What if everything you think makes marketing "work" is actually the thing holding you back?

Inspired by Neil Patel's SXSW talk, in this episode, I'm breaking down five things I think we need to unlearn in our marketing, from what we're chasing, to how we're building trust, to who we're actually speaking to.

Want to actually connect with the people you're marketing to?

Turns out the skill that changes everything isn't a content hack, it's vulnerability.

Ever seen a single comment on social media outperform the actual post?

I have.

That's exactly what happened when Joseph replied to a video with "Hey, so I have appointments available." One comment, thousands of likes, hundreds of replies, people tagging him.

Quick note before you dive in: this episode uses a viral comment as a marketing case study, purely for education, not about diagnosing or labelling anyone.

Think being brilliant at what you do is enough to grow your business?

Same. That's what most of us think, until the phone stops ringing.

Every time someone reads your email, listens to your podcast, watches your Reel or lands on your website... they're giving you something.

Their time, attention and energy.

So here's the question...

Are you leaving them with more than what they came with?

What if your marketing isn't actually the problem?

What if people are finding you, checking out your content, clicking through to your website... and then leaving?

After analysing close to 70,000 websites, Irwin Hau (our guest on the podcast for ep 331) has come to one conclusion.

What pains you about marketing?

Is it not knowing what to post?

Feeling like you're constantly behind?

Feeling like everyone else knows something you don't?

Or feeling like you're creating content but nothing is actually happening?

Because if any of those resonate, I don't think your problem is content.

I think your problem might be a lack of intention.

Be honest... when was the last time you intentionally started a conversation in your DMs?

Not replied to a comment. Not answered a question. Actually started a conversation.

Because if I'm being completely transparent, this is an area of marketing that I know I could be doing more of too.

When you think about marketing your business, do you immediately think about social media?

Because here's the thing: organic marketing is so much bigger than Instagram posts and TikTok videos.

Are you creating content that people watch… or content that actually gets people to buy?

Because there’s a big difference.

Question... are you creating content because it actually aligns with your business goals… or because someone on the internet told you that you should?

Because if I had a dollar for every time a client came back from a coffee catch-up saying, “Someone told me I should start a podcast” or “TikTok is where I should be”… I probably wouldn’t need another retainer. 😂

The age old question... should you actually be running Meta ads in your business? And if you are… how do you know if they’re actually working?

In this episode, I’m joined by ad strategist Neil Shoney to unpack what business owners really need to know about Facebook and Instagram ads... without the fluff, overwhelm, or “just boost a post” energy.

So… we know AI is here. We know we should be using it.

But are you starting to feel like everything online is sounding the same?

In this episode, I’m not giving you another “how to use AI” tutorial… I’m flipping the lens.

Because the real question isn’t how do we use AI more? It’s how do we stay human while using it?

Do you actually have the foundations in place to sustain your business… or are you just building as you go?

Because here’s the thing — a lot of business owners wear many hats… but skip the pieces that actually make a business work long-term.

So… do you actually question your AI? Or are you just copying, pasting, and hoping for the best?

Because I saw something unfold last year that made me go… yikes.

ver feel like you know what to do with your marketing… but you’re just not doing it? Same.

This episode, I’ve got Sam Sundius on the Content Queen Podcast to unpack what’s actually going on… and spoiler alert, it’s not your strategy.

We’re talking about the unconscious mind, nervous system, and why hitting “post” can feel like actual danger (even though it’s just… Instagram).

It’s easy to think that if you just post more or run ads, your business will grow… but real marketing doesn’t work like that.

The magic is in the foundations - understanding your audience, creating content that connects, and building trust over time.

“How do I know if it’s my marketing… or me?”

Something I see ALL the time as a content marketer and business owner.

We’re so quick to jump to:“I need a better strategy”“I need to post more”“I need to fix my marketing”

But what if… it’s not that?

What if the real shift comes from recalibrating you first?

In this episode, I’m joined by the amazing Lucy Shrimpton to dive into what it actually means to recalibrate yourself so your marketing can truly land.

Ask someone close to you "what do I do, tell me in a sentence or two"?

Can they?

If not, maybe it is because you don't spend enough time repeating and explaining what it is you do.

I will never forget a mentor said to me "you have to love what you do because you will be talking about it over and over and over again".

“How do I get seen in an online space that is crowded”? 

One of the main questions I get as a content marketer and social media manager.

How about we take a second to think outside the box and confirm how we might position ourselves over just being visible online. 

I have an amazing guest on this episode to take us through the difference between simply being visible online and intentionally positioning yourself as an authority.