Enrollment closes in
Stop Starting Over – Your Client Pipeline is The Key
You’ll know what to do every day and every week to add real prospects to your pipeline – even when life gets busy.
Stop Starting Over – Your Client Pipeline is The Key
You’ll know what to do every day and every week to add real prospects to your pipeline – even when life gets busy.
Stop Starting Over – Your Client Pipeline is The Key
You’ll know what to do every day and every week to add real prospects to your pipeline – even when life gets busy.
Community… Action… Accountability…
Here’s Everything You Get with SMP+
Community… Action… Accountability…
Here’s Everything You Get with the Newly Improved Simplest Marketing (SMP+) Program
$2,000 value
The 90-Day Simplest Pipeline Sprint
$2,000 value
NEW! Your Personalized “Micro-Marketing” Plan:
Throughout the program, you’ll follow your personal marketing plan, specially-designed by me to fit your life.
$0,000 value
NEW! 2 One-on-One Calls with Ilise
Listening is my superpower, and I’m looking forward to hearing what you want for your business and your life, so we can craft a plan to get you there.
$0,000 value
NEW! Weekly Action & Accountability Pod with Podmates & Pod Coach
Meet up live every week with your podmates, and every other week with your SMP+ Podcoach to get support and establish a rhythm you can follow for the rest of the year.
$0,000 value
NEW! Accountability Buddy
Get paired with a buddy from your pod, so you can root each other on and keep up your momentum.
$0,000 value
NEW! Pipeline & Action Tracker
Keeping you accountable by making your progress visible to you, your podmates, and coach!
$0,000 value
$800 value
Membership in the SMP+ Community
$800 value
Monthly Office Hours with Ilise
Meet up live each month with me and your SMP community to learn and be inspired in your marketing.
$0,000 value
Private Slack Channels with Member Directory
Reach out with questions, share successes, get leads on gigs, and lean on your community.
$0,000 value
$2,800 value
Weekly Coaching Throughout 2026
$2,800 value
NEW! Weekly Tiny Workshop & Q&A
In this live group session, get mini-lessons from a new coach each week, plus time to get your marketing done and mingle with fellow creatives.
$0,000 value
NEW! Weekly Outreach Club Sessions with Me
Get help from me every week in our live Outreach Club group sessions. These will start right away and continue through the year to help you bring in new clients!
$0,000 value
$1,489 value
24/7 Artificial Ilise Chatbot 2026
$1,489 value
UPGRADED! Access to “Artificial Ilise” 2026
Ask my AI chatbot all your marketing questions, anytime day or night.
$1,489 value
Plus, when you sign up before Midnight February 17, you also get…
$2,889 Worth of Bonuses!
$1,489 value
NEW! Bonus 1: The Bob Bly Copy Coach Bot
Artificial Ilise is there to answer your marketing questions. The Bob Bly Copy Coach Bot is for all things writing. Trained on renowned copywriter, Bob Bly’s, writings and teachings, it will help you craft or refine your website copy, content marketing like blog posts, case studies, LinkedIn posts, and much more.
$1,489 value
$500 value
NEW! Bonus 2: Potential Clients on Tap with AI 2.0, Live Workshop with Ilise Benun
Anytime after your first 90 days, book a 1:1 30-minute call with me for more individual support and guidance so you won’t lose any momentum.
$500 value
$300 value
Bonus 3: Next Step Strategy Call with Ilise
Stop wasting energy on clients who aren’t a good fit. In this live workshop, Ilise will use AI chatbots to help you name and list real, good potential clients - and teach you a repeatable skill for doing this again whenever you need to.
$300 value
$600 value
Bonus 4: 2026 Year-End Virtual Retreat
A live, 3-hour guided working session designed to help you close out 2026 with clarity - and begin 2027 with a steady, confident direction.
Most freelancers rush into a new year without perspective. This retreat gives you space to pause, make sense of the year you’ve had, and move forward like a business owner - calm, clear, and in control.
