an email 24 hours later.

For Service Businesses:

  1. Send a “How did we do?” text or email after service completion.
  2. Include one-click links to Google and Facebook.
  3. Have the technician/service provider personally ask for feedback

For Restaurants:

  1. Include QR codes on check presenters or receipts.
  2. Have servers mention the code when delivering the check.
  3. Offer a small incentive for your next visit (such as a free appetizer) to show a completed review.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

While actively seeking reviews, always maintain ethical standards:

  1. Never Incentivize Positive Reviews: Offering rewards specifically for positive reviews violates most platforms’ terms of service.
  2. Don’t Gate Reviews: Don’t use services that filter out negative reviews before they reach public platforms.
  3. Respect Platform Guidelines: Each review platform has specific rules about solicitation. For example, Yelp explicitly discourages direct review requests, while Google permits them.
  4. Diversify Your Platforms: Don’t focus exclusively on one review site. Spread your efforts across relevant platforms.

Implementing a systematic review generation process will create a virtuous cycle that accurately reflects your customer experience and drives new business.

The Digital Marketing Audit: Your Roadmap to Success

Why Every Small Business Needs a Digital Audit

In my fifteen years as a digital marketing consultant, I’ve found that businesses often waste resources on ineffective strategies because they lack a clear understanding of their current digital performance. A comprehensive digital marketing audit identifies areas of focus for your online presence.

An Effective Digital Audit in 6 Steps

A thorough digital marketing audit examines six critical areas:

  1. Website Performance Analysis: Evaluating technical performance, user interface (UX), and conversion optimization opportunities.
  2. Search Visibility Assessment: Examining organic search rankings, keyword opportunities, and competitive positioning.
  3. Content Effectiveness Review: Analyzing existing content for engagement, conversions, and gaps in your content strategy.
  4. Social Media Performance: Measuring engagement rates, audience growth, and platform conversion attribution.
  5. Reputation Management Evaluation: Assessing review quantity, quality, sentiment, and response practices.
  6. Competitive Digital Analysis: Identify opportunities and threats by comparing your digital presence against top competitors.

Conducting Your Mini-Audit

While a professional audit provides the most comprehensive insights, here’s a simplified framework you can use to assess your digital presence:

Website Assessment:

  • Run your website through Google’s PageSpeed Insights.
  • Test mobile responsiveness on multiple devices.
  • Check analytics for top exit pages (where visitors leave)
  • Verify that contact information is visible on every page.
  • Confirm all forms are correctly submitted and send notifications.

Search Visibility:

  • Search your primary business category and location (e.g., “accountant in Blue Bell PA”)
  • Note your ranking position for 5-10 relevant keyword phrases.
  • Check whether your Google Business Profile appears for relevant searches.
  • Verify your business information is consistent across directories.

Content Evaluation:

  • Identify your three highest-performing content pieces (by traffic or engagement)
  • Check publishing frequency over the past three months.
  • Assess whether key services/products have dedicated content pages.
  • Review content for clear calls to action.

Social Media Check:

  • Calculate the engagement rate (interactions divided by followers) per platform.
  • Identify your three highest-performing posts across all platforms.
  • Check response time to customer comments or messages.
  • Verify branding consistency across all profiles.

Reputation Review:

  • Calculate your average rating across all review platforms.
  • Measure the percentage of reviews that receive responses.
  • Identify commonalities in positive and negative reviews.
  • Compare review volume against top competitors.

From Audit to Action Plan

The value of an audit lies not in the data itself but in how you use it to improve your digital presence. Prioritize your findings into:

  1. Critical Issues: Problems directly impacting business performance (broken website features, incorrect business hours, negative reviews without responses)
  2. Quick Wins: Simple changes with immediate impact (updating meta titles, adding calls-to-action, setting up Google alerts)
  3. Strategic Initiatives: Longer-term projects requiring planning (content calendar development, website redesign, comprehensive review generation system)

Case Study: The Power of the Audit Process

A family-owned Italian restaurant in Blue Bell, PA, struggled to attract new customers despite excellent food and service. Our digital audit revealed several critical issues:

  1. Their website loaded slowly on mobile devices, causing 62% of mobile visitors to abandon before viewing the menu.
  2. Their Google Business Profile lacked crucial information about happy hour specials and outdoor seating.
  3. While they had 4.7/5 stars on Google, they had almost no presence on Yelp (a platform heavily used by tourists in their area)
  4. Their highest-performing social content focused on daily specials, yet they posted these inconsistently.

By addressing these specific findings, the restaurant saw a 27% increase in website traffic and a 34% increase in reservations within three months—without spending a dollar on advertising.

