the actual reason nobody's paying attention to your content 👀


Hey Reader,

Last week, I noticed something that stopped me in my tracks while reviewing a client’s content:

Every. Single. Post. Sounded. Exactly. The. Same. 😬

“10 tips for better leadership!”
“How to grow your business!”
“Why customer service matters!”

Look, there’s nothing wrong with these topics. But they’re so safe, so generic, so… nice… that they might as well be invisible.

And that got me thinking…

What if playing it safe is actually the riskiest thing you can do? 🤔

Think about the business leaders you actually follow and learn from. The ones whose posts you never skip.

I bet they all have one thing in common:

They say things that make other people uncomfortable.

They have a “Spiky Point of View” 🌵 (I first learned about this from the brilliant Wes Kao)

NOT controversy for attention. NOT random hot takes for drama. But real, substantial beliefs that some people might actually disagree with.

Here’s what I mean:

“Good communication is key to success” (Who would disagree?!)

“Most company meetings are therapy sessions disguised as work” (Now THAT’S something people might argue about!)

❌ “Customer feedback is important” (Tell us something we don’t know)

✅ “Stop asking customers what they want - they’re lying to you” (Spiky! Debatable! Interesting!)

See the difference?

The first statements are “nice.” Safe. The second ones make you stop and think. Maybe even disagree.

And that’s exactly what you want!

Because here’s the thing about business (and life):

If you try to appeal to everyone, you’ll end up connecting with no one.

Your challenge this week:

Take your most “nice” business belief and make it SPIKY.

Here are 3 questions to help you find YOUR spiky point of view:

  1. What "best practice" in your industry actually drives you crazy? (You know, that thing everyone does that makes you think "but WHY?")
  2. What unconventional approach has worked surprisingly well for you? (The stuff that made your colleagues raise their eyebrows)
  3. What do you believe that would make your industry peers gasp? (If it makes you a little nervous to say it out loud, you're probably onto something)

Remember:

  • Your spiky view must be authentic (no fake controversy)
  • It should be based on real experience
  • You should genuinely believe it
  • Some people should be able to disagree with it

Because let’s be honest…

The world doesn’t need another nice, safe, boring business voice.

It needs YOUR voice. Your real thoughts. Your spiky point of view.

Ready to get a little dangerous? 😉
Margo

PS. The irony? This is actually the nicest thing you can do for your audience. They’re drowning in bland content. Give them something real to think about.

PPS. Here's my spikiest business opinion: Sometimes a carefully burned bridge lights the way forward 🔥 What's yours? Hit reply and tell me!


👌 Specially Selected Just for You

The Old Social Media Playbook is Dead (And What's Actually Working Now) 👋

Remember when posting links on social media actually worked? Those days are gone.

The new game isn't about followers, likes, or even driving traffic to your website. It's about something way more powerful - creating content that feels at home on each platform.

Think about it: When was the last time you clicked a link on TikTok?

The winners now? They're not pushing people away from social media. They're creating mini-shows, stories, and moments that keep people hooked right where they are.

Legacy media is learning this the hard way. The hard numbers don't lie - their old 'link in bio' strategy is dying a slow death.

So what's working instead?

Platform-native content. Content that feels like it belongs. Content that makes people stop scrolling and think "wait, this is good."

The future belongs to brands that get this shift. Are you one of them?

Benedict Evan’s Big Presentation

The tech world's crystal ball just dropped - and it's all about AI 🤖

Benedict Evans (tech's favorite fortune teller) just released his yearly mega-report.

The title says it all: 'AI eats the world'

Skip the FOMO and save this goldmine for your coffee break - it's the roadmap to where AI is actually heading.

29 Scroll-Stopping Instagram Post Ideas to Fill Your Content Calendar

Ever wonder why some Instagram posts stop you mid-scroll, while others fade into the void?

Here's the thing: It's not about fancy cameras or big budgets.

It's about knowing what makes people click.

Here are the posts that actually work:

  • 🎬 Behind-the-scenes peeks (People love seeing the mess behind the magic)
  • ✨ Before-and-after transformations (Who can resist a good glow-up?)
  • 🎯 Quick-hit tutorials (Teaching beats preaching, every time)

But here's the real secret...

Great Instagram content isn't about perfection. It's about connection.

Ask questions. Run polls. Share snippets of your day.

Why? Because humans follow humans, not robots.

And when you're stuck? Grab a trend. Remix a template. Green-screen your way to glory.

Your feed isn't an art gallery.

It's a conversation.

Start talking. 😊


🌟 Cool Finds Just for You

Something made me smile last night - a beautiful Substack newsletter landing in my inbox from my friend Sue.

Sue is a messaging strategist and copywriting maestro who works with midlife women. And she just announced something exciting:

"Before the year is out, I'm planning to embiggen some other midlife women business owners with my alternative advent calendar. A profile a day - 25 for 25 - starting this Sunday. December is my birth month, so I like to go all in with pay-it-forwards."

(How great is that word "embiggen"? 😊)

Are you a midlife woman running a business? This is your chance to be immortalised by one of the sharpest copywriting minds I know.

Sue has this incredible knack for finding the gold in your story and bringing it to life. Her Substack, Ink Tank, is a treasure trove of messaging wisdom (and delightful word-nerdery).

Will you check it out? :)

Also, learn more about Sue and follow her on LinkedIn


Ready to level up your marketing?

→ 🎯 Book a Strategy Session

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Funnels & Flywheels

I read 100+ articles a week and bring the best ones to your inbox. In Funnels & Flywheels, I dig up the juiciest ideas for growing your business. You get tested strategies to help you sell smarter and scale faster.

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