Why Isn’t My Content Converting?

Why Isn’t My Content Converting?

by | Mar 30, 2025 | Marketing Strategy, Most Read

It’s so frustrating! You’re doing everything right and your content still isn’t converting!

You’re posting consistently. You’re checking all the boxes. You’ve got the Canva templates, the clever captions, maybe even the occasional Instagram Reel. But still…crickets. The content is out there—but it’s not bringing in leads, sales, or real engagement.

So what gives?

Here’s the truth: content that looks good isn’t always content that works. And content that doesn’t convert usually suffers from one (or more) of these common issues.

Let’s break it down.

Top Reasons Why Your Content Isn’t Converting

You’re Talking to Everyone (Which Means You’re Talking to No One)

Your message should feel like it was written for your ideal client—not the general public. If your content feels vague, generic, or overly polished, it won’t stick. People crave relevance and connection. Get specific. Show them you understand exactly where they are and how you can help.

You’re Creating, But Not Communicating

Pretty posts don’t sell. Clear ones do. Ask yourself: what do I actually want someone to do after reading this? If there’s no call to action—or if your message isn’t leading your audience toward the next step—you’re just making noise. Converting content has purpose. Every time.

Your Offer Isn’t Clear (or Compelling)

Even if your content is getting attention, it won’t convert if your audience doesn’t understand what you’re offering, how it helps them, or why they should care right now. Get ruthless about clarity. If your message takes more than a few seconds to understand, it’s probably being skipped.

You’re Not Showing Enough Value to Convert Your Content

Even if your content is getting attention, it won’t convert if your audience doesn’t understand what you’re offering, how it helps them, or why they should care right now. Get ruthless about clarity. If your message takes more than a few seconds to understand, it’s probably being skipped.

Need help fine-tuning your message or building an offer that resonates? I highly recommend Marie Forleo’s B-School—as an alumnus, I can tell you it’s packed with tools to help you clarify, connect, and convert with more confidence. Highly recommend!

You Haven’t Earned the Ask Yet so Your Content Isn’t Converting

If you’re constantly pitching without building trust first, conversion rates will tank. You’ve got to give before you ask. Share insights, tell stories, build connection. Then invite them into the next step. This is how you move from scrolling to sign-ups to sales.

Your Audience Isn’t Ready Yet

Sometimes, it’s not the content—it’s the timing. If your audience isn’t warmed up or doesn’t know you well enough, they’re less likely to act. That doesn’t mean your content is failing—it means you need to nurture. Stay consistent, stay visible, and build momentum over time.

The Fix? Create with Clarity!

Speak directly to the person you want to help. Make it easy for them to take the next step. Track what’s working. Adjust when it’s not. And above all—don’t just post to fill the feed. Post to connect.

Next Up In Your Strategic Marketing Gameplan:

🐝 tip: If you’re wondering what content your dream client actually wants to see, check out Understanding the Customer Journey. It’s a roadmap to making your content work harder—and smarter.

🐝 tip: To improve your site structure, consider linking to other relevant posts or pages on your website. Read our guide on internal linking for SEO to learn more.

🐝 tip:  If you want to learn how to get more leads, read this super simple how to guide: How to Get More Leads, a Step-by-Step Simple Guide

🐝 tip:  If you’re unfamiliar with Sales Funnels, reading this might help, too: What’s a Sales Funnel?

Best Practice + Risky Gamble of Buying Backlinks

Best Practice + Risky Gamble of Buying Backlinks

by | Mar 6, 2025 | Content Marketing, Marketing Strategy

Don’t Get Stung Buying Backlinks

I recently had a rather eye-opening experience with a client whose obsession with their Google ranking sent me down a rabbit hole to uncover the cause of their declining rank, and consequently their domain authority. It didn’t take long to spot the culprit—an abundance of bad, spammy backlinks that were actively dragging their business down in search results.

Backlinks are a Great SEO Strategy

Backlinks have long been a crucial component of SEO strategy, acting as digital votes of confidence that tell search engines, “Hey, this content is valuable!” But in the competitive world of online visibility, many businesses find themselves weighing the pros and cons of paying for backlinks. Is it a shortcut to higher rankings, or a one-way ticket to Google penalties? Let’s break it down.

