How to Get Seen When You’re Broke: Budget Marketing Ideas for SA Small Businesses
Let’s get one thing straight. You’re not failing. You’re just doing business in South Africa, where load shedding ruins sales, clients pay late, and petrol prices jump every month for fun. Everyone’s talking about “mindset” while you’re trying to figure out how to afford your next stock order.
Marketing isn’t your biggest problem right now. But it can still be your biggest win - if you stop wasting time and money on things that don’t work.
You don’t need fancy funnels or agencies charging more than your rent. You need visibility. You need trust. And you need it on a budget.
Stop Copying What You See Online
The internet’s full of fake gurus selling “seven-figure secrets” from their rented Airbnbs. Ignore them. South Africa is not America. What works for some influencer in LA doesn’t work for a plumber in Pietermaritzburg or a bakery in Ballito.
You don’t need a fancy ad budget or viral dance video. You need to connect with real people who actually live near you, buy from you, and can afford you.
Marketing is not about looking successful. It’s about getting customers who pay.
Make Google Work for You
Start with the one thing that costs nothing but gives results. Get your business on Google.
Add photos, your hours, a proper description, and ask happy customers to leave reviews. When people search for what you do, you want to be the one that pops up, not the competitor down the road who figured this out first.
If your business isn’t on Google, it might as well not exist.
Turn WhatsApp Into a Sales Tool
You don’t need another app. You already have the best one.
Set up WhatsApp Business and fill in your info properly. Use quick replies, post on your status, and make it easy for people to reach you.
Most South Africans message before they buy. It’s how business gets done here. Meet them where they are.
Your phone is your shop window. Treat it like one.
Post Less, Say Something Worth Reading
You don’t need to post every day. You need to say something that makes people stop scrolling.
Show the work. The sweat. The story.
Talk like you. Not like a brand.
No filters. No “We’re thrilled to announce…” rubbish. Just real talk.
People connect with people. If your post sounds like a press release, it’s already forgotten.
And if it sounds like ChatGPT wrote it, it probably did. Delete it.
Go Old School (Because It Still Works)
You know what still gets attention? Actual, physical stuff.
A flyer. A poster. A sign that people see while they wait in traffic.
Drop a few flyers at shops near you. Put your WhatsApp number on them. Stick a poster on your gate, or your car. Sponsor a local event or school raffle.
It’s not glamorous, but it gets you noticed.
Everyone’s fighting for digital space. Sometimes the smartest move is to show up offline where there’s less noise.
Collaborate Instead of Compete
You don’t have to do it all alone. Partner with another small business that shares your audience.
A salon and a nail bar. A coffee shop and a bakery. A plumber and an electrician.
You can cross-promote, share flyers, run a small giveaway, or tag each other online.
You’re all trying to survive the same storm. Teaming up means both of you win a little faster.
Track What Works and Drop What Doesn’t
Stop doing things just because you’ve always done them.
Look at what actually brings in customers.
If five people messaged you after a Facebook post, do more of that.
If you’ve been posting reels for three months and nothing’s happened, stop wasting your time.
Marketing should bring results, not anxiety.
Keep the stuff that works. Cut the stuff that doesn’t. Simple as that.
Keep It Real
You don’t need to look like a success story. You need to stay visible, stay consistent, and stay honest.
Marketing is about connection, not perfection.
If you ever start feeling like it’s pointless, go read The economy is f*cked. Because it is.
But you’re still here. Still trying. Still showing up for your business when a lot of people have already given up.
That’s not luck. That’s resilience. And that’s the best marketing you’ll ever have.
Want tailored advice that doesn’t beat around the bush?
Hit me up:
📧 sez@sezdg.com
📲 WhatsApp: +27 67 601 0605
🌐 www.sezdg.com