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Hey Reader,

Online business is weird.
Like, really weird.

But when you’ve been in it for a while, it’s easy to forget just how bananas it is.
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The love bombing.
The testimonials that might be fictional (yes, really).
The groupthink masked as empowerment.
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The fact that “you just need better vibes” is considered a marketing strategy.

So when my co-host of Duped, Maggie Patterson, and I were invited onto Sounds Like a Cult to talk about the scammy underbelly of digital marketing, we were ready.

This is our jam.

But you know what surprised me?

Amanda Montell—who wrote the book “Cultish” and researched doomsday cults—was gobsmacked by what happens in online business.

After the interview, I voxed Maggie and said:

And that’s the scary part.

Being duped has been normalized. (That’s what all the members of The Expert Up Club have in common…they’ve all been duped).

The shady testimonials. The faceless influencer scams. The $497 promise of financial freedom and aligned income and laptop lifestyles.

They’ve become so common that we start to think we’re the weird ones when we question it.

But you’re not.

If marketing has ever felt off to you…
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If you’ve ever side-eyed the business advice and thought “that can’t be right…”
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If you’ve ever wondered why this whole thing makes you feel kinda gross…

You’re not wrong. You’re just awake.

🎧 Tune in to the episode of Sounds Like a Cult here​

It’s a surprising, fun, slightly unhinged, and weirdly validating.

And if you find yourself nodding along, thinking “THIS is why marketing has never felt good to me,” then know this:
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You’re in the right place.

There is another way to run a business. And I’m here for all of it.

Michelle

P.S. No joke—we talk about a real sales page that literally said the testimonials may be fictional. Welcome to the cult of online business. Grab your headphones and listen in.​

Wanna Fix Your Message—FAST

Your offer’s amazing.
Your message? Still sounds “meh.”
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If you’re sick of explaining what you do 17 different ways — and still getting blank stares — I’ve opened 8 spots for my Fix It Fast Messaging Sesh.​

In 60 minutes, we’ll run your message through my diagnostic tool, spot what’s falling flat, and fix it right then and there — so it finally clicks, sticks, and sells.

No dragging it out. No guesswork. Just clear, confident messaging that moves the needle.

8 spots. First come, first served.
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​Get the Details & Book Your Spot​
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Dr. Michelle Mazur Message Strategist & Founder of The Expert Up Club ​Podcast / 3 Word Rebellion Book​ ​

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