7 years ago, I was laser-focused on paid ads and mass email marketing.

It worked—back then.

But today, those same strategies won’t get you far.

Attention moves fast, and your marketing must evolve with it.

2017 the game was different, and if you’re still using those old tactics, I bet your brand is falling behind.

Let me show you how I’ve adjusted, and how you can too.

Outdated Strategies Are Costing You Growth

Has your boss recently said, “We do it this way because that’s how we’ve always done it”?

You hear that in marketing meetings, right?

It’s a phrase that used to fly in boardrooms when paid Facebook ads were driving results.

But the problem is, the world outside that boardroom has shifted.

Platforms have changed, and if you’re not adapting, you’re losing out on potential growth.

I’ve seen firsthand how sticking to old strategies leads to stagnant results—because I’ve lived it.

Brands that stick with the same marketing approach year after year miss the opportunity to capture attention where it’s shifting.

2017 was all about Facebook and Instagram ads, but today, direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands are building trust and loyalty through authentic storytelling on social media, niche newsletters, and strategic partnerships.

The Consequences of Not Evolving

If you’re not adjusting your marketing strategy to meet today’s trends, you’re doing more than wasting money—you’re falling behind your competition.

I’ve seen businesses pour millions into paid ads and mass emails, only to watch their engagement numbers plummet.

It’s frustrating when your efforts feel like they’re getting lost in the noise.

The reality is, platforms change. Your audience changes. And if your marketing doesn’t keep pace, neither will your business.

Here’s a look at my DTC marketing strategy in 2017 vs. 2024:

The difference in marketing strategies in 2017 vs. 2024

Let’s break it down:

Company Organic Social with Personality: Your brand needs a voice, not just a presence. In 2024, shift your strategy to prioritize organic content on X, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Your posts should be insightful, yet fun—no more boring corporate jargon.

If your legal counsel isn’t cringing a little bit, your social media manager isn’t doing a good enough job.

Founder & Employee Personal Brands: In 2017, brands were faceless entities. Today, people want to connect with people, not logos. Founders and employees should be active on X and LinkedIn, sharing relatable stories and personal insights.

For example: Sharing a behind-the-scenes look at a new product’s journey from idea to launch—people love seeing the process, not just the final product.

Paid Social Boosting Top Organic Posts: No need for massive ad budgets. Your budget should go towards creating impactful organic content and then amplifying the posts that resonate the most.

If you can get an organic post to go viral, put a small budget behind it, and watch it bring in 3x more engagement than your forecasted paid ads would’ve.

Niche-Specific Newsletters: In 2024, newsletters aren’t just for updates—they’re engagement powerhouses. A newsletter is a great lead generation tool, a great way to build an email list, a great way to establish your voice, a great tool to upsell through. The list goes on…

Case Study and Insight-Driven Blog Content: Instead of creating SEO and keyword-specific blog content, create case studies and insight-driven blog posts that are actionable and relevant to your audience.

The evolving nature of how we search the internet for information has changed the SEO game.

Specific Email Marketing Sequences: Forget mass emails. Today, it’s all about relatable and actionable messaging. Instead of blasting a promotion to everyone, use email sequences that provide value over five days, leading your audience to your offer more naturally.

Partnerships & Co-marketing: Partnering with aligned brands can accelerate growth 5x faster. It’s a great way to build trust and brand equity with new audiences.

Events & Conferences: Both virtual and in-person events build credibility and allow for deeper connections. Webinars, workshops, masterminds, meet-ups, conferences, etc… in 2024, these are essential to a well-rounded marketing strategy.

So the next time you hear someone say “We do it this way because that’s how we’ve always done it,” prove them wrong by challenging the conventional way of thinking.

Start by reviewing your current approach—what’s working, what’s not, and where you can introduce fresh ideas like founder & employee social and niche newsletters.

Because it’s time to adapt and grow.

When you’re ready, here’s how I can help.

Mindset Jujitsu.

As always, I love to chat with you guys! Reply back to this email or DM me on X (@markfrommktg) with any questions, feedback, or to simply kick it.

Thanks for being here.

Talk soon,

Mark