Every customer, client, or donor interaction tells a story.
 
A person might first discover your organization through a Google search, a social media post, a referral, or a blog article. From there, they may visit your website, read about your services or mission, sign up for emails, compare options, make a purchase, donate, or return later. That path is the customer journey.
 
For small businesses and nonprofits, understanding that journey is not optional. It is one of the clearest ways to create more meaningful experiences, build trust faster, and turn on-time interactions into long-term relationships.
 
At BIG DEAL Company, we believe the strongest marketing does more than generate clicks. It guides real people through real decisions with clarity, empathy, and consistency. When that happens, businesses grow, nonprofits deepen support, and brands become easier to trust.

What Is a Customer Journey?
A customer journey is the full path a person takes with your brand, from first awareness to deeper engagement, conversion, loyalty, and advocacy.
 
For a small business, that might look like this:

• They discover your business online
• They read your blog or explore your services
• They decide to contact you or make a purchase
• They evaluate the experience after the sale
• They return, recommend you, or leave a review

 
For a nonprofit, the path is similar, but the action may be different:

• They hear about your mission
• They read your story and impact
• They subscribe, attend, volunteer, or donate
• They receive updates and see outcomes
• They continue supporting and champion y our cause

 
The journey is not just about the final transaction. It includes every touchpoint that shapes how a person feels about your brand.

Why Customer Journeys Matter So Much
Small businesses and nonprofits do not usually have unlimited time, teams, or ad budgets. That means EVERY interaction matters more.
 
A clear customer journey helps you:
1.    Build trust earlier
People rarely take action the first time they encounter a brand. They need clarity, reassurance, and proof that you understand their needs or values.
2.    Reduce friction
If your website is confusing, your messaging is inconsistent, or your next steps are unclear, people drop off. A mapped journey helps you spot those breakdowns.
3.    Improve conversions
When each stage of the journey has the right message, content, and call to action, more people move forward.
4.    Strengthen loyalty
A great journey does not end after a purchase or donation. The post-conversion experience often determines whether someone returns, gives again, or recommends your brand.
5.    Create stronger advocacy
The best customer and donor experiences turn supporters into storytellers. They become the people who share your name, refer others, and expand your impact.
​
The Core Stages of the Customer Journey
While every organization is different, most customer and donor journeys follow a few key stages.

1.    Awareness
This is the first impression stage. A person becomes aware of your business, nonprofit, service, or mission.
They may be asking:

• Who are you?
• What do you do?
• Why should I care?
• Can I trust you?

 
At this stage, your website, messaging, search presence, social media, and content all matter. This is where blogs are especially powerful!

2.    Considerations
Now the person is interested, but not ready to act yet. They are comparing options, gathering information, and deciding whether your brand feels like the right fit.
 
They may be asking:

• Do you understand my problem?
• Are your services or mission relevant to me?
• What makes you different?
• What happens next?

              
This is where thoughtful content, testimonials, case studies, clear service pages, and well-structured landing pages make a major difference.

3.    Conversion
This is the action stage.
 
For a small business, that may mean making a purchase, booking a consultation, or requesting a quote.
For a nonprofit, it could mean donating, volunteering, signing up, or attending an event.
 
A strong conversion experience is simple, clear, and reassuring. It removes confusion and gives people confidence to take the next step.

4.    Retention
Once someone has acted, the relationship is still being formed.
 
This is where follow-up emails, onboarding, thank-you messages, service quality, donor acknowledgement, and ongoing communication come into play. A smooth, thoughtful retention stage increases repeat action and long-term value.

5.    Advocacy
This is where a customer or donor becomes something even more powerful: a supporter who actively shares your brand.
 
They leave reviews, recommend your business, share your mission with others, and become part of your growth story.
 
Advocacy is rarely created by marketing alone. It is created by experience.

​What Makes a Great Customer or Donor Experience?
A great experience is not flashy for the sake of being flashy. It is intentional, consistent, and human.
 
