And how to stay visible without losing your mind.
Looking for marketing tips for small business owners who are doing it all? You’re in the right place.
This week, I restocked the breakroom coffee, fixed a jammed printer, filed paperwork for a license renewal, answered a one-star Google review, and wrote the world’s saddest Instagram caption.
Oh—and I’m also the business owner.
If you’re reading this, you probably wear a similar hat collection. You’re the head of sales, operations, HR, tech support, and—on your worst days—“the marketing team.”
Marketing, while important, tends to fall down the to-do list right around the moment you remember the Wi-Fi bill is due. We get it.
At Plum, we work with small service-based businesses like yours every day—financial advisors, real estate brokers, dentists, attorneys, clinic owners—and we hear the same thing over and over:
“I know I should be doing more marketing… but I barely have time to breathe.”
So we made this post for you. Not for “aspirational” productivity. Not for CMOs with entire departments.
This is for the business owner doing the most with the least—who just wants simple, sustainable ways to stay visible and grow.
1. The “Friday 5” Habit – A Simple Marketing Tip for Small Business Owners
Every Friday, reach out to five people.
That’s it.
They could be:
- Past clients
- Referral partners
- That one lead from last month who ghosted you
Just check in. Say thank you. Share something useful. Reconnect like a human.
You’ll be surprised how far a single friendly message goes—especially when your competition is just sending coupons.
Bonus: Add a quick note about a seasonal promotion, offer, or reminder if you’ve got one.
2. Use the Rule of One – Smart Marketing Tip for Small Business Visibility
When in doubt, simplify:
- One message
- One audience
- One call-to-action
Trying to “say everything” is why so many emails get deleted and posts go ignored. Be clear, not clever.
Don’t promote your entire business. Promote one solution to one problem.
Example:
“Hey Sarah, I know graduation season’s here—if your family needs help figuring out college savings options, I’d love to chat.”
One message. One person. One result.
3. Do One Big Thing Each Month – Monthly Marketing Tip for Small Business Growth
Most small businesses don’t need 14 posts a week or a full-funnel automation machine. You need one powerful push a month that creates visibility and momentum.
Pick your flavor:
- A seasonal direct mailer
- A referral campaign
- A client appreciation event
- A killer blog post with a matching email + social graphic
- A cross-promotion with a local business
Just choose one and give it a little love.
Consistency wins over complexity, every time.
Think you need a Super Bowl budget to make an impact?
Think again. See how Direct Mail stacks up against big-budget TV ads—and why small businesses might have the upper hand.
Super Bowl Ads vs. Direct Mail
Real Talk From the Field
James, a solo insurance agent in Rhode Island, spent May doing just three things:
- A weekly email to his past client list
- Reposting a testimonial once a week
- A simple direct mailer tied to Memorial Day
Result: more inbound referrals than any month so far this year.
No dancing. No trending sounds. Just thoughtful repetition.
Bonus: Real Tools That Make These Marketing Tips for Small Business Easier
Here are tools we recommend (or our clients actually use) to make these marketing habits stick:
- Email: Mailchimp, Sender – simple email blasts with decent templates
- Design: Canva – because Photoshop is a monster
- Scheduling: Later, Buffer – plan posts without being chained to your phone
- CRM/Contacts: HubSpot (free version) – track who you’re reaching out to
- Direct Mail: Hey, hi, that’s us — Plum. (Yes, that’s your soft plug.)
Want more tool recs? We’ll happily share what’s actually working.
TL;DR – What You Can Do This Week
If you scrolled fast (we’re not mad), here’s the short version:
Send 5 messages to past clients or referrals
Use the Rule of One in your next post or email
Pick one thing to promote or focus on for the month
Don’t overthink it—just start
Want to actually make a move? Choose one and block 30 minutes on your calendar right now.
Final Thoughts: You’re Already Doing the Impossible
Marketing shouldn’t be another full-time job. You don’t need perfection, scale, or a six-figure strategy.
You need a system that fits into your real, messy, unpredictable life.
And when that life gets overwhelming? That’s exactly why we’re here.
At Plum, we build marketing that works with you—not against your time, your energy, or your sanity.
Try This
- Pick one tactic from above
- Schedule 30 minutes next week to try it
- That’s it.
Small, smart steps win.
Want a quick conversation about what would actually work for your business?
We’re game—no pressure, just clarity.
→ [Contact Us]
This blog is part of our Small Business Month series. Catch both posts here:
✅ You’re here! Marketing Tips for Small Business Owners (Who Also Do Literally Everything Else) – Mindset shifts and real-world tips to make marketing manageable.
👉 How to Build a Month of Marketing in Just One Afternoon – Take the next step and turn that clarity into a month-long content plan.
Bonus Tip: Start With Your Story
Before you dive into weekly emails or social posts, make sure your business story is clear. It’s the foundation that keeps your message consistent (even on chaotic days).
👉 Read: Dear Entrepreneur: What’s Your Story and Why It Matters — and use it to align your marketing with what really matters.
