The Digital Marketing Mentor

Send us a textIn this second part of the "Best of SEO" series, industry leaders share their insights on creating compelling content that boosts organic traffic and supports strong SEO strategies. The episode explores the evolving relationship between AI and content integrity, the benefits of WordPress as an enterprise platform, and the critical role of brand building in search visibility. Additionally, our lineup of guests discuss how social proof, thought leadership, and offline branding can drive digital success, while offering practical tips for staying ahead in a rapidly changing SEO landscape. Tune in to discover how to maximize your visibility through curated content and how to adapt to the future of digital marketing.Episode Highlights:Industry leaders share personal stories about how mentorship and authentic self-expression have shaped their SEO careers and industry influence.  The episode explores the evolving importance of brand in SEO, emphasizing its role in building trust, authority, and long-term visibility, especially through social media and content marketing.  Experts discuss how AI is transforming content creation and SEO, making processes more efficient and future-proof, despite ongoing industry turbulence.  Practical insights are shared on how small businesses can leverage branding and offline momentum to compete with larger companies in search rankings.  The conversation highlights the necessity of continuous learning, networking, and adapting strategies—such as embracing AI tools and focusing on quality content—to succeed in SEO landscape. Episode Links:

Send us a textMentorship and representation transforms careers - this truth echoes throughout our conversations with leading SEO professionals in the first installment of our two-part "Best of SEO" episode series. From personal journeys to strategies for tackling the various technical aspects of SEO, our expert guests reveal how adaptable and human-centered SEO truly is. As they explore how AI is revolutionizing search, these conversations emphasize the importance of trust and reliability in the field, especially at pivotal career moments. Episode Highlights: Nine SEO industry leaders share personal stories about how mentorship and representation have significantly shaped their SEO careers.Guests discuss the importance of authentic self-expression, visibility, curiosity, and the willingness to learn from mistakes can inspire others in the SEO community.These SEO experts emphasize that effective SEO strategies are highly tailored to client needs, from technical SEO for large e-commerce sites to content-driven approaches for news outlets.The conversation explores how AI is transforming search, emphasizing the ongoing importance of trust, reliability, and innovative algorithms in the evolving landscape.Episode Links:

Send us a textIn this episode, Danny sits down with LinkedIn Ads expert AJ Wilcox to dive into his marketing journey, his views on mentorship, and his laser-sharp insights into B2B advertising on LinkedIn.AJ shares how a passion for teaching and authentic connection laid the foundation for B2Linked, an industry-leading agency for LinkedIn Ads. He discusses the power of mentorship, from hiking with his boss's boss to mentoring rising marketers in Utah, and shares the advertising strategies that generate real ROI.Episode Highlights: AJ explains why he left SEO and Google Ads behind to become a LinkedIn Ads specialist focused on high-quality B2B leads.He shares how weekly mentorship hikes evolved into a career-boosting tradition for local digital marketers.Learn the essential elements of effective LinkedIn targeting and why deeper funnel strategies outperform surface metrics.Discover the benefits of combining mentorship with marketing expertise—AJ shares his advice for building both.AJ compares native LinkedIn Lead Gen Forms vs. landing pages, and how to pick the right tool for your campaign goals.Episode Links:

Send us a textIn this episode of The Digital Marketing Mentor, Danny speaks with Chaya Glatt, a brand strategist and the founder of Brand Authority, about her journey from special education to branding and marketing. Chaya shares her thoughts on branding as a solution rather than just a service, offering insights into how businesses can use branding to solve real problems. The discussion touches on the importance of having a strong foundation in brand strategy and the dedication to gaining a deeper understanding of what branding can do for business growth. She also gives an honest take on parenting and building a successful career in digital marketing as a working mom.    Episode Highlights: Chaya shares how her unexpected journey from special education to branding led to her successful career in brand strategy.The discussion makes an argument for branding as a solution to business problems, defines it as more than just logos and visuals, and highlights the importance of creating messages that resonate with customers' true needs.Chaya shares actionable advice for startups and small businesses, placing emphasis on the importance of clear messaging and focus on client outreach before worrying about complex branding.She discusses the role of AI in branding and explains how it can assist with execution but will never replace the human-driven strategy behind strong brand development. Chaya encourages women to embrace their value and lean into the perspective and strengths that come with being a working mom. Episode Links: 

Send us a textIn this episode, Danny welcomes Sara Strickland, a former full-time NICU nurse turned paid search coordinator at Optidge. Sara shares her powerful journey of transitioning from saving lives in hospitals to optimizing Google Ads campaigns.She discusses the transferable skills from nursing—like pattern recognition and empathy—that have made her a natural in PPC. Along the way, she's found guidance from mentors (including her sister) and now mentors others through team training and client relationships.This conversation is packed with advice for anyone considering a leap into digital marketing from a non-traditional background.An Optidge “Office Hours” EpisodeOur Office Hours episodes are your go-to for details, how-to's, and advice on specific marketing topics. Join our fellow Optidge team members, and sometimes even 1:1 teachings from Danny himself, in these shorter, marketing-focused episodes every few weeks. Get ready to get marketing!Episode Highlights: Sara shares her inspiring journey from NICU nursing to digital marketing and the transferable skills that helped her thrive.She emphasizes the importance of mentorship in building confidence, particularly learning from her sister and colleagues.Sara explains how teaching others has helped solidify her own PPC knowledge and build client trust.Her advice to others considering a career pivot: test the waters, find a supportive environment, and always ask questions.Listeners gain a unique perspective on how empathy and structure from healthcare can enhance marketing strategy.Episode Links:

Send us a textIn this episode, Danny sits down with Susan Yen, a digital marketing expert with over seven years of experience in Pay-per-Click (PPC). Together, they discuss Susan's journey from her communications background to a career in paid search, her views on mentorship, and how diversity plays a crucial role in marketing. Susan talks about her experiences working in agency and in-house settings, the difficulties small businesses have with PPC, and how artificial intelligence is changing the sector.Episode Highlights: Susan shares her journey from struggling with traditional schooling to discovering her passion for marketing, detailing pivotal moments that led her to specialize in PPC.She highlights the importance of mentorship, crediting Navah Hopkins and Mark Irvine for encouraging her to speak at conferences and step out of her comfort zone.Susan discusses the common challenges local businesses face with PPC, stressing the importance of investing in digital marketing and understanding its potential for business growth.With a focus on diversity, Susan explains how companies can genuinely support diverse voices, going beyond tokenism to create meaningful change.As AI evolves in PPC, Susan emphasizes the need to balance technological tools with human creativity to maintain authenticity in marketing.Episode Links: 

Send us a textIn this episode, Danny dissects the intricacies of paid advertising with Grace Glass, Paid Social Media Strategist at Optidge. She shares her expertise in balancing creative and strategic elements to build high-performing campaigns, especially for beginners. Tune in to gain valuable insights on ad budget allocation, testing methodologies, campaign optimization, segmentation strategies, and common pitfalls to avoid for beginners. An Optidge "Office Hours" EpisodeOur Office Hours episodes are your go-to for details, how-to's, and advice on specific marketing topics. Join our fellow Optidge team members, and sometimes even 1:1 teachings from Danny himself, in these shorter, marketing-focused episodes every few weeks. Get ready to get marketing!Episode Highlights: Grace explains the difference between paid and organic social – emphasizing that paid social is necessary due to declining organic reach.This episode with Grace takes a closer look at why Meta is the best platform for beginners to start paid social due to its diverse audience targeting capabilities.In Grace's opinion, creative elements are one of the most crucial factors in ad performance as platforms increasingly automate audience targeting.She urges businesses to focus on conversions and cost-efficiency rather than vanity metrics like clicks.The episode shares through discussion and examples how regularly testing and optimizing ad creatives, audience segments, and budgets is key to a successful paid social campaign.Episode Links:

Send us a textIn this episode, Danny speaks with Jyll Saskin Gales, a Google Ads coach and former Google employee, about her journey from studying psychology to becoming a leader in digital advertising. Join us as Jyll shares insights on her time at Google, how she transitioned to consulting, and her approach to coaching and mentorship. She discusses personal branding, content creation, and the importance of audience segmentation in Google Ads. Jyll's experience offers helpful advice on optimizing ad effectiveness and business growth, applicable regardless of your level of experience with digital marketing. Episode Highlights: Jyll shares her journey from psychology to Google Ads mastery along with the importance of mentorship and strategic learning.She discusses the key differences between coaching and mentorship and how both play a role in personal and professional growth.Jyll dives into the immense value of niching down in marketing and how specificity in audience segmentation leads to stronger connections and business success.A firm belief Jyll has for businesses getting started in paid advertising, is to focus on establishing a solid organic marketing foundation to validate messaging.Her upcoming book, Inside Google Ads: Everything You Need to Know About Audience Targeting, explores the changes in audience segmentation and advertising.Episode Links: 

Send us a textThis episode of the Digital Marketing Mentor features Ameet Khabra, founder of Hopskip Media, who shares her unconventional journey from studying business administration to an unexpected stint in audio engineering, leading her to become a prominent figure in the PPC space. The conversation explores the importance of mentorship through nurturing community and personal passions, as well as dissects the role of AI and the value of asking the right questions. In this uplifting episode, Ameet's story serves as an inspiration for aspiring digital marketers, showcasing the power of curiosity, community, and confidence in navigating the complexities of the industry.Episode Highlights:Ameet shares her transition from business administration to marketing at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, where her exposure to email marketing and Google Ads sparked her interest in the field and her belief in the importance of curiosity and asking questions to unlock professional opportunities. She describes mentorship as a guiding relationship that fosters critical thinking and transparency, recounting experiences with mentors like Julie Friedman, Brian Smith, and Idras Fashan, to showcase how they've helped to broaden her perspective.  Ameet advocates for authenticity both in her personal relationships and her online presence, noting how her experience sharing personal stories and challenges has helped to position her as a reliable and relatable mentor and leader. Ameet and some of her latest research comparing human versus AI-generated copy reveals the significance of emotional context in effective marketing, advising caution regarding the implications of using AI in the advertising space. She encourages listeners to get involved in supportive online communities, crediting her early involvement in the Google Partner community for her proactive learning and networking opportunities. Episode Links: Follow Ameet on Social Media: Instagram: @adwordsgirlLinkedInFollow The Digital Marketing Mentor: Website and Blog: thedmmentor.com Instagram: @thedmmentor Linkedin: @thedmmentor YouTube: @thedmmentor Interested in Digital Marketing Services, Careers, or Courses? Check out more from the TDMM Family: Optidge.com - Full Service Digital Marketing Agency specializing in SEO, PPC, Paid Social, and Lead Generation efforts for established B2C and B2B businesses and organizations. ODEOacademy.com - Digital Marketing online education and course platform. ODEO gives you solid digital marketing knowledge to launch/boost your career or understand your business's digital marketing strategy.

