(For the overwhelmed, the reluctant and the “I’ll-do-it-later” crowd)

Let’s be honest, you didn’t start your business so you could do marketing.

You started it because you saw a gap in the market and wanted to fill it. Because you are good, really good, at what you do. Because you are doing something you love.

But marketing? That’s the stuff you have to do. It’s loud. It’s awkward. It feels like pretending to be someone you’re not.

You’re not lazy – you’re tired

Running a small business in the real world is exhausting. You wear every hat: owner, bookkeeper, cleaner, customer service, therapist. The idea of adding “marketing manager” to that list feels like a step too far.

You’re not avoiding marketing because you’re lazy. You’re avoiding it because:

• It feels inauthentic
• You don’t know where to start
• You’ve been burned by “quick win” advice that didn’t work
• You’re afraid of doing it badly and wasting time
• You secretly hope word of mouth will just be enough

All totally understandable.

“Marketing” has a branding problem

Here’s the irony: marketing itself has been badly marketed to people like you.

It’s become synonymous with hype, algorithms, influencers and endless content. But at its core, marketing is just clear communication. It’s telling the right people what you do, how it helps, and why it matters – in a way that feels natural to you.

No trickery. No showing off. No pretending to be a brand you don’t recognise in the mirror.

You don’t have to do all the things

If you hate marketing, chances are you’re overwhelmed by how much you think you have to do:

• Post on social media every day
• Make videos
• Build a slick website
• Run ads
• Write blogs
• Set up email funnels
• Go viral??

Here’s the truth: you don’t need to do everything. You just need to do the right things -consistently, and in a way that feels sustainable.

Start here:

• A clear, simple website
• A way for people to get in touch
• One or two channels where your ideal customers hang out
• A message that’s true to you

That’s it. No fluff. No being something you are not.

What if you could market without feeling fake?

Marketing can feel less like shouting and more like showing up.

Think about it this way:

• You’re not “promoting” – you’re inviting people in.
• You’re not “selling” – you’re solving a problem.
• You’re not “branding” – you’re being clear about who you are.
• You don’t have to be loud. You just have to be understandable.

A few ideas that might actually feel ok

Here are some low-pressure ways to get the word out without hating every minute of it:

• Tell a story: Share how your business started. People love a real story.
• Answer a question: What do customers ask you all the time? Turn that into a blog or Instagram post.
• Show your work: Snap a behind-the-scenes photo. No filters, no polish needed.
• Share a tip: Something obvious to you might be gold to someone else.
• Highlight someone else: A lovely review, a loyal customer, a collaborator – celebrate them.

Each one is a chance to connect, not just promote.

Done Is Better Than Perfect

If you’ve been stuck in “I should really do some marketing…” limbo for weeks (or months), now’s the time for action: start small. Imperfectly. Today.

Post a photo. Update your contact page. Tell one person what you do.

Then stop. Breathe. You’ve done something.

That’s how momentum starts.

You don’t have to do it alone

If you’re still thinking “this all sounds nice but I still don’t want to do it myself,” that’s ok too.

Plenty of small business owners get support with the bits they don’t enjoy. That’s not a failure – it’s a smart use of time.

If you’d like help making your marketing feel more natural (and less like a chore), I’m here. No jargon. No sales pitch. Just a conversation. Let’s chat.