The Marketing Mentor Podcast

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In the Marketing Mentor podcast, Ilise Benun, founder of Marketing-Mentor.com, offers short but meaty conversational interviews with creative professionals who are doing what it takes to stop feast or famine, get better clients and command the fees they deserve – and sharing what they’ve learned.

Ilise Benun


    • Jun 13, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 20m AVG DURATION
    • 530 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The Marketing Mentor Podcast

    528: I love this newsletter so much!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2025 36:23


    Your inbox is overflowing but there's 1 email newsletter that is so good you have to stop and read it and then share it! Well that's today's episode. I'm sharing Kate Purcell's latest, Impact Reports in the Wild, and the content strategy behind it that's working. And if you like what you hear, we'd love it if you write a review, subscribe here and sign up for Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor.

    527: Trusting Yourself with Melody Wilding

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2025 24:41


    Now more than ever, with so much uncertainty in the world, who can you trust? It's most important to be able to trust yourself, your own intuition. In my second conversation with Melody Wilding, author of "Trust Yourself," we dive into what exactly that means, and much more. And if you like what you hear, we'd love it if you write a review, subscribe here and sign up for Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor.  

    526: Finding clients or a job – which is easier? with Maggie Mistal

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2025 34:24


    Is it easier to find clients than a job these days? And will AI replace us? Those are among the timely topics I debated with Maggie Mistal, an intuitive career coach and podcaster. And if you like what you hear, we'd love it if you write a review, subscribe here and sign up for Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor.

    525: Pitching that Isn't Salesy with Liz Heflin

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2025 36:57


    If you bristle at the idea of “pitching” your services to your ideal clients, this episode might change your mind. In today's episode, I'm talking with ghostwriter, Liz Heflin, who used to get all her work through word of mouth, until she realized that the pipeline could dry up at any moment and she didn't want to be left high and dry. And if you like what you hear, we'd love it if you write a review, subscribe here and sign up for Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor.

    524: How to get clients on LinkedIn with Leslie Blaize

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2025 26:34


    If you ever wonder how people "get" a new client from LinkedIn, today's episode is for you. Case study copywriter, Leslie Blaize, also a member of the Simplest Marketing Program, shares how she landed two clients through her LinkedIn newsletter. And if you like what you hear, we'd love it if you write a review, subscribe here and sign up for Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor.

    523: LinkedIn Q&A with Beth Granger

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2025 35:08


    I hosted LinkedIn trainer, Beth Granger, and peppered her with questions about LinkedIn, the new and exciting things, as well as the frustrating and annoying things.  And if you like what you hear, we'd love it if you write a review, subscribe here and sign up for Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor.

    522: Your Business, Your Purpose with Maegan Megginson

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2025 40:40


    When you're self employed, your business is you. So it must reflect you. But what exactly does that mean? Maegan Megginson, of Deeply Rested, has evolved her business into one that not only reflects her main purpose, but also seeks to help business owners do that too. And if you like what you hear, we'd love it if you write a review, subscribe here and sign up for Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor.

    521: Who has the power? with Melody Wilding

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2025 31:57


    Who really has the power: you or your client? If you think they do, today's episode is for you. I talked with executive coach and author, Melody Wilding, whose new book, Managing Up, is just out. And if you like what you hear, we'd love it if you write a review, subscribe here and sign up for Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor.

    520: What is strategy? With Kristina Unker of Ma'am

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2025 33:45


    If it's time to stop giving away your most valuable resource – your thinking – and finally get paid for it, this episode is for you. Kristina Unker, owner of Ma'am, a brand strategy firm focused on the hospitality sector, shared her POV on strategy: What is it? How do you do it? How she learned it. And whether AI can do it. And if you like what you hear, we'd love it if you write a review, subscribe here and sign up for Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor.

