Podcasts about ai artificial intelligence

Wedding bells are ringing for trip down the aisle number three. Only there is not an actual aisle, and not everyone is full of glee. Part 2 of 2 November 1933, despite her broken arm Madeleine Astor marries Enzo Fiermonte from her hospital bed. More press scandal follows them on their way to honeymoon in Palm Beach. Other people and subjects include: Madaleine Talmage Force Astor Dick Fiermonte, Colonel John Jacob Astor IV aka “Jack,” John Jacob Astor VI aka “Jakey,” Enzo Fiermonte, William Vincent Astor, Alice Ava Muriel Astor Obolensky von Hofmannsthal, Prince Serge Obolensky, Princess Barbara Hutton Mdivani, Prince Alexis Mdvani, Prince David – Prince of Wales – future King Edward VIII – Duke of Windsor, Mrs. Katherine Talmage Force, William Force, William Dick, William Dick Jr., John Henry Dick, Philip Lyndon Dodge, Charles Lindbergh, Anne Morrow Lindbergh, Vanderbilt reference, Margaret Brown – Unsinkable Molly Brown – Maggie Brown – Mrs. James J. Brown – Mrs. J.J. Brown, Catherine Ellen Brown aka “Helen,” Caroline Astor, William Waldorf Astor, Viscount Waldorf Astor, Nancy Astor, Eileen Gillespie, Lawrence Gillespie, Irene Sherman Gillespie, Brooke Hart kidnappers, Dr. Moullowd, Dr. Watson, Madeleine's lawyer, gray haired female friend, City Court Official, Philip Hines, Municipal City Justice Vincent Lippe, photographers, reporters, private physician, dead millionaire, Maryland lynch mob, widowhood, wedding, hospital room, allowance, newspaper clipping service, Italian wedding, wedding kiss, flowers, champagne buffet, deluxe accommodations, Car National private car service, private railcar, the Titanic, Vulcania, Berengaria, Aquitania, the Olympic, Doctor's Hospital, Pennsylvania Train Station, Breakers Hotel fire, Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Manhattan, Long Island, Palm Beach, Bermuda, Lido, Italy, Nevada, tracking down articles, True Story Magazine – “Kept Husband” 6 articles series by Enzo Fiermonte, Dionne quintuplets, finding physical copies, New Yorker, Vogue, GQ, Newport Historical Society, Newport Library, Bowling Green University, University of Texas, University of Chicago, UCLA, collectible comic store, Ebay, Shadow of the Titanic by Andrew Wilson, YouTube channel Ti's Hot Mess History, wish for AI – Artificial Intelligence assistance with footnotes and bibliography, Hays Code, Pre-code Hollywood, 1920s & 1930s social rules and sexual references, Thirteen Women (1932), Myrna Loy, Peg Entwistle, Hollywood sign, The Women (1939), Norma Shearer, Joan Crawford, Kept Husbands (1931), The Dancing Lady (1933), Clark Gable, Franchot Tone, Algonquin Table humorist Robert Benchley, Fred Astaire, Ted Healey and his Stooges – Larry Fine, Jerome “Curly” Howard, Moe Howard, blackmail, drug use, affairs, stealing husband, racial bullying, first screen credits, heirs & heiress romances, FX Hulu Love Story tv series, Caroline Bessette Kennedy, John F. Kennedy, Jr. – JFK Jr – John John, Micheal Bergin, Daryl Hannah, Markie Mark – Mark Wahlberg, Calvin Klein underwear model, tell all book, biographies, The Other Man by Michael Bergin, $3k on Ebay, reprints, C. David Heymann, Poor Little Rich Girl re: Barbara Hutton, American Legacy re: Carolyn Bessette & JFK Jr., plagiarism & fabrication allegations, Ask Not by Maureen Callahan, actor Eric Braeden from Young and the Restless and James Cameron's Titanic,… -- Extra Notes / Call to Action: 7th Anniversary of As The Money Burns podcast last month (April 2026) The Nerve with Maureen Callahanhttps://www.youtube.com/@TheNerveShow Ask Not by Maureen Callahan 2024https://www.amazon.com/Ask-Not-Kennedys-Women-Destroyed/dp/0316276170 The Other Man by Michael Bergin will be re-released around June 2026 in print and is immediately available via Kindle.https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-other-man-michael-bergin?variant=45086513659938https://www.amazon.com/Other-Man-EPB-Kennedy-Bessette-ebook/dp/B0GTF27XM8 I walked Out of the Titanic Audition… Eric Braeden | Still Here Hollywood Podcast with Steve Kmetko 6 min clip on Titanic rolehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XT1sV0Zib7E whole interviewhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNfyWIf_WKE Ti's Hot Mess History, YouTube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@TisHotMessHistory Riches to Ruin – Titanic Widow of John Jacob Astor & Her Troubled 3rd Marriage by Ti's Hot Mess History July 2023https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODY-qiEn3ak The Scandalous True Story of Titanic's Wealthiest Passenger – JJ Astor & His Teen Wife by Ti's Hot Mess History May 2023https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uF89xKNWbow&t=25s The Rich Boy Nobody Wanted: Titanic Baby John Jacob Astor VI by Ti's Hot Mess History December 2023https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rlV8oT6lxs Share, like, subscribe -- Archival Music provided by Past Perfect Vintage Music, www.pastperfect.com. Opening Music: My Heart Belongs to Daddy by Billy Cotton, Album The Great British Dance Bands Section 1 Music: Let's Fall In Love For The Last Time by Mantovani, Albums The Great British Dance Bands & Tea Dance 2 Section 2 Music: There Isn't Any Limit To My Love by Ambrose, Album It's Got To Be Love Section 3 Music: In the Mood for Love by Freddy Gardner, Album Elegance End Music: My Heart Belongs to Daddy by Billy Cotton, Album The Great British Dance Bands --https://asthemoneyburns.com/ X / TW / IG – @asthemoneyburns X / Twitter – https://x.com/asthemoneyburns Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/asthemoneyburns/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/asthemoneyburns/ ©℗ 2026. Nicki Woodard. All rights reserved.

This week on Myopia Movies, we're going full existential crisis with A.I. Artificial Intelligence — the 2001 Spielberg film based on the project Stanley Kubrick spent decades developing and wisely never finished. It's got everything you'd expect from a Spielberg joint: a family torn apart by divorce energy, social dynamics that make you want to lie down, and — in what can only be described as a creative choice — aliens. In the third act. For reasons. A boy robot wants to be a real boy. His mom is not fully on board. His dad is very not on board. A sentient teddy bear named Teddy is, somehow, the most emotionally stable character in the film. Jude Law shows up as a gigolo robot, almost saves the movie, and is promptly sidelined so we can get back to the crying. The film ends. Then it ends again. Then aliens arrive. Then it ends a third time. Joining us this week is the legendary Jiggle O'Joe, who survived this film with us and only had to step outside twice. Myopia Movies — watching the movies you loved, the movies you hated, and apparently now the movies that make you question the nature of love itself. How will AI - Artificial Intelligence hold up? Directed by: Steven Spielberg (from a project developed by Stanley Kubrick) Starring: Haley Joel Osment, Jude Law, Frances O'Connor, Sam Robards, Jake Thomas, William Hurt, and the voice of Jack Angel as Teddy

This week on Myopia Movies, we're going full existential crisis with A.I. Artificial Intelligence — the 2001 Spielberg film based on the project Stanley Kubrick spent decades developing and wisely never finished. It's got everything you'd expect from a Spielberg joint: a family torn apart by divorce energy, social dynamics that make you want to lie down, and — in what can only be described as a creative choice — aliens. In the third act. For reasons. A boy robot wants to be a real boy. His mom is not fully on board. His dad is very not on board. A sentient teddy bear named Teddy is, somehow, the most emotionally stable character in the film. Jude Law shows up as a gigolo robot, almost saves the movie, and is promptly sidelined so we can get back to the crying. The film ends. Then it ends again. Then aliens arrive. Then it ends a third time. Joining us this week is the legendary Jiggle O'Joe, who survived this film with us and only had to step outside twice. Myopia Movies — watching the movies you loved, the movies you hated, and apparently now the movies that make you question the nature of love itself. How will AI - Artificial Intelligence hold up? Directed by: Steven Spielberg (from a project developed by Stanley Kubrick) Starring: Haley Joel Osment, Jude Law, Frances O'Connor, Sam Robards, Jake Thomas, William Hurt, and the voice of Jack Angel as Teddy

J. Catherine has been to a film festival! The Chicago Critics Film Festival to be specific! Returning guest Greta Taylor joins us to talk BLUE HERON, THE INVITE, I WANT YOUR SEX, MADDIE'S SECRET and more! We also touch on the beginning of Cannes, the retrospective screenings of AI: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE and THE FLY, as well as the difference between MGM+ and Prime Video, what's going on with Row K, and mankind's relationship to the animal kingdom. If you haven't seen Blue Heron and want to skip over our discussion it ends around 36:06. Our twitter is @CannesIKickIt Our bluesky is @CannesIKickIt Our instagram is @CIKIPod Our letterboxd is CIKIPod Enjoying the show? Feel free to send a few bucks our way on Ko-fi. Thanks to Tree Related for our theme song Our hosts are @andytgerm @clatchley @imlaughalone and J. Catherine Traverse

Welcome to Episode 160 of Praestabilis: Excellence in Marketing Welcome to Episode #161 of “Praestabilis: Excellence in Marketing” In this episode, I’m talking about “What’s Working Today in the Online Space. I’ll share the three most profitable business models for new and seasoned online entrepreneurs, and also a short training I’ve created around the topic of affiliate marketing. I am sharing a live session of my “Really Simple Authority Blogging” ongoing training course with you and know you will benefit from the marketing strategies I am sharing and teaching here. Be sure to connect with me at https://ConnieRagenGreen.com or on X at https://x.com/ConnieGreen so I may serve you in the areas where my help could make a huge difference in your results. I’m going to share with you how much fun I’m having with creating simple courses using AI (Artificial Intelligence) in about 30 minutes. I know you can do the same thing. Keep it simple, and add the short course you create to a page on your existing website/blog. In this episode I’m discussing how to use keywords and search engine optimization (SEO) to grow your business. Your prospects and future clients, customers, and colleagues are waiting to connect with you, but if they can’t find you online it will never happen. Make it simple for your target audience to find you by using the keywords and phrases they are most likely to be searching for on Google, Bing, and the other search engines. The Power and Gift of Change”- We are all changing throughout each day, and I think we must embrace this change in order to grow and move forward. Changing can take many forms, and if you look back through your life you will come to understand that you are not the same person you were even a year ago. Here is a quote about this you may resonate with… “Growth lives outside the comfort zone. If it feels uncomfortable, you’re probably doing it right.” ~ Marie Forleo I believe that our businesses are based on the concept of serving others. When you start on online (or even a brick and mortar) business, your goal is to serve others with what you know and to benefit in multiple ways, including by earning an excellent income. I’m sharing several examples in this podcast about my own and experiences with clients over the years. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ This morning I was reading the message written by outgoing Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy. In it, he stated that his “parting prescription” for the American people is to cultivate a strong sense of community to help themselves and others. He added, “Relationships, service, and purpose are the time-tested triad of fulfillment that stands in contrast to wealth, fame, and power which define the modern-day triad of success.” Here are some other questions I want you to ask yourself: What is your commitment to yourself and to others close to you? Why are you focused on the things that are taking up your time? When will you begin to focus on goals that will allow you to create and leave a legacy? Whom do you trust to get you there? Perhaps my “Monthly Mentoring Program” is right for you. Motivation and Inspiration: What It Takes to Get Your Spark Back” During 2024 I went through a period where I wasn’t as motivated as I had been accustomed to being for many years. This gave me time to explore why I was feeling this way and to hopefully learn something that would help others. My inspiration to do all of the things I love in my business, including writing, creating, marketing, and mentoring was waning and I wasn’t sure why. Within a couple of months I was back on track and this is what I learned… Life isn’t easy, but then it isn’t supposed to be. Being challenged in so many ways on a regular basis makes us stronger and perhaps more appreciative and grateful for what we already have and what we know we can achieve if we believe in ourselves and have even one other person who knows we are special and tells us that as often as possible. Marie Forleo wrote a book titled “Everything Is Figureoutable” – https://ConnieLoves.me/FigureOutAble – Her precept is that if you’re having trouble solving a problem or reaching a dream, the problem isn’t you. It’s that you haven’t yet installed the one belief that changes everything. I’m at conniegreenhouse at yahoo dot com and want to hear from you on this topic, or on anything else. “Merging Your Life with Your Business” as a strategy. We aren’t creating a business we need a vacation from. Instead, we’re creating a “lifestyle by design” where we have the time and financial freedom to live in a way that few people are able to, and with choices around everything we do. If you’ve met me in person, heard me on my podcast, or read any of my books, you know that I am a very positive person. No matter what situation or circumstances arises, I truly believe there will always be a positive outcome on the horizon, and sooner rather than later. But I wasn’t always this way. This is a journey that continues… My first year online was 2006, and very quickly I connected with people I’m still part of a Mastermind with in Austin, Texas. I was invited to speak at an event there a couple of years later. It was hosted by Joe Vitale and Mendhi Audlin was also there. She shared a concept she had come up with that she calls “What If… UP!” The premise is that there is truly a silver lining in everything negative that occurs. I liken this to Newton’s Third Law of Motion: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. My precept and general rule for life is that we can achieve anything we want and feel that we deserve. Others want to help us to achieve our goals, but many times we get in their way by telling ourselves stories that aren’t true. Mendhi’s precept aligns with mine, and a year or so after I first met her she published a book on this… “What If It All Goes Right?: Creating a New World of Peace, Prosperity & Possibility” by Mendhi Audlin reveals the secret to turning possibilities into a tangible reality. It works! https://ConnieLoves.me/WhatIfUp I’m discussing the importance of being willing to “Better Your Best” during this new year, as well as recommending that this be the year you finally embrace AI – Artificial Intelligence – for your business. I have been a student of and someone who uses AI almost daily since February of 2022, and I’m learning from experts Andy O”Bryan and Denise Wakeman in their ongoing AI Success Club. Asking “How Are You Defining Success?” Creating a business as an entrepreneur allows you to live a lifestyle by design, with both time freedom and financial freedom. Think about how you want to live each day and then take action to make it happen. Over the years I’ve changed many things, while others have remained the same. Instead of making changes just for the sake of change, think about what you could change up and what makes sense to remain at least mostly the same. Years ago, I used to put together my blog posts on a single topic, like copywriting or list building or creation digital products into a simple document that I referred to as a ‘Focus Guide’ and gave them away to my list and to my prospects. Each of these documents contained resources and an ‘About the Author’ page that helped me to build my credibility, visibility, and profitability. For the first time ever, I am recommending that you write a book about yourself, your niche topic, and how you serve others. I first did this in 2009 and now I have written and published twenty-eight full-length, non-fiction books on the topics of entrepreneurship, personal, development, and authorship. Life can be messy. Are their ways you can keep moving forward when your personal life is turning upside down? Yes! Finding joy in helping and serving others, as well as compartmentalizing what is currently going on in your life are just two of the ways to deal with change and situations outside of your control. I recommend that you choose two social media platforms to use for the sole purpose of helping your prospects find and connect with you online. My favorite is X – formerly known as Twitter, and I also use LinkedIn and YouTube as my favorite social media sites to grow my business. Please connect with me on these sites and let me know how I may best serve you as you build and grow your profitable business. Is your list of what you are willing to do longer than your list of what you don’t want to do? I recommend a mile-long “to-do” list and a daily schedule of no more than four things that you will work on each day in your business. Find a mentor who believes in you and get started with creating a lifestyle by design that you want and deserve. I’m recommending James Clear’s “Atomic Habits” – https://ConnieLoves.me/AtomicHabits – as a book to help you alleviate your fears. We all have hopes, dreams, goals, and fears regarding our life experiences. I have found that if we build up our confidence and have faith that everything will turn out in a way that will be beneficial to all, we can continue to move forward without negative effects. Having an online business requires confidence. These are some questions to ask yourself: Who will you serve? What are your prospects pain points? What’s your idea? How will it be created, and then delivered? How will you sell it online? Creating a simple product or online course is the beginning of living a lifestyle by design. Reach out to me any time at conniegreenhouse at yahoo dot com if you’d like to know more about getting started as an online entrepreneur. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ My first online course back in 2006 was a simple one with three audio trainings and a workbook. Then, I began creating more sophisticated, but not more complicated courses. I’ve used the “Really Simple” branding for many courses at least 25 times, as well as using other terms and phrases based on the keywords I am optimizing for with each new course. Having your own online course on a topic you want to become known for will give you leverage to grow your business exponentially over time. It’s interesting to me that we as humans sometimes take things for granted that later on we know we should have appreciated in the moment. What I’m referring to here is having an online business you can run from home, or from anywhere in the world. There’s a window of opportunity that isn’t always open, and right now this window is wide open to everyone. A lot of it depends upon economic factors. I almost went back to graduate school two years ago to study economics, but decided against it because of the film and television writing I’m pursuing, but that’s a story for another time. Someone I work closely with had posted this quote from Richard Branson the other day: “Business opportunities are like buses, there’s always another one coming.” This does NOT apply to online business, but instead refers to starting a physical, brick and mortar business. I know several people in both of my cities who borrowed against their homes, cashed out retirement savings, and sold family heirlooms to start businesses in the community, only to go bankrupt a couple of years later. What I’m saying here is that this is the time to get your online business off the ground and up and running profitably. It’s so inexpensive in comparison, and the biggest expense I incur is what I pay mentors to guide me in the right direction. Yes, I still have a mentor and recommend you do as well. This isn’t coaching, but instead a personal relationship you’ll build over time that could lead to strategic alliance partnerships and lifelong friendships. I’m at conniegreenhouse at yahoo dot com if you want to know more about mentoring with me. The four widely accepted learning modalities (or modes) are known by the acronym VARK: Visual, Auditory, Reading/Writing, Kinesthetic. They are sometimes inaccurately referred to as “learning styles” which implies that each learner has a “style” of learning that should be maximized in all learning situations. Focusing on consistency, productivity, and creativity makes sense for all online entrepreneurs in 2024. I’m also sharing some effective and time-proven strategies with you here that will make a difference in your business, as well as in your personal life experience. Each day I focus on writing, creating, marketing, and teaching/learning/mentoring. My writing began as short and simple blog posts and blossomed into more than twenty-five full-length books. My writing is my oeuvre, my body of work that is my legacy to family, friends, colleagues, and those who follow me. During 2023 I wrote and published more than 400 thousand words. This breaks down to one full-length book, Self-Directed: Inspire, Motivate, and Empower Yourself to the Greatness That Lies Within; the current book on marketing that is more than halfway written; 8 short reports on topics of interest to the people I work with online; one hundred thirty-eight blog posts on three different blogs I maintain; and 382 email messages to my online community. These are  practical strategies for effective time management, emphasizing the importance of creating a balance between work and personal life. Achieving work-life harmony requires effective time management strategies that allow you to balance professional and personal responsibilities. Here are some strategies to help you manage your time more efficiently: 1. Set Clear Priorities: Identify your most important tasks and priorities for both work and personal life. Focus on what truly matters and allocate time accordingly. 2. Use a Time Management System: Choose a time management system that works for you, whether it’s a digital tool like Todoist or Trello, or a physical planner. Organize tasks, set deadlines, and track your progress. Schedules vs To-Do Lists 3. Prioritize Tasks with the Eisenhower Matrix: Categorize tasks into four quadrants: urgent and important, important but not urgent, urgent but not important, and neither urgent nor important. Prioritize tasks based on these categories. 4. Batch Similar Tasks: Group similar tasks together and tackle them during specific time blocks. This reduces the mental load of switching between different types of activities. 5. Time Blocking: Allocate specific blocks of time to different activities. This includes work tasks, personal commitments, and breaks. Stick to the schedule as much as possible. 6. Learn to Say No: Be selective about taking on new commitments. Saying no when necessary helps you avoid over-committing and allows you to focus on your existing priorities. 7. Delegate When Possible: Delegate tasks that others can handle. This applies to both professional and personal responsibilities. It’s okay to ask for help. 8. Practice the Two-Minute Rule: If a task takes less than two minutes, do it immediately. This prevents small tasks from piling up and becoming overwhelming. 9. Limit Multitasking: Focus on one task at a time. Multitasking can reduce efficiency and increase stress. Complete one task before moving on to the next. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ You’re starting a conversation with your emails, and building a relationship with your prospects, customers, and clients over time. I’ve been online as an entrepreneur, marketer, and writer since 2006, and while much has changed, I believe that more has remained the same. Here, I’m discussing how we marketed in those early days, and why email marketing still remains top of mind. Most recently, I’ve co-hosted an Advanced Email Marketing Conference with Ellen Finkelstein. In April of 2023, I hosted my latest live marketing event in Los Angeles, and more recently I’ve hosted my Santa Barbara Retreat for those I mentor and teach. But like everyone else, I began by attending live events, and eventually virtual events in order to find my voice, connect with other like-minded people, and learn more about building and growing my online business. Guerilla marketing is a way to drive publicity and, as a result, brand awareness by promoting using unconventional methods designed to evoke surprise, wonder, or shock. Guerrilla marketing is the creating use of novel or unconventional methods in order to boost sales or attract interest in a brand or business. These methods are often low- or no-cost and involve the widespread use of more personal interactions or through viral social media messaging. This marketing method has increased in popularity with the rise of ubiquitous mobile and connected technologies that can amplify messaging and focus on target groups of consumers. Some consumers may be more attracted by guerrilla marketing campaigns as they may be more interesting and daring, while others may be turned off because of the perceived “disruptive” aspects of this style of marketing. Please subscribe and leave me a review. And connect with me at https://ConnieRagenGreen.com. Find out more about me HERE. Becoming an online entrepreneur was the best decision I ever made. I’ve been online since 2006 and now help others all over the world to do the same or something similar. We all have times where we are feeling a little down, lost, or confused. Life isn’t easy, and no one makes it out alive! These are my recommendations for how to get back on track and feeling more happy and optimistic about your future… Write! Whether you’re already a writer or are just beginning to think about sharing your thoughts, ideas, and experiences with others, writing makes sense. I write every single day and publish much of my writing as blog posts, short reports, and full-length books. Writing opens your mind to what you want in the future, by allowing you to explore the past through your memories. You can also retell and reframe your stories in a way that will serve you going forward. Start a new project! I usually create products and courses as new projects, but this can also manifest as something you build or create with your hands. I have family members on two continents that love to put together complex jigsaw puzzles. They look forward to these as a new project on a regular basis. Volunteer! Before I started my online business, I promised myself I would volunteer my time and donate money to charitable causes… as soon as I had the time and the money to do so. Once I had my own business, I realized that I had some time and a little money to do this all along. Spend time with new people! As a part of the volunteering I now do regularly, I’ve spent time with very young children, veterans, women starting over after being in a domestic violence situation, and more. This work continues to make a difference in my life. As you can see, there are many ways to get back to your “Why?” and I hope this has been helpful to you. What’s the best niche topic to cover in your blog? I know you don’t what to hear me say “It depends.” so I won’t. Lean in, and I’ll share the very best niche for you, and it’s one that is also the most profitable, will feel more like you’re just having fun, will never go out of style, and will be the one that has absolutely zero competition. Which niche topic and target audience could it possibly be? I won’t keep you in suspense any longer. I learned when I began online 17 years ago that the best niche for anyone is the one that makes your heart sing and is probably a topic you take for granted. I had been teaching school for twenty years and my students were mostly Spanish and Tagalog native speakers. I told them if they wrote just a few sentences every single day – weekends, holidays, and school breaks included – their writing would improve. Those who followed my advice excelled, while those who didn’t floundered. During all those years, I seldom wrote anything unless it was required for my work as a teacher or for my part-time work in real estate. Fast forward to 2006, and I realized not only that I needed to write in order to succeed online, but also that what I’d done with my students would apply here as well. My niche for the next eighteen months was around helping others to write, publish, market, and sell eBooks. I wrote one on real estate farming – choosing and area close to home to connect with people who may need your services – as an example and sold it on my website. Back then, you had to sell eBooks on your own websites, as Amazon had not yet entered the world of self-publishing. My niche and website became “eBook writing and marketing secrets” and this topic took me to six figures. I was learning right along with the people who were learning and buying from me. I then moved that site over to https://ConnieRagenGreen.com to make a name for myself and to branch out to other topics. The bottom line is that you must begin by sharing what you already know something about and love. Blogging is the direct path to the visibility, credibility, and profitability you wish to have in your business. In my business, every idea begins as a blog post. This is where I think and research and brainstorm what’s on my mind in the very beginning. The blog post is ground zero for what could, and many times does become a product, course or program. Blog posts, while based on your idea, can be created with original content, private label (PLR) rights content, guest content, or curated content. While I immediately share my published posts on social media as “micro content” you’ll want to wait at least 24 hours before syndicating your content on Medium. I also teach this syndication strategy in my popular and ongoing Syndication Optimization training program. Next up in your content creation and content marketing strategy is a short report, which you may sell online or give away as a lead magnet. I teach all of this in my Really Simple Short Reports training. This is what we refer to as “cornerstone” content that is extremely valuable. The final step is creating “authority content” by publishing your writing as a Kindle or paperback book to increase your visibility and build your reputation as an expert on your topic. I typically discuss time management and productivity in regards to entrepreneurs, marketers, and authors, and I’ve even co-authored a bestselling book on this topic, entitled “Time Management Strategies for Entrepreneurs: How to Manage Your Time to Increase Your Bottom Line” where we outline in great details the steps you may take to reach a level of optimal productivity and time management as an entrepreneur. But what about everyone else? Doesn’t every person deserve to live the lifestyle they want and deserve, where they enjoy financial freedom and the time to enjoy every moment to the fullest? Of course they do, and that’s what I’m sharing during this podcast. When I began online as a new entrepreneur in 2006, I realized immediately I would need help with technology and graphics, as these were the areas where I had no experience or talent. I bartered for these services for the first year or so, and then began to put together a team of people to support me so my business could grow. When I look back over my lifetime, I see that I have always had a team supporting me, whether it was while I worked as a classroom teacher, or in real estate as a broker and residential appraiser. Even while I was growing up, I was surrounded by people who supported me, from family, friends and neighbors to teachers, clergy, and people in the community. Put together your team and watch your business grow exponentially! When it comes to your visibility as an entrepreneur, where may we find you to see what you’re doing? This expert status comes from your writing, videos and audios, and your social media presence on the most active platforms for your target audience. My three popular and active blogs are at ConnieRagenGreen.com, HugeProfitsTinyList.com, and at MondayMorningMellow.com. Credibility is about what you already know and what you are learning. We all started our online businesses as adults, so we brought our knowledge and experiences with us. It made sense for me to help people write, market, and publish eBooks in the beginning, because I had worked as a classroom teacher for twenty years prior to coming online, and was learning about marketing and self-publishing. Profitability means that you must ask “What’s for sale?” every day in your business. Create your own simple products and courses, recommend others with affiliate marketing, and look into buying the resale rights to sell other people’s products as your own like I continue to do in my own business. The final part of this information on your expert status as an entrepreneur includes productivity, consistency, and attention to detail. Get everything in place as quickly as possible, and your online business is sure to grow exponentially! During my first couple of years online, beginning in 2007 I connected with mentors Alex Mandossian and Raymond Aaron. When I inquired as to what they were doing together as strategic alliance partners, they gave me a brief explanation and told me that I was not yet ready to move up to this level. Over the next two years they helped me to grow and elevate my business and my mindset as an online entrepreneur so that I could connect with others in this way. Seek out the people and groups you wish to be involved with and show them that you have moved past tactics and on to strategies. It will make all the difference and as you uplevel everything you’re doing online in your business, your free time and disposable income will increase exponentially! When I work with people in my Incubator Mastermind Mentoring program, the goal is to move them into position to become a strategic alliance partner with me and others to share their message in a bigger way. WHY did you choose the career you started your working life with? WHY did you get married, have children, and move into your first home? WHY did you make the conscious decision to leave your career at some point and start your business? WHY do you want to be an author or entrepreneur, or coach? WHY do you get up every single day and do the work required to become more successful on an ongoing basis? Everyone must have a WHY and there are no right or wrong answers here. But if you find yourself unmotivated to work or if you find yourself procrastinating on projects, then it's time to re-examine the main reason for your business. Name Your Reason – or Your WHY – for Starting a Business Focusing on your WHY can help motivate you, so write down your reason for starting a business on a regular basis. Did you want to fill your free time? Did you want to earn some play money or contribute to the family finances? Did you want to pay the medical bills of an aging parent or a sick child? Did you want to pay for your child's higher education or private school tuition? In my case, my answer to “what's your why?” was always around having enough income to live life on my terms. Over time, I came to the realization that every choice I was making, and each time I could not do something that had meaning for me, was all related to me needing to earn a paycheck or a commission from the classroom teaching and real estate work I was involved with each day. I missed just about every family event, vacation, and other activities because I was working 60 or more hours a week in order to cover my bills and other expenses. I wasn't angry or resentful because I believed that I didn't deserve to have a better life during those decades. This all changed in 2005 when I began reading books and attending events based on self improvement and personal development principles. Writing these reasons down – no matter what they are because every person's WHY will be different – should help motivate you to work hard. You should feel driven to make your business a success. You should be willing to tackle things outside your comfort zone because you know the end result will help your business. If you're not feeling motivated, then you need to dig deeper. I worked closely with a woman who was struggling to make her online business become profitable, and she continued to tell me that she had no problems or struggles in her life, currently or during her younger years. Then, one day she told me about her granddaughter who had passed away at age twelve and the floodgates opened. We got to the bottom of things, she discovered her why, and her business grew by leaps and bounds, almost overnight! Be Open and Willing to Examine Your Inner Feelings Life is fluid and ever-changing so it stands to reason that your WHY would change over time as well. Even if you started your business because you didn't know what to do once your kids were in full day school, you can change that WHY to something more meaningful now. A mentor once shared with me that she started a service business because she was a single mom and needed to earn money to survive. She was responsible for lodging, food, and clothing for herself and her child. She didn't have anyone to rely on except herself. THIS is enough to make you cry and to hustle for work, knowing that if she wasn't working, she wasn't eating. What are you passionate about that will get you hustling? Are you passionate about a cause or charity that can benefit from your financial assistance? Do you need to pull yourself up out of financial despair? Don't be afraid to own that reason and fight for your business. This is how you will continue to get closer to understanding and recognizing the answer to “what's your why?” Don't be Afraid to Switch Business Gears to Discover Your “Why” One of my mentees admitted to me early on that even though she has been in a service business for over ten years, that she hadn't been motivated to create any classes or products as a source of passive income. She blamed her indecision on a lack of new ideas and a feeling and belief that everything she knew had already been said and done, but I questioned if it was because she didn't feel attached to her particular niche of online marketing. After some more discussion, she agreed and has since modified her services that align better with what she enjoys. I still suggested that she explore a deeper WHY but this is a step in the right direction. Plenty of businesses add or subtract products or services or modify their mission statement. If something about your business doesn't feel right, don't be afraid to make changes. I'm bestselling author and online entrepreneur Connie Ragen Green, and now I can confidently answer the question “What's your why?” with enthusiasm and conviction. My “why” is around the concept of helping others to achieve their goals and dreams with writing and having a profitable online business so they may follow their dreams and passions without having to do work that doesn't make their heart sing or worry about meeting all of their financial obligations with grace and ease. You can double your productivity and be success with a business, or with anything you choose to accomplish in your life, if you are willing to implement what you learn and take decisive action on a consistent basis. Many people come to me to learn how to successful and profitable as an online entrepreneur. But some of them end up saying “I already know that” and moving on to something else. I know that I am able to do more than I ever thought would be possible in my life because I am willing to learn, implement, course correct, ask questions, take massive action and keep moving forward with consistency. Others may be smarter or more knowledgeable, but if they hesitate to take action they will not achieve the results they are hoping for in their business or with anything else. As long as you are specific and intentional with what you want to achieve, you can do it all as an entrepreneur, just not all at once. And we must throw perfection out the window. I have a new saying… The more perfecter your goal, the less purfeckt your results. “Everything we do in our lives is preparing us for something that will arise in the future, even though we don’t yet know what that will be.” ~ Connie Ragen Green Our stories are the fabric of our life. A story sets you apart from everyone else, makes you unique and memorable, and is all you have when it's all said and done. When I was a young child a neighbor girl, seven or eight years old at the time, interrupted my mother in the middle of a story she was telling to ask, “Why do you have so many stories?” My mother hardly skipped a beat, informing the girl that “You'll have stories too, when you get older.” On that evening a part of me became a storyteller in training. Sure enough, it wasn't long before I was telling stories about everything from what I did in school that day to what happened in the neighborhood. I wore my storyteller's hat with pride and now I see that this one aspect of my life was preparing me for what I now do in my business and derive great joy from every single day. The word “praestabilis” is from the Latin and means outstanding, excellent, and extraordinary and this is the goal for you as you make your way in the online world. It took me until age 50 to step into the light and live an empowered life. I achieved this by leaving a job – classroom teaching – and a career as a real estate broker and appraiser to come online as an entrepreneur. I have no regrets about waiting so long, as everything unfolds once we are open to receiving it. There are three top strategies to help you move closer to an empowered life and they include… Writing – Every day, I want you to write! This includes blog posts, outlines, emails to your prospects, clients, and potential joint venture partners. Also, write short reports and white papers to show others who you are and what you know. Finally, write a book to solidify your expertise in your niche, and follow that up with additional books over time. Writing is crucial to our process of standing out from the crowd by sharing what we know and believe. Reach out to me if you’re interested in coming aboard for my “10 Week Author” program. Recent posts on my three blogs are at: “Broken Compass Stories We Tell Ourselves” – https://mondaymorningmellow.com/broken-compass-story/ “The eBook That Changed My Life” – https://hugeprofitstinylist.com/ebook-that-changed-my-life/ “Marketing Secrets from Creative Sources” – https://connieragengreen.com/marketing-secrets-from-creative-sources/ Speaking – I was the reluctant speaker, but once I got past my fears and insecurities you can’t get the microphone away from me. Speak about yourself and your topic to anyone who will listen. I began by speaking at my Rotary Club and I continue to recommend service organizations as a way to break in to speaking. Now I speak all over the world, in person and virtually on a variety of topics. Masterminding – Connecting with others for the sole purpose of reaching your full potential is crucial to life success. Find a Mastermind group to join, or start your own by inviting thought leaders to connect with you in this way. I have a group called the Incubator Mastermind that may be of interest to you. Hopefully, you can see that what I’m sharing with on each podcast will make a difference for you as you build and grow your business as an entrepreneur, author, and marketer. Make sure to think of marketing as a priority and get into the habit of sharing your best ideas and resources with the people who are on their way to becoming your raving fans! I’m always just an email away at conniegreenhouse at yahoo dot com if you’d like to connect with me. I promise to help you keep it simple while you grow your online business. Get started with your own eBook empire by learning how to write an eBook from the person who continues to guide me along this lucrative journey. Take a look at How to Write and Publish Your Own eBook…in as Little as 7 Days from expert and author Jim Edwards. Thank you for this opportunity to serve you as I share my beliefs, perceptions, and experiences as an author, online entrepreneur, and marketing strategist with you. Marketing has become the joy of my life as I continue to learn, grow, and share concepts with others. I'm bestselling author, marketing strategist, and online entrepreneur Connie Ragen Green and I would love to connect further with you to help you to achieve your goals. If you are interested in learning how to optimize the syndication of your content, please take a look at my popular Syndication Optimization training course and consider coming aboard to increase your visibility, credibility, and profitability.The post Praestabilis – Excellence in Marketing – 161 first appeared on Connie Ragen Green Podcast.The post Praestabilis – Excellence in Marketing – 161 appeared first on Connie Ragen Green Podcast.

Welcome to Week No. 2 of the Saturday Morning Coffee Re-Boot!!This morning Reese and Tim are back in the studio with another fresh pot of conservative insight and discussion!  Reese talks about being a product of Horry County Public Schools and shares his hopes and ambitions, and his questions, about South Carolina's progress in educating our youth.Tim and Reese discuss the upcoming GOP primary and continue their discussion of the downward spiral of standards in our civic and public discourse, and the dangers inherent to the nation when we fail to relate to one another, and become incapable of seeing the humanity in our political opponents.  We talk about Mark Hamill and the totally disgusting "If Only" meme of the President that he shared online.  On a happier note, Reese talks about a very encouraging moment from a recent trip to Starbucks, and how we can all look for those little opportunities to brighten the days of those who cross our paths.Reese and Tim discuss the recent SCOTUS decision striking down the racial gerrymandering that has been done in LA and how the striking of Louisiana' congressional districts will have major implications for the Country moving forward.In the final segment, Reese discusses AI - "Artificial Intelligence" - and how there is a huge (and dangerous) tsunami headed our way - that is going to reformat our society in many ways, and yet no one seems to really be talking about it.  We need to be talking about it!Y'all have a great week, be blessed, and join us next week for more Saturday Morning Coffee!!

A new report argues that Australia lacks a national strategy to regulate the deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace. - Sebuah laporan baru berargumen bahwa Australia kekurangan strategi nasional untuk mengatur penyebaran kecerdasan buatan (AI) di tempat kerja.

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Oftentimes, we overlook the real ways governments and even corporations eavesdrop and spy on us on a daily basis. With today's increasing rollout of data centers, super-high-speed internet, and AI (Artificial Intelligence) we are willingly surrendering our privacy and freedom. Bob explains that and much more.Now, do you believe in this ministry? If you do, you can keep us on the air as a radio program and podcast by visiting our website. It is vastly more urgent than ever that you do. https://truth2ponder.com/support. You can also mail a check payable to Ancient Word Radio, P.O. Box 7037, Port Saint Lucie, FL, 34985. Thank you in advance for your faithfulness to this ministry.

With Sohrab Hosseini (Orq.ai) Season #13 Episode #2 | #Marketing_021 Der Podcast über Marketing, Vertrieb, Entrepreneurship und Startups *** www.orq.ai/ www.linkedin.com/in/sohrabhosseini/ *** In the "Marketing From Zero To One" podcast, Sohrab Hosseini, co-founder of Orq.ai, talks about his personal founder journey, from his first startups and a difficult bankruptcy experience to building a new AI infrastructure company in Amsterdam. He explains how Orq.ai helps companies build, manage, and control AI applications and agents on one platform instead of using many disconnected tools. A central topic of the conversation is how the company adapted from prompt management to full agent lifecycle management while working with clients across many industries. The interview also covers fundraising, public speaking, the differences between Europe and the U.S. startup environment, and Sohrab's advice for future founders, and students. *** 01:19 – Sohrab's background and founder journey 03:37 – Personal lessons 05:55 – McKinsey, Tech transformation, and path to Orq.ai 07:28 – From business rules to AI agent infrastructure 08:29 – Early stage of Orq.ai and founding context 10:01 – How past failure shaped later decisions 10:37 – Meeting his co-founder Anthony 11:13 – Starting with uncertainty 12:37 – First product and first customers 14:21 – Customer problem and need for an AI platform 14:53 – How Orq.ai works across models and providers 17:20 – Horizontal platform, different use cases 18:44 – Sales, GTM, and product-led growth 21:26 – Clients, markets, and international reach 21:53 – Pricing logic and usage-based model 24:56 – Public speaking and founder visibility 26:43 – Recent U.S. trip and differences between EU & US 30:30 – Fundraising and the 5 million seed round 32:43 – Why Orq.ai is different from niche AI startups 33:39 – Product experience and developer adoption 36:50 – Core value proposition of the platform 40:17 – Agent trend, fast market changes, and product direction 43:32 – Typical use cases and regulated industries 45:45 – Europe, sovereignty, and strategic advantages 46:53 – Agents, SaaS change, and new user behavior 48:59 – Current product focus and next developments 50:54 – Advice for European AI infrastructure founders 53:37 – Tips for students who want to start a company

https://vimeo.com/1179023681?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci The world today might feel like a tangled up ball of yarn that is so twisted and knotted and looped around itself that it feels impossible to sort it out. But we can actually move under the surface, underneath the subconscious, to see the common threads that pull together through many wisdom traditions that will actually help us sort it all out. Today's guest is Jon Rasmussen, who is just a fantastic healer, graduate of The Four Winds Light Body School, and a Thetahealing instructor, who has been doing shamanic healing for over 30 years. A personal friend and favorite of mine. We are gonna have a great conversation about how we sort out this mess. Join us to find out more! Jon Rasmussen's healing gifts and passion for living life to the fullest developed after multiple near death experiences early in life. In 1979, Jon received a spontaneous, life altering kundalini awakening. And during the 1990s, he was initiated into the energy medicine practices of various shamanic lineages of the Americas, the Andes and Asia, including the Q'ero Tribe of Peru. For over thirty years, Jon has studied and practiced numerous personal growth and healing traditions. Jon has been called, “a brilliant and gifted healer, and a man of deep prescient insight.” by Dr. Alberto Villoldo. He is about to release his latest book, Common Threads, where he weaves all his life’s work together. Watch or listen to the show to learn practical wisdom teachings to improve your life. You’re Invited! LISTEN: Shaman Radio Podcast https://shamanradio.buzzsprout.com/2419313 Book a Session by emailing Jon   JON RASMUSSEN BIO A Graduate of the Healing the Light Body School through The Four Winds, and Thetahealing instructor, Jon Rasmussen has studied and practiced numerous personal growth, healing, and shamanic traditions for over 30 years. Jon received a spontaneous kundalini awakening in 1979 and was initiated into the shamanic energy medicine practices of the Americas, the Andes, and the Amazon during the 1990s. Jon received a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering with Minor in English Literature from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 1987 and worked for various high-tech companies for over a decade, including the AI (Artificial Intelligence industry). Jon experienced multiple near-deaths early in his life, which catalyzed his visionary and healing gifts as well as his desire to live life to the fullest. Since then he has been driven by his passion for the sciences and for helping people to create better lives and a better world. Jon is an adviser to a Peruvian NGO called Willka Yachay (Quechua for sacred wisdom) to develop education that enables young Q'eros to know their history and rights, avoid exploitation, build meaningful lives and develop their communities. Jon has advised Google’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) team and continues to explore this and many other subjects on he Podcast Page Shaman Radio Presents. LINKS Web: https://thesoulalgorithm.com/ Podcast: https://shamanradio.buzzsprout.com/2419313 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jon.noble.rasmussen/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shamanjonrasmussen/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonnrasmussen/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JonRasmussen   YOUR GUIDE TO SOUL NECTAR: KERRI HUMMINGBIRD Kerri Hummingbird, Medicine Woman, Mother and Mentor, is the Founder of Inner Medicine Training, a Mystery School that shares potent ancient traditions from the Andes and Himalayas for owning your wisdom and living your purpose. She is the #1 international best-selling author of “Inner Medicine: Becoming One with Mother Earth for the Survival of Humanity”, “Love Is Fierce: Healing the Mother Wound”, “The Second Wave: Transcending the Human Drama” (on the int'l bestseller charts for over 6 years) and the award-winning best-selling book “Awakening To Me: One Woman's Journey To Self Love” which describes the early years of her spiritual awakening. As the host of Soul Nectar Show, Ms. Hummingbird inspires people to lead their lives wide awake with an authenticity, passion and purpose that positively impacts others. As a healer and mentor, she catalyzes mind-shifts that transform life challenges into gifts of wisdom. If you are wondering what the heck is going on, the answer is simple. We are in the process of a massive shift in consciousness that can most aptly be described as the metamorphosis from caterpillar to butterfly. As a medicine woman, I guide you to the next deepest understanding and embodiment of yourself as a spiritual being. Whether you receive a shamanic healing session, participate in the Reinvent Yourself Training program, or join us for Inner Medicine Training, one thing is certain: you will connect more deeply with your true self and learn to navigate the changes in your life from an empowered space within. SCHEDULE A FREE DISCOVERY SESSION: https://tinyurl.com/SoulNectarChat JOIN SOUL NECTAR TRIBE! https://kerrihummingbird.com/membership In Soul Nectar Tribe, we are joining forces to influence a new conversation on the planet…one that respects and honors all of life and looks forward seven generations to ensure the consequences of our actions are what we choose to create for our descendents. When we join our sparks together in community and comraderie, we become a powerful beacon of light and hope. FREE GIFTS! 1. Receive the free Reinvent Yourself ebook and guided meditations at http://www.kerrihummingbird.com/gift 2. Receive the Second Wave Guided Meditation Pack for free at http://www.thesecondwave.media LINKS FOR KERRI HUMMINGBIRD Website: www.kerrihummingbird.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kerri.hummingbird.sami Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kerri.hummingbird/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@soulnectarshow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerrihummingbird/

Ready to radically transform your training program? We're diving into the massive potential of AI (Artificial Intelligence) to shrink the learning curve and boost your ROI! How do we move past old-school models and give learners the personalized, just-in-time knowledge they expect? Tune in to explore the future of asynchronous training, why we must rewrite the learning playbook, and how to create internal AI guardrails for company security. It's time to get on board and plan for the future of skill development! Show Highlights: 00:00: Why traditional training models are becoming “old school” in the age of AI. 02:27: Shrinking the “speed of skill” to cut costs using artificial intelligence. 04:27: The new generation’s expectation: personalized, self-driven learning via AI agents. 05:51: Creating personalized learning paths with pre-coded AI agents. 07:05: The shift from 120-day learning plans to an immediate, “just in time” model. 08:11: Why an internal enterprise AI solution is crucial for company data security. 09:45: Rewriting the book on cookie-cutter learning plans and embracing custom agents.

