Marketing is a thinking problem
You're building a presence, not a business.
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First, let’s define what a thinking problem is.
A thinking problem is a problem that can’t be solved with more execution.
You could drive all day in the wrong direction, and driving more won’t take you “there.”
Now let me tell you why I think marketing is a thinking problem.
It’s because I talk to you and keep hearing the same thing: “I’m doing a lot and not getting enough in return.”
You say it in different ways.
I’m posting daily on Notes but I’m not growing.
I’m getting readers but not clients / paid subscribers.
I’m sending cold pitches but get no responses.
How do I get more clients? I’ve tried everything.
In short, you do a lot of marketing, yet you can’t solve the problem of producing revenue in a sustainable, predictable way.
Speaking of revenue, it doesn’t help that most marketing advice you hear is geared towards building a presence, not a business.
A presence is a public thing that exists on platforms and can be impressive to look at. A business is a system that reliably produces revenue from a group of people who value what you offer. The two can coexist, but the strategic intention behind each is different, and conflating them is the source of most of the pain you’re feeling.