When to Bring in Professional Help

While many audit findings can be addressed internally, consider professional assistance when:

  1. Technical issues require specialized knowledge (website speed optimization, schema markup implementation)
  2. You lack the tools to conduct a competitive analysis
  3. You need objective insight into user experience issues
  4. You require a comprehensive content strategy based on keyword research

Remember that a professional audit typically pays for itself through improved performance and eliminated wasteful spending.

Conclusion: Putting It All Together

The Integrated Digital Marketing Ecosystem

Throughout this ebook, we’ve explored practical organic digital marketing proven methods. Let’s examine how these elements work together to create a cohesive system that generates sustainable business growth.

Your website is the hub of your digital presence—the destination where conversions ultimately happen. Firstly, I look at websites as the front door to your business. Search engine optimization ensures potential customers find this hub when actively looking for your products or services. Social media platforms provide multiple entry points to your digital ecosystem while building relationships with your audience. Online reviews and reputation management establish the trust for customers to choose your business. And regular digital audits ensure all these components work optimally together.

The Power of Consistency

The most successful small businesses I’ve worked with share one common trait: consistency. They publish content regularly, engage with their audience, and tweak their strategy based on performance data.

Consistency doesn’t require perfection or enormous time investments. A clothing store posting three thoughtful Instagram updates weekly will outperform a competitor who posts daily for a month and then disappears. Further, a service business that responds to every review—even if not immediately—builds more trust than one that reacts instantly but sporadically.

Creating Your 90-Day Action Plan

To implement the strategies we’ve discussed, I recommend creating a simple 90-day action plan:

Foundation Building: Days 1-30:

  • Conduct your mini-digital audit
  • Fix critical website issues (mobile responsiveness, page speed, contact information)
  • Set up or optimize Google Business Profile
  • Establish a simple content calendar for one primary social platform

System Implementation: Days 31-60

  • Develop and implement your review generation system
  • Create templates for review responses
  • Identify and optimize your top 5 website pages for search
  • Begin regular posting on your chosen social platform

Refinement and Expansion: Days 61-90

  • Analyze performance data from your initial efforts
  • Add a second social platform if appropriate for your audience
  • Develop a simple keyword-focused content plan
  • Create processes to ensure consistency as you scale activities

The ROI of Organic Digital Marketing

Accordingly, while paid advertising has its place, organic digital marketing provides small businesses with an unmatched return on investment. Unlike ads that stop producing results the moment you stop paying, organic assets appreciate over time:

  • Content that ranks well continues driving traffic for years
  • Reviews accumulate, creating an increasingly powerful trust signal
  • Social media followers become more engaged as relationships deepen
  • Website improvements compound, increasing conversion rates over time

One of my clients, a Philadelphia-based B2B business, invested approximately $5,000 in organic digital marketing implementation. Within 18 months, they attributed over $125,000 in new business directly to these efforts—a 25x return on investment.

Your Digital Marketing Journey

Remember that digital marketing is a continuous process for the long term, not a short-term win. Businesses that maintain consistency in their efforts over time invariably outperform those seeking overnight results.

This guide provides a clear how-to for your organic digital marketing journey. By implementing these proven strategies, you’ll create a digital presence that attracts your ideal audience, builds customer loyalty, and drives sustainable business growth without spending a fortune on advertising.

Here’s to your digital marketing success!

About the Author

Cheryl Friedenberg is the founder and principal consultant at High Key Impact, LLC, a boutique digital marketing consultancy with offices in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, and West Palm Beach, Florida. With over fifteen years of experience helping small businesses develop effective digital marketing strategies, Cheryl specializes in organic approaches that generate sustainable results without excessive advertising spend.

Earlier, before founding High Key Impact in 2010, Cheryl led digital strategy for a real estate agent and a home healthcare business. At this time, most businesses were not online or even had a website. This is when she developed the some of the first local small business social media and content marketing programs. Cheryl holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Penn State University, has several years of B2B sales and sales management experience for Fortune 500 companies, and was voted ‘Best Mom and Wife’ by her two adult daughters and husband. She is available to speak at business networking groups and industry conferences about digital marketing strategies for small businesses.

Cheryl’s client-focused approach emphasizes practical, implementable strategies tailored to each business’s needs and resources. When not helping clients grow their digital presence, she enjoys fitness classes, pickleball, canasta, mahjong, baking, and exploring local restaurants in her dual Pennsylvania and Florida home bases.

For more information or to schedule a digital marketing audit, visit www.highkeyimpact.com or email cheryl@highkeyimpact.com.

