Do I Really Need a Marketing Strategy?

(Yes—and Here’s Why)

If you’re a small business owner, it’s easy to feel like you’re doing “marketing” just by posting on social media or running the odd ad here and there. But without a clear plan, it’s often a whole lot of effort for very little return.

The truth is, marketing without strategy is like driving without directions, you might move forward, but it’s anyone’s guess if you’re heading the right way.

Let’s break down why a marketing strategy matters (even for the smallest business), what it actually involves, and how it can save you time, money, and stress in the long run.

1. A Strategy Gives You Direction

Without a strategy, most businesses fall into one of two traps:

• Doing a bit of everything, hoping something sticks

• Doing nothing, because they don’t know where to start

A marketing strategy helps you define your goals, target audience, and what channels to focus on. It answers questions like:

• Who are you trying to reach?

• What do you want them to do?

• Where should you show up to reach them?

• What messages will resonate?

Once you know the answers, every marketing decision becomes easier.

2. It Saves You Time (and Headspace)

Ever sat staring at Instagram thinking, “What the hell should I post today?” That’s what happens when there’s no plan.

A strategy gives you a content framework, so you’re not reinventing the wheel every week. It also helps you batch tasks, repurpose content, and focus only on what’s working.

3. It Helps You Spend Smarter

Whether it’s boosting a post, printing flyers, or hiring help—marketing costs money. A strategy helps you prioritise where that money goes based on what will actually move the needle. It stops you wasting money on tactics that look good but don’t deliver.

4. You’ll See Better Results (That You Can Actually Measure)

Good marketing isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing the right things. With a strategy, you’re not just crossing your fingers; you’re testing, refining, and improving based on real results.

When you know your goal (e.g. “Get more website enquiries”), it becomes easy to measure what’s working—and what’s not.

Need a Hand Putting Yours Together?

That’s what I’m here for. I help small businesses and startups create simple, practical marketing strategies that make sense for their goals, budget, and time.

👉 Get in touch to book a strategy session or learn more.