Here is what it usually includes:
Clarity
People should quickly understand who you are, what you offer, and what to do next.
Consistency
Your website, emails, blog content, social channels, and team interactions should feel like they come from the same brand.
Empathy
Your content and messaging should reflect what your audience is feeling, needing, and trying to solve.
Ease
​The path forward should feel simple. Easy navigation, clean calls to action, clear donation pages, and accessible information all matter.
Responsiveness
When people reach out, they should feel heard. Whether someone is a potential client or a first-time donor, prompt and thoughtful communication builds confidence.
Relevance
Different people are at different stages. The content that works for someone just discovering you is not the same content that works for someone ready to act.
Follow-through
Promises matter. If your brand says it is personal, strategic, compassionate, or reliable, the experience must support that claim.

Why Blogs Matter in the Customer Journey
Blogs are often underestimated, but they play a major role in guiding the customer journey.
 
At BIG DEAL Company, we believe robust content marketing is one of the smartest investments a small business or nonprofit can make because good content keeps working long after it is published.
 
A blog can help at every stage of the journey.

Blogs support awareness
A blog helps your audience find you through search and discover your perspective. It gives your brand more opportunities to answer real questions people are already asking.
Blogs build trust
When you publish helpful, useful content, you show expertise without forcing a sales pitch. You help people before they are ready to buy or donate.
Blogs support consideration
A strong blog answers objections, explains complex topics, highlights your values, and shows that you understand the audience you serve.
Blogs strengthen SEO and AEO
Well-structured blog content makes it easier for search engines and answer engines to understand your expertise, surface your content, and match it to user intent.
Blogs create momentum
A blog gives you content to share in newsletters, social media, nurture campaigns, presentations, and sales or donor conversations.
Blogs move people toward action
The right article at the right moment can be the bridge between passive interest and meaningful engagement.
 
In other words, blogs do not just attract traffic. They guide people forward.

​Why Brand Story Matters in the Customer Journey
Facts inform, but stories connect.
 
A brand story gives meaning to the experience people have with your business or organization. It helps them understand not just what you do, but why it matters.
 
For small businesses, a brand story can communicate:

• Why the company was founded
• Who does it serve best
• What values shape the work
• What transformation customers can expect

 
For nonprofits, a brand story can communicate:

• Why the mission exists
• Who is impacted
• Why support matters now
• How donors become part of real change

 
A strong brand story creates emotional continuity across the journey. It makes your marketing feel less transactional and more relational.
 
That matters because people do not just choose products or causes. They choose meaning, trust, alignment, and confidence.
 
When your story is clear, the journey becomes stronger because every touchpoint reinforces the same message.

Customer Journeys for Small Businesses
Small businesses often grow through reputation, referrals, and repeat business. That means the journey matters at every step.
 
A great customer journey helps small businesses:

• Stand out in crowded markets
• Turn website visitors into qualified leads
• Increase repeat purchases
• Improve customer satisfaction
• Generate more reviews and referrals
• Build a brand people remember

Without a strong journey, marketing can feel disjointed. You may attract attention, but lose people before they take action.

Donor Journeys for Nonprofits
For nonprofits, the donor journey is about more than fundraising. It is about stewardship, trust, and shared purpose.
 
A donor is more likely to stay engaged when they feel:

• Welcomed
• Informed
• Appreciated
• Connected to impact
• Confident in your mission
• Clear on how their support makes a difference

A thoughtful donor journey helps nonprofits move from one-time giving to an ongoing relationship with the community. It transforms outreach from a series of isolated asks into a meaningful relationship.

​At BIG DEAL Company, we help businesses and nonprofits create journeys that are not only strategic but genuinely useful and engaging.
 
That means we help shape the full experience, including:
Brand messaging and positioning
We help clarify who you are, what makes you different, and how to communicate that with confidence.
Content strategy
We build robust content marketing plans that support every stage of the customer or donor journey, not just the top of the funnel.
Blog development
We create blog content that helps audiences discover your brand, understand your value, and move closer to action.
Storytelling
We help organizations develop brand stories that resonate, build trust, and bring consistency across channels.
Website and journey strategy
We look at how people move through your digital presence and identify ways to reduce friction and strengthen engagement.
Ongoing marketing support
We help do the driving, so you can stay focused on running your business or advancing your mission.
 
For many organizations, the challenge is not knowing that customer experience matters. The challenge is having the time and internal capacity to shape it well.
 
That is where BIG DEAL comes in.

Let BIG DEAL Do the Driving
You already have enough to manage.
 
