In this episode, we'll talk about the value of refreshing your marketing strategy to ensure your business stays resilient and ahead of challenges. Whether you're aiming for exponential growth or a solid foundation, this episode will inspire you to take a closer look at your marketing.What You’ll Learn:Declining Leads or Sales: How to spot early signs that your marketing isn’t as effective as it used to be and why curiosity is the best response.Adapting to Algorithm Changes: The impact of shifts in social media and search engine algorithms and how staying proactive can protect your business.Business Changes: Why a shift in your goals, audience, or products might require a marketing refresh to align with your new direction.Avoiding Marketing Ruts: The risks of sticking to the same strategies for too long and how to identify missed opportunities.Diversifying Your Marketing: Why relying on a single source for leads leaves you vulnerable and the importance of exploring multiple channels.Key Takeaways:Regularly review your marketing strategy to ensure it supports your current goals and circumstances.Diversify your lead sources to reduce risk and increase resilience.Stay aware of industry trends and shifts, but don’t let them overwhelm you.Marketing is not a one-and-done task; it’s a dynamic process that evolves with your business.Refreshing your marketing doesn’t have to be stressful—it’s an opportunity to grow and strengthen your business.Call to Action: Have questions or want to share how you’ve refreshed your marketing? Email me at [email protected]. Ready for a marketing refresh of your own? Let's work together!If you're looking for gentle, ongoing marketing support, check out the Adventures in Marketing membership!

While tiny steps might not be glamorous or make for exciting sales copy, they are essential for sustainable progress when it comes to marketing your small business.Remember:You don't need to have everything perfectly mapped out to start; taking the first step is crucial.Small, consistent actions add up over time and can lead to substantial results.Adapt your marketing efforts to fit your personal workflow and energy levels.For more tips and insights on making marketing less intimidating, visit gwenmontoya.com. If you're ready for support when it comes to being consistent, join the Adventures in Marketing group - www.gwenmontoya.com/membership

In this episode, Gwen shares how you can turn website visitors into happy customers. She covers making your website easy to navigate and engaging right from the start. Learn why it's crucial to have your most important info where visitors expect it. Gwen also explores  the essentials of building trust through consistent branding and error-free pages, using language that speaks to your audience, and leveraging analytics to tailor your content perfectly. You'll get practical tips on boosting your site’s traffic with smart SEO, engaging social media, and email marketing. Wrapping up, you'll learn how to set realistic goals for your conversion rates and help you keep tweaking your marketing strategy to get better results. Make your website not just a place to visit, but a place where visitors become loyal customers!

As much as we'd love for our friends and family to be as excited about our business as we are, it doesn't always work that way.So what do you say to someone who can't resist telling you how bad your business idea is or sends you every scary small business article they come across?In this episode Gwen shares quick tips and ideas to help you manage unsupportive friends and family.Want more marketing support?Become an AIM memberConnect with me on TikTok

What do you do when you've lost your groove and how do you get it back?In this episode Gwen shares quick tips and ideas to help you rediscover your groove!Want more marketing support?Become an AIM memberConnect with me on TikTok

If you're struggling with Instagram right now, you're not alone! In this podcast episode, we'll talk about the different areas of Instagram (the main feed, Stories, Reels, and the explore page) and how Instagram ranks content for each area AND how you can work with the algorithm instead of fighting against it. Want to go deeper? Here's the blog post from Instagram explaining how they rank things.Want to stay up to date on Instagram changes and updates? Follow the Instagram Creator's account or join my Tidbit email list to get weekly curated marketing updates (and how they impact you!).

Lack of access to funding is a common challenge for small business owners. I wanted to put something together that was current, accurate, and wasn't an affiliate-link mill or advertisement for one business.So I did! Read the blog post (and find all the links you need) here. If you'd like to explore crowdfunding, check out my crowdfunding episode here. If you're tired of DIY'ing all of your marketing without support, join my Adventures in Marketing Membership group starting at $10/month. There are different tiers for different marketing support needs!Join here - www.gwenmontoya.com/membershipIf you'd like one-on-one support, complete my intake form here and we can chat about what you are looking for.Learn more about what I do, access freebies, and find resources on my blog at www.gwenmontoya.comAnd connect with me on social media! I'm most active on TikTok.  

