Starting a new business is exciting… and overwhelming.
Most local business owners jump straight into:
- Posting on social media
- Running ads
- Printing business cards
But here’s the truth…
If your foundation isn’t set up correctly, you’ll end up spending time and money without getting real results.
Before you “start marketing,” you need to build the right pieces first.
Think of it like a puzzle—every piece needs to connect.
Here are the first 5 steps I walk my clients through when they’re launching a brand-new local business.
1. Get Clear on WHO You Actually Want to Attract
Not “everyone.”
Not “anyone who needs this service.”
👉 Your specific customer.
Ask yourself:
- Where do they live?
- What stage of life are they in?
- What problems are they actively trying to solve?
- What would make them choose YOU?
Because your messaging, website, and content all depend on this.
If this isn’t clear, nothing else will work well.
2. Lock In Your Core Messaging + Offer
Before a website. Before social media.
You need:
- What you do (clearly)
- Who you do it for
- Why you’re different
- What action you want people to take
This should be simple enough that someone understands your business in seconds.
👉 If people are confused, they don’t convert.
3. Set Up Your Google Presence FIRST
This is where most local businesses get it backwards.
They focus on Instagram…
But their customers are searching on Google Business Profile.
Your setup should include:
- Fully completed profile
- Services listed out clearly
- Service areas defined
- Photos (real, not stock)
- A plan to start getting reviews early
Google = high-intent leads.
Social = awareness.
You need both—but Google comes first.
4. Build a Website That Actually Converts
You don’t need a massive site.
But you DO need:
- Clear homepage messaging
- Service pages (not just one generic page)
- Easy contact form
- Mobile-friendly design
- A follow-up system after someone submits
Most websites fail because they:
- Look pretty… but say nothing
- Don’t guide the user
- Don’t capture the lead properly
👉 Your website should work for you, not just exist.
5. Create a SIMPLE Content + Visibility Plan
Now you can start marketing.
Not randomly… strategically.
Focus on:
- Answering real customer questions
- Showing your process
- Sharing real projects or examples
- Posting consistently (not perfectly)
And most importantly…
👉 Everything should lead somewhere.
(Your website, your email list, your offer)
Because visibility without direction = wasted effort.
If you skip these steps, marketing will always feel frustrating.
If you build them correctly…
Everything starts working together:
- Your content connects
- Your website converts
- Your Google presence brings in leads
That’s the difference between:
“Trying to market your business” and having a system that actually grows it.
If you want help putting all of these pieces together…
I created something for you 👇
Download my Marketing Puzzle Guide
It walks you step-by-step through:
- What to set up first
- How each piece connects
- Where most businesses go wrong
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