Is your marketing bucket leaking?

Plugging the Leaks in Your Marketing Bucket

Picture this: You’re doing “all the marketing things” - but something’s not quite sticking. You’re pouring time, energy and money into your marketing efforts….. but not enough is staying put.

Plugging some simple leaks in your marketing bucket will help.

Some of these leaks are usually pretty easy to plug once you know where to look - and I’ve covered five simple, achievable fixes you can start implementing today. They aren’t all of the things that might need fixing (I’d need to write a book rather than a blog!), but for small business owners, they will certainly help.

Leak 1: You’re not fully using your Google Business Profile

Your Google Business Profile is like your digital shop window. Even if you don’t have a website, this FREE tool is often the first thing people see when they search for your business or for a product or service that your business offers.

But so many small business owners set it up once… and then forget it even exists. Some small business owners don’t have a Google Business Profile at all.

Quick wins to plug the leak:

• Make sure your profile is claimed and verified
• Add up-to-date photos (especially of your workspace, products or you!)
• Post regular updates (think mini blogs or latest offers)
• Ask your happy clients to leave reviews
• Check the ‘Insights’ tab to see how people are finding you

Action Step: Schedule 30 minutes this week to either create or review and update your Google Business Profile. Not sure where to start? Check out this free download.

Leak 2: You’re not actively gathering reviews

Let’s face it - people trust people.

It’s all well and good you telling people how amazing you are (and you are by the way), but it’s far more powerful when other people talk about how amazing you are!

Reviews help build credibility and trust, yet many small business owners forget to ask for them, or don’t ask because they feel awkward about it.

Here’s the thing. Most happy clients are more than willing to leave a review if you make it easy.

Quick wins to plug the leak:

• Ask at the right time - ideally after a positive interaction or result
• Automate the process with a friendly email or thank-you message
• Use platforms your ideal clients already use (Google, Facebook, LinkedIn)
• Share reviews in your content and on your website
• Respond to every review, even if you get a negative one!

Action Step: Create a short email template you can send after every sale or project asking for a review. Include a link to whichever review site you are using so it’s as easy as possible. Need some help? Check out this resource for getting customer reviews.

Leak 3: You’re not following up (and it’s costing you sales)

Ever had a lovely chat with someone who was interested in your service, and then…… crickets?

So many small business owners don’t have a robust follow-up process in place, but this is a potential big hole in your leaky marketing bucket.

They might have been genuinely interested, but life got in the way.

That’s why follow-ups are crucial! You need to remind them that you’re still there with the solution to their problem.

Quick wins to plug the leak:

• Set a reminder to follow up a few days after your initial conversation
• Keep it light and helpful - not pushy
• Use a simple spreadsheet, CRM tool, or even your phone calendar to track leads
• Send a value-packed email instead of a “just checking in” one

Action Step: Make a list of 5 people you’ve spoken to in the last 6 months who didn’t convert into a customer, and follow up with something helpful today.

Leak 4: You’re not using a CRM (even a simple one)

A CRM (Customer Relationship Management system) might sound fancy, but it’s really just a way to stay organised with your leads and clients.

Without one, it’s easy for people to fall through the cracks.

A CRM helps you to keep all your lead and customer contact details in one place, track your interactions with them, analyse what they’ve ordered from you in the past, and a million other useful things.

Quick wins to plug the leak:

• Use a spreadsheet, Trello board, or a simple free CRM tool to track interactions
• Set reminders to reconnect with potential leads
• Store notes about each lead and client so you can personalise your follow-ups
• See trends in who’s engaging with you most

Action Step: Choose a simple system to track your client conversations and commit to using it weekly.

Leak 5: You’re not growing your email list

I bang on about this ALL THE TIME! Sorry, not sorry.

Here’s the thing, social media is great - but it’s rented space. Social platforms are fickle and if they decide, for absolutely no clear reason to remove your business page (and it happens more than you think), all your followers are lost and you start from scratch. WHAAAT!

Your email list is YOURS, it’s a business asset that can’t be taken away from you on a whim.

It’s also one of the best tools for building trust and staying top of mind with your audience.

Quick wins to plug the leak:

• Offer a simple freebie (like a checklist or tip sheet) to encourage sign-ups – it needs to provide enough value to be worth your audience sharing their email address with you.
• Add a sign-up form to your website
• Send regular value-packed emails (even if it’s just once a month!)
• Track open and click rates so that you can improve over time

Action Step: Set up a freebie and email opt-in this week.

TIP: You don’t have to fix everything at once

Here’s a little reminder from your friendly Marketing Buddy: progress beats perfection.

You don’t need to fix all the leaks today.

In fact, focusing on just one at a time is often the most effective way to make a real impact.

Choose one of the above leaks to tackle this week. Then come back and plug the next one.

Check out the Leaky Marketing Bucket Checklist

Want help plugging your marketing leaks?

If you’re tired of trying to figure it all out on your own, you’re not alone.

That’s why I created the Marketing Buddy Community - a supportive space where small business owners like you get the clarity, tools, and accountability to finally see results with your marketing.

Inside the community, you get:

• Bite-sized marketing training
• Accountability check-ins
• Live coaching calls and expert feedback
• Templates, tools, and real support

Ready to stop the drip and start growing your business with confidence?

Visit https://resources.mn-consultant.co.uk/marketingbuddycommunity

Or drop me an email at melissa@marketingbuddy.co.uk to ask about joining the Marketing Buddy Community today.

You’ve got this!