5 Best Online Marketing Courses for Small Business Owners

Small business marketing feels different in 2025, doesn't it?

Gone are the days when you could just throw up a Facebook page, post occasionally, and watch customers roll in. Now you're competing against venture-backed startups with million-dollar ad budgets and influencers with massive followings. Meanwhile, you're trying to run an actual business—fulfilling orders, managing employees, keeping the lights on.

The good news? You don't need a massive budget or a marketing degree. You need strategic thinking and the right systems. After testing dozens of marketing courses (and wasting money on several duds), I've found five that actually work for small business owners juggling limited time and resources.

These aren't theory-heavy academic courses. They're battle-tested systems from people who've built real businesses—the kind where revenue pays salaries, not just funds the next course launch.

1. Same Day Sales by Steph Crowder

What It Is: A scrappy sales system designed to generate customers within 24 hours

Steph went from "nearly-fired sales rep" to Director of Sales Training for North America at Groupon—she knows what actually works when you need cash now, not six months from now.

Here's her superpower: teaching regular people who "hate sales" how to make money quickly without feeling like sleazy car salespeople. And when I say quickly, I mean her system is specifically designed to get you a paying customer in under 24 hours.

Pros:

• Five-module confidence framework: Transforms your relationship with selling from "icky" to service-oriented
• Queen of Scrappy Selling methods: Shows you how to find buyers even in tiny, obscure markets
• Works with limited time: Perfect for busy owners juggling full-time jobs, kids, life—designed for under an hour of focused work
• Includes "What Do I Say Now?" Objection Library: Handles the stumpers prospects throw at you

Cons:

• Best suited for beginners (earning $0-$25K in last 6 months)—if you're already doing multiple six figures, might be too foundational
• Heavy focus on direct outreach and conversations—not ideal if you prefer purely automated systems
• The co-creation approach requires flexibility in your offerings, which doesn't work for every business model

Best For: Small business owners tired of crickets when they launch products. Creatives and service providers who know they need to sell but feel paralyzed by the process. Anyone wanting to generate quick cash injections when business is slow.

My Take: I love Steph's five-C framework (Confidence, Clarity, Customers, Co-Creation, Cultivate) because it acknowledges the real barrier isn't tactics—it's mindset. The course teaches you to see sales as "connection-based invitation consulting" rather than manipulation. Sounds fluffy, but that reframe makes the difference between consistent action and analysis paralysis. Plus, the objection handling library alone is worth the price.

Get it here: https://coursesdrop.com/course/same-day-sales-steph-crowder/

2. Business by Soul by Celinne Da Costa

What It Is: A 10-module system for aligning your business with your authentic purpose

Before you roll your eyes at another "find your purpose" course—hear me out. Celinne went from earning $30K a year to $30K a month, not by hustling harder but by getting crystal clear on her soul's alignment. She's worked with Fortune 200 executives and thousands of students across 60+ countries.

This course addresses something most marketing programs ignore: what happens when you're making decent money but feel completely disconnected from your work?

Pros:

• Strategic soul work: This isn't just journaling prompts—it's identifying your unique energetic signature that makes clients seek you out
• Soul Service Blueprint®: Matches your genuine gifts to what your ideal clients actually need (not what you think they need)
• Subconscious reprogramming: Module 2 addresses the limiting beliefs sabotaging your success
• Business redesign around values: Creates systems that reflect who you are, not cookie-cutter templates
• Lifetime updates: The program evolves; you get all future content at no extra cost

Cons:

• Requires you're open to "soul" language and energetic concepts—if you're purely left-brain logical, might feel too woo-woo
• Not a quick tactical fix—this is transformational work that takes time
• 26.4GB of content means you need serious commitment to get through it all
• Better suited for established businesses than absolute beginners

Best For: Entrepreneurs who've hit a revenue ceiling not because of tactics but because of misalignment. Purpose-driven business owners who want to stand out authentically rather than following someone else's playbook.

