For Expertise-Based Service Businesses

Marketing that starts with your strengths — not someone else’s playbook

Together, we’ll get clear on the value you bring and how to communicate it. Then build a focused marketing approach around your strengths, values and resources. So you can take action with confidence and build momentum for your business.

Starting with a free Clarity Session

Good at what you do? Feel like marketing it is another story?

Like many coaches, consultants, speakers and service providers, you may find yourself:

  • Explaining what you do differently every time and still finding your elevator pitch never quite lands

  • Trying one marketing tactic, then abandoning it when another tactic sounds more promising

  • Spending more time and money on courses, books and training than you care to admit, only to feel you have nothing to show for it

  • Taking on everything you see someone else doing, only to find yourself going quiet and burned out

  • Posting or networking constantly with little to show for all the time and effort

  • Trying to make sure people know everything you can do to support them, only to say so much they aren’t sure what you actually do

Months later, you're back where you started. Same pitch. Same to-do list. Same question about what to do next.

It doesn’t have to stay that way.

Marketing Strategist Mike Schuster smiling, wearing a light teal button-up shirt with rolled sleeves, jeans, and a wristwatch, standing at a doorway holding a closed book.

You didn’t start your business to do things like everyone else

You started your business because you saw a better way. Yet most marketing you to follow the same formula as everyone else.

When the advice doesn’t account for differences in your offer, audience, way of working, values or resources, you end up doing more and feeling less sure about why you’re even doing it.

I’m Mike Schuster. And I’ve spent more than 30 years in marketing and for a decade ran a nearly $20 million company as president and general manager. When its strategy was failing, I led the turnaround by working with teams to build on what the business already did best.

I understand marketing. And I understand how a business runs.

Now, through FiddleSmart Marketing, I work closely with a small number of clients at a time who are building businesses around their area of expertise.

And I help people like you see what they can’t easily see about their own business.

We use the Strengths-First Marketing™ approach. Together, we start with your strengths, what your customers need and the resources you have to work with. And you end up with a clear direction, compelling message and a practical way to put it all into action.

“I was amazed at his ability to see what I couldn't about myself and how I was representing myself…"

Stacy Kaat, Business and Personal Brand Photographer

Build your Strengths-First Marketing System

A clear message. Focused priorities. A practical plan you can put into action.

Through a series of strategic sessions over 6 to 8 weeks, we’ll work through three phases:

Clarify your direction

Get clear on who you serve, the value you bring, how your offers and services fit together and what your marketing needs to do. Then put it into words people actually use and understand.

Simplify your approach

Decide which marketing activities are worth your time and what you can stop doing. Map how people go from first hearing about you to taking the next step. And set a rhythm around those activities you can sustain without burning out.

Amplify what makes a difference

Determine where to focus your efforts now, what to do next, and which activities can wait until later. Learn how to focus on taking consistent action on the few items that matter most. And then to look at what happened and adjust, without starting over each time.

And create your Strengths-First Marketing System Playbook

Your clear and compelling message, your simplified approach, your now and next priorities, and a practical plan you can sustain. All built around your business, your clients, and your strengths, values and resources.

Use it on your own, hand it to your partners or keep working with me, whichever fits. Starting at $5,000.

Ready to find your strongest next marketing move?

When marketing works with your strengths, not against them …

Where I had chaos, Mike brought clarity.

When I came to work with Mike I felt my coaching and speaking sides of my business lacked congruency of messaging and at times targeted different audiences. I wanted to align them with one clear message and create a workable way to help each aspect of my business support the other - speaking bringing in clients and clients bringing in speaking opportunities. Mike exceeded my expectations! Where I had chaos, Mike brought clarity. He helped me find the threads that tied them (speaking and coaching) all together and a strong marketing message that not only represents the core of what I do but is easy for others to grasp and act on.

- Paula Houlihan, Keynote Speaker and Executive Coach

★★★★★

Mike Schuster at FiddleSmart Marketing is the real deal. He helped me create a speaker one-sheet that not only looks amazing but positions me perfectly for decision-makers and prospects. His process was clear, professional, and focused on results. If you're a speaker, consultant, or thought leader looking to level up your marketing materials, I highly recommend working with Mike. He's sharp, easy to work with, and gets it done right.

- Matt Booth, Certified Speaking Professional

★★★★★

It really is a special opportunity to work with Mike. I was struggling to connect my message and audience. He was able to teach me how to do it in a way that keeps it as a conversation both natural and authentic instead of pushy or salesy. He is a master at his craft and will help you improve yours as well! Thanks Mike - I look forward to our next project together.

- MJ Reiners, Business Transformation Expert

★★★★★

Mike asked the right questions to fully understand my personal brand. As we reworked my home page messaging he also helped me choose the right images. I was amazed at his ability to see what I couldn't about myself and how I was representing myself, especially my home page. His suggestions were right on target. My customers say "I loved your website and knew I had to work with you!" Isn't that what we all want?

- Stacy Kaat, Business and Personal Brand Photographer

Want to see what’s possible for your business?

Three steps to sustainable growth

1

Get Clarity

Claim your free Clarity Session. We’ll identify your biggest marketing opportunity and create a clear next step tailored to your business and goals.

2

Take Action

Using a done-with-you approach, we’ll build a marketing system that aligns with your strengths and resources. And give the support needed to build momentum.

3

Enjoy Results

Show up with confidence. Attract the right clients. And expand your influence and impact. All from marketing that finally works with your strengths and values, not against them.

Ready to take the first step?

Which sounds better to you?

With Mike’s guidance:

✅ Done-with-you approach (minimal homework)

✅ Strategy tailored to your values and strengths

✅ Clear step-by-step process

✅ Implementation support available

✅ Confidence-building feedback

✅ Focusing on what actually works for your business

✅ Marketing that aligns with your strengths and values

Continuing to Do It Yourself:

❌ Figuring it out yourself between sessions

❌ Generic advice that may not fit your situation or business

❌ Guessing what to do next

❌ Strategy with no help putting it into action

❌ Second-guessing decisions

❌ Chasing every new tactic or trend in hopes something works

❌ Forcing yourself to use uncomfortable approaches

If you’re tired of going it alone, I’d love to support your next step

Questions you may have

Still have questions? Reach out or let’s talk about them in your Clarity Session.

Mike's at the table ready to help build the business you left the corporate system to start

Ready to build the business you left “corporate” to start?

Your expertise has real value. Marketing shouldn’t be the thing standing between you and the impact you want to make.

Picture promoting your business in a way that finally feels natural. Having conversations about your work that flow easily. And clients who refer others because they love working with you.

The other path is the one you know. Hours lost sorting through marketing advice found online or offered by an AI tool. Dollars wasted on programs that were never designed for your business. And the feeling of always starting over every time you sit down to promote yourself.

You get to choose. I’m here to work with you to build a system around your strengths, values and resources. And free up your time and energy for the meaningful work that inspired you to escape “corporate” in the first place.

No pressure. No pitch with artificial deadlines. Simply 60 minutes focused on your business and your next marketing move.

Is your homepage costing you business?

Get a free 5-Second Message Clarity Scorecard & Report for your homepage.

11 different aspects of your page will be evaluated to determine how well your site communicates what you do, who you serve, why it matters and what visitors should do next.

You’ll get specific recommendations to improve clarity and connect with your target market. Delivered to your inbox within 2-3 business days.

5 Second Clarity Scorecard Assessment for Website Homepages by FiddleSmart Marketing

“Such direct, simple recommendations”

— Liza

A few retailers, consultants and businesses I’ve served …