(Yes, that means saying ‘NO’ to any more shiny objects!)

You know the feeling…

One minute you’re neck-deep in creating an Instagram Reel, the next you’re updating your LinkedIn banner because someone on a webinar said it matters, and then you’re signing up to yet another AI tool that promises the moon and stars.

We’ve all been there.

But if your marketing isn’t connected to your business goals, it’s not strategy…it’s just very expensive winging it.

So what is Magpie Marketing?

Magpie Marketing is when we chase every new shiny marketing trend, hoping this will be the thing that finally clicks.

Spoiler alert…it rarely does!

It’s the business equivalent of spinning around blindfolded and flinging spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks. Fun to visualise….not a fun outcome.
Sure, it can feel exciting….even productive at times. But what it usually leads to is:

• Scattered energy
• Unfocused messaging
• Zero real results
• Overwhelm sliding headlong into potential burnout

If any of that feels a little too familiar, don’t worry.You’re not alone, and there is a better way.

Step 1: Marketing = The 5P’s

Before you even start doing any marketing, you need to understand the fundamental foundations and what you’re trying to achieve. So knowing the 5P’s of marketing will give you a good starting point:

The 5P’s of Marketing:

• Product is about what you’re actually offering and making sure it solves a real need
• Price isn’t just a number; it needs to reflect the value and positioning of your business
• Place is where and how people access what you offer
• Promotion is all about how you communicate it clearly and effectively, and finally
• People because in most service-based or B2B businesses, it’s the people behind the brand who shape the experience, build trust and drive long-term growth.

So when these 5 key foundations are aligned, your marketing stops feeling random and starts driving real results.

Step 2: What’s Your ‘North Star’ Goal?

Before you post, plan or promote anything, ask yourself:
What do I actually want to achieve in my business and what do I want my content to do?

This is your compass. Your North Star. Your “why the hell am I creating all this content?” moment.

Your marketing should be doing a job, for example:

• growing your audience or database
• bringing in more leads
• building credibility
• launching new offers
• promoting an event

filling your calendar with HOT PROSPECTS or your bank account with SALES!
Write it down, make it real. Whether it’s growing your income by 20% or building a brand that’s known and trusted – clarity here will shape everything that follows.

Without it? You’ll end up a busy fool….creating content that’s nice to read by it’s not generating any results.

Step 3: Know Who You’re Talking To

You can’t sell to everyone and anyone. If you try to do that you will connect and sell to no-one!

Your audience is the lifeblood of your business, so get to know them like they’re your best mate:

• What do they care about?
• What are they struggling with?
• What makes them go “ooh yey, that’s exactly what I need”? and
• Who do you love working with?

When your marketing speaks directly to them (not just about you), that’s when the magic happens. No jargon, no waffle. No fluff. Just real connection.

Step 4: Select the Right Platforms for your Audience (not you!)

Stop trying to be everywhere. You just need to be in the right places.

If your dream clients hang out on LinkedIn – be brilliant there.
If you’re a visual brand and your audience lives on Instagram – go there.
If your strategy involves deeper trust-building – maybe email or podcasts are right for you.

STOP chasing trends just because someone else is doing it.
START showing up where your people already are, with messages that make them say:
“Wow, they get me.”

Also, TikTok dances and trending audios are optional. Gravy on everything is not.

Step 5: Create Content That Actually Resonates – and Stop Hiding (yes, you!)

This is where strategy gets to have a bit of fun.

Your content should always come back to your goals / your North Star. That means:

• Want more sales? Show how your product or service solves real problems.
• Want more trust? Share stories, testimonials, behind-the-scenes moments.
• Want more awareness? Let people see you and what you stand for.

Content doesn’t have to be salesy to sell. It just has to connect.

Remember….people buy from people they like, trust and relate to. Let your marketing reflect the real you … not a watered-down, corporate version.

And yes, that also means we need to see your face!

If you’re the face of your business, there’s absolutely no point in hiding behind fancy graphics or reels. Your potential customers want to see YOU, get to know you, like you and connect with you. Once they do, they’ll more than likely buy from you.

But if you stay in hiding because you’re a bit shy or you don’t like your photo being taken, then you’re not doing your business any justice, and you’re losing out on sales big time!

Think about the last time you bought from someone…I bet you’d Googled them, checked out their website, their social media AND knew what they looked like before you got in touch and gave them your money!

Your customers are no different and will check you out in exactly the same way too! So get out there and help your customers find you.

Step 6: Measure. Reflect. Tweak. Repeat.

Marketing isn’t a one-and-done thing. It’s a living, breathing, evolving part of your business.

You have to measure it:

• Are you hitting those juicy KPIs?
• Are your leads increasing?
• Is engagement growing?
• Are your conversion rates doing a little happy dance?

If something’s working, great. Do more of it.
If not? Tweak, test and try again.
Strategy isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress with purpose.

Strategy vs Spray-and-Pray

Finally, marketing should feel like a natural extension of your business….not a random to-do list of trendy tactics.

When it’s aligned with your goals, rooted in your values and made with your audience in mind – that’s when results start rolling in.

Pleeease promise me – they’ll be no more winging it! No more wasting time on looking at the nice shiny stuff – just concentrate ALL your time and effort on what works and your North Star!

Want support?

If your marketing currently feels a bit chaotic and not getting you the results you need in your business, I’d love to help.

Book a FREE 30-minute Discovery Call with me HERE

Or take my FREE Quiz: “Find the Gaps in your Marketing & Fix them FAST” and get a personalised report within minutes so you know exactly where to focus your efforts.

You’ve got goals, now let’s make sure your marketing actually helps you reach them.

Rachelle x

Founder of The Yorkshire Marketing Company
Award Winning Marketing Strategist | Accredited Marketing Mentor