You are running a business, serving clients, leading a team, building a mission, or raising critical support. Marketing should help move that work forward, not become another burden competing for your attention.
 
BIG DEAL Company helps small businesses and nonprofits create customer and donor journeys that feel clear, connected, and intentional. From content strategy and blogging to storytelling and experience design, we help you build the kind of brand journey that earns trust and inspires action.
 
So while you focus on the work only you can do, we help shape the experience that brings people closer to your brand.
 
Customer journeys are not just marketing diagrams. They are lived experiences.
 
They shape how people discover you, how they evaluate you, how they engage with you, and whether they come back. For small businesses and nonprofits, that journey can be the difference between being noticed and being remembered.
 
When the journey is guided by clarity, strong content, a brand story, and a commitment to experience, it becomes one of the most powerful growth tools a brand can have.
 
And when that journey is built with intention,  your audience does not just move through a funnel.
 
They move toward trust.
 
FAQs
What is a customer journey?
A customer journey is the full series of interactions a person has with a brand, from first awareness to conversion, retention, and advocacy.

Why is the customer journey important for small businesses?
It helps small businesses create better experiences, reduce friction, improve conversions, increase repeat business, and generate stronger referrals.

How is a donor journey different from a customer journey?
A donor journey follows many of the same stages, but it focuses on mission-driven engagement, trust, stewardship, and long-term support instead of only a purchase.

How do blogs help guide the customer journey?
Blogs help attract new audiences, answer questions, build trust, support SEO and AEO, and move people from awareness to consideration and action.

What makes a great customer or donor experience?
A great experience is clear, relevant, consistent, easy to navigate, emotionally resonant, and supported by strong follow-through.

Why is brand story important in the customer journey?
A brand story gives people a reason to connect. It creates meaning, builds trust, and helps every touchpoint feel aligned and memorable.

How can Big Deal Company help improve the customer journey?
Big Deal Company helps businesses and nonprofits shape messaging, content strategy, blogs, storytelling, and digital experiences so audiences move from discovery to loyalty more naturally.

What is the connection between customer journeys and content marketing?
​Content marketing supports each stage of the journey by giving audiences the right information at the right time, helping them feel informed, confident, and ready to act.

At BIG DEAL Company, we know social media isn’t just a platform – it’s a stage. For nonprofits and businesses alike, every post, story, and comment is an opportunity to connect, inspire, and build lasting relationships with your audience. Truly standing out calls for creativity, authenticity, and strategies that turn followers into active participants in your mission or brand story.
 
In this post, we’re sharing a collection of unique, actionable ways you can engage with your social media audience – ideas that go beyond likes and shares to spark conversations, build community, and create memorable experiences (read more about experiential marketing). Whether you’re a nonprofit looking to rally support or a small business aiming to deepen customer loyalty, these tactics will help your social presence feel less like a broadcast and more like a conversation.

​1. Polls & Quizzes
 Interactive polls and quizzes are a fun way to engage followers while learning more about them. From quick yes/no polls to personality quizzes or content quizzes related to your brand or cause, these tools encourage participation and can provide valuable insights to direct your marketing strategy.
 
Example: A local nonprofit asked followers, “Which sustainability tip will you try this week?” Poll results drove engagement and informed their next campaign.
 
Visual Suggestion: Colorful poll graphics with “Swipe to Vote” or interactive Instagram story templates.
 
2. Mini Challenges
 Encourage followers to participate in small, shareable actions, like posting a photo using your product, trying a DIY tip, or completing a charitable task. Mini challenges create excitement, foster a sense of community, and give followers a reason to tag friends, expanding your reach organically.
 
Example: A small bakery ran the #BIGDEALBakes challenge, inviting followers to post photos recreating a signature recipe. Featured posts boosted visibility by 40%.
 
Visual Suggestion: Branded challenge templates for followers to post or tag friends.
 
3. Behind-the-Scenes or Day-in-the-Life Posts
 Show the human side of your organization. Whether it’s a volunteer sorting donations, a team member preparing for an event, or a peek into your creative process, behind-the-scenes content builds trust and personal connection, and audiences feel like you’re letting them in on a secret.
 
Example: A nonprofit shared a reel showing volunteers prepping for a fundraiser, generating hundreds of heartfelt comments.
 
