Market This: The Marketing Podcast for Small Business Owners

Lindsay Smith
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Marketing doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Hosted by Lindsay Smith , award-winning journalist turned copywriter and marketing strategist. Market This is the podcast for small business owners who want to stop chasing trends and finally create a marketing plan that works. Each week, Lindsay shares practical tips, honest conversations, and real stories that help you simplify your marketing, connect with your audience, and grow your business without burning out. If you’ve ever thought, “I don’t have time for marketing,” or “I don’t even know where to start,” this show is for you. 👉 Subscribe now and learn how to market your business with less stress and more strategy. 🎙 New episodes every Tuesday! 

  1. DEC 17

    S1 #11: 5 Marketing Lessons I’m Taking Into 2026

    In this episode, I’m reflecting on the five marketing lessons that shaped my business this year and the mindset shifts I’m carrying into 2026. Nothing trendy. Nothing complicated. Just the fundamentals that actually move the needle for small business owners. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by marketing, tempted to chase shiny tactics, or stuck winging it and hoping for the best, this one’s for you. In this episode, I talk about: Why consistency beats complexity (even when your brain wants to do everything at once)Why clear messaging matters more than how much content you createHow your offers and services are supposed to evolve as your business growsWhy community and relationships can move your business faster than any marketing tacticWhy you can’t wing it forever and how clarity creates confidenceI also share personal stories from my own business, including what I shelved this year, what I doubled down on, and why having a plan (even a simple one) changes everything. Grab my FREE marketing checklist for small business owners. This episode was mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio.

    15 min

  2. DEC 10

    S1 #10: How to Make Social Media Actually Feel Fun Again With Kat Tepylo Murphy

    If social media feels overwhelming, performative, noisy, or like one more thing you “should” be doing, this episode will feel like a deep exhale. I’m joined by Kat Tepylo Murphy, social media strategist, content coach, and community builder for makers, Main Streeters, and hometown service providers. Kat’s whole mission is to make social media doable, joyful, and effective especially for small business owners who do not want to live on Instagram. We talk about what actually matters on social right now, why trends aren’t everything, how to stop overthinking your content, and the three types of posts every small business owner needs. We also get into burnout, boundaries, creativity, and why all your best ideas show up when you’re walking the dog or taking a shower. If you’ve ever wanted to throw your phone in a river, delete Instagram, or move to the woods, Kat has some very refreshing strategies for you. In this episode, we cover • How to create content that feels enjoyable (instead of forced)  • The three core categories of social content every business needs  • Why one post is never enough (and why repetition is your friend)  • What metrics actually matter for small business owners • How to repurpose content without anyone noticing • When trends help and when to ignore them • How to set boundaries so social media doesn’t take over your life • The personal sharing line and how to choose what you keep private About Kat Kat is the strategist behind Social Kat Media, helping small-town and local business owners show up online without feeling glued to their phones. She’s here to make marketing feel human, fun, and totally doable. Find her on Instagram at @socialkatmedia and learn more about her membership, The Social With Kat Club. Grab my FREE marketing checklist for small business owners. This episode was mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio.

    38 min

  3. DEC 3

    S1 #9: Are You Making These Common Marketing Mistakes?

    Today I'm walking you through the marketing red flags I see every single day in the wild. Especially with small, service-based and local businesses. No shame or judgment! Just some loving truth-telling from your favourite copywriter and marketing strategist. In this episode, I cover: The #1 website mistake almost every small business makes (and how to fix it)Why repeating the same message in different ways confuses your audienceHow your website ends up looking like a brochure — and what to do insteadWhy your calls to action matter more than you thinkWhat clear CTA copy looks like (and why “clever” usually hurts conversions)How unclear messaging stops people from ever hiring youWhy showing up only when you're selling is sabotaging your marketingWhat “nurture content” actually means for small businesses✨ Website & Marketing Audits If your website feels confusing or messy, I can audit your copy, layout, and user experience so you know exactly what to fix. Learn more: Marketing Audit Grab my FREE marketing checklist for small business owners. This episode was mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio.

    20 min

  4. NOV 26

    S1 #8: What No One Tells You About Leaving the 9–5 With Shannon Russell

    If you've been thinking about leaving your 9–5 for something that actually feels good to run or you've already started a business but you're still carrying that corporate butt-in-the-seat mindset, this episode is for you.  This week, I’m joined by Shannon Russell, former MTV and E! television producer turned business coach, franchise owner, author of Start Your Second Act, and host of the Second Act Success podcast. Her story is so relatable for anyone who’s ever had that “Is this really it?” moment. We talk about: The catalyst that pushed Shannon out of her dream job and into entrepreneurshipWhy researching your business idea matters way more than you think How to figure out if your idea actually has a market (before you build it)The wildly overlooked transferable skills you’re probably forgetting you haveThe biggest mindset shift women need when going from employee → entrepreneurWhy so many women undercharge and how to break the habitRunning a business without showing your face  What Shannon learned from running (and selling) her brick-and-mortar franchiseHow fear shows up in entrepreneurship… and why doing the scary thing anyway changes everything PLUS: We share a behind-the-scenes peek at the Business Refresh Summit we’re hosting It's a free 4-day experience designed to help small business owners simplify their plans, feel confident going into Q1, and build momentum without the burnout. How to connect with Shannon: Shannon’s website: secondactsuccess.coShannon’s book: Start Your Second ActShannon's podcast: Second Act SuccessJoin the FREE Business Refresh Summit!  Grab my FREE marketing checklist for small business owners. This episode was mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio.

