Starting something new? Whether it’s a business, a product, or a new direction, is exciting, but it also comes with a heavy dose of uncertainty.

This is where many of my clients get stuck.

One of the biggest early challenges is doubt:
“Is this the right niche?”
“Is my message landing?”
“Why isn’t anyone responding?”

And with that doubt comes a slippery slope: Should you change your message? Tweak your niche? Start over? Or just keep pushing forward?

Early on, you’re putting your message out into what often feels like the void. No likes. No clicks. Crickets.

This leads to the obvious question:
“Is it me, my niche, my message… or just my marketing?”

And the honest answer is: It could be any of them and so much more.
But that doesn’t mean it’s time to pivot.

The Niche Itself

A niche that is too narrow, too vague, or too misunderstood can be tough to gain traction with. But don’t be too quick to ditch it,  many brilliant ideas take time to find their audience. Ask:

• • Are people actually searching for this?
  • Does it solve a clear problem or satisfy a deep want?
  • Is it something people would invest time, money, or energy into?

The Message

Maybe your niche is solid, but your message isn’t clear or compelling.
You might be saying what you think people need, not what they want to hear.
Try:

• • Speaking your audience’s language — mirror their words, not industry jargon.
  • Focusing on benefits over features.
  • Making your promise bold but believable.

The Marketing Platform

Are you shouting into a room where your people don’t hang out?
For example, a business audience might live on LinkedIn, not TikTok.
Moms? Maybe Facebook. Creatives? Instagram or YouTube.

Also check: Are you consistent? Are you giving it time?

Don’t tweak too soon.

Many entrepreneurs change things right before it’s about to click. Consistency builds recognition and trust.

Give it at least 90 days of real effort:

This isn’t about just showing up, it’s about intentional, consistent action. Here’s how to make those 90 days count:

Show up regularly

• Pick a realistic schedule e.g., 3 posts/week, 1 newsletter/week, 1 video biweekly.
• Focus on quality consistency over quantity, a few well-thought-out pieces go further than daily throwaways.
• Batch-create content to avoid burnout.
  

Test Content Types

Try different formats to see what resonates:

• Carousel posts vs. single-image quotes
• Short videos (reels, TikToks) vs. longer YouTube explainers
• Personal stories vs. educational tips
• Polls, questions, infographics, blog-style captions

Look at what gets attention and encourages engagement.

Interact With Your Audience

• Reply to every comment and DM.
• Ask open-ended questions in your captions and stories.
• Leave thoughtful comments on others’ content (especially people in adjacent spaces).

Engagement creates visibility and builds community, and your early audience will often come from conversations, not just content.

Try Small Ad Spend or Collaborations

• Boost 1–2 of your best-performing posts to a specific target audience for R150–R300.
• Team up with someone who shares your target audience and do a joint live, story swap, or newsletter mention.
• Offer a freebie or download in exchange for an email; start growing that list.

After 90 Days: Evaluate Honestly Using These Questions

Ask yourself:

Am I seeing any engagement at all?

• Even a few likes or saves can mean your content is resonating, especially if it’s the right people interacting.
• If you’re only getting bots or friends, you might need to improve targeting.

Are people understanding my offer?

• Have you clearly explained who you help, what you do, and the transformation/result you offer?
• If people still say “I’m not sure what you do”, your message needs to be clearer.

Am I growing a small but engaged audience?

• You don’t need hundreds, even 50–100 followers or subscribers who care can turn into clients or referrals.
• Look for replies to your emails, DMs asking for help, or shares, signs someone values your message.

If You’re Still Hearing Crickets…

After 90–120 days of focused effort and honest evaluation, if there’s still no traction at all, it’s time to:

• Refine your message — Can you say it more clearly or in more relatable terms?
• Adjust your niche positioning — Are you solving a real problem that people are aware of and actively looking to fix?
• Change where and how you’re showing up — Maybe your audience prefers video over blogs, or LinkedIn over Instagram.

Important: Don’t throw the whole idea out.
Sometimes it’s not the idea, it’s how, where, and to whom it’s being delivered.

1. Clarify your “one sentence” message.
   E.g., “I help [who] achieve [what result] without [common frustration].”
2. Start where your audience already is.
   Look for Facebook groups, hashtags, forums, podcasts, etc.
3. Create content that solves real problems.
   Quick wins, how-tos, relatable stories, FAQs — make it about them, not just you.
4. Use social proof and case studies.
   Even one happy client or success story can build credibility.
5. Repurpose your content.
   One blog can become a carousel, reel, story, and newsletter. More visibility, less effort.
6. Test, tweak, repeat.
   Use your insights — what’s getting likes, saves, replies — to double down on what’s working.

Success doesn’t come from switching paths every few weeks.
It comes from refining your approach while staying rooted in your vision.

So stick to your guns — but check your aim, sharpen your message, and make sure you’re firing in the right direction.

If you’ve been stuck in “should I change this or stick with it?” — you don’t have to figure it out alone.
At Elevana, we help women in business get clear, focused, and moving forward with confidence.

👉 Book a Free Next Chapter Call — and get clarity on what’s working, what’s not, and what to do next.

🔗 Book Here
Your business. Your well-being. Your success. Let’s make it happen.