If you are looking for small business marketing ideas, you have come to the right place. At our small business marketing agency, we have done many (but not all) of these things on behalf of our clients. Let us know what you think about this list!
1. 🎁 Host a Local Giveaway
Team up with nearby businesses for a prize bundle and big local buzz.
2. 📸 Start a Behind-the-Scenes Series
Show off your process and let people peek into your day-to-day. People love to see how the sausage is made.
3. 🎂 Offer a Birthday Freebie
Give customers a treat on their special day—who doesn’t love a gift?
4. 🏆 Create a Monthly Challenge
Engage your audience with fun prompts and prizes. This works well on social media if you have an audience there.
5. 🎪 Sponsor a Local Event
Get your name on banners and build community ties. It can be hard to track the ROI on these, but they work if they are part of a larger plan.
6. 🤝 Launch a Referral Program
Reward your biggest fans when they send new customers your way. Happy customers will spread the word for you.
7. 📌 Write a “Start Here” Blog Post
Help first-time visitors find your best stuff fast.
8. 📇 Create a Loyalty Card
Old-school punch cards = new-school loyalty.
9. 🧢 Design Limited-Time Merch
Exclusive swag makes fans feel like VIPs.
10. 🪧 Use Chalkboard Signs Outside
Funny quotes or promos draw in foot traffic. Check Instagram or Pinterest for inspiration.
11. 🙌 Run a Customer Spotlight Series
Celebrate your awesome customers with a shoutout!
12. ❓Turn FAQs Into Social Posts
Repurpose questions into bite-sized helpful content.
13. 🎓 Offer a Free Workshop or Class
Teach your skills and show off your expertise.
14. 📰 Start a Themed Email Newsletter
Make it fun and consistent—like “Taco Tuesday Tips” or if you’re a small business marketing consultant, “101 Small Business Marketing Ideas.”
15. 💬 Participate in Local Facebook Groups
Help out, answer questions, and build trust.
16. 🏷️ Create a Branded Hashtag
Encourage customers to tag their photos with it.
17. 🎙️ Launch a Mini Podcast Series
Short and sweet—position yourself as a pro.
18. 🍪 Offer Free Samples
Let customers try before they buy = confidence boost.
19. 🎶 Create a Branded Spotify Playlist
Set the vibe with music that matches your brand.
20. 🧰 Make a “Starter Kit” Bundle
Group popular products together for easy buys.
21. 🥇 Start a Customer Referral Leaderboard
Turn word-of-mouth into a friendly competition!
22. 📅 Create Seasonal Promotions
Celebrate everything from holidays to taco day.
23. ❤️ Partner With a Nonprofit
Align with a cause and do good together.
24. 📹 Record Timelapse Videos
Fast-forward content that’s oddly satisfying to watch.
25. ⚡ Run a Flash Sale
Urgency = energy = sales.
26. 🎟️ Sell Gift Cards
Great for last-minute gifts and future sales.
27. 🗺️ Create a Local Resource Guide
Help people discover your city while boosting SEO.
28. 🧠 Write a “Why I Started” Story
Share your heart—people connect with passion.
29. 🛍️ Join a Vendor Market or Pop-Up
Meet customers IRL and show off your products.
30. ⚾ Sponsor a Local Little League Team
Family-friendly branding with heart.
31. 🪟 Use Window Decals for Promos
Turn your storefront into a walking billboard.
32. 👥 Record a “Meet the Team” Series
Put faces to the brand and build trust.
33. ✍️ Handwrite Thank You Notes
A small gesture that leaves a big impression.
34. 🎬 Create How-To Video Tutorials
Educate and engage in one go!
35. 🎁 Offer a Buy-One-Give-One Campaign
Generosity that doubles your impact.
36. 🎉 Send Surprise Freebies to Top Customers
Everyone loves an unexpected thank-you.
37. 👩💻 Start a Private Facebook or Slack Group
Create a VIP club for your best customers.
38. 💥 Design Stickers With Your Logo or Slogan
Stick ‘em, tag ‘em, share ‘em!
39. 🔍 Start a Blog Series Around Pain Points
Solve real problems and win loyal fans. This is where some SEO copywriting would be the key to success.
40. 📱 Use Instagram Reels or TikToks
Short videos = big engagement.
41. 🗞️ Get Featured in Local News
Pitch your story and get noticed. You might be surprised at how easy it is to get local news coverage (assuming you have a local newspaper or news station). This is an excellent book about getting free media coverage (don’t let the title spook you…it’s legit).
42. 🧾 Create a Referral Card
Give customers something to hand to a friend.
43. 💸 Offer First-Time Customer Discounts
Make that first step easy and irresistible.
44. 🎁 Build a “Gift Guide” Featuring Your Products
Perfect for holidays or birthdays.
45. 🎧 Sponsor a Local Podcast
Niche audiences are loyal and listening.
46. 📍 Use Google My Business Posts Weekly
Free, local visibility—don’t sleep on it. If you want to push on this a little, we have some secret tips about using Google’s Local Service Ads to generate BIG business.
47. 👐 Run a “Pay What You Can” Day
Kindness marketing at its best.
48. 🧪 Offer DIY Kits
Bring your business into people’s homes.
