Make Marketing Suck Less

Is your business flying under the radar?  Happy clients who get great results see you as their secret weapon.  Being the best-kept secret kind of sucks, doesn't it? It means that you're losing out on clients revenue, opportunities to let your expertise shine through so that it reaches more people.  How can you stop flying under the radar? Well, it starts by letting go of this one pesky little thought that stops you from putting your work out in the world.  And then it's just about following this three-step process that will help make marketing suck less. Are you ready for that? Let's dive in. In this episode: Why no one is actually noticing what you're doing as much as you are Two big Rebel Truths about getting marketing right  The three steps to making marketing less intimidating Resources mentioned:   Brene Brown Wes Kao Spotlight Effect Don't Like Marketing?  Here’s what to do at the minimum Achilles’ Heel Assessment Minimum Viable, Meaningful Marketing Message Episode  

Do you feel like an overlooked expert? Have you ever thought, “I am great at what I do!  So, why don't more people know about me?” I'll be honest. I have asked myself this question and I've become a little obsessed with figuring out the answer to it. In my business, I am so lucky that I get to work with amazing, talented people who are experts in their field. Years of experience, finely honed skills, and the work they do with their clients is incredible. It gets results.They are the type of people who are so damn easy to refer to because their work is so good, and they're the kind of people that I want to make sure more people know. But that brings me back to the question “If they are so good, so talented, so skilled, and get their clients results, why aren't they more widely known?” And I believe I found part of this answer, and I'm calling this the overlooked expert phenomenon.  Let's talk about it and the three reasons why it exists. Want to hear more about The Expert Up Club? Book Your Private Tour HereFull show notes and transcript are here.

Can we talk about how batshit bananas the current economic climate is? Online business is undergoing a major correction right now. Sales cycles take longer. Trust is at an all time low. And all of those business owners who were touting their “Big Teams!” and “7 Figure Success!” are now talking about descaling and degrowth. The bottom line is people aren't buying like they used to. I felt it, and I'm sure you have too. But now that our economy has a big case of the weirds, how do you adjust your marketing and your message to stay relevant to your clients during this strange time?That's what we're talking about today on the pod. Want to hear more about The Expert Up Club? Book Your Private Tour HereFull show notes and transcript are here.

“I don't know if I'm expert enough.”“Oh, really?” As soon as I hear this phrase, I always ask, “So tell me about your experience.”  And then I am regaled by a list of certifications, education, experience on the job, transferable skills, developing their own frameworks and working with clients and getting results.Yes, you're definitely expert enough, but I understand why people feel like they aren’t. Why you doubt your expertise and think that you're not expert enough. And some people think they're not expert enough to even listen to this podcast. Well, it may be a good old-fashioned imposter complex getting in the way. It might also be a fundamental misunderstanding about expertise. So let's unpack that and talk about how to know if you're expert enough. And spoiler alert, if you're thinking that you're more than expert enough.Want to hear more about The Expert Up Club? Book Your Private Tour HereFull show notes and transcript are here.

Have you ever thought that one of the reasons that you're hesitant to market and put your expertise out there is because of the way we're taught to market in the online space. Because what we're taught is not for you, especially if you are an expertise-based business that's been doing it for a while. What works for the masses doesn't work for you. On this podcast, we're diving into 3 big messaging tropes that you commonly hear in online business that don't work for expert-based businesses like yours and what you should do instead. Want to hear more about The Expert Up Club? Book Your Private Tour HereFull show notes and transcript are here.

Wouldn’t it be lovely if people recognized your expertise and hired you on the spot?Unfortunately, good work doesn’t speak for itself, and getting great results for your clients is not enough. Rebel Truth: Good work is never enough.You’ve got to advocate for your work. You’ve got to speak up and be seen for that good work. You’ve got to showcase why you’re the expert who can get the job done.Your right-fit client is out there right now looking for you, and if you’re not marketing, they will hire someone else. Marketing is a necessity. It’s the only way your clients know your business exists. And marketing sucks...so how can you do it in a way that takes less time and gets you better results? You come to The Expert Up Club open house that's happening on Wednesday, March 20th at 10 am PT.Sign up for the Open House by clicking here or go to https://drmichellemazur.com/house

“I wish I didn't have to market. Why can't people just see I'm an expert and hire me on the spot?” I can't tell you how many times I've heard this very thing and I get why.Experts think because we are damn good at what we do, that people should just recognize that and give us their money.  I wish it was that way but it’s not.I also understand how much it hurts to watch someone who has half the experience and expertise that you possess, get the clients and the opportunities that you know in your heart of heart that you should have, or at least be in the running for. The rebel truth: It’s time to market your expertise.That's why I wanted to make a case for why experts like you need to market your business. Want to hear more about The Expert Up Club? Book Your Private Tour HereFull show notes and transcript are here.