Visual Suggestion: Short video clips or Instagram Reels with playful captions.
 
4. Interactive Infographics
 Transform facts and statistics into swipeable (like an Instagram carousel) or clickable graphics (like a Facebook story) that invite followers to engage. Nonprofits can highlight impact numbers, while businesses can share industry insights, making learning fun and visually appealing.
 
Example: An animal rescue posted a carousel of “5 Ways Your Donation Helps Animals,” resulting in a 25% increase in shares.
 
Visual Suggestion: Carousel posts with bold icons, numbers, and animated elements.
 
5. Photo Contests
 Encourage your audience to share their own photos related to your brand or mission. Highlighting participants in your feed or stories not only rewards engagement but also builds a library of user-generated content you can use for future campaigns.
 
Example: A community fitness brand ran a #FitForChange photo contest, showcasing top entries in weekly stories. Engagement doubled during the contest period.
 
Visual Suggestion: Branded announcement post with clear instructions and deadline.
 
6. Live Trivia
 Host a live trivia event relevant to your cause or industry. This is a playful way to educate followers, foster friendly competition, and keep your audience tuned in for real-time engagement. Ideal platforms include Facebook and Instagram stories or polls.
 
Example: A local museum hosted “Art Trivia Tuesdays” on Instagram Live, drawing 50+ viewers each session and sparking lively discussion.
 
Visual Suggestion: Branded slides with questions, countdown timers, and live polls.

7. Live Q&A
 Give your followers direct access to your team or experts in your field. A live Q&A allows for authentic, real-time conversations where you can answer questions, address concerns, or share insights. Ideal platforms include Facebook and Instagram stories or polls, Reddit AMAs (“Ask-Me-Anything”), or LinkedIn Live and LinkedIn Audio.
 
Example: A nonprofit CEO hosted a Reddit AMA about an upcoming campaign, resulting in 50+ meaningful questions and increased email sign-ups.
 
Visual Suggestion: Live session overlay graphics, pinned comment box for questions.
 
8. Virtual Workshops or Classes
 Teach a skill or share knowledge via live or pre-recorded sessions. Whether it’s a cooking demo, a craft tutorial, or a training on your nonprofit’s mission, workshops provide tangible value and encourage repeated engagement. You can create always-accessible videos on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, or TikTok, or go live to create a limited-time experience for viewers.
 
Example: A craft store hosted weekly virtual DIY workshops. Attendees shared completed projects, creating UGC (user-generated content) and recurring engagement.
 
Visual Suggestion: Step-by-step video clips, carousel instructions, or downloadable PDFs.
 
9. Interactive Stories
 Both Instagram and Facebook offer “Ask me anything,” polls, or sliders in stories. These tools let followers participate actively rather than passively scrolling, and they offer a quick, informal way to connect.
 
Example: A local bookstore asked followers to vote on the next book for their online book club, increasing story engagement by 35%.
 
Visual Suggestion: Branded story templates with prompts and stickers.
 
10. Partnership Takeovers
 Invite a partner organization, influencer, or community member to take over your account for a day. Takeovers bring fresh perspectives, expand your audience, and showcase collaboration authentically.
 
Example: A food bank partnered with a local chef to take over Instagram stories, sharing a behind-the-scenes cooking demo while promoting a fundraiser. Engagement surged, and new followers joined.
 
Visual Suggestion: Split-screen graphics highlighting guest hosts with your logo.
 
11. Badges or Rewards
 Gamify engagement by offering recognition or digital badges for participating in campaigns, attending events, or completing challenges. This creates motivation and encourages followers to come back for more. Instagram creators can offer badges to viewers during Live videos, and Reddit allows users to give badges or rewards to others’ posts and comments.
 
Example: A nonprofit recognized top donors with #BIGDEALStar badges shared on social media, boosting repeat engagement and online donations.
 
Visual Suggestion: Branded digital badges or icons displayed in stories or posts.
 
12. Feature Audience Stories
 Highlight the people behind your community: supporters, clients, or volunteers. Sharing their stories not only celebrates them but also strengthens the sense of belonging and trust in your organization or brand, plus tagging their accounts expands your post reach for free.
 
Example: A local pet shelter shared a follower’s adoption story, accompanied by a heartfelt photo. The post received 3x more comments than typical updates.
 
