Give These Marketing Strategies a Try in 2025

January 21, 2025

The new year is the perfect time for beginnings and setting goals. It also makes for good marketing campaigns and changes to your business. There are so many things you can do to provide value for customers and potential customers. If you don’t use this time to try something new, you're leaving money on the table.


This article contains some excellent business tactics to try for the new year. However, they may not all fit your business. When reviewing this list, keep your target audience in mind and ask yourself, will this provide value for them?


If you don’t have a target audience defined, that should be your first step. After all, if you don’t know who you’re talking to, how do you know if you’re providing value to them?


Marketing and Promotional Ideas



The new year is a time for resolutions. Play off that and run campaigns that are either in support of people’s common New Years resolutions or having a little fun with them. For instance, a donut shop can play around with the common resolution of losing weight—"We’ll be here when you’re done with this New Year’s resolution thing” or “We’re hard at work creating a calorie-free donut. Sign up for our newsletter to find out when it’s coming out.” If you’re taking a jab at resolutions, make your campaigns funny. People might just share them.


Additional marketing ideas include:

·        Run a sale on items or services that tie into popular New Year's resolutions.

·        Design a New Year's social media contests like “Share your ‘New You’ pics to win.”

·        Share your expertise in areas involving common New Year’s resolutions.


Content and Communication Strategies


In 2025, every business needs an email list. It doesn’t matter how many followers you have on social; the platform could shut down tomorrow and you have no way of contacting your fans. If you have their emails, on the other hand, you can always reach them—even when they’re on a social media “break.”


The new year is the perfect time to embrace digital marketing strategies and finally follow through on taking that next step. Also, embrace the technology that can make digital marketing easier like a good email scheduler, AI, a CRM, and design software to create visually appealing content. Some tools can do several of these things for you in one solution. Use them to:


·        Write a compelling New Year's newsletter with valuable content

·        Draft a blog, video, or podcast series focused on helping customers achieve their goals

·        Leverage SMS marketing, which has a remarkable 98% open rate

·        Create a challenge that will help educate your customers or interest them in your products/services


Business Development


When was the last time you changed something up in your business? While you don’t want to change just for change’s sake, trying something you’ve been putting off can gain a lot of support this time of year. People expect to see “new” at the new year.


Keep your audience abreast of the changes you’re making. These types of announcements can be exciting. They will enjoy watching your dreams come to fruition and seeing how many people want to start their own businesses, giving them a behind-the-scenes look at what you’re doing can help you amass a following. There’s a big business trend in teaching/coaching after becoming a success. Teaching as a service has become a lucrative offshoot for many businesses.



Technology and Growth


We touched upon this earlier but embracing emerging technology can help streamline your operations and daily tasks to give you more time to do the things that can’t be automated. Make the following a priority this year:


·        Integrate AI tools to enhance marketing strategies

·        Explore automation technologies

·        Utilize predictive analytics to anticipate market trends


Customer Engagement


It’s time to also prioritize relationship building. People buy from those they know, like, and trust. If they can’t remember your name, they aren’t able to buy from you.


Building relationships takes time and you must give (a lot) to get. Here are a few ideas to help you start the new year off right by building those connections:


·        Share your business's (or your personal) New Year's resolutions. These types of things can help people connect to you.

·        Thank loyal customers. Showing appreciation makes your current customers feel good and leaves an impression on future customers.

·        Listen on social media and respond to comments and questions. Insert yourself in conversations in a friendly, helpful way. Don’t barge in like a barker at a circus or auction, “yelling” about what you offer. No one responds to that type of behavior in a social setting.


By implementing these strategies, you can start the year with momentum and create meaningful connections with your ideal audience. After all, “creating more meaningful connections” is probably one of the best business resolutions you can make.



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Christina Metcalf is a writer/ghostwriter who believes in the power of story. She works with small businesses, chambers of commerce, and business professionals who want to make an impression and grow a loyal customer/member base. She loves road trips, hates exclamation points, and believes the world would be a better place if we all had our own theme song that played when we entered the room. What would yours be?

