“I spent 15 years building the business... but it was the content that made it visible.” – Gareth Shears

If you’re still relying on referrals, reputation, and word-of-mouth to grow, this is the episode that’ll make you rethink everything.

For almost two decades, Gareth Shears built a successful financial planning firm the traditional way, loyal clients, steady referrals, zero public presence.

Then in 2020, he tried what everyone was preaching: be everywhere. Podcasting, posting, YouTube, LinkedIn all at once. It didn’t work. He spread himself too thin, saw little return, and quietly pulled the plug.

In 2023, he tried again, but differently. One platform. Two posts a day. No shortcuts. No skipping. Twelve months later, his content speaks for him. The consults are booked. The business runs around his life, not the other way around.

This episode is for any service provider sitting on deep expertise, wondering if it’s too late to show up online. Gareth proves it’s not.

You don’t need to start over. You just need a smarter way to be seen.

💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why most service providers burn out on content and how to reset your strategy so it actually works
• The mindset shift that will help you go from overlooked to in-demand
• How to create content that connects and converts, even in a regulated or “boring” industry
• The exact strategy that helped Gareth book 70 consults from a single post
• How to turn your audience’s real questions into your most valuable marketing tool
• The simple AI and automation systems Gareth uses to protect time without losing trust
• The money questions you should be asking (and how knowing them could change your business)
• Why content is no longer optional if you want leverage, lifestyle, or long-term brand equity

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 From police officer to financial planner: Gareth’s unexpected backstory

03:10 What 240 podcast episodes taught him about burnout and reach

07:30 The decision to post twice a day and how it changed everything

10:20 Why focusing on one platform outperformed being everywhere

13:00 How Gareth uses AI to automate admin while deepening client trust

18:00 Why most founders mismanage their finances and what to do instead

24:00 Making finance content scroll-worthy without dumbing it down

29:00 One carousel, 70 consults and why it worked

34:00 Personal branding as a service provider and how to do it with integrity

42:00 The 12 money questions people always ask and how they drive his content

48:00 Building a business that fits your life not the other way around

📢 If you loved this episode

Send it to the friend who keeps saying, “I should post more.”

Tag @garethshearscoach and @jenanannedavies on Instagram and share your biggest takeaway.

And if you’re building a business that’s bigger than your bio, hit follow. The next episode’s already waiting.

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