    39 min

  5. NOV 19

    S1 #7: When to Hire a Copywriter (And When Not To)

    Welcome back to Market This.  Today I'm breaking down when it’s time to hire a copywriter and just as importantly, when it’s not. As a copywriter and marketing strategist, I’m walking you through: The signs you’ve officially outgrown your DIY copyWhy good copywriting is more than “making words sound pretty”What actually happens behind the scenes when a copywriter takes overThe emotional side of messaging (yes, it matters!)Why you’re too close to your business to write everything yourselfWhen a copywriter can’t help you yetAnd the difference between refreshing copy vs writing from scratchIf you're feeling stuck, scattered, or unsure what to say anymore… this episode will help you figure out your next step. Not quite sure if you're ready to hire a copywriter? Start with my marketing audit! Grab my FREE marketing checklist for small business owners. This episode was mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio.

    21 min

  6. NOV 12

    S1 #6: Stop Ghosting Your Audience: Let’s Talk Nurture Content

    There’s always going to be a need for promo and sales content but if that’s all you’re doing, you’re probably missing the one thing that actually turns browsers into buyers: nurture content. In this episode, I'm talking about what nurture content really is (and what it’s not), how it builds trust between your visibility and your sales, and why ghosting your audience between promos or sales could be costing you clients. You’ll learn: What nurture content does that promo content can’tHow to write emails people actually reply toWhy storytelling is your most powerful nurture toolThe simple framework for writing nurture emails that connect and convertHow to weave subtle CTAs into your nurture emails without feeling pushyIf you’re ready to build real relationships, and turn your audience into long-term customers, this episode is for you.  Grab my FREE marketing checklist for small business owners. This episode was mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio.

    11 min

  7. NOV 5

    S1 #5: Don’t Waste Money on Ads (Until You Do This First)

    This week I’m joined by Melissa Litchfield, founder of Litchfield Media, to talk about what you really need to have in place before you hit “publish” on that Facebook or Instagram ad. We’re breaking down: What a paid ad actually is (and why Meta loves your money)Why your website has to convert before you run adsHow to use the Bath & Body Works funnel analogy to understand customer journeysThe tech you absolutely need (hello, tracking pixels and cookies)How to stretch a $300 ad budget and still see resultsAnd why your copy is what does the real sellingMelissa also shares smart ways to retarget warm leads, test ad creative, and know if your ads are working without wasting a ton of time or cash. If you’ve ever thought about running ads but have no idea where to start, this episode is your crash course in doing it the right way. Listen now and learn how to make your ads work so you’re not just paying for clicks, you’re paying for conversions. Connect with Melissa! Instagram: @litchfieldmedia Threads: @litchfieldmedia LinkedIn: Melissa Litchfield Free ad resource: Proven Pixel Permit Grab my FREE marketing checklist for small business owners. This episode was mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio.

    35 min

  8. OCT 29

    S2 #4: What Marketing Actually Is (and What It’s Not)

    So… what is marketing, really? It’s become such a buzzword that it’s almost lost all meaning, especially if you’re a small business owner just trying to get your name out there without losing your mind. In this episode, I’m breaking down what marketing actually means and not in guru-speak or corporate lingo, but in real, human terms. I’m sharing what I learned back in my ad agency days, and how that world translates to what you do as a small business owner wearing all the hats. We’ll talk about: Why social media is just one tiny piece of your marketing puzzleWhat marketing really boils down to (hint: it’s simply how you advertise what you do)Why your website, emails, and even conversations are part of your marketingHow to figure out where your clients are actually coming from and go all in thereWhy you want a copy-led marketing expert If you’ve ever felt like marketing your business is a full-time job you didn’t sign up for, this episode is going to take a huge weight off your shoulders. Grab my Free Marketing Foundations Checklist!  This podcast is produced, mixed, and edited by Cardinal Studio Grab my FREE marketing checklist for small business owners. This episode was mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio.

    18 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Marketing doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Hosted by Lindsay Smith , award-winning journalist turned copywriter and marketing strategist. Market This is the podcast for small business owners who want to stop chasing trends and finally create a marketing plan that works. Each week, Lindsay shares practical tips, honest conversations, and real stories that help you simplify your marketing, connect with your audience, and grow your business without burning out. If you’ve ever thought, “I don’t have time for marketing,” or “I don’t even know where to start,” this show is for you. 👉 Subscribe now and learn how to market your business with less stress and more strategy. 🎙 New episodes every Tuesday! 

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