The More You Refine, The Less You Grind: 3 Silent Killers of Marketing Campaigns
This insight was sparked by the conversations and strategies shared by Tyler Pigott, co-founder of Agency Builders and Senior Director of Sales at Story Brand. At the Agency Builders Retreat 2025, Tyler and other top minds in the industry dissected what truly moves the needle in business growth. While the retreat focused on agency scaling, the lessons apply to any business struggling with unclear messaging, weak positioning, or scattered offerings. No matter your industry, refining your strategy — not grinding harder — is the key to standing out and converting more customers.
Marketing shouldn’t feel like an endless grind. If your ads aren’t converting, your free trials aren’t getting sign-ups, or your social media engagement is non-existent, it’s not about working harder — it’s about refining your approach.
Great marketing is like sculpting — you don’t build by adding more but by refining what’s already there. Just as a sculptor chisels away the excess to reveal a masterpiece, businesses must trim unclear messaging, weak positioning, and bloated services to stand out. The more you refine, the less you grind.
Here are the three silent killers that might be tanking your campaigns (and what to do about them).
1. Unclear Targeting: Talking to Everyone = Reaching No One
When your targeting is fuzzy, your content lands flat, referrals get confused, and sales calls feel chaotic. If you’re attracting the wrong audience (or no audience at all), your messaging might be too broad. Instead of throwing content into the void, refine your ideal customer profile. Get hyper-specific about who you serve and why they should care.
How To Fix It
Nail down your buyer persona. What keeps them up at night? What words do they use? Then, craft messaging that speaks directly to them.
2. Diluted Positioning: If You Sound Like Everyone, You Sell Like No One
If your website copy could be swapped with a competitor’s and no one would notice, you have a positioning problem. Weak positioning makes your brand forgettable, leading to inconsistent delivery and lower conversions.
How To Fix It
Own a unique space in your industry. Instead of blending in, double down on what makes your brand different. Be bold, be specific, and make sure your audience knows exactly why you’re the best choice.
3. A Bloated Service Menu: Too Many Offers, Not Enough Impact
Offering everything to everyone waters down your value. If your team is juggling random projects, competing on price, and struggling to explain what makes you different, your service menu is too bloated.
How To Fix It
Simplify your offers. Focus on a few high-impact services that compound in value over time. The clearer your service menu, the easier it is for clients to say yes.
Refine, Don’t Grind
The best marketing isn’t about working harder — it’s about sharpening your strategy. By clarifying your targeting, strengthening your positioning, and streamlining your services, you’ll stop spinning your wheels and start seeing real growth.