 

 

Looking Beyond ChatGPT

Looking beyond ChatGPT: AI Tools That Can Transform Your Small Business

I want to share some powerful Chat GPT AI alternatives that could revolutionize how you run your business:

Claude (by Anthropic)

  • Perfect for: Long-form content, analysis, and complex problem-solving
  • Business uses: Writing detailed reports, analyzing customer feedback, creating marketing content
  • Pro tip: Excels at understanding context and maintaining brand voice

Google Gemini

  • Perfect for: Visual tasks and data integration
  • Business uses: Creating product descriptions from images, analyzing charts, visual content creation
  • Pro tip: Great integration with Google Workspace

Copilot (by Microsoft)

  • Perfect for: Office tasks and workflow automation
  • Business uses: Email drafting, spreadsheet analysis, presentation creation
  • Pro tip: Seamlessly integrates with Microsoft 365

Midjourney

  • Perfect for: Visual content creation
  • Business uses: Social media graphics, product mockups, marketing visuals
  • Pro tip: Great for creating unique branded imagery

Many of these tools offer free tiers – perfect for testing before investing! Start with one that aligns with your most pressing business need.

#SmallBusiness #AI #ProductivityTools #DigitalTransformation #BusinessTech #Entrepreneurship

Need help with your small business marketing using AI?

Contact cheryl@highkeyimpact.com

p.s.  Claude wrote this!

Get Your Small Business Holiday-Ready

Get Your Small Business Holiday-Ready:
Your 2024 Marketing Game Plan

Whether you’re selling products or services, the holiday season presents unique opportunities to boost your business. From retail shops to consulting firms, salons to professional services, this comprehensive guide will help you maximize your Q4 potential. Let’s explore how different types of businesses can capitalize on holiday spending and planning and Get Your Small Business Holiday-Ready.

Why Start Planning Now?

Consumer behavior shows that 40% of holiday purchasing decisions – including booking services and buying gift certificates – begin before Halloween. Early planning helps both product and service businesses capture this early interest while ensuring adequate staffing and resource allocation for the busy season.

Your Holiday Marketing Checklist: A Month-by-Month Guide

October: Laying the Foundation

For Product-Based Businesses:

  • Audit website for speed and mobile responsiveness
  • Update inventory forecasts
  • Plan holiday product bundles
  • Review shipping partners and costs

For Service-Based Businesses:

  • Create holiday service packages
  • Design gift certificate promotions
  • Set up online booking for January appointments
  • Plan capacity for holiday rush periods

Shared Tasks:

  • Update Google Business Profile with holiday hours
  • Review last year’s data for peak periods
  • Prepare email marketing templates
  • Set marketing budgets by channel

Early November: Launch Preparation

For Product-Based Businesses:

  • Photograph holiday products
  • Set up shipping deadlines
  • Create gift guides
  • Prepare inventory storage

For Service-Based Businesses:

  • Create “New Year, New You” campaigns
  • Design holiday service bundles
  • Prepare January booking incentives
  • Set up gift card systems

Shared Tasks:

  • Design holiday social media templates
  • Create promotional calendars
  • Test online payment systems
  • Plan staff holiday schedules

Mid-November: Campaign Activation

For Product-Based Businesses:

  • Launch early-bird product deals
  • Highlight bestseller gift items
  • Activate shipping promotions
  • Begin inventory notifications

For Service-Based Businesses:

  • Promote “book ahead” specials
  • Launch gift certificate deals
  • Create December loyalty rewards
  • Highlight corporate service packages

Shared Tasks:

  • Start holiday email sequences
  • Activate social media campaigns
  • Launch Google and social ads
  • Begin customer appreciation initiatives

December: Execution and Adaptation

For Product-Based Businesses:

  • Push last-minute shipping options
  • Highlight in-store pickup
  • Manage inventory communications
  • Promote digital gift cards

For Service-Based Businesses:

  • Promote last-minute gift certificates
  • Launch New Year packages
  • Create January booking incentives
  • Highlight corporate party services

Shared Tasks:

  • Maintain social media engagement
  • Monitor ad performance
  • Execute email campaigns
  • Prepare post-holiday strategies

Key Marketing Strategies for Holiday Success

1. Email Marketing Excellence

Product-Based Strategies:

  • Product restock alerts
  • Gift guide series
  • Shipping deadline reminders
  • Abandoned cart recovery

Service-Based Strategies:

  • January booking promotions
  • Gift certificate reminders
  • Corporate package highlights
  • New Year service previews

2. Social Media Mastery

Product-Based Content:

  • Product unboxing videos
  • Gift wrapping tutorials
  • Holiday styling tips
  • Customer testimonials

Service-Based Content:

  • Behind-the-scenes prep
  • Client transformation stories
  • Gift certificate tutorials
  • Service showcases

3. Website Optimization

Product-Based Focus:

  • Gift guides by price
  • Shipping information
  • Inventory status
  • Wishlist functionality

Service-Based Focus:

  • Online booking systems
  • Gift certificate purchases
  • Service package builders
  • Consultation scheduling

Promotional Ideas That Work

  1. Early Bird Specials Product Businesses:
  • Bundle deals
  • Free shipping thresholds
  • Early access sales

Service Businesses:

  • January booking discounts
  • Service package upgrades
  • Corporate event specials
  1. Loyalty Program Perks Product Businesses:
  • Double points events
  • Member-only products
  • Early sale access

Service Businesses:

  • Priority booking
  • Service upgrades
  • Referral bonuses

Technology Tips

  1. Payment Solutions
  • Multiple payment methods
  • Buy Now, Pay Later options
  • Digital wallet compatibility
  • Mobile payment systems
  1. Booking & Inventory Product Businesses:
  • Real-time inventory tracking
  • Automated reorder points
  • Shipping integrations

Service Businesses:

  • Online scheduling systems
  • Capacity management
  • Automated reminders

Post-Holiday Planning

Product Businesses:

  • Inventory clearance plans
  • Return policy execution
  • New year product launches

Service Businesses:

  • January promotion launches
  • New service rollouts
  • Client reactivation campaigns

Shared Tasks:

  • Customer feedback collection
  • Performance analysis
  • Q1 strategy development

Final Tips for Success

  1. Stay Adaptable Keep resources available for unexpected opportunities and market changes.
  2. Focus on Value Whether offering products or services, emphasize the value you provide rather than just discounts.
  3. Document Everything Track what works for both product and service promotions to improve next year’s planning.

Remember, holiday success comes from thorough preparation and smart execution, regardless of your business type. Start implementing these strategies now to ensure a prosperous holiday season!

Contact cheryl@highkeyimpact.com for more tips to plan a successful 2024 holiday season for your small business.

Best Days and Times to Post

Best Days and Times to Post on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn for Small Businesses

In the vast world of digital marketing, timing is everything. As a small business owner or manager, leveraging social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn can significantly boost your brand’s visibility and engagement. However, understanding the optimal times to post on each platform is crucial for reaching your target audience effectively. 

Instagram: Captivating the Visual Audience

Instagram is the go-to platform for visual storytelling, making it a powerful tool for small businesses looking to showcase their products or services. 

To maximize your impact on Instagram, consider the following:

Peak Times for Engagement:

Instagram tends to see higher engagement during lunch breaks (11 am – 1 pm) and evenings (7 pm – 9 pm). It would help if you experimented with posting during these hours to determine what works best for your specific audience.

Weekday vs. Weekend:

While weekdays generally perform well, weekends can also be reasonable for higher engagement. Use Instagram Insights to analyze your audience’s activity patterns and adjust your posting schedule accordingly.

Story Highlights:

Leverage Instagram Stories to maintain a consistent presence throughout the day. Post updates, behind-the-scenes content, and promotions in your Story Highlights, ensuring your audience stays engaged even during non-peak hours.

Facebook: Navigating the Diverse Demographics

Facebook remains a social media giant with a diverse user base, ranging from teenagers to seniors. To tailor your posts effectively, keep the following considerations in mind:

Midweek Sweet Spot:

Studies suggest that Wednesdays are particularly strong for Facebook engagement, which peaks between 11 am and 1 pm. Experimenting with midweek posts can help you tap into a receptive audience.

Early Bird Catches the Worm:

Consider scheduling posts earlier in the day, as many users tend to browse Facebook during their morning routines or commutes. Aim for posts between 9 am and 12 pm to catch the attention of the early birds.

Weekend Strategies:

Facebook engagement often spikes on weekends, especially on Sundays. Use this to your advantage by planning content that aligns with your audience’s weekend interests or activities.

LinkedIn: Nurturing Professional Connections

LinkedIn is the professional networking hub where small businesses can establish authority and connect with industry professionals. When posting on LinkedIn, focus on the following timing strategies:

Business Hours Priority:

Since LinkedIn focuses on business connections, peak times fall between 10 am and 12 pm. Tailor your content to align with the professional mindset, sharing industry insights, success stories, and informative articles during these hours.

Midweek Professionalism:

Similar to Facebook, midweek is optimal for LinkedIn engagement. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, specifically, are considered high-traffic days. Plan your posts accordingly to maximize visibility.

Lunchtime Networking:

Capitalize on the lunchtime window (12 pm – 1:30 pm) for LinkedIn posts. Professionals often check their LinkedIn feeds during lunch breaks, providing an excellent opportunity to share valuable content that aligns with their interests.

