Ready to reach the next level? Check out these 2023 Small Business Marketing Strategies if you want to make a bigger impact this year.

As a business owner or professional, it’s crucial to stay on top of the latest trends and marketing research if you want to remain relevant and competitive in your industry. 

But we also know you’re busy leading teams, landing sales and making an impact in your community. 

That’s why we did the research for you. 

We sifted through all the most current marketing strategies, reports and statistics to bring you the ones that work best for small businesses, personal brands and ambitious professionals looking to grow with purpose in 2023. 

While some of these trends may not be as sexy as AI and the Metaverse, they are research-backed, tried-and-tested strategies that specifically serve small businesses with low risk and high return.

In our humble opinion, that’s a little more important. 

So let’s dive in and check out these powerful strategies for a successful year of growth in 2023. 

Small Business Marketing Strategies To Watch In 2023

1. Personal Branding 

While a traditional approach to marketing focuses on products, services and seasonal campaigns, brand-based marketing is a high-level approach that builds customer relationships, loyalty and even fandom that transcends your current sale or promotion. 

Personal branding creates the kind of customer commitment that drives marketing and sales now – and for years to come. But it requires an intentional approach.  

“When consumers check out your products or services, their next step in the decision-making process is to research your company and its founder,” explains Forbes Contributor Shaan Rais. “When the client or customer heads to your social media channels, what will they find? Do your social media profiles tell them what you do, who you serve and why? Is your personal brand in alignment with your business goals?”

Developing a personal brand that’s in alignment with your professional life means you’re connecting with people in a genuine way that creates trust in the long-term. That kind of credibility and social collateral is worth way more than a well-curated marketing campaign – because it lasts. 

“To do this, you must be present in the digital and physical world, consistent with your messaging on and offline, and active in the places your audience frequents,” concludes Rais. 

2. Social Responsibility 

A lot has changed in the last few years, especially when it comes to consumer values and behaviors. 

“The trend is clear: social responsibility, ethics and transparency matter to the modern consumer,” explains Pamela Bump of Hubspot.com. “Companies have begun to pivot social media strategies to focus more on inclusive initiatives, promotions and offerings, while highlighting causes or missions they support. Although this might not sell products immediately, showing a sense of social responsibility is still both thoughtful and effective.”

Research shows this strategy works: 85% of marketers who included social responsibility initiatives in their content plans intend to increase or maintain these efforts in the coming year, according to Hubspot’s 2022 marketing survey. 

To implement this at the small-business level, consider choosing local causes or organizations that matter to you personally. While it’s not necessary to take a stand on every national issue or cultural movement that trends on Twitter, demonstrating that you care about making a difference at the community level humanizes your brand and connects you with an audience of people who share those same values. 

Plus, at SchlickArt, we believe it’s just good business to give back to the community that gives to you. 

3. Influencer Marketing 

While this strategy might seem out of reach for small businesses or personal brands, it’s actually very well suited for marketing on the local level when you pivot to focus on micro-influencers and power partnerships. After all, you don’t need a celebrity endorsement to enjoy the benefits of influencer marketing in 2023. 

“Micro-influencers are social media accounts with a smaller following (typically, thousands to tens of thousands of followers),” Bump explains. “Although they have fewer followers, their posts often pack more punch due to their higher level of engagement. Because micro-influencers are still considered ‘everyday’ people (unlike hard-to-reach celebrities), their audiences are actually more likely to trust their opinions and recommendations.”

To put this into practice, look for people who already have the attention of your ideal audience. This could include other non-competing small businesses or brands that align with your values or customers’ needs. 

For example, if you run a high-end pilates studio that serves women and moms, you may want to look for healthy restaurants, wellness brands, or kids’ retailers that share a target audience with your brand. See how you can work together to help serve your audience in a more powerful way. 

4. Video Content 

According to Hubspot’s annual marketing survey of more than 1,600 marketing experts, video will remain the top marketing content format in 2023. 

“Video dominated the marketing space in 2022 – and we predict 2023 will be no different. Why? Because marketers plan to invest in short-form video more than any other trend next year,” Bump explains. 

While short-form video is essential for any digital marketing plan this year, that doesn’t necessarily mean you can compromise on quality in 2023. After years of pandemic-related online interactions, many people are tired of seeing unedited content that’s shot in poorly-lit kitchens or takes too long to get to the value. 

“The race is on for polish and production value – graphics, directors, professional hosts, equipment, and no kitchen backdrops,” explains John Hazard, the founder and content strategist at digital marketing agency Lighthouse Creative Group. 

And Bump agrees: “The process of inbound marketing requires you to produce quality, valuable content tailored towards your target audience and buyer personas and their needs.”

So keep creating video, but make sure it’s content worth watching. Creating content just for the sake of creating content is last year’s game. 

5. Empowered Customer Experiences 

In the age of cutting-edge, fast-paced technology and cultural shifts, it’s easy to get caught up in trends that create more hassle than return. To strike a productive balance between modern and time-tested marketing tactics, there’s one marketing strategy that will always be on trend at SchlickArt Studios: an empowered customer experience. 

“The future of customer experience is all about more than just delivering a great product or service; it’s about engaging your customers at every touch point and making them feel like they are part of your brand story,” explains Sudiptaa Paul Choudhury of LinkedIn. “People have a lot of options to choose from when they are looking for something to buy or a service to use. The trend is that people want to find the most knowledgeable, friendly and phenomenal customer-experienced professionals all the time.”

Why is this so important in today’s digital age? 

“Since word-of-mouth marketing is one of the most powerful marketing tactics, it’s wise to not only serve your customers but also equip them to become advocates for and promoters of your brand,” Bump explains. “This will lead to customers who can market for you – they can promote and advocate for your business via their networks both online and in-person.”

Of all the trends and strategies, treating your customers with the utmost care and respect is one we can get behind every year.

Visual Marketing In Santa Clarita 

At SchlickArt, we offer more than photography and video services to the Santa Clarita area and beyond. We do our best to provide our clients with marketing expertise and direction every chance we get. We know you need your images and video to help grow your business — that’s why you invest in them, and that’s why we do, too. Please take a minute to search through our blogs to find the visual marketing information that will help your business, or give us a call. We’re happy to help! 

About SchlickArt Photography and Video

SchlickArt, a boutique photo and video studio in Santa Clarita, started in March 2012 with the simple idea that empowerment creates a kind of beauty and authenticity that shines through every camera lens. Built on a philosophy — rather than a product, service or person — SchlickArt has rapidly evolved, meeting professional portraiture, business photo and business video needs as diverse as the community we capture. It’s the desire to take care of you, the client, that drives us at SchlickArt.