The first place I start with every business owner I work with is simple. I ask one question, and one question only:
What is it you’re actually trying to say?
Nine times out of ten, their answer? A rambling chaos of words, half-formed ideas, and second-guesses.
That’s not a critique; it’s normal. Because clarity is hard. Boiling your brand down to one clear, punchy message feels damn near impossible.
But it’s the work that matters most. Why? Because if you don’t know what you’re saying, your audience never will.
Clients tell me all the time, “John, I’ve got this product, this service, and this amazing idea. But I don’t know how to tell people about it in a way that makes sense.”
And that’s where we start. Together, we dig in, break it down, and cut through the BS until what you’re left with is your core message. Something simple, clear, unmistakable.
Example: Instead of “We’re a company that sells high-quality, customisable furniture for your home or office at competitive prices,” how about, “We help you create furniture that works and wows.”
See the difference? It’s about cutting out the noise. People don’t need to hear a paragraph; they need one powerful, concise reason to pay attention.
It’s Time to Own Your Marketing
Here’s the thing about marketing. You can outsource a lot of it, but what you can’t outsource is understanding.
If you don’t understand why your strategy works, you’ll constantly second-guess it. And second-guessing leads to hesitation, hesitation kills action, and action is the only thing driving results (yes, even the messy, imperfect kind).
Owning your marketing doesn’t mean doing everything yourself. It means having a handle on the bigger picture. Knowing what you’re trying to say, why it matters, and how your strategy connects to your audience in a way they can’t ignore. When you’ve got that foundation in place, everything else gets easier.
Here’s how I help business owners do just that:
1. Start by stripping it back.
Forget buzzwords, trends, and endless options. We focus on what matters most to your audience and build from there. At its core, your marketing should do two things:
Speak directly to the problem your audience is trying to solve.
Show them why you’re the solution they’ve been waiting for.
2. Ditch complexity for clarity.
Overcomplicated strategies? They’re a fast-track to decision paralysis. I help you simplify the chaos into a strategy you can explain in one sentence. Because if you can’t say it clearly, it’s not clear enough.
3. Turn knowledge into action.
The true power of understanding your strategy is confidence. When you know why your marketing works, you’ll stop playing safe and start taking bold moves. And bold moves? Those are the ones that get noticed.
4. Build a marketing strategy you believe in.
Marketing should excite you. You should look at your strategy and think, “Hell yes, this feels right.” I don’t just hand over plans - I make sure you own them. Because when you believe in your strategy, you’ll do the work to make it succeed.
Bold Moves Start Here
Marketing doesn’t have to be this exhausting arena where you’re either “winging it” or drowning in complexity. When you strip it back, get clear, and take ownership of your messaging, marketing becomes… fun. But maybe that’s the wrong word. Marketing becomes powerful. It propels your business forward. It stops being a task you dread and starts being the thing you lead with.
If you’re tired of spinning your wheels, trying to get your message out there while feeling stuck, I’ve got your solution. It’s time to stop the guessing game and take the reins.
👉 Join the CreActivist movement today. Your first step is simple: 👉 bit.ly/TheCreActivistMethod
Together, we’ll cut through the noise, own your strategy, and turn your marketing into a force to be reckoned with.
Your business deserves a bold strategy that works. I’m here to help you make it happen. What are you waiting for?
John Atkinson / 18th March 2025
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