Evan Nierman

Founder & CEO, Red Banyan PR | Author of Top-Rated Newsletter on Communications Best Practices

I'm the Founder and CEO of Red Banyan, an international public relations and crisis management firm that exists to press the truth and deliver results. My team and I specialize in high-stakes PR, cancel culture response, litigation communications, and complex reputational challenges that require creative thinking, strategic clarity, and unshakable judgment.

For more than two decades, I’ve helped CEOs, public figures, law firms, and global brands navigate their most difficult moments. Whether it’s a viral controversy, a legal dispute, or a reputational crisis, I bring deep media experience and a relentless commitment to exceeding expectations.

I’m also the author of The Cancel Culture Curse and Crisis Averted, and I frequently appear on major news outlets like Fox News, CNN, BBC, and Newsmax to share insights on cancel culture, media strategy, and crisis communications.

🔹 Founder & CEO of Red Banyan
🔹 Author of The Cancel Culture Curse and Crisis Averted
🔹 Regular media commentator on PR and reputation issues
🔹 Trusted advisor to executives, attorneys, and public figures
🔹 Featured in Newsweek, PRWeek, The Washington Post, and Forbes

My mission is simple: help people and organizations tell their stories truthfully, strategically, and powerfully—especially when the stakes are highest.

📩 Learn more at www.redbanyan.com

Founder and CEO

Red Banyan Group is a strategic communications firm specializing in public relations, crisis management and marketing.  Red Banyan Group combines creative thinking, steady judgment shaped by experience and a relentless commitment to achieving results for its clients.  Red Banyan offers a wide array of services, including: media relations, crisis management, marketing, corporate communications, litigation support, social and digital media, copywriting and editing and media training.

Staying in a “good mood” isn’t the point.
Staying composed is.

In moments of pressure, leaders don’t earn trust by being upbeat.
They earn it by being steady.

When stress rises, people stop listening to explanations.

They start reading signals.

Your tone.

Your pace.

Your presence.

I’ve seen reputations damaged not by bad decisions
but by how pressure showed up in a leader’s voice.

Composure isn’t emotional detachment.

It’s emotional discipline.

It’s the ability to remain clear
when others are reacting.

That steadiness doesn’t just calm the room.

It restores credibility.

In a crisis, your emotional control becomes public leadership.

Follow for weekly insights on leadership, reputation, and crisis communication.

Kindness is often misunderstood in leadership.
Especially in moments of pressure.

In a crisis, many leaders believe strength means distance.

Control. Silence. Authority.

But the moments people remember most
are rarely the loud ones.

They remember who stayed human
when it was easier not to.

Over the years, I’ve watched reputations rise and fall under stress.

Not based on decisions alone
but on how those decisions were delivered.

Kindness is not softness.

It’s clarity without cruelty.

Accountability without humiliation.

Leadership without ego.

People do not expect perfection from leaders.

They expect fairness.

And long after the headlines fade,
what remains is how people felt working with you
when things were hard.

That memory outlasts any press cycle.

Leadership is not about being liked.

It is about being respected
even when the pressure is high.

Follow for weekly insights on leadership, reputation, and crisis communication.

Integrity is not measured when everything is calm.
It is measured when there is risk.

In a crisis, everyone claims to have values.

Very few actually demonstrate them.

Over years of working with leaders under pressure, a clear pattern emerges.

People with real integrity do not behave ideally.

They take responsibility when it is most costly.

This is what it looks like in practice:

They do not say what sounds best first.
They take ownership before they are forced to.
They do not trade truth for short-term peace.
They think in terms of long-term reputation, not today’s headline.
They protect people, even when it is unpopular.
They admit mistakes without drama or excuses.

These are not motivational traits.

They are reputational decisions.

The difference between a good leader and a trusted one
is not charisma.

It is behavior when there is no perfect option.

Integrity does not build image.

It determines whether image survives a crisis.

Follow for weekly insights on reputation, crisis PR, and leadership under pressure.

Many experienced entrepreneurs don’t stumble because they lack knowledge. They stumble because they rely too heavily on themselves.

As a company grows, a leader who doesn’t delegate,
doesn’t build a culture of trust,
and doesn’t surround themselves with people stronger than them
eventually becomes the constraint to growth.

True leadership doesn’t come from control.

It comes from self-awareness, trust, and the willingness to let others lead.