49. 📥 Create a Free Digital Download
Trade value for emails—win-win. Then use those emails to provide more value to your audience. Rinse and repeat.
50. 🛒 Sell on Etsy or Another Marketplace
Reach new audiences without more tech.
51. 📦 Add QR Codes to Packaging
Send customers to a thank-you video or a how-to guide.
52. ⭐ Ask for Google Reviews—Nicely!
Boost your online rep with a quick ask. (WARNING: Never pay for reviews. Never, never, ever.)
53. 🏛️ Join a Business Association
Credibility + connections = opportunity.
54. 📆 Offer Subscriptions for Consumables
Recurring revenue is smooth sailing.
55. 💌 Send a Postcard to Past Customers
Stand out with old-school charm.
56. 📅 Create a Branded Calendar
12 months of being on your customer’s wall? Yes, please.
57. 👜 Make a “What’s In My Bag?” Post
People love to peek inside others’ lives.
58. 📹 Start a TikTok Series With Tips
Quick, actionable advice = instant value.
59. 🤣 Use Humor in Your Marketing
Make ‘em laugh, make ‘em buy. We wrote a bit about using humor in marketing if you are curious.
60. 🎭 Run a Flash Mob or Public Stunt
Go viral by going bold.
61. 🗂️ Add Your Business to Niche Directories
More links = more traffic.
62. 🧡 Create a “Wall of Love” Page
Show off those 5-star testimonials.
63. 🚚 Offer Free Local Delivery
It’s convenient and adds value.
64. 👑 Collaborate With a Local Influencer
Micro-influencers = mighty results.
65. 🪞 Make Before-and-After Content
Transformation tells a story.
66. 🎨 Offer Customization Options
Let customers put their own spin on it.
67. 🔄 Do a Local Business Swap
Cross-promote and double your audience.
68. 🧹 Sponsor a Local Clean-Up Day
Good for the community, great for brand image.
69. 📦 Create a Bundle for New Movers
Welcome kits win hearts.
70. 🗣️ Post Customer Testimonials on Social
Real words sell better than slogans.
71. 📢 Add a Pop-Up Offer to Your Site
Don’t let visitors leave empty-handed.
72. 📸 Make a Local Landmark the Star of a Campaign
Tie your brand to something iconic.
73. 🎨 Run a Contest for Kids
Engage the community and win over families.
74. 🙏 Create Branded Thank You Inserts
Include a personal touch with every order.
75. 🎁 Sell “Mystery Boxes”
Surprises = excitement + sales.
76. 📬 Add Humor to Your Out-of-Office Reply
Even your autoresponder can be on-brand.
77. 🕺 Host a Pop Culture-Themed Event
Nostalgia sells—lean in.
78. ⏳ Run a Social Media Countdown
Build hype before a big drop.
79. 🏅 Make a “Best Of” Customer Awards Post
Celebrate your community and boost engagement.
80. 🛍️ Launch a Reusable Tote Bag Campaign
Eco-friendly + branded = win-win.
81. 🧑💻 Use UGC in Ads
Authenticity converts better than polish.
82. 📲 Offer a Digital Loyalty Program
Modern rewards, modern tools.
83. 🌆 Write a “Local Love List”
Shout out your favorite spots and show love. Other businesses love when your small business marketing ideas help THEM bring more customers in the door, and they tend to reciprocate by referring customers to you too.
84. 🗳️ Let Customers Vote on New Products
Involve them in the process—they’ll care more.
85. 🏗️ Create a “How It’s Made” Series
Pull back the curtain and build appreciation.
86. ❓ Do an AMA (Ask Me Anything)
Connect with your audience in real-time.
87. 📱 Build a Text Message List
High open rates = high ROI.
88. 🧃 Launch a Limited Edition Line
Scarcity creates demand.
89. 🦄 Celebrate Quirky Holidays
Use fun dates as promo opportunities. )This is one of our favorite small business marketing ideas. Almost nobody does it.)
90. 🖼️ Create an “As Seen On” Banner
Even small press builds big trust.
91. 📚 Build a Resource Library
Be the expert people turn to.
92. 📖 Use “Day in the Life” Stories
Share your hustle, wins, and human side.
93. 🎤 Record a Voice Message Thank You
A personal voice can go a long way.
94. 🎟️ Run a Customer-Only Giveaway
Make loyalty feel exclusive.
95. 📈 Create a Visual Progress Tracker
Perfect for services—help clients see their journey.
96. 📦 Build a Buzz-Worthy Unboxing Experience
Packaging that gets posted = free ads.
97. ✨ Make a “Staff Picks” Section
Highlight team favorites for personal recs.
98. 💳 Offer “Pay in 4” or Financing Options
Make buying easier and more flexible.
99. 📬 Create a Customer Welcome Kit
First impressions matter—start with delight.
100. 🗣️ Let Customers Name a Product
Crowdsource creativity and boost buy-in. As far as small business marketing ideas goes, this is a decent one. We worked with a real estate agent who bought 500 coffee mugs (with his name and branding on them) and partnered with a local diner to give them away for free with any specialty coffee purchase. He sweetened the deal for the diner by also paying a few hundred bucks to sponsor a sandwich named after him that month. Brilliant!
101. 🎉 Celebrate Milestones Publicly
Invite your community to celebrate with you.
