If you've been relying on one platform or feeling discouraged by dropping engagement, you'll find ideas to help you refocus your marketing efforts, build resilience, and create a strategy that keeps working (now and in the future). In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Why staying focused in your business means learning to adapt How to shift your marketing strategy when platforms or algorithms stop working Why relying on one social media platform is risky (and what to do instead) How to choose where to...
Jun 23, 2025•12 min•Ep. 73
In this episode, we’re diving into how to make your existing email list more effective, and why it might be time to move email marketing up a notch on your to-do list. If you already have a list, an opt-in, and maybe even some automations running, this episode is for you. I’m sharing practical ways to evaluate what’s working, fix what isn’t, and make sure your emails are actually doing the job of connecting with your audience. As a marketing strategist, I believe email marketing is one of the mo...
Apr 21, 2025•21 min•Ep. 72
Let's talk about a topic that many business owners experience but rarely talk about—feeling like giving up. Running a small business is tough, and at times, you might feel like throwing in the towel. But before you make any drastic decisions, I have some questions and ideas that might help you gain clarity on the next steps. Whether you’re facing burnout, attracting the wrong clients, or simply feeling uninspired, this episode is here to remind you that you’re not alone—and that there are ways t...
Mar 27, 2025•13 min•Ep. 71
In This Episode, You’ll Learn: ✅ Why I gave myself this challenge (and why it pushed me outside my comfort zone) ✅ The rules I set for myself to stay on track and avoid decision paralysis ✅ The biggest hurdles I faced (hello, thumbnail struggles!) ✅ The tools I used to streamline the process—TubeBuddy, Canva, and more ✅ What happened months later —was it worth it? Did it change my approach to YouTube? Why I Took on This Challenge I’ve been helping clients optimize their YouTube channels since 20...
Mar 17, 2025•14 min•Ep. 70
In today’s episode, we’re diving into a crucial shift for business owners: moving from creating content just because it’s time to post to crafting content with intention—content that actually converts into leads, customers, and meaningful connections. If you’ve ever felt unsure about why you’re creating a particular piece of content or whether it will resonate with your audience, this episode is for you. Key Topics: Why posting just to post isn’t an effective strategy Identifying what has driven...
Mar 10, 2025•12 min•Ep. 69
Feeling stuck on what to post for your business? You’re not alone! Whether you struggle with knowing what to say or need fresh inspiration, this episode will help you create content that resonates with your audience, boosts engagement, and drives sales. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✔️ The true meaning of “content” in marketing (it’s more than just social media!) ✔️ How to repurpose content across multiple platforms for maximum impact ✔️ Why reviewing your past analytics can reveal high-per...
Mar 03, 2025•9 min•Ep. 68
Leaky marketing can cost you leads, sales, and opportunities. In this episode, marketing strategist Gwen Montoya dives into what leaky marketing is, how to identify it, and practical ways to fix it. From improving clarity in your messaging to ensuring smooth follow-through and creating seamless customer journeys, Gwen provides actionable tips to patch the holes in your marketing strategy. Every business owner faces these challenges, but with the right approach, they’re entirely fixable! What You...
Feb 24, 2025•9 min•Ep. 66
In this episode, marketing strategist Gwen Montoya breaks down the often intimidating world of analytics and explains how to use the data to make smarter marketing decisions. Whether it’s social media, email marketing, or website traffic, Gwen shares actionable insights on what to track, how to interpret the data, and why it matters. Analytics don’t have to be scary—they’re a powerful tool to help you grow your business and connect with your audience in meaningful ways. What You'll Learn in This...
Feb 17, 2025•13 min•Ep. 65
Running a business is filled with ups, downs, and lessons we learn over and over again. In this episode, marketing strategist Gwen Montoya explores the common fears, insecurities, and challenges that all business owners face, and offers insights on how to overcome them. From the vulnerability of being visible to the fear of making mistakes, Gwen sheds light on the shared struggles of entrepreneurship and provides actionable tips to navigate them. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why being visi...
Feb 10, 2025•7 min•Ep. 64
Understanding your audience is the foundation of effective marketing. In this episode, marketing strategist Gwen Montoya dives into strategies for learning more about your audience so you can create better content, offers, and marketing strategies. From analyzing demographics and analytics to gathering insights through surveys and observations, Gwen offers actionable advice to help you connect with your audience and make data-informed decisions for your business. What You'll Learn in This Episod...