Experience doesn’t eliminate blind spots. It often hides them.

In this article, I share five leadership mistakes even seasoned entrepreneurs make

and how they quietly limit growth if left unaddressed.

Grateful to Entrepreneurs'​ Organization’ for the opportunity to explore this topic with their community.

The leaders who scale the furthest are the ones willing to examine what success can make easy to miss.

Read the full article here:

https://lnkd.in/gqD5W4HT

People won’t remember what happened.
They’ll remember how you handled it.

Years after a crisis ends, most people won't recall the details.

The timeline. The investigation findings. The resolution.

What they remember is simpler—and more powerful.

How you showed up.

Whether you seemed scared or steady.

If you told the truth or hid behind lawyers.

Whether you cared more about protecting yourself or doing what was right.

Here's what outlasts the crisis:

1.) Your tone.
Did you sound human or like a press release?
Did you show empathy or just manage liability?

2.) Your presence.

Did you show up when it was hard or disappear until it was safe?
Leaders who face the moment earn respect.
Leaders who vanish lose it permanently.

3.) Your honesty.
Did you own the mistake or spin it?

People can forgive failure. 
They don't forgive dishonesty.
One moment of raw accountability outlasts a dozen polished statements.

4.) Your composure.

Crisis reveals character.

If you panicked, people saw it. If you stayed calm, they felt it.

Composure doesn't mean hiding emotion. It means showing strength when everyone else is looking for it.

I've watched crises fade from headlines within weeks.

But the leaders who handled them well—or poorly—are still defined by those moments years later.

Because facts blur. Emotions stick.

People remember how you carried yourself when everything was falling apart.

Not what the official statement said.

Not what the settlement amount was.

But whether you showed up with integrity, empathy, and courage—or didn't.
The crisis will end.

What you do during it lasts forever.

What people think about you often matters more
than what you actually do.

This might sound surprising, but in reality, perception drives everything.

Your reputation isn't built just on the actions you take.

It's shaped by how the public perceives those actions.

In a world where information spreads faster than ever, perception is often reality.

So, why does your reputation matter more than anything else?

Because in business, trust is the foundation of everything.

From customers to partners, employees to investors, how people feel about your brand influences their decisions, loyalty, and engagement.

Here’s the truth:

When people trust you, they listen to your message, engage with your brand, and stand by you even when times are tough.

But when trust is broken, no amount of good work can fix it.

In a crisis, managing perception can mean the difference between a minor setback and a business-ending scandal.

Reputation is your most valuable asset because it directly impacts:

1.) Customer loyalty
2.) Brand perception
3.) Growth opportunities
4.) Crisis resilience
5.) Leadership influence

To build and protect your reputation, you have to be consistent, transparent, and always in tune with how your actions are perceived especially in moments when you’re under pressure.

When perception is managed well, it doesn’t just protect your business; it propels it forward.

Your reputation isn't just what you've done. 

It's what others believe you've done.

And that belief drives success.

In a crisis, people don’t hear facts first.
They feel.

It’s a critical lesson that many leaders realize too late.

In the heat of the moment, emotions are high. 

Explanations struggle to stick. 

Details blur, and timelines become difficult to follow.

Not because the truth doesn’t matter — but because people’s emotions are overpowering their ability to process information.

Emotion shapes attention. 

It creates the lens through which everything is viewed.

The most effective leaders know that facts alone won’t carry them through a crisis.

They recognize that addressing how people feel is just as important as providing the truth. 

They lead by creating an emotional foundation first, building trust and clarity before moving into the facts.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

Acknowledge feelings. 
You can’t move forward until people feel heard.

Speak with clarity, not defensiveness. 
A calm, composed message sets the tone.

Give space before precision. 
Sometimes, presence matters more than perfect facts.

Empathy in these moments isn’t a sign of weakness.

It’s a strategic move that helps ground the conversation and brings people back to a place of understanding, even in the chaos.

In uncertain times, being heard can be just as powerful as being right.

Leading with empathy allows you to regain control of the narrative and build the trust needed to move forward.

Before you say anything publicly,
ask yourself one question:

"Would I say this if I knew it would be quoted out of context?"

Because it will be.

Every statement you make can be clipped, screenshotted, and reshared without the nuance you intended.

The careful explanation gets reduced to a soundbite.

The context disappears.

