The 4 Content Mistakes I'll Never Make Again

 I made these mistakes so you don't have to

When we talk about content marketing for small business owners, the spotlight usually shines on success stories and viral wins. But what about the mistakes? The missteps? The moments where things fell flat?

I’ve been in the content game for over 20 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s this: content creation isn’t about getting everything perfect—it’s about learning, adjusting, and connecting.

In this post, I’m sharing four real content marketing mistakes I made when shifting from done-for-you to done-with-you services—along with the lessons that can help you avoid them.

Mistake #1: Not Having a System (And Ignoring the Zoom Waiting Room)

My first-ever masterclass was polished to perfection. I obsessed over the design, rehearsed the delivery, and promoted it for weeks. But when the day came, I forgot to admit attendees from the Zoom waiting room. Yep—20 people were stuck in limbo while I powered through my presentation, blissfully unaware.

Lesson:

• Don’t rely on adrenaline to remember everything. Use checklists.

• Systems matter. Even for solo entrepreneurs.

• A second set of eyes (or a tech-savvy sidekick) can save the day.

📝 Pro tip: When planning a webinar or live training, assign someone to manage the tech so you can focus on delivery.

Mistake #2: Hustling Through a Crisis

During a launch for my signature program, The Content Code, my son landed in the hospital for emergency surgery. I tried to keep the launch going, laptop in hand, juggling medical stress with email marketing.

Lesson:

• Your energy is your content. And when you’re running on empty, your content will feel it.

• Rest is not a luxury—it’s a strategy.

• When life interrupts business, it’s okay to pause. The right audience will still be there when you return.

⚡ Hot take: Hustle culture is not a badge of honor. It’s a burnout recipe.

Mistake #3: Chasing Clickbait Instead of Clarity

Like many of us, I once believed content had to sound shiny and sexy to sell. I used phrases like “6-Figure Secrets” and “Content That Converts” to mimic what I saw in masterclasses and online marketing courses.

Lesson:

• Overhyped copy might get attention, but it won’t build trust.

• Don’t dilute your message with buzzwords—lean into clarity and truth.

• You already have value. You don’t need flashy phrases to prove it.

🎤 Real talk: People can smell BS. Be helpful, be honest, and trust that your expertise will shine through.

Mistake #4: Skipping Nurture Content

When I started promoting done-with-you content strategy offers, I assumed people would just get it. I skipped over building relationships and jumped straight to the pitch.

They did not, in fact, just “get it.”

Lesson:

• Nurture content is not optional. It’s essential.

• If you want conversions, build connection first.

• Before someone buys, they need to feel seen, heard, and understood (or as I like to say: SHU).

💡 Try this: Instead of only posting about your offer, share your process, your client wins, your “why,” and behind-the-scenes moments that help your audience trust you.

Final Thoughts

Creating content that connects takes more than a formula or a fancy funnel. It takes realness. It takes resilience. And it takes a commitment to learning from the messy moments.

Whether you're writing your first welcome email or launching your tenth offer, remember: mistakes aren’t failures—they’re just lessons with better stories.