Marketing Matters with Ashley Brock
Episode #65: What Rory McIlroy Can Teach You About Ads, Not Golf
Release Date: April 30, 2025

Introduction

In Episode #65 of the Marketing Matters™ Podcast for Small Business Owners, host Ashley Brock delves into the concept of mastery, drawing parallels between the legendary golfer Rory McIlroy and the art of paid advertising. This episode explores how mastering your craft—whether in sports or marketing—can significantly accelerate your success and help you achieve your business goals more efficiently.

Mastery and Rory McIlroy

Ashley opens the discussion by reflecting on Rory McIlroy’s exceptional performance at the Masters. She emphasizes the importance of mastery by highlighting Rory's dedication and consistent practice that has honed his skills to an elite level.

Notable Quote:
“At the end of this episode, you're going to understand why mastery is exactly what you want.”
— Ashley Brock [00:02]

Ashley shares a personal anecdote about feeling inspired by Rory’s mastery, drawing a connection between his golfing prowess and the mastery required in paid advertising.

Notable Quote:
“Mastery means you've learned something so well that you deeply understand it and can use it skillfully, almost effortlessly.”
— Ashley Brock [03:00]

The 10,000 Hour Rule

Ashley introduces the 10,000 Hour Rule, a concept popularized by Malcolm Gladwell, which posits that achieving mastery in any field typically requires around 10,000 hours of deliberate practice.

Notable Quote:
“So there's this study, and it's called the 10,000 hour rule. It says it takes roughly 10,000 hours of deliberate practice to achieve mastery in any field.”
— Ashley Brock [07:30]

She humorously shares her own extensive experience in advertising, claiming over 20,000 hours of practice, and compares it to Rory’s lifelong dedication to golf.

Notable Quote:
“I have 20,794 hours as of today. So I think I got like a double master.”
— Ashley Brock [07:50]

Ashley underscores the importance of consistent effort and how commitment to a single discipline can lead to exceptional proficiency.

The Plateau Concept

The Plateau Concept explains that individuals often experience rapid progress initially, followed by a period of stagnation where improvement seems to halt. Most people give up during this plateau, never reaching the next level of mastery.

Notable Quote:
“Most people get stuck here in the plateau before they can grow.”
— Ashley Brock [09:30]

Ashley encourages listeners to persevere through these challenging periods, emphasizing that true mastery involves pushing past these temporary setbacks to achieve further growth.

Notable Quote:
“Mastery is about the relentlessness to continue, even when you're not doing a great job.”
— Ashley Brock [10:15]

Perseverance and Sticking to Goals

Referencing a U.S. News study, Ashley points out that only 8% of people stick to their goals. She draws a parallel to relationships, suggesting that many give up during tough times rather than persevering until conditions improve.

Notable Quote:
“Only 8% of people stick to their goals. You can be that person.”
— Ashley Brock [12:00]

She advises listeners to maintain their commitment, especially when faced with difficulties, asserting that perseverance is a key component of mastery.

Notable Quote:
“Mastery lives on the other side of boredom and trial and temptation to quit.”
— Ashley Brock [12:50]

The Forgetting Curve

Ashley introduces the Forgetting Curve, a psychological concept that suggests we forget 70% of new information within the first 24 hours unless we actively review or practice it.

Notable Quote:
“The forgetting curve says that 70% of new information we lose unless we have repetition.”
— Ashley Brock [15:10]

She explains the necessity of repetition and reinforcement in mastering paid advertising, encouraging listeners to continuously engage with the material to retain and apply their knowledge effectively.

Notable Quote:
“Mastery requires repetition, refinement, and recommitment over and over again.”
— Ashley Brock [17:00]

Application to Paid Advertising

Bringing all these concepts together, Ashley emphasizes how mastering paid advertising can transform a business. She argues that expertise in ads can lead to significant financial gains, much like Rory McIlroy’s mastery in golf leads to substantial earnings.

Notable Quote:
“The skill of mastering paid advertising can give you that win and that victory, too.”
— Ashley Brock [20:00]

Ashley promotes her Win with Paid Ads Challenge, a five-day program designed to help business owners begin their journey toward mastering paid advertising. She highlights the benefits of mastering this skill, such as increased business exposure, predictable growth, and the ability to delegate advertising expertise within a team.

Notable Quote:
“Join the Win with Paid Ads challenge, and you will start building the framework of truly understanding and mastering paid advertising for the long haul.”
— Ashley Brock [21:50]

Conclusion

In this compelling episode, Ashley Brock effectively uses Rory McIlroy’s dedication to mastery in golf as a metaphor to illustrate the importance of mastering paid advertising for business success. She provides actionable insights into achieving mastery through consistent practice, perseverance, and overcoming the natural challenges that come with learning a complex skill. By the end of Episode #65, listeners are not only inspired to pursue mastery in their marketing efforts but are also equipped with the knowledge and resources to begin that journey.

Final Call to Action:
“If you have not joined the Win with Paid Ads challenge, I want to invite you to click the link below this video or this podcast and join where we're going to start on your journey to mastering paid advertising.”
— Ashley Brock [26:00]

This episode serves as a powerful reminder that mastery, whether in sports or business, requires dedication, resilience, and continuous learning. By embodying these principles, small business owners can elevate their marketing strategies and achieve remarkable success.