And what's left is whatever fits in a headline or a tweet.

Here's what this question forces you to consider:
Can this be misunderstood?

If your statement requires explanation to be accurate, it's vulnerable.

Simplify it. Clarify it. 

Make it stand on its own.

Does this sound defensive without the full context?

Tone matters more than intent.

If a single sentence sounds evasive or dismissive when isolated, rewrite it.
Would I stand by this if it were the only thing people remembered?

Your most quotable line will become your legacy from that moment.

Make sure it's one you can live with.

Am I saying this for me—or for them?

If your statement is about protecting your ego or winning an argument, it will backfire.

If it's about clarity, accountability, and truth, it will hold.

The best leaders assume every word will be taken out of context.

And they speak in a way that still holds up when it is.

Because you don't control how your words get used.

You only control whether they can survive on their own.

You can’t build credibility in the middle of an attack.
By then, the narrative has already chosen sides.

The internet has changed how reputations are attacked — and how they’re lost.

Today, you don’t need facts to win a narrative.

You need speed, volume, and emotion.

I’ve seen baseless claims turn into “truth” simply because they were repeated often enough, by enough people, in the right corners of the internet.

Once that happens, accuracy becomes secondary to belief.

That’s how bad actors win online.

A few hard realities leaders underestimate:

False narratives spread faster than the truth. 

Research consistently shows misinformation outperforms facts, especially when outrage is involved.

Debunking can backfire. 

Repeating a lie, even to correct it, often amplifies it further.

Belief drives damage. 

Once enough people accept a story, whether it’s true stops mattering. 

Reputations suffer anyway.

Online collectives magnify this effect.

Volume creates legitimacy. 

Repetition creates confidence.

And suddenly, a fringe claim feels mainstream.

The brands and leaders who fare best don’t wait for attacks to peak.

They build credibility early, communicate consistently, and understand that narrative control is proactive, not reactive.

In a digital environment that rewards outrage, the goal isn’t to win every argument.

It’s to make sure your truth is present, clear, and credible before misinformation fills the vacuum.

Because once a false story hardens, reversing it takes exponentially more effort.

And by then, the damage is already done.

The fastest way to lose control in a crisis
is to let others explain your silence.

In a crisis, social media is a weapon.

The question is: are you wielding it—or is it being used against you?

I've seen brands navigate crises brilliantly on social media.

And I've seen them implode because of one careless post.

The difference isn't luck.

It's strategy.

Social media moves fast. Too fast for most crisis teams to keep up.

But when used correctly, it can protect your reputation, control the narrative, and keep your audience engaged.

When used poorly, it amplifies the damage and gives critics ammunition.

Here's how to make social media work for you—not against you—during a crisis:

1. Stay silent if the source is unreliable.
Not every fire needs your attention.

Sometimes, responding to a baseless claim just gives it oxygen.

Ask yourself: Is this credible? 

Is it spreading? 

Does it require our response?

If the answer is no, let it pass.

Reacting to noise can turn nothing into something.

2. Share with care.

Every post during a crisis should be intentional.
Helpful. Relevant. Clear.

Before you post, ask: Could this be misunderstood? 

Could this make things worse?

Because once it's out there, you can't take it back.

And in a crisis, one poorly worded post can undo weeks of damage control.

3. Post with purpose.

Random updates create confusion.

Every message should align with your overall crisis communication strategy.
Ask: What does our audience need to know right now? How does this help clarify the situation?

If you can't answer that, don't post it.

4. Be human.

Corporate-speak kills trust during a crisis.

People want to know there's a real person—who cares—on the other side of the screen.

If someone criticizes you unfairly, don't get defensive.

Address it with empathy.

If the complaint is valid, own it and explain what you're doing to fix it.

Authenticity defuses tension. 

Deflection escalates it.

5. Monitor constantly.

You can't manage what you don't see.

Set up alerts. Track mentions. Watch for patterns.

If misinformation is spreading, you need to know immediately—before it becomes the dominant narrative.

6. Control your channels.

Don't rely on the media or third parties to tell your story.

Use your own platforms—your website, your social accounts, your spokespeople—to communicate directly.

Own the narrative. Don't let someone else shape it for you.

Social media in a crisis is high-risk, high-reward.

It can save you—or sink you.

The brands that survive are the ones that move fast, communicate clearly, and stay relentlessly strategic.

