As a founder, you know that the entrepreneurial journey is rewarding but complicated. You’re wearing many hats, including that of a marketer. Oftentimes, marketing can feel more like an art than a science. You may have numbers and analytics to reference, but a foundation for great marketing requires building relationships with leads and retaining existing customers. 

Navigating these complex waters can feel less lonesome when you have the guidance of those who have gone before you. Whether you’re focused on digital marketing and social media, diving deep into search marketing, or just beginning to learn who your audience is, look to those with expertise for guidance. Marketing quotes from founders, those who have exited big companies, and other experts in the field can serve as inspiration, support, and comfort while you build your brand.

Read on for quotes to inspire you on your way to creating successful marketing campaigns. 

General inspirational marketing quotes

There are many experts and founders behind successful companies who have sage advice to give on marketing. If you parse out the meaning of these quotes, you’ll find that telling the right story, finding your community, and being able to adapt are at the heart of all of them:

1. “Marketing is no longer about the stuff you make, but the stories you tell.” —Seth Godin, author, entrepreneur, and marketing expert

2. “If you have a product that you think the world needs, go and show the world and see what they say.” —Debbie Wei Mullin, founder of Copper Cow Coffee

3. “If you’re spending money on marketing, you should be spending money on custom packaging. It’s replacing the in-store experience, so make it count.” —Phillip Akhzar, founder and CEO of Arka, an eco-friendly packaging company

4. “I really believe in getting into the epicenter of the community, both geographically as well as with your marketing.” —Ricky Jones, founder of Stratus, a ski accessory brand

5. “Good marketing makes the company look smart. Great marketing makes the customer feel smart.” —Joe Chernov, operating partner of Battery Ventures

6. “The key to being successful was testing and making sure whatever you’re putting out, your audience can resonate and engage with it to end up purchasing from you.” —Selom Agbitor, cofounder of Mad Rabbit, a tattoo aftercare brand

7. “Marketing’s job is never done. It’s about perpetual motion. We must continue to innovate every day.” —Beth Comstock, former GE executive

Quotes about becoming a great marketer

Running your own business means you’re the main marketer, at least until you grow. If you’re looking to take your skills to another level, these quotes are insightful thoughts on what it takes to become a great marketer:

8. “Good marketers see consumers as complete human beings with all the dimensions real people have.” —Jonah Sachs, author and speaker

9. “Bad marketing values promotions. Good marketing promotes values.” —Simon Sinek, author and inspirational speaker

10. “If your stories are all about your products and services, that’s not storytelling. It’s a brochure. Give yourself permission to make the story bigger.” —Jay Baer, customer experience expert

11. “In the world of marketing, focus makes you bigger, not smaller.” —Shingly Lee, vice president of marketing at Guru, an organic energy drink company

12. “The most important lesson I can share about brand marketing is this: You definitely, certainly, and surely don’t have enough time and money to build a brand for everyone. You can’t. Don’t try. Be specific. Be very specific.” —Seth Godin, author, entrepreneur, and marketing expert

Marketing quotes for strategizing

Whether you’re running a small business and are the sole marketer or you’re working with a small team, these inspirational marketing quotes speak to developing a strong marketing strategy:

13. “Any activity that you do that would sustain and maintain that relationship—the goal is to have that person as a customer for life. It’s not just one-off transactional, it’s long-term relationship marketing.” —Mari Smith, author and social media expert

14. “Creativity is the art of finding a new route to a known destination.” —Simon Sinek, author and inspirational speaker

15. “Marketing is not the art of finding clever ways to dispose of what you make. It is the art of creating genuine customer value.” —Philip Kotler, marketing author and professor

16. “You can be the best marketer in the world. If you don’t have a good product, I always feel you’re not going to go very far.” —Sergio Tache, founder of Dossier perfumes

17. “Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning.” —Bill Gates, businessman and philanthropist

18. “It’s all well and good to have a great product, but if no one knows about it, then you’re not going to go anywhere … because best known beats best product.” —Morgan Cros, founder of Original Duckhead umbrella company

Quotes to inspire the marketing team

Your marketing team is at the heart of your brand, cultivating what you want to share with your audience. These quotes are a nice way to give a little motivation to your marketing team as they strategize, develop the messaging for your company, and build digital relationships with your customers:

19. “Virality is rented, retention is owned.” —Divy Ojha, founder of Odd Bunch subscription produce service

20. “The strategy with ads and marketing, we try to be as proactive as possible. If you’re reactive, you’re just waiting for someone else to do something for you to copy.” —Selom Agbitor, cofounder of Mad Rabbit

21. “It floors me that more brands don’t try to employ genuine humor, because it’s the fastest way to actually reach somebody and have a really powerful moment with somebody.” —Andy Pearson, vice president of creative at Liquid Death, a beverage company

22. “Make the customer the hero of your story.” —Ann Handley, writer and marketing expert 

23. “Advertise as much as you can online and don’t be afraid to. Change up the advertising and try different things. The worst thing that’s going to happen is somebody won’t click on it.” —Amit Mahtani, owner of Bagels on Greene

24. “You cannot have a brand without people. That is the most important asset you will ever have.” —Whitney Wolfe Herd, founder of Bumble

Quotes for marketing to your audience

As a digital marketer, it’s important to speak to your entire audience in a way that resonates. No matter how people find you, the goal is to prove that you’re a valuable company by surfacing the problem that your business solves and making their lives easier. 

Speaking to your actual consumer (not necessarily who you think your customer is) is a matter of finding the language that gels with them and sharing your company’s inherent value:

25. “First and foremost, you need to be so clear on your raison d’être, who you are, and who you’re trying to speak to.” —Taylor Frankel, cofounder of Nudestix, a makeup brand

26. “Good content is always created for a couple of people, not for everybody.” —Nik Sharma, direct-to-consumer (DTC) expert

27. “If you think you’re too niche, I’ll suggest you’re not niche enough. You haven’t gone deeper.” —Ashwinn Krishnaswamy, founder of Forge, a growth and design agency

28. “The answers are in the comments. It’s a simple idea, but one that many brands overlook: Customers will tell you exactly what they need—if you’re listening.” —Joanna Griffiths, founder of Knix

29. “You don’t have to invent anything. You have an audience that’s helping guide you toward the things that they really care about.” —Kevin Espiritu, founder of Epic Gardening