FAQ
Marketing Questions, Answered Plainly
By Media Matters 317 · Last updated:
These are the questions small business owners, nonprofit leaders, and church leaders ask most when their marketing isn't working. Each answer is short, factual, and meant to help you decide what to do next.
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.
How much should a small business spend on marketing?
A commonly cited guideline is roughly 5–10% of revenue, with newer or growth-focused businesses often at the higher end. The right number depends on your goals, margins, and competition. More important than the amount is spending it on a plan you can measure.
Should I hire a marketing agency or do it myself?
Do it yourself if you have time, a clear plan, and basic skills. Hire help when marketing keeps getting pushed aside, when you're spending on ads without clear returns, or when you need expertise you don't have in-house. Many organizations do a mix: strategy from an agency, execution in-house.
How long does it take to see results from marketing?
It depends on the channel. Paid ads can generate leads within weeks once tracking is set up. Search visibility, content, and reputation usually take three to six months to build momentum. Fixing messaging and your website often improves results from existing traffic fairly quickly.
What is AI search optimization (AIO or GEO)?
AI search optimization — also called AIO or generative engine optimization (GEO) — means making your content easy for AI tools like Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini to understand and cite. It relies on clear, factual answers, question-style headings, structured data, and consistent business information across the web.
How do I know if my marketing agency is doing a good job?
A good agency agrees on measurable goals up front, reports regularly in plain language, connects its work to leads or revenue rather than just likes or impressions, and explains what it will change next. If you can't tell what you're paying for or what it produced, ask.
What questions should I ask before hiring a marketing agency?
Ask who will actually do the work, how they'll measure success, what reporting looks like, whether you'll own your accounts and website, what the contract length and exit terms are, and whether they've worked with organizations like yours. Ask for examples, and talk to a current client.
Is social media enough for marketing?
Usually not on its own. Social media is useful for staying visible, but you don't own those platforms and reach can drop without warning. Pair it with a website that converts, a Google Business Profile, an email list you own, and a way to measure what each channel produces.
Do I need a new website to fix my marketing?
Not always. Many websites underperform because of an unclear message, missing calls to action, or slow mobile pages — problems that can often be fixed without a rebuild. Consider a new site when the current one is hard to update, very slow, or no longer reflects what you do.
What is a message house?
A message house is a one-page document that organizes your brand messaging. The "roof" is your core message, the "pillars" are three supporting points, and the "foundation" is proof such as results, reviews, and credentials. It keeps everyone describing your organization consistently.
What marketing metrics actually matter?
Focus on numbers tied to your goal: leads or inquiries, cost per lead, conversion rate, revenue or donations from marketing, and customer or donor retention. Reach, likes, and impressions can be useful signals, but they shouldn't be the main measure of success.
How important is a Google Business Profile?
For any organization serving a local area, it's one of the most valuable free marketing tools available. It controls how you appear in Google Maps and local search results. Complete every field, add photos, post updates, and ask for and respond to reviews regularly.
What is Google Ad Grants?
Google Ad Grants is a Google program that gives eligible nonprofits up to $10,000 per month in free search advertising. Organizations must meet eligibility requirements and ongoing account rules, such as maintaining a minimum click-through rate, to keep the grant active.
How can a church get found online?
Start with a complete Google Business Profile, a mobile-friendly website that clearly lists service times, location, parking, and what to expect, and consistent information across directories. Reviews, regular updates, and pages that answer first-time visitor questions help people searching for a church find you.
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.
Have a question that isn't here?
Ask it on a free 30-minute call with Media Matters 317, or email info@mediamatters317.com.