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Hey Reader,

If you head over to my website right now? My messaging is… well, a hot mess.

Outdated. Too aspirational. It positions my work as a “nice-to-have” instead of a must-have. It’s sloppy. And in this economy, that just doesn’t cut it.

And yes, I’m fixing it!

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: sloppy messaging doesn’t sell—especially in uncertain times.

We can all get a little sloppy with our messaging—even super smart, seasoned business owners like you (and me).

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What is "sloppy messaging," exactly?

At its core, sloppy messaging means you're not clearly articulating how your expertise solves an urgent problem for a well-defined audience. That's it.

And in an economic downturn, sloppy messaging isn't just a minor issue—it's a business kryptonite.

And if your messaging isn’t pulling its weight, chances are you’re doing more marketing than you need to—just to stay visible.

First, you’ve got to admit your messaging’s a little sloppy. (Been there. Just did it myself.)

Then, it’s time to recognize the tell-tale signs. I’ll walk you through one of them below—and cover the rest on this week’s podcast.

Here’s one of the biggest culprits: the problem you solve is too abstract

Y’all, we’ve got to get radically specific about the problem we solve. No more:

• You’re not making the money you deserve
• You’re stuck
• You’re team isn’t working well together

BEFORE: "You’re not making the money you deserve.”

AFTER: "You’re great at sales. If you get someone on call, you know you can close the deal…but no one is booking calls."

See how specific that is? It speaks to a real problem my clients have. They see themselves in that microstory.

But let’s say you’re a career coach.

BEFORE: You feel stuck in your career.

AFTER: No one sees you at work. You’re the first one to step up, take on extra work, and support your team anyway you can, but when it comes time for a promotion, you’re passed over…again.

Well, doesn’t that feel like a punch in the gut that you want to do something about.

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The cost of sloppy messaging is always high. But during economic uncertainty, it's beyond risky.

Your potential clients are still spending money—they're just being more selective. They want specifics.

They want confidence that you understand their exact situation and can deliver a solution that addresses their most pressing needs.

Hit reply and share one piece of your current messaging that could use a specificity upgrade. I'll help you sharpen it up.

Yours in rebellion,
Michelle

P.S. If you want to fix your marketing message so your business is seen as necessary—not nice to have—I’ve opened up 3 more 1:1 DFY spots this quarter. Get all the details here.

How to Fix Your Message in an Economic Downturn

When the economy gets weird, your message needs to work even harder to show your value and make people say “Yes, please.”

Join me next week for a free, no-pitch conversation where we’ll dig into how to adapt your messaging for this moment—without scrambling or ditching your values.

It's happening on April 29th at 11:00 am PT/2:00 pm ET

👉 Reserve Your Spot Here​

(Can't make it live? I'll send out the replay if you sign up)​
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​ Dr. Michelle Mazur Message Strategist & Founder of The Expert Up Club ​Podcast / 3 Word Rebellion Book​ ​

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