SME Needs works exclusively with small businesses (our Ideal Client looks like this), from just one person up to about 40 people, depending on what they do. If you fit into this range, we’d love to talk to you about helping you get the marketing results you’re looking for, but here are some recommended marketing activities you can do without needing to get us involved…
Make use of digital tools and automation
You don’t need a full-time marketer if you use smart tools:
- Social media schedulers: Tools like Buffer, Later, or Hootsuite allow you to plan posts in advance, saving hours every week. Most of the social platforms will let you schedule posts directly too, just not in bulk.
- Email marketing platforms: Mailchimp, Klaviyo, or Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) make sending newsletters, promotions, and automated campaigns simple.
- CRM and analytics tools: Free or low-cost CRMs (HubSpot, Zoho) help you track leads, segment customers, and automate follow-ups. We use a lesser known platform called uPilot and we’re very happy with it.
Tip: Start small. Focus on one or two channels that your audience actually uses.
Repurpose Existing Content
Much of the content you produce can be described as evergreen – it doesn’t change over time. So maximise the value of what you already have:
- Turn blog posts into social media snippets, videos, or infographics.
- Turn customer testimonials into case studies or social media posts.
- Use FAQs from your business as the basis for educational content.
This approach reduces the need for new content creation while maintaining a strong online presence.
Partner with Freelancers or Agencies on Demand
Instead of hiring, outsource:
- Copywriters or graphic designers for campaigns.
- Social media managers for short bursts or campaigns.
- SEO specialists to improve website visibility.
We’re happy to recommend people from our network to you, at least until you’re ready for us to start managing your marketing for you!
Focus on Organic Marketing
Some strategies cost little but yield results:
- Networking & word-of-mouth: Attend local events, LinkedIn groups, or industry meetups. We love Fore Business for this!
- Referral programs: Encourage current clients to refer others in exchange for small rewards.
- Content marketing: Blogs, videos, or guides position your company as an expert without paid advertising.
The trade-off here is your time is being used instead of your money
Use Templates and DIY Tools
Tools like Canva, Visme, or Crello let non-designers produce professional graphics.
- Email templates, social post templates, and presentation templates save time and maintain brand consistency.
- Combine this with AI tools for writing and video editing to speed up campaigns.
Track Results and Optimise
You may already know (if you don’t you can find more information here) that this is always the first work we do with any new client – it is that important!
Even without a marketing team, you need feedback:
- Track email open rates, website visits, and social engagement.
- See which campaigns bring leads or sales, then double down on what works.
Simple dashboards in Google Analytics, Meta Business Suite, or HubSpot CRM are enough. You can also download a tool we used for years here (along with a number of other useful (and free) tools).
Prioritise Quality over Quantity
Small businesses win by being consistent but selective:
- Better to have a strong, active presence on one or two channels than a weak presence everywhere.
- Focus on campaigns that directly connect with your audience and solve real problems.
As a small business owner, your time is limited so you are far better off doing a few things well than trying to lots of things – that end up being done poorly.
Bottom line: You don’t need a marketing team if you use automation, outsource selectively, repurpose content, track results, and focus on high-impact channels. Smart tools + strategic effort = marketing results comparable to much larger teams.
What to do next
Take a look at the tools we’re suggesting here and see what you think. We’re confident you can get better marketing results using these tools than you are currently. If you need further support to get the best out of these tools and really take your marketing forward, get in touch.