This is gonna get awkward. There's always a time in marketing when you reach this awkward transition point. Where you go from empathizing, providing value, and giving your potential clients an “ah-ha” that makes them think to asking them to work with you. And let's face it. It's a tricky, weird transition to navigate in your marketing. So, how do you transition from marketing into asking for the sale?  That's exactly what we’re talking about.Want to hear more about The Expert Up Club? Book Your Private Tour HereFull show notes and transcript are here.

This anniversary really snuck up on me.I realized the other morning that it has been five years since I first published the 3 Word Rebellion. Then when I sat down and added up the numbers, I realized that I had now sold over 5,000 copies of the book, which blew me away. I can't even begin to describe that to you. Today, I want to take you behind the scenes and tell you the completely unglamorous story of what it took to sell that many books in 5 years.In this episode, we discussed:The mindset shift and ongoing marketing efforts needed to achieve long-term book sales.The exact strategies I used to promote the book  - then & nowThe continued relevance and promotion of the 3 Word Rebellion, as well as its expansion into the Expert Up Club.Want to hear more about The Expert Up Club? Book Your Private Tour HereFull show notes and transcript are here.

Your marketing message is a bit like a puzzle.  There are multiple pieces that come together in a unique way that form a compelling and persuasive story about why your right-fit clients would choose to work with you.  But too many times, business owners are missing a piece of the puzzle and, no, their cat didn't steal it.  Once you've helped your client diagnose their problem and dispel any misconceptions that they might have about the work you do, you think they are ready for your offer, but they're not.  So what is this piece of the puzzle?  I’m here to tell you! In this episode we discuss: The importance of a complete marketing message puzzle and the common missing piece in business owner's messaging. Nurturing and engaging potential clients through the messaging process, including diagnosing problems and dispelling misconceptions. Advocating for the business's unique solution to a client's problem without jumping straight into the offer. Examples of bridging the gap between a client's problem and the business's unique solution.  

No one understands your work quite like you do.  What you consider common knowledge, your potential clients don't even know about - it is not on their radar.  And this is part of the curse of expertise.  What we think as experts is universally understood - it's not.  And what your potential clients don't understand, keep them from taking the next step from working with you.  In this episode, we talk about misconceptions and dispelling misconceptions as a core piece of your minimum viable marketing message. We also discuss: The curse of expertise and the barriers it creates in effectively communicating with potential clients The 2 types of misconceptions and their impact on potential clients. Examples of misconceptions in different businesses, including messaging, email automation, and coaching. The challenge of identifying misconceptions and the role of feedback from others in understanding them.  

Do you hate the idea of pressing on people's pain points?   Agitating the pain so that the only solution to make it stop is by giving you money?  I do too. It's gross. It's icky, and, unfortunately, it works.  But there's another way to talk about your clients' struggles and challenges without feeling like a big old sleazeball.  It's key to creating your minimum viable marketing message and ensuring your potential clients feel seen, heard, and valued.  So what is this alternative?  You'll just have to listen in to find out. In this episode, we  review what the hell messaging is and the voice of customer research  work to understand the pain your client is experiencing learn the three parts of the Problem Statement, including how to stop the “snake from eating its tail” problem  

A special invite to the Make Marketing Suck Less Virtual Event? Social media feels like a 20-lb weight choking all the joy out of my business.All the "shoulds." All the rules. All the head trash around having the "perfect" hook." Maybe you feel it, too? Here's the deal: you don't have to RELY on social media for audience growth. You've got a ton of options. Finding what works for you is freeing. I'm hosting a virtual event, Make Marketing Suck Less to help you do just that. I'm gathering 10 business owners to reveal their  BEST marketing method to book more business this year beyond likes & shares. Because this is a conversation that the industry needs to have, as there is no ONE way to market your business. Your way is unique to you based on your strengths, who you serve, and how you want to show up. Join us here: https://drmichellemazur.com/event

Who are you talking to?  And I don't mean just your right-fit client. You probably know that you're talking to moms, other business owners, or women in tech looking to make a career change.  But who are you talking to in relationship with your business?  Have they been following you for ages, or did they just stumble on your website yesterday?  Because knowing that matters.  Let's talk about why understanding the relationship your potential clients have with you is key and how it's going to make your marketing twice as effective for your business. In this episode, we'll discuss: The strategic questions you should be asking yourself whenever you're marketing The five core stages of awareness and how your messaging aligns with each The relationship between messaging goals, audience awareness, and marketing strategies  

