Stop Doing More Marketing. Start Doing the Right Stuff.

If you’re running a small business, it probably feels like you’re constantly being told to do more. More content, more channels, more tools, more campaigns. And when it doesn’t work? The advice is usually to double down.

But here’s the thing: more marketing isn’t always better marketing.

What most growing businesses need isn’t another task list. They need clarity.

Cheerful Marketing Team

Why You Might Be Feeling Stuck

I work with founders and teams who are trying to grow, but feel like their marketing is chaotic, reactive, or just plain ineffective. Not because they’re not trying—but because it’s happening without a clear direction.

Here are a few things I hear all the time:

• "We’re doing loads, but none of it feels consistent."

• "We hired someone to do content, but we don’t have a strategy."

• "We’re spending money, but not really sure what it’s doing."

Sound familiar?

Often, it's not a lack of effort. It's a lack of structure. You might be showing up on LinkedIn, publishing the odd blog, outsourcing Instagram posts, and running email campaigns. But if they aren't linked to one clear message or goal, they won't get you the results you're hoping for.

The Real Shift: Strategy First, Always

It’s tempting to jump into execution mode—to just get something out there. But activity without intention leads to burnout and bland results.

When I work with clients, we usually start by pressing pause and asking:

• Who are you actually trying to reach?

• What do you want to be known for?

• What’s your message, and is it clear?

• How do you turn visibility into revenue?

You don’t need a massive campaign. You need a simple, focused plan.

Here’s a real-world example: I recently worked with a small service-based business that was posting 3 times a week, had a newsletter list, and was outsourcing social media to a freelancer. But there was no strategy behind it—just "keeping up appearances." We stripped it right back: one clear audience, one consistent message, two platforms, and one lead magnet. Within 6 weeks, they were getting replies, booked calls, and actually enjoying their marketing again.

So, What Should You Be Doing Instead?

Here’s what I recommend most often:

• Pick one or two channels and show up consistently

• Focus your message around your audience’s real problems

• Create a few strong offers instead of trying to sell everything

• Measure what matters: leads, conversions, conversations—not just views

• Review your marketing every month: what’s working, what’s not, what to drop

And here’s a mistake I see a lot: People invest in shiny tools and automation platforms before they’ve nailed their message. Tools amplify what’s already there—if your strategy’s unclear, automation just spreads the confusion faster.

Need a Starting Point?

I put together the SME Marketing Strategy Starter Kit to help founders like you figure out where your real focus should be.

It includes:

• A 5-step breakdown of what every SME strategy needs

• The biggest mistakes I see (and how to fix them)

• A simple page to sketch out your own plan

It’s free, no fluff, and designed to give you clarity.

👉 Download it here - https://www.nikkijefferymarketing.com/marketing-starter-kit

And if you want a second opinion on what you’re already doing, I can send you a short Loom video with 3 quick things I’d change or prioritise. Just drop me a message.

Final Thought

Doing more won’t help if the foundation isn’t right.

Start small. Get clear. Do less, but better.

Then everything you do put out there actually works harder for you.