The 13 Marketing Habits That Separate the Top 1% of Local Businesses

If you’ve ever looked at another local business and wondered why they seem to attract customers effortlessly while you’re still trying to figure out your next post, ad, or campaign, the answer might surprise you. It’s not luck or magic, it’s habits.

The most successful business owners don’t leave their marketing to chance. They have systems. They follow daily, weekly, monthly, and annual Marketing Habits that keep them visible, consistent, and in control.

Let’s break down exactly what those habits look like and how you can put them into practice in your business.

Daily Marketing Habits That Build Momentum

1. Ask for Reviews Every Day

The first daily habit of top business owners is collecting customer reviews. Every single day, they’re asking clients for feedback and posting those reviews online.

Your Google Business Profile should be the main focus, followed by Yelp, Trustpilot, or Facebook, depending on your industry. Reviews are not just nice to have, they’re your most powerful form of social proof.

When a customer says, “I already left you a review,” that’s great. Thank them and ask if they’ve also left one on another platform. The best businesses even automate this process, so reviews keep coming in without extra effort.

2. Turn Reviews Into Social Proof

Those same reviews become daily marketing fuel. The best business owners repurpose them into social media posts, website highlights, and even Google updates. They know that when potential clients see others raving about their experience, it builds instant trust.

3. Post to Social Media Consistently

The next daily habit is posting on social media, but not just random posts or stock images. The best local businesses share real content: before-and-after photos, job progress updates, client wins, and short video tips.

They don’t wait until the last minute to come up with ideas either. They batch their content in advance so someone can schedule it consistently. Whether it’s three times a week or daily, what matters most is showing up regularly.

Social media acts like a digital billboard. Even if people aren’t ready to buy today, your name stays top of mind for when they are.

Weekly Marketing Habits That Keep You Growing

4. Add Fresh Content to Your Website

The top 1% of local businesses update their website weekly. That might mean publishing a new blog post, adding case studies, or posting recent testimonials.

You don’t have to write everything yourself. Many of our clients at Sean Garner Consulting delegate that work to our team so they can focus on running their business. But the key is consistency. Google rewards websites that stay active and informative.

SEO isn’t about gaming the system. It’s about clearly showing Google (and your customers) that you’re the expert. Regular updates make that happen.

5. Update Your Google Business Profile

Each week, great businesses refresh their Google Business Profile. They add new photos, post updates, and answer FAQs. This keeps their listing active and improves rankings in Google’s local map pack.

It doesn’t take long, but it pays off big. When potential clients search for your service, your updated profile helps you stand out instantly.

6. Email Your List Weekly

Monthly and Quarterly Marketing Habits That Keep You Accountable

8. Hold a Monthly Marketing Review

Once a month, the most successful business owners review their marketing data. They meet with their team or agency to see what’s working and what isn’t.

Without these check-ins, you’re just guessing. With them, you stay proactive and focused on ROI.

9. Collect Video Testimonials

Every month, the top 1% gather video testimonials from happy clients. They make it easy by offering to hop on Zoom, sending a short script, or guiding clients through how to record a simple clip.

Video testimonials are incredibly powerful; they let potential customers see and hear the genuine satisfaction of real people.

10. Send Press Releases and Build Backlinks

At least once a month, these business owners announce something new: a community project, a new hire, a new service, or a seasonal promo.

Press releases help build backlinks, digital “referrals” from other sites that boost your SEO. Even small announcements can build authority and trust online.

At Sean Garner Consulting, we often handle this for our clients by partnering with PR firms to distribute their updates consistently.

11. Attend Networking or Industry Events Quarterly

Every quarter, top business owners show up at conferences, trade shows, or community events that put them in front of ideal clients or referral partners.

Whether you’re a plumber, real estate agent, or landscaper, there’s always a room full of people who can help you grow your business. The best owners make a habit of being there.

12. Host a Quarterly Marketing Planning Session

Alongside those events, they also host a quarterly meeting with their team and vendors to plan the next 90 days.

At Sean Garner Consulting, we do this with clients before each quarter begins. Everyone reviews performance, sets new goals, and walks away with a clear action plan.

Annual Marketing Habits That Keep You Ahead

13. Refresh Your Website Once a Year

Every year, top-performing businesses review their website with fresh eyes. They ask: Is the design up to date? Do our photos reflect the current team? Are our services and offers still accurate?

An annual refresh keeps your brand looking professional and helps you stay competitive.

14. Plan Your Annual Marketing Strategy

Once a year, the best business owners spend serious time reviewing what worked, what didn’t, and what goals they hit.

They look at data, analyze ROI, and map out a full-year plan with clear goals and KPIs. That plan then guides their quarterly and monthly efforts.

This big-picture thinking keeps them ahead of the curve rather than constantly reacting to trends or slow seasons.

Final Thoughts

The truth is, marketing success isn’t about a secret formula, it’s about consistency. The top 1% of local business owners follow proven Marketing Habits every day, week, and month to stay visible and keep growing.

At Sean Garner Consulting, we help service-based businesses put these systems in place so they can stop guessing and start growing.

If you’re ready to build real marketing momentum and take control of your growth, schedule a call today at SeanGarner.co.