Send us a textWhat happens when nearly two decades of digital marketing expertise, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a passion for mentorship converge? In this episode of The Digital Marketing Mentor, Danny Gavin sits down with Jeremiah Andrick, a seasoned digital marketing professional who has worked with powerhouse companies like Microsoft, Logitech, and SteelSeries. Jeremiah's journey is anything but conventional, as he shares how mentorship shaped his career, lessons learned from his immigrant grandfather, and his philosophy of building teams that thrive. Dive into this insightful conversation to learn how personal values, lifelong learning, and challenging the status quo can create extraordinary results in marketing and leadership.Episode Highlights: Jeremiah shares how mentorship is a two-way street, helping both mentor and mentee grow. He highlights the importance of shared learning, testing ideas, and embracing constructive challenges to achieve meaningful progress.In today's ever-changing digital landscape, Jeremiah emphasizes strategies like avoiding the ROAS trap, aligning marketing with financial goals, and revisiting fundamentals to create impactful, sustainable campaigns.Jeremiah shares how his immigrant grandfather and mentors like Lance Binley shaped his leadership approach, instilling values of resilience, fairness, and investing in others. He also stresses the importance of diverse teams and creating space for all voices to thrive.Episode Links: Jeremiah's Social MediaLinkedInInstagram Follow The Digital Marketing Mentor: Website and Blog: thedmmentor.com Instagram: @thedmmentor Linkedin: @thedmmentor YouTube: @thedmmentor Interested in Digital Marketing Services, Careers, or Courses? Check out more from the TDMM Family: Optidge.com - Full Service Digital Marketing Agency specializing in SEO, PPC, Paid Social, and Lead Generation efforts for established B2C and B2B businesses and organizations. ODEOacademy.com - Digital Marketing online education and course platform. ODEO gives you solid digital marketing knowledge to launch/boost your career or understand your business's digital marketing strategy.

Send us a textIn this Office Hours episode on The Digital Marketing Mentor Podcast, Danny sits down with Optidge's Head of Paid Search, Brianna Deboever, to dive deep into Google Ads. As our resident expert in paid search, she shares her insights on spotting red flags, optimizing campaign settings, and avoiding common pitfalls.  Whether you're a seasoned marketer or just getting started, this episode will guide you through building stronger, more efficient paid search campaigns. Our Office Hours episodes are your go-to for details, how-to's, and advice on specific marketing topics. Join our fellow Optidge team members, and sometimes even 1:1 teachings from Danny himself, in these shorter, marketing-focused episodes every few weeks. Get ready to get marketing!Episode Highlights: When it comes to Google Ads campaign setup, a few best practices include limiting ad groups to 3-7 keywords, avoiding overuse of broad match keywords, and setting location settings to “presence only.” Once your campaigns are ready to go live, Brianna recommends beginning with manual bidding and regular monitoring of conversion tracking to ensure accuracy and alignment before transitioning to automated tracking tactics. Brianna suggests incorporating negative keywords to reduce wasted ad spend and reviewing search terms frequently to refine keyword lists, assign accurate values to conversions, and enhance targeting. It's good practice to utilize tools like Clickcease, Google Tag Manager and GA4 in paid search to block spam traffic, streamline conversion tracking, and ensure alignment with campaign goals. Episode Links: Brianna's Linkedin Brianna's previous The Digital Marketing Mentor podcast episodeFollow The Digital Marketing Mentor: Website and Blog: thedmmentor.com Instagram: @thedmmentor Linkedin: @thedmmentor YouTube: @thedmmentor Interested in Digital Marketing Services, Careers, or Courses? Check out more from the TDMM Family: Optidge.com - Full Service Digital Marketing Agency specializing in SEO, PPC, Paid Social, and Lead Generation efforts for established B2C and B2B businesses and organizations. ODEOacademy.com - Digital Marketing online education and course platform. ODEO gives you solid digital marketing knowledge to launch/boost your career or understand your business's digital marketing strategy.

Send us a textWhat if the lessons of a logical classroom and a father's breakfast table could transform your approach to leadership and life? In this episode of The Digital Marketing Mentor, we talk with Bo Bothe, president and CEO of BrandExtract, a brand strategy firm in Houston, to discover insights gathered over the course of his career journey - from his education, leadership style, and the importance of mentorship. Bo highlights lessons from his father, his MBA experience, and the value of resilience, personal growth, and community. Bo also explores the challenges of hybrid work, detailing his company's evolving approach to maintaining team connection and productivity in a remote environment. Episode Highlights: Bo highlights the complexities of hybrid work, noting the challenges it poses for team connection and productivity. His company has experimented with various models over the years and has recently moved to a four-day in-office schedule to foster stronger collaboration.He considers his father as a pivotal mentor, whose resilience, positivity, and unconventional wisdom has dramatically shaped his outlook on life. He also mentors others, from employees to young people in sports, and believes in understanding individuals' personal visions and challenges. Bo values mentorship and takes a personalized approach, tailoring his guidance to individual needs to promote positive personal and professional growth. Episode Links: Bo's LinkedInBo's InstagramRecent Article on Mentorship and Hybrid Work by BoFollow The Digital Marketing Mentor: Website and Blog: thedmmentor.com Instagram: @thedmmentor Linkedin: @thedmmentor YouTube: @thedmmentor Interested in Digital Marketing Services, Careers, or Courses? Check out more from the TDMM Family: Optidge.com - Full Service Digital Marketing Agency specializing in SEO, PPC, Paid Social, and Lead Generation efforts for established B2C and B2B businesses and organizations. ODEOacademy.com - Digital Marketing online education and course platform. ODEO gives you solid digital marketing knowledge to launch/boost your career or understand your business's digital marketing strategy.

Send us a textIn this episode, Sophie Fell, Head of Paid Media at Liberty Marketing Group, shares her journey in digital marketing after motherhood, discussing her transition from managing Facebook posts for a startup to overseeing multi-million-dollar ad campaigns. She emphasizes the value of mentorship, data-driven decision-making, and the challenges faced with top-of-funnel PPC strategies. She highlights the advantages for beginners of being a “t-shaped marketer,” advocating for a blend of broad knowledge of all platforms with deeper specializations. The episode also explores the impact of AI on digital marketing and the evolving role of paid media professionals. Episode Highlights: Sophie built a successful career in PPC and paid media without a formal university degree. She started by managing Facebook posts for a startup and developed her skills through hands-on experience, emphasizing that practical knowledge often outweighs formal education in the marketing industry.Sophie views mentorship as a collaborative relationship built on trust and mutual respect. She credits her mentor, Kevin Ashley, for shaping her career and now mentors others within and outside of her agency, focusing on helping mentees define and achieve their goals.Sophie and Danny share in the belief in the advantages of being a “t-shaped marketer,” possessing a broad understanding across all platforms while having deeper expertise in one or two specific areas as they begin to align with career aspirations. Sophie highlights the critical role of data analysis and optimization in PPC, especially for beginners in the industry. While learning platform UIs is straightforward, understanding metrics, making data-driven decisions, and translating those insights into actions are what set top professionals apart.Many brands fail with top-of-funnel Google Ads campaigns because they focus on the wrong metrics, like direct conversions. Sophie advocates for redefining KPIs to measure engagement and awareness, which can better justify top-of-funnel strategies.Episode Links: Sophie's LinkedInSophie's XSophie's Book: Follow The Digital Marketing Mentor: Website and Blog: thedmmentor.com Instagram: @thedmmentor Linkedin: @thedmmentor YouTube: @thedmmentor Interested in Digital Marketing Services, Careers, or Courses? Check out more from the TDMM Family: Optidge.com - Full Service Digital Marketing Agency specializing in SEO, PPC, Paid Social, and Lead Generation efforts for established B2C and B2B businesses and organizations. ODEOacademy.com - Digital Marketing online education and course platform. ODEO gives you solid digital marketing knowledge to launch/boost your career or understand your business's digital marketing strategy.

Send us a textIn this episode, Danny speaks with Mike King, SEO pioneer and founder of iPullRank, to explore the power of authentic representation through mentorship in the field of digital marketing and SEO. They discuss Mike's journey from computer science to SEO leadership. These mentors helped shape his path and model for diversity in the industry and emphasized the importance of visibility for aspiring professionals reflecting all forms of diversity. Listeners will gain insights into the future of SEO, the impact of AI advancements, effective brand-building strategies, and tips on navigating the world of SEO and professional mentorship. Episode Highlights: Although Mike studied computer science, he found his true calling outside the classroom, ultimately leading him to a career in SEO.Mike discusses the importance of explicit and implicit mentors, crediting individuals like Tony Effick, Rand Fishkin, and Will Reynolds for guiding his growth in SEO and helping him think strategically about the big picture in digital marketing and professional network-building. Mike advises small businesses, particularly, to focus on building genuine brand connections and targeting long-tail keywords rather than relying on SEO shortcuts, as Google increasingly favors quality and user-focused content.With the rise of AI-driven search, Mike predicts that SEO optimization will shift toward micro-optimizations within specific content segments and leveraging structured data.Episode Links: Mike's LinkedInMike's InstagramMike's iPullRankFollow The Digital Marketing Mentor: Website and Blog: thedmmentor.com Instagram: @thedmmentor Linkedin: @thedmmentor YouTube: @thedmmentor Interested in Digital Marketing Services, Careers, or Courses? Check out more from the TDMM Family: Optidge.com - Full Service Digital Marketing Agency specializing in SEO, PPC, Paid Social, and Lead Generation efforts for established B2C and B2B businesses and organizations. ODEOacademy.com - Digital Marketing online education and course platform. ODEO gives you solid digital marketing knowledge to launch/boost your career or understand your business's digital marketing strategy.

Send us a textKaty Katz, Head of Digital Marketing and E-Commerce at Basic Fun!, discusses how mentorship, including her mother's early influence, shaped her career and approach to continuous learning in marketing. She emphasizes balancing creativity with data, fostering collaboration, and setting healthy boundaries to build effective growth-driven teams.Episode Highlights: Katy says traditional and non-traditional mentorship has always been incredibly important to her, and attributes her dedication to continuous learning in digital marketing from one of her earliest mentors, her mother. She values relationships that allow for mutual growth and learning, which she applies in her role as a leader.Her unique approach to marketing blends creativity with a data-driven mindset. This balance is critical because she leverages data for e-commerce while fostering creativity in toy marketing.Katy says it's easier to set boundaries when working at an agency than in-house because the former always has a clearly defined contract.Episode Links: Katy's LinkedInKaty's XFollow The Digital Marketing Mentor: Website and Blog: thedmmentor.com Instagram: @thedmmentor Linkedin: @thedmmentor YouTube: @thedmmentor Interested in Digital Marketing Services, Careers, or Courses? Check out more from the TDMM Family: Optidge.com - Full Service Digital Marketing Agency specializing in SEO, PPC, Paid Social, and Lead Generation efforts for established B2C and B2B businesses and organizations. ODEOacademy.com - Digital Marketing online education and course platform. ODEO gives you solid digital marketing knowledge to launch/boost your career or understand your business's digital marketing strategy.

