Harsh Truth: Why Your Marketing Isn't Working

Why Your Marketing Fails: The Person in the Mirror

I recently completed the “Good 2 Great” business course, funded by Telford Council (Thank you for all your help Nick Bastock) and, after I’d spent weeks networking with many start-ups and new businesses, the experience reinforced a brutal truth that I see business owners shy away from all the time: the primary reason your marketing isn’t working is you.

If you find yourself using phrases like, “I don’t have time for marketing” only to later say, “I don’t have enough customers”? Then the solution could lie closer to home than you might think. Because here’s the uncomfortable truth: you are the reason your marketing isn’t working.

It’s not just the algorithm, the economy, or that “marketing doesn’t work for my business.”

It’s you.

Let me dig into the common reasons your marketing may be stalling and how I’d get it back on track.

1. You’re Not Too Busy - You’re Just Avoiding It

“It’s not enough to be busy; so are the ants. The question is, what are we busy about?” - Henry David Thoreau

“Too busy” has become everyone’s default answer for why something doesn’t get done; however, if I’m honest with myself “too busy” is really just a code phrase for “let’s avoid it right now.”

One of the reasons I see people avoid marketing is because it can feel uncomfortable, unfamiliar and even a little salesy…

You can combat this feeling by finding a client’s pain points and making genuine efforts to solve them. I put myself in a potential customer’s shoes and I consider how I can help them. For instance, while I wrote this blog post, I always kept in mind clients (both new and current) who would benefit from reading it. My pain point matrix approach provides a systematic framework for identifying exactly what your customers struggle with.

You can also make marketing an exciting thing you look forward to, instead of another chore, by genuinely helping people solve their problems.

2. If You Don’t Make Time, You’ll Keep Wasting Time

You think you’re saving time by not marketing, but you’re losing far more of it by constantly chasing the same customers, dealing with slow sales, or wondering why it’s so quiet. Not to mention the stress of low turnover, worrying about cash flow problems and paying the bills. Is that you?

In the past, I used to spend days tweaking my website, adding more products, trying to improve my offers, and I was generally doing anything I could to avoid what you could call “marketing.” Days turned into weeks, weeks into months, months into years.

There will always be someone who does it better than you; there will always be someone who knows more. The key is to act. I believe hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.

A social media post. A quick email to past customers. Updating your Google Business listing. I’ve found that small, regular actions add up over time.

3. You’re Waiting for the Perfect Plan - and Wasting Precious Days

Here’s another hard truth I’ve learned: perfection is just procrastination in a fancy coat.

If you’re waiting for the perfect strategy, website, or brand voice… you’ll be waiting forever. In the meantime, your audience will forget you exist. Marketing doesn’t need to be perfect. It needs to be consistent. That’s the one star philosophy - be worth the stop, keep improving.

Just start. Post something. Write a short blog. Share a photo of what you’re working on. Show up.

Done is better than perfect - especially when the alternative is silence. And if the cost of a website is what’s holding you back, pay monthly plans remove that barrier entirely.

4. You Say Marketing Doesn’t Work - But You Haven’t Tried Enough

Marketing is a long game because building awareness, trust, and engagement takes time (and repeat exposure). If you only put out one ad, one social media post, or anything else once, it won’t work!

You must be consistent for the magic sauce to start working (and you are the chef).

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve sent out my newsletter, only to receive a new enquiry a day or two later. It’s human nature for people to need to see your business multiple times before they act.

The drip, drip, drip effect works.

5. You Are the Brand - Like It or Not

People buy from people; they aren’t just purchasing a faceless product or service. They want to know who they’re doing business with and why you’re doing what you’re doing. This is where authentic copywriting becomes your secret weapon. So, if you’re merely relying on hiding behind your logo and hoping that customers will magically discover you, then you’re missing the whole point:

There’s no need to be an influencer. I’d just show up by being yourself (and add value, of course!) For e-commerce businesses, this extends to your products - if customers can find them cheaper elsewhere, you’re competing on price instead of brand.

6. Practical Ways to Get Started (Even If You’re ‘Too Busy’)

Still with me? Good. Here’s the part where I ditch the excuses and I get practical. I’d try this:

• Block out 30 minutes a week to focus on marketing. I put it in my diary and I treat it like an appointment.
• Pick one platform and show up consistently. Don’t try to do everything - I’d do one thing well.
• Repurpose content. A blog post becomes a few social media posts. A photo becomes a Facebook story. One idea = many uses. I’d learn systematic approaches to this in my AI content strategy guide.
• Use tools. Canva for visuals, Buffer or similar platforms for scheduling, and ChatGPT for writing help - I find these tools save me hours. Discover more about how AI writing tools can make you better.
• Delegate. If you hate marketing or you just won’t do it, I’d get someone else to do it for you.

7. The Harder Truth: If You Won’t Do It, Someone Else Will

Your competitors are out there making noise, closing sales, and building an audience while you’re sitting there wondering about possibly posting something. They aren’t better than you, they’re just more visible!

Visibility is the only difference. If you stay invisible, then your business will remain invisible.

Own It or Stay Stuck

Ready to Take Control of Your Marketing?

If you’ve read this far, you know that the key to marketing success lies within you. But sometimes, even with the best intentions, it’s hard to break old habits and create consistent, effective marketing strategies alone. That’s where I come in.

What I Can Help With:

I understand the challenges small business owners face. That’s why I’ve designed a programme to help you:

Develop a clear, actionable marketing strategy: I work with you to create a personalised plan that fits your business and goals.

Overcome procrastination and perfectionism: I give you the support and accountability you need to start taking consistent action.

Build your brand and connect with your audience authentically: I help you tell your story and create meaningful relationships with your customers.

Leverage the right tools and techniques: I help you navigate the ever-changing marketing landscape and I choose the strategies that will get you the best results.

Get A Free Marketing Assessment.

Don’t let your marketing hold you back any longer. Take the first step towards a more visible, profitable business.

Visit Business Growth Packages to learn more and schedule a discovery call. Let me help you get your marketing unstuck!