In the ever-evolving landscape of social media marketing, understanding when to post on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn can make a significant difference for small businesses. By recognizing the unique behaviors of each platform’s audience, you can tailor your content to maximize engagement and ultimately drive your business forward.

Remember, the key is to follow general guidelines and monitor your audience’s habits using analytics tools provided by each platform. Regularly assess the performance of your posts and adjust your strategy accordingly. Consistency, relevance, and adaptability are the pillars of a successful social media presence for small businesses. So, seize the opportunity, experiment with your posting schedule, and watch your digital presence flourish.

Your Small Business Holiday Marketing Plan for 2023-24

The holiday season is a crucial time for small businesses to boost sales and connect with their audience. To help you prepare for the November and December holiday period in 2023-2024, we’ve prepared a list of Holiday Marketing Tips. Start early to stay ahead of the competition and maximize your marketing efforts with this Small Business Holiday Marketing Plan for 2023-24.

Mark Your Calendar with Important Dates.


To kickstart your holiday marketing plan, make sure to highlight these critical dates for 2023-2024:

  • Thanksgiving: Thursday, November 23, 2023
  • Black Friday: November 24, 2023
  • Small Business Saturday: November 25, 2023
  • Cyber Monday: November 27, 2023
  • Giving Tuesday: November 28, 2023
  • Hanukkah: December 8 – December 16, 2023
  • Christmas: December 25, 2023
  • Kwanzaa: December 26, 2023 – January 1, 2024
  • New Year’s Day: January 1, 2024

Explore Fun National Calendar Days

Another valuable resource to bolster your holiday marketing strategy is National Calendar Days. This calendar provides opportunities to align your marketing with unique and quirky holidays. Here are a few examples for the upcoming holiday season:

  • National Gratitude Day: November 5, 2023
  • National Kitchen Clean Out Day: November 15, 2023
  • National Personal Space Day: November 30, 2023
  • National Salesperson Appreciation Day: December 9, 2023
  • National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day: December 16, 2023
  • National No Interruptions Day: December 30, 2023

Leverage Relevant Holiday Hashtags

Utilize trending and effective holiday hashtags with a post range of 1K-50K posts to boost your social media visibility. Consider using these examples:

  • #ShopSmallBiz2023
  • #HolidayDeals23
  • #SeasonOfGiving2023
  • #FestiveVibes24
  • #NewYearNewGoals24
  • #FamilyTraditions23
  • #GiftGivingSpirit24
  • #SpreadHolidayCheer23

Embrace User-Generated Content

The holiday season offers plenty of opportunities for user-generated content for Your Small Business Holiday Marketing Plan for 2023-24. Encourage your customers to share their holiday experiences with your products or services. If you’re an interior designer, ask for photos of their holiday table decor. If you own a furniture store, request pictures of families using your furniture during gatherings. Retail businesses can seek holiday tradition photos like Hanukkah candle lighting or unique Thanksgiving recipes. Additionally, consider asking for photos of customers opening their holiday gifts. With their permission, incorporate these images into your social media posts, emphasizing family and the holiday spirit, and link them to your products or services.

The Bottom Line

Plan your email campaigns, social media posts, and marketing strategies to ensure a smooth and prosperous holiday season. If your small business typically gets busy during the holiday rush, having your marketing plans ready before the chaos begins is essential.

For more holiday marketing ideas and inspiration, follow High Key Impact, LLC on Instagram @highkeyimpact or Facebook @highkeyimpact. Stay updated and stay ahead of the competition for a successful holiday season in 2023-2024.

Supercharge Your Small Business Growth

Supercharge Your Small Business Growth with Social Media Marketing

In today’s hyper-connected world, leveraging the power of social media can be a game-changer for small businesses looking to thrive in competitive markets. As a digital marketing agency, we understand small business owners’ challenges in striving to make their mark in the digital landscape. Read further how to supercharge your small business growth and see your sales volume gain new heights.

Social media platforms offer a cost-effective way to reach your target audience, build brand awareness, and engage potential customers. To unlock the full potential of social media marketing, here are five compelling strategies, each with specific examples, that can help your small business rise above the competition.

Develop a Strong Brand Persona

One way to supercharge your small business growth with social media marketing is to establish a solid and distinctive brand persona is one of the first steps in using social media to grow your small business. Your brand persona defines your business’s personality, values, and voice, making it easier for your target audience to connect with you on a deeper level.

Example: Consider the case of our client, a small pet grooming business operating in a competitive market. To stand out, they created a unique brand persona centered around treating every dog like royalty. Their social media channels feature regal imagery, witty captions, and a consistent tone that reflects their brand’s royal persona. By doing so, they have successfully differentiated themselves from the competition and built a loyal following of pet owners who appreciate their distinctive approach.

