SaaS Backwards - Reverse Engineering SaaS Success

Guest: Google's NotebookLMIn this special episode of SaaS Backwards, we handed the mic to AI.We took our newest ebook on reviving inbound marketing—coming soon for download—and ran it through Google's NotebookLM to see what kind of podcast it could generate. The result? A surprisingly sharp—if occasionally cheesy—take on how B2B SaaS companies can reimagine their go-to-market strategies for today's buyer. You be the judge.The episode explores why the traditional inbound playbook is falling short and what CROs and CMOs must do to adapt. From the collapse of predictable revenue models to the rise of buyer-centric marketing, we break down how to align sales and marketing, test messaging organically, and coordinate campaigns across email, ads, and outreach.Key Takeaways:The old predictable revenue model no longer works in today's B2B SaaS landscapeBuyers now do deep independent research before ever talking to salesMarketing and sales alignment must happen before the formal buying process beginsJobs to Be Done and qualitative ICPs help create relevance and resonanceOrganic testing (especially on LinkedIn) is essential before scaling paid campaignsEmail, ads, and SDR outreach must be tightly coordinated around buyer triggersIf you're a SaaS leader looking to modernize your inbound strategy and connect with today's buyer, this episode offers a bold, practical roadmap—created by AI, guided by strategy.---Not Getting Enough Demos? Your messaging could be turning buyers away before you even get a chance to pitch.

Guest: Eli Portnoy, Founder & CEO at BackEngineAs B2B SaaS companies scale, they often lose touch with the customers who got them there.In this episode, Eli Portnoy, founder and CEO of BackEngine, sits down with Ken Lempit to talk about the critical breakdown in customer feedback systems—and how generative AI can help leaders hear what really matters.We unpack: ✅ Why customer feedback loops break as SaaS companies grow✅ The hidden costs of misaligned feedback channels and weak ownership✅ How AI can synthesize 100% of customer interactions—without surveys✅ What separates elite SaaS companies from the rest when it comes to NRR and churn✅ Why CS leaders are uniquely positioned to become strategic feedback ownersEli also shares the story of losing his biggest customer before a major fundraise—and the moment he realized feedback was everyone's problem, but no one's job.If you're a CMO, CRO, or CS leader building a feedback-driven growth engine, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.---Not Getting Enough Demos? Your messaging could be turning buyers away before you even get a chance to pitch.

Guest: Ayse Guvencer, Fractional SaaS CMO & GTM ExecutiveAs AI changes how B2B buyers evaluate software, many marketers are missing the forest for the trees.In this episode, Ayse Guvencer, fractional CMO and GTM advisor to SaaS and MarTech startups, joins Ken Lempit to deliver a blunt reality check: AI is disrupting the search journey, pricing models, and even how buyers interact with your brand—before your SDRs even know they exist.We unpack: ✅ Why Google is now a navigational tool, not a discovery engine ✅ How AI-driven tools like ChatGPT are shaping shortlists and decision frameworks ✅ The rise of Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) and what it means for visibility ✅ Why “Service as a Software” is redefining outcome-based pricing ✅ What AI browsers and agentic advertising could mean for reaching the “hidden figures” on buying committeesAyse also shares practical guidance on how marketers can stay ahead of AI-native competitors, avoid falling for adtech black boxes, and reframe their role in this fast-changing ecosystem.If you're a B2B SaaS CMO or CRO trying to stay ahead of the curve, this is one of those episodes you'll want to listen to twice.---Not Getting Enough Demos? Your messaging could be turning buyers away before you even get a chance to pitch.

Guest: Jim Curry, CoFounder at BuildGroupIs AI really transforming your SaaS business—or just adding noise?In this week's episode, Jim Curry, co-founder of BuildGroup and former Rackspace exec, discusses how AI is transforming both the products and operations of SaaS businesses—and why most companies are missing the opportunity.Jim shares how BuildGroup's operator-first, long-term approach to investing gives them an edge when helping SaaS companies scale, especially in today's AI-first environment. He explains why AI should be seen as an infrastructure wave (not just a flashy product feature), and how CROs and CMOs can practically apply it to go-to-market execution.We cover:Why AI gives incumbents an advantage (if they act fast)How to use AI to reduce CAC and improve GTM speedWhere traditional SaaS GTM playbooks break down in an AI-native worldWhy demos and SDR workflows are ripe for automationHow BuildGroup partners deeply with founders post-investmentIf you're a SaaS executive thinking about where to apply AI for real impact—without waiting for a full replatform—this conversation is packed with insight.---Not Getting Enough Demos? Your messaging could be turning buyers away before you even get a chance to pitch.

Guest: Ken Lempit, President & Chief Business Builder at Austin Lawrence GroupAre your SaaS ads actually doing their job, or just burning budget?In this week's episode of SaaS Backwards, Ken Lempit and Jason Myers of Austin Lawrence Group go deep on what GTM leaders get wrong about advertising in 2025:Why most SaaS ads look and sound the same (and fall flat)Where messaging fails long before the clickHow to align sales and marketing in a high-consideration buying cycleThe overlooked power of direct mail and live eventsWhen to pull back on spend—and how to know it's timeIf you're spending more but converting less—or just tired of “safe” campaigns with no spark—this conversation will challenge your assumptions and give you a new playbook.---Not Getting Enough Demos? Your messaging could be turning buyers away before you even get a chance to pitch.

Guests: Ken Lempit, James Ollerenshaw, and Rob CurtisVoice is the new frontier in SaaS — but are we ready for the implications?In the third episode of our AI Series, Ken Lempit is joined again by James Ollerenshaw and Rob Curtis to explore how voice and AI are colliding to transform the way B2B SaaS companies operate — from the way products are built and sold to how customers are supported.We dive into:The shift to voice-first interfaces and its implications for product designReal-world use cases in sales, customer service, compliance, and manufacturingWhy voice as a data source may be more valuable than voice as an interfaceHow voice AI can unlock productivity gains — and which roles are at riskThe compliance, privacy, and cultural risks of voice-powered surveillancePredictions on headless SaaS, ambient computing, and the next big AI disruptionThis conversation goes longer than our typical episodes, but trust us — it's worth every minute. Stick around for smart insights, practical frameworks, and some provocative predictions that CROs, CMOs, and SaaS builders shouldn't miss.

Guests: Ken Lempit, James Ollerenshaw, and Rob CurtisAI isn't just a bolt-on anymore—it's rewriting the rules of SaaS from the ground up.In this episode, Standup Hiro co-founder Rob Curtis and tech strategist James Ollerenshaw join host and GTM expert Ken Lempit to unpack how Agentic AI is forcing SaaS leaders to rethink everything: product design, go-to-market, customer trust, and even internal culture.From natural language interfaces to the rise of AI “co-workers,” they break down why SaaS companies that adapt will dominate—and why bolt-on AI features won't be enough to survive.

Guest: Sjoerd Handgraaf, Chief Marketing Officer at SharetribeThe most overlooked growth lever in SaaS? Positioning.In this episode, Sharetribe CMO Sjoerd Handgraaf reveals how redefining product positioning transformed their trajectory—and why many SaaS companies are still getting it wrong.Handgraaf takes us inside Sharetribe's journey from chasing big logos to doubling down on their true customer: non-technical marketplace founders. Along the way, he shares hard-won insights about product-market fit, AI disruption, and why going “back to basics” in marketing may be more transformational than the next tech trend.

Guest: James D. Wilton, Founder & Managing Partner of MonevateThe advent of AI is forcing a complete rethink of traditional SaaS pricing—particularly the long-standing dominance of user-based pricing. In this episode, pricing strategist James Wilton explains why AI-native products are undermining the foundations of per-seat pricing models. Unlike traditional SaaS, where users are the proxy for value, AI tools often perform tasks autonomously, disconnecting cost from usage in unpredictable ways. As a result, the most value-aligned and sustainable pricing approach for AI-powered platforms is shifting toward usage-based models. Wilton argues: "If you're still defaulting to user-based pricing, you'd better be ready to defend it."

