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What happens when a digital strategist stops fighting reality and starts leading from it.There are conversations that feel like a strategy session and a therapy session at the same time. This one was both. Mary Brodie came into the Power Lounge and did something rare. She made acceptance sound like the most powerful leadership move you can make.If you work in digital, lead a team, or run your own business, you know the pressure to chase the aspirational audience, the perfect product, the frictionless experience. Mary has spent over 20 years helping companies stop chasing and start seeing. And what she has found is that the women in digital who thrive are the ones who learn to work with what is, not just what they wish were true.Mary Brodie is the Founder and Digital Experience Strategist at Gearmark, a consultancy she has built over two decades across apps, websites, content strategy, lead generation, and full digital experience design. She holds a BA and MA from Simmons College, a certificate from MIT, and an Executive Master's in Corporate Communications from IE University in Madrid. She is currently pursuing her doctorate at Case Western Reserve University, where her research explores how B2B buying teams build relationships with supplier salespeople.Key TakeawaysAcceptance is not passive. It is the foundation of every smart business decision, from knowing your real customers to building a team that actually trusts each other.Your digital experience reflects your internal experience. If your employees are disengaged, that bleeds into every customer touchpoint, every chatbot, every support call.Women in digital and female entrepreneurs online often chase aspirational audiences instead of maximizing the ones they already have. The brands that win know exactly who their customer is and own it.AI is a tool, not a replacement. Using it well means knowing what question you are actually trying to answer and what data you are feeding it.The most underrated skill in women leadership and digital marketing for women is listening. Not the performative kind. The kind where you feel something shift in the room.Mary Brodie said, "Accept yourself and make sure that you're happy with what you're doing and what your output is. Not your perfect foot. Your best foot."Mary Brodie said, "Once you accept that we don't all share the same values, the world becomes a very different place. And it's not a scary place. It's just a different place. And a lot of the world becomes a lot clearer."Timestamps00:00 Welcome to the Power Lounge.01:51 Twenty years of entrepreneurship. What keeps Mary going.04:26 Why Mary kept going back to school, MIT, Simmons, Madrid.07:37 Being the only American in the room. What that taught her.09:41 Customer experience and employee experience are the same problem.13:10 How to know if your company actually has a digital experience.16:33 AI and digital strategy. Tool or replacement.21:00 What gets in the way of leaders communicating their vision clearly.26:54 What a broken internal experience is costing your organization right now.31:08 The Art of Acceptance. What it means as a leadership practice.40:04 What Mary looks for before any strategy or deliverable.41:19 One shift for every woman in the audience.42:37 Power Round. Rapid fire with Mary Brodie.Connect with Mary BrodieEmail: mfbrodie@gearmark.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/marybrodieWebsite: gearmark.comSupport the show
#363 | Louis Grenier joins Dave for a conversation about what it takes to stand out in B2B marketing when everything feels the same. They get into how people really decide to buy, why most B2B brands look and sound identical, and the marketing fundamentals that hold up no matter what's changing around them. The kind of conversation that reminds you why you got into marketing in the first place. Timestamps (00:00) - - Intro (07:14) - - Surviving cancer at 36 and what it taught Louis about doing work that matters (14:10) - - Why marketers fail when they try to educate the market instead of meeting it (19:36) - - The case for leading with one thing even when your product does ten (21:39) - - You can't create demand you can only position into demand that already exists (27:08) - - Why the most memorable brands use assets that mean nothing on purpose (36:34) - - What a real point of view is for and why most companies get it wrong (37:33) - - How to get leadership to say yes to bold unconventional marketing ideas (48:18) - - Why pain points don't drive purchases and what actually pulls the trigger (53:22) - - The case for saying the same thing a thousand different ways (01:00:32) - - Why strong marketing fundamentals matter more in an AI world not less Join 50,0000 people who get Dave's Newsletter here: https://www.exitfive.com/newsletterLearn more about Exit Five's private marketing community: https://www.exitfive.com/***Brought to you by:Optimizely - A no-code AI platform where autonomous agents execute marketing work across webpages, email, SEO, and campaigns. Learn how to deploy agents on your marketing team at Agents in the Mix. Learn more at optimizely.com/exitfive. Vector - A contact-level ads platform that lets you build audiences from actual people on your site, clicking your ads, and checking out your competitors. Learn more at vector.co, and get their new MCP server by clicking here. Customer.io - An AI powered customer engagement platform that help marketers turn first-party data into engaging customer experiences across email, SMS, and push. Learn more at customer.io/exitfive.Join us in Stowe, Vermont for Drive 2026 - three days away from your desk to learn what's working in B2B marketing from the people who are actually doing it. Grab your ticket at exitfive.com/drive.***Thanks to my friends at hatch.fm for producing this episode and handling all of the Exit Five podcast production.They give you unlimited podcast editing and strategy for your B2B podcast.Get unlimited podcast editing and on-demand strategy for one low monthly cost. Just upload your episode, and they take care of the rest.Visit hatch.fm to learn more
This week, we kicked off our new series: Bare-Knuckle B2B, a partnership between Lesniak Swann and B2B Marketing. The first episode features Harry Davies, VP of Marketing and Strategy Investment and Effectiveness, Sage as he breaks down the evolving client-agency relationship. Hosted by Matt Hicks, Strategy Director at Lesniak Swann and Kavita Singh, Head of Growth Solutions Content, B2B Marketing, this episode strips away the fluff around the client–agency relationship. They dig into the real value an agency should deliver, and call out red flags like adversarial dynamics, “pitch team vs delivery team” bait-and-switch, and creative ideas that ignore commercial reality. The conversation also explores how AI and knowledge bases can close the information gap between clients and agencies—turning good people into better people rather than just cutting costs. If you've ever wondered whether your agency is truly an extension of your team, or how to spot when the relationship is drifting off-course, this episode is for you.
