Marketing Resources for Small Business owners and Marketing Managers
The final 3 months of 2017 are here!
It’s almost the middle of October already but you’re still thinking about summer. In fact, the boys of summer are now slugging it out to see which two teams will face each other in the World Series.
You might be slugging away at your small business marketing goals. And you’re hoping all that hard work will pay off. However, by December 31, will you be able to look back and say your business finished well?
When it comes to small business management, there’s no shortage of marketing resources available. Consequently, the challenge is choosing resources that are the best fit for your small business, your marketing plan, and your personal style.
I have found 12 marketing resources designed to help inspire small business marketing.
That might sound like a lot (or it might sound like too little) but I’m not suggesting you take all twelve. In fact, considering that we only have a few months left this year, why not pick just one that resonates with you today, and dive in deep?
I’ve included resources that fit various learning styles:
- Website blogs
- Podcasts
- Books – e-book or print
The first six resources are websites or blogs with marketing tips. You can choose to read in your browser, subscribe to their blog, or listen to their podcasts.
The other six marketing resources are books. You can choose to download an e-book or a printed copy from Amazon. By the way, books aren’t just for old-fashioned readers and learners. If reading printed books fits your learning style, embrace it!
(Note: the links in the Books section below are affiliate links, meaning that if you click the link and buy something, I might get a small commission from Amazon. The cost to you is no different than if you navigated your way to Amazon’s website without clicking my links)
6 Small Business Marketing Resources: Websites
Here are six excellent websites that are chock-full of tips, advice, and other resources to help your small business marketing efforts. I’ve listed these in no particular order. Our needs are unique: the website I’ve listed as #5 might be your #1.
Duct Tape Marketing
If you’re ready for some serious marketing training and support, you could hire Duct Tape Marketing to look after your online marketing needs. Plans start at $400 USD/month for basic service (or you could contact Steady Digital ;)).
I suggest starting with Duct Tape Marketing’s blog, which has an impressive library of articles about online marketing. But you’ll also find plenty of advice for offline marketing too.
Visit the Duct Tape Marketing blog
Marketing Sherpa
Marketing Sherpa also has its share of products and services to sell, but their “library” has dozens of free resources for small business marketers.
One feature I like about the library is the option to narrow your search by Date, Content Type (Case Studies, How-to, Blog, etc), Transaction (B2B, B2C, etc.), and—especially cool—by Industry. For example, if you offer B2B services in the Automotive industry, you can find specific articles.
Visit the Marketing Sherpa online library
Small Biz Trends
I’ve read a number of Small Biz Trends articles over the years. Many of the Marketing Tips are for online marketing, but if you’re targeting local business, they also have a special category for Local Marketing Tips.
Visit the Small Biz Trends blog
Small Business Bonfire
Most marketing blogs are about online marketing. One thing I like about Small Business Bonfire’s Marketing blog is the variety of online and offline marketing advice. This article, “How Much Budget Should a Startup Allocate to Traditional Marketing and Online Marketing?” is a prime example.
Visit the Small Business Bonfire marketing blog
The Marketing Companion Podcast
Mark Schaefer’s podcast claims to deliver “laugh-out-loud comedy, “celebrity” guest appearances, and cutting edge marketing insights.” If you’re looking for an inspirational podcast, start here.
Visit the Marketing Companion Podcast
Small Business Big Marketing
If you like an Australian flare, check out this site. The blog has some great marketing tips, but the podcast has real-life examples. Your market might be different, but you can always learn from the way someone else in the world is marketing their small business.
Visit Small Business Big Marketing
6 Small Business Marketing Resources: Books
If you prefer curling up with a good business book (or your Kindle e-book reader), here are six marketing books. I’ve tried to include titles that will appeal to a broad range of industries and sizes of businesses. Whether you’re a sole proprietor or a manager of a large marketing budget, you should find something to inspire your marketing.
Once again, these are in no particular order.
All Marketers are Liars
About the Author:
Seth Godin is the author of more than a dozen bestsellers that have changed the way people think about marketing, leadership, and change.
From the book synopsis:
“In a world where most people have an infinite number of choices and no time to make them, every organization is a marketer, and all marketing is about telling stories.”
Rework
About the Authors:
Jason Fried is the cofounder and president of Basecamp.
David Heinemeier Hansson is a partner at Basecamp.
From the book synopsis:
“Read it and you’ll know why plans are actually harmful, why you don’t need outside investors, and why you’re better off ignoring the competition.”
Predictable Prospecting
Predictable Prospecting: How to Radically Increase Your B2B Sales Pipeline
About the Authors:
Marylou Tyler advises Fortune 1,000 companies on how to improve the sales process.
Jeremey Donovan is Head of Sales Strategy at Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG).
From the book synopsis:
“This game-changing guide provides the immediately implementable strategies you need to build a solid, sustainable pipeline — whether you’re a sales or marketing executive, team leader, or sales representative.”
Growth Hacker Marketing
Growth Hacker Marketing: A Primer on the Future of PR, Marketing, and Advertising
About the Author:
Ryan Holiday is the bestselling author of multiple books. He has advised many bestselling authors and multiplatinum musicians, and served as director of marketing at American Apparel.
From the book synopsis:
“Growth hackers have thrown out the old playbook and replaced it with tools that are testable, trackable, and scalable. They believe that products and businesses should be modified repeatedly until they’re primed to generate explosive reactions.”
Contagious
Contagious: How to Build Word of Mouth in the Digital Age
About the Author:
Jonah Berger is an associate professor of marketing at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
From the book synopsis:
“…you don’t have to have millions of dollars to spend on an advertising budget. You just have to get people to talk. The challenge, though, is how to do that. This book will show you how.”
And for inspiration from the story of today’s online marketing giant…
The Everything Store
The Everything Store: Jeff Bezos and the Age of Amazon
About the Author:
Brad Stone has covered technology in Silicon Valley for over 14 years, with publications such as Newsweek, The New York Times, and Bloomberg Businessweek.
From the book synopsis:
“…the revealing, definitive biography of the company that placed one of the first and largest bets on the Internet and forever changed the way we shop and read.”
Of course, there are thousands of marketing resources available today. I’ve picked 12 to help you narrow the selection.
What marketing resources have you found helpful? Please comment below.