Guests: Ken Lempit, James Ollerenshaw, & Rob CurtisAI is transforming SaaS—but not in the way most leaders think.Forget the headlines claiming "SaaS is dead." The real shift isn't just in tools—it's in how fast software is built, marketed, and bought.In this episode, Rob Curtis (VC-backed founder), Ken Lempit (SaaS GTM strategist), and James Ollerenshaw (AI advisor) break down what AI means for the future of SaaS—and why B2B CROs and CMOs need to rethink their strategy now or risk falling behind.From the death of mid-market software to the rise of agentic AI, they map out how SaaS leaders can adapt, differentiate, and thrive in this new reality.Key Takeaways:Agentic AI is here: Build for agents, not just users.The middle is collapsing: Niche depth and data win.Ideas now beat execution: Speed favors bold builders.Risk fuels innovation: GTM teams lead AI adoption.Data is your moat: Structured models drive defensibility.Ken, Rob, and James offer B2B SaaS leaders a high-level yet practical view of what's next—and what it'll take to win in an AI-native world. If you're a CRO or CMO thinking about survival and scale in 2025, this episode is your blueprint.Plus, don't miss:

Guest: Guy Rubin, Founder & CEO at EbstaMost B2B SaaS leaders know their top performers carry the team, but few understand why the performance gap keeps widening.The reality is that just 14% of reps are now responsible for 80% of revenue, and the gap between A-players and everyone else has grown to 11x. Fixing this isn't about more training or new tools—it's about creating consistent, data-driven sales execution across the entire go-to-market team.In this episode, Guy Rubin, Founder & CEO of Ebsta, shares insights from the 2025 B2B GTM Benchmark Report (in partnership with Pavilion) and explains how SaaS companies can close the performance gap, improve forecast accuracy, and drive revenue by making data and behavior work together.Key Takeaways:Top Performers Win with Consistency: The biggest gap isn't talent—it's execution at every stage of the funnel.AI Enables Better Selling, Not More Noise: When AI is used to extract insights, not automate spam, it becomes a game-changer.Full-Cycle Reps Are Back: 45% of companies are ditching the SDR model in favor of holistic sales ownership.Engagement Drives Forecast Accuracy: Momentum scoring predicts risk before it's too late to course-correct.Success = Process + Behavior + Data: Sales isn't just about gut feel anymore—it's finally becoming data-driven.Guy offers CROs and CMOs a blueprint to scale what works, eliminate what doesn't, and win more consistently—making this episode a must-listen.---Not Getting Enough Demos? Your messaging could be turning buyers away before you even get a chance to pitch.

Guest: Srikrishnan Ganesan, Co-Founder & CEO of RocketlaneMost B2B SaaS leaders know that onboarding is important but underestimate its impact.The reality is that 97% of first-year churn is decided in the first 90 days, making onboarding the most critical stage in the customer journey and the defining factor in revenue growth and long-term customer success.In this episode, Sri Ganesan, Co-Founder and CEO of Rocketlane, shares how SaaS companies can transform onboarding from a fragmented process into a strategic advantage. From community-led growth to automation-driven efficiency, he reveals what top SaaS companies do differently to drive retention, expansion, and revenue acceleration.Key Takeaways:Onboarding Determines Retention & Growth: The first 90 days define whether customers will churn or expand.Community-Led Growth Builds Credibility: Building an engaged audience before launch fosters trust and momentum.Automation Eliminates Inefficiency: Siloed tools slow teams down; all-in-one platforms drive success.Market Validation is Critical: The biggest factor in startup success isn't the product—it's picking the right market. Sri shares actionable strategies for SaaS CMOs and CROs to create onboarding experiences that drive retention, expansion, and revenue acceleration—making this episode a must-listen.---Not Getting Enough Demos? Your messaging could be turning buyers away before you even get a chance to pitch.

Guest: Christina Richards, Fractional CMO & Author of Rise of the AI-Powered CMOMost B2B marketers think they're using AI effectively. The reality? Many are barely scratching the surface—and failing to leverage AI as a true revenue driver.Christina Richards, fractional CMO and author of Rise of the AI-Powered CMO, breaks down how AI is transforming go-to-market strategies, reshaping demand generation, and redefining the role of marketing leaders in B2B SaaS.The biggest shift? AI is moving from a tool for efficiency to an autonomous operator, changing how marketers engage customers, optimize campaigns, and drive pipeline growth. Those who fail to adapt will fall behind competitors who are already leveraging AI-driven personalization, predictive lead scoring, and hyper-targeted ad strategies.Christina shares actionable insights on how B2B CMOs and CROs can embrace AI—not just for automation, but as a strategic advantage to accelerate growth and revenue.Key Takeaways:AI is Now Critical Infrastructure: It's no longer just a tool for automation—it's transforming how companies generate revenue.CMOs Must Become Revenue Architects: The role of marketing leaders is shifting from brand builders to full-funnel revenue drivers.AI-Driven Search is Changing SEO: If your content isn't optimized for AI-generated search, your audience may never find you.Agentic AI is Here: Autonomous AI agents are moving from experiment to execution—marketers must prepare now.First-Party Data is a Competitive Advantage: With hyper-personalization on the rise, companies that don't own their audience data will struggle to compete.Get ready to rethink your marketing strategy in the age of AI—or risk being left behind.---Not Getting Enough Demos? Your messaging could be turning buyers away before you even get a chance to pitch.

Guest: Zach Wright, Co-Founder & CRO of Syft AIMost sales teams are still stuck in outdated prospecting tactics—mass email sequencing, generic outreach, and hoping something sticks. The reality? These methods are failing fast, and sellers who rely on them are drowning in low response rates and missed pipeline goals.Zach Wright, co-founder and CRO of Syft AI, breaks down why traditional sales prospecting is broken and what today's B2B SaaS sellers must do differently to cut through the noise, engage decision-makers, and win more deals.The biggest mistake? Relying on volume instead of relevance. Buyers are overwhelmed with hundreds of templated emails daily, and most outreach feels impersonal, irrelevant, and easy to ignore. Instead of spamming prospects, Zach shares how AI-driven prospecting helps sales teams pinpoint the right accounts, at the right time, with the right message.He explains how top sales teams are:✅ Ditching “spray and pray” prospecting in favor of targeted, intent-driven outreach.✅ Using AI to surface active buying signals—so reps only reach out when there's a real need.✅ Personalizing at scale without relying on ineffective AI-generated fluff.✅ Bringing cold calling back—and why it's working better than ever.If your outbound efforts aren't converting like they used to, this episode will change the way you think about prospecting—and show you how to start winning more meetings with high-value prospects.---Not Getting Enough Demos? Your messaging could be turning buyers away before you even get a chance to pitch.

Guest: Peter Cohan, Author of Doing DiscoveryMost sales teams think they're great at discovery. The reality? About 80% are getting it wrong—and it's the single biggest reason why deals stall, go to a competitor, or die with “no decision.”Peter Cohan, author of Doing Discovery, breaks down why traditional discovery methods are failing and what SaaS sales teams must do differently to uncover real customer value, build compelling business cases, and stop losing winnable deals.The biggest mistake sellers make? Rushing to the demo before fully quantifying business pain. If you can't pin down the numbers behind a buyer's problem and desired outcome, you're making it nearly impossible for them to justify the purchase—let alone get buy-in from their team.Peter shares practical strategies to flip the script on outdated discovery calls, avoid the “interrogation” trap, and use discovery to drive urgency, not just collect pain points.Key Takeaways:✅ Uncover the Value Gap: The secret to avoiding “no decision” isn't just probing for pain—it's quantifying the gap between today's reality and the desired future state.✅ Vision Reengineering: Most buyers don't know what they don't know. Learn how to introduce new ideas without losing control of the deal or giving away discounts.✅ Turn Discovery Into a Two-Way Conversation: Stop making prospects feel like they're on trial—use quid pro quo techniques to make discovery a collaborative process.Get ready to rethink how you approach discovery—or risk losing more deals than you should.---Not Getting Enough Demos? Your messaging could be turning buyers away before you even get a chance to pitch.

Guest: Ty Tinker, Head of Analytics at AdQuickWhat if everything you thought about billboard advertising was wrong?Ty Tinker, Head of Analytics at AdQuick, breaks down the myth that out-of-home (OOH) advertising is unmeasurable and outdated. In reality, leading SaaS companies—including Dropbox, Salesforce, and Shopify—are embracing billboards, transit ads, and airport placements to drive brand awareness, accelerate sales cycles, and even generate measurable leads.Ty reveals how brands are leveraging data science, AI, and sophisticated measurement techniques (beyond old-school QR codes) to track campaign performance. He also shares why smart SaaS marketers are treating OOH as a long-term investment, not just a one-off trade show play.Key Takeaways:

Guest: Jon Miller, Co-Founder & CEO of a Stealth AI StartupJon Miller, co-founder of Marketo and former CMO of Demandbase, argues that B2B marketing's traditional playbook—built on predictable demand generation, MQL scoring, and SDR-driven outbound—is broken. The “gumball machine” approach, where marketers expect predictable revenue by simply feeding in budget and campaigns, no longer works. Buyers have evolved, becoming more resistant to outbound tactics and opting for anonymous research. To succeed, revenue leaders must shift from short-term lead generation to long-term brand building, customer experience, and relationships.Key Takeaways:

Guest: Kerry Cunningham, Research & Thought Leadership at 6sense 85% of buyers initiate the first conversation with vendors—on their terms. If your marketing still revolves around capturing leads and pushing outbound sales, you're already behind.Kerry Cunningham, Head of Research at 6Sense, shares insights from their Buyer Experience Report 2024, revealing how today's B2B buyers operate—and why most SaaS companies are out of sync. Buyers come into the process knowing who they'll evaluate, and 90% of the time, they buy from their initial shortlist. If you're not on it, no amount of sales effort will save you.