Welcome to Episode 160 of Praestabilis: Excellence in Marketing Welcome to Episode #160 of “Praestabilis: Excellence in Marketing” In this episode,the topic is “The Joy of Building and Growing an Online Business” I discuss how I came to discover the world of online entrepreneurship in 2005 and left my previous life as a classroom teacher and real estate broker/residential appraiser behind to start my own online business in 2026. Perhaps this lifestyle is right for you as well. I am sharing a live session of my “Really Simple Authority Blogging” ongoing training course with you and know you will benefit from the marketing strategies I am sharing and teaching here. Be sure to connect with me at https://ConnieRagenGreen.com or on X at https://x.com/ConnieGreen so I may serve you in the areas where my help could make a huge difference in your results. I’m going to share with you how much fun I’m having with creating simple courses using AI (Artificial Intelligence) in about 30 minutes. I know you can do the same thing. Keep it simple, and add the short course you create to a page on your existing website/blog. In this episode I’m discussing how to use keywords and search engine optimization (SEO) to grow your business. Your prospects and future clients, customers, and colleagues are waiting to connect with you, but if they can’t find you online it will never happen. Make it simple for your target audience to find you by using the keywords and phrases they are most likely to be searching for on Google, Bing, and the other search engines. The Power and Gift of Change”- We are all changing throughout each day, and I think we must embrace this change in order to grow and move forward. Changing can take many forms, and if you look back through your life you will come to understand that you are not the same person you were even a year ago. Here is a quote about this you may resonate with… “Growth lives outside the comfort zone. If it feels uncomfortable, you’re probably doing it right.” ~ Marie Forleo I believe that our businesses are based on the concept of serving others. When you start on online (or even a brick and mortar) business, your goal is to serve others with what you know and to benefit in multiple ways, including by earning an excellent income. I’m sharing several examples in this podcast about my own and experiences with clients over the years. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ This morning I was reading the message written by outgoing Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy. In it, he stated that his “parting prescription” for the American people is to cultivate a strong sense of community to help themselves and others. He added, “Relationships, service, and purpose are the time-tested triad of fulfillment that stands in contrast to wealth, fame, and power which define the modern-day triad of success.” Here are some other questions I want you to ask yourself: What is your commitment to yourself and to others close to you? Why are you focused on the things that are taking up your time? When will you begin to focus on goals that will allow you to create and leave a legacy? Whom do you trust to get you there? Perhaps my “Monthly Mentoring Program” is right for you. Motivation and Inspiration: What It Takes to Get Your Spark Back” During 2024 I went through a period where I wasn’t as motivated as I had been accustomed to being for many years. This gave me time to explore why I was feeling this way and to hopefully learn something that would help others. My inspiration to do all of the things I love in my business, including writing, creating, marketing, and mentoring was waning and I wasn’t sure why. Within a couple of months I was back on track and this is what I learned… Life isn’t easy, but then it isn’t supposed to be. Being challenged in so many ways on a regular basis makes us stronger and perhaps more appreciative and grateful for what we already have and what we know we can achieve if we believe in ourselves and have even one other person who knows we are special and tells us that as often as possible. Marie Forleo wrote a book titled “Everything Is Figureoutable” – https://ConnieLoves.me/FigureOutAble – Her precept is that if you’re having trouble solving a problem or reaching a dream, the problem isn’t you. It’s that you haven’t yet installed the one belief that changes everything. I’m at conniegreenhouse at yahoo dot com and want to hear from you on this topic, or on anything else. “Merging Your Life with Your Business” as a strategy. We aren’t creating a business we need a vacation from. Instead, we’re creating a “lifestyle by design” where we have the time and financial freedom to live in a way that few people are able to, and with choices around everything we do. If you’ve met me in person, heard me on my podcast, or read any of my books, you know that I am a very positive person. No matter what situation or circumstances arises, I truly believe there will always be a positive outcome on the horizon, and sooner rather than later. But I wasn’t always this way. This is a journey that continues… My first year online was 2006, and very quickly I connected with people I’m still part of a Mastermind with in Austin, Texas. I was invited to speak at an event there a couple of years later. It was hosted by Joe Vitale and Mendhi Audlin was also there. She shared a concept she had come up with that she calls “What If… UP!” The premise is that there is truly a silver lining in everything negative that occurs. I liken this to Newton’s Third Law of Motion: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. My precept and general rule for life is that we can achieve anything we want and feel that we deserve. Others want to help us to achieve our goals, but many times we get in their way by telling ourselves stories that aren’t true. Mendhi’s precept aligns with mine, and a year or so after I first met her she published a book on this… “What If It All Goes Right?: Creating a New World of Peace, Prosperity & Possibility” by Mendhi Audlin reveals the secret to turning possibilities into a tangible reality. It works! https://ConnieLoves.me/WhatIfUp I’m discussing the importance of being willing to “Better Your Best” during this new year, as well as recommending that this be the year you finally embrace AI – Artificial Intelligence – for your business. I have been a student of and someone who uses AI almost daily since February of 2022, and I’m learning from experts Andy O”Bryan and Denise Wakeman in their ongoing AI Success Club. Asking “How Are You Defining Success?” Creating a business as an entrepreneur allows you to live a lifestyle by design, with both time freedom and financial freedom. Think about how you want to live each day and then take action to make it happen. Over the years I’ve changed many things, while others have remained the same. Instead of making changes just for the sake of change, think about what you could change up and what makes sense to remain at least mostly the same. Years ago, I used to put together my blog posts on a single topic, like copywriting or list building or creation digital products into a simple document that I referred to as a ‘Focus Guide’ and gave them away to my list and to my prospects. Each of these documents contained resources and an ‘About the Author’ page that helped me to build my credibility, visibility, and profitability. For the first time ever, I am recommending that you write a book about yourself, your niche topic, and how you serve others. I first did this in 2009 and now I have written and published twenty-eight full-length, non-fiction books on the topics of entrepreneurship, personal, development, and authorship. Life can be messy. Are their ways you can keep moving forward when your personal life is turning upside down? Yes! Finding joy in helping and serving others, as well as compartmentalizing what is currently going on in your life are just two of the ways to deal with change and situations outside of your control. I recommend that you choose two social media platforms to use for the sole purpose of helping your prospects find and connect with you online. My favorite is X – formerly known as Twitter, and I also use LinkedIn and YouTube as my favorite social media sites to grow my business. Please connect with me on these sites and let me know how I may best serve you as you build and grow your profitable business. Is your list of what you are willing to do longer than your list of what you don’t want to do? I recommend a mile-long “to-do” list and a daily schedule of no more than four things that you will work on each day in your business. Find a mentor who believes in you and get started with creating a lifestyle by design that you want and deserve. I’m recommending James Clear’s “Atomic Habits” – https://ConnieLoves.me/AtomicHabits – as a book to help you alleviate your fears. We all have hopes, dreams, goals, and fears regarding our life experiences. I have found that if we build up our confidence and have faith that everything will turn out in a way that will be beneficial to all, we can continue to move forward without negative effects. Having an online business requires confidence. These are some questions to ask yourself: Who will you serve? What are your prospects pain points? What’s your idea? How will it be created, and then delivered? How will you sell it online? Creating a simple product or online course is the beginning of living a lifestyle by design. Reach out to me any time at conniegreenhouse at yahoo dot com if you’d like to know more about getting started as an online entrepreneur. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ My first online course back in 2006 was a simple one with three audio trainings and a workbook. Then, I began creating more sophisticated, but not more complicated courses. I’ve used the “Really Simple” branding for many courses at least 25 times, as well as using other terms and phrases based on the keywords I am optimizing for with each new course. Having your own online course on a topic you want to become known for will give you leverage to grow your business exponentially over time. It’s interesting to me that we as humans sometimes take things for granted that later on we know we should have appreciated in the moment. What I’m referring to here is having an online business you can run from home, or from anywhere in the world. There’s a window of opportunity that isn’t always open, and right now this window is wide open to everyone. A lot of it depends upon economic factors. I almost went back to graduate school two years ago to study economics, but decided against it because of the film and television writing I’m pursuing, but that’s a story for another time. Someone I work closely with had posted this quote from Richard Branson the other day: “Business opportunities are like buses, there’s always another one coming.” This does NOT apply to online business, but instead refers to starting a physical, brick and mortar business. I know several people in both of my cities who borrowed against their homes, cashed out retirement savings, and sold family heirlooms to start businesses in the community, only to go bankrupt a couple of years later. What I’m saying here is that this is the time to get your online business off the ground and up and running profitably. It’s so inexpensive in comparison, and the biggest expense I incur is what I pay mentors to guide me in the right direction. Yes, I still have a mentor and recommend you do as well. This isn’t coaching, but instead a personal relationship you’ll build over time that could lead to strategic alliance partnerships and lifelong friendships. I’m at conniegreenhouse at yahoo dot com if you want to know more about mentoring with me. The four widely accepted learning modalities (or modes) are known by the acronym VARK: Visual, Auditory, Reading/Writing, Kinesthetic. They are sometimes inaccurately referred to as “learning styles” which implies that each learner has a “style” of learning that should be maximized in all learning situations. Focusing on consistency, productivity, and creativity makes sense for all online entrepreneurs in 2024. I’m also sharing some effective and time-proven strategies with you here that will make a difference in your business, as well as in your personal life experience. Each day I focus on writing, creating, marketing, and teaching/learning/mentoring. My writing began as short and simple blog posts and blossomed into more than twenty-five full-length books. My writing is my oeuvre, my body of work that is my legacy to family, friends, colleagues, and those who follow me. During 2023 I wrote and published more than 400 thousand words. This breaks down to one full-length book, Self-Directed: Inspire, Motivate, and Empower Yourself to the Greatness That Lies Within; the current book on marketing that is more than halfway written; 8 short reports on topics of interest to the people I work with online; one hundred thirty-eight blog posts on three different blogs I maintain; and 382 email messages to my online community. These are  practical strategies for effective time management, emphasizing the importance of creating a balance between work and personal life. Achieving work-life harmony requires effective time management strategies that allow you to balance professional and personal responsibilities. Here are some strategies to help you manage your time more efficiently: 1. Set Clear Priorities: Identify your most important tasks and priorities for both work and personal life. Focus on what truly matters and allocate time accordingly. 2. Use a Time Management System: Choose a time management system that works for you, whether it’s a digital tool like Todoist or Trello, or a physical planner. Organize tasks, set deadlines, and track your progress. Schedules vs To-Do Lists 3. Prioritize Tasks with the Eisenhower Matrix: Categorize tasks into four quadrants: urgent and important, important but not urgent, urgent but not important, and neither urgent nor important. Prioritize tasks based on these categories. 4. Batch Similar Tasks: Group similar tasks together and tackle them during specific time blocks. This reduces the mental load of switching between different types of activities. 5. Time Blocking: Allocate specific blocks of time to different activities. This includes work tasks, personal commitments, and breaks. Stick to the schedule as much as possible. 6. Learn to Say No: Be selective about taking on new commitments. Saying no when necessary helps you avoid over-committing and allows you to focus on your existing priorities. 7. Delegate When Possible: Delegate tasks that others can handle. This applies to both professional and personal responsibilities. It’s okay to ask for help. 8. Practice the Two-Minute Rule: If a task takes less than two minutes, do it immediately. This prevents small tasks from piling up and becoming overwhelming. 9. Limit Multitasking: Focus on one task at a time. Multitasking can reduce efficiency and increase stress. Complete one task before moving on to the next. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ You’re starting a conversation with your emails, and building a relationship with your prospects, customers, and clients over time. I’ve been online as an entrepreneur, marketer, and writer since 2006, and while much has changed, I believe that more has remained the same. Here, I’m discussing how we marketed in those early days, and why email marketing still remains top of mind. Most recently, I’ve co-hosted an Advanced Email Marketing Conference with Ellen Finkelstein. In April of 2023, I hosted my latest live marketing event in Los Angeles, and more recently I’ve hosted my Santa Barbara Retreat for those I mentor and teach. But like everyone else, I began by attending live events, and eventually virtual events in order to find my voice, connect with other like-minded people, and learn more about building and growing my online business. Guerilla marketing is a way to drive publicity and, as a result, brand awareness by promoting using unconventional methods designed to evoke surprise, wonder, or shock. Guerrilla marketing is the creating use of novel or unconventional methods in order to boost sales or attract interest in a brand or business. These methods are often low- or no-cost and involve the widespread use of more personal interactions or through viral social media messaging. This marketing method has increased in popularity with the rise of ubiquitous mobile and connected technologies that can amplify messaging and focus on target groups of consumers. Some consumers may be more attracted by guerrilla marketing campaigns as they may be more interesting and daring, while others may be turned off because of the perceived “disruptive” aspects of this style of marketing. Please subscribe and leave me a review. And connect with me at https://ConnieRagenGreen.com. Find out more about me HERE. Becoming an online entrepreneur was the best decision I ever made. I’ve been online since 2006 and now help others all over the world to do the same or something similar. We all have times where we are feeling a little down, lost, or confused. Life isn’t easy, and no one makes it out alive! These are my recommendations for how to get back on track and feeling more happy and optimistic about your future… Write! Whether you’re already a writer or are just beginning to think about sharing your thoughts, ideas, and experiences with others, writing makes sense. I write every single day and publish much of my writing as blog posts, short reports, and full-length books. Writing opens your mind to what you want in the future, by allowing you to explore the past through your memories. You can also retell and reframe your stories in a way that will serve you going forward. Start a new project! I usually create products and courses as new projects, but this can also manifest as something you build or create with your hands. I have family members on two continents that love to put together complex jigsaw puzzles. They look forward to these as a new project on a regular basis. Volunteer! Before I started my online business, I promised myself I would volunteer my time and donate money to charitable causes… as soon as I had the time and the money to do so. Once I had my own business, I realized that I had some time and a little money to do this all along. Spend time with new people! As a part of the volunteering I now do regularly, I’ve spent time with very young children, veterans, women starting over after being in a domestic violence situation, and more. This work continues to make a difference in my life. As you can see, there are many ways to get back to your “Why?” and I hope this has been helpful to you. What’s the best niche topic to cover in your blog? I know you don’t what to hear me say “It depends.” so I won’t. Lean in, and I’ll share the very best niche for you, and it’s one that is also the most profitable, will feel more like you’re just having fun, will never go out of style, and will be the one that has absolutely zero competition. Which niche topic and target audience could it possibly be? I won’t keep you in suspense any longer. I learned when I began online 17 years ago that the best niche for anyone is the one that makes your heart sing and is probably a topic you take for granted. I had been teaching school for twenty years and my students were mostly Spanish and Tagalog native speakers. I told them if they wrote just a few sentences every single day – weekends, holidays, and school breaks included – their writing would improve. Those who followed my advice excelled, while those who didn’t floundered. During all those years, I seldom wrote anything unless it was required for my work as a teacher or for my part-time work in real estate. Fast forward to 2006, and I realized not only that I needed to write in order to succeed online, but also that what I’d done with my students would apply here as well. My niche for the next eighteen months was around helping others to write, publish, market, and sell eBooks. I wrote one on real estate farming – choosing and area close to home to connect with people who may need your services – as an example and sold it on my website. Back then, you had to sell eBooks on your own websites, as Amazon had not yet entered the world of self-publishing. My niche and website became “eBook writing and marketing secrets” and this topic took me to six figures. I was learning right along with the people who were learning and buying from me. I then moved that site over to https://ConnieRagenGreen.com to make a name for myself and to branch out to other topics. The bottom line is that you must begin by sharing what you already know something about and love. Blogging is the direct path to the visibility, credibility, and profitability you wish to have in your business. In my business, every idea begins as a blog post. This is where I think and research and brainstorm what’s on my mind in the very beginning. The blog post is ground zero for what could, and many times does become a product, course or program. Blog posts, while based on your idea, can be created with original content, private label (PLR) rights content, guest content, or curated content. While I immediately share my published posts on social media as “micro content” you’ll want to wait at least 24 hours before syndicating your content on Medium. I also teach this syndication strategy in my popular and ongoing Syndication Optimization training program. Next up in your content creation and content marketing strategy is a short report, which you may sell online or give away as a lead magnet. I teach all of this in my Really Simple Short Reports training. This is what we refer to as “cornerstone” content that is extremely valuable. The final step is creating “authority content” by publishing your writing as a Kindle or paperback book to increase your visibility and build your reputation as an expert on your topic. I typically discuss time management and productivity in regards to entrepreneurs, marketers, and authors, and I’ve even co-authored a bestselling book on this topic, entitled “Time Management Strategies for Entrepreneurs: How to Manage Your Time to Increase Your Bottom Line” where we outline in great details the steps you may take to reach a level of optimal productivity and time management as an entrepreneur. But what about everyone else? Doesn’t every person deserve to live the lifestyle they want and deserve, where they enjoy financial freedom and the time to enjoy every moment to the fullest? Of course they do, and that’s what I’m sharing during this podcast. When I began online as a new entrepreneur in 2006, I realized immediately I would need help with technology and graphics, as these were the areas where I had no experience or talent. I bartered for these services for the first year or so, and then began to put together a team of people to support me so my business could grow. When I look back over my lifetime, I see that I have always had a team supporting me, whether it was while I worked as a classroom teacher, or in real estate as a broker and residential appraiser. Even while I was growing up, I was surrounded by people who supported me, from family, friends and neighbors to teachers, clergy, and people in the community. Put together your team and watch your business grow exponentially! When it comes to your visibility as an entrepreneur, where may we find you to see what you’re doing? This expert status comes from your writing, videos and audios, and your social media presence on the most active platforms for your target audience. My three popular and active blogs are at ConnieRagenGreen.com, HugeProfitsTinyList.com, and at MondayMorningMellow.com. Credibility is about what you already know and what you are learning. We all started our online businesses as adults, so we brought our knowledge and experiences with us. It made sense for me to help people write, market, and publish eBooks in the beginning, because I had worked as a classroom teacher for twenty years prior to coming online, and was learning about marketing and self-publishing. Profitability means that you must ask “What’s for sale?” every day in your business. Create your own simple products and courses, recommend others with affiliate marketing, and look into buying the resale rights to sell other people’s products as your own like I continue to do in my own business. The final part of this information on your expert status as an entrepreneur includes productivity, consistency, and attention to detail. Get everything in place as quickly as possible, and your online business is sure to grow exponentially! During my first couple of years online, beginning in 2007 I connected with mentors Alex Mandossian and Raymond Aaron. When I inquired as to what they were doing together as strategic alliance partners, they gave me a brief explanation and told me that I was not yet ready to move up to this level. Over the next two years they helped me to grow and elevate my business and my mindset as an online entrepreneur so that I could connect with others in this way. Seek out the people and groups you wish to be involved with and show them that you have moved past tactics and on to strategies. It will make all the difference and as you uplevel everything you’re doing online in your business, your free time and disposable income will increase exponentially! When I work with people in my Incubator Mastermind Mentoring program, the goal is to move them into position to become a strategic alliance partner with me and others to share their message in a bigger way. WHY did you choose the career you started your working life with? WHY did you get married, have children, and move into your first home? WHY did you make the conscious decision to leave your career at some point and start your business? WHY do you want to be an author or entrepreneur, or coach? WHY do you get up every single day and do the work required to become more successful on an ongoing basis? Everyone must have a WHY and there are no right or wrong answers here. But if you find yourself unmotivated to work or if you find yourself procrastinating on projects, then it's time to re-examine the main reason for your business. Name Your Reason – or Your WHY – for Starting a Business Focusing on your WHY can help motivate you, so write down your reason for starting a business on a regular basis. Did you want to fill your free time? Did you want to earn some play money or contribute to the family finances? Did you want to pay the medical bills of an aging parent or a sick child? Did you want to pay for your child's higher education or private school tuition? In my case, my answer to “what's your why?” was always around having enough income to live life on my terms. Over time, I came to the realization that every choice I was making, and each time I could not do something that had meaning for me, was all related to me needing to earn a paycheck or a commission from the classroom teaching and real estate work I was involved with each day. I missed just about every family event, vacation, and other activities because I was working 60 or more hours a week in order to cover my bills and other expenses. I wasn't angry or resentful because I believed that I didn't deserve to have a better life during those decades. This all changed in 2005 when I began reading books and attending events based on self improvement and personal development principles. Writing these reasons down – no matter what they are because every person's WHY will be different – should help motivate you to work hard. You should feel driven to make your business a success. You should be willing to tackle things outside your comfort zone because you know the end result will help your business. If you're not feeling motivated, then you need to dig deeper. I worked closely with a woman who was struggling to make her online business become profitable, and she continued to tell me that she had no problems or struggles in her life, currently or during her younger years. Then, one day she told me about her granddaughter who had passed away at age twelve and the floodgates opened. We got to the bottom of things, she discovered her why, and her business grew by leaps and bounds, almost overnight! Be Open and Willing to Examine Your Inner Feelings Life is fluid and ever-changing so it stands to reason that your WHY would change over time as well. Even if you started your business because you didn't know what to do once your kids were in full day school, you can change that WHY to something more meaningful now. A mentor once shared with me that she started a service business because she was a single mom and needed to earn money to survive. She was responsible for lodging, food, and clothing for herself and her child. She didn't have anyone to rely on except herself. THIS is enough to make you cry and to hustle for work, knowing that if she wasn't working, she wasn't eating. What are you passionate about that will get you hustling? Are you passionate about a cause or charity that can benefit from your financial assistance? Do you need to pull yourself up out of financial despair? Don't be afraid to own that reason and fight for your business. This is how you will continue to get closer to understanding and recognizing the answer to “what's your why?” Don't be Afraid to Switch Business Gears to Discover Your “Why” One of my mentees admitted to me early on that even though she has been in a service business for over ten years, that she hadn't been motivated to create any classes or products as a source of passive income. She blamed her indecision on a lack of new ideas and a feeling and belief that everything she knew had already been said and done, but I questioned if it was because she didn't feel attached to her particular niche of online marketing. After some more discussion, she agreed and has since modified her services that align better with what she enjoys. I still suggested that she explore a deeper WHY but this is a step in the right direction. Plenty of businesses add or subtract products or services or modify their mission statement. If something about your business doesn't feel right, don't be afraid to make changes. I'm bestselling author and online entrepreneur Connie Ragen Green, and now I can confidently answer the question “What's your why?” with enthusiasm and conviction. My “why” is around the concept of helping others to achieve their goals and dreams with writing and having a profitable online business so they may follow their dreams and passions without having to do work that doesn't make their heart sing or worry about meeting all of their financial obligations with grace and ease. You can double your productivity and be success with a business, or with anything you choose to accomplish in your life, if you are willing to implement what you learn and take decisive action on a consistent basis. Many people come to me to learn how to successful and profitable as an online entrepreneur. But some of them end up saying “I already know that” and moving on to something else. I know that I am able to do more than I ever thought would be possible in my life because I am willing to learn, implement, course correct, ask questions, take massive action and keep moving forward with consistency. Others may be smarter or more knowledgeable, but if they hesitate to take action they will not achieve the results they are hoping for in their business or with anything else. As long as you are specific and intentional with what you want to achieve, you can do it all as an entrepreneur, just not all at once. And we must throw perfection out the window. I have a new saying… The more perfecter your goal, the less purfeckt your results. “Everything we do in our lives is preparing us for something that will arise in the future, even though we don’t yet know what that will be.” ~ Connie Ragen Green Our stories are the fabric of our life. A story sets you apart from everyone else, makes you unique and memorable, and is all you have when it's all said and done. When I was a young child a neighbor girl, seven or eight years old at the time, interrupted my mother in the middle of a story she was telling to ask, “Why do you have so many stories?” My mother hardly skipped a beat, informing the girl that “You'll have stories too, when you get older.” On that evening a part of me became a storyteller in training. Sure enough, it wasn't long before I was telling stories about everything from what I did in school that day to what happened in the neighborhood. I wore my storyteller's hat with pride and now I see that this one aspect of my life was preparing me for what I now do in my business and derive great joy from every single day. The word “praestabilis” is from the Latin and means outstanding, excellent, and extraordinary and this is the goal for you as you make your way in the online world. It took me until age 50 to step into the light and live an empowered life. I achieved this by leaving a job – classroom teaching – and a career as a real estate broker and appraiser to come online as an entrepreneur. I have no regrets about waiting so long, as everything unfolds once we are open to receiving it. There are three top strategies to help you move closer to an empowered life and they include… Writing – Every day, I want you to write! This includes blog posts, outlines, emails to your prospects, clients, and potential joint venture partners. Also, write short reports and white papers to show others who you are and what you know. Finally, write a book to solidify your expertise in your niche, and follow that up with additional books over time. Writing is crucial to our process of standing out from the crowd by sharing what we know and believe. Reach out to me if you’re interested in coming aboard for my “10 Week Author” program. Recent posts on my three blogs are at: “Broken Compass Stories We Tell Ourselves” – https://mondaymorningmellow.com/broken-compass-story/ “The eBook That Changed My Life” – https://hugeprofitstinylist.com/ebook-that-changed-my-life/ “Marketing Secrets from Creative Sources” – https://connieragengreen.com/marketing-secrets-from-creative-sources/ Speaking – I was the reluctant speaker, but once I got past my fears and insecurities you can’t get the microphone away from me. Speak about yourself and your topic to anyone who will listen. I began by speaking at my Rotary Club and I continue to recommend service organizations as a way to break in to speaking. Now I speak all over the world, in person and virtually on a variety of topics. Masterminding – Connecting with others for the sole purpose of reaching your full potential is crucial to life success. Find a Mastermind group to join, or start your own by inviting thought leaders to connect with you in this way. I have a group called the Incubator Mastermind that may be of interest to you. Hopefully, you can see that what I’m sharing with on each podcast will make a difference for you as you build and grow your business as an entrepreneur, author, and marketer. Make sure to think of marketing as a priority and get into the habit of sharing your best ideas and resources with the people who are on their way to becoming your raving fans! I’m always just an email away at conniegreenhouse at yahoo dot com if you’d like to connect with me. I promise to help you keep it simple while you grow your online business. Get started with your own eBook empire by learning how to write an eBook from the person who continues to guide me along this lucrative journey. Take a look at How to Write and Publish Your Own eBook…in as Little as 7 Days from expert and author Jim Edwards. Thank you for this opportunity to serve you as I share my beliefs, perceptions, and experiences as an author, online entrepreneur, and marketing strategist with you. Marketing has become the joy of my life as I continue to learn, grow, and share concepts with others. I'm bestselling author, marketing strategist, and online entrepreneur Connie Ragen Green and I would love to connect further with you to help you to achieve your goals. If you are interested in learning how to optimize the syndication of your content, please take a look at my popular Syndication Optimization training course and consider coming aboard to increase your visibility, credibility, and profitability.The post Praestabilis – Excellence in Marketing – 160 first appeared on Connie Ragen Green Podcast.The post Praestabilis – Excellence in Marketing – 160 appeared first on Connie Ragen Green Podcast.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we continued our weekly theme, “End Times Week and AI,” with Dr. Sam Storms and Jason Thacker. Dr. Sam Storms joined us to discuss whether events in the Middle East are a reflection of prophecy and how believers should respond to the end times with self-control, unity, and a focus on the gospel. Dr. Storms is the founder and president of Enjoying God Ministries and serves on the Council of The Gospel Coalition and as Executive Director of the Convergence Church Network. He also served as Visiting Associate Professor of Theology at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, and is a past president of the Evangelical Theological Society. Jason Thacker also joined us to discuss how believers should think about AI through a biblical lens. Jason serves as Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Ethics at Boyce College and Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He is the author of several books, including “Following Jesus in the Digital Age” and “The Age of AI: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity.” He was also the project leader and lead drafter of “Artificial Intelligence: An Evangelical Statement of Principles.” He is also a Director of the research institute at The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. We then turned to the phone lines to hear from our listeners. We asked the question, “What topic have you most benefited from hearing about on Moody Radio?” You can hear the highlights of today’s program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. If you're looking to hear a particular segment from the show, look at the following time stamps:Jason Thacker’s Interview [ 00:53 ]Callers Question [ 16:15 ]Dr. Sam Storm’s Interview [ 23:37 ]Karl and Crew airs live weekday mornings from 5-9 a.m. Central Time. Click this link for ways to listen in your area! https://www.moodyradio.org/ways-to-listenDonate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we continued our weekly theme, “End Times Week and AI,” with Dr. Sam Storms and Jason Thacker. Dr. Sam Storms joined us to discuss whether events in the Middle East are a reflection of prophecy and how believers should respond to the end times with self-control, unity, and a focus on the gospel. Dr. Storms is the founder and president of Enjoying God Ministries and serves on the Council of The Gospel Coalition and as Executive Director of the Convergence Church Network. He also served as Visiting Associate Professor of Theology at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, and is a past president of the Evangelical Theological Society. Jason Thacker also joined us to discuss how believers should think about AI through a biblical lens. Jason serves as Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Ethics at Boyce College and Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He is the author of several books, including “Following Jesus in the Digital Age” and “The Age of AI: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity.” He was also the project leader and lead drafter of “Artificial Intelligence: An Evangelical Statement of Principles.” He is also a Director of the research institute at The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. We then turned to the phone lines to hear from our listeners. We asked the question, “What topic have you most benefited from hearing about on Moody Radio?” You can hear the highlights of today’s program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. If you're looking to hear a particular segment from the show, look at the following time stamps:Jason Thacker’s Interview [ 00:53 ]Callers Question [ 16:15 ]Dr. Sam Storm’s Interview [ 23:37 ]Karl and Crew airs live weekday mornings from 5-9 a.m. Central Time. Click this link for ways to listen in your area! https://www.moodyradio.org/ways-to-listenDonate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we continued our weekly theme, “End Times Week and AI,” with Dr. Sam Storms and Jason Thacker. Dr. Sam Storms joined us to discuss whether events in the Middle East are a reflection of prophecy and how believers should respond to the end times with self-control, unity, and a focus on the gospel. Dr. Storms is the founder and president of Enjoying God Ministries and serves on the Council of The Gospel Coalition and as Executive Director of the Convergence Church Network. He also served as Visiting Associate Professor of Theology at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, and is a past president of the Evangelical Theological Society. Jason Thacker also joined us to discuss how believers should think about AI through a biblical lens. Jason serves as Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Ethics at Boyce College and Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He is the author of several books, including “Following Jesus in the Digital Age” and “The Age of AI: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity.” He was also the project leader and lead drafter of “Artificial Intelligence: An Evangelical Statement of Principles.” He is also a Director of the research institute at The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. We then turned to the phone lines to hear from our listeners. We asked the question, “What topic have you most benefited from hearing about on Moody Radio?” You can hear the highlights of today’s program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. If you're looking to hear a particular segment from the show, look at the following time stamps:Jason Thacker’s Interview [ 00:53 ]Callers Question [ 16:15 ]Dr. Sam Storm’s Interview [ 23:37 ]Karl and Crew airs live weekday mornings from 5-9 a.m. Central Time. Click this link for ways to listen in your area! https://www.moodyradio.org/ways-to-listenDonate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we continued our weekly theme, “End Times Week and AI,” with Dr. Sam Storms and Jason Thacker. Dr. Sam Storms joined us to discuss whether events in the Middle East are a reflection of prophecy and how believers should respond to the end times with self-control, unity, and a focus on the gospel. Dr. Storms is the founder and president of Enjoying God Ministries and serves on the Council of The Gospel Coalition and as Executive Director of the Convergence Church Network. He also served as Visiting Associate Professor of Theology at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, and is a past president of the Evangelical Theological Society. Jason Thacker also joined us to discuss how believers should think about AI through a biblical lens. Jason serves as Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Ethics at Boyce College and Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He is the author of several books, including “Following Jesus in the Digital Age” and “The Age of AI: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity.” He was also the project leader and lead drafter of “Artificial Intelligence: An Evangelical Statement of Principles.” He is also a Director of the research institute at The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. We then turned to the phone lines to hear from our listeners. We asked the question, “What topic have you most benefited from hearing about on Moody Radio?” You can hear the highlights of today’s program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. If you're looking to hear a particular segment from the show, look at the following time stamps:Jason Thacker’s Interview [ 00:53 ]Callers Question [ 16:15 ]Dr. Sam Storm’s Interview [ 23:37 ]Karl and Crew airs live weekday mornings from 5-9 a.m. Central Time. Click this link for ways to listen in your area! https://www.moodyradio.org/ways-to-listenDonate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we continued our weekly theme, “End Times Week and AI,” with Dr. Sam Storms and Jason Thacker. Dr. Sam Storms joined us to discuss whether events in the Middle East are a reflection of prophecy and how believers should respond to the end times with self-control, unity, and a focus on the gospel. Dr. Storms is the founder and president of Enjoying God Ministries and serves on the Council of The Gospel Coalition and as Executive Director of the Convergence Church Network. He also served as Visiting Associate Professor of Theology at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, and is a past president of the Evangelical Theological Society. Jason Thacker also joined us to discuss how believers should think about AI through a biblical lens. Jason serves as Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Ethics at Boyce College and Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He is the author of several books, including “Following Jesus in the Digital Age” and “The Age of AI: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity.” He was also the project leader and lead drafter of “Artificial Intelligence: An Evangelical Statement of Principles.” He is also a Director of the research institute at The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. We then turned to the phone lines to hear from our listeners. We asked the question, “What topic have you most benefited from hearing about on Moody Radio?” You can hear the highlights of today’s program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. If you're looking to hear a particular segment from the show, look at the following time stamps:Jason Thacker’s Interview [ 00:53 ]Callers Question [ 16:15 ]Dr. Sam Storm’s Interview [ 23:37 ]Karl and Crew airs live weekday mornings from 5-9 a.m. Central Time. Click this link for ways to listen in your area! https://www.moodyradio.org/ways-to-listenDonate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we continued our weekly theme, “End Times Week and AI,” with Dr. Sam Storms and Jason Thacker. Dr. Sam Storms joined us to discuss whether events in the Middle East are a reflection of prophecy and how believers should respond to the end times with self-control, unity, and a focus on the gospel. Dr. Storms is the founder and president of Enjoying God Ministries and serves on the Council of The Gospel Coalition and as Executive Director of the Convergence Church Network. He also served as Visiting Associate Professor of Theology at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, and is a past president of the Evangelical Theological Society. Jason Thacker also joined us to discuss how believers should think about AI through a biblical lens. Jason serves as Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Ethics at Boyce College and Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He is the author of several books, including “Following Jesus in the Digital Age” and “The Age of AI: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity.” He was also the project leader and lead drafter of “Artificial Intelligence: An Evangelical Statement of Principles.” He is also a Director of the research institute at The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. We then turned to the phone lines to hear from our listeners. We asked the question, “What topic have you most benefited from hearing about on Moody Radio?” You can hear the highlights of today’s program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. If you're looking to hear a particular segment from the show, look at the following time stamps:Jason Thacker’s Interview [ 00:53 ]Callers Question [ 16:15 ]Dr. Sam Storm’s Interview [ 23:37 ]Karl and Crew airs live weekday mornings from 5-9 a.m. Central Time. Click this link for ways to listen in your area! https://www.moodyradio.org/ways-to-listenDonate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we continued our weekly theme, “End Times Week and AI,” with Dr. Sam Storms and Jason Thacker. Dr. Sam Storms joined us to discuss whether events in the Middle East are a reflection of prophecy and how believers should respond to the end times with self-control, unity, and a focus on the gospel. Dr. Storms is the founder and president of Enjoying God Ministries and serves on the Council of The Gospel Coalition and as Executive Director of the Convergence Church Network. He also served as Visiting Associate Professor of Theology at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, and is a past president of the Evangelical Theological Society. Jason Thacker also joined us to discuss how believers should think about AI through a biblical lens. Jason serves as Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Ethics at Boyce College and Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He is the author of several books, including “Following Jesus in the Digital Age” and “The Age of AI: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity.” He was also the project leader and lead drafter of “Artificial Intelligence: An Evangelical Statement of Principles.” He is also a Director of the research institute at The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. We then turned to the phone lines to hear from our listeners. We asked the question, “What topic have you most benefited from hearing about on Moody Radio?” You can hear the highlights of today’s program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. If you're looking to hear a particular segment from the show, look at the following time stamps:Jason Thacker’s Interview [ 00:53 ]Callers Question [ 16:15 ]Dr. Sam Storm’s Interview [ 23:37 ]Karl and Crew airs live weekday mornings from 5-9 a.m. Central Time. Click this link for ways to listen in your area! https://www.moodyradio.org/ways-to-listenDonate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Rethinking Paid Media Can Drive More Efficient, Sustainable B2B Growth In this competitive environment, the fundamentals of effective B2B marketing are more crucial than ever, yet many brands are losing sight of them. As platforms become more inundated with noise, organizations are increasingly over-investing in paid media while under-investing in the strategic groundwork that makes paid campaigns perform. This imbalance leads to wasted spend, mixed messages, and weaker results, just as B2B audiences are becoming more selective. So, how can marketing leaders leverage paid media to drive more efficient, sustainable B2B growth? That's why we're talking to Andrea Ness (Head of Media, ddm marketing + communications), who shares her expertise on how rethinking paid media can drive more efficient, sustainable B2B growth. During our conversation, Andrea emphasized the importance of integrating paid media with owned and earned media to creative a holistic customer journey. She stressed that B2B paid media should amplify strong messaging rather than being the sole focus of a marketing campaign. With sales cycles often lasting 6-18 months, Andrea highlighted the need for consistent messaging across all channels and the importance of building long-term trust. She also underscored the significance of long-lasting assets such as website and thought leadership for sustainable ROI. Andrea advocated for a strategic approach to measurement, leveraging full-funnel metrics that go beyond immediate conversions to capture the true impact of a brand's digital presence. https://youtu.be/HdpEGsfjxuI Topics discussed in episode: [00:00] Why a weak narrative just means broadcasting confusion at scale  [02:44] Why teams skip to conversions and why it backfires in 6–18 month buying cycles  [05:45] The problem found when sales, PR, web, and leadership aren’t saying the same thing  [09:19] How B2B buyer behavior has changed, and why sales calls are the last resort  [13:24] How to reframe brand investment in language leadership buys into  [17:09] The three paid media pitfalls every B2B marketer must avoid [21:59] Why foundational messaging lifts every channel, and how to evolve it  [24:59] Demystifying owned, earned, and paid media [32:11] Long-lasting assets vs. short-term ads: SEO, thought leadership, and repurposed content that compound  [34:48] Brand lift studies, return visitors, time on site, and the metrics that prove full-funnel progress  [37:56] Why you must build the house before you turn on the amplifier Companies and links mentioned: Andrea Ness on LinkedIn  ddm marketing + communications   Transcript Andrea Ness, Christian Klepp Andrea Ness  00:00 People usually don’t convert on the first ad exposure that they see. So you really, really do want to make sure that there are so many other ways that they can get to that information. Advertising helps. But you know, like, like, if you look at you know what your journey is. And really, it’s a great exercise if you don’t have a customer journey, like, laid out on paper and really, and looking at that, not just for paid media channels, but also, you know, like, here’s what we’re doing, foundational like that owned media, you know. And then here’s what you know earned media is doing that they’re really pushing out. And here’s their focus. Christian Klepp  00:31 The fundamentals of effective B2B Marketing have not changed, but in 2026 many brands are losing sight of them as platforms become more crowded and ad costs continue to rise, organizations are increasingly over investing in paid media while under investing in the strategic groundwork that makes paid campaigns perform. This imbalance leads to wasted spend mixed messages and weaker results, just as audiences are becoming more selective. So how can B2B Marketers leverage paid media to drive more efficient, sustainable growth? Welcome to this episode of the B2B Marketers in the Mission podcast, and I’m your host, Christian Klepp, today, I’ll be talking to Andrea Ness, who will be answering this question. She’s the head of media at DDM Marketing and Communications, where she helps drive digital marketing initiatives for B2B organizations, tune in to find out more about what this B2B Marketers Mission is. Andrea Ness, welcome to the show. Andrea Ness  01:29 Very good to be here. Christian Klepp  01:30 Really good to have you on. I mean, you know, we’ve, we’ve had such a great free interview conversation where we, we laughed so much about all these random topics, and that was already, like, very telling of, like, what’s to come. But I’m, I’m really looking forward to this conversation. It’s, it’s a very pertinent one. I think it’s something that B2B marketing teams really need to be paying attention to as they move forward. At the time of this recording, at the beginning of 2026 All right, so let’s, let’s jump right in and start the interview. So, Andrea, like for you’re on a mission, I would say, to help B2B companies deliver high impact marketing campaigns that drive measurable results. For this conversation, I’d like to zero in on the topic of how rethinking the role of paid media can drive more efficient, sustainable growth. So I’d like to kick off the conversation with two questions, and I’m happy to repeat them, right? So question number one, why do you think paid media should function as an extension of brand trust, rather than the centerpiece of a marketing strategy? And the follow up question is, where do you see many B2B Marketing Teams struggle. Andrea Ness  02:44 All right, I will start with round one, but with the first one, usually, when someone hears media campaign, they go straight to, like the media teams and like going to tactics where, like, where we really want to back up and just say, you know, paid media works as it to amplify the message that you’re trying to put out there, not to create the message. So if you don’t have that, those strong messaging and those components in place, or what we like to say at your house in order, you know, like we’re not going to be the best at creating the message, but only taking really resonating messaging and putting it out to the world. So it we call paid media more like a distribution engine. And it’s not the message itself, you know, and it’s also, you know, to really, really underline brand narrative is, if their your brand narrative isn’t strong, your paid media just amplifies people to get confused. One of the things that we like to talk about with clients is that audiences see 1000s of messages every day, you know. So like, even if we might be in the right channels, you know, with everyone else, if it doesn’t resonate, if it doesn’t align, you know, if it doesn’t connect and strong, then they’re just trying to pass it by with hundreds and 1000s of others. So really, really, what is that message component? What are you trying to tell them? When are you trying to tell them that? And then we just use paid media, the tactics for paid media, just to make sure that we’re amplifying that message to the right people. So that’s with your first question, what your second one was, Christian Klepp  04:14 Where do you see a lot of based on based on that, like, where do you see a lot of B2B marketing teams struggle? Andrea Ness  04:20 So one of the things we keep on we keep on hearing over and over again, because again, you know, I know clients like, really like, their focus on revenue. They’re focused on the end goal. But you know, when we hear a lot of times, when we hear like we need, you know, consistently, more leads, more conversions, more revenue. We got to go straight to the end when what we’re thinking about like, and what we have to bring clients back to is like, what is that customer journey? And, you know, like for us to be able to move them through the funnel, we can’t just go straight to the end and asking them to do something when they don’t even have that trust, or they’re not even, you know, in the consideration journey yet. You know, so with with B2B, especially like consumers, sometimes it’s a quicker side cycle. But with B2B, you know that your cycles are could be like six to 18 months, even longer. So if you’re not talking to them throughout each of the journey and building that trust along the way, you know we’re going to be losing them if you go straight to like, you know, do this and, you know, give us your contact information. We learned, especially now, especially with new generations of people. They don’t like always. Like filling out forms. They like to do their own research in many different ways. And if you’re not there in each of those moments as they’re like, going through and building that trust, wherever they’re going to get those information points, you know, just going out and saying, like, do this now. Deadline approaching, you know, like you’re gonna they’re not going to be ready to do the end the end goal. So, Christian Klepp  05:43 Absolutely, absolutely, yeah, Andrea Ness  05:45 Another thing that we notice is more like the fragmented, like the messaging so, and it’s just, you know, we that’s why we really, really hone in on integrated marketing. Because it really is, if we’re ready, if we have our key messages in place. It’s not just what the ads should say. It’s in every form of their communications. And sometimes people don’t think that way, because businesses are in their different teams. They have their sales team, they’re their PR team and communications team, you know, they have, you know, their web team. They have, you know, like all these other teams. But when, when we are ready to say these are going to be our key messages we’re going to hit out there. We have to make sure that all of these teams are aligned and the messaging resonates. So no matter where your audience goes to or where they go out to seek information, you don’t want to lose them by like they seen an ad with this message, but then they don’t. They go to your website and they don’t see it anymore, or even their organic channels, if you’re not talking about even those, those points in there, you know. And we also like, even, like, make sure clients know of like, even, like, public relations teams and whatnot. Like, you know, is it in your boiler plates anymore? Is there ways that we could integrate it in some of your content marketing, or your or the articles that you’re putting out there, or the thought leadership, you know, articles that your, leadership team is putting out there. So really, is taking those, like the key components, and what you have those down, and what you want your elevator pitch to be known for, and making sure every channel, especially sales teams too, like they’re the ones that are on the ground, they’re the ones that are, you know, talking to them when they’re in consideration, almost out of consideration. Are they saying the same points that we are trying to say up front and as your leadership, you know, team also, if they’re doing speaking points, having those one on one conversations, you know, are they also bringing down those team messages so everyone can get, you know, the same type of elevator pitch when they’re when they see it. Christian Klepp  07:36 Absolutely, absolutely, it’s, it’s amazing to me that, like, You know, you see this across the board, how the messaging tends to be inconsistent across the different channels. I don’t know where that that somehow got lost in translation, that like, okay, for each channel the message should be, should be different and, and that’s, you know, like, to your point, like, nothing could be further from the truth. Andrea Ness  08:00 Yeah, and it’s yeah, and sometimes it’s, you know, sometimes there are going to be other messages, like, you know, take organic social, for instance. It’s doing multiple jobs. It’s not just selling. It is, you know, bringing the culture component. It’s probably also talking to it, you know, possible future employees. And so it is doing, like, other themes in general. But if there is a sales point when, you know, and what we’ve learned is that when people hit consideration stages, they’re not ready to fill out a form right yet. They’re not ready to even call you on the phone, but they will connect with your socials to see, you know, like, so like, just as like, more reminders, but so if you’re not also seeing some of those marketing messages in there as well, you know, like, you’re gonna, you know, you’re going to lose them, and they’re just going to have that connection. And we always like to say is, like, when we put ads out in market again, very rarely are they going to resonate. The first thing they’re going to take that college, and especially for B2B, it’s different for retail, you know, the big sales, but for B2B, like, the expectation is they see your ad resonate. It might be something, oh, when I’m out of work, maybe I’ll go, you know, look into this. But you know, is that message really, really saying what you wanted to say and when they want to organically come back and find you later, wherever they go to to find is that going to be connecting, or is it going to be a completely different scenario where they can’t even get to where you want them to go to? You know, the follow the journey? Christian Klepp  09:19 No, absolutely. Thanks for sharing that. I did have two follow up questions for you based on everything that you’ve said in the past couple of minutes. So the first one is like, I mean, I’ve been, I’ve been marketing for a little bit, like, especially B2B marketing, and I’m sure it’s the same with you, but marketing has become so much more complex than when we started out, like, just from your perspective and your experience, especially in the paid media landscape, like, how has technology impacted the way that teams go about dealing with paid media? Maybe talk about the advantages and also how it’s been a little bit detrimental to them as well? Andrea Ness  10:02 Yeah, I would, I would say that just the many different options and how audiences are so different, and how like, from where we I learned how to, you know, how to connect with people is completely different from how, like, the New Age is connecting where, you know, they are really like, you know, like a lot of people like, they less phone calls, you know, less email addresses they have. They really, really learn from technology. They really learn from video like, video learning is a really key adapter to that, you know, also reaching out, even through like, you know, like DM’s (Direct Messages) of social media, those quick interactions where they’re not ready. You know, when, like, we’re like, on the B2B side. We’re always used to, like, lead forms, going to the website, doing that. And sometimes they just don’t want to leave the environments that they’re in. And if you’re not allowing them to learn from the environments that they’re in, too, as well, you know, then, then we’re going to be losing out. And a lot of times, too, when they’re ready for they want to know a quick answer, you know, with, like, with chatGPT, with everything else, they can get those answers fast. So if you’re not there and present and responding in an efficient manner, like, then you’re going to lose them, because there’s going to be another competitor that does have, like, the, you know, the the chat on their website, that they think they can get a quick answer, where they don’t feel comfortable calling on a phone and knowing when you call on the phone, you’re going to have to be a waiting period to talk to someone, and you might not get a human so it’s just everyone has, like, their own ways of connecting, you know, and to get information and to make sure that you are available in those information cycles, rather than just, like, let’s just take them to a form, and then maybe a day later, we’ll have someone follow up with them. So you just want to make sure that you’re present in the moments where they’re ready to make those choices. Christian Klepp  11:44 You know, it’s funny that you mentioned that, because I had this experience yesterday when I was trying to call a client, and then I heard this voice after it rang like, three times, and I thought, okay, it’s going to be the client. And so I started talking, and then I realized, like, oh, this person is not available at the moment, if you leave your name and tell me what this call is about, I can see if this person’s available. I’m like, Oh, okay. AI (Artificial Intelligence), right. So I’d have to, I had to tell, I have to tell the AI, okay, this is my name and this is the reason why I’m calling. And it says, It pauses for two seconds and says, Thank you. I will try to connect you. And then there’s this little like medley playing in the background, and then says, person is not available, please leave a message. I’m like, wow, that was a lot of like, hoops to jump through. Right? Like, Andrea Ness  12:30 yes, exactly. Christian Klepp  12:31 But to your point, right, to your point, it’s a lot of, it’s a lot of like, waiting and, you know, Andrea Ness  12:37 and I would say too, like, even, like, you know, from moving to, you know, making a phone call, knowing that you’re going to get, you know, a customer service level, but then to get a real answer, you might have to ask for a manager and go up to that level. Back in the day, you know, I would, I would tell people, you know, because I have really, you know, experience on the social media side. I’m like, you know, what? If you go straight to the social media inboxes, you’re going to get a quicker, faster response from a different limb, because that’s managed by PR teams and communications channels, and they have to be really, really but what they can respond to like is, you know, going to be at that already a tier two or tier three level. So it really is. Everything’s changing all the time, and you just want to make sure that you know when they’re ready when they ask your question. If you’re not there to answer that question, then someone else is going to answer that question for you. Christian Klepp  13:24 Yeah, yeah, that’s absolutely right. All right. So that was my first question. The second question, which you kind of already brought up, but because teams are dealing with this all the time, and I love that you brought it up, how do you deal with pushback? And when I mean, when I say push back, it’s like, how do you deal with senior management and B2B organizations, of which there are many that are going to look at your media campaign and your outreach campaign and say, Okay, well, Andrea, that’s all nice and good. But like, you know, how do we get to revenue quickly? What’s the ROI on this? Like, we need leads. We don’t need them. We, you know, we don’t need engagement. We don’t need engagement and sharing. We need leads. Like, you know, how do you deal with that kind of pushback, and how do you get them to understand that this takes time. Andrea Ness  14:12 It is, yeah, it really is an educational moment, because our clients are experts at their fields in what they do, you know? And so we really do also want to come in as coming in as a partner, that we also want to showcase our marketing expertise. And like you, do this really well. And while you do you know your job really well. Let us go in and also give you some information agitation of why, why if we go straight to, straight to the call to action, why that you know, is going to be less resonant than if we come in and say, You know what, let’s talk we know they’re going to they start here in the research phase building awareness, and now it’s time to build trust and consideration and answering you know exactly when they’re when they’re in that consideration phase. What are the key points that you need to tell them there, and why you need to message them differently, and why sometimes it’s. Not good to go straight to the call to action, because when they see that, then they’re going to be more likely to be like, you’re bombarding me. I’m not ready for the sales thing. I just want information. So it’s just like, how do we stay safe, top of mind, and especially in that consideration cycle, which is the longest cycle, it really is building trust. So like, how do you also offer information that’s what’s in there for them, not what’s in it for our clients to be like, You know what? You really care about me, and you’re not you’re not like, begging for me to contact you right away, but you’re giving me something, information that’s very like, that I need in the moment, that’s helping with with my job, that’s helping me with doing this stuff. So then when I do need you, you know, maybe like in that cycle period, I’m going to think of you first, because you were there, providing that information and showcasing the expertise, and I saw you at that event, you know. And just like you’re you’re building up those points to build that trust. So when they are ready to receive you in their moment, you know that you’re be one of the ones that they call so it really is trying to really think of that journey, and every journey is different per client, but to really look at, like, here’s the communications channels that are happening, both paid, but also, you know, like, you know, like, on the ground and, you know, organic and everything else. And like, how do we also make sure that we’re moving them along in a way, that they’re ready for it. Christian Klepp  16:24 Yeah, yeah, you’ve laid that out beautifully. That tells me that you’ve dealt with this situation many times before. Andrea Ness  16:29 We do it all the time. And you know, we really want to be stewards of our clients money, so we know, like, you’re going to give us the same amount of money to go into market here, or maybe getting the house in order, getting our messaging like, maybe, how do we resonate? How do we give them information? That’s what’s in it for them. And then we go into market and spend the same amount of money that we would be right away, and the results are just even better, because we’re talking to people that are not just early, but they’re already thinking about you because we made them think about you. Christian Klepp  17:01 Yeah, absolutely. I’ll move us along to the next question about key pitfalls that marketing teams should avoid, and what should they be doing instead? Andrea Ness  17:09 Okay, so there’s going to be, like, a few of them. One of the ones is, sort of, you know, what we what we just mentioned this too, is, like, the going into doing a marketing campaign without that strategic position that you have before you get started. So, you know, wanting to make sure that you have clear market positioning, you have really good messaging frame rooms, frameworks that you know that this is how you should be talking about them here. And sometimes it’s going to be messaging, you know, differently based on different audiences for a whole unique, you know, types of instances, but you’re not just focusing on, Oh, these are these ads. Are really pretty let’s get them out there. But do they resonate? Do they connect? You know, like, are they going to make people stop and look and listen, you know, rather than just pass by because they’re seeing 1000s of other ads as well. So, like, really thinking about that. Another thing is, what we know we talked about before is this, like the over reliance on paid media. You know, we’re treating ads as the primary growth lever, and then that is our answer, no matter what we have, you know, like, what, what the house looks like, what the you know, what the levers that we have are in place, but just so instead what we want to use it as just to amplify the really strong messaging that we all believe in, and we know it’s going to work, and we know we see it, you know, tested and working, and then to be able to get that out there, and then also just, you know, the pitfall number three would be, like, more like measuring only on short term metrics. So, like, we’re only focused on the leads, you know, like, that is our answer, and that’s only what we care about. We’re reporting on where there is so much that gets them through each of those ones. Like, how much engagement, how much audience growth did we have throughout? Where are they at in the funnel, where they were, you know, during the baseline, you know, match it served we saw them, you know. So just really looking at, like, the different ways that we know that they’re in the funnel, they’re listening, they’re understanding, Christian Klepp  19:03 Yeah, no, absolutely, yeah. There we go, man. Like, you know, we’re only focusing on leads. That’s all, that’s all I want to hear. That’s all I want to hear. Andrea Ness  19:11 We know, we know our clients have a bottom line and, you know, and it’s like their jobs on the line, and this is what their focus is on, doing it too. But if we don’t have that upfront cycle, moving that journey, knowing, especially if we know their cycle of, like, 18 months, you know, to get them to the leads, we should be talking, you know, to them a year, you know, to get them through. And then just really focus on, Christian Klepp  19:35 Well, it’s a process too, isn’t it? And I think you brought this up earlier in the conversation, that especially in B2B, we’re looking at a buying committee of anywhere between six to 10 people. This isn’t somebody that makes a decision on impulse, like, you go into a supermarket and oh gosh, like, look at that deal. Let me pull up my credit card. And people on B2B just don’t make decisions that way, right? In fact, I’m. In fact, I think to your earlier point, they do a lot of their own research. They probably talk to industry peers. They look online to see like, what other people are saying, what, or even like what they’re going to find if they do a Google search, or, these days, an AI search, right? And they’re not going to like immediately say, Well, let me get a hold of one of your sales people, and let’s jump on a call. I mean, that’s probably the last thing that they want to do. Andrea Ness  20:25 Yeah, yeah, if they have all those other areas where they can research and how other people are communicating them as well. So yeah, sales people right now are, like, one of the last ones. But we and we know there’s that, like, if they get to a meeting, they’re more likely to diverse if they get to, you know, once they get there, but you got to make sure that they get there. And that’s like, the hardest part is to get them in the room and to talk to them, because we know the sales people are great at what they do a lot of times, you know, like even talking to clients too. Like they forget to even, like to have conversations with their sales people, because they just want over here. But I’m like, sometimes your sales people are like, they know the frequently asked questions. They know what people are dealing with to get to sell. And then if you could take what you’re learning from there, you know, and the questions that they’re asking in other channels that, like, could be part of your messaging and how you answer that you know. And now maybe you need a frequently asked question thing on your website when you know they can get those answers quickly rather than making a phone call because they’re not ready to so Christian Klepp  21:23 That’s it. That’s an FAQ (Frequently Asked Question) page or an FAQ section, right? Or perhaps even multiple FAQ sections, right, depending on how how diverse the portfolio is. Andrea Ness  21:34 Correct. Christian Klepp  21:35 Okay, you talked about this earlier, but I, you know, I’ve, we’ve got to go back to it and unpack it a little bit, because, again, the hint is in the name, like, the foundation is key, right? The foundation is very important. So talk to us about how strong foundational messaging improves performance across every channel. And I think a lot of people underestimate how important that is, Andrea Ness  21:59 yeah, and it really is because, you know, like, you’re probably not a siloed company that does the only thing that and no other people do it. So it really is, not only are your competitors out there and then you’re also, like, having to fight the 1000s of other brands that are talking to the same audiences for different reasons, but really, what, what does make you need you know, like, what you know like, and it’s, it’s a good exercise to do it. But like, based on you know, you and your competitor, what? Why do they sway towards you? Like, how? And then, what are those key messages that you really, really want to put out there that, like, so, so they, so they already know that. But like, really learning, like, what are your needs? What are your key messages for the time? And that can change. So like, based on specific focus parts that you really like your industry really wants a focus part focus on. But like, even if you’re looking at and saying, You know what, this department can really use more revenue right now. So let’s then take this quarter and focus on, like, these, these departments, and that’s going to be our key messages. But now we have to make sure everyone’s talking these teams mess the same ones and not ones that they were talking about six months ago. So it really is like, what are we trying to tell them? What makes us unique, how and now that we have our needs, how are you going to creatively say that in a way that’s going to resonate with people, that will make them stop and look and, you know, spend more time on your site, spend more time on the ad and just, you know, so just in those ways, like, what makes you different? But then also, how are you showing those differences in a creative way that’s trying to make it stand out? Christian Klepp  23:30 And I think that, in itself, is quite the exercise, isn’t it? I mean, like, you know, you could probably speak from experience, because a lot of companies like have this misconception about what their uniqueness actually is. And you know, where I’m going with this, right? Like, they start, they start either defaulting to features or our uniqueness is our people, you know, they start, like, throwing in, like, generic answers like that, right? When, when they actually, like, I won’t say, fail to see it from this perspective. But they, what they sometimes don’t understand is that the uniqueness lies in your ability, in your ability to solve the customer’s problems and challenges. Like, how you know, how are you uniquely equipped to deal with that. Christian Klepp  23:57 And with your audiences. Like, how different maybe your audiences are, and you have a few different groups of audiences, and then when you’re looking at them, you know that, like, maybe key message one and two really hits home here, but not really over here in this audience. So now we need to, like, shift our focus. And for these audiences, we need to really hone in on different ways. We just say this, you know, these key messages, Christian Klepp  23:58 Yep, for sure. Andrea, I hate to do this, but like this is, this is totally gonna sound like marketing one on one. But let’s, let’s clear the air on this, because I know there’s a lot of there’s probably some marketers out there that that are ashamed to admit they don’t know the difference. But just run it past us one more time. The difference between owned, earned and paid media, please. Andrea Ness  23:58 So I like to refer, yeah. So, you know, I back in my last agency, I was over like I was the activation that director, which was overseen, owned and paid, and previous experience and PR too. So what’s nice about me as media director for my agency is I do see that fuller picture, and we are the first. And even though everyone’s just like, why aren’t you taking. Why aren’t you taking clients money, when I’m like, No, if we own media, is like the foundational house. So think of all your communication channels that that you build, so like your website, organic channels would be, you know, also, you know, helping with owned all your communication materials, your sales materials, everything like that, where you’re just like those, those communication materials that are going out in the world and that they’re seeing, that the client owns and and can update and then earn media is like if you work with a communications team internally, or if you work with a PR team, but really trying to get those messages out there. Earn is sort of not free, but, you know, you ask that you pay PR people, but it’s a when you’re you’re really trying to do like press events, or your put press releases out there in hopes that the TV channels and the newspapers and whatnot will pick up your story. You don’t have a full you can’t tell them exactly what to put in the query, but they might pull quotes from your spokesperson. And so you’re going to try to get out in the news media and doing it that way. So it’s sort of like if you have big events, if you have, like, big mergers and acquisitions, you know you want to work with, like getting those out and getting the paid media. Because what people look, the consumers look and you know, and you know, like B2B audiences too. They read the news. They trust the news. And if it comes from there is, you know, like you feel like you’re, you know, like they’re like, Okay, not only do I have trust in this company, but do. I’m breeding to from news outlets that I trust are also validating. And then paid is where, where we come in, where it’s just like, how do we like, make sure we are targeting your audiences and putting it to the right people in paid spaces. Some of our paid media doesn’t look like paid media, so we have a big thing with content marketing, you know, where we are writing articles, we are writing, you know, interviews, and you are showing up on TV and in in those third party areas where what I like about content marketing is, we get to write the full story so you have and it looks and feels like it’s part of the the publishing company. It is approved by, you know, like USA Today, and, you know, those type of networks, but, but you did that full space where you get to write, write it. So, yeah. Christian Klepp  24:34 Yep, yep, that’s right, that’s right. Okay, so you know, in our previous conversation, you mentioned something along the lines of aligning paid campaigns with earned, owned and social media assets, reduces the friction customer journey and increases recall when audiences are ready to convert. I know that was a lot of marketing speak, but please, please elaborate on that.   Andrea Ness  25:01 And it just goes, it goes back to the point is, you know, even though we’re ready to go to a paid campaign, like, what we keep on, like, wanting to make sure that people usually don’t convert on the first ad exposure that they see. So you really, really do want to make sure that there are so many other ways that they can get to that information. Advertising helps. But, you know, like, like, if you look at you know what your journey is, and really, it’s a great exercise, if you don’t have a customer journey, like, laid out on paper and really, and looking at that, not just for paid media channels, but also, you know, like, here’s what we’re doing, foundational, like, that owned media, you know, and then here’s what you know earned media is doing that, they’re really pushing out. And here’s their focus. But like, you know, people can see an ad, and again, they might not be ready to click on an ad for a variety of reasons, but they know, you know what, I’m gonna go Google them later and get back to it when I have time, or in that moment. Because, again, especially if they’re on platform, seeing an ad, you know, they a lot of they don’t want to just hop off to every click available, you know, to them. They want to stay on the platform. So, you know. So they see an ad, they might Google, you know, the company later, you know. And then organically, they’re going to probably get to your homepage. But if the homepage doesn’t have anything to do with what you just told them, you know, then we’re going to lose them, you know. So they’re going to visit website. Then they might go on LinkedIn, and they might read a thought leadership article from, you know, one of the executives. But if they’re also not talking about that, you know, we’re losing them. But if we are, we know if that’s one of our key message points, and that’s a focus of what that thought leadership piece is, because we know we’re going to be including these key messages. Then it resonates, and then it brings them back over to the website. To be like, oh, you know what? I saw that ad, and now I see, you know, the President talking about this. And it does meet, sensing it from a person point of view, you know, so reading thought leadership, they’re checking LinkedIn even, you know, we always have people review their organic channels, like, even, like, is it something that we should be changing your cover photos on that resonates, you know? Is it something where you already have your organic strategy, but we’re having this marketing campaign over here? Can we make sure we integrate, you know, a couple posts a week, also to include, you know, some of the marketing messages to make sure that we’re hitting this audience as well, you know? And then you’re talking to peers. So if you have their sales people on the ground, if you have your executive leadership team visiting things, are they also, like, told, like, you know, here’s some key points that make sure that you’re you’re also including in your conversations, you know, just so like, at the end of the day that they’re like, Okay, you know, if someone says they elevator pitch for your for your company, like it, it’s more resonate if, if you know that they’re hearing it from different angles, it becomes, it becomes your, your pitch. Christian Klepp  30:50 Fantastic. Thanks for clearing the air on that one. Like, because, because, again, you know, these are, these are some terms that I’ve seen people just throw around loosely. And I’m like, I always keep asking myself, like, do you guys actually even know what the difference is, right? And it’s important, Andrea Ness  31:06 Yeah, and a lot of people don’t think to, because, again, they might be different departments of the client, but they might not think to bring people in the room. But if we’re going in a campaign, and it’s best to have, like, everything work together, to even know from from a marketing side of you, what the PR strategy is, because what? What, what we if we know you’re having a big PR event, why not let that, let that sort and then we will start marketing right after, like, building on that momentum and making sure we’re assisting and aligning with that. Christian Klepp  31:33 Yeah, no, that’s it. That’s it. All right, buckle up, because this, this question, is going to be pretty meat. This one’s pretty meaty. All right, so let’s talk about you’ve brought it up already, but like you know something that B2B marketing teams should focus on, such as long lasting assets. And when I say long lasting assets, we’re talking about websites like you said earlier, executive visibility and thought leadership. So two questions here. So why do you think these often outperform short term paid campaigns? And how can marketers leverage these assets to maximize paid media ROI? Andrea Ness  32:11 Yes, so paid media is, you know, we’re not always in market, you know. So, like, you know, we’re either on or we’re off. But what, what’s nice about those, those other assets are that they they can live on. So if you’re looking at SEO, for instance, if you have, you know, long form videos and testimonials available, available on your website, you know those type of things are going to be so much more like, not more important, but like, really important, where then like, what we like to do too, especially if you have, like, your content marketing strategy, or if we see videos that are really, really performing well organically, or, like, how, how can then we repurpose that for ads like, you know, like clips of the testimonial that that we see, but really is you want stuff to live longer, you know? And what one of the things we like to do with content marketing strategies, where we might pay and work with a Direct Publisher like USA today to have that article in, but what’s best is also to repurpose that article and make it live on your website as well, because it will keep on also driving traffic to your website. The SEO is, you know, great, you’re putting your key points in, but USA might, you know, eventually take that off your page where it doesn’t live there anymore, but you just want to make sure that these things live here, and it drives, you know, to those type of assets. So anything that you can think about search, you know, like anything with YouTube and video showing up, it will always show up on Google searches, you know, and everything like that that will be able to live on. Christian Klepp  33:38 It sounds almost like you’re saying, like, try to get more juice out of the squeeze, right? Andrea Ness  33:42 Yeah, yeah. We learned too, yep. So we go, if you have, like, like, let’s say clients have blog pages, you know, one of the first things that we like to look at too, is what blogs are resonating and hitting home. And like, you know, you’ll see, like, there’s some that are just high up there. And then what you want to do is be like, Why is this resonating? Does this focus on the key message we need to it to, what can we then? How can we repurpose that into different assets? So we would take content marketing articles or blogs that we see that are really like, good and we like, you know, what we got to do a video of this, we have to go in and do like, you know, like, take these points and put them in snippets and do an ad campaign based on those. Christian Klepp  34:19 Yeah, yeah, no, absolutely, absolutely, oh boy. We’re, we’re, we’re approaching the love it or hate it territory. And you know what I’m talking about, right? Andrea Ness  34:30 Yeah. Christian Klepp  34:30 Metrics, metrics, metrics, metrics, and we can go down a really, really deep rabbit hole with this one, but let’s keep it like top level, right? But based on everything that we’ve been talking about right in this conversation. What are some of the key metrics that you would say B2B marketing teams, you guys should be paying attention to these. Andrea Ness  34:48 Yes, anything where we can integrate within a CMS (Content Management System) and not just looked at the end goal, but what we’re doing is like, like, what are the metrics of their life, of awareness? You know? What are those? Metrics, and people might just think of impressions, you know, but there’s also many different ways too. It’s just like, if you do a survey, like a baseline survey, prior to going into market and getting the lay of the land, and seeing how people feel about your brand, seeing people of what they know about, like, what you need them to know about, and then you go into market. And then after, like, with an eight to 12 months later, you go and then you re test that same survey, and you see how you move the needle. So then it turns just from measuring impressions, you know, for an awareness, but like, you’re really like, not only do we, you know, we hit them, but they’re also listening and understanding. And here’s the data that proves that. So things like that time on site, knowing that, that they’re reading, that they’re really looking into it, they’re not just a click, you know, and you got the website click Content downloads if they’re really looking at those things that are like, what’s in it for them, not what’s in it for us. And then return visitors, are they coming back? You know? Like, because usually, like, if it’s they’re in consideration phases, they’re not going to make the choice right off the date, but if they return. And then other things that we’re looking for in that is like, like Brand Lift, ad lift is that, if we are making a difference where, like, doing like lift studies, where you put you, you serve the content, and then you see, like, if for people who didn’t see this content, like, are they resonating less or more? And so then you’re really knowing that they’re really the people that are seeing your content, are actually paying attention and listening. So therefore we’re moving so definitely different from just like CTR (Click-Through Rate) and leads, and that felt like, like in every stage, like, what makes them trust you more? What makes them consider you more? How are they like going deeper in those funnels? Christian Klepp  36:48 And it’s very interesting that you didn’t say lead conversion, right? And it’s great how you laid that all out and explained it that look back to what you were saying at the beginning of this conversation, that it’s not just about the lead conversion, especially in such a complex ecosystem, you need to talk about building that trust, getting them a little bit closer to well, understanding what it is you do, and making them ultimately choose you over who else is out there in the market, right? So it’s a there’s, um, there’s so many, like nuances, but also complexities involved in that process. Yeah. Andrea Ness  37:25 And we know that when we hit them with those, when we are ready to hit them with those, now it’s time to take a Nash. And we know if they did those other steps first, that conversion rate is much higher than if we try to just make them convert the first time around, Christian Klepp  37:40 absolutely, absolutely, all right. Andrea, get up on your soapbox for this next one. What is a status quo in your area of expertise that you passionately disagree with and why? Andrea Ness  37:56 I would say the biggest misconception I see is treating paid media as a primary growth engine, rather than the amplifier. I think it goes back to that. I think right when they say, Okay, we got a budget for paid media, let’s go or don’t, see results, you know, rather than looking at it as just like, we know exactly what like we need to say. We just want to we want an outreach to say it. And because once they hear this, and once they know this, and once they trust us, like it’s doing. So like, really looking at that, like paint media is not the solver and the creator of that, but it’s just amplifying that. Christian Klepp  38:30 So, yeah, it’s a component. It’s important, but it’s a component. It’s one component in the overall, in the overall ecosystem, and it’s one piece of the puzzle. I mean, like, you know, throw in whatever metaphors you want, right? Absolutely. Andrea Ness  38:46 Yeah, one of the things you just say, it’s just like paid media, it just, it doesn’t, it’s not going to fix a wheat strategy. It just exposes it faster. You know, it really is, you know, if you don’t have that ready to go, then we’re just promoting that. You don’t have it to everywhere else. Christian Klepp  39:02 Yeah, and that’s putting it bluntly, right? Yeah, it’s, it’s almost like building a house, and you have a, you know, you have a weak foundation, and then you start, like, coming up with these, you know, putting on, on these fancy roof tiles. And then you have all this expensive, like looking like, like window frames and then just all collapses, right? Fantastic. Andrea, thank you so much for coming on. This is such a this was such a great conversation. And thanks for sharing your experience and expertise with the listeners. Quick introduction to yourself and how folks out there can get in touch with you. Andrea Ness  39:40 Yes, Andrea Ness, I am the Media Director over at DDM Marketing and Communications, been doing agency life for a little over 25 years. What’s the best part that I feel like I’m strong in is because I pretty much like touched every every department of the agency. So you know, from the creative side. To the account side, you know, over to the, you know, public relations and whatnot. So I really do get that full funnel approach. So, you know, it is a little bit different than other like, maybe media directors out there. We’re just like, we will take your money, let us, like, go and show you some conversions. But it really is like, we want to make sure that we are stewards of of your dollars, and we want to make sure that what we put out there is going to be successful. So, you know, so really focusing on that overall integrated strategy, DDM offers all the components that, you know, one of the reasons why I strongly wanted to work with DDM for for quite a while, is because we are a big team. We have all the departments, and we are able to just, you know, be able to shoot the ideas out there. But when we’re in, when media is in the room too, we are. We would be the first one to be like, You know what? Let’s focus on building that house first, and then come to us in a little bit when you guys had it ready. And then we’ll, we’ll push media. So, yeah, Christian Klepp  40:51 absolutely, absolutely, a true renaissance woman in every, every regard. But once again. Andrea, thank you so much for coming on the show. Take care, stay safe and talk to you soon. Andrea Ness  41:03 All right. Thank you. Christian Klepp  41:04 Bye for now.

