7 Reasons Sleazy Marketing Is Unhealthy (And What to Do Instead)

Yo, Bro! Ewww…

If you’ve ever felt like marketing your coaching business meant choosing between being authentic and being a douche, you’re not alone. The online business world is crowded with loud promises, fake countdowns, and email templates that sound like they were written by a chatbot with a superiority complex. And while those tactics may generate quick cash, they often leave a bitter aftertaste for your audience and for you.

Sleazy marketing isn’t just annoying. It’s unhealthy. It erodes trust, breeds burnout, and builds businesses that look good on the outside but feel empty behind the scenes. But here’s the truth: you can grow your list, sell your offers, and stay true to yourself. The key? Ditching the manipulation and choosing marketing that’s rooted in story, strategy, and actual connection.

Let’s talk about the 7 ways sleazy marketing does real harm—and what to do instead if you’re ready to build something sustainable, soulful, and real.

Load those glitter cannons!

There was a time when I thought being good at marketing meant being good at being aggressive.

There’s nothing wrong with using a little urgency—but when it turns aggressive, or when it’s paired with pressure and pain-poking that pushes people into decisions they’re not ready for, it crosses a line. That’s what I was taught. That’s what I saw everywhere. And for a while, I believed that’s just how it worked. But every time I wrote something that leaned into manipulation instead of building trust, something felt off. I started to realize that if I had to twist someone’s arm to make a sale, I probably wasn’t building the kind of business—or the kind of trust—I actually wanted. That was the turning point. I knew I had to do it differently.

Push the scarcity. Push the buttons that made people say yes—even if they weren’t ready.

Because that’s what I was taught. That’s what “worked.”

But at what cost?

If you’ve ever felt a little gross after hitting “send”… If you’ve ever questioned the hype, the hustle, or the hollow promises hiding behind polished funnels. You’re not wrong. You’re just waking up.

And the truth is: Sleazy marketing does work… for a while.

But over time, it chips away at more than just trust.
It erodes values. It normalizes manipulation. It teaches people—on both sides of the screen—that pressure is just part of the process.

And honestly? That ripple effect runs deeper than most of us want to admit.

Let’s break down why this stuff is so toxic—and what to do instead if you actually want to build something sustainable, soulful, and rooted in integrity.

1. It Relies on Fear, Not Trust

Why it’s harmful:

Fear-based marketing thrives on making people feel like they’re broken unless they buy. It whispers: “You’re not doing enough. You’re falling behind. You’ll regret this if you don’t act NOW.”

And let’s be real—it works because it taps into our insecurities. But it leaves people feeling manipulated, not empowered.

What to do instead:

Start with truth. Share real stories, real challenges, real wins. Let your audience see what’s possible with your offer, but never imply they’re doomed without it.

Trust-based marketing says:

“I believe in you—even if you don’t buy from me.”

And ironically? That’s what makes people want to work with you.

2. It Triggers Fake Urgency to Get the Sale

Why it’s harmful:

Countdown timers, “Only 3 spots left!”, disappearing bonuses that magically reappear next week—these tricks build false pressure. They can get people to click, sure. But often, that sale comes with regret, not loyalty.

People don’t want to be pushed. They want to be respected.

What to do instead:

Use ethical urgency. Got a start date? Share it. Limited spots because of your schedule? Say so. Be transparent. Real urgency is about clarity, not coercion.

Let people make empowered decisions instead of panicked ones. You’ll build trust that lasts longer than any flash sale.

3. It Preys on Pain and Insecurity

Why it’s harmful:

There’s a difference between understanding your audience’s struggles—and exploiting them. Too often, sleazy marketing pokes at people’s wounds just to position a product as the only relief.

That’s not support. That’s manipulation dressed as empathy.

What to do instead:

Speak to desire, not just pain. Acknowledge where people are, but paint a picture of what’s possible. Offer hope, not shame.

Show them what’s waiting on the other side—not because they’re broken, but because they’re already worthy of more.

4. It Fakes Connection for Conversion

Why it’s harmful:

“Hey girl!” emails. Forced vulnerability. Voice notes that start warm but pivot into a pitch. When connection is a tactic instead of a truth, people feel it.

And when people feel used, they leave.

What to do instead:

Be genuinely curious. Build real relationships, not just lists. Ask questions you actually care about. Create content that serves, even if it doesn’t convert immediately.

When people feel seen, they stay. Not because you sold them—but because you respected them.

5. It Values Numbers Over People

Why it’s harmful:

When email marketing becomes a numbers game, your audience becomes a data point. Open rates. CTRs. Subscriber count. It’s easy to forget there’s a real human behind every metric.

This disconnect leads to cold, soulless communication—and ultimately, burnout.

What to do instead:

Write like you’re talking to one person. One reader. One story. Because that’s how they’re reading it.

Instead of chasing “more,” focus on deeper. More depth. More resonance. More trust.

That’s the kind of data that builds legacy.

6. It Creates Burnout—For You and Your Audience

Why it’s harmful:

If you’re constantly performing, pitching, and pushing—your audience will feel it. And so will you.

Sleazy marketing thrives on urgency, volume, and performance. It says: “Always be selling.”

But that’s not sustainable. It’s exhausting.

What to do instead:

Give yourself permission to slow down. Choose a rhythm that feels like yours. Let your email strategy be spacious. Strategic. Rooted in energy that nourishes you.

Your audience doesn’t need you at your peak performance—they need you at your most present.

7. It Erodes Long-Term Trust

Why it’s harmful:

Once trust is broken, it’s hard to rebuild. If someone buys from you and feels duped, they won’t just unsubscribe. They’ll tell their friends. They’ll remember how it felt.

And no amount of clever copy can fix that.

What to do instead:

Play the long game.

Don’t just focus on conversions—focus on connection. On consistency. On showing up with integrity, even when it’s quieter. Even when it’s slower.

You won’t be the loudest voice in the inbox. But you’ll be the most trusted.

So… What Now?

This isn’t some pressure-packed pitch.
It’s an honest invitation. Take it or leave it — truly.

But I hope you take it.

Because the more of us who choose to do things differently, the faster we tear down the bro-marketing machine that’s been running this space way too long.

If you’ve been nodding along, thinking, “Yeah… I want to market in a way that actually feels like me,” you’re not alone. And you don’t have to figure it out alone, either.

That’s exactly why I created Inbox Uprising — a $9/month membership for coaches and creatives who want to:

• Build a list that actually wants to hear from them

• Write story-driven emails that sell without shame

• Show up consistently with support, live Q&As, loads of templates and weekly co-writing sessions

• And so much more!

No surprises. No sleazy upsells. Just grounded strategy, real connection, and a space to finally make email marketing work for you.

Join us here → INBOX UPRISING

Let’s un-bro your business—one damn good email at a time.