Build Your Marketing Muscles - Small Business Marketing Strategies

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...

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...

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-course Become an AIM member Read the blog post version of this podcast episode Connect 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...

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...

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 w...

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 y...

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...

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/membership If you'd like one-on-one support, complete my intake for and we...

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.gw...

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 we...

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/membership If you'd like one-on-one support, complete my intake for and we...

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.gw...

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.org Otter.ai - transcription servic...

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/membership If you'd like one-on-one support, complete my intake for and we...

Resources mentioned in this podcast: Choosing a website service provider: https://www.gwenmontoya.com/blog/should-you-use-wix-weebly-squarespace-or-wordpress My curated branding boards on Pinterest: Branding Basics Branding -  Font Ideas Branding - 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...

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 -...

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 Adventur...

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 a...

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 wit...

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 becau...

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.   Interested...

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. Interested in working together? Start with my intake form here. Learn more about the Build Your Marketing Muscles membership group. More ways to connect: Website: www.gwenmontoya.com TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@gmontoyapdx YouT...

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...

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. Interested in working together? Start with my intake form here. Learn more about the Build Your Marketing Muscles membership group. More ways to connect: Website: www.gwenmontoya.com...