5 Things I’d Do Before Spending a Penny on Marketing My Business.
Before you pour money into ads or hire a marketing agency, take a breath. If you're a small business owner in Vancouver wondering where to start, these four marketing steps will save you time, money, and stress—while laying the right foundation for long-term success.
Let’s get started.
1. Get Clear on Your Mission.
Who are you helping, and how are you helping them?
This may seem simple, but it’s the backbone of every strong brand. Before you write a single social post or build a website, let’s take 10 minutes to complete this free clarity exercise together. You can follow along by downloading the sheet below to fill it out for yourself, or save it for later to do on your own time.
📄 Download the Free Mission Clarity Worksheet →
How to do it:
Write down who your ideal customer is. — Ex. Small Business Owners, 30-45, Vancouver-based.
List their pain points. — Ex. High stress, time & budget constraints.
Match those problems to your product or service. — Ex. I help small business owners create impactful marketing strategies that convert so they can save time and money to focus on their business.
Getting clear on your value makes every touchpoint easier to create—and tells others your why.
2. Build Your Personal Brand.
People don’t just support businesses—they support people.
Think about it: why do we pause before ordering from Amazon and look for a local alternative? Because we want to support someone’s dream. People support people.
You don’t have to be on camera every day, but it should be clear who’s behind your business.
Here’s how:
Add a personal note to your Instagram bio: “Locally Owned in Vancouver” or “Mom-Owned Biz Since 2020”.
Share behind-the-scenes stories of the real people behind your business.
Use your website’s “About” section to share your why — what keeps you working when times get tough?
These human touches build trust—and trust builds loyalty. Small business is built on loyalty.
3. Post on Social Media With Purpose.
Social media doesn’t need to be overwhelming. Just show up consistently and add value.
Although this is something I do believe is important, this is also something I personally struggle with. Being extremely introverted and camera shy, I didn’t want to show my face on TikTok or Instagram and look like an influencer. After tuning into a virtual panel discussion (shoutout Monday Girl) a few weeks ago, I learned that you don’t have to be an influencer to be successful on social media — you just have to show up & create value. Even still, my social media following is small. But it shows my brand in a professional light and highlights how I help my clients. You don’t need to go viral to make an impact in your network.
This can look like:
Sharing a personal LinkedIn post & update about your new business.
Commenting on other local business owners’ posts you find inspiring.
Showing real behind-the-scenes content that highlights your why.
Starting discussions that you think are important in your industry.
Start small, start scared — no one is judging you more than you’re judging yourself.
4. Optimize for Local Search.
Set up a free Google Business Profile (even if you work from home—you can hide your address). This is key for local visibility.
Why? Because people search Google Maps every day for businesses like yours.
Just like I searched “sandwich shops near me” and found a local gem last weekend, your ideal customer could be one click away.
Tip: Include photos, business hours, and a short, keyword-rich description like:
“Digital marketing consultant for small businesses in Vancouver, B.C.”
5. Launch a Simple Website That Builds Trust.
No, you don’t need a $10K custom site. You just need:
Who you are & your why.
A clear message about what you offer and how it solves your key audiences’ problem.
A list of services/products that you offer with a clear call to action (ie. Book an Appointment, Browse Services, Contact Me).
Squarespace and Shopify are excellent platforms for beginners. Both offer free trials to help you get started.
Your website doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to be presentable. Think of it as a living, breathing representation of your brand that you can evolve over time.
Want Help With All This?
I help small business owners like you create impactful, done-for-you digital marketing strategies—so you can focus on running your business, not marketing it.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow, I offer complimentary Zoom consultations to explore your goals and show you how we can build something sustainable together.
—Ready to take the next step? Let’s connect →
—Want to get started on your own? Download the free worksheet →
hello@thelocaledit.ca
