week 90: an idea that changed my life (and business)
Marketing By Design
Andy Milligan
Marketing by Design is a podcast where we learn how high-performing marketers and founders built their success and tell their stories... by Design.
SHARE
Hey there Reader,
Earlier this week, I posted about invisible selling—this idea I picked up from Jordan Harbinger that’s been rattling around in my head.
The gist is simple:
→ Build friendships, not prospects.
→ Go first.
→ Make it known what you do, but don’t push it.
Because the truth is… business rarely happens while you’re trying to sell. It happens quietly—after you’ve shown up consistently, shared what you care about, and built trust long before anyone needs what you offer.
That’s exactly how I see web design.
A great website doesn’t need to shout. It's literally building trust before anyone evermeets you. When someone lands on your site and already feels like they know us, what we do, and how we work...
we've already done most of the 'selling.'
Let's break it down:
#1: Build friendships, not prospects. HONESTLY having zero incentives.
The problem with bad sales is that most people rech out to us ONLY when they need something. Your website is often your first impression, but it shouldn’t feel like a sales pitch. The best sites read like a conversation with someone who gets you.
When visitors feel understood, they trust you.
That trust is what turns a stranger into a client.
#2: Going First Answer questions before they are asked.
A strong site gives before it asks. Share insights, resources, or a glimpse behind your process so people walk away better informed, even if they never hire you. Every site should have an FAQs section that CLEARLY answers
Generosity builds credibility faster than any cold email ever could.
#3: Make it known what you do, but don't push it. Leave the door wide open.
Your website should make your value obvious in the first 10 seconds—what you do, who it’s for, and why it matters. But clarity isn’t the same as pressure. You’re simply inviting the right people to lean in, not convincing the wrong ones to stay. Strong CTA's enforce the message and reduce friction to getting in touch with you.
👨🏼💻 WHAT I'M WORKING ON A Design Beast (That is also an SEO + Conversion Beast)
Our friends at Stratford Sign Co are almost ready to launch. The last few things I'm polishing up in the next few weeks are the custom mega nav, the SEO service pages, and the final animations in Webflow.
The combination of aesthetics and also the marketing capability on this one might make it one of my proudest builds to date. Stay tuned for the launch case study.
👉🏻 COMING THIS WEEK Free Google Analytics Alternatives (that won't confuse the sh*t outta you)
I get asked ALL the time about better alternatives to GA4... so I'm sharing three of my favorites this week on youtube and linkedin.
MMG Design is my studio that’s helped 80+ businesses drive more results from their website.
If your website isn't something you are proud to share, I'd love to have a conversation.
New Here? Who's this Andy Dude?
Here’s the 60-second version 👇
2018–2022 ⛳️ Signed to play golf at Methodist U in North Carolina 💡 Did an internship, discovered marketing, and began freelancing 🧠 Got obsessed with branding through working with local businesses and making content documenting what I was learning
2023 👨💻 Landed a full-time job in design after graduation 👿 Laid off suddenly on February 1st, 2024 🚀 Launched MMG Design as my freelance practice, doing branding 📈 Started networking a ton, making more content, and sharing on Linkedin
2024 🎙 Launched Marketing by Design, my podcast for marketers & creators 🏛 Joined the Columbus Chamber of Commerce 💼 Built the business and refined services, improving my craft 📹 Posted on Linkedin every day for a year sharing everything.
Today 📍Running MMG full time out of Columbus, OH 🤝🏻 Serving a building client base of founders and marketing teams, turning their websites and content into revenue. 💡 Still learning, iterating, and loving the process