Many today are worried about AI (Artificial Intelligence) and lots of people are talking. As Christians, how do we need to respond and what can we be doing amidst these technological and societal changes?

How to Leverage Brand Differentiation for Massive B2B Growth In the increasingly competitive and saturated world of B2B SaaS and tech, clear brand differentiation and strategic positioning are the most overlooked levers for sustainable growth. While often dismissed, these are critical components in helping companies directly shorten sales cycles and lower their customer acquisition costs (CAC). When done the right way, they can transform everything from strategic alignment across teams to campaign effectiveness and sales velocity. So how can B2B marketing teams develop clear brand differentiation strategy that drives measurable revenue? That's why we're talking to Chantelle Little (Founder and CEO, Tiller Digital), who shares her expertise on how to leverage brand differentiation for massive B2B growth. During our conversation, Chantelle discussed why clear brand differentiation and positioning are underrated growth levers for SaaS and tech companies, especially regarding shorten sales cycles and lowering CAC. She also highlighted the importance of strategic alignment and effective positioning, particularly in the face of increasing competition and the market's maturity. Chantelle discussed why understanding customer pain points is crucial, and how to leverage AI for audience insights. She provided advice on conducting competitor analyses, gathering customer feedback, and leveraging metrics like unaided recall and CAC to quantify brand performance. Chantelle also underscored the necessity of aligning product marketing and sales teams for impactful branding and scaling. https://youtu.be/IF4TaI0QAfU Topics discussed in episode: [00:00] Why brand differentiation is a non-negotiable now in the world of SaaS [02:36] Why AI is a double-edged sword: great for starting positioning work, but dangerous if human judgment isn’t layered in [08:40] The pushback founders give (“it’s too early”) and why those that invest early remove friction from fundraising, hiring, and conversion  [11:49] Key pitfalls to avoid regarding brand differentiation (and branding in general) [20:14] How to make brand ROI tangible: work backward from customer lifetime value (CLV), target a specific CAC reduction, and show the revenue math in founder language  [28:34] The 4-step positioning framework:  1) Define your market and competitive alternatives,  2) Gather customer interviews, surveys and competitor audits,  3) Mine for real differentiation beyond table stakes,  4) Operationalize across the website, sales decks and outbound  [39:31] Metrics for proving brand’s impact: unaided recall, branded search growth, direct traffic, CAC trends, conversion rates, sales cycle length, and inbound lead quality Companies and links mentioned: Chantelle Little on LinkedIn  Tiller Digital G2 Transcript Christian Klepp, Chantelle Little Chantelle Little  00:00 One key pitfall I see is just treating brand as a cosmetic exercise, right? So it’s really, especially when people are, you know, not super familiar with brand, not super familiar with marketing. It can be really easy to, you know, associate logo with brand, and it’s, it’s a lot more comprehensive than that. Christian Klepp  00:19 It’s something that tends to get overlooked in the world of B2B SaaS and tech, yet it’s a crucial component in helping companies to shorten sales cycles and lower Customer Acquisition Costs (CAC) I’m talking about clear brand differentiation and positioning. When done the right way, it can transform everything from strategic alignment across teams to campaign effectiveness and sales velocity. So how can B2B Marketing Teams develop clear brand differentiation for growth? Welcome to this episode of the B2B Marketers in the Mission podcast, and I’m your host, Christian Klepp, today I’ll be talking to Chantelle Little, who will be answering this question. She’s the founder and CEO of Tiller Digital that helps B2B, SaaS and tech companies scale through strategic customer centric marketing. Tune in to find out more about what the speed to be Marketers Mission is okay, and away we go. Chantelle Little, welcome to the show. Chantelle Little  01:13 Thanks for having me, Christian. I appreciate it. Christian Klepp  01:15 Great to have you on the show. You know, we had such a great pre interview conversation, and I’m really looking forward to this discussion because, man, this is something that’s so important. And I’m not saying this because I also do branding, but it’s just something that I think is really important. I personally feel from my own experience, it’s something that tends to get overlooked a lot, especially in in the world that you operate in, which is in B2B, SaaS and tech, all right, so I’m going to keep the audience in suspense a little while longer, while I go through the first question. Chantelle Little  01:48 Okay, sounds good. Christian Klepp  01:49 So you’re on a mission to help B2B SaaS teams clarify their story, sharpen positioning, and build websites that drive pipeline. And who doesn’t want that? I think is the better question. But for this conversation, I’d like to narrow it down to the topic of how clear brand differentiation and positioning shorten sales cycles and lower CAC. So for those that don’t know what CAC is, it’s Customer Acquisition Cost. So let’s kick off the conversation with two questions, and I’m happy to repeat them. So question number one, why do you believe that brand differentiation is the most underrated growth lever in B2B? And question number two, as a follow up, where do you see many B2B SaaS companies struggle? Chantelle Little  02:36 Yeah, well, maybe I can kick off with the differentiation and positioning pieces. I think one thought that comes to mind is that differentiation from a branding perspective, perspective has always mattered. But the market has changed a lot in in the last decade, but even in the last 18 months, last two years, it has shifted a lot. One of the things that has changed so much is that the SaaS market in particular has matured a lot over the last number of years. And I love to follow all the stats on what’s happening in the market. And if you just consider that, we’re like mid 2020s, and it’s like the SaaS market is roughly 300, 400 billion. And a lot of you know data out there suggesting that that market could double between now and 2030 so in the next four years, kind of thing, we might see that market reach closer to 700 billion. So I share that, because a decade ago, when people were entering the SaaS market, there were fewer that. There was less competition. There were fewer people to actually compete with. By nature, there were fewer buyers as well, because less companies have shifted a lot in terms of their use of SaaS products in operating their businesses, but the market has shifted so it’s more mature, there’s more competition, there’s higher expectations that come with that as well. And then the other thing you know, in addition to saturation in the market, is that the barriers to entry have dramatically lowered, right? So I think last week, I was reading an article about, yet again, another company that has used lovable to launch a you know, product in market within two weeks and generated millions of dollars of revenue. I’m worried about misstating the facts so, but it was like millions of revenue in a short period of time. So when the barriers are lower, the market is saturated, there’s more of a need for differentiation, and I’m really passionate about that, because if we communicate the same story, and if we communicate sameness, we’re never going to win. AI (Artificial Intelligence), obviously lovable is a good example of an AI platform companies are using, but it also has accelerated the ability to create products, but also it is contributing to sameness, like if you put your your competitors into AI and you ask it to spit out positioning for you and your key messaging, it’s a great start, and I’m actually. A huge advocate of using AI for those those steps, but probably talk about that a little bit later in the podcast too. But it’s really critical that human judgment is layered into that that work. Otherwise, you know, brands will be just spit out from AI, and by nature, they will probably become more similar, not more distinct. So those are a couple to answer. Kind of the first question on why I think it’s underrated. I think if companies can really nail that, it really helps with getting traction, and not just, you know, a little bubble of success, but long term traction and long term performance, which is really key. That’s a that’s a big one for brand. So hopefully that that helps, and then I could go into, like, some of the things where I see companies really struggling. I think there’s a few areas I think that a lot of companies, really, if I’m talking early stage for a moment, a lot of companies that I’ve worked with, or I’ve seen, have really struggled to understand the power of getting those foundational brand pieces figured out. So if I use positioning as an example, if you don’t get your positioning correct, all the money invested after that really might, you know, not work in the way that you’re hoping it will work. So it’s kind of going to that foundational layer, and really making sure the foundation is solid, and then building off of that foundation worth saying, hard to get it right. You know, like the first time, you’re constantly iterating on your positioning, not just in the early stage, but as you scale up, you know, I go back to our positioning as a company every year, if not more frequently than that, and you start to tune and experiment and hone it. But I think the core piece is that if you don’t position yourself, you will be positioned by the market, and it may not be in your favor. So being intentional and strategic about that, it may be seemingly insignificant, but it’s really, really critical in terms of getting momentum. So that’s just kind of one thing is like undervaluing brand, which I know we’re going to talk about more here today. Christian Klepp  07:14 Absolutely, absolutely no thanks for sharing that. And that’s something that like, really, you know, when you brought it up, it makes me clench my teeth and I just, I just like, you know, because every time, I mean, not always, you know, certainly there’s, there’s companies that we work with that, um, they either do get it or they’re open to a different perspective, right? Chantelle Little  07:37 Yeah. Christian Klepp  07:38 But more often than not, especially in B2B, I always find that there’s always got to be somebody down there that pushes back on the whole branding aspect and says that’s a complete waste of our time. Chantelle Little  07:50 Yes. Christian Klepp  07:51 Right? And I feel, and perhaps this has been your experience as well. But not to sound harsh, but you know, ignorance is bliss. Chantelle Little  07:57 Yes. Christian Klepp  07:59 Because, you know, if people don’t understand something the dangerous Well, if I don’t understand it, then perhaps it’s not that important, and nothing can be further from the truth. Chantelle Little  08:11 Yeah. Christian Klepp  08:11 Right. So what’s your take on that? Because, I mean, you must, you know, in your in your day to day dealings with clients, especially in those sectors that you serve, you probably get some pushback on, well, why should we do this foundation piece? Why should we do this branding like, you know, we it just sounds like it’s gonna run up, you know, our costs, it’s, it’s, it’s more investment. Why should we do that? We should focus on generating pipeline instead. But what’s your take on that? Chantelle Little  08:40 Yeah, I definitely have experienced that, so it’s a great question. And have come up that come up against that a lot, and I don’t like generalizations, but generally speaking, a lot of founders that you know, I’ve had the opportunity to speak with and work with over the years are not necessarily coming from a marketing background, and often not coming from a sales background as well. They they usually have a specific area of expertise. It could be domain knowledge, it could be subject matter knowledge, but they’re very focused on the product itself, especially in the SaaS space. So it’s, it’s very product centric. And that’s good, because if, if all you have is sales and marketing and you don’t have a product, then it doesn’t work. Either it’s it’s really about this balance and this, this tension between the two. So the pushback that I often get is that it’s too early to invest in brand. That’s the the one that I hear quite frequently. It’s not worth the investment, or it’s too early, or we need to have 100 customers before we’re going to spend that much money or that much effort. And I think some of it stems from limited data pools. We only have so much data, and we only have so many customers we can speak to that spending money on it. Now we’re making too many hypotheses. So why would we over invest? And like I said, a balance is needed because you don’t want to over invest. But the pattern that I see sometimes downstream is that those founders are sometimes struggling to get investment, struggling to attract top talent, struggling to, you know, convince beta users to convert into paid customers. There there’s some downstream effects that happen and they offer. There’s nuance to its of course, that changes by the nature of the business. But my observation is that founders that are willing to invest, you know that reasonable amount in brand see friction removed from a lot of those different kind of goals that they’re trying to achieve. So I think that that’s, that’s super, super key, is that, you know, proper positioning, proper differentiation, and I mean even going to the visual side of branding as well. Is that credible brand? It really helps, especially in a world where there is a lot of skepticism, right? Like, is that fake? Is that real? Like, am I really going to spend money on that? It concerns compliance, like, the list goes on. You know? How do I know this is credible? And brand plays a really, really big, critical role in that. So I do see that pattern quite a bit, and I’ve seen those that are willing to take the investment, and I’ve seen friction be removed. Christian Klepp  11:30 Yeah, yeah, no, absolutely, absolutely. I’m going to move us on to the next question about key pitfalls. So if we’re talking about marketing teams within B2B SaaS or tech. What are some of these key pitfalls that you would say they should be avoiding, and what should they do instead?   Chantelle Little  11:49 Yeah, so there’s a couple that come to mind. One is, one key pitfall I see is just treating brand as a cosmetic exercise, right? So it’s really, especially when people are, you know, not super familiar with brand, not super familiar with marketing, it can be really easy to, you know, associate logo with brand, and it’s, it’s a lot more comprehensive than that. So I think just remembering that just because you have a nice logo, it doesn’t mean that you’ve clearly positioned yourself. Just because you have a really strong, you know, a nice looking website, it doesn’t mean that the value has been clearly articulated and that you’ve differentiated yourself from, you know, competitors, and that all can go go right through. So it really impacts, you know, sales. If you don’t get those, those P those, those specific foundations in place. So I think you know do instead is you want to start with the positioning as the most critical piece, clarify what market you’re playing in. So this is, like, really practical, but like, clarify what market you’re playing in, because you want to make it easy for buyers to assess you against competitive alternatives. This is really challenging if you’re creating a new category, because the competitive alternatives are less clear. But if you’re entering a market where there are more competitive alternatives, like really making sure that you, you know, figure out what market you’re playing in and what value you’re you’re delivering. So that’s kind of like a couple of key things. So that’s one pitfall. The other one that I definitely could talk about for a while is just over reliance on internal perspective. So this is again challenging, and I see it at different stages, because, you know, I’ve worked with, you know, different founders or leadership teams at variety of different scales, some pre revenue, most in sort of a mid market growth phase, a rate up through it to enterprise. So you see this in different ways, shapes and forms. When you’re in the earlier stages, you have a lot of assumptions that you’re making as an internal team. So the more beta users you can talk to, the more potential customers you can talk to, and if none of that’s available, leverage look alike audiences like get as much input as you can to shape your strategy. It’s quite high risk, and it’s usually ineffective to sit in a room with two people that like your idea, and just brainstorm and build a strategy, because it’s not informed by much other than a couple people’s perspectives. So that’s that’s kind of one at larger scales. This gets really tricky, because if you have an executive team of 10 people, right, and then you have other layers of leadership, so Csuite, and maybe there’s VPs (Vice President) and director levels. It’s really tricky for all those people to get into a room and start to debate what makes sense, because sometimes ego gets in the way. You know, people have their own unique perspective, and then, as a marketer, you’re kind of left with trying to integrate all of that. So I’m a big believer in getting customer feedback, be it interviews, be it surveys, you know, if you’re a B2B tech company or SaaS company, looking at competitor reviews on G2 like, looking for patterns in vocabulary, in how people talk about pain solutions, whatever it might be if you don’t have G2 profiles, like, you know, you can go and get look at your competitors, G2 profiles, and start to look at what people are complaining about and what they’re celebrating about your competitors. And you can mine for patterns there. So that’s, that’s another pitfall is just like over reliance on on internal perspective, and then the the cascading effect of all the assumptions that are made in that in that process as well. Christian Klepp  15:42 Yeah, yeah. No, I was, um, I was kind of having a little bit of a chuckle to myself when you said over relying internal perspective. Because, um, it’s, um, I think, I think they’ve diagnosed this, um, this malaise. It’s um, it’s analysis paralysis and opinion. Chantelle Little  16:00 Oh, nice, yeah, yeah, yeah. Christian Klepp  16:03 Yeah. I tried to say that with a very serious face, yes, but, um, but it’s but it’s so true though, right? Like you just mentioned it, and I’ve been in situations. I’ve certainly been in meetings where there was this constant and very heated, like debate about positioning on what the brand stands for from an internal perspective. And it was usually like, unfortunately, more often than not, the loudest voice in the room at once, right? Chantelle Little  16:30 Yeah. Christian Klepp  16:31 Or, depending on the person’s level of seniority as well. And I would then see that falter when they take it to market. Chantelle Little  16:41 Yes. Christian Klepp  16:41 Because, as you rightfully pointed out, just because they agreed upon it in the meeting room, that doesn’t mean that the market agrees with that person. Chantelle Little  16:49 Yes, yes, yeah. Real balance to to to find, and it’s not easy, but it is also surprising how many companies are reluctant. I mean, I talk to B2B, SaaS companies, day in and day out, and there is a reluctancy to ask the customer for a case study or to ask the customer for an interview or survey. And I think some of it comes from, you know, it takes time and energy, which is a very precious commodity in today’s world. But sometimes, I think deep down, people don’t really want to know because they’re trying to protect something, and that’s really tricky. So I think a growth mindset and being willing to accept that customer feedback can be quite, quite powerful, because it creates an ally and ambassador from the customer, not always, but that’s the vision, that’s the goal, right? So if done properly, it really can create that. And then now we have fuel to put in the marketing engine that will help us go further, faster. And that’s a really exciting thing. Christian Klepp  17:57 It is an exciting thing. It is also a very thin line to walk, because I’ve been in a situation previously where I was a product marketer and I had to go out into the field with salespeople and listen to the way that they would conduct, conduct the meetings with the prospects, and listen to the concerns, the objections and the questions and whatnot, right? And from there to your point is, we can see what the prospect really thinks about the product. Chantelle Little  18:26 Yes. Christian Klepp  18:27 Versus what the you know, sometimes when the sales come back, they say, oh yeah. The meeting, the meeting went well. They said they think about it. But when you’re actually there in the meeting, then you actually hear what their concerns are, it’s like, yeah, they like it however they have, they had all of these different questions and concerns, and if that’s not captured in some shape or form, yeah, then anything that we put out from a marketing perspective might not be relevant to them, might not help them, might not also move the sales closer to to getting a deal. Chantelle Little  19:02 Yeah. Well, and I love that you bring that up Christian, because that kind of reminds me of just the other challenge of scaling brand. It’s at like scaling brand, right? And how it can fracture as you try to scale it. Christian Klepp  19:15 Yeah. Chantelle Little  19:15 And one of the things that you you mentioned is just that alignment between product marketing and sales like that is one of the biggest challenges that companies face as they scale. And so it’s like, if sales isn’t, you know, having these great conversations, they’re getting clear on objections, not feeding that back to marketing. And if marketing doesn’t have that Intel or those inputs, it gets difficult to learn from every opportunity to improve conversion performance and improve performance in general. So, yeah, I love that. It’s, it’s really key. Christian Klepp  19:47 Yeah, yeah, no, for sure. For sure. We already talked about this a little bit, you know, like how to deal with pushback, especially from founders. And you know, more often than not, they’re not from a marketing background. They’re not from us. Sales background. But I think the question that I want to ask you is basically, how do you convince them, or how do you prove to them, I think is the better word. How do you prove to them that brand differentiation and positioning can indeed shorten sales cycles and CAC. Chantelle Little  20:14 Yeah, I think when speaking to founders and early stage leadership teams, I think it’s important to speak their language. So there’s like, when I’m when I’m talking to a CMO of a, you know, $80 million company, you are dealing with different context and perspective and experience. And so you can kind of adjust your your your pitch and your conversation around more common marketing related terminology. But I’d say when you’re talking to founders, it’s really important for them to see this in context of revenue and a context of how it’s going to really, really move the needle. And so there’s a few different things. Like, there’s different ways that you can that you can position it, but I think really understanding there’s a couple things that I love to understand is, I love to understand about average deal size. Like, I like to understand, okay, so how much money do we anticipate we can make off of this customer in one year? But more important than that, how much do we think that you’re going to make off the customer over the course of the lifetime of the customer? So is it three years, you know, lifetime value, five years lifetime value, whatever that might be, whatever the customer lifetime value is. That’s actually more important than the the annual recurring revenue for one year or one month, right? So if, if I know that, then it becomes easier to work backwards and figure out, okay, so if that customer is worth $20,000 to you over the lifetime of the customer, how much would you be willing to spend to get that customer? If, if that customer is worth 700,000 or a million over the lifetime of the customer. How much would you spend there? And kind of get into some of the unit economics of it, and then help them understand what makes sense to spend to acquire that customer. And I think, like, like I said, talking in context of revenue, talking in context of, you know, the cost to acquire the lead is really helpful. And so let’s just, you know, use a simple example. A couple weeks back, I was speaking to someone, they were sharing that their their cack was closer to $1,000 and based on their price point, it just didn’t make sense. Like the economics only work when we run the numbers. It only works if we can get that down to three or $400 so the question is, how do you move the needle from a CAC of 1000 to a CAC of 300 to 400 and there’s different levers we can pull right? But when you know that that’s the target, we have to reduce the cost to acquire the customer down to 300 400 for all the economics to work and for you to put more money into this and to really scale it now we can start to look for all the friction that’s in the process that or that’s in the buyer journey, the user journey, depending on what context we’re talking about, and remove every little bit of friction. And when we start to see that, if, okay, if we remove that friction, if we change the messaging, if we do better message mismatching or better message matching from the ad to the landing page. If we, you know, maybe improve the brand, because right now, you feel early stage, and we could through better visuals, make you, you know, position you better amongst your four competitors that you’re trying to beat. If we start to change those little levers, then we can start to, you know, incrementally bring down that number. And you have to be careful talking about this, because there’s so many other things that are variables, right, that influence costs to acquire a customer that are outside of, you know, our ability to influence. But I think talking about it in context of the numbers is most helpful, because now we have really concrete goals all anchored to trying to achieve something that could be scaled and sometimes the answer might be, you need to increase your price, like I’ve come along that before as well. It doesn’t work, not because the CAC is wrong, but because the price is actually wrong. When I look at the competitive landscape, you could double your price, and, you know, not price yourself out of market. So there’s, there’s different levers, and that’s actually what’s so fun about marketing, is that it’s like being a mad scientist and sitting there with all your beakers and putting different things in there and seeing what you can achieve, like what you can create, in terms of results that that is what it’s it’s like. So I think that’s, that’s really key. So I think, like, just really practically as it relates to sales cycles, if you have weak positioning, it usually leads to confusion. Buyers are confused. You know, now I’m having to give repeated explanations of what we do. There’s the the marketing website, but now the sales team is having to, like, repeat or re explain or re educate or change the prospects perspective, and then objections end up getting rooted in misunderstandings, like in the sales process, right? So if we have strong positioning, the opposite would be true. Now we probably have better self qualification, so the quality of leads in your pipeline would be going up. In theory, that’s what would happen, right? We’d have easier comparison. The competitor can compare you better against competitive alternatives. Like it starts to make more sense, less friction, less cognitive load. And then, you know, it will someone will move through the pipeline with less friction. So usually shorter sales cycles. That really matters, right? If you could turn 60 day sales cycles into 30, like, what would that mean for you from a cash flow perspective, right? So it’s kind of looking at at all of those different variables. Christian Klepp  25:51 I love it. I love it. When you talked about the mad scientist that you know, the thing that came to mind was like, Dr. Frankenstein saying. Chantelle Little  25:59 Yeah, exactly that. Christian Klepp  26:03 But I love how you started out with as contradictory as it sounds, it’s very profound working backwards. Chantelle Little  26:11 Yes. Christian Klepp  26:12 What’s the end game? How much? How much is a customer worth to you, right? And working from there, because if you don’t start out like that, everything is really a guesstimation for for lack of a better description. But going back to something that you said, which I thought is really interesting, because at least I’ve seen this a lot. Do you think a lot of this the issue with differentiation and positioning as it pertains to SaaS and tech, also stems from a, this might sound oversimplified, but it stems from a lack of an actual lack of understanding of who the who the customer is, Chantelle Little  26:53 Yes. Christian Klepp  26:53 And what their pain points are, and how you have the ability to address those pain points, versus like, Oh, look at, look at our platform with all these neat features? Chantelle Little  27:02 Yes, yeah, absolutely. I think it’s, it’s hard, like, really, simply, it’s really hard to serve someone if you don’t know their problem first, Christian Klepp  27:12 Right. Chantelle Little  27:13 Right? And I think that’s why I don’t remember the exact quote, and I should look it up, because I keep misquoting it. Then that whole concept of, like, if I had to solve a problem, I’d spend 90% of the time solving the problem, and then whatever, 10% of the time executing against that to actually solve the problem, something like that, right? It is. It is some of that. It’s kind of like if we don’t know the problem, if we don’t know the pain, it’s really hard to solve it. So I think putting adequate energy into understanding, defining the pain, is really critical. Christian Klepp  27:47 Absolutely, absolutely, okay, you’ve given us quite a bit now, but like, walk us through these steps, right? Like, like, like, without that magic formula of yours, I’m joking. We know. We know that it’s not magic. There’s a lot of hard work that goes into this, right? Chantelle Little  28:02 Yeah. Christian Klepp  28:03 Walk us through these steps that that process, right? That helps B2B SaaS teams find their differentiation and strategic positioning. So what? What steps do they need to take? How? How do they? How can they, I should say, conduct research, generate insights, and move rapidly. I think the name of the game is speed too. Like a lot of these guys, especially founder led, they don’t have five years to prove what they have us working. Chantelle Little  28:31 Yeah. Christian Klepp  28:32 We’re talking about months here, right? Chantelle Little  28:34 Yeah, yeah, no, that’s, that’s such a great question. So I’ll try to do this in a way that’s easy to, you know, kind of explain so, so the first part is really defining the market. So in order for us to do positioning like step one, define the market, a couple key questions you can ask is, what cat or category are you in? Right? That’s, that’s really key. And then, what are the competitive alternatives that exist in the market? I’m a big April Dunford fan. I like, there’s a lot of frameworks that there are a lot of books out there about this, but she uses the language of competitive alternatives. And I’ve really, I’ve really taken that and leveraged that, because I think you want to understand who people what I find is that when you start to ask, what are the competitive alternatives? You might realize that the category you originally said you play in is not quite the right category. So if you ask both questions, you can use them to hone in on the right the right spot for early stage founders. I think narrowing in early is really key, and then you can expand really intentionally and strategically later down the line. So what I mean by that is it’s really hard to get traction with the new product in market when you’re trying to solve 30 problems. You know, we’ve talked, talked to so many founders, where it’s like, well, we can do this, we can do this, we can do this. We’re solving this problem, this problem, this problem, this problem, and and so it gets difficult because you need traction. So it’s either, you know, simplify the number of problems you’re solving, or maybe simplify how many industries you’re trying to go after, like start in your best hypothesis industry, get traction there, and then expand later. But I think it’s just being careful, careful about that from a positioning perspective. So that’s kind of step one, just a couple key questions you can ask. Step two is gathering those inputs. So, you know, for customer interviews, you know that’s something that you can do on your own. You can work with an agency to help you do that. I know that that can be really challenging to get people’s time, but for that, it’s really about designing the right script. It’s about making sure that you kind of maintain some continuity through those through those interviews, so that you start to be able to mine for patterns versus changing up the question set every time, leveraging customer surveys. I mean that that requires that you have an outreach list, but often you can, you know, build a bit of an outreach list from the network of folks on your team. But I would say on that one to be really, really careful about narrowing in on the right persona, like the right person, so that you don’t get, you know, the wrong type of input and the wrong type of data. One other thing that you know is really effective is doing a competitor messaging audit. So if you pull up all your competitor websites, and you can use AI to also help you get a start on it, at least you can pull up those websites and basically try to create a bit of a map, right? So it’s like, what is the positioning of each competitor and then what’s their core value prop? Like, that’s that’s also really helpful, outside of positioning. What’s a core value prop? And then, what are some of the key messages that are being highlighted? And then, what proof are they stating? So, is it case studies? Is it testimonials? Is it data points? Like, if that company is saying, we reduce time by 20% or whatever, like, What is the proof that they’re attaching to the message. And again, if you create a bit of a map of those competitors, you can start to see patterns where there’s overlap, and you can also start to see where there’s open gaps, like places you could play that aren’t directly competing. So it can be quite strategic. It can be a lot of fun. You can leverage AI. You could bring all that data back to your team and analyze it. So that’s another one. The review mining, like looking at G2 reviews, that’s really helpful as well, for looking for patterns, again, for all of these things, I we definitely have, you know, really advanced the way that we use AI to do these things, so doing them, but then also validating, making sure you’re using deep research. Sometimes we use multiple platforms so to see if we’re getting the same data from multiple platforms. But I think when you have all this data, AI can be really helpful for analyzing and looking for patterns. So that’s a really useful, useful case. And then internal workshops. I mean, if you’ve got someone on your team that you know is able to run an internal workshop, then that would be a great way to gather feedback from your team and have some of that necessary dialog to drive alignment and pull from the different perspectives on your team. In a perfect world, it’s great if you have a sales perspective, a marketing perspective, a product perspective, and if you’re unsure how to run these workshops, one that’s really useful is just doing a jobs, pains and gains, type or jobs to be done. Using that framework, even that could be really helpful to try map out, you know, the jobs that you believe your customer is doing. And then you can use customer interviews and surveys to validate some of that. And then, to your point, Christian about speed, we actually were. We’ve, we’ve had this a couple times with some customers that we’ve worked with, and even for our own testing, where we will use third party, you know, B2B platforms to, you know, interview look alike audiences. And there’s a whole science to that. So it’s not as simple as just going paying money and then, boom, you get 50 people’s feedback. You have to be super strategic about how you structure the surveys and the questions and what tests you run. But that’s beautiful, because now, 48 hours from now, you’re getting feedback. Now you’re able to leverage that, put that in AI look for patterns. It can be quite helpful when, when speed is the game. So that’s, that’s another one. So that’s kind of step two, gathering the real inputs. Step three is your mining for that true differentiation. A couple things that I’ll just quickly mention here is like, really try avoid table stakes. I see this time and time again, and even it’s very tempting to say, well, we’re we’ve got great customer service, whatever company is going to claim they do. Now, the customer interviews might say something different, and the customer, the competitor reviews online, might say something different, but like, is that sticky enough as a differentiation? Or like, even when people talk about their brand personality, it’s like, well, we’re professional. Well, that’s table stakes, right? Like, everyone’s expecting a level of professionalism. Christian Klepp  34:58 We hope so. Chantelle Little  34:59 We hope, we hope, right? So it’s like, try avoid that, or try avoid really vague adjectives. Like, get like, really specific. Don’t be satisfied with like, the vague. So here’s, like, the process where, now that you’ve done all that pre work, right now, you’re trying to, like, look for specific strengths and just where that real uniqueness is. And I believe that when it’s really grounded in real customer language, or maybe it’s lookalike audience language, it drives better performance from a marketing perspective. So that’s something to really look for. And step four, of course, like once you’ve actually found the differentiation, now you have to operationalize all of that, right? So that’s a whole other thing. I could go on and on and on, but it’s a whole other thing, because it can’t just live in a slide deck or a pitch deck. Now we have to figure out, how do we change the website, our sales decks, our email, outbound emails, like literally every touch point so that it aligns with that positioning, because everything that’s out of alignment is going to create confusion and potentially introduce friction. So that’s kind of the other part. So I’ll stop there. Does that help? Christian Klepp  36:15 I think you’ve got enough material here for an audio book. Chantelle Little  36:21 So that’s not the first time I’ve been described as robust. Christian Klepp  36:27 But jokes aside. I mean, I think that that was, that was quite comprehensive, and thank you for walking us through that. And by appreciate the amount of detail that you’ve provided here, because it is, again, one of the reasons why we agreed to discuss this topic on, you know, on this episode, is because this is a component, a vital component, that tends to get overlooked because they feel like, like it’s not such a big deal, or it’s something that’s easy to come up with. And now that you’ve met, you know, you’ve put in the effort to, like, walk us through what that actual process looks like. Chantelle Little  37:04 Yeah. Christian Klepp  37:06 We hopefully have dispelled that myth of how easy this is. Because, you know, as you’ve rightfully pointed out, it’s not, I mean, even if you Yes, of course you can use AI. I mean, like, we use it too, but there’s a certain way to use it and leverage it, where it generates, like you said, it helps to aggregate data, it helps to identify patterns, and it helps to generate those insights that also create true differentiation. Chantelle Little  37:34 Yes. Christian Klepp  37:35 None of this nonsense. And you know where I’m going with this, like you know, our true brand, our true differentiation, you know, lies in our people. Chantelle Little  37:43 Right? Christian Klepp  37:44 No, it does not right. Chantelle Little  37:45 Yeah, yeah. Christian Klepp  37:47 It lies in your ability to solve your you know, whatever challenges and problems and pain points your customer is facing, whatever those may be. Chantelle Little  37:56 Yes, yeah, yeah. And I think I love that you said that, because I think we also are living in this like world where outcomes, there’s so much focus on outcomes. So if you have a B in the B2B SaaS space, you know, saying that we have good customer service, saying that we have good people, those are, those are how we create value. They’re not the value. Christian Klepp  38:21 Right? Chantelle Little  38:21 So it’s like the the, you know, old challenge of people that focus on their features versus focusing on the value that they’re creating. And in today’s world, you can’t stand out if you don’t lean into outcomes, Christian Klepp  38:34 Correct. Chantelle Little  38:35 Right? So, Christian Klepp  38:36 I’ll come I’ll come focused, I’ll come driven. Chantelle Little  38:39 Yes, Christian Klepp  38:40 Right? I’m love it or hate it, right? Metrics, you know, at some point, especially in the world of SaaS and tech, which is, you know, very technical. Sorry, I’m trying to, try not to use any puns here, but, like, you know, right? But, but, but you, you will have to, especially if you’re dealing with founders and people that are have a very technical background, they need to be able to, like, grab on to something tangible. Chantelle Little  39:09 Yes. Christian Klepp  39:10 And sometimes, and I hate to say this myself, because I am that person that that lives and breathes branding, but sometimes that’s not something that’s that’s tangible to them, so you have to show them. This is working. We are making progress here. So what kind of metrics would you suggest marketers pay attention to when it comes to differentiation and positioning? Chantelle Little  39:31 Yeah, yeah, it’s a great question, and you’ve already alluded to the fact that measuring brand performance is like the thing that every marketer wishes they could do with higher degrees of precision and accuracy, because when they’re sitting, especially we work with so many mid mark, mid market, you know, marketers, and I hear about them going into the Csuite meetings, the board meetings, and I hear how difficult it is for them to get that approval on brand investments. Because, like everyone wants demand, we want x, you know, pipeline by the end of this year. We want, you know, this many (MQL) Marketing Qualified Leads by, you know, July, whatever it is, right? There’s these high expectations for performance, and usually more tendency to focus on demand investments than brand. So I think there’s a number of metrics like, I could go on and on and probably do an audio book on that one too Christian. But the one that I thought was worth maybe highlighting, because I think it’s not talked about enough, is this concept of unaided recall. And it’s it’s a little bit tricky to measure that as well. But I think what, what conceptually, you know, I try to encourage founders to think about is that at any given point in time, only 5% of your market is, like in market ready to buy. So if we run any demand campaigns, we are focused on converting that 5% into customers, right? But the other 95% we don’t want to alienate them. We don’t want to forget about want to forget about them, because they’re not in market today, but they might be tomorrow. They might be next month, next quarter, next year. So how can we build some mental availability with that 95% so that when they go in market and they become in the category of the 5% they think of your brand first, that’s, that’s the una like the recall piece. So typically, you know, we encourage people to think about what buying triggers, what moments in time happen that essentially prompt someone to move from the 95% that aren’t in market to the 5% that are in market. And then we try build campaigns and marketing around those buying triggers. But the key point is, is that we do that to build mental availability, right? So I think of it like this when you think of this category. So I’ll just use (CRM) customer relationship management. We think of this category of customer relationship management, who comes to mind, right? HubSpot, Salesforce. Christian Klepp  42:00 Yeah, right. Chantelle Little  42:01 So you kind of want to be the one that comes to mind. So it’s about really building that so. So I think measuring, like unaided, unaided recall, maybe aided recognition too. There’s you can. You can use branded search growth to help, you know, figure that out. Sometimes branded search growth, you know, you have to think about that in context. But are we seeing more people directly search for our solution? You know that could be an indication that they are aware of your company and your brand. There could be direct traffic trends that could be measured, but you’re trying to really think about if, if someone was prompted, like, if someone has pain, and that buying trigger happens like I now have pain. Do they think of your brand first, right? And I mean, some people will say, well, that’s hard to achieve because HubSpot Salesforce, they have these huge they have these huge budgets. And I’m not, you know, trying to gloss over that. That is a reality, but I think that there are targeted ways to build brand awareness and that mental availability and measure those metrics and help boards and Csuite understand the value of that so that they will approve brand investments, because when we invest in brand demand, performs better, right? Christian Klepp  43:19 Amen. Amen. Absolutely, absolutely. Oh, gosh, I wish. I wish more people would be saying something like that, but you said something which I thought was like, almost like a key phrase in this conversation, almost like an outcome. It’s like the it’s the logical, like, next step. It’s this building mental availability. Chantelle Little  43:40 Yes. Christian Klepp  43:41 Because that’s really a big part of what this exercise is. Chantelle Little  43:46 Yes. Christian Klepp  43:47 Especially in B2B, as you, as you rightfully pointed out that not everybody’s out there like, oh yeah, I need to get me some of that software. Let me pull up my credit card. Chantelle Little  43:55 Yes. Christian Klepp  43:56 It doesn’t happen that way, right? It usually is a much longer process. It usually involves a buying committee of anywhere between four to six people, maybe even more. Chantelle Little  44:05 Yes. Christian Klepp  44:05 Right? And they they do, you know, they do their own due diligence and research, and what they find online is extremely important. Chantelle Little  44:14 Yes. Christian Klepp  44:16 To your point, about like, not just the review sites, but what you know and what other people are saying, but you know, what are people online commenting, with regards to the software? What’s out there that’s available? Like, okay, if you, if you, if you Google or, or in the this day and age, you do AI search, what is AI saying? Chantelle Little  44:35 Yes, Christian Klepp  44:36 Right? Chantelle Little  44:37 Yeah. Christian Klepp  44:37 All important. Chantelle Little  44:38 Yeah. And I think, obviously, I’d be remiss if I didn’t say, of course, you want to measure measure like branded related metrics, like we’ve talked about. But I think you know, it’s also important to be measuring your your CAC, right? Because, like, some people aren’t even measuring their CAC. Christian Klepp  44:55 That’s right. Chantelle Little  44:56 And so measuring CAC is important, because if we want to prove you. That increased investment in brand reduces cap. We also have to measure CAC right conversion rates like, that’s a that’s another thing that you we can be measuring on the web level and paid campaigns. We can measure sales cycles, whether they’re shortening right. These are things brand influences. So ideally, we and we measure, you know, how brand is performing, and then we measure the things, the things that we’re trying to improve, right? CAC, conversion rates, sales cycles, all that kind of stuff, quality, right? Inbound quality. What’s the sales team say about the quality of these leads? Christian Klepp  45:34 Absolutely. Chantelle Little  45:35 All those pieces could be measured, and it will help us prove that brand is is helping remove friction. Christian Klepp  45:43 That’s absolutely right. Well, Chantelle, we could have gone on for another 10 hours, but like you know, in the interest of time, I’d like to thank you for coming on, and thank you for sharing your expertise and experience with the listeners. So please quick introduction to yourself and how folks out there can get in touch with you. Chantelle Little  45:59 Sure. Thanks Christian for having me. I appreciate it. So I’m Chantelle Little, founder and CEO of a digital marketing agency that serves B2B SaaS companies, and we help B2B SaaS teams clarify positioning, build differentiated brands, and also create websites and campaigns that drive qualified pipeline and ultimately revenue. That’s the key. So, so that’s that’s that in terms of connecting with me, you can check out our agency at tillerdigital.com that’s T, I, L, L, E R digital.com and feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn as well. Christian Klepp  46:35 Perfect and we will drop the links to those all in the show notes when this episode comes out so once again. Chantelle, thank you so much for your time. Take care, stay safe and talk to you soon. Chantelle Little  46:45 Thanks, Christian, see ya. Christian Klepp  46:47 Thank you. Bye for now.

