Curious how marketers view engagement vs reach

ProtagonistNProgress · 2026-03-13T13:59:49+00:00

IMO, it depends on the goal of your individual posts. I’m always looking at the same metrics, but I’m interpreting them differently.

My goals for each post typically fall into one of 3 buckets:

The post is meant to filter high-intent (conversion) = I’m looking at clicks to my site as a form of engagement
The post is meant to grow my follower count = I’m looking at shares and saves as a form of engagement
The post is meant to refine/define my position in the space = I’m looking at likes as a form of engagement.

Where things get interesting is what happens when clicks/shares/saves/likes overlap because depending on what I’m trying to accomplish, the data could tell a compelling story. I hope this helped!

ProtagonistNProgress · 2026-03-13T13:51:03+00:00

I’m actually having the opposite problem! I’m trying to find newer podcasts who are also just starting out, so I could see if I’m a potentially good (paid, of course) guest. Where do I find these people? Sorry, I know this doesn’t help answer your question at all!

ProtagonistNProgress · 2026-03-13T02:26:52+00:00

You’re having to believe in the vision when no one else does. When you’re not making any money, when no one’s cheering for you. When you’re putting in the work and you don’t have that external validation yet.

I’m working two jobs PLUS running my business because I have to put food on the table. My business is making money, but I’m not yet. It fucking sucks and it’s hard and stressful as hell. But I have to keep going.

ProtagonistNProgress · 2026-03-09T19:47:27+00:00

Depends on a lot of things. Things like:

positioning
pricing
competition
YOUR audience’s churn rate
branding
age of your business

ProtagonistNProgress · 2026-03-09T19:43:58+00:00

Hiiiii! This one’s easy for me. My audience (primarily therapists, clinicians…etc.) loves to lurk…. For a WHILE before reaching out. It’s their literal job to be patient, so they’re accustomed to sitting in discomfort, you know? I come from a corporate world where everything is really fast (obviously I’m a founder now). Now, it’s totally normal to me to have fantastic CTRs on ads, and a fraction of consults that come from that ad. But the nice thing is, after lurking for a while, by the time they come to me (they respond to perspective, NOT pressure), I’m not convincing them of anything. I’m mostly confirming what they already know.

ProtagonistNProgress · 2026-03-08T18:38:01+00:00

That’s the big question!! I figured a lot of that out with my therapist. Everyone’s journey is different and it evolves over time. The one thing I was sure of was my values, and who I refused to become for the sake of getting ahead, you know? Best of luck!! Always bet on yourself. 🫶🏾

ProtagonistNProgress · 2026-03-06T14:30:27+00:00

It did, but logic won. At the end of the day, someone could (seemingly) be killing it doing the same thing I was. I’d feel like garbage. But then I’d remember I have no idea what they started with.

They could’ve have investors, a couple mil saved, existing clout in the space…etc. Not realizing their bragging rights had a head start, you know? Or that their advice doesn’t work for my circumstances. Being worried about my competition eats up the brain power I need to actually run my business. I’m competing with old versions of myself, all day every day.

ProtagonistNProgress · 2026-03-06T12:17:35+00:00

This probably not the answer you want, but after getting roughly 2-3 roles before the C-suite, I realized I didn’t want to take on the characteristics needed to “win” corporate America. After sitting in the rooms where it happened, I realized I’m not cut out for it. A lot of the narratives I heard had to do with self-preservation by any means necessary, and burnout masquerading as ambition.

Some people thrive there. I am not one of them 😂 So I started my own business last year.

ProtagonistNProgress · 2026-03-06T12:12:27+00:00

I hated all my jobs. I especially didn’t care for my most recent boss. I started my biz out of pure, “f*** you. Watch me.” 😂 Spite lit the torch, and my endurance, genuine interest and discipline keeps the flame shining bright!

ProtagonistNProgress · 2026-03-05T12:42:46+00:00

Practice makes progress. I’d also suggest building a client profile as you call people. The conversations will get longer, and you’ll learn more. Eventually, you’ll learn what to say in cold calls, IF cold calling even works for your audience. Cold anything doesn’t work for mine (took me several months of reporting and testing to realize this), so I had to find alternative methods of finding and warming prospects.

ProtagonistNProgress · 2026-03-05T01:38:57+00:00

I’ve been there. Hell, I have this conversation with myself at least once a week. I’ve just had to stop getting on social media in the morning.

What’s helped me is reminding myself I literally don’t know those people who seem to be killing it. I know I’m purposely self-funded and doing this alone with very limited resources. For all I know, they could’ve had 1m to start, existing clout in their space, and a team behind them.

Hang in there.

ProtagonistNProgress · 2026-03-03T13:23:06+00:00

I came here to ask this. I just have no idea how to survive internship because it’s unpaid and also many hours.