Send us a textIn this special episode, Senior SEO Strategist Mandy Politi reveals key strategies for mastering SEO in the age of AI, focusing on Google's EEAT guidelines. Through the compelling case study of a real Optidge client, Mandy and Danny highlight the risks of relying too heavily on AI-generated content for the sake of ramping up quantity, emphasizing the importance of aligning content with user intent. The conversation shares expert insights on on-page and local SEO, comprehensive content audits, addressing technical challenges, and best practices to ensure long-term success in search rankings.An Optidge "Office Hours" EpisodeOur Office Hours episodes are your go-to for details, how-to's, and advice on specific marketing topics. Join our fellow Optidge team members, and sometimes even 1:1 teachings from Danny himself, in these shorter, marketing-focused episodes every few weeks. Get ready to get marketing!Episode Highlights: Mandy emphasized that AI is a valuable tool but must be used in alignment with Google's EEAT guidelines. Content created at scale using AI can lead to a dramatic drop in traffic if it prioritizes search rankings over user experience and relevance, as seen with Client X.Taking the approach of targeting every possible keyword, even those that are irrelevant, and producing low-quality content are both harmful tactics for a website's long-term performance. These strategies were especially detrimental for a business in the medical field, where establishing trustworthiness is essential. Unqualified traffic results in users quickly exiting the site, signaling to Google that the content is irrelevant, leading to drops in rankings and overall site performance. The conversation highlighted that duplicating content, especially using AI, dilutes SEO value and confuses Google about which pages to rank. For Client X, this led to non-indexed pages, poor rankings, and irrelevant traffic, showing the importance of targeting the right keywords and maintaining content quality.The solution lies in a thorough content and technical audit, focusing on removing irrelevant content, resolving duplication, and optimizing for qualified traffic. By following these best practices, the client could see improvements in traffic and conversions over time.Episode Links: Mandy's LinkedInAnother TDMM episode with MandyOptidge blog on this case studyFollow The Digital Marketing Mentor: Website and Blog: thedmmentor.com Instagram: @thedmmentor Linkedin: @thedmmentor YouTube: @thedmmentor Interested in Digital Marketing Services, Careers, or Courses? Check out more from the TDMM Family: Optidge.com - Full Service Digital Marketing Agency specializing in SEO, PPC, Paid Social, and Lead Generation efforts for established B2C and B2B businesses and organizations. ODEOacademy.com - Digital Marketing online education and course platform. ODEO gives you solid digital marketing knowledge to launch/boost your career or understand your business's digital marketing strategy.

Send us a textIn this episode of The Digital Marketing Mentor, Danny talks with Mordy Oberstein, Head of Brand SEO at Wix, about his unique career path from teaching to SEO expertise. Mordy discusses the importance of mentorship and education, Wix's SEO transformation, and the impact of brand identity on search rankings. He also shares insights on balancing brand building with performance marketing, along with personal stories like his love for the Yankees and ground coffee.Episode Highlights:Mordy views mentorship as a deep interpersonal relationship, where mentors guide by sharing life experiences rather than just teaching skills. Key traits of a mentor include forgiveness, effective communication, and having a clear vision.Mordy says it was community engagement, product improvements, and strategic rebranding efforts that helped propel Wix into an SEO leader in the industry. Mordy emphasized the growing importance of brand marketing in SEO, arguing that brand identity, recognition, and reputation can significantly boost search engine rankings and long-term success.Mordy explained the tension between performance marketing, which seeks immediate results, and brand marketing, which focuses on long-term relationship building. He stressed the need for businesses to balance both approaches for sustainable growth.Episode Links: Mordy's LinkedInMordy's XMordy's podcast, the SEO RantFollow The Digital Marketing Mentor: Website and Blog: thedmmentor.com Instagram: @thedmmentor Linkedin: @thedmmentor YouTube: @thedmmentor Interested in Digital Marketing Services, Careers, or Courses? Check out more from the TDMM Family: Optidge.com - Full Service Digital Marketing Agency specializing in SEO, PPC, Paid Social, and Lead Generation efforts for established B2C and B2B businesses and organizations. ODEOacademy.com - Digital Marketing online education and course platform. ODEO gives you solid digital marketing knowledge to launch/boost your career or understand your business's digital marketing strategy.

Send us a textIn this episode of the Digital Marketing Mentor podcast, host Danny Gavin sits down with Ross Hudgens, the founder and CEO of Siege Media. Ross shares his journey from studying creative writing to scaling one of the leading content marketing agencies through discussion on the role of mentorship, strategies for scaling a business, and evolving SEO practices in the age of AI. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned marketer, this episode offers practical advice and insights on business growth and effective digital marketing.Episode Highlights: Mentorship has played a crucial role in Ross's career. Influential digital marketing figures and direct competitors such as Grayson LaFrance and Wil Reynolds have provided guidance and support in his successful pursuit of scaling Siege Media. Effectively scaling his agency has meant Ross has had to learn to delegate responsibilities, particularly in sales and operations. Ross's approach to SEO has evolved from traditional link building to “product-led digital PR.” This includes creating unique, data-driven content that stands out in a digital landscape. Episode Links: Siege Media Ross LinkedInRoss's XRoss's InstagramFollow The Digital Marketing Mentor: Website and Blog: thedmmentor.com Instagram: @thedmmentor Linkedin: @thedmmentor YouTube: @thedmmentor Interested in Digital Marketing Services, Careers, or Courses? Check out more from the TDMM Family: Optidge.com - Full Service Digital Marketing Agency specializing in SEO, PPC, Paid Social, and Lead Generation efforts for established B2C and B2B businesses and organizations. ODEOacademy.com - Digital Marketing online education and course platform. ODEO gives you solid digital marketing knowledge to launch/boost your career or understand your business's digital marketing strategy.

Send us a textIt's been said that the future of digital marketing is female: creative, data-driven, and unstoppable. Join us for an inspiring episode of the Digital Marketing Mentor as we explore and reflect on past conversations that follow the remarkable journeys of women who are breaking barriers and redefining the industry. From embracing unexpected or unplanned career transitions and the importance of mentorship to overcoming imposter syndrome and balancing expectations, this group of women is laying the groundwork for the next generation and leading the charge in digital transformation.Episode Highlights From journalism and physical therapy to theater and psychology, these inspiring women shed light on the non-linear career paths that can lead to success in digital marketing. The prevalence of imposter syndrome and self-doubt in the workplace is growing and it's crucial to proactively address it by finding mentors and prioritizing continuous learning.Mentorship has played a crucial role in all of these women's lives - fostering community and inclusivity in the workplace and allowing them to effectively build careers they are proud of. This episode highlights the importance of supporting the next generation of female digital marketers by creating new opportunities, bridging skill gaps, and promoting diversity and inclusion.Episode LinksSarah Presch, Purna Virji, Tracy Murray, Vicky Charleston, Sicily Dickenson, Navah Hopkins, Shelly Fagin, Adele Beiny, Emily Ryan, Batli Joselevitz, Allie Danzinger, Follow The Digital Marketing Mentor: Website and Blog: thedmmentor.com Instagram: @thedmmentor Linkedin: @thedmmentor YouTube: @thedmmentor Interested in Digital Marketing Services, Careers, or Courses? Check out more from the TDMM Family: Optidge.com - Full Service Digital Marketing Agency specializing in SEO, PPC, Paid Social, and Lead Generation efforts for established B2C and B2B businesses and organizations. ODEOacademy.com - Digital Marketing online education and course platform. ODEO gives you solid digital marketing knowledge to launch/boost your career or understand your business's digital marketing strategy.

Send us a textThe perfect blend of digital marketing and psychology, this discussion features Sarah Presch, Digital Marketing Director of Dragon Metrics, who shares her journey from studying marketing to pursuing psychology, emphasizing the critical role of understanding consumer behavior in this space. The conversation explores the rewarding nature of mentorship, emphasizing mutual learning, humility, structured success plans, and regular check-ins. In this episode, Sarah explores ethical considerations in digital marketing and SEO, including the influence of cognitive bias, the importance of psychological safety, and the challenges of ethical content creation. The discussion wraps with Sarah's passion for music as a therapeutic tool and how it's all tied into her achievements with Dragon Metrics. Episode Highlights: Understanding human behavior is crucial in marketing and the intersection between psychology and marketing promotes innovation and perspective.Sarah founded Neurodivergents in SEO to provide a safe space for digital marketing professionals on the spectrum to talk and learn about marketing career paths. Ethical considerations that exist in digital marketing and SEO, include the influence of cognitive bias - specifically a user's confirmation bias, the importance of psychological safety, and the challenges of ethical content creation.She stresses the importance for marketers in understanding an audience's culture and language. Episode Links: Sarah's professional websiteSarah's LinkedInSarah's XDragon Metrics websiteDragon Metrics LinkedIn Neurodivergents in SEOFollow The Digital Marketing Mentor: Website and Blog: thedmmentor.com Instagram: @thedmmentor Linkedin: @thedmmentor YouTube: @thedmmentor Interested in Digital Marketing Services, Careers, or Courses? Check out more from the TDMM Family: Optidge.com - Full Service Digital Marketing Agency specializing in SEO, PPC, Paid Social, and Lead Generation efforts for established B2C and B2B businesses and organizations. ODEOacademy.com - Digital Marketing online education and course platform. ODEO gives you solid digital marketing knowledge to launch/boost your career or understand your business's digital marketing strategy.

Send us a Text Message.This episode of The Digital Marketing Mentor takes us through the remarkable journey of Julia McCoy, President of Content at Scale, whose early struggles finding a passion inspired a career transition to the world of freelancing.  In overcoming doubts and with the support of mentors along the way, she's turned storytelling passion into a thriving career, pioneering several approaches to marry SEO, content creation, and AI to enhance efficiency and productivity. Julia reveals her take on the role of mentorship in shaping our professional paths - sharing stories of support through her launch into public speaking and entrepreneurial pursuits.  Tune in to hear Julia's predictions on the future of content and SEO, and how AI is powering the charge. Episode Highlights: Having transitioned to digital marketing, Julia shares her take on how mentorship plays a crucial role in shaping career paths, sharing stories of her own mentors who have encouraged her to step into entrepreneurship and embrace public speaking. Julia says content writers should embrace the arrival of AI and learn to use it to their advantage, harnessing the power of these tools for more creative content solutions. Julia has launched a feature that allows AI to replicate a writer's style and unique voice which helps maintain brand identity and integrity. Her Unified Editor tool allows anyone to create powerful content regardless of their writing experience making the writing process more accessible and efficient. AI is revolutionizing content marketing by allowing writers to focus on strategic thinking and creativity while keeping burnout at bay. Episode Links: Julia's LinkedinJulia's InstagramJulia's YouTubeJulia's booksContent at ScaleFollow The Digital Marketing Mentor: Website and Blog: thedmmentor.com Instagram: @thedmmentor Linkedin: @thedmmentor YouTube: @thedmmentor Interested in Digital Marketing Services, Careers, or Courses? Check out more from the TDMM Family: Optidge.com - Full Service Digital Marketing Agency specializing in SEO, PPC, Paid Social, and Lead Generation efforts for established B2C and B2B businesses and organizations. ODEOacademy.com - Digital Marketing online education and course platform. ODEO gives you solid digital marketing knowledge to launch/boost your career or understand your business's digital marketing strategy.

Send us a Text Message.In this ‘Office Hours' episode, we examine PPC budget management closely. We speak with paid search analyst, Alejandro Torres, whose frustration with unpredictability of Google Ads' spend tracking led to a revolutionary solution. With the assistance of his team, they built a robust tool designed to help them with pacing the spending schedule and optimizing the budgets of PPC campaigns for their clients. Tune into an episode packed full of tips on the technical aspects, team collaboration, and unique challenges faced in managing PPC campaigns. An Optidge "Office Hours" EpisodeOur Office Hours episodes are your go-to for details, how-to's, and advice on specific marketing topics. Join our fellow Optidge team members, and sometimes even 1:1 teachings from Danny himself, in these shorter, marketing-focused episodes every few weeks. Get ready to get marketing!Episode Highlights: Despite Alejandro's initial disinterest in digital marketing in college, his path led him back, allowing him to apply his practical knowledge in finance and management to his current role on the Optidge PPC team. Alejandro initially heard about an innovative, data-tracking PPC tool, Dataslayer, from another department at Optidge and began testing the tool to see how its capabilities might help handle the headache of tracking PPC campaign spending. Dataslayer and the custom solution put together by Alejandro and the team can now accurately monitor the spending habits of multiple campaigns at once and notify the PPC team when they're under or overspending (with special thanks to color coding).Episode Links:Alejandro's LinkedInDataslayer Optidge PPC Services Follow The Digital Marketing Mentor: Website and Blog: thedmmentor.com Instagram: @thedmmentor Linkedin: @thedmmentor YouTube: @thedmmentor Interested in Digital Marketing Services, Careers, or Courses? Check out more from the TDMM Family: Optidge.com - Full Service Digital Marketing Agency specializing in SEO, PPC, Paid Social, and Lead Generation efforts for established B2C and B2B businesses and organizations. ODEOacademy.com - Digital Marketing online education and course platform. ODEO gives you solid digital marketing knowledge to launch/boost your career or understand your business's digital marketing strategy.

