For most small business owners, marketing isn’t a dedicated block on the calendar. It’s something you squeeze in when you can.

Five minutes is often all you have. And that’s enough.

The tasks below are small by design. Each one can be done quickly, but over time they build visibility, trust, and consistency without taking over your day.

Why small, consistent marketing efforts matter

Effective marketing isn't always about large, expensive campaigns. It is more often the result of small, consistent actions that accumulate over time.

Small actions like updating your hours, replying to a review, or posting on your social media accounts, send steady signals. Each task sends a signal to search engines, social media algorithms, and customers that your business is active and engaged.

Even something as simple as a one-hour content plan can go a long way in establishing your businesses’ online presence.i do

10 quick marketing tasks small businesses can do daily

Here are ten high-impact marketing tasks for small business owners. Each can be completed in five minutes or less. Bookmark this list and choose one whenever you have a spare moment.

1. Update your google business profile (hours, post, or photo)

Why it matters: Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is your digital storefront and a primary factor in local search rankings. An accurate, active profile signals to Google that your business is relevant and trustworthy, improving your visibility on Google Maps and in search results.

Your 5-minute task: Open the Google Maps app, find your business, and select 'Manage.'

• Update your hours: Adjust your schedule for an upcoming holiday in 2026.

• Add a photo: Post a quick image of a new product, your team, or your storefront. Authenticity is more important than professional quality.

• Create a Post: Use the 'Add update' feature to share an announcement, a special offer, or a link to a new blog post.

2. Respond to one customer review (positive or negative)

Why it matters: Responding to reviews shows you are engaged and value customer feedback. Acknowledging positive reviews reinforces loyalty. A professional response to a negative review can resolve a problem publicly and demonstrate to potential customers that you take concerns seriously.

Your 5-minute task: Go to your Google Business Profile, Yelp, or Facebook page and find one recent review. If it's positive, thank the customer by name and reference their comment. If it's negative, acknowledge their experience, apologize, and offer to resolve the issue offline.

3. Share a customer photo or testimonial on social media

Why it matters: User-Generated Content (UGC) is a powerful, authentic endorsement of your business. Sharing a customer's post provides social proof and shows potential buyers that real people use and value your products or services.

Your 5-minute task: Find a tagged photo or positive mention on Instagram or Facebook. Share it to your feed or Story with a caption like, "We appreciate our customers sharing their experience with [product/service]. Thank you, [tag customer]." Always ask for permission before reposting a customer's photo.

4. Engage with 3 relevant local accounts on Instagram or Facebook

Why it matters: Engaging with other local, non-competing businesses increases your visibility within the community. When their followers see your thoughtful comments, it can lead them to discover your profile and learn about your business.

Your 5-minute task: Open Instagram or Facebook and search a local hashtag (e.g., #VancouverEats, #AustinSmallBiz) or visit the profile of a complementary local business. Leave a genuine, non-promotional comment on three recent posts. Go beyond "Nice post" with something like, "This looks great. It's good to see what our neighbors are working on."

5. Answer a common customer question in a social media post

Why it matters: Proactively answering frequently asked questions saves you time and provides immediate value to your audience. It positions your business as a helpful, authoritative resource.

Your 5-minute task: Identify one question you are asked repeatedly. Create a simple text or graphic post answering it. For example: "FAQ: Where is the best place to park? There is free 2-hour parking available on Main Street." This is an effective marketing tactic because it repurposes information you already have.

6. Post a quick behind-the-scenes instagram or facebook story

Why it matters: Stories offer a casual, temporary format to show the human side of your business. A brief look behind the scenes makes your brand more relatable and helps you connect with your audience on a personal level.

Your 5-minute task: Use your phone to capture a short video or photo of a daily business activity, such as unboxing new inventory or preparing for the day. Add a simple text overlay or a sticker and post it to your Story.

7. Review your website's homepage on your phone

Why it matters: In 2025, most customers will first encounter your website on a mobile device. If your site is slow, hard to read, or difficult to navigate on a phone, you are losing potential business. A quick mobile review can identify critical issues.

Your 5-minute task: Open your website on your phone. Is it immediately clear what your business does? Is your phone number clickable? Is the text readable without zooming? Try to find your contact page. If any part of the experience is frustrating, make a note to have it fixed.

8. Pin your most important post to the top of your social profile

Why it matters: A pinned post on Facebook, Instagram, or X (formerly Twitter) is the first thing visitors see on your profile. Use this space to feature your most important message, such as a current promotion, a booking link, or a popular service.

Your 5-minute task: Go to your social media profile and find the post you want to highlight. Click the menu icon (...) and select "Pin to profile." This gives your most critical information maximum visibility.

9. Send a personal 'thank you' email to a recent customer

Why it matters: In an automated world, a personal message has a significant impact. A brief, non-automated thank you email can convert a one-time customer into a loyal advocate by showing you value their business.

Your 5-minute task: Open your email and think of a customer you recently served. Write a short message: "Hi [Customer Name], I wanted to personally thank you for visiting us yesterday. I hope you enjoy your [product/service]. We appreciate your support. Best, [Your Name]."

10. Brainstorm and jot down one idea for your next promotion or newsletter

Why it matters: The most difficult part of content creation is starting with a blank page. Capturing an idea when it occurs gives you a starting point for when you have more time, which helps prevent creative blocks.

Your 5-minute task: Open a notes app. Think about an upcoming seasonal event, a new product, or a useful tip for your customers. Write down one idea. For example: "Newsletter idea: 3 ways to use our new ceramic mugs." You have now created a foundation for future marketing content.

How to turn these tips into a habit

These tasks only work if they happen regularly. The easiest way to do that is to tie them to things you already do.

Instead of trying to find new time, you attach a new 5-minute marketing task to a habit you already perform. The framework is simple: "After I [CURRENT HABIT], I will [NEW 5-MINUTE TASK]."

Here are a few examples:

• "After I pour my first cup of coffee, I will respond to one customer review."

• "While I wait for my lunch to heat up, I will engage with three local Instagram accounts."

• "Right after I lock the door for the day, I will share one behind-the-scenes photo to my Instagram Story."

When a task is linked to something familiar, it’s easier to remember and easier to finish. It stops feeling like another thing to plan.

These five-minute tasks help keep your marketing moving without taking much effort. Over time, they create consistency. And once consistency feels manageable, it becomes easier to think about bigger things.

If you want to save even more time, you can also automate parts of your marketing with Melora—like blog posts, newsletters, and LinkedIn updates—so they happen without you having to think about them at all.