85 Inspiring Ways to Market Your Small Business

Let's chat about 85 Inspiring Ways to Market Your Small Business by Rieva Lesonsky. This book is packed with useful and practical tips for small business owners who want to take their marketing to the next level. It’s not just about traditional marketing; it covers all kinds of creative and effective ways to help you stand out in today’s crowded marketplace. Right from the beginning, Rieva Lesonsky emphasizes the idea that marketing isn’t just about selling—it’s about building relationships and creating a community around your business. She brings this idea to life with 85 different marketing ideas that can be tailored to any type of business, whether you're just starting out or have been around for a while. One of the first key points Lesonsky makes is that businesses should always keep the customer in mind. It sounds obvious, but many businesses get caught up in their own products and forget that the best way to market is by truly understanding the needs and desires of your target audience. She encourages small business owners to get to know their customers—ask them questions, listen to their feedback, and create marketing campaigns that speak directly to them. The goal is to make your marketing feel personal, and not like you're just pushing a product at them. Lesonsky also stresses the importance of having a unique brand identity. She talks about how important it is to define your brand’s personality and make sure it shines through in all your marketing materials, whether it's your website, social media posts, or advertisements. When people think of your business, they should have a clear idea of what it stands for and what makes it different from the competition. One of the most interesting concepts Lesonsky discusses is the power of storytelling in marketing. People don’t just want to know what your business does—they want to know why it does it and how it connects to their lives. She advises using storytelling to build a narrative around your brand. This could mean sharing the story of how your business started, the challenges you’ve faced, or the values that drive your work. The goal is to make people feel emotionally connected to your business. Now, let’s talk about social media—this book really digs into how small businesses can use platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and even LinkedIn to grow their brand. Lesonsky gives detailed advice on how to use social media in a way that feels authentic, without just bombarding your followers with constant sales pitches. She talks about creating content that provides value—whether it’s educational, entertaining, or simply engaging—and how interacting with your audience in a meaningful way can build trust and loyalty. Another big theme in the book is the importance of getting creative with your marketing. Lesonsky doesn’t just tell you to rely on conventional methods like flyers and billboards. Instead, she pushes small business owners to think outside the box. She suggests hosting events, collaborating with other local businesses, creating limited-time offers, or even leveraging user-generated content. There’s a strong emphasis on doing things that feel fresh and different in order to stand out. In addition to creativity, Lesonsky also brings up the idea of using your community to your advantage. She talks about the power of local marketing, which includes things like attending community events, sponsoring local causes, and building partnerships with other businesses in your area. It’s about becoming a well-known and respected part of your community, which will help you build a loyal customer base and increase word-of-mouth referrals. For small businesses that are more tech-savvy, Lesonsky talks about the importance of having an online presence. She walks you through creating an effective website that’s user-friendly, mobile-responsive, and optimized for search engines. The idea is that your website should not just be a digital brochure but a tool for converting visitors into customers. She also touches on email marketing, SEO, and even the use of paid ads to boost visibility. But of course, marketing isn’t just about reaching new customers—it’s also about keeping the ones you already have. Lesonsky advises businesses to nurture their existing relationships by keeping customers engaged and offering rewards or loyalty programs. A simple thank-you note or an exclusive discount can go a long way in building long-term relationships. As we go through the book, one of the main themes Lesonsky keeps coming back to is that small businesses can compete with larger companies if they know how to use their size to their advantage. Small businesses are often more agile, more personal, and more community-focused. When marketed correctly, these qualities can make a huge impact. Lesonsky emphasizes that you don’t need a massive budget to make a big difference with your marketing. In fact, often the most effective marketing strategies are low-cost or even free. Towards the end of the book, Lesonsky offers practical advice on how to stay consistent and measure the effectiveness of your marketing campaigns. She encourages business owners to track their results—whether it’s through website analytics, social media insights, or customer feedback—to see what’s working and what needs improvement. It’s not just about trying different tactics but being mindful of which ones yield the best results over time. Finally, one of the key takeaways from 85 Inspiring Ways to Market Your Small Business is that marketing is a process, not a one-time event. There’s no magic formula, but by consistently applying smart strategies and continuously learning from your audience, you can build a brand that’s not only recognized but loved. Overall, this book is a great resource for anyone running a small business who wants to find effective and affordable ways to market themselves. Lesonsky’s tone is approachable and down-to-earth, which makes the advice easy to follow. Whether you're a new entrepreneur or have been running a business for years, 85 Inspiring Ways to Market Your Small Business is filled with ideas that can help you grow and succeed. That’s the rundown of this book! It’s full of actionable advice that you can immediately apply to make your marketing efforts more successful and impactful.