Build Your Business on a Proven Marketing Foundation
Get the checklist built from actual launches, not blog posts, showing new business owners what to focus on, when to focus on it, and why it actually matters..
The wrong marketing foundation costs you more than money, it costs you time, momentum, and confidence. You need to know what actually matters at your stage, not a generic checklist built by someone who's never launched a business.
For established businesses, we offer a Business Presence Analysis to identify gaps, friction, and missed opportunities > Check it out here
Built from 10+ years of real experience launching and scaling businesses
0
Fluff
100%
Actionable
FREE
Always
What's Inside the Checklist
Each section explains what to do, when it matters, and why, so you can make informed decisions instead of blindly following tactics.
🎯Business Operations Foundations
Define the purpose behind your business and the real customer process, from first contact through delivery, so marketing is grounded in how you actually operate.
🌐Standard Business Presence
Establish the essential online touchpoints like your business name, logo, website, and core social profiles so customers can easily understand what you do, trust the business, and take the next step without confusion.
✍️ Content & Communication That Drives Customers
Reframe content as a tool for helping customers decide, not just a place to explain what you do.
📣 Customer and Client Outreach
Develop a decision framework for launching paid media, selecting platforms, and timing spend based on business readiness and customer behavior.
🛠️ Bonus - Tech & Tools
A practical overview of early-stage tools, with context on what matters now versus later.
Why This Checklist Is Different
Most marketing resources are built from blog posts and AI prompts. This one is built from a decade of launching actual businesses.
❌ Most Marketing Advice
❌ Generic "best practices" from blog posts
❌ AI-generated content
❌ Tells you WHAT without explaining WHY
❌ One-size-fits-all tactics specific stage
❌ Focuses on tools, not strategic thinking
❌ Leaves you more confused
✅ This Checklist
✅Built from real Fortune 500 experience
✅Tested with actual companies
✅Focuses on HOW TO THINK
✅Tailored guidance for new businesses
✅Strategic framework for smart decisions
✅Gives you clarity and confidence
Created by Matt Brandt
Founder & Studio Lead, Carbon Wave Media
Matt has spent over a decade leading digital marketing for Fortune 500 brands and growing businesses. He knows what works at scale and more importantly, what actually matters when you're just getting started.
This checklist distills years of experience into a founder-friendly guide that cuts through the noise and focuses on what will genuinely move your business forward.
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Husband & Dad of 3
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Practical Thinker
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Obsessed with outcomes
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Problem Solver & Relentless Optimizer
“At our core, Carbon Wave Media is a strategic partner. Part consultant, part hands-on operator, built to drive performance, clarity, and real business outcomes.”
Get Your Free Marketing Checklist
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This is perfect for you if:
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You're thinking about starting a business
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You're in the early stages of getting off the ground
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You want to be confident you have the right foundations