Marketing Blog
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.
Why Copying Their Marketing Structure Doesn’t Lead to Growth
You've probably seen it happen. Maybe even experienced it yourself.
Someone shares their "proven system" that generated six figures. Or someone else's approach seems to be working beautifully. So you try to recreate their exact approach for your business.
The website layout. The content calendar. The social media strategy. The email sequence. Any or all of it.
But instead of the roaring campfire you expected, you get... smoldering embers or a quick flare-up that dies out. Again.
Why? You may be using the wrong approach to ignite growth for your company. Here’s what to do instead.
How Small Businesses Can Use Countdown Timers Without Losing Trust
Countdown timers can be powerful tools or trust-destroying traps.
Picture this: You spot an online offer with a clock ticking down. You purchase, feeling good about catching a time-sensitive deal...until a week later, when you see the same "limited time" offer with a reset timer.
In that moment, your trust evaporates.
As a small business entrepreneur, can you use countdown timers ethically? Or should you avoid them completely?
[Continue reading to discover how to create genuine urgency without manipulating your audience.]
Why Payoff Beats Process when Marketing a Small Service-Based Business
You’ve spent years perfecting your process, but potential clients aren’t connecting with your message. Why? While you’re passionate about your methodology, they’re focused on one question, “What’s in it for me?” When one client flipped her messaging from process to payoff, everything changed — media opportunities and prospect conversations increased. The secret was simpler than you might think …
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.
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.
Perfect your elevator pitch with these four acting techniques
As a small business entrepreneur, you know the importance of a compelling elevator pitch. But have you ever considered taking cues from the theatre to perfect your delivery? Let's explore how acting techniques can revolutionize your small business marketing strategy, starting with your elevator pitch.
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.
The easiest way to create powerful thumbnails and marketing graphics
How can I create better thumbnails and graphics for my small business? That’s a question I get often as a marketing coach and consultant. The best part? You can create powerful designs without needing to be a graphic designer. So, what's the secret? Start with a template. And follow these 5 simple steps to modify an existing template.
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.