Guest: Maxwell Nee, CRO at ScoreAppMaxwell Nee, Chief Revenue Officer of ScoreApp, shares the strategies behind scaling a low ARR SaaS product to 9,000 paying customers worldwide. By leveraging the principles of quiz marketing, ScoreApp turns engagement into actionable insights, driving top-of-funnel lead generation, accelerating sales cycles, and refining customer experiences. The platform's success stems from a relentless focus on understanding user needs before development, validating concepts with 3,000 prospects prior to launch, and building personalized, gamified experiences that deliver measurable value.Maxwell's perspective on SaaS growth is rooted in actionable principles: prioritize customer input, focus on enterprise value over personal branding, and invest in scalable systems. His advice for marketing leaders emphasizes clarity in messaging, the importance of simple, compelling copy, and always aligning content with the needs and emotions of the target audience.Key Takeaways:Focus on Validation: ScoreApp validated its concept with 3,000 prospective users before launch, ensuring a strong product-market fit from the start.Personalization and Gamification Drive Results: Interactive quizzes generate higher engagement and conversion rates by combining self-discovery with actionable insights.Clarity Over Complexity: Simplifying messaging and focusing on the audience's pain points can significantly boost engagement and lead generation.---Not Getting Enough Demos? Your messaging could be turning buyers away before you even get a chance to pitch.

Guest: Ken Lempit, President & Chief Business Builder at Austin Lawrence GroupIn this episode, Austin Lawrence Group's Ken Lempit shares a bold approach to overcoming the inefficiency of traditional advertising campaigns. He emphasizes a new strategy: combining foundational customer interviews with rapid, real-time testing via high-frequency organic social media posts. This iterative approach helps identify messaging that resonates most with target audiences before significant ad spend, enabling SaaS companies to avoid costly missteps. Lempit calls out outdated "ivory tower" methods, where messaging was developed in isolation and assumed durable for years. Today, he argues, messaging must evolve constantly based on audience engagement.Key Takeaways:Real-Time Validation Beats Guesswork: Test messaging in organic social media environments before committing ad budgets. Insights from live engagement can refine campaigns and improve ROI.Messaging Is No Longer Durable: Static messaging fails in today's dynamic market. Iterative testing ensures campaigns stay relevant and effective.Drive Action with the Cost of Inaction: Instead of focusing on ROI, highlight the risks of staying in the status quo to compel prospects to act.This practical framework bridges the gap between creative intuition and data-driven decisions, setting a new standard for SaaS advertising.Other resources to check out:Interview with Vinay Bhagat, Founder and CEO of TrustRadius who publishes a yearly report about how B2B buyer behavior is changing.The Lead Gen Mistake I Guarantee You're Making – how to create content that better identifies intent from today's b2b buyer.And, if you want an outside look at your content with actionable advice, take advantage of our Content Audit. Valued at $20K in free consulting---Thanks for listening to the SaaS Backwards Podcast, brought to you by Austin Lawrence Group. We help SaaS firms reduce churn, accelerate sales, and generate demand. Learn more at AustinLawrence.com.---Is your messaging a sales ally or sneaky saboteur? Let us help with our free messaging audit.We'll look at your website's messaging, content, and conversion potential from the eyes of today's buyer and deliver a presentation with new combinations to more sales conversations and demos. And the best part? It's absolutely free. Get started today!

Guest: Steve Brothers, CEO of SplashmetricsWith 77% of millennial buyers avoiding sales interactions until they've already made a purchase decision, buyers are consistently clear about what they need: fast, personalized, and self-directed answers. Yet vendors stubbornly stick to outdated practices, forcing buyers into their processes rather than meeting them where they are.In this episode of SaaS Backwards, Steve Brothers, CEO of Splashmetrics, explores how modern B2B buyers are reshaping the sales process—and how many vendors are failing to adapt. He discusses how Splashmetrics bridges this gap by enabling companies to deliver tailored, interactive content journeys that put buyers in control while providing sales with critical insights to close deals more effectively.Key Takeaways:The buyer is in control: Buyers prefer to self-educate, completing 80% of their research before engaging with sales. Vendors must adapt or risk irrelevance.Outdated models kill opportunities: Relying on traditional MQL-driven processes results in 95% of SDR outreach being ignored.TheSplashmetrics solution: The platform allows buyers to “choose their own adventure,” and bridges the sales-marketing divide to create a truly buyer-centric experience.This episode is a wake-up call for companies still stuck in yesterday's playbook.---Thanks for listening to the SaaS Backwards Podcast, brought to you by Austin Lawrence Group. We help SaaS firms reduce churn, accelerate sales, and generate demand. Learn more at AustinLawrence.com.---Is your messaging a sales ally or sneaky saboteur? Let us help with our free messaging audit.We'll look at your website's messaging, content, and conversion potential from the eyes of today's buyer and deliver a presentation with new combinations to more sales conversations and demos. And the best part? It's absolutely free. Get started today!

Guest: Beth McHugh, Fractional Product LeaderWhen deals stall, buying committees often default to doing nothing. Why? Because they didn't all agree that the problem was worth solving.In this episode, Beth McHugh explains why pain points alone rarely drive action and how the Jobs to Be Done (JTBD) methodology identifies the “struggling moments” that compel prospects to move forward. These critical moments are when a prospect or team collectively decides that a problem can no longer be ignored.Beth shares why JTBD is, in her view, the most effective way to uncover the true motivations behind customer decisions. Beyond improving product-market fit, she highlights how JTBD creates alignment across sales, marketing, and product teams, ensuring everyone is focused on what truly matters to customers.Key Takeaways:Struggling Moments vs. Pain Points: Not all pain points are actionable. JTBD uncovers the struggles customers are motivated to resolve.Driving Differentiation: JTBD helps identify where your product stands out by focusing on the jobs customers are trying to accomplish.Faster Product-Market Validation: With JTBD, you can prioritize development efforts that directly address critical customer needs, reducing wasted resources.Tune in to learn how to move beyond surface-level insights and position your SaaS offering as the solution customers can't ignore.---Thanks for listening to the SaaS Backwards Podcast, brought to you by Austin Lawrence Group. We help SaaS firms reduce churn, accelerate sales, and generate demand. Learn more at AustinLawrence.com.---Is your messaging a sales ally or sneaky saboteur? Let us help with our free messaging audit.We'll look at your website's messaging, content, and conversion potential from the eyes of today's buyer and deliver a presentation with new combinations to more sales conversations and demos. And the best part? It's absolutely free. Get started today!

Guest: Bob Moesta, Author of “Demand-Side Sales 101”In this episode, Bob Moesta, author of Demand-Side Sales 101, reveals why uncovering your customers' “struggling moments” is the single most efficient step for any business. Whether it's product development, marketing, or sales, understanding the root causes behind why customers make a change transforms every decision you make.As Bob explains, customers don't buy products—they hire solutions to make progress. Without a clear struggling moment, there's no motivation to change, and no sale. By focusing on these moments, you'll align your entire go-to-market strategy, saving time, money, and effort across teams.Key Takeaways:The Struggling Moment as a Catalyst: Every purchase starts with a struggle. Most companies fail to uncover this because they focus on features or pain points instead of the deeper context driving change.Align Teams Around Progress: When marketing, sales, and product understand the customer's struggle, handoffs disappear, and everyone works toward the same goal—helping the customer progress.Most Companies Miss the Mark: 60% of B2B proposals fail due to “no decision.” This happens because companies don't clearly define or quantify a problem worth solving.---Thanks for listening to the SaaS Backwards Podcast, brought to you by Austin Lawrence Group. We help SaaS firms reduce churn, accelerate sales, and generate demand. Learn more at AustinLawrence.com.---Is your messaging a sales ally or sneaky saboteur? Let us help with our free messaging audit.We'll look at your website's messaging, content, and conversion potential from the eyes of today's buyer and deliver a presentation with new combinations to more sales conversations and demos. And the best part? It's absolutely free. Get started today!

Guest: Peter Cohan, Author of “Great Demo!”Have you ever walked into a software demo, hoping to learn something new, only to sit through a “Harbor Tour” of irrelevant features? You're not alone – and neither are your prospects.Peter Cohan, author of Great Demo!, joined us on the SaaS Backwards Podcast to unpack the biggest demo mistakes SaaS teams make:❌ Starting with the how instead of the why❌ Overloading prospects with unnecessary features❌ Failing to tailor demos to decision-makersHis solution? Flip your demos upside down. Start with the results your prospects crave, not the laundry list of features.Peter also shared:✅ How to identify wasted demos (hint: 30% of them are)✅ Why "vision generation demos" are the key to nurturing leads✅ The metrics that show if your demos are working---Thanks for listening to the SaaS Backwards Podcast, brought to you by Austin Lawrence Group. We help SaaS firms reduce churn, accelerate sales, and generate demand. Learn more at AustinLawrence.com.---Is your messaging a sales ally or sneaky saboteur? Let us help with our free messaging audit.We'll look at your website's messaging, content, and conversion potential from the eyes of today's buyer and deliver a presentation with new combinations to more sales conversations and demos. And the best part? It's absolutely free. Get started today!

