Why Your Marketing Isn’t Working (And How to Fix It)

Marketing is one of the most frustrating parts of running a business.

You try a new ad campaign… nothing.
You post on social media for a few weeks… then forget about it.
You hire an agency… and still feel like you’re guessing.

Everywhere you look, there’s noise:

“Run Facebook ads!”
“Start a podcast!”
“You need a funnel!”
“SEO is dead!”
“No wait… you actually need AI!”

It’s overwhelming. And most business owners end up doing the same thing:

Random acts of marketing.
A little here, a little there, nothing connected, nothing consistent—nothing that produces reliable results.

If that sounds like you, don’t worry. You’re not behind. You’re not failing.
You’ve simply never been given a real marketing system.

This article breaks down:

1. The real reasons your marketing isn’t working
2. How businesses accidentally sabotage their own growth
3. The fix — a simple 12-month POAM (Plan of Action & Milestones)
4. What a strong POAM includes
5. How you can get one built for your business

Let’s get into it.

1. The Real Reasons Your Marketing Isn’t Working

Most struggling marketing systems share the same symptoms:

Reason #1: There’s no actual strategy

Most businesses think they have a strategy, but what they really have is:

• A few ad campaigns
• A website someone built years ago
• Social media posts here and there
• Maybe an email newsletter gathering dust

These are tactics, not strategy.
Strategy answers big questions:

• Who exactly are we targeting?
• What problem are we solving?
• What sets us apart?
• What message actually hits?
• How do we move a stranger from “never heard of you” to “I’m ready to buy”?

Without clear answers, marketing turns into guesswork.

Reason #2: Messaging is inconsistent or unclear

If your brand sounds different on your website, ads, emails, and social media…
your audience feels confused.

Confused buyers don’t convert.

People should be able to answer, in one sentence:

“What does your company do, and why should I choose you?”

If they can’t, your marketing is working against you.

Reason #3: You stop and start too often

Marketing only works when it compounds.

But most businesses get stuck in the cycle:

Excited → Everything → Overwhelmed → Nothing → Panic → Repeat

Every time you stop, you lose momentum.
Every time you restart, you start from zero again.

Marketing isn’t a sprint — it’s a rhythm.

Reason #4: No tracking = no improvement

If you aren’t tracking:

• inquiries
• lead sources
• conversion rates
• cost per lead
• revenue per channel

…then you’re flying blind.

Data doesn’t have to be complicated.
But without it, you can’t make good decisions — and you definitely can’t scale.

Reason #5: You’re doing too many things at once

Ironically, doing more marketing can produce worse results.

If your energy is scattered across 10 channels…
nothing gets the attention it needs to work.

You don’t need to be everywhere.
You need to be in the right places, consistently.

Reason #6: You don’t have a system that runs even when you’re busy

Businesses fall apart when the owner gets busy.

Jobs pile up.
Clients need attention.
Operations take over.

And marketing is the first thing to die.

If your marketing depends entirely on you, it will always be inconsistent.

A real system keeps running — even when you don’t.

2. How Businesses Accidentally Sabotage Their Own Growth

Most business owners are not doing anything “wrong.”
They’re simply reacting instead of planning.

Here’s the most common pattern:

Pattern #1: “Let’s try this and see what happens.”

That phrase has wasted more money than bad employees, bad clients, and bad hires combined.

Trying things isn’t the problem.
Trying things without a plan is.

Pattern #2: Switching strategies too quickly

Some businesses change strategies every 30–60 days.

But the truth is:
Almost nothing works that fast.

Marketing takes time, testing, and refinement.

A predictable 12-month plan forces you to slow down, stay consistent, and let results compound.

Pattern #3: No connection between sales and marketing

Sales and marketing should be one system — not two departments.

If your marketing isn’t helping your sales team…

or your sales team isn’t giving feedback to marketing…

you’re wasting opportunities.

A POAM aligns everything.

3. The Fix: A 12-Month POAM (Plan of Action & Milestones)

This is where everything changes.

A POAM is a clear, simple, realistic 12-month roadmap that tells you:

• What to do
• When to do it
• Why it matters
• Who is responsible
• How to measure success

It gives structure to your marketing — and removes guesswork.

Think of it like a GPS for your business growth.

No more guessing.
No more “let’s try this.”
No more random acts of marketing.

4. What a Strong POAM Includes

A real POAM is not a “pretty slide deck.”
It’s a working system.

Here’s what goes into a legitimate one:

1. Clear Positioning & Messaging

This answers:

• What you stand for
• Why customers should choose you
• How you’re different
• What pain points you solve
• What your voice sounds like

Good messaging makes every marketing channel stronger.

1. Target Audience Clarity

Not just demographics — but motivations.

A great POAM identifies:

• Primary buyer
• Secondary buyer
• Key objections
• Buying triggers
• Problems they’re actively trying to solve

When you understand your audience, everything becomes easier.

1. A 12-Month Marketing Schedule

Month by month, your plan outlines:

• Website updates
• Campaigns
• Content themes
• Promotions
• Sales initiatives
• Follow-ups
• KPI reviews

Every month has a purpose.
Every action rolls into the next.

1. Sales System Integration

Marketing isn’t enough.

A good POAM includes:

• Lead handling process
• Follow-up automation
• Sales scripts
• Pipeline stages
• Response times
• Qualification criteria

The result:
More leads → better leads → higher conversions → more revenue.

1. KPI Dashboard

You don’t need 100 metrics.
You need 5–10 that actually matter.

Your POAM includes:

• North Star metrics
• Channel KPIs
• Monthly performance check-ins

Simple. Clear. Actionable.

5. What Happens When You Use a 12-Month POAM

Here’s what businesses experience after implementing one:

You stop guessing

You always know exactly what to do next.

Your messaging becomes consistent

Across your website, ads, emails, and sales scripts.

Your marketing finally compounds

Small, steady wins add up.

You become more discoverable

Because your content and brand are aligned.

Your sales team converts more

Because they have structure and support.

Your business becomes predictable

You can forecast leads, revenue, and milestones.

This is why Fortune 500 companies use strategic plans — and why small businesses that adopt them grow so much faster.

**6. Want This For Your Business?

Get Your $499 POAM Strategy Session (Normally $999)**

If you’re tired of guessing…

If you want clarity…

If you want a plan you can actually follow…

Then the $499 Marketing Strategy Session + Custom 12-Month POAM is the perfect starting point.

Here’s what you get:

• A 1:1, 2-hour strategy session with me (Joshua Nelson)
• A complete review of your marketing, sales systems, messaging, and positioning
• A fully customized 12-month POAM with campaigns, milestones, and priorities
• Clear next steps you can follow immediately
• Zero fluff — only what will actually move the needle

Most business owners walk away saying:

“This is the first time I’ve ever felt in control of my marketing.”

If you want the same clarity, confidence, and direction, this is your moment.