When imagining actually leads to action ... [🐝U]

In partnership with

Most of the newer clients I talk to aren’t getting “bad” results …
they’re staring at results that just … don’t change

No obvious rejection
No angry replies
Just the deafening sound of silence.
that somehow feels louder than rejection

Great for Simon & Garfunkel
Not so much for your bottom line.

You may get the “likes” on social media
& even comments about how “relatable” it is
But they don’t do the things that actually changes your business … or theirs!

No click
No sale

There’s a gap … & it messes with our head
I’ve watched clients spiral here …
& I’ve done it a few times too!

Our 1st instinct is to point the finger at ourselves
→ our “offer”sucks
→ our skills & experience isn’t enough
→ or maybe our messaging is confusing

We apply all the marketing & mindset tips you’ve learned so far
- turning your features into their benefits
- making sure to share “what’s in it for them”
- getting them to trust you
- using plural verbs

The list is pretty long & it can feel exhausting when you’re already doing your best
but not seeing results.

To be clear … they all DO work
but even when we’re doing them well
there’s still a persuasion gap

What’s actually happening (& why it’s so frustrating)

Here’s the part you may be missing…
Most marketing today is great at describing problems & pain points
& sucks at helping people imagine change.

So your audience stays stuck in this weird middle place:
→ They recognize themselves in your words
→ They trust you
→ They even agree with you

But they can’t quite feel why now matters
or (more importantly) what life looks like on the other side of “yes”

Understanding ≠ action

& action is the whole point
(This is where most marketing efforts quietly die)

How to fill your persuasion gap

This is where future pacing comes in to do the heavy lifting

Future pacing is when you help someone mentally step into a specific after
so they can picture the transformation between life before & after they take action.

It’s not enough to “tell” them
You have to show them
& they need to see it for themselves

Why future pacing works (without manipulation)

Future pacing fills your persuasion gap for 3 very human reasons.
& yes, this even works for skeptics, because it doesn’t ask them to believe anything new.

1. People decide emotionally then justify with logic
Future pacing lets someone feel relief, clarity, or confidence first…
which makes the logical choice easier.

You’re not convincing them.
You’re letting their brain connect the before-&-after dots on its own.

2. Familiar futures feel safer than unknown ones
People don’t avoid change because they don’t want results.
We avoid uncertainty.

Future pacing reduces that uncertainty by making outcomes feel familiar.
Familiar = safer.
Safer = doable.

3. It shifts the focus from cost → changes
When someone’s stuck on money, effort, or time,
future pacing gently redirects focus to what changes because they act:
→ less mental drag
→ clearer decisions
→ saved energy
→ momentum that actually compounds

The question quietly shifts from
“Is this worth it?”
into
“Why am I still tolerating ‘as-is’?

What ethical future pacing looks like

Given how allergic many of us are to bro-marketing,
& how quickly trust evaporates … this part really matters.

So let’s start with what future pacing is NOT

Future pacing is NOT
❌ predicting results … “Imagine your laptop lifestyle on a beach”
❌ promising miracles … “You’ll hit 6 figures in 90 days”
❌ hyping anything up … “Your competitors are already doing this”

If it feels exaggerated or “bro-ish” your audience will feel it & run for the hills.

Ethical future pacing, on the other hand, IS:
✅ grounded … “Knowing how to help without forcing a personality that’s not you”
✅ specific … “Over the next few weeks, you stop rewriting the same post 10 times.”
✅ emotionally honest … “Feeling comfortable instead of hype-y”
✅ achievable … “progress you can keep up with”

Ethical future pacing doesn’t sell a fantasy outcome.
All you’re doing is answering the unspoken question your audience already has:
“Okay… but what changes if I actually do this?”
“what does that change look like?”

an example of what not to do with ads…
- AI’s been getting more criticism so an obviously AI image feels “off”
- this generation isn’t the most tech-savvy or trusting … the AI image doesn’t help there either
- there’s a huge disconnect (for me) between the ad copy & the landing page when you click the link … I think someone screwed up (big time) in the review process before publishing

Retirement Planning Made Easy

Building a retirement plan can be tricky— with so many considerations it’s hard to know where to start. That’s why we’ve put together The 15-Minute Retirement Plan to help investors with $1 million+ create a path forward and navigate important financial decisions in retirement.

Get your free guide today.

How to use future pacing in your own messaging

If future pacing sounds complicated, it’s usually because we picture it as a tactic.

Truth is, you’re already doing this in your personal life.
All we’re doing is pulling it out from the shadow & giving it a name.

