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Friendly, straightforward advice
Strategic marketing specialist for NZ small businesses
Based in Whangārei — over coffee, phone or Google Meet
Not sure if you need a marketer?
Marketing your small business can feel overwhelming, especially when you're not sure where to start or what's actually worth doing.
I work with business owners at all stages, whether you need a full marketing strategy, ongoing support, or a one-off project. If you want someone who will go the extra mile to help grow your customer base, push send.
Contact Details:
Call: Maree Gately 021 272 0042
Email: maree@spreadtheword.nz
Hours:
Monday-Friday, 9 am - 5 pm
Curious about my marketing services? Reach out any time — let's face it, my phone's never far away!
Service region:
I have relocated from Kāpiti back to Whangārei, where I work with small businesses across New Zealand. Open to overseas enquiries — even Australia!
Need Some Social Proof?
Visit my portfolio here or testimonials on the Home & About pages
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is a Google Business Profile so important for my business?
This free Google tool is one of the most essential tools in your marketing strategy if you rely on local customers to earn revenue. A Google Business Profile influences how you appear in local searches. By ensuring your NAP matches your website (Name, Address and Phone) and key information is updated (holiday hours, etc), you're telling Google that you are a credible source of information.
In addition, regular updates using keyword-rich content are another way to improve your ranking. The goal is to appear on the Local Pack—that box where three businesses show up. Why? Statistics show that people are more likely to contact those on the list.
Finally, your business listing is where customers find social proof through Google Reviews. Even a bad review is an opportunity to show potential customers how you handle yourself professionally.
What's a Website WOF?
Much like a WOF on your car, this website audit is a physical check of your website. Why? Let's say you rank higher than many competitors, yet the phone still doesn't ring as much as you'd like. Perhaps your website gets clicks but not conversions.
This is where a Website WOF is helpful. Here, I review your overall design aesthetics, structure (how information is laid out), content (what's written on your website - is it customer-focused?), on-page SEO, and navigation (is it user-friendly?). I flag key weaknesses and offer solutions to consider and implement, some of which I can help you with.
Do I need an On-Page SEO Audit? There are free tools to do this.
Yes, there are many free tools for running an SEO audit. I use a paid tool to complete my analysis. There are many options our there, including Semrush, Ahrefs, SE Ranking and Moz.
The benefit of using someone who understands on-page SEO is that I can also explain any areas you don't understand and offer solutions, like writing effective page titles, meta descriptions, H1 tags, image alt text and revised website copy. This written material is crucial because it influences website visitors' purchasing decisions.
Can you design my logo for me?
Yes, Canva is the main graphic design tool I use. A logo created on Canva Pro cannot always be trademarked, so I may not be your best choice if that is your plan. Canva is an excellent tool that gives me the flexibility to select from thousands of elements, upload images and also create unique logos using the tracer app.
As a writer and lover of all things font and stylised, I lean towards the more minimalist logo designs. If you are unsure if I am a good fit, reach out - I don't bite, and we can quickly decide if I am the right person for the job.
How much do your services cost?
Every business is different, so pricing depends on what you actually need rather than a fixed package. A marketing strategy session, one-off project like an SEO audit or website copy, and ongoing services are all priced on scope and what's realistic for your situation.
The best starting point is a free chat — once I understand your business I can give you a clear idea of investment and what's involved.
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Because you want to beat your competitors, right?