The CMO playbook for small business.
Most small business owners aren't bad at marketing — they're flying blind. No baseline. No plan. No way to tell what's actually working. Start with a free Digital First Impression: a comprehensive scorecard showing exactly how your business shows up online today, where you're winning, and where you're leaving money on the table.
Get My Free Digital First Impression →Membership opens Fall 2026. DFI recipients get first access and founding pricing.
The Offer
A Digital First Impression is the same audit Fortune 500 companies pay $15K+ for — adapted for small business and delivered free. We score your business across four categories that determine whether new customers trust you enough to actually buy: your website, your social presence, your reviews and reputation, and your brand consistency across every place customers find you.
Each category gets a sub-score, plain-English findings on what's working and what isn't, and a prioritized action plan. No fluff. No upsell pressure. Just clarity on where you stand and what to fix first.
By the end you'll know your DFI Score out of 100, where you rank against your category benchmarks, and the three highest-leverage moves you can make in the next 90 days.
Sample Output
Every Digital First Impression follows the same rigorous format — adapted to your industry's scoring weights.
Sample DFI scorecard cover — based on real client audits across made-to-order, hospitality, consumer products, and home services. Client names and logos withheld until reference approval. Full report includes detailed sub-scores, findings, competitive context, and a 6-point action plan.
The Four Categories
Every DFI evaluates the same four dimensions — but weighted to your industry so the score reflects what actually matters for your business.
Design quality, SEO foundation, mobile experience, conversion flow, technical health, and how well the site supports your sales journey from first visit to inquiry.
Platform presence and strategy, content quality and frequency, visual portfolio depth, engagement signals, and growth trajectory across the channels where buyers actually research you.
Average rating quality, review volume relative to your business age, presence on industry-specific platforms, response patterns, and external trust signals like awards and certifications.
Visual identity coherence, positioning clarity, premium-vs-budget signaling, cross-platform cohesion, and how clearly differentiated your brand reads against the competition.
Weights adapt to your business model. Made-to-order businesses see Reviews weighted heaviest. E-commerce shifts weight to Website. Hospitality emphasizes Reviews and Social. The methodology adjusts so the score actually means something for your industry.
Who It's For
Rise Every Year is built for owners who are pre-agency, post-DIY. You're past the "I'll figure it out from a YouTube video" stage. You're not ready (or willing) to spend $8K a month on an agency. You need the frameworks, the audits, and the plan — without hiring a CMO.
Restaurants & bars·Breweries & taprooms·Boutique hotels·Gyms & fitness studios·Salons, spas & med-spas·Home service businesses·Consumer product brands·Coaches, consultants & creators
Request Your DFI
We'll review your request within 48 hours and deliver your full Digital First Impression within 7 days. No call required. No credit card. No catch.