Marketing? Meh. 10 Excuses That Might Be Holding You Back

Marketing. It’s the thing every business knows they should be doing – but somehow it always gets pushed to the bottom of the pile. 

If you’re running a business, chances are you’re wearing a lot of hats. And when it comes to marketing? You’ve probably said one (or more) of the following: 

• “I don’t have time.” 

• “I’ve tried it, and it didn’t work.” 

• “I’m not a natural at social media.” 

You’re not alone. I hear these reasons every week from business owners who care deeply about what they do – but feel overwhelmed, stuck, or switched off when it comes to putting themselves out there. 

So, here it is…the 10 most common excuses that stop people from marketing their business, and some practical ways to move past them. 

1. “I don’t have time.” 

Running a business is full-on. You’re sorting customers, finances, operations – there’s not much energy left for marketing. 

Try this: Start small. Block out 20 minutes a week for one marketing task – something achievable. It might be replying to LinkedIn comments, sending a customer follow-up, or updating your Google Business profile. Marketing doesn’t need to be time-consuming to be effective. 

2. “I don’t know where to start.” 

Marketing feels overwhelming when you’re bombarded with advice about funnels, hashtags, TikTok trends, and SEO algorithms. 

Try this: Strip it back. Focus on where your customers are. If they’re on LinkedIn, focus there. If most of your work comes from referrals, create content that supports that. One platform. One goal. One clear message. 

3. “I don’t have the budget.” 

The idea that marketing always costs a lot can stop people from doing anything at all. 

Try this: You don’t need a big budget to get results. Use what’s already in your business – testimonials, FAQs, behind-the-scenes stories – and turn them into content. Free tools like Canva, Mailchimp, or your own smartphone are enough to get going. 

4. “I’ve tried it before and it didn’t work.” 

You posted a few things, boosted a Facebook post, maybe ran an ad… and nothing happened. 

Try this: Often it’s not the marketing that failed, it’s the missing strategy behind it. Before you start, ask: Who is this for? What do I want them to do? How will I follow up? Give it time and structure – not just hope and a hashtag. 

5. “I’m not good at writing or being on camera.” 

Not everyone wants to be a content creator. And you don’t have to be. 

Try this: Focus on what feels natural. Talk instead of type. Record short voice notes. Share helpful info in the way you’d explain it to a client. If creating content really isn’t your thing, there are people (like me) who can help with that. 

6. “It feels salesy or cringey.” 

Some marketing is cringey – but yours doesn’t have to be. 

Try this: Think about the kind of content your customers would stop and read. That’s what you’re aiming for. Be useful. Be honest. Show your personality. Marketing works best when it sounds like a real person talking, not a corporate script. 

7. “My business grows through word of mouth.” 

That’s brilliant – but relying only on referrals puts you on the back foot when things go quiet. 

Try this: Use marketing to support and grow your word of mouth. Share testimonials. Ask for reviews. Create content that makes it easier for people to recommend you. Word of mouth is great – but it’s even better when it’s intentional. 

8. “I don’t have anything interesting to say.” 

You might not think your day-to-day work is all that exciting – but to someone who needs your help, it’s exactly what they want to hear. 

Try this: Start with the questions you’re always asked. What do people misunderstand about what you do? What’s one piece of advice you give all the time? That’s content. Simple, relevant and relatable. 

9. “I don’t understand social media / SEO / email marketing.” 

The jargon and platforms can feel overwhelming, especially if this isn’t your comfort zone. 

Try this: You don’t have to understand everything. Pick one channel that suits your audience and your style, and learn enough to use it well. The rest? You can outsource, automate, or ignore (at least for now). 

10. “I just want to focus on what I’m good at.” 

Totally fair – but if no one knows how good you are, they won’t buy from you. 

Try this: Marketing is what brings in more of the work you actually want to do. It doesn’t have to be constant, but it does need to be consistent. Just enough to keep you visible to the right people. 

Final thought 

If any of these excuses sound familiar, that’s okay. You’re not failing at marketing – you just haven’t found a way of doing it that works for you yet. 

Marketing isn’t about being everywhere or doing everything. It’s about showing up, in your own way, for the people who need what you offer. 

If you’d like help cutting through the jargon and getting clear on what will actually work for your business, we’d love to help. 

Want to feel more confident about your marketing? Whether you need a Power Hour, a DIY plan, or someone to take it off your plate – we can help you get unstuck.