Today we're putting AI (Artificial Intelligence) to the test with AI money expert Jeffrey Trull. He's founder of the blog and newsletter, Money Meets AI where he shares tested prompts for your money. He joins us to sort the genuinely useful from the wildly overhyped when it comes to AI. We expand our conversation into prompts, privacy, hallucinations, portfolio questions, Google vs. ChatGPT, paid vs. free tools, and where AI can actually save real time for DIYers. Along the way, Bill wrestles with the tradeoff between efficiency and original thought, Jackie pushes the "AI as thought partner" framing, and Jeffrey stresses that it's great for lower-risk questions but terrible as your all-knowing financial planner.  This episode covers: Where AI is genuinely useful for DIY personal finance Why prompts matter, but perfection is overrated Using AI to review insurance, contracts, and 401(k) plan docs Google vs. ChatGPT vs. Claude for money questions Paid vs. free AI tools and when subscriptions are worth it AI "hallucinations" and how to fact-check outputs Privacy concerns when uploading financial documents Why AI should be a thought partner, not your financial planner Agentic AI, AI shopping assistants, and what may be coming next   ====================   DEALS & DISCOUNTS FROM OUR TRUSTED PARTNERS   MONARCH MONEY The modern way to manage money! Monarch will change the way you organize your financial life. Track, budget, plan, and do more with your money – together. Get 50% off the first year using this link and entering code: CATCHINGUP50   For a full list of current deals and discounts from our partners, sponsors and affiliates, click here: catchinguptofi.com/our-partners    SUPPORT  THE  SHOW

How to Achieve Outsized Outcomes with a Small B2B Marketing Team With the rapid advancement of AI, machine learning, shifting market dynamics, and more competition entering the ecosystem all the time, B2B marketers are confronted with more challenges than ever before. Teams are constantly facing the challenges of tightened budgets and even tighter deadlines. With this in mind, how can small B2B marketing teams achieve more with less and still deliver exceptional outcomes? That's why we're talking to Jordan Buning (Principal and Senior Account Executive, ddm marketing + communications), who shares insights and practical strategies on how to achieve outsized outcomes with a small B2B marketing team. During our conversation, Jordan discussed how teams can navigate market uncertainty and how AI has impacted efficiency. He emphasized the importance of revenue and pipeline metrics to demonstrate the financial contribution that marketing makes to the bottom line. Jordan also stressed the need for small B2B marketing teams to optimize campaigns, avoiding pitfalls like chasing immediate results at the expense of long-term success, and maintain continuous alignment with sales. He advocated for a platform approach over fragmented campaigns, regular metrics evaluation, and a focus on precision over volume. https://youtu.be/31Qts7vadLI Topics discussed in episode: [03:15] Why leadership often views marketing as an expendable variable rather than a core driver of the bottom line. [14:36] Jordan explains how to avoid “strategy whiplash” and over-reliance on performance tactics. [21:20] Discover why right-place, right-time messaging is non-negotiable, especially when it comes to appealing to the buying committee. [28:08] Instead of quarterly campaigns, build a core messaging “soundboard” that provides consistency and longevity. [33:36] Jordan walks through a 3-phase (90-day roadmap) approach consisting of diagnosing, activating, and doubling down to show ROI within one business quarter. [37:14] Why you must lead with pipeline contribution and opportunity creation rate when presenting to the board. [41:32] Why marketing belongs in every part of the organization, from customer experience and billing to employee engagement, not just lead generation. Companies and links mentioned: Jordan Buning on LinkedIn  ddm marketing + communications  Transcript Christian Klepp, Jordan Buning Jordan Buning  00:00 I think you know, the things that probably made this conversation happen in the first place are probably the first metrics you got to have. So it’s probably has something to do with revenue, and probably secondly, has to do with how quality they think the pipeline is filled with opportunities. Your initial metrics that would say this is working or not working. Really have to start there. And it may be two or three steps removed from some of the, you know, inside marketing measurements that that might be there, but at the end of the day, that’s what will kind of matter to them. And so what is, you know, the pipeline contribution looking like? What kind of opportunity creation rate is happening, revenue influence, those, those kinds of things, I think are components that that matter when we talk about revenue and pipeline is, are we actually contributing to the financial success of the organization. Christian Klepp  00:57 With the rapid advancement of AI (Artificial Intelligence) machine learning, changing market dynamics, market uncertainty and more competition entering the ecosystem all the time. B2B Marketers are confronted with more challenges than ever before. Another one of those challenges includes tightened budgets and even tighter deadlines. With this in mind, how can B2B Marketing teams achieve more with less and still deliver exceptional outcomes. Welcome to this episode of the B2B Marketers on the mission podcast, and I’m your host, Christian Klepp, today I’ll be talking to Jordan Buning, who will be answering this question. He’s the principal and Senior Account Executive at DDM Marketing and Communications who’s committed to doing great things with incredible people inside and outside the company. Tune in to find out more about what this B2B Marketers Mission is. Okay? Mr. Jordan Buning, welcome to the show, sir. Jordan Buning  01:48 Thank you. Appreciate you having me. Christian Klepp  01:50 Really looking for this conversation, Jordan. Not like man, I should have recorded the last couple of conversations that we had that, in itself, should have been the episode already, right? But I’m, I’m really looking forward to this conversation. You know, I had a great chat with your colleague, Joanne. And you know, we’re going to talk about a topic today that you and I both know it. It keeps coming up, and you ask 50 people out there, and they’ll give you 50 different answers to this question, right? So let’s, let’s just dive right in. I’m going to say you’re on a mission to help B2B companies deliver high impact marketing campaigns that drive measurable results. But I’d like to focus on this following topic for today’s conversation, and we’ve got plenty to unpack from this one, how small marketing teams can optimize campaigns to reduce waste and achieve outsized outcomes, probably I should highlight bold italic, underline that outsized outcomes, because that one’s going to be the interesting one. Let’s kick off the conversation with the following question, so I’m happy to repeat so why do you think many B2B organizations are spending less on their marketing efforts and shortening the timelines in which teams need to deliver results? And based on those constraints in your experience, where have you seen many marketing teams struggle? Jordan Buning  03:15 But you’re right. There’s a there’s a lot there, and trying to consolidate all of my thoughts down is a unique challenge. But, you know, I think part of it is not that marketing is losing importance sometimes in various circumstances, be it budgetary otherwise, but it’s more about the pressure of reshaping how it gets evaluated. There is a lag, I think in terms of how a lot of individuals perceive the importance in the in the contribution that marketing makes to the organization’s goals and ultimately to its bottom line. So if it’s disconnected, it becomes a variable, and a variable that, while maybe nobody is really wishing for, it sometimes becomes minimized or expendable, and therefore it’s really kind of a big push. And there’s certainly a variety of things that may be driving that. It could be their own, economic uncertainties, their market has changed. Therefore they’re making their adjustments. They’re managing risk. When they’re doing some of those kinds of things they may not necessarily see again that relationship between what they’re attributing to the bottom line. They may have measurements that are not aligned to show performance and not that it isn’t but they don’t have the data that’s that’s doing that and or they may even have a lag. They may have a lot of information, but it’s historical data, and present realities may be slightly different, and they don’t really have a way to connect to it. And then you’ve got a lot of other circumstances, like shift towards more immediate revenue. They may be saying, well, let’s just push out, let’s, let’s push more on. The sales side of this. Let’s work with partners, and let’s have them facilitate the process, and we’re going to get out of the sales and marketing role. Maybe what they say is, we’re going to park acquisition and we’re going to really go after account expansion. So those, those are all things that could be driving all of this. Then you throw in things like AI, where they might say, you know, it looks like there’s a lot of great tools out there. Why don’t we use more of those? Let’s use that to fill the gap where we maybe don’t have the resources that we once had. So those all become drivers in the whole situation. And somewhere in between is reality. One other thing, maybe, you know, a lot of organizations, depending on where they are, probably got where they were without maybe marketing being one of the primary drivers. Maybe they had a great engineering solution. They’re a great production organization, and maybe even a great selling organization. But marketing hasn’t been something that has necessarily been invested in as great they got there in their minds through other things. And so there’s suddenly a shift in terms of how to reconcile the value that marketing is contributing to the whole thing. And so it’s both an opportunity and a challenge. Obviously, in the moment, it’s it’s difficult and it’s painful. But those are, those are some of the circumstances that are kind of going on then based on constraints, where do we think marketing teams struggle? I had to remind myself of the question, so I wrote it down. If I were to zoom zoom out, I think the core struggle is, is somewhat capability and capacity. But it’s really kind of more the issue of time horizon that they might be running into, depending on what the issues are that are getting brought up. There could be a bit of a strategy whiplash where, you know, they had a plan, and the best laid plan has gone to waste, and there’s suddenly kind of a push towards a very different effort. And so the investment now is getting either tabled or stalled and and suddenly they’re they’re wanting to switch horses and go to a different direction. And obviously, from a marketing standpoint, that fear is great. We’ve got lots of activity. We’re doing a bunch of other things. We feel good about that. The other side of it is there’s a cost to losing that momentum of where you were going before. And how do you how do you kind of reconcile that? And then, how do you avoid continuing to have strategy change after strategy change along the way? Those are the things that really could create constraints out of very small marketing teams, maybe a team of one, maybe an outsourced resource, those things all get really kind of challenging, over reliance on performance, metrics and tactics. So you know, specifically, getting into things that seem to have the most immediate ROI, let’s just go after the search campaign conversions. Let’s go after some other things that are low funnel without maybe reconciling the understanding that you’re you’re doing that sometimes at the expense of the things that that that initiate things into the funnel as well, and so, you know, maybe creating a bit of a short term bump, but at the expense of long term success as well. So that’s a challenge. Confusion with sales, sales and marketing forever being sometimes perceived as opposing parties. So you know, again, I think this, this idea of we just need better leads, we just need more quality, whatever, faster kind of a thing, as opposed to, let’s, let’s be very team minded and intentional in terms of working together. Measurement paralysis, that’s a that’s another one that can happen where everybody’s got data, and you’re overwhelmed with that data, and you get so focused looking into rear view mirror, you’re losing track of the direction you’re supposed to be going all along. And then you get into some things like short term wins versus long term growth, and a very inconsistent narrative in terms of what you’re trying to talk about. And so, you know, I think those are, those are all kind of contributing factors that some organizations really have to wrestle with is it’s great to be responsive and reactive to real circumstances, and everybody knows how to hold a plan loosely. But what are the trade offs in being able to shift from having a strategy and then and then suddenly realizing there needs to be an adjustment. They get very eager and excited about creating a lot of energy. That energy is great, but that energy may not be harnessed in such a way that it’s actually going anywhere. So you’re feeling good about the activity and the responsiveness, but you might be trading one problem. Problem for another if you don’t have that clarity together as a team. And so I think it’s this, this thing that often we all talk about of like, go slow to go fast, is really an opportunity that that is presenting itself in a situation like that, like, before we move off of the solve this problem in a particular way, let’s pause and make sure we all know what we’re trying to do here and being able to accomplish that. Christian Klepp  10:25 Absolutely, absolutely. Thanks for sharing all of that that was a lot like within the past couple of minutes. I wanted to go back to something like you touched on it a little bit in the beginning, but it’s certainly been my experience, and I’m curious to see how it’s been over on your end. Do you think that a lot of these constraints, I mean, certainly a lot of it has to do with market dynamics, and, as you said, like the introduction of AI and machine learning? But do you also feel, I mean, we’re talking about B2B here, right? And a lot of these big companies, whether it’s in health care or manufacturing or chemicals or whatever. When you have a meeting, you know, you have these this meeting with senior management or the board of directors, marketing is not always the first thing that comes to mind. And I say that with a heavy heart being a marketer, but you know, you got to face the music, right? That’s the reality of it. Do you feel that a lot of times, especially with small marketing teams, the reason why they’re they’re having to navigate these challenges is because people within the organization, A don’t quite understand what marketing is, and B, they don’t quite understand why they should care. Jordan Buning  11:41 Yes, I definitely would agree with you. And I think it’s, it’s sometimes an educational problem, and sometimes it’s a self imposed problem, right, you know? And I think, I think on the to your point, it can be perceived as it looks easy, or, you know, it’s easy to get educated or feel knowledgeable about it’s, it’s viewed, sometimes more, as a an art form and very subjective, as opposed to a science and driven based on actual performance activities and and good strategy. And then, I think the marketers ourselves, sometimes unintentionally, have done that to ourselves. We’ve we’ve gotten very excited about a lot of things, maybe trends that are happening. Maybe we are just tied to the thrill of a great creative hook or message or whatever, and we miss the connectivity to the business itself. And you know, with that in mind, you just become an outer ring in some of the core things that the organization is doing and and, you know, the other part of it is sometimes your role could get perceived just as as responsible for help getting leads, as opposed to, hey, marketing’s responsibility is to be a part of probably a lot of the ecosystem. Not only do we help acquire, we help keep. We help create an experience. We help create an experience for our employees and so on and so forth. So, you know, I think, I think there’s, there’s shared responsibility, sometimes, certainly, a world that’s evolving. I think it’s getting better. I think, I think marketing has developed a more present seat in the C suite and leadership conversations, which is, which is positive, plenty of runway to go yet. But then there’s, there’s marketing themselves making sure that, hey, these things that we do, are they aligned and connected to all of the things that are happening that the organization cares about, are their goals, our goals, as opposed to, hey, we’ll just increase likes and shares and so on. Those are all good numbers for marketing. Maybe they don’t equate to the business, and therefore we sometimes shut ourselves outside of that conversation, as opposed to, you know, maybe how they perceive us. Christian Klepp  14:08 Absolutely, absolutely. I had another Golden Apple for you, but I’m gonna, like, save that one for later on in the conversation, moving on to the next question, just based on everything that you’ve said, and, you know, we are talking about how smaller teams can optimize campaigns, what are some of these key pitfalls you would say they need to avoid and to keep it constructive, we also need to talk about what they should be doing instead. Jordan Buning  14:36 You know, one of the things as I thought about that question was, really, you know, we often look at as a capacity. Are we just running a few people ragged? And there could be some truth to that. But I think the greater risk would be just, are we going about it in all the wrong ways? Right? There is a sense of urgency. We go running out of the room. We want to help. So, but by by nature of our activity and or the group’s conversation that we’re having, we actually could unintentionally just be creating an added level of chaos to the chaos that’s there. And so some of those pitfalls could be chasing immediate pipeline and ignoring the long term gain, and so you know, it’s it’s a both end strategy that we’re trying to educate on and maintain is, hey, how do we make sure we answer the bell on some of the more immediate issues that are going on, but that we also don’t do it at the expense of the long term importance and success of this organization as well. Another one is constant strategic repositioning, if what we do is go after some of the more immediate things, and that could be looking like a sale or a sale price, or something else that’s commodifies the product and service that they offer, that might get them a bump in the moment, but is that the identity that the organization and its products really want to be known for, and so it it may do damage to its long term narrative, depending on how some of the messaging comes out at that time as well. I think there’s a risk of over complicating what you’re trying to do. And I think that’s something that’s stuck in my mind. I’m, I’m probably, by nature, an over simplifier, or a simplifier, I should say. And I think there’s a, there’s a risk of of throwing a lot of things on the menu, looking at them as, like, 1000 bets. And you know, at least one of these bets is going to turn into something so, you know, it’s it feels like good activity. People feel good that there’s a response that’s happening. But it may be such a scatter, and it may so minimize the level of effort on a variety of different things, you know that it just minimizes the challenge that’s going on. And I think indirectly, in doing that, you also may broaden the gap and divide between yourself and marketing and some of the other groups, including sales. So hey, we’re going to go do this thing, and we feel really good about it. Maybe it even does the thing that we think it should do. But at the end of the day, it doesn’t really satiate some of the other drivers and motivators that they have. And so suddenly you’ve really got this, this growing divide, as opposed to a closing divide in terms of what’s going on. And so, you know, I think those all become kind of risks in this whole thing. And then, you know, maybe, maybe the last thing being taking risks on things you haven’t done before. So suddenly it’s, well, let’s, let’s try this technology solution. Let’s, let’s, let AI do a thing for us, or whatever. And when it’s most critical, you’re moving away from the things that you can believe in and trust the most, and you’re throwing a few Hail Mary sound down the field, it could be a risk that is of too great for the organization, as opposed to, hey, what are some fundamental things that we can really hone in on? What is maybe more how we narrow our efforts into much more focused activities and energies, and what are our best executions. So, you know, I think, I think with the best of intentions, and I’m sure I’m as guilty as anybody at times in my past of, let’s create a lot of activity potentially. You know, that’s the pressure you’re feeling. The real answer may be, how do we stop enough to create clarity? Really reset our pathway to what we need to accomplish, and then what’s the most, smartest and most effective way to get there? Christian Klepp  18:48 Absolutely, absolutely. I almost feel like sometimes us, marketers were guilty of like, okay, let’s just, let’s just try everything, or, or, some teams, and, you know, I’ve certainly worked with some of them in the past, they get pressure, and especially in B2B, they get pressure from higher ups saying, Well, you know, I saw something on Sunday, you know, like there was this video. So why don’t we do a why don’t we do a video, right? Why don’t we, why don’t we get on tiktok? And I had a briefing, and I shall not disclose the name of the client, but I we had a briefing many years ago where a client said, um, we want you to create a viral video for us, and to which I said, like, with all due respect that you don’t get to decice that.. Jordan Buning  19:34 Yeah, let’s, let’s make magic, right? Christian Klepp  19:36 Let’s make magic. And I can say, I can say, with confidence, we, walked away from that and said, you know, we can’t help you. We walked away from that. And, you know, unscathed. Jordan Buning  19:47 It’s the hardest thing to do sometimes, right? But it is wise at times to recognize that. Christian Klepp  19:53 Well and I’m sure you’ll agree, you’ll agree with me when I say this. I mean, like, you know, we’ve, we’ve been in this business for a bit, but. Um, it’s sometimes necessary to tell the client that, okay, you’re, you’re asking us to do something for you, and I’m gonna, like, disagree with what you’re asking us to do, because we believe, to our core that that’s not in your best interest, right? And it’s and it’s and it’s difficult to have that conversation. I’m sure you’ve had many of them, right? Jordan Buning  20:24 Sure, but you’re, but you’re right. It’s, you know, you’re paying for our candor, yeah. And I think you know, the risk would be, you know, arrogance. But I think for the most part, I think with with the relationship that you’re trying to build and forecasting that at times, that that can be a healthy thing too, and even if it’s a little challenging or impassioned, hopefully there’s a there’s a point where you can reconcile some of those things. But I agree with you, there’s there’s a time and a place. Christian Klepp  20:54 There’s a time and a place. Absolutely, this next question is going to sound a little bit like table stakes to you, but man, I have worked with a lot of teams where that wasn’t very clear. The importance of having a deep understanding of who your target groups are, and I’m gonna say plural, because it’s never, it’s never just one group and B2B, and an understanding of their of their buyer’s journey. All right, talk to us about that. Jordan Buning  21:20 Yeah, I think, I think there’s a variety of things that really popped up as I thought about that particular category and there to your point, it’s a complex group. And yet, I think this is also really a time where precision is important, when you start looking at urgent shifts and that kind of a thing. And so not to eliminate groups, necessarily, but hey, if we need to prioritize, how do we, how do we prioritize some of these things along the way? And one of the other things that was tied to this as well as I think sometimes when the client feels a sense of urgency, there can be pressure on the time it takes to to be clear about some of these things. And one of the things is challenged us to do is, hey, we’re not going to skip that step, but maybe we can come up with, uh, you know, not a strategy that takes weeks and months, but maybe we just need to develop a sprint session together, and that’s really forced us to be a little more streamlined ourselves. Don’t skip the step, but let’s make sure we have a smart way of creating some clarity around those things. And so that’s a little bit of a learning curve that we’ve we’ve worked our way through is, hey, sometimes you get, you know, the strategy is the project, and a lot of times the strategy is necessary component to get to the goals and the outcomes that they have. And so one of the things that I first jotted down was this idea of precision beats volume. And so it’s this, Hey, how do we create clarity in terms of where’s our best best focus, best energy? How do we target where the real pain is to get the best value? How do we prioritize high propensity accounts and opportunities and those kinds of things along the way. So that was kind of step one. Let’s make sure we’ve got some clear clarity around the focus of that. And then don’t confuse the buying committee as well. To your point, it’s like you could have leadership C suite. You’re going to have probably a finance person involved. You might have procurement. You might have the end user. Those are all very different drivers and motives in that whole thing. And so I think making sure we have clear lanes on some of that, so we don’t muddy this into such a chaotic thing, we forget that they have to want this product along the way. So I think there’s, there’s importance to that. And again, a lot of times that comes back to that early stage of a sprint. How do you then align messaging to decision stages? You know, I think we all wrestle with this, this whole thing. They’re gonna love it as soon as they hear it. Christian Klepp  23:58 Oh yeah, Jordan Buning  23:59 Right away. And, you know, I think, I think that’s important. Back to your, your buyer’s journey conversation again, to kind of say, hey, how do we, how do we move through a series of stages of experience, where first they they become aware of it, then they learn to engage with it and be well informed about what it can do. See reinforcement, see the data that supports it, and those things happen in timely phases. And so this right place, right time, right message component is critical to a lot of the sequencing that happens. And you know, we’re all guilty of periodically thinking this will be a one call, close type of interaction, when, in reality, the decision making is probably going the other direction over time. They’re risk averse. They’re not going to make wild decisions. They’re probably going to have multiple players of approval. They’re going to have other players in consideration often. In as well. And that’s just a reality that I think the world has to be more and more prepared for as we lose expertise and knowledge, as people retire and those kinds of things, people are going to go to the internet and these other places to begin the research process all over again. And so it will, it will take a very different approach to being able to do that. And then a few other things that I noted is, you know, again, just continuing to to build that sales and marketing alignment. What are the who is that primary audience? Does everybody agree? Do we all see the journey the same? Are we? Are we hitting that prospect with the right things at the right time, and then how do we make sure that we’re continuing to protect long term equity, and what we’re trying to do as well? So, you know, it’s it’ll continue to stay fairly important, and so even as the process may becomes faster in some of these situations, because the circumstances demand it. Skipping the steps is probably the way to get off off track. And so really kind of helping everybody stay focused, stay purposeful, be clear on the targets are still things that I think are Immutables in making changes. Christian Klepp  26:17 Yeah, absolutely, you know, and I have this conversation with marketers a lot like, I always highly encourage them, like, you know, have you sat have you sat in on sales calls back in the day, when I was starting out, I had to go out into the field with the sales people, right as an observer, so I’m just like the fly on the wall there, right, but listening to the way that they would present the company’s products and solutions to the prospect, how they would handle the objections and the concerns and whatnot of the of the of said prospect, and if there was an issue there. Okay, so how can we, how can we address that? Because it’s not always necessarily the salesperson’s fault, per se, right? And it’s, it’s that whole concept of, like, the way that we’re going to make this work is if we do it together, right? And having that good relationship, or having that close relationship with the sales people, I think, is a vital component of that, right? Because otherwise, like, like you said, it’s going to be, it’s going to be like, everything is in silos, and marketing is gonna, like, develop all these, these messages in isolation, and it’s not gonna work. Jordan Buning  27:26 Doesn’t say anything, you know, or whatever they might observe about the materials. But you’re right. I think if it’s more of a partnership and mutual education of the other I think there’s, there’s a lot more potential for for exponential outcomes as opposed to siloed solutions? Christian Klepp  27:43 Yep, absolutely. All right, I’m going to ask you two sets of questions here, and there’s plenty to unpack, so just take a deep breath, right? Because, um, this next question is about how small teams can leverage constraints to drive that clarity, that alignment and focused execution. So what are the steps that they need to take? What are some of those critical components that they need to throw into the mix? Jordan Buning  28:08 A few things that we’ve already talked about, but I think are worth repeating. You know, as far as key steps for small groups, I think ruthlessly defining who I think it can become much easier to start focusing on yourselves. And, you know, navel gazing, if you will. And so I think continuing to really think about, who is that ideal client? What do they need? What’s the problem we’re solving is really important. And that’s really the second one of clarify the core problem. You know, what urgent, high values thing are we really focused on, especially if the pressure is on right now, right who is it? What’s the context? How do we, how do we make sure that we’re really focused on them in terms of what we do, and then, what are the most important priorities that surround that? And again, I think really just making sure we narrow in, we don’t, we don’t dilute but, but we do focus. And so I think there is going to be even a necessary conversation that might say, hey, you know, we, we have an opportunity of, you know, this broad audience group, but who is our best and strongest environment, what are the best efforts that we can put forward towards helping them and supporting them? Then I said, Build one narrative platform. Not many campaigns. I think we’ve come out of a world at times where, hey, we do quarterly campaigns or whatever kind of a thing. And so, you know, we look, use it, use it like Kleenex, and kind of move to another one and another one. And I think in the era that we’re in, because of the diversity of tools, and therefore the types of interactions that people have, building more of a platform of, Hey, what is. This offering that we have, how does it align to the individual? What are the core individual messages that we have? It still gives you a lot of latitude for mixing some of those pillars and those messages together. I quite often will illustrate to clients that as we’re developing positioning and different pillars. I almost look at it like a soundboard in a recording studio where, hey, you’ve got all these knobs and buttons to push, and depending on the application and the moment of interaction and those kinds of things, we can turn up and turn down those core components and create a lot of different attributes and experiences around that whole thing, but there’s still the same core things. And so if anybody feels like, you know, as we narrow a little bit, that it’s going to get boring, I think it’s actually just the opposite. It creates a much richer experience, but it’s all much more coordinated as well. So I think that’s, I think that’s very much an opportunity, is make sure there’s a there’s a platform approach creates a lot more consistency, a lot more longevity, and therefore a lot more opportunity to stick over time with the audience that you’re trying to reach. And then, I think you know metrics, as we, as we continue to talk about metrics, make sure that we have a shared way to evaluate what we’re doing, and is it, is it working? And there’s, there’s a lot of different metrics that can go into that. And then I think it’s, you know, keep, keep the cycle tight. Once things are are in the marketplace, how do we continue to be able to circle back with regularity to say, What? What is this getting us? Is this doing the thing? And is it? Is it a thing we can reinvest in, or it is an adjustment that we can work our way through, but continuing to be able to do that in as close to real time as you can, so that that you’re working together, you know, you’d hate to kind of disappear for 90 days, show back up and then say, hey, look, it didn’t work, or vice versa. And I think it just allows, again, a much more team minded approach to being able to do this, or at least being able to share status and that kind of a thing, depending on what’s going on. Yeah. Christian Klepp  32:15 Yeah, absolutely. I mean, you know, especially as marketers, you never want to give people the impression that you’re that you’re running an art studio here, you know, you lock yourself up there for two weeks, and then I’m, you know, I’m working on my masterpiece. It’s not quite done yet, right? Yeah, it’s, it really needs, does need to be a two way street. Because, you know, you can attest to this. And I’ve, you know, I’ve gone through plenty of campaigns as well, where it almost becomes this, this weekly check in, sometimes, depending on the client, right? Sometimes it’s bi weekly, right? But okay, so this is how it’s going. This is, this is the progress so far. This is where we’re seeing some obstacles, and this is how we’re planning to address those, right? So, so it’s continuously evolving. It’s, it’s, I think you brought it up earlier. It’s an ecosystem. Yeah, yeah. Very much, very much. I agree, yeah. All right, so here comes the question of the hour. So with the reality of tight budgets and even tighter deadlines, marketing teams need to be more resourceful and agile. So this is one of those like, what would you do situations, right? So, Jordan, if you had a smaller marketing team and the senior management only gave you 90 days to deliver results, what would you do? So talk us through the process and what approach you would use, what initiatives you’d implement? Jordan Buning  33:37 Well, somewhat similar to our own process, we have something we call the DDM way, and in the first phase of that starts with listening and understanding. And so I had written down a phase for this that would be diagnose and focus in a situation like this. Again, I think this goes slow to go fast, mindset where you can kind of identify the best path, analyze the pipeline and have those conversations and get aligned with sales. I think those are the core components that have to be there. Or I think you’re going to continue to be battling the execution side of things down the road. And so I think phase one is very foundational, of really diagnose focus. Phase two, I said, activate, you know, your focus revenue engine. So precision, precision over scale, I think, is really the thing that you’ve heard me say a number of times is, you know, who are we targeting? Is it almost account based, focused or something similar? You know, what strengthen our conversion assets? We’ve been talking a little bit about that in terms of, what are those best tools? Are they case studies? Are they white papers? Are they various other sheets that need to get created, then building that platform, you know, and again, it may get executed as a campaign still, but you know, your platform has has more of a longer life. To it, and then optimize the channels that you’re using and really making sure you’re doing all the right things that are there. And then, I think, once you’ve got it in the market, the last phase of this whole thing is double down and then optimize or amplify at that point. So we’re big believers in terms of setting up some some things that you can see regular metrics and performance on. And then we usually will talk with our clients as well about, hey, what are the things we need to talk about if we’re going to make a change? And what are the things you should be expecting us just to go ahead and make adjustments on the fly that are supportive. And usually, if there are shifts in terms of approach or message or something we need to talk if it’s hey, let’s, let’s move our mixture of maybe a media placement or something like that within the budget we already have. Those are things they might expect us to go after and really make sure, you know, we’re keeping this thing optimized. And sometimes I respectfully describe our resources on the on the media side, is it’s almost like day traders. The tools are there. We should be paying attention on a regular basis, looking at performance and then optimizing for them, when and where we can along the way. And that’s the beauty of some of the digital tools that are out there. There’s, there’s always risks in over adjusting or or over manipulating, but I think there’s very much an opportunity for us to stay very up on on how everything is performing. Christian Klepp  36:31 Fantastic, fantastic. So, all right, so we’ve got we’ve got the clarity, we’ve got the alignment, we’ve got the understanding of the target audience, and there and the buyer’s journey. And now you’ve laid out your plan for the 90 days, and now the board is going to say, well, you know, that’s all well and good, Jordan, but we need to see the ROI, right? What are we? What are we spending money on here? And I’m sure you’ve had that conversation before, because I’ve certainly have. And then what? So what I’m getting at here is like, what kind of metrics should these marketing teams be paying attention to to prove that whatever it is they’re implementing is working? Jordan Buning  37:14 Yeah, I think you know, the things that probably made this conversation happen in the first place are probably the first metrics you got to have. So it’s probably has something to do with revenue, and probably secondly, has to do with how quality they think the pipeline is filled with opportunities. And so I think you know, your initial metrics that would say this is working or not working, really have to start there. And and it may be two or three steps removed from some of the, you know, inside marketing measurements that that might be there, but at the end of the day, that’s what will kind of matter to them. And so what is, you know, the pipeline contribution looking like? What kind of opportunity creation rate is happening, revenue, influence, those, those kinds of things, I think are components that that matter when we talk about revenue and pipeline is, are we actually contributing to the financial success of the organization? Then you can start dropping down and get closer and closer into some of your more specialty focused areas and that kind of a thing. I think then you get into stage, convergence leads to opportunities. Opportunities to proposals. Proposals closed one. I think, you know, those, those are very traditional funnels, and those are great, great things to have. I think those, those ladder up to some of the other things that we previously talked about, sales cycle length, maybe another one, win rates. Those are all really great things between sales and marketing to be able to say these things are starting to actually work. And then you get into things like efficiency rates and those kinds of things. Now you’re getting into probably platform specific performances, cost per opportunities, cost per clicks, cost, you know, so on and so forth. You’re probably getting into more marketing specific measurements. You could get all the way over to the brand side and start talking about, you know, messaging and market signals that you’re creating as well. Those are probably inside in your world. And there may be some ahas that you can really push, push back up to say, hey, giving you some forecasting here. Here’s what’s happening. People are starting to respond in this way to these particular messages. This is something that should be on our watch list, because it could be an opportunity. It could be a threat, you know, and a way it goes there as well. So it’s, it’s, it’s important to probably keep those things connected. But I think we have a tendency, and I know it’s we’ve been as guilty as anybody somewhere in our past, where you start from the bottom and you work your way up, and so you dazzle them with SEO (Search Engine Optimization) information and search statistics and social media information, and you have some. Be probably drumming their fingers across the table, kind of going, we’re bleeding money, or whatever the story could be, this isn’t meeting the conversation that we need to have. And so I think we need to start and meet them, and then be able to work our way down. And I think then, then the marketing connectivity, also, one of the things you and I talked about at the beginning will start to come back to them like, Oh, these guys understand what we’re motivated to do, and they’re now starting to contribute to the solutions that we’re trying to accomplish here. We’re on to something now. We’re a team. We’re not We’re not adversaries, trying to trying to find out who’s responsible for success or lack of so. Christian Klepp  40:42 Absolutely, absolutely, and yeah, like you said, it boils down to, like, revenue and pipeline contribution, right? Like, yeah, everything else after that is probably secondary. Jordan Buning  40:56 Well and again, we love to kind of show people some really neat things, but it’s, it’s kind of like, you know, if you just told me about barometric pressure, as opposed to, is it going to be stormy or is it going to be sunny today? It’s like, you know, you you need something that you can do something with, and I think you have to look at that leadership group with that in mind from a marketing standpoint. Christian Klepp  41:18 So that’s it. Okay, here comes the soapbox question. So a status quo in your area of expertise that you passionately disagree with, and why? Jordan Buning  41:32 Yeah, there’s, there was a couple different thoughts that were coming through my mind. And I think you know this idea that marketing exists just to, just to facilitate leads for a couple of different reasons. I think, I think it’s a means to an end that I think is, is a little limiting. It confuses the activity with the impact a little bit more. I think, you know, that’s that’s an element of something that, again, I’ll use the magic word of ecosystem. It’s a contributing ingredient, as opposed to something that’s done in isolation. And so, you know, certainly kind of wrestle with that a little bit more. I think the more we talk about it just being a responsibility to generate leads, the more we don’t leave room for the things that we know are critical ingredients, like brand you know, like the experience of working with the organization and or using the product. Those kinds of things could could really derail if all we have is all we want to do is acquire. That’s your only job. And you know, I think there’s a lot of organizations that are starting to realize we do a lot of work in healthcare. So that’s an example close to my mind where, you know, you can do a lot of work acquiring, but if we don’t do a great job of great giving them a great experience, even down to billing, especially in healthcare world, there, there is, there is, just, as you know, greater likelihood we’re going to need twice as many leads and opportunities if we keep losing them on the back end. And so I think marketing plays a more and more significant role in a number of fronts in terms of creating those experiences so that the not just the buyer’s journey, but the customer experience are accounted for in those things. And so it’s, I think it’s, it’s a it’s a good thing. We need to be responsible for that role. Certainly, if we don’t grow, there’s, there’s consequences. So we want to contribute to generating leads and generating new business. But I think it we need to be, hey, is marketing accounted for in a lot of the different components of of our organization? I think that’s a that’s a much more holistic mindset that organizations are doing more and more, you know, to their credit, yeah. So certainly don’t need to pick on them or anything like that. I think, I think the world is evolving just as much as the marketing discipline itself is absolutely, Christian Klepp  44:03 I mean, it’s, it’s very multifaceted, right? Like in, in every, in every aspect, right? So it’s, it’s, it’s, yeah, perhaps a certain part of it is lead jump, but there’s so much more than that. Jordan Buning  44:16 Yeah, I agree. There’s so many things, definitely you could, could label in there. But I think that’s, that’s probably the one is, is to be a more active participant in in everything the organization is doing is should be expected as much as they should be included. Christian Klepp  44:34 Absolutely, absolutely, and also just to build on what you build on what you said, especially ever since I started out my career in marketing, it’s to get people, and this is part of the reason why I started the show. It’s to get people to understand people in a non marketing role, to understand that marketing does have a strategic role, right? And just because perhaps they don’t understand. And that right now, that doesn’t mean it should be ignored. Jordan Buning  45:04 Totally agree. Christian Klepp  45:07 Jordan, this has been a great conversation. Thank you so much for your time and for sharing your expertise and experience with the listeners. Please, quick introduction to yourself and how folks out there can get in touch with you. Jordan Buning  45:16 Sure. I’m Jordan Buning from DDM Marketing and Communications. Officially, I’m considered the visionary of the organization, if you know EOS, but also involved very heavily on sales and strategy with a lot of our clients. You can reach DDM at teamddm.com or my email address is jordanb@teamddm.com. Christian Klepp  45:39 Fantastic, fantastic. And we’ll be sure to drop all that information in the show notes when the episode comes up. Sounds great once again. Jordan, thanks so much for your time. Take care, stay safe and talk to you soon. Jordan Buning  45:54 Thank you. Appreciate it. Christian Klepp  45:54 All right. Thanks. Bye for now.

