5 Truths They Don’t Tell You About Marketing (That I Wish More People Knew)
After 18+ years in marketing, I’ve worked with all kinds of businesses and personalities. I’ve been in rooms where the strategy was crystal clear and aligned with the mission, and in others where it felt like we were throwing spaghetti at the wall, hoping something would stick. And let me tell you—experience teaches you what to keep, and what to leave behind.
In this season of my career, I’m working with intentional, thoughtful clients who see me as a strategic partner, not just a marketing person on their team. I’m no longer overextending myself for people who don’t know what they want or who treat me like a task-doer. The clients I work with trust me, collaborate with me, and invite me to speak into the direction of their business. That’s what good marketing partnerships look like.
Here are five truths I wish more people understood about marketing:
1. You don’t need to do everything. You need to do the right things.
I’ve seen too many clients spread themselves thin trying to do it all—every platform, every trend, every marketing tip on TikTok. But doing everything means you end up doing nothing well. Strategy means choosing what’s effective, not just what’s available. The best marketing is focused and intentional.
2. Marketing without strategy is just noise—even if it’s pretty.
This one hits home. I’ve been brought into projects where the visuals were stunning, the brand was polished, but there was no strategy underneath. No clarity on who they were talking to or why. Aesthetics without strategy don’t move the needle. Alignment is what matters most.
3. The most successful businesses? They repeat themselves—on purpose.
Repetition builds trust. Your audience doesn’t remember that one post you wrote at midnight. They remember the message you’ve committed to showing up with over and over again. The best brands don’t chase novelty—they stay rooted in clarity.
4. Followers don’t equal buyers. Visibility means nothing without clarity.
I’ve seen businesses with thousands of followers and zero real traction. Why? Because popularity isn’t the same as conversion. Having a clear message, a clear offer, and a clear path to action matters more than likes. If your audience doesn’t understand what you do, they won’t pay for it.
5. If you’re burned out on content, it’s probably because you’re not connected to the message anymore.
When you’re just creating to keep up, everything starts to feel hollow. I’ve been there—especially during seasons where I was doing marketing for others without checking in on my own voice. It’s exhausting to be consistent without clarity. The fix isn’t to quit—it’s to reconnect with your message and your why.
I’ll be sharing more real-talk marketing reflections like these in the weeks ahead—truths, lessons, and insights I’ve learned from being in this space a long time. Not to sell you anything. Just to help you see your own marketing with a little more honesty, strategy, and purpose.
Because when your marketing is grounded, your message actually lands.
Abby
