If I Knew Then What I Know Now: 5 Things I’d Do Differently as a Marketer

If there’s one thing marketing teaches you—aside from how to make “urgent” sound like “exclusive”—it’s the art of reinvention. You’re always pivoting, always learning, always wondering if that viral TikTok was a fluke or the start of your new empire. But if I could hop into a time machine (preferably one with excellent Wi-Fi and a Nespresso machine), here are the five things I’d do differently on my journey as a marketer.

1. Say No More Often (Because “Yes” Is a One-Way Ticket to Burnoutville)

I used to be the marketer who said yes to everything: content writing, graphic design, video editing, social media management—you name it, I did it, all for the price of one measly salary. The result? I became a one-person agency with the energy levels of a sloth on a Monday morning.

Lesson: Saying no isn’t just about self-preservation; it’s about setting boundaries so you can do your best work—and actually enjoy your life.

“ Your personal brand isn’t vanity—it’s your professional insurance policy.”

2. Build a Personal Brand (Before You’re the Only One Who Doesn’t Have One)

I was so busy building brands for others that I forgot to build my own. By the time I realized the power of a personal brand, I was playing catch-up in a race where everyone else had a head start.

Lesson: Your personal brand isn’t vanity—it’s your professional insurance policy. Start early, and keep it authentic.

3. Invest in Myself (Because No One Else Will Do It for You)

I assumed that on-the-job learning would be enough. Spoiler: it wasn’t. The marketing world moves at warp speed, and if you’re not actively investing in your skills, you’ll be left behind.

Lesson: Take courses, attend conferences, read voraciously. Your future self will thank you.

4. Trust Founders (But Don’t Let Them Convince You to Skip Market Research)

Early-stage startup founders are passionate, visionary, and sometimes a little delusional. They’ll swear their USP is obvious, and that their friends and family are a representative sample of the market.

Lesson: Listen to founders—they know their product—but don’t let them talk you out of doing real market research. Data beats anecdotes every time.

5. Pretty Doesn’t Always Convert (Sorry, Perfectionists)

I’ve lost count of the hours I’ve spent perfecting copy, tweaking landing pages, and obsessing over color palettes. Sometimes, the “ugly” version converts better.

Lesson: Test, iterate, and don’t fall in love with your own creativity. At the end of the day, results matter more than aesthetics.

Final Thoughts

Marketing is equal parts art and science, intuition and data, hustle and patience. If I could do it all again, I’d be more strategic, more selfish (in the best way), and less afraid to trust my instincts—while still letting the numbers have the final say.

So take these lessons, make them your own, and remember: the best marketers aren’t just building brands—they’re building themselves.