The content you create isn't just meant to fill a slot on your content calendar. It has a job.In this episode, Gwen explains how to create content with purpose, how to track what's working, and how to create content that resonates with your intended audience. Get the Content with Purpose mini-courseBecome an AIM memberRead the blog post version of this podcast episodeConnect with me on TikTok

Learn about ChatGPT, and how it can be helpful in streamlining content creation.In this episode Gwen shares ways small businesses can use ChatGPT to their advantage: streamline content creation, improve consistency, and enhance the customer experience. By using ChatGPT to generate ideas and copy for emails, social media, videos, blogs, and more, businesses can save time and focus on other parts of their business. The consistency of content creation can also improve, which can lead to a better customer experience by providing extra touches of customer care and service.Get the ChatGPT for Content Creation mini-course.Become an AIM member.Read the blog post version of this podcast episode.Connect with me on TikTok.

The term "content creation" is often overused in marketing but it remains an important aspect of running a business. With so much content to create, it can be overwhelming for business owners. However, with proper planning and organization, the content creation process can be streamlined to be faster and more effective. A content calendar is a useful tool in this process as it helps plan ahead when to post and on which platform. The calendar can also be used to determine the type of content to be shared and the assets needed. Each piece of content should fit into the overall marketing strategy, which may include educating the audience, engaging them, generating leads or sales, sharing expertise, or building community. Reusing, repurposing, and recycling content is another way to make the content work harder and increase impact while saving time. Templates can also be used to streamline the content creation process by providing a shortcut and reducing the number of decisions that need to be made. By using templates, the general idea of what is needed is established and the content creation becomes easier over time.Also discussed in this episode  - planning to promote the content you create, creating SOPs to make processes repeatable, and using ChatGPT to write outlines and help ideate.Learn more about how to use ChatGPT in my new mini-course here.Read the blog post version of this podcast here.

There's a lot of rush and pressure for small business owners to make quick decisions, always know what is going on, and "be successful".But what if there were another way to look at it? What if you could create goals that suit your own definition of success and work in a way that feels good to you? Interested in learning how we can work together to build a roadmap between where you are now and where you want to go? Complete my intake form here.

No matter how passionate we are about the work we do or the impact we have, we're all going to have low energy days when it comes to our business. And you know what? It is ok to shift your tasks on those days to something that feels more manageable and doable for where you are that day.In this episode we talk about 13 things you can do on low energy days (or if you're working on handed because you're nursing a baby).Interested in ongoing marketing support and resources? Join my Adventures in Marketing membership starting at $10/month. 

Local SEO (and all SEO) is a big topic, but I wanted to share this podcast episode to get you started. While I don't help businesses exclusively with SEO anymore, this is something I am passionate about. If you need a referral for someone to help you with your local SEO, please let me know! Interested in ongoing marketing support and resources? Join my Adventures in Marketing membership starting at $10/month. 

If you're tired of DIY'ing all of your marketing without support, join my Adventures in Marketing Membership group - there are weekly trainings, live coaching, Q&A, resources, and prompts to keep you on track and moving forward with your marketing. We even start each week with a dance party! Join here - www.gwenmontoya.com/membershipIf you'd like one-on-one support, complete my intake for and we can chat! Learn more about what I do, access freebies, and find resources on my blog at www.gwenmontoya.comJoin my email list to be notified of new podcast episodes and get other bonuses! 

Download your own copy of the flowchart here - https://www.subscribepage.com/flowchart If you're tired of DIY'ing all of your marketing without support, join my Adventures in Marketing Membership group - there are weekly trainings, live coaching, Q&A, resources, and prompts to keep you on track and moving forward with your marketing. We even start each week with a dance party! Join here - www.gwenmontoya.com/membershipIf you'd like one-on-one support, complete my intake for and we can chat! Learn more about what I do, access freebies, and find resources on my blog at www.gwenmontoya.comJoin my email list to be notified of new podcast episodes and get other bonuses! 