The foundation for all your messaging is something that is so often overlooked and skipped by many solo business owners.  This is an essential piece of messaging for ensuring that you're able to capture the attention of the people you want to serve. It helps you grow your audience.  This piece of messaging also makes sure that what you're saying resonates, that it makes sense and that it is persuasive to the people you most want to reach.  So what is this often overlooked and skipped-over piece of messaging? Voice of customer research.  In this episode we'll be discussing: The missing piece business owners leave out of their messaging Why client avatars aren’t the way to go and what to do instead Learn exactly what the VOC is and what it will capture How incredibly beneficial AI is in complimenting your VOC data The best way to create marketing content  

Happy 2024, Expert!   I'm noticing something that I never thought I would see in online business.   Messaging is finally having its moment.  While I'm thrilled that messaging is getting the attention it deserves, there is a catch, my friend.  Most of the business coaches and marketers who are talking about it are oversimplifying what messaging is and leading business owners astray about its true strategic purpose in your business.  So let's start the year off right by demystifying what messaging is with all the nuance, the goal it helps your business achieve, and how to become a master messaging mixologist to make marketing suck less. In this episode, you will: Learn what are the various elements of messaging   Discover the goal of messaging in business and how it’s a lot like politics  Hear the definition of messaging and its pivotal role in persuasion Understand the analogy of creating messaging as concocting a cocktail  

We made it.   This has been quite a year.  It's been unlike any year that I have seen in business before. As we wrap up 2023, I wanted to take a moment to celebrate and also take you behind the scenes of my business for an honest look at what 2023 was really like, what I'm proud of, what didn't go well at all and my secret excitement and hope for 2024. In this episode we'll discuss: My top three highlights of the year The most challenging situations of the year, both financially and personally My predictions for 2024  

There's a famous episode of South Park where gnomes are stealing the kids' underpants. The kids go on a quest to find out why the gnomes are stealing underpants. The reason? It's capitalism.  You see, the gnomes have a plan: Step 1, Steal underpants Step 2, I don't know??? Step 3, Profit! The way marketing is taught often uses the exact same strategy as the underpants gnomes, and it could be the reason why your marketing isn't as effective in bringing you more clients and booking more business. In this episode you'll hear: The analogy of the underpants gnomes stealing underpants as a marketing strategy Product market fit and its significance in marketing The importance of the foundation of messaging  

 If you scroll through social media, there are a heck of a lot of marketing experts all screaming at you about how they have the way, the proven formula that will help you book more business overnight.  Much of that advice is conflicting, and it also leaves you feeling like you need to be everywhere on all the platforms to grow your business.  And that's tough, especially as a solo business owner who is juggling so much client delivery, and sales, on top of all the marketing you should be doing.  In this episode, we are doing something a little bit different. I'm sharing with you a roundtable I facilitated that brought together three experts, Diann Wingert, Pauline Wiles, and Elise Enriquez, to discuss their challenges around overmarketing, and how they are learning to do less marketing, but do it better.  Tune in to identify where you're overdoing it when it comes to marketing and how to right-size your own marketing strategy. Because one of the insights that I had from this discussion is that overmarketing can also lead to overgiving, and that has impacts on your business.  We'll also cover the difference between being a creator versus being a business owner and how that impacts your approach as well. Whether you need help letting go of certain tactics or just want to dial in your own strategy, this discussion provides valuable insights for you, the solo business owner, looking to streamline your efforts. In this episode we'll discuss: The pressures and challenges of overmarketing How to let go of unproductive marketing strategies The difference between being a creator vs a business owner  Boundaries in content creation and marketing How to find clarity in marketing and business strategies  

All-or-nothing thinking is a scourge when it comes to messaging and marketing for your business.  What I see i sfar too often  business owners spend a ton of time, energy, and even money creating a new marketing asset.  Let's say you create a new lead magnet to grow your email community.  You'll spend hours creating that lead magnet, writing the welcome sequence, creating the landing page for it.   It could take you weeks or even months to finish that project, and then you'll put it out into the world. If you're not seeing the results that you hoped you would get, you just throw up your hands and think, “It's not working. I'm going to scrap the whole thing.” What do you say if we don't do that?  What if there is a better way to approach it?  One where you're not throwing the baby out with the bathwater, but instead, you tweak and evolve. In this episode we discuss: The negative impact of all-or-nothing thinking on messaging and marketing. The importance of tweaking and evolving marketing assets rather than scrapping them entirely. The process of planning, executing, and evaluating marketing experiments. The role of identifying glimmers of success and areas that feel difficult in the evaluation process. The significance of dedicating time and attention to creating effective marketing assets for business growth.