You’re brilliant. You’ve spent years mastering your craft. You’ve taken the courses, built the website, posted on social media, and even started your own podcast.

You know you can change lives, so why are your bank statements still screaming struggle?

The truth is brutal: most experts stay poor. Not because they’re not smart. Not because they don’t care. Not because they aren’t amazing at what they do. They stay poor because they’re stuck, trapped in the middle of two totally different kinds of business models. And until you choose one, you’ll keep spinning your wheels.

This episode is your wake-up call. It’s the line in the sand. You’re going to find out exactly why your growth has stalled and the one simple decision that will make everything click into place. 

Once you see it, you can’t unsee it. And once you act on it, you unlock the business and life you actually want.

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Stuck in the Middle of Two Worlds

Many experts try everything: ads, emails, videos, sales calls, but it still doesn’t click. That’s because they’re mixing two very different strategies: marketing-led and sales-led business models.

Imagine trying to drive two cars at once. One foot on each gas pedal. That’s what happens when you don’t choose. You burn out. You stall. You stay stuck.

Marketing-Led vs. Sales-Led: What’s the Difference?

Let’s break it down.

Marketing-Led Businesses

These are slow and steady. They build trust over time. Think podcasts, YouTube videos, email newsletters, blogs. You attract people with free stuff, like lead magnets, and build a loyal audience.

Big names like Pat Flynn, Ali Abdaal, and Marie Forleo run marketing-led businesses. They create content, grow an email list, and sell through emails and evergreen funnels. This style of business lets you work from anywhere and make sales without getting on calls.

Sales-Led Businesses

These are fast and focused. They chase quick wins. Think cold DMs, sales calls, and high-ticket offers. You go out and ask for the sale directly.

People like Alex Hormozi and Cole Gordon use this method. They send 20 cold messages a day, book calls, and close deals live. It works fast, but takes lots of energy and time. You need thick skin and solid sales skills.

Why Picking One Changes Everything

When you blend both styles, your actions fight each other. Marketing says, “Be patient and build trust.” Sales says, “Push hard and close now.” No wonder things don’t work.

But when you pick one, suddenly it all lines up. Your emails, your offers, your content they all start working together.

What a Marketing-Led Business Looks Like

You focus on creating long-form content: podcasts, YouTube videos, blog posts, once or twice a week. You give away lead magnets. Maybe small paid offers.

You grow an email list and send regular emails. You build trust. And over time, people buy.

Best part? It scales without needing more people. You don’t need sales teams or tons of meetings. Just more leads and great content.

And you don’t need to sell high-ticket. In fact, if you hate sales calls, marketing-led might be your best bet.

What a Sales-Led Business Looks Like

You get your hands dirty. You reach out to 20 people a day via email, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram. You book 10–15 sales calls a week. You pitch your offer live, on Zoom or the phone.

This is ideal for high-ticket offers, such as $1,500, $2,000, or more. But it’s time-consuming. You need energy. You’ll hear “no” a lot. You may need a sales team one day.

And remember: the first salesperson in your business is YOU. You’ll need to close deals yourself before hiring anyone else.

Pick the Business That Fits Your Life

This isn’t about choosing the “right” one. It’s about picking the one that fits your lifestyle, energy, and personality.

Do you want a lifestyle business where you can make sales while sitting at your niece’s school play or sipping tea on your balcony?
Or do you love people, fast wins, and high-stakes conversations? Do you want a team and a bustling sales floor?

Pick based on what you love and what you’re already good at.

Build On What’s Already Working

Most experts stay stuck because they keep restarting. They throw away what’s working to chase a new shiny thing.

Don’t do that.

Instead, look at your business like a garden. Find the seed that’s already growing something that’s already getting traction and water it. Grow that. Build on that.

Every time you start over, you reset the clock. And it takes time and years to get momentum again.

You Can Still Sell High-Ticket in a Marketing-Led Way

Even if you choose a marketing-led business, you can still sell big-ticket offers. You just sell them differently, and usually, more slowly.

One smart approach is to offer high-ticket programs only to people who are already customers. These buyers already know your style, trust your expertise, and have seen your value. Instead of hopping on sales calls, you can simply open up a conversation in the DMs.

Maybe you post something like, “I’m opening a few spots in a hands-on, high-level program. DM me if you want details.” From there, a natural back-and-forth can lead to a simple decision. Often, the sale is closed with just a link and a short message, no pressure, no pitch.

That’s marketing at its best: slow, trust-based, and incredibly powerful.

Write It Down: Pick Your Lane

Here’s your big moment.

Right now, grab your phone or notebook and write it down:

• Am I choosing a Marketing-Led business?
• Or a Sales-Led business?

Write it. Commit to it.

Everything, from your content to your offers and emails, will now be built to serve that choice. And everything will start working better.

Conclusion: Pick One, and Everything Changes

Most experts don’t fail because they’re bad. They fail because they’re stuck in between. They try to do everything. And in the end, nothing works.

But when you draw the line in the sand, when you pick your lane, you unlock everything.

You finally know what to say, what to sell, and how to grow.

So stop straddling two lanes. Pick one. Stick with it. And watch your business finally take off.

Ready to pick your lane? Do it now. Your future self will thank you.

Related episodes

The Affiliate Marketing Playbook: How to Make Sales Without Annoying Your List

Webinars That Sell: Insider Secrets from Jason Fladlien!

How to Use Storytelling in Your Emails to Get a 22% Higher Open Rate

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