👋🏻 Welcome to issue 47 of straight-to-the-point insights that turn why they buy into how you sell. (Did someone forward this to you? Subscribe here.) In college, I dated a guy just because he was hot. It wasn’t a love story. It was short-lived, mostly fun, and ended after about a month. Because once the novelty wore off, there wasn’t much else there. Once I realized he didn’t have much to say beyond ESPN stats and protein shake ratios… I was out. Which brings me to a line from a recent LinkedIn post that hit home for a lot of people: Don't confuse attention for connection. When you’re chasing attention, not connectionFor years, we were told attention was the goal. Be top of mind. Post more. Go viral. Stay visible. But here’s the thing: we’re not in an attention economy anymore. We’re in a connection economy. And attention without substance? That’s just noise. So… what does connection look like in marketing?Glad you asked. Connection looks like:
You don’t have to overshare or be everywhere. You just need to show up with clarity, consistency, and a little backbone. So people know what to expect and trust what you say. “But I’ve been consistent…”And yet, you're still not seeing the results you want? Here’s the hard truth: Consistency only works when the message is right. If you’re showing up regularly but still attracting the wrong people (or no one at all), the problem isn’t your effort. It’s your alignment. How do you know if your message is actually clear?Ask yourself:
If not, your message might be muddy, misaligned, or missing the mark. And that’s something we can fix. You have to create the conditions for trustBuilding trust takes time. (More time than you might think.) The old rule of thumb? 7 touchpoints. The new reality? Try 8… or 50. 📚 According to EmailToolTester, it can now take up to 50 touchpoints before someone decides to buy—depending on your visibility, niche, and offer complexity. So yes, this might feel like more work up front. But if you're tired of being ghosted, chasing bad-fit leads, or repeating yourself on every call… More trust = less wasted time. “Wait…does attention still matter?”Of course it does. But grabbing attention isn’t the goal. It’s the gateway. The real question is: what happens next? → Do they stick around? That’s what clear, values-driven messaging does. It doesn’t just get you noticed. It makes you memorable. Brands that balance attention and connectionIf you want to see what this looks like in action, here are a few brands doing it well, without selling their souls or shouting into the void: 🌾 All Good: This B Corp makes reef-safe sunscreen and body care products, but what really stands out is their commitment to sustainability woven through every touchpoint, from regenerative business practices to compostable packaging. Their website and social copy are warm, clear, and values-forward. Not flashy. Just deeply aligned. 🗣 Erica Courdae: As a DEI consultant and solopreneur, Erica consistently centers impact over hype. Her content is grounded in invitation, not pressure. She asks hard questions, shares generously, and never rushes the sale—proving that trust builds community and clients. 📈 Basecamp: A B2B company that takes a stand. From team culture to product philosophy, their messaging is straightforward, values-aligned, and never performative. They don’t try to please everyone. They speak directly to those who share their ethos. These brands don’t just get noticed. They resonate. Because their marketing feels like their mission. How do I turn connection into conversions?Not with pushy CTAs. Not with urgency hacks or “Only 3 spots left!” countdown timers on offers that never sell out. You convert through clarity and alignment. You make the right people feel seen. That’s how trust becomes revenue. 🔗 Want to see the post that started all this? P.S. Want to build messaging that connects and converts? Here’s how I can help:
Because attention is easy. Connection takes strategy. |
Smart brands skip the hacks and get strategic. Learn how to position, message, and sell—without sounding like everyone else. 👇🏻