Dread Marketing? Here’s How to Make It Feel Right for You
“Marketing is gross.”
Heads nodded in somber agreement on our weekly writer’s Zoom call. We were discussing the logistics of marketing our books, and the mood was uneasy.
My friend continued to speak. “I hate it when someone’s trying hard to sell me something. I don’t want to feel sales-y like that—like a used car salesman, all slicked back and pushy. It’s just…not me.”
Can you relate? Many people, especially creatives, associate marketing with pushy sales tactics, endless self-promotion, and inauthentic strategies.
But marketing doesn’t have to look like that. What if, instead of “selling,” you saw it as a way to connect with people who are already waiting to hear from you?
* * *
I had stepped away from my marketing role to write my first novel, so I was surprised when I blurted out, “Think of it as building a relationship. Marketing is a creative way to connect and share what matters to you.”
Heads tilted, a mix of curiosity and doubt flickered across their faces.
“You don’t have to shout or pretend. Just show up in a way that feels right for you.” I leaned in. “At the risk of sounding too idealistic, imagine someone out there, scrolling through their day, waiting to find something that lifts them up—something only you can offer. If you don’t make it about you, it’s easier to put yourself out there.”
Later, my friends told me that our talk opened them to a new vision of marketing—one where sharing their work didn’t mean selling their souls.
“ Marketing is the generous act of helping others become who they seek to become. It involves creating a story, a connection, and a journey that inspires and enables people to achieve their desired goals.”
Marketing is about sharing your unique offering with the people who need it. When approached with this intention, it becomes an act of generosity—a way to offer something meaningful to the world. It’s a mindset shift, but once you embrace it, marketing starts to feel less like a chore and more like an opportunity.
If you’re ready to see marketing differently, here are a few steps to help you shift your mindset:
Commit to being uniquely you. Marketing feels stressful when you think you have to be someone you’re not. Authenticity is your superpower—when you’re real, people can feel it, and that’s what draws them in.
Focus on connection. Consider who you want to serve so you can overcome your hesitation. Picture one person who would appreciate what you’re offering. Speak directly to them, and forget the rest.
Tell stories. Decisions are emotional first, logical second. Instead of convincing, invite your audience into your story. Let them feel the heart behind what you do.
Easier said than done? Like anything worth doing, the answer is yes. It takes courage to put yourself out into the world, but the rewards are worth it. When you lead with authenticity and focus on connection, you not only grow your business—you create something meaningful.