$600 value
TOTAL VALUE: $9,978
Regular Price $1,997
Launch Price:
$997
Money-Back Guarantee
Through March 31, 2026
It’s the same thing every time…
You make a plan.
Tell yourself, “This time I’ll keep it gong.”
Then you get busy with client work. Or life happens.
Your marketing slips… weeks go by…
And suddenly you’re wondering where your next project will come from.
This is such a common story among creative professionals
But what if in 2026 things could be different for you?
What if, in just 90 days, you had a real, lasting pipeline filled with your best prospects?
One that sustains your business all year long…
So you never have to worry about projects running out.
And what if you had a simple marketing schedule that you could follow each week…
Without the frenzied starting over when work dries up?
Wouldn’t you rather have consistent projects, reliable income, and confidence that yours is a real business?
Of course you would!
But how do you get there on your own?
You don’t have to.
That’s what my Simplest Marketing Plan Plus (SMP+) program is all about.
Hi, I’m Ilise Benun.
As a coach and mentor to the creatively self-employed for nearly 40 years, I’ve helped thousands of creative professionals learn how to build the businesses, and lives, they dream of.
After meeting with scads of creative professionals, teaching countless courses, appearing on-stage, and authoring 7 books on marketing, one thing always rings true: Marketing works when you do it.
But that’s the thing - most people don’t want to do it.
Because they imagine it’s harder than it’s going to be. When the reality is, marketing that works is very simple.
I’ve reduced it down to a system you can follow in baby steps throughout the week. And when you set up a routine, it becomes almost automatic, like brushing your teeth.
That’s what we’ll do together in my Simplest Marketing Plan Plus (SMP+) program.
What Creative Pros are saying
This year, I've had two new clients...
...extended a contract with a retainer client that more than tripled the rate, and connected with a handful of people that could potentially lead to projects.
Cari Lemon
COACH / CONTENT WRITER
This is exactly where I wanted to be:
I wanted a plethora of projects with high quality, loyal clients and bigger budgets. They keep coming back and don’t use anyone else.
Aaron Dougherty
PHOTOGRAPHER
When things get slow...
...and my pipeline starts to dry up – which happens even to veterans like me – I become very “gloom and doom” and I start to panic. But then I stop myself – and I call Ilise.
Bob Bly
COPYWRITER
Transform Your Business in 90 Days
One of the biggest reasons people stop marketing their business, then start over again and again…
Is because they try to do too much. Or they imagine they have to do everything, all the time, and it’s impossible to sustain.
What you need is to do less… more often.
I call it “micro-marketing.”
That’s why the 2026 Simplest Marketing Plus (SMP+) program kicks off with a 90-Day Simple Pipeline Sprint to help you establish a “micro-marketing” schedule that lasts - even when life gets busy!
It starts with…
Step 1: One-On-One Planning Session with Me
We’ll start with a one-on-one planning call - just you and me.
Drawing from my 35+ years of helping creative professionals, together we’ll:
- Refine your niche
- Nail down the services you offer
- Design your own personalized weekly “micro-marketing” schedule
I’ll even help you find your first 5 clients to reach out to!
So you’ll start with a plan that meets you where you are right now…
Fits the time you have…
And aims to get your business exactly where you want it to be by the end of this year.
This will be the first of two one-on-one coaching sessions with me.
With your personalized weekly micro-marketing plan in-hand, next you’ll need someone to hold you accountable.
Enter…
Step 2: Your Action & Accountability Pod
Everyone thinks they need a plan. But no matter how easy-to-follow we make it…
Life happens!
To get from where you are now to having the business you want, you need someone to keep you on-track.
That’s why we’ll put you in an Action & Accountability Pod.
With only 5 fellow creatives, you’ll meet weekly for 90 minutes with your Action Pod. Every other week, your SMP+ Pod Coach will join to:
- Check on your progress…
- Cheer you on…
- Kick your butt when you need it…
And, most importantly, help you get un-stuck along the way.
Whenever something stops you - a question about your market, your content, how to respond to a potential client…
Your coach and podmates will help you through it.
