Save time, money and energy by creating a marketing mix that works for you

Straight talk—marketing your small business can be overwhelming. Ads, SEO, social media... It’s a lot. And while many small business owners shy away from spending on marketing, the truth is: done right, it’s not just an expense—it’s an investment.

In this post, we’ll walk through practical, budget-conscious strategies to get the most out of advertising, search engine optimization (SEO), and social media marketing, without burning out or blowing your budget.

Advertising: Google, Meta & Beyond

Many small businesses hesitate to run ads because of the upfront cost. But here’s the thing: it’s not about the price tag. It’s about the return.

Know Your ROI

Let’s say you earn $100 profit per customer. If it costs you $80 in ads to get that customer through the door, that’s still a win.

Now think long-term. What if that customer comes back? If they become a regular, that initial $80 suddenly looks like a smart spend. That’s why you need to consider customer lifetime value—not just the first sale.

Once you know how much it costs to gain a customer and the likelihood of them becoming loyal to your business, it makes sense to commit marketing or advertising budget to any tool that delivers a positive return on investment.

Finding a platform that will deliver leads with a positive ROI is well worth your time. Plus, most of these tools, including Google Ads and Reddit, offer a few hundred dollars in ad credit to get you started. That can take the sting out of experimenting and let you concentrate on getting that first conversion.

Tips to Maximize Your Ad Budget

1. Be ruthless with targeting 

   Only target people who could realistically become customers. That means checking (and re-checking!) your settings.

   
   

2. Watch your location targeting 

   If you can’t serve customers outside of a certain area, don’t waste ad dollars reaching them.

   
   

3. Use negative keywords

   In Google Ads, add negative keywords to avoid irrelevant clicks. For example, if someone’s searching for a job related to your keywords, they’re not a customer; they’re a job seeker.

   
   

4. Take advantage of audience targeting

   You know the types of people who are most likely to buy your product, so put your ads in front of them. For example, if you’re a landscaper, target homeowners instead of renters. Most ad platforms have some form of interest or demographic targeting, so try to take full advantage of that.

SEO: Search Engine Optimization

You can spend hours—days, even—on SEO and still feel unsure if it's working. The internet is full of contradictory advice, and results take time. That said, SEO can absolutely be worth the effort.

Not Enough Time? Outsource.

If you’re short on time, it might make sense to pay someone to set up your SEO properly. Especially if you DIY’d your website—there’s a good chance you saved money, but not time.

When hiring a web designer or developer, ensure they factor in SEO. A gorgeous site that no one finds won’t do much for your business.

Think of it this way: if SEO takes you 10 hours to figure out, but a pro can do it in 2, isn’t it better to let the pro handle it?

SEO Is a Long Game

Because it takes time to see results, SEO progress can feel fuzzy. But stay consistent. Invest in learning, or in hiring the right help, and it will pay off.

Money-Saving Tips

1. If you have time

   Take a course! BrightLocal offers excellent free training for local businesses. For national or international reach, check out Ahrefs.

   
   

2. If you don’t have time

   Hire a pro. Seriously—it’ll save your sanity.

Social Media Marketing

Ah, social media. Everyone thinks they can do it. And honestly? Some of you can. But it’s also a huge time commitment.

When deciding what social media platforms to use, you need to think about your own skill level, and be honest about your interests. And if none of it sparks interest, that’s your sign to delegate. Your time is better spent where your strengths shine.

Time & Budget-Friendly Tips

1. Schedule your posts

   Meta Business and LinkedIn offer solid scheduling tools—for free. Use them before you invest in a paid scheduler.

   
   

2. Batch your content

   Create multiple posts and designs in one sitting. It’s way more efficient than scrambling every day.

How Do You Choose the Right Marketing Mix?

This is the big question, right? With so many options—ads, SEO, social—how do you know which one’s right for you?

Here’s a simple rule of thumb:

• Need fast results? → Ads can drive traffic quickly—but you’ll pay for it.

• Playing the long game? → SEO builds a strong foundation over time.

• Want to connect and build trust? → Social media helps you stay visible and relatable.

  
  

Most businesses will benefit from using a mix of all these strategies, but only if you’re doing it intentionally and sustainably.

Final Thoughts

Marketing doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Start with what you have—your time, your budget, your energy—and build from there. Whether you're experimenting with ads, tightening up your SEO, or batching out social posts, progress (not perfection!) is the goal.

Remember: consistency beats complexity. So pick one small thing, start today, and watch the momentum build.

Questions? Reach out, we’d be happy to help. 

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Photo by Unseen Studio on Unsplash