Visual Suggestion: Quote cards with photos and short captions.

13. Facility or Event Tours
 Bring followers into your space, whether it’s an office, a warehouse, or a local event. Similar to BTS (behind-the-scenes) content, live or recorded tours make your organization more transparent, relatable, and engaging while showcasing your work in action. These posts are popular for giving your audience a glimpse into areas that are often off-limits to the public.
 
Example: A nonprofit hosted a live tour of their community garden before a fundraising dinner, sparking excitement and driving RSVPs.
 
Visual Suggestion: 360° video clips, Instagram Live, or guided photo tours.
 
When used effectively, social media is a tool for connection, storytelling, and relationship-building. Download our FREE Content Marketing Simplified printable to get started.
 
At BIG DEAL Company, we love helping organizations craft dynamic campaigns that leave a lasting impact. Start small, test what resonates, and watch your followers become an active, enthusiastic part of your story.

​Frequently Asked Questions
 
1. What social media platforms are best for unique engagement tactics?
 
A: Most tactics can be adapted for multiple platforms. Instagram and Facebook are ideal for polls, quizzes, stories, and live sessions. LinkedIn works well for professional Q&As, workshops, and industry-focused content. Reddit AMAs are perfect for deeper, text-based interactions, while TikTok and YouTube are great for challenges, behind-the-scenes videos, and tutorials. Choose platforms based on where your audience is most active.
 
2. How can nonprofits and small businesses measure engagement success?
 
A: Engagement isn’t just about likes or shares. Track comments, poll participation, story interactions, click-throughs, and conversions (like sign-ups or donations). UGC (user-generated content) and repeat participation in challenges or events are also strong indicators of success.
 
3. How can BIG DEAL Company help my business or nonprofit create these types of engaging social media content?
A: BIG DEAL Company helps you plan, create, and manage interactive social media campaigns. We design eye-catching graphics, polls, quizzes, and videos, schedule posts and live events, engage your community, and track results to optimize future campaigns. Our goal is to turn followers into active participants who connect with your mission or brand.

During times of economic uncertainty, our first instinct is to look for ways to cut costs to keep our businesses afloat. While this might seem like a logical step to conserve resources, reducing marketing efforts during a downturn can actually do more harm than good.
 
In reality, continuing to invest in marketing during tough times can provide businesses with a competitive advantage, build brand loyalty, and position them for long-term success – just ask Procter & Gamble, who notoriously doubled down on marketing efforts when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and saw revenues surge compared with their competitors.’
 
Here’s why investing in marketing during times of uncertainty is more important than ever:

​Maintain visibility while competitors disappear
When businesses cut back on marketing, they also reduce their visibility to potential customers. If your competitors scale back their marketing efforts but you remain active, your brand becomes more prominent. Procter & Gamble benefitted precisely because other Fortune 500 companies went dark when the pandemic caused massive market uncertainty.
Customers who continue to search for products and services will see your company first, helping you gain market share that might have otherwise gone to your competition.

Build brand trust and loyalty
During economic downturns, consumers are more selective about where they spend their money. Businesses that continue to communicate with their audience, provide value, and demonstrate stability will build trust.
When people see that your company is still present and engaging with customers despite economic hardships, they are more likely to view you as a reliable and trustworthy choice – worthy of spending their hard-earned dollars.

Take advantage of lower advertising costs
Marketing channels, including digital advertising, social media promotions, and traditional media, often see lower costs during economic downturns. With fewer companies competing for ad space, businesses that continue advertising can benefit from reduced costs per click, impression, or placement. This means you can achieve better reach and engagement while spending less than you would in a strong economy.

Position your business for recovery
Economic downturns don’t last forever. When the economy rebounds, businesses that maintained their marketing efforts will be in a much stronger position than those that went dark. An unnamed client recently saw calls from new customers decline by 82% within 5 months of cutting marketing services due to uncertainty.

Keeping your brand at the forefront of consumers’ minds ensures that when they are ready to spend again, they will think of you first.

