How to Know If You Have a Messaging Problem (And What to Do About It)

You know your business inside and out. You deliver real value to your clients. So why does it feel like your marketing isn’t working?

If you’re getting blank stares when you talk about what you do—or worse, attracting the wrong kind of clients—you might have a messaging problem. And no, that doesn’t mean you need a new logo, a fancy website, or to post more on LinkedIn. It means your words aren’t doing their job.

Here’s how to tell if your messaging is the problem and, more importantly, how to fix it.

Sign #1: People Don’t “Get It” Right Away

You’re at a networking event, and someone asks what you do. You answer, and they respond with:
“Oh… cool. So, like a marketing coach?”
“Wait, so you do branding, or…?”
“Huh, interesting. Anyway…”

If people aren’t immediately connecting the dots, it’s a sign that your messaging is either too vague, too jargon-heavy, or too focused on what you do instead of how it helps them.

The Fix:
Test your answer with someone outside your industry. If they can’t repeat it back in their own words, simplify. The goal? A clear, one-sentence description that makes your ideal client think, “Oh, I need that.” or even better “How do we get started?” 

Sign #2: You’re Attracting the Wrong Clients

Do you ever get inquiries from people who aren’t quite the right fit? 

Maybe they don’t have the budget, need something totally different, or expect a service you don’t offer. That’s a messaging problem.

(I’ll never forget the string of sales calls who were looking for a copyright attorney. Oof talk about humble pie.) 

When your words aren’t filtering out the wrong clients, they also aren’t attracting the right ones.

The Fix:
Your messaging should act as a magnet—and a filter. Be crystal clear about who you help and what problem you solve. A good test? If someone outside your target audience reads your website and thinks, “This isn’t for me,” that’s actually a good thing.

Sign #3: Your Marketing Feels Scattered

If every time you sit down to write a LinkedIn post, email, or sales page, you’re starting from scratch—or worse, overthinking every word—you might have a messaging problem.

Without a clear message, marketing feels like a guessing game. But when your core message is locked in, everything flows.

The Fix:
Get clear on your Foundational Messaging —the foundational statements that define who you help, what problem you solve, and why it matters. 

When that’s solid, your website, social media, and sales conversations all align. (And marketing suddenly feels way easier.)

So, What’s Next?

If you nodded along to any of these, you don’t need more marketing tactics—you need a messaging refresh.

Not sure where to start? That’s where I come in. I help businesses like yours refine their message so it attracts the right clients and makes sales conversations easier.

Want to chat? Book a call today to see how we can clarify your message.