The macroeconomic challenges Canada faces on the global stage also reflect the struggles faced by B2B marketing leaders. The dynamic shifts in the macro-environment mirrors the micro-environment. To stay ahead and scale strategically, Canadian B2B marketers must address internal fragmentation, take calculated risks, build cross-functional alliances, and close the gap between strategy and execution. So, what specific lessons can marketing teams learn from Canada's macroeconomic pressures, and how can we apply these to maximize our business performance and outcomes? In this solo episode, Christian Klepp (Host of the B2B Marketers on a Mission Podcast) shares his core insights from the Middle Power, Major Stakes - Canada in a New Global Order Conference in Toronto. He explained his key takeaways and translates highly complex structural and geopolitical shifts into actionable strategies for B2Bmarketers. Christian also elaborated on the importance of fixing fragmentation within organizations, leveraging ecosystem alliances, and building strong alignment with interdepartmental stakeholders. He also unpacks the “Middle Power Playbook” to see how these massive economic insights can be leveraged to transform B2B marketing from a mere cost center to a true engine of predictable growth. By reducing risk with data, acting as a strategic collaborator, and amplifying an organisation's unique advantages, Canadian B2B marketers can set their brands up for success in any economic climate.This episode was sponsored by the EconomicClub of Canada.
95% of senior marketing leaders are already using or planning to use synthetic data within 12 months. So why are so many marketers still on the fence?In this episode, Elena, Angela, and Rob talk with Peter Weinberg, co-founder of Evidenza and former head of research at LinkedIn's B2B Institute. They discuss where to start with synthetic audiences, how to assess accuracy, and why brand building still matters as AI changes how people search and decide.Topics covered:• [00:00] Introductions and what synthetic research actually is• [03:00] Why 95% of marketing leaders plan to use synthetic data within 12 months• [05:00] Synthetic research really replaces ignorance, not traditional surveys• [09:00] How to evaluate accuracy in synthetic research tools• [10:30] Where marketers should start: find the white spaces first• [16:00] Why AI can be creative and what 'temperature' means for marketers• [24:00] Why brand still matters in an AI-driven search world• [28:00] How Evidenza applied Ehrenberg-Bass principles to build their own brand• [34:00] Why more real-time data can lead to worse decisionsTo learn more, visit marketingarchitects.com/podcast or subscribe to our newsletter at marketingarchitects.com/newsletter.Resources:2025 Qualtrics Article: https://www.qualtrics.com/articles/strategy-research/synthetic-research-breakthrough/Peter's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/weinbergpeter/Get more research-backed marketing strategies by subscribing to The Marketing Architects on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Kathy Floam-Greenspan, founder of Palm Marketing, shares insights from her recent survey on B2B marketing challenges, the impact of AI, and strategies for maintaining focus in a rapidly changing environment.TakeawaysExpectations are outpacing staffing and budgets in B2B marketing.Only 29% of marketers are confident in proving ROI with current tools.AI impacts strategy but is not a magic solution; human touch remains essential.Maintaining focus and a quarterly plan is key to marketing success.The full "Marketing Under Pressure" report is available for download athttps://pomagency.com/marketing-under-pressure-b2b-leaders/Learn more at https://pomagency.comChapters00:00 Introduction to Cathy Floan-Greenspan and Palm Marketing02:45 The Evolution of B2B Marketing and Survey Insights05:30 Challenges in B2B Marketing: Resource Gaps and ROI08:03 The Role of AI in Marketing Strategies10:57 The Importance of Focus in Marketing13:45 Navigating Change in B2B Leadership16:29 The Wake-Up Call for C-Suite Executives19:06 Final Thoughts and Resources for Marketers
In this episode of the B2B Marketing Podcast, Richard O'Connor, CEO of B2B Marketing, is joined by Nick Mason, CEO & Founder of Turtl, to explore why traditional, lead‑centric B2B marketing models are breaking down and what needs to replace them. They kick off by unpacking Nick's opening slide for B2B Ignite, drawing parallels between the 1927 Solvay Conference and today's B2B marketing challenges, and arguing that the classic funnel and MQL mindset are no longer enough. Nick explains why marketers must focus on buying groups, intent signals, and “digital body language” to truly influence complex purchase journeys, and why a shared language between sales and marketing is critical to turning data into decisive action. He closes by calling for a new worldview in B2B marketing - one that's brave enough to abandon outdated paradigms in order to drive future growth. Hear more at B2B Ignite on 1 July in London, where Nick will deliver his keynote session. Listeners to the podcast can save 20% on their ticket to B2B Ignite 2026 – simply enter the discount code PODCAST when prompted at check out.https://events.b2bmarketing.net/b2bignite
