The most common way non-marketers (and unfortunately many marketers too) go wrong is they optimize for the wrong things.
They assume more of one thing (views, impressions, clicks, etc.) will automatically lead to more of what they want (sales, leads, etc.).
It usually doesn’t work that way.
Listening to podcasts on more than 1x speed is a cry for help from people who don’t realize they need it.
The fear of sounding like AI has so warped some people that they’re choosing to write poorly on purpose.
It’s insane.
I’m not going to stop writing the way I write because some computer might write that way too.
If people think what I write was written by a robot, I’ve got bigger problems.
You can’t make someone do something until you can make them feel something.
Every “yes” forces you to say no to something else.
Every “no” creates space for you to say yes to something else.
Everyone who learns this lesson learns it the hard way.
One of the most valuable things I learned as a journalist was how to ask good questions.
At the time, I had no idea it was a skill that would ultimately help me well beyond my journalism career.
The better the question, the more valuable the answer.
Even with questions you ask yourself.
Here’s a tip to make content creation easier: Go browse your sent emails folder. You’ll find stuff you’ve said to people, questions you’ve answered, conversations you’ve started, and problems you’ve solved. All of that can be turned into easy, effective content - sometimes you can literally cut and paste it. Chances are you’ve already created a TON of content…you just don’t realize it yet. 😉
There’s always a breeze when I go for a walk.
Sometimes it’s light.
Sometimes it’s strong.
Sometimes it’s pushing me forward.
Sometimes it’s working against me.
Either way, I keep walking.
(This post isn’t about walking.)
I’ve been lucky to have the opportunity to interact with a lot of really successful people, “famous” people, and people who are known and admired by many. And one of the most valuable things I’ve learned from those interactions is those people don’t have any “magic” powers that others don’t. They’re all just as insecure and unsure of what they’re doing as everyone else - they just don’t let those things hold them back.
No one ever tries a free sample and says:
“That was amazing, I’m definitely not going to buy it now.”
I remember meeting with a big time Hollywood producer who said something that always stuck with me: “Do you know why it’s so hard to get someone to say yes to a project? Because no one ever gets fired for saying no - even if they pass on something that becomes a hit. But every time they say yes to something, they’re risking their job.”
Social media is a long game that’s too often played as a short game.
I ask clients what percentage of people they think should convert on their offer.
They usually either have completely unrealistic expectations, never considered it, or are actually converting around (or higher) than their expectations but don’t realize it because they “feel” like they’re not.
We’re in a tricky moment:
The easier it gets to do anything, the more you want to do everything.
We all run on “operating systems” that were created from our unique set of life experiences.
But, like any operating system…
Sometimes they need to be updated.
And we are capable of updating them.
Change your operating system, change your life.
“Unclutter” is a word that resonates with people right now in a variety of areas.
I imagine flow state is what it would feel like to be able to fly.
Become comfortable with being uncomfortable.
Perfection doesn’t create trust. Vulnerability does.
There’s a stand at the farmers market with a sign that says “We sell what we grow.”
Good marketing message, but…
Every other stand at the market has a sign saying the same thing.
A marketing message is only as valuable as it is differentiated.