(But I’m Going to Say It Anyway)

By Chrissy Symeonakis — Marketer, Agency Owner, Professional BS-Caller

Throughout my career, I’ve had the absolute pleasure (and sometimes the absolute headache) of working with a wild mix of businesses.

From iconic hospitality groups to family-run gems to large-scale events, I’ve:

? Built SOPs and systems so clean they practically run themselves
? Created membership and loyalty programs people actually use
? Designed entertainment and assets that turn events into memories
? And worked on more “cool projects” than my camera roll can handle

And honestly? I love it. I love diving in, levelling up a business, and watching them WIN.

The Dream Clients — Yes, They Exist

Some businesses just get it. They see the value in letting me roll out activations, set up automations, and craft campaigns that don’t just look good — they convert. They trust the process, they’re in it for the long game, and they understand that marketing is the engine, not the accessory.

Working with these brands is a dream. It’s creative flow. It’s strategy. It’s results. It’s fun.

And Then… There Are the Others

Let’s be real for a second. For every great business, I’ve encountered a few shockers — the ones who panic at the smallest setback:

? A quiet week?
? A bit of rain?
? Increased costs elsewhere?

And suddenly their big solution is to “cut marketing.”

I’m sorry… what?
You’re struggling, so your big plan is to stop telling people you exist?

Here’s the truth bomb:

Marketing is not the problem. Marketing is the lifeline.

Scaling back marketing when times get tough is like taking the batteries out of your smoke alarm during a fire because the noise is annoying.

So let’s get this straight. Here are…

3 Reasons You Should NOT Scale Back Your Marketing (and Actually Spend More)

1. Because Visibility = Revenue

If business is slow, the last thing you want to do is go quiet.
People can’t buy from a brand they don’t see, don’t remember, or don’t hear from.

Marketing is how you stay top-of-mind.
Marketing is how you show up when people are ready to spend.
Marketing is how you compete when everyone else is retreating.

And guess what happens when your competitors scale back?
You get louder. You take up space. You win.

2. Because Momentum Takes Time — and You Lose It Fast

Great marketing isn’t a tap you turn on and off.
It’s not a “we’ll just pause this for now” strategy.

The campaigns you run today pay off in weeks and months, not minutes.
When you cut your marketing, you’re not just stopping the now — you’re killing your next quarter.

Momentum is priceless in business.
Once it’s gone? It costs way more to rebuild than it ever did to maintain.

3. Because Customers Don’t Stop Spending — They Just Get Pickier

Even in tough times, people still:
? Go out
? Buy food
? Book holidays
? Upgrade things
? Shop for themselves
? Treat themselves “just because”

The spending doesn’t stop — it just moves to the brands that speak louder, show value, and stay connected.

If you disappear…
Guess who they’re choosing instead?
Not you.

The brands who keep marketing stay trusted, stay seen, and stay relevant.

Let’s Wrap This Up

If you want your business to grow, survive, and actually thrive:
Marketing is non-negotiable.

I don’t care if it’s slow, rainy, quiet, or Mercury is in retrograde — cutting your marketing is the fastest way to make a bad situation worse.

Want to actually move forward?
Show up. Stay visible. Invest in the work that gets results.

And if you need someone who’s not afraid to tell you the truth and help you build the strategy to back it?

Hi. I’m Chrissy. You know where to find me.