The ones that fail are the ones that react emotionally, post impulsively, or go silent when they should be present.

In crisis, social media doesn't give you time to think.

So you better have a plan before you need one.

A television interview can repair credibility — or permanently redefine it.



I’ve seen leaders accept TV appearances thinking the facts alone would carry them through. They rarely do.

Television amplifies everything — confidence, hesitation, emotion, and missteps — all at once.

Before agreeing to a televised interview, leaders should assess the risk as carefully as the reach.

And if the decision is yes, preparation becomes the strategy.

Here’s what consistently separates strong performances from damaging ones:

1. Preparation beats explanation.

Knowing the facts isn’t enough. You need to anticipate the pressure points and rehearse how you’ll handle them.

2. Visuals matter as much as language.

Tone, posture, and composure often communicate more than the words themselves — especially when clips travel far beyond the original broadcast.

3. Persuasion isn’t about critics.

The audience that matters most is undecided. Messaging should be built for them, not for detractors or loyal supporters.

4. Discipline prevents headlines.

One emotional reaction can overshadow everything else you say.

Handled well, a TV interview reinforces trust and authority.

Handled poorly, it becomes the crisis.

Media doesn’t reward improvisation under pressure.

It rewards clarity, discipline, and leaders who understand the stakes before the cameras turn on.

DOJ press releases don’t just resolve cases, they shape perception instantly. As PPP enforcement accelerates, leaders need to be prepared for the reputational impact, not just the legal process. Download the guide to prepare before the headline hits.
#ppploans #crisisPR #DOJ #redbanyan

The U.S. government is ramping up enforcement around fraudulent PPP loans — and DOJ press releases are publicly naming organizations involved in repayments and settlements.

If your company shows up in one of those headlines, do you know how to protect your brand?

Download our free guide to learn how to manage reputational risk, respond strategically, and regain control of the narrative.

https://lnkd.in/eqn-niFf

#PPPloans #CrisisPR #ReputationManagement #DOJ #LegalCrisis #CrisisResponse #RedBanyan

Brand strength today is measured by how quickly and clearly you respond when expectations change.

In my new piece for Fast Company, I share why responsiveness has become a defining trait of leadership and brand trust.

Read the full article here:

Open article: A new era defined by brand responsiveness by fastcompany.com

A new era defined by brand responsiveness

Honored to speak at the Winter Meeting of the Business Law Section of the Florida Bar this week. Big thanks to The Florida Bar and to Stephanie Lieb of Trenam Law for organizing such a thoughtful and engaging event.

We had a direct and dynamic conversation about the intersection of law, media, and crisis management — a space where strategy and speed can make or break reputations. 

Grateful for the opportunity to share real-world insights with a sharp group of legal professionals.

https://flabizlaw.org/

#FloridaBar #CrisisPR #ReputationMatters #RedBanyan

CEO of Huemor, a Web Design Agency that builds memorable digital experiences

Huemor builds memorable websites that sell for brands like HITT, Boston Dynamics, Spear Center Physical Therapy, Retrofete, and United Steelworkers.

Book a call with me to:
✅ Generate more qualified leads
✅ Make your website a breeze to update
✅ Become the industry leader in your niche

Don't believe me? Here's what our clients have to say 👇

“Something I found most unique about Huemor is how much they care [about] the success of the project. The site is a lot cleaner and shows a very in-depth narrative of our story.”

Jenny Lee, Creative Director at BetterCloud

---

“Our project manager was always readily available to address feedback with his team, and made sure that all parties understood their deliverables and deadlines. From a technical standpoint, we have already seen our search rankings increase and overall improvements to the website's usability.”

Lisa Turnbull, Head of Global Marketing at Encompaas

---

Getting the nuances of messaging, design, and technology right is no easy task.

To produce the right outcomes, you need a partner you can trust.

An expert who can guide you to the right strategy, take charge of the process, and deliver a website that your customers will love.

After a website redesign, our clients typically experience:
+ 83% monthly website visits
+ 94% increased conversions
+ 91% leads generated

---

ARE YOU READY TO BE BETTER THAN "GOOD ENOUGH"?

You've built an amazing business—don't settle for a below-average website. It's time to build something better.