My Take: Celinne's TEDx speaker, Forbes contributor, and has the credentials to back up her methods. What sets this apart is the integration of personal alignment with business strategy—most courses give you one or the other. The Soul Service Blueprint® module alone is transformative if you've been struggling to articulate why clients should choose you. Just know this isn't a "follow these three steps" program—it requires introspection and authentic self-examination.

Get it here: https://coursesdrop.com/course/business-by-soul/

3. Deal Makers Course 2024 by Jay Abraham

What It Is: A 13-week program on strategic partnerships and high-leverage deal-making

Jay Abraham is a legend—he's helped 10,000+ companies across 1,000+ industries generate over $75 billion in growth. Forbes named him one of the top five executive coaches in America. When he teaches deal-making, you listen.

This course is about exponential growth through partnerships rather than grinding it out alone. It's how businesses scale without traditional funding or debt.

Pros:

• Three-phase mastery system: Foundation (weeks 1-4), Execution (5-8), Mastery (9-13)—structured progression
• Ready-to-use templates: Joint venture agreements, licensing deals, partnership proposals that have generated millions
• Learn to leverage other people's resources: Multiply your reach using others' audiences, relationships, and assets
• 4-step partnership framework: Identify partners, structure offers, negotiate terms, automate management
• 39.2GB of implementation materials: Massive value including past session recordings

Cons:

• Advanced content—best for businesses already generating $10M-$150M (or serious entrepreneurs ready to play at that level)
• Requires mindset shift from "solopreneur" to strategic alliance builder
• Partnership approach won't work if you're not willing to share control and credit
• Time-intensive: 13 weeks of focused implementation

Best For: Business owners tired of traditional funding routes. Consultants and service providers looking to scale through win-win partnerships. C-level executives focused on mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures.

My Take: Jay's approach is elegant: instead of scraping for each customer, what if you partnered with someone who already has your ideal audience? The deal structure templates alone could save you tens of thousands in legal fees. This isn't about small wins—it's about transformational partnerships that multiply your business 10x or more. Just know you need to be ready to think strategically, not just tactically.

Get it here: https://coursesdrop.com/course/deal-makers-course-2024-jay-abraham/

4. Deal Making Session 2025 by Jay Abraham

What It Is: Live coaching program combining weekly Zoom sessions with AI-powered deal analysis

This is Jay Abraham's 2025 evolution of deal-making education—combining his decades of expertise with cutting-edge AI technology. You get weekly live coaching, monthly strategy workshops, and six months of access to his AI Clone for 24/7 strategic support.

Think of it as having a $120,000-per-day consultant available whenever you need deal analysis.

Pros:

• Live weekly Zoom sessions with Jay: Direct access to present deals and get personalized feedback
• AI Clone technology: Six months of AI-powered strategic thinking that replicates Jay's methodology
• Monthly role-playing exercises: Practice deal structuring in realistic scenarios with feedback
• Deal Makers Community: Exclusive platform with retroactive access to past discussions and vault content
• Final integration workshop: Ensures you can immediately implement what you've learned

Cons:

• Requires active participation: This isn't passive learning—you need to show up weekly and engage
• High commitment level (time and mental energy)—not for casual learners
• AI Clone access is limited to six months unless extended
• Best suited for businesses with existing partnership opportunities to work on
• 52.2GB download if you want all materials offline

Best For: Entrepreneurs actively pursuing strategic partnerships who want expert guidance on specific deals. Business owners who learn best through real-time feedback and community interaction.

My Take: The AI Clone integration is fascinating—you can test deal structures at 2am without waiting for office hours. But the real value is live access to Jay. He's worked with everyone from Tony Robbins to Microsoft; his strategic thinking is unmatched. This is for serious players ready to execute big partnerships, not tire-kickers. The community element adds accountability and diverse perspectives you won't get from solo course consumption.