Strengthen customer relationships
Marketing isn’t just about selling – it’s about building relationships. During uncertain times, customers appreciate brands that provide valuable information, offer solutions, and show empathy. Content marketing, email campaigns, and social media engagement allow businesses to stay connected with their audience in a meaningful way, fostering long-term loyalty.
​

Adapt and innovate for changing consumer needs
Economic shifts often bring changes in consumer behavior. Companies that continue investing in marketing can track trends, gather data, and adjust their strategies accordingly. Whether it’s shifting to more digital channels, offering promotions, or refining messaging, staying active allows businesses to adapt to customer needs in real time.
 
During recessions, successful marketing can lead to increased market share, as seen with Starbucks, McDonald's, and Hyundai, who adapted their strategies to capitalize on consumer behavior shifts and maintain or grow their market position. 
Here's a breakdown of how these brands, successfully navigated recessions through smart marketing:

1. Starbucks:

• Context:

During the 2008 financial crisis, Starbucks faced a 28% drop in profits, but they pivoted to focus on building personalized customer relationships and embracing newer technologies like mobile apps. 

• Strategy:

They continued to open new locations, especially abroad (like in China), at a rapid pace, demonstrating a commitment to growth even during tough times. 

• Outcome:

Starbucks became the largest coffee retailer with a 40% market share by 2019. 

2. McDonald's:

• Context:

During the 2008 recession, McDonald's not only managed to stay afloat but also grabbed significant market share from competitors like Burger King and Yum Brands. 

• Strategy:

They implemented a value-focused menu (like the Dollar Menu) and a shrewd marketing strategy that involved taking advantage of cheaper TV ad rates. 

• Outcome:

McDonald's grew in 2008, with sales exceeding both 2006 and 2007, before the financial impact was felt worldwide. 

3. Hyundai:

• Context:

In 2009, the auto industry was struggling, and Hyundai USA strengthened its marketing efforts.

• Strategy:

They invested in Super Bowl and Academy Awards commercial slots and a customer-focused ad campaign.

• Outcome:

Hyundai's market share increased from 3.1% to 4.3%, while competitors experienced a 22% sales drop, and Hyundai increased vehicle sales by 5%. 

While cutting marketing costs may seem like a quick fix to protect your bottom line, it can have long-term consequences. Investing in marketing during economic uncertainty not only helps sustain your business in the present but also prepares you for future growth. The businesses that remain visible, build trust, and adapt to changing circumstances are the ones that emerge stronger when the economy bounces back.

At BIG DEAL Company, we specialize in creating impactful marketing strategies that help businesses thrive – even in challenging times. If you’re looking to maintain momentum and stay ahead of the competition, contact us today to learn how we can support your brand’s growth.

AI is Changing How People Search:

• 20% of users switched their primary search platform in the last year.
• 78% have tried Generative AI search tools.

What This Means for Your Brand:

• AI chatbots & search summaries (think Google’s AI overviews) are becoming the first stop for answers.
• SEO must evolve to ensure your brand stays discoverable

​Choosing between in-house and outsourced marketing is a crucial decision that impacts your brand’s growth, efficiency, and ROI (return on investment). Each approach offers unique benefits, and the right choice depends on various factors, such as budget, scalability, and creative needs.
 
At Big Deal Company, we understand that marketing is more than just strategy - it’s about creativity, connection, and delivering results. As a leading marketing collective, we specialize in high-impact campaigns, event planning, and brand growth strategies. Whether you’re looking to build an internal team or leverage expert outsourced marketing services, we help businesses navigate the best approach to achieve their marketing goals. Let’s dive into the benefits of both in-house and outsourced marketing to help you and your business make an informed decision.

In-House Marketing
Pros:

• Deep Brand Understanding - Your team lives and breathes your brand, ensuring messaging aligns with our company’s voice and values.
• Direct Communication - Immediate feedback and collaboration lead to quick decision-making and adaptability.
• Complete Control - You oversee all strategies and executions, providing alignment with your exact standards and objectives.

Cons:

• Higher Costs - Salaries, benefits, training, and tools add up, making it a significant investment.
• Limited Skill Sets - Your team might lack specialized expertise, requiring additional training or hires.
• Scalability Challenges - Expanding or reducing the team based on project needs can be slow and costly.

Outsourced Marketing
​Pros:

• Access to Experts - Agencies offer specialized skills across various marketing disciplines, ensuring high-quality execution.
• Cost-Effective - You pay for services as needed, avoiding the overhead associated with full-time employees.
• Scalability and Flexibility - Easily adjust the level of services based on your current needs without long-term commitments.

