So here it is—your go-to guide for quick marketing tips that don’t require big bucks or big stress. These are perfect for beginners, small business owners, and anyone who wants to dip their toe into marketing without getting totally soaked.
Before we dive in, let’s be real for a sec: marketing can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re already wearing 14 other hats in your business. You know it’s important—but between running operations, keeping up with customers, and making sure the bills get paid, who has time to build a 30-page strategy deck?
You don’t need a fancy budget or a marketing degree to get your business out there. You just need a few simple, quick marketing tips that you can actually do today.
Quick Marketing Tip #1: Start Local, Stay Human
When I first got into marketing, I helped with a campaign to promote a cultural event downtown. We had zero budget. Our audience? Young, urban folks who loved discovering artsy, interesting things around the city. So we printed some postcards and literally walked from shop to shop asking if we could leave a stack by the register.
You’d be amazed how many business owners said yes.
The takeaway: Don’t underestimate the power of personal connection. If you have a flyer, promo, or postcard—ask nearby businesses if you can team up. Community supports community. You’ll both win.
🧠 Try this today: Create a simple handout or postcard for your event, special offer, or business. Walk it into 5 neighboring businesses. Bonus points if you return the favor!
Tip #2: Leverage Automated Emails / SMS messages
Here’s a truth bomb: it costs less to keep a customer than to get a new one. (In fact, returning customers spend 67% more on average.) So before you chase new leads, check in on the ones who already know and like you.
Set up a simple email automation that triggers when someone hasn’t visited, booked an appointment, or purchased in a while. A little nudge like “Hey, we’ve missed you!” can go a long way.
The magic move: Use email and/or SMS text message tools like Mailchimp or Constant Contact (many have free tiers!) to automate these reminders.
🧠 Try this today: Make a short, friendly email template that checks in with past customers. Something like, “We noticed you haven’t popped in for a bit—anything we can help with?” Then set up a trigger to send it 60–90 days after someone’s last visit.
Quick Marketing Tip #3: Put Yourself in Your Customer’s Scroll
If you’re already posting on social media, amazing. But here’s a quick shift that can boost results: stop talking at your followers. Start thinking like them.
Ask yourself: What would make me stop scrolling? A behind-the-scenes peek? A funny customer comment? A quick how-to?
People don’t just want to be sold to. They want to feel connected.
🧠 Try this today: Share one real moment from your business. Maybe it’s setting up for the day, a messy middle moment, or a customer success story. Be human, not polished.
Tip #4: Stalk Your Competition (in a Friendly Way)
No budget for market research? No problem. Just take 10 minutes to look at what other businesses like yours are doing online.
What does their website look like? What kind of content do they post? What social media channels are they using? What kinds of posts are they sharing? What gets the most engagement? What do you love—or hate—about their marketing?
No need to copy. But you can learn a lot just by observing what’s working in the wild.
🧠 Try this today: Pick 3 businesses you admire (in your industry or totally different). Browse their websites and the last 10 posts on their social channels. What stands out? What could you do with your own twist?
Quick Marketing Tip #5: Stick With What’s Working—Drop What’s Not
Marketing is one big experiment. Some things will flop. Some things will fly. The goal isn’t to get it perfect—it’s to keep learning.
Whether you’re posting on social, emailing customers, or handing out flyers—track your results. Even just noting “Got 3 new bookings from this post” can help you double down on what’s working and stop wasting time on what’s not.
And here’s one of the easiest (and most overlooked) ways to do that: Ask people how they found you. Every time someone books a service, registers for an event, or buys from you—whether online, over the phone, or in person—just ask: “How did you hear about us?”
Make it part of your contact form, add it to your checkout process, or ask it naturally during a conversation. It takes two seconds, and the answers? They’ll often surprise you—and give you real insight into what’s actually working.
🧠 Try this today: Pick one marketing effort to track this week. Use a sticky note, spreadsheet, or notebook. Then start asking every new customer, “How did you hear about us?” It’s old-school, but gold.
Final Thought: Marketing Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated
You don’t need a big strategy to make a big impact. You just need to start somewhere. Try one new thing this week. Then track it. Then tweak it. Rinse and repeat.
Because your business deserves to be seen. And marketing? It’s just the way we help people find you.
Want some guidance as you work through how to promote your services, capabilities and markets? Check out How to Promote Your Business—it’s packed with simple insights to help you keep moving.
You’ve got this—and I’ve got your back.
Want more friendly, no-fluff, quick marketing tips like this? Stick around. I’m here to make marketing feel less like a mystery and more like a coffee date with your biz bestie.