Remember when Marie Kondo had us all asking if things "spark joy"? While I'm not suggesting you thank your Instagram account for its service before deleting it, I do think we need to talk about finding joy in marketing again.

Because let's be honest - most small business owners I talk to are drowning in marketing overwhelm. They're caught in an endless cycle of "I should be doing more" while simultaneously feeling paralysed by all the options.

The Marketing Overwhelm Spiral

It usually goes something like this:

• You know you need to do marketing

• You look online for advice

• You're bombarded with 47 different "essential" marketing tactics

• You try to do ALL the things

• You get burnt out

• Your marketing becomes hit-and-miss

• You feel like you're failing

• Repeat

Sound familiar? (If you're nodding right now, you're definitely not alone!)

Why Traditional Marketing Advice Doesn't Work for Small Businesses

Here's the thing: most marketing advice is created for businesses with teams of people and hefty budgets. It's like getting directions to climb Everest when you just want to walk up your local hill.

When you're juggling client work, admin, accounts, and possibly small humans or elderly parents too, you don't have time to "post consistently across all platforms" or "create a podcast, YouTube channel, and daily blog".

And even if you DID have the time, is that really the BEST use of your time? For your business and for you as a human?

Breaking Free from Marketing Overwhelm

Let me share something that might feel revolutionary: You don't actually need to do all the things.

Think of it like a garden (you know I love a good nature analogy). You don't need to grow every type of plant to have a beautiful garden. You just need to choose the right plants for your soil, climate, and the amount of time you have for gardening.

The same goes for marketing.

Finding Your Marketing Sweet Spot

Here's how to move from overwhelm to joy:

Start with what works

• Look at where your current clients come from

• Notice which marketing activities you actually enjoy

• Pay attention to what gives you energy rather than drains it

Define your Minimum Viable Marketing

• What's the smallest amount of marketing you need to do to keep your business healthy?

• Which activities bring the best results for the least effort?

• What can you realistically maintain even in your busiest weeks?

Make it enjoyable

• Could you do your social media planning in a nice café?

• Would batch-writing your newsletters while having a bath make it more appealing?

• Could you combine networking with walking (hello, Freshwalks!)

The Permission Slip You Need

Consider this your official permission slip to:

• Only use the social media platforms you actually enjoy

• Say no to marketing activities that make you want to hide under your duvet

• Create content in a way that feels good to you

• Take messy, imperfect action instead of waiting for everything to be "just right"

But What About Results?

Here's what I've learned from 20+ years in marketing: consistent, imperfect marketing always beats perfect but sporadic marketing.

When you focus on fewer things but do them consistently, you:

• Build stronger connections with your audience

• Create better quality content because you're not spread so thin

• Actually enjoy marketing (yes, really!)

• Get better results because you show up regularly

Your Next Steps

1. Audit your current marketing activities. What brings you joy? What brings you results? What's just causing stress?

2. Choose 2-3 core marketing activities that you can commit to consistently.

3. Let go of everything else. (Yes, really. The marketing police won't come for you, I promise!)

Remember: Marketing doesn't have to be a source of stress in your business. It can be something that energises you, connects you with your ideal clients, and yes, even brings you joy.

Need help figuring out your joyful marketing approach? Book a power hour with me, and let's cut through the overwhelm together.