    519: No retainer clients for Jonathan Cleveland

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2025 23:00


    Against a backdrop of uncertainty, Jonathan Cleveland, founder of Cleveland Design and author of Designing for the Greater Good: The Best of Cause Marketing and Nonprofit Design, shares the key to his success, why he has no interest in retainer clients and how he's handling slashed funding for non profits. And if you like what you hear, we'd love it if you write a review, subscribe here and sign up for Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor.

    518: Productizing a Creative Service with Lidia Varesco Racoma

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2025 34:36


    If you've been wanting to productize your creative service, learn how brand strategist and designer, Lidia Varesco Racoma, chose her niche and turned her resources into a product called, The Essential Nonprofit Branding Toolkit. And if you like what you hear, we'd love it if you write a review, subscribe here and sign up for Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor.

    517: 12 Ways to Get Quick Wins from the Simplest Marketing Plan

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2025 12:06


    If you want quick wins to kick off the new year, today's episode is for you! Find out what a quick win really is and where to focus in order to make them more likely. And if you like what you hear, we'd love it if you write a review, subscribe here and sign up for Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor.

    516: On Time and Patience for 2025 with Alan Seiden

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2024 25:10


    We're wrapping up 2024 and ringing in 2025 with a conversation about time and patience and AI too, of course, with my old friend and self-proclaimed introverted IT geek,  Alan Seiden. And if you like what you hear, we'd love it if you write a review, subscribe here and sign up for Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor.

    515: Where are they now? with Carrie Simmons

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2024 30:20


    For the next installment of the “Where are they now?” series, we learn from Carrie Simmons, former agency owner turned leadership coach and Executive Director of a destination management non profit. And if you like what you hear, we'd love it if you write a review, subscribe here and sign up for Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor.

    514: How I built it: Ilo Orleans interviews Ilise Benun

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2024 42:55


    In today's episode, we turn the tables and I am interviewed about how I build my business by my very first client, Ilo Orleans, director and producer of films for the likes of Google, Microsoft and other names worth dropping! And if you like what you hear, we'd love it if you write a review, subscribe here and sign up for Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor.

    513: Help! My marketing isn't working! With Ilise Benun

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2024 11:38


    If you need more and/or better clients, but it feels like your marketing isn't working, this episode is for you. Ilise Benun describes what it looks like when it is (and isn't) working and what to do to make sure it does. And if you like what you hear, we'd love it if you write a review, subscribe here and sign up for Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor.

    512: Where are they now with actor/director, Ilo Orleans

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2024 32:15


    In 1988, Ilo Orleans was an actor in NY who needed help gluing resumes to headshots then mailing them to agents and casting directors. So I helped. It was by listening to the market – listening to Ilo, that is – that I found myself on the path that has become Marketing Mentor. For the next installment in the “Where are they now” series, I bring you my first client, Ilo Orleans. And if you like what you hear, we'd love it if you write a review, subscribe here and sign up for Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor.    

    511: How to Handle Rejection with Ilise Benun

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2024 21:48


    In this new Q&A style episode, you'll learn what to do (and say) when a prospect “rejects” you, how to stay motivated to do your marketing, whether you can have more than one LinkedIn profile and more. And if you like what you hear, we'd love it if you write a review, subscribe here and sign up for Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor.

    510: Who to Reach Out to and How

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2024 11:41


    Total tactics In today's episode. I answer common questions from the SMP+ Outreach Club including “how do I know if a prospect is right for me?” and “how should I reach out to them if they are?” And if you like what you hear, we'd love it if you write a review, subscribe here and sign up for Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor

    509: How to start a marketing newsletter in 5 simple steps with Ilise Benun

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2024 19:14


    Content marketing is one of the most effective marketing tools for creative professionals – when you use it consistently. And a marketing newsletter is the most effective content marketing you can do. So today's episode is all about newsletters and its effect, “newsletter magic.” And if you like what you hear, we'd love it if you write a review, subscribe here and sign up for Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor.