APPLY FOR A FREE WEBSITE ANALYSIS

With a free analysis, you'll receive 100+ personalized, actionable tips that cover:
– UI/UX Improvements
– Copywriting Improvements
– ADA Compliance Issues
– SEO Improvements
– Speed & Performance Improvements
– And dozens more helpful tips

Apply here:
👉 https://bit.ly/4bFhdrF
(or click the link in my featured section)

Michael Cleary 🏳️‍🌈

Not all SEO pages deserve your time. 
Here’s how to prioritize the ones that do.

Let’s be honest. SEO can feel like an endless to-do list.

So many keywords. So many pages. So little impact unless you're strategic.

Here’s the secret:

The goal isn’t to rank for everything. It’s to rank for the right things that move the needle for your business.

So how do you decide which pages are actually worth your time and effort?

Start with this simple framework:

→ Revenue Potential
→ Conversion Alignment
→ Search Intent Fit
→ Ranking Opportunity
→ Strategic Positioning

Your SEO strategy should work with your business goals, not just your search console.

Before you write another blog post or optimize that random service page, ask yourself: Will this page actually help us grow?

How do you prioritize your SEO efforts? Drop your top criteria or tips in the comments.

---

Follow Michael Cleary 🏳️‍🌈 for more tips like this.

♻️ Share with a marketer rethinking SEO strategy.

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Huemor builds memorable websites that sell for brands like 23andMe, Boston Dynamics, Live Nation, Revlon, and The United Nations.

Book a call with us to:
✅ Generate more qualified leads
✅ Make your website a breeze to update
✅ Become the industry leader in your niche

Don't believe us? Here's what our clients have to say 👇

“Something I found most unique about Huemor is how much they care [about] the success of the project. The site is a lot cleaner and shows a very in-depth narrative of our story.”

Jenny Lee, Creative Director at BetterCloud

---

The Huemor team has that impossible combination of genuine creativity and professionalism that turns every project they work on into a success. They do truly amazing work that is unique to each client and their market. Partnering with Huemor is the best decision a company can make. Great team doing great work.

Ed Deaton, VP of Marketing at SurePoint

---

“Our project manager was always readily available to address feedback with his team, and made sure that all parties understood their deliverables and deadlines. From a technical standpoint, we have already seen our search rankings increase and overall improvements to the website's usability.”

Lisa Turnbull, Head of Global Marketing at Encompaas

---

Getting the nuances of messaging, design, and technology right is no easy task.

To produce the right outcomes, you need a partner you can trust.

An expert who can guide you to the right strategy, take charge of the process, and deliver a website that your customers will love.

After a website redesign, our clients typically experience:
+ 83% monthly website visits
+ 94% increased conversions
+ 91% leads generated

---

ARE YOU READY TO BE BETTER THAN "GOOD ENOUGH"?

You've built an amazing business—don't settle for a below-average website. It's time to build something better.

At Huemor we build memorable websites for brands like yours that earn more customers, outshine competitors, and help recruit top talent.

After a website redesign, our clients typically experience:
+ 83% monthly website visits
+ 94% increased conversions
+ 91% leads generated

📞𝙉𝙚𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙥? 🗓
If you need help improving your current website, building a new one, or generating more organic traffic, we'd love to talk about it.

Get in touch by either...
Messaging me here on LinkedIn
Booking a free strategy session: https://bit.ly/42RPJLl

Co-Founder & CEO

CEO @ Huemor ⟡ We build memorable websites for construction, engineering, manufacturing, and technology companies ⟡ [DM “Review” For A Free Website Review]

How to Prioritize SEO Pages That Actually Drive Revenue

These 6 myths aren’t just wrong...
They’re killing your marketing results.

Marketing is full of advice that sounds good but often misses the mark.

From outdated tips to oversimplified “hacks,” these myths can waste your time, drain your budget, and stall your growth.

Let’s cut through the noise and debunk some of the most common misconceptions holding 
businesses back.

𝗠𝘆𝘁𝗵 #𝟭: “𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝘀 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮 𝗟𝗼𝗴𝗼”

Your brand isn’t just a pretty mark; it’s your message, reputation, and experience.

A logo may catch attention, but a consistent brand story is what earns trust and loyalty.

𝗠𝘆𝘁𝗵 #𝟮: “𝗜𝗳 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗜𝘁, 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗲”

Simply creating a website, launching a product, or posting on social media doesn’t guarantee an audience.

