EP336: Non-Traditional Small Business Marketing Strategies and Tactics with Mark Newsome

Key Takeaways

1. Lead with Service, Not Sales

Your goal isn’t to pitch—it’s to help. Mark emphasizes that service-based providers should focus on being of service first, and let relationships and referrals follow naturally.

2. Optimize Your Online Presence (Especially LinkedIn)

Up to 30% of LinkedIn profiles are poorly optimized. Stand out by clearly answering: What’s in it for your ideal client? Your profile should reflect the solution you offer and who it’s for.

3. Leverage Small Opportunities for Big Impact

Whether it’s being a guest on a podcast, teaching a class at a local adult education center, or writing blog posts for niche associations, these are all low-cost, high-impact marketing strategies.

4. Use Benefit-Driven Content That Speaks to Pain Points

Create content and lead magnets that answer specific questions or address pressing problems. Some of Mark’s examples:

• “3 Proven Ways to Support a Loved One with Alzheimer’s Without Insurance”

• “5 Questions to Ask Before Major Surgery (From a Veteran Nurse)”

• “X Ways to Know If You’re at Risk for Heart Disease or Stroke”

5. Know Your Customer’s Lifetime Value

Understanding how much a customer is worth over time helps you determine how much you can spend to acquire them—preventing burnout and poor investment decisions.

6. Build and Own Your Email List

Social media platforms are rented space. If your profile disappears, so does your audience. Email marketing remains powerful, scalable, and essential for long-term connection and conversions.

7. Use Upselling and Value Stacking

Take inspiration from McDonald’s “Would you like fries with that?” approach. Service providers can offer simple upsells like social media posts, lead magnets, or content upgrades to existing clients.

8. Focus on You-Oriented Messaging

Avoid “I, we, me” language. Speak directly to your audience’s needs using “you” and “your” to create a stronger connection.

9. Start Where You Are

Don’t wait to be an expert to serve. Share what you already know with the people just a few steps behind you. That’s where your value starts.

Action Steps for New Business Owners

If you’re just starting out, Mark recommends:

1. Fix your online profile (especially on LinkedIn) to clearly communicate what you do, who you help, and the outcome you provide.

2. Create content or a lead magnet based on a common pain point in your industry—something useful, specific, and relevant.

Connect with Mark!

• Website/Blog: YouCanMarketOnlineNow.com

• LinkedIn: Mark Newsome on LinkedIn

• Explore the blog’s Lead Generation section for practical strategies tailored to offline and online small business marketing.

Whether you’re a nurse, a freelance writer, or a small business owner in any service-based field, marketing is about service. The key is to build real connections, speak your audience’s language, and offer genuine solutions to real problems. And remember, there’s room for everyone. Your unique experience matters—and someone out there needs exactly what you have to offer.

More Small Business Marketing Tips from the Previous Episodes:

• EP279: Building Your Content Marketing Trifecta: How Marrying Social Media, Blog Content, and Email Marketing Completes Your Marketing Ecosystem
• EP329: The CEO Shift: How to Use Marketing Metrics to Drive Freelance Growth with Rachel Allen
• EP250: Avoiding Marketing and Content Creation Burnout With Amy Hager
• EP220: Understanding and Mastering Marketing Funnels
• EP302: How Nurses Can Use Content to Stand Out in the Healthcare Industry