Guest: Randy Likas, Head of North America Go-to-Market at NektarTraditional marketing tactics are losing their edge, with MQLs falling short as costly, outdated signals of real buyer intent.In this week's episode, we explore tactics for CROs to tackle the “great ignore” with guest Randy Likas, Head of North America Go-to-Market at Nektar, a revenue efficiency platform that unifies customer interaction data and helps you discover new revenue opportunities.Randy discusses how CROs must reevaluate their playbooks and processes, focusing on how to re-engineer strategies and redeploy technology to align with emerging trends in buyer behavior–positioning the CRO role as not just operational but transformational.Key insights you'll gain:How changing buyer behaviors, like the "great ignore," are reshaping outreach strategiesWhy MQLs are losing relevance and how to focus on buying groups insteadHow breaking down silos between sales, marketing, and success boosts revenue efficiencyOther resources to check out:Interview with Vinay Bhagat, Founder and CEO of TrustRadius who publishes a yearly report about how B2B buyer behavior is changing.The Lead Gen Mistake I Guarantee You're Making – how to create content that better identifies intent from today's b2b buyer.And, if you want an outside look at your content with actionable advice, take advantage of our Content Audit. Valued at $20K in free consulting---Thanks for listening to the SaaS Backwards Podcast, brought to you by Austin Lawrence Group. We help SaaS firms reduce churn, accelerate sales, and generate demand. Learn more at AustinLawrence.com.---Is your messaging a sales ally or sneaky saboteur? Let us help with our free messaging audit.We'll look at your website's messaging, content, and conversion potential from the eyes of today's buyer and deliver a presentation with new combinations to more sales conversations and demos. And the best part? It's absolutely free. Get started today!

Guest: Isabelle Papoulias, Fractional GTM & Business Operations ExecutivePipeline isn't just a metric—it's a team sport.But when marketing, sales and customer success work in silos, it creates a fractured buyer journey and practically guarantees you'll miss opportunities.So, who should be responsible for driving this cross-functional alignment?In this episode, fractional GTM leader and business operations executive Isabelle Papoulias  breaks down how SaaS companies can realign their go-to-market teams under unified leadership for faster growth and smarter execution.Key insights you'll gain:How common goals and shared metrics across teams drive alignmentThe benefits of a CCO or CRO with a broad understanding of GTM strategiesAdvice for ditching “lead generation” as a success metric in the enterprise saleOther resources to check out:Interview with Vinay Bhagat, Founder and CEO of TrustRadius who publishes a yearly report about how B2B buyer behavior is changing.The Lead Gen Mistake I Guarantee You're Making – how to create content that better identifies intent from today's b2b buyer.And, if you want an outside look at your content with actionable advice, take advantage of our Content Audit. Valued at $20K in free consulting---Thanks for listening to the SaaS Backwards Podcast, brought to you by Austin Lawrence Group. We help SaaS firms reduce churn, accelerate sales, and generate demand. Learn more at AustinLawrence.com.---Is your messaging a sales ally or sneaky saboteur? Let us help with our free messaging audit.We'll look at your website's messaging, content, and conversion potential from the eyes of today's buyer and deliver a presentation with new combinations to more sales conversations and demos. And the best part? It's absolutely free. Get started today!

Guest: Warren Zenna, Founder of The CRO Collective Scaling a SaaS company is no walk in the park. At a certain point, operational complexity demands more than just growth—it demands cross-functional alignment. Enter the Chief Revenue Officer (CRO).In this episode, we dive into the evolving role of the CRO with expert Warren Zenna, founder of The CRO Collective and Zenna Consulting Group, and host of the CRO Spotlight podcast.Warren unpacks why misalignment between Sales, Marketing, and Customer Success persists—and how the CRO may be uniquely positioned to fix it.Key insights you'll gain:What it means for a SaaS company to be “CRO-ready”Why scaling companies make the same costly mistakes—and how to avoid themPractical tips for CROs, CMOs, and CEOs to align teams and drive revenue growthOther resources to check out:Interview with Vinay Bhagat, Founder and CEO of TrustRadius who publishes a yearly report about how B2B buyer behavior is changing.The Lead Gen Mistake I Guarantee You're Making – how to create content that better identifies intent from today's b2b buyer.And, if you want an outside look at your content with actionable advice, take advantage of our Content Audit. Valued at $20K in free consulting---Thanks for listening to the SaaS Backwards Podcast, brought to you by Austin Lawrence Group. We help SaaS firms reduce churn, accelerate sales, and generate demand. Learn more at AustinLawrence.com.---Is your messaging a sales ally or sneaky saboteur? Let us help with our free messaging audit.We'll look at your website's messaging, content, and conversion potential from the eyes of today's buyer and deliver a presentation with new combinations to more sales conversations and demos. And the best part? It's absolutely free. Get started today!

Pricing and packaging can either bog down your go-to-market engine or fuel it to peak performance.This week's SaaS Backwards podcast features Dan Balcauski, Founder and Chief Pricing Officer at Product Tranquility, a consultancy that helps high-volume B2B SaaS CEOs define pricing and packaging for new products. In this episode, Dan discusses the critical role pricing plays in a SaaS business model and why leadership teams must view it as a dynamic lever, not a "set-it-and-forget-it" element. He dispels the common myth that success hinges solely on what you charge, emphasizing instead that who and how you charge are the real determinants of success.Breaking this down, Dan walks through the four key elements of SaaS packaging: price metric, price model, offer configurations, and price fences.Our conversation also explores how to conduct a pricing study, realigning pricing strategies, AI's role in pricing decisions, and the ever-debated topic: should pricing be displayed on the website?This episode offers actionable insights for SaaS leaders looking to harness pricing as a powerful tool for growth and market alignment.Key takeaways from this episode:The impact of pricing and packaging on revenue, profitability, and valuationWhy pricing is a critical lever for growth in SaaS businesses that shouldn't be overlookedSigns a new CMO or CRO should look for to determine if pricing needs attention at a prospective employerOther resources to check out:Interview with Vinay Bhagat, Founder and CEO of TrustRadius who publishes a yearly report about how B2B buyer behavior is changing.The Lead Gen Mistake I Guarantee You're Making – how to create content that better identifies intent from today's b2b buyer.And, if you want an outside look at your content with actionable advice, take advantage of our Content Audit. Valued at $20K in free consulting---Thanks for listening to the SaaS Backwards Podcast, brought to you by Austin Lawrence Group. We help SaaS firms reduce churn, accelerate sales, and generate demand. Learn more at AustinLawrence.com.---Is your messaging a sales ally or sneaky saboteur? Let us help with our free messaging audit.We'll look at your website's messaging, content, and conversion potential from the eyes of today's buyer and deliver a presentation with new combinations to more sales conversations and demos. And the best part? It's absolutely free. Get started today!

Gifting can be a powerful outbound strategy that captures attention far more effectively than an email. In this week's SaaS Backwards podcast episode, we spoke with Kris Rudeegraap, Co-CEO and Co-Founder at Sendoso, a gifting and direct mail platform that helps revenue teams 6x second call rates, double win rates, and close deals 29% faster.Kris shared how his background in software sales and experience with gifting inspired him to create Sendoso. He provided insights into the company's initial go-to-market strategy, its evolution from a "growth at all costs" mindset to a more efficient, profit-driven approach, and how this shift has shaped its success.We also discussed common objections and misconceptions about gifting, such as it being “too expensive” or impractical without someone's address—and how Sendoso addresses these challenges.Kris backed up Sendoso's impressive results with client success stories: Gong influenced over $30 million in pipeline by mailing pinatas, Guru improved meeting conversion rates by sending cupcakes, and Verkada saw a remarkable increase in ad conversion rates by offering a Yeti mug as a meeting incentive across social media and LinkedIn campaigns.Read more Sendoso success stories here and view customer examples here. Key takeaways from this episode:The power of gifting as an outbound strategyHow Sendoso helps clients select the right gifts for the right people at the right timeInsights into the fundraising process and the current environment for startupsOther resources to check out:Interview with Vinay Bhagat, Founder and CEO of TrustRadius who publishes a yearly report about how B2B buyer behavior is changing.The Lead Gen Mistake I Guarantee You're Making – how to create content that better identifies intent from today's b2b buyer.And, if you want an outside look at your content with actionable advice, take advantage of our Content Audit. Valued at $20K in free consulting---Thanks for listening to the SaaS Backwards Podcast, brought to you by Austin Lawrence Group. We help SaaS firms reduce churn, accelerate sales, and generate demand. Learn more at AustinLawrence.com.---Is your messaging a sales ally or sneaky saboteur? Let us help with our free messaging audit.We'll look at your website's messaging, content, and conversion potential from the eyes of today's buyer and deliver a presentation with new combinations to more sales conversations and demos. And the best part? It's absolutely free. Get started today!