Get it here: https://coursesdrop.com/course/deal-making-session-2025-by-jay-abraham/

5. Play Big: Financial Freedom and Entrepreneurial Excellence by Sharon Lechter

What It Is: Wealth-building system from the co-author of "Rich Dad Poor Dad"

Sharon Lechter helped create the world's #1 personal finance brand. She's a CPA, served on the President's Advisory Council on Financial Literacy under both Bush and Obama, and has been inducted into the Personal Development Hall of Fame. This woman knows wealth.

This course teaches you to stop trading time for money and start building assets that generate passive income—the exact principles that have helped millions worldwide.

Pros:

• Seven strategic modules: From creating your wealth plan to establishing generational wealth
• Asset-building focus: Learn to identify, create, or acquire income-producing assets
• Proven methodology: Based on principles from Rich Dad Poor Dad but expanded and systematized
• Three powerful bonuses: Platform Building, Publishing Mastery, Effective Storytelling—all monetizable skills
• Presidential advisor credibility: This isn't theory; it's tested at the highest levels

Cons:

• Some concepts will overlap if you've thoroughly studied Rich Dad teachings
• More strategic than tactical—you'll need to adapt principles to your specific business
• At $69 (down from $1,497), some might question if it's the complete program (it is)
• Requires patience—wealth building is measured in years, not weeks

Best For: Small business owners stuck in the time-for-money trap. Professionals with expertise who haven't figured out how to package it into scalable assets. Anyone ready to shift from earning income to building wealth.

My Take: Sharon's genius is making complex wealth concepts accessible. Module 3 (Create/Buy Assets) alone could transform how you think about business. She shows you the difference between building a job and building an enterprise—critical distinction most entrepreneurs miss. The generational wealth module is especially valuable if you're thinking beyond just your own financial freedom. This is foundational education that compounds in value over time.

Get it here: https://coursesdrop.com/course/play-big-financial-freedom-and-entrepreneurial-by-sharon-lechter/

How to Choose the Right Course for Your Small Business

Here's the truth nobody tells you: all five of these courses work. The question isn't which one is "best"—it's which one matches where you are right now.

If you need cash this month, start with Same Day Sales. Steph's system is designed for speed and works even if you have zero audience. Get customers, generate revenue, then invest in longer-term strategy.

If you're making money but feel misaligned, Business by Soul is your answer. That disconnection will eventually kill your business (or at least your soul). Better to address it now while you've got momentum.

If you're ready to scale through partnerships, either Deal Makers course will exponentially multiply your reach. The 2024 version is comprehensive and self-paced; the 2025 version adds live coaching and AI support. Both are excellent—choose based on whether you prefer learning solo or with active mentorship.

If you're stuck trading hours for dollars, Sharon Lechter's Play Big course provides the strategic foundation for building real wealth through assets. It's not sexy, but it's essential.

A few practical tips from someone who's wasted money on courses that didn't fit:

Match the teaching style to how you actually learn. Celinne's introspective approach won't work if you need tactical checklists. Jay's strategic thinking won't resonate if you prefer step-by-step scripts.

Consider your available time honestly. The Deal Making Session 2025 requires weekly engagement for months. If you can't commit to that, you'll just feel guilty—buy the 2024 self-paced version instead.

Look at who the instructor has actually worked with. Jay Abraham's client list (Tony Robbins, Microsoft, FedEx) tells you he operates at the highest levels. Sharon Lechter served on presidential advisory councils. This stuff isn't made up.

And here's my most controversial opinion: you don't need to finish the entire course to get value. I know, I know—you "should" complete what you start. But if Module 3 of Sharon's course gives you the insight that transforms your business, who cares if you haven't watched Module 7? Applied knowledge beats completed courses every time.

Small business marketing in 2025 is about strategic thinking, authentic positioning, and knowing how to generate customers when you need them. These five courses address those exact needs from different angles.

Pick the one that matches your current situation. Implement what you learn. Watch your business grow. Then—and only then—consider adding another course to your arsenal.

The small businesses thriving right now aren't the ones with the most courses completed. They're the ones that learned what they needed, implemented it relentlessly, and kept moving forward.

Now stop reading listicles and go build something.