30+ years of proven results

Turn marketing from a set of tactics into a reliable growth system you or your team can run every week.

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For $1M to $20M business owners who want clearer positioning, consistent execution, and results that improve quarter after quarter.

This is not about campaigns. It’s the installation of a marketing operating system that compounds over time and builds equity for owners of the business.

Prefer to start by learning the approach?
Press play & see how we work.

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If Marketing Feels Busy but Directionless, You’re Not Alone

At $1M to $20M, marketing is always “broken.” It’s just not operational. And the hidden cost of that dynamic shows up in a few predictable ways.

  • You have growth goals, but revenue still comes in waves
  • You've tried agencies, campaigns, and tools, but nothing sticks
  • Your message sounds different depending on who is talking
  • Reporting exists, but doesn’t answer “what should we do next week”

A business at this stage deserves a growth system you can manage.

The real problem is not effort. It’s that you can’t see and manage the few inputs that drive revenue.

Marketing Operating System

The Duct Tape Marketing Operating System doesn't just level up your marketing, it builds significant equity for owners.

“I had no idea how to make marketing work for my business. Duct Tape Marketing gave me clarity and control for the first time.”

Elizabeth Turner
Balanced Dental Studio

We get it. Most owners are being sold tactics, not a system.
That’s why we built the Duct Tape Marketing system: a practical, repeatable framework that turns marketing from chaos into clarity.

How to get the system in your business - The 3 phase process

BUILD

It starts with Strategy First™.
Before anything is built, we establish direction.

We work with you to clarify:

  • Who you serve
  • How you win
  • What matters most right now
  • What marketing should stop doing

This becomes the foundation for every decision that follows.

INSTALL

Install the Marketing Operating System
Next, we install the system your marketing will run on.

This includes:

  • Campaign planning and prioritization
  • Roles and workflows for consistent execution
  • Tool and AI platform selection
  • Scorecards and signals for visibility
  • A monthly operating cadence

Nothing is added randomly. Each component is designed to work with the others.

OPTIMIZE

Ongoing Fractional CMO Leadership
Once the system is installed, we help you optimize it.

That includes:

  • Setting priorities and tradeoffs
  • Guiding campaign focus
  • Interpreting performance signals
  • Leading quarterly optimization
  • Keeping marketing aligned with business goals

Execution can be handled internally or with partners. Leadership remains consistent.

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30+ years

Delivering
Strategy First™

Over 500K

Duct Tape
Books Sold

Why Our Strategic Marketing System Delivers Results

Our results come from one simple shift: marketing alignment

Here’s what makes our approach different:

  • Strategy before tactics, always
  • AI-supported execution that multiplies your team’s output
  • Simple workflows your team can run week after week
  • A customer journey built for how people actually buy today
  • Your entire business aligned around one marketing operating system
  • Long-term guidance from an fCMO who knows your business
  • Clear reporting that drives decisions instead of creating noise

“Our overall marketing improved significantly after implementing Duct Tape Marketing's Strategy First™ model. Every step, from planning to execution, was straightforward and effective.”

Cory & Janette
Alpine Ductless

Elements of the Duct Tape Marketing Operating System

“Our business skyrocketed almost immediately. We finally had a clear roadmap, and our business is booming.”

Jake Schloegel
Schloegel Design Remodel

Who We Serve

Small Business Owners Looking to Grow or Scale their Business Without the Chaos

You want a reliable marketing approach that you understand, not another pile of disconnected tasks and fancy marketing jargon.

We help you build a strategic marketing system by starting with Strategy First™. The system supports your business, focuses your team, and drives real growth. It is custom built for your business and you own it. 

This is for you if. you are  . . . 

  • Owner-led or leadership-driven business
  • A company doing roughly $1M to $20M in revenue
  • A teams that has tried marketing initiatives but struggles with consistency
  • A leader who want one accountable marketing leader
  • A business ready to treat marketing as a core operating system

This is not for you if . . . 

  • Want quick fixes without structure
  • Are looking only for done-for-you execution
  • Prefer winging it over clarity
  • Want someone to manage tasks instead of lead decisions
  • Aren’t ready to commit to a system

1000s of Businesses Are Thriving Using Duct Tape Marketing's Strategy First™ approach

Comments from our business clients and certified advisor network.

“I got clarity and structure for my agency’s offers and was then able

to increase consulting leads by 30%.” 

Alfonso Lavergne

Digital Chief

“This is probably the best program that you can find out there...”

Kristina Hathaway

Hathaway Marketing

“Our web traffic has improved significantly since we started using [Duct Tape Marketing] services.... Everything from initial consultation, ongoing consultation, and account management has been easy and straightforward.

Cory and Janette Eckert

Alpine Ductless

“After joining...we've experienced triple-digit growth each year we've been in business.”

Ian Cantle

Outsourced Marketing

The return on investment has been significant and immediate. Within just a month of joining, we’ve seen a rapid increase in sales.”

Tina Smith

Creative LLC

“I truly had NO idea what went into building a brand, a website, and marketing a business. From SEO to targeted ads, social media presence to blog posts, [Duct Tape Marketing] has helped me make a dent in a saturated market.

Elizabeth Turner

Fox Point Dental

“Duct Tape Marketing...has helped me to grow my business by over 40% in the last 12 months.

Michael Quinn

Michael Quinn Agency

Our visibility skyrocketed almost immediately when we engaged Duct Tape Marketing to help with our online presence. We now have a clear picture and roadmap for the future and our business is booming.”