Why Authority Now Matters More Than Visibility in B2B Content With AI making it easier than ever to create content, B2B buyers are drowning in a sea of digital noise. To rise about the generic, “AI-slop”, the new differentiator is no longer only visibility, but the ability to convey authentic brand authority. More often than not, it is the perceived credibility and depth of a brand's messaging that decides whether B2B companies are shortlisted or ignored by well-informed decision makers. So how can B2B companies build a solid thought leadership strategy that creates trust and sets them apart from competitors? That's why we're talking to Jamie Thomson (Copywriter and Founder, Brand New Copy), who shares his expertise and insights on why authority now matters more than visibility in B2B content. During our conversation, Jamie emphasized that true authority is built through consistent communication and unique insights rather than controversial stances. He criticized the over-reliance on AI for content ideation and encouraged businesses to focus on their unique selling points and authentic company culture. Jamie stressed the need for documented brand positioning and strategic messaging to build credibility across all channels. He also underscored the value of thought leadership and social proof in signalling authority, and suggested that businesses should invest in understanding and documenting their positioning for success in the long run. https://youtu.be/k4H-0M5ZL7g Topics discussed in episode: [02:47] The end of easy visibility: Why AI overviews and shifting algorithms mean you can no longer control traffic through traditional SEO alone. [07:09] Redefining authority: Authority isn’t about being controversial or loud; it is built through the consistency of your message and brand voice. [13:31] Chasing the right metrics: Why “visibility for visibility’s sake” is a vanity metric, and how to tie your content strategy to actual business outcomes.  [19:39] The credibility anchor: How being consistent with your own unique data and statistics keeps your brand from becoming an “average” forgettable competitor.  [21:42] Messaging for committees: A simple 3-step formula to establish messaging that resonates with human decision-makers, even in complex B2B environments. [27:35] Signaling authority: Practical ways to use “social proof” and unique data to back up your claims in proposals and on your website.  [31:18] Future-proofing your brand: Why documenting your positioning today is the only way to maintain longevity over the next decade. Companies and links mentioned: Jamie Thomson on LinkedIn  Brand New Copy  Copywriting Course at Brand New Copy Transcript Jamie Thomson, Christian Klepp Jamie Thomson  00:00 You know, maybe it’s a personality thing, but like, I’m not particularly controversial in my marketing and I do think people take that stance, like we are the young upstarts, or we are going to make a point of disagreeing with this company so that we can get engagement, whether they believe what their sort of stance are taking or not. It’s, it’s almost that sort of strategy of, there’s no such thing as bad press, and it’s probably effective short term and that’s why people are doing it. But if you’re looking to build a sort of a future proof business, comes back to that idea of authority being a bit consistency, unless your whole strategy is to be controversial, it’s more of a short term gain tactic. I think strategy is even a strong word. I think it’s a tactic. Christian Klepp  00:48 With AI making it easier than ever to create content, B2B, buyers are drowning in a sea of digital noise. To rise above this noise, the new differentiator needs to be delivered through authority. More often than not, it’s the credibility of a brand’s messaging that decides whether they’re shortlisted or ignored. So how can B2B companies leverage this and build their credibility? Welcome to this episode of the B2B Marketers on the Mission podcast, and I’m your host, Christian Klepp, today, I’ll be talking to Jamie Thomson, who will be answering this question. He’s an award winning copywriter and founder of Brand New Copy who puts strategy at the center of the process to define what the copy should achieve. Tune in to find out more about what this B2B Marketers Mission is. Okay, and off we go. Mr. Jamie Thomson, welcome to the show, sir. Jamie Thomson  01:34 Hi, Christian. It’s good to speak to you again. Thanks for having me on. Christian Klepp  01:38 Great to have you here. I mean, we had such a dynamite conversation. Like, a few weeks ago, I should have, like, hit record on that conversation too, right? Like, yeah, absolutely, Jamie, I’m really looking forward to this conversation because, you know, one of the things that you’re going to talk about today is, like, near and dear to me as somebody that also dabbles in the world of copywriting for B2B, but um, so here we go, right? So Jamie, you’re on a mission. I’m going to say, to help B2B companies to define their messaging, strengthen their positioning and communicate with authority across every channel. So this is really serious stuff here. Okay, so for this conversation, I’d like to focus on the topic of why authority now matters more than visibility and B2B, right? So I’d like to kick off the conversation with two questions, right? And I’m happy to repeat them. First question is, why do you believe authority is important, especially in an age where AI is creeping into B2B content and everything else. And where do you see a lot of B2B brands falling flat with the authority piece? Jamie Thomson  02:47 Yeah, so I think, I think authority is more important now than ever has been because, like you said, because there’s a lot of like, LLMs (Large Language Models) now kind of doing a lot of the marketing work that was maybe, you know, handled by humans before. I think that you know, sort of the sort of background context to this is that, you know, as Marketers, we don’t have as much control over the visibility of our content as we used to like Google, for example. You now have AI (Artificial Intelligence) overviews. So even if you get to like position one in Google, you’re still at the bottom of the page. Because you’ve got your AI overviews, you have sponsored results, and then there’s the organic listings underneath. And even if you’re position one, you’re still at the bottom of the page earlier. As a result, website traffic has reduced, and people aren’t getting the same kind of like traffic numbers that they used to on LinkedIn as well, like the way that the algorithms are sort of working nowadays. There doesn’t really seem to be any regular reason as to which posts perform well, it seems to be the sort of casual, off the cuff posts that seem to seem to get a lot of attention. There is a genuinely useful, you know, thought leadership stuff has kind of been pushed to the back burner a little bit. So I think authority is important because we don’t have as much control over visibility as we used to, and I think it’s the genuinely useful content that is the stuff that’s going to get shared, whether or not the algorithms are going to push that. So if you have produced a piece of content that has, like, really unique data points that is genuinely useful to other businesses, and it’s get shared online. It’s going to get shared internally between companies, and it’ll get linked to as well. And again, like to answer your second question, and where do a lot of sort of B2B brands like sort of miss the mark? I think. I think the main thing is that they’re the content that they’re producing isn’t genuinely useful. They are a lot of brands across industries that are kind of seeing the same thing as their competitors. And I don’t know for sure, but I have a sort of inclination that is down to LLMs, because they’re kind of relying on like chatGPT for their ideas. They’re asking chatGPT to give them ideas for content. And, you know, chatGPT, it can give you the output, but it can’t give you the input. You know, it’s a technology of averages. So if you’re looking to LLMs for ideation, it’s going to give you the average of what everyone else in industry is saying. So it’s important that your businesses are really doubling down on their ideation and things that make them unique as a company, like their unique selling points, their value propositions, their company culture. You know, the people behind the business, that’s kind of what makes a company’s culture and chatGPT, llms, they don’t really have any first hand experience of that, and it’s such a nuanced thing that you’re never going to get like effective results if you’re asking LLMs for the ideas in the first place. If you’re using it for execution, to help guide style and tone a little bit, then that’s fair enough. But, yeah, it’s important that brands are sort of really doubling down on the ideation. You know, that’s that, I think, just genuine, unique insights that people are actually going to be interested in reading. Christian Klepp  06:38 Absolutely, I had a couple of follow up questions for you there. I mean, this is great stuff. This might sound like overly, like simplified. I mean, for lack of a better description, but like, just, let’s clear the air here a little bit. Define, from your experience and your own interpretation, define authority, because that also gets thrown around very loosely, I feel almost as, almost as much as the term you’ve got to add value. I mean, like, you know, what does that actually mean, right? Jamie Thomson  07:09 Yeah, yeah. So to me, authority is about a brand communicating their messages in a consistent way, whether that is the actual content of the messages or the way that they actually communicate it, in terms of brand tone of voice. So authority, to me, is about consistency, more than it is about being emphatic or controversial or overly confident. It’s more about consistency and how they communicate their messages to their audience. Christian Klepp  07:44 You brought up something there, and I’m going to throw out another question, because I you find this a lot on LinkedIn, at least from my experience, that people put out a lot of pieces. I’m going to just dare to say under the guise of authority, but what it actually is like, just an extremely contrarian point of view. And it’s almost like, you know, I’ve got a I’ve got to just put my thoughts out there, because I want my voice to be heard. But it’s not necessarily authority. It’s just like disagreeing with the status quo. What’s your take on that? Jamie Thomson  08:15 Yeah, I mean, to me, that’s, that’s kind of it’s almost performance marketing. It’s just performing, if it’s like visibility for visibility’s sake, you know, maybe it’s a personality thing, but like, I am not particularly controversial in my marketing, and I do think people take that stance like we are the young upstarts, or we are going to make a point of disagreeing with this company so that we can get engagement. You know, whether they believe what their sort of stance are taking or not, it’s it’s almost that sort of strategy of, there’s no such thing as bad press, and it’s probably effective short term, and that’s why people are doing it. But you know, if you’re looking to build a sort of a future proof business, it comes back to that idea of authority, being about consistency, unless your whole strategy is to be controversial. It’s more of a short term gain tactic. I think strategy is even a strong word. I think it’s a tactic. It’s not really magic. Christian Klepp  09:19 Yeah, yeah, I love that. You said it was performance, performance marketing. You know, it almost feels like they’re, they’re, they’re playing the algorithm, or they’re trying to, like, just get more engagement. And it’s true, like, whether they actually believe what they’re saying or not, at least they’re getting more eyeballs on all look what this guy said, Yeah. Jamie Thomson  09:38 I mean, you see it in so many different ways. Like, a lot of the time, it’s with job postings as well, like, especially for for consulting season freelancers, you see, like you have a potential opening for a freelance position, you know, comment below if you know anyone that would be interested. Then again, I don’t know for sure, but I seems very performative to me. Has that company actually reached out to people directly about the job? Have they advertised on job sites, or are they just posting about it as a potential opportunity for the sake of engagement, knowing that people will be replying and tagging other people? And yeah, it’s that kind of a short term tactic. Christian Klepp  10:22 Exactly, exactly, before we go on to the next question, I have one final follow up for you on this topic, right? Like so where, where do you do you believe that sometimes things go awry with brands because a it’s about time and speed. They need to get something out quickly. They needed the day before yesterday. And hurry up and let’s, let’s get some, let’s get some volume out there. Let’s get plenty of content out there, right? So one, that’s one thing. The second thing is, do you feel that they missed the mark? Also? Because they, I’m just gonna say it, they just generally don’t understand who the target audience is. Jamie Thomson  11:03 Yeah, I think you’re writing both accounts there. I mean, you know yourself Christian, how long it takes to produce a good piece of content. It takes research. It’s not something that you can kind of write in half a day. So I do think that’s part of it. There’s that sort of pressure of always having to be seen. And so, yeah, I think, I think people are putting stuff out. A lot of businesses put stuff out either because it’s trending, because they see other people are doing it, or because they have, you know, they’ve asked an early lens for topic ideas as a technology of averages, it’s going to give you ideas that are already out there. So yeah, I think that’s definitely part of it. And then the second part, I think you’re totally bang on with that as well. I think a lot of people just don’t really understand what their positioning is in the industry. I say people, I’m talking about businesses, but at the end of the day, it’s still people that you’re talking to, like even though it’s B2B is business to business, the people making the decisions are still human beings, so your content needs to resonate with them. And I think people now have this kind of detector of when something is has been genuinely thought out. You know, thoughtful content is it’s kind of becoming few and far between because of like LLMs and because people can produce things quickly, and it’s kind of content for content sake. So yeah, I think people just don’t understand their positioning in industry and what their values are, and what stands they’re taking really, kind of just jumping from, you know, from one topic to the next, hoping that something is going to go viral, you know, which I guess they’re hoping will then lead to some sort of business outcome, ie, sales. But the stuff that makes the sales is the stuff that really, that had to be kind of properly thought out, in my opinion. Christian Klepp  13:06 Yes, oh yeah. Imagine that, wow, properly thought out. Absolutely, absolutely. I’m glad you brought that up, because that’s a great segue into the next question about key pitfalls, right? When we’re talking about like a brand building its credibility and authority. What are some of the key pitfalls that B2B Marketers and their companies need to look out for, and what should they be doing instead? Jamie Thomson  13:31 Yeah, I mean, I think that the key, one of the key pitfalls that I see as the whole visibility for visibility’s sake, you know, it’s, it’s kind of a vanity metric, in a way that so, like, you’ve made this piece of content and it’s been made 1000 times, or you’ve made the post and it’s been linked by 200 people, you know, and unless that is tied to a business outcome, it’s, it’s just visibility for visibility’s sake. And so one of the key pitfalls is, I think a lot of companies don’t tie their content strategy to their business outcomes enough. They’re kind of chasing engagement because it looks good in reports, so it’s good to stakeholders. But the reality is, unless that content has resulted in an inquiry or a product sale. You know, how successful has it really been? If it was just like a one off, let’s try this, unless it’s part of our strategy, but it’s a one off and it hasn’t really resulted in a sale or an inquiry, then can we deem it to be successful? And that’s up for the business to decide. But think that’s a common pitfall. And I think the second one for me is just what we said before about trends like I see a lot of because I work with businesses across a few different industries, mostly finance, technology, energy and sort of sustainability, and I see a lot of businesses jumping on trends in terms of the things that they’re talking about, like their messaging. It’s almost like one person has started talking about it, and they’re keeping an eye on their competitors, and they think, well, we need to keep up with that. So we need to have an opinion on this as well. And I mean, there’s a time and a place for jumping on trends, especially if it’s something if it’s something that there is an expectation on that company to respond to, like a world event, but it needs to be part of their overall strategy for it to be effective. Otherwise, it’s just, it’s just reactive. It’s kind of fire fighting. It’s, it’s not really cementing any like real foundation for the future. So yeah, those would be my two common pitfalls that I see. Christian Klepp  15:50 You’ll excuse me if I’m grinning here, but you’re the point you brought up just reminded me of a client that I worked with many years ago. I’m not going to say who it is to protect their identities, but they, part of the briefing was that they asked us to come up with a viral video, okay? And to which I said, you know, respectfully, respectfully, you don’t get to decide if your video is viral. That’s something that the market decides and and believe it or not, Jamie, it was in fact, it was in fact, a B2B campaign. So that that already in itself, made me scratch my head a little bit at the brief, yeah. And it was one of those moments where, okay, well, why are we why are we doing this, what are we hoping to achieve? What’s the outcome? And how is that exactly? How does that tie in, like you said to your business goals, right? And they basically said, Well, everybody’s, you know, something to the effect of all everybody’s doing one so, you know, we think, we think it’ll be good to do this as well. And I think those are one of those moments in my agency, days where we were very confident that we will be okay if we walked away from that project, and we did, we just said, like, Sorry, can’t help you, right? Because I just even in my my wildest dreams, I could not imagine how we would have been able to pull that off, not from a production perspective. Because, you know, if you want to make a video, that’s there’s many ways to do that. I didn’t know how to pull it off from a marketing, distribution perspective. You know what I mean, like, Jamie Thomson  17:37 that’s stuff that’s kind of out with your control as an agency, as the creator of the content, or even as a business like you said, viral videos are meant to be it’s not really something that’s meant to be manufactured. It’s like a bit of a yeah, there’s just too many anomalies that needs to come together for something to go viral. So it’s a very difficult thing to manufacture without, of course, like paying for views or that kind of thing. You know, I’m a big, I’m a big sort advocate of it. Sometimes what you don’t say that is as important as what you do see, you know, you don’t need to be everything to everybody all the time, Christian Klepp  18:21 Especially in B2B. Jamie Thomson  18:22 Yes. Christian Klepp  18:25 Can you just imagine? I mean, you mentioned a couple of industries now, finance, tech and energy. Can you imagine if you had an energy client now that was also trying to reach out to finance people? Jamie Thomson  18:33 Yeah, yeah. That’s the thing. It’s like, yeah. Businesses need to understand their audience and but more importantly, they also need to understand their positioning in industry, like, what is? What are they known as in the energy sector? Are they the scrappy upstarts? Are they the established, like an international company, who are respected because, because all these things influence the way that they communicate and and the way that they speak to their audience as well. And you know, if a viral video fits that strategy, then I guess, fair enough, if you can try and manufacture but more often than not, I would say it’s more about being consistent, sticking to the plan. It’s an expensive gamble. It is an expensive gamble. Christian Klepp  19:22 Expensive gamble. Yes, all right, in our previous conversation, you talked about, you know, it’s the credibility of a brand’s messaging that decides whether they’re shortlisted or ignored. Could you elaborate on that? Jamie Thomson  19:39 Yeah, I think, I think the sort of credibility anchor comes from the consistency side of things. If you are consistently communicating your messages in a way that is also consistent with brand voice. Then you are more likely to be remembered by people like I think there’s a marketing statistic that that says the average consumer. I know we’re talking about business to business, but people, in general, the average like consumer. They need 12 touch points in order to like for that to result in a sale for a business. And so that could be like, they need to see the same message 12 times before it really hits home, or before they realize that’s something that they need. I’d imagine it’s probably even higher on social media, where people are consistent with schooling. But given that sort of like 12 touch point, like the sort of demonstrates the need for how consistent you need to be in order to have the credibility. And if you’re not being consistent and you’re just saying the same thing as everybody else, then you are essentially becoming like an average brand like everybody else, and that’s forgettable, whereas, you know, the companies that are really sort of digging deep into their own data and their statistics and the signals that we are seeing in the industry that only they have access to, that they can make known in their communications, then those are the ones that are ultimately going to be remembered. Christian Klepp  21:14 Yeah, yeah, no, absolutely, absolutely. And on that note, if you could just walk us through how you think B2B. Marketers can use that messaging and copywriting to establish credibility, especially in the B2B context. We’re always talking about decision makers or buying committees, so we’re not always we’re not just talking about one person, right. We’re talking about, as the name suggests, a committee, so a group of people, right? Yeah. Jamie Thomson  21:42 And I mean, the way that I sort of generally do it is with clients. I host a workshop, and like during that workshop, we would first of all establish their messaging. So what is it that the business wants to see in the first place? And then we work out, like priorities, what messages are the most important for the specific channels that the business uses. And then you look at like more on the execution side of things like the tone of voice and the style and that kind of thing. But you know, businesses can do this themselves in house, following like a sort of simple three step like formula, essentially just deciding what they want to say, ie, their messages, which messages are the most important and how do they want to communicate? It like with the last part on the execution, that’s where LLMs can be useful, checking grammar, working things from notes, using it like to proof. But the initial idea needs to come from the business. So yeah, I think by following that process, it makes the ultimate like the sort of final content, appear more thoughtful, and people do pick up on that, like that. There’s a reason that reports and statistics and like white papers do well for generating leads. It’s because they’re they are genuinely useful. They’re thought leadership pieces, as opposed to just one person’s opinion, who is maybe the same as someone else’s or the opposite controversy for controversy sake? Yeah, people can really tell when, like, a piece of content has had a lot of thought into it businesses, notice that it’s just that’s the kind of content that resonates with people, like I said before, like, even, even though it’s business to the business, you’re still communicating to people, regardless of who the target audience is and the industry and the demographics, it’s still a person that’s making the decisions as to whether they’re going to use that company’s services or buy their products. Christian Klepp  23:54 Absolutely, absolutely. And I think another thing that can also be kind of fun to do in B2B, especially with white papers and reports, and what have you is to extract some of those, like nuggets, right? Extract some of those, some of that data. And I’m just gonna throw one of them out there, right? Like many years ago, we worked with a company that did the produced steel. And I can’t remember how much steel they produce, but they said, you know, we produce enough steel that can, you know, it’s enough to, you know, we can wrap the you can, you can wrap around the Earth four times, right, something along that line, right? Or, or even, even at home, like with a with a consumer product, so we have the plastic wrap, and it actually says on the packaging that this can cover an entire football field, right? Just facts where it’s almost like, did you know, or hey, by the way, right? And then you can get into something more serious too, because we, you know, we’re dealing with reports like that as well. Like, you know, last year, last year, most retail brands invested about month. 30% more on AI. And if you’re in the industry, you might be like, Yeah, I kind of knew that they were investing in AI, but all 30% more of their budget. What exactly are they investing in? And, yeah, that’s, that’s why you should download the reports. Jamie Thomson  25:20 Lots of information in the way that you presented to the public, it becomes interesting. And like, as you know yourself, that’s kind of the job of a copywriter, is to simplify that complex information. Like, you know that the fact that, like, the plastic wrapped around the world four times, like, that’s quite viable. I can visualize that as a consumer, and I think, oh, that’s that’s be cool. But if you just came through the cold, hard stats within context, or that’s sort of like visual with it, it doesn’t really mean much to me. And yeah, that’s kind of the job as communicators. And sort of B2B is to simplify that complex information. Look for the nuggets, and if you have a generally useful report that can be enough to give you, like, months worth of content, like on social media and sort of thought leadership articles, just like expanding on an idea within that report. So yeah, like, it might take a bit of investment up front, initially, to get the data, and get the process for gathering that data and getting the methodology in place. But once, once you’ve done that, and you’ve written the report, and it’s out there that gives you content for potentially months. Christian Klepp  26:32 Absolutely, absolutely. And I think that’s one of the challenges of a copywriter, right? Like, how do you there’s this expression in North America, like, how do you get more juice out of the squeeze, right? So, how do you stretch that? Give it, give it more longevity, right? Beyond, beyond. Well, here’s the report, off you go, right? Like, just like you said, like, stretch it out for you in like, months. You know, have more ammunition for, like, social, media content, you know, promotional content, perhaps even something on the website, something along that line, yeah. Jamie Thomson  27:07 I said, so the strategy has the words, if you have the strategy in place, then that stuff will follow, because you’ll have thought about it before the report was even published. So. Christian Klepp  27:18 Yep. Jamie Thomson  27:19 Yeah. Christian Klepp  27:19 Yep, absolutely, okay. I mean, on the topic of authority, give us some practical techniques for signaling authority across websites, campaigns and proposals. And I know this isn’t a one sentence answer, off you go. Jamie Thomson  27:35 Yeah.I think the first thing that comes to mind is taking a stance. And I don’t mean being controversial, but I mean having a clear idea of where the company stands in the industry, like what their positioning is. That in itself, is a useful technique. It’s not something that you can, like achieve overnight, but like with a workshop with someone and getting it all documented, that can give you a clearer sense of purpose as a business. I also think demonstrating, demonstrating expertise, like through thought leadership, content is a really useful technique for signaling authority. You know, if you know as a company, you may not even realize it, but you have access to data that other companies don’t. That in itself is unique, even if you don’t have as much data, or if your data says something different from your competitors, it’s still your day and it’s still useful. And that’s the kind of thing that can be turned into thought leadership content. You know, we’ve discovered that 50% of x, you know, prefers this. That kind of like insight driven. Like content is the stuff that generally performs well because people are naturally drawn to it and they find it genuinely useful. Yeah, I think it’s just that kind of idea of like social proof, like showing that you know what you’re talking about as a business, rather than simply telling people, because that’s what, that’s what, like LLM content tends to do. It makes vague claims that anybody can make, but you know, the proof is in the pudding, that the businesses that actually demonstrate their expertise are the ones that get remembered. And so yeah, that kind of comes through thought leadership stuff, which is data driven, even if as simple as, like social proof, like providing evidence of a case study that you have written with a client, or, like a business outcome that is a signal of authority that shows that you can back up. All the claims that you’re making in your messaging. Yeah, yeah, those would be my kind of, like, top two practical tips. Christian Klepp  30:12 Absolutely. Well, you’ve laid it out so beautifully. It sounds, it sounds, you know, on the from the outset, like, very easy to do, but we all know that. You know, in reality, it’s, it’s, it’s much more, much more challenging, right? Jamie, I know that you’re, you know you’re, you’re an award winning copywriter, and you’re not a sage, and your job is not to prophesy, but I’m gonna have to ask you to, like, assume that role for a second. All right, looking like just down the road with everything that’s going on now, and, you know, we’ve talked about AI and LLMs and whatnot. Perhaps some practical advice, as we’re now at, you know, at the time of this recording, at the beginning of 2026 what are some advice that you would give B2B companies who are saying like, yes, we would love to build our credibility, but AI and LLMs, you know that all seems to be creeping into everything that we do. Give us some advice on how to deal with that moving forward. Jamie Thomson  31:18 Yeah, that’s a good question. I think my sort of advice would be to take the time to understand your positioning and to document it. So, you know, it’s that kind of the way that the sort of marketing is going and the way that the industry is evolving. I do think the businesses that are going to like be here in the next 10 years are going to have that like longevity, are the ones that are kind of investing the time and now to understanding where they are positioned in their industry and where they want to be positioned in 10 years time. But crucially, like having it documented so that it’s being used consistently across the business you know from from sending internal emails to writing reports for the public. So from a practical point of view, that’s things like understanding like the business values and how the work the company is doing is a reflection of those values, and how that’s communicated to people. If it’s like a business that’s selling a product, like, what are the unique selling points of the product? What are the benefits to the end users? And how are we seeing that? You know, because in a lot of B2B industries, I think the sort of the strategy of competing on features is becoming a bit redundant. As technology improves. It’s quite difficult for companies to be able to claim unique features, because everybody can has access to the same tools. And so really, what if you flat that on its head, and you kind of look at look at it from the customer’s point of view, whether the customer choose one company over another that’s essentially got the same product or service that’s going to come down to like brand ability, and how much the company is able to like, empathize with the target audience, if they can really understand what their pain points are, then that business is ultimately going to choose that service over another, and that that comes down to, like, having it all documented, you may have, like, an intuition about what these things are, but as your business evolves, your intuition about these things will change and you’ll get scope creep, or you’ll want to jump on trends. If you do have it documented as an internal process, you’re more likely to stick to it in the future. And if you do get to the point that you want to change your positioning in industry, because you’ve maybe you’ve had more success than anticipated, or something in the market has changed, then that in itself should be a process. You should go back to the drawing board and look at what processes you have documented, and think what needs to be changed here before you are reactively moving in a different direction. That would be my advice to put my kind of like futurist cap on that’s, that’s what I would say.   Christian Klepp  34:23 Yeah, yeah. Well, that’s some pretty that’s some pretty solid advice. And, you know, thanks for sharing that. I totally agree. People have to understand their positioning in the market. Most importantly, also, they have to document it. It’s, it’s amazing how many companies I’ve worked with that don’t document that kind of, I wouldn’t call it a projection, but it’s almost like, okay, the positioning, what you know, and their vision, like, where do they what do they aspire to become? Right? I know that sounds like more individualistic, but you can, you can, you know, you can put that into the context of organization as well. Like, what do you aspire to become in 10 years and 20 years? Where’s this business going to go? Jamie Thomson  35:06 Absolutely, that’s it. Like something doing my own business with clients. Like, if someone asks me if someone’s going if a company is going through a rebrand and they need their website rewritten to reflect the new positioning, like, the first thing I suggest is, well, let’s get a workshop work out what you want to say. I’ll create a messaging guide for you, and I’ll create a total voice guide for you. And then sometimes you get a push back and you say, Well, why do we need that? I guess the answer is, well, I could rewrite your website. I could make it up as I go along, if you want, but not going to be anywhere near effect as effective as it would be if we have all this kind of important stuff documented in the first place, like, you need to have a structure, you have a plan, you have a strategy before the sort of the execution happens. And if you do the first part, well then, like, the actual execution of it, whether we’re talking about writing or or any other sort of like campaign that last 20% almost. It’s just like the icing on the cake, because when you get there, you already know what you want to see, how you want to see it, just kind of need to get, don’t get the content down, whether you’re whether it’s filming, whether it’s from heads key fingers to keyboard, that sort of 20% kind of comes a lot easier when there’s a plan, when there’s a structure in there from the start. Christian Klepp  36:29 Absolutely, absolutely. Jamie, this has been an incredible conversation. Thank you so much for coming on and for sharing your expertise and experience with the listeners. Please, quick introduction to yourself and how people out there can get in touch with you. And for those that are listening to the audio version of this recording, Jamie and I are actually color coordinated today. Jamie Thomson  36:53 We were emailing each other before making sure that we were. Christian Klepp  36:58 That’s it. That’s it. That’s it. Jamie Thomson  37:01 Thanks very much for having me on Christian like I said, like, I have listened to the podcast and myself over the over the past few months, and I’ve resonated with a lot of the sort of content that, like your your other guests have been putting out there. So yeah, it’s like, really a privilege to be on it. And yeah, like people can get in touch with me. Well, just explain who I am. I mean, my name is Jamie, and I’m a strategic copywriter and messaging strategist. And I run a copywriting studio called Brand New Copy, and I have done since 2013 and I help brands establish their messaging and their tone of voice through workshops and deliverables like thought leadership, articles, white papers, annual reports, website copywriting. And I also provide training to businesses, agencies and other copywriters. And I have a flagship course called the Brand New Copywriting course, which opposite the strategy behind copywriting. So yeah, if you wanted to get in touch with me, the best way would be through email, which is Jamie Thomson at brandnewcopy.com Christian Klepp  38:13 Fantastic, fantastic. And we’ll be sure to drop those links in the show notes when this episode is published. So once again, Jamie, thanks so much for your time. Take care, stay safe and talk to you soon. Jamie Thomson  38:22 Thanks, Christian. Christian Klepp  38:24 All right. Bye for now.

AI - Artificial Intelligence, the False Prophet, and the AntiChrist: In this fascinating episode, Steve welcomes Pastor Eric from Sound the Shofar Messianic Ministries to discuss the role of AI in Biblical prophecy. Frightening stuff! Find Pastor Eric online: https://www.facebook.com/groups/123168699032724Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/missing-persons-mysteries--5624803/support.

