Let’s be honest—most consultancies struggle with consistent marketing. You start with good intentions, but then client work takes over, and marketing drops to the bottom of your list. Sound familiar?

Or maybe you’ve tried those “marketing bootcamps” that work… for a while. But, like crash dieting, it’s intense and unsustainable. Then, when it stops, things fall right back to where they were. Or worse, you’ve invested in an agency or new hire, and while they might get some results, it never seems worth the ROI to keep it up.

Here’s the thing: You need an approach that’s different from traditional marketing and crash courses—one that’s sustainable and brings consistent results. I call it Results-First Marketing. Here’s how it can take you through the five levels of marketing maturity and make your consultancy known in your niche.

Why Results-First?

Most marketing is a medium- to long-term investment. But when you’re stuck in the feast-and-famine cycle, you don’t have time for that. Your marketing has to generate consistent results—high-quality leads and sales calls with ideal clients—so you’re driven to keep it going, no matter how busy you get. 

With Results-First Marketing, each level builds on consistent results that propel you to the next. Here’s the breakdown:

Level 1: Results-First Marketing

Results-First Marketing is your foundation. This is the level where marketing consistently brings in sales calls with clients who are ready to buy. Without these results, staying the course will always feel like a leap of faith. But once your marketing generates leads consistently, you’ll have the confidence to keep moving forward.

How to tell if you’re here:

• You have a reliable process that generates sales calls with interested prospects.

Level 2: Marketing Momentum

At Level 2, you’re marketing consistently and seeing steady results. Marketing isn’t just an afterthought; it’s part of your routine. You’re actively connecting with ideal prospects and regularly engaging them with valuable content.

How to tell if you’re here:

• Your consistent monthly marketing activities reliably bring in sales calls with ideal prospects.

Level 3: Niche Awareness

To scale, you must carve out a defined niche where your ideal clients already gather. At this level, you’re not just showing up—you’re consistently seen by your niche audience. They start to recognise your name and understand the problem you solve.

How to tell if you’re here:

• Ideal prospects are aware of your consultancy even if they haven’t directly engaged with you yet.

Level 4: Niche Player

Now, you’re one of the key players in your niche. When people think of solving a specific problem, your consultancy comes to mind. You’ve built a presence across multiple channels and know the other consultancies vying for your clients. You also know their strengths and weaknesses and may even partner with some.

How to tell if you’re here:

• You know the top consultancies in your niche, and they know you, too. You’re visible across all key channels, and your ideal clients actively consider you.

  

Level 5: Niche Leader

At the top level, you’re in the top three providers in your niche. Your name is well-known, your ideal clients follow your insights closely, and competitors see you as the consultancy to beat. You’re now attracting the highest-quality leads, forming valuable partnerships, and entertaining acquisition offers.

How to tell if you’re here:

• You’re a top-three player in your market. You have an enviable reputation, a loyal client base, and a high-value network. You’re frequently approached for acquisition or partnership opportunities.

Putting this to work for your consultancy

Even as a micro-consultancy, you can reach a high level of marketing maturity. The journey from “intermittent marketing” to “niche leader” starts with a simple goal: consistent results. That means building a marketing system that reliably brings in sales calls with clients ready to buy.

If you’re ready to build a pipeline that doesn’t depend on chance, check out my Ready-To-Buy Playbook. It’s packed with actionable steps to help your consultancy attract consistent leads and keep your marketing sustainable.

👉 Get your Ready-To-Buy Playbook here.