I did say I was going to write a book! After 30 (!) years in marketing, I wanted to share what I’ve learned.

I kept reading the same thing, particularly from small business owners and freelancers: “I know I should do marketing, but it’s too complicated/expensive/time-consuming.” I could see why–most marketing books out there are either:

• Academic texts that put you into deep sleep by page three
• Corporate strategies needing budgets that would make most small business owners choke on their coffee

I thought: surely this is leaving loads of brilliant business people stuck — knowing they needed marketing but with no clue how to actually do it, without taking out a second mortgage.

From Big Corporate to Small Business — What an Eye-Opener

For decades, I built marketing functions for small, medium and large companies with proper budgets and teams of amazing marketing specialists. Now I’m shifting to helping small biz & nonprofits (100% more rewarding).

What struck me immediately? So many were struggling with the same problems. They either:

• Tried copying what big corporations do (and failed because, zero budget)
• Just avoided marketing altogether because it seemed “too scary”

This frustrated me because I knew that effective marketing doesn’t always need massive budgets (or fancy degrees: I mean look at me!). It needs creativity, consistency, and just having a go.

A No-Nonsense Solution

So I wrote this handbook with one aim: to make marketing doable for everyone.

No jargon. No complex theories. No strategies that need five-figure budgets.

Just practical, affordable ideas that actually work.

Each chapter builds on the previous one, so you can dip in and out as you need it. The “Try This Now” sections give you stuff to do right away rather than vague concepts to ponder.

Who Did I Write This For?

• Small business owners running solo or with small teams
• Marketing beginners who hear terms like ‘SEO’ and think “eh?”
• Anyone who wants to market their business without endless time or money

I wrote especially for those who say “I hate marketing!” — because let’s be honest, most marketing advice makes it sound so much more complicated than it needs to be.

What Makes This Book Different

Unlike many marketing guides that make big promises but deliver fluff, this book:

• Focuses on what works with small budgets (i.e. the real world)
• Gives step-by-step guidance without assuming you have a master
• Shows how to use AI tools to look like you have a marketing department
• Contains templates and resources you can use right away
• Speaks in plain English, not marketing blah-blah

I’ve also included a couple of stories of real small UK businesses that achieved great results with minimal budgets to show what’s possible. They’re good stories.

The Name Says It All

I called it “Clever Marketing: Small Budgets, Maximum Impact” because that’s exactly what small businesses need — ways to look bigger than they are, reach customers without emptying their wallets, and grow steadily through smart rather than expensive marketing.

The subtitle “A Practical Toolkit for Small Business Owners Who Hate Marketing” speaks to those who dread the topic but know they can’t ignore it.

A Promise

Read this book, apply the strategies, and you’ll see improvements in your marketing without spending much.

I put this handbook together because I believe every business regardless of size deserves the chance to tell its story well — not just those with fancy marketing departments and big budgets.

If you run a small business and want practical marketing guidance without the fluff, this book was written for you. Take what works, ignore what doesn’t, and let me know how you get on.