The complex world of SEO (Search Engine Optimization) has now taken a hard right with the introduction of AI (Artificial Intelligence). It's no longer enough to be one of the top options when someone Google searches a keyword you have attribution to. In this Quick Hit, you'll hear from Dave Burnett, Founder of AOK Marketing. He helps you acquire more loyal customers. Catch the full episode here

Welcome to Episode 159 of Praestabilis: Excellence in Marketing Welcome to Episode #159 of “Praestabilis: Excellence in Marketing” In this episode,the topic is “Artificial Intelligence: Have You Embraced This Tool?” I love AI and began learning how to use it at the beginning of 2023. Many people are fearful of AI and imagine that it will be negative for the world. Now I write books and create courses using artificial intelligence and can’t imagine living without it. Where do you stand on this topic that has become so controversial? Would you be open to me interviewing you about this? I am sharing a live session of my “Really Simple Authority Blogging” ongoing training course with you and know you will benefit from the marketing strategies I am sharing and teaching here. Be sure to connect with me at https://ConnieRagenGreen.com or on X at https://x.com/ConnieGreen so I may serve you in the areas where my help could make a huge difference in your results. I’m going to share with you how much fun I’m having with creating simple courses using AI (Artificial Intelligence) in about 30 minutes. I know you can do the same thing. Keep it simple, and add the short course you create to a page on your existing website/blog. In this episode I’m discussing how to use keywords and search engine optimization (SEO) to grow your business. Your prospects and future clients, customers, and colleagues are waiting to connect with you, but if they can’t find you online it will never happen. Make it simple for your target audience to find you by using the keywords and phrases they are most likely to be searching for on Google, Bing, and the other search engines. The Power and Gift of Change”- We are all changing throughout each day, and I think we must embrace this change in order to grow and move forward. Changing can take many forms, and if you look back through your life you will come to understand that you are not the same person you were even a year ago. Here is a quote about this you may resonate with… “Growth lives outside the comfort zone. If it feels uncomfortable, you’re probably doing it right.” ~ Marie Forleo I believe that our businesses are based on the concept of serving others. When you start on online (or even a brick and mortar) business, your goal is to serve others with what you know and to benefit in multiple ways, including by earning an excellent income. I’m sharing several examples in this podcast about my own and experiences with clients over the years. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ This morning I was reading the message written by outgoing Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy. In it, he stated that his “parting prescription” for the American people is to cultivate a strong sense of community to help themselves and others. He added, “Relationships, service, and purpose are the time-tested triad of fulfillment that stands in contrast to wealth, fame, and power which define the modern-day triad of success.” Here are some other questions I want you to ask yourself: What is your commitment to yourself and to others close to you? Why are you focused on the things that are taking up your time? When will you begin to focus on goals that will allow you to create and leave a legacy? Whom do you trust to get you there? Perhaps my “Monthly Mentoring Program” is right for you. Motivation and Inspiration: What It Takes to Get Your Spark Back” During 2024 I went through a period where I wasn’t as motivated as I had been accustomed to being for many years. This gave me time to explore why I was feeling this way and to hopefully learn something that would help others. My inspiration to do all of the things I love in my business, including writing, creating, marketing, and mentoring was waning and I wasn’t sure why. Within a couple of months I was back on track and this is what I learned… Life isn’t easy, but then it isn’t supposed to be. Being challenged in so many ways on a regular basis makes us stronger and perhaps more appreciative and grateful for what we already have and what we know we can achieve if we believe in ourselves and have even one other person who knows we are special and tells us that as often as possible. Marie Forleo wrote a book titled “Everything Is Figureoutable” – https://ConnieLoves.me/FigureOutAble – Her precept is that if you’re having trouble solving a problem or reaching a dream, the problem isn’t you. It’s that you haven’t yet installed the one belief that changes everything. I’m at conniegreenhouse at yahoo dot com and want to hear from you on this topic, or on anything else. “Merging Your Life with Your Business” as a strategy. We aren’t creating a business we need a vacation from. Instead, we’re creating a “lifestyle by design” where we have the time and financial freedom to live in a way that few people are able to, and with choices around everything we do. If you’ve met me in person, heard me on my podcast, or read any of my books, you know that I am a very positive person. No matter what situation or circumstances arises, I truly believe there will always be a positive outcome on the horizon, and sooner rather than later. But I wasn’t always this way. This is a journey that continues… My first year online was 2006, and very quickly I connected with people I’m still part of a Mastermind with in Austin, Texas. I was invited to speak at an event there a couple of years later. It was hosted by Joe Vitale and Mendhi Audlin was also there. She shared a concept she had come up with that she calls “What If… UP!” The premise is that there is truly a silver lining in everything negative that occurs. I liken this to Newton’s Third Law of Motion: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. My precept and general rule for life is that we can achieve anything we want and feel that we deserve. Others want to help us to achieve our goals, but many times we get in their way by telling ourselves stories that aren’t true. Mendhi’s precept aligns with mine, and a year or so after I first met her she published a book on this… “What If It All Goes Right?: Creating a New World of Peace, Prosperity & Possibility” by Mendhi Audlin reveals the secret to turning possibilities into a tangible reality. It works! https://ConnieLoves.me/WhatIfUp I’m discussing the importance of being willing to “Better Your Best” during this new year, as well as recommending that this be the year you finally embrace AI – Artificial Intelligence – for your business. I have been a student of and someone who uses AI almost daily since February of 2022, and I’m learning from experts Andy O”Bryan and Denise Wakeman in their ongoing AI Success Club. Asking “How Are You Defining Success?” Creating a business as an entrepreneur allows you to live a lifestyle by design, with both time freedom and financial freedom. Think about how you want to live each day and then take action to make it happen. Over the years I’ve changed many things, while others have remained the same. Instead of making changes just for the sake of change, think about what you could change up and what makes sense to remain at least mostly the same. Years ago, I used to put together my blog posts on a single topic, like copywriting or list building or creation digital products into a simple document that I referred to as a ‘Focus Guide’ and gave them away to my list and to my prospects. Each of these documents contained resources and an ‘About the Author’ page that helped me to build my credibility, visibility, and profitability. For the first time ever, I am recommending that you write a book about yourself, your niche topic, and how you serve others. I first did this in 2009 and now I have written and published twenty-eight full-length, non-fiction books on the topics of entrepreneurship, personal, development, and authorship. Life can be messy. Are their ways you can keep moving forward when your personal life is turning upside down? Yes! Finding joy in helping and serving others, as well as compartmentalizing what is currently going on in your life are just two of the ways to deal with change and situations outside of your control. I recommend that you choose two social media platforms to use for the sole purpose of helping your prospects find and connect with you online. My favorite is X – formerly known as Twitter, and I also use LinkedIn and YouTube as my favorite social media sites to grow my business. Please connect with me on these sites and let me know how I may best serve you as you build and grow your profitable business. Is your list of what you are willing to do longer than your list of what you don’t want to do? I recommend a mile-long “to-do” list and a daily schedule of no more than four things that you will work on each day in your business. Find a mentor who believes in you and get started with creating a lifestyle by design that you want and deserve. I’m recommending James Clear’s “Atomic Habits” – https://ConnieLoves.me/AtomicHabits – as a book to help you alleviate your fears. We all have hopes, dreams, goals, and fears regarding our life experiences. I have found that if we build up our confidence and have faith that everything will turn out in a way that will be beneficial to all, we can continue to move forward without negative effects. Having an online business requires confidence. These are some questions to ask yourself: Who will you serve? What are your prospects pain points? What’s your idea? How will it be created, and then delivered? How will you sell it online? Creating a simple product or online course is the beginning of living a lifestyle by design. Reach out to me any time at conniegreenhouse at yahoo dot com if you’d like to know more about getting started as an online entrepreneur. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ My first online course back in 2006 was a simple one with three audio trainings and a workbook. Then, I began creating more sophisticated, but not more complicated courses. I’ve used the “Really Simple” branding for many courses at least 25 times, as well as using other terms and phrases based on the keywords I am optimizing for with each new course. Having your own online course on a topic you want to become known for will give you leverage to grow your business exponentially over time. It’s interesting to me that we as humans sometimes take things for granted that later on we know we should have appreciated in the moment. What I’m referring to here is having an online business you can run from home, or from anywhere in the world. There’s a window of opportunity that isn’t always open, and right now this window is wide open to everyone. A lot of it depends upon economic factors. I almost went back to graduate school two years ago to study economics, but decided against it because of the film and television writing I’m pursuing, but that’s a story for another time. Someone I work closely with had posted this quote from Richard Branson the other day: “Business opportunities are like buses, there’s always another one coming.” This does NOT apply to online business, but instead refers to starting a physical, brick and mortar business. I know several people in both of my cities who borrowed against their homes, cashed out retirement savings, and sold family heirlooms to start businesses in the community, only to go bankrupt a couple of years later. What I’m saying here is that this is the time to get your online business off the ground and up and running profitably. It’s so inexpensive in comparison, and the biggest expense I incur is what I pay mentors to guide me in the right direction. Yes, I still have a mentor and recommend you do as well. This isn’t coaching, but instead a personal relationship you’ll build over time that could lead to strategic alliance partnerships and lifelong friendships. I’m at conniegreenhouse at yahoo dot com if you want to know more about mentoring with me. The four widely accepted learning modalities (or modes) are known by the acronym VARK: Visual, Auditory, Reading/Writing, Kinesthetic. They are sometimes inaccurately referred to as “learning styles” which implies that each learner has a “style” of learning that should be maximized in all learning situations. Focusing on consistency, productivity, and creativity makes sense for all online entrepreneurs in 2024. I’m also sharing some effective and time-proven strategies with you here that will make a difference in your business, as well as in your personal life experience. Each day I focus on writing, creating, marketing, and teaching/learning/mentoring. My writing began as short and simple blog posts and blossomed into more than twenty-five full-length books. My writing is my oeuvre, my body of work that is my legacy to family, friends, colleagues, and those who follow me. During 2023 I wrote and published more than 400 thousand words. This breaks down to one full-length book, Self-Directed: Inspire, Motivate, and Empower Yourself to the Greatness That Lies Within; the current book on marketing that is more than halfway written; 8 short reports on topics of interest to the people I work with online; one hundred thirty-eight blog posts on three different blogs I maintain; and 382 email messages to my online community. These are  practical strategies for effective time management, emphasizing the importance of creating a balance between work and personal life. Achieving work-life harmony requires effective time management strategies that allow you to balance professional and personal responsibilities. Here are some strategies to help you manage your time more efficiently: 1. Set Clear Priorities: Identify your most important tasks and priorities for both work and personal life. Focus on what truly matters and allocate time accordingly. 2. Use a Time Management System: Choose a time management system that works for you, whether it’s a digital tool like Todoist or Trello, or a physical planner. Organize tasks, set deadlines, and track your progress. Schedules vs To-Do Lists 3. Prioritize Tasks with the Eisenhower Matrix: Categorize tasks into four quadrants: urgent and important, important but not urgent, urgent but not important, and neither urgent nor important. Prioritize tasks based on these categories. 4. Batch Similar Tasks: Group similar tasks together and tackle them during specific time blocks. This reduces the mental load of switching between different types of activities. 5. Time Blocking: Allocate specific blocks of time to different activities. This includes work tasks, personal commitments, and breaks. Stick to the schedule as much as possible. 6. Learn to Say No: Be selective about taking on new commitments. Saying no when necessary helps you avoid over-committing and allows you to focus on your existing priorities. 7. Delegate When Possible: Delegate tasks that others can handle. This applies to both professional and personal responsibilities. It’s okay to ask for help. 8. Practice the Two-Minute Rule: If a task takes less than two minutes, do it immediately. This prevents small tasks from piling up and becoming overwhelming. 9. Limit Multitasking: Focus on one task at a time. Multitasking can reduce efficiency and increase stress. Complete one task before moving on to the next. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ You’re starting a conversation with your emails, and building a relationship with your prospects, customers, and clients over time. I’ve been online as an entrepreneur, marketer, and writer since 2006, and while much has changed, I believe that more has remained the same. Here, I’m discussing how we marketed in those early days, and why email marketing still remains top of mind. Most recently, I’ve co-hosted an Advanced Email Marketing Conference with Ellen Finkelstein. In April of 2023, I hosted my latest live marketing event in Los Angeles, and more recently I’ve hosted my Santa Barbara Retreat for those I mentor and teach. But like everyone else, I began by attending live events, and eventually virtual events in order to find my voice, connect with other like-minded people, and learn more about building and growing my online business. Guerilla marketing is a way to drive publicity and, as a result, brand awareness by promoting using unconventional methods designed to evoke surprise, wonder, or shock. Guerrilla marketing is the creating use of novel or unconventional methods in order to boost sales or attract interest in a brand or business. These methods are often low- or no-cost and involve the widespread use of more personal interactions or through viral social media messaging. This marketing method has increased in popularity with the rise of ubiquitous mobile and connected technologies that can amplify messaging and focus on target groups of consumers. Some consumers may be more attracted by guerrilla marketing campaigns as they may be more interesting and daring, while others may be turned off because of the perceived “disruptive” aspects of this style of marketing. Please subscribe and leave me a review. And connect with me at https://ConnieRagenGreen.com. Find out more about me HERE. Becoming an online entrepreneur was the best decision I ever made. I’ve been online since 2006 and now help others all over the world to do the same or something similar. We all have times where we are feeling a little down, lost, or confused. Life isn’t easy, and no one makes it out alive! These are my recommendations for how to get back on track and feeling more happy and optimistic about your future… Write! Whether you’re already a writer or are just beginning to think about sharing your thoughts, ideas, and experiences with others, writing makes sense. I write every single day and publish much of my writing as blog posts, short reports, and full-length books. Writing opens your mind to what you want in the future, by allowing you to explore the past through your memories. You can also retell and reframe your stories in a way that will serve you going forward. Start a new project! I usually create products and courses as new projects, but this can also manifest as something you build or create with your hands. I have family members on two continents that love to put together complex jigsaw puzzles. They look forward to these as a new project on a regular basis. Volunteer! Before I started my online business, I promised myself I would volunteer my time and donate money to charitable causes… as soon as I had the time and the money to do so. Once I had my own business, I realized that I had some time and a little money to do this all along. Spend time with new people! As a part of the volunteering I now do regularly, I’ve spent time with very young children, veterans, women starting over after being in a domestic violence situation, and more. This work continues to make a difference in my life. As you can see, there are many ways to get back to your “Why?” and I hope this has been helpful to you. What’s the best niche topic to cover in your blog? I know you don’t what to hear me say “It depends.” so I won’t. Lean in, and I’ll share the very best niche for you, and it’s one that is also the most profitable, will feel more like you’re just having fun, will never go out of style, and will be the one that has absolutely zero competition. Which niche topic and target audience could it possibly be? I won’t keep you in suspense any longer. I learned when I began online 17 years ago that the best niche for anyone is the one that makes your heart sing and is probably a topic you take for granted. I had been teaching school for twenty years and my students were mostly Spanish and Tagalog native speakers. I told them if they wrote just a few sentences every single day – weekends, holidays, and school breaks included – their writing would improve. Those who followed my advice excelled, while those who didn’t floundered. During all those years, I seldom wrote anything unless it was required for my work as a teacher or for my part-time work in real estate. Fast forward to 2006, and I realized not only that I needed to write in order to succeed online, but also that what I’d done with my students would apply here as well. My niche for the next eighteen months was around helping others to write, publish, market, and sell eBooks. I wrote one on real estate farming – choosing and area close to home to connect with people who may need your services – as an example and sold it on my website. Back then, you had to sell eBooks on your own websites, as Amazon had not yet entered the world of self-publishing. My niche and website became “eBook writing and marketing secrets” and this topic took me to six figures. I was learning right along with the people who were learning and buying from me. I then moved that site over to https://ConnieRagenGreen.com to make a name for myself and to branch out to other topics. The bottom line is that you must begin by sharing what you already know something about and love. Blogging is the direct path to the visibility, credibility, and profitability you wish to have in your business. In my business, every idea begins as a blog post. This is where I think and research and brainstorm what’s on my mind in the very beginning. The blog post is ground zero for what could, and many times does become a product, course or program. Blog posts, while based on your idea, can be created with original content, private label (PLR) rights content, guest content, or curated content. While I immediately share my published posts on social media as “micro content” you’ll want to wait at least 24 hours before syndicating your content on Medium. I also teach this syndication strategy in my popular and ongoing Syndication Optimization training program. Next up in your content creation and content marketing strategy is a short report, which you may sell online or give away as a lead magnet. I teach all of this in my Really Simple Short Reports training. This is what we refer to as “cornerstone” content that is extremely valuable. The final step is creating “authority content” by publishing your writing as a Kindle or paperback book to increase your visibility and build your reputation as an expert on your topic. I typically discuss time management and productivity in regards to entrepreneurs, marketers, and authors, and I’ve even co-authored a bestselling book on this topic, entitled “Time Management Strategies for Entrepreneurs: How to Manage Your Time to Increase Your Bottom Line” where we outline in great details the steps you may take to reach a level of optimal productivity and time management as an entrepreneur. But what about everyone else? Doesn’t every person deserve to live the lifestyle they want and deserve, where they enjoy financial freedom and the time to enjoy every moment to the fullest? Of course they do, and that’s what I’m sharing during this podcast. When I began online as a new entrepreneur in 2006, I realized immediately I would need help with technology and graphics, as these were the areas where I had no experience or talent. I bartered for these services for the first year or so, and then began to put together a team of people to support me so my business could grow. When I look back over my lifetime, I see that I have always had a team supporting me, whether it was while I worked as a classroom teacher, or in real estate as a broker and residential appraiser. Even while I was growing up, I was surrounded by people who supported me, from family, friends and neighbors to teachers, clergy, and people in the community. Put together your team and watch your business grow exponentially! When it comes to your visibility as an entrepreneur, where may we find you to see what you’re doing? This expert status comes from your writing, videos and audios, and your social media presence on the most active platforms for your target audience. My three popular and active blogs are at ConnieRagenGreen.com, HugeProfitsTinyList.com, and at MondayMorningMellow.com. Credibility is about what you already know and what you are learning. We all started our online businesses as adults, so we brought our knowledge and experiences with us. It made sense for me to help people write, market, and publish eBooks in the beginning, because I had worked as a classroom teacher for twenty years prior to coming online, and was learning about marketing and self-publishing. Profitability means that you must ask “What’s for sale?” every day in your business. Create your own simple products and courses, recommend others with affiliate marketing, and look into buying the resale rights to sell other people’s products as your own like I continue to do in my own business. The final part of this information on your expert status as an entrepreneur includes productivity, consistency, and attention to detail. Get everything in place as quickly as possible, and your online business is sure to grow exponentially! During my first couple of years online, beginning in 2007 I connected with mentors Alex Mandossian and Raymond Aaron. When I inquired as to what they were doing together as strategic alliance partners, they gave me a brief explanation and told me that I was not yet ready to move up to this level. Over the next two years they helped me to grow and elevate my business and my mindset as an online entrepreneur so that I could connect with others in this way. Seek out the people and groups you wish to be involved with and show them that you have moved past tactics and on to strategies. It will make all the difference and as you uplevel everything you’re doing online in your business, your free time and disposable income will increase exponentially! When I work with people in my Incubator Mastermind Mentoring program, the goal is to move them into position to become a strategic alliance partner with me and others to share their message in a bigger way. WHY did you choose the career you started your working life with? WHY did you get married, have children, and move into your first home? WHY did you make the conscious decision to leave your career at some point and start your business? WHY do you want to be an author or entrepreneur, or coach? WHY do you get up every single day and do the work required to become more successful on an ongoing basis? Everyone must have a WHY and there are no right or wrong answers here. But if you find yourself unmotivated to work or if you find yourself procrastinating on projects, then it's time to re-examine the main reason for your business. Name Your Reason – or Your WHY – for Starting a Business Focusing on your WHY can help motivate you, so write down your reason for starting a business on a regular basis. Did you want to fill your free time? Did you want to earn some play money or contribute to the family finances? Did you want to pay the medical bills of an aging parent or a sick child? Did you want to pay for your child's higher education or private school tuition? In my case, my answer to “what's your why?” was always around having enough income to live life on my terms. Over time, I came to the realization that every choice I was making, and each time I could not do something that had meaning for me, was all related to me needing to earn a paycheck or a commission from the classroom teaching and real estate work I was involved with each day. I missed just about every family event, vacation, and other activities because I was working 60 or more hours a week in order to cover my bills and other expenses. I wasn't angry or resentful because I believed that I didn't deserve to have a better life during those decades. This all changed in 2005 when I began reading books and attending events based on self improvement and personal development principles. Writing these reasons down – no matter what they are because every person's WHY will be different – should help motivate you to work hard. You should feel driven to make your business a success. You should be willing to tackle things outside your comfort zone because you know the end result will help your business. If you're not feeling motivated, then you need to dig deeper. I worked closely with a woman who was struggling to make her online business become profitable, and she continued to tell me that she had no problems or struggles in her life, currently or during her younger years. Then, one day she told me about her granddaughter who had passed away at age twelve and the floodgates opened. We got to the bottom of things, she discovered her why, and her business grew by leaps and bounds, almost overnight! Be Open and Willing to Examine Your Inner Feelings Life is fluid and ever-changing so it stands to reason that your WHY would change over time as well. Even if you started your business because you didn't know what to do once your kids were in full day school, you can change that WHY to something more meaningful now. A mentor once shared with me that she started a service business because she was a single mom and needed to earn money to survive. She was responsible for lodging, food, and clothing for herself and her child. She didn't have anyone to rely on except herself. THIS is enough to make you cry and to hustle for work, knowing that if she wasn't working, she wasn't eating. What are you passionate about that will get you hustling? Are you passionate about a cause or charity that can benefit from your financial assistance? Do you need to pull yourself up out of financial despair? Don't be afraid to own that reason and fight for your business. This is how you will continue to get closer to understanding and recognizing the answer to “what's your why?” Don't be Afraid to Switch Business Gears to Discover Your “Why” One of my mentees admitted to me early on that even though she has been in a service business for over ten years, that she hadn't been motivated to create any classes or products as a source of passive income. She blamed her indecision on a lack of new ideas and a feeling and belief that everything she knew had already been said and done, but I questioned if it was because she didn't feel attached to her particular niche of online marketing. After some more discussion, she agreed and has since modified her services that align better with what she enjoys. I still suggested that she explore a deeper WHY but this is a step in the right direction. Plenty of businesses add or subtract products or services or modify their mission statement. If something about your business doesn't feel right, don't be afraid to make changes. I'm bestselling author and online entrepreneur Connie Ragen Green, and now I can confidently answer the question “What's your why?” with enthusiasm and conviction. My “why” is around the concept of helping others to achieve their goals and dreams with writing and having a profitable online business so they may follow their dreams and passions without having to do work that doesn't make their heart sing or worry about meeting all of their financial obligations with grace and ease. You can double your productivity and be success with a business, or with anything you choose to accomplish in your life, if you are willing to implement what you learn and take decisive action on a consistent basis. Many people come to me to learn how to successful and profitable as an online entrepreneur. But some of them end up saying “I already know that” and moving on to something else. I know that I am able to do more than I ever thought would be possible in my life because I am willing to learn, implement, course correct, ask questions, take massive action and keep moving forward with consistency. Others may be smarter or more knowledgeable, but if they hesitate to take action they will not achieve the results they are hoping for in their business or with anything else. As long as you are specific and intentional with what you want to achieve, you can do it all as an entrepreneur, just not all at once. And we must throw perfection out the window. I have a new saying… The more perfecter your goal, the less purfeckt your results. “Everything we do in our lives is preparing us for something that will arise in the future, even though we don’t yet know what that will be.” ~ Connie Ragen Green Our stories are the fabric of our life. A story sets you apart from everyone else, makes you unique and memorable, and is all you have when it's all said and done. When I was a young child a neighbor girl, seven or eight years old at the time, interrupted my mother in the middle of a story she was telling to ask, “Why do you have so many stories?” My mother hardly skipped a beat, informing the girl that “You'll have stories too, when you get older.” On that evening a part of me became a storyteller in training. Sure enough, it wasn't long before I was telling stories about everything from what I did in school that day to what happened in the neighborhood. I wore my storyteller's hat with pride and now I see that this one aspect of my life was preparing me for what I now do in my business and derive great joy from every single day. The word “praestabilis” is from the Latin and means outstanding, excellent, and extraordinary and this is the goal for you as you make your way in the online world. It took me until age 50 to step into the light and live an empowered life. I achieved this by leaving a job – classroom teaching – and a career as a real estate broker and appraiser to come online as an entrepreneur. I have no regrets about waiting so long, as everything unfolds once we are open to receiving it. There are three top strategies to help you move closer to an empowered life and they include… Writing – Every day, I want you to write! This includes blog posts, outlines, emails to your prospects, clients, and potential joint venture partners. Also, write short reports and white papers to show others who you are and what you know. Finally, write a book to solidify your expertise in your niche, and follow that up with additional books over time. Writing is crucial to our process of standing out from the crowd by sharing what we know and believe. Reach out to me if you’re interested in coming aboard for my “10 Week Author” program. Recent posts on my three blogs are at: “Broken Compass Stories We Tell Ourselves” – https://mondaymorningmellow.com/broken-compass-story/ “The eBook That Changed My Life” – https://hugeprofitstinylist.com/ebook-that-changed-my-life/ “Marketing Secrets from Creative Sources” – https://connieragengreen.com/marketing-secrets-from-creative-sources/ Speaking – I was the reluctant speaker, but once I got past my fears and insecurities you can’t get the microphone away from me. Speak about yourself and your topic to anyone who will listen. I began by speaking at my Rotary Club and I continue to recommend service organizations as a way to break in to speaking. Now I speak all over the world, in person and virtually on a variety of topics. Masterminding – Connecting with others for the sole purpose of reaching your full potential is crucial to life success. Find a Mastermind group to join, or start your own by inviting thought leaders to connect with you in this way. I have a group called the Incubator Mastermind that may be of interest to you. Hopefully, you can see that what I’m sharing with on each podcast will make a difference for you as you build and grow your business as an entrepreneur, author, and marketer. Make sure to think of marketing as a priority and get into the habit of sharing your best ideas and resources with the people who are on their way to becoming your raving fans! I’m always just an email away at conniegreenhouse at yahoo dot com if you’d like to connect with me. I promise to help you keep it simple while you grow your online business. Get started with your own eBook empire by learning how to write an eBook from the person who continues to guide me along this lucrative journey. Take a look at How to Write and Publish Your Own eBook…in as Little as 7 Days from expert and author Jim Edwards. Thank you for this opportunity to serve you as I share my beliefs, perceptions, and experiences as an author, online entrepreneur, and marketing strategist with you. Marketing has become the joy of my life as I continue to learn, grow, and share concepts with others. I'm bestselling author, marketing strategist, and online entrepreneur Connie Ragen Green and I would love to connect further with you to help you to achieve your goals. If you are interested in learning how to optimize the syndication of your content, please take a look at my popular Syndication Optimization training course and consider coming aboard to increase your visibility, credibility, and profitability.The post Praestabilis – Excellence in Marketing – 159 first appeared on Connie Ragen Green Podcast.The post Praestabilis – Excellence in Marketing – 159 appeared first on Connie Ragen Green Podcast.

In this episode, we share a panoply of voices speaking out about the dangers of AI - Artificial Intelligence - and this insane boom in water-and-power-hungry data centers throughout the U.S. We engage with Steven J. Kung, an advocate against the construction of a massive data center in Monterey Park, California. Steven, a writer and director, shares his insights on the environmental implications, air pollution, blight, industrializing the landscape, in addition to the excessive water consumption and energy demands. Support the Podcast via PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url We also hear from Stanford professor and renewable energy expert Mark Jacobson, who discusses sustainable alternatives for powering data centers. Tech journalist Paris Marx weighs in from the 2025 Bioneers Conference on the social and political implications of this data center bubble economy. For some positive news, legislators in New York introduced the strongest data center moratorium proposal thus far [https://www.politico.com/news/2026/02/06/new-york-democrats-propose-sweeping-pause-on-data-center-construction-00768090]. The bill would pause data center construction for three years while appropriate regulations are drafted. Moreover, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders suggests a national moratorium on this data center building boom. Join us as we explore the grassroots movement to protect local communities and the fight for environmental justice. For an extended interview and other benefits, become an EcoJustice Radio patron at https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio Resources/Articles: True Cost of AI with Paris Marx - Bioneers: https://bioneers.org/the-true-cost-of-ai-water-energy-and-a-warming-planet-ztvz2507/ Stopping a Data Center in Monterey Park https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/07/california-monterey-park-stop-datacenter-construction Steven J. Kung is a proud Chinese American resident of Monterey Park who lives 1,300 feet from the proposed data center site. He is a writer-director who co-founded the grassroots activist group No Data Center Monterey Park [https://www.nodatacentermpk.org/]. Jack Eidt is an urban planner, environmental journalist, and climate organizer, as well as award-winning fiction writer. He is Co-Founder of SoCal 350 Climate Action and Executive Producer of EcoJustice Radio. He writes for a PBS SoCal Artbound project called High & Dry [https://www.pbssocal.org/people/high-dry]. He is also Founder and Publisher of WilderUtopia [https://wilderutopia.com], a website dedicated to the question of Earth sustainability, finding society-level solutions to environmental, community, economic, transportation and energy needs. Podcast Website: http://ecojusticeradio.org/ Podcast Blog: https://www.wilderutopia.com/category/ecojustice-radio/ Support the Podcast: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url Executive Producer and Host: Jack Eidt Engineer and Original Music: Blake Quake Beats Episode 278

It's Monday, February 16th, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Adam McManus Nigerian Muslims killed 300: How you can help! The Muslims continue to kill Catholics and Protestants in Nigeria, Africa. On February 10th, suspected Fulani Muslim militants killed more than 100 people in the Southern Taraba State, and injured thousands more, reports International Christian Concern. Armed attackers arrived in the early morning hours, when residents were asleep, unleashing gunfire and setting homes, churches, and harvested crops ablaze. And on February 3rd, Muslims killed over two hundred people in remote villages in Kwara, Katsina and Benue States, reports Christian Solidarity Worldwide. Many of the victims were found with their hands bound behind their backs and their throats cut. The dead included women and children. Judd Saul, Founder of Equipping the Persecuted, wrote, “Entire villages in the Middle Belt have been attacked. Pastors targeted. Families burned out of their homes. Survivors are now fleeing with nothing — grieving, wounded, and traumatized.” He added, “While the killing continues, something significant is finally happening in Washington, DC. After six years of relentless advocacy, briefings, intelligence reports, and meetings, legislation has now been introduced to protect persecuted Christians in Nigeria.” Republican Congressmen Riley Moore of West Virginia and Chris Smith of New Jersey introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026. Rep. Smith said, “Now that President Trump has rightly redesignated Nigeria a ‘Country of Particular Concern,' the United States has a responsibility to do its due diligence in ensuring that the Nigerian government is taking the proper steps to address and punish the systemic violence against Christians and non-radical Muslims by Islamist extremists, such as Boko Haram and Fulani terrorists.” Call your Representative today at 202-225-3121. Ask him or her to co-sponsor the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026. You can call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to get a live operator who will connect you to the Rep.'s office. If it's after hours, just leave a voicemail with your name, phone number and the name of the bill. That number again is 202-225-3121. And prayerfully consider sending a much-need donation to Equipping the Persecuted that works with Nigerian Christians on the ground. The website is www.EquippingThePersecuted.org Assemblies of God pastor accused of sexual abuse for 20 years Pastor Rod Loy, who leads First Assembly of God in Little Rock, Arkansas has stepped aside from his role. He will face an investigation following a recent lawsuit from a former member who claims he sexually abused her for 20 years, beginning when she was 16, reports The Christian Post. Loy's church was ranked as the third-largest Assemblies of God congregation in the United States, with more than 16,500 members in 2017. It also helped to plant more than 1,350 churches in 63 nations. The claims of abuse are detailed in a civil lawsuit filed by 45-year-old Suzanne Lander in the Circuit Court of Pulaski County, Arkansas, on January 26. The lawsuit claims, “Defendant Loy exploited his position as a trusted spiritual leader to systematically groom, manipulate, and sexually abuse a vulnerable sixteen-year-old girl who had survived years of parental sexual abuse and trafficking, [He] used religious teachings and scripture to convince Plaintiff that God wanted her to submit to his sexual demands, telling her repeatedly that performing sexual acts pleased God and made her better in God's eyes.” Lander alleges that “only months” after she began attending the church as a teenager in 1996, Loy, who was then serving as executive pastor, “initiated sexual abuse.” Lander alleged that Loy told her that God wanted her to please him sexually and shockingly used Scriptures like Hebrews 13:17 to get her to comply. It says, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.” The lawsuit alleges that Loy's abuse of Lander spanned from 1996 to 2016, including while she was married. Matthew 18:6 says, “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in Me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” Pastor Loy, age 59, denies all the allegations, reports HelpingSurvivors.org. And the church reported that the investigation found no evidence to substantiate the allegations. Church leaders further emphasized that both Pastor Loy and the board “vehemently deny these claims” and are preparing to defend themselves in court. Father not allowed to opt 5-year-old son out of LGBT propaganda A Massachusetts judge has ruled that a father cannot pull his 5-year-old son out of kindergarten lessons that promote homosexual propaganda, reports Fox News. Last Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Dennis Saylor issued a memorandum ruling in favor of Lexington Public Schools regarding two books in the kindergarten curriculum. Judge Saylor said the two disputed books, Pink Is for Boys and Except When They Don't, do not fall under the opt-out provision because they focus on gender stereotypes rather than explicit themes. Isaiah 5:20 declares, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil.” Gloria Gaither offers a sobering warning to Christian music industry And finally, Christian songwriter Gloria Gaither addressed a roomful of young people in the Christian music industry, reports GodTube.com. Listen. GAITHER: “I don't know what's next. I'm scared about AI [Artificial Intelligence]. You are here as a guardian of the real. That's what we're trusting you to do. And we're going to die and leave that to you. And I want you all to know that we understand the value of you, and especially because we have no idea how to do what you are doing to make 10 billion hits on whatever streams those are. “It doesn't matter. That technology is going to change. You're going to be antiquated too, but your heart is not going to be antiquated.” Together with her husband Bill, they've written 700 songs. Mrs. Gaither addressed the Christian song writers in the room and offered a sober warning. GLORIA GAITHER: “I am 83.” BILL GAITHER: “A good looking 83.” (laughter) GLORIA GAITHER: “I still believe that if I write a song and I shoot it into the air, I have no idea where it's going to land and what life it's going to change. But we've been doing this long enough to get the letters back from Australia and South Africa, and all over the planet, that said, ‘That arrow landed in my heart.' “I believe in art. When everybody is arguing, and all the debates are done and the news is turned off, art will still speak. And it will bring together people that think they hate each other. Movies do it, but nothing does it like a song. Nothing. It is distilled into three minutes of total power. Trust me. And, if you have a gift for making that, be a good steward of it because that power is dangerous in the wrong hands.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Monday, February 16th, in the year of our Lord 2026. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

In a world where AI (Artificial Intelligence) is reshaping trades and blue-collar jobs faster than most realize, the real game-changer isn't just tech—it's the "other AI": Authentic Influence. "Change is hard only for the unready" (Cy Wakeman), and those ready to thrive aren't waiting for promotions or titles; they're building trust-based influence from the front lines through character, competency, and action. As John C. Maxwell says, "People who want to be effective are willing to do what others won't"—and that willingness earns resources, promotions, and the ability to make a real impact. Discover how developing Authentic Influence (trust earned, not demanded) makes you indispensable, boosts your value, accelerates career options, and helps you lead 360°—with or without a formal position—in manufacturing, trades, warehouses, and beyond. Don't get left behind by the tech wave; rise above it by becoming the high-impact player leaders can't afford to lose. Visit BlueCollarLeadership.com and start building your Authentic Influence today!  #BlueCollarLeadership #AuthenticInfluence #Leadership #AIinTrades #PersonalDevelopment #SkilledTrades

身為窗業職人第三代，吳律謙在責任與傳承之間，走出屬於自己的道路。 1991年，祖父吳連發以木作窗門起家，接著父親吳定旺開發出台灣最早的氣密窗「松鶴氣密窗」，但吳律謙因父親驟逝，於26歲繼承家業，面對傳統產業對年輕接班人的質疑，他沒有急於改變，而是先深入了解公司現況，再逐步建立屬於自己的經營方向。 他成立鈞匠事業部，帶領團隊投入高規格水密窗研發，歷經5年反覆測試與技術突破，成功打造水密性達2000pa的「風光Ai窗」，超越國際標準，並通過國家級認證。 不同於傳統產業既有形象，吳律謙在購物中心裡的門市打造一個風雨實驗室，也嘗試跨界合作，將鋁窗斷面元素融入時裝設計與藝術展示，希望讓消費者不只認識功能，更理解產品背後的工藝精神與品牌理念。 本集金句： 蘋果的英文是Apple Intelligence蘋果智慧，那我們的Ai是Artificer Intelligence造物者智慧，而現在很紅的AI，叫做Artificial Intelligence人工智慧，我們是研發型的企業，所以是窗的造物者，也有可以跟感測器，比如說一氧化碳、雨滴感測，可以設定環境的需求去開窗關窗，另外我們還有研發立面發電，讓窗戶可以替你發電，自給自足，就不一定要用到台電的電。 #吳律謙 #風光Ai窗 #三代傳承 #立面發電 #職人 #永續 #環保 風光Ai窗Artificer Intelligence Window https://www.aiw.com.tw/ @風光Ai窗 Artificer Intelligence Window https://www.facebook.com/aiw.com.tw/ #寶島聯播網 #寶島有意思 ---寶島有意思 準時放送--- 19：00~~~> 北部-寶島新聲 FM98.5 嘉義-嘉義之音FM91.3 高雄-主人電台FM96.9 21：00~~~> 中部-大千電台 FM99.1 ---------- 寶島有意思》挖掘台灣有意思的在地人、事、物。 寶島聯播網》以「本土電台」為品牌定位，用心傳承台灣在地文化，傳遞台語流行音樂之美。https://www.baodaoradio.com.tw/ 寶島好康商城》堅持提供高品質、安心、實惠的好康產品。https://www.bodogo.com.tw/ 加入會員，支持節目： https://clw4248xv113d01wg7s4h2xnr.firstory.io/join 留言告訴我你對這一集的想法： Powered by Firstory Hosting

