Content Marketing: Build Trust, Grow Customers, and Stand Out Without Spending a Fortune

Are you a small business owner feeling overwhelmed by digital marketing or unsure how to attract more customers? In this value-packed episode of Talk About Digital, Mark A Preston cuts through the noise to reveal how content marketing can transform your business without draining your budget—or your time.

You’ll discover how to:

• Use authentic storytelling to connect with your audience and build lasting trust.
• Start small by answering the top questions your customers are already asking.
• Leverage simple, consistent content to stand out from competitors and position yourself as the go-to expert in your industry.

With real-life examples—like how a small accountancy firm grew its client base using just a blog post and short videos—you’ll see how achievable content marketing success really is. Mark also shares his proven TAD Takeaway: an actionable, step-by-step tip you can apply immediately to start creating content that resonates and delivers results.

If you want to understand your customers’ needs, attract them without hard selling, and create a ripple effect of word-of-mouth referrals, this episode is for you. Tune in now and take the first step to unlocking your small business’s growth potential.

Connect with the Host - Mark A Preston:

Website: https://www.markapreston.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markprestonseo/
X: https://x.com/MarkPreston1969
Mark's Latest Book: Customer Growth Unlocked

This podcast is produced by Voice It Podcast Agency
https://voiceitpodcastagency.co.uk

Transcript

[00:00:00] Mark A Preston: Welcome to Talk About Digital, the podcast for small and medium sized businesses looking to grow new customers through impactful, low cost digital marketing strategies. Have you invested in digital marketing with zero positive impact? If this sounds like you, then this is the place for you. Each week, we provide actionable steps to move your business forward with our TAD Takeaway, helping you to harness your biggest asset, yourself, to achieve big impact with minimal investment.

[00:00:36] Stay tuned as we dive into the world of digital marketing, offering insights and advice that will transform your business. Let's get started. Hello and welcome to another episode of the Talk About Digital podcast. The show where we take the mystery out of digital marketing for small business owners just like you.

[00:00:57] I'm Mark A. Preston and today we are diving into a topic that's more than just a buzzword. It's a way to connect with your customers, grow your business and build a lasting impression. We're talking about content marketing, but don't worry. This isn't about becoming a writer or a social media expert overnight.

[00:01:17] It's about practical steps you can take to make your business stand out. Now, let me ask you something. Have you ever found yourself explaining your business to a potential customer and their face lights up as if they finally understand what you do and how you can help them? That's the magic of a good story.

[00:01:40] Content marketing is like having that conversation, but it happens online, in a way that reaches more people while you're busy running your business. You don't need to be a tech wizard or spend a fortune. You just need to be authentic and constant. So what exactly is content marketing? At its core, it's about creating and sharing information that helps or inspires your audience.

[00:02:11] It could be a blog post that answers common questions, a quick video showing how your product works, or even an Instagram post sharing the story behind your business. It's not about the hard sell. It's about building trust. Showing people you care. understand their needs and gently leading them to realize that your business is the solution they are looking for.

[00:02:40] Now, why should a small business owner like you care about content marketing? Well, think about your customers. They have questions. They have problems they want solved. They're searching online for answers. And if your content shows up and resonates with them, You're already ahead of the competition. It's a way to build relationships before a single penny changes hands.

[00:03:08] And here's the kicker. When people trust you, they're more likely to buy from you. And not just once. They will buy from you again and again. Alright, let's now get practical. How do you actually do this? Start small. Think about the questions your customers ask you all the time. For example, if you run a coffee shop, they will Maybe they want to know the difference between a flat white and a latte.

[00:03:38] Write a short post about it, or better still, film a 60 second video with you explaining it. If you're a landscaper, share tips on keeping the lawn healthy in winter. These don't have to be perfect, they just need to be helpful. Next, choose one platform to start with. It could be Facebook, Instagram, or even your own website.

[00:04:04] Pick the one where your customers always hang out. Post your content there and stay constant. It's better to post once a week regularly than go all out for one month and then disappear into fresh air. Finally, Bye. Always include a way for people to take the next step. Maybe it's a link to book a consultation, a phone number to call, or a discount code for their first purchase.

[00:04:33] Make it easy for them to reach out once they're interested. Now, here's a quick story for you. I once met a small business owner who ran a local chartered accountancy firm. They were finding it very difficult to attract new customers and stand out in what is a competitive market. They decided to start small by creating a blog post titled 5 Tech Tips Every Small Business Owner Should Know.

[00:05:02] They shared it on LinkedIn and emailed it to their existing clients, encouraging them to pass it on to anyone who might find it useful. But they didn't stop there. They turned the tips into a short video for Facebook, which included An invitation to book a free initial consultation all the time, they started answering more common questions in their content, like how to avoid common tax mistakes and what to look for in a business accountant.

[00:05:36] The more they shared. The more engagement they received, and soon potential clients began reaching out to say, I saw your video. Can we talk? This approach helped position them as the go to expert in their field. And their client base grew steadily. That's the power of constant and helpful content marketing.

[00:06:01] It's worth noting though, the content marketing. Also works hand in hand with word of mouth referrals. When your existing customers see and share your content, they become advocates of your business. For instance, the accountancy firm's clients started forwarding their blog posts and videos to their peers saying things like, you should check out these guys.

[00:06:27] They really know their stuff. This ripple effect can magnify your reach without adding to your budget. Also, do not underestimate the value of storytelling in your content. Share your journey, your wins, and even the challenges you've overcome. People love to connect with real stories. For the accountancy firm, sharing the story about helping a struggling local business save money to get back on track was a huge hit.

[00:07:03] It made their audience feel like they genuinely cared. All right, now it's time for today's tag takeaway. One actionable tip you can put into practice right here, right now. Now here goes. Write down The top three questions your customers ask you most often. Turn each of these into a piece of content. It could be Facebook post, a small video or even a flyer for your shop.

[00:07:35] Answering those questions is the simplest way to start building trust and showing your expertise. Now, that's it for today's episode of the Talk About Digital podcast. Remember, content marketing isn't about being flashy or complicated. It's about being real, helpful, and consistent. If you enjoyed today's episode, please subscribe, share it with your fellow small business owners and leave a review if you can, please.

[00:08:05] Let's keep growing together. Thank you for tuning into the Talk About Digital podcast. Remember, every small step you take brings you closer to your business goals. If you found today's episode helpful, subscribe to our podcast and sign up to your free 12 week TAD customer growth course at Talk About Digital.

[00:08:24] www. talkaboutdigital.co.uk to receive even more customer generating tips and insights. Until next time, keep harnessing your strengths and making actionable, impactful moves in your digital marketing journey. See you soon.