Last Saturday, my golden retriever, Maybe, launched a full-scale gastrointestinal rebellion. My decision to save a few bucks on dog food was met with swift, aromatic justice. By noon, two rugs had been retired, the neighbors horrified, windows were open, and I had been banished to my pungent pup’s doghouse.

Why share this overshare-worthy tale? Because much like your beloved pets (or children, or spouses who put aluminum pans in the dishwasher), brands also rebel when fed the wrong inputs. Cheap ingredients lead to messy outcomes. Quality matters – in food, in relationships, and especially in marketing.

Which brings me, cleaned paws and all, to this month’s lovingly curated tips and trends (with no Lysol required).

Tips and Trends

1. Stop feeding your brand junk food
   If your content is rushed, shallow, or copy-pasted from competitors, audiences can tell. Invest in ideas with substance and organic, authentic storytelling that you truly own. The calories you cut in creativity show up later as empty engagement.
2. Impatience is a virtue
   I see it all the time: Clients leave fatiguing acquisition and nurture sequences in place. They don’t update their website carousels or refresh their social media templates that aren’t delivering the engagement they used to. Like some of us, they are stubborn to the point of obstinacy (yeah, I said that). They believe things will improve. But here’s the reality: trend lines like these rarely reverse. So, I recommend impatient action. Swap it all out. This week. Even tomorrow. You’ll feel better, more accomplished, and surprise, surprise, your results will – I’d bet my grey-haired mule – improve.
3. If you’re sick of seeing it, it’s probably working
   I often hear other marketers complaining about tactics or messaging they repeatedly encounter. But here’s what I recommend you curious curmudgeons do: Shake off the ennui (parlez-vous?) and schedule a test of the tactic as soon as possible.
4. Consistency beats occasional brilliance
   It’s tempting to swing for the fences with one flashy campaign. But steady, consistent messaging across channels almost outperforms one-off fireworks. Think marathon, not celebrity sprint.
5. Segmentation is your leash
   You wouldn’t walk a Great Dane the same way you walk a Yorkie (unless you enjoy dislocated shoulders). Likewise, you shouldn’t talk to all audiences the same way. Segment by need, behavior, and value — not just demographics. Obvious, Bower, you say, but I’d bet most of you have your lists properly segmented but your copy and imagery, not so much.
6. Embrace the power of silence
   In email, less is often more. Shorter subject lines, cleaner templates, and tighter calls-to-action cut through clutter better than “comprehensive” blasts. Editing is marketing’s noise-canceling headphones.
7. Be fast, but not frantic
   Speed to market is crucial, but speed without clarity just creates more clean-up jobs (ask Maybe). Build nimble, automated processes (we see you, robot friends) that balance rapid testing with strategic guardrails.
8. Customer service IS marketing
   Every touchpoint, not just marketing campaigns, shapes perception. That helpful rep on live chat? Marketing. The confusing invoice? Also, marketing. Treat service as a brand stage, not an afterthought.
9. Measure what matters (and only that)
   Marketers love dashboards like toddlers love shiny objects. But half those metrics don’t mean squat. Focus on the ones that move the needle — pipeline, retention, lifetime value. The rest is noise, and your CFO knows it.
10. Stop chasing shiny objects
    Every week brings a “next big thing” — Threads, BeReal, AI 4.0, the metaverse’s comeback tour. Trend-chasing burns time and budget. Stick to what drives your audience, not what drives TechCrunch headlines.
11. Nail the middle of your funnel
    Everyone obsesses over awareness and conversion, but the “consideration” phase is where deals are won or lost. Nurture leads here with compelling, actionable content, case studies, and proof points. That’s the moment they decide whether to swipe right or ghost you.
12. Make creative uncomfortable again
    If your campaign feels perfectly safe, it’s probably forgettable. Great creative earns attention by making someone sit up and say, “Wait—what?” Take smart risks. Then A/B test the heck out of them.
13. Treat your CRM like a living organism (but not a constipated dog)
    Most customer relationship management systems are digital junk drawers: cluttered, stale, and ignored. Clean them, categorize them, and automate follow-ups. You’ll look 10% smarter, close 30% faster and be 50% more profitable (actual results may differ…).
14. Remember: emotion beats logic
    Here’s the T, friends: People buy on emotion and justify with logic – not the other way around. So yes, talk ROI and efficiency, but lead with stories that make people feel something. It’s not manipulation; it’s marketing with a pulse.

Not So New News

• AI in marketing isn’t optional anymore. The winners are figuring out how to blend machine efficiency with human empathy.
• Owned channels are making a comeback. Newsletters, podcasts, and communities are outperforming rented platforms.
• Your pipeline may be leaner in ’25. But smart targeting and message discipline can do more with less. Read more here.
• Our Assisted A.I. Content service is still helping brands produce custom blogs, posts, and campaigns at half the cost (and none of the mess). Want a sample? Raise your paw.

As always, if I can do anything for you — share ideas, make introductions, or recommend carpet cleaners — I’m here.

Thanks again for your patient indulgence.

Best,

Jay