"LinkedIn Thought Leader Guide" hier gratis ➔ https://xhauer.com/linkedinLinkedIn-Posts per WhatsApp-Voice: XHANA hier gratis ➔ https://xhauer.com/xhanaIn dieser Folge baue ich live im Coaching mit einem KI-Tech-Gründer einen schlanken LinkedIn-Funnel auf, der planbar Demos mit Foundern und CEOs bringt. Ihr seht die 4 Schritte, auf die es ankommt: Content im Wording der Zielgruppe, Thought Leader Ads, Retargeting und Message Ads. Dazu die zwei Voraussetzungen, ohne die das Ganze nicht funktioniert.Wenn du neu auf meinem Kanal bist:Mein Name ist Michael Asshauer. Ich bin Gründer und Geschäftsführer von XHAUER. Mein Team und ich helfen jeden Tag Anbietern im komplexen und technischen B2B, ihre Pipeline mit guten Verkaufsgelegenheiten zu füllen. Durch eine systematische Kombination aus Performance- und Content-Marketing. Ganz ohne Bunte-Bildchen-Marketing, sondern datengetrieben nach dem Grundsatz “Do more of what works”.Ein paar Fakten für dich, wie ich hierher gekommen bin und welche Reise ich auf diesem Kanal dokumentiere:25 Jahre: Gründung meines ersten Technologie-Unternehmens Familonet25 Jahre: Abschluss meiner Studiengänge Volkswirtschaftslehre, Betriebswirtschaftslehre und International Business (Hamburg & Melbourne)28 Jahre: Ausgründung unserer B2B-Software-Entwicklungsagentur onbyrd 30 Jahre: Übernahme unserer Unternehmen durch den Daimler-Konzern (heute Mercedes-Benz Group AG)31 Jahre: Gründung meiner Business-Content-Plattform “Machen!”32 Jahre: Gründung meines Performance-Recruiting-Unternehmens Talentmagnet (und anschließender Verkauf)34 Jahre: Gründung unserer B2B-Marketing-Agentur & Beratung XHAUER, gemeinsam mit Paula.Heute: Paula, unser Team und ich sind auf dem Weg, eine der besten B2B-Agenturen & Beratungen weltweit aufzubauen.Auf diesem Kanal teile ich alle Erkenntnisse, Learnings und Best Practices aus Tausenden Kampagnen offen mit dir, sodass du sie für euer Marketing anwenden kannst.Für B2B-Marketing, das die Pipeline füllt.Dein Michael Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Imagefilme gehören seit Jahren zum Standardrepertoire vieler Unternehmen. Kaum ein Mittelständler, der nicht irgendwann darüber nachgedacht hat, einen professionellen Unternehmensfilm produzieren zu lassen. Schließlich machen das die Wettbewerber ja auch. Doch genau hier beginnt aus meiner Sicht ein großes Missverständnis. In dieser Episode spreche ich offen darüber, warum ich klassische Imagefilme für eines der sinnlosesten Videoformate halte, die Unternehmen heute noch beauftragen können. Du erfährst, warum viele Imagefilme enorme Budgets verschlingen, oft mehrere Monate bis zur Fertigstellung benötigen und in vielen Fällen bereits veraltet sind, bevor sie überhaupt veröffentlicht werden. Wir werfen außerdem einen Blick darauf, weshalb Hochglanzproduktionen zwar beeindruckend aussehen können, aber häufig weder Vertrauen aufbauen noch konkrete Probleme potenzieller Kunden lösen. Ich nehme Dich mit hinter die Kulissen zahlreicher Gespräche mit Unternehmen aus Industrie, Technologie und Dienstleistung. Dabei zeigt sich immer wieder ein ähnliches Muster: Für einen aufwendig produzierten Imagefilm wird viel Geld investiert, während gleichzeitig an den Formaten gespart wird, die tatsächlich regelmäßig Sichtbarkeit, Vertrauen und Kundenkontakte erzeugen könnten. Ein weiteres Highlight dieser Folge ist die Diskussion darüber, warum Unternehmen heute weniger einzelne Prestigeprojekte und deutlich mehr kontinuierliche Kommunikation benötigen. Statt eines Videos, das nach kurzer Zeit niemand mehr anschaut, geht es um Formate, die dauerhaft wirken und echten Mehrwert liefern. Ich berichte Dir außerdem, warum Webinare, Expertenvideos, Recruiting-Videos, Vertriebsvideos und Videocasts aus meiner Sicht deutlich besser geeignet sind, um Kompetenz sichtbar zu machen, Vertrauen aufzubauen und langfristig neue Kunden oder Mitarbeiter zu gewinnen. Diese Folge zeigt Dir, weshalb moderne Videokommunikation nicht aus einzelnen Hochglanzproduktionen besteht, sondern aus einem nachhaltigen Prozess, der regelmäßig relevante Inhalte produziert und echte Einblicke in Unternehmen ermöglicht. ✅ Warum Imagefilme häufig hohe Kosten verursachen und trotzdem kaum messbare Ergebnisse liefern ✅ Weshalb viele Unternehmensfilme bereits veraltet sind, bevor sie veröffentlicht werden ✅ Warum kontinuierliche Videokommunikation deutlich wirkungsvoller sein kann als einzelne Prestigeprojekte ✅ Welche Videoformate heute tatsächlich Vertrauen bei Kunden und Bewerbern aufbauen ✅ Warum Unternehmen lieber in Kommunikationsprozesse als in einzelne Produktionen investieren sollten ✅ Wie Webinare, Expertenvideos und Vertriebsvideos langfristig mehr Wirkung erzeugen können Mehr zu meinem Thema Videokommunikation 4.0 erfährst Du hier: Meine Website: https://www.coporate-studio.de Mein LinkedIn Profil: https://www.linkedin.com/in/florian-gypser/ Du hast ein Thema rund um Corporate Videokommunikation, zu dem Du gerne einmal einen Podcast mit mir hören möchtest? Oder Du hast spannende Inhalte zum Thema und möchtest gerne mal Gast in meinem Podcast sein? Dann schreib mir an podcast@corporate-studio.de
