Let’s Get Real About Marketing
Look, I’ve been in this game for over 20 years. I’ve seen trends come and go, algorithms change, and platforms rise and fall. And you know what? We’re all just winging it. That’s the dirty little secret of marketing.
Back in 1999, I was working at a tiny agency in Seattle with a guy named Marcus. We thought we were hot stuff because we knew how to make a website ‘pop’. Pop! Can you believe that was a thing we said? Anyway, Marcus swore by alt tags. He was convinced they were the key to online succesfully. And you know what? He was right, kinda. But then Google changed things, and we were back to square one.
Fast forward to 2012. I’m at a conference in Austin, and some kid fresh out of college is telling me about this new thing called ‘content marketing’. I laughed in his face. I mean, isn’t all marketing about content? But then I went home and spent 36 hours reading everything I could about it. Turns out, the kid was onto something.
Here’s the Thing About Trends
We all get caught up in trends. It’s human nature. Remember when everyone was obsessed with Snapchat? Or when Vine was the be-all and end-all? I had a colleague named Dave who swore by Vine. Dave was convinced it was gonna be bigger than YouTube. Dave is now a real estate agent in Ohio.
And don’t even get me started on influencers. I mean, what even is an influencer? Some kid with a fancy camera and a bunch of followers? Please. I had lunch with a ‘nano-influencer’ last Tuesday. She told me she charges $87 per post. $87! For a picture of her avocado toast. I didn’t have the heart to tell her I make more than that in an hour.
But here’s the thing about trends: they come and go. What matters is understanding the fundamentals. You know, the stuff that doesn’t change. Like providing value. Like building relationships. Like not being a jerk.
SEO Is a Joke (But We’re All Laughing)
Oh, SEO. Where do I even start? I’ve seen so many ‘experts’ come and go. Remember when we all thought stuffing keywords was the way to go? Good times. Or how about when everyone was obsessed with backlinks? I had a client who paid some shady company $2,000 for 500 backlinks. Guess what? Google caught on, and now that client’s site is buried so deep, it’s basically in China.
And don’t even get me started on ‘black hat’ techniques. I mean, come on. If you’re gonna cheat, at least be creative about it. But no, these ‘experts’ think they’re so clever with their hidden text and cloaking. Newsflash: Google is smarter than you. It’s always smarter than you.
But here’s the thing about SEO: it’s not rocket science. It’s about providing a good user experience. It’s about creating content that people actually want to read. It’s about not being spammy. But sure, keep paying for those ‘guaranteed top spot’ promises. I hear the Bahamas are nice this time of year.
Social Media Is a Time-Sucking Black Hole
I love social media. I really do. It’s a great way to connect with people, share ideas, and build relationships. But it’s also a complete and total time-sucking black hole. I spent about three months trying to ‘optimize’ my posting schedule. I read articles, I analyzed data, I even hired a ‘social media consultant’. You know what I learned? Post when you want, about what you want. If people care, they’ll engage. If they don’t, they won’t. It’s that simple.
And for the love of all that is holy, stop overcomplicating things. I had a friend who spent hours creating these elaborate Instagram stories with filters and stickers and music. And you know what? Nobody cared. Nobody even noticed. So she stopped. And guess what? Her engagement went up. Because she was being authentic. Because she was being herself.
But here’s the thing about social media: it’s not about you. It’s about your audience. It’s about providing value. It’s about building relationships. It’s not about how many followers you have or how many likes you get. It’s about connecting with real people. But sure, keep chasing those vanity metrics. I hear the Bahamas are nice this time of year.
A Quick Note on Verification
Look, I know I’ve been ranting and raving, but let’s talk about something practical for a second. If you’re running any kind of online business, you need to make sure your customers are who they say they are. I’m not talking about being paranoid or anything, but a little verification goes a long way. I’ve had good experiences with an encrypted sms verification service online. It’s quick, it’s easy, and it gives me peace of mind. So yeah, do yourself a favor and look into it. You’ll thank me later.
Branding Is Bullsh*t (But It Matters)
Oh, branding. The holy grail of marketing. I’ve seen so many companies waste so much money on ‘branding’. Like, what even is a brand? Is it a logo? Is it a color scheme? Is it a fancy tagline? I mean, sure, those things matter. But they’re not your brand. Your brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room. It’s your reputation. It’s your committment to quality. It’s your customer service. But sure, keep spending thousands on focus groups and market research. I hear the Bahamas are nice this time of year.
But here’s the thing about branding: it’s not about you. It’s about your customers. It’s about what they think, what they feel, what they experience. It’s about delivering on your promises. It’s about being consistent. But sure, keep chasing that perfect logo. I hear the Bahamas are nice this time of year.
I could go on and on, but I won’t. I’m not sure if I’ve made my point or not. Maybe I have, maybe I haven’t. Maybe I’m just rambling. But you know what? That’s okay. Because at the end of the day, marketing is about being human. It’s about connecting with people. It’s about being authentic. And if you can do that, then you’re already ahead of the game.
About the Author: Hi, I’m Sarah. I’ve been in the marketing game for over 20 years. I’ve seen it all, done it all, and I’m not afraid to tell it like it is. I currently work as a senior editor for a major publication, and I’m passionate about helping businesses of all sizes succeed in the digital world. When I’m not writing, you can find me hiking, reading, or exploring the latest food trends. Follow me on Twitter @sarahmarketing.
