In this episode, host Gwen Montoya dives into the challenges of relying solely on social media for business marketing and explores alternative strategies to promote and grow your business.

From building a strong email list to leveraging in-person networking, Gwen shares actionable tips to create a diversified marketing plan that complements your social media efforts. Whether you're feeling burned out by algorithm changes or looking for long-term strategies, this episode is packed with insights to help you create a well-rounded marketing approach.
 

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Why relying exclusively on social media is risky for your business.
   
• The importance of an email list and how to maximize its potential.
   
• How to leverage in-person networking events for lasting connections.
   
• Long-term marketing strategies like SEO and blogging.
   
• Options for starting your own podcast, YouTube channel, or guesting on others.
   
• Immediate-action strategies like cold calling and running ads (and their pros/cons).
   
• Tips for integrating various marketing methods into a cohesive plan.

Interested in working together? Start with my intake form here.

Learn more about the AIM membership group.

More ways to connect:

Website: www.gwenmontoya.com
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@gmontoyapdx
YouTube: www.youtube.com/gwenmontoya
Instagram: www.instagram.com/gmontoyapdx

In this episode of Adventures in Marketing, Gwen Montoya dives into the importance of giving yourself permission to experiment in your business. Feeling stuck, bored, or uninspired? Gwen explores how trying something new—from tweaking your offers to reaching new audiences—can reignite your passion and creativity. Learn how curiosity and low-risk experimentation can bring fresh energy to your business without the need to “burn it all down.”

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why business owners often feel stuck and bored after doing the same things for too long.
   
• How giving yourself permission to experiment can lead to breakthroughs.
   
• The benefits of approaching changes with curiosity instead of fear.
   
• Practical, low-cost ways to experiment in your business, such as:
  
  • Tweaking your offers or services.
  • Exploring new audiences or demographics.
  • Trying new ways to show up, like networking or starting a podcast.
  • Collaborating or engaging with new groups.
     
• Why experimenting doesn’t have to mean major changes or big investments.
   
• How even small experiments can help you rediscover excitement and connection in your business.

Key Takeaways:

• Experimentation doesn’t require a massive budget—start small and focus on curiosity.
• Revisiting how you market, whom you serve, or how you show up can provide clarity and inspiration.
• Trying something new, even if it doesn’t work out, helps you learn and grow as a business owner.
• Staying engaged and curious keeps your business vibrant and prevents burnout.

Action Steps:

1. Reflect on areas of your business where you feel stuck or uninspired.
2. Brainstorm low-risk experiments, like tweaking your messaging or exploring a new platform.
3. Commit to trying one small experiment in the next week.
4. Remember to approach this process with playfulness and curiosity—it’s not about perfection!

Interested in working together? Start with my intake form here.

Learn more about the AIM membership group.

More ways to connect:

Website: www.gwenmontoya.com
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@gmontoyapdx
YouTube: www.youtube.com/gwenmontoya
Instagram: www.instagram.com/gmontoyapdx

Are you wondering how to market your business before opening?
 

Starting a new business is one of the most exciting and challenging adventures you can take. But once you’ve checked off the basics—like setting up your website, creating your social media accounts, and securing your location—how do you effectively market your business before it officially opens? That’s what we’re diving into in this video!

Whether you’re a small business owner launching a brick-and-mortar store or an online service, I’ll share practical, actionable strategies to help you build excitement, connect with your ideal audience, and set the stage for a successful grand opening.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this video:

✅ How to create buzz and let people know your business exists—even before you open your doors.

✅ Marketing tips for brick-and-mortar businesses, like connecting with other local businesses, building a referral network, and using foot traffic to your advantage.

✅ Creative behind-the-scenes ideas to showcase your brand’s personality and journey (even if your business isn’t “photogenic”).

✅ How to use tools like a Google Business Profile and online directories to boost your visibility in local and niche markets.

Why This Matters

Marketing a business before it opens isn’t just about getting people in the door on day one—it’s about building long-term relationships with your audience and creating a community of loyal customers who are excited to support you from the very beginning.
 

Have questions about marketing your business before opening? Drop them in the comments below, or email me directly at [email protected]. I love helping small business owners feel confident and excited about their marketing strategies!
 

Launching a business is a journey, and I’m here to make marketing one less thing to stress about. Let’s do this together!

Interested in working together? Start with my intake form here.

Learn more about the AIM membership group.

More ways to connect:

Website: www.gwenmontoya.com
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@gmontoyapdx
YouTube: www.youtube.com/gwenmontoya
Instagram: www.instagram.com/gmontoyapdx

In this episode, we'll talk about the value of refreshing your marketing strategy to ensure your business stays resilient and ahead of challenges. 

Whether you're aiming for exponential growth or a solid foundation, this episode will inspire you to take a closer look at your marketing.

What You’ll Learn:

Declining Leads or Sales: How to spot early signs that your marketing isn’t as effective as it used to be and why curiosity is the best response.

Adapting to Algorithm Changes: The impact of shifts in social media and search engine algorithms and how staying proactive can protect your business.

Business Changes: Why a shift in your goals, audience, or products might require a marketing refresh to align with your new direction.

