"That's it, I told God I'm done," I declared to my husband after coming home from Adoration one evening in 2017.

I explained to him that I was going to shut down Gloriam.

I'd been building it for six months while also working full time and finishing up grad school.

And what did I have to show for all my efforts?

Zero new clients.

The conversation that followed went something like this: ⬇️

My friends, I got my first real client the very next day.

Now obviously, all of this was in God's perfect timing.

And there's lessons there on trusting in God (and listening to my wise husband).

But from a practical perspective, I can also now see why I didn't have any clients for so long:

I didn't have a marketing plan.

➡️ My intention was to work with churches...but I hadn't done market research if they'd value outsourcing communications (most didn't).

➡️ I added on creating wedding programs because I really enjoyed making ours...but that was super different than marketing, so my messaging was confusing.

➡️ I posted only when an idea came to me, and most had nothing to do with marketing.

➡️ There was no customer journey because I didn't even know what I wanted them to do besides "hire me."

"Figuring it out as I went" was quickly turning into "not figuring it out at all."

I was doing all of the marketing things — the posting and emailing and designing — but lack of strategy made it all look messy and chaotic (and FEEL messy and chaotic).

So what changed?

I created a strategy and then made marketing decisions from that strategy.

✅ I figured out specifically who God was calling me to serve — and who not to focus on — which made my messaging so much clearer and compelling. (Just like Jesus did — Mark 2:17)

✅ I solidified what I offered and how that solved my people's problems. (Just like Jesus did — John 4)

✅ I stopped trying to be like other agencies and leaned into what made me different. (Just like Jesus did — John 10:10-15)

✅ I figured out step-by-step the journey people should take through my marketing so it all worked together towards a goal. (Just like Jesus did — Matthew 8:17)

In other words, I started marketing like Jesus would — with a plan.

And guess what? It worked.

Nine years later, I still use my marketing plan.

I've gotten so engrained in my plan now that it's not so much of a document as a mindset I put on.

I can rattle off my value proposition, talk you through any stage of my customer journey, and describe my target audience down to their favorite Marian apparition.

It makes my marketing way easier and I get "unstuck" a lot faster, but more importantly, it helps me help you better.

When I was updating the sales page for the Market Like Jesus course and struggling with wording, I stopped and envisioned the exact audience I had pictured for this (you).

What would resonate with you? What are you struggling with? What will this course help you to achieve in your business or ministry?

And suddenly, the words flowed easily.

What's more, my marketing plan keeps me grounded in my "why" and allows me to have space to trust God in it.

I still make changes as I go along. In fact, I'd originally planned a different story for this email, but felt called in the moment to switch to this one.

But planning a storytelling email in my launch prep helped me brainstorm with the Holy Spirit more freely when the time came because I had a framework to start from instead of seeking inspiration from a blinking cursor.

Maybe you're in that place I was nine years ago.

You've tried "doing all the things." You've tried "figuring it out as you go along."

Now what if you tried doing it with a plan?

Before you give up on this call God's put on your heart, please do me a favor and put together a marketing plan.

Whether you create one on your own or want me to walk you through it in Market Like Jesus, Gloriam is living proof that combining trust in God with a marketing plan can help you grow.

Those weekly marketing tips and reflections I share? You wouldn't be enjoying any of them if I'd given up nine years ago.

Just think about the people you've been called to impact. Are they worth putting a marketing plan together for?

You were for me. ❤️

For His greater glory,

Emily

P.S. Your mission is too important to be "the best kept secret of the Catholic world."

Trusting God and having a marketing plan can absolutely go together, and they could be the combination you need to grow the business or ministry He's placed on your heart.

Need help with that? Come join me in Market Like Jesus, and I'll walk with you to set up a marketing strategy that feels authentic, gives you clarity, and leaves room for the Holy Spirit to lead the way.

​Doors close Monday night at 11:59 pm.​

​Market Like Jesus Course​

Develop your marketing strategy, grow your business or ministry, and make your marketing fun and holy