Getting your small business off the ground is hard. Growing it? Even harder. But with the right moves, you can promote your small business effectively and build something that lasts. These practical strategies will help you reach more customers, stay organized, and set yourself up for real success.
1. Build Personal Connections With Customers
Customers aren’t just buyers—they’re people who need to feel seen and valued. The earlier you build strong relationships, the more likely they’ll stay loyal. The businesses that last are the ones that earn trust, not just transactions. That means showing up consistently and making sure customers know you actually care.
Use Video SMS to Add a Human Touch
Video messages work because they feel personal. Whether you’re thanking someone for a purchase or introducing your brand, a quick video goes a long way.
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Introduce Your Story: Explain why you started your business in under a minute.
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Show Products in Action: Use short clips to highlight product benefits.
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Celebrate Milestones: Share a brief video when you hit a sales goal or launch a new product.
It’s not about being polished—it’s about being real. Video lets you show your personality, which matters a lot when you’re a smaller brand competing with bigger names. Research shows that people are more likely to remember and respond to video than plain text, and video messages can increase click-through and response rates dramatically.
Automate Your Follow-Ups
Don’t lose sales because you forgot to follow up. Tools like Engage360 can do the heavy lifting for you.
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Set automatic emails based on customer behavior (like leaving items in a cart).
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Personalize your messages with their name, recent activity, or preferences.
People expect timely responses. When your system handles that for you, you get more time to focus on product development or serving your current clients. A good CRM gives you visibility into what your customers care about and allows you to stay on top of every relationship without having to remember it all yourself.
If staying consistent in communication is a struggle, you’re not alone—and that’s something Accountability Now helps business owners solve every day.
2. Design a Digital Marketing Strategy That Works
Marketing isn’t just about being seen—it’s about being remembered. Focus on clarity, consistency, and understanding your audience. The best marketing strategies don’t just attract attention—they hold it and turn it into action. That takes some planning and a lot of listening.
Know What Your Audience Actually Wants
You can’t sell unless you know who you’re talking to. Start by gathering real feedback.
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Run Polls or Surveys: Use tools like Google Forms or Instagram Stories.
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Analyze Your Competitors: See what customers are saying in their reviews and identify gaps.
Every strong digital marketing strategy starts with listening. If you know what problems your audience faces, you can tailor your message to offer real solutions. Instead of guessing what content or product to promote, your audience tells you directly. That’s power.
Don’t rely only on assumptions. Get curious. Ask. If your customers feel heard, they’re more likely to stick around.
Define a Clear Value Proposition
If someone visits your site, they should know why you’re different in five seconds or less.
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Spell out exactly what you offer and why it matters.
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Avoid jargon—speak like a human.
A value proposition isn’t a tagline—it’s your promise. It should answer: Why should someone buy from you instead of the other guy? When your offer is clear, your customer journey shortens. People move from interested to buyer much faster because they get it right away.
Want a quick test? Ask someone who doesn’t know your business to visit your homepage. If they can’t explain what you do in 15 seconds, your value prop needs work.
Run Paid Ads to Reach More of the Right People
Google Ads and social media platforms let you aim straight at your target audience.
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Use Google Keyword Planner to find what people are searching.
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Test Different Ad Versions to see what gets the best results.
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Include calls to action like “Book Now” or “Learn More.”
Paid ads are one of the fastest ways to grow your business. But many small business owners skip them, thinking they’re too expensive. The truth is, you don’t need a massive budget to get started. You just need the right message and targeting.
If you’re spending money on ads but not getting results, it might not be the platform—it might be your strategy. A few small changes can make a big difference. And if you’re unsure where to start, that’s a conversation we at Accountability Now are always happy to have.
3. Partner Up With the Right Businesses
You don’t need to go it alone. Collaborating with the right partners can open doors you didn’t even know were there. For small business owners, the right partnership can accelerate your growth more than a year of advertising.
Choose Complementary Businesses
Look for companies that serve the same customers in different ways.
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A local gym could partner with a healthy meal service.
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A home improvement store might team up with a cleaning service.
Shared audiences create shared opportunities. You can introduce your product or service to a new group of people without paying for that exposure. Plus, your partner is essentially vouching for you—and referrals carry more weight than cold ads.
Build partnerships slowly. Start with a single campaign or co-hosted event. Make sure the values and customer service levels align. It only works if both businesses win.
Try Co-Branded Campaigns
Create content, giveaways, or newsletters with your partner’s audience in mind.
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Run a joint Instagram giveaway.
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Feature each other in emails or blogs.
People love deals. They also love seeing brands work together—it signals confidence and trust. Whether it’s a shared blog post or a discount bundle, co-branding can give both of you new exposure without added cost. It’s efficient and impactful.
When you choose the right partner and build together, your business can grow faster than you’d expect. Partnerships are one of the most overlooked ways to grow a small business, and Accountability Now often helps businesses navigate those opportunities effectively.
4. Stay Organized With Smart Paperwork Systems
Admin tasks might not be exciting, but they’re essential. A streamlined back end helps you run smoother and avoid surprises. Nothing slows momentum like lost files, tax season panic, or invoice confusion.
Go Paperless With Digital Filing
Ditch the drawer full of receipts.
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Use cloud tools like Google Drive or Dropbox.
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Organize by category: taxes, vendors, customer info, contracts.
Make it easy for yourself (and your accountant) to find what’s needed quickly. Digital filing saves time, reduces errors, and minimizes stress. If you’re ever audited or need to reference something in a hurry, you’ll be glad everything is where it should be.
Take 30 minutes once a week to maintain your files. That small investment pays off long-term.
Outsource Admin Work
You don’t need to do everything yourself.
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Hire a virtual assistant for scheduling and emails.
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Bring in a bookkeeper to manage your financials.
Delegating admin work helps you stay focused on revenue-generating activities. You’re not less capable for outsourcing—you’re being smart about your time. Spend your energy where your business needs you most.
If you’re not sure what to outsource first, start with the tasks that drain you the most or take up more than an hour a day.
Stay on Top of Rules and Regulations
Don’t risk legal issues. Stay updated with business requirements in your city or industry.
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Subscribe to local small business newsletters.
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Do occasional compliance checks with a trusted advisor.
Regulations can change quickly—especially if you operate in multiple states or industries. One missed update can turn into a fine or legal issue. Staying compliant doesn’t need to be hard, but it does need to be intentional.
If this side of the business overwhelms you, you’re not alone. A lot of Accountability Now clients come to us specifically because they need cguidance, mentorship, and coaching to help succeed.
