How to Tell If Your Marketing Is Working — Even Without Fancy Reports
Introduction
You’ve paid for a flyer. You’ve posted on Facebook. Maybe you’ve even asked someone to “do marketing.”
But how do you know if any of it is actually working?
Most small business owners don’t have time (or interest) to sit in front of charts and dashboards — and that’s OK.
In this post, we’ll show you five clear ways to know if your marketing is doing its job — no jargon, no confusion, no guessing.
The Problem
A lot of small businesses stop marketing because they don’t think it’s working. But the truth is:
- They never set a clear goal in the first place
- They don’t know what to measure
- They give up before the results show up
Marketing can take time — but if you’re doing it right, there are early signs that show it’s moving in the right direction.
Let’s break down what those signs are.
5 Ways to Tell If Your Marketing Is Working
1. More people are hearing about you
Are you getting more calls, emails or messages that start with “I saw your post…” or “My friend recommended you…”?
Even if they haven’t bought yet, this is a sign that awareness is building — and that’s essential.
2. You’re getting better enquiries
Are your enquiries more relevant? Are people clearer on what you do and what they’re looking for?
That means your message is landing with the right people.
3. You’re being remembered
Do customers say things like, “I’ve been meaning to get in touch” or “I keep seeing your name”?
That’s the power of marketing consistency — even when it’s quiet, it’s working in the background.
4. Your team has more to say
If your assistant or team member can now explain what makes your business different — and they’re using it in emails or calls — that’s a win.
5. Sales are easier (even if they’re not higher yet)
Marketing isn’t just about more sales — it’s about smoother ones.
If people already trust you before they speak to you, they’re easier to convert.
What to Avoid
Don’t measure success by “likes” or “followers” alone.
Don’t stop too early — marketing builds over time.
Instead, focus on progress, consistency and alignment:
Are you speaking to the right people, with the right message, in the right places?
If yes — the results will come.
Call to Action
Want your marketing to start working — and keep working?
Start with Level 1 of Your Marketing Coach: Small Business Marketing Essentials.
It helps your assistant understand what to say, who to say it to, and how to make your business stand out.
👉 Explore the Program
👉 Or Book a Call with Rachael
About Your Marketing Coach
Your Marketing Coach provides a practical training program designed to help small and medium-sized businesses get better results from their marketing — by training the person you've already hired to do it.
It’s created by Rachael Ward — a Chartered Marketer with 30 years of experience helping businesses grow. Rachael works as a part-time Chief Marketing Officer across the UK for small-medium sized businesses and built this program after seeing assistants asked to “do marketing” without support or direction.
The course is made for the real world — no complicated theory, no overwhelming jargon. Just helpful tools, video modules, printable worksheets, and built-in support through a custom AI assistant trained on the course content.
It’s practical, proven, and built for businesses like yours.