Instagram is adding even more changes and many are struggling with the algorithm. Let's talk about how today's Instagram plays into your overall marketing strategy and why I think Instagram is now three social media platforms in one!Looking for more marketing support?If you're tired of DIY'ing all of your marketing without support, join my Adventures in Marketing Membership group - there are weekly trainings, live coaching, Q&A, resources, and prompts to keep you on track and moving forward with your marketing. We even start each week with a dance party! Join here - www.gwenmontoya.com/membershipIf you'd like one-on-one support, complete my intake for and we can chat! Learn more about what I do, access freebies, and find resources on my blog at www.gwenmontoya.comJoin my email list to be notified of new podcast episodes and get other bonuses! 

f you're tired of DIY'ing all of your marketing without support, join my Adventures in Marketing Membership group - there are weekly trainings, live coaching, Q&A, resources, and prompts to keep you on track and moving forward with your marketing. We even start each week with a dance party! Join here - www.gwenmontoya.com/membershipIf you'd like one-on-one support, complete my intake for and we can chat! Learn more about what I do, access freebies, and find resources on my blog at www.gwenmontoya.comJoin my email list to be notified of new podcast episodes and get other bonuses!  

Download your own copy of the flowchart here - https://www.subscribepage.com/flowchart If you're tired of DIY'ing all of your marketing without support, join my Adventures in Marketing Membership group - there are weekly trainings, live coaching, Q&A, resources, and prompts to keep you on track and moving forward with your marketing. We even start each week with a dance party! Join here - www.gwenmontoya.com/membershipIf you'd like one-on-one support, complete my intake for and we can chat! Learn more about what I do, access freebies, and find resources on my blog at www.gwenmontoya.comJoin my email list to be notified of new podcast episodes and get other bonuses!  

Tools and Resources mentioned in the podcast (please note, I don't use affiliate marketing - I actually use and like these products/services):Simplecast - podcast host - www.simplecast.com Blue Yeti Snowball- the microphone I use - https://www.bluemic.com/en-us/products/snowball/Audacity  - the tool I use to edit and record podcasts - https://www.audacityteam.orgOtter.ai - transcription service - https://otter.ai My blog post with free/low cost music options - https://www.gwenmontoya.com/blog/6-places-to-find-stock-audio-for-your-podcast-or-videoPodcast promotion pdf - https://www.subscribepage.com/podcastpromo*******If you're tired of DIY'ing all of your marketing without support, join my Adventures in Marketing Membership group - there are weekly trainings, live coaching, Q&A, resources, and prompts to keep you on track and moving forward with your marketing. We even start each week with a dance party! Join here - www.gwenmontoya.com/membershipIf you'd like one-on-one support, complete my intake for and we can chat! Learn more about what I do, access freebies, and find resources on my blog at www.gwenmontoya.comJoin my email list to be notified of new podcast episodes and get other bonuses! 

If you're tired of DIY'ing all of your marketing without support, join my Adventures in Marketing Membership group - there are weekly trainings, live coaching, Q&A, resources, and prompts to keep you on track and moving forward with your marketing. We even start each week with a dance party! Join here - www.gwenmontoya.com/membershipIf you'd like one-on-one support, complete my intake for and we can chat! - https://forms.gle/pRVVVEXfEQf9c2u9ALearn more about what I do, access freebies, and find resources on my blog at www.gwenmontoya.comJoin my email list to be notified of new podcast episodes and get other bonuses! 

Resources mentioned in this podcast:Choosing a website service provider:https://www.gwenmontoya.com/blog/should-you-use-wix-weebly-squarespace-or-wordpressMy curated branding boards on Pinterest:Branding BasicsBranding -  Font IdeasBranding - Color Ideas*****If you're tired of DIY'ing all of your marketing without support, join my Adventures in Marketing Membership group - there are weekly trainings, live coaching, Q&A, resources, and prompts to keep you on track and moving forward with your marketing. We even start each week with a dance party! Join here - www.gwenmontoya.com/membershipIf you'd like one-on-one support, complete my intake for and we can chat! - https://forms.gle/pRVVVEXfEQf9c2u9ALearn more about what I do, access freebies, and find resources on my blog at www.gwenmontoya.comJoin my email list to be notified of new podcast episodes and get other bonuses! 

