Let’s talk about something every small business owner has probably done at least once. You’ve downloaded a free template to develop your content calendar. You found a free workbook that helps you use Instagram or maybe you discovered a checklist that promises to fix your SEO marketing plan.
I know you’ve done it because I’ve done it too. Whether you just started or you’ve been here for 10 years, you’re probably nodding your head right now because you KNOW you have a whole folder in your computer called downloads or marketing stuff.
And it’s overflowing with really amazing stuff that’s filled with good intention.
Does DIY marketing like this really work? Or are we just spinning our wheels with all of this free stuff?
Here’s the thing — DIY marketing does work and it’s one of the reasons that when you come to my site, you’ll see the free Content Prompt Playbook optin. I have a page on my website with free content resources that I created for my community to learn new marketing skills.
I share these free content resources because as a small business owner, it’s one of the smartest ways that your marketing can do to build your business’ reach. These DIY marketing tools allow people to build their own confidence as a marketer, because when somebody tests out a new strategy from that checklist download, you are doing something really powerful for their business.
You are giving them the language of marketing { or whatever you’re sharing with this free download } and giving them a framework to do something that’s going to help their business grow.
And DIY is where your business can get kind of scrappy. It gives you that space to test that idea. It gives you that place to start seeing patterns and you can look at this as the opportunity to get curious about new strategies and testing out new processes.
These DIY marketing tools can become like your classroom and every business owner needs time to learn new skills like video editing and learning how to strategize AI.
But what happens when you’re doing all these things and it’s not working?
So what happens when you’re following these checklists and you’ve gone through the workbooks. When you’ve watched the free webinars and you’re implementing this stuff, but you’re not seeing the results?
As a marketing consultant who has been in business for over 25 years, I’m going to tell you the truth here. This is that place where things get messy.
And I’ve seen it before, not just with my clients and the members in the Marketing Strategy Collective, but I myself have done this. This is that place where you’ve collected templates, you’ve filled out planners, you have watched so many YouTube videos.
Maybe you even bought a few online courses. And you’re doing all the steps, but something’s not clicking. The results aren’t showing up, the consistency isn’t sticking, the sales aren’t happening.
Why I Know This to Be True
I know this is true because I personally know what it feels like to wonder why I can’t get this marketing stuff to work for me. I can’t tell you how many training programs I have paid for. How many thousands of dollars I have spent in group programs. I am that person who shows up to the calls. I go into Facebook groups every week.
I answered my workbook prompts. I did all the work and I didn’t see results.
I even spent money on a year-long mastermind program and I still did not see an increase in my business … and I couldn’t understand. Why wouldn’t any of this stuff work for me? And I constantly questioned myself and how I was going to help others when I couldn’t even make a download work for my business?
I knew I needed to find another way to work and I made the choice to do something different and something more creative with my time. { read more here about how things shifted for my business }
I know this to be true. And when I started to shift the way I work, I realized something – It wasn’t me that was broken. It was that my approach to really growing my business meant that I didn’t need another template.
I needed a better process that was customized to my schedule, to my business goals and one that was adaptive enough so that I could take what I learned and implement it in a way that actually fit me, my world and my business.
So when I walked away from those cookie cutter marketing programs, I developed this process that I teach others in the Marketing Strategy Collective.
What I found was a way to be consistent with my marketing. And that I made sure that every marketing idea, every campaign, everything that I put out there to my community had a purpose and a path to action.
As I’ve shared, I myself have struggled and I have seen what happens when DIY tools start to hit a wall. Because DIY downloads are great, but they can only take you so far.
Templates don’t tell you which part of your business really needs attention. Your free downloads are going to give you a place to start, but they’re not going to give you feedback. And they’re not going to be able to hold you accountable or help you work through your answers when you feel like you’re just guessing.
The DIY resources you’re working through are giving you the information. It’s giving you the WHY and the steps but it’s not helping you with the implementation.
When you know it’s time to go beyond DIY.
If you’re starting to recognize yourself in my story, here’s how you know you’re ready to evolve past the download stage:
- You’ve been consistent but not seeing results.
- You’re doing all the things but aren’t sure which ones actually move the needle.
- You’re ready for feedback, collaboration and structure that keeps you on track.
That’s not a failure. That’s progress. You’ve done the DIY work. You’ve built your foundation. Now it’s time to grow beyond it.
So What’s the Next Step?
You can look for another program online. Or you can work with somebody one-on-one. I recommend you look into some kind of program that’s going to give you collaboration, accountability and help you with implementation.
Seriously, just doing more videos can’t be the only answer! Because here’s the reality — What worked five years ago isn’t enough today. Marketing keeps changing and if you’re still relying on the same strategy, you’re going to see the same results.
It’s no wonder that growth feels harder than ever and that’s why the Marketing Strategy Collective exists. It’s not about doing more. It’s about learning the right skills at the right time with the support to put them into action.
Inside the Collective, you’ll take everything you’ve learned from your DIY marketing and turn it into action. We’ll work together to build your strategy, test ideas and find the creative systems that actually fit your business.