The Pros of Buying Backlinks—Kind of…

Speedy Results – Building backlinks organically takes time. Paid services promise a quicker route to improving your site’s authority and rankings.

Hands-Off Approach – If you don’t have time to run outreach campaigns, backlink services handle everything for you.

Potential Boost in Rankings – In the short term, a well-placed backlink from a high-authority site can give your website a ranking push.

Increased Referral Traffic – If the backlinks are placed on reputable sites, they can drive real visitors to your content.

The Cons of Buying Backlinks—Can be Very Costly

Google’s Strict Policies – Google explicitly warns against manipulative link-building schemes. If the search engine catches wind of paid backlinks that violate their guidelines, your site could face penalties, including de-indexing.

Low-Quality Links Can Harm You – Not all backlinks are created equal. Many paid services generate spammy, irrelevant links that can do more harm than good.

Unnatural Link Profiles – Google’s algorithm is smart. If your site suddenly gains a flood of links from unrelated or low-authority sources, it raises red flags.

Wasted Money – Many backlink services promise the moon but deliver links from dubious, low-value websites that won’t help your rankings.

Will Google De-Rank You for Buying Backlinks?

Yes, it’s a possibility. Google’s algorithm is designed to detect unnatural link-building patterns, and if your site is flagged, you could see a drop in rankings—or worse, a manual penalty. Google’s webspam team has been known to crack down on sites engaging in link schemes, and recovering from a penalty can be a long, painful process.

Several websites have suffered significant harm due to bad backlinks. One example is an unnamed e-commerce platform that experienced a 35% drop in traffic due to toxic links from spammy directories. This was several years ago, and it was one of the first enterprise businesses to experience ranking penalties, loss of organic traffic, and a need for urgent backlink cleanup efforts.

Another case involves Kinsta, a managed WordPress hosting provider, which was hit by a negative SEO attack where many spammy backlinks flooded its profile. Yes, spam can get in there and create havoc! Kinsta had to identify and disavow these bad backlinks to prevent a search engine penalty.

A more severe example is a business website that received a manual penalty from Google due to unnatural backlinks. These links were either artificially built or from low-quality sources, which led to a sharp decline in search engine rankings. The company had to undergo a structured recovery process, which included cleaning up backlinks and rebuilding trust with Google.

How to Check Your Backlinks

I use Ahref’s to check my clients’ backlink status, which is how I discovered the nasty spam that had de-ranked my clients’ site. You can use the same tool to check your website’s backlinks right here. And it’s free!

If your website has bad backlinks, your first course of action is to contact the referring site’s administrator and request removal. The referring site will be noted in your Ahref report. If that proves unsuccessful, you can submit a disavow request to Google to prevent the links from impacting your rankings. Semrush wrote a good article on why and how to do that which you can read right here.

Best Practices for Earning High-Quality Backlinks

Rather than risking penalties, focus on legitimate backlink strategies that build your site’s authority naturally:

Guest Blogging – Writing insightful, valuable content for industry-relevant websites can earn you high-quality backlinks.

Trade Publications & Industry Websites – Pitch articles to respected trade journals or industry news sites.

Use HARO (Help a Reporter Out) – Journalists and bloggers constantly seek expert sources. Responding to queries can land you high-authority backlinks from news sites.

Podcast Guest Spots – Appear on relevant podcasts and often, hosts will include a backlink to your site.

Create Link-Worthy Content – High-value resources, data-driven studies, and in-depth guides attract natural backlinks from other content creators.

Leverage Strategic Partnerships – Work with industry peers to exchange guest posts or get mentions in their content.

Get Featured in Local & Industry Directories – Many high-quality directories provide legitimate backlinks.

Final Verdict: Should You Pay for Backlinks?

If you’re looking for sustainable, long-term SEO success, paying for backlinks is a risky gamble. While some services may provide temporary gains, the potential for penalties and wasted investment outweighs the benefits. Instead, focus on ethical, high-value backlink strategies that position your site as an authoritative, trustworthy resource in your industry. SEO is a marathon, not a sprint—build credibility the right way, and your rankings will thank you.

Looking to strengthen your SEO game with real, lasting results? Focus on strategies that build authority organically, and let Google reward you the right way.

