Hello Reader,

Remember that marketing strategy self-assessment I launched last year?

I figured most of you would be in the "Create Your Body of Work" stage. After all, you're already out there doing the work, right? I assumed that reality correlated to my audience being fairly far along in their marketing journeys.

But guess what? Month after month, the data from that assessment tells a different story. Turns out, the majority of you are in the "Clarify Your Foundations" zone. (Plot twist, marketing is hard and people put off doing it as long as they can!)

Quite literally the results continue to be the exact opposite of what I believed to be true about my audience. Yikes!

This is a HUGE reminder that assumptions can be dangerous. That's why getting real data from real people is crucial. Good thing I finally published that self-assessment, right?

Here's the thing: I now focus way more on foundational elements in my content and marketing, such as understanding your audience (and ditching that pointless imaginary ideal client avatar!), core values, and messaging.

And you know what? That's exactly what you all needed! (Thank you for the feedback, by the way—I always appreciate the notes that land in my inbox.)

This is why we need to ask our audience questions, commit to research, and get real data from real people.

This data shift absolutely changed how I connect with you—imagine what it could do for you.

But what if the data wasn't so easy to act upon or told a story that wasn't such a natural adjustment? What if it showed you weren't solving the right problems? Well, that might mean it's time to tweak your marketing to attract a new audience. This is what I did when I shifted from the agency model to consulting. ​

So, how can YOU peek into your audience's minds?

You don't need a fancy quiz like mine! (Although they're great tools—many of my Alignthority™Accelerator clients develop them when we work together.) Here are some easier options:

• Quick Newsletter Poll: Just a click away!
• Simple Form: Ask a few key questions.
• Data from your contact forms: It's already there, waiting to be used!
• Better Questions: Talk directly to your audience, have real conversations.

Speaking of what our audience wants (like that transition?) quite a few folks have asked me if Summer of SEO is coming back this year.

The short answer: Absolutely! The long answer: Summer of SEO is back this year, completely revamped based on your feedback! Expect a more supportive experience that goes beyond workshops and a special offer for All Access "alums." Get on the waitlist by hitting then big green button below. ​

Talk soon,

Sarah

P.S. I've got a few new articles up on the blog! Check them out here.​