For high‑growth B2B tech brands, the next funding round or IPO is no longer just a financial milestone – it is a communications stress test. Investors are bringing AI‑driven tools, sharper scrutiny and higher expectations into every decision. The companies that win are those that can match strong numbers with a compelling, consistent story.In this episode of the FINITE Podcast, Jodi Norris sits down with Liam McLaughlin, Managing Partner at Clarity Europe, to unpack how CMOs and marketing leaders can actively prepare for their next raise or listing through comms and marketing. They explore where tech investment is flowing today, why AI is fueling a renewed funding boom, and what it really takes to move from “interesting startup” to “serious international player” in the eyes of investors.Liam breaks investor attraction down into three pillars: authenticity, narrative and AI visibility. He shares practical examples from an EV charging infrastructure client on the road to IPO, and a fintech brand using AI visibility programmes to show up consistently across search, executives, media and analysts – and, crucially, inside LLMs.Liam has almost 20 years of integrated communications experience, working with global technology brands including Oracle, NetApp and EMC, as well as consumer names such as Canva, Clearscore and eBay. As Managing Partner of Clarity Europe, he has led communications strategies for brands navigating major funding rounds and public offerings across the UK and Europe.Inside you'll find…How to build an authentic, investor‑ready brand story that goes beyond “AI‑washing”A practical framework for aligning spokespeople, channels and proof points over a multi‑year funding journeyWhy AI visibility is now a core stakeholder in investor relations – and how to measure and optimise it
Is the U.S. economy heading toward stability, or just navigating a new kind of volatility?In this episode of Around the Horn in Wholesale Distribution, Kevin Brown and Tom Burton are joined by Taylor St. Germain, Senior Economist at ITR Economics, to unpack the forces reshaping wholesale distribution and manufacturing. From interest rate uncertainty and tariff refund chaos to AI adoption gaps and “profitless prosperity,” this conversation connects macroeconomic signals directly to distributor margin strategy, capital investment decisions, and long-term growth planning.What You'll Learn:Why the current economy feels like a “tale of two economies”, and how income distribution impacts demand across B2B marketsWhat the Federal Reserve is really watching (core inflation vs. trimmed mean metrics) and how rate decisions could affect CapEx, M&A, and working capitalHow tariff policy, Section 301 and 232 rulings, and refund uncertainty are influencing distributor pricing strategy and customer relationshipsWhat “profitless prosperity” means for 2026 and 2027, and how to protect margins during growth at a higher costWhy most AI initiatives in wholesale distribution are still efficiency plays—and what separates hype from scalable, repeatable AI-driven business processesEpisode Highlights:03:30 – Inside ITR Economics: forecasting accuracy, leading indicators, and preparing for downturns11:45 – May jobs report surprises: what strong hiring means for inflation and rate decisions14:20 – Interest rate outlook: hold, cut, or increase—and why energy prices complicate the Fed's move30:18 – Tariff escalation, Section 301 and 232 policies, and the ripple effect across distributors41:03 – Tariff refunds: unintended consequences for margins, pricing transparency, and customer trust58:26 – AI adoption in wholesale distribution: efficiency gains vs. true strategic transformation1:16:35 – “Growth at a higher cost”: how to navigate labor inflation, electricity costs, reshoring, and fiscal pressureMeet the Guest:Taylor St. Germain is a Senior Economist and Business Consultant at ITR Economics. He delivers economic keynotes nationwide and helps manufacturers and distributors identify leading indicators, forecast demand, and prepare for economic cycles with a 94.7% forecasting accuracy standard.Tools, Frameworks, and Strategies Mentioned:ITR Economics leading indicator forecasting modelsWeekly GDP tracking vs. lagging government metricsTrimmed mean inflation vs. core CPIEnterprise Growth Platform by LeadSmart TechnologiesAI-driven margin protection and data unification strategiesClosing Insight:“We are very optimistic about growth, but it's growth at a higher cost.”The second half of the decade presents opportunities for wholesale distributors and manufacturers, but only for those who actively manage labor inflation, tariff exposure, electricity costs, and AI investment discipline. Growth is not the question. Margin strategy is.Leave a Review: Help us grow by sharing your thoughts on the show.Learn more about the LeadSmart AI B2B Sales Platform: https://www.leadsmarttech.com/Join the conversation each week on LinkedIn Live.Want even more insight to the stories we discuss each week? Subscribe to the Around The Horn Newsletter.You can also hear the podcast and other excellent content on our YouTube Channel.Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok.
