What I’d Do Differently If I Had to Start Marketing From Zero Today 

People often ask me, “Kerry, if you had to start marketing again today - no audience, no momentum - what would you do?” 

I had the privilege of starting down this road over 20 years ago.  

(I know it’s hard to believe, given my dashing good looks) 

But given where the world is at now, with everyone trying to do more, more, more… 

I’d try to do less, but with intention. 

Because most marketing mistakes don’t come from laziness, or lack of content.
They come from rushing past the fundamentals. 

Here’s what I’d do differently. 

I’d stop trying to look professional so early 

I had a baaaaaad habit of wanting everything to be perfect before I could launch anything. 

Any perfectionists in the house? 

When you’re starting out, it’s tempting to: 

  • polish the website 
  • perfect the branding style 
  • have your entire 2-year subscription service figure out before you sell the first month (true story) 

I’d skip most of that. 

What I’ve learned is I am actually doing my clients a disservice with my perfectionism. 

If I never get my services out there, I am never going to help anybody solve their problems 

Early marketing doesn’t need polish — it needs to exist! 

Clear beats impressive.
Specific beats slick.
Out there beats “still working on it”. 

And as you get feedback from your clients you can adjust EXACTLY according to their needs. It’s a win-win. 

I’d focus on one problem, not a niche 

Everyone says “pick a niche,” but that advice often backfires. 

Instead of asking who I serve, I’d focus on: 

  • one problem I understand deeply 
  • one frustration I can articulate clearly 

When you can help fix someone’s pain, the audience finds you. 

Trying to appeal to everyone usually results in sounding like no one. 

I’d automate what used to drain time 

20 years ago, I had to do everything myself. 

And when I did learn to delegate and automate, it was with my amazing filipino techies. 

Now, tasks that once took hours - drafting, organising ideas, testing variations - no longer need that level of manual effort.  

Automation isn’t about rushing or cutting corners.  

It’s about removing unnecessary friction, so more energy can go into the things that really matter. 

With AI and the tech we have today, you don’t have to earn efficiency the hard way. 

Final thought 

If I were starting from zero today, I wouldn’t try to outwork everyone. 

I’d try to out-understand the problem. 

I’d keep things simple. Start before I felt ready. 

And use today’s tools to remove friction.  

You don’t need more tactics.
You don’t need to do everything. 

You just need to do the right things on purpose. 

Kerry x