You use it when a friend is stuck
You do it when you’re talking yourself through a hard decision.

You don’t say, ”Here’s why you should …”
You focus on “Just imagine when …

That’s all you’re doing.
Here’s how to translate that instinct into structure for your messaging…
without sounding scripted or bro-ish.

1. Anchor to where they are now
Show them you genuinely understand their struggles.
“Right now, marketing feels scattered and louder than you want it to be…”
“You’re doing ‘what you’re supposed to do,’ but it doesn’t feel like you or effective.”
“You’re posting consistently, but it feels like you’re talking into the void.”

We stick around when we feel seen.

2. Gently move them forward in time
Use soft transitions:
→ “Imagine this instead…”
→ “Fast-forward a few weeks…”
→ “Picture your next workday looking like…”

This isn’t hype
It’s relief
& it’s even stronger when they see other people like them have already done it.

Like Nikki who, in less than 1 year, went from drowning in courses to a waitlist (& actually stopped prospecting) because she was so busy with client work
& her winter retreat is now full-time paradise.

3. Describe felt changes … not just outcomes
Focus on:
→ ease
→ clarity
→ confidence
→ how decisions feel different

Show them the shift instead of explaining results.

Pro Tip:
Future pacing works best when you focus on
→ behavior (what they do differently … after)
→ emotion (how it feels … after)
→ decision-making (what gets easier … after)

A Few Real Examples

Newsletter CTA (Before → After):
“Picture sitting down to write your next post and not second-guessing every sentence.
You know what you stand for.
You know who it’s for & why
& you hit publish without the knot in your stomach.”

Sales Page Line:
“Three weeks from now, you’re no longer wondering if your marketing sounds like you.
You’ve simplified what you say, where you show up, and why it works.
Not louder.
Just clearer.”

For Skeptical Buyers (This One Builds Trust):
“You don’t wake up a different person overnight.
But a month from now, you’ll notice something subtle:
You’re making marketing decisions faster, with way less emotional drag, & you’re seeing better results.”

The Big Reframe

Future pacing isn’t about selling a dream.

It’s about helping someone feel what life looks like
when their problem is no longer dictating their life

& when we can feel that shift … even a little bit …
action stops feeling forced

So look at 1 piece of your messaging & ask yourself…
“Am I only explaining… or am I helping them imagine?”

If you’re just explaining,
help them imagine what their life looks like after
without pretending to be someone they’re not.

Now imagine how that 1 small change in your messaging transforms your business.
Think about how much more success you’re having with your business.

Make it a great “future-paced”!
EG

PS:

While this ad probably shouldn’t still be running at this point … it’s a bit too late to take advantage of the offer, the “good” is that it’s almost the opposite of the “bad” example
- & clicking the link to the landing page doesn’t give you whiplash … the visuals & the messaging flow

Shoppers are adding to cart for the holidays

Peak streaming time continues after Black Friday on Roku, with the weekend after Thanksgiving and the weeks leading up to Christmas seeing record hours of viewing. Roku Ads Manager makes it simple to launch last-minute campaigns targeting viewers who are ready to shop during the holidays. Use first-party audience insights, segment by demographics, and advertise next to the premium ad-supported content your customers are streaming this holiday season.

Read the guide to get your CTV campaign live in time for the holiday rush.

Learn more.

- the tech feels like it can help … it isn’t obviously “fake”
- it works for the audience & it calls out the “buzzword” objections to hint that this is different

How can AI power your income?

Ready to transform artificial intelligence from a buzzword into your personal revenue generator

HubSpot’s groundbreaking guide "200+ AI-Powered Income Ideas" is your gateway to financial innovation in the digital age.

Inside you'll discover:

• A curated collection of 200+ profitable opportunities spanning content creation, e-commerce, gaming, and emerging digital markets—each vetted for real-world potential

• Step-by-step implementation guides designed for beginners, making AI accessible regardless of your technical background

• Cutting-edge strategies aligned with current market trends, ensuring your ventures stay ahead of the curve

Download your guide today and unlock a future where artificial intelligence powers your success. Your next income stream is waiting.

Get Your Guide

PPS:
Every email is based on what you ask for … the more something’s asked for, the faster it finds its way to the top of the to-write-about pile

If you want to see more notes on ads or more in-depth reviews based on the marketing content you’ve gotten from the newsletter, let me know.

We can make 2026 more of the learn, do, teach aspect … ONLY if you think that helps!

📣 Tell me what you want to read about … here

🔗 Connect with me on LinkedIn … here

📈 Want to talk about better marketing results for your business by being yourself?
Find a time that fits your schedule.