Send us a Text Message.Join us as we uncover the transformative power of mentorship and cause-driven marketing with Aimee Woodall, founder of The Black Sheep Agency. Amy unpacks her public relations experience for political initiatives and the pivotal role that her academic journey played in shaping her passion for politics and communication. She fondly recalls some of her most influential mentorship experiences and highlights the evolution of mentorship in business. Finally, we journey through Aimee's establishment of a cause-driven agency, discussing the challenges and rewards of prioritizing social responsibility in marketing. Episode HighlightsAimee defines the relationship between a mentor and a mentee as a two-way street where both parties learn from the experience with each other.One of Aimee's mentors showed her that there could be meaning behind her work, and that propelled her into cause-driven marketing.One of the greatest gifts Aimee received from her work is learning about all the different social challenges in our society and how to weave social responsibility into marketing strategies. Episode Links Black Sheep AgencyAimee's LinkedinAimee's InstagramAimee's XFollow The Digital Marketing Mentor: Website and Blog: thedmmentor.com Instagram: @thedmmentor Linkedin: @thedmmentor YouTube: @thedmmentor Interested in Digital Marketing Services, Careers, or Courses? Check out more from the TDMM Family: Optidge.com - Full Service Digital Marketing Agency specializing in SEO, PPC, Paid Social, and Lead Generation efforts for established B2C and B2B businesses and organizations. ODEOacademy.com - Digital Marketing online education and course platform. ODEO gives you solid digital marketing knowledge to launch/boost your career or understand your business's digital marketing strategy.

Send us a Text Message.This episode of the Digital Marketing Mentor takes us back to the classroom as we talk with Noah Frydberg, full-time university student at the University of Texas and founder of the multi-million dollar social media marketing agency, Maverick Creative. We discuss with this young entrepreneur about his greatest mentor, what led him to take the leap into starting his own company, and why he feels TikTok is a social media marketing goldmine that's being underutilized by businesses looking to scale.Episode Highlights TikTok offers an incredible opportunity to grow your company or brand. Noah highly recommends taking the time to completely understand this social media platform's potential for creators of all types.As a member of Gen Z,  Noah has used his age to his advantage. He often pursues clients looking to access that specific market. Noah is in a unique position as an entrepreneur in his generation that can make the most from his tremendous knowledge of TikTok.Noah's greatest mentor has been his father. He's shown him the art of cold-calling, managing client demands, and making the sale and Noah has carried those attributes to his company when mentoring his own employees. Episode LinksNoah's TikTokNoah's LinkedInMaverick Creative WebsiteFollow The Digital Marketing Mentor: Website and Blog: thedmmentor.com Instagram: @thedmmentor Linkedin: @thedmmentor YouTube: @thedmmentor Interested in Digital Marketing Services, Careers, or Courses? Check out more from the TDMM Family: Optidge.com - Full Service Digital Marketing Agency specializing in SEO, PPC, Paid Social, and Lead Generation efforts for established B2C and B2B businesses and organizations. ODEOacademy.com - Digital Marketing online education and course platform. ODEO gives you solid digital marketing knowledge to launch/boost your career or understand your business's digital marketing strategy.

Send us a Text Message.Pack your bags and join us as we head to Minnesota to speak with Nick LeRoy, freelance SEO consultant and owner of SEOjobs.com.  In today's episode of the Digital Marketing Mentor Podcast, we'll explore how Nick hit the ground running by learning SEO in his first job out of college. Having experienced several professional setbacks, he shares how he used this experience and leaned into mentors to propel him into entrepreneurship and a freelance career in SEO. We'll hear about his passion project, SEOJobs.com, and his vision to revolutionize the SEO job market. Episode Highlights:Nick's love of SEO began after learning the necessary skills on the job straight out of university. He credits reading ‘how to' books at the local Barnes and Noble with helping him to understand the subject.According to Nick, a mentor challenges another's thinking and provides necessary guidance.After losing his job twice, Nick has learned that he prefers working as a freelance SEO consultant instead of within an agency. Being his own boss allows him to be brutally honest with his clients, and he feels he produces better work.The keys to success in the SEO industry include strong communication, genuine curiosity for SEO, and understanding the industry's ‘hard skills.'Nick enjoys mentoring uniquely by offering advisory services and actively seeking out employment opportunities for SEO professionals through his passion project, SEOjobs.com. Episode Links: Nick's Leroy's Company: Nick Leroy Consulting  Nick's  X account  Nick's  LinkedIn  SEO job board seojobs.comFollow The Digital Marketing Mentor: Website and Blog: thedmmentor.com Instagram: @thedmmentor Linkedin: @thedmmentor YouTube: @thedmmentor Interested in Digital Marketing Services, Careers, or Courses? Check out more from the TDMM Family: Optidge.com - Full Service Digital Marketing Agency specializing in SEO, PPC, Paid Social, and Lead Generation efforts for established B2C and B2B businesses and organizations. ODEOacademy.com - Digital Marketing online education and course platform. ODEO gives you solid digital marketing knowledge to launch/boost your career or understand your business's digital marketing strategy.

Buckle up for today's episode as the Digital Marketing Mentor takes you on an exciting journey with Wil Reynolds, the founder, and VP of Innovation at SEER Interactive. As one of the most esteemed digital marketing agencies in the U.S., we'll talk to this former economics teacher about his life-long passion for learning, creating value, and giving back to others and what led to his creation of SEER Interactive. Wil also discusses the power of mentorship and the importance of the human connection with customers through SEO in the face of growing AI influence. Episode Highlights Wil's passion for giving back, creating change, and making an impact was born from his early professional years as an economics teacher. His passion was put into overdrive after being denied the opportunity to volunteer, which became a significant value he instilled in the creation of SEER Interactive. Wil has been grateful for his mentors throughout his career and says they have taught him some of his most valuable life lessons. The truest indication that a mentor has done a good job is when the mentee has outgrown them, which has happened to Wil several times. Will is not anti-SEO. Instead, he supports the most ‘frictionless' way for users to access their desired information, which seems to be through AI. The invention of AI has undoubtedly helped with SEO and content creation. However, Wil says it's important not to lose the human connection,  including using your ideas instead of those from a bot and connecting with your viewers through organic social media traffic.Episode LinksWil Reynolds LinkedInWil Reynolds YouTubeWil Reynolds InstagramSeer Interactive Website Seer Interactive LinkedInFollow The Digital Marketing Mentor: Website and Blog: thedmmentor.com Instagram: @thedmmentor Linkedin: @thedmmentor YouTube: @thedmmentor Interested in Digital Marketing Services, Careers, or Courses? Check out more from the TDMM Family: Optidge.com - Full Service Digital Marketing Agency specializing in SEO, PPC, Paid Social, and Lead Generation efforts for established B2C and B2B businesses and organizations. ODEOacademy.com - Digital Marketing online education and course platform. ODEO gives you solid digital marketing knowledge to launch/boost your career or understand your business's digital marketing strategy.

This episode features Purna Virji, principal consultant of Content Solutions at LinkedIn, and explores her holistic view of content marketing. She dives into what has shaped her perspective through her 20-year career in marketing as a content creator, program manager, SEO public, instructional designer, and brand evangelist. Tune in to learn more about mentorship's role in Purna's journey in content marketing and hear some of the best engagement tips from one of the industry's social media marketing gurus. Episode Highlights Purna says her life purpose is to ‘lift others' through education and empowerment.  She's an active mentor to many professionals and feels the responsibility of the job includes shining the light on their strengths and talents while providing constructive criticism. Purna herself has several high-profile mentors she calls her ‘board of directors'. They are a fabulous sounding board when she has questions.The foundation of successful marketing content rests in knowing your audience. Purna stresses the importance of  ‘studying your customers' to learn what they want, their motivations, and their problems. When you understand your audience, the content will write itself. Additionally, a company must identify its core values, brand purpose, and the ‘connective tissue' that links its audience to its product or service. Purna compares a brand's message to water; it can take the shape of any container. So often, content that hasn't been working is tossed. Purna argues that instead of wasting time creating new content, well-researched and ideated material can be reused or repurposed on a different platform; it still has value.Episode LinksPurna's LinkedInPurna's X Follow The Digital Marketing Mentor: Website and Blog: thedmmentor.com Instagram: @thedmmentor Linkedin: @thedmmentor YouTube: @thedmmentor Interested in Digital Marketing Services, Careers, or Courses? Check out more from the TDMM Family: Optidge.com - Full Service Digital Marketing Agency specializing in SEO, PPC, Paid Social, and Lead Generation efforts for established B2C and B2B businesses and organizations. ODEOacademy.com - Digital Marketing online education and course platform. ODEO gives you solid digital marketing knowledge to launch/boost your career or understand your business's digital marketing strategy.

Join us for this special episode of The Digital Marketing Mentor as we reflect on our conversations with various guests about their experiences with PPC advertising. We cover everything from why our guests entered this industry to bid management, control metrics, conversion tracking, and GA4. Whether you're new to PPC or a seasoned pro, this Best of PPC episode will offer advice and anecdotes regarding this rapidly evolving industry. Episode Highlights The many experts we've interviewed about PPC advertisingI seem to share a few understandings: A detailed PPC audit is an excellent way to ensure a new or revamped campaign will move in the right direction and best utilize company budgets.Manual vs. automatic bidding tends to be a popular topic in the PPC community and our guests believe that the intent and goals behind the campaign should drive the bidding strategy. Digital marketers must pay more attention to the power of good ad copy as even small changes can steer a PPC campaign in the right direction.In a lead generation campaign, some key indicators to evaluate and frame the budget include the length of the campaign (how long it has been running), CPL to acquisition, visibility, and conversion rate. PPC experts emphasize the value of attribution since the cost-per-lead data often drives the connection between campaign results and company growth.Google's elimination of third-party cookies will most impact companies that don't conduct online transactions or have an e-commerce presence as it will make accessing customer data more difficult. Episode Links Susan Wenograd - Mastering Google Ads: Secrets to Success in Search, Speaking, and StrategyNavah Hopkins - English, Ethics, Education, and Encouragement in Paid SearchSarah Stemen - Effective Digital Marketing and Entrepreneurial EndeavorsDuane Brown - Destination: Digital Marketing Data  Kirk Williams - Speaking, Sparking Connections, Star Wars, and (Google) Shopping Brianna Deboever -  Office Hours | Making Alphabet Soup for Lead Quality: PPC, UTM, CRM, and MoreRachel Howle -  Office Hours  | ManuFollow The Digital Marketing Mentor: Website and Blog: thedmmentor.com Instagram: @thedmmentor Linkedin: @thedmmentor YouTube: @thedmmentor Interested in Digital Marketing Services, Careers, or Courses? Check out more from the TDMM Family: Optidge.com - Full Service Digital Marketing Agency specializing in SEO, PPC, Paid Social, and Lead Generation efforts for established B2C and B2B businesses and organizations. ODEOacademy.com - Digital Marketing online education and course platform. ODEO gives you solid digital marketing knowledge to launch/boost your career or understand your business's digital marketing strategy.

