Plan your July 2026 social media with CoLab Marketers. Discover key dates, awareness weeks, and actionable, low-budget marketing ideas for small businesses. Read More
By: Kirsty Bassett
Stop marketing to everyone. Learn how authentic branding helps small businesses attract clients they genuinely enjoy working with. Read More
By: Alex Koenig
June is full of opportunities. We’ve done the heavy lifting and dug into the June 2026 marketing calendar to bring you the dates worth knowing, plus one actionable, low-budget idea for each that you can actually use. Read More
By: Kirsty Bassett
Imagine walking into a room where someone is standing on a chair, shouting through a megaphone. They’re yelling about their latest offer and their “limited-time” deals. Your instinct isn’t to buy, it’s to leave. Now, imagine walking into a different room. Someone meets you at the… Read More
By: Alex Koenig
May is full of opportunities. We’ve done the heavy lifting and dug into the May 2026 marketing calendar to bring you the dates worth knowing, plus one actionable, low-budget idea for each that you can actually use. Read More
There was a time when Instagram was just the people you followed. Now, every platform is shaped by algorithms deciding what gets seen. Here’s a simple way to understand what they actually care about and what that means for small businesses. Read More
Over 18 months, FitnessWorks transformed from a time-constrained gym into a fully booked, high-demand fitness brand. Through a scalable marketing system, consistent lead generation, and strategic growth, the business now operates at full capacity with a second location launching. Read More
Working in marketing means constantly deciding what to say next: what trends to follow, what moments to respond to, what conversations to join. But when the world feels noisy and overwhelming, it’s worth asking whether every moment needs another post. Instead, we’re sharing a few charities close to home that are doing meaningful work in London and Brighton. Read More
As digital marketing becomes noisier and more demanding, many small, local businesses are feeling the pull back towards in-person connection and community. Discover how online and offline marketing can work together in a more balanced, nuanced way, and why clarity, consistency and presence matter more than chasing every new platform or trend. Read More
January feels calm, July rarely is. Instead of chasing trends or doing “more marketing,” this post looks at the small, thoughtful decisions you can make now that your future self will be grateful for. From getting clearer on your customers to fixing the basics and choosing consistency over chaos, it’s a grounded guide for small business owners who want marketing to feel easier, not louder. Read More
Marketing Made Simple is our new guide designed to help small business owners cut through marketing confusion and focus on what really drives growth. Created by experienced marketers, it offers clear priorities, practical strategies and step-by-step actions to build confidence and momentum. Available for £20, with all proceeds from purchases made on 11th December donated to Save the Children UK. Read More
Most marketing reports are full of clicks, impressions and conversions, yet they rarely capture what truly makes customers care. The real value of marketing lies in creativity, patience and human connection; things that don’t fit neatly into a spreadsheet. Imagine metrics that could measure delight, confidence or originality. They might not exist yet, but they remind us what success really looks like. Read More
Many small businesses wonder if marketing is really worth the effort. The truth? Choosing not to market is still a marketing decision. Learn why consistency—not big budgets—is what drives visibility, customer loyalty, and growth, and how small steps can make a big impact. Read More
By: Alex Koenig
In today’s marketing landscape, sustainability and ethical marketing aren’t just buzzwords, they’re essential for winning consumer trust. With 57% of shoppers willing to pay more for brands that align with their values, small businesses have a unique opportunity to make an impact. From minimising waste to transparent storytelling, discover how even the smallest steps can build loyalty, credibility, and long-term success. Read More
For Alex, marketing has always been more than just a career; it’s about people, purpose and making a difference. From early inspiration in the classroom to working with hospitals and local shops, her path has been shaped by a passion for meaningful connections. In this Q&A, Alex shares how she transitioned from corporate marketing to supporting small businesses, why community matters most, and her advice for anyone looking to grow their brand. Read More
By: curiousways
