Build Your Marketing Muscles - Small Business Marketing Strategies

Wondering how to get more sales for your small business? 

If you’ve been posting on social media, sending emails, and keeping your website up to date—but you’re still not seeing sales—you’re not alone.

In this episode, I share practical strategies to boost sales for your small business by improving your website, email marketing, and social media. Key Takeaways Sales often stall when your messaging is outdated, unclear, or aimed at the wrong audience. Consistency matters, but curiosity and experimentation are what help you find what really works. 

Let's talk about how to use social media, email marketing, and your website to increase your sales! 

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

Learn more about the Build Your Marketing Muscles 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've been relying on one platform or feeling discouraged by dropping engagement, you'll find ideas to help you refocus your marketing efforts, build resilience, and create a strategy that keeps working (now and in the future).

In This Episode, You’ll Learn: 

Why staying focused in your business means learning to adapt How to shift your marketing strategy when platforms or algorithms stop working 

Why relying on one social media platform is risky (and what to do instead) 

How to choose where to show up next, based on your audience's habits 

The role analytics play in helping you stay grounded and strategic How providing an excellent customer experience can be your secret marketing weapon 

What to do when your offers no longer resonate with your audience

How to move forward with confidence, even when marketing feels uncertain

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

Learn more about the Build Your Marketing Muscles 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’re diving into how to make your existing email list more effective, and why it might be time to move email marketing up a notch on your to-do list. If you already have a list, an opt-in, and maybe even some automations running, this episode is for you. I’m sharing practical ways to evaluate what’s working, fix what isn’t, and make sure your emails are actually doing the job of connecting with your audience.

As a marketing strategist, I believe email marketing is one of the most powerful (yet often underused) tools small business owners have—and it’s time to start giving it the attention it deserves.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why email marketing deserves more of your attention than it’s probably getting
How email compares to social media when it comes to reach and engagement
What metrics actually matter—and what they can tell you about your audience
How to adjust your link strategy to increase clicks and reduce overwhelm
Why mobile-friendly, bite-sized emails can boost your results
️ When to break up long digests into smaller, more focused emails
The value of showing up consistently for the people who’ve already raised their hand to hear from you

Who This Episode Is For:
✔️ You already have an email list
✔️ You’ve set up an opt-in or automation
✔️ You’re ready to optimize what’s already in place
🚫 If you’re brand new to email marketing, start with setting up your list first (I recommend MailerLite as a great beginner-friendly platform with a solid free plan—this is not sponsored, just a helpful tip!)

Takeaway:
Your email list is full of people who have already said yes to hearing from you. Let’s make sure you’re giving them something worth opening, clicking, and engaging with—without overwhelming yourself or your subscribers.

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

Learn more about the Build Your Marketing Muscles 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

Let's talk about a topic that many business owners experience but rarely talk about—feeling like giving up. Running a small business is tough, and at times, you might feel like throwing in the towel. But before you make any drastic decisions, I have some questions and ideas that might help you gain clarity on the next steps.

Whether you’re facing burnout, attracting the wrong clients, or simply feeling uninspired, this episode is here to remind you that you’re not alone—and that there are ways to move forward with confidence.

Why feeling like giving up is more common than you think

The biggest reasons small business owners reach a breaking point

How burnout and exhaustion impact your business mindset

The role of audience misalignment in business frustration

How shifting your perspective can help you regain enthusiasm

Practical strategies to assess whether you need a break, a pivot, or a fresh start

Burnout & Exhaustion – Even if you love what you do, running a business can be relentless. Recognizing burnout is the first step in addressing it.

Attracting the Wrong Audience – If your business no longer aligns with your ideal clients, it can drain your energy and motivation.

Desire for a Shift – Many business owners reach a point where they crave change but feel stuck on how to pivot effectively.

The Importance of Perspective – Sometimes a fresh perspective, a break, or strategic tweaks can reignite your passion for your business.

You’re Not Alone – Many entrepreneurs have been in your shoes, and there’s a path forward—whether that means a reset or a reimagining of your business.

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

Learn more about the Build Your Marketing Muscles 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

✅ Why I gave myself this challenge (and why it pushed me outside my comfort zone)
✅ The rules I set for myself to stay on track and avoid decision paralysis
✅ The biggest hurdles I faced (hello, thumbnail struggles!)
✅ The tools I used to streamline the process—TubeBuddy, Canva, and more
✅ What happened months later—was it worth it? Did it change my approach to YouTube?

I’ve been helping clients optimize their YouTube channels since 2015, but I had never committed to creating consistent public content for my own channel. I knew that by challenging myself to produce 30 videos in 30 days, I would accelerate my learning curve, push past hesitation, and build a system that worked.

🎯 30 videos in 30 days – no minimum length requirement
🎯 Follow best practices (SEO, thumbnails, descriptions)
🎯 Stick with the first thumbnail template I picked – no mid-challenge redesigns!
🎯 Upload consistently but not necessarily daily

One of my biggest challenges? Thumbnails. I knew that if I spent too much time deciding on designs, I’d get stuck in perfectionism, so I forced myself to choose a template quickly and stick with it.

🔹 Pushing myself to create regularly helped me improve quickly
🔹 Committing to a challenge removed overthinking and hesitation
🔹 Sometimes, "done" is better than "perfect"—iteration is key!
🔹 Even with the best-laid plans, unexpected obstacles will happen (and that’s okay!)

Months later, I’ve updated my thumbnails and refined my content strategy. This experiment gave me clarity, confidence, and a system for YouTube content creation that I wouldn’t have learned otherwise.

Have you ever challenged yourself to try something new in your marketing? I’d love to hear about it!

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

Learn more about the Build Your Marketing Muscles 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 today’s episode, we’re diving into a crucial shift for business owners: moving from creating content just because it’s time to post to crafting content with intention—content that actually converts into leads, customers, and meaningful connections.

