Marketing Blog
The Most Common Reason Your Marketing Efforts Aren't Igniting Interest
Many entrepreneurs who escaped the corporate system are exhausting themselves with marketing that doesn't work. They're posting constantly, networking endlessly, and trying every new tactic.
But they're missing the fundamental issue: their message has the firepower of damp kindling. And it won't catch fire no matter how much effort they put behind it.
How to Build a Complete Customer Profile Framework for Your Business
Marketing advice often tells you to identify customer problems. But problem-only messaging is like starting a campfire with half the kindling. You might get a spark, but you'll never create a sustained flame.
Here's the missing piece that separates messaging people scroll past from messaging that makes them stop and engage. And a framework you can use to build a complete customer profile to support your marketing efforts.
How to Find Your Target Market Niche Using Patterns, Not Possibilities
For six years, I told people my target market was "small business owners who need marketing help." It worked while I was still discovering my market. But eventually that broad approach was keeping me stuck.
The breakthrough came when I stopped looking at who I could serve and started analyzing who I was actually serving best. Here's the 4-step audience intersection analysis that transforms guessing into precision...
Why Your Business Values are Your Greatest Competitive Advantage (Not Limitations)
Many entrepreneurs who escaped the corporate system worry their values will limit their marketing effectiveness. But here's what I've discovered: your values aren't constraints; they're the competitive advantage that separates authentic businesses from the manipulative noise flooding every market. Keep reading to learn why your "fire ring" is actually your superpower.
Why Common Marketing Advice Smothers Your Momentum (And What to Do Instead)
A lot of common marketing advice tells you to “be everywhere” and ‘do everything.” But what if this approach is smothering your momentum as a small business entrepreneur instead of building it?
I was reminded of this lesson watching my daughter make a classic campfire mistake that perfectly illustrates why many small business marketing efforts fail.
Here's the simple fix that builds sustainable growth without the burnout so many owners experience.
How to Create "Story Moments" That Turn Clients Into Your Best Marketing Team
The secret to expanding your impact as a business owner isn’t to perfect your sales pitch. It’s in creating client experiences that people naturally want to talk about.
When you build three story moments into your delivery, clients become your most powerful marketing team. No pushy tactics or manipulation required. Just authentic relationship-building that leads sustainable growth.
Keep reading to discover the 3-moment framework businesses use to generate organic referrals and greater word-of-mouth exposure. And the steps you can take to identify and enhance these moments in your own business.
The Strategic Way to Name Your Business or Brand Without Getting Stuck
Tired of staring at a blank page trying to name your business? Forget the traditional approach of purely descriptive names. They're usually taken or forgettable. Instead, discover how to create a unique, memorable business name using the power of associative naming, a strategic approach that helped brands like Microsoft and Pinterest stand out.
The Hidden Truth About Sales Promotions
Is your latest promotion really helping your business grow. Or simply giving you a false sense of success? Many business owners celebrate record-breaking sales days, only to discover an uncomfortable truth — those impressive spikes often mask a costly downturn that follows. Before you plan your next big sale, learn how to spot the hidden pattern that could be undermining your marketing efforts — and discover what really drives sustainable business growth.
How Intentional Marketing Cuts through the Noise and Leads to Business Success
Entrepreneurs are bombarded with marketing advice that often leads to scattered, ineffective strategies. Discover how to create a focused marketing approach that serves your business goals, eliminates wasted effort, and connects meaningfully with your audience.
6 Relational Marketing Secrets from a 50-Year-Old-Letter
Would any of your customers hold onto a marketing letter you sent for over 50 years? Seems unlikely, right? But that’s exactly what my parents did. Read the full article to discover all 6 secrets to relational marketing that were hiding in this one simple letter sent over 50 years ago. And how, if you implement even 1 or 2 principles in your marketing, you can create the kind of genuine, long-lasting relationships that drive loyalty and referrals.
Simple Ways to Get More Customer Reviews for Your Small Business
As small business owners and entrepreneurs, we all want more customer reviews, right? But how do we get them? And how do we ask for them without feeling awkward? In this article, I'll break down how to get reviews in easy, actionable steps.
Unlock business growth with the Olympic Superstar Strategy
Just like the U.S. Gymnastics team at the 2024 Olympics, your business has superstars within your products and services. And when you know how to identify them, you can leverage them to drive business growth (and win medals) for your business.
The $16 Milkshake Secret to Standing Out in a Crowded Market
Struggling to make your business stand out? Feel like your marketing efforts sound and feel the same as everyone else in your space? What if I told you the answer might be found in a $16 milkshake? In this post, I’ll share how a small business turned a simple product into a sensation. And you’ll learn practical, easy-to-implement ways you can make your business stand out, even in the most crowded markets.
Avoid Small Business Marketing Changes Made Out of Boredom
Have you ever felt bored with your own products or services? Have you thought about making a big change just to shake things up? Before you dive into a major overhaul, let's explore why staying consistent might be your best move.
Marketing and Business Lessons from a Road Trip
Journeys, whether in business or life, often come with unexpected twists and turns. I was recently reminded of this on a road trip I’ve taken countless times over 20 years.
In this article, I’ll share the key takeaways from that journey and how they apply to navigating both the open road and the winding paths of our business ventures.