Running a small or growing business can feel like a never-ending juggle. Between sales, customer service, finance, operations – and everything in between – marketing often ends up at the bottom of the list. You know it’s important, but when you’re wearing every hat in the business, finding the time, clarity, and energy to plan and prioritise marketing can feel impossible.
But without a clear and consistent marketing approach, it’s easy to fall into reactive mode, posting last-minute content, running unfocused campaigns, or putting off promotional activity altogether. The result? Missed opportunities, inconsistent messaging, and slower growth.
The good news is, with a little structure and support, you can start making space for marketing that actually works – even when time is tight.
Marketing is one of the first things to get pushed aside when you’re busy. Unlike finance or customer queries, the impact of not marketing well isn’t always immediate, but over time, it shows.
Without regular marketing activity:
When marketing becomes reactive instead of strategic, it’s harder to build momentum, and even harder to measure results.
Ad-hoc marketing leads to inconsistent messaging and disjointed campaigns. You might post sporadically on social media, rush through email newsletters, or promote offers without clear goals or follow-up.
It’s not that you’re not trying, It’s that you don’t have a clear roadmap. And without direction, even the best efforts can feel like they’re not moving the needle.
The key is focus – not doing more, but doing the right things, in the right order.
According to Forbes, setting clear priorities is key to avoiding burnout when you’re doing it all yourself.
Here’s how to start prioritising your marketing with purpose:
Marketing should support your wider business objectives. Whether you’re aiming to generate more leads, improve retention, or launch a new product, your marketing efforts need to align directly with these goals. Ask yourself:
You don’t need a complex strategy to get started. Small, intentional actions can build momentum and drive results. For example:
These quick wins build confidence and consistency, and start creating touchpoints with your audience right away.
When your juggling multiple roles, your marketing plan needs to be realistic, not perfect. Focus on a few key activities that align with your goals and target audience – such as one email campaign a month, weekly social media posts, or a monthly blog. Tools like Mailchimp’s Email Marketing 101 Guide cover everything from building your list to crafting campaigns that connect. Consistency matters more than complexity. Use a simple calendar or checklist to map out what you’ll do and when, and allow space to adapt. A manageable plan you actually follow is far more effective than an ambitious one that gets abandoned.
Marketing deserves dedicated time, not leftover minutes. Set aside regular, non-negotiable time in your calendar, even if it’s just an hour a week, to review, plan and action your marketing priorities. That commitment alone can be game-changing.
Sometimes, you just need an extra pair of hands, or a second brain to bring clarity and direction. Whether it’s help creating a plan, managing day-to-day activity, or getting key campaigns out the door, working with a freelance marketing consultant (like me) can free up your time and give your business the visibility it deserves.
I’ve put together a simple Marketing Focus Worksheet to help you clarify your goals, assess what’s working, and outline your top priorities for the next quarter.
👉 [Download the free worksheet here – no email required]
Or, if you’d prefer to talk it through, get in touch for a free 20-minute discovery call. Let’s bring some calm, clarity, and confidence to your marketing.