Join us for an inspiring episode as we explore Brie Anderson's journey from soccer scholarship to digital marketing expertise, discovering the power of saying “YES!” to opportunities and effective mentorship. Gain valuable insights into navigating digital landscapes, leveraging data, and empowering yourself in today's ever-evolving world. Don't miss this enriching discussion filled with actionable analytics advice.Episode Highlights Brie Anderson's journey from scholarship soccer student athlete to digital marketing showcases the importance of embracing opportunities. Transitioning from communications to digital marketing, she learned and grew by saying "Yes" to new experiences. Mentors like her first boss and industry leaders guided her journey.For Brie, mentorship is about open communication and taking initiative. She shares her experiences and insights to support others facing similar challenges. Despite initially not seeing herself as a mentor, her wife helped her see that her openness with her mental health struggles and readiness to share her technical skills and knowledge certainly qualifies her as a mentor to others. As the founder of BEAST Analytics, she helps clients understand and use data effectively, navigating changes like the shift to Google Analytics 4. Brie empowers clients to adapt to evolving digital trends while addressing privacy concerns. Through education and practical advice, she ensures their digital strategies remain effective and responsive.Episode Links Brie's LinkedInBEAST Analytics website Brie's email InstagramFollow The Digital Marketing Mentor: Website and Blog: thedmmentor.com Instagram: @thedmmentor Linkedin: @thedmmentor YouTube: @thedmmentor Interested in Digital Marketing Services, Careers, or Courses? Check out more from the TDMM Family: Optidge.com - Full Service Digital Marketing Agency specializing in SEO, PPC, Paid Social, and Lead Generation efforts for established B2C and B2B businesses and organizations. ODEOacademy.com - Digital Marketing online education and course platform. ODEO gives you solid digital marketing knowledge to launch/boost your career or understand your business's digital marketing strategy.

In this episode, learn how Optidge teamed up with Berlin Heart to customize HubSpot, revolutionizing their data management. Explore the challenges Berlin Heart faced with spreadsheets and discover how Optidge customized HubSpot to streamline workflows and enable remote accessibility. Hear about the benefits of tailored CRM solutions and join us as we uncover the transformative power of this partnership with Berlin Heart. An Optidge "Office Hours" EpisodeOur Office Hours episodes are your go-to for details, how-to's, and advice on specific marketing topics. Join our fellow Optidge team members, and sometimes even 1:1 teachings from Danny himself, in these shorter, marketing-focused episodes every few weeks. Get ready to get marketing!Episode Highlights Berlin Heart came to Optidge to help set up Hubspot, a customer relationship management system (CRM), for their unique needs. As a medical device company that develops, produces, and markets innovative devices for mechanically supporting the heart, Berlin Heart needed the CRM to do more, and be more of a database management system. They needed to transition from a system of data management that existed in 12-20 spreadsheets, only accessible in the office, with multiple redundancies - to a cloud-based, interconnected database of data. They needed to track hospitals, staff, patients, devices, training logs, status updates, maintenance records, and more. And they needed to know their information was up-to-date and accurate.Optidge utilized Hubspot's custom objects to build out an expansive, interconnected database system for Berlin Heart. Through the creation and customization of custom objects, they could oversee a variety of data points configured in different ways. They could see all the device pump changes and their next needed timing. They could view all the patient status updates for a given week in one table. They could also look at a specific device and see which hospital, patient, staff, and crate it was currently connected to. Episode LinksBerlin Heart Berlin Heart LinkedInFollow The Digital Marketing Mentor: Website and Blog: thedmmentor.com Instagram: @thedmmentor Linkedin: @thedmmentor YouTube: @thedmmentor Interested in Digital Marketing Services, Careers, or Courses? Check out more from the TDMM Family: Optidge.com - Full Service Digital Marketing Agency specializing in SEO, PPC, Paid Social, and Lead Generation efforts for established B2C and B2B businesses and organizations. ODEOacademy.com - Digital Marketing online education and course platform. ODEO gives you solid digital marketing knowledge to launch/boost your career or understand your business's digital marketing strategy.

Discover Andrea Cruz's journey from Venezuela to Boston, mastering business administration and international marketing. Learn about the power of mentorship and the intricacies of B2B marketing in this insightful episode.Episode Highlights Andrea Cruz's journey from Venezuela to Boston shaped her into a versatile business professional. Her degrees in Business Administration and International Business equipped her with digital marketing skills ahead of their time. Mentors like Jeremy Krantz, AJ Wilcox, and JD Prater played pivotal roles, guiding her through career transitions and public speaking fears.Embracing diversity in Massachusetts, Andrea thrived among various cultures, fostering a deep understanding of global perspectives. Fluent in multiple languages, she embodies a polyglot identity, enhancing her ability to empathize and connect across diverse communities. Andrea's dedication to mentorship reflects her belief in holistic growth, emphasizing emotional openness and strategic planning.As a B2B marketing enthusiast, Andrea challenges misconceptions and advocates for personalized strategies. Her managerial role allows her to empathize with team members and champion inclusive, hands-on leadership. With a passion for niche verticals and brand differentiation, she navigates the complexities of B2B marketing with creativity and purpose, emphasizing customer-centric approaches for sustainable growth.Episode LinksTinuitiLinkedInX/TwitterFollow The Digital Marketing Mentor: Website and Blog: thedmmentor.com Instagram: @thedmmentor Linkedin: @thedmmentor YouTube: @thedmmentor Interested in Digital Marketing Services, Careers, or Courses? Check out more from the TDMM Family: Optidge.com - Full Service Digital Marketing Agency specializing in SEO, PPC, Paid Social, and Lead Generation efforts for established B2C and B2B businesses and organizations. ODEOacademy.com - Digital Marketing online education and course platform. ODEO gives you solid digital marketing knowledge to launch/boost your career or understand your business's digital marketing strategy.

Join Susan Wenograd as she shares her journey in digital marketing, blending creativity with practicality. Explore mentorship insights and the evolving landscape of Google Ads and new strategies to optimize in a post-cookie world! Episode Highlights Susan Wenograd, characterized by her unique blend of practicality and creativity, recounts her transformative journey from initially considering film studies to ultimately carving out a successful career in the realm of digital marketing. Through her experiences, she embodies the ethos of adaptability and perseverance, demonstrating how embracing both sides of her personality has been instrumental in navigating the complexities of the industry.Susan has seen a profound impact from mentors like Mike King and Jeremy Bloom, whose guidance transcends conventional boundaries, offering Susan holistic insights that extend far beyond their apparent roles. Their mentorship serves as a testament to the power of genuine connections and the invaluable lessons that emerge from meaningful relationships within one's professional journey.Susan dives into the deep, ever-evolving world of Google Ads. She provides valuable insights into strategic shifts in bidding tactics, optimizations, and the differences in strategies over the past decade (and more). She offers a glimpse into her entrepreneurial venture with Can'tdles, a candle-making business that beautifully intertwines her creative flair with astute business acumen. Through her multifaceted experiences, Susan offers a compelling narrative that underscores the importance of adaptability, mentorship, and embracing one's unique blend of skills and passions in navigating the complexities of the modern business world.Episode LinksSusanWenograd.com Susan's LinkedInTwitterFollow The Digital Marketing Mentor: Website and Blog: thedmmentor.com Instagram: @thedmmentor Linkedin: @thedmmentor YouTube: @thedmmentor Interested in Digital Marketing Services, Careers, or Courses? Check out more from the TDMM Family: Optidge.com - Full Service Digital Marketing Agency specializing in SEO, PPC, Paid Social, and Lead Generation efforts for established B2C and B2B businesses and organizations. ODEOacademy.com - Digital Marketing online education and course platform. ODEO gives you solid digital marketing knowledge to launch/boost your career or understand your business's digital marketing strategy.

Join us for a captivating conversation with Britney Muller, where she delves into the realms of mentorship, AI innovations, and her enchanting ASL escapades. Explore the intersection of expertise and experience in this digital marketing adventure!Episode HighlightsBritney Muller shares her journey from pre-med to journalism to internet marketing, emphasizing learning beyond the classroom through diverse experiences like waitressing and mentorship from industry giants like Rand Fishkin. She reflects on the pivotal role of informal mentorship, highlighting relationships that blur the line between guidance and friendship.In the realm of AI, Muller warns against overreliance on LLMs for deterministic tasks like keyword research. She predicts a surge in industry-specific LLMs and advocates for thoughtful integration to maximize their potential. She discusses the importance of diversity in AI and shares a paper about the affinity group talks she saw poorly attended at NeurIPS. Additionally, she sheds light on biases in AI models and the importance of transparency in mitigating them.Beyond AI, Muller discusses her passion for American Sign Language, recounting inventive experiences like introducing ASL interpretation on ski slopes. She emphasizes the value of quality content over quantity in marketing and PR strategies. Through her diverse interests and expertise, Muller offers valuable insights into navigating the ever-evolving landscape of technology and communication.Episode Links Website - Data Sci 101Website - Britney MullerArticle/Paper re: Indigenous NAI researchersBlack in AIMuslim in AIIndigenous in AILatinX in AIFollow The Digital Marketing Mentor: Website and Blog: thedmmentor.com Instagram: @thedmmentor Linkedin: @thedmmentor YouTube: @thedmmentor Interested in Digital Marketing Services, Careers, or Courses? Check out more from the TDMM Family: Optidge.com - Full Service Digital Marketing Agency specializing in SEO, PPC, Paid Social, and Lead Generation efforts for established B2C and B2B businesses and organizations. ODEOacademy.com - Digital Marketing online education and course platform. ODEO gives you solid digital marketing knowledge to launch/boost your career or understand your business's digital marketing strategy.

Join us on this episode as Andrew Foxwell shares his journey from St. Olaf University through Capitol Hill to California, revealing how mentorship played a pivotal role in his career. Discover the inception of Foxwell Founders, a thriving community connecting marketers and mentors. Andrew reflects on the power of mentorship, the challenges of parenting during a pandemic, and the evolution of digital advertising and paid social on platforms like TikTok.Episode HighlightsAt St. Olaf University, Andrew Foxwell delved into political science and business, finding solace in the college's renowned music program. As a choir member, he embraced singing as a unique form of worship, considering choir practice a meditative escape from the complexities of daily life. Andrew's journey into the political arena began in rural Minnesota, fueled by a fascination with government and a desire to be 'in the room where it happens.' His active involvement in political campaigns, including volunteering in the 2008 presidential campaign, eventually led him to a life-changing role in Washington, D.C. Working for a congressional representative.The pivotal moment for Andrew in the realm of digital advertising occurred when Congress allowed social media ads. This opened the door for Andrew to run ads on platforms like Facebook and Google, eventually leading him to specialize in Facebook Ads. His journey into the advertising world involved working with a diverse range of politicians and agencies, fostering a bipartisan approach to his work. This experience laid the foundation for his later endeavors in mentoring and community building within the digital marketing space.Foxwell Founders (FF) is a community founded by Andrew Foxwell, focusing on digital marketing mentorship and collaboration. Initially created to facilitate discussions on social media advertising challenges, FF has grown into a substantial online community of marketers. The community aims to provide a platform for members to seek guidance, learn, and connect with mentors. They've expanded their topics of discussion and launched specific communities, like the PPC community. Foxwell Founders is dedicated to building self-sustaining programs, fostering mentorship, and helping members learn and grow in the ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing.Episode LinksFoxwellDigital.comEmail – andrew@foxwelldigital.comAndrew's LinkedInFollow The Digital Marketing Mentor: Website and Blog: thedmmentor.com Instagram: @thedmmentor Linkedin: @thedmmentor YouTube: @thedmmentor Interested in Digital Marketing Services, Careers, or Courses? Check out more from the TDMM Family: Optidge.com - Full Service Digital Marketing Agency specializing in SEO, PPC, Paid Social, and Lead Generation efforts for established B2C and B2B businesses and organizations. ODEOacademy.com - Digital Marketing online education and course platform. ODEO gives you solid digital marketing knowledge to launch/boost your career or understand your business's digital marketing strategy.

