Marketing Strategist Helping NZ Business Owners
Strategy first, because doing more of the wrong things won't grow your business
Marketing strategy for NZ businesses that know something's off
Diagnosis of what's broken — then a plan to fix it
Not ready for a full strategy yet? Start with the Visibility Blueprint
Meet Maree Gately — NZ Marketing Strategist
I'm Maree Gately — a marketing strategist who diagnoses what's holding NZ small businesses back and builds a clear plan to fix it.
Not a generalist agency. Not a content mill. One person, fully focused on your business, with the commercial experience and analytical thinking to see what others often miss.
And there are a few ways we can work together, depending on where you're at.
About Me
Commercial Experience + Strategic Thinking
My background in advertising and publishing gave me something many marketers don't have: real-world commercial pressure.
As Features Manager at a daily newspaper, I didn't just write. I sold, managed budgets, led teams, and delivered revenue-generating ideas under deadline. I learned early that without the right strategy, even the best execution falls flat.
Over the years I added the technical layer: SEO, data analysis using tools like Semrush, Google Search Console, and Google Analytics, and on-page optimisation. Most businesses are sitting on data they've never properly used. I change that.
A note about how I think
Interesting note: In a psychometric test I scored in the 92nd percentile for abstract reasoning — the ability to spot patterns, solve problems, and learn fast. Combined with commercial experience and technical know-how, it means I can look at your business and often identify what's holding you back before most people would even know where to start looking.
Pictured alongside me are Hamish & Miss Jessica
Why Work With Me?
I won't sell you what you don't need. My first question isn't "what do you want to buy?" It's "what's actually broken?" That honesty saves you money and gets you results faster.
Real commercial experience. I've run businesses, managed budgets, and delivered under pressure. I understand what actually drives growth, not just marketing theory.
I see patterns quickly. I can pinpoint what's holding you back. That comes from experience, strategic thinking, and that abstract reasoning ability I mentioned.
Whether you're down the road or across the country, there's a clear starting point. And the Visibility Blueprint is where most people begin.
Kind Words From Happy Clients
You can now see more testimonials and a case study on my Reviews page
Finally, Marketing That Makes Sense
You definitely got my brief on brand positioning and target market.
Thanks for talking it through in plain English. This is a field that I have regarded as way above my head, but now I'm keen to get out there and try it!
Karen Latimer — Mortgage Labs, Whangārei
Strategy That Speaks for Itself
We highly recommend Spread the Word for cogent creative marketing strategies.
Maree's ability to accurately portray our unique needs with design and copy helped us to rapidly inform our clients and widen our media presence.
Steve Lovell — V3 Group Limited, Kāpiti Coast
PR & Marketing — Volunteer Position
"Maree was employed as a volunteer freelance marketing copywriter (and social media manager) for the Kapiti Foodbank. As Manager, I found her work outstanding as it was consistently creative, informative, professional & concise.
She has the ability to reach a wide audience as her eloquent style is notable, readable & relatable."
Kerry Lovell — Kāpiti Foodbank Manager (Former)
Unsure of Your Next Step?
The Visibility Blueprint is a great place to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes you different from other marketing consultants?
I start with diagnosis, not services. Most consultants jump straight to 'here's what you should do.' I help you see what's actually broken first — combining commercial experience, strategic thinking, and technical skills. That psychometric test result I mentioned means I can usually pinpoint what's holding your marketing back before most people would know where to start.
Do I need to sign up for ongoing marketing services?
Not at all. You can engage me for a one-off project or ongoing support — whatever suits your business and budget.
I'm here to make marketing easier, not to sell you something you don't need.
What's included in the Marketing Strategy Process?
Not sure if you're ready for a full strategy? The Visibility Blueprint is a focused starting point that identifies your biggest gaps before committing to the full process.
A full marketing strategy starts with a deep dive into your business: what you're selling, who you're targeting, how you're positioning yourself, and what your messaging currently says. I'll analyse two of your competitors to identify the gaps and figure out what's actually holding you back — and it's usually not what you think.
From there, I'll develop a positioning framework that shows you how to differentiate yourself, who your ideal customers actually are, and what messaging will attract them. You'll get a written strategy document with a prioritised action plan — what to focus on first, what can wait, and why.
Then we'll have a one-hour walkthrough session where I explain everything, answer your questions, and make sure you understand exactly what needs to change and how to implement it.
If you'd rather not implement it alone, I can help with that too.
Why start with strategy instead of just hiring you to do the work?
Because without a clear strategy, even great execution can miss the mark. A strategy ensures every marketing decision — what you say, where you show up, who you're targeting — is working toward the same goal.
If you already have a solid strategy in place, we can absolutely skip that step and focus on execution. But in my experience, most businesses that think their strategy is fine are the ones that benefit most from taking a closer look.
Do you work with startups?
Yes. If you have a marketing budget and a clear idea of what your business offers and who it serves, we can build a strategy around that. Start with a short no-obligation call to see if we're a good fit.
Marketing Not Working?
Ready to find out what's holding your marketing back?
Start with a free discovery session — no obligation, just clarity.
Contact
Call me: +64 21 272 0042
Email me: maree@spreadtheword.nz
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