Mastering Marketing: How Small Businesses Can Attract More Customers Without Breaking the Bank

How can small businesses transform their marketing strategy to attract more customers without breaking the bank? That’s exactly what Zach Tatum, co-founder of Market House, a creative agency specializing in branding and digital marketing, discussed on North Georgia Business Radio with host Phil Benelli.

From SEO vs. paid ads to content strategies that boost visibility, Zach shared expert insights to help business owners optimize their marketing efforts without overspending.

Why SEO is the Best First Step

Many small businesses struggle with where to start when it comes to marketing. According to Zach, SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the most cost-effective strategy because it attracts organic traffic without the constant expense of paid advertising.

🕒 [02:12] – “We like to go after organic traffic. There’s nothing wrong with paid ads, but many businesses forget about SEO and the power of ranking naturally.”

SEO helps businesses show up in search results when potential customers are already looking for their services—without the need for expensive paid ads.

How to Improve Your Website’s SEO

Your website plays a huge role in your business’s visibility, and many businesses don’t realize their websites may be working against them.

🕒 [06:00] – “A lot of businesses think they’re fine because they have a website, but once we run an audit, we often find major issues that are hurting their rankings.”

Zach’s key SEO tips:

✅ Run a website audit to check for issues
✅ Ensure your site has fast loading speeds and is mobile-friendly
✅ Use high-quality content with relevant keywords
✅ Optimize meta descriptions and headings

Why Content is King in Digital Marketing

Zach emphasized that quality content is essential for SEO success. Google prioritizes websites that provide valuable information to users, so businesses should create content that answers common questions.

🕒 [09:19] – “People say, ‘No one’s going to care about my industry or product,’ but the truth is, customers are searching for answers. You just have to provide them.”

✅ Blogs & Articles: Answer industry-related questions
✅ Videos & Podcasts: Repurpose content into multiple formats
✅ Social Media: Share valuable insights to increase visibility

Paid Ads vs. Organic Marketing: Which One Wins?

Should businesses invest in paid ads or focus on organic marketing? Zach believes a blended strategy works best, but businesses shouldn’t rely solely on ads.

🕒 [12:15] – “With a strong organic strategy, businesses get better long-term results. Paid ads work, but SEO provides a better return on investment over time.”

📌 Best approach:

• Use SEO to build long-term visibility
• Leverage Google and social media ads as a testing tool
• Focus on high-value content that attracts and retains customers

The Power of Networking in Business Growth

While digital marketing is critical, Zach stressed the importance of old-school networking for business success.

🕒 [30:56] – “Networking can be intimidating, but it’s essential. You need to build relationships and show up consistently.”

✅ Attend local events and industry meetups
✅ Join business groups or professional associations
✅ Engage in community-based marketing

Final Takeaways: Marketing Success Requires Patience

Zach closed the conversation with a powerful lesson:

🕒 [24:44] – “Be patient. Every entrepreneur wants instant results, but marketing—and business growth—takes time. Stick to the plan, and success will come.”

📌 Key Lessons from Zach:

✅ SEO is the best place to start for cost-effective marketing
✅ Content creation is essential for organic traffic and engagement
✅ Networking remains a powerful tool for business growth
✅ Paid ads work best when paired with an organic strategy

Connect with Zach and the Market House Team:

WEBSITE: https://mkt.house/

https://www.facebook.com/markethousecreative

https://www.linkedin.com/company/market-house/

https://www.instagram.com/mkthse_atl/

Connect with Phil Bonelli:

https://www.facebook.com/Hopewell-Farms-GA-105614501707618/

https://www.instagram.com/hopewellfarmsga/

https://www.hopewellfarmsga.com/

Connect with Beau Henderson:

https://RichLifeAdvisors.com

https://www.facebook.com/RichLifeAdvisors

https://www.facebook.com/NorthGARadioX

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Hopewell Farms GA

Roundtable Advisors

RichLife Advisors

Regions Bank

Highlights of the Show:

[00:31] – How Does the Market See Your Business?

• Many business owners focus so much on operations that they neglect their external presence.
• Zach Tatum, co-founder of Market House, joins to discuss branding, SEO, and digital marketing.

 [01:08] – Meet Zach Tatum & Market House

• Zach shares his background and how Market House was founded.
• Market House is a creative agency specializing in branding, SEO, social media, and email marketing.

 [02:12] – What is SEO & Why It Matters?

• SEO (Search Engine Optimization) helps businesses rank in Google searches organically, reducing reliance on paid ads.
• Businesses often overlook SEO, which leads to lost opportunities for free website traffic.

[03:19] – SEO vs. Paid Ads: What’s the Difference?

• Paid ads (PPC) are like holding up a billboard, while SEO creates authority and brings traffic naturally.
• Organic traffic is more sustainable in the long run and often cheaper than continuous ad spending.

[06:00] – Why Every Business Needs a Website Audit

• Many businesses believe their website is fine, but SEO audits often reveal broken links, slow speeds, and missing SEO elements.
• Google changes its algorithms constantly—businesses should update their websites every 2 years to stay competitive.

[08:56] – How to Choose the Right Keywords for SEO

• Businesses must target keywords that potential customers are actually searching for.
• Avoid keyword stuffing—Google penalizes overuse of the same terms.
• Use semantic keywords (related terms) to improve ranking.

[09:19] – The Power of Content Marketing

• Many businesses think they don’t have anything to write about, but customers are searching for information every day.
• Example: Window companies should write blogs answering common window-related questions.
• Content can be repurposed into blogs, social media posts, videos, and even podcasts.

[12:15] – Why SEO is the Best First Step in Marketing

• SEO provides better long-term ROI compared to social media marketing.
• Paid ads can work in combination with SEO, but Google prioritizes organic search results.
• Social media is valuable, but people often search for businesses on Google first.

[14:37] – The Role of Social Media in Business Marketing

• Social media should not be the main marketing strategy but a supporting tool.
• Zach uses social media to test content, colors, and messaging before scaling up.
• Social media posts don’t directly improve SEO, but shared content can drive website traffic.

[15:41] – The Value of Email Marketing

• Many think email marketing is dead, but it remains one of the most effective sales tools.
• Email should focus on value (education & entertainment) first, with sales offers coming later.
• Proven strategy: Build relationships through email, then introduce offers.

[24:44] – Lessons Learned: The Importance of Patience

• Entrepreneurs often want quick results, but business growth takes time.
• Zach emphasizes not sacrificing family time for business success.

[30:56] – The Power of Networking in Business Growth

• Zach shares how networking was intimidating at first, but it’s essential for growth.
• Advice: Focus on relationships, not just business transactions.
• Being authentic and serving others leads to organic business opportunities.

[35:09] – Hiring & Scaling: Lessons from Growing Market House

• Hiring too fast can hurt a business’s stability—grow at a pace that fits your goals.
• Market House initially grew too quickly, leading to an adjustment period.

[38:37] – The Future of Market House

• Mission-driven growth: The goal isn’t just profit—it’s helping businesses succeed.
• The team at Market House is passionate about marketing and branding.

[40:10] – Where to Learn More

• Check out MKT.house for branding, SEO, and marketing services.
• North Georgia Business Radio airs Saturdays at 3:00 PM on AM 550 WDUN.