Work On Your Marketing, Not Just In It

In our recent Coaching Hour, a powerful theme emerged: the value of stepping outside your daily operations and working on your business, especially focusing on marketing strategy.

When entrepreneurs are grinding away in the day-to-day, it’s easy to let marketing fall to the bottom of the list. But there’s a smart way to reframe it: tie marketing strategy to what you’re already doing.

Why This Works:

James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, puts it beautifully:

“One of the best tips for establishing a new habit is to attach it to an existing one.”

You’re more likely to follow through if the new habit piggybacks on something you’re already doing consistently. Interested in learning more about James Clear’s method? Check out my Atomic Habits book review.

The 3-Step Reflection & Amplification Exercise

Let’s capture the simple but powerful technique we used:

1. List your current marketing activities:
   What are you doing today to market your business? (e.g., networking over coffee, posting weekly on LinkedIn, sending out a monthly newsletter)
   
   
2. Identify what’s working:
   Which of those activities are earning attention, generating leads, or converting clients?
   
   
3. Brainstorm how to amplify:
   How can you do more of what’s working, or add a new, related activity, to build momentum?

Example:

• Activity: I regularly attend local networking events.
• What works: These events consistently bring new leads and client connections.
• Amplify: I can improve my follow-up process, sending personalized follow-up messages within 24 hours, so I convert more connections into opportunities.

Your Turn: Try This Today

Action Steps:

1. Grab a sheet of paper or an online note. Write: “Marketing Activities”
   
   
2. Underneath, jot down everything you’re doing for marketing right now.
   
   
3. Next to each activity, note if it’s working for you, and how you measure “working.”
   
   
4. Finally, add one idea per activity: either “Do it more” or “Add something new.”
   
   
5. Set a reminder in your calendar for just 10 minutes each day next week to review and act on your list.

Why This Exercise Helps

• Intentional awareness: You shift marketing from autopilot to a strategic focus.
• Built-in momentum: Attaching a tweak to something established makes it easier to stick to.
• Scalable results: Small improvements add up, better follow-up, more consistency, deeper visibility.

Here at The Coaching Network I work with a lot of Small Business Owners and Professionals on habits just like these. Habits made to help you achieve your goal faster and with less stress. If you’re interested in learning how I can help you achieve your goals, schedule a 30-minute free consultation. Looking to track your own habits? Check out my habit tracker freebie!