Aviation Marketing Hangar Flying

We're diving into a timely and impactful read published by Trailblazer Media—focused on one of the most pressing topics for us and our aviation clients: effective social media. From battling the ever-shifting algorithms to creating content that actually resonates, this discussion taps into both our team's insights and the collective experience of our marketing [...]

Struggling to network effectively on LinkedIn or other social platforms? You're not alone. In this down-to-earth session, we explore the real challenges aviation professionals face when it comes to online networking—like not knowing what to say, finding the right people, and making the awkward transition from small talk to meaningful business conversations. You'll hear [...]

When I first picked up They Buy Your Because, I expected another tactical manual, filled with checklists and to-do items — and I love those! But what I found was something deeper: a thoughtful, surprisingly emotional exploration of why people truly make decisions. It was a refreshing reminder that even in aviation marketing, where [...]

In both aviation and marketing, when unexpected turbulence hits—be it a global economic downturn, a budget crunch, or an industry shakeup—the most effective response isn't panic. It's strategy. Just as a seasoned pilot sets a best glide path when an engine fails, smart aviation companies can set a sustainable course with their marketing efforts [...]

Q1 2025 Highlights from ABCI There are two things that we think are VERY helpful for successful marketing. Openness and transparency (this helps build trust)  and Knowing your numbers! So in the interest of practicing what we preach, and modeling good behavior

In times of economic uncertainty, one of the first budget items to hit the chopping block is often marketing. From Fortune 500 companies to small aviation businesses, leaders under pressure to reduce costs often view marketing as discretionary spending. However, history, data, and current trends tell a very different story: pulling back on marketing [...]

In this month's Aviation Marketing Book Club, we had the absolute pleasure of speaking with Steve Krug, author of Don't Make Me Think—a fan favorite and one of the most practical books on usability out there. This was not only the most expensive book we've featured in our book club this year, but also [...]

If you're in aviation sales and marketing, you know one thing for sure—selling in this industry takes time. Unlike fast-moving consumer sales, our transactions are complex, high-value, and involve multiple decision-makers. That means most of us spend months—sometimes even years—nurturing potential clients before closing a deal. So, how do you keep your prospects engaged [...]

Prospecting—it's the one thing that every business needs, but few people truly enjoy. Whether you're a seasoned sales professional or just getting started, chances are you've had moments where you dreaded making that next call or sending that next message. In aviation, where relationships last decades and deals can take years to close, prospecting [...]

Prospecting is the lifeblood of aviation sales, yet it's often the most intimidating part of the process. In our latest workshop, we tackled this challenge head-on, breaking down the key steps to building a full pipeline in 90 days—without resorting to spammy, high-pressure tactics. From targeting the right prospects with precision to making confident [...]

In this week's podcast episode, we're tackling one of the most nerve-wracking yet crucial parts of aviation sales—how to approach your top 10 prospective customers effectively. In a previous episode, we covered finding ideal targets using ChatGPT and Linkedin. That's great and all, but what do we do from there? Whether you're a seasoned [...]

We were absolutely delighted to welcome Brian Galicia, co-author of Navigating LinkedIn for Sales, to our Aviation Sales and Marketing Book Club discussion! Brian brought an incredible depth of knowledge about using LinkedIn effectively—not just as a networking tool, but as a powerful way to build real, meaningful business relationships in the aviation industry. [...]

In this episode, Paula and John Williams of ABCI dive into the art of smarter prospecting for aviation sales using cutting-edge tools like FAA data, ChatGPT, and LinkedIn. They walk through a step-by-step process to identify ideal customers, focusing on an MRO targeting Citation XLS+ operators. With practical tips for narrowing down massive datasets, [...]

Welcome to our annual year-in-review webinar! I'm Paula Williams, founder of ABCI, and I'm thrilled to be joined by our talented team members: Muhammad Ali Memon, Angel Duliguez, Stella Bouldin, and Shannon Dousharm. Together, we're diving into the biggest lessons, challenges, and triumphs of 2024 while sharing our vision for 2025.

In this workshop, I wanted to create a space where we could dive into the practical aspects of using Google tools for SEO and analytics, tailoring the session to your unique questions and priorities. John Williams, Kellie Rittenhouse, Robert Mark, Stella Bouldin, Angela Duguilez, Nadia Ostrovsky and I discuss a lot of things [...]

In this lively book club discussion, the team dives into the practical lessons of Your Website Sucks—a straightforward guide to improving website usability and conversions. While opinions on the book varied, the conversation revealed a universal appreciation for its focus on fundamentals and usability. Participants explored common website design mistakes, including overly clever layouts, [...]