 

What’s the Difference Between Backlinks, Inbound Links, and Internal Links?

So many links, so little time. Once you understand the significance all these links—and how easy they are to introduce to your website, you’ll want to start adding them throughout your website, too.  Learn everything you need to know by reading my simple guide, right here.

 

What are Inbound Links, Backlinks, and Internal Links?

What are Inbound Links, Backlinks, and Internal Links?

by | Mar 1, 2025 | Backlinks, Inbound Links, Internal Links, Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Inbound Links, Backlinks, and Internal Links: The Web of Connections That Boost Your Content

Ever heard the phrase “It’s not what you know, but who you know”? Well, in the world of digital marketing, it’s a little bit of both. You can write the best content on the internet, but if no one is linking to it, it’s like throwing a fantastic party and forgetting to send out invitations. That’s where inbound links, backlinks, and internal links come into play.

Backlinks: The Internet’s Version of a Personal Recommendation

A backlink (also called an inbound link) is a link from another website to yours. Think of it as a vote of confidence—when another site links to your content, it signals to search engines that your page is valuable. The more quality backlinks you have, the more credibility and authority your website gains.

For example, if a high-profile publication links to your blog about evergreen content, that’s like a respected expert saying, “Hey, this person knows their stuff!” Google pays attention to that, which can help boost your rankings.

Internal Links: The Secret Pathways to a Better User Experience

An internal link is a link from one page of your website to another page of your website. These are the signposts that help both visitors and search engines navigate your site. They keep readers engaged by guiding them to related content, and they help distribute SEO power across your pages.

For instance, right now, I could link this blog post to my article about evergreen content (boom, that right there, “evergreen content,” is an internal link!). That tells both my readers and search engines that these topics are connected and worth exploring together. It also keeps users on your website longer, making it easier for them to navigate similar topics, and improving their overall user experience, which Google appreciates.

Inbound Links: The Friendly Neighbors Sending Traffic Your Way

The term inbound links is often used interchangeably with backlinks, but it can also refer more broadly to any link that brings visitors to your site—whether from an external source such as a newsletter, an Instagram story, or even another page within your domain – which, again, we more often refer to as an internal link.

Why These Links Matter for Your Content Strategy

SEO Boost – Search engines see links as endorsements, helping your site rank higher in search engines.

User Engagement – Internal links keep visitors on your site longer, exploring more content.

Traffic Growth – Backlinks from reputable sites can drive new audiences to your content.

So, if you’re creating evergreen content (content that stays relevant over time), make sure it’s well-connected with internal links and encourage backlinks by sharing and promoting your work. After all, the best parties—the best content—deserve a crowd!

Want to see an internal link in action? Check out my post on evergreen content here, and see how it all comes together!

Lastly, Learn the Pro’s and Con’s of Buying Backlinks!

Spoiler Alert! There are very few pro’s! Read on right here, and decide for yourself how to get those pesky backlinks to point to your website.

 

Bridging the Gap: Creativity Plus Execution in Marketing

Bridging the Gap: Creativity Plus Execution in Marketing

by | Feb 20, 2025 | Content Marketing, Creativity and Execution

Get Traction with Vision + Executable Steps

If you’re like me, you like brainstorming to come up with juicy marketing ideas that will resonate with your target market. But the buck doesn’t stop there. Great marketing is a blend of creativity plus strategy. One without the other typically falls flat. And when the two work together seamlessly, the results are often fantastic—and measurable! The key to success isn’t just having bold ideas or executing flawlessly—it’s about fusing them into a cohesive strategy that drives real impact—something measurable.  Here’s some steps on how you can make your own creativity work for you, and some examples you can follow when you get those tasty little ideas and you want to bring them to fruition. 

Where Creative Vision Meets Step-by-Step Action

Great marketing starts with a powerful vision. And ideas don’t always pop in from out of nowhere. It takes throwing all the darts on the wall until the best one sticks. 

The greatest and most memorable campaigns are fueled by creativity, inspiring people to engage with brands in new and exciting ways that people talk about. What was your favorite Super Bowl commercial? SEE! Something came to mind, yes? My favorite commercials were all things Matthew McConaughey and Uber Eats. 

