Dedicated Marketing Isn’t a “One-and-Done” Game

Let’s get one thing straight—if you think outsourcing 14 hours of marketing a month means you can kick back and watch the clients roll in, you’ve missed the mark completely. Dedicated marketing isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it gig. You can’t expect one person, who sets the stage for your monthly content, to also be the actor, director, and audience every single day after that. Real connection—comments, DMs, shares, trends, community building—requires consistent, human engagement. No business thrives on two days of attention a month. In fact, most successful companies have a dedicated marketing role for a reason. If you’re serious about growth, your marketing needs weekly—if not daily—investment, not just a once-off strategy dump. Let’s unpack where your thinking went off track and what your business really needs.

“A good social media marketer doesn’t just tick boxes—they set the pace, craft your brand voice, and go the extra mile to put your business on the map. They use their time strategically to create scroll-stopping content, profile your brand with intention, and spark the kind of exposure that gets people talking. And once the foundation is laid, it’s not just their job anymore—it’s a partnership. Together, you keep the momentum, build the community, and turn presence into profit.”

Let’s talk about the “magic 14 hours” myth.

You know the one—where a business hires a dedicated marketing expert for a limited number of hours per month (say, 14 hours) and somehow expects those few hours to magically cover website updates, social media design, content creation, posting, link building, SEO, analytics, engagement, and strategy.

Spoiler alert: It doesn’t. And it won’t.

Dedicated Marketing Isn’t a “One-and-Done” Game

Dedicated marketing is an ongoing, daily effort. It’s about momentum, consistency, and continuous engagement. It’s not just about “posting pretty pictures on Instagram” or writing a single blog post and hoping for the best. It’s a full-time job.

But let’s be real—most small businesses can’t afford a full-time marketing manager (40, 80, or even 120+ hours per month). I get that. And because I get that, I make those 14 hours count. I plan, strategize, execute, and build the foundation for your marketing, setting up a system that you and your team can run with throughout the month.

The Problem? Business Owners Who Want More, More, More!

Here’s where it gets tricky. Some businesses hear “14 hours” and think, Great! My marketing is sorted! Meanwhile, they’re expecting daily content, website updates on demand, endless email responses, and a marketing professional on standby 24/7—because surely, 14 hours is plenty, right?

Wrong.

If you only pay for 14 hours, you get 14 hours. Not 40. Not 80. Not full-time, all-the-time, at-your-beck-and-call service. If your marketing manager is going above and beyond those hours, then they are literally paying for your marketing with their time. And that? That’s not how business works.

Time is Money—And That Works Both Ways

Marketing managers (the good ones) give their all within the time they are booked for. They strategize, create, and set the wheels in motion. But if you’re a business owner expecting your marketing to run itself while paying for a part-time service, you need to step up.

👉 Either commit to doing the day-to-day marketing yourself, using the resources your marketing manager put in place…
👉 Or extend the hours to pay for someone who will be dedicated.

Because expecting 14 hours to stretch into full-time availability is not smart business—it’s abuse.

Reality Check: Marketing Is a Two-Way Street

If you don’t have the budget for a full-time marketer, then you need to be an active part of your own marketing. That means:

✅ Using the social media calendar and content plan we create.
✅ Engaging with comments, messages, and your audience daily.
✅ Sharing insights with us so we can adjust strategies effectively.
✅ Understanding that marketing is not “set and forget.”

Marketing managers work with you, not instead of you. If you want 24/7 availability, you’ll need to fit the bill for it.

Respect the Time, Respect the Work

A good dedicated marketing manager will always maximize the time they have, but marketing is a full-time job. So, the next time you wonder why your marketing manager isn’t “just handling everything,” ask yourself—Am I paying for that?

If not, then it’s time to either adjust expectations or increase the budget. Because trust me: My time is my money, not yours.

💡 Want marketing that actually works? Let’s talk about what’s realistic for your business.

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#TimeIsMoney #MarketingMatters #RespectTheHours