Twenty-five years ago, the goal was to build a website as a digital "single source of truth." In an era of AI agents and hyper-personalized realities, is the very concept of a single, universal brand "truth" now an obstacle to creating a truly relevant customer experience?Agility requires not just adopting new channels and technologies, but fundamentally rethinking the role of content and data in a constantly shifting landscape. It's the ability to move from managing a static digital property to orchestrating a fluid, dynamic relationship with your audience.Today, we're going to talk about the 25-year evolution of digital experience, from the early days of enterprise content management to today's complex ecosystem of AI-driven, composable platforms. We'll explore how seismic shifts—from the introduction of the iPhone to the rise of agentic AI—have not just changed the tools we use, but have fundamentally redefined the relationship between brands and their customers.To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Michelle Boockoff-Bajdek, CMO at Sitecore, a company that is turning 25 this year and has managed to maintain its leadership in the space through many changes and a few curveballs. About Michelle Boockoff-Bajdek Michelle Boockoff-Bajdek (BB) is the Chief Marketing Officer at Sitecore, where she leads a global team of marketers who are redefining what's possible in modern marketing. Together, they're putting the power of generative and agentic AI to work – creating digital experiences that connect people and possibilities across the globe. Michelle is a trailblazer in bringing AI into marketing. At IBM, she served first as Global Head of B2B Marketing at the Weather Company, and then as CMO of IBM Watson, the company's pioneering AI platform. There, she served as the steward of the Watson brand, helping the world understand how AI can transform both work and life. Since then, she's become a Fellow at the Marketing Academy, a founding member of CMO Huddles, and has held CMO roles at both Skillsoft and IDC. At IDC, Michelle reimagined marketing as a strategic growth engine, launching a bold new brand identity, spearheading the company's first GenAI initiatives, and aligning brand, demand, and strategy to drive global impact. Michelle is a frequent speaker on marketing leadership, AI, and purpose-led growth. A lifelong learner, she's also a runner, rescue dog mom, and dark roast devotee. Her best ideas rarely arrive in a meeting, but often hit mid-stride or mid-walk. Michelle Boockoff-Bajdek on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellebb/ ---------- Resources ---------- Sitecore: sitecore.com The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703 We're proud to be a media partner for #MAICON26 - Oct. 13-15! Learn how AI can power your marketing and business and help you grow smarter. Use code AGILE150 to save! https://aglbrnd.co/r/7fe458ced0f04658Reach your customers with Reddit. Spend $500 in ad spend, get $500 back in ad credit! Learn more: https://advertalize.com/r/491818c79fb1873fDon't miss We Make Future - the International Festival of Innovation in AI, Tech, and Digital Marketing, June 24-26 in Bologna. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/c80991afff416bb2The most influential minds in software, AI, and engineering leadership will be at WeAreDevelopers World Congress North America, September 23-25 in San Jose. Learn more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/60a7299222a7bcf1 Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3 Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Marketing leaders are being asked to drive more growth with less budget, fewer resources, tighter timelines, and more pressure from every direction while AI is being treated like the shortcut to replace entire marketing teams. But AI will not fix bad strategy, weak alignment, poor customer understanding, or broken marketing fundamentals. In part two of this master class conversation with Matt Hummel, CMO of Pipeline360, the focus moves into what it really takes to become the kind of CMO AI cannot replace. Not by chasing every new tool, adding more MarTech, or hiding behind automation, but by understanding the business as a whole, building trust across departments, speaking the language of revenue, and creating alignment between marketing, sales, product, leadership, and the customer. To lead marketing in a volatile market where expectations keep rising and the old playbook is no longer enough, you need to know how to: • Make sales an ally instead of your bitter rival • Build shared pipeline ownership across marketing and sales • Communicate risk without becoming defensive • Connect marketing decisions to the larger goals of the business • Set clearer expectations with your team and leadership • Understand resource constraints without using them as excuses • Stay close to customers while leading strategy • Create momentum without pretending there is an easy button The best marketing leaders are not just managing campaigns, tools, reports, and dashboards. They are translating complexity into strategy the business can trust. The reminder is clear: AI will not fix bad strategy. More MarTech will not fix bad marketing. The CMO AI cannot replace is the one who understands the business, earns trust, aligns with sales, leads the team, knows the customer, and gets back to real marketing when everyone else is hiding behind tools. (P.S. If you haven't, listen to Ep. 149 for part one of this masterclass episode) Beyond The Episode Gems: Connect With Matt Hummel on LinkedIn Listen To Troy On Matt's Podcast, Pipeline Brew: The Evolving Role of CMOs & Community Building Visit Pipeline360 website to learn more about how they solve B2B marketers' biggest headaches Buy Troy's Book, Strategize Up: The Blueprint To Scale Your Business StrategizeUpBook.com Discover All Podcasts On The HubSpot Podcast Network Get Free HubSpot Marketing Tools To Help You Grow Your Business Grow Your Business Faster Using HubSpot's CRM Platform Support The Podcast & Connect With Troy: Rate & Review iDigress: iDigress.fm/Reviews Follow Troy's Socials @FindTroy: LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads, TikTok Subscribe to Troy's YouTube Channel For Strategy Videos & See Masterclass Episodes Need Growth Strategy, A Keynote Speaker, Or Want To Sponsor The Podcast? Go To FindTroy.com