In this episode, Raphael Gavin, the media-production master, spills the beans on navigating the advertising industry, humorous entry to his career, and the transformative power of mentorship. From his accidental title upgrade to the importance of tailored guidance, dive into the world of advertising with wit and wisdom.Episode HighlightsRaphael Gavin, son of advertising legend Louis Gavin, found his own path in advertising after a chance meeting during his time at his father's agency. He believes no degree can match the power of learning from experience.Raphael emphasizes three key elements of mentorship: clear communication, mutual trust, and tailored guidance. His mentors include his wife and agency co-founder Sean Dawson, who shaped his business acumen and taught him how to always show up better the next time. As a mentor, Raphael prioritizes support, sharing experiences, and acknowledging that mentees may surpass their mentors. Flexibility, highlighted by COVID-19, is crucial in adapting to unpredictable situations in the advertising industry.Raphael's advertising journey, starting as an account executive, led him to appreciate production. Despite challenges, working with family accelerated his career growth, providing constant strategic discussions at work and home.Episode LinksLevergyInstagramXLinkedInRaphael's LinkedInJay Steinfeld EpisodeFollow The Digital Marketing Mentor: Website and Blog: thedmmentor.com Instagram: @thedmmentor Linkedin: @thedmmentor YouTube: @thedmmentor Interested in Digital Marketing Services, Careers, or Courses? Check out more from the TDMM Family: Optidge.com - Full Service Digital Marketing Agency specializing in SEO, PPC, Paid Social, and Lead Generation efforts for established B2C and B2B businesses and organizations. ODEOacademy.com - Digital Marketing online education and course platform. ODEO gives you solid digital marketing knowledge to launch/boost your career or understand your business's digital marketing strategy.

Join us in this episode as we hear about Sarah Stemen's journey from programming through in-house marketing to starting her own business. From unexpected mentorship lessons to the art of being an accessible mentor, Sarah spills the beans on agency struggles, the power of conversation in consulting, and her unique approach to Google Ads. Episode HighlightsSarah Stemen began her digital marketing journey before the field fully existed, transitioning from a tech-focused background with an MBA pivot into marketing. Sarah's genuine care for doing good is reflected in her mentoring style. Accessible at any hour, she emphasizes nonjudgmental advice and building trust with mentees.Like many agencies, Sarah faces challenges marketing her own business. Limited budgets and the common struggle with being objective about one's own business guide her choices, emphasizing outsourcing for content and SEO.With the guidance of other agency professionals, Sarah challenges the notion that agency success correlates with size, limiting her clients to four. Her focused, strategic approach echoes the value of staying small and niche. Like a video game player who is a “button-masher,” Sarah goes into a new client's Google Ad account and pushes every button. She will find the settings and patterns to optimize an account through her own discovery. Episode Links: Kirk Williams EpisodeKirk Williams Book - Stop the ScaleAkvile's recommendation: Jasper AISarah Stemen LLC Sarah's SocialsLinkedInX/TwitterInstagramTikTokFollow The Digital Marketing Mentor: Website and Blog: thedmmentor.com Instagram: @thedmmentor Linkedin: @thedmmentor YouTube: @thedmmentor Interested in Digital Marketing Services, Careers, or Courses? Check out more from the TDMM Family: Optidge.com - Full Service Digital Marketing Agency specializing in SEO, PPC, Paid Social, and Lead Generation efforts for established B2C and B2B businesses and organizations. ODEOacademy.com - Digital Marketing online education and course platform. ODEO gives you solid digital marketing knowledge to launch/boost your career or understand your business's digital marketing strategy.

On this special Office Hours episode, we are talking with Tracy about making a grand career change. After nearly a decade of working, after achieving a doctorate in physical therapy, Tracy transitioned to freelance work in marketing. Listen in to hear how she faced the questions, both from others and herself, the imposter syndrome, and the challenges of starting a new career. An Optidge "Office Hours" EpisodeOur Office Hours episodes are your go-to for details, how-to's, and advice on specific marketing topics. Join our fellow Optidge team members, and sometimes even 1:1 teachings from Danny himself, in these shorter, marketing-focused episodes every few weeks. Get ready to get marketing!Episode Highlights Tracy, a physical therapy director, felt unfulfilled and anxious in her 9-5 healthcare job. Pandemic uncertainties pushed her to transition to digital marketing, finding solace in ODEO's tailored support for career shifts. Leaving her secure job, Tracy navigated through a grieving process for her previous profession. And despite missing in-office friendships, she found new camaraderie in the dynamic world of digital marketing.Tracy challenges the notion of university degrees as essential for marketing. ODEO, with its tailored support, exemplifies how knowledge and training are more accessible today. Soft skills from diverse backgrounds seamlessly translate into digital marketing.Tracy's transition from a corporate salary to freelancing involved careful financial planning. She embraced a mindset shift, starting a few rungs lower on the career ladder, valuing service and adding value. Imposter syndrome is tackled through accountability and recognizing growth.Episode Links: Tracy's LinkedInOptidge Website Follow The Digital Marketing Mentor: Website and Blog: thedmmentor.com Instagram: @thedmmentor Linkedin: @thedmmentor YouTube: @thedmmentor Interested in Digital Marketing Services, Careers, or Courses? Check out more from the TDMM Family: Optidge.com - Full Service Digital Marketing Agency specializing in SEO, PPC, Paid Social, and Lead Generation efforts for established B2C and B2B businesses and organizations. ODEOacademy.com - Digital Marketing online education and course platform. ODEO gives you solid digital marketing knowledge to launch/boost your career or understand your business's digital marketing strategy.

Venture on Vicky Charleston's transformative journey from art student to corporate leader. Uncover the profound impact of mentors, familial wisdom, and the challenges of breaking biases in the corporate realm. Explore the multi-chromatic blend of creativity and analytics in her digital marketing odyssey, proving that artistry and strategy can coalesce seamlessly.Episode Highlights Vicky Charleston's journey from abstract art studies at the University of Houston to graphic design success is marked by academic achievements, including a selective entry into the junior block of the graphic design program. She remembers this accomplishment to this day if she ever doubts herself. Vicky's father, a strict military man with artistic insight, instilled valuable life lessons in his children throughout their whole lives. His encouragement, overcoming humble beginnings, motivated her through doubts. The mantra "never be afraid to ask" remains a guiding principle in her life. Vicky emphasizes the impact of mentors throughout her career, acknowledging those who invested in her growth. She reciprocates by mentoring others, emphasizing honesty, listening, and empathy as essential mentorship qualities.As a woman of color in leadership, Vicky gracefully navigates biases and challenges in organizations. She highlights the importance of representation for younger people of color, and her education through Optidge's ODEO digital marketing program broadened her digital marketing knowledge, proving the value of diverse skill sets.Episode Links: Vicky's LinkedInFollow The Digital Marketing Mentor: Website and Blog: thedmmentor.com Instagram: @thedmmentor Linkedin: @thedmmentor YouTube: @thedmmentor Interested in Digital Marketing Services, Careers, or Courses? Check out more from the TDMM Family: Optidge.com - Full Service Digital Marketing Agency specializing in SEO, PPC, Paid Social, and Lead Generation efforts for established B2C and B2B businesses and organizations. ODEOacademy.com - Digital Marketing online education and course platform. ODEO gives you solid digital marketing knowledge to launch/boost your career or understand your business's digital marketing strategy.

Explore the dynamic world of social media advertising with Joseph Wolf, Optidge's Head of Paid Social. From diverse campaign strategies to understanding audience behaviors, uncover the importance of quality over quantity and the nuances of tracking for optimal results. Join us as we debunk common myths and gain insights into crafting effective social media campaigns.An Optidge "Office Hours" EpisodeOur Office Hours episodes are your go-to for details, how-to's, and advice on specific marketing topics. Join our fellow Optidge team members, and sometimes even 1:1 teachings from Danny himself, in these shorter, marketing-focused episodes every few weeks. Get ready to get marketing!Episode HighlightsJoseph Wolf's passion for marketing ignited in high school, leading him from a marketing degree at St. Edward's University to honing analytical skills in business intelligence. His career journey and expertise truly bloomed at Optidge.Contrary to common advice from big media buyers and Meta reps, diversification is crucial for effective advertising, especially in low-budget scenarios. Joe advocates varied campaigns, content, and audience targeting to achieve success without massive spending.Dispelling the myth of broad targeting success, Joe emphasizes diversification in demographics, regions, interests, and creative. Backup audiences play a vital role, ensuring sustained success as specific audiences may lose efficacy over time.Optidge's approach prioritizes lead quality over quantity. Joe recommends focusing on the relationship between CPL and lead quality, leveraging diverse campaigns, and testing creatively to achieve success in the evolving landscape of paid social advertising.Episode LinksJoseph's LinkedInOptidge Website For the full list of episode links, visit our main page. Follow The Digital Marketing Mentor: Website and Blog: thedmmentor.com Instagram: @thedmmentor Linkedin: @thedmmentor YouTube: @thedmmentor Interested in Digital Marketing Services, Careers, or Courses? Check out more from the TDMM Family: Optidge.com - Full Service Digital Marketing Agency specializing in SEO, PPC, Paid Social, and Lead Generation efforts for established B2C and B2B businesses and organizations. ODEOacademy.com - Digital Marketing online education and course platform. ODEO gives you solid digital marketing knowledge to launch/boost your career or understand your business's digital marketing strategy.

Join us as Stacey Piefer shares her transformative career, from journalism to purposeful, personal branding. Discover the power of mentoring, authenticity, and Stacey's mission to banish imposter syndrome on the University of Houston campus. Unveil the truth in advertising and explore the evolving landscape of marketing through the lens of a perpetual student of life.Episode Highlights Stacey Piefer's journey began in broadcast journalism at Alvin Community College and led to a degree in Communications and Public Relations at the University of Houston. This shaped her impactful career in communications, personal branding, and career coaching.Stacey emphasizes kindness, influencing, and listening as key mentorship skills. At the University of Houston's Bauer College of Business, she and her colleagues adopt diverse mentoring approaches, prioritizing what's best for each student.Stacey's transition from PR to branding at Savage Brands led her to discover her purpose, evolving from "express" to proudly identifying as a "guide." Authenticity is the cornerstone of personal branding, embracing uniqueness and multi-dimensionality.Stacey challenges the term "imposter syndrome," aiming to debunk the notion that students should feel fraudulent for being in a continuous learning phase. She advocates building confidence and dispelling unrealistic expectations, fostering a culture of growth and authenticity at the University of Houston.Episode Links: LinkedInStacey PieferBauer College of Business - Rockwell Career CenterFollow The Digital Marketing Mentor: Website and Blog: thedmmentor.com Instagram: @thedmmentor Linkedin: @thedmmentor YouTube: @thedmmentor Interested in Digital Marketing Services, Careers, or Courses? Check out more from the TDMM Family: Optidge.com - Full Service Digital Marketing Agency specializing in SEO, PPC, Paid Social, and Lead Generation efforts for established B2C and B2B businesses and organizations. ODEOacademy.com - Digital Marketing online education and course platform. ODEO gives you solid digital marketing knowledge to launch/boost your career or understand your business's digital marketing strategy.

