“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin…”
— Zechariah 4:10 (NLT)
It started with a seed.
Not a billboard. Not a launch. Not a viral video or a sponsored ad campaign.
A seed. Quiet. Hidden. Unimpressive to the untrained eye.
But God rejoiced to see it planted.
There’s something deeply divine about beginnings that don’t look like much. In fact, some of the most powerful, fruitful, and transformative movements in history started with little more than a whisper and a willing heart. A few loaves and fishes. Twelve disciples. A manger in Bethlehem.
And when it comes to building something meaningful—whether it’s a business, a message, a ministry, or a personal brand—it’s tempting to want to go big right away without allowing ourselves to grow first. We want the ads, the followers, the clicks, the scale. But what if God is inviting you to start smaller? Not less significantly, but more intimately.
What if the key to long-term impact is learning to grow organically first?
The Temptation of Going Big Too Soon
I remember when I first heard someone say, “You just need to run ads.” It felt like a magical solution. “Ads will fix everything,” they said. “You just need a funnel and some money. Instant clients.”
Sounds good, right?
The only problem is—if your message isn’t clear, your audience isn’t defined, and your offer isn’t proven… all ads will do is multiply the confusion.
It’s like putting a megaphone to your mouth when you’re not sure what to say. Louder isn’t better. Clearer is.
And clarity comes from real conversations, honest feedback, and testing your message with the people who already know, like, and trust you.
Louder isn't better—clearer is. Before you amplify your voice, make sure your message is ready to be heard. Share on XJesus Started with Twelve
Let’s not forget: Jesus didn’t start with a crowd. He started with twelve. He didn’t begin by preaching in stadiums or flooding Jerusalem with scrolls that said, “Follow Me.”
He built trust in relationship. He walked with people. He healed in homes. He ate with tax collectors. He knew that transformation travels fastest through connection.
He did the organic work.
So if you’re sitting there wondering why your brilliant offer isn’t taking off—even after boosting your posts or throwing money into ads—you might just need to return to that principle.
Before running after strangers, serve the people already in your circle.
You Already Have a Network—Use It
Let’s make this super practical. You already have people who’ve:
- Bought something from you
- Attended your webinars
- Liked your posts
- Heard you speak
- Been blessed by your ideas or story
Don’t overlook them while chasing new faces.
Your next breakthrough might not come from new leads—but from nurturing old seeds. Before running after strangers, reconnect with those who already believe in you. Share on XYou don’t need a massive audience to make a meaningful income. You just need a message that matters and the courage to share it with the people right in front of you.
Let’s explore some simple ways to do that.
Start with the Obvious (But Often Ignored)
1. Email Your Network
Yes, your email list—even if it’s just 12 people. Even if it’s just friends and family. Tell them what you’re working on. Invite them to share. Ask for feedback.
People love to be part of something early. They want to support you but you have to let them know how.
And if you don’t have an email list? Start one today. Even a Google Sheet is better than nothing. Just start.
2. Share on Social Media Consistently
Not randomly. Not only when you’re launching. Not only when you feel inspired.
Share consistently.
Give value. Share tips. Tell stories. Open up about your journey. Let people connect with you.
Because here’s the thing: people don’t buy products—they buy people. And they’re more likely to support someone they’ve come to trust over time.
3. Follow Up with Past Participants
You hosted a webinar three months ago? Reach out. Thank them for attending. Ask what stuck with them. Let them know what you’re offering now.
You spoke at a church or conference last year? Send a message. “Hey, I was thinking about our time together and wanted to share something that might bless you.”
Revisiting old seeds often leads to fresh fruit.
4. Invite Testimonials
You don’t need 1,000 clients to get testimonials. You need one life you’ve touched.
Ask: “Would you mind sharing a few words about your experience?”
Social proof builds trust. And when someone sees that your work has impacted real people, they begin to imagine themselves in the same story.
5. Create Content That Leads to Your Offer
Don’t just “post” for the sake of staying visible. Post with purpose.
If you’re offering coaching, write about a common struggle your ideal client faces—and how you help solve it.
If you’re launching a course, share a behind-the-scenes look at what inspired it, what problems it solves, and why it matters.
First serve before you sell. Then make the next step clear.
Why Organic Growth Builds Better Roots
Think of your business like a tree. You could tape leaves to the branches to make it look full (ads). Or you could water the roots and let the growth happen naturally (organic).
Here’s what happens when you focus on organic growth first:
- You refine your message
Talking to real people helps you clarify what resonates and what falls flat. - You build deeper relationships
People who know your heart are more likely to share your work—and stick around. - You create sustainable momentum
You won’t be dependent on ad budgets. You’ll have built a tribe that grows with you. - You learn how to sell with integrity
Instead of gimmicks, you develop a rhythm of serving and inviting.
But Don’t Ads Work?
Yes. Ads can be powerful—when they’re timed right.
Once you’ve tested your message organically…
Once you’ve seen what content converts…
Once you know what your audience responds to…
Then ads become an amplifier.
They don’t replace your message. They echo it.
But if you skip the organic phase, you risk spending a lot of money to reach people who don’t care—because you haven’t figured out what they need to hear yet.
So don’t start with the megaphone. Start with the conversation.
Questions to Ask Yourself Before Running Ads
Let this be your checklist:
- Have I had at least 10 real conversations with people in my target audience?
- Do I have testimonials or proof that my offer works?
- Have I posted at least 10 value-driven pieces of content about this topic?
- Do I know what messaging resonates with my audience?
- Have I sold at least one version of this offer without ads?
If you answered “no” to most of these, focus on organic growth first.
Lessons from the Ministry of Jesus
Jesus could’ve sent angels to announce His ministry to every nation at once. But he didn’t. He walked. He talked. He listened. He grew a movement one town, one person, one miracle at a time.
He didn’t just reach people. He knew them.
If our Lord saw the power in small beginnings, so can we.
There’s something sacred about being present with your audience before you try to scale. About learning their struggles, hearing their questions, feeling their hearts.
So don’t be too quick to hand off your message to an algorithm. Carry it personally—at least at the start.
A ministry that’s rooted in service will always bear fruit—even when visibility feels slow. Share on XYour Growth Is Already Within Reach
You don’t need to spend ₦100,000 on Facebook ads this month. You need to:
- Text a few people who already trust you.
- Write a heartfelt email.
- Post a story that makes someone feel seen.
- Record a video that answers a real question your audience is asking.
Growth isn’t far away. It’s already in your hands.
You just have to plant the seed.
Five Practical Steps to Activate Your Organic Network
Here’s how you can start today:
- Make a list of 20 people who already know your work
Reach out. Personally. Authentically. - Create one high-value piece of content this week
Focus on helping, not selling. - Ask for one testimonial
Even if it’s short. Even if it’s just a voice note. - Schedule two follow-up messages
Reconnect with people from past events or offers. - Invite, don’t chase
Make your offer clear—but never desperate. You’re a blessing, not a burden.
Faithfulness Over Fame
Zechariah 4:10 doesn’t just tell us not to despise small beginnings—it tells us why:
“For the Lord rejoices to see the work begin…”
God is not waiting for your viral moment. He’s watching your first faithful steps. He rejoices in your small launch, your one sale, your first email.
So go ahead and grow. Organically. Honestly. Prayerfully.
Your audience will come. Your voice will be heard.
And when the time is right?
You’ll scale—not out of panic, but out of purpose.