Strategic Marketing for the AI Era

Asheville's Marketing Partner for Mid-Sized Businesses Ready to Scale Smarter

Schedule Free Strategy Consultation

The Shift

AI has fundamentally changed how marketing gets done—and what businesses actually need from partners.

Before AI

  • Content required professional writers
  • Design needed designers and agencies
  • Agency costs: $2,000-$5,000/month
  • 6-8 week timelines for campaigns
  • High overhead for basic marketing tasks
  • Limited ability to test and iterate quickly

With AI

  • AI generates content drafts instantly
  • AI creates basic graphics and designs
  • AI tools cost: $20-$200/month
  • Content creation in minutes, not weeks
  • Rapid testing and optimization possible
  • Small teams can do more with less
This changes everything about how agencies add value.

What You Can Do Yourself vs. What Still Requires Expertise

AI makes execution accessible. Strategy and implementation still require expertise.

You Can DIY with AI

  • Generate content drafts
  • Create social media posts
  • Design basic graphics
  • Schedule automated posting
  • Analyze data with AI assistance
  • Write email templates
  • Create simple visuals

You Need Expertise For

  • Strategic planning and positioning
  • Local market knowledge and insights
  • AI tool selection and implementation
  • Quality control and brand consistency
  • Maintaining unique brand voice
  • System integration and automation
  • Performance optimization
  • Competitive intelligence

Our AI-Powered Service Model

Strategic partnership, not just deliverables.

🎯

AI Marketing Integration & Strategy

  • Tool selection and implementation
  • Workflow design and team training
  • Brand voice consistency (prompt engineering)
  • Quality control frameworks
  • AI governance and oversight
📊

Strategic Planning & Market Intelligence

  • Local market knowledge and competitive positioning
  • Customer journey mapping
  • Marketing plan development
  • Performance optimization
  • ROI-focused analytics
⚡

AI-Enhanced Execution

  • Content strategy with AI-accelerated creation
  • Social media management
  • Email marketing automation
  • Campaign management
  • Continuous optimization

Why Marketing Outpost

What 18+ years in Asheville means for your business.

1

18+ Years Local Market Knowledge

AI doesn't know Asheville's seasonal patterns, local competition, or regional nuances. We do. This context makes your marketing relevant, not just generic.

2

Cross-Industry Pattern Recognition

We've worked with dozens of local businesses across retail, hospitality, professional services, nonprofits, and more. You skip the trial and error—we know what works in this market.

3

Implementation Without the Learning Curve

You could spend 6 months learning which AI tools work. Or get results in 6 weeks with someone who's already done the testing. Results in weeks, not months.

4

Strategic Thinking AI Can't Replicate

AI executes tactics. Humans set strategy. We combine business acumen with marketing expertise—understanding your operations, budget constraints, and growth goals.

5

Accountability and Consistency

Marketing gets deprioritized when you're running a business. We ensure it actually gets done—strategically, consistently, and with measurable results.

Who We Work With

Mid-sized businesses in Western North Carolina ready to scale smarter.

Primary: Mid-Sized Businesses

$2M-$20M revenue | 20-50 employees

You need to:

  • Scale marketing without scaling headcount proportionally
  • Adopt AI without the risk of trial-and-error
  • Maintain competitive edge in a changing landscape
  • Focus on running your business, not managing marketing tools

Industries we serve:

  • Healthcare and medical practices
  • Manufacturing and distribution
  • Professional services
  • Hospitality and tourism
  • Retail and real estate

Also: Small Businesses

Forward-thinking owners (<5 employees) who recognize strategic guidance beats DIY alone.

You know the tools exist—but you want expert implementation and market knowledge to make them work for your specific business.

It's not: "Can I do this myself with AI?" It's: "Should I spend my time learning and managing this, or running my business?"

How We Work

A structured approach from assessment to ongoing optimization.

Assessment Phase

2-4 weeks
  • Business goals and current state analysis
  • Marketing inventory and AI readiness audit
  • Competitive landscape review
  • Quick win identification

Strategy Development

2-3 weeks
  • Marketing plan with clear strategies vs. tactics
  • AI tool recommendations and integration roadmap
  • Timeline and budget allocation
  • Success metrics definition

Implementation & Optimization

Ongoing
  • AI tool setup and team training
  • Campaign execution and monitoring
  • Performance optimization
  • Regular strategic reviews

Investment Philosophy

Marketing is an investment in business growth, not an expense to minimize.

We structure our partnerships around outcomes:

How We Structure Engagements

  • Base strategic retainer for oversight and AI management
  • Performance bonuses tied to your business results
  • Project fees for major implementations
  • Transparent reporting on ROI

Every engagement starts with understanding your goals and building a plan that makes financial sense for your business.

About Marketing Outpost

Led by two seasoned marketing professionals with deep roots in Western North Carolina.

Marketing Outpost is a microagency serving Asheville and Western North Carolina businesses with strategic marketing expertise and AI implementation. Founded by Mari Peterson and led alongside Jenn Gordon, we combine 40+ years of collective experience with local market knowledge that AI can't replicate.

Mari Peterson

Founder & Strategic Director

Mari brings 18+ years of marketing expertise rooted in corporate operations and management. With prior experience as a corporate administrator at Asheville's largest law and accounting firms, she combines strategic marketing with deep operational and financial acumen.

A 25-year Asheville area resident with a Business Administration degree from Montreat College, Mari has built Marketing Outpost as a "small but mighty" boutique agency with a hands-on approach. She's known for quickly synthesizing project scopes and maintaining a vetted network of marketing specialists.

Jenn Gordon

Creative Marketing Director

Jenn is a creative marketing professional with 25+ years in the Asheville region and a diverse background spanning veterinary tech, local media (Asheville Date Night Guide), and small business marketing. Her varied experience gives her unique insight into customer behaviors and market trends.

With a BA in Sociology from Appalachian State University, Jenn excels at finding target audiences, building social media strategies, and creating compelling content. She understands the heart and mind of small business entrepreneurs and thrives on implementing customized campaigns that drive measurable growth.

Her curiosity about social trends and immersive local knowledge make her invaluable for brands seeking authentic connection with Western North Carolina audiences.

Combined Experience 40+ years marketing across retail, legal, hospitality, nonprofits, and professional services
Local Market Knowledge 50+ years combined WNC residency—deep understanding of Asheville dynamics and seasonal patterns
Strategic + Creative Operations expertise meets creative storytelling and audience development
Results-Focused Direct, collaborative approach focused on business outcomes, not vanity metrics

Take the Next Step

Ready to scale your marketing smarter? Let's talk strategy.

Schedule Your Free Strategy Consultation

  • 45-minute call to discuss your business goals
  • Review your current marketing and AI readiness
  • Identify 2-3 quick wins
  • Determine if we're a good fit
  • No obligation, no sales pressure
Schedule Consultation