Lack of time, strategic blind spots and shrinking micro-budgets are three of the biggest marketing challenges faced by small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in Suffolk.
In response, a new free report The SME marketing playbook: Smart strategies for UK SMEs to thrive outlines how local businesses can make the most of their marketing budgets.
Produced by Gatekeeper Communications and a team of experienced marketing professionals, the report combines original data, expert commentary and ready-to-use advice.
The foreword is written by Claire Ferreira, founder of Mums in Marketing and a respected business mentor.
Key findings include:
65% of in-house marketing is done by business owners themselves
58% of UK SMEs spend less than £250 per month on marketing — just £3,000 annually
65% of businesses say time restrictions are their biggest marketing challenge
49% of SMEs lack a formal marketing strategy
One in five SMEs admit they “have no idea what’s working”
Over a quarter of SMEs (27%) say changing social media algorithms prevents marketing progress
Report co-author Amy Dawson says: “Our research has clearly articulated the problems that many Suffolk businesses are facing.
“When I speak directly with local business owners, they often say that they aren’t sure if marketing works, or they find it a hassle because it’s a time and financial investment that they do not have.
“As a small business owner myself, I completely get it – and that’s why we wanted to create a practical handbook that taps into the exact frustrations and challenges they face on a daily basis.”
She adds: “The purpose of the report is to give readers actionable, easy-to-understand advice that local businesses can follow.
“Whether they want to know how to set specific KPIs, how to make the most of paid advertising or how to deal with the ever-changing social media algorithms.
“It’s about giving local businesses the support they need so they can make informed decisions which will result in better business growth.”
Key themes cover:
The reality of micro-budgets and underinvestment
Time pressures and skill shortages within teams
The rise of freelance marketing as a flexible alternative to traditional hires
How firms can track ROI and build strategies rooted in business goals
Why changing algorithms and technology are stalling SME marketing growth
The guide also includes industry-standard pricing for marketing services, helping demystify costs for SMEs navigating marketing spend for the first time.
Amy adds: “Suffolk is packed full of small businesses, and I consider myself incredibly lucky to work with many of them.
“I want to uplift other businesses like me so they can have the tools and the knowledge they need to thrive. If they can use the advice within this report to help grow their business and connect with new customers, then that would have a huge impact on the prosperity of the county.”
The report is written in collaboration with Amy Dawson (Gatekeeper Communications), Liz Malone-Johnstone (Bureau 43), Alex Stone (award-winning marketer and fractional CMO) Annique Tate (Tate Digital Consulting), Helen Feeley (Indie Marketing), Janine Owen (JO&Co), Kate Hammond (Sunbeam Marketing), Rachel Williams (Google Ad specialist), Rosie Denham (Project Communications), Sarah Temprell (Keep it Simple Marketing Solutions) and Tania Prior (Prior Marketing & Co).