Feb 03, 2025•4 min•Ep. 63
Feeling overwhelmed with everything you need to juggle in your business? In this episode, marketing strategist Gwen Montoya shares her favorite tools and strategies for staying organized. From brain dumps and to-do lists to powerful platforms like Airtable and ClickUp, Gwen highlights practical ways to streamline your workflow, plan your marketing, and stay focused. Whether you’re just starting out or looking for ways to refine your systems, this episode will help you gain clarity and get more d...
Jan 27, 2025•6 min•Ep. 62
Running a business doesn’t always happen behind a desk. In this episode, marketing strategist Gwen Montoya shares 13 practical tasks you can accomplish one-handed from your phone to keep your marketing and business goals moving forward. Whether you’re waiting in a pickup line, at an appointment, or simply taking advantage of a quick break, these actionable tips will help you stay productive without needing a full office setup. What You'll Learn in This Episode: How to use the Canva app to create...
Jan 20, 2025•6 min•Ep. 61
In this episode, marketing strategist Gwen Montoya breaks down the power of integrated marketing and why small business owners need to connect their marketing channels for greater success. From using your website as a home base to building an email list, leveraging social media, networking effectively, and optimizing for search engines, Gwen shares how each aspect of your marketing works together to help you grow your business. Discover actionable insights to stop relying solely on one platform ...
Jan 13, 2025•8 min•Ep. 60
Key Takeaways: 1. Video Marketing: The Leading Trend for 2025 Why Video is a Game-Changer: Builds instant trust and connection through facial expressions and voice tone. Showcases your personality and work style better than text alone. Short-Form Video Dominates: Platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and LinkedIn are focusing on short-form content. Start with a captivating “hook” to grab attention in the first few seconds. Tailor content to your audience—educate, entertain, or inspire in conci...
Jan 12, 2025•15 min•Ep. 67
Feeling overwhelmed in your business? You’re not alone. In this episode, marketing strategist Gwen Montoya shares practical strategies for managing overwhelm, prioritizing your tasks, and staying focused. Gwen introduces her step-by-step flowchart to help you make better decisions about where to put your energy, from handling communication to tackling shiny new ideas. Whether you’re juggling too many responsibilities or just need a clear direction, this episode will help you feel more confident ...
Jan 06, 2025•8 min•Ep. 59
In this episode, marketing strategist Gwen Montoya walks listeners through the ins and outs of Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business). From setting up and optimizing your profile to leveraging it as a powerful tool for local visibility, Gwen shares actionable advice for small business owners looking to make a great first impression online. If you've ever wondered how to get started or make the most of your Google Business listing, this episode is for you. What You'll Learn in This...
Dec 30, 2024•8 min•Ep. 58
In this episode, host Gwen Montoya dives into the challenges of relying solely on social media for business marketing and explores alternative strategies to promote and grow your business. From building a strong email list to leveraging in-person networking, Gwen shares actionable tips to create a diversified marketing plan that complements your social media efforts. Whether you're feeling burned out by algorithm changes or looking for long-term strategies, this episode is packed with insights t...
Dec 23, 2024•7 min•Ep. 57
In this episode of Adventures in Marketing , Gwen Montoya dives into the importance of giving yourself permission to experiment in your business. Feeling stuck, bored, or uninspired? Gwen explores how trying something new—from tweaking your offers to reaching new audiences—can reignite your passion and creativity. Learn how curiosity and low-risk experimentation can bring fresh energy to your business without the need to “burn it all down.” What You’ll Learn in This Episode : Why business owners...
Dec 11, 2024•9 min•Ep. 56
Are you wondering how to market your business before opening? Starting a new business is one of the most exciting and challenging adventures you can take. But once you’ve checked off the basics—like setting up your website, creating your social media accounts, and securing your location—how do you effectively market your business before it officially opens? Whether you’re a small business owner launching a brick-and-mortar store or an online service, I’ll share practical, actionable strategies t...
Nov 27, 2024•11 min•Ep. 55
In this episode, we'll talk about the value of refreshing your marketing strategy to ensure your business stays resilient and ahead of challenges. Whether you're aiming for exponential growth or a solid foundation, this episode will inspire you to take a closer look at your marketing. What You’ll Learn: Declining Leads or Sales: How to spot early signs that your marketing isn’t as effective as it used to be and why curiosity is the best response. Adapting to Algorithm Changes: The impact of shif...