In today's episode, hear Pinny's extraordinary journey from Montreal to Harvard, shaped by mentorship, global ventures, and entrepreneurship. Discover the transformative power of an unconventional Rabbi, lessons from a father who survived the Holocaust, and the innovative era of early digital marketing with Ice.com. Join us for a conversation on life's variety of experiences, business adventures, and the joy of being a "Zadie."Episode HighlightsWith an education that spans Montreal, Los Angeles, London, and New York, two master's degrees, and a current Harvard degree program, Pinny has a unique upbringing and education. Guided by a Rabbi who taught him to go against the grain, he started his career in digital marketing with confidence and creativity that took him very far. Pinny views mentors as guides, not answer-providers. His Harvard-assigned coach trades coaching for Chassidus study with Pinny. Pinny, as his mentors have for him, now emphasizes clarity without ego and letting others do the important work of arriving at their own solutions.Pinny's venture, Ice.com, was a trailblazer in the early anarchic days of digital marketing. Starting in 1999, he navigated challenges, including high website setup costs, utilizing PPC ads, and employing customer-focused rebranding strategies.Diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, Pinny embraced it as a revelation. Armed with newfound understanding, he strategically surrounds himself with finishers, leveraging his creativity while learning to navigate and thrive with ADHD in both personal and professional endeavors.Episode Links: Pinny's LinkedInDelmar JewelersFollow The Digital Marketing Mentor: Website and Blog: thedmmentor.com Instagram: @thedmmentor Linkedin: @thedmmentor YouTube: @thedmmentor Interested in Digital Marketing Services, Careers, or Courses? Check out more from the TDMM Family: Optidge.com - Full Service Digital Marketing Agency specializing in SEO, PPC, Paid Social, and Lead Generation efforts for established B2C and B2B businesses and organizations. ODEOacademy.com - Digital Marketing online education and course platform. ODEO gives you solid digital marketing knowledge to launch/boost your career or understand your business's digital marketing strategy.

In this episode, we explore Sicily Dickenson's unique journey from film to marketing, driven by fearless challenges and mentorships. Learn how she shapes careers, empowers customers, and tackles the intricacies of national brand marketing. Discover the importance of likability and responding to challenges in the make-or-break moments of branding. Episode Highlights Sicily started her career in the film industry to satisfy her love of creativity, working with others, and storytelling. She learned she was destined for a different industry and used her familiarity with computers (thanks to learning digital editing software in college) to enter the world of digital marketing. A mentor, for Sicily, is someone with close proximity and immediate feedback. Her fearless approach led her to new roles, like VP of Marketing at NRG, mentored by Brad Fogle. Later, Karen Jones became a significant mentor, guiding Sicily's growth and even recommending her as CMO.Sicily must believe in her mentees. She relates mentoring to the Montessori principle of teaching to master a concept. At Sun & Ski, she emphasizes customer empowerment and likability in marketing, tackling challenges from revitalizing sales to managing diverse regional preferences.Episode Links: Lightning Round - BooksTomorrow, and Tomorrow, and TomorrowHello BeautifulYellow FaceSun & SkiSicily's LinkedInFollow The Digital Marketing Mentor: Website and Blog: thedmmentor.com Instagram: @thedmmentor Linkedin: @thedmmentor YouTube: @thedmmentor Interested in Digital Marketing Services, Careers, or Courses? Check out more from the TDMM Family: Optidge.com - Full Service Digital Marketing Agency specializing in SEO, PPC, Paid Social, and Lead Generation efforts for established B2C and B2B businesses and organizations. ODEOacademy.com - Digital Marketing online education and course platform. ODEO gives you solid digital marketing knowledge to launch/boost your career or understand your business's digital marketing strategy.

In today's episode, we discover the transformative journey of Natara Branch, from her early experiences at the University of Houston through her unprecedented career at the NFL to her pivotal role in cultivating a thriving startup ecosystem, as she leads Houston Exponential in redefining the city's identity beyond its traditional industries.Episode HighlightsNatara Branch calls Houston home, even if she's not a native Houstonian. And Houston happily welcomes Natara into its family. She attended the University of Houston after falling in love with its scrappy, underdog personality on a campus tour. After growing up in a military household, the blue sky, no guardrail type of dreaming and thinking that happened there was pivotal to her future career. She has taken the concept of mentors and meshed it with a concept from a book she read many years ago and now has a life board of advisors. These people are family, friends, professional acquaintances, and former mentees of hers who mentor her in all aspects of her life. Mentors help hone and add polish to your life. At Houston Exponential, Natara is passionate about its goal to bring startups and entrepreneurs to the Houston Region and help nurture partnerships and collaborations between new businesses and the legacy industries (petroleum and healthcare). She sees all the amazing things happening in the Houston Metro and is determined to help the city market itself and the amazing opportunities it offers. Episode LinksHouston Exponential WebsiteLinkedInInstagramX - TwitterYouTubeNatara's LinkedInFollow The Digital Marketing Mentor: Website and Blog: thedmmentor.com Instagram: @thedmmentor Linkedin: @thedmmentor YouTube: @thedmmentor Interested in Digital Marketing Services, Careers, or Courses? Check out more from the TDMM Family: Optidge.com - Full Service Digital Marketing Agency specializing in SEO, PPC, Paid Social, and Lead Generation efforts for established B2C and B2B businesses and organizations. ODEOacademy.com - Digital Marketing online education and course platform. ODEO gives you solid digital marketing knowledge to launch/boost your career or understand your business's digital marketing strategy.

Join us in this episode as Duane Brown, Founder & Head of Strategy at Take Some Risk Inc.,   shares his unique journey from college in Canada to the realm of digital marketing, unveiling the power of mentorship, strategic PPC tactics, and the often-overlooked nuances of data analysis in advertising.Episode Highlights Duane Brown first started his career in Public Relations after attending college and then university and getting two marketing certificates. His first (hard-won) digital marketing position taught him many business skills and PPC. He's worked in the data-rich realm of paid search and paid social advertising ever since. Mentorship should be tailored to the person. A mentor is someone who will root for you to succeed but not just give you the answers. They should guide you in your journey. He finds it necessary to discover what motivates his mentees and what they want to work on. He will then try and find the points where the business can help them achieve their goals. Ultimately, PPC is about taking action. Duane and his team have a general rule that if a campaign is performing poorly for three or more days, that's no longer an anomaly and has become a trend, and you need to make a change. People often underestimate the power of good ad copy and of delving deep into the data of a campaign. He knows how beneficial it can be to look deeper than just campaign-level metrics into the SKU, ad level, keyword, and ad group data. Episode Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/duanebrown/?originalSubdomain=caWebsite: https://www.takesomerisk.com/about/Blogs: https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/author/duane-brownArticles: https://www.appbind.com/agency-connect-featuring-duane-brown/Twitter: @DuaneBrownFollow The Digital Marketing Mentor: Website and Blog: thedmmentor.com Instagram: @thedmmentor Linkedin: @thedmmentor YouTube: @thedmmentor Interested in Digital Marketing Services, Careers, or Courses? Check out more from the TDMM Family: Optidge.com - Full Service Digital Marketing Agency specializing in SEO, PPC, Paid Social, and Lead Generation efforts for established B2C and B2B businesses and organizations. ODEOacademy.com - Digital Marketing online education and course platform. ODEO gives you solid digital marketing knowledge to launch/boost your career or understand your business's digital marketing strategy.

In today's office hours episode, we discuss all things data-driven marketing with Optidge's Caroline Pham. She shares insights on creating and optimizing paid search campaigns, goal-type selection, and navigating budget increases. You'll also learn how her drawing of a Dalmatian won her Best of Show at the Houston Rodeo and set her on her path to a great career in digital marketing.An Optidge Office Hours EpisodeOur Office Hours episodes are your go-to for details, how-to's, and advice on specific marketing topics. Join our fellow Optidge team members, and sometimes even 1:1 teachings from Danny himself, in these shorter, marketing-focused episodes every few weeks. Get ready to get marketing!Episode Highlights: Caroline Pham is a paid search strategist. Her journey into digital marketing started with a Rodeo award-winning drawing of a Dalmatian puppy. She then explored her creative side and realized that advertising was the path she wanted to take. While attending the University of Texas's advertising program, she discovered her aptitude and inclination for data and statistics. When it comes to setting the best foundation for a successful paid search campaign, Caroline knows that clear, solid goals are the place to start. Once the goal is determined, all other questions can be answered. For paid search, the goal is usually sales. When choosing between Cost Per Lead and Cost Per Acquisition, she operates by the rule of thumb of 30 days. If the conversion window is longer than 30 days, CPL will be the best metric on which to optimize. Finally, if you have a campaign that is being limited by budget but is still performing well, the “budget increase” conversation can be an easy one to have. It's essential to look at several metrics like share of voice, visibility, industry conversion rate, and more to determine what the ideal budget could be. Then you start the conversation armed with the data showing how the campaign can bring the client even more sales, and isn't that why we're doing all of this anyway?Episode Links: Previous Podcast Episodes ft. Blinds.comJay SteinfeldMosheh PoltorakDaniel CotlarOptidge.com - Paid SearchFollow The Digital Marketing Mentor: Website and Blog: thedmmentor.com Instagram: @thedmmentor Linkedin: @thedmmentor YouTube: @thedmmentor Interested in Digital Marketing Services, Careers, or Courses? Check out more from the TDMM Family: Optidge.com - Full Service Digital Marketing Agency specializing in SEO, PPC, Paid Social, and Lead Generation efforts for established B2C and B2B businesses and organizations. ODEOacademy.com - Digital Marketing online education and course platform. ODEO gives you solid digital marketing knowledge to launch/boost your career or understand your business's digital marketing strategy.

Today, we delve into Eric Vardon's journey from pioneering the digital marketing landscape in the 90s to co-founding and gracefully selling his first agency, Arcane. We discuss the valuable lessons in mentorship, business growth, and smooth acquisitions he's learned along the way.  Episode Highlights Eric Vardon started his career by finding one of the only colleges near him offering a website coding and development course. He then went on to co-found All Maple Apparel. While that may sound like a clothing store, which it did evolve into, it originated as more of an e-zine (like an internet magazine, a format popular before blogs took over). It started out discussing all things happening locally to them in Canada, and eventually, merchandising became a piece of their offerings, and that blossomed into a couple of brick-and-mortar All Maple Apparel stores. Eventually, they couldn't keep up with the need for capital investment and had to close down. A mentor is someone who sees something in you that you can't see in yourself. It's usually a reflection of something they see in themselves. For Eric, there's also a sort of connection or spark that happens right away when a mentorship begins. Eric has had a few impactful mentors, including his business partner, other co-founders, and an investor. They've all taught him many business and life skills and have done a brilliant job of keeping ego out of the way to maximize personal and business growth. Eric has gone through the mergers & acquisitions (M&A) process with his first agency, Arcane Agency. He and his co-founder came to that business with the knowledge and internal resolution to replace themselves and get out of the way of the business as soon as possible. They've always known what they were good at and what they weren't. They utilized an M&A firm to manage their transition, and while expensive, it was worth it as they managed to help a process often fraught with issues go incredibly smoothly. Episode Links: Eric VardonEventConnectSocials:LinkedInFollow The Digital Marketing Mentor: Website and Blog: thedmmentor.com Instagram: @thedmmentor Linkedin: @thedmmentor YouTube: @thedmmentor Interested in Digital Marketing Services, Careers, or Courses? Check out more from the TDMM Family: Optidge.com - Full Service Digital Marketing Agency specializing in SEO, PPC, Paid Social, and Lead Generation efforts for established B2C and B2B businesses and organizations. ODEOacademy.com - Digital Marketing online education and course platform. ODEO gives you solid digital marketing knowledge to launch/boost your career or understand your business's digital marketing strategy.

