The hardest thing in marketing is...

"The hardest thing in life is having a conversation with a drunkard when you are sober"

I heard this line on an Instagram reel where a Tamil actor was asked what he thinks is the hardest thing in life.

While LOL'ing, I forwarded it to a bunch of friends all of whom had stories of having been the sober one trying to talk common sense to a drunk friend.

"Let's go, it's time to leave. The barkeep is waiting to close up."

"Let's not order any more drinks. You're shit-faced."

All futile attempts at reasoning with a drunk person.

A few hours ago, while I was on the train, someone sent me that same IG reel. I was neck-deep in a marketing presentation but I gave myself a moment of distraction. Since, "marketing" was stewing in my brain, the IG reel triggered a weird connection.

See, marketers face a challenge that other professionals don't.

When we present an idea or strategy, EVERYONE has an opinion.

Never written a word of copy. Never built a website. Never run an ad campaign. Never planned a content strategy. But, everyone's an expert.

That leads to me to my conclusion...

The hardest thing in marketing is...

Talking marketing (or content, or copy) with those who have no clue about it but are confident they do.

The way a drunkard is confident he is not.

How does one get out of this conundrum?

Stand your ground.

Listen. Acknowledge. Accept. Move on.

Do not allow them to steer the conversation.

Remember, YOU are the expert.