How much should your small business spend on marketing each year?

Well, technically, that’s up to you. The final costs will be different for every reader of this article depending on your industry, how often customers need your products, how much competition you have, and other factors.

So, can you have a marketing budget under $10K per year? Quite possibly, but here’s the thing: 

$10K is just a number.  

Whatever the size of your marketing budget, you likely want it to be smaller without sacrificing results. But $10K is easier to wrap your head around than, say, five to ten percent of your annual revenue. 

That said, the strategies below could all be part of a marketing budget in the $10K range. But most importantly, the tips and tactics mentioned in this article are all accessible to Accredited Businesses. The big bonus is that you have our team to rely on for advice, access and campaign management.

Calculating an annual marketing budget is nuanced. But it starts with knowing what cost-effective options are available to you. Here are 10 marketing campaigns (and cost examples) to consider for your annual marketing plan.

It’s no secret that Google's advertising platforms allow businesses to target their ads to specific audiences more likely to be interested in their products or services, often leading to a good return on investment.

They’re targeted, optimizable, measurable and because of all those factors – highly cost-effective. And if you’re hesitant to dive into the complexities of Google advertising, remember: Our Marketing Solutions Team can handle the nitty-gritty. We’ll find the campaign and pricing model that works for your budget and advertising goals.

First things first: If you’re going to use social media, make sure you’re on the right platform. Here’s our quick reference guide:

The BBB Directory is square one for consumers looking for trust. Getting listed on the site is just the start, though. Accredited Businesses can explore boosting their brand visibility with a BBB.org ad.

This could be in the form of a banner on BBB’s homepage or key internal web pages, or an enhanced listing at the top of a directory page. Your ad can link to your BBB Business Profile or website of your choice. Another thing to consider, is that not always, but sometimes, these ads are more competitively priced than Google ad options.

Here are two major benefits:

• For customers in the mindset to find a trusted business in your industry on BBB, these ads are designed to make you a top contender for their purchase.
• These ads are available on a limited basis. This means your ad will be among a handful of similar ads, but not lost in a sea of competitors. If there is an opening for placing an ad in your industry’s space on BBB, act on it!

Focusing on cost-effective options like digital display or transit ads can increase your brand awareness in your community. The tangibility of bus ads, especially, can be more relatable and trustworthy to consumers discovering them in neighborhoods and city centers.

This localized presence can create a sense of familiarity and authenticity for thousands of drivers, pedestrians and other travelers who happen upon your ad.

Remember: We’ve got the design team to help you piece together a dynamic ad that resonates with those who see it.

* Digital display ads are only available in Denver

* Bus ads are available in Western Washington, Portland and Denver

There are several benefits to billboard advertising: 24/7 exposure, targeting a specific geographic location, visibility in high-traffic areas, local impact in your community, but it might seem challenging to put a campaign together.

While the initial cost of billboard advertising might seem significant, when compared to mediums like TV or radio, billboards can be a more cost-effective way to reach a broad audience over an extended period. And because we have a combination of an in-house design team paired with our connections to billboard vendors, we’ve found budget-friendly options for our Accredited Businesses.

*Note: Co-branded BBB Billboards are subject to availability by location.

Whether it’s sponsoring an event, appearing at a tradeshow, or throwing your support behind a community cause, there are countless ways to promote your business.

Compared to traditional advertising channels, community-focused sponsorship is a cost-effective way for small businesses to generate goodwill, brand awareness, and customer loyalty within their local community. This could be for an event, a charity, a little league team, or even an awards program (we’re always on the lookout for BBB Awards sponsors if you’re interested.)

The long-term benefits of community involvement are all about building trust. A localized approach creates a personal connection with neighbors, partners and friends, showing that your business values the well-being of the community.