Today's episode brings us the story of Alison Reeves, a business and mindset coach. We learn how she grew through mentors and mastermind courses to offer her coaching services today. She also gives plenty of tips and marketing tools you can use today to help improve your reach and marketing strategy! Episode HighlightsAlison Reeves is a business and mindset coach. She came to this niche via a bachelor's degree in leadership from a small Bible College in Houston. Through her time as a mentee and a mentor, Alison has come to define a mentor as someone who can both show you the way and help you find your own way. She's also learned that some mentorships can become toxic if they focus on high-pressure sales tactics instead of aligning with the mentee's true goals and personality. After fighting her way out of mastermind course addiction, Alison has learned so much about mindset and nervous system work and how it plays into one's own business. She's become a certified Somatic Coach, and even the clients who come to her for business coaching often find themselves drifting into mindset work over their time with Alison. Audience Borrowing is the most missed/under-utilized marketing tactic, according to Alison. It's a great marketing tool and can manifest in a few different forms:Podcasts - Having guests and being a guestGuest bloggingBundles and summitsShout-outs on social mediaEmail swappingEpisode Links: WebsiteEverything - All her linksSocial MediaFacebookYoutubeInstagramThe Mind Your Marketing PodcastFollow The Digital Marketing Mentor: Website and Blog: thedmmentor.com Instagram: @thedmmentor Linkedin: @thedmmentor YouTube: @thedmmentor Interested in Digital Marketing Services, Careers, or Courses? Check out more from the TDMM Family: Optidge.com - Full Service Digital Marketing Agency specializing in SEO, PPC, Paid Social, and Lead Generation efforts for established B2C and B2B businesses and organizations. ODEOacademy.com - Digital Marketing online education and course platform. ODEO gives you solid digital marketing knowledge to launch/boost your career or understand your business's digital marketing strategy.

From an early dream of becoming an English teacher to her pivotal shift into the marketing world, Navah's story is a testament to following one's true calling. Discover how her mentors shaped her into a professional and compassionate leader, and explore mentorship strategies that have left a lasting impact. Navah shares invaluable insights on digital marketing trends, data privacy, and the surprising findings from Optmyzer's recent study. Whether you're an experienced marketer or a newcomer, Navah's wisdom will leave you inspired and better equipped for success in the dynamic realm of digital marketing. Episode Highlights: Navah Hopkins originally wanted to be an English teacher, so determined her 3rd-grade self. Through education and honest family guidance, that became marketing. After starting in SEO and there being an ethical mismatch with the strategy she was working within, she found herself in the world of non-profits and eventually Paid Search. She's had mentors who helped grow her into an empowerer of colleagues, a better public speaker and marketer, and more confident in growing herself. One of her mentees (with whom she connected playing video games) went from a $500/month stipend to her paying them $10k/mo in billable hours within a year. She finds incredible joy in helping others learn how to help themselves. Optmyzer released a study reviewing the efficacy of broad match v. exact match keyword strategies. Navah discusses how she had to adopt a new approach to paid search strategy upon reviewing the results as they contradicted her previous position. She loves getting to learn new and challenging evidence. Episode Links: NavahLinkedInOptmyzerSearch Engine Journal - Ask a PPCPaid Search AssociationZina KayyaliPurna VirjiHigh Impact Content Marketing Shelly Fagin EpisodeOptmyzer StudyFollow The Digital Marketing Mentor: Website and Blog: thedmmentor.com Instagram: @thedmmentor Linkedin: @thedmmentor YouTube: @thedmmentor Interested in Digital Marketing Services, Careers, or Courses? Check out more from the TDMM Family: Optidge.com - Full Service Digital Marketing Agency specializing in SEO, PPC, Paid Social, and Lead Generation efforts for established B2C and B2B businesses and organizations. ODEOacademy.com - Digital Marketing online education and course platform. ODEO gives you solid digital marketing knowledge to launch/boost your career or understand your business's digital marketing strategy.

Two of the key responsibilities of account management are expectation management and client onboarding. In this episode, we learn from Jenna Meldrum, account manager extraordinaire at Optidge, how a successful onboarding process sets the tone for the rest of your client relationship. We also learn how to manage delicate conversations about scope and upsells and how to manage the people on both sides of the table: your team and the client. An Optidge "Office Hours" EpisodeOur Office Hours episodes are your go-to for details, how-to's, and advice on specific marketing topics. Join our fellow Optidge team members, and sometimes even 1:1 teachings from Danny himself, in these shorter, marketing-focused episodes every few weeks. Get ready to get marketing!Episode HighlightsClient onboarding is your first impression of a client and their first impression of the agency. It will set the tone for the rest of the relationship. It should be done for clients of any size or duration. We always need to ensure everyone has what they need for success and that expectations are appropriately set. Upselling can be a delicate balance to manage in client conversation, especially as it relates to setting (and resetting) expectations and defining scope. Oftentimes, when a client asks if something is in scope, it's innocent. If they want something out of scope, this is a great time to discuss an upsell. When bringing an upsell idea to a client, they can get upset because they might not want to spend more money. It's important to steer the conversation back to the notion that we simply want to support the client and saw this opportunity for growth and shared it. There's no pressure. Quick tips on client communication for Account ManagersRead the room. If you have a client you can't joke around with, then don't. If they're a more serious person and don't turn on the cameras in meetings, mirror that. Whatever they do, you do. That said, don't dull your sparkle. There will be clients you can be bubbly and bright with. When it comes to communication - there's no such thing as too much. Stay on top of it. Get ahead of it. If you know something is going to or even MIGHT happen, go ahead and communicate. Overcommunication is never discouraged or unappreciated. Guest + Episode LinksJenna MeldrumLinkedInFollow The Digital Marketing Mentor: Website and Blog: thedmmentor.com Instagram: @thedmmentor Linkedin: @thedmmentor YouTube: @thedmmentor Interested in Digital Marketing Services, Careers, or Courses? Check out more from the TDMM Family: Optidge.com - Full Service Digital Marketing Agency specializing in SEO, PPC, Paid Social, and Lead Generation efforts for established B2C and B2B businesses and organizations. ODEOacademy.com - Digital Marketing online education and course platform. ODEO gives you solid digital marketing knowledge to launch/boost your career or understand your business's digital marketing strategy.

Mike Metzler has long had a home on social media: beginning on Facebook in 2005 as a college student to interviewing celebrities octagon-side for UFC Instagram to becoming a social media consultant and strategist. In this episode, you'll learn the many steps it took to get to this point and how his first boss/mentor and doodling his corgi as an astronaut helped him along his path. Get ready for a great cliff's notes version of Social Media Marketing 101 with Mike Metzler. Episode HighlightsMike Metzler got his undergraduate and graduate degrees back-to-back from St. Edwards University. He then went on to have a great mentor in his first boss, who taught him many career skills. These days, Mike believes those he mentors would simply call him ‘friend.' As he works in the social media industry, he tries to help guide the younger generation, who often find themselves thrust into the limelight as influencers. They often know how to perform on social media, but they don't necessarily know “business,” so he helps them avoid being taken advantage of in their career.When it comes to the keys to great mentorship, Mike has fairly solid pillars:First, and most importantly, be available, more available than just what's convenient for you. It is a big commitment that you can't make for everyone. Next, a mentor should encourage responsible risk-taking. It's your job to push your mentee to help them grow but know the risk so they don't gamble with their career.Finally, a mentor must hold their mentee accountable. If they say they're going to tackle a particular challenge, you should follow up with them and make sure they actually took action. Mike has done plenty of work in the social media space over nearly two decades (hey, Facebook circa 2007, we're talking about you). Throughout his time in the digital world, he's seen many social platforms come and go and grow. He's a big proponent of being on every social platform as early as you can. He's found that the early adopters and those who take “responsible risks” are those who often find success on social media. Episode LinksLinkedInInstagramFacebookTwitter/XSnapchatFollow The Digital Marketing Mentor: Website and Blog: thedmmentor.com Instagram: @thedmmentor Linkedin: @thedmmentor YouTube: @thedmmentor Interested in Digital Marketing Services, Careers, or Courses? Check out more from the TDMM Family: Optidge.com - Full Service Digital Marketing Agency specializing in SEO, PPC, Paid Social, and Lead Generation efforts for established B2C and B2B businesses and organizations. ODEOacademy.com - Digital Marketing online education and course platform. ODEO gives you solid digital marketing knowledge to launch/boost your career or understand your business's digital marketing strategy.

Shelly Fagin has been in the digital world since she was a young girl playing on her green screen Apple IIGS. After figuring out how to connect to the internet, it was all gas, no breaks to agency work, over 12 years of consulting, SEMRush speaking, managing a team at CreditKarma, to now being the Director of SEO at DigitalOcean. Listen to this episode to learn how her mentors helped teach her confidence, and her curiosity helped her teach herself the skills. Episode HighlightsLike many of our guests on The Digital Marketing Mentor, Shelly Fagin's path to digital marketing was not a straightforward one. She's a lifelong computer geek who taught herself how to code from books when she began working online while pregnant with her first child. This thirst for knowledge of all things digital led her to an agency job that led her to open her own consulting business, Highly Searched, where she helped her clients for over twelve years. She then found herself at SEMRush as a brand ambassador, and most recently made her mark in the world of leadership with her former role as Director of SEO at Credit Karma and current role as Director of SEO at DigitalOcean.Shelly's mentors, Rae and Melissa, helped instill a sense of confidence in her that inspired her to start speaking at professional events, a piece of her career that has blossomed ever since. As she recently started managing a team, she's fallen in love with mentoring others. She tends to take a hands-off approach and encourages learning by doing. WordPress Evangelist - That's Shelly Fagin in a nutshell. She will long tout the strength and flexibility of the platform, especially as it pertains to enterprise-level websites. She has a tendency to go light with plugins and strongly encourages those looking to select a dependable hosting provider, like Kinsta or WPHosting. Episode LinksLinkedInTwitter/XShellyFagin.comThreadsInstagramTikTokFollow The Digital Marketing Mentor: Website and Blog: thedmmentor.com Instagram: @thedmmentor Linkedin: @thedmmentor YouTube: @thedmmentor Interested in Digital Marketing Services, Careers, or Courses? Check out more from the TDMM Family: Optidge.com - Full Service Digital Marketing Agency specializing in SEO, PPC, Paid Social, and Lead Generation efforts for established B2C and B2B businesses and organizations. ODEOacademy.com - Digital Marketing online education and course platform. ODEO gives you solid digital marketing knowledge to launch/boost your career or understand your business's digital marketing strategy.