Cons:

• Less Brand Familiarity - External teams may require time to fully grasp your brand’s nuances and values.
• Communication Delays - Working with external partners can sometimes lead to slower decisions and implementation (due to delays on both sides!).
• Potential Misalignment - There’s a risk that the agency’s vision doesn’t perfectly align with your brand’s goals.

Financial Considerations
Hiring an in-house marketing team involves significant costs, including salaries and benefits. For example, hiring a marketing manager, content creator, SEO specialist, and designer can collectively cost over $150,000 (conservatively) annually.
 
Engaging an agency like Big Deal Company can be more economical. Monthly retainer rates for comprehensive services like SEO, PPC, and content marketing can total around $7500 or less, offering a broad range of expertise without the long-term financial commitment.
 
Creation and Ideation
In-house teams will have an intimate understanding of your brand. They will have an easy time fostering ideas that align well with company culture and objectives.
 
Outsourced agencies can bring fresh perspectives to your vision and goals. Contracted agencies typically have teams that can draw on diverse experiences across industries, which can lead to innovative and creatively unique campaigns.

​Which One Is Right for You?
The best choice depends on your business’s size, budget, and marketing goals. If you need a hands-on team that fully embodies your brand or you deal with sensitive information that needs to reach niche audiences, an in-house team might be the way to go. If you want access to top-tier expertise that is always on top of the latest trends and that can provide flexibility and cost savings, outsourcing could be the smarter move.
 
At BIG DEAL Company, we specialize in bringing creativity to life - whether through unique marketing strategies, innovative campaigns, or unforgettable events. We’re purveyors of fun, passionate about growth, and dedicated to making every client a priority. If you’re looking for a marketing partner that delivers results with energy and originality, let’s make something amazing together!
 

I​n today’s fast-evolving marketing landscape, reaching your audience wherethey are - across email, social media, and owned media - is crucial. Multi-channel engagement means delivering a cohesive message through everyplatform, building brand trust and driving conversions.

Download our FREE guide below.

​7 Ways to Leverage Cause Marketing For Your Business
In today’s socially conscious marketplace, brand values matter more than ever to your customers and clients. Cause marketing, which ties your brand to a social or environmental cause, not only enhances your corporate image but also promotes customer loyalty and engagement. At BIG DEAL Company, we believe in the power of purpose-driven events and marketing strategies.
 
Here are 7 tips to effectively leverage cause marketing for your business:
 
Choose a Cause That Resonates with Your Brand
 
The first step in successful cause marketing is to choose a cause that aligns with your brand’s mission and values. Ideally, your customers should see a natural connection between your business and the cause you’re supporting. For example, if you’re in the fitness industry, partnering with a health-related nonprofit would be a strong fit, while a mortgage lender might partner with a housing charity.

Partner with Nonprofits
 
Forming a true partnership with a nonprofit (or a few) provides credibility and mutual increased marketing reach, allowing you to tap into the nonprofit’s existing audience while they tap into yours. Nurturing a deeper connection with just a few organizations gives you the opportunity to learn about how you can make the biggest difference for them, and this involvement can also be featured in your marketing to promote your business.
 
Incorporate Your Cause into Events
 
Events offer a powerful platform to highlight your cause marketing efforts. Whether it’s through charity fundraisers, awareness campaigns, or volunteer-driven activities, make the cause a central theme of your event. This not only raises awareness but also engages attendees in a meaningful way, bringing you opportunities for more business.
 
Engage Your Employees
 
Encourage employee participation in your cause marketing initiatives. This could be through volunteer programs, donation matching, or company-sponsored charity events. We’ve seen clients partner with a nonprofit to have their employees volunteer for a full day during work hours, while being paid their usual work salary by the company. Employee engagement strengthens your company culture, demonstrates your commitment to the cause, and provides word-of-mouth marketing.
***HOT TIP: You can download the BizWest GIVING GUIDE to research contact information for non-profits you are interested in supporting.
 

