Marketing Your Business in Virginia: Strategies That Work in 2025
Marketing isn’t one-size-fits-all, especially when it comes to locally-owned, small businesses. From the energetic small business scene in Richmond to the tight-knit communities of Hampton Roads, what works in one corner of the state might fall flat in another. That’s why 2025 is the year of thoughtful, localized strategy—and we’re here to break down what’s working right now to grow your business in the Commonwealth.
Whether you’re a retail shop in Virginia Beach, a wellness coach in Williamsburg, or a creative entrepreneur in Norfolk, these Virginia-specific marketing tips are built to help you connect, convert, and thrive.
Prioritize Local SEO Like a Boss
Showing up in local search results is a game-changer in 2025. If you want people to find you when they search “best dog bakery in Norfolk” or “operations consultant in Richmond,” you’ve got to be playing the Local SEO game.
Optimize your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) with keywords like your city or neighborhood
Add location-based phrases throughout your website, social media bios, and blog content
Get listed in local directories, tourism sites, and chamber of commerce listings
Collect Google reviews (and respond to all of them!)
💡Pro Tip: Pages with “Near Me” SEO terms—like “event marketing services near Virginia Beach”—are performing better than ever. Create landing pages with hyper-localized content to win.
Use Instagram & Facebook to Build Local Community
Social media in 2025 is still alive and well—but what’s working now? Authentic content, local pride, and real connection.
Use location tags on every post (not just your storefront—think neighborhoods, events, and local hot spots)
Lean into Reels and Stories to show behind-the-scenes or “day in the life” content
Share your local journey: why you started your business here, your favorite RVA café, your go-to 757 supplier
💡Example: A handmade candle business in Norfolk could spotlight other local businesses in their Story highlights to show they’re part of the small biz ecosystem.
Attend (and Host!) In-Person Events
Yes, in-person marketing is BACK. Vendor events, networking groups, and creative markets are powerful ways to build brand awareness, grow your audience, and connect with potential clients face-to-face.
Attend pop-ups like Selden Market events in Norfolk or Urban Hang Suite community gatherings in Richmond
Host in-store activations or workshops and promote them on social and through your email list
Set up a branded vendor booth with cohesive signage, a small freebie, and an email list opt-in
💡Pro Tip: Use your in-person event presence to fuel online content—go live, post teasers, share event recaps, and tag other vendors or attendees to cross-promote.
Tap Into Local Media & Community Connections
Virginia has plenty of regional media outlets, newsletters, blogs, and influencer accounts that love supporting small businesses.
Pitch your story to outlets like Virginia Living, Veer Magazine, or The Richmond Times-Dispatch
Reach out to local Instagrammers or micro-influencers for a partnership or feature
Submit your events to VisitVirginia.com or 757 Events calendars
💡 Example: An operations strategist in Williamsburg could write a guest article for a local business newsletter on “How to Streamline Your Retail Operations in 2025.”
Email Marketing Is Still Winning
Here’s the truth: Social media is noisy. Email? It’s where the real conversations happen. In 2025, email marketing continues to drive ROI—especially for small businesses that keep it personal.
Start with a simple lead magnet (checklist, freebie, discount) to grow your list
Segment your list by location or service interest for more targeted messages
Show up consistently in inboxes with value-packed content
💡Pro Tip: If you’re hosting an event in DC, send a segmented invite just to your DC-based subscribers—bonus points if you personalize it with their name or past interactions.
Leverage AI—but Keep the Human Touch
AI is helping business owners save so much time. From auto-generating captions to repurposing blog posts into Reels scripts, the key in 2025 is using AI to support your voice—not replace it.
Use tools like ChatGPT or Jasper to brainstorm content ideas or draft posts
Run your content through a tone checker to make sure it sounds like you
Schedule with tools like Metricool to stay consistent
💡Example: A personal trainer in Norfolk could use AI to turn a blog post on “Best Exercises for Desk Workers” into 5 days of Instagram tips with zero stress.
Show Off Your Brand Personality
Forget polished perfection! People want to know who’s really behind the brand. The more personality you infuse into your marketing, the more your audience will stick with you.
Post unfiltered thoughts, real-time moments, and customer shoutouts
Use Instagram Notes or Threads for casual, conversational content
Try video—even if it’s just you talking to camera in your car
💡Pro Tip: The most shared and saved content in 2025? Story-driven, real-talk content that makes your audience feel seen. Don’t be afraid to get personal.
Wrapping It Up
Virginia is full of small businesses doing amazing things and if you want to stand out in 2025, your marketing needs to be authentic, local-first, and rooted in strategy. That means using the tools that save time (hello, AI!), showing up for your community, and building relationships that go deeper than a quick follow.
If you’re ready to create a marketing plan that actually fits your business and your real life, Kaycee at Create/Captivate offers consulting to help you build a strategy that works—for Virginia and beyond.
📲 Ready to market your business with confidence and creativity this year? Let’s talk!
