Why Most Ideas & Offers Fail to Spread
(And what to do instead)
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In a noisy world full of distraction, hype, and half-truths, getting your work seen and taken seriously is more challenging than ever.
It’s not that your idea isn’t good.
It’s not that your product doesn’t help.
It’s not that your offer isn’t valuable.
It’s that the algorithms of social media, YouTube, and podcast platforms have rigged the game.
And online gurus and digital marketers are gaming these systems for their own gain—at your expense.
When it comes to getting the word out, most purpose-driven solo business owners, creators, and difference-makers end up playing a game they can’t possibly win—and, in truth, never wanted to play.
The Common Mistakes
1. Solution in Search of a Problem
You’re clear on what you want to share, sell, or spread, but not what the audience you seek to serve actually needs. Relevance gets sacrificed for passion. And passion alone doesn’t convert.
2. Form Over Function
You spend more time tweaking your site, sales age, headline font, or funnel logic than clarifying what real-world outcome your offer helps create. Packaging without resonance doesn’t spread.
3. Lack of Empathy
You’re thinking from your perspective, not theirs. Without understanding their fears, frustrations, and aspirations, your offer comes across as just more noise to your audience—even if it’s exactly what they need.
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The Real Questions Your Audience Asks (Silently)
Even if you avoid those mistakes, your idea or offer still might stall if you don’t address the core filters every potential adopter brings:
→ Why this?
Is this relevant to my life right now?
Novelty alone doesn’t move people. They adopt what they understand and what feels useful, timely, and aligned with what they already care about.
→ Why me?
Is this really for someone like me?
If people don’t see themselves reflected in your message, they won’t move toward it (no matter how good it is).
→ Why now?
Is this the right moment to take action?
Even the right solution can fall flat if the urgency isn’t there. People wait unless you show why this matters to them today.
And underneath it all:
→ Will this work?
Where’s the proof?
→ Will this work for me?
Can I see myself succeeding with this?
So What Does Spread?
Clarity. Relevance. Timing.
Trust. Empathy. Demonstrated usefulness.
This is what we’re unpacking all week long.
On Wednesday, we’ll break down why most people confuse marketing with sales, how that misunderstanding keeps great work from gaining traction, and what you can do about it.
On Friday, we’ll dive into the Diffusion of Innovations Curve, where we’ll unpack the five adoption decisions every idea must include—and where your people might be getting stuck.
Your Turn
Have you made one of these mistakes? (I have.)
Which question—“Why this?”, “Why me?” or “Why now?”—do you think your audience is struggling to answer?
Hit reply or leave a comment and share what’s landing—or where you're stuck.
P.S. Want access to the full workshop replay + presentation notes from Getting the Word Out?
Circle members can reply with REPLAY to get the link.
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