top of page
Search

Smart Marketing Moves for Busy Business Owners

Let's be real - most business owners don't have the luxury of a full-time marketing team. You're juggling sales, operations, customer service, payroll... and somewhere in the chaos, marketing is supposed to happen.


At TRALE, we work with growth-minded owners who want real results—without wasting time. So here's some strategy you can actually apply without burning out.


Here's how you build momentum, visibility, and lead flow - even when your calendar is packed.


How to Get More Customers

  1. Automate What You Can, So You Can Focus Where It Matters

Marketing consistency is key - but that doesn't mean it has to be manual.


  • Review Requests: After someone visits, a job is done, or a purchase is made, trigger a review request automatically.

  • Set Up Automated Emails: Welcome emails. Abandoned cart reminders. Birthday promos. These don't need to be reinvented every time. Email platforms like MailChimp or Klaviyo can work 24/7 while you sleep.

  • Quote Follow-Ups & Lead Nurture Sequences: Whether it's a service quote or a product inquiry, 90% of leads go cold because nobody follows up consistently. Set up a simple email and SMS drip that checks in after 1 day, 3 days, and 7 days. Even one reactivation can pay for the automation tool itself.


These automations aren't "nice-to-have" - they're low effort ways to turn existing customer activity into future business.


  1. Pick Your Platforms with Purpose


You don't need to be on every social network. You just need to show up where your ideal customer is - and do it well.


  • If You're Local: Facebook and Google are your frontline tools. That's where people are searching for services, asking friends for referrals, and browsing local events.

  • If You're Visual: Instagram (and even Pinterest) can be powerful if your work has a strong before/after transformational or lifestyle appeal.

  • If You're B2B: LinkedIn isn't just a resume board anymore. It's a content hub for business decision-makers.


Start with one platform. Master the rhythm. Then decide if it's worth expanding.


  1. Stretch Every Piece of Content


If you're going to spend time creating something, make sure it pays rent in multiple places.


Let's say you shoot a quick video explaining how your process works:


  • Turn that into an Instagram Reel

  • Pull a quote from it for a graphic

  • Embed the video on your homepage

  • Transcribe it into a blog post

  • Add a CTA and turn it into an email


One piece of content should feed five or six different touch points. Our clients often see the most ROI when they repurpose, not reinvent.


  1. Make Your Website Work Like a Salesperson


If your website is just a digital brochure, you're leaving money on the table.


  • Clear Call to Action: What's the #1 thing you want people to do? Book a call? Get a quote? That action should be obvious on every page.

  • Live Chat or Text Option: Not everyone wants to fill out a form. Adding a chat widget can lift conversion rates without any major redesign.

  • SEO Basics: A few local keyword tweaks can help you show up in search results - especially on your homepage, service pages, and Google Business Profile.


Your website should work with your marketing - not against it.


  1. A Smart Marketing Move Build an Email & Text List Now (Not Later)


Every customer who walks in or reaches out is more than a transaction - they're a future repeat buyer, referral source, or promoter - it's a smart marketing move to build your own list.


  • Collect Contacts at Checkout: Whether it's online or in-person, make it easy to sign up for updates, promotions, or loyalty rewards.

  • Use Text for Immediate Action: Promotions, appointment reminders, flash sales - texts get seen faster than emails, and they convert.

  • Nurture the List: A simple monthly email with value (not just sales) keeps you top-of-mind. You don't need to be a copywriter - just be real.


You own the list. You don't own your social followers. Build your database like your business depends on it - because it does.


  1. Lean Into Strategic Partnerships


Busy businesses often forget one of the most effective marketing moves: borrowing credibility from people your audience already trusts.


  • Partner with Non-Competing Businesses: If you're a painter, partner with a flooring or real estate pro. If you're a chiropractor, team up with a massage therapist.

  • Share Each Other's Audiences: Swap social shoutouts, guest blog, or co-host events. This isn't charity - it's compound reach.

  • Sponsor What Matters Locally: Community events, youth sports, school programs - if your name shows up where your ideal customer hangs out, that's a win.


It's not always about ads. Sometimes it's just about being present where the right people already are.


  1. Track Only What You're Willing to Act On


Don't drown in data. Focus on key marketing numbers that actually move the needle.


Here's where we typically start:


  • Cost per Lead

  • Lead to Customer Conversion Rate

  • Revenue per Channel

  • Email List Growth

  • Top-Performing Content


If you don't know these, it's hard to scale. If you do know them, you can stop wasting money on stuff that doesn't work.


Marketing Doesn't Have to Be Complicated - It Just Has to Be Done


You don't need to "go viral." You just need to be visible, valuable, and consistent. We help businesses build simple systems that don't rely on hustle 24/7 - but still generate steady growth.


Start small. Be consistent. Automate where you can. Show up where it counts.


And if you ever feel like marketing is more confusing than it should be - we're on conversation away.



bottom of page