Marketing often feels like too many steps, too many platforms, and not enough time. Tech can be messy, content can feel endless, and the pressure to network constantly can be draining—especially if it isn’t your thing. My goal is to help you find what’s enjoyable and doable to make marketing easy and fun so it stops feeling heavy and actually works.

This post is the third pillar of my Joy First Business Model. In the model, everything is rooted in what energizes you and what you can realistically do—your actual capacity, including time, mental health, and any physical or hormonal realities.

In Vision, we define where you’re going and shape offers based on your values, energizers, and capacity (see Episode 181). In Operations, we design the day-to-day around priorities that make the best use of your time (see Episode 182). Today is Marketing—how you share your message and make sales based on your personality, energizers, and actual capacity.

Make Marketing Easy and Fun Using The Three Parts of Joy-First Marketing

Know Your Audience

The first step is knowing your audience. If you want your message to land, you need to understand their questions, their objections, their challenges, and their dreams. The simplest way to learn this is to run a market research survey or hop on a few short calls. I used a Google Form and shared it everywhere—email list, social media, DMs, and in person. I’ve gathered around 70 responses and I’m aiming for 100 because the data is invaluable. Before you share your survey, decide who you’re speaking to. For me, it’s creative business owners with ADHD; yours might be niche-specific or values-based. Share widely and ethically, and use the real words your audience gives you to shape your content.

Clarify Your Message

The second step is clarifying your message. Most people keep their message too vague. Market research helps you get specific so you can clearly explain who you serve, what you do, when and where you do it, why you do it, and how you do it. I love Tracy Stanger’s Simple Human Selling framework for this. Your why usually pulls people in the most. My why is personal: traditional strategies pushed me into burnout and a mental health crisis, so I now coach in ways that protect wellbeing first. The how matters too—many folks struggle with implementation because of distraction, too many ideas, or systems that don’t fit their brain. Show them how your process helps.

Share Your Message with Your Audience

The third step is sharing your message with your audience. Tracy breaks this down into four simple moves: meet new people, build relationships, tell them about your offer, and ask for the sale. You need all four, and you can do them live (in person or virtual) or asynchronously through content.

Showing Up In Person or Live Online

Start by asking where your audience hangs out. Use your network, local groups, and Facebook communities (follow the rules) to find them. I’ve loved groups like Rising Tide Society, local business events, and membership communities. You don’t have to attend everything or force yourself into spaces you dislike. If coworking drains you, skip it. If one networking meeting a month is your capacity, that’s enough. People can feel when you don’t want to be there, so choose the rooms that fit your energy and personality.

Online Marketing That Actually Feels Good

Here’s the most important question: How do you actually like to create content? You don’t have to be on every platform. Choose the medium you enjoy and that fits your capacity—visual, written, audio, or video; short or long form. I love voice and writing, so a podcast is natural for me. Create in your favorite medium first, then decide the best place to share that message. When you like how you’re creating, consistency becomes possible.

Protecting creative time matters. I plan a no-meetings week each month, stack most meetings on Mondays and Tuesdays, and keep other days open for deep work. My husband and I are also starting daily library sessions to write at least 200 words. That small, consistent habit keeps me clear for blogs, the podcast, and content for The Dream Biz Lab. Choose formats that fit your schedule. If you have limited time, short-form video or bite-size posts are your friend.

What to Create (Without Overthinking It)

Start with what you want to create, then share it where it makes the most sense. Keep it useful and human. A simple content mix works well:

• Center your client: answer real questions, bust common myths, and offer quick wins.
• Center your story: share your why and clarify your message (who/what/when/where/why/how).
• Share the basics of your offer: what it is, how it works, and how to start.

Spread these ideas across multiple posts or pieces. Don’t cram everything into one mega-post.

Repurpose Relentlessly

Say the same thing in different words—or sometimes reshare the exact same post. Most followers won’t see everything, and repetition builds clarity. I genuinely believe I sold out my founding member spots for The Dream Biz Lab because I kept sharing until I hit my goal (I even passed it with 11 members). If you worry about being annoying, notice how others sell to you. Often, it isn’t annoying at all. And if it is, you probably weren’t their person anyway—use that insight to refine your own approach.

Consistency doesn’t mean posting daily; it means repeating your core message over time.

Make Marketing Easy and Fun by Ditching the Shoulds and Choosing Play

Operating from “should” creates shame and stalls momentum. Ask better questions: What do I want to create? Why is this message important? How can I share it with the right people within my capacity? Small steps count. Share one tiny piece of content today, or go to one networking meetup this month. Your capacity is valid.

A simple cycle to keep you moving: know your audience, know your message, share your message—then repeat.

Quick Start for This Week

• Pick one medium you actually enjoy.
• Block one protected creation window.
• Draft one short audience survey (or book one research call).
• Publish one post that answers a real audience question.
• Reshare something that performed well.

Want Support That Fits Your Brain?

I’m opening two spots in September for 1:1 Slack Coaching (three months). You’ll get unlimited voice/text messages in Slack (with transcriptions on the free plan), and I’ll reply once per business day during office hours. Together we’ll refine your Vision, Operations, and Marketing—rooted in your values, energizers, and actual capacity. This is perfect if you like to talk it out, want daily support, or need clear, doable next steps (sometimes the next step is rest).

Learn more and apply: christijohnsoncreative.com/slack