Marketing gets your name out there — but if you’re not strategic, it’s also the fastest way to burn through your budget.
According to the Small Business Administration, small businesses spend between 1.08% and 11.8% of their revenue on marketing each year. That’s a big chunk of change for a local frame shop, and if it’s not invested wisely, it won’t bring in the customers you need.
Here are five frame shop marketing tactics to help you target better, spend smarter, and get the highest return on every dollar.
Let’s get started.
Most wasted ad dollars come from poor targeting. Too many frame shops cast too broad a net — running city-wide Facebook ads or using vague small-business language that could apply to anyone. Others chase likes and impressions instead of tracking real customers.
Make your frame shop marketing tactics effective with these steps:
Define your service area: Keep your reach close to home by focusing your ads within a 10-mile radius of your shop. This way, you pay for nearby customers, not browsers across the city.
Lead with expertise: Use phrasing like “custom framing for gallery owners” or “shadow boxes for sports memorabilia” instead of generic lines like “friendly local business.”
Track what drives sales: Monitor website calls or bookings through Google Analytics or your point of sale (POS) system instead of prioritizing likes that never translate into sales.
The goal is to reach the right people. When your message feels personal and local, every ad dollar works harder.
New customers seeking a custom display for a wedding bouquet or favorite concert poster usually start by searching online using phrases like “custom framing near me.” If your shop doesn’t stand out or doesn’t appear at all, they’ll choose someone who does.
To make your marketing memorable:
Use local keywords: Add phrases like “custom picture framing in Dallas” or “canvas stretching in Kansas City” to your Google Business Profile, website, and ad headlines.
Show transformations: Post before-and-after photos, like a hand-stitched textile framed in museum-quality linen or original artwork restored and mounted with UV-protective glass.
Let customers tell the story: Ask happy clients to share short testimonials about their projects, like: “Lynn framed my dad’s military medals beautifully — it’s now the centerpiece of our living room.”
Think of every search or social post as your digital storefront. Make it inviting and genuine, and customers will want to step inside.
Big-box stores might have national ads, but you have the local edge. A frame shop succeeds when it becomes part of the community — not just a service, but a familiar name at local events and a trusted resource for creative projects.
Use your neighborhood roots to your advantage:
Sponsor local events: Donate frames for a community art show or hang a banner at the high school theater to connect your brand with local culture.
Build real-world relationships: Partner with interior designers, galleries, and photographers to create referral networks no ad campaign can match.
Reward referrals: Give existing customers 10% off their next framing when they refer a friend, as a simple, low-cost way to bring in loyal new clients.
These strategies stretch your marketing dollars further while helping you earn loyal clients — and a reputation as the local authority in custom framing.
When it comes to traditional channels, the best frame shop marketing tactics embrace balance. You need enough coverage across digital and print platforms to learn what works, but not so much that you’re throwing money away.
Here are small-business benchmarks for spending across each channel:
Run Google Ads: Budget $1,000–$2,500 per month (about $20–$50 per day) to gather enough clicks and see which keywords convert into sales.
Test local print ads: Spend around $250 for a small magazine spot, or invest more in direct mail — from $50 to $20,000 — depending on your list size and targeting.
Rotate social media ads: Allocate at least $200 per month for consistent exposure, adjusting platforms based on where your audience engages most.
For example, Facebook ads average $0.26–$0.50 per click, making them ideal for reaching local homeowners and promoting seasonal sales. TikTok ads cost closer to $1.00 per click but attract younger, design-savvy audiences who love watching framing transformations in short videos.
The best strategy? Test both for 30 days, compare your conversion costs, and invest more where clicks turn into consultations.
All these marketing tactics can attract attention, but you still need a system to connect the dots. An automated POS for frame shops does just that — becoming your marketing hub for understanding customers, personalizing outreach, and building lasting loyalty.
Make your POS system part of your marketing plan:
Automate messaging: Send text or email reminders after a framing project. A quick “Your order’s ready for pickup — can we feature it on our page?” can turn a transaction into a testimonial.
Build loyalty: Track repeat buyers and reward them with discounts or early access to new frame styles to strengthen long-term relationships.
Use customer profiles: Keep details on project types, materials, and preferences so that when you run a sale on museum-grade glass, you know exactly who to contact.
With the right system, your marketing becomes measurable — helping you see what drives engagement, what delivers results, and where to invest next.
Great marketing turns your frame shop into a trusted creative partner. When you target smarter, invest locally, and track results through your POS platform, every campaign builds stronger connections — and a healthier bottom line.
LifeSaver helps frame shop owners manage those details with built-in tools for marketing, loyalty tracking, and customer engagement. Our all-in-one system helps you understand what works, automate outreach, and keep your business growing one frame at a time.
Let LifeSaver turn your frame shop marketing tactics into real revenue. Explore plans and pricing today to get a customized quote and start making every marketing dollar count.