Month: March 2025

If you’ve ever hired a freelancer, agency, or even a content creator and felt disappointed with the results… you’re not alone.

But here’s a truth I see all the time in mentoring sessions:

The problem isn’t always who you hired. Sometimes it’s what you hired them to do.

Marketing has become a complex ecosystem. There are so many professionals out there with incredible skills—video editors, social media managers, SEO experts, content creators… the list goes on!

And while that’s exciting, it can also be overwhelming.

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❓Why This Happens

Let’s say you want to grow your presence on Instagram. You might think, “I’ll just hire someone to take care of that.”

But here’s the thing—who exactly should that be?

• A content creator who makes visuals?
• A social media manager who schedules and responds?
• A strategist who helps you plan what to post and when?
• Or an agency that offers all-in-one service?

Each of these professionals plays a different role in your marketing puzzle.

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🧩 Understanding the Landscape

You don’t need to know every detail about every role. But you do need to know what kind of help you’re looking for—so you can find the right fit.

Here’s a simplified overview to help you visualize who does what:

Role	Strategy	Execution	Creative Work
Agency	✅	✅	✅
Freelancer	❌	✅	✅
Video Editor	❌	✅	✅
SEO Specialist	✅	✅	Some
Paid Media Specialist	✅	✅	Some (for ads)
Content Creator	❌	✅	✅
Social Media Manager	❌	✅	Some

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💡 The Takeaway

Before you start reaching out to suppliers, ask yourself:

• What do I need help with right now?
• Do I have a strategy already, or do I need help creating one?
• Am I expecting one person to wear five hats?

When you get clear on your goals, choosing the right supplier becomes much easier—and so does getting the results you’re hoping for.

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🎯 Want help finding the “right fit” for your business?
Book a free discovery call and I’ll guide you through it. Let’s stop wasting time and money on mismatched hires, and start building your marketing intentionally.

Hiring an agency, freelancer, or taking a marketing course should be an investment that grows your business—not a costly mistake that leaves you frustrated.

But too many small business owners jump into hiring without a clear plan, only to realize later that:
❌ They weren’t ready for that level of support.
❌ They hired someone who wasn’t the right fit.
❌ They spent money without seeing real results.

So, how do you avoid these mistakes? By following the right process.

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The 5 Stages of Hiring the Right Marketing Support

Before investing in marketing help, it’s essential to understand where your business stands and what kind of support will actually help you move forward.

1️⃣ Know Your Business

Before you bring in outside help, you need absolute clarity on:
✔ Who your target audience is
✔ What problem your business solves
✔ Your brand positioning and messaging
✔ What makes you different from competitors

💡 Why This Matters: If you can’t explain your business clearly, neither can a marketing expert. And without clarity, you’ll end up with generic strategies that don’t work.

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2️⃣ Define Your Strategy

Marketing isn’t just about being present on social media or running ads. You need a clear strategy that answers:
✔ Which marketing channels make sense for your business?
✔ What kind of content resonates with your audience?
✔ What’s your budget, and how will you measure success?

💡 Why This Matters: A freelancer or agency can execute a strategy, but they can’t define it for you unless you’re paying for strategy development. If you don’t have a clear plan, you might invest in marketing that doesn’t align with your business goals.

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3️⃣ Pick the Right Supplier

Once you understand your business and strategy, the next step is deciding who can best help you execute it.

Some of your options:
🔹 Freelancer – Great for specific tasks (e.g., social media management, content creation, graphic design).
🔹 Agency – Best for businesses that need a full-service solution.
🔹 Mentor/Consultant – Ideal if you need guidance to develop your strategy before hiring execution support.
🔹 Course/DIY Approach – A budget-friendly way to learn and implement marketing yourself.

💡 Why This Matters: Hiring the wrong type of support means wasting time and money on something that isn’t aligned with your needs.

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4️⃣ Ask the Right Questions

Before signing a contract or making a commitment, ask yourself:
❓ Does this supplier have experience in my industry?
❓ Do they understand my business goals?
❓ Are they offering what I actually need at this stage?
❓ Do I have clear expectations about deliverables and ROI?

💡 Why This Matters: Many business owners hire based on hype or big promises instead of evaluating whether the supplier is the right fit. Asking the right questions ensures you make an informed decision.

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5️⃣ Evaluate the Results

After hiring, don’t just “set it and forget it.” Track the impact:
📊 Are you seeing an improvement in brand awareness, leads, or sales?
📊 Is the strategy being executed as planned?
📊 Do you need to make adjustments?

💡 Why This Matters: Marketing isn’t an overnight success story—it’s a process. If you don’t track progress, you won’t know if your investment is paying off.

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So, What Stage Are You In?

Over the next few days, I’ll be diving deeper into each of these 5 stages on Instagram so you can identify exactly where your business stands and what steps you need to take next.

✅ Not sure where you are in the process? Let’s figure it out together!
📅 Book a discovery call with me, and I’ll help you navigate the right path for your business.

#MarketingStrategy #SmallBusinessGrowth #SmartHiring #MarketingHelp

Marketing is constantly evolving, but one thing remains the same—businesses that connect with their audience on a deeper level will always have a competitive edge. In 2025, two key trends are shaping the way brands build relationships and drive growth:

✅ Community-Based Marketing
✅ Customer Experience as a Priority

Let’s dive into what these trends mean and how small businesses can leverage them for success.

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Community-Based Marketing: The Power of Connection

More than ever, customers want to feel like they belong. That’s why brands are shifting from traditional marketing tactics to community-driven strategies—creating exclusive online spaces where customers can interact, share experiences, and feel valued.

Why This Matters

When people feel connected to a brand, they are more likely to trust it, recommend it, and remain loyal over time. Platforms like Facebook Groups, Discord communities, and private membership forums are becoming essential tools for brands to build these deeper relationships.

How Small Businesses Can Leverage This Trend

1️⃣ Create a Space for Your Audience – Whether it’s a private Facebook group or a WhatsApp community, having a dedicated space for your customers fosters a sense of belonging.
2️⃣ Engage Authentically – Focus on conversations, not just promotions. Encourage discussions, ask for opinions, and offer exclusive content.
3️⃣ Turn Customers into Advocates – A strong community naturally leads to word-of-mouth marketing. Happy members will spread the word about your brand.

💡 Example: A small nail salon owner can create a private group for loyal clients, sharing nail care tips, early access to new services, and exclusive discounts.

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Customer Experience as a Priority

In a world full of choices, customers don’t just buy products—they buy experiences. A smooth, consistent journey across all touchpoints (website, social media, in-store, email, etc.) is becoming a must for any business.

Why This Matters

Customers expect fast, seamless, and personalized interactions. A confusing website, slow response time, or inconsistent messaging across platforms can drive them away.

How Small Businesses Can Improve Customer Experience

1️⃣ Align Marketing, Sales & Support – Ensure your messaging, offers, and service are consistent across all channels.
2️⃣ Optimize for Mobile – Many customers engage with businesses on their phones. Make sure your website, booking system, and customer service work seamlessly on mobile.
3️⃣ Leverage Automation for Efficiency – Use chatbots, automated emails, and AI-powered tools to provide quick responses without losing a personal touch.

💡 Example: A small business selling handmade jewelry can use automated Instagram DMs to answer FAQs, offer personalized recommendations, and guide customers smoothly through the purchase process.

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Final Thoughts

Both community-based marketing and customer experience optimization are key to business success in 2025. Small businesses that prioritize these strategies will build stronger customer relationships, increase retention, and stand out from the competition.

#MarketingTrends #CommunityMarketing #CustomerExperience #SmallBusinessGrowth