In this engaging workshop on disaster recovery, I guided participants through the essential steps every business needs to take to prepare for the unexpected. From understanding why a disaster plan is crucial to real-life examples of what can happen when things go wrong, this session offered valuable insights and actionable takeaways. We explored how [...]

Great discussion with Stella Bouldin and Ben Neivert about Drew Neisser's book Renegade Marketing. A few highlights- Renegade Marketing is to strategy what Jay Conrad Levinson's Guerilla Marketing is to tactics - a very complete overview with some very actionable exercises to be sure you're "doing it right." We discussed key strategies and trends [...]

In this insightful interview, Shannon Dousharm, a content creator and marketing coordinator at ABCI, shares her journey into the aviation marketing industry. She highlights the excitement and challenges of working in such a dynamic environment, where every day brings something new and interactions with different clients. Shannon also talks about her passion for marketing, [...]

In this discussion, we dive into the ups and downs of implementing structured processes in our business. Of course we have a special interest in aviation marketing processes and aviation sales processes.  We share "war stories" about process implementations gone well or badly. We talk about that constant push-pull between needing flexibility and enforcing [...]

In this insightful interview, Adeela Shahid shares her journey into aviation marketing, the challenges of content creation in a niche industry, and how she combines her passion for aviation and marketing. Adeela also discusses her day-to-day role at ABCI, key projects like Aeris Insurance, and the tools and trends she finds most exciting in [...]

The Art and Science of Getting It All Done, and Getting Better Every Time! If you're doing something more than once, you should make a system out of it. This is particularly true about sales and marketing, which is based on relationships, which are based on repeated actions and interactions. Not that you should [...]

Join us as we dive into the essential guide, "Trade Show 411" by Lisa M. Macielo. Whether you're new to trade shows or a seasoned exhibitor, this episode is packed with valuable tips and strategies to help you maximize your trade show experience. Welcome to this [...]

"They Ask, You Answer" is one that enters the conversations in our Office Hours with clients regularly, so it was great to devote a month to reading it and an hour to talking about it with John and Stella! The philosophy of "TAYA" is a definite departure from a lot of tradition in aviation [...]

In our latest book club discussion, we dove into Seth Godin's marketing classic, "Purple Cow." It's been on our radar for a while, and we finally got around to it. We've read other books by Seth Godin and similar titles, but this one had a unique spin that we were excited to explore. [...]

I just wrapped up an awesome workshop on effective networking and building a strong online presence. We always learn a lot from the participants in these sessions - Ben Neivert of DBT.Aero, Stella Bouldin our talented digital copywriter, and Kellie Rittenhouse, CAM  of Hangar Aviation Management in Michigan. Gene from Great Circle Aircraft also [...]

"How do you price aviation marketing services?" Pricing for complex, custom services is balancing act. Here's our philosophy - we balance three factors - quality, flexibility, and value. 0:00 - Delving into the three factors we consider when determining pricing for aviation marketing services. 0:39 - Quality is key! [...]

John and I, together with copywriter Stella Bouldin, explored "The Referral Engine" by John Jantsch, a pivotal read that delves into creating and sustaining a referral-based business strategy. As aviation marketing professionals, we found the book's principles incredibly relevant, especially the emphasis on using case studies and effective storytelling to fuel referrals. We also [...]

In our final installment of a four-part series at ABCI, John and I explore the crucial role that Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and accurate measurements play in steering aviation and aerospace businesses towards success. I've always believed in the power of precision, much like the clarity an instrument rating brings to a pilot navigating [...]

Join hosts Paula and John Williams, author and youth pastor-turned broker Tom Lelyo;  Michael Duke, the innovative mind behind DBT Aero; Annamarie Buonocore, editor of InFlight USA and broker with USA Aircraft Brokers; and Roman Sapelkin, an experienced aircraft maintenance technician and entrepreneur. This  conversation explores the multifaceted world of aviation through the lens [...]

So, we typically do marketing to sell aviation products and services. But in the last two years, we've also been engaged to help companies find and retain great employees. Here's what we've learned. A lot of turnover happens because people feel like they aren't properly trained, supported and engaged. And many great future employees [...]

This discussion ventured into an enlightening discussion on "The Revenue Acceleration Playbook" by Brent Keltner. The book proposes an innovative approach to integrating sales, marketing, and customer success to streamline the buyer's journey and enhance revenue growth. Here's a snapshot of our engaging conversation. Beyond Departmental Silos John initiated the discussion by highlighting the [...]

