0:00 Sumantha:
So I was scrolling on Facebook the other day and I came across this sponsored video telling us that we should stop putting out free content, giving away value for free, because we are just wasting our time.
0:30 Sumantha:
And then I carried on scrolling and I came across another very similar advert, and this lady was saying to forget about the principle of no like, and trust.
1:00 Sumantha:
And again, stop the free content. And so ironically, I decided to create a free podcast episode about it. There I was seeing these gurus telling me not to provide free content, and my first idea was, why don't I provide free content about that?
1:30 Sumantha:
Here's why I felt it was important. When I saw the first ad, I actually stopped for a moment and I questioned whether I should be doing things like my podcast. It was a fleeting thought, but it reminded me of those mixed messages that we are surrounded with and how confusing and overwhelming that can be.
2:00 Sumantha:
So today I am going to help you navigate that, and yes, I'm even going to encourage you to challenge advice that you may hear from me because finding your own root really is the key to finding out what will work for you.
2:30 Sumantha:
When I watched that ad, and I had that thought about whether I should even be doing a podcast where I share lots of free content, my thoughts didn't end there. I mentioned earlier that it was a fleeting thought, and it was.
3:00 Sumantha:
But it was only that question that was fleeting because what I then thought about is how powerful my podcast is in my business.
3:30 Sumantha:
One of the things that happens when I go to say a tutoring event is people often approach me telling me that they have listened to my podcast, and that starts a conversation. People message me on social media with similar messages.
4:00 Sumantha:
And I love that because being a business owner can feel incredibly lonely. And when you start having real conversations with people who are in your world, it's really nice because you just feel that little less lonely.
4:30 Sumantha:
Also, the vast majority of people who work with me tell me they initially came from my podcast. This is important because I want people to do their due diligence before they work with me or anyone really.
5:00 Sumantha:
It's just really good practice. In fact, most people who I speak to before they work with me will tell me how they came across me. But if they haven't told me that and if I've never worked with them, I prompt that question.
5:30 Sumantha:
If they say that someone just recommended me and they booked a call, but they never actually checked out the podcast or any of my content, I don't actually let them become a client until they have.
6:00 Sumantha:
So for more reasons than one, my podcast is a really brilliant tool in my business because people who come into my world have already listened to my content. I rarely work with a client for a short period of time and then stop.
6:30 Sumantha:
Usually clients work with me for a really long time. I'm talking years, and I love that. Or they return after a while because I can truly help them, because over time I've gotten to know them and I've seen their journey.
7:00 Sumantha:
Often clients become friends, so my podcast is about more than just giving free value every week and people listening. It's the catalyst to something a lot more meaningful.
7:30 Sumantha:
So if I listened to that kind of advice that I saw in that ad, I would save time because I no longer need to record a podcast, but I would also miss out on great relationships, great clients, and also producing content in a way that I enjoy.
8:00 Sumantha:
That's why I wanted to create this episode. When we perceive that someone knows more than us, we want to listen to them. After all, if it has worked for them, it may well work for us, but we must always put our experience into the mix.
8:30 Sumantha:
I recently was having a conversation with a client who asked me which social media platform I thought they should use to attract more students. I looked at the profile of their business. I haven't been working with them for very long.
9:00 Sumantha:
I said that in my experience for businesses like theirs, Facebook tended to be the best platform, the most effective one. And then they said, well, actually, in the past they have had more clients come through Instagram.
9:30 Sumantha:
And that was music to my ears. I told them, right, I'm wrong. This is great information. Let's go with what you have experienced. Let's double down on your Instagram strategy.
10:00 Sumantha:
So it's not really about one person being right and one person being wrong. If you really want advice to be powerful, then your experience is important because if you merge someone else's experience with your experience, you'll come up with something incredibly powerful.
10:30 Sumantha:
Now this is really difficult if you are not very experienced or if you have experienced doing different things in your business or marketing, but you haven't achieved the success you want. Then you assume your experience doesn't really count.
11:00 Sumantha:
You kind of lose trust in your experience, but I disagree. Let's say you've tried lots of different things and they haven't worked. You assume it's because you are not good at it or doing something wrong. Maybe analyse why they didn’t work.
11:30 Sumantha:
Were you spread too thin? Were you creating one-dimensional content? Were your conversations transactional? There are so many reasons why what you tried may not have worked.
12:00 Sumantha:
It might just need tweaking. Having a conversation with someone who may know the answers could be really valuable. But there is a difference between taking guidance and following advice blindly while ignoring your experience.
12:30 Sumantha:
One of the reasons I feel strongly about always challenging advice is because those ads I saw weren't wrong. They were just wrong for me, or the way I interpreted them wasn't right for me.
13:00 Sumantha:
In business and marketing, the reality is that everything works and nothing works. Strategies may work for some and not for others, depending on how you apply them.
13:30 Sumantha:
Success comes from mastering a few strategies, not spreading yourself thin. Even if you're on multiple platforms, the one that gets the best results is the one they focus on.
14:00 Sumantha:
When you feel panicked or desperate, the instinct is to do more or try something different, but different and more doesn't always equal better. Working smarter on the right things brings results.
14:30 Sumantha:
So yes, the adverts were partially right: you can achieve more by doing less. But the advice alone is incomplete. It's not about hacks or the least effort; it's about efficiency, focus, and effectiveness.
15:00 Sumantha:
Next time you get advice that doesn’t feel right, analyse why. Maybe it's fear, maybe it's misalignment. Sometimes you should do it anyway if you feel scared but supported, sometimes you need to adapt advice to your context.
15:30 Sumantha:
Think about your audience, preferences, and what you can consistently deliver. Your execution matters more than simply following someone else’s method. That’s how you turn confusion and overwhelm into action.
16:00 Sumantha:
Thanks as always for giving me your time. If you’re on YouTube, hit subscribe. If on Apple Podcasts, please leave a review. It really helps me reach more people. You’ll hear from me on Wednesday.
