Marketing on Tap: Smarter Support for Small Businesses

If you are the owner of a small business or a smaller SME, you may not yet have the budget for a full time marketing professional. This is really common and often leads to marketing being done in a scatter gun approach, or marketing not being done at all.

A 2024 study by The Marketing Centre, surveying nearly 2,000 UK SME decision-makers, revealed that 67% of small businesses lack a documented marketing action plan, and only 33% have a formal marketing strategy. ​The Marketing Centre Additionally, only 44% of SMEs utilise specialist marketing services, such as agencies or consultants, and just over half of these report receiving good value for money. ​

These findings suggest that a significant proportion of UK small businesses operate without dedicated marketing leadership or structured strategies.​

For small businesses unable to afford a full-time marketing hire, engaging a freelance or fractional marketing consultant can offer flexible, cost-effective support. This approach provides strategic guidance and consistent marketing activity without the overheads of a permanent position.​

Common Issues

Many small businesses struggle with stop-start marketing meaning they never create a focused strategy. Internal teams may already be stretched and without a dedicated resource, marketing slips down the to-do list. Businesses often think marketing is a ‘cost centre’, think this at your peril!

The Risks

Inconsistent marketing leads to an inconsistent pipeline. All businesses need a steady stream of leads in order to convert enough new business to stay afloat, and hopefully thrive! If you’re not looking at your marketing with a clear head and a plan in place, you set up missed opportunities, poor brand visibility, and wasted budget on scattergun efforts that bring little in terms of solutions.

It doesn’t have to be this way!

Marketing On Tap

I work with businesses in different sectors to offer them “Marketing on tap” - my structured, professional support that adapts to your needs and budget. With more than 20 years in marketing and a background in ‘full-service marketing’ before the profession became more focused on specialisms, I can turn my hand to strategy sessions, campaign planning, content calendars, research, and strategic planning.

There are many benefits of having an external marketing expert on hand!

• Expert input without the overheads.

• Consistent messaging, proactive planning, and measurable progress.

• Clarity, direction and lower stress for you as I take care of the marketing actions you don’t have time for!

Drop me an Email!

I offer a flexible, collaborative style and a strategic mindset combined with use of AI tools for deep research into your market. I also love solving problems!

If you are feeling overwhelmed by marketing and need someone you can pick up the phone to, drop me an email on lucy@mktlab.co.uk.