Plus, you’ll be hand-paired with an accountability buddy from your pod, so you can lean on each other and stay on-track between meetings!
Visible Progress - So You Can’t NOT Stay On-Track
One reason creatives stop doing their marketing is they forget how much progress they’ve made - which makes it feel like it’s not working.
It is working, you just don’t see it.
That’s why we’re making your progress visible with our new Action & Accountability Tracker.
As you follow the steps laid out for you in your personalized weekly micro-marketing plan, you’ll be able to “check off” each step…
And here’s the kicker: Your coach and podmates will also be able to see your progress, too!
So you’ll have an extra incentive to keep taking baby steps… even on the days you don’t feel like it.
It’ll also serve as your list of potential clients, so you won’t lose track of who you reach out to.
Time for a Check-In! Your One-on-One “Stay On-Track Check In” Call with Me
Anytime during your 90-Day Sprint, you can book a 2nd 30-minute “Check In” call with me to go over what’s working and what to adjust in your personalized plan.
Don’t let any doubts or hangups stop you! Let’s meet up and fix them together.
NEW in 2026!
More Personalized Help than Ever from Ilise & Your Expert Marketing Coaches
Meet your coaches!
This year, I’ve assembled a powerhouse coaching team of seasoned professionals who've all walked the freelance path, and know exactly what it takes to succeed.
Among them are real practitioners who've built agencies, led creative departments, navigated client relationships, and grown their own businesses from the ground up.
And they’re all excited to help you establish your marketing schedule, and support you through the rest of the year.
WHO WE ARE
Meet The Power Team
Barb Ostapina
—
Barb is a recovering copywriter turned Substack publisher who helps creatives over 50 find clarity and momentum when they feel stuck, drawing on her own experience as a lifelong bloomer who's mastered pivoting and thriving through change.
Sandra Koenig
—
Sandra is a designer and business coach who helps entrepreneurs launch authentic brands by combining extensive branding experience from Bay Area agencies and in-house tech work with big-picture strategic thinking, creative intuition, and a joyful commitment to her clients' success.
Andy Brenits
—
Andy is a brand and business strategy advisor with nearly 30 years of experience, who now helps entrepreneurs clarify positioning and strategy while teaching design and branding at top universities including Columbia and Pratt.
Florian Schleicher
—
Florian is a sustainability-focused marketing strategist who helps brands clarify and activate their strategies through his studio, FUTURESTRATEGIES, working with clients across 11 countries while teaching at 3 universities.
Tara Garrigan
—
Tara is the creative director of The Makers Guild, specializing in large-scale installations and murals for permanent fixtures and events. Her unique ability to manage fast-paced and long-term projects across multiple teams has enabled successful collaborations with government entities, nonprofits, corporations, and small businesses.
Lisa Mullis
—
Lisa is a messaging specialist and growth strategist with 25+ years of experience who helps service professionals turn their words into revenue with messaging systems that blend human insight with AI-powered tools, so clients can sell with confidence while staying true to their values.
Bonnie Fanning
—
Bonnie is a freelance content strategist with nearly 20 years of experience creating best-selling products, memberships, and direct-response copy across emails, blogs, newsletters, and social media—including 15 years at AWAI and Great Escape Publishing helping people transition into copywriting, travel writing, and photography.
Jake Allen
—
Jake is a freelance video editor with nearly 20 years of experience who also does voiceover and broadcasting work. On the Marketing Mentor team, he serves as Ilise's right-hand man, assisting with events, video editing, and tech support while applying lessons learned about generosity in marketing and relationship building.
Scott Hull
—
Scott helps marketing and creative leaders find the right illustrator for high-stakes projects, drawing on over four decades of experience connecting decision-makers with illustrative designers whose work has appeared in Fast Company, Wired, the Harry Potter series, and for brands like AT&T, Coke, and Nike.
Georgiana Dearing
—
For 23 years, George ran a marketing agency that served consumer packaged goods, food, and organic brands. She’s now Marketing Manager for a US manufacturer, where she leads a creative team and hires small business partners - bringing real-world experience from both sides of the desk to coach creative businesses.
