Life as a Freelance Digital Marketer in Malappuram
The Local Advantage
Working in a place like Malappuram means I get to understand the real pulse of small-town businesses. I see firsthand how family-owned stores, boutique gift makers, caterers, and local service providers operate.
This helps me:
Create practical marketing strategies
Customize solutions based on local buying behavior
Work closely with clients who may not understand digital trends yet but are willing to learn
Being local builds trust, and trust is key in digital transformation.
Many of my clients:
Found me through Instagram or referrals
Needed help with online branding, website design, or launching their e-commerce store
Preferred working with someone who speaks their language and understands their market
That’s the beauty of freelancing — I’m based in Malappuram, but I work globally.
Balancing Creative Business & Client Work
Apart from digital marketing, I’m also an entrepreneur — I run a craft-based business that specializes in custom gift hampers. I’ve always loved creating things by hand, and I decided to turn that passion into a parallel business.
But running two businesses — one creative and one digital — isn’t easy.
Here’s how I manage both:
Time Blocking
I divide my workday into focused blocks:
Mornings for client meetings, strategy planning, and content creation
Afternoons for crafting and packaging gift hampers
Evenings for editing, scheduling social media posts, or learning new trends
I avoid multitasking as much as possible — it kills creativity and productivity.
Planning Content in Batches
For both my businesses, I create social media content in batches.
For example:
I might shoot all Instagram Reels for the gift hampers in one day
Then spend another day writing SEO blog posts or website copy for digital clients
Batch working keeps me organized and stress-free.
Using Digital Skills in My Handmade Business
This is where the magic happens.
Because I’m a marketer, I apply those same skills to grow my creative brand:
Built my own e-commerce website for selling hampers
Run targeted ads during festival seasons
Use WhatsApp for Business to take orders and follow up
Maintain brand consistency across Instagram and product packaging
It’s like being my own best client. And it proves to others that digital marketing actually works.
How Local Businesses in Kerala Can Benefit from Going Digital
Many small business owners in Kerala still rely solely on walk-in customers or word-of-mouth. While that worked in the past, today’s customer is online — and if your business isn’t, you’re missing out.
Here’s how going digital can help local businesses thrive:
Reach More Customers
Whether you’re a baker in Kozhikode or a boutique in Malappuram, social media can expand your reach:
Instagram can showcase your work visually
Facebook can help with local promotions
WhatsApp can be used for cataloging and chatting with buyers
You don’t need to go viral. You just need to be visible to the right people in your area.
Build Trust With a Website
A professional website makes your business look more serious and reliable.
It can help you:
Display your products/services
Share customer reviews
Accept online payments
Show up on Google searches
Even a basic one-page website is better than having no digital presence at all.
Stay Connected With Customers
With tools like:
WhatsApp Business (with quick replies and catalogs)
Email newsletters
Instagram DMs
You can stay connected with customers, send offers, collect feedback, and answer questions — all without needing a physical store open 24/7.
Improve Sales With E-Commerce
Local product sellers — whether they sell clothes, food, crafts, or gifts — can grow sales by:
Accepting UPI payments online
Listing their products on platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce
Offering delivery via local couriers or Dunzo
Even a small digital upgrade can double or triple your reach.
Compete With Bigger Brands
Digital marketing levels the playing field.
You might not have the budget of big brands, but:
A creative Instagram post can go further than a TV ad
A loyal audience on WhatsApp is more powerful than random footfall
A well-optimized Google listing can beat your competitors in search
Small doesn’t mean invisible. Digital tools give you the spotlight.
A Day in My Life
To give you a real picture, here’s what a typical workday looks like for me:
9:00 AM: Check emails, reply to client WhatsApp messages
10:00 AM: Strategy call with a business owner launching her first website
12:00 PM: Work on a blog for SEO content
2:00 PM: Prepare gift hampers, shoot product photos
4:00 PM: Edit Reels, plan next week’s content calendar
6:00 PM: Packaging, follow-ups, updating website inventory
8:00 PM: Learn new trends via HubSpot or SEMrush certifications
Some days are calm. Others are crazy. But I love the balance of digital and creative energy.
Final Thoughts
Freelancing in a small town like Malappuram isn’t a limitation — it’s a superpower. I understand local culture, customer behavior, and business challenges better than someone sitting in a metro city.
I also believe that every small business in Kerala has the potential to grow digitally — all they need is the right guidance, tools, and a bit of courage.
Whether it’s through:
Launching a simple website
Running Instagram campaigns
Using WhatsApp for Business
Creating an online store for local products
There are endless ways to go digital, grow sales, and build a brand that people trust.
Want to Work Together?
If you’re a business owner, freelancer, or creative in Kerala looking to:
Build your digital presence
Launch an e-commerce store
Improve your social media strategy
Get custom marketing advice in Malayalam or English
Let’s connect.