4 Mistakes That Hold Small Business Owners Back from Hitting Sales Goals

I hear it all the time. You’re doing all the things (emails, social posts, caffeine-fueled brainstorming sessions), and yet… crickets. No sales. Nothing.

The problem isn’t that you’re not working hard enough. It just might be making a few of these mistakes that are tripping you up. The good news? These are all fixable, starting now.

✨ Before you read on, grab my free straightforward blueprint to establishing a passive income stream in one 15-day step-by-step plan.

Mistake #1: Not Having a Clear Sales Plan

If your sales strategy is “let’s see what sticks,” it’s time for a reality check. Posting when you feel like it, running random discounts, or guessing what your audience wants isn’t a plan—it’s chaos. A solid sales plan is your roadmap. It helps you know exactly what to focus on, so you’re not wasting time or energy.

How to Actually Make a Plan

• Set Specific Goals: “Sell more stuff” isn’t going to cut it. Try something like, “Increase sales by 15% this quarter” instead.
• Know Your People: Who are you selling to, and what do they actually need? Bonus points if you can explain it in one sentence.
• Choose Three Things to Focus On: Maybe it’s weekly emails, better product pages, or sharing customer wins on Instagram. Whatever it is, keep it simple.
• Make a “Must-Do” Checklist: Commit to non-negotiables, like sending an email every week or following up with warm leads within 48 hours.

Example: You’re selling a course on productivity. Instead of winging it, you set a plan: weekly emails with a tip, Instagram posts that solve a common problem, and one testimonial highlight each month. It’s not flashy, but guess what? It works.

Need a plan? Keep reading and make your way to mistake #4 to see how I’m making this simple!

Mistake #2: Ignoring Customer Feedback

Your customers could be dropping helpful insight left and right. Whether it’s a glowing review or a tough critique, their feedback shows you exactly what to improve—or double down on.

What to Do Instead

• Ask for Input: It doesn’t have to be fancy. A quick survey or a one-question poll works just fine.
• Look for Trends in Reviews: If everyone’s raving about your course content but struggling with tech setup, there’s your next improvement.
• Have Conversations: Reply to emails or chat with your audience during live Q&As. Sometimes the best insights come from just listening.
• Shine a Spotlight on Customers: Share their success stories, testimonials, or creative ways they’ve used your product. This builds loyalty and credibility.

Example: Say you’re a business coach, and a chunk of your clients mention feeling stuck with daily task management. You create a simple prioritization tool as a bonus for your course. Your clients are thrilled, and future buyers now see your course as even more valuable.

Want to learn more about your audience? Try one of these 120 poll ideas.

Mistake #3: Focusing Only on New Customers

Chasing new leads is exciting, but here’s the thing: your best customers are the ones who’ve already bought from you. They’re more likely to buy again, they trust you, and they’re basically walking, talking referrals. Stop leaving money on the table by only focusing on shiny new people.

How to Keep Them Coming Back

• Reward Loyalty: A little VIP treatment goes a long way. Offer exclusive discounts, early access, or freebies for repeat customers.
• Send Thoughtful Emails: No one’s mad about a “Hey, thanks for being awesome—here’s a little something for you” email.
• Bundle Up: Create product or service bundles that make sense for returning customers.
• Host a Customer Love Fest: Think “Customer Appreciation Week” with bonuses, special offers, and all the good vibes.

Example: If you sell digital planners, create an exclusive “planner add-on pack” with templates or upgrades. Offer it first to your most loyal customers, and watch how quickly they jump on it.

If you’re looking for a quick and easy way, we have the answer with our PLR and MRR products you can resell and keep 100% of the profits. You can sell them as is or rebrand them and modify them as you wish. Learn more about them here. but if you want unlimited access to all products for one price? Check out the membership.

Mistake #4: Being Inconsistent with Marketing

If you’re only showing up when sales are down, you’re giving off major “I forgot your birthday” energy to your audience. People need to see you regularly to remember you exist—and no, that doesn’t mean spamming them. It means being present in a way that feels natural and consistent.

How to Stay Consistent Without Losing Your Mind

• Pick Your Platforms: Focus on 2-3 places where your audience actually hangs out. No need to be everywhere.
• Batch Like a Pro: Set aside time to create content in one go so you’re not scrambling at the last minute.
• Schedule Ahead: Tools like Later or Canva can help you plan posts so your marketing doesn’t disappear when life gets busy.
• Mix in Evergreen Content: Share helpful tips, FAQs, or testimonials that stay relevant year-round. That way, your marketing doesn’t hinge entirely on new launches.

Example: Imagine you’re a course creator. At the start of the month, you schedule weekly emails, plan three reels about your course benefits, and sprinkle in customer reviews on Stories. That’s consistency, and it builds trust without feeling overwhelming.

One way I aim to help is by making monthly content creation kits like this! Precisely What to Post:

• Pre-Written Strategic Captions for Engagement
• Instagram Posts, Stories, and Reels
• Pinterest Pins
• Blog Posts and Email Newsletters
• Stunning Canva Templates & Stock Photos
• Available in google doc, word doc, excel and google sheets

All for a 30-day Posting Schedule that’s fully customizable with fill-in the blank templates.

What’s Holding You Back?

Which of these mistakes feels the most familiar?

• A) Not having a clear sales plan
• B) Ignoring customer feedback
• C) Focusing too much on new leads
• D) Being inconsistent with marketing

Let me know in the comments—I can’t wait to see what you’re tackling first!

What to Do Right Now

Sales success isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing the right things consistently. Start small:

• Write down your top sales goal, your audience’s biggest challenge, and three ways you’ll connect with them this week.
• Then commit to taking one action every day—whether it’s sending an email, batching content, or adding something new for repeat buyers.

Want to skip the guesswork? Access our done-for-you templates, content plans, plr, and workshops to make this process so much easier. Join the content membership from Ivory Mix and start seeing results!

Learn More