Are you ready to create a marketing strategy that feels authentic, aligns with your values, and helps you reach your community?
In this post, I’ll share the mindset shifts and practical steps that will help you build a strategy you can feel proud of—and one that actually works.
You may have already trawled through the internet looking for advice, but I hope to add a different perspective on what it takes to achieve a marketing strategy that’s aligned with your values and feels good.
Many small business owners believe they lack the talent for marketing or that it feels ‘icky’ to promote themselves, but this belief is holding you back from sharing your incredible value with your community.
If you’re struggling to stick with your intentions to market and promote your local business, this is the place for you.
Ready to take a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into a marketing strategy that feels awesome?
Always Remember That Marketing Brings Value to Your People
Marketing isn’t about bothering people—it’s about sharing solutions, experiences, and value with those who need them most. Think of it as an invitation rather than a sales pitch.
If you’re holding back because you worry about annoying others, ask yourself: What happens if your ideal customer never discovers what you have to offer? Who benefits if you stay invisible?
“Jen’s” Story
Let me share a story about my client, Jen. She came to me with big plans for her business growth. She was excited and ready to level up, knowing she needed increased local visibility to make it happen.
But Jen despised the time she spent on social media. It pulled her away from the work she excelled at, and at night, she found herself stressing about what to post instead of enjoying time with her family. She resented showing up to create content without knowing if it was effective or how to measure results.
Over the first few months we worked together, I helped her set priorities and goals and demystified her ideal social media content. Recently, during our third monthly strategy call, Jen shared how her business is growing because of her purposeful and simplified approach to marketing.
Even while outsourcing some tasks, Jen feels more in control of her business and her time than ever before. Most importantly, she’s excited about marketing now because it aligns with her goals and values—and she loves having someone alongside her as she grows.
Jen’s story is proof that marketing doesn’t have to feel overwhelming or misaligned. When you focus on sharing value and set clear, meaningful goals, you’ll feel more connected to your audience and in control of your efforts.
The Real Magic
Imagine you own a cozy bookstore, and a customer walks in searching for something meaningful to read. Would you hesitate to recommend a title that fits perfectly with what they’re looking for? Of course not! Marketing is the same—it’s about connecting the right people with what they need in a way that feels natural.
The real magic happens when your marketing becomes an extension of your purpose, helping the people you care most about.
My Routine for Staying Confident in Marketing
I am happy to say that I’ve found ways to market my business in alignment with my values. My daily routine plays a huge role in helping me stay grounded and confident:
- Morning: I journal and read non-fiction before opening any social media apps. This habit keeps me focused on my confidence and well-being.
- Midday: I take a walk and connect with people I’ve chosen to follow and trust—friends, colleagues, and fellow entrepreneurs who inspire me.
- Evening: I spend time with my family and my local community, staying present and interacting with real people instead of a curated Instagram feed.
How does your daily routine support your ability to confidently show up for your business? Does it include moments to ground yourself, connect with others, or reflect on your progress?
If not, think about where you can create small shifts. Remember, routines don’t have to be perfect—they just need to work for you.
Never Fall for Marketing Quick Fixes
All your content for the year in an hour? Using every technique in the book just to get people to part with their money? These are quick fixes offered by people that might mean well (or just make them money), but they’ll hold you back in the long run.
Quick-fix strategies—like creating artificial scarcity or relying on manipulative tactics—may get short-term results but often feel inauthentic and unsustainable. Instead of this bro-marketing approach, focus on strategies that reflect the genuine value you bring to your customers.
To start clearing your head about marketing and reduce the icks you have about it, unfollow all the voices that rely on manipulation and coercion, or create feelings of shame and guilt.
Instead of following quick-fix advice, turn to voices like:
- Donald Miller’s StoryBrand framework
- Ann Handley’s storytelling approach.
These thought leaders demonstrate how marketing can be values-driven and deeply impactful. Seek out experts whose approach resonates with your mission and let them inspire your journey.
As Brené Brown reminds us: “we don’t have to be perfect, just engaged and committed to aligning values with actions.”
You Need to Develop Marketing Skills
Now, just because you currently don’t have solid marketing skills doesn’t mean you can’t learn to create an aligned marketing strategy for your local business.
This does mean you need to commit time to learn and practice before you can make that strategy come to life, but I have seen people do it time and time again inside my Marketing Coaching program.
Let’s be specific in planning how to develop marketing skills that feel good:
- Set aside time: Dedicate a regular block in your calendar to marketing. Be sure to commit to actively practicing, not just passive learning.
- Start small: Pick a platform you feel most comfortable with, and share something valuable (a tip, a story, or an insight). Remember that talking with people in person counts, too! You’re still marketing yourself and refining your message.
- Find support: Surround yourself with a network of people who inspire you and align with your values—whether it’s a mentor, peer group, or marketing coach.
Building marketing skills isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. Each step you take, whether big or small, builds your confidence and brings you closer to a strategy that truly works for your business.
Tip: Learn how to find your confidence when showing up on social media next!
Wrapping Up
Marketing doesn’t have to feel overwhelming or misaligned. By shifting your mindset, creating supportive routines, and focusing on authentic action, you’ll build a strategy that feels right for you and your business.
Would you like some support? Let’s take the first step together! Schedule a free consultation with me, and let’s create a marketing strategy that feels authentic, aligned, and effective.
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