Inclusive marketing isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being intentional, aware and open to learning. Small businesses often shy away from it, fearing they’ll “get it wrong” or don’t have enough resources. But with small, consistent actions, like using inclusive language, choosing authentic visuals, broadening buyer personas, building accessibility into your content and listening to your audience, you can create marketing that truly reflects the diverse world we live in. Read More
Search is evolving fast. With AI tools like Google’s SGE summarising answers before users even click, traditional SEO isn’t enough. This guide breaks down what’s changing, what Google now prioritises, and how small businesses can stay visible, trusted, and competitive in a search landscape shaped by AI. Read More
By: Alex Koenig
In this candid conversation with Lottie, Co-Founder of CoLab Marketers, we dive into her unconventional path into marketing, the inspiration behind her work with small businesses and her advice for anyone trying to build their brand from the ground up. Read More
By: curiousways
Not every marketing trend is worth your time. In fact, doing less (with focus) is often the smarter move. From overusing AI to chasing every new social platform, here are five trends small businesses can skip and what to do instead to grow with confidence. Read More
By: Alex Koenig
Most small businesses don’t have big marketing teams or budgets, just a few people juggling multiple roles. But making a big impact doesn’t require more time or money; it starts with rethinking how you use what you already have. Read More
By: Alex Koenig
Feeling overwhelmed by the social media treadmill? You're not alone. But here's the good news: some small businesses are thriving without it. In this blog, we explore how referral networks, in-person connections, and a strong offline presence can do just as much heavy lifting as a perfectly timed Reel. And yes, we do still love social (it's our bread and butter), we just think it shouldn’t be your whole loaf. Read More
Most small businesses focus on traditional marketing methods, but what if you could stand out by using unexpected strategies? From teaming up with other local businesses to tapping into micro-influencers and community groups, this blog explores seven overlooked marketing tactics that can help you attract more customers and grow your business. Read More
As a business owner, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the complexities of marketing. You know that effective marketing can drive growth, but with so much to do and limited resources, it’s hard to know where to focus your energy. That’s where we come in. Read More
Local SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) is key for small businesses that rely on nearby customers, like restaurants, shops, service providers, and local tradespeople. Getting your business to show up higher in local search results can drive more traffic to your website, increase footfall, and boost brand visibility. Read More
Marketing has undergone a dramatic transformation in the past two decades. I studied marketing in the early 2010s, earning a diploma, a postgraduate qualification, and a degree, so you’d think I’d be an expert, right? Well, not exactly. The world of marketing doesn’t stand still, and as a… Read More
By: Alex Koenig
Understanding your competition is crucial for strategic planning, offering insights into market opportunities and potential threats. By knowing who they are, what they offer, and how they operate, you can identify gaps that your business can fill. This knowledge also helps in anticipating market trends and positioning your business… Read More
Having a strong product or service is the foundation of any successful business. If you’re not fully committed, these strategies won’t be your magic bullet. But if you’re ready to grow, these cost-effective marketing strategies can help you achieve budget-friendly sustainable growth. We all have that someone we rely… Read More
By: Alex Koenig
Marketing is often considered a luxury small businesses’ can’t afford, or something effective only for large companies with substantial budgets. We’re going to debunk some of these common misconceptions to help small businesses realise the true potential of effective marketing strategies. Myth: If you build it, they will… Read More
When I first started my career my boss told me: “we need to set goals and targets for you”, and I immediately felt a surge of anxiety. “Oh no, they’ll see right through me!”, “Do I really know what I’m doing?” are just a couple of the thoughts that… Read More
By: Alex Koenig
In the hustle and bustle of running a small business, marketing often takes a backseat. Budgets are tight, resources are limited, and the daily grind leaves little room for strategic planning. But what if I told you that the cost of doing nothing in marketing could be far greater than you imagine? Read More
Running a small business often feels like walking a tightrope with your purse strings. We get it – every penny counts. But what if we told you that with the right marketing partner, every penny you spend would be an investment, not a cost? Nearly… Read More
By: Alex Koenig
