Bridging the gap between effort and success
Fix Your Marketing: Why It's Not Working and What to Do About It
Marketing usually stops working because there's no system behind the effort — not because you aren't trying hard enough. The most common causes are an unclear message, no written strategy, inconsistent activity, a website that doesn't ask for action, and no tracking. Fix those in order — strategy, messaging, content, execution, measurement — and your effort starts producing results.
By Media Matters 317 · Last updated:
What are the 7 signs your marketing is broken?
If two or more of these sound familiar, your marketing has a system problem, not an effort problem.
How healthy is your marketing? Take the 2-minute check
Answer eight yes-or-no questions to get a score out of 100 and three recommendations tailored to your answers. Nothing you enter is saved or sent anywhere.
What's the 5-step fix for marketing that isn't working?
Work through these five steps in order. Each one builds on the last, and skipping ahead is the most common reason fixes don't stick.
- 1
Strategy & research
Uncover insights and build a roadmap.
- 2
Messaging & branding
Define a brand that connects.
- 3
Content
Plan, create, and systemize.
- 4
Execution
Launch and optimize with ongoing support.
- 5
Measurement
Track, evaluate, refine.
Who is this guide for?
Small business owners, nonprofit leaders, and church leaders — in Indianapolis and anywhere else — who are working hard on marketing without seeing results.
Small businesses
Turn website visits and local searches into calls, quotes, and customers.
Read the guideNonprofits
Tell a clearer impact story, grow donors and volunteers, and use Google Ad Grants well.
Read the guideChurches
Be easy to find, communicate consistently, and welcome first-time visitors online.
Read the guideCommon questions about fixing your marketing
Short, direct answers. See the full FAQ for more.
Why isn't my marketing working?
Most marketing fails for a few predictable reasons: an unclear message, no written strategy, inconsistent effort, a website that doesn't ask for action, and no tracking. Effort isn't usually the problem. The gap is a system that connects your effort to measurable results.
What's the first thing I should fix?
Fix your message first. If people can't quickly understand who you help and why you're different, every other tactic underperforms. Write one clear sentence, build a one-page message house, and update your website headline before spending more on ads or content.
How long does it take to fix my marketing?
Foundational fixes like messaging, a Google Business Profile, and tracking can be done in a few weeks. Results from content and search usually build over three to six months. Paid ads can produce leads sooner, once tracking and a clear offer are in place.
Can I fix my marketing myself?
Yes, many small organizations can handle the basics themselves using a clear plan and a consistent schedule. Outside help makes sense when you lack time, when you're spending on ads without results, or when you need an objective view of your messaging.
Who publishes Fix My Marketing?
Fix My Marketing is a free resource published by Media Matters 317, a digital marketing agency in Indianapolis, Indiana, founded by Reece Johnson. It serves small businesses, nonprofits, and churches, and offers a free 30-minute marketing call.
Want a second set of eyes on your marketing?
Book a free 30-minute call with Media Matters 317. We'll look at what you're doing now, tell you plainly what's working and what isn't, and suggest next steps — whether or not you hire us.