Three signs your marketing isn’t delivering - and how to market your business

Three signs your marketing isn't delivering

Continuous improvement – it’s something every discipline strives for. But in marketing, unless you have a dedicated team and regular performance reporting, it can be hard to pinpoint what needs a review if things aren’t working as well as they should. The devil is in the detail and the signs aren’t always clear, especially when you're busy delivering the day-to-day.

If you’re doing a lot - creating content, managing a website, spending on paid ads and social channels, but not seeing results - here are three red flags that your marketing might not be working as well as it could be.

1. You’re not attracting the right kind of leads

If you’re regularly receiving enquiries from companies who aren’t a good fit, or you’re spending a lot of effort on people who don’t intend to purchase, something’s off.

Strong marketing doesn’t just bring in more leads, it brings in the right ones. That starts with a well-defined target audience, clear messaging that speaks directly to their needs, and that reaches them where they are.

If your pipeline’s full of low quality leads, then it’s time to revisit your approach.

Find out more about how you can develop a strong customer acquisition strategy.

2. You don’t really know what’s working (or what’s not)

With all the activity you’re doing, are you confident you know what’s driving your results? If the answer is ‘not really’, then you could be wasting time and money.

Even starting by putting simple measures in place can help you focus your efforts on what’s really working. Good marketing isn’t just creative, it must be accountable.

Find out how you can make a big impact on a small budget.

3. Your marketing doesn’t reflect where your business is now

Has your business evolved but the way you market yourselves has stayed the same?

If your messaging, branding, or website still talks about who you used to be, or worse – it doesn’t reflect the value you’re offering, it’s likely to be holding you back.

Marketing must progress with your business, not lag behind. When it’s the creative output of your strategy with clear objectives, it opens doors to new customers, better opportunities, and the kind of work you actually want to be doing.

Find out more about what marketing is and how it can drive your growth.

If any of this sounds familiar, don’t panic, you're not alone – and good, effective marketing will make a significant difference.

Lots of SMEs reach a point where further grow requires deeper, strategic thinking. Things have been ticking along, but now aren’t quite firing and results are slowing. That’s where a fresh pair of eyes and some strategic thinking can help make a big difference in your success.

If you're ready to get more from your marketing, I’m here to help.