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Rebel Soul Media Musings

Computer screen and the text "Why Your Marketing Isn’t Working Even When you Hire a Digital Marketing Consultant

When you hire a digital marketing consultant, designer, or launch coach, you're not just buying a website or a plan; you're buying years of experience, industry understanding, and a proven process designed to help you succeed.


And you’re not buying guaranteed results. There, I said it.


After 20+ years in the online business world - and the last six months inside my own digital marketing agency, RebelSoul Media - I’ve noticed something consistent:

Trends change. Algorithms change. Tools change.

But the foundational principles of good marketing? Those stay the same.


The minute you start trying to think “outside the box” in a way that abandons those fundamentals, that’s where businesses fall into one of two problems:


  1. Strategy failure

  2. Manipulative, slimy tactics that feel out of integrity


Today we’re breaking down:

✔ What a digital marketer actually is

✔ How they help you

✔ And how to get the most out of your investment (so your marketing strategy has a real chance to work)


What Is a Digital Marketer? (And What Do They Actually Do?)


When you’re building an online business, crafting your offer, and preparing to launch, you may find yourself wondering:


“What is a digital marketer - and what can they help me with?”


A digital marketer is a multi-disciplinary strategist with expertise across areas like:

  • Website design

  • Branding + messaging

  • Offer creation

  • Launch strategy

  • Email marketing

  • Funnel planning

  • Social media content strategy

  • Search engine optimization (SEO)


Most digital marketers (myself included) specialize in one or two core areas - mine are (web design, launch strategy, and SEO) but still have broad experience across the entire digital ecosystem.


The right digital marketing consultant understands:

✔ How customers actually behave online

✔ What makes a homepage convert

✔ How to map out your client journey

✔ How to build a marketing funnel that makes sense

✔ How to use platforms and tools to automate and streamline your business


And perhaps most importantly:They know how to translate your brand into clear, compelling language that speaks directly to your target audience.


Yes - you can (and should) have more than one client avatar.Yes - your messaging needs to adapt for each of them.And no - this is not something most business owners naturally know how to do without guidance.


You Hire a Digital Marketer For Their Years of Digital Marketing Experience NOT Just Their Deliverables. 


If you hire an expert… trust the expert. They have years of digital marketing experience. Which likely means you don’t. And that’s okay; that’s why you hired them.


This isn’t about giving your power away.It’s about trusting the process you invested in.


If you hire a web designer → trust their layout logic.

If you hire a strategist → trust their launch plan.

If you hire a coach → trust their framework.


Of course, you should speak up.You should collaborate.You should ask questions.

But here’s the hard truth:

You cannot outsource expertise and then override it with panic.

This is where so many entrepreneurs sabotage their own marketing strategy.


I’ve seen it countless times:

  • Hiring a digital marketer… then not following the strategy

  • Crowdsourcing opinions from friends who “made money online”

  • Deleting essential website sections

  • Watering down your messaging

  • Avoiding talking about your offer during a launch

  • Patchworking ideas from 12 different influencers

  • Rewriting their homepage every time someone else posts a big win


And then wondering why there’s no traction.


Here’s why this doesn’t work:


Marketing strategies require consistency. Not constant changes. Not panicked pivots. Not “I saw someone else do this so I should too.” Not last-minute rewrites based on fear instead of data.


Every piece of your marketing has a job:

  • A homepage introduces your brand, your credibility, your offers, and your next steps.

  • A sales page sells one specific offer and nothing else.

  • Your content builds awareness and trust, not confusion.


When you take the advice of five different business owners, each using completely different models? You end up with a franken-strategy that contradicts itself and confuses your audience.


When you post content that tries to appeal to everyone? You end up appealing to no one and your ideal client scrolls right past you.


When you strip your homepage down to a single button? Your audience gets zero context, zero trust-building, and zero reason to stay.


When you avoid talking about your offer because you’re scared of being “too salesy”? Your audience has no idea what you actually provide, or why they should care.


When you change your direction because a stranger at a dinner party said “you should do X instead”? You override the strategy you invested in and lose the clarity of your brand voice.


When you rebuild your entire funnel every time an influencer posts a big revenue month? You chase trends instead of building a foundation that actually supports long-term success.