Effective marketing means meeting your audience where they are and giving them a compelling reason 
to care.

𝗠𝘆𝘁𝗵 #𝟯: “𝗘𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝘀 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱”

Nope, not even close.

Email marketing delivers one of the highest ROI across digital channels.

The key is to send value-driven content your audience wants to open, not spam that gets sent to the trash.

𝗠𝘆𝘁𝗵 #𝟰: “𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝘀 = 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀”

A million followers mean nothing if they’re
not engaged.

A smaller, loyal audience that actually interacts with your content is far more valuable than vanity metrics.

𝗠𝘆𝘁𝗵 #𝟱: “𝗦𝗘𝗢 𝗜𝘀 𝗮 𝗢𝗻𝗲-𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝘀𝗸”

SEO is not a “set it and forget it” game.

It’s an evolving strategy that requires regular updates, fresh content, and staying in tune with 
changing algorithms.

𝗠𝘆𝘁𝗵 #𝟲: “𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁”

Good marketing is like planting seeds: it takes time, nurturing, and consistency.

Sure, a viral campaign can bring quick results, but long-term growth comes from building relationships 
over time.

Marketing isn’t about shortcuts or following one-size-fits-all advice. It’s about strategy, consistency, and truly understanding your audience.

By letting go of these myths, you can focus on what really works: building meaningful connections, delivering value, and creating lasting impact.

---

Follow Michael Cleary 🏳️‍🌈 for more tips like this.

♻️ Share with someone stuck chasing marketing “shortcuts.”

People don’t just click. 
They decide.

Your job is to make that decision easier.

→  “Just add a CTA.”

It’s the go-to advice when a page isn’t converting.

But here’s the real issue:

A CTA doesn’t work in a vacuum. You can’t shortcut trust, clarity, or motivation.
And you definitely can’t paste over a strategy gap with a button.

The story leading up to it has to make them care.

So what 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 work?

A conversion-first flow that builds:

→ 𝘙𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦: “This is for me.”
→ 𝘛𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵: “These people get it.”
→ 𝘋𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘳𝘦: “I want this outcome.”
→ 𝘜𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘺: “I shouldn’t wait.”

Only after you’ve built that foundation does your CTA carry real weight.

Every element before the button should be doing the heavy lifting: Educating. Earning belief. 
Reducing friction.

A great CTA doesn’t rescue a weak page.

It rewards a strong one.

---

Follow Michael Cleary 🏳️‍🌈 for more tips like this.

♻️ Share with someone blaming CTAs for low conversions

What is a Conversion-First Flow?

Your website might not be broken,
But it might be holding you back.

It happens slowly.

You launch something you’re proud of… and then life moves on.

New strategy. New team. New customers.

Same website.

Fast-forward a few years, and it’s no longer aligned with what your brand is today or where you're trying to go.

Here are 7 signs your website is stuck in the past, and how to fix it before it starts costing you 
real opportunities:

→ Your hero still says “Welcome to our website”

→ You still have a slider

→ You hide your pricing “for the conversation”

→ Your mobile experience is barely usable

→ You’re still using words like “synergy” and 
“cutting-edge”

→ Your blog hasn’t been updated since 
the last redesign

→ It looks nice, but doesn’t do anything

The fix? Start with honest reflection.

Does your current site reflect who you are, what you do, and why you're the right choice today?

Your website is often the first impression.

Make sure it reflects the business you’ve become, not the one you were three years ago.

What’s one outdated website detail you secretly hope never makes a comeback? Let’s hear your personal "please no" list below.

---

Follow  Michael Cleary 🏳️‍🌈 for more tips like this.

♻️ Share with a team whose site no longer reflects them.

Outdated Website Energy: 7 Red Flags to Watch For

Your website traffic isn’t just numbers. 
What if the non-converting visitors could still be leads?

Not everyone who visits your website is ready to convert. But that doesn't mean you should forget 
about them.

Think about it. Your website gets 𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘺 of traffic, but only a fraction of those visitors actually convert. 

So, what happens to the others? They bounce, they get distracted, and they disappear.

But those non-converting visitors are still 
potential leads. 

The key to consistent lead growth isn’t just about getting new visitors. It’s about staying in touch with the ones who showed interest but didn’t take action.