Today’s marketing is a bit challenging because we’re in flux somewhere between paying homage to the simpler times by creating vintage graphics to super sleek AI-generated graphics. Not only are the good old days resonating with people, but the kids these days are curious about what living with a corded phone must’ve been like. Now’s your chance to give them that visual! In fact, I’m looking for a client who wants to introduce a corded phone into their brand messaging. I have some ideas I’d love to play around with. 

All that to say: what sets successful marketing apart is the ability to turn whatever vision you have into reality through structured execution. Because when creativity and execution are in sync, marketing efforts build meaningful connections with your audience, deliver measurable and lasting impact, and create brand consistency and recognition.

 

How to Make Creativity Work for You

Creativity is the spark that ignites a campaign, but it needs a well-crafted strategy to shine. By designing a clear execution plan, you ensure that every brilliant idea reaches its full potential. In my experience, here’s how to bring creativity to life:

1. Define the Destination

Before launching a campaign, get crystal clear on the end goal. Whether it’s increasing brand awareness, driving conversions, or deepening engagement, defining success gives creativity a roadmap.

Example: A fitness brand wants to launch a new product line of eco-friendly workout gear. Instead of simply promoting it, they define their goal: to position themselves as the leader in sustainable fitness apparel within six months. This clarity helps shape their messaging, partnerships, and promotional strategies.

2. Build an Actionable Plan

Every strong marketing strategy outlines steps to bring an idea to life. Deadlines, team responsibilities, and performance checkpoints help keep execution on track.

Example: A boutique coffee brand wants to increase online sales. They break their goal into actionable steps: launching a social media campaign, collaborating with influencers, offering limited-time specials or daily discounts, and setting weekly performance reviews. This structure ensures that creativity leads to measurable progress.

3. Adapt and Evolve

And here’s one of my other favorites: embrace the power of optimization. If something isn’t working, adjust it. Creativity thrives in flexibility, and data-driven insights guide smarter decisions. 

Example: A travel agency launches a digital campaign to promote adventure tourism. Midway through, they notice that engagement is highest on their behind-the-scenes videos rather than traditional ads. They pivot their strategy, focusing on immersive storytelling and real customer experiences to maximize impact. And if you’ve read my previous blogs, you know I’m all about experiential marketing in 2025! 

4. Create a Seamless Brand Experience

From social media to email campaigns to website messaging, every touchpoint should feel connected. A cohesive marketing plan ensures that your brand speaks with one voice across all platforms. This includes your URLs. All too often I see one brand using a variety of names on their social sites, their video channels, and their domain. Round ’em up! Sure, you might have to abbreviate a name for Instagram but try to match your names across all channels, just like you maintain the same voice, colors, fonts, and message. 

Example: A skincare brand ensures that its website, social media, and email marketing carry the same look, tone, and message, emphasizing its natural approach to anti-aging. Their voice and tone are mature, optimistic, and helpful. Their colors and soft, and of course, must incorporate Pantone’s color of the year: mocha. Whether a customer visits their Instagram page, their website, or open a newsletter, they experience a cohesive journey, reinforcing brand trust and recognition.

5. Marry Creativity with Analytics

Numbers don’t stifle creativity—they enhance it. Use data to shape your marketing approach, ensuring that bold ideas translate into tangible success. Let Google Analytics be your friend. For my WordPress fans, I recommend installing Site Kit on the backend of your website. 

Example: A nonprofit runs a fundraising campaign with a heartfelt video message. They use A/B testing on different messaging styles and track engagement rates. By analyzing which version drives more donations, they refine their storytelling approach for future campaigns.

Bringing It All Together

Marketing isn’t about choosing between creativity and execution—it’s about uniting them into a dynamic force that captivates, inspires, and converts. When brands intentionally bridge the gap between ideas and action, they unlock the full potential of their marketing efforts.

Looking to bring creative ideas to life with a keen marketing strategy? Let’s collaborate to design marketing that works—not just in theory, but in reality. Because when vision and execution move together, that’s when the real marketing journey begins.

 

How to Get More Leads!

How to Get More Leads!

by | Feb 13, 2025 | Funnel Marketing, Lead Generation, Marketing Strategy, Most Read

What’s the Quick Fix to Get More Leads?

