FAQ

Most small businesses and nonprofits jump into marketing tactics without a solid plan—leading to wasted time and budget. We focus on strategy first, helping you clarify your audience, refine your message, and build a plan that actually drives results. No more guessing, just smart, intentional marketing.

Agencies charge premium rates for execution, we know, we have been part of them - and we have attended our fair share of office parties, happy hours and received other fringe benefits. But, if the strategy isn’t right, you’re paying for work (and cocktails) that won’t get results. We focus on strategy first—so whether you execute in-house or hire support, you’re investing in what actually moves the needle, not just busywork.

We do more than just tell you what to do—we guide you through a structured process that makes implementation easy. By asking the right questions and helping you organize your team’s knowledge and customer insights, we create a meaningful framework for action. Whether it’s refining your messaging, choosing the right marketing channels, or improving tracking, we provide the strategic clarity you need to execute with confidence.

Sure, you could—but that’s the fastest way to burn money. Without a strategy, you’re just hoping something sticks. We help you avoid costly trial and error by showing you where to focus, what will actually work for your business, and how to get the most out of your efforts.

Our program is designed to be flexible and results-driven, so the time frame depends on your pace and business needs. Most of our clients see major strategic shifts within the first few months. But, to fully implement and refine your marketing strategy, we recommend at least five to eight months of guided support.

That said, marketing isn’t a one-and-done effort—it’s about continually listening to your customers and the market, adapting to new competitors, and staying ahead of changing dynamics. The best approach is to run strategy conversations as an ongoing practice to ensure you’re always making informed, competitive moves.

If your team is currently doing any communications are marketing work, then no! In fact, it’s the opposite. We help you simplify and prioritize, so you’re not wasting time on things that don’t move the needle. You’ll get a clear plan, easy-to-follow steps, and guidance to make marketing feel manageable—not overwhelming. If your team isn’t doing marketing, then maybe a little - but here’s the thing, marketing is a core business driver and your team should all be marketing all the time.

That’s exactly why we exist. Instead of overpaying for an agency or wasting money on scattered tactics, we help you create a smart, cost-effective strategy. You’ll get expert guidance without the hefty price tag, so every dollar goes further.

Not at all. We focus on strategy—not upselling services you don’t need. How can we promise this? Simple, we don’t have those services to sell you. If you have a go-to designer, a favorite print shop, or even your best friend's neighbor building your website, great! We help you build a strong marketing strategy, we don’t mind who you decide to use to execute it - with all the low costs and free tools out there, we say - go for it! We know, slightly refreshing to hear, right?

We get it. Marketing can feel like throwing money into a black hole. That’s exactly why we start with strategy. No guessing, no random tactics—just a clear plan that aligns with your goals and helps you make smarter decisions. You’ll know exactly why something works before you spend a dime.

We totally get it! You brief an agency, they ask some questions, maybe even interview your team, then disappear behind closed doors. They research, pull data, survey customers, maybe even hand you a SWOT analysis… and for what? Your team still struggles to gain alignment. Then comes the flashy creative plan, a polished presentation, and a media buy—you’ve already sunk thousands (or many thousands) into it, and it still doesn’t feel right.

Sound familiar? That’s exactly why we stepped in. Instead of an outside agency handing you a strategy you don’t fully own, we teach you how to build it yourself—alongside your team and your customers. The people who know your business best shape the strategy, so it actually sticks. We take the same strategic process agencies keep hidden and give you the tools to compete, adapt, and own your marketing every step of the way.

Every business is different, but having a clear strategy in place means you stop wasting time on guesswork and start making smarter decisions right away. Some changes bring quick wins, while others build momentum over time—but the goal is always sustainable, long-term growth that actually works.

Absolutely. We help you maximize what you already have—your team, your tools, and your existing efforts—so you’re not constantly spending on new platforms or outsourcing to agencies that don’t get your business results. Our approach is about working smarter, with the team you already have. Everyone can chip in, as they say, if there’s time to lean, there’s time to….do marketing (doesn’t rhyme but it’s still true).

Yes, we know (well, we sort of can guess)—Heather is a tad difficult to see eye to eye with, George and Kevin are always aligned, but Susan? Not so much. We’ve seen it all, and that’s exactly why our process works. Instead of endless debates, we cut through the noise with data, customer insights, and clear business goals so your team isn’t making decisions based on who speaks the loudest. Everyone’s voice matters, but the strategy we build together will be rooted in what actually drives results.

Here’s a simple way to align even the skeptics—ask each team member:

What’s the one thing we know about our customer without question?

This shifts the conversation from opinions to real insights, creating a shared foundation for strategy. Instead of chasing subjective, tactical noise, your team will focus on what truly matters to your customers.

Protecting your proprietary information is one of our top priority. We operate with strict confidentiality and are happy to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) to formalize that commitment. Your data, strategies, and internal discussions remain secure and are used solely to develop solutions for your business and ONLY your business. Additionally, while we’ve never needed it, we carry up to $1 million in professional liability coverage—an extra layer of protection to give our clients full confidence in working with us. Transparency, trust, and discretion are at the core of how we operate. We do not share our client list publicly nor do we share any client data without the written approval from our clients. Any information we share publicly, including but not limited to testimonials, are first approved by our clients and anonymized, if requested, to protect who we work with.

We can’t promise you’ll get a standing ovation at your next meeting, but you will have a clear, smart strategy that actually works. So yeah… you might just look like a genius. 😏

Nope. We focus on practical strategy your team can actually apply. If it doesn’t make sense or feel useful, we’re not doing our job right.

Fair question. We get it—there’s a lot of noise out there. But here’s the difference: we don’t just hand you a plan; we teach you how to build one.

Let’s back up and think of an example: you’re about to make your grandma’s secret recipe. Sure, a restaurant might try to replicate it, but only you know the little tweaks that make it perfect. The same goes for marketing strategy—agencies can give you a plan, but no one understands your business like you do. That’s why we help you build it yourself, so it actually fits your needs.

We believe that if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. We empower you with the tools, the right questions, and expert guidance so you can do it better than anyone else (because we know you’re the best person for the job)—with our pros by your side.

It’s literally in our name: Marketing WITH Pros.

We can’t promise you’ll never say “synergy” again, but you’ll actually know what works, why it works, and how to talk about it without the fluff. Sure, some marketing terms will come up, but here, they actually mean something. We focus on real strategy, not empty buzzwords, so your marketing isn’t just talk—it’s built to deliver results.