✨the SPARK 219 ~The Silent Marketing Revolution Is Here

Where Genuine Connection Outperforms Flashy Funnels

One of my superpowers is being able to deliver a movie or song quote at just the right time (being silly with it being a superpower; some might find it less than amusing 😉).

Of course, I’m not a movie or music aficionado; I like what I like, so take this with a grain of salt.

The one line that keeps coming to me right now is from Game of Thrones (I loved that series), and it’s “Hold the door!”

It’s an intense scene where the character Hodor sacrifices himself to “hold the door” to keep the white walkers out while two other characters can safely escape.

I keep thinking of this line not because we need to sacrifice ourselves (wouldn’t that be a grim marketing newsletter) but because we need to stay steady and stay the course.

Amidst the general chaos we’re experiencing worldwide, the digital marketing space seems to mirror some of that.

However, I think it’s long overdue, and I see nothing but good in this. While digital marketing and online publishing aren’t brand new anymore, they are still very young industries.

The thing about times of chaos and uncertainty is that they often precede significant positive change. Think about it - how many businesses were born out of necessity? How many innovations came from frustration with the status quo?

While social platforms seem less reliable (hello, algorithm changes, and skyrocketing ad costs 👋), and some of our tried-and-true methods aren't delivering the same results, this isn't necessarily bad news.

It's an invitation to return to fundamentals.

Here's what I mean by that...

When I first started in this space (back in my WPChick days), the focus was on solving real problems for real people. We didn't have sophisticated funnels or complex automation—we had conversations, built relationships, and created solutions for problems we understood deeply because we'd experienced them ourselves.

And guess what?

That still works. It will always work.

Let's talk about what this looks like in practice:

1. Double Down on Connection
   Instead of chasing viral moments or perfect hashtag strategies, spend time having actual conversations. Reply to emails, join discussions, and share your thoughts on other people's work (like we do here on Substack!).

The beautiful thing about genuine engagement? It compounds. Every real connection you make has the potential to introduce you to other like-minded people.

2. Create Solutions, Not Content
   Yes, I know this sounds contradictory coming from someone who talks about "#EverythingIsContent," but hear me out. Instead of creating content for content's sake, ask yourself:

• What specific problem am I solving?

• Who exactly needs this solution?

• How can I make this as practical and implementable as possible?

3. Diversify Thoughtfully
   While I'm not suggesting you need to be everywhere (please don't), exploring new platforms and methods is smart. But here's the key: only expand into spaces that:

• Feel authentic to you

• Allow you to connect with your ideal audience

• You enjoy using

(Substack has been this for me - it feels like early blogging days when people wrote because they had something to say, not just to feed an algorithm).

4. Build Your Foundation
   Now is the perfect time to strengthen your foundation:

• Revisit your email list strategy

• Update your core offers

• Fine-tune your messaging

• Create systems that serve both you and your audience

Remember that scene in Jurassic Park where Jeff Goldblum's character says, "Life finds a way"? Well, good marketing finds a way, too. It adapts. It evolves. But its core remains the same: connecting valuable solutions with those needing them.

The Future Is Human

I believe that as AI becomes more prevalent and automation becomes more sophisticated, humanity will become our superpower. Our ability to empathize, truly understand problems and share authentic stories become increasingly valuable.

Your action items for this week:

• Reach out to three people in your community personally

• Review your current offerings - are they solving real problems?

• Identify one platform or method that genuinely excites you and explore it

• Document one success story from your business or a client (these are gold!)

Think of this time not as holding the door against chaos (see what I did there? 😉 hold the door?) but as holding space for something better to emerge.

We're not just surviving changes in the digital marketing landscape but participating in its evolution.

And honestly, I'm excited about where we're heading. The "bro marketing" era is fading (thank goodness), making room for more authentic, value-driven approaches—the kind of marketing that doesn't just drive sales but creates genuine positive change.

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SPARK Spotlight 🔥

I’ve signed up to give this a free trial (they have a three-month free trial through February 12th), and it looks pretty fantastic.

Everything you need to set up your online business in one subscription. Go from idea to selling products in under 1 hour. All built on top of your Stripe account.

It does so much more than sell products… you can have affiliates, collect testimonials, host courses, create landing pages, add buy me a coffee, and more!

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A Little Brain Power 🧠

Great strategies for enhancing visibility and marketing on a limited budget from

Denise Wakeman

. “Marketing on a Shoestring Budget? No Problem.”

Use life’s unexpected turns to create powerful stories. “The Pivot Point Plot Twist: Use It to Create an Unforgettable Brand Story,” from

Michele Lashley

.

Thinking about adding paid ads to your newsletter? Read “Understanding Five Different Ad Pricing Models.”

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Tool Time 🛠

• E-commerce: All of your courses, digital products, and bookings are now hosted within your link-in-bio. Check out Stan store here.

• AI Writing: An AI app that transforms your spoken thoughts and rambles into polished writing. Check out Bulletpen here.

• AI Agents: Create agents to automate customer support, lead generation, content creation, and more. Try Chat Thing for free here.

• Threads: automate the tedious tasks so you can effortlessly stay on top of your Threads account. Try BlackTwist free here.

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It’s rarely free time 😂

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So here we are in this fascinating moment of digital marketing evolution. While others frantically chase the next big thing or mourn the "death" of their favorite platform, we get to choose a different path. One that feels more like coming home than running on a treadmill.

I'm finding immense joy in this return to basics - in writing newsletters that feel like letters to friends, in having conversations that go deeper than surface-level engagement, and in creating solutions that come from a place of genuine understanding rather than market research.

Maybe that's what this "silent revolution" really is - a collective remembering that behind every click, every subscription, and every sale is a human being looking for connection, understanding, and genuine value. And isn't that something worth holding the door for?

Have a wonderful rest of your week,

Kim