Need small business marketing strategies that deliver results?

I'll share what works, based on data from small businesses we've helped SaasUp.

Why Most Marketing Strategies Fail

Let's be real:

1. They're too complicated

2. They're not research-based

3. They copy big business tactics

As we covered in our guide on how to Improve small business marketing results, you can't outspend big businesses - but you can outsmart them.

The Research-First Marketing Strategy

1. Start With Customer Truth

• Interview your best customers

• Document their journey

• Find patterns

• Build your strategy around their words

Want a complete framework? Check out HubSpot's comprehensive guide to small business marketing.

2. Build Your Strategic Foundation

Research Phase

• Map your market

• Study competitors

• Find gaps

• Identify opportunities

Need help with planning? Get free marketing plan templates from Smartsheet.

Positioning Strategy

• Find your unique angle

• Make it clear

• Make it different

• Make it matter

Learn more about standing out at 15 Small Business Marketing Ideas That Actually Work.

3. Choose Your Channels

As highlighted in how to Increase small business online presence, pick channels based on:

• Where your customers are

• What you can maintain

• What drives results

• What matches your strengths

4. Content Strategy That Works

Want to make YouTube work for your business? Here's a detailed guide to YouTube marketing for small businesses.

Focus on:

• Answering customer questions

• Showing your process

• Sharing results

• Building trust

5. Implementation Plan

Get specific with:

• Timeline

• Budget

• Resources

• Metrics

Need inspiration? Check out these 38 marketing plan examples from CoSchedule.

6. Digital Marketing Foundation

Learn from Google-certified experts about:

• SEO basics

• Local search

• Social media

• Paid advertising

Real Results Example

A local restaurant followed this strategy:

• Focused only on Instagram and Google Business

• Posted daily kitchen behind-the-scenes

• Responded to every review

• Result: 65% increase in new customers in 60 days

Common Questions

How much should I spend on marketing?

Start with 7-10% of revenue. Scale what works.

How long until I see results?

Expect 3-6 months for significant impact.

Do I need to be everywhere online?

No. Focus on 2-3 channels where your customers actually are.

What's the fastest way to see results?

Start with customer research and one main channel.

Take Action Now

Ready to increase your small business online presence?

Get a customized digital presence plan based on what's working now.

Book Your Free Marketing Audit

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About the Author: I'm Saad Mir, founder of SaasUp. We help small businesses get big results with research-backed marketing that makes competitors irrelevant.