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Twitter: @christinagsmith

Facebook: @tellyourstorygetemtalking

LinkedIn: @christinagsmith

Get Ready! For Small Business Week

By Lauren Batchelor • May 2, 2025
Resources for Small Businesses

Still Standing: A Love Letter to Business Owners’ Unbreakable Spirit

April 29, 2025
Resilience isn’t flashy — it’s courageous. Your quiet strength is changing the world. Showing up every day is an act of leadership. You are seen, you are valued, you are believed in. 519 words ~ 2.5 min. read Dear Business Owner, You might not hear it often enough — but you deserve to. You are extraordinary. The world often celebrates success with loud headlines and big announcements. But real strength? It's quieter. It’s found in the way you show up every day, even when it’s hard. It's in the moments no one sees — the long nights, the impossible decisions, the silent worries, the small victories you celebrate alone. Resilience doesn’t shout. It whispers: keep going. It’s easy to underestimate what you carry. You are the strategist, the caretaker, the visionary, the problem-solver — sometimes all in a single hour. You bear the risks and carry the hopes of not just your family, but your employees, your community, and sometimes even your customers. And still, you show up. You lead without guarantees. You invest your time, your heart, and your future into something that only you can see clearly. And that kind of courage is rare. Maybe today was a good day. Maybe it was a hard one. Either way, you chose to believe in the possibility of tomorrow. You made the calls. You signed the checks. You solved the problems no one else even noticed. Please know this: your efforts matter. You matter. You are not invisible. Your leadership ripples outward in ways you'll never fully see. You build stronger communities, inspire those around you, and set a new standard for what perseverance looks like. We believe in you. We admire you. We are better because of you. Keep standing. Keep dreaming. Keep leading. The world is richer, kinder, and more hopeful because you refuse to give up. With Admiration, The Leavenworth-Lansing Area Chamber --- The Leavenworth-Lansing Area Chamber of Commerce is a private non-profit organization that aims to support the growth and development of local businesses and our regional economy. We strive to create content that not only educates but also fosters a sense of connection and collaboration among our readers. Join us as we explore topics such as economic development, networking opportunities, upcoming events, and success stories from our vibrant community. Our resources provide insights, advice, and news that are relevant to business owners, entrepreneurs, and community members alike. The Chamber has been granted license to publish this content provided by Chamber Today, a service of ChamberThink Strategies LLC.