In this episode Gwen talks about how to use Instagram Story Highlights to connect with your audience and turn this often over-looked feature in a powerful part of your overall marketing. If you're new to Instagram Stories, here is an article about creating your first one! *******If you're tired of DIY'ing all of your marketing without support, join my Adventures in Marketing Membership group - there are weekly trainings, live coaching, Q&A, resources, and prompts to keep you on track and moving forward with your marketing. We even start each week with a dance party! Join here - www.gwenmontoya.com/membershipIf you'd like one-on-one support, apply for a four week marketing intensive spot here - https://forms.gle/pRVVVEXfEQf9c2u9ALearn more about what I do, access freebies, and find resources on my blog at www.gwenmontoya.comJoin my email list to be notified of new podcast episodes and get other bonuses! 

Crowdfunding is often a popular topic in small business circles, but it isn't as straightforward (or easy) as it may seem. In this episode Gwen, drawing on her experience in managing, consulting, and advising for many crowdfunding projects, shares ten ways to ensure your crowdfunding campaign is a success. *******If you're tired of DIY'ing all of your marketing without support, join my Adventures in Marketing Membership group - there are weekly trainings, live coaching, Q&A, resources, and prompts to keep you on track and moving forward with your marketing. We even start each week with a dance party! Join here - www.gwenmontoya.com/membershipIf you'd like one-on-one support, apply for a four week marketing intensive spot here - https://forms.gle/pRVVVEXfEQf9c2u9ALearn more about what I do, access freebies, and find resources on my blog at www.gwenmontoya.com

Email marketing is a powerful business tool and when you know how to use it, you can make the most out of it!This episode shares ten ways to grow your email list so you can reach your audience on your terms and timeframe instead of relying on social media algorithms.******If you're tired of DIY'ing all of your marketing without support, join my Adventures in Marketing Membership group - there are weekly trainings, live coaching, Q&A, resources, and prompts to keep you on track and moving forward with your marketing. We even start each week with a dance party! Join here - www.gwenmontoya.com/membershipIf you'd like one-on-one support, apply for a four week marketing intensive spot here - https://forms.gle/pRVVVEXfEQf9c2u9ALearn more about what I do, access freebies, and find resources on my blog at www.gwenmontoya.com

Clubhouse is the extremely popular new iPhone only (for now) audio-only app that is creating a lot of buzz. In this episode I  break down what Clubhouse is, who it is for,  and how to use it. I also share the downsides and dig into whether or not this is an app you need to be using.  Read the companion blog post of this episode here.The blog post has more technical how-do and screenshots with explanations.If you're tired of DIY'ing all of your marketing without support, join my Adventures in Marketing Membership group - there are weekly trainings, live coaching, Q&A, resources, and prompts to keep you on track and moving forward with your marketing. We even start each week with a dance party! Join here - www.gwenmontoya.com/membershipIf you'd like one-on-one support, apply for a four week marketing intensive spot here - https://forms.gle/pRVVVEXfEQf9c2u9ALearn more about what I do, access freebies, and find resources on my blog at www.gwenmontoya.com 

I love sharing tools and apps that make marketing easier and more streamlined for business owners. When I sat down to write a podcast  about my favorite apps, I kept adding to the list of things I loved about Canva and it became this episode. A quick reminder - I don't use affiliate links or marketing in my business. If I recommend a product, service, or provider it is because I'm a fan not because I'm getting paid to promote it. Resources mentioned in the podcast:17 Options for Unique and Diverse Stock Photos - https://www.gwenmontoya.com/blog/17-options-for-unique-and-diverse-stock-photosCanva - www.canva.comAdobe Spark - https://spark.adobe.com/WordSwag - http://wordswag.co/ If you're tired of DIY'ing all of your marketing without support, join my Adventures in Marketing Membership group - there are weekly trainings, live coaching, Q&A, resources, and prompts to keep you on track and moving forward with your marketing. We even start each week with a dance party! Join here - www.gwenmontoya.com/membershipIf you'd like one-on-one support, apply for a four week marketing intensive spot here - https://forms.gle/pRVVVEXfEQf9c2u9ALearn more about what I do, access freebies, and find resources on my blog at www.gwenmontoya.com

Have you ever felt as if you're faking it and someone is going to find out? Or maybe that what you do is easy and you're not sure why someone would pay for it? Or maybe you have a voice in your head insisting that someone else has already done it better than you ever could?In this episode I share baby steps to overcoming Imposter Syndrome in the moment so you can keep moving forward. 