Building meaningful connections with individuals using different channels can be more effective than running an ABM program that only provides a shallow understanding of what's happening within an account. In this week's SaaS Backwards podcast episode, we spoke with Dmitri Lisitski, Co-Founder and CEO at Influ2, a person-based advertising platform that allows you to reach specific people within target accounts and see who interacts with your ads.Dmitri takes us behind the scenes and discusses how his frustration with imprecise ABM platforms led to the creation of Influ2, which aims to solve this problem by targeting individual decision-makers within an account rather than only providing this broad view.We discuss the orchestration between sales and marketing and the significance of nurturing relationships over time in enterprise sales. Dmitri explains how the best thing marketing can do for salespeople is target the same account they're trying to chase and influence their decision, build awareness, and track intent. Our conversation also covers the role of thought leadership in generating conversations and supporting the sales process, the impact of AI on content creation, and attribution challenges in B2B marketing.This episode provides valuable insights for SaaS CEOs, CMOs, and B2B marketing and sales professionals.Key takeaways from this episode:The humanization of sales and marketing in the enterprise motionWhy the use of AI in content development falls flat and what to do insteadMeasuring the impact of advertising on revenueOther resources to check out:Interview with Vinay Bhagat, Founder and CEO of TrustRadius who publishes a yearly report about how B2B buyer behavior is changing.The Lead Gen Mistake I Guarantee You're Making – how to create content that better identifies intent from today's b2b buyer.And, if you want an outside look at your content with actionable advice, take advantage of our Content Audit. Valued at $20K in free consulting---Thanks for listening to the SaaS Backwards Podcast, brought to you by Austin Lawrence Group. We help SaaS firms reduce churn, accelerate sales, and generate demand. Learn more at AustinLawrence.com.---Is your messaging a sales ally or sneaky saboteur? Let us help with our free messaging audit.We'll look at your website's messaging, content, and conversion potential from the eyes of today's buyer and deliver a presentation with new combinations to more sales conversations and demos. And the best part? It's absolutely free. Get started today!

We often emphasize the importance of understanding what's being talked about in sales conversations to shape content strategy and tell unique, compelling stories.In this week's SaaS Backwards podcast episode, we talk with Parthi Loganathan, Founder and CEO of Letterdrop, a platform designed to help companies do just that.Parthi explains how Letterdrop's AI assists companies in creating content that resonates with more buyers by leveraging the language their customers actually use, cutting down the time and improving the quality of their thought leadership content. He also shares how Letterdrop supports SDRs in delivering value and helps companies uncover and understand their customers' unmet needs.We also discuss the ongoing shift in SEO, the growing focus on LinkedIn, and the decline of traditional outbound sales tactics such as cold calling and cold emailing.Our conversation with Parthi offers valuable insights for SaaS CEOs, CMOs, and marketing and sales professionals in the B2B space.Key takeaways from this episode:The importance of getting context and relevance right before scaling itWhy cold calling and cold emailing no longer worksInsights on future opportunities for content on LinkedInOther resources to check out:Interview with Vinay Bhagat, Founder and CEO of TrustRadius who publishes a yearly report about how B2B buyer behavior is changing.The Lead Gen Mistake I Guarantee You're Making – how to create content that better identifies intent from today's b2b buyer.And, if you want an outside look at your content with actionable advice, take advantage of our Content Audit. Valued at $20K in free consulting---Thanks for listening to the SaaS Backwards Podcast, brought to you by Austin Lawrence Group. We help SaaS firms reduce churn, accelerate sales, and generate demand. Learn more at AustinLawrence.com.---Is your messaging a sales ally or sneaky saboteur? Let us help with our free messaging audit.We'll look at your website's messaging, content, and conversion potential from the eyes of today's buyer and deliver a presentation with new combinations to more sales conversations and demos. And the best part? It's absolutely free. Get started today!

The ability to leverage data and prioritize sales and marketing efforts is essential to the success of enterprises with broad addressable markets.Recognizing the struggles enterprises face in managing vast amounts of data, this week's SaaS Backwards podcast guest Elio Narciso, saw an opportunity to improve how sales reps identify targets and prioritize their efforts.Elio is the Co-founder and CEO of Scalestack, an all-in-one data enrichment, prioritization, and activation platform that allows go-to-market teams to easily map GTM data from many different sources to their ideal customer profile and their sales engine. In this episode, Elio gives us a look into Scalestack's origins. He recounts his background in advising startups at AWS and how it led him to uncover pockets of inefficiency in their go-to-market motions, such as a productivity gap for sales reps and a general dissatisfaction that companies have with their data.Throughout this episode, Elio reflects on lessons from his past ventures, addresses common sales and marketing challenges, and highlights Scalestack's mission and capabilities.Key takeaways from this episode:How hiring well is essential for scaling startups and managing that scaleWhy focusing on enterprise clients can be advantageous for a startupStrategy for building partnerships to reach more potential customersOther resources to check out:Interview with Vinay Bhagat, Founder and CEO of TrustRadius who publishes a yearly report about how B2B buyer behavior is changing.The Lead Gen Mistake I Guarantee You're Making – how to create content that better identifies intent from today's b2b buyer.And, if you want an outside look at your content with actionable advice, take advantage of our Content Audit. Valued at $20K in free consulting---Thanks for listening to the SaaS Backwards Podcast, brought to you by Austin Lawrence Group. We help SaaS firms reduce churn, accelerate sales, and generate demand. Learn more at AustinLawrence.com.---Is your messaging a sales ally or sneaky saboteur? Let us help with our free messaging audit.We'll look at your website's messaging, content, and conversion potential from the eyes of today's buyer and deliver a presentation with new combinations to more sales conversations and demos. And the best part? It's absolutely free. Get started today!

Consolidating sales and marketing into the office of the CRO might be a controversial topic, but it can be healthy for demand and sales functions to become enmeshed.In this episode of the SaaS Backwards podcast, our guest Cliff Simon, CRO of Carabiner Group, explains how aligning demand and sales functions can create a more cohesive and effective go-to-market strategy.Cliff shares his belief that companies need to have a unified leader at the very top of everything go-to-market. He breaks down how sales and marketing are two sides of the same coin, and why looking at everything through a revenue lens is critical for success.We also discuss Cliff's collaboration with Nick Toman, author of The Challenger Customer and Carabiner Group's Chief Product and Strategy Officer. Cliff highlights Nick's expertise in market research, referencing his latest report, "Commercial Success in 2025 Hinges on GTM Strategy."Topics covered in this episode include the evolution of enterprise sales as SaaS companies scale, achieving capital efficiency in go-to-market strategies, and measuring progress in enterprise sales.Looking for ways Carabiner Group can boost your Revenue Operations? Check out the GTM Tech Stack Audit and Analysis Workbook—a valuable resource for mapping the relationship between your GTM strategies and technology stack.Key takeaways from this episode:Advantages of combining sales and marketing under the office of the CROThe state of go-to-market and insights on how to achieve capital efficiencyHow to measure progress in the enterprise saleOther resources to check out:Interview with Vinay Bhagat, Founder and CEO of TrustRadius who publishes a yearly report about how B2B buyer behavior is changing.The Lead Gen Mistake I Guarantee You're Making – how to create content that better identifies intent from today's b2b buyer.And, if you want an outside look at your content with actionable advice, take advantage of our Content Audit. Valued at $20K in free consulting---Thanks for listening to the SaaS Backwards Podcast, brought to you by Austin Lawrence Group. We help SaaS firms reduce churn, accelerate sales, and generate demand. Learn more at AustinLawrence.com.---Is your messaging a sales ally or sneaky saboteur? Let us help with our free messaging audit.We'll look at your website's messaging, content, and conversion potential from the eyes of today's buyer and deliver a presentation with new combinations to more sales conversations and demos. And the best part? It's absolutely free. Get started today!

With all the current tools and technology available to salespeople, many have naturally slipped into a less personal approach than what used to be the norm. As a result, their calls and emails are ignored, and they struggle to get quality leads.This highlights the need to go “back to the future,” or back to the basics, and adopt a personality-driven, people-forward sales approach to cut through the noise.In this episode, we spoke with Alex Grace, the founder and CEO of Velocity Sales Consulting, about his process when coming into a company as a new sales leader or CRO and how he uncovers why things aren't going as planned.Alex calls this a welcome change in sales, stating, “You'll hang up on an SDR that's using a line, but you're not going to hang up on a person that sounds like a person.”Alex also discusses a common alignment issue between sales and marketing, noting that one can't exist without the other and how they should be like an old wrestling tag team, working together to reach a common goal.Overall, Alex shared valuable insights into stepping into a sales leadership role, people's innate ability to sell, the power of saying no, going back to the basics, and alignment between sales and marketing.Key takeaways from this episode:How to take advantage of top salespeople's skills to help other salespeople on the team to improveWhat KPIs matter and tracking what makes a meaningful conversationThe consolidation of sales and marketing leadership into the office of the CROOther resources to check out:Interview with Vinay Bhagat, Founder and CEO of TrustRadius who publishes a yearly report about how B2B buyer behavior is changing.The Lead Gen Mistake I Guarantee You're Making – how to create content that better identifies intent from today's b2b buyer.And, if you want an outside look at your content with actionable advice, take advantage of our Content Audit. Valued at $20K in free consulting---Thanks for listening to the SaaS Backwards Podcast, brought to you by Austin Lawrence Group. We help SaaS firms reduce churn, accelerate sales, and generate demand. Learn more at AustinLawrence.com.---Is your messaging a sales ally or sneaky saboteur? Let us help with our free messaging audit.We'll look at your website's messaging, content, and conversion potential from the eyes of today's buyer and deliver a presentation with new combinations to more sales conversations and demos. And the best part? It's absolutely free. Get started today!