When you tweak your copy every other day because you’re second-guessing yourself? Your audience never gets enough repetition to understand your message.


When you delete parts of your funnel because they feel “cringe” or “not ready yet”? You break the customer journey and stop people from being able to move forward.


When you switch platforms, fonts, or messaging mid-launch?

You lose momentum right when your audience is beginning to pay attention.


How Long Should I Give My Strategy Time to Work When I Hire A Digital Marketing Consultant?


This is such a common question, and it comes from a very human place: you want to see momentum. You want to know the investment was worth it.


The truth is, effective digital marketing is built on consistency, patience, and repetition.


Most strategies need 3–6 months of steady implementation before they begin to show measurable results. That’s the time it takes for people to:


  • Recognize your brand

  • Understand your offer

  • Build trust with you

  • See you as credible

  • Feel ready to take the next step


If you change your messaging too often or rebuild your funnel every time you feel discouraged, your audience never gets the chance to catch up.

It’s not about perfection - it’s about letting the work breathe long enough to work for you.


Am I Ready to Hire a Marketing Consultant Near Me?


You deserve a business that works. You deserve a launch that feels grounded and clear.You deserve a website that actually converts your audience into paying clients.


But you won’t get there if you crowd your strategy with outside opinions and override the expert you hired. If you're looking for a marketing consultant near me, choose someone you feel aligned with - and then:


Give them your trust

Give the strategy time

And give yourself permission to stop trying to do it all alone!


When you stay committed (and stop trying to duct-tape random advice together), your results follow.


Ready to elevate your online presence? Download my free website copy planner below for inspiration and tips to craft compelling content that converts! Don't miss out on this valuable resource.


Looking for more? Head over to my website to explore a wide range of digital marketing support resources


Download my FREE resources:

👉 Ready to start planning out your website content? Download My Free Website Copy Guide👉  Got a Website you're not sure about? Book a Free Website Audit


Computer setup displaying a web design screen with bright graphics, promoting Rebel Soul Media’s free website copy planner and free website audit.

New entrepreneur researching how to build a website for a small business

If you’re a new small business owner ready to get your brand out into the world, a big step toward making your business findable online is to FINALLY get your website launched! Getting ready to build your website can feel like a massive undertaking - so take a breath - you don’t need to know everything right away. But you do need to understand a few foundational pieces that will save you time, money, and frustration as you design (or DIY) your home on the internet.


Is Building a Website Easy?


For me? Yes. :) That’s why I do it for a living.And while there’s no real “build a website easy” magic button, it can feel easier for you once you are equipped with the right information and can make the right decisions the first time.


There’s nothing worse than going all in on a web design plan only to find out that the final product isn’t functional for your business; or worse, that you hate the look, the feel, and everything about it.


Lucky for you, there are many different options when it comes to building your website. You can hire a designer like me (which is probably the easiest route). You can buy a template and customize it yourself. Or you can DIY it from scratch - which is not recommended, but always an option.


Here are 9 important things I wish every entrepreneur knew before diving into website building.


The Uses of a Website Go Beyond “Having an Online Presence”


Your website has many uses - and one of the most important uses of a website is giving people a reliable place to learn who you are and how you can help them.


It’s not just a digital business card, although that analogy is helpful. In this age of social media, many people still believe that having an Instagram profile with a link in bio is enough to sell their services or products. But it’s important to understand that while yes, many people will find you through social media, especially if you have a great content strategy - when someone discovers you on Instagram, it’s like they just ran into you at a party for the first time.


Before they ever give you money, they will want to know :

  • Who you really are

  • Whether you’re legitimate

  • If other people are saying good things about you


All of that information should live on your website.


And because not everyone is on social media (and algorithms definitely don’t help you get people off the platform), having a website you own is essential. It’s where you can drive organic Google traffic, educate potential clients, showcase your portfolio, and publish long-form content like blogs.


Your website is the headquarters of your brand - and its final job is to guide a visitor toward taking action: booking, buying, or reaching out.


What Does It Cost to Build a Website?


This is one of the most common questions people bring to my design consult calls. And if you’re just starting out, I’m going to guess your budget isn’t massive.


