Lists, Resolutions, and Determination: A Year in the Life of a First-Time Business Owner

Anyone else scroll through social media lately and think, “Wait… what did I just spend 30 minutes looking at? I used to enjoy social media. It was a place to discover cool ideas, have a laugh, or learn something new. But lately? I leave my screen time feeling duped—like I just fell into a content trap set by an algorithmic black hole with AI-generated content and copy that isn't authentic. The Rise of AI-Generated Everything The truth is, a growing chunk of what we see on social media isn't human-created anymore. It’s AI. Smart, efficient, emotionally meh AI. It’s trained to mimic our language, our humor, even our hot takes—so well, in fact, that sometimes we don’t even notice. Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not anti-AI. I use AI myself (Hi, ChatGPT 👋) to brainstorm, organize, and optimize. But as a human marketing strategist trying to create real connection, I wonder: If everything starts to look and sound the same, how do we stand out? How do we build trust when our audiences are growing skeptical of whether we even wrote the content ourselves? Stat: In 2024, a significant 69.1% of marketers reported incorporating AI into their marketing operations, reflecting a growing confidence in AI's capabilities to enhance marketing strategies. ​ Influencer Marketing Hub+1GPTZero+1 From Social to Simulation Social media used to reflect life. Now it’s starting to feel more like a simulation of what some server farm in Silicon Valley thinks our life should be. That’s a problem—especially for those of us who build brands, tell stories, and (ahem) sell things. Authenticity isn’t just a buzzword anymore. It’s a necessity. We’re entering an era where human connection is the differentiator. Your brand’s voice can’t be another blend of vanilla AI-speak. People are craving something real—and they’re getting really good at spotting what isn’t. So What Do We Do About It? Here’s what I’m leaning into as a marketer who still believes in the power of real content: Show your face. Literally. Video still wins, especially when it's unpolished and real. Don’t be afraid to be a little awkward. It’s human. Write with personality. You can use AI to help outline or edit, but let your actual voice come through. Add a pun. Toss in an unpopular opinion. Let people know there’s a you behind the screen. Value over virality. It’s tempting to chase trends, but offering real insight or help will go further in building lasting relationships. Pull back the curtain. Take your audience behind the scenes. Let them see the process, the fails, the why behind your what. Trust comes from transparency. Yes, AI is everywhere right now—and yes, it’s kind of making things weird. But for marketers, it’s an opportunity to double down on what AI can’t do: be you. #ArtificialIntelligence #SocialMediaMarketing #Authenticity #DigitalMarketing #AIContent #MarketingStrategies #StayHuman #ContentCreation #MarketingIntellect #AIinMarketing

