"Where Do I Start With Marketing My Small Business?"

The Three Questions You Need To Answer First

Before you post anything, design anything, or spend money on anything, ask yourself these three questions:

1. Who's your actual customer?

Not "everyone who needs my service." Be specific. What does your ideal customer look like? What's their age range? Their industry? What keeps them up at night? The more specific you get here, the easier everything else becomes.

2. Where are THEY hanging out?

If your ideal customer is a 22-year-old creative, they're probably on TikTok or Instagram. If they're a 45-year-old business owner, they might be on LinkedIn. If they're looking for local services, they're probably on Google or Facebook. Don't post everywhere. Post where your actual customer is.

3. What problem are you actually solving for them?

This is the important one. You're not thinking about what you offer, you're thinking about what problem your service or product solves. A dog walker doesn't sell "dog walking services." They sell "peace of mind for busy pet owners who want their dogs exercised and happy." A nutritionist doesn't sell "nutrition advice." They sell "finally understanding what your body actually needs to feel better." A personal trainer doesn't sell "workout sessions." They sell "confidence and strength for people who've never been fit before."

Hello and welcome to 2026! How did we get here already?

If you're anything like me, you're going into the New Year with a clean slate, a fresh mind, and a determination to finally get your marketing sorted. Well, I'm here to give you a friendly helping hand.

I get asked this question constantly: "Where do I even start with marketing my small business?"

And my honest answer: how much are you trying to do already?

Most small business owners think they need to be on Instagram, TikTok, email marketing, weekly blogs, Google Ads, LinkedIn... all at once. They don't. In fact, that approach usually means you're spread so thin that nothing actually works.

If you're still scratching your head and need some help, than drop me an email ellie@justthrivemarketing.com

Once You Know These Three Things, Everything Falls Into Place

You'll suddenly know:

Which platforms matter: If your customer is on LinkedIn, you focus there. If they're on Instagram, that's where you show up. You're not wasting energy on platforms where your actual customer isn't hanging out.

What content to create: You create content that speaks directly to that customer's problem. A dog walker might create posts about "5 signs your dog needs more exercise" or "How to tire out your dog on a rainy day." A nutritionist might create content like "Why cutting out carbs doesn't work for everyone" or "How to actually read your body's hunger signals." A personal trainer might share "Why motivation isn't the problem—your environment is" or "How to build strength when you've never worked out before." Every single post answers a question or solves a problem for your ideal customer.

Where else to show up: Beyond social media, you can:

• Write blog posts for your website (which helps with SEO and getting found on Google)

• Collaborate with other businesses in your area

• Pitch yourself to relevant podcasters or publications in your niche

• Build partnerships with complementary businesses

But you only do these things once you know WHO you're talking to and WHAT you're solving.

And If You're Still Getting Brain Fog When It Comes To Your Marketing

My Power Hour is the exact solution you're looking for.

Most small business owners post randomly, hope something sticks, wonder why nobody's buying, and start to feel frustrated and overwhelmed when getting no response.

You could figure it out in one focused hour.

That's what a Power Hour does, we sit down together, answer these three questions properly, and you leave with absolute clarity on where to start with your small business marketing.

No more guessing. No more "should I be on TikTok?" No more posting content that doesn't resonate with your ideal customer.

Just clarity.

And once you have that, marketing stops feeling impossible. It becomes a practical strategy you can actually execute.

So this is my challenge to you as we head into 2026: before you create another post, before you download another app, before you pay for another course, answer these three questions.

Write them down. Be specific. Really think about it.

If you want help figuring it out, that's what I'm here for. DM me and we can do a Power Hour. But honestly, even just sitting with these three questions will change how you think about your marketing.

Here's to 2026 being the year your marketing finally makes sense. 💙