What Kind of Marketing Do I Really Need?

As a small business, deciding where to invest your marketing budget can be completely overwhelming. There are

so many option to choose from - social media, email marketing, SEO content creation, the skies the limit. All these efforts can take up valuable time and money. So, how do you decide what is right for you? The truth, the right level of marketing for you depends on several factors. What are your business goals? How much are you comfortable spending? What resources are available to you? And so on and so on.

In this post, we are going to break it all down! We'll introduce several types of marketing support and guide you on how to determine which one fits your needs the best.

Ready to stop guessing and start building a marketing plan that works for your business? Let's dive in!

The 3 Types of Marketing Support Small Businesses Need

When it comes to marketing support, its not a one size fits all solution. Every business has different needs. You might need a comprehensive plan or simply help in one area. To help you navigate your options, let's break down the three most common types of marketing support small businesses usually need.

#1 Full Strategy Support: You Need the Whole Kit and Caboodle

Full strategy support is best for businesses who need a full marketing strategy. If you're feeling overwhelmed or unsure of where to start, a full strategy may be for you! A marketing strategist will work with you to map out your business goals, identify your target audience, and help choose the best marketing channels and tactics. You'll get a roadmap to follow that ties your marketing efforts to your business goals.

This is for you if:

• You're starting fresh or shifting directions

• Marketing feels overwhelming, disconnected and inconsistent

• You want every marketing move to tie back to business goals

What's Included:

• Brand and audience clarity

• Channel and content strategy

• A custom marketing roadmap

• Ongoing strategic guidance

  
  

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Stats to Consider:

According to a 2023 HubSpot survey, 63% of businesses with a documented marketing strategy are successful in meeting their marketing goals,

Small Business Trends found that 50% of small businesses fail within the first five years. As solid marketing strategy can increase your chances of long-term success.

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#2 Specialized Support: You've Got a Plan - You Just Need Backup

Specialized support is perfect for businesses that already have a strategy, but need expertise in a specific are of marketing. Maybe you have a good idea of what you want to accomplish, but don't have the in-house resources to execute tasks like writing content, managing social media or optimizing your website. Hiring a specialist can help fill in those gaps.

This is for you if:

• You know what you need but don't have the time or skills to do it

• Your content is inconsistent

• You're ready to outsource specific pieces

What's Included:

• SEO and website updates

• Social media management

• Blog posts, emails and content creation

• Email campaigns and lead nurturing

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Stats to Consider:

75% of small business owners say that marketing support has helped them increase their revenue. Of those, 47% say they specifically saw a return on investment from content creation and SO, according to Small Business Trends.

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#3 A Few Pieces of Content: Strategic, Bite-Sized Support

You don’t always need a full-blown marketing plan to make progress. Sometimes, you just need a few polished, purposeful pieces to fill in the gaps. This option is perfect for the business owner who’s already posting, already planning—but could use a helping hand with high-impact content like a lead magnet, a set of social graphics, or a blog post that actually brings in traffic.

This is for you if:

• You already have a strategy but need fresh assets

• You want to uplevel your brand without doing all the work

• You need done-for-you content you can plug and play

What's Included:

• Blog posts or email sequences

• Website copy refreshers

• One-off design assets or templates

• Brand voice-aligned content

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Stats to Consider:

According to HubSpot, businesses that publish 1–4 blog posts per month get 3.5x more traffic than those that don’t blog at all. Even a few strategic content pieces can make a measurable impact on visibility and lead generation.

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#4 Templates + Tools: DIY With Strategy Behind it

Not every business needs an expert on hand. If you're just starting out or have a tight budget, DIY marketing can be a great way to get things off the ground. This approach involves using free and low-cost tools and templates to create your own marketing plan. The benefit of this approach is that you have 100% control over your marketing, but it will require your time and energy.

This is for you if:

• You're just getting started

• You like control and flexibility

• You're willing to learn but want support along the way

What's Included:

• Editable templates (Canva, captions, email outlines)

• Free tools (GoogleAnalytics, Mailchimp, etc.)

• Step-by-step guides

• Checklists and planning worksheets

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Stats to Consider:

67% of small businesses still use free or low-cost tools to handle marketing tasks themselves, according to Kabbage.

52% of marketers say they are investing in content marketing, highlighting its effectiveness in driving organic growth without significant spending.

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How to Determine Which Type of Support You Need

Choosing the right level of support doesn't have to be difficult. Follow these steps to determine which type of support is best for you and your business.

Define Your Business Goals:

The first step in figuring out the type of marketing support you need is to clarify your goals. Are you trying to increase brand awareness? Generate leads? Convert more sales? The level of support you need will depend on what you're trying to achieve. For example, if you goal is to increase leads and s\ales quickly, a full strategy is your best option. If you're focused on consistency and organic growth, DIY support might work better for you.

Set Your Budget:

Budget will help narrow down your options. If funds are tight right now, DIY support or specialized help might be best. On the other hand, if you have a larger budget or are willing to invest in your long-term growth, a full strategy approach could be beneficial.

Quick Tip: Consider using tools like our Marketing Budget Worksheet to figure out exactly how much you can allocate to marketing each month. This will give you a clear idea of what's within reach!

Identify Your Strengths and Weaknesses:

Asses your team's skills. Do you have someone on your team who's great at social, but not content creation? Or maybe you're a rockstar at SEO, but need help with strategy. Knowing where your business lacks resources will help you pinpoint the type of marketing support you need.

How to Budget Smart & Get Marketing Help You Can Afford

Even if you're on a tight budget, there are ways to get the marketing help you need. Here are some smart, affordable options.

#1 Start with Free and Low-Cost Tools

There are plenty of free or inexpensive tools that can help you execute basic marketing tasks. For Example:

• Canva or Adobe Express for design

• MailChimp for email marketing

• GoogleAnalytics for tracking performance

• Buffer for scheduling social posts

These tools can help you get started without breaking the bank. Once you've build a foundation you can begin investing in more specialized support as you need it.

#2 Repurpose Content

Repurposing content is one of the smartest ways to get more out of your marketing efforts, without adding additional costs. For example, you can take a blog post an turn t into an email or turn that latest Instagram post into a Reel. This allows you to keep your marketing consistent without having to create new content constantly.

#3 Invest Selectively

If your budget allows, consider outsourcing specific tasks to freelancers or agencies. For example. you could hire a freelance designer for one-off projects or a copywriter to help with your website content. This allows you to get expert help without committing to a full-time hire.

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Take Action Now!

Figuring out what kind of marketing support you need can feel like a big decision, but it doesn't have to be overwhelming! Whether you need full strategy support, specialized help or just a simple DIY plan, the key is to choose what fits your business goals and your budget.

By starting with the right support and tools, you can create a marketing plan that woks for you! Ready to get started? Take our quiz to find out what kind of support your business needs today!