For many professionals in the AEC industry, marketing can feel like something that belongs to someone else—the marketing team, the business developers, or the firm’s leadership. But the truth is, marketing happens every day in the conversations we have, the projects we deliver, and the relationships we build.

The challenge? Finding time to market while juggling billable work. It’s easy to push marketing aside when you’re focused on meeting project deadlines. But the firms that thrive are the ones where every team member contributes to business growth—without sacrificing productivity.

This April, HUDDLE is all about Marketing While Being Billable—simple, practical ways to contribute to your firm’s success without adding extra hours to your workday.

Why Marketing Matters (Even When You’re Busy)

Marketing isn’t just about getting new business—it’s about reinforcing your firm’s reputation, strengthening client relationships, and positioning yourself as an expert in the industry. Small, consistent marketing efforts add up over time and can make a significant impact.

Ways to Integrate Marketing Into Your Billable Work

1. Be a Storyteller for Your Projects
   
   
   • Every project tells a story. Take a few minutes to document milestones, challenges, and successes.
     
     
   • Share project insights with your marketing team—they can turn them into social media posts, case studies, or award submissions.
     
     
   • Snap photos of site visits or design progress to provide visuals that bring your work to life.
     
     
     
2. Strengthen Client Relationships
   
   
   • Marketing isn’t just about getting new clients—it’s about keeping the ones you have.
     
     
   • A quick email checking in on a past client or following up after a project goes a long way in staying top-of-mind.
     
     
   • When working with a client, ask thoughtful questions about their long-term needs—this can open the door to future work.
     
     
     
3. Become an Industry Thought Leader
   
   
   • Turn what you already know into valuable content. If you’ve recently solved a technical challenge, consider sharing your insight in a LinkedIn post or offering to co-author an article with your marketing team.
     
     
   • Volunteer to speak at industry events, internal lunch-and-learns, or client meetings to showcase your expertise.
     
     
     
4. Make the Most of Networking
   
   
   • Business development happens in everyday conversations. Whether you’re at a project kickoff meeting, an industry event, or even a casual lunch, be mindful of how you represent your firm.
     
     
   • Carry business cards, have a polished elevator pitch, and be ready to talk about the great work your firm is doing.

Marketing is a Team Effort

You don’t need to add extra hours to your week to make a marketing impact. By weaving small, intentional efforts into your daily work, you can help grow your firm’s reputation, strengthen client relationships, and open doors to future opportunities.

Join the April HUDDLE

This month, we’re focusing on realistic, actionable ways to contribute to marketing while staying productive on billable work. Let’s build a culture where marketing is not a separate task, but a natural part of what we do every day.

Because at the end of the day, the best marketing isn’t just about promoting your firm—it’s about sharing the great work you’re already doing. Let’s make it count!