"In a busy marketplace, not standing out is the same as being invisible."
My office is at the front of our house, so I get the benefit of seeing people approach our front door.
We NEVER answer unless it requires a signature.
But back in the day, door-to-door sales was a legit profession.
A complete stranger would knock. If they looked put-together, spoke clearly, and had a decent smile, people actually let them in.
Into their home.
Sounds totally insane, right?
***
Websites have all but replaced the door-to-door salesman. But the first impression trust-factor is just as important.
Last week, I was searching for someone to trim our palm trees.
One company came via referral, but their website looked like it hadn’t been touched since dial-up.
I debated for a second. We actually needed their service and they had some decent Google reviews.
Still, I bounced.
Why? … Because I didn’t trust them.
Their site was neglected, out of sync, and unprofessional. And that was my first (and last) impression with their business.
Harsh? … Maybe.
But our brains have been hardwired to scan for signals of safety and trust. When something feels "off," we don't stick around to investigate. We just leave.
***
If your website makes you cringe a little, trust that your audience is cringing A LOT.
We tend to rationalize it away.
"Our site’s fine for now." …
"I’ll update it when things slow down." …
"We do great work, so it really doesn’t matter."
But if your virtual first impression feels disconnected, it's likely turning dream clients into skeptics. And they’re just going to slam the door.
This week, do a quick gut-check:
Would YOU trust your business based solely on its website?
Does it take more than 3 seconds to understand what you do?
Would you be proud to share your site with a high-ticket client — right now?
Trust your gut. And don’t ignore it.
Because a neglected website isn’t just ONE missed opportunity. It’s a 24/7 credibility test — that you’re repeatedly failing.
The people who need your help are out there searching.
Give them a reason to let you in.
***
♟️YOUR MOVE:
If you’re losing deals you should be winning, your site is probably working against you.
I’ve opened a few spots for our Brand Credibility Audit, a paid deep-dive for business pros tired of their website underselling their value. Reply “Audit” for details.
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True entrepreneurial freedom also means financial freedom — having enough passive income to cover your lifestyle, so you can confidently walk that work / life balance tightrope.
Want to know what it’ll take for YOU to get there?
This bite-sized (but powerful) e-book breaks it all down. You’ll learn the two best types of passive income, what most people get wrong, and the steps to create your own financial freedom plan … without grinding harder.
What a $250k+ Business Really Looks Like
The Quarter’s 2025 Bootstrapped Report dives into how people just like you scaled to $250K while flying under the radar.
If you’re done hearing “you need funding first,” this report shows what’s possible when you build on grit, strategy, and copying what already works.
Victory Points
By: Mike Shary
My board-game-loving, copywriter extraordinaire and mentor, Dad ❤️
Harmonies (#affiliate) is a fun tableau building game you can play solo or with up to three friends.
You take turns selecting and placing sets of tiles to grow rivers, forests, and mountains, then inviting animals to settle where the habitat fits.
Here's the thing: points only follow focus. Rivers need room to connect. Woods need layers to matter. Only finished habitats let animals move in for bonus points. So every turn forces you to consider the same question: Does this tile get me to my goal, or is it just noise?
If you dabble in everything, you end up with a nice picture that won't win. But when you double down on one story, the board starts paying you back exponentially.
That makes Harmonies a miniature lesson in effective branding.
Your customers skim fast. They notice what repeats, what aligns, and what feels intentional. When your logo, home page and collateral materials all point to the same promise, people remember. If you're all over the place ... you're forgettable.
Harmonies is a fun way to think about your brand. Choose the story. Back it up. Let the landscape sell it for you.
Make it a great week! 🙌
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The links in our “Victory Points” section are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you decide to make a purchase.