Actionable Tip:

  • Identify your business’s core values and personality.
  • Create a style guide for your social media content, including tone, color schemes, and imagery.
  • Consistently maintain your brand persona across all social media platforms.

Leverage Visual Content

In the world of social media, visual content reigns supreme. Eye-catching visuals can stop users and engage them with your content. Whether it’s images, videos, or infographics, compelling visual content is essential for small businesses looking to grow their online presence.

Example: Take the case of our client, a home-based bakery. Instead of merely posting images of their delicious treats, they started creating short, mouthwatering video clips showcasing the entire baking process. These engaging videos highlight their products and provide entertainment and education for their followers. As a result, their social media engagement skyrocketed, and they gained a significant increase in orders.

Actionable Tip:

  • Invest in high-quality photography equipment or hire a professional photographer.
  • Experiment with various types of visual content, such as videos, infographics, and carousel posts.
  • Use tools like Canva or Adobe Spark to create visually appealing graphics and designs.

Engage and Interact with Your Audience

Social media isn’t just a platform for broadcasting your messages; it’s a two-way communication channel. Building relationships with your audience fosters brand loyalty and grows your small business.

Example: Consider the example of one of our clients, a local yoga studio. Instead of posting workout tips and promotions, they actively engage with their followers by responding to comments and direct messages. They host weekly Q&A sessions where they answer yoga-related questions from their audience. This interaction builds a sense of community and positions them as trusted experts in their field.

Actionable Tip:

  • Respond promptly to comments, messages, and mentions.
  • Encourage user-generated content by running contests or asking for feedback.
  • Host live sessions or webinars to interact directly with your audience.

Use Paid Advertising Wisely

While organic reach is valuable, especially for small businesses on a tight budget, strategically investing in paid social media advertising can yield significant results. Paid advertising allows you to target specific demographics, interests, and behaviors, ensuring your message reaches the right people.

Example: A small electronics repair shop, another client of ours, used Facebook’s targeted advertising to reach smartphone users who had recently cracked their screens in their local area. By creating a particular ad campaign, they could capture a large portion of potential customers actively seeking their services. This campaign resulted in a noticeable boost in walk-in repairs.

Actionable Tip:

  • Set clear objectives and budgets for your paid advertising campaigns.
  • Utilize A/B testing to optimize ad creative, copy, and targeting.
  • Monitor the performance of your ads and adjust strategies as needed.

Leverage Influencer Marketing

Influencer marketing involves collaborating with individuals with a substantial social media following to promote your products or services. This strategy can effectively reach a broader audience and build trust through credible endorsements.

Example: Our client is a small business specializing in eco-friendly home products. They partnered with a well-known sustainability influencer who shared their products in action on Instagram and other platforms. The influencer’s endorsement expanded the business’s reach and aligned it with a trusted authority in the eco-conscious community, instantly boosting its credibility.

Actionable Tip:

  • Identify influencers in your niche who resonate with your brand and values.
  • Reach out to influencers with a well-crafted proposal, emphasizing the mutual benefits of collaboration.
  • Ensure that the influencer’s audience aligns with your target demographic.

Growing a small business in a competitive market may seem daunting, but with a well-planned social media strategy, you can make significant strides toward success. Remember to develop a strong brand persona, leverage visual content, engage with your audience, use paid advertising wisely, and consider influencer marketing. By implementing these strategies and staying consistent in your efforts, you can effectively use social media as a powerful tool to survive and thrive in the digital age.

Social media provides a level playing field for businesses of all sizes. With the right approach, your small business can rise above the competition, gain visibility, and connect with your target audience on a deeper level. So, roll up your sleeves, start implementing these strategies, and watch your small business flourish in social media marketing.

Contact cheryl@highkeyimpact.com to help your small business grow in a competitive market.

Don’t Curb Your Enthusiasm, Be Consistent

Social Media Marketing for Small Businesses:

Don’t Curb Your Enthusiasm, Be Consistent!

Hey there, fellow small business owners! Social media marketing is the holy grail of modern-day advertising. We all know it’s crucial for our businesses, like the air we breathe. But let’s be honest; managing your social media presence can sometimes feel like walking a tightrope with a leaky umbrella. So, grab your coffee, and let’s dive into the wild world of small business social media marketing – with a tone as dry as Larry David’s humor!

