10 Things I Wish My Clients Knew About Marketing
Some Marketing Truths You Might Need to Hear…
Marketing is one of those things everyone knows they should do… but very few people actually understand how it works behind the scenes.
After years of working with entrepreneurs, creatives, and small businesses, there are a few things I find myself saying over and over again.
So here it is… a little behind-the-scenes honesty from someone who lives in the marketing trenches.
1. 10% off isn’t enticing
If you’re going to run a promotion, make it worth people’s attention.
A small discount rarely moves the needle. Either commit to a compelling offer (think 20–30%) or create value another way — bundles, bonuses, or limited access.
Sometimes the smarter move is simply raising your prices so your promotions feel meaningful.
2. You have to spend money to make money
For some reason, marketing is almost always treated as the last budget line instead of the first.
If you asked me the single most important marketing investment for long-term growth, I’d say paid ads and SEO every time.
Visibility isn’t accidental. It’s built.
3. Don’t ignore the power of grassroots marketing
That said, some of the most effective marketing still happens offline.
Networking, partnerships, community events, and referrals are often the highest converting forms of marketing.
Word of mouth is still my number one income driver, and I see the same for many of my clients.
4. Canva graphics are cool, but people want to see you
Beautiful graphics are great.
But your audience ultimately wants to know who they are spending their money with.
Show your face. Share your perspective. Let people see your personality. That’s what builds trust.
5. Posting on social media is not a marketing strategy
Posting is a tactic, not a full strategy.
Marketing also includes email lists, SEO, partnerships, PR, ads, referrals, events, and community engagement.
If your entire plan is “post on Instagram,” you’re leaving a lot of opportunity on the table.
6. Consistency beats intensity
Going viral once won’t build a business.
Marketing works through consistent visibility over time. The brands that grow are the ones that keep showing up — even when the engagement isn’t flashy.
7. Your website should be working for you 24/7
Think of your website as your digital storefront.
If it’s outdated, confusing, or hard to navigate, you’re losing potential clients before you ever speak to them.
Your website should clearly answer three questions:
What do you do?
Who do you help?
How do I book or buy?
8. Your audience needs repetition
One post is not enough.
People usually need to see something multiple times before they take action. Repetition builds familiarity, and familiarity builds trust.
Don’t be afraid to repeat your message.
9. Marketing is storytelling
Facts tell. Stories sell.
People connect with the why behind your business, not just the product or service itself.
Share the journey. Share the behind the scenes. Share the human moments.
10. Entrepreneurs often forget they’re hiring one person to do the work of an entire marketing team
In the corporate world, marketing is usually handled by multiple specialists — a strategist, designer, copywriter, social media manager, ads specialist, SEO expert, and sometimes an entire analytics team.
In the small business world, entrepreneurs often hire one person and expect all of those roles to happen at once.
Great marketers can absolutely wear many hats, but there are still limits to time, bandwidth, and scope. The best results happen when expectations are clear and priorities are aligned.
Marketing works best when it’s a collaboration, not just a handoff.
If reading this made you realize your marketing could use a little more direction, clarity, or structure — you’re not alone.
One of the biggest challenges entrepreneurs face is simply knowing where to focus their time, energy, and budget when it comes to marketing.
During our session, we’ll take a step back and look at your business as a whole. We’ll review what’s currently working, identify any gaps or missed opportunities, and map out practical next steps that make sense for your goals, timeline, and capacity.
Think of it as part brainstorm, part marketing audit, and part roadmap.
The goal isn’t to overwhelm you with more to do — it’s to help you walk away with clear priorities and a marketing plan that actually feels manageable.
Helping entrepreneurs build thoughtful, intentional businesses has always been at the heart of what I do.
I’m grateful to keep doing that work alongside so many of you.
