Marketing doesn’t have to feel like a chore

You don’t wake up debating whether or not to brush your teeth—you just do it. What if your marketing felt that automatic?

For most entrepreneurs, marketing can feel like a looming to-do list item. You know it’s important, but it’s easy to put off until "later"—which often turns into weeks without posting, emailing, or showing up at all.

But here’s the good news: marketing doesn’t have to be a struggle. With a few small habit-building tweaks (inspired by James Clear’s Atomic Habits), marketing can become something you do without overthinking—just like brushing your teeth.

As James Clear famously said:

“You don’t rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” - James Clear, Atomic Habits

Let’s create a system so your marketing takes care of itself—one daily habit at a time.

Why daily marketing beats occasional bursts

If you’ve ever launched something with a flurry of posts and then disappeared for three weeks, you already know: inconsistent marketing = inconsistent results.

Sporadic visibility might get attention for a moment, but it doesn’t build long-term trust.

Instead, think of your marketing as a muscle. It strengthens with daily reps—not just the occasional sprint. James Clear calls this the power of getting 1% better every day. Small actions, done consistently, create exponential growth over time.

And when it comes to marketing, that consistent presence builds brand familiarity and trust—two of the most powerful drivers of conversions.

"Discipline equals freedom." - Katrina Ruth & Sara Dann

The power of micro-marketing (your 1% better strategy)

Let’s redefine what “marketing” looks like. It doesn’t always mean a polished blog post, fancy video, or a week-long campaign.

Enter: micro-marketing—small, strategic actions that quietly build visibility and momentum behind the scenes.

Some examples of micro-marketing:

• Posting a 15-second story

• Commenting thoughtfully on someone else’s post

• Sending a quick pitch or email follow-up

• Answering a DM with a value-packed reply

These tiny actions might not seem like much in the moment, but they compound—just like interest in a bank account.

Over time, they help you stay visible, build relationships, and attract buyers… without needing hours of your day.

Make marketing obvious, easy, and satisfying

In Atomic Habits, Clear outlines the Four Laws of Behavior Change—and they’re pure gold when it comes to turning marketing into a sustainable habit:

1. Make it obvious

• Use visual cues: a sticky note on your laptop, a recurring calendar event, or a task in your to-do list app.

• The more visible the reminder, the more likely you’ll follow through.

2. Make it attractive

• Pair marketing with something you enjoy: sip your morning coffee while batching Instagram stories, or light your favorite candle while writing emails.

• You can also gamify it—track your streaks or celebrate your wins!

3. Make it easy

• Lower the barrier to entry. Marketing doesn’t have to be a production.

• Pre-plan your content. Keep templates, prompts, and swipe files ready to go.

• Aim for “done,” not perfect.

Make it satisfying

• Track your progress (habit tracker, checklist, or wall calendar)

• Pay attention to results—likes, replies, and conversions will naturally feel rewarding.

• Celebrate consistency, even if the outcomes take time.

Habit stack your marketing

One of the most powerful ideas in Atomic Habits is habit stacking: pairing a new habit with one you already do without fail.

Here’s what that might look like:

• After I pour my morning coffee, I post to Instagram.

• After I check my email, I respond to one DM.

• After I finish a client project, I share a quick behind-the-scenes story.

This makes marketing automatic. You’re not creating a new routine from scratch—you’re just layering visibility on top of something you’re already doing.

Choose your “toothbrush task" (your one daily move)

Let’s keep it simple.

Not every marketing activity has to happen daily. But one thing should.

Choose your non-negotiable “toothbrush task”—a marketing action so easy and consistent, you could do it half asleep. Here are a few ideas:

• Show up in your Instagram stories

• Comment on three relevant posts

• Pin one blog post or product to Pinterest

• Share one tip or win on LinkedIn

And on days when you’re low on time or energy? Create a Minimum Viable Marketing checklist:

✅ Repost an old story
✅ Share a client quote
✅ Send a one-line email to your list

Progress > perfection.

Track your streak and don’t break the chain

There’s a reason why visual tracking works—it creates motivation.

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld popularized the “Don’t Break the Chain” strategy: put an X on the calendar every day you do your task. Soon, the chain of Xs becomes so satisfying, you won’t want to break it.

This is backed up by Clear’s research: visual cues and momentum are two of the strongest reinforcements for habit-building.

Remember: missing one day is human. Missing two starts to unravel the habit.

Conclusion: Systems > willpower

Marketing doesn’t have to be draining, overwhelming, or time-consuming.

It just needs to be consistent.

And consistency doesn’t come from more motivation—it comes from building better systems.

So ask yourself:

What’s one small marketing habit you can commit to daily?

• Start with your one toothbrush task.
  
• Repeat daily.
  
• Let it compound. Just like brushing your teeth.

Recommended reading:

If you haven't read Atomic Habits yet by James Clear, it's one of the best books I've ever read. As I've grown in my business, I now truly understand that success is so much about consistency.