The Digital Marketer Merry-Go-Round
Ever feel like your business is stuck in a marketing Groundhog Day? You’re not alone. Australian small businesses switching marketers every few months is more common than you think—and it’s costing time, money, and serious momentum.
Here’s the truth bomb: marketing isn’t a quick-fix. It’s not a set-and-forget activity. It’s more like going to the gym—you won’t get abs after one session. You get results by showing up, following a strategy, and staying consistent.
But right now, too many small businesses in Australia are treating digital marketing like speed dating. Constantly swiping left. And that’s a problem.
What’s Actually Going Wrong?
Sure—some marketers deserve to be let go. We’ve heard the stories: businesses locked out of their own websites, empty reports, vague promises, or an ad budget that vanished into thin air.
But it’s not always about dodgy behaviour. Often, the real cause of the churn comes down to three core issues:
Poor Fit
Some marketers are brilliant at ecommerce. Others specialise in service-based businesses. If you hire someone who doesn’t understand your model, it’s like asking a fish to climb a tree—frustrating for everyone.
Unrealistic Expectations
SEO takes time. Building a content ecosystem doesn’t happen overnight. If you’re expecting miracles in 30 days, disappointment is almost guaranteed.
Lack of Education
Most business owners didn’t study marketing—and they shouldn’t have to. But without some understanding, it’s easy to fall for polished sales pitches or feel completely overwhelmed by the technical stuff.
The Cost of Constantly Switching
Australian small businesses switching marketers over and over again isn’t just inconvenient—it’s a momentum killer.
Every time you bring in someone new, here’s what tends to happen:
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Your strategy gets reset to zero
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Your brand messaging becomes inconsistent
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Time is wasted while the new marketer figures things out
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You lose money that could have gone towards actual growth
This cycle drains resources and slows down your progress. It’s like trying to grow a forest but digging up the trees every month.
What to Look for in a Long-Term Marketing Partner
Want to stop the chop? Here’s what to avoid—and what to aim for—next time you’re choosing a marketer.
Red Flags
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Promises of “guaranteed” results
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Poor communication or vague reporting
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Locked-in contracts with no flexibility
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No access to your own assets like websites, data, or ad accounts
Green Flags
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Transparent pricing and clear deliverables
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A willingness to educate and explain
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Case studies or testimonials from similar businesses
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A true partnership approach—not just ticking boxes
The Basic Bananas Perspective
At Basic Bananas, we’ve seen it time and time again—Australian small businesses switching marketers because they’ve been let down, kept in the dark, or sold a dream that didn’t deliver.
But here’s the real game-changer: don’t just outsource your marketing—own it.
That doesn’t mean you have to do it all yourself. It means building just enough know-how to be in the driver’s seat. Understand what good strategy looks like. Learn how SEO and lead generation work. Know how to measure results that matter.
When you’ve got that foundation, you’ll stop getting burned. You’ll ask better questions. You’ll pick better partners. And you’ll start marketing with confidence instead of confusion.
Stop Replanting. Start Growing.
If you’ve been hopping from one marketer to the next, it’s time to pause and rethink the game plan.
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Get clear on your goals and your marketing strategy
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Build enough knowledge to lead (not just follow)
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Choose partners who match your values and get your business
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Stick with the plan long enough to see real results
Marketing isn’t magic—it’s strategy, consistency, and smart decision-making. And yes, you can absolutely do this.
Ready to Get Off the Marketing Merry-Go-Round?
We’ll show you how to grow your marketing smarts and your business—with a proven strategy, a supportive community, and a no-nonsense approach that works.
Explore our workshops and programs for small business owners who are ready to take charge.
To discover more marketing strategies, make sure you join us at the next Marketing Ecosystem Workshop to map out your one-page marketing plan. Here is the link to register (no cost!): https://www.basicbananas.com/virtualsummit/
Or apply to join the popular Clever Bunch program to accelerate your business growth. https://www.basicbananas.com/cleverbunch/
Here’s to creating ripple effects of brilliance everywhere we go!
The Basic Bananas Team