Here’s how to keep the conversation going with those “almost” leads:

→ Retargeting Ads
→ Email Nurturing
→ Remarketing with Dynamic Content
→ Content Upgrades

𝘞𝘩𝘺 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳?

Because the majority of your website visitors won’t convert on their first visit. But by staying engaged with them after they leave, you turn casual interest into serious leads.

Lead growth doesn’t just happen. It’s built on nurturing and consistency. And if you’re not keeping in touch with the non-converting visitors, you're missing out on serious growth. 

How are you currently keeping in touch with non-converting visitors? Drop your best lead-nurturing tips in the comments!

---

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♻️ Share with a team wasting non-converting traffic.

Short-term wins feel great.
Until you realize you’re stuck chasing them.

You launch a campaign. Traffic jumps. Leads roll in. It feels like progress.

But a few weeks later?

The numbers plateau. The pipeline dries up.

And you’re back to scrambling for the next “quick fix.”

Here’s the problem: Short-term wins aren’t strategy. They’re just tactics in disguise.

And if that’s all your marketing is built on, long-term growth never gets a seat at the table.

Here’s what short-term thinking can cost you:

𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘁 – because you optimized for volume, not quality.

𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗴𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗻𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 – because they’re disconnected from your brand’s larger story.

𝗔 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 – because it was redesigned without a strategy behind it.

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗼𝘂𝘁 – because your team’s in a constant cycle of execution with no compounding results.

If it feels like your marketing engine is always running, but never gaining traction, his is probably why.

Here's how to break the cycle:

→ Recalibrate your KPIs.
→ Build marketing assets, not just campaigns.
→ Align teams around the long game.
→ Test fast, but optimize slow.
→ Get leadership buy-in for long-term investment.

Quick wins are tempting. Especially when leadership wants results now.

But marketing that 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 takes time, alignment, and a strong foundation.

The best brands don’t just show up fast. They show up consistently, and keep showing up better.

What’s one short-term win you’ve chased that didn’t pay off long-term? Or one long-term play you’re glad you stuck with?

---

Follow Michael Cleary 🏳️‍🌈 for more tips like this.

♻️ Share with a founder optimizing tactics instead of strategy.

Storytelling and conversion can coexist. 
Here’s how.

Your B2B website shouldn't choose between storytelling and lead generation.

It needs to do both. 
Seamlessly. Strategically. Intentionally.

Most websites lean too far in one direction.

Too brand-heavy and you get a compelling narrative but no urgency or clear path to convert.

Too conversion-focused and you get CTAs everywhere but no real reason for visitors to trust you or care.

So how do you build a site that connects and converts?

Here are eight ways to strike the right balance:

→ Lead with a clear value proposition
→ Tell your story with purpose
→ Strategically place CTAs
→ Use proof to build trust
→ Keep your content customer-first
→ Design with clarity, not just beauty
→ Make forms and offers worth it
→ Match content to the buyer journey

Modern B2B websites should not feel like a tradeoff between story and performance.

They should do both well.

If your site looks great but falls flat when it comes to results, there is a better way forward.

Where do you see B2B websites fall short more often? Too much brand story, or too much focus 
on conversion?

---

Follow Michael Cleary 🏳️‍🌈 for more tips like this.

♻️ Share with a team redesigning their B2B website.

Considering a redesign? 
You don’t have to lose weeks of productivity to 
make it happen.

“𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘥𝘰 𝘸𝘦 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 
𝘸𝘦𝘣𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯?”

The classic question. 

We get it. You’ve got a million things on your plate, and the last thing you want is to get buried in the details of a website redesign.

Here’s the deal: We do the heavy lifting. You won’t be bogged down in every pixel or line of code. 

But your insights at key moments will ensure the final product reflects your brand and drives the results 
you need.

Here’s how we handle it:

→ Strategic Kickoff
→ Content & Messaging Review
→ Design Feedback
→ Ongoing Approvals
→ Post-Launch Optimization

You’ll be part of the process when it counts, but we’ll do the bulk of the work. 

From strategy to design to launch, we’ll guide the project and keep things running smoothly so you can focus on growing your business.

---

Follow Michael Cleary 🏳️‍🌈 for more tips like this.

♻️ Share with a team postponing a redesign.

Your Role in a Website Redesign

Web years move fast. 
If your site’s standing still, it’s falling behind.

How often should you redesign your company website?

Short answer: 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘯 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴.

Your website doesn’t age like wine. It ages like milk.

