If you are reading this and you are an entrepreneur or an aspiring entrepreneur, you will most likely be able to count the number of times someone offers you a laundry list of things NOT to DO. Everyone is telling and selling you a 3-point this or a 5-step that for a “successful” business, but no one is telling you the truth regarding marketing.

Here is what the average entrepreneur believes: Have a business idea Create a logo Throw up a buy now button (what I call a shabby shotgun website) Invest in a marketing plan Yeah, Wild. There are so many things wrong with this crash checklist, but the biggest mistake is not putting branding in place before marketing. See, when branding is done right, marketing is made easy. Branding is your message, and marketing is how you share your message. This is why all of your marketing efforts fall short and seem to not meet the mark. Because you are attempting to find creative ways to share a message you haven’t even created yet.

So, another marketing plan is NOT what you need.

You need to be properly branded, and of course, we can help with that (WINK)

Now, this is in the marketing category, so let me tell you all the things marketing encompasses because it is more than positions on social media. First, let me lead with this statement: Marketing isn’t just about selling; it’s about building relationships, fostering trust, and creating a strong brand presence that resonates with consumers. Marketing is all about creating, communicating, and delivering value.

Nothing more, nothing less, this is your sign to stop overcomplicating things!

The top (4) channels of marketing are: Digital, Traditional, Influencer, Affiliate Just like branding, there is a strategy you can execute for it as well. A marketing strategy is a plan that outlines how a business will reach its target audience and achieve its marketing goals. It’s a roadmap that aligns marketing activities with business objectives, ensuring that every effort contributes to the company’s growth and success.

Marketing is an important part of the success of your business; it’s just not the initial part. That is branding, and that is what I’m here for (wink)

-Repeat after me, marketing is not the first step, Jess (wink)