Feeling stuck with your marketing? Here’s the 5-step simple reset you need
We’ve all been there.
You start the year with the best of intentions.
You’ve got big goals, big energy, and you’re ready to finally make your marketing work.
Then… life.
Work piles up. Other priorities take over. Sales slow down. You find yourself posting content just to keep the lights on.
Weeks pass, and that “big strategy” you were supposed to do or follow? It’s gathering dust in the corner while you scroll Instagram wondering how everyone else seems to be nailing it.
So if you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or like your marketing just isn’t working right now, this is your sign to hit reset.
And no, you don’t need to throw everything out and start over.
You don’t need to hire a big agency or spend a fortune on ads.
You just need to come back to strategy.
Here’s exactly how to do it.
Go back to the basics. Why does your business exist?
This isn’t about your product or service. It’s about being unique and different, NOT better or more.
Think about…
What makes you different from every other brand and business out there?
What are you really here to do for people?
What transformation are you bringing to people’s lives?
If you can’t answer that, your customers won’t know either.
And if your marketing feels all over the place, this is often the reason why.
Your brand’s unique perspective and what you stand for (or against) is the anchor for every piece of content, every email.
For example:
Maybe you’re a skincare brand. Are you just selling moisturiser?
Or are you helping busy women finally feel confident in their skin again without the complicated 7-step routines?
See the difference? That’s what your marketing needs to lead with. (The unique benefit and perspective, and the transformation)
Need help getting clear on your brand?
Read: Avoid failure for your ambitious small business with a brand strategy
2. Look at your audience. Have you drifted away from them?
If you’re stuck, it’s often because you’re trying to market to “everyone” instead of the right people.
Don’t be afraid to get specific.
Your ideal customers have specific problems, dreams, and struggles.
Are you still speaking to those?
Have you asked them lately what they actually want?
It’s wild how often people skip this part and wonder why things feel off.
Your audience will literally tell you what content to create, what offers to make, and what words to use, if you just ask.
That’s the power of interviews and speaking 1-2-1 with your customers.
Quick win:
Set up a minimum of 3 customer interviews this month. Ask them why they bought from you, why they nearly didn’t, and what nearly stopped them. There’s your messaging improved and maybe even sorted.
Not sure how to do that?
Read: The audience research methods every small business should use
3. Stop throwing content at the wall. Follow the funnel
Overwhelm happens when you’re guessing.
A reset happens when you have a plan.
Structure your content into three buckets:
Attract: Content that grabs attention and makes people stop scrolling (your unique perspective on the world)
Build Trust: Content that proves you're the expert, provides the perfect solution to their needs, with results and insights
Make the Sale: Content that invites people to buy, book, or sign up.
Aim for:
50% Attract content
30% Build trust content
20% Make the sale content
Tip:
If 80% of your posts are some version of “here’s my product or service,” no wonder it feels like you’re shouting into the void.
Flip the script and start sharing what people actually care about. Stories, lessons, insights, things they see themselves in.
Need the full breakdown?
Read: What’s a marketing funnel and why does my small business need one?
4. Check your numbers, not your feelings
Feeling stuck is often just… a feeling.
The data tells the real story.
Look at your analytics:
Which posts get the most saves, shares, and clicks?
What subject lines have the best open rates?
Which offers or messages are converting?
Here’s what this looks like in practice:
Say you put out 20 posts over the last two months.
Go back and check if any reels or videos get way more saves than others? Did one email get double the clicks?
That’s your audience literally waving their hands in the air saying, “More of this, please.”
This is how you reset without burning it all down.
You simplify. You focus on what’s already working.
Want to market smarter?
Read: 5 simple shifts small businesses can make to sell more in 2025
5. Give yourself permission to make it easier
Seriously.
You don’t need to be everywhere, on every platform.
You don’t need to reinvent the wheel every time you create content.
What you do need to do…..be intentional with your marketing.
Pick one platform.
Pick one core message. (your proposition and brand strategy helps craft this)
Pick one clear action you want people to take.
A real example:
One of my clients ditched trying to juggle multiple social platforms and just went all in on email and Instagram.
Six months later, their revenue doubled. Not because they did more. They did less but better.
Marketing clarity is always the growth hack.
Ready to reset?
If posting feels pointless, sales are slow, and you're second-guessing everything this is your sign to hit reset.
Strip it back to strategy. Keep it simple. Keep it clear. And keep going.
Your next move matters, Claire
Are you a founder or small business owner curious about doing better marketing?
Here’s how I can help
Hi! I’m Claire,
If you’re an ambitious founder or small business owner who's tired of second-guessing your marketing, good news, you're in the right place.
At Startup & Small Marketing, I cut through the noise with strategy that actually works. No gimmicks, no guesswork. Just clear, psychology-backed marketing built to grow your business.
Ready to stop winging it? Let’s get you a plan.
Strategy first, every time.
Claire