In the vast expanse of large organizations, especially within the dynamic realms of sales and marketing, the essence of team cooperation cannot be overstated. The synergy of well-coordinated teams fuels not just productivity but also cultivates an environment brimming with innovation and commitment. However, the path to achieving seamless team collaboration is often littered [...]

We understand big companies. And we understand CEOs! It's a challenge to be responsible for EVERYTHING you do internally, and still have time to be a public advocate for your company's products and causes. You're far to busy to be famous. And yet some level of public advocacy is SUCH an advantage to your [...]

Our clients are NOT (usually) beginners. They are marketing professionals at the top of their game. They come to us to get to the NEXT level. So why do we start with the absolute basics? We'll be sharing insights inspired by iconic figures like Vince Lombardi and Ben Franklin, demonstrating how mastering basic principles [...]

How do we set prices for aviation services? We want our pricing model to be a great value, and simple to understand. Unfortunately, the process to DEVELOP a great pricing policy is anything but simple! Feel free to borrow or steal from our methodology - we've been tweaking it for ten+ years (and will [...]

From Sesame Street to Sims - the Connection between Marketing, Education and Aviation! You don't have to talk like a giant yellow bird on helium to get the attention of potential buyers. But under the right circumstances, we're not above learning some interesting lessons from one! 00:00 [Opening] Hi, I'm Paula Williams with ABCI. [...]

00:52 Introduction to the Best Marketing Campaigns of 2023 06:26 The Three Key Elements: List, Offer, Presentation 07:49 Why do campaigns fail? Most common problems Major Campaigns Unpacked: 23:50 Prospecting Campaign: Continuous Engagement Strategies 28:26 Valentine's Day Campaign: Leveraging Seasonal Opportunities 34:15 Trade Show Event Campaign: Maximizing Impact at Live Events Evaluating and Improving [...]

✈️ Welcome to our book club discussion, hosted by ABCI, where we delve into the dynamic world of aviation and marketing! This month's session features a vibrant conversation between aviation experts Paula and John Williams, Gene Clow, of Great Circle Aircraft;  and Dana Knight, a product director with eTT Aviation focused on innovative aviation [...]

Tom Lelyo of JET LIFE AERO was kind enough (and BRAVE enough) to let us dissect his personal LinkedIn profile in front of a live studio audience. We went over some of the best practices we've learned in our MANY years of working with aviation professionals. In our experience, when your personal branding is [...]

Famous Ads from the Automotive industry The idea from this podcast came to me when we were driving across Europe in a very nice new BMW rental car. And John had the slogan from an ad spontaneously come out of his mouth. 

I was really surprised, because he's in a demographic that is the [...]

As you've probably guessed, this whole series is just so that John and I have an excuse to share our vacation photos. But we do have a couple of points to make here: With your aviation marketing analytics - are you looking at the right things? How do you know what numbers are good? [...]

Exclusive versus inclusive marketing strategies. I've lived in Salt Lake City my entire life and have never been inside a working LDS temple. I was in Rome for two days and I toured the Vatican museums, including the Sistine Chapel. Entry into the Vatican Basilica itself is free to anyone. Two very different strategies, [...]

Some very successful people are NOT specialists. They are generalists. The entire education system can get very good at one thing, and it's great to have people on your team who have very specialized skills. And there are marketing professionals who make a VERY good living doing just one thing. There are people who [...]

At ABCI, we're passionate about supporting youth and fostering career opportunities in the aviation industry. ✈️ For this week's Wins Wednesday, we're thrilled to share a short video highlighting some of our incredible clients who share this vision and are making a positive impact on the aviation community.

Paula, John, and Michael Duke of DBT.aero discuss Simon Sinek's book, "Start With Why - How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action."

Fear is a powerful emotion. Let‘s have some fun with it! What do your customers have to fear from NOT doing business with you?

This is the only workshop we do all year on mindset, even though it's SO important! Everybody wants to know strategy, even though we tell them that sales and marketing success is 80% mindset and only 20% strategy. And the most common reason we turn clients down is because of their mindset - they [...]

In today's dynamic discourse, we dive deep into "Prove It!" by Melanie Diesel and Phil M. Jones, exploring how modern marketers can establish trust and enhance the potency of their content in a crowded digital landscape. Melanie and Phil's insights pave the way for a lively conversation around creating value-driven content, building credibility, and [...]