Marketing Advice I Wish I’d Ignored Sooner
Have you ever tried out a marketing strategy or tactic that made big promises, only to look back and think I followed all the rules, so why didn’t it work for me? The thing is, the rules were written by people who don’t know your life, your business, or your nervous system.
I’ve collected a lot of advice over the years, from courses, podcasts, marketing “gurus,” and well-meaning peers. And while some of it stuck, a lot of it…didn’t. Or worse, it pulled me further away from the kind of grounded, intentional marketing that I wholeheartedly believe in.
Here are a few pieces of marketing advice I wish I’d ignored sooner:
1. “Post every day if you want to grow.”
This one sounds productive until you realize you’re creating content just to fill space. I used to believe consistency meant quantity, but showing up every day without intention is like shouting into the void. The truth? You don’t need to post daily. You need to post meaningfully. One strong, intentional post can do more for your business than seven half-hearted ones.
2. “You need a niche.”
I’ve said it before: clarity is good. But obsessing over a niche too early can feel like boxing yourself in before you’ve even had room to breathe. Your niche often finds you through the work you love doing most, not the work you force yourself to do to fit a label.
3. “Follow the data.”
I like numbers. I use them every day. But I also know data doesn’t tell the whole story. Analytics can show what’s performing well, not necessarily what’s resonating deeply. If you only follow the data, you risk losing the why behind what you’re doing. Use it as a guide, not a gospel.
4. “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.”
Maybe it’s not exactly broke, but maybe it’s boring. Or misaligned. Or quietly draining your energy. You’re allowed to change things that technically “work” if they don’t feel right anymore. Growth requires friction sometimes.
5. “Separate business from personal.”
In theory, sure. Boundaries matter. But people connect with people, not polished brands that feel robotic. Some of the best results I’ve seen have come from moments of realness: a story, a confession, a human detail. Authenticity isn’t unprofessional; it’s magnetic.
6. “You have to do it all.”
No, you don’t. You’re one person, not a full-scale marketing department. You can outsource, simplify, or even pause some things. The goal is momentum, not martyrdom.
7. “Don’t make it personal.”
Here’s the thing: marketing is personal. It’s how you show up, what you believe, and who you want to connect with. The more your values show up in your messaging, the stronger your brand becomes.
The real advice I wish I’d heard instead:
The marketing world moves fast, and it’s easy to feel like if you’re not sprinting, you’re falling behind. But the truth is, the best marketing (the kind that actually connects) rarely comes from chasing what everyone else is doing. It comes from knowing what’s right for you, your energy, your audience, and the kind of business you actually want to run.
It’s okay if your version of success looks slower. It’s okay if it’s quieter. You can be intentional and effective. You can care deeply about your craft without burning yourself out trying to prove it.
At the end of the day, marketing that feels good is the kind that sounds like you, looks like you, and makes space for you to keep showing up. Not just this week, but for years to come.
