What if the biggest threat to your business growth wasn’t a lack of ideas—but chasing the wrong ones?

In this episode of Decidedly, we sit down with Tim Hines – fractional CMO, business coach, and author – to unpack how entrepreneurs can stop wasting time on “shiny objects” and start building marketing strategies that actually drive revenue. With years of experience helping companies go from zero to one, Tim shares what it takes to align marketing with business goals, avoid costly mistakes, and harness authenticity in a noisy marketplace.

From breaking free of vanity metrics to learning why most founders set their teams up to fail, Tim reveals the blueprint for creating marketing systems that scale. We explore why small businesses often misunderstand marketing, how to think like a starter without burning out, and why authenticity is the only real filter left in today’s AI-saturated world.

This conversation isn’t about flashy campaigns – it’s about clarity, focus, and making decisions that move the needle. If you’ve ever wondered how to build marketing that works for your stage of business, this episode will help you decide what really matters.

KEY TOPICS

Fractional CMO insights: when to hire one and why
The #1 mistake startups make when starting marketing
Why chasing “shiny objects” kills growth
Marketing as investment vs. cost center
Funnels, metrics, and why most companies don’t track them
B2B vs. B2C marketing: what really changes
Content marketing myths (and the dangers of AI copy-paste)
How to know if your in-house marketing is holding you back
Why authenticity is the strongest filter for modern brands

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction
03:00 Why Marketing Starts with Business Goals
07:45 Shiny Object Syndrome: Common Startup Mistakes
12:00 Funnels, Metrics, and Why Most Companies Don’t Track Them
17:15 B2B vs. B2C Marketing – What Really Changes
22:00 Content Marketing Myths and AI Pitfalls
26:00 Authenticity as the Last Real Filter in Business
30:00 Starters vs. Finishers: Knowing Your Strengths
36:00 The “In-House Marketing” Trap for Small Businesses
41:00 Marketing as Investment, Not Expense
47:00 Tim’s Top Decision-Making Tip for Entrepreneurs

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Tim Hines is a global keynote speaker, business coach, author, podcaster, and four-time founder who helps professionals grow by becoming more collaborative, innovative, and influential. He’s worked with top organizations like Ticketmaster, Air France, and the CIA, authored The Marketing Starter, and hosts The Marketing Starter Podcast. A Chicago native now in Austin with his wife, daughter, and two dogs, Tim is also a trained standup comedian and licensed marriage minister.