Marketing is full of so-called ‘rules’ that, when put into practice, don’t always deliver the results they promise. As business owners, we’re constantly bombarded with advice, some of it gold and some of it sounds good in theory but doesn’t hold up in reality.
In this episode of Talk, I am setting the record straight on five of the biggest marketing myths out there and, more importantly, looking at what works instead.
Myth #1: Email Marketing is Dead
“People don’t read emails anymore. Social media is the only way to reach your audience.”
But here’s the truth: email marketing is far from dead. In fact, it’s one of the most profitable marketing channels available.
Unlike social media, where your reach is at the mercy of algorithms, emails land directly in your audience’s inbox. And with a few strategic tweaks, you can ensure they don’t get lost in the ‘promotions’ tab.
What works instead?
- Build a segmented email list so you can send personalised content that resonates with your audience.
- Write subject lines that spark curiosity and encourage opens
- Focus on providing value first. Not every email should be a sales pitch; mix in helpful tips, exclusive insights, and personal stories.
- Use automation to set up welcome sequences, abandoned cart emails, and re-engagement campaigns. These simple strategies can dramatically improve conversion rates over time.
Myth #2: More Content Equals More Sales
“If you’re not posting every day, you’re missing out on sales.”
The reality is that simply churning out more content doesn’t necessarily mean better results. If your content isn’t valuable, it’s just adding to the noise.
What works instead?
- Focus on quality over quantity. A well-thought-out piece of content will outperform daily fluff posts.
- Repurpose high-performing content across multiple channels. A single blog post can be turned into multiple social posts, an email, or even a podcast episode.
- Every post should have a purpose whether that’s to educate, entertain, inspire, or convert.
- Track engagement and analyse what works rather than blindly increasing your posting frequency. Posting at the right time, when your audience is active, is far more effective than posting constantly.
Myth #3: SEO is Dead
“With constant Google updates and the rise of AI, many business owners think SEO is no longer relevant.”
But search engines haven’t disappeared, they’ve just evolved.
What works instead?
- Focus on search intent. Google prioritises content that answers people’s questions.
- Use tools like Answer the Public to find out what people are searching for and incorporate those queries into your content.
- Optimise your website for mobile and ensure fast load speeds as Google rewards sites that provide a good user experience.
- Use a mix of long-tail and short-tail keywords to attract niche traffic.
- Refresh old blog posts with updated insights and keywords. Google sees this as a positive signal and can boost rankings as a result.
A well-optimised blog post with the right keywords can bring in organic traffic for years, just like the ‘64 Bridging Statements’ post on our website, which continues to be one of our top-performing pieces.
Myth #4: Paid Ads are the Only Way to Grow
“If you’re not running ads, you’re not serious about growing your business.”
While ads can be effective, relying solely on them means you’re constantly paying attention rather than building organic momentum.
What works instead?
- Balance paid ads with a strong organic marketing strategy like SEO, content marketing, and email marketing.
- Use retargeting ads to nurture warm leads rather than spending all your budget on cold audiences.
- Create lead magnets like free resources, webinars, or discount codes to build your email list and reduce reliance on paid traffic.
- If you do run ads, always track performance and test different headlines and audiences to get the best return on investment.
A business with strong organic reach will always get better ad results than one that relies purely on paid traffic. Build the foundations first, then use ads to amplify your reach.
Myth #5: You Have to Go Viral to Be Successful
“If your content doesn’t go viral, it’s not effective.”
Virality is unpredictable, and a single viral post doesn’t necessarily lead to long-term business growth.
What works instead?
- Focus on building genuine relationships with your audience instead of chasing viral moments.
- Track meaningful metrics like engagement, leads, and conversions not just views.
- Consistently provide value so that people remember your brand for the right reasons.
A brand that serves its audience well over time will always outperform one that got a single viral hit and disappeared into obscurity.
Final Thoughts
Marketing isn’t about following trends blindly, it’s about understanding what works for your business. By leaving behind these outdated myths and focusing on smart, strategic marketing, you’ll build a more sustainable, impactful presence that drives real results.
So, which of these myths have you believed in the past? And what will you do differently moving forward?
Let’s make marketing work for you, not the other way around!
Highlights
- [00:00] Introduction to Marketing Myths
- [01:03] Myth 1: Email Marketing is Dead
- [02:45] Myth 2: More Content Equals More Sales
- [04:15] Myth 3: SEO Doesn’t Work Anymore
- [05:51] Myth 4: Paid Ads Are the Only Way to Grow
- [07:06] Myth 5: You Have to Go Viral to Be Successful
- [08:15] Recap and Final Thoughts
Resources
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