The Truth About Marketing Online That No One Wants to Admit

Patrick McFadden

There are plenty of heartbroken and dismal stories about marketing online and some maybe you’re familiar with. Perhaps your story is one of them.

Don’t worry, though, because the “TRUTH”  is about to be exposed! You’re about to find out, “the truth about marketing online that no one wants to admit.”

The truth about marketing online that no one wants to admit is that it doesn’t do a thing for you unless you understand marketing . The key to marketing your business online successfully is to know marketing.  ( Need help )

I’m enthusiastic about the opportunity to market my products or services online, but I also realize that marketing online is only utilizing one of the tactics of marketing. Unless my online marketing efforts are in combination with other marketing tactics, it’s going to be a BIG loser for me.

When marketing online, your homebase (website)—the place you do business— must be promoted all over the place:

  • in the websites of others,
  • in your advertising,
  • in all contacts points you have with prospects and customers
  • in all your print or electronic communication
  • in all your note cards, business cards, envelopes, invoices, catalogs, postcards and in all online and offline directories
  • in your newsletters,
  • on all fliers,
  • even in your marketing-on-hold message,
  • in your voice-mail greeting, and
  • on signs if you have a store or office that people visit.

The best news is that, understanding and knowing marketing, is a mindset , and it’s available to all. You can win the battle for more customers and more profits by just starting today.

Question: Did you know that this was the secret to marketing online?

About the Author:  Patrick McFadden is the owner and marketing consultant at  Indispensable Marketing , a strategic marketing firm in Richmond, VA. He helps small to midsize businesses create marketing plans and growth processes that get new or better results.

By Patrick McFadden April 20, 2025
AI That Understands You
By Patrick McFadden April 18, 2025
Understanding platform intent, sales cycles, and what actually works in high-ticket home services
By Patrick McFadden March 31, 2025
1. The Challenge: VMI was like many service providers — positioning their value around what they thought clients wanted : “Office furniture installation and assembly — let us handle creating your perfect workspace.” But the actual buyers — facility managers, project managers, furniture reps — weren’t looking for “perfect workspaces.” They were trying to avoid installation nightmares . Their real priority? ✅ Great installation days. ✅ No chaos. ✅ No missed deadlines. ✅ No angry phone calls from clients. 2. The Insight: After conducting stakeholder interviews under our marketing strategy consulting engagement , the Indispensable Marketing team uncovered critical feedback: “We need installers who maintain a professional site and follow instructions.” “We lose relationships when installations go badly.” “I need quotes back quickly or I can’t sell the job.” This wasn’t just about services , it was about trust, problem-solving , and professional reliability . So we reframed their differentiators not by what they did, but how they showed up : Same-day project quotes Problem-solving on-site Update protocol with clients Professionalism guarantee Lasting Impression Insurance 3. The Shift: We shifted the positioning from vague benefits to real-world, emotional triggers : Instead of: “Let us create your perfect workspace.” Now: “Get the perfect installation day, every time.” That subtle shift aligns with who’s actually buying (and who feels the pain when things go wrong). The end-user may care about the workspace. But the buyer cares about the install . 4. The Lesson for Others: If you’re selling a service, don’t describe what you do. Describe what the client wants to avoid or achieve — and who the real buyer is. Then, systematize what you’re already doing well and give it a name. Just like our team did with: “Same Day Quotes” “Lasting Impression Insurance” “Reliable Presence Protocol” 5. The Outcome Within weeks of updating their messaging and positioning: The company reported more qualified leads asking the right questions Furniture reps began referring them because they were “easy to work with and made them look good” They were shortlisted for larger, multi-phase projects due to increased confidence in their process But most importantly, they stopped competing on price — because they weren’t selling perfect workspaces anymore. They were selling peace of mind on installation day.
More Posts