Stop Wasting Money: How to Identify What Marketing Works for You

brittanysharper
Sep 22
2 min read

Marketing is one of the most powerful tools for growing a business, but it can also be one of the biggest money drains if it is not done strategically. Too many entrepreneurs throw money at ads, social media boosts, or trendy tactics without really knowing if those efforts are working. The result? Frustration, wasted resources, and little to no return on investment.

The good news is that effective marketing is not about spending more. It is about spending smarter. Here’s how to identify what marketing actually works for your business:

1. Get Clear on Your Audience

If you are trying to market to “everyone,” you will end up connecting with no one. Effective marketing starts with clarity:

Who are your ideal customers?
What problems are they trying to solve?
Where do they spend their time, online and offline?

When you know your audience, you can stop wasting money on platforms and campaigns that do not reach them.

2. Track Your Numbers

Guesswork is the fastest way to waste money in marketing. Instead, measure your efforts:

How much website traffic is coming from your social media posts?
Which ads or emails are driving the most conversions?
What is the cost of acquiring one new customer?

Data tells the story. By tracking key metrics, you will quickly see which efforts are worth continuing and which ones are not.

3. Test, Do Not Assume

Just because something worked for someone else does not mean it will work for you. Instead of committing to one big campaign, test smaller experiments:

Try two versions of the same ad to see which gets better results.
Post different types of content and compare engagement.
Experiment with email subject lines to increase open rates.

Small tests give you big insights without blowing your budget.

4. Focus on What Converts

Visibility is nice, but conversions keep your business alive. Do not just look at likes, views, or clicks. Look at what is actually turning into revenue. If a campaign drives followers but no sales, it may not be the right investment for you.

5. Stop Following Trends Blindly

Trendy marketing tactics can be tempting, but not every “hot” platform or idea is a good fit. Before jumping in, ask:

Does this align with my brand and audience?
Can I commit to doing it consistently?
Will it support my overall goals?

Sometimes the best marketing move is sticking with proven strategies instead of chasing the next big thing.

How Delva & Sharper Can Help

At Delva & Sharper Consulting Group, we help businesses identify what marketing works for them, cut out the noise, and build strategies that maximize impact without draining resources. Instead of guessing where to spend your money, we will help you focus on what actually drives growth.