Nov 16, 2024•8 min•Ep. 54
While tiny steps might not be glamorous or make for exciting sales copy, they are essential for sustainable progress when it comes to marketing your small business. Remember: You don't need to have everything perfectly mapped out to start; taking the first step is crucial. Small, consistent actions add up over time and can lead to substantial results. Adapt your marketing efforts to fit your personal workflow and energy levels. For more tips and insights on making marketing less intimidating, vi...
Jun 20, 2024•10 min•Ep. 53
In this episode, Gwen shares how you can turn website visitors into happy customers. She covers making your website easy to navigate and engaging right from the start. Learn why it's crucial to have your most important info where visitors expect it. Gwen also explores the essentials of building trust through consistent branding and error-free pages, using language that speaks to your audience, and leveraging analytics to tailor your content perfectly. You'll get practical tips on boosting your s...
Apr 27, 2024•23 min•Ep. 52
As much as we'd love for our friends and family to be as excited about our business as we are, it doesn't always work that way. So what do you say to someone who can't resist telling you how bad your business idea is or sends you every scary small business article they come across? In this episode Gwen shares quick tips and ideas to help you manage unsupportive friends and family. Want more marketing support? Become an AIM member Connect with me on TikTok Interested in working together? Start wi...
Oct 16, 2023•12 min•Ep. 51
What do you do when you've lost your groove and how do you get it back? In this episode Gwen shares quick tips and ideas to help you rediscover your groove! Want more marketing support? Become an AIM member Connect with me on TikTok Interested in working together? Start with my intake form here. Learn more about the Build Your Marketing Muscles membership group. More ways to connect: Website: www.gwenmontoya.com TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@gmontoyapdx YouTube: www.youtube.com/gwenmontoya Instagram: ...
Sep 19, 2023•8 min•Ep. 50
If you're struggling with Instagram right now, you're not alone! In this podcast episode, we'll talk about the different areas of Instagram (the main feed, Stories, Reels, and the explore page) and how Instagram ranks content for each area AND how you can work with the algorithm instead of fighting against it. Want to go deeper? Here's the blog post from Instagram explaining how they rank things. Want to stay up to date on Instagram changes and updates? Follow the Instagram Creator's account or ...
Aug 20, 2023•33 min•Ep. 49
Lack of access to funding is a common challenge for small business owners. I wanted to put something together that was current, accurate, and wasn't an affiliate-link mill or advertisement for one business.So I did! Read the blog post (and find all the links you need) here . If you'd like to explore crowdfunding, check out my crowdfunding episode here . If you're tired of DIY'ing all of your marketing without support, join my Adventures in Marketing Membership group starting at $10/month. There ...
Jul 30, 2023•19 min•Ep. 48
The content you create isn't just meant to fill a slot on your content calendar. It has a job. In this episode, Gwen explains how to create content with purpose, how to track what's working, and how to create content that resonates with your intended audience. Get the Content with Purpose mini-course Become an AIM member Read the blog post version of this podcast episode Connect with me on TikTok Interested in working together? Start with my intake form here. Learn more about the Build Your Mark...
Mar 08, 2023•17 min•Ep. 47
Learn about ChatGPT, and how it can be helpful in streamlining content creation. In this episode Gwen shares ways small businesses can use ChatGPT to their advantage: streamline content creation, improve consistency, and enhance the customer experience. By using ChatGPT to generate ideas and copy for emails, social media, videos, blogs, and more, businesses can save time and focus on other parts of their business. The consistency of content creation can also improve, which can lead to a better c...
Feb 20, 2023•25 min•Ep. 46
The term "content creation" is often overused in marketing but it remains an important aspect of running a business. With so much content to create, it can be overwhelming for business owners. However, with proper planning and organization, the content creation process can be streamlined to be faster and more effective. A content calendar is a useful tool in this process as it helps plan ahead when to post and on which platform. The calendar can also be used to determine the type of content to b...
Feb 13, 2023•21 min•Ep. 45
There's a lot of rush and pressure for small business owners to make quick decisions, always know what is going on, and "be successful". But what if there were another way to look at it? What if you could create goals that suit your own definition of success and work in a way that feels good to you? Interested in learning how we can work together to build a roadmap between where you are now and where you want to go? Complete my intake form here. Interested in working together? Start with my inta...
Dec 28, 2022•10 min•Ep. 44
