In the Marketing Tension Triangle, the Control corner can feel scary. When you sense a lack of control, everything feels like its slipping away.

But the reality is the Control can bring balance to the triangle. When control is established, costs become transparent and relevant. Time gets saved rather than wasted.

This post explores the Control corner and the benefits of taking back control.

In the previous article in this series, I explored the Cost corner of the Marketing Tension Triangle and how “cheap” marketing tools can quietly become expensive.

But for many business owners, the biggest pressure point isn’t cost.

It’s time.

Are you a victim of the marketing time vampires

In the first blog of this series, I introduced the idea of the Marketing Tension Triangle.

It reflects the constant balancing act between Cost, Time, and Control in small business marketing.

In this blog, we will explore the first of the three corners of the triangle – Cost.

Cost isn’t just money out of the bank account. It’s time & control lost. Both are hidden unless you are aware of them and go digging into your processes.

What is the real cost of your marketing?

In the first blog of this series, I introduced the concept of the Marketing Tension Triangle.

In essence:
Cheap tools = fragmented systems = less control
Full agency outsourcing = less time pressure, but more cost = less control
DIY everything = more control = no time

This week I’m exploring those trade-offs in more detail. What are you trading-off in your marketing set up?

Most small business owners don’t struggle with effort. They struggle with tension.

Marketing always feels like a trade-off:

Costs <> Time, Time <> Control, Control <> Costs

If your marketing feels harder than it should, it’s likely because you’re stuck inside what I call the Marketing Tension Triangle.