Jake Schloegel

President & CEO Schloegel Design Remodel

Jake Schloegel

If you're looking for a complete marketing system to serve your clients better and create a sustainable business that will also provide for you and your family, I strongly encourage you to reach out to John or Sara to learn more about how Duct Tape Marketing can help you succeed.”

Chris Davidson

ReadySetMIWI

“Everybody talks about ROI, and I've enjoyed a great experience with Duct Tape Marketing. Even before I participated in the Agency Certification Intensive, I had already landed my first customer. This, in essence, more than paid for my investment!”

David LaCombe

Imperatives Delivered

“I was looking for a marketing system template that could be applied to similar types of businesses over and over. Duct Tape Marketing...provided that needed system.

Apoorv Dwivedi

Fixyr

“Without a doubt, it's been the greatest return on investment I've made in my business or personal life.

Antonio Guerrero

Systematic Business Marketing

Immediately after using Duct Tape Marketing’s tools, we were able to over-deliver on a client project. We pulled out a few of the presentations, assessments, and strategy first documents, and it helped us exceed client expectations. It’s not just a service; it’s a partner in delivering value to our clients.”

Robin Morgan

BGG Creative & BGG West

“I was able to define my value to the marketplace and shift from project work to monthly retainers. Now I have 20+ clients with a steady flow of new clients each year.

Tom Shipley

Cole-Dalton Marketing Services

“The ROI has been extraordinary. We paid a fee to license the Duct Tape Marketing system, but we've already made two $60,000 deals in just two weeks. It's a much bigger value than the price we paid.

Robert Talac

MD, PhD

“Our web traffic has improved significantly since we started using [Duct Tape Marketing] services.... Everything from initial consultation, ongoing consultation, and account management has been easy and straightforward.

Cory and Janette Eckert

Alpine Ductless

“I truly had NO idea what went into building a brand, a website, and marketing a business. From SEO to targeted ads, social media presence to blog posts, [Duct Tape Marketing] has helped me make a dent in a saturated market.

Elizabeth Turner

Fox Point Dental

Our visibility skyrocketed almost immediately when we engaged Duct Tape Marketing to help with our online presence. We now have a clear picture and roadmap for the future and our business is booming.”

Jake Schloegel

President & CEO Schloegel Design Remodel

Jake Schloegel

About Duct Tape Marketing

Duct Tape Marketing was founded over 30 years ago with a simple mission:

Help small businesses grow through strategic marketing.

Today, the Strategy First™ fCMO+ Operating System is used by thousands of small businesses and hundreds of certified Duct Tape Advisors worldwide. 

We believe marketing should be simple, clear, and within your control. 
And not something you have to keep outsourcing forever.
John and Sara

True small businesses who've seen success with Strategy First

Schedule your free Strategy First™ Consultation with Duct Tape Marketing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between marketing strategy and marketing tactics?

A marketing strategy refers to a company's overall plan or approach to reach its target audience and achieve its marketing objectives. It involves identifying the target market, analyzing the competition, and determining the most effective marketing mix (i.e., the combination of products, pricing, promotion, and distribution) to reach and engage potential customers.

On the other hand, marketing tactics are the specific actions or efforts a company takes to implement its marketing strategy. These include advertising, social media campaigns, email marketing, events, and public relations efforts. Marketing tactics are typically more specific and focused on executing a particular aspect of the overall marketing strategy.

In summary, marketing strategy is the big-picture plan that guides marketing efforts. In contrast, marketing tactics are the specific actions to implement that plan.

What is the Duct Tape Marketing System?

The Duct Tape Marketing System is a repeatable framework and process that allows marketers to create wins more easily for clients by focusing on “Strategy Before Tactics” to create a winning plan and then quickly moving to retainer engagements with a set blueprint to guide the engagement.

The System has been successfully installed in 1000s of businesses worldwide and featured in many prestigious media outlets, including; The New York Times, CNN, The Huffington Post, Bloomberg, Fast Company, Entrepreneur Magazine, Inc. Magazine, and many more.

You can apply The Duct Tape Marketing System to help grow your business in 3 ways:

  1. Hire our marketing consultant to design a marketing strategy for you using the Duct Tape Marketing System.
  2. License the Duct Tape Marketing System to use in your agency.

Why is a marketing strategy important for my business?

Having a complete Marketing strategy is vital for any small business. A clear strategy enables you to plan how you will reach your target market, which can lead to increased revenue and profit. A proper marketing strategy will increase your scope of potential customers so that you are not just throwing money at different advertising tactics and hoping that something sticks. A marketing strategy for your small business allows you to be surgical and succinct in your approach leading to minimal waste and maximum profit.

How can I find a marketing agency for my business?

Here are some tips on how to find a marketing consultant for your business:

1. Determine your needs and goals: Before beginning your search for a marketing consultant, take some time to figure out what you're looking for and what your goals are for your business. In what areas of your business do you need help? A clear vision of your goals will make the search process more focused and efficient.

2. Research online to see which consulting companies are the most reputable in your industry. Then contact them to see if they offer marketing consulting services.

3. You can also hire marketing consultants who work independently from larger companies and offer their services to businesses for a fraction of the price. Make sure to schedule an introductory meeting to learn more about their background and experience before hiring them.

4. When interviewing potential marketing consultants, ask them about their previous experience and expected results, and make sure they understand your business needs and goals.

BUSINESS OWNERS

How to Build a Highly Profitable Fractional CMO Practice Using the fCMO+ Operating System

 February 11th | 1pm MT