Offer Donation Matching
 
Incentivize your customers to donate by offering to match their contributions. For example, you could match every dollar donated by your customers up to a certain amount. This not only encourages more donations but also shows that your business is committed to making a significant community impact, not just improving your bottom line. (Example: United Way's Workplace Giving)
 
Use Social Media
 
Social media is a powerful tool for spreading the word about your cause marketing efforts. Share stories, updates, and results across platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Tag nonprofits you support to promote their cause and boost engagement for your content. Cross-post the latest news from your nonprofit partners’ page – many will return the favor.
 
Measure and Share Your Success
 
Finally, it’s crucial to measure the success of your cause marketing campaigns and share the results with your audience. Whether it’s the amount of money raised, the number of lives impacted, or the growth in customer engagement, transparency builds trust and encourages continued support. Feature these numbers on your social media, your company website, at company events (both internal and public-facing) and anywhere else you advertise.

***HOT TIP: United Way of Larimer County has a 211 tip service that lists out all non-profits by services they offer: 211 TIPS
 
Cause marketing is more than just a trend; it’s a powerful strategy that can elevate your brand while making a meaningful difference in the world. At BIG DEAL Company, we’re here to help you craft events and marketing strategies that drive both social impact and business success.
 
If you need help planning your next cause-driven event or campaign, contact us to learn how we can support your vision.
 
For more business marketing tips and ideas, follow BIG DEAL Company on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

​The art of storytelling has emerged as a powerful tool for small businesses to effectively market their products or services. Storytelling in marketing simply means using a story, or narrative, to communicate your message to your audience. Read on to find out how brand storytelling can enhance your small business marketing.

Creating Emotional Connections
Storytelling is a means of connecting with your audience as you exchange information with them. It makes business communications relatable and memorable. When done well, it creates an emotional connection to your brand.
 
Emotions play a vital role in decision-making, and storytelling is a powerful tool to evoke emotions in your audience. Through compelling narratives, small businesses can evoke a range of emotions, such as joy, empathy, or inspiration. When customers emotionally connect with a brand, they are more likely to remember it and choose it over competitors.
Sharing stories about how the business positively impacted a customer's life or helped them overcome a challenge creates a strong emotional bond. Testimonials and case studies are excellent examples of storytelling that showcase real-life experiences and the emotional connection a customer has with a product or service.

Encouraging Engagement
Engagement is crucial for the success of any marketing strategy, and storytelling helps in fostering a sense of community among customers. By sharing stories and encouraging customers to share their own experiences, small businesses can create a network of engaged customers who actively support and promote the brand.
Utilizing social media platforms to share stories and encourage discussions allows businesses to connect with their audience in a more interactive and engaging way.

​Humanizing Your Brand
One of the fundamental ways storytelling enhances small business marketing is by humanizing the brand. Sharing stories about the people behind the business, their struggles, triumphs, and motivations – when appropriate – helps to create a genuine and personal connection with the audience. It transforms a faceless entity into a relatable and empathetic one, ultimately fostering trust and loyalty.
For example, sharing a story about the founder's passion for the business and how it all began can resonate with customers who appreciate the dedication and hard work that went into building the brand.

Building Trust
Genuine authenticity and trust play crucial roles in the realm of marketing. When customers have confidence in your brand, they're inclined to engage with your business, advocate for your offerings, and foster enduring brand loyalty over time.
 
Establishing trust with your target audience hinges on delivering an authentic message. Your brand narrative should remain faithful to your true identity, avoiding fabrication or exaggeration. Transparency and authenticity signal your brand's commitment to honesty and openness in its operations, cultivating customer confidence and reinforcing their connection with your brand.
 
Yielding Better ROI
Storytelling harnesses the profound influence of human emotions, rendering your brand more relatable and dependable. We tend to choose brands we are familiar with, fond of, and trust. Consequently, brand storytelling yields a superior return on investment.
Customers relish the opportunity to see themselves as heroes or trendsetters, significantly increasing their likelihood of choosing your brand over those that unabashedly self-promote.

 
By humanizing the brand, creating emotional connections, establishing a unique identity, educating the audience, and fostering engagement, storytelling can significantly enhance small business marketing. In today's competitive business landscape, storytelling has emerged as a vital tool for small businesses to connect with their audience on a deeper level.

BIG DEAL Company’s experienced small business marketing team is ready to tell YOUR brand’s story.
 
For more business marketing tips and ideas, follow BIG DEAL Company on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.