15+ Inexpensive Ways to Advertise Your Business

April 28, 2025
You know the old adage, “It takes money to make money”? While that may be true, marketing and advertising don’t have to cost a fortune. In fact, some of the most effective ways to get your business noticed are either free or surprisingly affordable (especially with the technology available). Whether you’re just getting started or trying to grow on a tight budget, here are 15 creative and cost-effective ideas to boost your visibility and draw in customers. 15 (plus one bonus) Cost-effective Ways to Get Your Business Noticed 1. Partner with Your Chamber of Commerce Your local Chamber is a marketing gem hiding in plain sight. Many chambers offer affordable sponsorships, advertising in their newsletters, banner placement on their website, and opportunities to speak at or host events. Chamber membership also often includes social media shoutouts, ribbon cuttings, and business directory listings—all built-in exposure for your brand. Chambers have excellent reputations in their communities as well as good relationships. Many tourists and new residents rely on referrals from the chamber when they come to town. Plus, the rates chamber’s charge for this type of high-quality exposure is very reasonable. Chamber Members! Be sure to check out - Our Facebook Group, Chamber Connect . - You can also view your advertising ROI from your online listing from August 2024 onward. - Have an upcoming event? Submit it to our newsletter/online calendar ( Office@LLChamber.com ) - Interested in hosting a Chamber Coffee for 2026? Contact us to see what dates are available: Office@LLChamber.com - Support our Government Affairs Committee or Operations International. Contact us for more information! - Interested in event sponsorships? Let us know! We can put you on a priority list for first information- Please note that our sponsorships are all ‘First Come, First Served’ basis. 2. Get Active on Social Media You don’t need to be on every platform—just the ones where your customers spend their time. Create short videos, behind-the-scenes posts, tutorials, or even humorous content to show off your brand’s personality. Authenticity performs better than high-budget polish. Be consistent with your posting too. The more people see you, the more they notice and recognize you. Soon you will be on their mind. Check out these past blogs for social media help and ideas: - 5 Content Marketing Strategies for Small Business Owners - Feeling Stuck? Try these Content Ideas for Small Businesses - How to Be More Engaging - How to Get More Love for Your Business on Social Media 3. Run a Giveaway or Contest People love free stuff. Give away a product or service in exchange for likes, shares, or email signups. It’s an inexpensive way to create buzz and grow your audience fast. Or run a contest when you host a pop-up or sponsor a table at an outdoor event (if it fits for your business). You’ll get to talk to a variety of people. A fun contest that also gets you more visibility is encouraging people to check-in when they’re at your business. Then provide a quarterly prize to the person with the most check-ins. House of Gaumond , a pop-up bakery, used this to great effect to get their following! 4. Create Google Business Profile Posts Google Business Profiles (formerly Google My Business) are free and powerful. Use posts to highlight new products, offers, events, or blog content. Bonus: It helps with your SEO. Get Started 5. Use Customer Testimonials and Reviews Happy customers are your best marketers. Share their testimonials on social media, your website, and even printed materials. Ask loyal customers to leave reviews on Google, Yelp, or Facebook. Many people will write them when asked and when you make it easy for them to do so. Use links to get them where they need to be. Chamber Members : Your built-out business listing allows people to rate you, submit a review, or ‘Like’ particular services. 6. Get Involved in Community Events Sponsor a little league team, host a booth at a local fair, or donate a prize to a nonprofit raffle. Community involvement builds trust and visibility with your target audience. Have you seen the traffic from the Leavenworth Interfaith Community of Hope’s 2025 Night of Hope Gala? Or Ten and Two Coffee- Lansing , is known for being a great place for community events! 7. Start a Referral Program Reward your current customers for referring new ones. A simple discount, freebie, or exclusive perk can motivate people to spread the word about your business. HOTWORX- Lansing is a great example of this! 8. Offer Free Workshops or Classes If you’re an expert at something, share your knowledge. Hosting a free online or in-person workshop can position you as an authority while attracting new leads. Share hashtags at your event to remind people to share on social. Have an expertise? Would you like to share it at a Chamber Event? Let us know ! Also, we’ve utilized this ourselves with Propert y and Sales Tax Forums, as well as a Cybersecurity Forum . SorWil Technology Solutions also utilizes this for their videos/podcasts. 9. Pitch Local Media Send story ideas or press releases to your local newspaper, TV station, or community blog. Journalists are always looking for local angles—your business could be the next feature. Support our local paper, the Leavenworth Times! 10. Use Window or Sidewalk Signs Creatively A clever chalkboard sign or window display can stop foot traffic in its tracks. Make people smile, laugh, or think—and they’ll remember your business. Other examples are Leavenworth Main Street’s Passageways project , or the Leavenworth County Historical Society’s Spirit of the Buffalo project ! 11. Create a Loyalty or Punch Card Program Encourage repeat business by rewarding customers who come back. Whether digital or old-school punch cards, loyalty programs keep your brand top-of-mind. It can also sway people to choose you more often. For instance, if they know they’ll get points from buying with you, they may go out of their way to do so knowing that they will benefit from it. And we’ll help you share the news about your new program! 12. Offer a Limited-Time Promotion Scarcity sells. Use urgency—“for 3 days only,” “first 10 people,” or “today only”—to create buzz and spike short-term interest. Sis’s Sweets does a great job updating daily and letting people know what’s available and for how long. 13. Join (or Start) a Local Business Collaboration Team up with complementary businesses for cross-promotions. For example, a coffee shop and a bookstore might do a “Read & Recharge” special. You both win. The Red Hibiscus Juice Co ., is one example of a business that coordinates & collaborates with others in the Health & Wellness to promote awareness! 14. Start an Email Newsletter Email is still one of the highest-ROI marketing tools. A simple monthly email with updates, deals, or helpful tips can keep customers engaged and coming back. Be sure to check out Constant Contact – it’s what the Chamber uses! Also, be sure to check out these articles for tips on newsletters: - Build a Fanatical Following with Email - 10 Unique Ways to Get More Email Subscribers - The 5 Most Common Mistakes Email Marketers Make 15. Use Your Vehicle as a Moving Billboard A magnetic car sign or vinyl decal can turn your commute into an advertising campaign. It's a one-time investment that works 24/7. The Chamber got ours from Advantage Printing . Support Local! Bonus: Watch your favorite brands. What makes you stop what you’re doing or stops you from scrolling. Even if they’re in a completely different industry, ask yourself how you might use what they do to improve your marketing. You don’t need a big budget to make a big impact. With some creativity and a willingness to show up where your audience is, you can get your business noticed without breaking the bank. And this isn’t a “choose one and you’re done” idea. These ideas are designed to get you thinking about what your audience will respond to. Then give it to them consistently so they get used to seeing you around. And remember—your Chamber of Commerce is here to help. Reach out and ask about marketing opportunities available to members. You might be surprised by how many resources are already at your fingertips. ---------- While we can’t list them all, here are a few more Chamber Members with a fantastic social media presence – Give them a follow! Alliance Nationwide Title Agency – Check out their past events. They have both fun and informational events that helps get people in the door of their offices, and they also celebrate with the community. Artistic Works by Lu - a mix of short-form videos, a weekly live stream, and regular posts about what’s new in store. They have a loyal following ready to see what’s New with Lu. Communication Concepts, Inc . – Their content is more professional, informational, and helpful! But it all leads back to what they do, creating a good sense of brand. The Small Hinge – Really lets her personality shine! Always showing off finished products and upcoming workshops. It’s easy to feel excited when her posts cross your feed. PS: Have a great social media strategy that we missed? Let us know in the comments! --------------------- Christina Metcalf is a writer and women’s speaker who believes in the power of story. She works with small businesses, chambers of commerce, and business professionals who want to make an impression and grow a loyal customer/member base. She is the author of The Glinda Principle , rediscovering the magic within. _______________________________________ Medium: @christinametcalf Facebook: @tellyourstorygetemtalking Instagram: @christinametcalfauthor LinkedIn: @christinagsmith