    508: How to scuff up your content with Gigi Rosenberg

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2024 35:55


    If perfectionism is getting in your way, this episode is for you. Public speaking coach, Gigi Rosenberg, shares ideas about how to leave perfectionism behind in order to be the real non-robotic you that only you can be, whether you're on a stage, leading a meeting or in a 1:1 conversation. And if you like what you hear, we'd love it if you write a review, subscribe here and sign up for Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor.

    507: Can you trust AI? With Ilise Benun

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2024 16:51


    Can you trust the results you get from AI – especially when it comes to finding actual clients? That's the question I answered in this episode. If you want my help finding your best potential clients, check out my new 1:1  AI Client-Finding Coaching Calls. And if you like what you hear, we'd love it if you write a review, subscribe here and sign up for Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor.

    506: The Future of Marketing with Angelia McFarland

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2024 23:04


    Today's episode is an audio sneak peek at HOW Women Lead, part of HOW Design Live, this September 22-25 in Denver Colorado. Serial innovator, Angelia McFarland shares on the future of marketing and the role will AI play. And if you like what you hear, we'd love it if you write a review, subscribe here and sign up for Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor.

    505: How to Be You in Your Content Marketing

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2024 21:22


    In this sneak peek into the monthly “Office Party” for the Simplest Marketing Plan, I shared a new definition of content marketing and a few ideas about how to be “you” in your content marketing PLUS how I got lost in Paris!  And if you like what you hear, we'd love it if you write a review, subscribe here and sign up for Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor.

    504: Tips for Better Meetings with Linda Secondari

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2024 32:39


    More meeting magic! Meeting Maven, Linda Secondari of Studiolo Secondari, shares the 3 types of meetings, a few alternatives to meetings that save time, your most precious resource and much more. And if you like what you hear, we'd love it if you write a review, subscribe here and sign up for Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor.

    503: Too Many Meetings? with Ilise Benun

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2024 16:34


    If the mere mention of another meeting makes you shiver, this one is for you. In today's solo episode, I'm sharing simple ideas about how to handle clients, prospects, colleagues and collaborators when it comes to meetings. And if you like what you hear, we'd love it if you write a review, subscribe here and sign up for Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor.

    502: Looking Back Lightly with Gratitude with Loren Sherman (Part 2)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2024 30:09


    In Part 2 of my conversation with inventor turned therapy dog handler, Loren Sherman, we looked back lightly on some of the mistakes he made in his 3 careers. And if you like what you hear, we'd love it if you write a review, subscribe here and sign up for Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor.

    501: The Throughline in 3 Creative Careers with Loren Sherman (Part 1)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2024 24:09


    On the day he sold his 23 year old contract furniture business, I talked with my good friend, Loren Sherman, inventor turned therapy dog handler, about, among other things, what he'd learned in the laboratory that was his business. And if you like what you hear, we'd love it if you write a review, subscribe here and sign up for Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor.

    500: One Creative Pro's Take on AI with Deborah Brozina

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2024 35:27


    AI is changing our world and everyone has a different perspective on how. Today's episode, featuring Deborah Brozina, an Emmy-nominated filmmaker who runs Making Change Productions, is the first in a new series of conversations with creative professionals who share their take on AI. If you are curious about how to use AI to find the best clients, join my free webinar on Wed. May 29 at 12-1 PM ET, Potential Clients on Tap with AI. Sign up here: https://bit.ly/ontap111

    499: The Power of a Perfectly Timed Email

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2024 6:32


    If you're hanging by a thread in your business, this episode is for you. In it, I share a message I received from a client who followed her instinct and sent a perfectly-timed 3 sentence email to a past client, which led to a steady flow of work. And if you like what you hear, we'd love it if you write a review, subscribe here and sign up for Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor.

    498: Case Studies for Creative Professionals with Casey Hibbard

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2024 30:35


    One of the most effective but underutilized marketing tools for creative professionals is the case study. Casey Hibbard, who calls herself a success story specialist, joined to share her expertise. So if you've been thinking of doing some case studies to promote your own creative services, this episode is for you. And if you like what you hear, we'd love it if you write a review, subscribe here and sign up for Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor.

