Small Business Marketing Consultant

23/03/2026

“If people don’t instantly understand what you do, they won’t stick around to figure it out.”

This idea comes up all the time when I review small business websites.

Recently I spoke to a business owner who’d paid hundreds of pounds for a “done for you” website and social media package. On the surface it sounded great. In reality, the biggest issue wasn’t design or layout - it was language.

The service had been labelled “property rejuvenation” instead of the much more familiar home and garden maintenance.

That one choice of wording caused confusion and a poorly defined offer. Add spelling mistakes into the mix and the site quietly did the opposite of what it was meant to do.

Words matter.
Categories matter.
Being specific and keeping things simple (and correct) really matters.

If your audience has to pause to work out what you mean, you’ve already lost them.

I’ve written more about this (and how to avoid it) here
👉 https://smallbusinessmarketingconsultant.co.uk/marketing-strategy/

If you’re not 100% sure your website copy passes the “instantly understandable” test, it’s worth a second look.

17/03/2026

Canterbury is full of brilliant small businesses… and right now there’s more support available than many people realise.

If you’re based in Canterbury (or anywhere in Kent) and you’ve been thinking:

“Could I get help with growth?”

“Is there funding for greener upgrades?”

“Are there grants I’ve missed?”

…this is your nudge to have a look.

I’ve pulled together a Kent Business Grants & Funding Guide with the most relevant places to start, including:
✅ Canterbury City Council business + investment support
✅ UK Shared Prosperity Fund (Canterbury)
✅ Funding to make your business greener (Canterbury)
✅ Kent & Medway Growth Hub (local advisers + signposting)
✅ Kent County Council business loans and funding
…and Kent-wide links worth bookmarking.

Read it here: https://smallbusinessmarketingconsultant.co.uk/kent-business-grants-funding-guide/

As a small business marketing consultant, I often speak to small business owners who need funding to grow… hopefully this list can help some of you 😊

12/02/2026

If you’re trying to “do social media” in 2026 and it feels like you need to be everywhere… you don’t.

The real win is being in the right places for your customers (and your sanity).

This little chart is your reminder that:

✅ Biggest platforms aren’t always the best fit for your business

✅ Different ages hang out in different places (and they consume content differently)

✅ You don’t need 6 channels… you need 1–2 that you can show up on consistently

So before you plan another Reel / TikTok / post-and-hope situation, ask:
✅ Who are we trying to reach?
✅ What do they actually use day to day?
✅ What can we realistically keep up with?

👉 Head to my website and click Marketing Services / Social Media Marketing (use the link in the bio) to see how I can help or use this:
https://smallbusinessmarketingconsultant.co.uk/marketing-services/social-media-marketing/

05/02/2026

Hi! This is me, Catherine McManus, Small Business Marketing Consultant.

It’s good to see the person behind the business, and this pic was taken on a sunnier day last year in a beautiful field near Cranbrook in Kent.

I’m Kent-based (not far from Maidstone) and help small businesses in with their marketing - but also have clients UK-wide.

22/01/2026

I love driving growth for small businesses and hope that this guide is helpful for small business owners in Kent.

A practical guide for established small business owners in Kent looking for grants and business funding. What funding covers, FAQs, and local resources by area.

19/12/2025

🎄 Wishing you a happy time at Christmas with your loved ones and all the best for the new year.

If you’re a small business owner, I really hope your small business is thriving and that you feel satisfied with all the progress and results you’ve achieved this year. Owning and running a small business can be really tough, and you need to pat yourself on the back, be kind to yourself and celebrate the wins when you can 😉

If you’d like to kickstart 2026 in an energised and positive frame of mind, and are open to exploring further growth opportunities, then please do email me at [email protected]

In the meantime, make sure you enjoy some much-needed time off and rest.

Take care and make the most of every joyful moment 🌟

Catherine (and Simon the grumpy office cat) x

https://smallbusinessmarketingconsultant.co.uk/

19/11/2025

“How do I get more customers?” – It’s the question every small business owner asks.
The good news? You don’t need a massive budget to grow. Affordable marketing for small businesses is about focus, consistency, and the right strategies – not big spending.

Start with the fundamentals:
🎯 Truly understand who your ideal customers are and what problems you solve for them
💻 Build a website that works 24/7 for you and optimise it for search engines
📧 Use email to nurture relationships and stay top-of-mind
✔️Social media isn’t just about posting – it’s about connecting. Show the human side of your business, share customer wins, and don’t underestimate the power of short-form video.
💡 Here’s something many overlook: reviews and testimonials. They’re your silent salesforce, building trust before you even speak to a prospect.

As a UK marketing consultant, I’ve seen firsthand what works for small businesses like yours. Marketing doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. It just needs to be strategic.

📈 I’ve put together 10 proven strategies on how to get more customers – from SEO and email marketing to Google Ads and social media engagement.

Read the full guide here: https://smallbusinessmarketingconsultant.co.uk/10-proven-marketing-strategies-for-small-businesses/

✅ Need help bringing these strategies to life? Let’s have a chat about what’s right for your business. Drop me a message or visit my website to get started.

25/10/2025

This is Lauren from Belle Ame salon in Lancaster, a UK small business owner talking about what's surprised her most about working together.

And here's the thing: small businesses often think the big, creative campaigns and industry recognition are reserved for the big brands with the massive budgets.

But that's not true.

You don't need to be a corporate giant to make waves. What you need is strategic direction, creative thinking, and someone in your corner who believes your SME deserves to punch above its weight.

The Barbie campaign. The award. The growth. None of it happened by accident, but it didn't require a fortune either. It required the right marketing strategy, executed consistently, with a bit of creative flair thrown in.

If you're a small business owner who's been holding back on your marketing because you think "that's only for the big players," I'd love to prove you wrong.

Your business has stories to tell and customers to reach. Let's make it happen.

Drop me a message if you'd like to chat about how marketing consultancy could work for your business.

03/10/2025

✨ Every successful campaign begins with knowing exactly who you want to reach.

Your target market is the broad group of people most likely to buy from you. Your target audience is a more specific segment of that group you choose to focus on for a campaign.

🎯 For example: your target market might be small business owners, but your target audience for one campaign could be new café owners launching in their first year.

Why does this matter?
When you really understand your audience - their needs, challenges and goals - your marketing becomes sharper, more creative and far more cost-effective. You stop wasting energy and start seeing results.

Smart marketing isn’t about trying to reach everyone. It’s about reaching the right people with the right message at the right time.

👉See 10 proven marketing strategies for small businesses here: https://smallbusinessmarketingconsultant.co.uk/10-proven-marketing-strategies-for-small-businesses/

26/09/2025

✨Brand Identity Design for Happynest Homes✨

needed a strong new look and supporting materials for their debut at the World of Park & Leisure Homes Show this year.

Innovators in the UK prefabricated homes market, the entrepreneurial team (Linda and Rob) had created incredible living spaces. They had poured all their energies into engineering and architectural excellence, sustainability and craftsmanship. However, their brand visuals, website and communications weren’t showcasing this as well as they could be

Having first worked on brand strategy, positioning and communication with them, I turned to a trusted collaborator for brand identity design.

Jen and Linda from created a stunning, contemporary brand identity and a sleek A4 brochure and business cards, helping the team at Happynest Homes make a standout first impression at the UK’s biggest event for alternative living spaces.

👉If you’re a small business ready to launch or rebrand, I can help with brand identity design and small business marketing services that build trust, credibility and consistency. Get in touch today.