Favour Obasi-ike, MBA, MS provides a deep dive into the 2026 scheduling landscape, comparing Cal vs. Calendly. As a digital marketing expert, he explores the benefits of white-labeling, custom APIs, and recurring events. The discussion addresses the polarizing nature of scheduling links in professional networking and offers a guide on using these tools to maintain a long-term business presence. Favour emphasizes that while Calendly is a pioneer, Cal.com's open-source nature provides unique flexibility for modern entrepreneurs. Check Calendly.com vs Cal.com on G2 Reviews here.Who is this for?This content is tailored for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and digital marketers who want to streamline their online booking systems. It's for those deciding between established tools like Calendly and open-source alternatives like Cal.com to manage their time and client interactions more effectively.Key MomentsFavour introduces Cal.com as a powerful alternative to Calendly, highlighting that many features Calendly charges for are free on Cal (03:43). He breaks down a comparison chart, noting that Cal offers custom routing logic, custom domains, and two-way Salesforce/HubSpot synchronization—features often missing or restricted in Calendly (05:36, 08:33).A significant portion of the room debates the etiquette of scheduling links, with some participants viewing them as "self-serving," while others defend them as essential tools for protecting a creator's time (13:11, 16:22).Favour also explains the authenticity of Trustpilot reviews, emphasizing the platform's transparency in business validation (09:56).Timestamps00:18 – Introduction and shoutouts to the Business and Marketing House.02:26 – Discovering Cal.com: A backstory from LinkedIn to Berlin.04:29 – The legacy of Calendly and its impact on time management.05:36 – Feature Breakdown: Custom routing, domains, and API access.08:33 – Integration Deep Dive: Salesforce, HubSpot, and two-way sync.09:56 – Understanding Trustpilot: How to verify business authenticity.13:11 – The "Pain in the Ass" Factor: A debate on scheduling link etiquette.20:45 – Best practices for using schedulers in podcasting and networking.FAQsIs Cal.com really free? Favour notes that many features Calendly charges for are available for free on Cal.com.What is "white-labeling" in scheduling? It allows you to remove the platform's branding and use your own domain, a feature unique to Cal.com.Why do some people hate scheduling links? Some find them impersonal or "self-serving," preferring direct email or text communication to set meetings.How does Cal.com sync with my CRM? Unlike some tools that only offer one-way sync, Cal.com provides a two-way synchronization with platforms like Salesforce and HubSpot.Action StepsAudit Your Booking Flow: Review your current process and identify if you are paying for features that could be free elsewhere.Check the Comparison: Visit the Cal.com vs. Calendly chart to see which tool aligns with your technical needs.Verify Your Presence: Ensure your business is claimed on platforms like Trustpilot to build authentic social proof.Soft-Launch Your Link: Pair scheduling links with a personal note to avoid the "self-serving" perception.Test Custom Domains: If using Cal.com, explore custom domains to enhance your professional branding.Ready to Rank? Book Your SEO & Web Dev Services Today
Marketing leadership has become one of the most volatile seats in business. CMOs and marketing leaders are often expected to create immediate pipeline, prove instant ROI, fix deeper business issues they did not create, defend brand investment, align sales, understand customers, translate strategy across the organization, and still become one of the first functions questioned, blamed, or cut when growth slows. In part one of this master class conversation, Matt Hummel, CMO of Pipeline360, brings a clear reminder back to the table: great marketing starts with trusting the buyer, knowing the customer, and simplifying how you market. In a market obsessed with performance data, attribution, automation, dark social, buyer signals, and immediate results, more complexity does not automatically create better customer understanding. For aspiring CMOs, current CMOs, marketing leaders, founders, and business owners, this conversation is a valuable look at how to lead marketing without getting trapped in the pressure cooker. It challenges you to rethink what it really means to put the customer at the center, not as a tagline, not as another automation workflow, and not as another dashboard filled with signals, but as a deeper responsibility to understand the person, pressure, timing, risk, and decision behind the purchase. The conversation moves through buyer trust, brand versus demand, customer empathy, attribution, sales alignment, CMO pressure, market timing, and the difference between chasing pipeline and building LTV. It is also a reminder to get out of your lane, understand product, spend time with sales, listen to customers, and learn how the whole business works. Because the best CMOs are not just campaign operators. They are translators, mediators, trust builders, and business leaders who know how to connect marketing to revenue, customer experience, and long term growth. Beyond The Episode Gems: Connect With Matt Hummel on LinkedIn Listen To Troy On Matt's Podcast, Pipeline Brew: The Evolving Role of CMOs & Community Building Visit Pipeline360 website to learn more about how they solve B2B marketers' biggest headaches Buy Troy's Book, Strategize Up: The Blueprint To Scale Your Business StrategizeUpBook.com Discover All Podcasts On The HubSpot Podcast Network Get Free HubSpot Marketing Tools To Help You Grow Your Business Grow Your Business Faster Using HubSpot's CRM Platform Support The Podcast & Connect With Troy: Rate & Review iDigress: iDigress.fm/Reviews Follow Troy's Socials @FindTroy: LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads, TikTok Subscribe to Troy's YouTube Channel For Strategy Videos & See Masterclass Episodes Need Growth Strategy, A Keynote Speaker, Or Want To Sponsor The Podcast? Go To FindTroy.com
You can't be a great marketer if your nervous system is stuck in survival mode.If you're a marketing leader, you know the feeling. The 12AM Slack from the CEO. The “where's-the-pipeline?” question that never goes away. The low-grade anxiety running underneath every campaign, every board deck, every quarter. In this episode, Carolyn and Amber connect the inner game to the measurement problem. The anxiety marketers carry isn't a personal failing. It's the tax you pay for being judged by numbers that miss your real contribution: shaping how the market perceives you, long before anyone fills out a form.And here's what nobody in GTM is actually talking about: you cannot build the future you want while your body is locked in defending the present. Your brain chemistry doesn't know the difference between the meeting you're dreading and the one that's already over — it reacts the same way to both. And when you live in that state, you can't create. You can only react.What this episode covers:The breakthroughs from both Amber and Carolyn's recent vacationsWhy so many B2B marketers are operating from low-grade panic, and why it's costing them their best workHow belief and brain chemistry shape what you're able to create, and why you have to embody the outcome before it shows upWhy marketing's real job is shaping brand perception in-market, and why traditional KPIs can't see that workHow to use zero-party data — what customers tell you directly — to inform the customer journey instead of guessing from last-touch behaviorThree books that reshaped how Carolyn thinks about wealth, awareness, and building a future you can't yet see: Happy Pocket Full of Money, The Power of Awareness, and Dr. Joe Dispenza's Becoming SupernaturalIf you're a marketing leader tired of doing your best work from a place of panic, and tired of watching it disappear into numbers that can't measure it, this one's for you.-----------------------------------------------------Want answers now?
