Escape the Algorithm: Why EPM's Social Media Is Changing for Good
7 Common Website Mistakes That Are Costing You Real Customers
Let’s be honest—when you’re just getting started in business, your marketing budget is probably somewhere between ‘free trial’ and ‘spare change.’
That’s why I call this talk “DIY Marketing on a Ramen Noodle Budget.” Because sometimes, all you’ve got is a dream, a little grit, and whatever’s in the pantry. And you know what? That’s enough to start.
You don’t need a fancy agency or a huge team to get your name out there. You just need to show up consistently, say something useful, and make it easy for people to choose you.
So let’s walk through a few of my favorite scrappy-but-smart marketing strategies you can actually use—starting today.
BTW, here’s the workshop we did with our friends at Moxie Manifest for the Gaston Business Association.
🌐 1. Your Website Is Your First Impression
Picture this: someone hears about your business. They’re curious. What’s the first thing they do? Pull out their phone and Google you.
And what do they find? That’s your first impression.
Your website doesn’t have to win design awards—but it does have to work. Especially on mobile. If your site looks like it was built in 2008 and loads like it’s on dial-up, people are going to bounce.
Here’s what your site must do:
- Load fast and look good on a phone.
- Clearly explain what you do, who you help, and how to take the next step.
- Include a clear call to action. Don’t make people guess—tell them exactly what to do.
Need a site but don’t know where to start? Try one of these:
- Wix – Easy drag-and-drop builder.
- Squarespace – Clean designs and simple setup.
- Shopify – Great for selling products online.
- WordPress – Powerful and flexible if you’re a little techy (or have someone helping you).
If your site checks those boxes, you’re already ahead of a lot of your competition.
♻️ 2. Create Once, Use Everywhere
Let me guess—you’re trying to post on Instagram, send a newsletter, update your blog, maybe even shoot a quick video… and somewhere in the chaos, you forgot to actually run your business.
Here’s the fix: start with one great piece of content and milk it for all it’s worth.
Let’s say you write a blog post answering a customer’s most common question. That one post can be turned into:
- A few social media posts
- An email to your list
- A short video for Reels or TikTok
- A quote or FAQ on your website
You already did the hard part—thinking. Now reuse that idea across platforms.
Batch your content. Schedule it in advance. Then go focus on your customers.
You don’t need to post every day. Just show up consistently and say something that helps.
💸 3. Boosts Get Likes. Ads Get Business.
Let’s talk about where small businesses tend to set their money on fire: advertising.
Imagine this—you finally decide to run some Google Ads. You’ve got $300 to spend. You launch the campaign, cross your fingers… and then… crickets. No calls. No emails. Just a quiet, expensive void.
What happened?
You’re not alone. It happens to a lot of businesses. Here’s why:
Google Ads is a competition. You’re bidding on keywords. And you’re bidding against companies spending $3,000 a day. They’ve got full-time marketers, optimized landing pages, and a whole team monitoring results.
Even if someone clicks your ad, they’re probably seeing your competitors first—and seeing them more often. You simply can’t win that fight with a slingshot budget.
If you’re not ready to go all-in with strategy, testing, and support, Google Ads isn’t your next move.
Instead, put your energy into:
- Building up your local SEO
- Claiming your Google Business Profile
- Asking happy customers to leave reviews
- Writing helpful blog posts or FAQs that answer real questions
Those things take time—but they’re free, and they work long-term.
If you do want to try paid ads, start with Meta Ads Manager (that’s Facebook and Instagram). You can:
- Target people by zip code or interest
- Test different headlines and images
- Actually track what’s working
Just don’t hit the Boost button and hope. Boosting is easy, but it’s like shouting into a crowd. Ads Manager lets you speak directly to the people who need you.
🤖 Bonus Tip: Let ChatGPT Do the Heavy Lifting
Now I want to introduce you to someone who’s been a total game-changer for me.
Her name is Grace. She’s my AI assistant. Technically, she’s ChatGPT, but she’s earned a name—and a spot on the team.
If you’ve never used ChatGPT before, here’s the simple version: it’s an artificial intelligence tool that helps you write and organize ideas. You can talk to it like a real person, and it will respond like one.
But here’s the key—it’s not a robot that replaces you. It’s a collaborator.
I use Grace to:
- Draft blog outlines
- Brainstorm subject lines
- Rewrite awkward headlines
- Get unstuck when I’m staring at a blank screen
- Clarify a messy idea I don’t quite know how to explain
Sometimes I’ll say, “Hey Grace, give me five versions of this sentence that sound less corporate.” Or “Help me organize these ideas into a blog post.”
The back-and-forth is where the magic happens. It’s not about getting the perfect answer—it’s about working through the problem together.
And yes—it’s $20/month. Doesn’t sleep. Doesn’t take sick days. Doesn’t steal your leftovers out of the fridge.
If you want to try it, here’s a simple voice prompt I’ve actually used on my phone:
“Hey Grace, can you help me write a short Instagram caption about why every small business needs a mobile-friendly website?”
You don’t have to be a writer. You just need a smart teammate. And now, you’ve got one.
🚀 Ready to Level Up?
If you’re just starting out, keep showing up. Stay consistent. Be helpful. You’re already doing more than most.
But if you’re sitting there thinking, “Okay—I’ve got a little budget, I’m ready to grow, and I want some traction…”
We’ve got you.
Click below to request your free Marketing Grader Report. We’ll give you a quick read on what’s working, what’s not, and where you can improve.
No sales pitch. No pressure. Just real insights from people who’ve been there.
Drew Horine is the founder of Escape Plan Marketing, specializing in SEO strategy, AI-assisted content systems, and measurable growth for Charlotte-area businesses. A creative at heart, you'll spot him regularly playing guitar at his favorite local music venue.
