If you’ve spent any time reading about digital marketing, you’ve probably noticed something: most of the advice out there is useless.
Every blog, LinkedIn post, and self-proclaimed guru seems to recycle the same tired strategies:
• “Post consistently on social media.”
• “Optimize your site for SEO.”
• “Use storytelling in your content.”
None of this is wrong, but it’s so vague it’s meaningless—and that’s the problem. Marketing is not just a checklist of best practices; it’s about understanding your audience, testing strategies, and adapting based on results.
So, let’s break down why most marketing advice is trash and what actually works in the real world.
1. The “One-Size-Fits-All” Approach Doesn’t Work
A lot of marketing advice assumes that every business is the same—that what works for a billion-dollar brand will work for a local business. That’s nonsense.
• A DTC eCommerce brand doesn’t need the same SEO strategy as a B2B SaaS company.
• A home contractor isn’t going to benefit from TikTok trends the way a clothing brand might.
• A law firm needs trust-building content, not high-frequency posting on Instagram.
What actually works? Understanding your business model, audience, and goals—then tailoring your strategy accordingly.
2. SEO Isn’t a Magic Trick (It’s a Process)
SEO gets treated like some mystical formula that, if followed correctly, guarantees success. That’s why you’ll see tons of generic SEO advice like:
• “Use keywords in your content.”
• “Build backlinks.”
• “Optimize for user experience.”
Again, not wrong—but these are outcomes, not a strategy.
SEO is about understanding search intent, creating valuable content, and optimizing based on real data. That means:
• Choosing the right keywords—not just stuffing them everywhere.
• Earning high-quality backlinks—not buying spammy ones.
• Improving page speed and UX—because Google prioritizes real user experience.
If an SEO agency tells you they can guarantee first-page rankings, run. SEO is a long game, and anyone promising shortcuts is lying.
3. Paid Ads Aren’t a Growth Strategy—They’re a Tool
A lot of businesses think they can throw money at paid ads and see instant results. But without a real strategy, ads are just a way to burn cash quickly.
Meta Ads, Google Ads, LinkedIn Ads—none of them work unless you:
• Have a high-converting landing page (not just a home page link).
• Understand your audience and targeting (not just “boosting” posts).
• Track conversions, not just clicks (because clicks don’t equal revenue).
What actually works? Combining organic and paid strategies—using SEO to bring in long-term traffic and paid ads to amplify what’s already working.
4. Content Marketing is Not Just “Posting More”
One of the biggest myths in marketing is that more content = more success. Businesses pump out blogs, social posts, and videos without any strategy—then wonder why nothing sticks.
The real question isn’t “how much content should I post?” It’s:
• Does this content answer a real question my audience has?
• Is it actually better than what’s already ranking?
• Does it connect to a business goal (traffic, leads, authority)?
Great content isn’t just words on a page—it’s helpful, well-researched, and optimized to rank.
5. Marketing is About Testing, Not “Best Practices”
Here’s the biggest truth: there is no universal marketing formula.
What works for one company might flop for another. The only way to know? Test, track, and refine.
• SEO strategy not working? Look at your bounce rate, keyword intent, and backlinks.
• Ads not converting? Test different audiences, creatives, and offers.
• Content not getting engagement? Change formats, headlines, or distribution strategies.
Marketing is part science, part experimentation. If you’re not analyzing results and making changes, you’re just guessing.
The Bottom Line: Stop Following Generic Advice
Most marketing blogs exist to rank on Google and drive leads—not to actually help businesses. That’s why the advice feels so generic.
If you really want to grow:
• Understand your audience first.
• Test strategies, don’t just copy what others are doing.
• Invest in SEO and content that provides long-term value.
• Use paid ads strategically—not as a crutch.
• Track everything and adapt based on real data.
If you’re tired of fluff marketing advice and want real insights that actually help, stick around. I’m sharing what I’ve learned—no sales pitches, just real strategy.
Want to discuss a marketing challenge? Let’s talk.