In this episode I talk about comparison gremlins and social media content ideas that let your audience connect with you.Ready to grow your business? Join  my membership group.

If you're feeling overwhelmed with social media, tired of algorithms, and wondering if it is possible to still grow your business without social media, this is the episode you're looking for!In this episode I talk about MOB networking - see upcoming meetups here.I also talk about MOBCON (happening September 27th & 28th). Learn more about MOBCON here and use THIS LINK to get $10 off your ticket. Tickets are  $149 for general admission and $99 for MOBAlliance members. This conference has over 20 breakout session speakers, networking, a Marco Polo channel for connecting with speakers and other attendees before and after the event - so if you're looking to grow your business - this conference is a great investment.The companion Pinterest board for this episode can be found here.And, finally, a shoutout to Emily Jones of Free Spirit Coaching for the inspiration to create this episode. Emily is a trauma-informed life coach and you can learn more about her here.Have questions or a topic you'd like to me talk about on the podcast? Email me! [email protected] my membership group  here - www.gwenmontoya.com/membershipSign up for my email list here.

In this episode I explore why I think failure can be a powerful learning experience. I also share my own favorite failure (the one I did three years in a row!)Ready to grow your business? Join  my membership group.

You can't rely on friends, family, and strangers on the internet to price the products you make or the services you sell. I dive into some of my favorite topics for this episode! Pricing, value, and communicating that to your buyers and clients. Ready for ongoing marketing mentoring and support? Join my Adventures in Marketing group!  

I love working with businesses that are just launching to help them get started the right way (and avoid complications and headaches later!)Resources mentioned in the podcast:Choosing your website creator - https://www.gwenmontoya.com/blog/should-you-use-wix-weebly-squarespace-or-wordpressWhich social media is right for you? https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/9-choosing-the-best-social-media-platform-for-your-business/id1453309708?i=1000439198511View the companion Pinterest board for this episode -  https://www.pinterest.com/gmontoyapdx/how-to-launch-a-business/Gwen's website - www.gwenmontoya.comReady for ongoing support, accountability, and resources? Join my membership group! https://www.gwenmontoya.com/membership.html

There are so many amazing marketing podcasters out there! In this episode I share seven I enjoy. Link to  other podcasts blog post - https://www.gwenmontoya.com/blog/7-podcasts-you-should-listen-to-this-weekLink to Anti-Racism isn't a Marketing Choice - https://www.gwenmontoya.com/blog/anti-racism-isnt-a-marketing-choiceAnti-Racism resource list - https://www.themobnation.com/blog/want-to-do-better-but-arent-sure-where-to-start-start-here

Pinterest is one of my favorite platforms and accounts for a significant piece of the new traffic that comes to my website each month. It is a HUGE topic, but so much fun to explore!This this episode we'll about what Pinterset is, how it works, and why it matters.I'll also give you a rundown of the lingo and best Pinterest practices in 2020!Ready for ongoing marketing support and accountability? Join my membership group - https://www.gwenmontoya.com/membership.html

COVID made is 10x (at least) as hard to run a business that normal, but that doesn't mean there's nothing you can do. Whether your business is slowed down, stopped, or undergoing a big pivot, I'm sharing tips and ideas to help!Ready for ongoing marketing support? Join my membership group - https://www.gwenmontoya.com/membership.html

I often hear "I need to get more traffic to my website" as if that is the entire goal - just traffic. But traffic is just the first step! You need to focus on user friendliness, growing your email list, and conversion, too!Check out this episode's companion Pinterest board for more ideas and links.Related podcasts:10 Things Your Website Must HaveUsing and Growing Your Email ListWhat SEO Can & Can't Do for Your BusinessReady for ongoing marketing mentoring and support? Join my Adventures in Marketing group!  