How to Fix Boring Brand Podcasts If we're going to be perfectly honest, many branded podcasts are either boring or they sound just like a recycled commercial. To win the hearts and minds of your B2B target audience, you must move beyond generic corporate messaging and create high-quality content that addresses your listeners' needs. So how can brands produce engaging content that will resonate with their audiences, and what strategic role does B2B storytelling play?That's why we're talking to Jen Moss (Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer, JAR Podcast Solutions), who shared her expertise and strategic insights on how to fix boring brand podcasts. During our conversation, Jen discussed the importance of creating engaging brand podcasts that build trust and loyalty. She explained why B2B podcasts should go beyond product promotion and focus on deeper stories and societal issues. Jen also highlighted the need for creative courage, proper planning, rigorous pre-production, and engagement with the audience. She advised against rushing into production without proper ideation and marketing budget. Jen also underscored the power of authentic B2B storytelling and cautioned against relying too heavily on AI for content creation. https://youtu.be/sVlsvotzFEE Topics discussed in episode: [02:22] The definition of a successful brand podcast: It shouldn’t just be a CEO talking about products, but rather a way to facilitate deeper conversations on industry issues.  [05:12] Why brands need “creative courage” to stand out in a saturated market, including experimenting with fiction or narrative formats.  [08:32] How to tell a good B2B story by focusing on “beats,” high stakes, and the transparent struggle rather than just the solution.  [17:28] The top pitfalls in podcasting: Failing to budget for marketing, ignoring audience analytics, and drop-off rates.  [29:25] A real-world example of how Genome BC used human storytelling to make complex scientific topics accessible and engaging.  [37:40] Why using AI purely for speed and volume is a mistake, and why the mission of podcasting should be connection, not efficiency. Companies and links mentioned: Jen Moss on LinkedIn  JAR Podcast Solution  Genome BC Bumper Ira Glass Cory Doctorow Nice Genes! Podcast Another Round Podcast Hot Ones Podcast Transcript Christian Klepp, Jen Moss Jen Moss  00:00 Podcasting, especially audio podcasting, I will say, is a sacred space between the ears. You are literally whispering in people’s ears if they don’t like what they’re hearing, if they start to feel like you’re shilling to them, they will yank out the earbuds and it’s game over for you. Christian Klepp  00:17 If we’re going to be perfectly honest, many brand podcasts are either boring or they just sound like a commercial. To win the hearts and minds of your target audience, you need to create content that serves your listeners and is something they actually want to hear. So how can you achieve that? And what role does B2B Marketing play in producing successful brand podcasts? Welcome to this episode of the B2B Marketers in the Mission podcast, and I’m your host, Christian Klepp, today I’ll be talking to Jen Moss, who will be answering that question. She is the Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of JAR Podcast Solutions, which helps create quality podcasts that earn trust. Tune in to find out more about what this B2B Marketers Mission is, okay, and I’m gonna say, Jen Moss, welcome to the show. Jen Moss  01:05 Thank you so much for having me. Christian Klepp  01:07 Great to have you on. We’ve had such a fantastic conversation before. I hit record. I probably should have recorded this earlier, but in any case, Jen Moss  01:14 Yes, if anyone needs any parenting tips, we got your back. Christian Klepp  01:18 Absolutely, absolutely that that book is coming out soon on Amazon. I’m just kidding, But Jen, really looking forward to this conversation, because, man, we are going to cover a topic which, you know, might rock the boat a little bit, but it’s all, you know, constructive, and you know, it’s all for the sake of growing in a positive way, right? Jen Moss  01:35 I think so, Christian Klepp  01:36 At least I like to think so. Jen Moss  01:38 That is the goal. Christian Klepp  01:39 Absolutely, absolutely, all right, so here it comes. So Jen, you’re on a mission to help brands craft story first, podcasts that earn trust, build loyalty and connect deeply with the audiences that matter most. So for today’s conversation, I’d like to zero in on the following topic. Here comes how to fix boring brand podcasts. I know we’ve got a ton to talk about, but let’s kick off this conversation with two questions, and I’m happy to repeat them. So what is it about brand podcasting that you wish more people understood? And number two is, where do most brand podcasts go wrong. Jen Moss  02:22 Okay, so those are both great questions, so that what is a branded podcast is probably a good place to start. A lot of people might think that it’s, you know, the CEO of a company talking about their products and services ad nauseam. And if you happen to want to buy those products and services, maybe you would listen to it, because you could get more information, like, kind of an informational, almost transactional thing. I think that’s what a lot of people imagine when they hear the words branded podcast. However, that there’s a lot more to branded podcasting than that, and a lot of the smarter sort of, I would say, savvy brands, the ones with kind of sophisticated marketing campaigns that are multifaceted, are looking at podcasting as a way to tell deeper stories, engage with conversations that are ongoing in society that really matter so, sort of a chance for the brand to show its stripes a little bit, and an opportunity to offer something to a target audience that is sort of like a kind of a gift. You know, like we’re going to give you something of value that you actually will benefit from or enjoy, learn something from, be emotionally moved by, you know, hear a good story, and it’ll be in an area that the brand cares about, that that kind of ticks the boxes in terms of, like, what are the brand’s values, but is not specifically, and this is very important, is not specifically related to the brand’s products and services, per se. So it’s more like, okay, the brand maybe exists in a certain wider industry, and there’s an issue in that industry that keeps coming up, or a new technology that’s affecting everything, something like that, something that needs to be talked about. And so they’ll, they’ll set out to kind of facilitate those kinds of conversations through their podcasts. And a branded podcast doesn’t need to be just a one on one interview. It could be, it could be a fiction podcast if you were feeling extra frisky and creative that day, you know, if you wanted to do something fun, like I had a conversation with a solar company not that long ago, and we actually pitched them a fiction podcast about a world powered by sun. And because we thought the opportunity for a solar panel company to sponsor a fiction podcast about a world powered by sun like sci-fi would be, would be exciting and different. Christian Klepp  05:11 How did that go? Jen Moss  05:12 Yeah, well, we didn’t end up getting that job because they didn’t have the creative courage to do it. And so this is, this is the kind of conversation that I’m always on with brands is like, have the creative courage to do something that’s a little out of the ordinary because there’s 500 million podcasts or whatever, so you’ve got to stand out. And so you’ve got to think about how to stand out, and one of the best ways to do that is to do something different that hasn’t been done before. For example, there is a great branded fiction podcast called Murder in HR, and it’s by an online HR platform company. And, you know, like, it’s just a scripted fiction true, true crime. It’s not really true because it’s scripted fiction podcast. But, you know, it’s kind of different and fun. So, so there’s stuff like that. There’s, you know what we would call narrative podcasting, which is a mixture of script and clip, where you’re kind of combining on scene recordings with interview tape, with narration, and kind of thoughtfully braiding all those things together, like an NPR (National Public Radio) storytelling experience or a CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) storytelling experience. So there’s all of that that can be part of branded podcasting, and so I just frankly think it’s kind of lazy when brands just decide that they’re going to talk about themselves indefinitely in a podcast. If I want to learn about a brand, I and buy something from them, I’ll go to their website. But if the brand wants to win hearts and minds and raise awareness and build trust and kind of operate on that deeper level to widen their impact. That’s where a podcast, and sponsoring a podcast, or getting behind the production of a podcast can really help. So that’s, I mean, I guess that kind of answers your second question, where do brands go wrong? And it’s usually with just doing the obvious, doing the thing that they think is the most direct route to a customer. And with podcasting, I try to remind people there is a difference between a customer and an audience. A customer is someone who already, at least wants to know more about your product and is thinking of buying maybe they’ve bought from you before. An audience may include those customers, but it may include other people as well who have a wider array of interests and are not yet, do not yet know that they need to buy a new pair of running shoes, but then the next time they need a new pair of running shoes, they may think of you because of that excellent podcast they listen to where you had all those celebrities on talking about the things that motivate them to push harder and go faster, right? So it’s just sort of, it’s a little bit of a roundabout way of winning customers by winning hearts and minds is how I would describe it. Christian Klepp  08:03 Yeah, winning hearts and minds. I like that. Now. That was a great way to open up this conversation. And thanks for sharing that I had two follow up questions for you. So let’s start with, you know, people loving to hear a good story, so let’s, let’s, let’s take a step back, because remember, the audience of this podcast. They’re mostly B2B Marketers. So from a B2B context, what would you how would you define what a good story is? Jen Moss  08:32 Yeah, that’s a great question. So I mean, a good story is told beat by beat, this happened, and then this happened, and then this happened. And here’s the lesson we took from it. Is one of the ways that it has been boiled down, I believe, by Ira Glass, you know, icon of podcasting. So I think you know thinking about even with B2B storytelling, if you’re telling a story that’s based in your industry, and you’re trying to position yourselves as thought leaders in that space. And let’s say you’re interviewing someone who is another company that sells a particular product, and you’re talking to them about a case study, instead of saying, like, what is the product and how does it work, try saying, tell us a story about a problem that someone was having. Start with the stakes, like, what would have happened if they didn’t solve that problem, what was at stake, then build to like how that problem got solved, and perhaps the product or service was involved, right, right? But build to how the problem was solved, so that there’s a bit of an arc from A to B to C to D, so that you start with a problem, work towards a solution. And and make sure to take the time to identify the stakes, like, what would have happened if it didn’t work. Where did it go wrong along the way? Where were the points where you thought, this is not going to work worse? We’re we’re hooped, you know, make sure that when you are telling stories, you’re actually telling the whole story, not just the win, not like we solved it this way, this way and this way. And aren’t we great? Nobody cares. That’s just bragging, and it comes across very badly in podcasting, podcasting, especially audio podcasting, I will say, is a sacred space between the ears. You are literally whispering in people’s ears. If they don’t like what they’re hearing, if they start to feel like you’re shilling to them, they will yank out the earbuds and it’s game over for you, right? They’ll go look at something else or go walk their dog, right? So you really have to just really focus in on the beat by beat. How are you going to hold attention throughout? You can also use sound design to support the tension arc of the story. And don’t be afraid to show the tough stuff, the hard stuff, the stuff that didn’t work, the stuff that even makes you look a bit foolish. We tried this as a brand. It didn’t work. We failed, but what we learned from that was this, right, if you can be a little bit transparent and a little bit more real, you will win hearts and minds, like I said, and if you want, if you can’t do that, people have a nose for BS, and they will smell it, and they will not take you as seriously. So it’s like a sacred duty to tell the truth, which is, which is challenging in a branded space where it’s all about spin and messaging and stuff like that. But the more you can do that, the more credible your content will be. Christian Klepp  11:56 Absolutely, absolutely. Yeah, on that topic, the ones I love the most, of the guys that say, like, you know, I, um, I lost my job and I moved to my parents basement, and now I’m making multiple six figures, all within the span of 12 months. Jen Moss  12:10 I mean, amazing, amazing. Not true, but also, at least they understand the tension arc. Christian Klepp  12:17 Yes, that’s certainly one way of looking at it, yeah, second follow up question. And I love this, like, creative courage, right? Jen Moss  12:28 Yeah. Christian Klepp  12:29 Not many people have it, if we’re going to be perfectly honest, right? Jen Moss  12:32 Yeah, I’m realizing that. I’m realizing that the older I get, the more I realize how rare it actually is creative courage. Yeah. Christian Klepp  12:40 Here’s the thing, like, Why do you think that that’s so prevalent, even in in the podcast space? Is it because it’s it because it’s it’s the unknown that people are worried about, like, what if it doesn’t work? Jen Moss  12:50 Yeah, if you think about podcasting, especially in a branded space, but really in any space, yeah, it’s a vulnerable act. You’re putting yourself out there, you’re putting your brand out there, you’re putting your stories out there, you’re putting your company out there. You’re putting, in some cases, your job on the line, right, by spending budget on this thing, right? So the so the stakes are real for the people involved, and it’s tricky, because striving for perfection right out of the gate is possibly a mistake. I think that podcasting has always been kind of an organic form where it evolves over time. You’ve got to study the audience data and see whether what you’re doing is actually resonating with your audience, and if it’s not, you’ve got to be prepared to pivot and change and adapt the storytelling, the timing, the pacing, the music, all of those things have to be a little bit up for grabs if the audience isn’t resonating. So I do think, I do think there’s that to consider, yeah. Christian Klepp  13:53 And I suppose people’s tastes very right, like, what people find is creative is very can be very subjective. Jen Moss  14:01 The creative bravery thing is tricky because of all the reasons I listed, but also because you’re right. It means different things to different people, like for a bank or some sort of finance institution or a pharma company in a very heavily regulated industry, to be like creatively brave in their storytelling is pretty difficult. It’s been, it’s been compared to putting up a tent in the rain, right? Trying to be creative in a corporate environment, putting up a tent in the rain with your spouse is one way to think about Christian Klepp  14:34 Putting up a tent in the rain with your spouse. And there’s a T-Rex sitting… Jen Moss  14:38 Graded by a bunch of Russian judges, yeah. Christian Klepp  14:42 Absolutely. Jen Moss  14:43 Yeah. It’s tricky, and so to maintain the principles of creativity within that environment is hard. So the principles of creativity include brainstorming, ideation, adaptation, experimentation, so trial and trial and error a little bit, and eventually, you through that process, that iterative process, you arrive at a really great finished work of art, hopefully. But those people who have not been through the creative process and trusted a bunch of you know flaky writers with their with their goals before, and I say that as a flaky writer, it’s it can be hard to trust the creative process if you’re not used to going through it. So if you are working in an industry where everything is about quarterly planning, everything is planned down to the minutia. List, list, list, bullet point, bullet point, bullet point, check, check, check, box. And then somebody’s coming in and saying, Well, what about if we explored this? And let’s discuss, Let’s hypothetically explore this topic. You know, there are personality types out there, and a lot of them are working in corporate jobs who are just like, No, I don’t know how to do that. I don’t trust it, and it totally freaks me out. So that kind of I would call it, like floating the creative balloon and batting it around for a while before you make a decision. Trying to create room for that process to happen before you launch your podcast is quite important, and giving proper space and time to that creative process is something that I think the more corporate and kind of button down podcasting becomes, the more I’m seeing that we have to fight that, because we have to be accountable with our timelines. We have to be accountable with our messaging. We have to be accountable with all this stuff. So that’s all very important. Brand safety matters. But if you don’t allow space for that creative ideation phase, and I would, I would argue, frankly, ongoing space within your process, then you will not rise the balloon as high as you could. You could probably still do something that is regularly released and has decent sound quality. So check, check, but is it going to win hearts and minds of audiences? Is it going to stand out 500 million other podcasts? No, it is not. Yeah. So that’s why it matters. Christian Klepp  17:17 Absolutely, absolutely. Moving on to key pitfalls to avoid. What are they and what should folks be doing instead? Jen Moss  17:28 I mean, there’s so there’s so many pitfalls. I don’t know where to start … Christian Klepp  17:32 Try to condense them into like, maybe, like the five, the top five that you’ve seen. Jen Moss  17:36 Well, let’s look at maybe, let’s look at the phases of doing a podcast, pre-production, production and post-production. So in pre-production, I think the big pitfalls are failing to allow time and space for creative ideation, rushing into it without proper consideration. I think failing to set aside budget to market your podcast can be a mistake, and I think budget for marketing is quite important because, well, we’ll get into that in post production, but one of the important ways for people to find podcasts is through ads on other podcasts, and that costs money. So there’s a little aspect of a pay to play nature that kind of creeps into podcasting. I think it’s important to be realistic about that. It’s not the only way to promote a podcast. There’s many good, organic ways, but if you can reserve some budget for marketing, I think it’s a good idea to do so. And yeah, I would say in pre-production, failure to think big and kind of have embraced blue sky thinking early on, what could this podcast be? Who is it for? Right? Those are very important questions. So at JAR, we have a system. We call the JAR system. It’s job, audience, result, and in pre production, that’s where we really focus on job and audience. What is the job of the podcast? Why are you doing it? Who is the audience? Who is it for? What do they need? Where do they hang out? Are they on audio platforms? Are they on video platforms? Are they YouTubers? Like, what you know? Who are you talking to, and why? Is very important. So job and audience, and then with production, once you get into that big phase. That’s where I think, I sort of say it’s like, point your skis and go, but also bend your knees, because things are going to come up and so, for example, I always recommend having three or four possible guests lined up to service an episode. Because if the first one that you’re going after falls through due to timing and unavailability in your production timeline, an amateur podcaster would just be like, well, that’s okay. I’ll wait till October, when you’re free, whereas I’m saying, no, no. So if you want to do a podcast on this topic, and it’s important to do it now because timeliness matters, then you need to have a couple of other options that are backup options for that guest if they’re unavailable, so things like that. So prepping backups to your backups for your guests is a really good idea so that you can keep your production moving forward and stay focused on the ideas that you’re you’ve determined to explore. So making a plan and then doing your best to stick to it, I think, but keeping your knees bent critically within that plan. Some people have said, Well, is it kind of like you write like a podcast Bible? And I’m like, No, it’s more of a pirate code, but you do need to have a code like there needs to be a plan going forward, but it can change. And then post production, I think the biggest thing is people fail to study their analytics, or fail to understand and interpret their analytics. So if you’re not looking at your audience data, then you’re not getting the most out of that those analytics platforms. So you should be looking at your Spotify data. You should be looking at your apple, podcast data, your YouTube data, the data from your hosting platform. At JAR, we use a company called Bumper. They’re a Canadian company that does a really nice job of pulling together a dashboard which shares a lot of valuable information about about how your podcast is performing. So you can actually see things like, Oh, I made a 30 minute podcast, but everyone’s dropping off at 21 minutes. I wonder why. So either make it really much more interesting at the 21 minute mark, or make a shorter podcast. That’s what the audience data is telling you, right? So being receptive and flexible, keeping your knees bent throughout is very important, and then using that data to feed back into the creative cycle, so that it becomes this circular process of testing and learning, studying the results, making changes, and you’re gradually honing your podcast into something that your audience really, really responds to. So that’s those are the pitfalls that we try to steer people through and around. Christian Klepp  22:08 That is a great list. And you probably, for those that are listening to the audio version of this, I was, I was nodding the whole time, but, um, one of the things that I would add in there, which I’ve seen happen, and it’s happened to me, and I’m not gonna say who it is, but like, you know, one of the things that they immediately did after having me as a guest on is they pushed me into a follow up call, which big surprise was a was a sales pitch. It’s like, Thank you for being on our show. By the way. Would you like to buy some advertising space in our magazine? Would you like to exhibit in our, you know, upcoming event. You know, for small business, you know, we only charge $10,000 you know, it’s not that much. It’s like, Jen Moss  22:47 For a lot of small businesses, that is a lot, right? Christian Klepp  22:50 Exactly. Jen Moss  22:50 It’s kind of like, to me, if you think of it like dating, you want to play a little bit cool, like, it’s great. You can think of a podcast as a networking tool, absolutely, but it’s you have to just not be like Johnny obvious about it, like, maybe, maybe wait a few months and then reach out and say, Hey, we’re having a special promotion, and we’re you people who have been on our show get a reduced rate or something like that. Sure. Christian Klepp  23:19 Yeah, exactly. Jen Moss  23:20 Or just trust the universe. You could also try that, which would be, I had a great you like you and I had a great connection on this podcast. We chat very well. We even talked before the recording about parenting. So, like, we kind of click. So like, if there were ever anything that we could help each other with, I’m sure we would at least be somewhat amenable to it, and maybe that’s enough. Maybe that’s enough, right? Christian Klepp  23:45 Yeah, probably, probably. Jen Moss  23:46 Yeah. So I think yes, it’s an opportunity to network, but it is also in the same way that yeah, between people’s ears is a sacred space. Also when someone comes on your show as an unpaid guest, which most podcasts? I think it’s worth pointing out that most podcast guests are unpaid, so they’re doing that out of the sort of the free desire of exchange of ideas, right? And so respecting that in and of itself is very important. And this is why podcasting has risen to such heights is because it is really grounded in that kind of authentic communication, where people are really trying to figure stuff out together, that’s it, and it’s wonderful, and it’s amazing. And so you got to respect that. You got to let that be enough sometimes Christian Klepp  24:36 Absolutely, absolutely, wow. So you’ve kind of touched on this already, but in our previous conversation, you mentioned that in podcasting, and this does this is not unique to just the B2B space alone, but like in podcasting in general, the story comes first, not the product or the promo. So please elaborate on that. Jen Moss  24:58 No one is going to listen a 30 minute ad, right? It’s just not gonna happen. As soon as they detect the fact that you’re selling, they’re gone. If you want to have some follow up product information in your show notes, or, you know, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend that, but you could, I suppose, or on your website, great. But the purpose of a podcast is not necessarily that sort of bottom of funnel sales. The purpose of a podcast is, is, it’s a top of funnel engagement opportunity, right? So you’re really, you’re you can build trust, you can build awareness, you can reach new people, and the way you do that is by being relevant and authentic and telling good stories in a way that holds attention. So my own background is from, you know, years of working in radio, documentary storytelling and things like that, I really learned how every, every piece of the story matters. You really have to break down the story arc. Like I said. You got to examine the stakes. You got to think about pacing. All of these things are critical and a funny thing too that I’ve learned I also teach creative writing, and one of the things that one of the lessons that I share with my students, is that the more specific you are in your storytelling, the more it will resonate universally. So through the specific example comes the universal ‘aha' moment. Whereas if you go in with a bunch of like, I’m like, I’m doing right now, if you go in with a bunch of principles, like, here’s what you got to do, and here’s, here’s the rules, and you should follow these rules, 10 Steps to heaven. Kind of, kind of formulas that might work in a, in a sort of, like a bullet point list on the internet, but in podcasting, that doesn’t really work. It’s, it’s more of a, it’s more of a like, I mean, they say the devil is in the details, but I actually think so are the angels like you really like, if I were to tell you a story about a time I worked with a client, let me think of a real example, Like, okay, Genome, BC (Bristish Columbia) is a client of ours. They are a non-profit here in British Columbia in Canada, and they are dedicated to promoting Genomic Science, and specifically they’re promoting the ability of Genomic Science to solve big problems that the world is facing, okay, like global warming type level problems, right? So that’s great. So how do we tell that story? How do we tell that specifically, we could have a bunch of egg heads on to talk about their research, and we do, we have, it’s a science podcast. We have lots of eggheads, and they’re great, you know, but we have to balance that with like people who are impacted by the issues that the science is trying to address. So we did a piece recently about an episode about genetic testing for, you know, heart problems and things like that, and how we with the study of the human genome, we know with the study of the human genome, we now know so much more about about how to spot those problems almost before they happen, because of your genetic predisposition to certain problems. So we told that story by finding a high schooler who had had a heart attack because of a genetic problem that he didn’t know about. And we told that story beat by beat. I was on the field. This happened. My parents got a call. We talked to his parents, we interviewed everybody. They all told the story about the time the son had the heart attack. They all told it separately in their own way, and we intercut it into this really tense, like, you know, exciting, really piece of storytelling. Then we brought on the scientists to talk about the power of genomic testing and genetic testing and genetic awareness around these health issues, but we first establish why it matters, and it matters because it affects people’s lives. So if you’re doing storytelling and you can connect your ideas to something that’s real, then you’re going to you kind of, you win, you win the storytelling day. Christian Klepp  29:27 Oh, that’s an that’s an excellent example. And, and I hear you, the easier path would have been to just invite the scientists on, or whoever it was, and they go on and talk about all of their research, and Jen Moss  29:39 Which is amazing stuff. But I don’t know if you’ve interviewed any scientists. Lately. They can be a little dry, they can be a little dense and hard to listen to. Christian Klepp  29:47 I’ve interviewed I’m associate professors. Does that count? Jen Moss  29:52 Yeah, it does. Yeah. People get very granular, right when they’re studying a very specific interest, like that, and that’s what makes them so incredible at their jobs, and I have huge respect for these scientists and and for our host, who is a scientist, credibility also matters with with your core target audience. So it’s not like we de emphasize the science, we just frame the science with important storytelling that helps the wider audience understand why this matters. So if you think about your core target audience, and then you think about people who are just adjacent to that, what would it take those people, the ones who are kind of peering over the fence at your brand, you know, or at your topic? So we say that that particular show for Genome BC, it’s for scientists and for the science curious sort of thing. And so we try to remember the science curious folk when we’re doing our storytelling. It doesn’t mean that we dumb it down. It means that we open our arms and we try to write it in a way that’s inclusive to a slightly wider audience, while still delivering excellent, groundbreaking, scientific insight that is timely and relevant. It’s a hard line to walk. Actually. Christian Klepp  31:07 It is. Jen Moss  31:07 It takes a lot of skill and it takes a lot of attention, but if you get it right, you know that show, that show, is winning every award we enter. Christian Klepp  31:17 Wow, yeah, remind me what the name of the show was again. Jen Moss  31:20 Oh, it’s called Nice Genes, like G-E-N-E-S yes, yeah. And then they have a short form one called Genes Shorts. Christian Klepp  31:27 Genes shorts, okay? Because why not? All right, Jen Moss  31:30 Because why not. Trying to have a little fun. So what’s gonna stand out? Right? We thought, you know, Nice Genes!, exclamation mark. That’ll stand out. Christian Klepp  31:38 Yeah, absolutely, absolutely, Jen, you’ve given us plenty of insights already and some actionable tips, but just imagine that there’s somebody out there that’s listening to the show and they’re like, gosh, you know what we are exactly in this situation right now. What advice would you give them? Like, maybe, like, three to five things they can take action on right now that they can help launch a podcast that is not boring and that doesn’t sound like PR (Public Relations). Jen Moss  32:06 So probably the best thing you could do is do a little bit of like light competitive research. So have a look at what other podcasts are in your space, in your topic area, right? And check out this. This is going to sound mean, but check out what’s wrong with them. Like, actually go and listen to as many of them as you can. Maybe give yourself a week to do that and make make a point of listening to five a day for a week. And then you’ll start to see, okay, the vast majority of these, they don’t have good sound quality, like the host doesn’t have a proper microphone. Or the vast majority of these, the lighting is terrible, or the vast majority of these, they’re asking the same questions over and over again, and, oh, I saw that guest on three different podcasts, right? So if that’s happening, then ask yourself the next logical question, which is, how can we be different? How can we find our own kind of quadrant to step into? How can we rewrite the book here and do something unexpected that still meets our values, that still targets the right audience, but does it in a way that is going to just shake things up a little bit and challenge people’s expectations of us and and our own expectations of ourselves. So don’t take the lowest hanging fruit, at least until you’ve considered some of the other options. And it may be that you’re like, No, I actually really want to do a straight interview podcast, because I really want to have deep conversations with people like this, like this podcast does, and that’s great, but then you know, like you’ve chosen that for a reason, like you’ve you’ve given it due consideration. And then within that, even within a if you’re planning to do a straight ahead interview podcast, is there’s no shame in that. But even thinking about, like, what would make your interview podcast different? So it’s the it. Could you describe it at a cocktail party as, like, it’s the one where they blank, blank, blank, right? Could you describe it in one sentence, and is it going to be memorable that sentence? There was a show I used to watch years ago and listen to where, what was it called? It was called Another Round, and it was one of the first shows where they would drink and podcast, but they would do a ton of Political Research, these two journalists, and then they would interview someone, while getting increasingly sloshed, the guest and the two hosts, and they would get increasingly sloshed, and the questions would become more and more but, I mean, they were very successful. They had, they were on WNYC. They had Hillary Clinton on when she was running for president. So, like, it this, this is the kind of thing I’m saying. Like, I’m not saying everyone should drink in podcasts. Us. No, let’s be clear. That’s not my message. Yeah, my message is, what makes your podcast, what makes you distinct in the way you’re delivering your podcast? What is your framing device? What is the lens that you’re bringing to it? Christian Klepp  35:12 Yeah, right, yeah. No, no, I hear you. I hear you. Jen Moss  35:15 Yeah. So I think those would be my biggest pieces of advice. Is just to spend the time trying to, trying to position yourself differently. Christian Klepp  35:25 No, fantastic, fantastic. It reminds me of, I think the show was called in the Hot Seat, and it was by a cyber security firm, and they were, they were bringing in somebody that was, and I didn’t actually realize there was such a role, but this is the person that’s actually responsible for negotiating with cyber criminals. Jen Moss  35:45 Whoa, that’s I’m immediately interested. Christian Klepp  35:48 That’s a pretty intense job, right? So, yeah, when they have all that ransomware and what have you right? So this is the guy that negotiates like, release all our release all our data, right? So anyways, the host asks him the questions, and with every question, they’re basically eating chicken wings with a different type of hot sauce. Jen Moss  36:10 Oh, yeah, yeah. Christian Klepp  36:11 And the more intense question, yeah, Jen Moss  36:14 Hot ones, yeah, yeah, yeah. Christian Klepp  36:15 The more intense the question gets, the hotter the sauce becomes. Jen Moss  36:19 Yes. That’s a great show. It’s they have all kinds of interesting people on it, and it’s interesting to watch people’s reactions shift as they get more and more overwhelmed by heat. Yeah. So that’s another super example of a framing device. I mean, arguably, that one’s a bit of a gimmick. Christian Klepp  36:36 Sure. Jen Moss  36:37 You don’t necessarily need to do something that obvious. It might be something like, on this show, we always ask a certain question, or we’re always trying to get at sort of, I would call it like, the the underlying idea of this show is we’re always trying to expose this concept, like, maybe you’re trying to prove that work life balance is important, and that’s your overarching goal, and that’s the lens that you bring to your to your all of your conversations that you have. So every time you’re able to, you bring up that theme in some way and explore it with a new guest. So just whatever it is, whatever the lens is, or the device that you’re framing with, it’s just important to be intentional about that? Christian Klepp  37:21 Yeah, absolutely, absolutely. All right, Jen, I have a feeling that you’ve been on your soapbox this whole time, but please just stay up there a while longer, while I ask you this question. All right, and a status quo in your area of expertise that you passionately disagree with and why? Jen Moss  37:40 Okay, well, right now there’s, am I allowed to mention the AI (Artificial Intelligence) please? Christian Klepp  37:49 Absolutely. Jen Moss  37:49 Okay. Well, right now there’s a lot of discussion around AI driven content, and one of the ways that it’s being sort of sold to people in the industry is that it will allow you to put out more content quicker. And I can see lots of advantages to AI in the production pipeline. For example, it can be helpful with research if you’re as long as you double fact check it. It can be helpful with correcting certain things in editing. You know, if a host mispronounces a word, or you need to do like, you need to remove some background noise. AI tools can be really, really helpful. So I’m not knocking ai i i teach it. For example, I teach creative writing for new media, and I’m very interested. I’m currently building an AI VR (Virtual Reality) poetry machine with some students. So, you know, I spent a lot of time thinking about AI, and I like it and hate it. It’s a double edged sword. But what I don’t agree with is that we should be measuring the efficacy of a tool based on how fast and how often it allows us to put out content. I just don’t think that an onslaught of mediocre content is what people want. I think it’s killing the internet. Corey Doctorow would say he would call it the in shittification of the internet. And it is already, it is already happening, right? He got check it out. He’s got a book out. Christian Klepp  39:22 Okay. Jen Moss  39:22 And so that’s, you know, that’s what I worry about, is that it’s becoming like a big content hose. And so then I actually believe that the way forward, in order to actually have your message heard and received by your intended audience is to really hold on to that authenticity piece. I would rather see people do things less often, but do them better and remember that quality matters. And if we can’t remember that, then the internet is just going to be a bunch of bots talking to each other, and it’s just stupid. I just think it’s stupid. So that’s the that’s, that’s, if you know, not to put too fine a point on it, podcasting is, is not about efficiency. It’s about communication. It’s about connection. It’s about contact. It’s about humans talking to humans. And if it’s, if you fail to recognize that it’s sort of at your peril, you know, Christian Klepp  40:23 Absolutely, absolutely. And I mean, it goes back to the point you were making at the beginning of this conversation. I mean, if you want to create a show that stands out and that’s different, right, then you probably shouldn’t be churning out vanilla content, right? Using AI. Jen Moss  40:39 Doesn’t work. Christian Klepp  40:39 That’s not the way to do it, right? Jen Moss  40:41 Go ahead, but no one will listen to it. So you’ll be able to be like, Look, I I tick, tick, tick. I put out this many episodes, or this many social media clips, or whatever it is. But what’s what are your consumption rates like? Are the right? Are the right people finding your content? Are they engaging with you? Is it moving the needle for you in terms of your goals, the job of the podcast? Like these are all the things that people really need to consider before they sort of hop on the AI bus, I think. And again, I’m not a Luddite, yeah. I use AI daily despite its rather terrifying environmental impact, yeah, yeah, but it’s become almost a ubiquitous tool that’s difficult to avoid in our line of work. But I do think that some people are really taking it too far, and it’s because they’re misunderstood. They’re misunderstanding the mission. The mission is not volume and efficiency. The mission is connection. Christian Klepp  41:41 Absolutely, absolutely Jen, wow. What a conversation. Well, at the very least this episode is not boring, right? Jen Moss  41:50 Like, I mean, I don’t know, ask my ask my 20 something daughter. Christian Klepp  41:58 Different strokes are different folks, I’m gonna say, but thank thank you so much for coming on and for sharing your expertise and experience with the listeners. So please, a quick introduction to yourself and how folks out there can get in touch. Jen Moss  42:09 with you. Oh, so the best way to get in touch with me would probably be through the JAR podcasts website, jarpodcasts.com and I’m also just Jen@jarpodcasts.com. Christian Klepp  42:22 Fantastic, fantastic. Once again. Jen Moss, thank you for your time. Take care, stay safe and talk to you soon. Jen Moss  42:29 Awesome. Thank you. Okay. Christian Klepp  42:30 Bye, for now. Jen Moss  42:31 Bye.

In this fascinating episode, Steve welcomes Pastor Eric from Sound the Shofar Messianic Ministries to discuss the role of AI in Biblical prophecy. Frightening stuff! Find Pastor Eric online: https://www.facebook.com/groups/123168699032724Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/missing-persons-mysteries--5624803/support.

Enrollment is OPEN until Friday for the Vedic Astrology Mentorship at https://www.astrologymentorship.comThis is the recording of the live Become Your Own Astrologer workshop.We had a great time!This is only available here until FridayKey Takeaways & Timestamps00:00 — Opening Meditation & Intention Setting  The workshop begins with a grounding meditation to connect with the earth and sky, followed by setting a clear intention for what you want to gain from the session . 14:23 — How to Unlock Your Chart: The North Indian System Jeremy breaks down the visual components of the North Indian chart.  He clarifies that the Numbers represent the Signs (1 = Aries, 12 = Pisces), the Shapes represent the Houses (Top Center = 1st House), and the Letters represent the Grahas (Planets) . 27:30 — The 24-Degree Difference: Western vs. Vedic Astrology An explanation of why your signs might be different in Vedic Astrology.  Jeremy explains the "Precession of the Equinoxes," showing how Western astrology is based on seasons (Tropical) while Vedic is based on the actual astronomy (Sidereal), resulting in a roughly 24-degree difference . 34:58 — The 4 Aims of Life & The Need for "EI" A discussion on Dharma (Purpose), Artha (Wealth), Kama (Desire), and Moksha (Liberation).  Jeremy discusses the rise of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and the increasing human need for EI (Experiential Intelligence) and genuine connection through astrology . 51:30 — Overcoming Imposter Syndrome Jeremy addresses common fears: "Who am I to call myself an astrologer?" or "I'm not intuitive."  He defines an astrologer simply as someone who studies celestial bodies and leads a "Head to Heart" visualization exercise to release these limiting beliefs . 01:02:40 — The 5 Levels of an Astrologer A breakdown of the five stages of growth:The Insta Astrologer: Shares memes, enjoys surface-level relatability . The Astrology Friend: Friends ask for advice; often feels overwhelmed by information overload . The Hobby Astrologer: Studies books and podcasts but struggles with confidence in interpretation . The Practitioner: Can read charts with ~80% accuracy but needs more consistency and feedback . The Experienced Astrologer: Embodies the "5 Vowels" (Accurate, Embodied, Intuitive, Observant, Uplifting) . 01:20:18 — The 7 Steps to Be Your Own Astrologer  A pyramid framework for growth, asking you to define who you are showing up as, your methods, and the new identity ("2026 You") you are moving toward . 01:32:39 — The 5 "I's" of Great Readings A framework for delivering insightful readings:Information: The birth data.Inquiry: The focus of the reading.Intellect: Interpreting the data/patterns.Intuition: The embodied experience.Integration: Processing the insights with the client . 01:41:40 — Interpreting the Big Three (Live Examples) Jeremy demonstrates how to interpret the Sun, Moon, and Ascendant using "Mad Libs" style sentences.  He analyzes real-life examples (like Beyoncé and Barack Obama) and audience members' charts to show how elements (Fire, Water, Earth, Air) manifest in personality . 01:51:25 — The Vedic Astrology Mentorship Details on the upcoming mentorship cohort. Jeremy outlines the three phases of the program: Experiencing Astrology, Making Accurate Predictions, and Giving Great Readings.  He covers the included software, community accountability, and certification . 02:02:50 — Q&A Session  Jeremy answers questions regarding payment plans, the accuracy of birth times, and software, and even introduces the "cats of astrology" with an audience member .

Welcome to Episode 158 of Praestabilis: Excellence in Marketing Welcome to Episode #158 of “Praestabilis: Excellence in Marketing” In this episode,the topic is “Mapping Out the year 2026 in a custom, world-class learning curriculum… plus tools to keep me consistently motivated and in excellence all year. I highly recommend you do something similar for your life and business, and I’m sharing the details of exactly how to do it within this podcast. I am sharing a live session of my “Really Simple Authority Blogging” ongoing training course with you and know you will benefit from the marketing strategies I am sharing and teaching here. Be sure to connect with me at https://ConnieRagenGreen.com or on X at https://x.com/ConnieGreen so I may serve you in the areas where my help could make a huge difference in your results. I’m going to share with you how much fun I’m having with creating simple courses using AI (Artificial Intelligence) in about 30 minutes. I know you can do the same thing. Keep it simple, and add the short course you create to a page on your existing website/blog. In this episode I’m discussing how to use keywords and search engine optimization (SEO) to grow your business. Your prospects and future clients, customers, and colleagues are waiting to connect with you, but if they can’t find you online it will never happen. Make it simple for your target audience to find you by using the keywords and phrases they are most likely to be searching for on Google, Bing, and the other search engines. The Power and Gift of Change”- We are all changing throughout each day, and I think we must embrace this change in order to grow and move forward. Changing can take many forms, and if you look back through your life you will come to understand that you are not the same person you were even a year ago. Here is a quote about this you may resonate with… “Growth lives outside the comfort zone. If it feels uncomfortable, you’re probably doing it right.” ~ Marie Forleo I believe that our businesses are based on the concept of serving others. When you start on online (or even a brick and mortar) business, your goal is to serve others with what you know and to benefit in multiple ways, including by earning an excellent income. I’m sharing several examples in this podcast about my own and experiences with clients over the years. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ This morning I was reading the message written by outgoing Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy. In it, he stated that his “parting prescription” for the American people is to cultivate a strong sense of community to help themselves and others. He added, “Relationships, service, and purpose are the time-tested triad of fulfillment that stands in contrast to wealth, fame, and power which define the modern-day triad of success.” Here are some other questions I want you to ask yourself: What is your commitment to yourself and to others close to you? Why are you focused on the things that are taking up your time? When will you begin to focus on goals that will allow you to create and leave a legacy? Whom do you trust to get you there? Perhaps my “Monthly Mentoring Program” is right for you. Motivation and Inspiration: What It Takes to Get Your Spark Back” During 2024 I went through a period where I wasn’t as motivated as I had been accustomed to being for many years. This gave me time to explore why I was feeling this way and to hopefully learn something that would help others. My inspiration to do all of the things I love in my business, including writing, creating, marketing, and mentoring was waning and I wasn’t sure why. Within a couple of months I was back on track and this is what I learned… Life isn’t easy, but then it isn’t supposed to be. Being challenged in so many ways on a regular basis makes us stronger and perhaps more appreciative and grateful for what we already have and what we know we can achieve if we believe in ourselves and have even one other person who knows we are special and tells us that as often as possible. Marie Forleo wrote a book titled “Everything Is Figureoutable” – https://ConnieLoves.me/FigureOutAble – Her precept is that if you’re having trouble solving a problem or reaching a dream, the problem isn’t you. It’s that you haven’t yet installed the one belief that changes everything. I’m at conniegreenhouse at yahoo dot com and want to hear from you on this topic, or on anything else. “Merging Your Life with Your Business” as a strategy. We aren’t creating a business we need a vacation from. Instead, we’re creating a “lifestyle by design” where we have the time and financial freedom to live in a way that few people are able to, and with choices around everything we do. If you’ve met me in person, heard me on my podcast, or read any of my books, you know that I am a very positive person. No matter what situation or circumstances arises, I truly believe there will always be a positive outcome on the horizon, and sooner rather than later. But I wasn’t always this way. This is a journey that continues… My first year online was 2006, and very quickly I connected with people I’m still part of a Mastermind with in Austin, Texas. I was invited to speak at an event there a couple of years later. It was hosted by Joe Vitale and Mendhi Audlin was also there. She shared a concept she had come up with that she calls “What If… UP!” The premise is that there is truly a silver lining in everything negative that occurs. I liken this to Newton’s Third Law of Motion: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. My precept and general rule for life is that we can achieve anything we want and feel that we deserve. Others want to help us to achieve our goals, but many times we get in their way by telling ourselves stories that aren’t true. Mendhi’s precept aligns with mine, and a year or so after I first met her she published a book on this… “What If It All Goes Right?: Creating a New World of Peace, Prosperity & Possibility” by Mendhi Audlin reveals the secret to turning possibilities into a tangible reality. It works! https://ConnieLoves.me/WhatIfUp I’m discussing the importance of being willing to “Better Your Best” during this new year, as well as recommending that this be the year you finally embrace AI – Artificial Intelligence – for your business. I have been a student of and someone who uses AI almost daily since February of 2022, and I’m learning from experts Andy O”Bryan and Denise Wakeman in their ongoing AI Success Club. Asking “How Are You Defining Success?” Creating a business as an entrepreneur allows you to live a lifestyle by design, with both time freedom and financial freedom. Think about how you want to live each day and then take action to make it happen. Over the years I’ve changed many things, while others have remained the same. Instead of making changes just for the sake of change, think about what you could change up and what makes sense to remain at least mostly the same. Years ago, I used to put together my blog posts on a single topic, like copywriting or list building or creation digital products into a simple document that I referred to as a ‘Focus Guide’ and gave them away to my list and to my prospects. Each of these documents contained resources and an ‘About the Author’ page that helped me to build my credibility, visibility, and profitability. For the first time ever, I am recommending that you write a book about yourself, your niche topic, and how you serve others. I first did this in 2009 and now I have written and published twenty-eight full-length, non-fiction books on the topics of entrepreneurship, personal, development, and authorship. Life can be messy. Are their ways you can keep moving forward when your personal life is turning upside down? Yes! Finding joy in helping and serving others, as well as compartmentalizing what is currently going on in your life are just two of the ways to deal with change and situations outside of your control. I recommend that you choose two social media platforms to use for the sole purpose of helping your prospects find and connect with you online. My favorite is X – formerly known as Twitter, and I also use LinkedIn and YouTube as my favorite social media sites to grow my business. Please connect with me on these sites and let me know how I may best serve you as you build and grow your profitable business. Is your list of what you are willing to do longer than your list of what you don’t want to do? I recommend a mile-long “to-do” list and a daily schedule of no more than four things that you will work on each day in your business. Find a mentor who believes in you and get started with creating a lifestyle by design that you want and deserve. I’m recommending James Clear’s “Atomic Habits” – https://ConnieLoves.me/AtomicHabits – as a book to help you alleviate your fears. We all have hopes, dreams, goals, and fears regarding our life experiences. I have found that if we build up our confidence and have faith that everything will turn out in a way that will be beneficial to all, we can continue to move forward without negative effects. Having an online business requires confidence. These are some questions to ask yourself: Who will you serve? What are your prospects pain points? What’s your idea? How will it be created, and then delivered? How will you sell it online? Creating a simple product or online course is the beginning of living a lifestyle by design. Reach out to me any time at conniegreenhouse at yahoo dot com if you’d like to know more about getting started as an online entrepreneur. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ My first online course back in 2006 was a simple one with three audio trainings and a workbook. Then, I began creating more sophisticated, but not more complicated courses. I’ve used the “Really Simple” branding for many courses at least 25 times, as well as using other terms and phrases based on the keywords I am optimizing for with each new course. Having your own online course on a topic you want to become known for will give you leverage to grow your business exponentially over time. It’s interesting to me that we as humans sometimes take things for granted that later on we know we should have appreciated in the moment. What I’m referring to here is having an online business you can run from home, or from anywhere in the world. There’s a window of opportunity that isn’t always open, and right now this window is wide open to everyone. A lot of it depends upon economic factors. I almost went back to graduate school two years ago to study economics, but decided against it because of the film and television writing I’m pursuing, but that’s a story for another time. Someone I work closely with had posted this quote from Richard Branson the other day: “Business opportunities are like buses, there’s always another one coming.” This does NOT apply to online business, but instead refers to starting a physical, brick and mortar business. I know several people in both of my cities who borrowed against their homes, cashed out retirement savings, and sold family heirlooms to start businesses in the community, only to go bankrupt a couple of years later. What I’m saying here is that this is the time to get your online business off the ground and up and running profitably. It’s so inexpensive in comparison, and the biggest expense I incur is what I pay mentors to guide me in the right direction. Yes, I still have a mentor and recommend you do as well. This isn’t coaching, but instead a personal relationship you’ll build over time that could lead to strategic alliance partnerships and lifelong friendships. I’m at conniegreenhouse at yahoo dot com if you want to know more about mentoring with me. The four widely accepted learning modalities (or modes) are known by the acronym VARK: Visual, Auditory, Reading/Writing, Kinesthetic. They are sometimes inaccurately referred to as “learning styles” which implies that each learner has a “style” of learning that should be maximized in all learning situations. Focusing on consistency, productivity, and creativity makes sense for all online entrepreneurs in 2024. I’m also sharing some effective and time-proven strategies with you here that will make a difference in your business, as well as in your personal life experience. Each day I focus on writing, creating, marketing, and teaching/learning/mentoring. My writing began as short and simple blog posts and blossomed into more than twenty-five full-length books. My writing is my oeuvre, my body of work that is my legacy to family, friends, colleagues, and those who follow me. During 2023 I wrote and published more than 400 thousand words. This breaks down to one full-length book, Self-Directed: Inspire, Motivate, and Empower Yourself to the Greatness That Lies Within; the current book on marketing that is more than halfway written; 8 short reports on topics of interest to the people I work with online; one hundred thirty-eight blog posts on three different blogs I maintain; and 382 email messages to my online community. These are  practical strategies for effective time management, emphasizing the importance of creating a balance between work and personal life. Achieving work-life harmony requires effective time management strategies that allow you to balance professional and personal responsibilities. Here are some strategies to help you manage your time more efficiently: 1. Set Clear Priorities: Identify your most important tasks and priorities for both work and personal life. Focus on what truly matters and allocate time accordingly. 2. Use a Time Management System: Choose a time management system that works for you, whether it’s a digital tool like Todoist or Trello, or a physical planner. Organize tasks, set deadlines, and track your progress. Schedules vs To-Do Lists 3. Prioritize Tasks with the Eisenhower Matrix: Categorize tasks into four quadrants: urgent and important, important but not urgent, urgent but not important, and neither urgent nor important. Prioritize tasks based on these categories. 4. Batch Similar Tasks: Group similar tasks together and tackle them during specific time blocks. This reduces the mental load of switching between different types of activities. 5. Time Blocking: Allocate specific blocks of time to different activities. This includes work tasks, personal commitments, and breaks. Stick to the schedule as much as possible. 6. Learn to Say No: Be selective about taking on new commitments. Saying no when necessary helps you avoid over-committing and allows you to focus on your existing priorities. 7. Delegate When Possible: Delegate tasks that others can handle. This applies to both professional and personal responsibilities. It’s okay to ask for help. 8. Practice the Two-Minute Rule: If a task takes less than two minutes, do it immediately. This prevents small tasks from piling up and becoming overwhelming. 9. Limit Multitasking: Focus on one task at a time. Multitasking can reduce efficiency and increase stress. Complete one task before moving on to the next. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ You’re starting a conversation with your emails, and building a relationship with your prospects, customers, and clients over time. I’ve been online as an entrepreneur, marketer, and writer since 2006, and while much has changed, I believe that more has remained the same. Here, I’m discussing how we marketed in those early days, and why email marketing still remains top of mind. Most recently, I’ve co-hosted an Advanced Email Marketing Conference with Ellen Finkelstein. In April of 2023, I hosted my latest live marketing event in Los Angeles, and more recently I’ve hosted my Santa Barbara Retreat for those I mentor and teach. But like everyone else, I began by attending live events, and eventually virtual events in order to find my voice, connect with other like-minded people, and learn more about building and growing my online business. Guerilla marketing is a way to drive publicity and, as a result, brand awareness by promoting using unconventional methods designed to evoke surprise, wonder, or shock. Guerrilla marketing is the creating use of novel or unconventional methods in order to boost sales or attract interest in a brand or business. These methods are often low- or no-cost and involve the widespread use of more personal interactions or through viral social media messaging. This marketing method has increased in popularity with the rise of ubiquitous mobile and connected technologies that can amplify messaging and focus on target groups of consumers. Some consumers may be more attracted by guerrilla marketing campaigns as they may be more interesting and daring, while others may be turned off because of the perceived “disruptive” aspects of this style of marketing. Please subscribe and leave me a review. And connect with me at https://ConnieRagenGreen.com. Find out more about me HERE. Becoming an online entrepreneur was the best decision I ever made. I’ve been online since 2006 and now help others all over the world to do the same or something similar. We all have times where we are feeling a little down, lost, or confused. Life isn’t easy, and no one makes it out alive! These are my recommendations for how to get back on track and feeling more happy and optimistic about your future… Write! Whether you’re already a writer or are just beginning to think about sharing your thoughts, ideas, and experiences with others, writing makes sense. I write every single day and publish much of my writing as blog posts, short reports, and full-length books. Writing opens your mind to what you want in the future, by allowing you to explore the past through your memories. You can also retell and reframe your stories in a way that will serve you going forward. Start a new project! I usually create products and courses as new projects, but this can also manifest as something you build or create with your hands. I have family members on two continents that love to put together complex jigsaw puzzles. They look forward to these as a new project on a regular basis. Volunteer! Before I started my online business, I promised myself I would volunteer my time and donate money to charitable causes… as soon as I had the time and the money to do so. Once I had my own business, I realized that I had some time and a little money to do this all along. Spend time with new people! As a part of the volunteering I now do regularly, I’ve spent time with very young children, veterans, women starting over after being in a domestic violence situation, and more. This work continues to make a difference in my life. As you can see, there are many ways to get back to your “Why?” and I hope this has been helpful to you. What’s the best niche topic to cover in your blog? I know you don’t what to hear me say “It depends.” so I won’t. Lean in, and I’ll share the very best niche for you, and it’s one that is also the most profitable, will feel more like you’re just having fun, will never go out of style, and will be the one that has absolutely zero competition. Which niche topic and target audience could it possibly be? I won’t keep you in suspense any longer. I learned when I began online 17 years ago that the best niche for anyone is the one that makes your heart sing and is probably a topic you take for granted. I had been teaching school for twenty years and my students were mostly Spanish and Tagalog native speakers. I told them if they wrote just a few sentences every single day – weekends, holidays, and school breaks included – their writing would improve. Those who followed my advice excelled, while those who didn’t floundered. During all those years, I seldom wrote anything unless it was required for my work as a teacher or for my part-time work in real estate. Fast forward to 2006, and I realized not only that I needed to write in order to succeed online, but also that what I’d done with my students would apply here as well. My niche for the next eighteen months was around helping others to write, publish, market, and sell eBooks. I wrote one on real estate farming – choosing and area close to home to connect with people who may need your services – as an example and sold it on my website. Back then, you had to sell eBooks on your own websites, as Amazon had not yet entered the world of self-publishing. My niche and website became “eBook writing and marketing secrets” and this topic took me to six figures. I was learning right along with the people who were learning and buying from me. I then moved that site over to https://ConnieRagenGreen.com to make a name for myself and to branch out to other topics. The bottom line is that you must begin by sharing what you already know something about and love. Blogging is the direct path to the visibility, credibility, and profitability you wish to have in your business. In my business, every idea begins as a blog post. This is where I think and research and brainstorm what’s on my mind in the very beginning. The blog post is ground zero for what could, and many times does become a product, course or program. Blog posts, while based on your idea, can be created with original content, private label (PLR) rights content, guest content, or curated content. While I immediately share my published posts on social media as “micro content” you’ll want to wait at least 24 hours before syndicating your content on Medium. I also teach this syndication strategy in my popular and ongoing Syndication Optimization training program. Next up in your content creation and content marketing strategy is a short report, which you may sell online or give away as a lead magnet. I teach all of this in my Really Simple Short Reports training. This is what we refer to as “cornerstone” content that is extremely valuable. The final step is creating “authority content” by publishing your writing as a Kindle or paperback book to increase your visibility and build your reputation as an expert on your topic. I typically discuss time management and productivity in regards to entrepreneurs, marketers, and authors, and I’ve even co-authored a bestselling book on this topic, entitled “Time Management Strategies for Entrepreneurs: How to Manage Your Time to Increase Your Bottom Line” where we outline in great details the steps you may take to reach a level of optimal productivity and time management as an entrepreneur. But what about everyone else? Doesn’t every person deserve to live the lifestyle they want and deserve, where they enjoy financial freedom and the time to enjoy every moment to the fullest? Of course they do, and that’s what I’m sharing during this podcast. When I began online as a new entrepreneur in 2006, I realized immediately I would need help with technology and graphics, as these were the areas where I had no experience or talent. I bartered for these services for the first year or so, and then began to put together a team of people to support me so my business could grow. When I look back over my lifetime, I see that I have always had a team supporting me, whether it was while I worked as a classroom teacher, or in real estate as a broker and residential appraiser. Even while I was growing up, I was surrounded by people who supported me, from family, friends and neighbors to teachers, clergy, and people in the community. Put together your team and watch your business grow exponentially! When it comes to your visibility as an entrepreneur, where may we find you to see what you’re doing? This expert status comes from your writing, videos and audios, and your social media presence on the most active platforms for your target audience. My three popular and active blogs are at ConnieRagenGreen.com, HugeProfitsTinyList.com, and at MondayMorningMellow.com. Credibility is about what you already know and what you are learning. We all started our online businesses as adults, so we brought our knowledge and experiences with us. It made sense for me to help people write, market, and publish eBooks in the beginning, because I had worked as a classroom teacher for twenty years prior to coming online, and was learning about marketing and self-publishing. Profitability means that you must ask “What’s for sale?” every day in your business. Create your own simple products and courses, recommend others with affiliate marketing, and look into buying the resale rights to sell other people’s products as your own like I continue to do in my own business. The final part of this information on your expert status as an entrepreneur includes productivity, consistency, and attention to detail. Get everything in place as quickly as possible, and your online business is sure to grow exponentially! During my first couple of years online, beginning in 2007 I connected with mentors Alex Mandossian and Raymond Aaron. When I inquired as to what they were doing together as strategic alliance partners, they gave me a brief explanation and told me that I was not yet ready to move up to this level. Over the next two years they helped me to grow and elevate my business and my mindset as an online entrepreneur so that I could connect with others in this way. Seek out the people and groups you wish to be involved with and show them that you have moved past tactics and on to strategies. It will make all the difference and as you uplevel everything you’re doing online in your business, your free time and disposable income will increase exponentially! When I work with people in my Incubator Mastermind Mentoring program, the goal is to move them into position to become a strategic alliance partner with me and others to share their message in a bigger way. WHY did you choose the career you started your working life with? WHY did you get married, have children, and move into your first home? WHY did you make the conscious decision to leave your career at some point and start your business? WHY do you want to be an author or entrepreneur, or coach? WHY do you get up every single day and do the work required to become more successful on an ongoing basis? Everyone must have a WHY and there are no right or wrong answers here. But if you find yourself unmotivated to work or if you find yourself procrastinating on projects, then it's time to re-examine the main reason for your business. Name Your Reason – or Your WHY – for Starting a Business Focusing on your WHY can help motivate you, so write down your reason for starting a business on a regular basis. Did you want to fill your free time? Did you want to earn some play money or contribute to the family finances? Did you want to pay the medical bills of an aging parent or a sick child? Did you want to pay for your child's higher education or private school tuition? In my case, my answer to “what's your why?” was always around having enough income to live life on my terms. Over time, I came to the realization that every choice I was making, and each time I could not do something that had meaning for me, was all related to me needing to earn a paycheck or a commission from the classroom teaching and real estate work I was involved with each day. I missed just about every family event, vacation, and other activities because I was working 60 or more hours a week in order to cover my bills and other expenses. I wasn't angry or resentful because I believed that I didn't deserve to have a better life during those decades. This all changed in 2005 when I began reading books and attending events based on self improvement and personal development principles. Writing these reasons down – no matter what they are because every person's WHY will be different – should help motivate you to work hard. You should feel driven to make your business a success. You should be willing to tackle things outside your comfort zone because you know the end result will help your business. If you're not feeling motivated, then you need to dig deeper. I worked closely with a woman who was struggling to make her online business become profitable, and she continued to tell me that she had no problems or struggles in her life, currently or during her younger years. Then, one day she told me about her granddaughter who had passed away at age twelve and the floodgates opened. We got to the bottom of things, she discovered her why, and her business grew by leaps and bounds, almost overnight! Be Open and Willing to Examine Your Inner Feelings Life is fluid and ever-changing so it stands to reason that your WHY would change over time as well. Even if you started your business because you didn't know what to do once your kids were in full day school, you can change that WHY to something more meaningful now. A mentor once shared with me that she started a service business because she was a single mom and needed to earn money to survive. She was responsible for lodging, food, and clothing for herself and her child. She didn't have anyone to rely on except herself. THIS is enough to make you cry and to hustle for work, knowing that if she wasn't working, she wasn't eating. What are you passionate about that will get you hustling? Are you passionate about a cause or charity that can benefit from your financial assistance? Do you need to pull yourself up out of financial despair? Don't be afraid to own that reason and fight for your business. This is how you will continue to get closer to understanding and recognizing the answer to “what's your why?” Don't be Afraid to Switch Business Gears to Discover Your “Why” One of my mentees admitted to me early on that even though she has been in a service business for over ten years, that she hadn't been motivated to create any classes or products as a source of passive income. She blamed her indecision on a lack of new ideas and a feeling and belief that everything she knew had already been said and done, but I questioned if it was because she didn't feel attached to her particular niche of online marketing. After some more discussion, she agreed and has since modified her services that align better with what she enjoys. I still suggested that she explore a deeper WHY but this is a step in the right direction. Plenty of businesses add or subtract products or services or modify their mission statement. If something about your business doesn't feel right, don't be afraid to make changes. I'm bestselling author and online entrepreneur Connie Ragen Green, and now I can confidently answer the question “What's your why?” with enthusiasm and conviction. My “why” is around the concept of helping others to achieve their goals and dreams with writing and having a profitable online business so they may follow their dreams and passions without having to do work that doesn't make their heart sing or worry about meeting all of their financial obligations with grace and ease. You can double your productivity and be success with a business, or with anything you choose to accomplish in your life, if you are willing to implement what you learn and take decisive action on a consistent basis. Many people come to me to learn how to successful and profitable as an online entrepreneur. But some of them end up saying “I already know that” and moving on to something else. I know that I am able to do more than I ever thought would be possible in my life because I am willing to learn, implement, course correct, ask questions, take massive action and keep moving forward with consistency. Others may be smarter or more knowledgeable, but if they hesitate to take action they will not achieve the results they are hoping for in their business or with anything else. As long as you are specific and intentional with what you want to achieve, you can do it all as an entrepreneur, just not all at once. And we must throw perfection out the window. I have a new saying… The more perfecter your goal, the less purfeckt your results. “Everything we do in our lives is preparing us for something that will arise in the future, even though we don’t yet know what that will be.” ~ Connie Ragen Green Our stories are the fabric of our life. A story sets you apart from everyone else, makes you unique and memorable, and is all you have when it's all said and done. When I was a young child a neighbor girl, seven or eight years old at the time, interrupted my mother in the middle of a story she was telling to ask, “Why do you have so many stories?” My mother hardly skipped a beat, informing the girl that “You'll have stories too, when you get older.” On that evening a part of me became a storyteller in training. Sure enough, it wasn't long before I was telling stories about everything from what I did in school that day to what happened in the neighborhood. I wore my storyteller's hat with pride and now I see that this one aspect of my life was preparing me for what I now do in my business and derive great joy from every single day. The word “praestabilis” is from the Latin and means outstanding, excellent, and extraordinary and this is the goal for you as you make your way in the online world. It took me until age 50 to step into the light and live an empowered life. I achieved this by leaving a job – classroom teaching – and a career as a real estate broker and appraiser to come online as an entrepreneur. I have no regrets about waiting so long, as everything unfolds once we are open to receiving it. There are three top strategies to help you move closer to an empowered life and they include… Writing – Every day, I want you to write! This includes blog posts, outlines, emails to your prospects, clients, and potential joint venture partners. Also, write short reports and white papers to show others who you are and what you know. Finally, write a book to solidify your expertise in your niche, and follow that up with additional books over time. Writing is crucial to our process of standing out from the crowd by sharing what we know and believe. Reach out to me if you’re interested in coming aboard for my “10 Week Author” program. Recent posts on my three blogs are at: “Broken Compass Stories We Tell Ourselves” – https://mondaymorningmellow.com/broken-compass-story/ “The eBook That Changed My Life” – https://hugeprofitstinylist.com/ebook-that-changed-my-life/ “Marketing Secrets from Creative Sources” – https://connieragengreen.com/marketing-secrets-from-creative-sources/ Speaking – I was the reluctant speaker, but once I got past my fears and insecurities you can’t get the microphone away from me. Speak about yourself and your topic to anyone who will listen. I began by speaking at my Rotary Club and I continue to recommend service organizations as a way to break in to speaking. Now I speak all over the world, in person and virtually on a variety of topics. Masterminding – Connecting with others for the sole purpose of reaching your full potential is crucial to life success. Find a Mastermind group to join, or start your own by inviting thought leaders to connect with you in this way. I have a group called the Incubator Mastermind that may be of interest to you. Hopefully, you can see that what I’m sharing with on each podcast will make a difference for you as you build and grow your business as an entrepreneur, author, and marketer. Make sure to think of marketing as a priority and get into the habit of sharing your best ideas and resources with the people who are on their way to becoming your raving fans! I’m always just an email away at conniegreenhouse at yahoo dot com if you’d like to connect with me. I promise to help you keep it simple while you grow your online business. Get started with your own eBook empire by learning how to write an eBook from the person who continues to guide me along this lucrative journey. Take a look at How to Write and Publish Your Own eBook…in as Little as 7 Days from expert and author Jim Edwards. Thank you for this opportunity to serve you as I share my beliefs, perceptions, and experiences as an author, online entrepreneur, and marketing strategist with you. Marketing has become the joy of my life as I continue to learn, grow, and share concepts with others. I'm bestselling author, marketing strategist, and online entrepreneur Connie Ragen Green and I would love to connect further with you to help you to achieve your goals. If you are interested in learning how to optimize the syndication of your content, please take a look at my popular Syndication Optimization training course and consider coming aboard to increase your visibility, credibility, and profitability.The post Praestabilis – Excellence in Marketing – 158 first appeared on Connie Ragen Green Podcast.The post Praestabilis – Excellence in Marketing – 158 appeared first on Connie Ragen Green Podcast.