Avoiding Marketing Ruts: The risks of sticking to the same strategies for too long and how to identify missed opportunities.

Diversifying Your Marketing: Why relying on a single source for leads leaves you vulnerable and the importance of exploring multiple channels.

Key Takeaways:

Regularly review your marketing strategy to ensure it supports your current goals and circumstances.

Diversify your lead sources to reduce risk and increase resilience.

Stay aware of industry trends and shifts, but don’t let them overwhelm you.

Marketing is not a one-and-done task; it’s a dynamic process that evolves with your business.

Refreshing your marketing doesn’t have to be stressful—it’s an opportunity to grow and strengthen your business.

Call to Action: Have questions or want to share how you’ve refreshed your marketing? Email me at [email protected]. 

Ready for a marketing refresh of your own? Let's work together!

If you're looking for gentle, ongoing marketing support, check out the Adventures in Marketing membership!

Interested in working together? Start with my intake form here.

Learn more about the AIM membership group.

More ways to connect:

Website: www.gwenmontoya.com
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@gmontoyapdx
YouTube: www.youtube.com/gwenmontoya
Instagram: www.instagram.com/gmontoyapdx

While tiny steps might not be glamorous or make for exciting sales copy, they are essential for sustainable progress when it comes to marketing your small business.

Remember:

• You don't need to have everything perfectly mapped out to start; taking the first step is crucial.
• Small, consistent actions add up over time and can lead to substantial results.
• Adapt your marketing efforts to fit your personal workflow and energy levels.

For more tips and insights on making marketing less intimidating, visit gwenmontoya.com. 

If you're ready for support when it comes to being consistent, join the Adventures in Marketing group - www.gwenmontoya.com/membership

Interested in working together? Start with my intake form here.

Learn more about the AIM membership group.

More ways to connect:

Website: www.gwenmontoya.com
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@gmontoyapdx
YouTube: www.youtube.com/gwenmontoya
Instagram: www.instagram.com/gmontoyapdx

In this episode, Gwen shares how you can turn website visitors into happy customers. 

She covers making your website easy to navigate and engaging right from the start. 

Learn why it's crucial to have your most important info where visitors expect it. 

Gwen also explores  the essentials of building trust through consistent branding and error-free pages, using language that speaks to your audience, and leveraging analytics to tailor your content perfectly. 

You'll get practical tips on boosting your site’s traffic with smart SEO, engaging social media, and email marketing. 

Wrapping up, you'll learn how to set realistic goals for your conversion rates and help you keep tweaking your marketing strategy to get better results. 

Make your website not just a place to visit, but a place where visitors become loyal customers!

Interested in working together? Start with my intake form here.

Learn more about the AIM membership group.

More ways to connect:

Website: www.gwenmontoya.com
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@gmontoyapdx
YouTube: www.youtube.com/gwenmontoya
Instagram: www.instagram.com/gmontoyapdx

As much as we'd love for our friends and family to be as excited about our business as we are, it doesn't always work that way.

So what do you say to someone who can't resist telling you how bad your business idea is or sends you every scary small business article they come across?

In this episode Gwen shares quick tips and ideas to help you manage unsupportive friends and family.

Want more marketing support?

Become an AIM member

Connect with me on TikTok

Interested in working together? Start with my intake form here.

Learn more about the AIM membership group.

More ways to connect:

Website: www.gwenmontoya.com
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@gmontoyapdx
YouTube: www.youtube.com/gwenmontoya
Instagram: www.instagram.com/gmontoyapdx

What do you do when you've lost your groove and how do you get it back?

In this episode Gwen shares quick tips and ideas to help you rediscover your groove!

Want more marketing support?

Become an AIM member

Connect with me on TikTok

Interested in working together? Start with my intake form here.

Learn more about the AIM membership group.

More ways to connect:

Website: www.gwenmontoya.com
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@gmontoyapdx
YouTube: www.youtube.com/gwenmontoya
Instagram: www.instagram.com/gmontoyapdx

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.

Want to stay up to date on Instagram changes and updates? Follow the Instagram Creator's account or join my Tidbit email list to get weekly curated marketing updates (and how they impact you!).

Interested in working together? Start with my intake form here.

Learn more about the AIM membership group.

More ways to connect:

Website: www.gwenmontoya.com
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@gmontoyapdx
YouTube: www.youtube.com/gwenmontoya
Instagram: www.instagram.com/gmontoyapdx

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 marketing without support, join my Adventures in Marketing Membership group starting at $10/month. There are different tiers for different marketing support needs!
Join here - www.gwenmontoya.com/membership


If you'd like one-on-one support, complete my intake form here and we can chat about what you are looking for.


Learn more about what I do, access freebies, and find resources on my blog at www.gwenmontoya.com

And connect with me on social media! I'm most active on TikTok. 
 

Interested in working together? Start with my intake form here.

Learn more about the AIM membership group.

More ways to connect:

Website: www.gwenmontoya.com
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@gmontoyapdx
YouTube: www.youtube.com/gwenmontoya
Instagram: www.instagram.com/gmontoyapdx