5 Things I Would Never Do as a Marketing Coach (That Most ‘Experts’ Still Recommend)
Let’s be honest—marketing advice is everywhere. Scroll Instagram for five seconds and you’ll hear the same recycled tips: post daily, jump on trends, DM strangers… and boom, you’re supposedly booked out. Except… that’s not how it works. At least, not if you’re a solo entrepreneur who wants sustainable, values-aligned marketing that doesn’t make you want to through your phone into the sun. As a marketing coach who works with real solo business owners every day, I’ve seen what works—and what’s just noise. So here’s my hot take list of things I would never recommend, even if the “experts” still do.
❌ 1. “Post every single day to grow”
Posting daily can work—for content creators with full-time teams. But if you’re running your own business and doing your own marketing, this advice is a recipe for burnout.
What to do instead:
Post consistently in a way that works for you. Show up with value, not just volume. Three thoughtful posts a week will go further than seven rushed ones. Imagine this: by consistently putting out awesome content, you could see your engagement jump by, say, 3%! Plus, you might just welcome around 50 new fans into your community.
❌ 2. “Use trending audio to go viral”
Trends are tempting, but they don’t build trust or brand loyalty. A funny lip-sync might get likes, but will it convert? Probably not.
What to do instead:
Use your own voice—literally and figuratively. Show your face. Share your message. Let your people get to know you, not just your algorithm-friendly edits. Want to level up your talking videos? Some suggest adding trending music in the background. Just remember to dial that music volume down so it supports, not steals the show from, your voice!
❌ 3. “DM 100 people a day with your offer”
Please don’t. No one likes cold DMs. They feel spammy, desperate, and wildly out of touch.
What to do instead:
Create content that sparks curiosity and connection. Invite conversation. Let people come to you because they see your value—not because you ambushed their inbox. Imagine consistently gaining, say, 10-20 genuinely interested followers each week, rather than a sudden spike of less engaged accounts.
❌ 4. “Your brand colors and logo are top priority”
Is branding important? Yes. Is it the first thing to focus on? Nope. Fancy visuals mean nothing if your message is fuzzy or your offer is confusing.
What to do instead:
Nail your positioning, messaging, and how you help people. You can always refine your visuals later—but clarity and connection come first.
❌ 5. “You need a complicated funnel to succeed”
Funnel talk gets thrown around like confetti—especially by coaches selling high-ticket programs. But most solo business owners don’t need a 17-step nurture sequence just to get one client.
What to do instead:
Keep it simple. A clear offer, a strong message, and one or two solid ways to convert (like a consult call or DM chat) can work wonders.
🎯 Final Thoughts
Marketing isn’t about doing more; it’s about doing the right things for your goals, your audience, and what you can realistically handle.
Solo entrepreneur? You don’t need to chase every trend or copy the crowd. What you need is a marketing strategy that’s smart, authentic, and built to last.
Ready to ditch the outdated advice and start marketing in a way that feels genuinely good?
Let’s make it happen. Follow for actionable tips that cut through the noise, subscribe to my emails https://subscribepage.io/teach-me-social-news or reach out to this marketing coach for personalized, 1:1 guidance to build a strategy that truly works for you.
