Frequently asked questions
Answers to the things people usually wonder before they reach out. If something is not covered here, the free strategy call is the right next step.
For founders & entrepreneurs
I am not sure my messaging is the problem - how do I know if coaching is actually what I need?
That uncertainty is usually a signal in itself. If you've been marketing consistently but not getting the traction you expected, or you find yourself second-guessing what to say and where to focus, the issue is often rooted in messaging or positioning - even when it does not look that way on the surface.
Why not just hire a marketing agency instead?
An agency makes sense when you're ready to hand off execution. But if your messaging is not clear yet, handing it off just scales the problem. Coaching gets your strategy and message right so any execution is working from a solid foundation.
I've tried courses and read all the books. What makes this different?
Courses and books give you general frameworks applied to imaginary businesses. Coaching gives you someone looking directly at your specific situation - your voice, your offer, your audience, and your constraints - and telling you exactly what to do.
I am early-stage and still figuring things out. Is this too soon for me?
Not necessarily. Early-stage is one of the best times to get messaging right, before you've spent months or money going in a direction that does not land. A focused session is often the right starting point.
What happens after the coaching ends? Will I be able to sustain this on my own?
That is the goal. Every engagement is designed to build your own capability, not create dependency. You leave with a clear strategy, documented action plans, and frameworks you can keep using.
For solo internal marketers
My company would need to approve this. How do I make the case internally?
The easiest frame: you're bringing in a fractional strategic advisor at a fraction of what a senior marketing hire or agency retainer would cost. It is focused on your strategic capability, not just deliverables you hand back.
I work in a specific industry. Do you need to know my sector to be useful?
Not as much as you might think. The Mayes Method is grounded in messaging and positioning strategy, which operates on principles that hold across industries. You're the subject-matter expert; Katie is the expert on how to communicate it clearly.
I do not own the brand - my company does. How does coaching work when I'm not the final decision-maker?
Coaching here is less about making unilateral decisions and more about sharpening your strategic thinking, strengthening your recommendations, and giving you frameworks to bring better ideas to the table with more confidence.
How is this different from hiring a marketing consultant for a project?
A consultant typically comes in, does defined work, hands it over, and leaves. Coaching builds your capability: the thinking, frameworks, and strategic judgment stay with you.
I am already busy. How much time does this actually take?
The Thinking Partner involves two 60-minute calls per month. Work between sessions is prioritized and realistic. The point is to make your existing time more effective, not add a second full-time job.
Still sorting the right fit? The intake is designed for that.
Use the intake to share what feels unclear, where the decision pressure is showing up, and what kind of strategic support would be most useful.
Book a free strategy call