When planning your build a website cost, here’s what to consider:

  • Designer fees (anywhere from $500 to five figures)

  • Domain name (annual cost)

  • Hosting (monthly or yearly)

  • Templates, apps, plugins, or integrations

  • Email marketing tools

  • E-commerce or digital product add-ons


The days of $20K+ custom-built websites are gone (thank goodness). Technology now makes web design more efficient and more affordable - while still producing high-quality, professional sites.


What About Platforms? Should You Build a Website on Wix? Showit? Shopify? Or Something Else?


There are many CMS (Content Management System) options available. The most common beginner-friendly platforms include:

  • Wix

  • Shopify

  • Squarespace


And even my favourite - Showit.


What I love about these platforms is that DIY updates are easy. You can hire a designer to set it up and then maintain it yourself; which is what I typically do with most of my clients. Many small business owners choose to build a website on Wix because it offers drag-and-drop design, built-in email marketing, blogging, and online course capabilities at a lower cost than many other platforms.


Each platform has its pros and cons, and the best one depends on your business model and long-term vision.


It’s Important to Know the Fundamentals of Web Page Design


Before you DIY your site, familiarize yourself with the fundamentals of webpage design, including:


  • Color theory + contrast

  • Use of white space

  • Simple navigation

  • Mobile responsiveness

  • Clear hierarchy

  • User-friendly layout


A big part of this process is understanding your website’s goals. Is your priority:

  • Getting people to read your blog?

  • Encouraging email sign-ups?

  • Providing quick access to your services?


Design with your target audience’s needs in mind, and keep things simple. Your homepage, especially, is not where people convert — it is where they choose where to go next.


Whether you’ve decided to DIY your website, it’s important to know what type of content you’ll need to populate the template you choose. You can download my free copy guide, where I walk you through much of this. 


A Gentle Reminder About Your Homepage

Your homepage should introduce your brand and lead visitors toward the next step — About page, Services page, Podcast, Blog, or Email Opt-In.


Why a Blog Is Still Your Best Website Blog Strategy


A blog is your best website blog strategy for long-term SEO and discoverability.


With AI shifting how search results appear, Google values:

  • Conversational, natural language

  • Expertise and experience

  • Helpful, human-led content


Blogging shows your authority, builds trust, and helps you answer questions your audience is actively Googling. I’ve been blogging since 2012 and can say confidently — it still works. 


Having a blog strategy in place can be super helpful for product-based businesses too as having a medium where you can speak to the benefits, integration and highlights for each of your products is a great way to educate your audience and invite them to go deeper into your brand.


What You Need to Know Before You Build a Website for E-Commerce


Before building your website e-commerce setup, know that selling products online requires more planning than a simple service website.


You’ll need:

  • Individual product pages

  • A secure checkout flow

  • Shipping + tax setup

  • Payment processing

  • Refund / return policies

  • Product photos and descriptions

  • Inventory or fulfillment tools


Choose a platform with built-in e-commerce tools (Wix and Shopify are very popular). Don’t piece-together payment systems and email automation manually - it leads to headaches later.


Why Your Mobile Website View Matters More Than You Think


We are living in a mobile-first world! Not only are most people accessing your website on their phones, Google now crawls the mobile view of your website before the desktop version. This means:

  • Your mobile layout affects your SEO

  • Your mobile menu must be easy to navigate

  • Your images must be optimized

  • Your buttons must be large and clear


When you build your website, design with mobile first, not last.


How Do I Build a Website From Scratch?


If you’ve been searching how to build website from scratch, here’s your step-by-step:

  1. Map out all the pages you need

  2. Choose the CMS or platform

  3. Write your website copy

  4. Add imagery + branding

  5. Build the layout

  6. Test on mobile

  7. Publish + optimize


And if at any point these decisions feel overwhelming - that’s literally what I’m here for!


Next Steps: Ready to Build a Website that Converts?


You don’t need to be a designer or developer to have a website that works. You need structure, strategy, and clarity about your client’s journey.


Download my FREE resources:

👉 Ready to start planning out your website content? Download My Free Website Copy Guide👉  Got a Website you're not sure about? Book a Free Website Audit


Computer setup displaying a web design screen with bright graphics, promoting Rebel Soul Media’s free website copy planner and free website audit.

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