No matter which holiday you are planning for, if you make more sales during a "holiday season" you need to start weeks and even months earlier than you think you do to get the most out of your promotions. In this episode I break it down for you!For more resources, go to the Pinterest board for this episode - https://www.pinterest.com/gmontoyapdx/holiday-marketing-tips/ Ready for ongoing marketing mentoring and support? Join my Adventures in Marketing group! 

Networking isn't something that comes easy to me and I can't say I ever really look forward to it (except for MOB meetups, of course!)In this episode I share ideas and tips to make your next networking experience a success instead of a nightmare.For more networking tips and ideas, check out the companion Pinterest board for this episode.Ready for ongoing marketing mentoring and support? Join my Adventures in Marketing group! 

I'm a big believer in not showing up on every platform (which means I'm definitely not going to tell you to do it), but you NEED an email list!Your social media accounts can get hacked, deleted, suspended....and it is all out of your control. But an email list? That's yours!After you've listened to the episode, check out the companion Pinterest board for resources and ideas!Ready for ongoing marketing mentoring and support? Join my Adventures in Marketing group! 

It can feel so frustrating to be humming along in your business and then WHAM suddenly everything feels harder than it should be and that progress you were making starts to slide until you're not even sure what you're doing anymore. Welcome to a slump. Let's talk about five signs to pay attention to and ways to pull yourself out of the slump.Check out the Pinterest board for this episode for more resources and ideas.Ready for ongoing marketing mentoring and support? Join my Adventures in Marketing group! 

Visit the Pinterest link for this episode for more resources!For many parents their kids' first year of school is when they come back to their business after a break. It is exciting to dive back into your business and get things moving again! In this episode I share ideas and insight into protecting your time and getting things done!Ready for ongoing marketing mentoring and support? Join my Adventures in Marketing group! 

Ah, content! The thing we're all supposed to be producing, but no one really knows what to create or what to do with it once its made. In this episode, I dive into how to create your own content audit! TRUST ME - you want do to one! It will save you hours of time, rivers of tears, and make you feel like a genius at the same time.The companion blog post - Never Run Out of Content Again Ready for ongoing marketing mentoring and support? Join my Adventures in Marketing group! 

It isn't enough to throw up a website, fill out your about page, add a couple of photos, and never thing about it again. Your website needs to work for you!The ten must have things I cover in this episode will make your website stronger, better, and more likely to bring you business.Ready for ongoing marketing mentoring and support? Join my Adventures in Marketing group! 

Ok, maybe don't say "I'm awesome", but you probably need to learn how to accept the compliments you receive! More resources - 85 Ways to Say Thank YouReady for ongoing marketing mentoring and support? Join my Adventures in Marketing group! 

Who doesn't need more time in their day? Use the tips in this episode to reclaim time to do something you love! Ready for ongoing marketing mentoring and support? Join my Adventures in Marketing group! 

I don't want you to be everywhere because you really, really don't need to be!Before you sign up for every platform (and what ever shiny new one comes along next), let's talk about these questions:1) What are your goals?2) Where are your people?3) Can you create the content they want to see?4) Where do you want to be?5) How do you continue the relationship?Planners and tools mentioned:www.planoly.comwww.tailwind.comwww.smarterqueue.com Ready for ongoing marketing mentoring and support? Join my Adventures in Marketing group! 

Self sabotage makes you doubt your decisions, puts barriers in your way, and generally ruins a perfect good day.BUT - if you know what to look for you can win!Ready for ongoing marketing mentoring and support? Join my Adventures in Marketing group! 

Instagram Stories can be a great way to connect with your audience on Instagram - learn some tips and tricks in this episode!Link to my Guide to Instagram Stories - https://www.gwenmontoya.com/blog/the-complete-guide-to-using-instagram-stories (its a long read, so get comfy!)Ready for ongoing marketing mentoring and support? Join my Adventures in Marketing group!