Look, most people are playing small. Spinning in circles, doing “just enough,” then wondering why they’re stuck.
That’s not you. You’re here because you want real traction. Let me break down seven marketing moves that we’ve actually used to grow so you can steal them today.
1. Lead Magnet or You Lose
This one's so basic… It's sad how many businesses still skip it.
Make a lead magnet. I don’t care if it’s a checklist, ebook, or a GPT-powered guide. Give people something valuable in exchange for their name, phone, or email.
Put it on a simple landing page. That list becomes your marketing machine.
Even just an email? That’s gold. Stop winging it. You can't follow up with people you never captured.
2. Build Strategic Partnerships
This one? My bread and butter.
I’ve scaled my business through strategic partnerships. Not ads, not hacks, just real collabs.
Partner with companies that serve the same audience as you but offer something different.
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- Do joint offers
- Swap lists
- Cross-promote on social
- Co-host webinars or events
No competition. Just compounding value.
One partnership can be worth more than 10,000 cold emails. Ask me how I know.
3. Launch a Real Referral Campaign
Stop hoping for referrals to come, build a system that regularly generates them.
Create a formal referral program. Offer something great. Make it public. Track it. Reward fast.
Clients, vendors, even your barista, if they send you business, send them love immediately.
Referrals are your fastest close. But only if you treat them like a real channel.
4. Host Your Own Events
Hosting events changed my game. You think events are “just fun”? Wrong.
They’re revenue engines if you do them right.
Steve Jobs used to move millions from the stage. You can too. Events build positioning. They build relationships. And yes, they build banks.
Dinner party, cocktail night, 100-person mixer. Just get started.
The moment you host, you become the authority. Period.
5. Blog Like a Boss
Call it content marketing if you want. I call it Google food.
Every blog post feeds the algorithm. Consistency = visibility.
You write valuable blogs 3–5 times a week? Google starts rewarding you with organic traffic and buyer intent leads.
And once your content starts ranking? That’s traffic you’re not paying for.
You’re already an expert. Start publishing like one.
6. Post on Social (Every. Single. Day.)
Not once a week. Not when you “feel creative.” Every day. Multiple times.
Platforms reward consistency and clarity. Tell stories. Drop value. Add strong CTAs.
LinkedIn, IG, Facebook, TikTok… your buyers are there. But they’ll only notice you if you show up.
Social is free. Visibility is leverage. No excuses.
7. Curate Dinner Parties & Networking Mixers
Want to build deep relationships fast? Bring people together.
Start with 5–10 person dinners. Build from there.
You’re the hub. You’re the connector. You become valuable just by bringing value.
Want to take it up a notch? Co-host a 100-person mixer with three partners. Each brings 25 people. You walk in with instant authority and a fresh list of warm leads.
No cold calls. No DMs. Just human connection at scale.
Ready to Play Bigger? These 7 Moves Will Get You There
They work. I’ve lived them. But if you want to see how the best are doing it right now…
Get in the room. Buy your tickets to The Event Planner Expo 2025, where partnerships, strategy, marketing, and momentum collide.
Save the date: October 14–16. Claim your space among NYC’s boldest event brands—before someone else does. Let us know if you want your booth!
No more waiting. Let’s build.
— Mario Stewart
Founder, EMRG Media
