Digital Marketing for Small Businesses: Do This Before You Spend a Dime

Silas Riblet
Jul 31
3 min read

Updated: Aug 5

Before you even think about running ads, buying tools, or posting on Instagram... read this.

Imagine this:

You're a small business owner. Maybe you're running the cozy bakery on Main Street. Maybe you’re a personal trainer who just went solo. Or maybe you’ve got an online shop with a killer product but have zero traction.

You know you need digital marketing because everyone and their mom is yelling about it online.

But here’s the brutal truth no one tells you:

If you don’t do this first, you’ll burn through cash faster than an open flame in a gas leak.

So, what is it?

Let’s get into it.

Step 1: Get Ruthlessly Clear on WHO You’re Talking To

When you try to speak to everybody, you end up speaking to nobody.

So, before you touch a single ad platform or write one line of copy, you need to know:

Who is your ideal customer?
What do they wake up worrying about every morning?
What are they already spending money on to fix it?
What do they believe is dead wrong about your industry?
What do they hate about your competitors?

This is your money map.

Because once you know what they’re thinking, you ca

n insert your business right into their internal dialogue.

And that’s when the magic happens.

“Finally… someone who gets it.” That’s the moment a stranger becomes a client.

Step 2: Avoid the ‘Random Posting Trap’

You don’t need to be everywhere.

You need to be strategic.

So many small business owners think digital marketing = posting pretty Canva graphics and getting a few likes.

Wrong.

This is business, not a high school popularity contest.

Every post, ad, blog, or video needs ONE job: Drive someone closer to buying from you.

Your “Monday Motivation” posts aren’t helping your business at all; it’s like yelling into a megaphone at a graveyard. Dead silent. Nobody's listening.

Step 3: Map Your Customer’s Buying Journey

Here’s how they really find you:

They feel the pain. (Back pain, skin breaking out, leads dried up.)
They search for help. (Google, Instagram, asking friends.)
They find options. (You and 4 competitors.)
They compare and stalk. (Reviews, social media, pricing.)

Your job is to show up and win at every step.

They choose. (Hopefully… you.)

That’s the difference between broke and booked.

Step 4: Create a ‘No-Brainer Offer’

Nobody’s throwing you money because you’re cute and “working hard.”

You need an offer so good, it feels like stealing.

Here’s how you craft one:

Remove the risk
Add urgency
Stack bonuses
Solve one painful problem fast

Example: Instead of “1 Free Coaching Session”

Offer: “Get Noticeable Results in the First 7 Days, Guaranteed, or You Don’t Pay”

Which one would YOU buy?

Step 5: THEN You Can Start Spending All Your Dimes on Marketing

Once your:

Customer targeting is clear
Message hits the pain
Offer is irresistible

NOW you can run ads, post content, build a funnel, or start an email campaign.

But until those 3 things are dialed in…

Every dollar you spend is a donation to Zuck or Google.

Digital Marketing Only Works If You Do This First

Before you:

Buy courses
Run Facebook ads
Start a YouTube channel
Hire a freelancer
Post 27 reels with 0 likes...

Dial in your customer, your offer, and your message.

That’s how small businesses punch above their weight.

You don’t need more noise.

You need a plan that actually makes money.

Ready to Skip the Guesswork?

If you want help crafting your digital marketing system from scratch, including your perfect offer, high-converting message, and simple campaign setup…

Book a Free Strategy Call Here With Us

Only if you’re serious about getting results.

Now go build something that prints money.

And remember, it’s not about being loud. It’s about being clear.