“Ask Your Mother”: A Father’s Day Marketing Lesson

It’s one of the most iconic phrases in the dad dictionary. Whether you wanted to stay up late, eat dessert before dinner, or go on a spontaneous trip, Dad’s response was often the same: “Ask your mother.” On the surface, it was a way of deflecting responsibility or avoiding a tricky decision. But hidden in that simple phrase is a surprisingly powerful piece of advice – especially when applied to a marketing lesson.

This Father’s Day, let’s unpack what “Ask your mother” really means in a data-driven, performance-obsessed digital marketing lesson. Because, believe it or not, Dad was telling you something important: don’t make decisions without checking the facts first.

Intuition Is Good—But Data Is Better

We’ve all been there. You launch a campaign based on a gut feeling. The design looks great, the copy feels clever, and you’re convinced this will be the one that goes viral. But then – nothing. Engagement is flat, conversions are low, and your boss is wondering what went wrong.

In that moment, Dad’s words echo in your mind: “Ask your mother.” Translation? Before making a decision, consult the person (or in our case, the *data*) that actually has the answers. Intuition is a starting point, but it’s not a strategy. Successful marketing comes from informed decision-making – checking analytics, studying performance history, and letting the numbers guide your next move.

Make Data Your Trusted Partner

Just as Dad trusted Mom to have the final say, you need to trust your data to guide your campaigns. That means building a culture of measurement, validation, and ongoing optimisation. It means asking questions like:

• Which audience segments are actually converting?
• Which headlines are driving the most clicks?
• Are we seeing a positive return on ad spend?
• Where are users dropping off in the funnel?
• Which channels are underperforming, and why?

Data helps you focus on what works and cut out what doesn’t. It tells you whether your instincts are on track – or if they need adjusting. It removes guesswork and adds clarity.

Don’t Let Ego Get in the Way

Sometimes we fall in love with our ideas. We believe in a campaign concept so much that we skip the marketing lesson and run with it full speed. But marketing isn’t about ego – it’s about impact. The best marketers are humble enough to admit they don’t have all the answers. Like Dad, they’re willing to defer to a higher authority—one based on evidence, not opinion.

“Ask your mother” wasn’t just about delegation. It was about acknowledging that someone else might have the information you need to make a better decision. In marketing, that “someone” is your dashboard, your reports, your CRM, your analytics tools. So, before launching the next campaign, ask yourself: am I making this decision based on feelings, or facts?

Speed is Good. Smart is Better.

We often feel pressure to act quickly. Deadlines loom, budgets need to be spent, and the pace of marketing keeps accelerating. But speed without strategy is just noise. Taking the time to pause and “ask your mother” – or in this case, ask your data – can save you from making costly mistakes down the road.

Instead of rushing to deploy changes, use A/B testing. Instead of assuming a campaign failed, dig into the analytics and see where the friction occurred. Instead of switching platforms, evaluate your current performance metrics. Smart decisions may take a bit longer, but they lead to better outcomes. Just like Dad wouldn’t build a treehouse without a plan, you shouldn’t build a campaign without a roadmap grounded in facts.

Lead with Curiosity, Not Assumptions

Fathers often teach us the value of asking questions before jumping to conclusions. That’s a lesson every marketer should take to heart. Let curiosity drive your decision-making. Dive into the “why” behind the numbers. If a landing page is underperforming, ask why. If email open rates dropped, investigate. The answers are there – you just have to be willing to ask the right questions and trust the data to tell you the truth.

Remember: just because something feels right doesn’t mean it’s performing right. Data gives you the power to challenge assumptions and confirm direction before taking action.

So This Father’s Day…

Honour the wisdom of the dads and father figures in your life – not just with gifts and gratitude, but by applying the lessons they quietly taught us. When you’re facing a marketing decision, stop for a second and think like Dad. Don’t leap into the unknown. Don’t follow your gut blindly. Instead, pause. Ask the tough questions. Look at the facts. And yes – “Ask your mother.”

Because in marketing, just like in life, the best outcomes come from informed choices. Dad knew that. And now, so do you.

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