    497: Six tips to handle scope creep (from my dog, Fanny)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2024 15:47


    If you struggle with scope creep, this solo episode is for you. Today I bring you 6 of my tips to handle scope creep, plus a cameo from Pi, my current favorite AI. And if you like what you hear, we'd love it if you write a review, subscribe here and sign up for Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor.      

    496: Best Business Models for Creative Professionals with Jessica Abel

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2024 36:38


    Does your business model allow you to make the living you need to live the life you want? In this super interesting conversation with fellow business coach for creatives, Jessica Abel, we discussed 3 different business models for creative professionals. Which one is yours? If you like what you hear, we'd love it if you write a review, subscribe here and sign up for Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor.

    495: AI & Linkedin Newsletters with Michael Katz

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2024 37:16


    How will AI affect your content marketing, especially your newsletter? That's just one of the questions we answered in today's episode with one of my favorite (and funniest) guests, Michael Katz, whose business is writing newsletters for professional service providers. And if you like what you hear, we'd love it if you write a review, subscribe here and sign up for Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor.

    494: Who to Trust When You're Self Employed with Jenny Blake

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2024 50:24


    Who do you trust when you're in business for yourself? How do you know whom to trust? Not to mention trusting the market – but how exactly? That was the main topic in my latest crossover episode with Jenny Blake, author of Free Time, host of the Free Time Podcast, and one of my favorite conversation partners. And if you like what you hear, we'd love it if you write a review, subscribe here and sign up for Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor.

    493: Antidote to Impostor Syndrome with Ben Callahan

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2024 32:59


    If you're looking for an antidote to impostor syndrome, this episode is for you. I talked with agency owner, Ben Callahan, about, among many topics, a new way to think about content marketing that removes the fear and pressure. And if you like what you hear, we'd love it if you write a review, subscribe here and sign up for Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor.

    492: The Price of Price Blurting with Ilise Benun

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2024 8:03


    If you've ever blurted out a price, agreed to a deadline you knew wasn't realistic or, worse, volunteered to deliver a project faster than humanly possible, just to please your client – this new solo episode is for you. These 3 quick tips will save you from yourself! And if you like what you hear, we'd love it if you write a review, subscribe here and sign up for Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor.

    491: How to Build a Business You Can Depend On

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 5, 2024 19:00


    If you want to build a business you can depend on, this episode is for you. In it, I reveal my “3 secrets” to show you how to be consistent with your marketing, why you don't need willpower to be consistent, and how to stay top of mind to your ideal clients without pestering them. And if you like what you hear, we'd love it if you write a review, subscribe here and sign up for Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor.

    490: My Journey to Entrepreneurship with Ilise & Jake Benun

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2023 47:15


    My young nephew, Jake Benun, recently invited me to be a guest on his podcast, Humanizing Success. He's trying to figure out what to do with his life so he's using his podcast to interview people he knows about their definition of success and much more. And if you like what you hear, we'd love it if you write a review, subscribe here and sign up for Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor.

    489: AI + Emotional Intelligence with Nick Usborne (Part 2)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2023 37:51


    In Part 2 of my conversation with early adopter and renowned copywriter, Nick Usborne, we focused on how to combine AI and EI (emotional intelligence) to build strong relationships with prospects and clients. And if you like what you hear, we'd love it if you write a review, subscribe here and sign up for Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor.

    488: AI + Emotional Intelligence with Nick Usborne (Part 1)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2023 39:52


    If you're wondering how to use AI in your marketing, this episode is for you. I talked with early adopter and renowned copywriter, Nick Usborne, about how he's using AI to make his content marketing quicker, easier and less painful. And if you like what you hear, we'd love it if you write a review, subscribe here and sign up for Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor.