In this episode of the Story Club, Chris Walker shares hisjourney of transformation and the importance of understanding our subconsciousbeliefs. He discusses how many high-achieving individuals operateunder the illusion that success comes from external validation and relentlessambition. However, true growth stems from addressing the foundationalbeliefs that drive our actions. By shifting our mindset and focusing on emotionalsovereignty, we can unlock our full potential and achieve clarity in our lives. Chris's insights challenge conventional wisdom and encourageus to rethink our approach to personal and professional development. Connect with Jonny LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonnysrose Connect with Chris: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriswalker171/ Chris' Book: https://www.amazon.com/Frequency-Era-Chris-Walker-ebook/dp/B0GXGBWSWQ Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction and Guest Background (00:32) - Transition from B2B Marketing to PersonalDevelopment (01:21) - Life Version 1.0 Operating System (02:14) - The Building Metaphor (04:06) - The Cause of Success (04:20) - Challenging Subconscious Programming(07:47) - The Realization and Shift (07:55) - The Impact of Mid-grade Anxiety (08:47) - The Trigger for Change (15:25) - The Importance of Emotional Regulation (15:44) - Encoded and Belief Systems (16:37) - Gary, The Factory Worker Philosophy (20:33) - The Shift in Economic Value and Education (23:59) - The Role of Discipline and Willpower (30:06) - Understanding Subconscious Beliefs and TheirImpact (32:22) - The Six-Tier Frequency Map (35:53) - Achieving Full Emotional Sovereignty (37:19) - Common Patterns Among High Tier Individuals (38:24) - Misconceptions and Understanding of Frequencies (41:58) - The Importance of Daily Practice (44:59) - The Future of Frequency Training (49:52) - Advice for Knowledge Workers (51:24) - The Inertia of Traditional Education (51:57) - The Five Traps of the Knowledge Economy (54:12) - Historical Recurrence of Traps (54:56) - The Changing Rules of the Economy (56:26) - The Limitations of Artificial Intelligence (58:11) - The Future: The Frequency Era (59:06) - Closing Remarks
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LLM search is only about 1% of the total search market. Google still controls roughly 88%. So why do so many marketer's content strategy sound like it was written by someone in a panic about AI overviews? This week we're resurfacing a conversation with Grace Sharkey of Orderful to reset what SEO actually looks like for logistics in 2026, with a new intro reacting to Google's recent guidance on what does and does not matter.Included in this conversation is a fresh take on what Google just clarified, including what they're saying about llms.txt files, FAQ pages, and schema. Then we roll into the conversation where Grace asks the questions and Blythe walks through Google Search Console, long-tail keywords, the FAQ-page rebuild, and why your recorded sales calls are the most underused content gold mine in your stack.In this episode:Why Google Search Console beats Ahrefs and SEMrush for figuring out what to fix firstHow to sort your queries for the fastest click-through-rate winsThe long-tail paragraph queries LLMs are actually answeringWhy the FAQ page is the easiest piece of SEO work you can ship this quarterWhat Google just said about llms.txt files (spoiler: you do not need one)How to turn recorded sales and onboarding calls into a content engineWhy YouTube case studies beat gated PDF whitepapers for shippersThe "how did you hear about us" form field every high-intent page should haveWatch this episode on YouTubeLinks and resources:Grace Sharkey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grace-sharkey-31940765/Orderful: https://www.orderful.comGoogle Search Console: https://search.google.com/search-consoleAdam Robinson's Air Cover newsletter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/air-cover-7450924377958912000/ SEO expert Gaetanao DiNardi: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7368964829673390084/More logistics marketing and sales content over on Everything is Logistics -----------------------------------------THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!SPI Logistics has been a Day 1 supporter of this podcast which is why we're proud to promote them in every episode. During that time, we've gotten to know the team and their agents to confidently say they are the best home for freight agents in North America for 40 years and counting. Listen to past episodes to hear why.CargoRex is the search engine for the logistics industry—connecting LSPs with the right tools, services, events, and creators to explore, discover, and evolve.Digital Dispatch maximizes and manages your #1 sales tool with a website that establishes trust and builds rock-solid relationships with your leads and customers.
Good for Business Show with LinkedIn Expert Michelle J Raymond.
