Affordable Marketing Strategies for SMEs on a Budget

Ah, September. That sweet spot between the chaos of summer holidays and the cosy pull of autumn jumpers. If you’re looking to keep your social feeds buzzing this month, you’re in luck September is packed with awareness campaigns, heritage celebrations, and just-for-fun days that are perfect for engagement. Whether you want to inspire, educate, or just bring a smile to your followers’ faces, here’s your friendly guide to what’s on. Month World Alzheimer’s Month - 1–30 September September is dedicated to raising awareness about Alzheimer’s and dementia worldwide. It’s the perfect time to share stories from those affected, spotlight local charities, and post bite-sized educational content on brain health and early signs to watch for. A well-timed carousel post or a heartfelt video interview could have real impact here. Weekly National Payroll Week — 1–5 September 2025 They may not wear capes, but payroll teams are the superheroes who make sure your pay lands in your account on time (and that the taxman is happy). Give your payroll team a shout-out, share tips for small businesses on getting payroll right, or run a light-hearted poll about “what’s the first thing you do after payday?” Air Ambulance Week — 8–14 September 2025 These incredible crews are on-call 24/7, saving lives from the skies. Share real rescue stories, promote fundraising events, or simply say thank you with a heartfelt post. If your business or community has been touched by their work, now’s the time to tell that story. Heritage Open Days — 12–21 September 2025 It’s the UK’s largest free festival of history and culture, when hidden gems and famous landmarks throw open their doors to the public. Perfect for posting behind-the-scenes photos, historical “then vs now” images, or fun local trivia. If you’re near one of the open sites, grab your phone and film a quick walk-through for your followers. Great British Beach Clean — 19–28 September 2025 If you’re coastal, or even if you’re not, this is your chance to highlight the power of community clean-ups. Post before-and-after photos, share plastic-free living tips, or encourage people to join a clean-up near them. Bonus: a time-lapse of litter being collected always gets attention. UK Savings Week — 22–28 September 2025 Money content is always popular, and this week is all about smart saving. Share budgeting hacks, host a “no spend day” challenge, or even go live to talk about your best personal finance tips. Fairtrade Fortnight — 22 September to 5 October 2025 From your morning coffee to your afternoon chocolate fix, Fairtrade products make a real difference to farmers and workers worldwide. Share supplier stories, run a “Fairtrade product of the day” feature, or host an office Fairtrade bake sale. Special Days International Talk Like a Pirate Day — 19 September A day for pure silliness. Caption your posts in pirate speak, run a treasure-hunt-style giveaway, or challenge your followers to share their best “Arrr!” on video. National Pancake Day — 26 September Forget Shrove Tuesday—this is the pancake encore. Post recipes, run a “most creative pancake topping” poll, or share a stack-shot so irresistible it stops people mid-scroll. World Tourism Day — 27 September Shine a light on stunning destinations—whether that’s halfway across the world or your own high street. Great for travel brands, local businesses, or anyone with a good story about exploring somewhere new. National Teaching Assistants’ Day — 27 September Teaching assistants are the quiet powerhouses of education, supporting classrooms, students, and teachers every day. Share personal stories, thank your local TA team, or post quotes from students about how TAs have helped them. September 2025 is full of opportunities to connect with your audience in ways that feel relevant, timely, and human. Mix up your content pair thoughtful awareness posts with lighter, shareable fun and you’ll have a month’s worth of engaging, conversation-starting material. To discover how we can help you with your social media marketing, contact Elaine now .

Excellence in marketing isn’t just about creativity it’s about strategic thinking and building smart, scalable systems. The best marketers align their work with business goals, understand human behaviour and continuously test and optimise to drive long-term growth.

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