Category: Marketing Strategy
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The Problem with Buyer Personas No One Talks About
I disagree with many of the methods used by marketing specialists, business coaches, and business programs teaching entrepreneurs to describe a target audience by creating a buyer persona. In theory, the process sounds good, but from my experience mentoring small business owners, many struggle to connect with the people depicted in their buyer personas. What…
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AI Is a Tool, Not a Shortcut: A Reality Check for Entrepreneurs
I’m writing this as a warning to business owners who are persuaded by grifters, opportunistic investors, aggressive marketers, consultants, and others who see AI as an easy way to profit from people who don’t fully understand what it can and cannot do. Let me start by saying, I use AI tools daily, and like them,…
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No Sales? You’re Solving the Wrong Problem
If there’s one thing I want you to understand before anything else, it’s this: your business exists to solve a problem. Not to follow a trend. Not to go viral. Not just to “make money.” At its core, every successful business is built on the ability to identify a real need and provide a meaningful…
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How to Secure Press Features and Media Mentions
While professional PR firms can be effective, their fees, often ranging from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars per month, can be unaffordable for small businesses and new entrepreneurs. Fortunately, DIY PR is a viable alternative. I have personally used these PR platforms and, through consistent pitching and engagement, have secured numerous press…
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How to Get Your First 10 Paying Clients
Getting your first 10 paying customers can feel overwhelming. For most entrepreneurs, especially those starting their first business, it is one of the hardest milestones to reach. Despite what you may see online, it rarely happens overnight. Social media, YouTube, and business influencers often make client acquisition sound effortless. In reality, landing your first customers…
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Why Candle Brands Struggle With Wholesale (and How to Fix It)
Many product-based business owners unintentionally limit their growth because they are pricing their products for online retail only. When wholesale, private label, and white-label opportunities aren’t considered from the beginning, entire revenue streams are left on the table. This happens most often when business owners focus on maximizing margin per item and, in some cases,…
