Small Business Marketing on a Budget

About this course

Small businesses can compete for attention without large budgets by focusing on the right channels and doing them consistently. This course covers low-cost approaches to local visibility, referrals and regular communication, along with a simple way to track what actually brings customers through the door. You don't need a marketing department to start, just a plan and a few habits.

What you will be able to do

• You'll be able to set a simple marketing plan within a fixed budget
• You'll be able to use local listings and reviews to build visibility
• You'll be able to design a referral approach that customers will use
• You'll be able to track which low-cost activities bring in customers

Course outline

1. Tools you'll need

   5 min · Lesson notes, example, action task · 2-question quiz

   Most small business marketing runs on free tools you may already use. Start with a Google Business Profile, a simple email list and a calendar, and add paid tools only when they clearly earn their cost.
2. Marketing Without Big Budgets

   8 min · Lesson notes, example, action task · 2-question quiz

   A marketing plan on a small budget begins with a fixed amount, a clear customer and a few channels you can keep up. Consistency usually beats expensive, one-off campaigns.
3. Local Visibility Basics

   8 min · Lesson notes, example, action task · 2-question quiz

   Local customers look for businesses nearby, check reviews and compare listings. Accurate listings and genuine reviews are the cheapest visibility you can build.
4. Building Referrals

   8 min · Lesson notes, example, action task · 2-question quiz

   Referrals are often the cheapest and most trusted source of new customers. They work best when you make it easy for people to recommend you and give them something specific to say.
5. Consistent Communication

   8 min · Lesson notes, example, action task · 2-question quiz

   Regular, useful communication keeps your business in people's minds. A small, predictable rhythm of updates works better than occasional bursts of promotion.
6. Tracking What Works

   8 min · Lesson notes, example, action task · 2-question quiz

   Tracking tells you where your money and time are best spent. Simple records of where customers come from are enough to make better decisions each quarter.
7. Careers & next steps

   5 min · Lesson notes, example, action task · 2-question quiz

   Budget-conscious marketing skills are useful in many roles, from small business support to digital marketing. These careers build on the local, referral and tracking methods in this course.
8. Final quiz and certificate

   10 questions, pass mark 8 of 10. Pass to get your Reesby Academy certificate with a verification link.