Organic Posting: The Bread and Butter of Social Media Marketing:

Are you even a business if you’re not posting on social media? (Rhetorical question, folks.) Organic posting is the art of sharing content that doesn’t smell of desperation, like an expired tub of yogurt. It’s a way of connecting with your audience genuinely – not just waving around your product like a flag at a sports game.
The thing is, consistency is key, my friends. Imagine your social media page as a never-ending sitcom. If your channel has outdated posts, it’s like running reruns of a show that should have been canceled years ago. New potential customers won’t stick around for that nonsense – they’ll move on to a more happening channel, leaving you alone like the last pickle in the jar.

The Dreaded “Time” Issue:

Ah, time – that elusive beast that always seems to slip through our fingers like a wet soap bar. Finding the time to post is challenging, especially for small businesses juggling a million things simultaneously. It’s like trying to perform magic while herding cats or explaining a simple concept to your grandparents via email.
So, what’s a small business owner to do? If you can’t bend time to your will (and trust me, I’ve tried), consider getting a helping hand. No, not a magical genie – though that would be nice – I’m talking about enlisting the help of an agency or consultant.

Enter the Social Media Superheroes – Agencies and Consultants:

Think of social media agencies and consultants as the Robin to your Batman or the pretzel to your mustard (a perfect pair!). They’re the experts, the wizards of social media sorcery. They eat, sleep, and breathe hashtags and viral content. They’ll help you manage your social media presence while you focus on running your small business – a win-win situation if I ever saw one. (p.s. I’m one of them!)
These geniuses will help with time management and whip up engaging posts that’ll make your audience sit up and take notice, like a kid discovering a candy store for the first time.
But hold your horses! Don’t hire the first agency or consultant you come across. Please do your research, ask for references, and ensure they don’t think social media is a new dance craze.

Final Thoughts:

There you have it, Don’t Curb Your Enthusiasm, Be Consistent!

Social media marketing is an exciting journey – full of ups and downs, twists and turns. But with organic posting, consistency, and a pinch of Curb Your Enthusiasm humor, you can conquer the digital realm.
So, don’t be a social media wallflower, but don’t be a desperate “buy-my-product” hawker, either. Embrace the essence of authenticity, engage with your audience, and consider getting some expert help to free up your time.
Now, conquer the digital world, one post at a time! May your social media channels be as vibrant as a beach ball at a summer picnic, and may your small business thrive like a potted plant in a greenhouse!
As Larry David would say, “Social media marketing it’s pretty, pretty, pretty important!”

Boost Your Local SEO with Google My Business: The Ultimate Guide

Are you a small business owner looking to boost your local SEO?
Look no further than Google My Business (GMB), one of the most powerful tools at your disposal.

Here is The Ultimate Guide of how to Boost Your Local SEO with Google My Business
Why is GMB is so essential for small businesses?
How you can use it to improve your online visibility and attract more customers?

Why Google My Business Matters for Local SEO

First, let’s talk about why GMB is such an important tool for small businesses. Here are just a few of the key benefits:

Increased visibility: With a well-optimized GMB profile, your business is more likely to appear in local search results, giving you increased visibility and exposure to potential customers.

Customer engagement: GMB allows you to connect with customers by providing up-to-date information about your business, responding to reviews, and sharing updates.

Improved reputation: Positive reviews and high-quality photos can help build your business’s reputation and attract more customers.

How Reviews Impact Your Business’s Visibility

Reviews are one of the most important factors in GMB’s algorithm. Businesses with a high volume of positive reviews are more likely to appear at the top of local search results, making it easier for potential customers to find them.

But it’s not just about the number of reviews you have – the content of those reviews also matters. Google looks at factors like the keywords used in reviews, the length of the reviews, and the overall sentiment to determine which businesses are most relevant to a user’s search query.

So how can you encourage customers to leave positive reviews?
One strategy is to make it as easy as possible for them to do so. Provide a direct link to your GMB profile in your email signature or on your website, and ask your clients/customers to leave a review after using your small business services or products.

The Importance of Photos and Updates

Photos and updates are another key aspect of GMB optimization. High-quality photos of your business and its products or services can help attract more customers and improve your overall reputation. Regularly updating your GMB profile with new photos and posts can also help signal to Google that your business is active and engaged with its customers.

So what kind of photos and updates should you be sharing on your GMB profile? Here are a few ideas:
~Photos of your products or services in action
~Behind-the-scenes photos of your team or workspace
~Special offers or promotions
~Announcements about new products or services

By regularly updating your GMB profile with fresh, engaging content, you can keep your business top of mind for potential customers and improve your chances of appearing in local search results.

Boost Your Local SEO with Google My Business: The Ultimate Guide
Google My Business is an incredibly powerful tool for small businesses looking to improve their local SEO. By optimizing your GMB profile with positive reviews, high-quality photos, and regular updates, you can improve your visibility, attract more customers, and build your reputation in the local community.