According to this year's B2B TrustRadius Buying Disconnect Report, where they surveyed 200 B2B brands and over 2000 tech buyers, 2024 is the “year of the brand crisis.”Across the board, brands are spending 38% on brand marketing and 53% on demand, which is understandable given the shorter time frame to justify ROI. The problem is that buyers make decisions based largely on who they're familiar with, so those who have established recognition and trust over time will be the winners. In this episode, we brought back TrustRadius CEO Vinay Bhagat, who discusses how to better integrate brand marketing with demand generation to develop that trust. Vinay also stressed the significance of the voice of the customer and the need to activate it across digital channels.Overall, Vinay shared valuable insights into B2B marketing, the critical role of brand and demand generation, and the strategic use of customer voice and intent data.Key takeaways from this episode:The significance of brand recognition in making the shortlist for buyersInsights on generating organic traffic by leveraging high-quality user-generated contentThe varying importance of product demos in the sales processOther resources to check out:Our Previous Interview with Vinay Bhagat, Founder and CEO of TrustRadius who publishes a yearly report about how B2B buyer behavior is changing.The Lead Gen Mistake I Guarantee You're Making – how to create content that better identifies intent from today's b2b buyer.And, if you want an outside look at your content with actionable advice, take advantage of our Content Audit. Valued at $20K in free consulting---Thanks for listening to the SaaS Backwards Podcast, brought to you by Austin Lawrence Group. We help SaaS firms reduce churn, accelerate sales, and generate demand. Learn more at AustinLawrence.com.---Is your messaging a sales ally or sneaky saboteur? Let us help with our free messaging audit.We'll look at your website's messaging, content, and conversion potential from the eyes of today's buyer and deliver a presentation with new combinations to more sales conversations and demos. And the best part? It's absolutely free. Get started today!

In this episode of the SaaS Backwards Podcast, we spoke with Steve Oriola, CEO of Unbounce, a landing page platform empowering marketers by combining their expertise with AI insights to create and optimize high-converting marketing campaigns. Steve discussed Unbounce's recent acquisition of Insightly, a robust CRM with advanced AI and machine learning capabilities that addresses the needs of mid-sized organizations. He explained how this merger aims to break down silos between marketing and sales, focusing on the entire customer journey rather than departmental divisions.In this episode, Steve shared his extensive experience in the SaaS industry, particularly in marketing and sales applications, and discussed his role in partnering with founders to help them realize their visions. Steve provided insights into potential partnerships with investors as a CEO candidate. He explained that the right investor should have at least one of three things: operating experience, strong pattern recognition, or deference to the operator.The conversation also touched on capital efficiency in go-to-market strategies. Steve emphasized the need for early investments in marketing and sales to get the flywheel effect, leading to long-term efficiency and growth. CEOs and CMOs of SaaS companies and founders considering partnering with investors or bringing in a CEO to help scale their business will find this episode relevant and insightful.Key takeaways from this episode:The significance of brand equity in driving business success, especially in competitive marketsThe role of AI in marketing and sales software and the value of machine learning applications in optimizing tasks and decision-makingThe importance of founders partnering with experienced CEOs to scale their businesses effectivelyOther resources to check out:Interview with Vinay Bhagat, Founder and CEO of TrustRadius who publishes a yearly report about how B2B buyer behavior is changing.The Lead Gen Mistake I Guarantee You're Making – how to create content that better identifies intent from today's b2b buyer.And, if you want an outside look at your content with actionable advice, take advantage of our Content Audit. Valued at $20K in free consulting---Thanks for listening to the SaaS Backwards Podcast, brought to you by Austin Lawrence Group. We help SaaS firms reduce churn, accelerate sales, and generate demand. Learn more at AustinLawrence.com.---Is your messaging a sales ally or sneaky saboteur? Let us help with our free messaging audit.We'll look at your website's messaging, content, and conversion potential from the eyes of today's buyer and deliver a presentation with new combinations to more sales conversations and demos. And the best part? It's absolutely free. Get started today!

Paid advertising is often one of the largest budget items for SaaS companies, making it a critical channel for facilitating sales and driving growth.In this episode of the SaaS Backwards Podcast, we flipped the script and had our very own Ken Lempit, President and Chief Business Builder at Austin Lawrence Group, as the guest. Ken shared his insights on the challenges SaaS companies face in achieving capital efficiency in their go-to-market strategies, particularly focusing on advertising.Our conversation explores the prospect experience as a foundational element of successful advertising campaigns. Ken discusses key areas where companies have the most control and can significantly impact the prospect experience, including optimizing landing pages and providing sales reps with proper training and resources.This episode highlights the significance of taking a holistic approach to advertising strategy, continuous optimization, and being hands-on with internal teams and external agencies to ensure advertising budgets are spent effectively.Ken's insights into diagnosing issues within existing campaigns and media spend and his actionable tips for optimizing advertising performance make this episode an invaluable resource for SaaS marketing leaders and CEOs.Key takeaways from this episode:A holistic model for understanding where advertising touches across the business and how to view all elements that contribute to successful advertisingInsights into how to diagnose problems in current campaignsThe importance of looking at the entire prospect experience and optimizing landing pages and follow-up processesOther resources to check out:Interview with Vinay Bhagat, Founder and CEO of TrustRadius who publishes a yearly report about how B2B buyer behavior is changing.The Lead Gen Mistake I Guarantee You're Making – how to create content that better identifies intent from today's b2b buyer.And, if you want an outside look at your content with actionable advice, take advantage of our Content Audit. Valued at $20K in free consulting---Thanks for listening to the SaaS Backwards Podcast, brought to you by Austin Lawrence Group. We help SaaS firms reduce churn, accelerate sales, and generate demand. Learn more at AustinLawrence.com.---Is your messaging a sales ally or sneaky saboteur? Let us help with our free messaging audit.We'll look at your website's messaging, content, and conversion potential from the eyes of today's buyer and deliver a presentation with new combinations to more sales conversations and demos. And the best part? It's absolutely free. Get started today!

To drive sales and growth, SaaS companies need to have clear messaging, target the right prospects, and leverage industry expertise.In this episode of the SaaS Backwards Podcast, we spoke with Will Robinson, CEO of Encapture, a platform specializing in intelligent document processing for industries like banking, lending, and insurance. Will discussed the challenges associated with selling to highly regulated banking institutions and his strategies for overcoming them, emphasizing the importance of building a strong business case and navigating complex decision-making processes.Our conversation also touched on Encapture's journey of shifting from a professional services model to a SaaS model, including the changes in culture, sales strategies, marketing approaches, and the integration of AI technology into their product. In this episode, Will provides valuable insights for SaaS CEOs on marketing tactics, targeting prospects, and the value of clear and simple messaging.Key takeaways from this episode:Strategies for navigating the complex sales cycle in financial institutionsEffective marketing strategies for generating leads and building credibilityHow SaaS leaders can build trust with potential buyers through simple and relatable messagingOther resources to check out:Interview with Vinay Bhagat, Founder and CEO of TrustRadius who publishes a yearly report about how B2B buyer behavior is changing.The Lead Gen Mistake I Guarantee You're Making – how to create content that better identifies intent from today's b2b buyer.And, if you want an outside look at your content with actionable advice, take advantage of our Content Audit. Valued at $20K in free consulting---Is your messaging a sales ally or sneaky saboteur? Let us help with our free messaging audit.We'll look at your website's messaging, content, and conversion potential from the eyes of today's buyer and deliver a presentation with new combinations to more sales conversations and demos. And the best part? It's absolutely free. Get started today!

Listen, assess, plan, execute, iterate. This week's podcast guest Janet Jaiswal outlines these as the essential steps in developing and implementing successful marketing strategies in the SaaS industry.Janet Jaiswal is Blueshift's Global VP of Marketing and has 20 years of experience in B2B SaaS marketing, working with companies like IBM, eBay, and PayPal. In this episode of SaaS Backwards, she discusses her expertise in scaling companies through effective go-to-market strategies and the importance of process, technology, and skill sets at different stages of a company's growth. In our conversation, Janet provides insights into the relationship between SEO and content marketing, the importance of identifying and refining the Ideal Customer Profile, and the critical role of product marketing in driving alignment between marketing and product management. Overall, this episode provides a comprehensive look at the strategies and tactics that SaaS marketing leaders can use to drive growth and enhance profitability for their organizations.Key takeaways from this episode:The changing landscape of search engine algorithms and the importance of prioritizing content that conveys value quicklyThe challenges and opportunities of ICP expansion and insights into the processWhy product marketing is crucial when scaling a SaaS companyMore Resources from Janet Jaiswal:Masterclass on Product Marketing: A deep-dive into Product Marketing for B2B SaaS scale-upsDefining your ICP: Discover the optimal approach to identifying your true target marketOther resources to check out:Interview with Vinay Bhagat, Founder and CEO of TrustRadius who publishes a yearly report about how B2B buyer behavior is changing.The Lead Gen Mistake I Guarantee You're Making – how to create content that better identifies intent from today's b2b buyer.And, if you want an outside look at your content with actionable advice, take advantage of our Content Audit. Valued at $20K in free consulting---Is your messaging a sales ally or sneaky saboteur? Let us help with our free messaging audit.We'll look at your website's messaging, content, and conversion potential from the eyes of today's buyer and deliver a presentation with new combinations to more sales conversations and demos. And the best part? It's absolutely free. Get started today!