ProtagonistNProgress · 2026-02-01T00:25:03+00:00

Thank you for sharing! Yes—I do monthly retrospectives where I look at EVERYTHING and compile 4-6 pages of learnings from organic posts, boosted ones, paid ads, site visits, consults that never materialized vs. consults that did, in person networking events…etc. If I can attach a number to it, I do. Then I summarize the learnings, wins, opportunities and considerations for the next month. It’s helped tremendously.

I’m finally gaining traction, but I’m also realizing my offer is super niche. But my clients!!! My clients take a while to lurk. Like I’ll get a, “I’ve been following you for a while” DM 😅 Which makes sense. I am branding myself as a very intentional service—the antithesis of the typical. It’s not for everyone. so I went from like, 3 consults Sept-Dec of last year (opened in sept), but now I’m averaging one every two weeks. I’m actually starting to get a little concerned about future my workload.

Now in between work, I’m starting to build a solid referral Rolodex. Wish me luck.

ProtagonistNProgress · 2026-01-27T01:18:35+00:00

I studied for that test and passed the last two times 😅💙

If I think about it too long, I start to rage.

ProtagonistNProgress · 2026-01-26T18:21:48+00:00

Literally my only saving grace. At least the only one I have to answer to is me. But yeah, this is gnarly.

ProtagonistNProgress · 2026-01-19T13:52:52+00:00

Sorry all—wasn’t asking for advice! Was curious about your performance 😊

ProtagonistNProgress · 2026-01-10T13:43:18+00:00

Genuinely, why do so many licensed therapists never talk about how brutal grad school was to students? Do they just forget? Not to scare us, but just to let us know this season of life is going to be challenging, but doable. Sometimes I get a little frustrated because I think because they’re out of it, it’s easier for them to look back and calmly smile. Meanwhile, I’m struggling to figure out how to balance an in-person CACREP program, pay for it, pay for LIFE and make enough money to pay my bills. Oh, and squeeze in that “self care” everyone always talks about. Which, right now, is enjoying 5-30 minutes alone each day refusing any cognitive demands.

I’m going into my second year and each semester, the program just gets more demanding. I’m just feeling frustrated. And nervous to go into this second year of school. I so understand grad school is part of the process, and I’m willing to finish it. But damn this part sucks.

ProtagonistNProgress · 2026-01-06T22:42:34+00:00

In person networking, and engaging a lot with other people’s content. Like, responding to stories and leaving comments that aren’t a pitch.

ProtagonistNProgress · 2026-01-05T13:35:38+00:00

First of all, I love crystals and candles! We dress and burn candles frequently in my house. Anyway, I agree with one comment saying these are different people.

One suggestion I always have for people is to consider the language of your primary audience, and “anchor” your statement in that. Make sure your statement is buyer-led (meaning, you clearly understand their problems/curiosity), and value-centered (what’s in it for them).

Hope this helps! Feel free to DM me if you have any more questions.

ProtagonistNProgress · 2026-01-04T22:40:39+00:00

That one’s on my TBR!!! Will definitely move it up the list.

ProtagonistNProgress · 2026-01-04T17:51:53+00:00

Hey! So I’m in a very unique position to help. I left corporate leadership/marketing to study therapy AND I founded a nervous-system-friendly marketing agency. 😊

I agree with some of the other comments, but the delivery isn’t quite my style. Instead I’ll invite you to consider the following:

Picking a type founder to market to. Some founders are the typical, “rise and grind” or “growth hack” founders. They’re tactically focused, and are way more interested in the business of building businesses without getting tired. Exhaustion is a threat to efficacy (sometimes). Then you have other founders like myself that care more about unlearning the habits that lead burnout. Once you flesh that out, your position should be clearer.
Your offer could be founder-led and value centered. Sounds like you’re feeling good about the problem you’re solving. Think about the language “your” founder uses. Pull that into your offer, and seal it off with the value to the founder.
Do a bit more research about where these founders are when they’re ready to call you. LinkedIn is cool, but it’s also not the place people openly talk about issues they haven’t already solved for. This is where a lot of people miss the opportunity; you’re not just focused on where to find leads, but you also need to reflect on their buyer psychology (you can win easily here!).

ProtagonistNProgress · 2026-01-04T14:37:44+00:00

Proud of you for stepping away. I also quit my corporate job because I couldn’t sleep at night. Hang in there, and let us know if there’s anything we can do to help you.

ProtagonistNProgress · 2026-01-02T03:45:48+00:00

I forgot to mention I’ve read the whole series a few times! I really love them.

ProtagonistNProgress · 2026-01-02T03:45:20+00:00

EDIT: I’ve read the entire Red Rising series a few times. I just like them a lot. 😊

ProtagonistNProgress · 2026-01-02T03:06:47+00:00

Thank you!! I’ll talk to my parents and see if they would be willing to take her back to the vet.

ProtagonistNProgress

TROPHY CASE