Stay "Unstuck" With Personalized Support All Year
The 90 Day Simple Pipeline Sprint will help you establish a marketing rhythm.
After that, throughout 2026, we will help you stay on-track with weekly access to me, ongoing coaching, monthly Office Hours, and more…
Get it Done - With Weekly Access to Me
Reaching out to potential clients can feel uncomfortable - but you can’t have a steady business without doing it.
I’m making it easier - and more fun - with our weekly Outreach Club.
In these weekly live group sessions with me, you’ll check outreach off your list with your fellow SMP+ members by your side.
Ask questions, share outreach messages, get inspiration from what others are doing - and get it done!
Ongoing Weekly Group Coaching
At the end of your 90-day Sprint, you’ll still have weekly coaching calls
A new coach each week will lead the “Weekly Tiny Workshop & Q&A” focused on LinkedIn, newsletters, pricing, organization, and more - then you’ll have time during the session to apply what you learned.
This way, you can pull from each of our coach’s expertise, network with your fellow SMP+ members and have reserved time to get your marketing done throughout the year.
Newly Improved! Artificial Ilise 2026
Got a marketing question at 2am? Need encouragement to hit send on an outreach message? Want me to help you compose the message, first?
I may be in bed by then…
But you can chat with “Artificial” me - anytime, day or night!
She’s a lot like having ME on speed dial…
Because she’s trained on all of my books, best-selling programs, latest and greatest content, and my most-up-to-date ideas that stay on top of the constant changes in AI and on LinkedIn.
Plus, with her improvements for 2026, she's now specially trained to help you build out your best possible pipeline.
What Creative Pros are saying
I got sooooo many ideas...
...for prospects from Artificial Ilise and she helped me clarify my ideal client. I Love Artificial Ilise!
Rosa Fierro
DESIGNER
Artificial Ilise really “gets” marketing...
...so much better than the general ChatGPT I use. I love it!
Alice Watts
COPYWRITER
Yes! I’m amazed at Artificial Ilise!!
Also amazed with Ilise, the real deal!!!!!!!
Steve Horn
WEB DESIGNER
A Step-by-Step Guide to Get the Clients YOU Want
Marketing works… when you connect the dots.
The 2026 Simplest Marketing Plan lays the foundation for everything we’ll do together in the SMP+ program.
It walks you through the 3 marketing tactics you need for a thriving creative business and how they all work together.
To build your credibility and earning power - and stay “top of mind” to the kinds of clients you want to work with - you will need content that speaks to their needs. This way, your ideal clients will self-select and come looking for more, while you weed out everyone else.
Making connections in person and online, especially on LinkedIn - and building relationships with them over time - gives you a constant stream of potential clients and referral sources who are more likely to pass your name along or reach out to you when they need help. Or, as I like to say, “in their moment of need.” That’s the magic moment when the trust you’ve built through networking pays off!
Who would you be excited to work with? What organizations or causes are you drawn to work with? Who do you feel most competent and confident about serving? Confidently start the conversation about how you can help them with their specific problem.
The Planner is filled with excellent examples, resources, videos, checklists, worksheets and AI prompts to get you un-stuck…
You’ll refer to it again and again for guidance as you follow your personalized plan.
Monthly Office Hours (Party!)
As an SMP+ member, you’re invited to my monthly gatherings with me and everyone from the SMP community. You’ll learn from examples of creatives who are a few steps ahead – so you can apply their savvy to your own business.
You’ll also get to ask questions and network among fellow creatives in a relaxed, judgment-free setting.
Here’s what past participants have to say:
“Connecting with others as a solopreneur is my favorite thing.”
“The great thing about tuning in to Office Hours each month is it forces me to re-evaluate and re-energise.”
“I like the Office Hours — I feel like it’s a wrap from the month before and a kick-off for the next month.”
Need to Get Up-And-Running Fast?
It’s always good for your business - and your confidence! - to start the year with a few quick wins.