A community can be a "cheat code" for rapid learning and career advancement, and this week's guest knows that better than most.In this episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Kathleen Booth, SVP of Marketing and Growth at Pavilion, the world's largest private community for go-to-market leaders. Our conversation explores the concept of community-led growth and how Pavilion encourages this by providing a platform for members to grow their network, sharpen their skills, and develop lifelong connections. Overall, Kathleen provides valuable insights into the intersection of community, social media, and growth strategies for SaaS companies. Key takeaways from this episode:The importance of community-led growth for SaaS companies and strategies for leveraging communities to drive growth and engagementHow CEOs and marketing leaders can use social media to build relationships, drive pipeline, and engage with prospectsThe challenges executives face in prioritizing social media efforts and the need to shift from viewing social media as a "nice to have" to a "must have" for business growthThis episode is ideal for SaaS CEOs, CMOs, and marketing professionals looking to leverage community-led growth strategies, enhance their LinkedIn presence, and drive pipeline through organic and personalized outreach.Other resources to check out:Interview with Vinay Bhagat, Founder and CEO of TrustRadius who publishes a yearly report about how B2B buyer behavior is changing.The Lead Gen Mistake I Guarantee You're Making – how to create content that better identifies intent from today's b2b buyer.And, if you want an outside look at your content with actionable advice, take advantage of our Content Audit. Valued at $20K in free consulting---Is your messaging a sales ally or sneaky saboteur? Let us help with our free content audit.We'll look at your website's messaging, content, and conversion potential from the eyes of today's buyer and deliver a presentation with new combinations to more sales conversations and demos. And the best part? It's absolutely free. Get started today!

The transition from product-led growth (PLG) to an enterprise sales motion is a strategic shift that many SaaS companies are making in order to accelerate growth and enhance profitability. This transition is driven by a variety of factors, including the need to scale, reach new markets, and meet the evolving needs of customers. In this episode of the SaaS Backwards Podcast, we had the pleasure of hosting Juan Jaysingh, founder and CEO of Zingtree, an AI-enabled customer experience automation platform.Juan provided insights into why and how his company made the shift from a PLG model to an enterprise sales motion, emphasizing the need to focus on large enterprise customers who benefit the most from Zingtree's complex, no-code workflow solutions. In our conversation, Juan detailed the challenges and organizational changes required to make this transition, including adjustments in personnel, product development, and customer service.Juan's experience and insights provide valuable lessons for CEOs, CMOs, and other professionals in the SaaS industry looking to understand the challenges and strategies involved in transitioning from a product-led growth model to an enterprise sales motion.Key takeaways from this episode:Challenges and considerations for SaaS companies transitioning from PLG to enterprise salesHow to improve customer experience by providing SaaS solutions that can be implemented quickly and show immediate impactHow Zingtree incorporates AI into its platform to enhance customer support workflows and provide relevant information to agentsOther resources to check out:Interview with Vinay Bhagat, Founder and CEO of TrustRadius who publishes a yearly report about how B2B buyer behavior is changing.The Lead Gen Mistake I Guarantee You're Making – how to create content that better identifies intent from today's b2b buyer.And, if you want an outside look at your content with actionable advice, take advantage of our Content Audit. Valued at $20K in free consulting---Is your messaging a sales ally or sneaky saboteur? Let us help with our free content audit.We'll look at your website's messaging, content, and conversion potential from the eyes of today's buyer and deliver a presentation with new combinations to more sales conversations and demos. And the best part? It's absolutely free. Get started today!

Transitioning from a Product-Led Growth (PLG) motion to an enterprise sales motion requires strategic alignment and effective change management within a SaaS Marketing team.In this week's episode, we discussed the challenges and considerations in this transition with Karen Budell, the CMO of Totango + Catalyst, two SaaS software companies collaborating to drive sustainable revenue through customer relationships. Budell highlights the significance of grasping the nuances of the buyer's journey and understanding the shift in market dynamics when transitioning from a PLG approach to targeting enterprise customers.She also focuses on the importance of change management during this transition and tackling challenges head-on to ensure a successful integration and go-to-market strategy. She likened it to moving in with a partner and combining belongings, emphasizing the necessity of open and honest conversations within the team.This episode also touches on the importance of thought leadership and the role of written content, industry events, and proprietary events in marketing. Executives involved in mergers and acquisitions within the SaaS industry and marketing professionals interested in transitioning marketing strategies from PLG to enterprise sales will find value in Karen's insights.Key takeaways from this episode:Why early learnings, customer feedback, and market insights are essential for crafting a successful merger strategyThe crucial role thought leadership plays in influencing the buying committeeThe need for alignment, transparency, and clear communication in agency relationshipsOther resources to check out:Interview with Vinay Bhagat, Founder and CEO of TrustRadius who publishes a yearly report about how B2B buyer behavior is changing.The Lead Gen Mistake I Guarantee You're Making – how to create content that better identifies intent from today's b2b buyer.And, if you want an outside look at your content with actionable advice, take advantage of our Content Audit. Valued at $20K in free consulting---Is your messaging a sales ally or sneaky saboteur? Let us help with our free content audit.We'll look at your website's messaging, content, and conversion potential from the eyes of today's buyer and deliver a presentation with new combinations to more sales conversations and demos. And the best part? It's absolutely free. Get started today!

SaaS entrepreneurs must be adaptable and willing to pivot based on feedback and market needs.In this episode of the SaaS Backwards Podcast, we spoke with Mo Hallaba, the CEO of Datawisp, a company that simplifies data analysis for business users. Mo discusses the challenges he faced in user acquisition for his gaming platform and how a networking group he started for the gaming industry led him to meet his current co-founders. Mo shares his unconventional journey from finance to entrepreneurship and discusses the unique challenges and rewards of starting a SaaS business. Overall, this episode provides valuable insights into the entrepreneurial journey, the importance of adaptability, and the strategies for building and growing a successful SaaS company. Key takeaways from this episode:Why starting a networking group can be a valuable strategy for driving opportunities and connections in the SaaS industryHow being open to pivoting and making adjustments based on market feedback can lead to finding product-market fitHow conducting demos as data consultations can lead to more targeted and efficient sales processes---Is your messaging a sales ally or sneaky saboteur? Let us help with our free content audit.We'll look at your website's messaging, content, and conversion potential from the eyes of today's buyer and deliver a presentation with new combinations to more sales conversations and demos. And the best part? It's absolutely free. Get started today!

With the growing frustration among marketers with traditional pay-per-click and social media advertising, what can a SaaS CMO do to get their message in front of the right people at the right time?In this episode of the SaaS Backwards Podcast, Co-Founder and CEO of SparkToro Rand Fishkin joins us to discuss how they're solving this problem by providing valuable data on where to reach target audiences outside major platforms like Google and Facebook. SparkToro is a market research and audience intelligence tool designed to help small and medium businesses, independent entrepreneurs, and challenger brands uncover the publications and people influencing their target audiences.Rand discusses the challenges and opportunities in the current marketing landscape, emphasizing the need to return to traditional media planning and the importance of investing in sources of influence beyond the big platforms. He also touches on the recent leak of Google's Content Warehouse API and its implications for SEO, stressing the importance of earning media and retaining valuable content creators.Our conversation with Rand covers audience research, marketing strategies, team building, content marketing, AI impact, SEO, and predictions for the future of marketing. This episode provides a wealth of insights for SaaS CEOs and CMOs looking to navigate the evolving marketing landscape and leverage audience research to drive growth. Key takeaways from this episode:How having known and trusted team members, like co-founders, can reduce risk and improve the success of a startupThe importance of thought leadership in content marketing and the need to create content that resonates with amplifiers, not just customersSEO and link-building strategies and the importance of focusing on quality links from pages that receive traffic rather than just acquiring links from various domainsOther resources to check out:Interview with Vinay Bhagat, Founder and CEO of TrustRadius who publishes a yearly report about how B2B buyer behavior is changing.The Lead Gen Mistake I Guarantee You're Making – how to create content that better identifies intent from today's b2b buyer.And, if you want an outside look at your content with actionable advice, take advantage of our Content Audit. Valued at $20K in free consulting---Is your messaging a sales ally or sneaky saboteur? Let us help with our free content audit.We'll look at your website's messaging, content, and conversion potential from the eyes of today's buyer and deliver a presentation with new combinations to more sales conversations and demos. And the best part? It's absolutely free. Get started today!

Utilizing the network effect by onboarding partners of customers simultaneously can lead to organic growth and increased platform adoption in SaaS companies. In this episode, Doug Heckman, Chief Solutions Officer at Surefront, discusses how they leveraged the network effect to drive and accelerate the adoption of their collaborative platform. By providing a no-cost license to every partner of their customers and handling the onboarding and training process at their own expense, Surefront facilitated a seamless transition for all parties involved. Doug also highlights his passion for solving "unsexy" but critical problems in the industry. The conversation provides deep insights into Surefront's journey, challenges, and innovative strategies to achieve success.This episode is ideal for individuals involved in enterprise software solutions and CEOs and CMOs of B2B SaaS firms looking for strategies to drive their businesses forward and accelerate growth.Key takeaways from this episode:How a deep commitment to customer success, especially at the enterprise level, can drive outsized growth and reputational benefitsStrategies to push customers off the status quo, including demonstrating the ROI of adopting a solution and highlighting the costs of doing nothingHow focusing on decision support content and targeting customers further down the buying cycle can lead to more impactful SaaS marketing effortsOther resources to check out:Interview with Vinay Bhagat, Founder and CEO of TrustRadius who publishes a yearly report about how B2B buyer behavior is changing.The Lead Gen Mistake I Guarantee You're Making – how to create content that better identifies intent from today's b2b buyer.And, if you want an outside look at your content with actionable advice, take advantage of our Content Audit. Valued at $20K in free consulting---Is your messaging a sales ally or sneaky saboteur? Let us help with our free content audit.We'll look at your website's messaging, content, and conversion potential from the eyes of today's buyer and deliver a presentation with new combinations to more sales conversations and demos. And the best part? It's absolutely free. Get started today!

