“Do I really need to do marketing… or can I just keep posting on Instagram?”

Spoiler: Yes, you do. But it doesn’t need to be overwhelming.

Mary Burridge, founder of The Marketing Mix

Let’s start with something I hear all the time:

“Oh we’ve got marketing covered, we post on Instagram!”

And look, if you’re showing up anywhere, that’s already a win. But if you’re a small business, charity, school, or solo venture trying to get seen, build trust, and drive action… just posting won’t cut it.

In fact, it can actually waste your time if it’s not part of something bigger.

What actually is marketing, then?

Marketing is how you connect with people in a meaningful way, not just where you show up.

That means:

Having a clear brand and message;
Knowing who you’re talking to;
Creating content that speaks to their needs;
Being consistent and measuring what’s working.

If that sounds like a lot, it definitely can be. But it doesn’t have to be.

That’s exactly why I created The Marketing Mix - to help busy people like you build smart, simple marketing foundations that actually make a difference.

So, what’s not enough?

Just being “active” on social.

Just redesigning your logo.

Just doing a leaflet drop once a year.

Just sending a newsletter every few months with “Update from us” in the subject line.

You need a mix of tools that talk to each other.

HERE’S A BETTER APPROACH…

You don’t need to be on TikTok. You don’t need to sound like a robot.

But you do need a plan, a message that makes sense, and a way to track if it’s working.

And that’s where I come in.

At The Marketing Mix, I work with four simple pillars:

PLAN

We get clear on your goals, audience and key messages, so you’re not just guessing.
Example: A Wiltshire-based charity wanting to attract volunteers across multiple generations.

CREATE

From print materials to socials to email copy, I’ll design and write the assets that feel like you - just sharper.
Example: A school needing open day flyers, a web update and a social pack to match.

PROMOTE

Whether it’s social media, local press, digital ads or community outreach, I help you get it seen.
Example: A solo therapist building a referral stream through Instagram and newsletter nurturing.

MEASURE

No more ‘post and hope’. You’ll know what worked, what didn’t and what to improve next time.

If you’re:

A school trying to boost enrolments;
A local business who wants to look more professional;
A charity who’s short on time but full of heart;
A solo venture ready to grow.

Let’s make your marketing make sense, without the fluff, faff or faking it.

Book a free 30-min Clarity Call or just DM me “HELP!” and I’ll talk you through it: mary@themarketingmix.net

Based in Wiltshire | Working remotely UK-wide

#MarketingForSmallBiz #CharityComms #MarketingSimplified #TheMarketingMix

Do I Really Need To Do Marketing?