    487: One year of marketing with Florian Schleicher

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2023 36:28


    How does a marketer use the Simplest Marketing Plan? In today's episode, Florian Schleicher, a Marketing Advisor & Strategist, shares how he has used the 3 simplest tools – content marketing, strategic networking and targeted outreach – to achieve more growth than he imagined possible in less than a year. And if you like what you hear, we'd love it if you write a review, subscribe here and sign up for Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor.

    486: SEO for Creative Professionals with Meg Casebolt

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2023 37:47


    In this chat with Meg Casebolt, SEO strategist, podcaster and author of the new book, Social Slowdown, we identified how SEO should fit into your marketing strategy and much more. And if you like what you hear, we'd love it if you write a review, subscribe here and sign up for Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor.

    485: Stories about fears about money with Farnoosh Torabi (Bonus)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2023 59:36


    Today's “bonus” episode is from a live interview with financial expert and podcaster, Farnoosh Torabi, host of the So Money Podcast, whose brand new book is out. Listen, then go buy A Healthy State of Panic: Follow Your Fears to Build Wealth, Crush Your Career, and Win at Life. And if you like what you hear, we'd love it if you write a review, subscribe here and sign up for Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor.

    484: How Exactly to Listen to the Market with Ilise Benun

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2023 10:15


    Here's a rare solo episode in which Ilise Benun answers a question that comes up over and over, “how exactly do you listen to the market” and then shares 6 different things to listen for when you're listening to the market. And if you like what you hear, we'd love it if you write a review, subscribe here and sign up for Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor.

    483: A Comedian's Formula for Your Perfect Pitch with Jenn Lederer

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2023 31:36


    If your mind goes blank when someone asks what you do, in this episode you will learn not only how to enjoy talking about your work but how to do it in an entertaining and authentic way. So if you like what you hear, we'd love it if you write a review, subscribe here and sign up for Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor - https://bit.ly/mmpodqt

    482: The Right Networking Attitude with Julie Brown

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2023 29:23


    Do you know what the right networking attitude sounds like? As I was talking with networking expert and public speaker, Julie Brown, all I could think was, “if only more people had her networking attitude, they would do it so much better.” So if you like what you hear, we'd love it if you write a review, subscribe here and sign up for Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor - https://bit.ly/mmpodqt

    481: A Vision for Your Business with Jennifer Barrett

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2023 29:52


    Do you have a vision for your business? Having a vision is one aspect of leadership and just one of the many aspects of leadership I talked about with Jennifer Barrett, author of Think Like a Breadwinner, financial journalist and Head of Content at Fidelity Investments. So if you like what you hear, we'd love it if you write a review, subscribe here and sign up for Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor - https://bit.ly/mmpodqt

    480: How to Ensure a Healthy Creative Business with Sarah Durham

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2023 24:31


    Whether or not you ever sell your creative business, exploring the possibility can make your business healthier. In my conversation with Sarah Durham, serial entrepreneur and executive coach, she shared practical suggestions for getting your business out of your head and making it more legit. And if you like what you hear, we'd love it if you write a review, subscribe here and sign up for Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor - https://bit.ly/mmpodqt

    479: Removing Obstacles to Growth with Sarah Durham

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2023 28:44


    If personal “baggage” is getting in the way of your business growth, you'll appreciate my conversation with Sarah Durham, a serial entrepreneur and executive coach. We focused on self imposed obstacles and how to remove them. And if you like what you hear, we'd love it if you write a review, subscribe here and sign up for Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor - https://bit.ly/mmpodqt

    478: Twist on a Common Pricing Strategy with Matthew Wolf

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2023 38:38


    If cash flow is your main pain, this episode is for you. I spoke with Matthew Wolf of Wyndetryst, a Philadelphia graphic design studio, about his twist on a very common pricing structure — which I advise against! The way he does it works! So if you like what you hear, we'd love it if you write a review, subscribe here and sign up for Quick Tips from Marketing Mentor.

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