Wem wird 2026 gehören: denen, die Geschwindigkeit in messbare Ergebnisse übersetzen, oder jenen, die am Status quo festhalten? Führende Stimmen aus Handel, Tech und Analyse zeigen, wie KI vom Trend zur Basis wird, Entscheidungen Resonanz erzeugen und wofür echte Verbindung zählt. Zwischen Aufbruch und Überforderung verdichten sich Chancen und Risiken zu einem neuen Spiel: Wenige gewinnen, viele verlieren, wenn Wandel nicht zur Praxis wird. Ein Panorama echter Prognosen für alle, die Zukunft gestalten wollen. Du erfährst... ...wie Technologie und KI 2026 Arbeitsalltag und persönliche Freiheit transformieren. ...welche neuen Standards das nächste Business-Level durch die Effekte von KI prägen. ...warum Live-Events in einer KI-geprägten Welt an Bedeutung gewinnen. __________________________ ||||| PERSONEN |||||

The world is changing so quickly that decided to talk about AI (Artificial Intelligence) and Visibility topics I went over this year. On today's show, I looked at how AI can help you write a blog or develop a course or outline a speech or check the analytics of your website.

Science fiction movies force us to face a multitude of end-of-the-world scenarios. Whether the final curtain is dropped by rampaging aliens, killer rocks from space, or virus-infected zombies, these big screen glimpses of a dystopian future are as tantalizing as they are frightening. But one American city seems to be a favorite backdrop for stories of mass destruction. We speak with a cultural critic about why New York City is often the chosen setting for disaster films, and what dystopian fiction reveals about our shifting anxieties about humanity's future no matter where we live. Movies discussed include Deep Impact, Escape from New York, Planet of the Apes, King Kong, Cloverfield, Deluge, Failsafe, The Day After Tomorrow, AI: Artificial Intelligence, Contagion, I Am Legend, and Seth's very own short film: The Turkey that Ate St. Louis Guest: Dan Saltzstein – Deputy Editor for Projects and Collaborations, New York Times Featuring music by Dewey Dellay and Jun Miyake Big Picture Science is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Please contact advertising@airwavemedia.com to inquire about advertising on Big Picture Science. You can get early access to ad-free versions of every episode by joining us on Patreon. Thanks for your support! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, you'll hear an intro from me and then you'll be directed to a conversation between two people, talking about lessons I've shared on other podcast episodes related to how you can build your confidence.    In the spirit of full transparency, this podcast conversation is between two AI (Artificial Intelligence) generated voices but I must stress: they are ONLY generating content based on looking at my own podcast episodes. There is no information that you will hear in this episode that comes from anyone else's content or the general internet. This episode is a product of an AI related tool called Google Notebook LM.   Having said that, you will find an interview focused on sharing lessons I've shared on prior episodes all designed to help you build your confidence. The AI tool is just aggregating the lessons into one conversation.    I'd love it if you would send me a DM on Instagram letting me know what you thought of this format.    I recently wrote an e book with audio links to podcast interviews I had this year. You'll find a host of lessons for yoga teachers in here, along with the audio links:   https://barebonesyoga.lpages.co/from-the-interview-chair-e-book/  

Send us a textWhen did the internet become safer than honest conversation with your spouse?In this eye-opening episode of Marriage Mondays with The Kings, we unpack a growing trend that is quietly reshaping marriages. A 2025 survey reveals that 64% of married Americans search online for marriage help before speaking to their spouse, often out of fear of conflict, misunderstanding, or making things worse.Couples are turning to AI, Google, forums, and social media for answers — while real conversations at home go untouched.In this episode, we discuss: • Why couples trust AI more than their partner • The emotional fears behind silent searching • The Top 10 most-searched marriage questions people ask online • How avoiding hard conversations damages trust and intimacy • What Scripture teaches us about communication • Practical, faith-based tools to help couples reconnect and healFocal Scripture: James 1:19If you feel disconnected, unheard, or unsure how to start the hard conversations in your marriage, this episode will challenge you, encourage you, and give you tools to begin doing the root work that leads to real healing.This is a conversation every couple needs to hear.Support the show

 Dr Rima Ghose Chowdhury | President & CHRO, CSR Leader, Datamatics Dr. Rima holds a Bachelor's degree in Pharmaceutical Technology and a Ph.D. in Leadership from DY Patil University. Trained in Gallup Strengths Coaching in the UK, she has received numerous HR Excellence Awards, including ‘India's Greatest CHRO 2023-24 by Asia One and '50 Most Influential HR Tech Leaders' at the World HRD Congress. As President & Global CHRO, CSR Leader, Dr Rima Ghose Chowdhury leads Datamatics People agenda globally, with operations in the US, India, the Middle East, Europe, and the Philippines. A firm believer in the balance of Hi-Tech and Hi-Touch culture, Dr Rima is an active proponent of AI (Artificial Intelligence) in the workplace, and is also a workplace social systems designer focusing on holistic Wellbeing of her staff.Dr Rima leads various Transformational Leadership Programs at Datamatics, bringing breakthrough performance amongst senior leaders and high performers in the organization. She is also the creator of the Datamatics Diversity Charter (DDC), with initiatives like (Wo)Mentoring, ‘Coffee Cake Candid Chats', and ‘Welcome Back' to promote dialogue for an inclusive workplace that nurtures differences. A seasoned HR leader and Practitioner with over twenty-five years of experience in Corporate and Academia, Dr. Rima has been instrumental in building Technology and Leadership capabilities in enterprises like IBM, Sony Pictures, and Quinnox. In the past, she held the position of Professor and Head of Department – HR, at a reputed B-school in Mumbai, with an additional responsibility of leading and facilitating Management course delivery for the Indian Defence forces. Dr. Rima has been an International Mentor for Middlesex University London, and is also a trained Trainer by Sony Pictures, UK on Energy Project, a flagship intervention of Sony Group to promote wellbeing for staff. As a Trainer and Facilitator, she has delivered over 5,000 person-hours of training in Leadership masterclass, HR Analytics, Enhancing Personal Effectiveness & Mentoring.She has received numerous HR Excellence Awards, including ‘Global Women in Leadership' Awards by the Global Council for the Promotion of International Trade (GCPIT), Confederation of Indian Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (CIMSME), India's Greatest CHRO 2023-24 list by Asia One, '50 Most Influential HR Tech Leaders', at World HRD Congress. 

Welcome to Episode 157 of Praestabilis: Excellence in Marketing Welcome to Episode #157 of “Praestabilis: Excellence in Marketing” In this episode,the topic is “From 2025 into 2026: What will you change in your life and business, and what will remain the same?” It’s important to take a close look at what you’ve been doing this year, and if your results were what you expected. I believe that we can improve exponentially year over year, and that it’s up to us to decide what to change and what results we will expect. I am sharing a live session of my “Really Simple Authority Blogging” ongoing training course with you and know you will benefit from the marketing strategies I am sharing and teaching here. Be sure to connect with me at https://ConnieRagenGreen.com or on X at https://x.com/ConnieGreen so I may serve you in the areas where my help could make a huge difference in your results. I’m going to share with you how much fun I’m having with creating simple courses using AI (Artificial Intelligence) in about 30 minutes. I know you can do the same thing. Keep it simple, and add the short course you create to a page on your existing website/blog. In this episode I’m discussing how to use keywords and search engine optimization (SEO) to grow your business. Your prospects and future clients, customers, and colleagues are waiting to connect with you, but if they can’t find you online it will never happen. Make it simple for your target audience to find you by using the keywords and phrases they are most likely to be searching for on Google, Bing, and the other search engines. The Power and Gift of Change”- We are all changing throughout each day, and I think we must embrace this change in order to grow and move forward. Changing can take many forms, and if you look back through your life you will come to understand that you are not the same person you were even a year ago. Here is a quote about this you may resonate with… “Growth lives outside the comfort zone. If it feels uncomfortable, you’re probably doing it right.” ~ Marie Forleo I believe that our businesses are based on the concept of serving others. When you start on online (or even a brick and mortar) business, your goal is to serve others with what you know and to benefit in multiple ways, including by earning an excellent income. I’m sharing several examples in this podcast about my own and experiences with clients over the years. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ This morning I was reading the message written by outgoing Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy. In it, he stated that his “parting prescription” for the American people is to cultivate a strong sense of community to help themselves and others. He added, “Relationships, service, and purpose are the time-tested triad of fulfillment that stands in contrast to wealth, fame, and power which define the modern-day triad of success.” Here are some other questions I want you to ask yourself: What is your commitment to yourself and to others close to you? Why are you focused on the things that are taking up your time? When will you begin to focus on goals that will allow you to create and leave a legacy? Whom do you trust to get you there? Perhaps my “Monthly Mentoring Program” is right for you. Motivation and Inspiration: What It Takes to Get Your Spark Back” During 2024 I went through a period where I wasn’t as motivated as I had been accustomed to being for many years. This gave me time to explore why I was feeling this way and to hopefully learn something that would help others. My inspiration to do all of the things I love in my business, including writing, creating, marketing, and mentoring was waning and I wasn’t sure why. Within a couple of months I was back on track and this is what I learned… Life isn’t easy, but then it isn’t supposed to be. Being challenged in so many ways on a regular basis makes us stronger and perhaps more appreciative and grateful for what we already have and what we know we can achieve if we believe in ourselves and have even one other person who knows we are special and tells us that as often as possible. Marie Forleo wrote a book titled “Everything Is Figureoutable” – https://ConnieLoves.me/FigureOutAble – Her precept is that if you’re having trouble solving a problem or reaching a dream, the problem isn’t you. It’s that you haven’t yet installed the one belief that changes everything. I’m at conniegreenhouse at yahoo dot com and want to hear from you on this topic, or on anything else. “Merging Your Life with Your Business” as a strategy. We aren’t creating a business we need a vacation from. Instead, we’re creating a “lifestyle by design” where we have the time and financial freedom to live in a way that few people are able to, and with choices around everything we do. If you’ve met me in person, heard me on my podcast, or read any of my books, you know that I am a very positive person. No matter what situation or circumstances arises, I truly believe there will always be a positive outcome on the horizon, and sooner rather than later. But I wasn’t always this way. This is a journey that continues… My first year online was 2006, and very quickly I connected with people I’m still part of a Mastermind with in Austin, Texas. I was invited to speak at an event there a couple of years later. It was hosted by Joe Vitale and Mendhi Audlin was also there. She shared a concept she had come up with that she calls “What If… UP!” The premise is that there is truly a silver lining in everything negative that occurs. I liken this to Newton’s Third Law of Motion: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. My precept and general rule for life is that we can achieve anything we want and feel that we deserve. Others want to help us to achieve our goals, but many times we get in their way by telling ourselves stories that aren’t true. Mendhi’s precept aligns with mine, and a year or so after I first met her she published a book on this… “What If It All Goes Right?: Creating a New World of Peace, Prosperity & Possibility” by Mendhi Audlin reveals the secret to turning possibilities into a tangible reality. It works! https://ConnieLoves.me/WhatIfUp I’m discussing the importance of being willing to “Better Your Best” during this new year, as well as recommending that this be the year you finally embrace AI – Artificial Intelligence – for your business. I have been a student of and someone who uses AI almost daily since February of 2022, and I’m learning from experts Andy O”Bryan and Denise Wakeman in their ongoing AI Success Club. Asking “How Are You Defining Success?” Creating a business as an entrepreneur allows you to live a lifestyle by design, with both time freedom and financial freedom. Think about how you want to live each day and then take action to make it happen. Over the years I’ve changed many things, while others have remained the same. Instead of making changes just for the sake of change, think about what you could change up and what makes sense to remain at least mostly the same. Years ago, I used to put together my blog posts on a single topic, like copywriting or list building or creation digital products into a simple document that I referred to as a ‘Focus Guide’ and gave them away to my list and to my prospects. Each of these documents contained resources and an ‘About the Author’ page that helped me to build my credibility, visibility, and profitability. For the first time ever, I am recommending that you write a book about yourself, your niche topic, and how you serve others. I first did this in 2009 and now I have written and published twenty-eight full-length, non-fiction books on the topics of entrepreneurship, personal, development, and authorship. Life can be messy. Are their ways you can keep moving forward when your personal life is turning upside down? Yes! Finding joy in helping and serving others, as well as compartmentalizing what is currently going on in your life are just two of the ways to deal with change and situations outside of your control. I recommend that you choose two social media platforms to use for the sole purpose of helping your prospects find and connect with you online. My favorite is X – formerly known as Twitter, and I also use LinkedIn and YouTube as my favorite social media sites to grow my business. Please connect with me on these sites and let me know how I may best serve you as you build and grow your profitable business. Is your list of what you are willing to do longer than your list of what you don’t want to do? I recommend a mile-long “to-do” list and a daily schedule of no more than four things that you will work on each day in your business. Find a mentor who believes in you and get started with creating a lifestyle by design that you want and deserve. I’m recommending James Clear’s “Atomic Habits” – https://ConnieLoves.me/AtomicHabits – as a book to help you alleviate your fears. We all have hopes, dreams, goals, and fears regarding our life experiences. I have found that if we build up our confidence and have faith that everything will turn out in a way that will be beneficial to all, we can continue to move forward without negative effects. Having an online business requires confidence. These are some questions to ask yourself: Who will you serve? What are your prospects pain points? What’s your idea? How will it be created, and then delivered? How will you sell it online? Creating a simple product or online course is the beginning of living a lifestyle by design. Reach out to me any time at conniegreenhouse at yahoo dot com if you’d like to know more about getting started as an online entrepreneur. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ My first online course back in 2006 was a simple one with three audio trainings and a workbook. Then, I began creating more sophisticated, but not more complicated courses. I’ve used the “Really Simple” branding for many courses at least 25 times, as well as using other terms and phrases based on the keywords I am optimizing for with each new course. Having your own online course on a topic you want to become known for will give you leverage to grow your business exponentially over time. It’s interesting to me that we as humans sometimes take things for granted that later on we know we should have appreciated in the moment. What I’m referring to here is having an online business you can run from home, or from anywhere in the world. There’s a window of opportunity that isn’t always open, and right now this window is wide open to everyone. A lot of it depends upon economic factors. I almost went back to graduate school two years ago to study economics, but decided against it because of the film and television writing I’m pursuing, but that’s a story for another time. Someone I work closely with had posted this quote from Richard Branson the other day: “Business opportunities are like buses, there’s always another one coming.” This does NOT apply to online business, but instead refers to starting a physical, brick and mortar business. I know several people in both of my cities who borrowed against their homes, cashed out retirement savings, and sold family heirlooms to start businesses in the community, only to go bankrupt a couple of years later. What I’m saying here is that this is the time to get your online business off the ground and up and running profitably. It’s so inexpensive in comparison, and the biggest expense I incur is what I pay mentors to guide me in the right direction. Yes, I still have a mentor and recommend you do as well. This isn’t coaching, but instead a personal relationship you’ll build over time that could lead to strategic alliance partnerships and lifelong friendships. I’m at conniegreenhouse at yahoo dot com if you want to know more about mentoring with me. The four widely accepted learning modalities (or modes) are known by the acronym VARK: Visual, Auditory, Reading/Writing, Kinesthetic. They are sometimes inaccurately referred to as “learning styles” which implies that each learner has a “style” of learning that should be maximized in all learning situations. Focusing on consistency, productivity, and creativity makes sense for all online entrepreneurs in 2024. I’m also sharing some effective and time-proven strategies with you here that will make a difference in your business, as well as in your personal life experience. Each day I focus on writing, creating, marketing, and teaching/learning/mentoring. My writing began as short and simple blog posts and blossomed into more than twenty-five full-length books. My writing is my oeuvre, my body of work that is my legacy to family, friends, colleagues, and those who follow me. During 2023 I wrote and published more than 400 thousand words. This breaks down to one full-length book, Self-Directed: Inspire, Motivate, and Empower Yourself to the Greatness That Lies Within; the current book on marketing that is more than halfway written; 8 short reports on topics of interest to the people I work with online; one hundred thirty-eight blog posts on three different blogs I maintain; and 382 email messages to my online community. These are  practical strategies for effective time management, emphasizing the importance of creating a balance between work and personal life. Achieving work-life harmony requires effective time management strategies that allow you to balance professional and personal responsibilities. Here are some strategies to help you manage your time more efficiently: 1. Set Clear Priorities: Identify your most important tasks and priorities for both work and personal life. Focus on what truly matters and allocate time accordingly. 2. Use a Time Management System: Choose a time management system that works for you, whether it’s a digital tool like Todoist or Trello, or a physical planner. Organize tasks, set deadlines, and track your progress. Schedules vs To-Do Lists 3. Prioritize Tasks with the Eisenhower Matrix: Categorize tasks into four quadrants: urgent and important, important but not urgent, urgent but not important, and neither urgent nor important. Prioritize tasks based on these categories. 4. Batch Similar Tasks: Group similar tasks together and tackle them during specific time blocks. This reduces the mental load of switching between different types of activities. 5. Time Blocking: Allocate specific blocks of time to different activities. This includes work tasks, personal commitments, and breaks. Stick to the schedule as much as possible. 6. Learn to Say No: Be selective about taking on new commitments. Saying no when necessary helps you avoid over-committing and allows you to focus on your existing priorities. 7. Delegate When Possible: Delegate tasks that others can handle. This applies to both professional and personal responsibilities. It’s okay to ask for help. 8. Practice the Two-Minute Rule: If a task takes less than two minutes, do it immediately. This prevents small tasks from piling up and becoming overwhelming. 9. Limit Multitasking: Focus on one task at a time. Multitasking can reduce efficiency and increase stress. Complete one task before moving on to the next. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ You’re starting a conversation with your emails, and building a relationship with your prospects, customers, and clients over time. I’ve been online as an entrepreneur, marketer, and writer since 2006, and while much has changed, I believe that more has remained the same. Here, I’m discussing how we marketed in those early days, and why email marketing still remains top of mind. Most recently, I’ve co-hosted an Advanced Email Marketing Conference with Ellen Finkelstein. In April of 2023, I hosted my latest live marketing event in Los Angeles, and more recently I’ve hosted my Santa Barbara Retreat for those I mentor and teach. But like everyone else, I began by attending live events, and eventually virtual events in order to find my voice, connect with other like-minded people, and learn more about building and growing my online business. Guerilla marketing is a way to drive publicity and, as a result, brand awareness by promoting using unconventional methods designed to evoke surprise, wonder, or shock. Guerrilla marketing is the creating use of novel or unconventional methods in order to boost sales or attract interest in a brand or business. These methods are often low- or no-cost and involve the widespread use of more personal interactions or through viral social media messaging. This marketing method has increased in popularity with the rise of ubiquitous mobile and connected technologies that can amplify messaging and focus on target groups of consumers. Some consumers may be more attracted by guerrilla marketing campaigns as they may be more interesting and daring, while others may be turned off because of the perceived “disruptive” aspects of this style of marketing. Please subscribe and leave me a review. And connect with me at https://ConnieRagenGreen.com. Find out more about me HERE. Becoming an online entrepreneur was the best decision I ever made. I’ve been online since 2006 and now help others all over the world to do the same or something similar. We all have times where we are feeling a little down, lost, or confused. Life isn’t easy, and no one makes it out alive! These are my recommendations for how to get back on track and feeling more happy and optimistic about your future… Write! Whether you’re already a writer or are just beginning to think about sharing your thoughts, ideas, and experiences with others, writing makes sense. I write every single day and publish much of my writing as blog posts, short reports, and full-length books. Writing opens your mind to what you want in the future, by allowing you to explore the past through your memories. You can also retell and reframe your stories in a way that will serve you going forward. Start a new project! I usually create products and courses as new projects, but this can also manifest as something you build or create with your hands. I have family members on two continents that love to put together complex jigsaw puzzles. They look forward to these as a new project on a regular basis. Volunteer! Before I started my online business, I promised myself I would volunteer my time and donate money to charitable causes… as soon as I had the time and the money to do so. Once I had my own business, I realized that I had some time and a little money to do this all along. Spend time with new people! As a part of the volunteering I now do regularly, I’ve spent time with very young children, veterans, women starting over after being in a domestic violence situation, and more. This work continues to make a difference in my life. As you can see, there are many ways to get back to your “Why?” and I hope this has been helpful to you. What’s the best niche topic to cover in your blog? I know you don’t what to hear me say “It depends.” so I won’t. Lean in, and I’ll share the very best niche for you, and it’s one that is also the most profitable, will feel more like you’re just having fun, will never go out of style, and will be the one that has absolutely zero competition. Which niche topic and target audience could it possibly be? I won’t keep you in suspense any longer. I learned when I began online 17 years ago that the best niche for anyone is the one that makes your heart sing and is probably a topic you take for granted. I had been teaching school for twenty years and my students were mostly Spanish and Tagalog native speakers. I told them if they wrote just a few sentences every single day – weekends, holidays, and school breaks included – their writing would improve. Those who followed my advice excelled, while those who didn’t floundered. During all those years, I seldom wrote anything unless it was required for my work as a teacher or for my part-time work in real estate. Fast forward to 2006, and I realized not only that I needed to write in order to succeed online, but also that what I’d done with my students would apply here as well. My niche for the next eighteen months was around helping others to write, publish, market, and sell eBooks. I wrote one on real estate farming – choosing and area close to home to connect with people who may need your services – as an example and sold it on my website. Back then, you had to sell eBooks on your own websites, as Amazon had not yet entered the world of self-publishing. My niche and website became “eBook writing and marketing secrets” and this topic took me to six figures. I was learning right along with the people who were learning and buying from me. I then moved that site over to https://ConnieRagenGreen.com to make a name for myself and to branch out to other topics. The bottom line is that you must begin by sharing what you already know something about and love. Blogging is the direct path to the visibility, credibility, and profitability you wish to have in your business. In my business, every idea begins as a blog post. This is where I think and research and brainstorm what’s on my mind in the very beginning. The blog post is ground zero for what could, and many times does become a product, course or program. Blog posts, while based on your idea, can be created with original content, private label (PLR) rights content, guest content, or curated content. While I immediately share my published posts on social media as “micro content” you’ll want to wait at least 24 hours before syndicating your content on Medium. I also teach this syndication strategy in my popular and ongoing Syndication Optimization training program. Next up in your content creation and content marketing strategy is a short report, which you may sell online or give away as a lead magnet. I teach all of this in my Really Simple Short Reports training. This is what we refer to as “cornerstone” content that is extremely valuable. The final step is creating “authority content” by publishing your writing as a Kindle or paperback book to increase your visibility and build your reputation as an expert on your topic. I typically discuss time management and productivity in regards to entrepreneurs, marketers, and authors, and I’ve even co-authored a bestselling book on this topic, entitled “Time Management Strategies for Entrepreneurs: How to Manage Your Time to Increase Your Bottom Line” where we outline in great details the steps you may take to reach a level of optimal productivity and time management as an entrepreneur. But what about everyone else? Doesn’t every person deserve to live the lifestyle they want and deserve, where they enjoy financial freedom and the time to enjoy every moment to the fullest? Of course they do, and that’s what I’m sharing during this podcast. When I began online as a new entrepreneur in 2006, I realized immediately I would need help with technology and graphics, as these were the areas where I had no experience or talent. I bartered for these services for the first year or so, and then began to put together a team of people to support me so my business could grow. When I look back over my lifetime, I see that I have always had a team supporting me, whether it was while I worked as a classroom teacher, or in real estate as a broker and residential appraiser. Even while I was growing up, I was surrounded by people who supported me, from family, friends and neighbors to teachers, clergy, and people in the community. Put together your team and watch your business grow exponentially! When it comes to your visibility as an entrepreneur, where may we find you to see what you’re doing? This expert status comes from your writing, videos and audios, and your social media presence on the most active platforms for your target audience. My three popular and active blogs are at ConnieRagenGreen.com, HugeProfitsTinyList.com, and at MondayMorningMellow.com. Credibility is about what you already know and what you are learning. We all started our online businesses as adults, so we brought our knowledge and experiences with us. It made sense for me to help people write, market, and publish eBooks in the beginning, because I had worked as a classroom teacher for twenty years prior to coming online, and was learning about marketing and self-publishing. Profitability means that you must ask “What’s for sale?” every day in your business. Create your own simple products and courses, recommend others with affiliate marketing, and look into buying the resale rights to sell other people’s products as your own like I continue to do in my own business. The final part of this information on your expert status as an entrepreneur includes productivity, consistency, and attention to detail. Get everything in place as quickly as possible, and your online business is sure to grow exponentially! During my first couple of years online, beginning in 2007 I connected with mentors Alex Mandossian and Raymond Aaron. When I inquired as to what they were doing together as strategic alliance partners, they gave me a brief explanation and told me that I was not yet ready to move up to this level. Over the next two years they helped me to grow and elevate my business and my mindset as an online entrepreneur so that I could connect with others in this way. Seek out the people and groups you wish to be involved with and show them that you have moved past tactics and on to strategies. It will make all the difference and as you uplevel everything you’re doing online in your business, your free time and disposable income will increase exponentially! When I work with people in my Incubator Mastermind Mentoring program, the goal is to move them into position to become a strategic alliance partner with me and others to share their message in a bigger way. WHY did you choose the career you started your working life with? WHY did you get married, have children, and move into your first home? WHY did you make the conscious decision to leave your career at some point and start your business? WHY do you want to be an author or entrepreneur, or coach? WHY do you get up every single day and do the work required to become more successful on an ongoing basis? Everyone must have a WHY and there are no right or wrong answers here. But if you find yourself unmotivated to work or if you find yourself procrastinating on projects, then it's time to re-examine the main reason for your business. Name Your Reason – or Your WHY – for Starting a Business Focusing on your WHY can help motivate you, so write down your reason for starting a business on a regular basis. Did you want to fill your free time? Did you want to earn some play money or contribute to the family finances? Did you want to pay the medical bills of an aging parent or a sick child? Did you want to pay for your child's higher education or private school tuition? In my case, my answer to “what's your why?” was always around having enough income to live life on my terms. Over time, I came to the realization that every choice I was making, and each time I could not do something that had meaning for me, was all related to me needing to earn a paycheck or a commission from the classroom teaching and real estate work I was involved with each day. I missed just about every family event, vacation, and other activities because I was working 60 or more hours a week in order to cover my bills and other expenses. I wasn't angry or resentful because I believed that I didn't deserve to have a better life during those decades. This all changed in 2005 when I began reading books and attending events based on self improvement and personal development principles. Writing these reasons down – no matter what they are because every person's WHY will be different – should help motivate you to work hard. You should feel driven to make your business a success. You should be willing to tackle things outside your comfort zone because you know the end result will help your business. If you're not feeling motivated, then you need to dig deeper. I worked closely with a woman who was struggling to make her online business become profitable, and she continued to tell me that she had no problems or struggles in her life, currently or during her younger years. Then, one day she told me about her granddaughter who had passed away at age twelve and the floodgates opened. We got to the bottom of things, she discovered her why, and her business grew by leaps and bounds, almost overnight! Be Open and Willing to Examine Your Inner Feelings Life is fluid and ever-changing so it stands to reason that your WHY would change over time as well. Even if you started your business because you didn't know what to do once your kids were in full day school, you can change that WHY to something more meaningful now. A mentor once shared with me that she started a service business because she was a single mom and needed to earn money to survive. She was responsible for lodging, food, and clothing for herself and her child. She didn't have anyone to rely on except herself. THIS is enough to make you cry and to hustle for work, knowing that if she wasn't working, she wasn't eating. What are you passionate about that will get you hustling? Are you passionate about a cause or charity that can benefit from your financial assistance? Do you need to pull yourself up out of financial despair? Don't be afraid to own that reason and fight for your business. This is how you will continue to get closer to understanding and recognizing the answer to “what's your why?” Don't be Afraid to Switch Business Gears to Discover Your “Why” One of my mentees admitted to me early on that even though she has been in a service business for over ten years, that she hadn't been motivated to create any classes or products as a source of passive income. She blamed her indecision on a lack of new ideas and a feeling and belief that everything she knew had already been said and done, but I questioned if it was because she didn't feel attached to her particular niche of online marketing. After some more discussion, she agreed and has since modified her services that align better with what she enjoys. I still suggested that she explore a deeper WHY but this is a step in the right direction. Plenty of businesses add or subtract products or services or modify their mission statement. If something about your business doesn't feel right, don't be afraid to make changes. I'm bestselling author and online entrepreneur Connie Ragen Green, and now I can confidently answer the question “What's your why?” with enthusiasm and conviction. My “why” is around the concept of helping others to achieve their goals and dreams with writing and having a profitable online business so they may follow their dreams and passions without having to do work that doesn't make their heart sing or worry about meeting all of their financial obligations with grace and ease. You can double your productivity and be success with a business, or with anything you choose to accomplish in your life, if you are willing to implement what you learn and take decisive action on a consistent basis. Many people come to me to learn how to successful and profitable as an online entrepreneur. But some of them end up saying “I already know that” and moving on to something else. I know that I am able to do more than I ever thought would be possible in my life because I am willing to learn, implement, course correct, ask questions, take massive action and keep moving forward with consistency. Others may be smarter or more knowledgeable, but if they hesitate to take action they will not achieve the results they are hoping for in their business or with anything else. As long as you are specific and intentional with what you want to achieve, you can do it all as an entrepreneur, just not all at once. And we must throw perfection out the window. I have a new saying… The more perfecter your goal, the less purfeckt your results. “Everything we do in our lives is preparing us for something that will arise in the future, even though we don’t yet know what that will be.” ~ Connie Ragen Green Our stories are the fabric of our life. A story sets you apart from everyone else, makes you unique and memorable, and is all you have when it's all said and done. When I was a young child a neighbor girl, seven or eight years old at the time, interrupted my mother in the middle of a story she was telling to ask, “Why do you have so many stories?” My mother hardly skipped a beat, informing the girl that “You'll have stories too, when you get older.” On that evening a part of me became a storyteller in training. Sure enough, it wasn't long before I was telling stories about everything from what I did in school that day to what happened in the neighborhood. I wore my storyteller's hat with pride and now I see that this one aspect of my life was preparing me for what I now do in my business and derive great joy from every single day. The word “praestabilis” is from the Latin and means outstanding, excellent, and extraordinary and this is the goal for you as you make your way in the online world. It took me until age 50 to step into the light and live an empowered life. I achieved this by leaving a job – classroom teaching – and a career as a real estate broker and appraiser to come online as an entrepreneur. I have no regrets about waiting so long, as everything unfolds once we are open to receiving it. There are three top strategies to help you move closer to an empowered life and they include… Writing – Every day, I want you to write! This includes blog posts, outlines, emails to your prospects, clients, and potential joint venture partners. Also, write short reports and white papers to show others who you are and what you know. Finally, write a book to solidify your expertise in your niche, and follow that up with additional books over time. Writing is crucial to our process of standing out from the crowd by sharing what we know and believe. Reach out to me if you’re interested in coming aboard for my “10 Week Author” program. Recent posts on my three blogs are at: “Broken Compass Stories We Tell Ourselves” – https://mondaymorningmellow.com/broken-compass-story/ “The eBook That Changed My Life” – https://hugeprofitstinylist.com/ebook-that-changed-my-life/ “Marketing Secrets from Creative Sources” – https://connieragengreen.com/marketing-secrets-from-creative-sources/ Speaking – I was the reluctant speaker, but once I got past my fears and insecurities you can’t get the microphone away from me. Speak about yourself and your topic to anyone who will listen. I began by speaking at my Rotary Club and I continue to recommend service organizations as a way to break in to speaking. Now I speak all over the world, in person and virtually on a variety of topics. Masterminding – Connecting with others for the sole purpose of reaching your full potential is crucial to life success. Find a Mastermind group to join, or start your own by inviting thought leaders to connect with you in this way. I have a group called the Incubator Mastermind that may be of interest to you. Hopefully, you can see that what I’m sharing with on each podcast will make a difference for you as you build and grow your business as an entrepreneur, author, and marketer. Make sure to think of marketing as a priority and get into the habit of sharing your best ideas and resources with the people who are on their way to becoming your raving fans! I’m always just an email away at conniegreenhouse at yahoo dot com if you’d like to connect with me. I promise to help you keep it simple while you grow your online business. Get started with your own eBook empire by learning how to write an eBook from the person who continues to guide me along this lucrative journey. Take a look at How to Write and Publish Your Own eBook…in as Little as 7 Days from expert and author Jim Edwards. Thank you for this opportunity to serve you as I share my beliefs, perceptions, and experiences as an author, online entrepreneur, and marketing strategist with you. Marketing has become the joy of my life as I continue to learn, grow, and share concepts with others. I'm bestselling author, marketing strategist, and online entrepreneur Connie Ragen Green and I would love to connect further with you to help you to achieve your goals. If you are interested in learning how to optimize the syndication of your content, please take a look at my popular Syndication Optimization training course and consider coming aboard to increase your visibility, credibility, and profitability.The post Praestabilis – Excellence in Marketing – 157 first appeared on Connie Ragen Green Podcast.The post Praestabilis – Excellence in Marketing – 157 appeared first on Connie Ragen Green Podcast.

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A topical film in today's current technological evolution though this episode is 100% human made with no AI generative content. Jeff, Stuart and Mark, while on the verge of tears, dive deep into the ethical and philosophical goliath known as Spielberg's 2001 film, AI: Artificial Intelligence. Though this is a Robin Williams podcast, we may have spoken about Robin for a total of 5 minutes. When you see the total run time of this episode, you'll understand why that's a big deal.

In this episode, Paul was asked the following question. Listen as Paul breaks down a question about AI (Artificial Intelligence) and how it will affect the Trades in the future and what do we think AI will take over and how it will play out over the next 10 years. We also send a message to NFPA about their BULLY TACTICS with NFPA 70, which is created by YOU the electrical community. You won't want to miss this episode.Listen as Paul Abernathy, CEO, and Founder of Electrical Code Academy, Inc., the leading electrical educator in the country, discusses electrical code, electrical trade, and electrical business-related topics to help electricians maximize their knowledge and industry investment.If you are looking to learn more about the National Electrical Code, for electrical exam preparation, or to better your knowledge of the NEC then visit https://fasttraxsystem.com for all the electrical code training you will ever need by the leading electrical educator in the country with the best NEC learning program on the planet.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/master-the-nec-podcast--1083733/support.Struggling with the National Electrical Code? Discover the real difference at Electrical Code Academy, Inc.—where you'll learn from the nation's most down-to-earth NEC expert who genuinely cares about your success. No fluff. No gimmicks. Just the best NEC training you'll actually remember.Visit https://FastTraxSystem.com to learn more.

In this episode, Paul was asked the following question. Listen as Paul breaks down a question about AI (Artificial Intelligence) and how it will affect the Trades in the future and what do we think AI will take over and how it will play out over the next 10 years. We also send a message to NFPA about their BULLY TACTICS with NFPA 70, which is created by YOU the electrical community. You won't want to miss this episode.Listen as Paul Abernathy, CEO, and Founder of Electrical Code Academy, Inc., the leading electrical educator in the country, discusses electrical code, electrical trade, and electrical business-related topics to help electricians maximize their knowledge and industry investment.If you are looking to learn more about the National Electrical Code, for electrical exam preparation, or to better your knowledge of the NEC then visit https://fasttraxsystem.com for all the electrical code training you will ever need by the leading electrical educator in the country with the best NEC learning program on the planet.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/electrify-electrician-podcast--4131858/support.

In this episode, Paul was asked the following question. Listen as Paul breaks down a question about AI (Artificial Intelligence) and how it will affect the Trades in the future and what do we think AI will take over and how it will play out over the next 10 years. We also send a message to NFPA about their BULLY TACTICS with NFPA 70, which is created by YOU the electrical community. You won't want to miss this episode.Listen as Paul Abernathy, CEO, and Founder of Electrical Code Academy, Inc., the leading electrical educator in the country, discusses electrical code, electrical trade, and electrical business-related topics to help electricians maximize their knowledge and industry investment.If you are looking to learn more about the National Electrical Code, for electrical exam preparation, or to better your knowledge of the NEC then visit https://fasttraxsystem.com for all the electrical code training you will ever need by the leading electrical educator in the country with the best NEC learning program on the planet.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ask-paul-national-electrical-code--4971115/support.

The complex world of SEO (Search Engine Optimization) has now taken a hard right with the introduction of AI (Artificial Intelligence). It's no longer enough to be one of the top options when someone Google searches a keyword you have attribution to. Now, oftentimes the top response is AI's answer to your search. To show up there, you have to be recognized as an authority. We wanted to feature an expert who can help you package that authority in the new world of AI, so we welcomed on Dave Burnett, Founder of AOK Marketing. He helps you acquire more loyal customers. For more about ForthRight Business by ForthRight People or for 1:1 consultation, check us out at ForthRight-Business.com And as always, if you need Strategic Counsel, don't hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ RESOURCES https://www.forthright-people.com/resources VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop