Why Your Marketing Isn’t Working (And How to Fix It)

Ever feel like you’re doing all the marketing things but nothing seems to land? More posts. More emails. More effort. Still no momentum. If you’ve ever found yourself thinking “marketing just doesn’t work for my business”, this episode is for you.In this conversation, Claire is joined by Ben Miller, a B2B marketing expert and Fractional Lead with over 20 years’ experience across agency, in-house and consultancy roles.Ben unpacks the viral LinkedIn post that struck a nerve with founders and marketers alike and explains why marketing usually isn’t broken… but how it’s being approached often is.Together, they explore what a truly customer‑centric marketing strategy looks like, why treating every interaction like a sales pitch quietly kills trust, and how unrealistic expectations sabotage long‑term marketing ROI.Ben also shares why marketing patience is essential (especially in B2B), how to build stronger agency relationships, and when it might be time to bring in a Fractional CMO.If you want a calmer, smarter, more sustainable approach to growth — one that supports both your business and your life — hit play.Key Moment Timestamps (00:00) – Ben’s background: agency, in‑house, consultancy & why variety matters(02:00) – Why hiring only from your industry limits growth(04:00) – “Marketing doesn’t work”: the LinkedIn post that sparked this episode(08:10) – The Life’s a Pitch mistake: why always selling pushes people away(09:55) – The 3–5% rule: how B2B buying actually works(12:20) – Marketing vs sales: understanding their different roles(18:10) – Why patience is essential in B2B marketing(25:30) – Agencies as partners, not suppliers(29:20) – When founder‑led marketing starts to break down(31:40) – What a Fractional CMO really does (and when you need one)(34:40) – Strategy vs tactics: why skipping strategy costs you more(37:10) – Measuring the right KPIs (and avoiding panic metrics)(40:20) – Persistence, procrastination & Ben’s success cocktailConnect with usBen LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/benmillermarketing/Ben website https://www.benmillermarketing.co.uk/Claire LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamclairemarshall/Claire website https://brandmixology.co/