Ah yes, the million-dollar question. If I had a dollar for every time a client asked me how to get more leads, I’d be sipping something fizzy in a hammock somewhere. But here I am, still in the trenches with you—and honestly? I love it here. But here’s the deal: There’s no quick fix to get more leads!

The truth is, lead generation isn’t a single tactic. It’s a layered, strategic process that depends on your brand, your offer, your ideal client, and yes—your follow-through. So if you’re here hoping for a magic wand or a one-size-fits-all answer, sorry friend. But if you’re ready for a clear, creative strategy backed by data and a little marketing muscle? Let’s talk. In the meantime, follow this clear list of steps you can take and if you stick to it – you should get new leads!

Step One: Want More Leads? You’ve Got to Know Who You’re Talking To!

You can’t attract what you haven’t defined. Getting more leads starts with getting crystal clear on your ideal client—what they need, what they value, and what keeps them up at night. Your content, your offers, even the colors you use—everything should speak directly to them. When that connection is dialed in, leads come easier. Promise.

Step Two: To Get More Leads, Your Website Needs to Work Harder Than You Do!

Your website isn’t a digital brochure. It’s your 24/7 salesperson. It should tell your story, answer questions, build trust, and offer something of value before someone ever books a call. Whether it’s a free download, a quiz, or simply clear, compelling copy—your site should be doing the heavy lifting. If it’s not? Let’s fix that.

Step Three:  Show Up Where It Matters

You don’t need to be everywhere. You need to be in the right places. That might mean finally getting serious about LinkedIn, or maybe it’s time to dust off your email list. Maybe your dream clients are scrolling Instagram stories while sipping their matcha. Wherever they are, you need a consistent, intentional presence that reminds them you exist and that you can help.

Step Four:  Offer Value Before You Pitch

This is where most people get it wrong. You don’t just show up with a megaphone shouting, “Buy from me!” You build trust by sharing insights, solving small problems, and creating content that makes people feel smarter, seen, or supported. When you consistently add value, people start coming to you.

🐝  tip: Find what you love to do best and DO IT! I love to blog, so I write articles answering people’s most frequently asked questions.

Step Five: Keep the Funnel Moving

So many leads fall through the cracks because there’s no system in place to nurture them. Follow-up matters. Whether it’s an automated email sequence, a personal DM, or a calendar reminder to check in, have a plan for what happens after someone raises their hand. Interest without action = lost opportunity.

Step Six: Track What Works.

Creative is great. Strategy is necessary. But data tells the truth. Pay attention to what’s converting. Where are leads coming from? What content gets the most clicks? If something’s working—do more of that. If it’s not—rinse, adjust, repeat. Marketing is a living, breathing thing. Give it some love and it will grow!

🐝  tip: Note how I tossed in a little “living breathing” reference into the article? That’s my brand—I’m all about nature. You can do the same!

And Finally: Turning Leads into Long-term Term Clients

Make sure you’re not losing your leads along the way. Check out my post on Understanding the Customer Journey for tips on building trust and keeping your audience engaged from first click to final conversion.

You don’t need a gimmick. You need a smart, sustainable strategy and a message that resonates.

And if you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just tired of doing it all alone? That’s what I’m here for.

🐝 Click here and send me an email!  Let’s create some buzz!

Calling all Marketing Strategy Book Readers! Here’s a list of my favorite books that helped me out immensely:

 

Fanatical Prospecting
Jeb Blount’s guide offers strategies for opening sales conversations and filling the pipeline through social selling, telephone, email, and cold calling.

Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion
Robert B. Cialdini explores the psychology behind why people say “yes” and how to apply these understandings in various aspects of marketing. ​

Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable (my personal fave)
Seth Godin emphasizes the importance of creating remarkable products and marketing strategies to stand out in today’s crowded marketplace.

Building a StoryBrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen (2nd fave)
Donald Miller provides a framework for crafting compelling brand stories that resonate with customers and drive engagement.

The Challenger Sale: Taking Control of the Customer Conversation
Matthew Dixon and Brent Adamson present a new approach to sales, advocating for teaching customers new perspectives and tailoring sales messages to their specific needs.