Breakfast with Brandy

Corey and I have been married for 22 years and together for 24. Apparently, our relationship survived despite our questionable decision making in the beginning.

On one of our first dates, we did what most new couples do. We went out to eat and then headed to the movies.

Sounds perfectly normal, right?

Except we went to see The Ring.

Here is what you need to know.

Corey is not a movie person. He can fall asleep halfway through almost anything. Meanwhile, I hate watching scary movies in a theater. It is dark, the sound is entirely too loud, and I cannot pause the movie when I need a minute to collect myself. I love scary movies at home.

Call me a scaredy cat. I accept the title.

So why did we choose a scary movie?

Because each of us thought it was what the other person wanted.

Neither of us stopped and said, “Would you actually enjoy this?”

Instead, we followed the standard dating plan. Dinner and a movie. Then we chose a movie based on assumptions instead of having an honest conversation.

Corey probably slept just fine afterward. I did not.

I spent the next two weeks thinking that creepy little girl was going to crawl out of my tv. To make matters worse, the movie shows you the video that supposedly seals your fate after you watch it.

So naturally, my rational response was to assume I had seven days to live.

Nothing says romance quite like insomnia and an irrational fear of turning on the television.

The Marketing Bite

Businesses make this same mistake every day.

They create offers because competitors have them. They post certain content because everyone else is posting it. They add services because they assume customers want them. Then they wonder why people are not responding.

Your customers do not need the marketing equivalent of dinner and a scary movie just because that is what everyone else is doing.

They need you to understand them.

That means asking questions, listening to the answers, and paying attention to what customers actually value. It also means reviewing your results instead of assuming your plan is working.

Good marketing is not about following the expected formula.

It is about knowing the person sitting across from you.

Take Home the Bacon

Ask three of your best customers these questions this week:

1. Why did you choose us?

2. What almost stopped you from hiring us?

3. What do you value most about working with us?

Their answers may surprise you. More importantly, those answers can help you create better offers, clearer messaging, and content that speaks to what people genuinely want.

Because assumptions can lead to bad marketing, wasted money, and occasionally two weeks of believing a child is going to crawl out of your tv.

After 24 years, Corey and I have learned to ask more questions.

We also no longer choose horror movies for date night.