Need help optimizing your GMB profile? 
Contact Cheryl Friedenberg, HighKeyImpact.com cheryl@highkeyimpact.com for ongoing GMB management.

How to Start: Marketing for Small Businesses

As a small business just starting out, it’s important to make sure you are easily discoverable by potential customers. One of the most important ways to do this is through search engine optimization (SEO), which involves optimizing your website to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs). This blog post will outline some essential steps you can take to get found on Google and other search engines like Bing and Duck, Duck, Go.

How to Start: Marketing for Small Businesses

  1. Research relevant keywords

The first step to optimizing your website for search engines is researching relevant keywords. People use these words or phrases to search for products or services your business offers. By studying these keywords, you can gain insight into the specific terms and phrases people use to find businesses like yours. Once you have a list of keywords, you can use them to optimize your website’s content.

  1. Optimize your website’s content

Once you have a list of relevant keywords, you can start to optimize your website’s content. This includes things like your website’s title tags, meta descriptions, and header tags. Make sure to use your target keywords in these elements. However, don’t overdo it – search engines can penalize websites for keyword stuffing. Instead, focus on creating high-quality content that includes your keywords in a natural way.

  1. Build backlinks

Backlinks are links from other websites to your website. They are an important factor in search engine rankings. Backlinks for small businesses starting up indicate to search engines that other websites consider your content to be valuable and worth linking to. There are a number of ways to build backlinks. These include guest blogging, creating high-quality content that other websites may want to link to, and participating in online communities related to your industry.

  1. Use local SEO techniques

If your business serves a local area, it’s important to use local SEO techniques to ensure that your website appears in local search results. This can include things like creating local business listings on sites like Google My Business, Yelp, Next Door, and others, optimizing your website’s content with local keywords and your location. Use schema markup to provide search engines with information about your business’s location.

  1. Monitor and analyze your website’s performance

Once you’ve implemented these marketing strategies with your start-up small business, it’s important to monitor and analyze your website’s performance in search engine rankings. Use tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to track your website’s traffic and search engine performance. This will allow you to identify areas for improvement and adjust your SEO strategies accordingly.  It usually takes weeks, if not months, for the search algorithms to find your website.

  1. Stay up to date with SEO best practices

Finally, it’s important to stay up to date with SEO best practices. Search engine algorithms are constantly evolving, and what works today may not work tomorrow. Make sure to stay informed about the latest SEO trends and updates, and adjust your strategies accordingly. This will help ensure that your website continues to rank well in search engine results pages.

Moreover, by optimizing your website for search engines, you have taken an important step in getting your business found by potential customers. Continue to research relevant keywords, optimize your website’s content, build backlinks, use local SEO techniques, monitor your website’s performance, and stay up to date with SEO best practices. While SEO can be a complex and time-consuming process, it’s worth the effort to ensure that your business is easily discoverable by potential customers.

 

Contact High Key Impact, LLC for more start-up small business digital marketing needs.

Why Every Business Needs Social Media Marketing

Why Every Business Needs Social Media Marketing

Social media marketing is essential for small businesses, even if they don’t have the time to put into it because they are busy running their business. Social media platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and many others offer small businesses the opportunity to reach a wide audience with minimal effort and cost.

One of the main benefits of social media marketing is increased brand awareness. By having a presence on social media, small businesses can introduce themselves to a large number of potential customers. It would reach those who may not have otherwise found your company. This is especially important for small businesses who may not have the budget for traditional advertising methods.

Social media also allows small businesses to engage with their customers in a more personal way. This can be done through comments, direct messages, and reviews. By responding to comments and messages, small businesses can show their customers that they care about their opinions. Further, it showcases how you are willing to go the extra mile to ensure customer satisfaction. Additionally, reviews can be a powerful tool for small businesses to gain credibility and build trust with potential customers.

Another benefit of social media is the ability to target specific audiences. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram allow businesses to create ads that target specific demographics, such as age, location, and interests. This allows small businesses to reach the people who are most likely to be interested in their products or services.

Other Platforms for Social Media Marketing

Service-based businesses can also benefit from social media platforms like Google My Business, Next Door, Yelp, and Angi. These platforms allow customers to leave reviews and recommendations for local businesses, which can be a powerful tool for gaining new customers. Additionally, these platforms often allow businesses to post updates and special offers, which can help to attract new customers and keep existing ones engaged.

In summary, small businesses need social media marketing even if they don’t have time to put into it, because it can increase brand awareness, engage customers, target specific audiences, and generate reviews and recommendations. These benefits can help small businesses to grow and succeed in today’s digital world.

Contact Cheryl Friedenberg at High Key Impact, LLC to learn more about how to organically grow your business through social media marketing.