DIY Guide to Small Business Marketing

Advertising, Feature, Marketing

Get Started on Your Own… (But Call in the Pros for the Best Results!)

In today’s digital landscape, small business success hinges on smart marketing. Here’s how you can leverage key tools and strategies to grow your brand—on your own, or with help from a marketing partner like Smaht! Ideas.

Phase 1: Build Your Digital Foundation

Optimize Your Website

Your website is your most important marketing tool. Make sure it’s fast, mobile-friendly, and easy to navigate.

  • Memorable Domain Name: Choose something easy to remember and brandable.

  • SEO Best Practices: Include relevant keywords, meta tags, and backlinks to improve search visibility.

  • Mobile Optimization: Over half of all web traffic is mobile. Your site must look great on phones and tablets.

  • Fresh Content: Keep it current with blogs, videos, and customer success stories.

  • Fast Load Times: Use image compression, caching, and streamlined code.

Pro Tip: Use tools like Google Analytics 4 and Search Console to track your progress and identify quick wins. Try AI-based platforms like SurferSEO, Frase, or MarketMuse to identify ranking opportunities and generate optimized content faster.

AI-Powered Social Media Services (DIY-Friendly, Results-Boosting)

AI makes it easier than ever to create high-quality social media content and stay consistent.

  • Post Generation: Tools like ChatGPT or Jasper can write posts with hashtags, emojis, and calls to action.

  • Smart Design Tools: Use Canva Magic Design or Pictory to create visuals or short videos.

  • Auto-Scheduling: Platforms like Publer and Metricool schedule posts and optimize timing.

  • Comment & DM Automation: AI assistants can help you engage faster and more often.

Smaht! Advantage: We combine AI automation with 30+ years of Maine marketing experience to humanize your brand, avoid missteps, and build long-term trust.

Paid Search & Display Ads

Paid ads are a fast way to generate traffic and leads.

  • Targeted Bidding: Use keyword tools to focus your spend.

  • Budget Control: Set daily and monthly caps.

  • Test Formats: Try text, display, and video ads.

  • Track Results: Use Google Ads and GA4 to monitor conversions and ROI.

Pro Tip: Use A/B testing and AI insights to refine your messaging over time. Platforms like WordStream, Adzooma, or Optmyzr help automate bidding strategies, optimize ad spend, and generate performance reports with AI-powered suggestions.

Content Marketing

Create content that educates, entertains, and converts.

  • Blogs: Focus on evergreen, search-optimized posts.

  • Videos: Short-form tutorials, testimonials, and product demos work across platforms.

  • Guest Posts: Write for relevant publications to earn backlinks and exposure.

Pro Tip: Use AI tools like SurferSEO, Jasper, or ChatGPT to help you research, outline, and write faster. Tools like Content at Scale or Scalenut can generate long-form content optimized for SEO in minutes.

Online Business Directories

Boost visibility and local SEO by being where customers look.

  • Google Business Profile: A must for local discovery.

  • Yelp, BBB & Niche Sites: These build credibility.

  • Consistency is Key: Make sure your business info is the same everywhere.

Pro Tip: Update your profiles quarterly to keep info fresh and accurate.

Phase 2: Maximize Reach & Results

OTT & Streaming TV Ads (Powerful & Local)

Reach local and regional audiences through smart streaming platforms.

  • Hyper-Targeted Delivery: Reach viewers by location, interests, and streaming behavior.

  • AI Video Generation: Create professional-quality 15–30 second ads using tools like Lumen5 or Pictory.

  • Multi-Platform Reach: Show up on Hulu, YouTube TV, Roku, and more.

  • Measurable Results: Real-time analytics on impressions, completion rates, and engagement.

Smaht! Advantage: We handle the creative, targeting, and reporting—so you can just watch the leads roll in.

Email & SMS Marketing (Done Smarter with AI)

Stay in touch and drive repeat business through smart messaging.

  • Behavioral Segmentation: Target based on browsing, purchases, and engagement.

  • Automated Campaigns: Trigger personalized email or SMS flows based on user actions.

  • AI-Generated Content: Use tools like ChatGPT, Mailchimp AI, or Klaviyo for writing and timing.

Smaht! Advantage: We help you write like a pro, automate like a boss, and drive ROI with less time spent.

Keep customers engaged and coming back with email and text.

  • Automated Email Flows: Build welcome sequences or promo series with AI writing tools.

  • Segmentation: Group customers based on activity and personalize messages.

  • SMS Campaigns: Use tools like Klaviyo or TextMagic to run timely text-based promos.

Smaht! Advantage: We help you write better, segment smarter, and get more from every message.

Social Media Marketing

Stay visible and connect with your audience.

  • Platform Selection: Choose where your customers spend their time.

  • Post Consistency: Plan regular, relevant content.

  • Influencer Collabs: Work with niche influencers to extend reach.

  • Community Building: Respond to comments and messages to build loyalty.

Pro Tip: Combine AI tools with social schedulers like Publer for maximum efficiency.

Content Repurposing with AI

Turn one piece of content into many.

  • Video Clips: Tools like Descript can split long videos into social-ready shorts.

  • Blog > Post > Email: Convert a single blog into multiple formats using ContentFries or ChatGPT.

  • Automated Highlights: Use AI to find top-performing content and reuse it strategically.

Smaht! Advantage: We build smart content systems that keep your brand consistent—and active—without more effort.

Influencer Marketing

Leverage trust to gain attention.

  • Find the Right Fit: Local micro-influencers can deliver big ROI.

  • Be Clear: Define campaign goals upfront.

  • Stay Authentic: Let the influencer speak in their own voice.

Pro Tip: Use AI tools like Upfluence, Heepsy, or Modash to find the perfect influencer match, automate outreach, and track engagement analytics.

Press Releases

Use them to make announcements and build backlinks.

  • Make It Matter: Focus on real news—like new products, awards, or events.

  • Use Multimedia: Photos or videos increase visibility.

  • Pitch Strategically: Send it to people who cover your niche.

Pro Tip: Use AI tools like PR AI, Prowly, or Meltwater to write, distribute, and analyze the success of your press releases.

Direct Mail & Radio

Traditional still works—especially when paired with digital.

  • Target Smart: Choose lists and stations that match your ideal customer.

  • Creative Focus: Clear visuals and a strong CTA matter.

  • Track It: Use custom URLs or coupon codes to measure response.

Pro Tip: Use direct mail to retarget people who visited your website or abandoned a cart.

Track & Optimize

What gets measured gets improved.

  • Use Dashboards: Google Analytics 4, Meta Insights, and email reports show what’s working.

  • Adjust Weekly: Small tweaks can drive big gains over time.

  • Test Often: Try new formats, headlines, and placements.

Pro Tip: Use AI insights to speed up analysis and surface key opportunities.

Budget Wisely

Spend smart and stay flexible.

  • Track ROI: Know what each channel delivers.

  • Start Small: Test before scaling up.

  • Reallocate Monthly: Don’t be afraid to shift your spend as new data comes in.

Pro Tip: AI-powered attribution tools can help you see which channels are truly driving revenue.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need a huge team or massive budget to do smart marketing today. With the right tools, a willingness to learn, and a few hours a week, you can make real progress.

But when you’re ready to level up, don’t do it alone.

Smaht! Ideas brings 30+ years of marketing experience in Maine and pairs it with today’s most powerful AI and OTT tools. We help small businesses get better results with less stress—and a lot more confidence.

 

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