That shiny new launch you were proud of 3 years ago?

In web years, that’s ancient. Especially if your business, your audience, or your goals have evolved (and they probably have).

So how often 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 you redesign?

Here are some baseline rules to keep things fresh, and your customers happy:

→ Every 2–3 years

→ Anytime performance dips

→ After major brand or product changes

→ If your team avoids utilizing it

→ When it stops working across devices 
(or for your users)

A redesign isn’t just about looking better.

It’s about 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 better for your customers, your team, and your growth goals.

When was the last time you redesigned your site? And what finally pushed you to do it?

---

Follow Michael Cleary 🏳️‍🌈 for more tips like this.

♻️ Share with a business outgrowing its website.

When Do You Really Need a Website Redesign?

You wouldn’t ignore sales KPIs. 
So why ignore your website’s?

We set KPIs for campaigns.

We obsess over them in sales.

But somehow, when it comes to websites, one of your most valuable digital assets, they rarely get held to the same standard.

That’s a miss.

Because your website isn’t just a homepage and a nav bar. It’s a conversion engine, a brand ambassador, and a sales assistant that works 24/7.

It deserves a job description and KPIs to measure if it’s doing that job well.

Here are the metrics every high-performing website should be accountable for:

→ Conversion Rate
→ Lead Quality
→ Bounce Rate (and why)
→ Time on Site + Scroll Depth
→ Sales Team Feedback
→ Bonus: KPI Alignment

Websites should be treated like any other part of your revenue strategy: built with intent, and measured 
with precision.

If yours isn’t being evaluated like the rest of your team, don’t be surprised if it’s underperforming like it’s not part of the team.

What KPIs are on 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 website’s scorecard?

---

Follow Michael Cleary 🏳️‍🌈 for more tips like this.

♻️ Share with a team expecting results without tracking KPIs.

Most websites rush the ask. 
That’s why users ghost.

You're excited. You 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 it's going well.

So you pop the question: “Can I have your email?”

They hesitate. Smile politely.

And then disappear forever.

The truth is, most websites rush the relationship.

They ask for personal info before earning trust.

No value. No clarity. No reason to say yes.

If your form fill rate is low or your leads are junk, it’s probably not your CTA.

It’s what came before the ask.

Here are the rules for building trust 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 you ask 
for anything:

→ Give before you get
→ Be clear about what they’ll get
→ Avoid bait and switch tactics
→ Use micro-conversions to warm them up
→ Speak like a human, not a funnel
→ Design for trust

People don’t share their contact info because you 
want it.

They share it when they believe you’re worth hearing from again.

That doesn’t come from clever copy or flashy buttons.

It comes from clarity, consistency, and a little patience.

So the next time you ask for an email, ask yourself: Would I give 𝘮𝘺 info here?

What’s the fastest way a website has lost your trust? Drop your story in the comments. We’ve all seen some form-fails.

---

Follow Michael Cleary 🏳️‍🌈 for more tips like this.

♻️ Share with anyone losing leads at the form.

If your website's a priority, 
Don’t treat it like a side project.

Should we handle our website redesign in-house or bring in an outside agency?

It’s a smart question, and the answer depends on your team’s goals, capacity, and the complexity of 
the project.

Here’s how to think it through.

Your internal team might be the right fit if:

 → You have in-house strength across strategy, UX, content, design, and development

→ You have clear ownership and time to give the project focused attention
 
→ The goal is a refresh or incremental improvements

→ Everyone is aligned, and you have the breathing room to work through it internally

But when the stakes are higher, timelines are tighter, or capacity is stretched thin, a trusted agency partner can make the process more manageable and
more successful.

Here’s where an outside partner brings value:

→ Dedicated focus and end-to-end experience
→ Fresh perspective
→ Reliable momentum
→ Goal alignment from day one
→ Data-backed decisions

There’s no single right way to approach 
a website redesign.

But asking the right questions upfront can make 
all the difference:

→ Do we have the bandwidth to take this on with care?

→ Is this a light refresh or a deeper strategic shift?

→ Are we looking for outside perspective to help 
us grow?

If your project calls for structure, clarity, and dedicated attention, the right partner can help you get there with less stress and stronger results.

---

Follow Michael Cleary 🏳️‍🌈 for more tips like this.

♻️ Share with someone weighing agency support.

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