By Dennis Riley of Goals To Results and Amber Krasinski of IvyHill Strategies.

Even though most small business owners agree that marketing is crucial, 56% report they spend an hour or less daily (stat via Forbes). It sounds surprising. Why devote so little time to an area vital for growth?

As a small business owner, we get it. Your day is packed with keeping clients happy and dealing with operations. Ideally, we’d balance everything, but marketing can be tough! Whether it’s crafting an email, a blog, or updating your website, it’s not always easy to convey the value of your product or service compellingly.

Imagine creating a marketing piece you think is fantastic, only to hear crickets—no engagement, no leads. This has happened to us more than we'd like to admit. When marketing efforts seem fruitless, it’s tempting to put more time into what’s already working. It’s easy to shift focus back to client work since that keeps the money flowing. And even when you finally set aside time for marketing, writer’s block can hit hard. This vicious cycle can sap your motivation to share your message, leaving you with no new clients when current ones move on. Yikes, right?

So, how can you make your marketing stand out and grab attention? Here are some ideas:

• Emotional Marketing: Connect with your audience by tapping into their emotions. Share stories that resonate with their experiences and challenges. Use visuals and language that evoke feelings, making your brand memorable and relatable. When customers feel understood and connected, they are more likely to engage with your business.

• Differentiate Yourself: Identify what sets you apart from the competition. Highlight unique aspects of your products or services. Whether it’s a special feature, exceptional customer service, or a unique brand story, make sure it stands out in your marketing materials. This uniqueness will attract potential clients looking for something different.

• Stay Persistent: Marketing success often comes from consistency. Regularly update your content, keep testing new ideas, and learn from what doesn’t work. Persistence helps build brand recognition and trust over time. Even when results aren’t immediate, maintaining your efforts can lead to significant long-term benefits.

The biggest part of revving up your marketing efforts is having a plan and adapting as you find out what’s working well or what needs adjusting. If you need extra help or some more advice, reach out!

Goals To Results helps small business owners implement systems to improve their daily operations and overall business efficiency.

IvyHill Strategies is a boutique marketing agency that assists small businesses in creating effective marketing and public relations strategies to turn their vision into reality.