This Smart Start Guide is filled with shortcuts and strategies to help you land clients quickly and log other early-year wins.
What Creative Pros are saying
I just received news...
...that a proposal I sent last week was accepted! This is for work I love to do that's also within my niche.
Amy Jahnke
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
I experienced a 34% increase...
...in business sales. But the successes of working with you aren't only the increased sales; it's also the encouragement and confidence that what I do is real. This IS my full-time job. You show me how to have ownership over my life, my work, and my happiness. Ilise, you’re the best."
Maria Guerriero
DESIGNER
In one year, Ilise helped me...
...grow from a confused, frustrated business owner to someone who’s confident, not afraid to take risks, and who has a growing list of success stories to show for it. T
Rebekah Mays
GHOSTWRITER
Why SMP+ Actually Works (When Other Plans Don’t)
1. No more guessing what to do next.
You don’t need another generic plan. With SMP+, I will lay out a personalized micro-marketing plan that works for your business and your life. So you know exactly who to focus on, which actions matter most, and what your realistic weekly minimum is. One step at a time. One week at a time. No overwhelm.
2. No more relying on willpower alone.
Willpower fades. SMP+ doesn’t. With Weekly Action & Accountability Pods, shared trackers, and check-ins, you’ll have a built-in structure to keep you going, even when life happens. If you need a nudge, it’s there, without pressure or guilt.
3. SMP+ is built to survive busy weeks.
Even when client work takes over, you’ll keep your pipeline moving with micro-marketing actions. These small, doable steps add up, so you stay visible, build trust, and never have to start from scratch again. And with built-in accountability, someone will notice if you fall off track.
Here comes the part where people seriously tell me I’m crazy…
The total value of everything in this program is $9,978. And that’s what a lot of other marketing coaches are charging for ongoing programs.
I want this to be accessible, so I’ve made the full price just $1,977.
And if you sign up before February 17, you’ll get my special launch price of just $997!
Or, if you prefer payments, you can do 3 payments of $399.
So If You Want Consistent Projects, Reliable Income, and Confidence That Yours is a Real Business…
Join SMP+ at The Lowest Price Right Now
After February 17 the price doubles and all 4 bonuses disappear!
This is the lowest price you’ll see on the SMP+ program all year long. And it’s your only chance to grab $2,889 worth of business-building bonuses.
So if you’re ready to stop starting over with your marketing… and finally have a steady flow of new clients and projects, reliable income, and confidence in your business…
Join SMP+ Now for just $1,997 $997!
Money-Back Guarantee
Through March 31, 2026.
No questions asked!
SPECIAL INNER CIRCLE BONUS
Sign up before Midnight TONIGHT, Feb 5, and you also get…
$350 value
NEW! Behind the Brief: Real Talk with Georgiana Dearing
An exclusive session with Marketing Executive, Georgiana Dearing, where you can finally ask everything you’ve wanted to ask - from how creative work is judged… to how much they’re really willing to pay… to what actually wins pitches.
$350 value
Order
Items
Summary
Money-Back Guarantee
Through March 31, 2026.
No questions asked!
What You Get
The 90-Day Simplest Pipeline Sprint
Your Personalized “Micro-Marketing” Plan
2 One-on-One Calls with Ilise
Weekly Action & Accountability Pod with Podmates & Pod Coach
Accountability Buddy
Pipeline & Action Tracker
Membership in the SMP+ Community
Monthly Office Hours with Ilise
Private Slack Channels with Member Directory
Weekly Coaching Throughout 2026
Weekly Tiny Workshop & Q&A
Weekly Outreach Club Sessions with Ilise
24/7 Artificial Ilise Chatbot 2026
Launch Bonuses!
The Bob Bly Copy Coach Bot
Potential Clients on Tap with AI 2.0, Live Workshop with Ilise Benun
Next Step Strategy Call with Ilise
2026 Year-End Virtual Retreat
Inner Circle Bonus!
Behind the Brief: Real Talk with Georgiana Dearing