Let the Work Sell Itself

Funnels and marketing. This morning, I woke up to the YouTube algorithm suggesting videos on "new techniques to grow and optimize successful brands in 2026." I was about to shower, so I figured, what the heck—I gave two of them a watch. Marketing and branding experts went over all the new things someone should do to grow their brand, talking about how funnels are dead and how you must create short and long content, on and on.

It got to a point where I felt not only disengaged but personally disconnected from it all. I'm sure their advice is solid and grounded—they do this for a living and have likely advised their clients successfully using these techniques. But for me, it boils down to delivering work that resonates with an audience and provides value from what you put out.

Most of all, being genuine, thoughtful, and consistently shipping your work will more often than not connect you with a true audience that values your ideas and sentiments. Granted, doing it this way won't yield a quick return on investment, but I believe consistency trumps any gimmick you might use. If you're patient, in the long run you may build a network of peers who truly value your work because they identify with it. That means you don't have to sell them on anything—your work sells itself. Most importantly, you'll have established a trusting relationship with them.

I might be wrong in the eyes of the world and the experts, and that's fine. After this morning's session on "the latest marketing and branding techniques for 2026," I'd still rather keep chugging along, writing genuinely, working on my craft, thoughts, and ideas to be a little bit better than before. I want to keep writing about the things I find interesting, and maybe—just maybe—at some point, someone out there will read my work and say, "He gets me." To me, that's the win.