A small marketing budget isn’t a problem if it’s spent in the right order. Here’s the order we’d recommend for your first £1,000.
Fix the foundations first
Before you pay to send anyone anywhere, make sure the place they land does its job: a clear website, a complete Google Business Profile and an easy way to get in touch. Advertising a leaky website just pays for more people to leave.
Ask for reviews
Reviews cost nothing but a polite request, and they influence almost every buying decision. Send happy customers a direct link and make it a habit after every job.
Pick one channel and do it properly
It’s better to post well and consistently in one place your customers actually spend time — Instagram, LinkedIn, a local Facebook group, an email list — than to spread thin across five.
Run a small, measured paid test
Put a few hundred pounds into one tightly targeted campaign with a single goal, such as enquiries from your area. Set up tracking first so you know exactly what each enquiry cost.
Measure, then double down
- Track where every enquiry came from
- Stop what isn’t working after a fair test
- Move the budget to whatever produced customers, not just clicks
Done in this order, your first £1,000 buys you lessons as well as leads — and the next £1,000 works harder because of them.
