I love the way the internet marketing world has changed throughout the years.

Back in the day, it was all about the tactics. People wanted all the stuff they thought would make money now. I’d mention strategic thinking and I’d get that apathetic, eye-roll response, reminiscent of teenagers being told they should wear sunscreen. BO-RING.

But now? Now, something has changed in the zeitgeist. Now the most common question I get is, “YES, BUT NOM NOM NOM STRATEGY!!!” (Paraphrased, but only lightly.)

So, shall we talk marketing strategy?

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Dear Naomi,

How do I stop being paralyzed by other people’s success?

Here’s the situation…

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Hey Naomi!

Do you have any tips or any thoughts at all on blog topic categories? That probably sounds so basic but for some reason I’ve never been able to figure out a method for doing it so every article on my blog is just categorized as “screenwriting.” Which I literally have people emailing me to complain about.

So I know I need to fix it, but I don’t get how broad or granular these stupid categories should be, or what kind of a system they need to create, or what they should all add up to. And who knew a person could have so many questions about categorizing blog posts.

Anyway. Any thoughts are appreciated!

Thanks in advance,
Naomi Beaty

Excellent question, Naomi!

As someone who has used ONE category on their blog for thelast many years (“Small Business Marketing”), I can say with authority, you’re not alone. For me, at least, I go into ADD spin-out land when I think of categories. It can be really hard to pin down what you’re writing about in that granular a way.

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Dear Naomi,

I’ve been working through the Fast Track course almost in real time this year (I think this is my third attempt, and I’ve FINALLY got past the damn shopping exercise in session 1 – go me!), and a question has been hovering behind my left ear for the past few weeks.

It concerns consistency.

I can clearly see the benefits of consistency, especially in a fledgling business (which mine will be, as soon as it hatches). Everyone I listen to says you have to be consistent – whatever you do, be consistent about it – keep showing up consistently – consistent, consistent, consistent. Be consistent. Consistently.

The trouble is, nobody seems to have any advice for what to do if that’s not so easy.

Unfortunately, there are a number of reasons why consistency is a problem for me. I have chronic health conditions that unpredictably affect my energy and concentration. I’m a dyed-in-the-wool scanner / multipotentialite / whatever we’re calling it this week. I’m also the Autistic parent of two Autistic children, so sudden spikes in domestic intensity, as well as periods of plain old-fashioned burnout, are the norm. Meanwhile, my executive function is a shredded rag most of the time.

So my question is, what can I do to reduce the pressure to be consistent? Obviously, I need to show up, produce work, put out content, and so on. But do you have any suggestions for how to set things up so that a dip in consistency won’t wreck the boat?

Thanks as always,
Mary

Thank you, Mary. This is an excellent question, and I’m sure many people are glad you asked it. You ask a question that many need answered but few are brave enough to ask.

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Hello, lovely Sarah.

I’ve been thinking about your question for a few days now, and I was having a devil of a time answering it. Every time I went to answer, I found myself incoherent and rambly and not really sure of my own point. Therefore, I have decided to put your email itself away, close my eyes (thank God I can touch type!) and answer the question I think you’re asking.

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