The role of thought leadership is changing in content marketing, especially for SaaS companies. In this special episode hosted by Jason Myers, our usual host Ken Lempit, President and Chief Strategist of Austin Lawrence, takes the guest seat to dive deep into the evolving landscape of content marketing and thought leadership for SaaS companies. Ken and Jason discuss the shift towards creating high-quality, credible content that can truly engage and move prospects off their status quo, driven by an increasing demand for authenticity and value from consumers.The duo also delves into the importance of meaningful conversations and the need for sales and marketing teams to work closely together. They emphasize the value of understanding buyer motivations to refine messaging and go-to-market strategies and create content that addresses their specific problems and needs.Ken and Jason's insightful discussion covers thought leadership, content marketing, outbound sales motions, integrated marketing and sales approaches, and the changing landscape of B2B advertising. This episode is ideal for CMOs, CEOs, and SaaS industry sales professionals looking to accelerate growth, enhance profitability, and drive meaningful conversations with their target audience. Key takeaways from this episode:How to effectively attract and engage prospects with thought leadership contentWhy SaaS companies should reassess their content strategies in favor of how-to guides, infographics, and in-person experiencesHow to adapt to the increased necessity of paid promotion and advertisingOther resources to check out:Interview with Vinay Bhagat, Founder and CEO of TrustRadius who publishes a yearly report about how B2B buyer behavior is changing.The Lead Gen Mistake I Guarantee You're Making – how to create content that better identifies intent from today's b2b buyer.And, if you want an outside look at your content with actionable advice, take advantage of our Content Audit. Valued at $20K in free consulting---Is your messaging a sales ally or sneaky saboteur? Let us help with our free content audit.We'll look at your website's messaging, content, and conversion potential from the eyes of today's buyer and deliver a presentation with new combinations to more sales conversations and demos. And the best part? It's absolutely free. Get started today!

In SaaS companies, there's a need for sales and marketing teams to work together closely toward common goals and understand each other's perspectives.Amy Osmond Cook, co-founder and CMO at Fullcast recognizes this need. Fullcast's platform ensures all teams can access the same data to establish seamless communication and strategic alignment, eliminating revenue pain points and improving overall business efficiency.In this episode, Amy shares her journey from running a marketing agency to co-founding Fullcast and her experience as a woman in the C-Suite, offering advice to her younger self and women executives.Amy also dives into her extensive experiences as a fractional CMO and the advantages it offers SaaS startups, such as cost-effectiveness, flexibility, and the ability to scale operations up or down as needed.This episode is ideal for SaaS CEOs, CMOs, and startup founders looking to optimize their revenue operations, align sales and marketing efforts, and gain insights into the benefits of fractional CMO leadership.Key takeaways from this episode:The positive impact of effective revenue operations on SaaS companiesHow effective marketing in early stages can accelerate growth and ensure long-term success for SaaS startupsThe importance of perseverance and adaptability for women in leadership positionsOther resources to check out:Interview with Vinay Bhagat, Founder and CEO of TrustRadius who publishes a yearly report about how B2B buyer behavior is changing.The Lead Gen Mistake I Guarantee You're Making – how to create content that better identifies intent from today's b2b buyer.And, if you want an outside look at your content with actionable advice, take advantage of our Content Audit. Valued at $20K in free consulting.---Is your messaging a sales ally or sneaky saboteur? Let us help with our free content audit.We'll look at your website's messaging, content, and conversion potential from the eyes of today's buyer and deliver a presentation with new combinations to more sales conversations and demos. And the best part? It's absolutely free. Get started today!

Building a strong foundation is essential for long-term business success, especially when faced with unexpected challenges. We spoke with Dave Dittenber, Co-Founder and CEO of BYOD, who faced the ultimate challenge with the unexpected passing of his Co-Founder, Frank Luijckx. He recounts the loss and emphasizes how Frank's forward-thinking and meticulous planning had a lasting positive impact on the business's trajectory and contributed to its continued success.In this episode, Dave shares his remarkable journey from starting as a dishwasher at age 12 to becoming the CEO of a cutting-edge AI company that powers Mabel, the first virtual restaurant assistant. He also provides personal insights into the challenges and strategies of funding a tech startup, stressing the importance of prudent financial planning and maintaining investor confidence through transparency and strategic growth.Key takeaways from this episode:How active participation in industry associations offers key insights, connections, and mentorship for software entrepreneursHow transparency with investors helps build trust and drive business growthThe importance of thorough documentation, recovery plans, and strategic playbooksOther resources to check out:Interview with Vinay Bhagat, Founder and CEO of TrustRadius who publishes a yearly report about how B2B buyer behavior is changing.The Lead Gen Mistake I Guarantee You're Making – how to create content that better identifies intent from today's b2b buyer.And, if you want an outside look at your content with actionable advice, take advantage of our Content Audit. Valued at $20K in free consulting.---Is your messaging a sales ally or sneaky saboteur? Let us help with our free content audit.We'll look at your website's messaging, content, and conversion potential from the eyes of today's buyer and deliver a presentation with new combinations to more sales conversations and demos. And the best part? It's absolutely free. Get started today!

Building a business with the intention of a future sale requires meticulous planning and organization from the outset. In this episode, Payment Brokers Founder and CEO Jeremy Lessaris, a serial founder with multiple successful exits, emphasizes the importance of the early organization of books, records, contracts, and agreements as a critical factor in boosting valuation and streamlining the exit process.Jeremy also stresses the significance of maintaining a well-organized data room for due diligence during a business sale. He recommends creating a dashboard with KPIs and metrics to provide a clear overview of the company's performance and demonstrate the business's progress to potential buyers.Throughout this episode, Jeremy explains how SaaS entrepreneurs can position their companies for a seamless exit process and maximize their valuation when it comes time to sell.Key takeaways from this episode:Focusing on revenue generation early Keeping costs low while striving to reach revenue milestonesThe value of mentorship in helping entrepreneurs navigate business challengesOther resources to check out:Interview with Vinay Bhagat, Founder and CEO of TrustRadius who publishes a yearly report about how B2B buyer behavior is changing.The Lead Gen Mistake I Guarantee You're Making – how to create content that better identifies intent from today's b2b buyer.And, if you want an outside look at your content with actionable advice, take advantage of our Content Audit. Valued at $20K in free consulting.---Is your messaging a sales ally or sneaky saboteur? Let us help with our free content audit.We'll look at your website's messaging, content, and conversion potential from the eyes of today's buyer and deliver a presentation with new combinations to more sales conversations and demos. And the best part? It's absolutely free. Get started today!

Enterprise search has been around for quite some time, and it often conjures images of outdated intranet searches within the confines of an organization's internal networks.So how do you shift the focus from “old school” methods to a more dynamic, AI-powered approach that connects various applications, enabling intelligent query responses and contextually relevant summaries?That's the gist of the conversation with Brandon Most, Head of Marketing at GoLinks. In this episode, he also delves into the unique challenges of marketing multiple products with distinct brand identities and how to manage this within the market's shifting dynamics strategically.Key Takeaways from this episode:The transition from a product-led growth model to an enterprise motion, adapting to market changes and budget shifts.The nuances of executing a multi-product marketing strategy and the importance of qualified pipeline metrics over mere volume.The role of peer review sites in generating demand and supporting SEO efforts.---Is your messaging a sales ally or sneaky saboteur? Let us help with our free content audit.We'll look at your website's messaging, content, and conversion potential from the eyes of today's buyer and deliver a presentation with new combinations to more sales conversations and demos. And the best part? It's absolutely free. Get started today!

With a startling low average tenure of 18 months, today's Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) is struggling. The pressure primarily stems from the need to drive growth in a capital-efficient manner. This includes rapidly accelerating revenue growth while managing and optimizing the cost of sales and marketing operations, often within a constrained budget or shifting economic conditions. It's this intense focus on both top-line growth and cost efficiency that's contributing to the high turnover and short average tenure of CROs, as they must quickly demonstrate success in these areas.So, what can they do about it?In this episode, Guy Mounier, Co-founder and CEO of Aptivio returns to the podcast to talk about:How CROs can gain the visibility they need into their go-to-market motion so they can pull the right levers.Why working with recruiters may help to ensure a company is ready for a CRO before hiring.What the future sales tech stack and use of AI may look like. ---Is your messaging a sales ally or sneaky saboteur? Let us help with our free content audit.We'll look at your website's messaging, content, and conversion potential from the eyes of today's buyer and deliver a presentation with new combinations to more sales conversations and demos. And the best part? It's absolutely free. Get started today!