Marketing Doesn’t Work… Until It Does "Marketing doesn’t work." "How do you guarantee success?" "What if your ideas don’t work?" Fair questions. No one wants to throw money at something that might work. But here’s the reality: marketing shapes your decisions every single day, whether you realize it or not. Case in Point: Post Malone Oreos Did I buy them solely because Post Malone endorsed them? Yep. Do I normally buy Oreos? Nope. I’m not saying we don’t make our own choices, but to think marketing has zero influence on you is nearly impossible. It’s everywhere—on your social feeds, in your inbox, on billboards, during your favorite podcast. And when it’s done right, it sticks. Marketing Budgets: Big, Small, and Everything in Between Not every business has a Post Malone-sized marketing budget, and that’s okay. Effective marketing is about strategy, not just spending power. But let’s break down some marketing budget tiers and the impact they can have: 💰 Big Budget: $10M+ (Think Global Brands) Celebrity endorsements (Post Malone, Taylor Swift, Michael Jordan) Super Bowl ads ($7M+ for a 30-second spot) Nationwide campaigns with TV, digital, influencer, and retail integration Brand awareness that saturates the market (think Nike, Apple, Coca-Cola) 💡 Impact: Maximum exposure, instant recognition, and the ability to own a conversation. 📢 Mid-Size Budget: $500K - $5M (Think Regional/National Brands) Digital advertising (Google, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) Influencer partnerships at various levels (macro/micro) Public relations and content marketing Local sponsorships and event activations 💡 Impact: Brand awareness and engagement at a meaningful level, with a strong ROI when executed well. 🚀 Small Budget: $10K - $100K (Think Small Businesses & Startups) Targeted social media ads Email marketing campaigns SEO and content strategy Grassroots efforts (community sponsorships, networking, referral programs) 💡 Impact: When done right, smaller budgets can be just as effective—hyper-targeted marketing often converts better than broad campaigns with massive spend. What If Marketing “Doesn’t Work”? Even the biggest brands fail sometimes. Remember Pepsi’s controversial campaign with a certain celebrity? Or Peloton’s awkward holiday ad? Marketing mistakes happen. But here’s the thing— we still remember them. And that’s the power of marketing. It keeps brands in conversations. It influences perception. And ultimately, it impacts what we buy. Marketing Intellect: Helping Businesses at Any Level Marketing isn’t optional—it’s essential to growth. If you’re not telling people how awesome your business is, someone else is getting their attention. At Marketing Intellect , I specialize in creative, results-driven strategies for businesses of all sizes. Whether you have a big budget or a shoestring one, I’ll help you make the most of it. 📢 Don't go at it alone. Let’s build a strategy that works for YOU. P.S. Stay tuned for my Post Malone Oreo taste test. #MarketingMatters #Branding #MarketingStrategy #MarketingLeadership #PostMaloneOreos #MarketingInfluence

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As the owner of Marketing Intellect, I'm here to share a few proven tips to help small businesses grow sustainably. Whether you're just starting or looking to scale, these strategies can make a world of difference. 1. Stay Organized Like a Pro Running a small business often feels like juggling a thousand priorities at once. Tools like ClickUp or even a good old-fashioned planner can help you stay on top of your tasks. Try batching similar activities together—such as dedicating a morning to finances and an afternoon to social media planning. Staying organized isn't just about schedules; it also includes keeping your ideas, goals, and analytics in order. A little structure can reduce stress and free up your creativity. 2. Leverage Your Circle Your network is one of your most valuable assets as a small business owner. Former colleagues, local community members, and even past clients can become customers or partners. Engage authentically by checking in with them—not just for business updates but to maintain those genuine connections. Pro Tip : Hosting events or webinars is a fantastic way to bring your network together and create mutual value (2025 goal)! 3. Prioritize Networking Networking might seem time-consuming, but it pays off significantly in the long run. Make it a habit to attend at least one event a month—whether it's an industry conference, a local business mixer, or even an online forum. You never know when the next big opportunity will arise from a handshake or a virtual introduction. Bonus : Networking isn't just about showing up; it's about follow-up. Send personalized thank-you emails or connect on LinkedIn to keep the conversation going. It feels like January has been the longest month ever, but we’ve made it through! I’m thrilled to share that the cruise was an absolute success. The room may have been tiny, but the sun rays spilling through our window each morning made every moment worth it. 🌞 Let’s channel that energy into achieving our business goals this year—sunny days ahead! #SmallBusinessTips #NetworkingGoals #StayOrganized #LeverageYourNetwork #EntrepreneurLife #SunshineAndSuccess #MarketingIntellect

As a small business owner, the pressure to always be available can make taking a break feel impossible, but stepping away is essential for maintaining focus, creativity, and organization. Preparing for my first-ever family cruise has been a whirlwind of balancing.

Why did the cranberry turn red? Because it saw the turkey dressing!

Celebrate and Market Through the Holiday Season—Halloween to Christmas!

Happy Autumn Friends! Ah, fall—the season of pumpkin spice everything, cozy sweaters, and the endless search for the perfect leaf pile to jump into (even if we’re adults who should probably know better by now).

Learn to juggle work, life, and volunteering without losing your cool. Find balance, stay sane, and fill your bucket—even if it's just for laughs!