What’s up, friends. Damian here from Master of One Marketing.
Today I want to talk about something that’s been grinding my gears for a while now: the tired flex of “I’ve been doing this for X years” as if that alone makes you an expert.
Let me tell you a quick story.
From Electricity to Engagement
I spent 20 years as an electrician. Was I good at it? Sure, I could wire a house, a transformer, whatever you needed. But I hated it. I wasn’t passionate, I wasn’t keeping up with code updates, and I sure as hell wasn’t excited about taking the same repetitive tests just to keep my license.
What really drove me nuts was how often those updates were less about safety innovations and more about appeasing insurance companies. The National Electrical Code hadn’t fundamentally changed much in decades, but every few years there’d be new revisions mostly written to cover liability, not improve the actual practice of electrical work. It all felt stale, bureaucratic, and detached from real-world applications.
That job didn’t make me a great electrician. It made me someone who could do the job. There’s a big difference.
And that same difference exists in marketing. Just because you’ve been in it a long time doesn’t mean you’re good at it. It just means you’ve stuck around.
The 10-Year Flex That Means Nothing
Recently, I ran into a guy who kept bragging, “I’ve been doing marketing for 10 years,” like that alone was a badge of honor.
But then I had to explain basic SEO to him. Like how to use site: search queries on Google. Like how CRO isn’t a one-size-fits-all strategy and you should be testing before implementing. Like how slapping a contact form at the top of every homepage isn’t some revolutionary idea — it’s lazy and outdated.
This dude was stuck in a time warp, pitching strategies that felt five years behind.
You’re Not Owed Respect for Time Served
I once met another guy with a marketing degree from 1985. That’s cool. But he hadn’t learned anything since. He was walking around like he still ran the game, but had no idea what game we were even playing anymore.
That’s the problem.
Tenure without continued learning is a liability. The best marketers I’ve met aren’t the ones with the most years. They’re the ones who:
- Ask smart questions
- Obsess over data
- Stay Curious
- Test Everything
Templates ≠ Strategy
Look, I’m all for building systems. You want to templatize some things to make your workflow more efficient? Cool. I do that too.
But if you’re not adjusting for different industries, regions, or user behaviors, you’re just being lazy. What works for an East Coast law firm isn’t going to work the same for a small-town Midwestern business. The way people browse, buy, and behave is wildly different, and your marketing has to account for that.
Data > Ego
Your gut feelings don’t beat analytics. Ever.
You might think a drop in traffic means disaster. You might panic and want to pull the plug. But good marketers don’t react — they analyze.
Was there an algorithm update?
Was there a crash?
Are there industry-wide trends?
Watch the data. Interpret it. Act intelligently, not impulsively.
You’re Not a CEO Because You Say You Are
The guy I mentioned earlier also calls himself a CEO. But if you’ve read Traction by Gino Wickman (and you should), you’ll know: early-stage CEOs shouldn’t be doing everything, especially not client work.
If your CEO is doing the same job as an account coordinator, that’s not a flex. That’s a red flag.
Leadership isn’t about clinging to control or flexing your title. It’s about building systems, empowering teams, and constantly learning so you can serve clients better than anyone else.
2 Years of Passion > 20 Years of Coasting
I’ve worked with marketers who’ve only been in the game two years, and they run laps around the 20-year veterans. Why? Because they’re hungry. They’re curious. They study updates, dive into CRO best practices, follow thought leaders, and know how to adapt.
That’s the energy that wins.
Look at Your Own Damn Site
If you’re out here claiming to be a marketing expert and your own website looks like hot garbage, sit down. Your site should be your resume. If it doesn’t convert, if it’s outdated, or if it’s just pretty without purpose, then you’ve missed the point.
A good-looking site that doesn’t sell is just a vanity project. Like a 10-year resume with no results to show.
Final Thought: You’re Not Entitled to Sh*t
As a veteran, I’ve had to come to terms with this too. Just because I served doesn’t mean I’m owed anything. I didn’t deploy. I didn’t see combat. I did my job and moved on.
Marketing is no different.
You’re not owed credibility just because you’ve been in the field. Respect is earned by staying sharp, learning constantly, testing with intention, and putting client outcomes first.
So if you’re sitting on 10 years of experience but still clinging to outdated strategies, with no understanding of what’s changed in the industry, here’s my advice:
Shut the fuck up and learn something.
It’ll make you a better marketer.
It’ll make you a better businessperson.
Hell, it might even make you a better human.
Want help building modern marketing systems that actually convert?