Top 3 marketing challenges small business owners face and how to overcome them

Simple solutions to tackle the biggest marketing hurdles for small businesses

Marketing is the lifeblood of any business, but for small business owners, it can often feel like an uphill battle. At the West Kent Expo, small business owners visiting my Sharp Thinking Marketing stand shared insights into the biggest challenges they face in marketing their businesses and I’ve captured them in this blog.

Focusing on a lack of time and resources, generating high-quality leads, and creating compelling content, this blog offers actionable solutions to overcome these obstacles. 

If you’ve found yourself nodding along to these challenges, keep reading for practical tips you can implement today. 

Challenge 1: lack of time and resources 

For many small business owners, time is in short supply, and hiring additional staff or outsourcing may not be viable. The solution? Making technology and productivity hacks work for you. 

Top tips for managing limited resources: 

1. Automate where possible 

   • Use social media scheduling tools like Hootsuite or Buffer to batch-produce and post content

   • Automate email sequences with tools like Mailchimp to nurture leads and save yourself time

   • Streamline customer onboarding with apps like Jotforms that integrate into your CRM, ensuring customer data is captured without manual input. 

2. Leverage AI for content creation 

Turn to AI-powered tools such as Jasper to help draft blog posts or create social media captions quickly and efficiently. You don’t need to sacrifice quality to save time. 

3. Batch content production 

Set aside dedicated time slots to create content in bulk. For example, spend a couple of hours writing multiple blog posts or designing social media graphics for the month ahead. 

4. Choose quality over quantity and be selective

You don’t have to be present everywhere – be selective and also ensure you’re only choosing the channels that your customer uses.  It’s is far better to choose one or two channels, do them well and optimise them than be sporadic and be everywhere.

By working smarter, not harder, you can make the most of your limited time and resources. 

Challenge 2: generating high-quality leads and converting them 

It’s not just about quantity when it comes to leads—quality matters even more. Attracting the right audience and nurturing them into loyal customers is key to your success.

How to boost lead generation and conversion rates: 

1. Use data to inform your marketing 

Track where your customers first discovered your business and focus your marketing budget on those channels. For example, if most of your customers find you on Instagram, prioritise this platform. 

2. Research your audience 

   • Ensure you know who your target audience is and ensure it isn’t too broad – all your marketing hinges around you knowing your target audience

   • Create detailed audience personas to understand your target market inside out and tap into their pain points. You can use social media polls and customer surveys to collect insights quickly into what your audience cares about.

     
     

3. Develop messaging and content that resonates with your audience

Ensure you don't use bland messaging that becomes wallpaper.  Stand out from the crowd, say something different and tap into your customers' motivations and barriers to purchase. A messaging framework can help.

4. Optimise your follow-up process 

   • Set up email nurturing sequences to warm up leads. Provide valuable content, such as “how-to” guides, industry tips, or exclusive offers, rather than going straight for the hard sell

   • Schedule reminders in your CRM or calendar to follow up promptly. Don’t just send generic messages—add value with each touchpoint

     
     

5. Measure and refine 

Track conversion rates across different stages of your marketing funnel to identify bottlenecks. Then, experiment with solutions like redesigning landing pages or tweaking your offers. 

Generating and converting leads is a science, but with a touch of creativity and the right tools, you’ll start seeing results. 

Challenge 3: coming up with strong content ideas and producing enough content 

Staring at a blank screen, wondering what to write or post? You’re not alone. Creating consistent and engaging content is a common pain point. 

How to never run out of content ideas: 

1. Gather inspiration from your audience 

   • Run polls on social media asking your audience what they want to learn about

   • Take customer feedback or common queries and address these in your content

     
     

2. Repurpose your content across channels 

A single blog post can become multiple forms of content, such as a LinkedIn article, Instagram carousel, or an email newsletter. Tools like Canva can help make content visually appealing across platforms. 

3. Make SEO your friend 

Research keywords relevant to your audience and ensure your content targets these terms. Tools like Google Keyword Planner can help you identify topics that resonate with potential customers. 

4. Document, don’t overthink 

Content doesn’t have to be overly polished. Behind-the-scenes photos or quick snapshots of your day-to-day work can be incredibly engaging. If you see something interesting—a unique product display, great lighting, or a happy customer—capture it for future posts. 

5. Batch produce content 

Just as in the previous section, block out time to create content in batches. It allows you to work efficiently and ensures you always have something ready to post. 

Remember, content creation doesn’t need to be complicated—it needs to be authentic and consistent. 

Overcome your marketing challenges with the right approach 

Small business owners constantly juggle priorities, but tackling marketing challenges doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By automating processes, understanding your audience, and leveraging tools to simplify content creation, you can position your business for growth. 

If you’re still feeling stuck, Sharp Thinking Marketing can help. With my expertise, I’ll empower your business to make the most of every opportunity. Reach out today to discuss how I can support your small business marketing goals! 

What’s your biggest marketing challenge right now? Drop us a comment below or get in touch—I’d love to hear from you. For more blogs read Time Saving apps for small businesses and 10 common small business marketing mistakes and how to avoid them