Digital Marketing 101: Why Every Small Business Needs It

You’re a business owner and you’re juggling about 28,000 things on the daily.  You know you need to start marketing for your business but, let’s be real… there is literally nowhere in your busy schedule for that. You’ve tried to find time to post to your business Facebook page here and there, and sometimes you’re successful at making a post! But unfortunately, the only reaction that your post gets is your Aunt Susan telling you that she misses you and the kids and hopes that you can come visit soon.  whomp, whomp  And let’s not forget that not only do you lack the time to market your business, you also lack the knowledge on how to market your business!

Well, dear friend, you are not alone. And better yet, I’m here to help break down this whole digital marketing cluster, piece by piece, so that you can start to craft a strategy that works for your business needs, without losing your mind.

What is Digital Marketing?

Let’s start by answering this simple question; what is digital marketing? Simply put, it's using the internet and online platforms to promote your business. This includes social media, websites, email, and even search engines. Easy enough, right? To me, digital marketing is like one big puzzle. The goal of doing a puzzle is to fit all the pieces together to make one big beautiful picture that flows seamlessly together. Well, digital marketing is similar in the fact that there are many pieces that have to fit together in order to create the bigger picture and to reach your goal.

Why Digital Marketing Matters for Small Businesses

I don’t have to tell you that today’s world literally revolves around the internet and social media. Literally everything. And literally everyone is on social media these days, except maybe your great uncle Jimmy who is 93 years old. So if everyone is on social media and shopping online and checking email, wouldn’t it make sense that that’s where you should focus your time, effort and resources to grow your business? For small businesses, digital marketing is a game-changer. It helps you reach more people, engage with customers, and build a strong online presence. Plus, it's waaay cheaper than plastering your face on a billboard or getting a commercial during the Superbowl.

Key Components of Digital Marketing

Now for the fun part—let's dive into the key pieces of this digital puzzle. While digital marketing has many moving parts, we'll keep it simple and focus on the main ones so you don’t feel overwhelmed.

Social Media Marketing

This one is pretty obvious. Social media marketing is the promotion of your goods or services on social media platforms, such as Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, etc. The beauty of social media marketing is that it allows you to really connect with your audience and it’s a great way to share updates and showcase your products or services.

Many think that you need to have thousands of followers to be successful on social media, but that’s simply not true. By posting engaging, value-based content and utilizing things like hashtags, you can connect with the right audience, build a loyal community, and drive meaningful results—even with a smaller following. Social media platforms love content that gets people talking—likes, comments, and shares matter more than just having a ton of followers. So even if your following is on the smaller side, you can still reach a wide audience if your posts resonate and get people engaged.

Another way to grow is by utilizing social media advertising. By boosting a post or creating an ad, you can easily get your content in front of a targeted group of people to drive traffic to your website, gain more followers, or even generate leads and sales. It’s a smart way to amplify your reach and connect with the right audience at the right time.

Content Marketing

Content is the bread and butter of marketing. It’s the heart, soul, and foundation—okay, you get the idea. Without valuable content, your marketing boils down to "Hey, buy my stuff" or "Let me help you do this thing." But here’s the truth: no one really cares about what you’re selling. They care about how your product or service can make their life better. What’s in it for them? That’s the question your content needs to answer.

So now you’re probably asking, “okay, cool, but what is content marketing?” Glad you asked. Content marketing is all about attracting and engaging your audience. It’s about providing helpful information that they will not only love, but they will also want to share with others. Think back to that super cool video you saw on TikTok the other day, where someone showed a quick hack to organize your kitchen using dollar store finds. You probably sent that video to 3 of your closest friends because it was so helpful, and you just had to share it. That’s the same concept.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Alright, let’s talk SEO—Search Engine Optimization, if you’re feeling fancy. Imagine SEO as the secret sauce that makes your website show up on Google when people are searching for what you offer. It’s all about tweaking your site so search engines love it enough to put it front and center.

Why does this matter? Well, think of it this way: if your website were a needle in a haystack, SEO is what helps you shine like a neon sign. In a world where everyone and their neighbor is online, you want your business to be the first thing people see when they’re looking for what you provide.

I get it—SEO can sound like some kind of wizardry. But the good news is that you don’t need to be a tech genius to make it work for you. Start by using the right keywords (the terms people are actually searching for), keep your content relevant and fresh, and make sure your website is user-friendly.

The best part? You don’t have to outspend the big guys to compete. With a little bit of SEO magic, your small business can shine just as brightly as the big brands. Plus, you’ll be showing up in front of people who are actively searching for what you offer—pretty awesome, right?

So, if you’ve been wondering how to get more eyeballs on your website, SEO is your new best friend. It’s not just about getting traffic—it’s about getting the right traffic. And that can make all the difference.

Email Marketing

Next up- email marketing. You might be thinking, “Isn’t email kinda old school?” Well, here’s the thing—email is like that reliable friend who’s always there when you need them. It might not be the flashiest tool in your marketing kit, but it’s definitely one of the most effective.

Sure, inboxes are crowded, but that’s why it’s so important to make your emails stand out. Keep it personal, relevant, and even a little fun.  A well-timed tip or special offer can go a long way.

The beauty of email marketing is that it’s a direct line to your audience. You’re not just shouting into the void—you’re talking to people who actually want to hear from you. Plus, with all the fancy tools out there, you can track who’s opening your emails, what they’re clicking on, and even when they’re most likely to read them. That means you can fine-tune your strategy to make sure you’re hitting all the right notes.

Benefits of Digital Marketing for Small Businesses

If you’re a small business owner, digital marketing is like having a megaphone that lets you reach your perfect customers without breaking the bank. Whether it’s through social media, email, or a killer website, digital marketing levels the playing field. You don’t need a huge budget to make a big impact—you just need a smart strategy. It helps you connect with your audience where they are, build real relationships, and turn those clicks into loyal customers. Plus, you can track what’s working and tweak what’s not, so every dollar you spend is working hard for you. In a nutshell, digital marketing gives small businesses a big voice.

Creating a digital marketing strategy might feel overwhelming at first, but with some time, effort, and a little patience, you'll soon see the positive impact on your business. And if you need a hand getting started, we're here to help! Our mission is to empower businesses like yours to reach their full potential.