📇 Business Cards > TikTok? Simple Marketing That Still Works in 2025


​

​

Hey folks, Good day and Good Monday...

but...

You don’t need to go viral to grow your business.

​
In fact, some of the best marketing strategies are the ones we forget — or assume are outdated.

In this issue, I’m breaking down a few simple tactics that still work for small businesses, especially if you're in construction, home services, or any people-facing business.

Simple Marketing for Small Business: Back to the Basics Right

↓

TikTok ain’t for everybody — and that’s okay.​
There, I said it.

This isn’t just about TikTok though. It’s about any platform the internet experts say you should be on. As a small business owner, you need to be where your people are.

When we think about marketing, our minds go straight to social media. The reach. The scale. The dream of going viral. And yes, your business probably needs to be on social — but that’s a conversation for another day.

Don’t Overlook the Basics

Social media might feel like the only game in town — but don’t get it twisted.

Just because there are nail guns doesn’t mean you throw away your hammer.​
The hammer still works. It’s simple, reliable, and does the job.

Business cards, phone calls, your website — this is your hammer. Use them.

Are Business Cards Dead?

I thought so.
Until people kept asking me for one.

Now I carry a stack with me, always.

Here’s why: there’s a generation — with money to spend — still value a card in their hand. Especially in the home service world — driveways, pressure washing, pest control, house cleaning.

These folks save cards and pull them out when they’re ready.

If they have your card, you’re literally in their hands when it’s time to buy.

Don’t Sleep on Your Website

I’ll admit — it took us forever to update Lanier Construction’s website.
We finally did it, and the compliments started rolling in.

In public bid work, your website doesn’t win jobs — your number does. But that doesn’t mean people don’t look you up. They do. They check your site. They check your social. And they judge your business based on what they see.

If your website is out of date, you look out of business.

And the truth is — it’s never been easier to launch or update a clean, simple website.

And Yes, Pick Up the Phone

DMs and emails are great, but don’t underestimate the power of a phone call.

People are busy. They see your email, but might not reply. That’s one touchpoint. Call them — that’s two. If they answer, that’s your in.

Some folks don’t love phone calls, sure. But you’re a pro — you can read the room.

Simple Wins

At the end of the day, business is still about people.
People are your customers, your neighbors, your friends.

Marketing doesn’t have to be fancy. It just needs to be consistent.
If you do the basics right — cards, calls, a decent site — the rest tends to fall into place.


💡 Want more simple ideas like this?

​
I share business insights like this for Main Street entrepreneurs every week. Stay tuned — and feel free to hit reply if something resonated with you.
​

​📬 Join + Subscribe to the Digital Inc.​

P.O. Box 37894, Raleigh, NC 27627
​Unsubscribe · Preferences​

Ben Lanier|The Digital Inc.

Over a decade in highway construction with a focus on merging technology and innovation. There may be more trucks and heavy equipment in my day to day, but the approach works for all businesses on Main Street.

Read more from Ben Lanier|The Digital Inc.
A car parked in front of a building with graffiti on it

Mastering the Game: Content Marketing, AI Tools, and Timeless Advertising Wisdom 1. I ran across this awesome guide from Copyblogger on how to use content marketing as a small business owner. Look around town and in most cases you’ll notice small businesses in your market and to be frank, there’s not a lot that separates what they do from each other. If another competitor is in your market, who will win when your services and prices are comparable? Most likely it’s the company that can win in...

Apple MacBook beside computer mouse on table

August 8th The Future of Work: Superhuman Potential at Your Fingertips What’s up gang, Earlier this week, I talked about AI and ChatGPT. This isn’t just a passing topic; it’s a game-changer. Imagine multiplying your skills by 10. I might not have the words to convey this fully, but trust me, AI is a powerful tool at our fingertips, making us all potential superhumans. I watched an episode by Raoul Pal on my beloved YouTube University. While he usually talks about investing, this episode...

August 6th ChatGPT and Work: How My Kids Helped Me Get Started "Things have changed." AI is here, or as some might say, "The robots are coming." But honestly, it's not that extreme. Here's what I've noticed: My kids are growing up with the internet like it's just another part of their lives. They don't say, "I need to get on the internet." They just pick up a tablet or whatever device we have lying around and hop online. One day, one of my kids asked me to grab my phone and ask Siri what a...