Introduction

Are you doing all the things—posting on social media, writing emails, promoting your offers—but still not getting the results you want?

You're not alone.

Many business owners are working hard but not seeing consistent leads or sales because they’re missing one thing: a strategy. Whether you're a coach, product-based business, or service provider, the issue often isn’t your effort—it’s your approach.

In this post, I’ll walk you through three major marketing mistakes that are holding business owners back, and how you can fix them with a clear and simple marketing strategy. If you want to stop wasting time and start making real progress, keep reading. You can also watch my Video and downloadable Marketing Strategy Template to help you take action right away.

Table of Contents

1. Mistake #1: You Don’t Know Your Ideal Customer

2. Mistake #2: You’re Only Focused on Sales, Not Trust

3. Mistake #3: You Don’t Have a Real Marketing Plan

4. Watch the Full Video for More

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Key Takeaways

• Marketing without clarity on your ideal client leads to ineffective messaging and wasted effort.

• People don’t want to be sold to—they want to trust your brand. Focus on building relationships through content.

• A real marketing strategy provides direction, structure, and purpose so you can grow your business more efficiently.

Mistake #1: You Don’t Know Your Ideal Customer

When you try to market to everyone, you end up connecting with no one.

This is one of the most common mistakes small business owners make. Without a clear picture of who your ideal customer is, your messaging feels generic, your content misses the mark, and your brand becomes forgettable.

To build an effective brand strategy, you must understand:

• Who your ideal customer is

• What problems they want solved

• What motivates them to buy

• What makes your business different from your competitors

For example, Walmart and Louis Vuitton both sell handbags, but they serve entirely different customers. Louis Vuitton doesn’t lower its prices to compete with discount stores—they know exactly who they serve and how to speak to them. You should too.

Mistake #2: You’re Only Focused on Sales, Not Trust

In the past, people would walk into a store, speak to a salesperson, and make a decision on the spot. Today, consumers scroll, search, stream, and compare multiple options before buying. If your marketing is all about making the sale without first building trust, you're likely being ignored.

People buy from brands they know, like, and trust. That’s why content marketing is so powerful.

Instead of pushing your offer all the time, focus on:

• Educating your audience

• Sharing your story and expertise

• Creating helpful, engaging content

• Showing empathy and understanding of their needs

When you lead with value, your audience is more likely to engage, build a relationship with your brand, and eventually buy.

Mistake #3: You Don’t Have a Real Marketing Plan

Many business owners are posting content randomly with no clear direction or measurable goals. Without a structured marketing plan, it’s difficult to stay consistent or track what’s working.

You don’t need a 100-page document. You need a simple, actionable marketing strategy that helps you move toward your goals.

Your plan should include:

• A description of your ideal customer and niche

• Your brand positioning and unique value

• Key marketing channels to focus on

• A content plan with topics and timelines

• Clear goals and a system to track your progress

This kind of strategy helps you avoid burnout, stay consistent, and attract the right customers at the right time.

Watch the Full Video for More

Want to go deeper into these mistakes and learn how to create a marketing system that works?

Watch my video here.

Why Your Marketing Isn’t Working – 3 Costly Mistakes Business Owners Make.

I’ll walk you through each of these mistakes in more detail and show you how to create a system that brings in quality leads, builds trust, and increases your sales.

Also, don’t forget to download your free Marketing Strategy Guide to start building a marketing plan that works without burning out on social media.

Get the free guide here: Marketing Strategy Template

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How do I identify my ideal customer?
Start by considering who gets the best results from your product or service. Look at past customers, gather feedback, and define their demographics, behaviors, and goals.

Q: What’s the difference between content marketing and traditional marketing?
Traditional marketing focuses on direct selling. Content marketing builds trust by providing valuable, educational, or entertaining content that positions you as the expert.

Q: Do I need to post on every social media platform?
No. Focus on one or two platforms where your ideal audience is already spending time. Consistency and quality matter more than being everywhere.

Q: What if I don’t have time to create a full marketing strategy?
You don’t need to do it all at once. Start with defining your audience and content goals. My free Marketing Strategy Guide can help you take the first steps with clarity and confidence.

About the author:

Jazeera Adilkhan is a marketing coach, speaker, and founder of Digital Strategy League.

Take your business to the next level with our free Marketing Strategy Template! Start building a clear, effective plan for growth. Download it now and take action!