If you’ve ever felt unsure about why you’re creating a particular piece of content or whether it will resonate with your audience, this episode is for you.

Why posting just to post isn’t an effective strategy

Identifying what has driven sales and interest in the past

How to differentiate between viral content and content that leads to conversions

Aligning your content with what you actually sell

A simple mindset trick: Look at your business as if it belonged to someone else

Assessing missed opportunities in your marketing efforts

The importance of long-term vision: Where do you want your business to be in 3-5 years?

Audit past content: What has worked? What hasn’t?

Clarify your offers: Are you talking about them enough and in the right way?

Step back: Analyze your business as if you were an outsider.

Set long-term content goals: What will help you move toward your big-picture vision?

By shifting your focus from posting randomly to crafting content with purpose, you’ll create a stronger connection with your audience and see real results.

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

Learn more about the Build Your Marketing Muscles 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

Feeling stuck on what to post for your business? You’re not alone! Whether you struggle with knowing what to say or need fresh inspiration, this episode will help you create content that resonates with your audience, boosts engagement, and drives sales.

✔️ The true meaning of “content” in marketing (it’s more than just social media!)
✔️ How to repurpose content across multiple platforms for maximum impact
✔️ Why reviewing your past analytics can reveal high-performing topics
✔️ How to use FAQs as a goldmine for content ideas
✔️ The power of repetition in reinforcing your message to your audience

Content is More Than Just Social Media – It includes blog posts, email newsletters, videos, lead magnets, and more!
Look at Your Analytics – Review past social media posts to see what performed well in terms of engagement (likes, comments, shares, and saves).
Use FAQs to Your Advantage – If people ask the same questions repeatedly, turn those into valuable content pieces like blog posts, videos, and social posts.
Repurpose Your Best Content – Repetition is key! You can share the same ideas across different formats so your audience absorbs your message over time.

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

Learn more about the Build Your Marketing Muscles 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

Leaky marketing can cost you leads, sales, and opportunities. In this episode, marketing strategist Gwen Montoya dives into what leaky marketing is, how to identify it, and practical ways to fix it. From improving clarity in your messaging to ensuring smooth follow-through and creating seamless customer journeys, Gwen provides actionable tips to patch the holes in your marketing strategy. Every business owner faces these challenges, but with the right approach, they’re entirely fixable!

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• What leaky marketing is and why it’s common for small businesses.
   
• How lack of clarity in messaging can confuse potential clients.
   
• Why visibility in the right places is key to reaching your audience.
   
• The importance of consistent follow-through in building trust.
   
• How to identify and fix issues on your website, emails, and other marketing channels.
   
• Steps to create a smooth customer journey and boost conversions.
   

Actionable Takeaways:

1. Clarify who you serve and how to communicate it effectively in your marketing.
2. Review your visibility strategy to ensure you’re showing up where your audience is.
3. Implement systems to manage follow-through on leads, emails, and networking opportunities.
4. Check for broken links and confusing navigation on your website.
5. Focus on making the customer journey as easy and stress-free as possible.

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

Learn more about the Build Your Marketing Muscles 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, marketing strategist Gwen Montoya breaks down the often intimidating world of analytics and explains how to use the data to make smarter marketing decisions. Whether it’s social media, email marketing, or website traffic, Gwen shares actionable insights on what to track, how to interpret the data, and why it matters. Analytics don’t have to be scary—they’re a powerful tool to help you grow your business and connect with your audience in meaningful ways.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Why analytics are crucial for improving your marketing strategy.
   
• How to identify what’s working on social media and do more of it.
   
• Tips for interpreting email marketing data, like open and click rates.
   
• What your website analytics can tell you about visitor behavior and traffic sources.
   
• The value of tracking analytics over time to identify patterns and opportunities.
   
• How to approach analytics with curiosity instead of frustration.

Key Takeaways:

1. Social Media Analytics: Learn which platforms and posts perform best to refine your strategy.
2. Email Analytics: Focus on click rates and track what content engages your audience.
3. Website Analytics: Understand where your traffic is coming from and which pages convert best.
4. Track Trends Over Time: Patterns in data provide insights for long-term growth.
5. Experimentation Is Key: Use analytics to test, learn, and improve your marketing efforts.

Free Resource:
Download Gwen’s Analytics Tracker to start tracking your own data and learn how to interpret it for better results.

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

Learn more about the Build Your Marketing Muscles 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

Running a business is filled with ups, downs, and lessons we learn over and over again. In this episode, marketing strategist Gwen Montoya explores the common fears, insecurities, and challenges that all business owners face, and offers insights on how to overcome them. From the vulnerability of being visible to the fear of making mistakes, Gwen sheds light on the shared struggles of entrepreneurship and provides actionable tips to navigate them.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Why being visible in your business is non-negotiable and how to embrace it.
   
• How to overcome the fear of being judged or perceived as salesy.
   
• The reality of second-guessing decisions and how to move forward with confidence.
   
• Why consistency in marketing matters more than perfection.
   
• How to manage the inevitable ups and downs of entrepreneurship.
   
• Practical advice to push past fear and step into your role as a business owner.

Key Takeaways:

1. Visibility is essential: Whether it’s through social media, networking, or emails, showing up is the foundation of your business growth.
2. Marketing is a skill: Every time you market your business, you’re learning and improving.
3. Reframe criticism: Not everyone will like what you do, and that’s okay. Focus on serving the people who value your work.
4. Learn through action: Accept that not every decision will be perfect, and trust that every step is a chance to refine your approach.
5. Ride the waves: Ups and downs are a natural part of business. Recognize them as opportunities for growth and reflection.

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

Learn more about the Build Your Marketing Muscles 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