Why Marketing Your Business Can Sometimes Feel Awful
Marketing online can often feel like an overwhelming, exhausting chore—so much so that I’ve joked about sticking a fork in my eye just to escape it. If you’ve ever felt this way, I want you to know: you are not alone. There is a massive shift happening in the world of online marketing, and it’s one that isn’t being talked about nearly enough. I call it the authenticity factor.
In today’s digital world, people can smell BS from a mile away. We intuitively know when someone is desperate, when their message feels forced, or when they’re simply going through the motions. Whether it’s the latest Instagram trend or a viral dance, blindly following what others are doing just doesn’t work anymore. What matters is how you show up—your energy, your presence, your truth.
The Authenticity Factor: Why Trying to Fit In Doesn’t Work
Many entrepreneurs, especially women, are battling limiting beliefs. Impostor syndrome doesn’t discriminate—even those with immense talent and experience find themselves asking, "Who am I to do this?" The stories we carry around—I’m too old, I’m not qualified, no one will listen—have crushed more dreams than any competitor ever could. But here’s what I want you to hear loud and clear: There is nothing wrong with you.
The problem is we’ve been conditioned to believe we need to act a certain way to be taken seriously. That we need to emulate some image of a polished, professional marketer to be successful. But guess what? That version of "success" is outdated. People want real. They want connection, not perfection.
So what if you showed up fully as yourself? What if you allowed your natural strengths and energy to guide the way? That’s where the magic begins.
From Limited Beliefs to Empowered Leadership
I've seen it countless times—brilliant, capable women holding themselves back because they think they need more credentials, more followers, more "proof" of their worth. But I say this: "I am really good at this, and I know I can help people." And you can say that too.
Owning your value isn’t arrogance. It’s truth. And when you speak from that truth, your confidence becomes magnetic. You stop trying to squeeze yourself into someone else’s mold and instead start showing up in a way that’s powerful and freeing.
One of my favorite stories is of an 82-year-old client who rewrote her own narrative. She was the first female hot air balloonist in Australia, a survivor of unspeakable trauma, and now she’s thriving as a public speaker, author, and podcast guest. Society told her to slow down. She chose to rise up. Her story is living proof that your age, your past, or your fears don’t define your future.
From Desperation to Authority: The Energy You Radiate Matters
When I review someone’s website or social media, I can immediately pick up on what I call the "scent of desperation." It’s a frantic energy—the vibe of someone trying to get something instead of offering something. And let me tell you, potential clients run from that.
Confidence is contagious. When you show up with the energy of, "This is who I am, this is what I do, and I know it works," people feel it. They lean in. That’s the shift that turns your marketing from a grind into a magnet.
The Cultural Shift: Authenticity Over Perfection
Marketing culture has changed. The airbrushed, overly produced, Kardashian-filtered version of success is fading. People are tired of the fake. They want real. That’s why platforms like TikTok have exploded—because people crave rawness and relatability.
Let go of the comparisons. Let go of needing to "measure up" to someone else’s highlight reel. The less perfect you are, the more human you become. And the more human you are, the more connection and trust you build.
Collaboration Over Hustle: The New Entrepreneurial Paradigm
The hustle-alone narrative is dying. Thank goodness. I believe the future of entrepreneurship lies in collaboration. When we work together—whether it’s through bundles, co-hosting workshops, or podcasting—we multiply our reach, our creativity, and our joy.
I’ve never resonated with the hustle culture. It always felt rooted in masculine energy, scarcity, and burnout. I prefer to show up, authentically and fully, and trust that the right people will find me. That’s not wishful thinking—that’s strategy rooted in self-trust.
The Power of Podcasting: An Intimate Medium for Connection
Podcasting is one of the most intimate, powerful platforms we have. My background in broadcast journalism taught me how to use my voice to inform, inspire, and connect. With audio, we strip away the visual judgments and create heart-to-heart conversations.
Whether you host your own show or guest on others, podcasting lets you share your story, your message, and your authority in a deeply personal way. Plus, no algorithm is gatekeeping your content. That direct connection is everything.
Final Thoughts: Step Into Your Authentic Authority
Marketing online doesn’t have to feel awful. When you stop trying to be someone else and start showing up as yourself, everything changes. Your energy shifts. Your confidence grows. And your audience responds.
Impostor syndrome loses its grip when you realize you don’t have to play a part—you just have to be you.
So take a deep breath. Remember your power. And let the world see what happens when you step into your authority without apology.
You’ve got this.