If You’re Not Doing Any Marketing Yet—Here’s Where to Start
Marketing Strategist
Let’s be honest: If you're running a business or nonprofit and you’re not doing any marketing at all, you're flying blind. But don’t panic—we’re not here to shame you. In fact, we’re here to help you start simply and strategically.
For many of our clients, growth has come the old-fashioned way—through relationships and word of mouth. And it’s worked. But times have changed. People still ask around, but they also Google you, check your website, and scroll your social media before they ever make contact.
If you're not showing up online—or not showing up well—you’re missing opportunities. Whether you're leading a lean nonprofit team or wearing every hat in a small business, marketing may seem like an intimidating beast. But here’s the truth: you don’t need a huge budget or a dedicated department to begin building visibility, credibility, and community support.
At Aldridge Borden, we specialize in custom solutions that help organizations like yours take that first step.
Step One: Claim Your Space Online
Even in 2025, you'd be surprised how many organizations still don’t have the basics in place.
Here’s what you need, today:
A professional website with clear information about who you are, what you offer, and how to contact you.
A Google Business Profile so people can actually find you when they search.
Consistent contact details across the web (name, address, phone number—yes, it matters for local SEO!).
Don’t aim for perfect—just make sure you’re visible.
Step Two: Tell Your Story, One Piece at a Time
Marketing isn’t about selling—it’s about storytelling. And do not let anyone else tell your story but you.
Start with:
One blog post a month. Talk about what’s going on in your industry or share lessons you’ve learned.
Client stories or testimonials. These build instant trust.
An “About” page that actually means something. Why did you start? What do you believe in? This helps establish credibility.
This doesn’t require a marketing team. It requires authenticity.
Step Three: Build a Social Media Presence (Where Your Audience Actually Is)
You don’t need to be on every platform—you need to be on the platform your audience is on. For professional services, LinkedIn is often the winner. For nonprofits or community orgs, Facebook might make more sense.
Ask yourself: Where do my clients or donors spend time online?
Then:
Focus on that one platform.
Share client wins, staff highlights, community events, or helpful insights.
Post just once or twice a week to start.
Consistency matters more than quantity. One good post is better than five scattered ones.
Step Four: Start an Email List (Before You Think You're Ready)
This is the long game. Whether it’s donors, clients, or partners—you want to own your audience, not rent it from social platforms.
Use your website to collect emails. Offer something small in return:
A checklist
A “Top 5 Tips” guide
Access to an upcoming webinar
Then send a monthly email that helps—not sells.
Step Five: Partner with a Firm That Understands Where You’re Coming From
If you’re just getting started, you don’t need complicated strategies or flashy campaigns. You need practical, personalized support that fits your size and stage. That’s where we come in.
At Aldridge Borden, we have been in the business of helping small businesses and nonprofits for over 100 years. We understand that your time, team, and dollars are stretched. That’s why we build marketing strategies that are: simple to implement, focused on results, and designed to grow with you.
We’ve helped countless local organizations become visible, credible, and trusted—without gimmicks, jargon, or fluff.
Final Word: Don’t Let “Perfect” Get in the Way of “Started”
If you’re not doing anything yet, that’s okay. What matters is what you do next.
Start here. Start small. But start today. And if you want a hand? We’re just a click away. Let’s talk about how Aldridge Borden can help you build the foundation your organization deserves.