Do Less Marketing

In this solo episode, I share five specific ways I'm using AI in my solopreneur business...and three ways I don't. Margin (the capacity planner I built): https://www.marginfor.com/ Website: https://downeystrategy.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-downey/

How much marketing do you really need to build a thriving solo business? Laura Fenton is a journalist and author who's been writing about home design and sustainability for more than 20 years, with bylines in Better Homes & Gardens, New York Magazine, and The Washington Post. She's the author of The Little Book of Living Small and The Bunk Bed Book, and she writes Living Small, a top newsletter on Substack. I discovered Laura's first book at the library, and ever since then, I've loved her voice and her intentionality. In our conversation, we chat about how her business has grown with very little traditional marketing, and how relationships are a key piece of that growth.Laura shares how she became her own publicist when her book came out, and how she's grown her newsletter audience organically. Plus, Laura opens up about how "living small" has turned into "working small" (even as she continues to reach more people). Laura's approach is a refreshing reminder that staying true to your values and your relationships can often carry you further than a traditional marketing plan. Laura's Newsletter: https://laurafenton.substack.com Laura's Website: https://laurafenton.com Laura's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laura.alice.fenton Laura's Pitch & Get Press Class: https://shiragill.myflodesk.com/j0bnkdxa9s Brittany's Website: https://downeystrategy.com/ Brittany's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-downey/

What if "small" wasn't a stepping stone? Kevin Shinn is a chef, writer, and musician. I first experienced Kevin's work years ago, when I went to The Portico Experience: his one-table, backyard micro-restaurant in Lincoln, Nebraska. It was an absolute delight. One of my all-time, top dining experiences. The Portico just kicked off its seventh season and books up, season after season, almost entirely through word of mouth. In our conversation, Kevin shares the shifts that helped him move away from the traditional table-turning restaurant to something more personal. We get into what it looks like to choose the "smallest viable market"...and stay there. We chatted about how he approaches marketing now, and how he's found his voice in fewer words. Plus, we dig into the three creative wells he draws from throughout the seasons. Kevin also opens up about mentoring the next generation of chefs, the cost of overextending, and what growth means when the metric is simply "a better me." If you've been wondering whether something smaller could be enough, this one's for you. Kevin's Website: https://www.55degrees.us/ Kevin's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefkevinshinn/ Brittany's Website: https://downeystrategy.com/ Brittany's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-downey/

What if some of the best connections can come from the places you least expect? In this episode, Susan Vaughn shares how she’s grown her project-based business by being thoughtful about where she shows up. She talks about building trust through connection — not by chasing every opportunity, but by choosing the ones that feel aligned. We explore how she approaches networking as a long game. She shares the story behind a small marketing asset that pulled big weight. And we dig into what it looks like to repackage your work as new needs emerge. Susan also reflects on how she’s built a business that leaves room for what matters — including fun, flexibility, and time with family. And yes, some of her best leads really did start in the most unexpected places. If you’re working toward a business that supports your life (not one that drains it), this conversation is a thoughtful reminder that aligned connections, clear offers, and a little fun can go a long way. Susan’s Website: https://projectauthority.com/ Susan’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanvaughnpmp/ Brittany’s Website: https://downeystrategy.com/ Brittany’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-downey/

What if AI could help you move faster and make better decisions, without adding more noise? Ruth Favela is the AI Marketing Manager at Tomorrow.io, where she helps a four-person marketing team support a global tech company. In this episode, Ruth shares how her team uses AI to speed up content workflows, cut marketing costs, and focus their energy where it actually moves the needle. We talk about how Ruth decides which tools to use. She shares what it actually looks like to scale content with a small team. And we dig into why AI is most powerful when it helps you solve real problems, not just spin your wheels chasing the newest tools out of FOMO. If you’ve been feeling stuck between too many options and too little time, Ruth’s approach offers a refreshingly practical look at how AI can help you focus on what works. Ruth’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruth-favela/ Brittany’s Website: https://downeystrategy.com/ Brittany’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-downey/

What does it really mean to show up authentically in your business? In this conversation, voice actor Danielle Famble shares what she’s learning as she grows multiple businesses. We talk about how she’s come to recognize the difference between discomfort that’s part of growth and the kind of “ick” that signals misalignment — and how that distinction changes the way she approaches marketing. Danielle talks honestly about perfectionism and letting go of perfect timelines. Danielle also shares how she uses tools and delegation to track what matters. And we touch on how the rise of AI is shaping her industry — and why our quirks might be the very things worth holding onto. Danielle’s Website: https://daniellefamble.com/ Danielle’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellefamble/ Danielle’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daniellefamble Chloë Forbes-Kindlen (Notion Workspace Specialist): https://www.businessops.co/ Brittany’s Website: https://downeystrategy.com/ Brittany’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-downey/

Artillery Media builds over a hundred websites a year — without a marketing team, an ad budget, or outbound hustle. So what’s actually driving the growth? In this episode, Jake Kramer walks us through how Artillery Media has quietly built a reputation through responsiveness and constantly looking for ways to add value. We talk about what it means to “stir the pot” with past clients, how basic SEO and Google reviews play an essential role, and what it looks like to be the go-to in niche communities. Jake also reflects on growing through optimization, not just expansion — and how they’ve shaped their services around what fuels both their team and their clients. We wrap with a conversation on AI, and how it’s not replacing the human side of their work — it’s making more room for it. If you’re looking for ways to grow that don’t involve pricey ads or marketing campaigns, this one’s for you. Artillery Media’s Website: https://artillerymedia.com/ Brittany’s Website: https://downeystrategy.com/ Brittany’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-downey/

What happens when a top marketing channel suddenly stops working? Rob Marsh is a copywriter and co-founder of The Copywriter Club. He has built multiple businesses by staying grounded in what works — while staying flexible as platforms and contexts evolve. In this episode, he shares how he and his co-founder grew a community from zero to 5,000 in just a few months, and the one thing he’s seen drive success across business types (and it’s not a tactic). We also discuss how he thinks about growth and how to stay focused when you're surrounded by smart ideas. This one’s for anyone trying to stay steady and adaptable while the marketing world keeps moving. The Copywriter Club Website: https://thecopywriterclub.com/ The Copywriter Club Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecopywriterclub/ The Copywriter Club X: https://x.com/copywriterclub Brittany’s Website: https://downeystrategy.com/ Brittany’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-downey/