Ramp1 helps founders and small businesses grow with more structure and less guesswork. That means sharper strategy, better creative, and marketing systems that actually run — without needing to hire a full team to do it.

Businesses that are past the idea stage and ready to move. You have something worth selling — you just need the marketing to match. Ramp1 works best with founders and lean teams who want real expertise without the overhead of full-time hires.

What's the difference between Task, Strategy, and Marketing Ally?

Task is for when you need something done fast — edits, assets, campaign fixes, platform updates. Strategy is a custom plan built around your goals, audience, and competitive position. Marketing Ally is an ongoing relationship — an embedded marketer who works alongside your team every week. You can start with one and grow into the others.

Do I need a marketing strategy before running ads or posting content?

Yes — and skipping it is usually why campaigns underperform. Ads and content work when they're built on a clear message, a defined audience, and a goal worth optimizing toward. Without that, you're spending money to find out what should have been decided at the start.

How is Ramp1 different from a traditional marketing agency?

Ramp1 is built for businesses that need results, not retainers. No bloated teams, no 90-day onboarding, no billing you for meetings about meetings. You get senior-level thinking, fast execution, and a partner who treats your budget like it's their own.

Does Ramp1 work with businesses outside Vancouver?

Yes. Ramp1 is based in Vancouver and works throughout Metro Vancouver, including Richmond, BC — most work is done remotely. If you can get on a call, we can work together, wherever you are.

Does Ramp1 work with businesses in Richmond, BC?

Yes. Richmond is part of Ramp1's core Metro Vancouver service area. Whether it's a one-off Task engagement, a full Strategy build, or an ongoing Marketing Ally partnership, Richmond-based founders and small businesses work with Ramp1 the same way local Vancouver clients do.

How Much Should a Small Business Spend on Marketing?

vinskyer

Jun 28

2 min read

Most small businesses either overspend on marketing and see no return, or underspend and wonder why they're not growing. The answer isn't a fixed number — it's a percentage of revenue, adjusted for your growth stage.

The Standard Benchmark

Most marketing experts recommend small businesses spend 7–10% of gross revenue on marketing. If you're in growth mode and trying to take market share, 10–20% is more appropriate. If you're a mature business maintaining your position, 5–7% is often sufficient.

What That Actually Looks Like

A business doing $500K/year in revenue should expect to spend $35,000–$50,000 annually on marketing — roughly $3,000–$4,000/month. That covers a mix of strategy, content, paid ads, and execution. Not all of it needs to go to an agency — but some of it should go somewhere with expertise.

Where Most Small Businesses Go Wrong

The most common mistake is spending money on tactics before having a strategy. Ads without a clear message waste budget. Social media without a content plan wastes time. The first dollar you spend should go toward understanding your audience, your position, and your message.

What to Do If You're Starting From Zero

If budget is tight, prioritize: (1) A clear website with strong copy, (2) A Google Business Profile that's fully optimized, (3) One marketing channel you can commit to consistently. Add paid spend only when you have something worth amplifying.

How Ramp1 Approaches This

We work with businesses at every budget level. Our Task service handles quick-turn execution. Our Strategy service builds the framework before any money is spent. And Marketing Ally gives you embedded expertise without the cost of a full-time hire — typically a fraction of what an in-house marketer would cost. Not sure what your number should be? Start with a conversation at ramp1.com.