Small Business Month starts on Wednesday, and there’s plenty to celebrate here in the New England.
Our region is built on the passion and resilience of small businesses – from family-owned cafes and retail stores to local service providers and trades. These businesses not only keep our towns running, but they also create jobs, sponsor community events, and give our main streets their unique character.
New England Times is proud to support Small Business Month 2025, highlighting the incredible contribution of our local entrepreneurs. This year’s theme focuses on resilience, innovation, and growth, and the New England business community has no shortage of inspiring examples. Whether it’s a startup taking bold steps online, a rural producer finding new markets, or a long-standing business adapting to change, small businesses are the backbone of our economy.
Every day in October, we’ll be running stories highlighting the great local businesses we have. And the best part is that being included in these stories is free; all you have to do is register. But be quick because numbers are capped at 120 businesses.
And it’s absolutely worth your time to register.
“You have done an amazing job, and we are very proud to be chosen as one of the small businesses you have chosen to highlight this month. Thank you so much for the opportunity to be a part of this great initiative,” said Priscilla from Onyx Castle, one of our featured businesses last year.
“Thank you SO much New England Times for showcasing a small business each day for the whole month of October … a legend! And what an array of great businesses we have in our region!” said the Clique Curation.
Affordable, effective, local advertising
Since launching in 2022, the New England Times has grown into the region’s number 1 trusted digital news source. We cover everything from breaking news to in-depth investigations, all paywall-free and with a firm commitment to high editorial standards. In just three years, we’ve been recognised with major grants and award nominations, and, more importantly, we’ve built a loyal readership that spends time with our stories and keeps coming back.
We’ve also worked hard to keep things accessible. No paywalls, no hidden costs – just straightforward local advertising that connects you directly with your community. The feedback from local businesses is clear – our advertising gets noticed, and it delivers results.
“We’ve been thrilled with the coverage from New England Times,” said Kirsty Toovey from New England Hydraulics and Diesel, who started advertising with New England Times this year.
“Their commitment to telling stories that cover the whole region gave us a fantastic platform to showcase our business, especially through the auger case study.”
“We’ve had so much positive feedback from customers and the community who saw the story – not just in the advertorial but also through its placement in the news feed and across socials. We couldn’t be happier with the exposure and impact.”
Our reach speaks for itself: over 150,000 page views per month, and more than 500,000 monthly views across social media. Our readers are local – concentrated in Armidale, Tamworth, Inverell, Glen Innes, Moree, Tenterfield, Gunnedah, Uralla, Guyra, and Walcha – and engaged, with many reading multiple articles per visit to our website.
That means when you advertise with us, your business is seen by the very people you want to reach.
And you can access this kind of exposure for free this Small Business Month just by registering, and enjoy discounted advertising to make the most of it.
Here to help
We know small businesses don’t have endless marketing budgets. That’s why our advertising options are designed to be cost-effective, flexible, and high impact. From banner ads and sidebars to sponsored content and advertorials, we make it simple to showcase your business in a way that works for you.
We also understand that our great local businesses are often not very familiar with advertising online, and some don’t even have a website. Which is why we offer a full suite of services, including Websites by New England Times, and a free initial strategic marketing review to help you understand the options that work best for you. And yes, we can create your ads for you.
“Thank you so much for creating such a wonderful ad and for sharing the positive advertising report. It’s been absolutely lovely working with you and very happy to hear the ads performed so well,” said recent advertising client Kim Thompson from The Bungalow and Ivy Leaf Chapel.
We’re also helping by hosting a Small Business Month Mixer in Armidale on 23 October, a networking event designed specifically for local business owners, entrepreneurs, and community leaders.
It offers a great opportunity to connect with fellow businesses across the New England region, share ideas, and build partnerships in a relaxed, social atmosphere. Whether you’re launching something new or looking to grow your venture, this mixer is a chance to exchange practical insights, build your local network, and raise your visibility.
Don’t forget to bring your business card and drop it in the bowl for a chance to win a $1000 advertising package! It could turn into a lot more than $1000 worth of sales for you.
Get in touch with the New England Times advertising team at ads@netimes.com.au to find out more about how we can make sure your business is seen, supported, and celebrated across our region this Small Business Month.
Advertising with New England Times is a cost effective and reliable way to reach New England locals who are interested and engaged. Find out more here.