Why is your B2B marketing reaching buyers but still not building enough trust to move them forward?In this episode, Michelle J Raymond speaks with Vita Molis from The B2B Institute about the credibility gap facing B2B brands. They explore why B2B buying journeys are getting longer, why more deals are stalling, and why reach alone is not enough to create buyer confidence.This episode is for B2B marketers who want to understand why their LinkedIn content, brand activity, and demand-generation efforts may not be converting into pipeline, and what they can do to build buyer trust before sales ever get involved.Key moments in this episode - 00:00 - Why B2B marketers need better research, not more trends02:00 - The B2B credibility gap and why reach is not enough03:15 - Why 40% of B2B deals stall before closing05:30 - Why marketers need to influence the whole buying committee07:30 - Are B2B creators becoming the new demand engine?09:00 - The credibility stack: brand, employees, customers and creators13:00 - The employee advocacy opportunity for B2B brands19:20 - Is video becoming the new language of B2B marketing?24:20 - What smart B2B marketers should do in 202631:10 - New B2B Institute research to watch: The Credibility CodeConnect with Vita Molis on LinkedInCheck out The B2B Institute researchCONNECT WITH MICHELLE J RAYMONDMichelle J Raymond on LinkedInBook a free intro callhttps://socialmediaforb2bgrowthpodcast.com/B2B Growth Co newsletter#LinkedIn #B2BMarketing
In this week's episode of the B2B Marketing Podcast, Richard O'Connor, CEO, B2B Marketing is joined by Fiona McKenzie, President, Europe, Marketbridge to tease her upcoming keynote session at B2B Ignite. This week, Fiona joins us to explore why AI alone won't fix your go-to-market (GTM), and why the real unlock is a systems-thinking CMO. We dive into GTM as a true growth operating system, spanning marketing, sales, product, data, and technology, all while examining how AI is both accelerating innovation and exposing silos, fragmented data, and broken processes. She also shares practical steps for CMOs and marketing managers to move from reactive, campaign-centric activity to proactive, growth-driving initiatives that challenge long-held assumptions and bring sales and marketing closer together. Like this week's episode? B2B Ignite will be taking place July 1st, 2026. B2B Ignite is your espresso shot of real-world marketing perspectives. Listeners to the podcast can save 20% on their ticket to B2B Ignite 2026 – simply enter the discount code PODCAST when prompted at check out. https://events.b2bmarketing.net/b2bignite
Favour Obasi-ike, MBA, MS highlights Pinterest as a visual search engine with unmatched content longevity (up to 5 months). Unlike social media, he explains that Pinterest captures users at the start of their purchasing journey. His key strategies include keyword-rich pins and claiming website property to drive sustained, unbranded discovery and sales in 2026.Who is this for?This content targets entrepreneurs, content creators, and business owners seeking to optimize marketing via Pinterest for enhanced online visibility and sales through strategic content distribution.Key MomentsPinterest offers a significantly longer content lifespan (3.5-5 months) vs. Instagram (19-72 hours), crucial for long-term branding and content compounding (00:49-02:04, 07:43-08:46).As a visual search engine, 96-97% of Pinterest searches are unbranded, indicating high user intent for discovery. Keywords in images/descriptions are vital for discoverability (08:50-10:10).Pinterest allows claiming website property for content ownership (26:15-26:39) and is a key platform where users begin their purchasing journey (34:34-35:18).FAQsHow long do pins last?3.5 to 5 months, creating a compounding interest effect on your traffic.Is Pinterest social media?No, he positions it as a visual search engine where user intent is discovery and purchase.What are unbranded searches?97% of searches don't include a brand name, giving every business a fair chance to be found.Action StepsResearch Keywords: Find terms users use to discover solutions in your niche.Optimize Pins: Use high-quality visuals paired with keyword-rich descriptions.Claim Website: Verify your domain on Pinterest to secure content and boost SEO.Repurpose Content: Move short-lived social posts to Pinterest for long-term visibility.Track Analytics: Monitor which pins drive the most "starts" in the purchasing journey.Ready to Rank? Book Your SEO & Web Dev Services Today
Pinterest marketing, by Favour Obasi-ike, MBA, MS, is an underserved yet high-value platform for business marketing in 2026. Its search engine nature (with most searches unbranded - 96%) positions it as a top channel for discovery, long-term engagement, and trust-building. Businesses can claim ownership, upload vast content portfolios, analyze data, and target ads with precision.Using the “ABC method,” well-keyworded content ranks for a range of searchable interests, allowing businesses to be found at the inspiration and planning stage when buyers' intentions are forming. Unlike other platforms, content longevity on Pinterest is measured in months, not days. Claiming your business website and properly optimizing pins ensures success both organically and via ads.Who Is This For?Entrepreneurs and small business owners looking to grow in 2026 Marketing professionals interested in visual/search-driven channels Product creators, service providers, and content creators (e.g., realtors, filmmakers, bloggers, coaches, local businesses) Anyone ready to leverage Pinterest for long-term, evergreen digital presenceKey Moments & TimestampsUnbranded Search Power: 96-97% of Pinterest searches are unbranded, opening opportunities for discovery [00:00:56]Pinterest for Movie Rollouts: Using Pinterest to showcase behind-the-scenes content and build genre-based boards [00:04:31]Pinterest vs. Other Platforms: Content “shelf life” on Pinterest (5 months vs. Instagram's 72 hours) [00:30:32]Pinterest Business Setup & Best Practices: How to set up, claim your website, and configure DNS for business accounts [00:07:43], [00:24:03]SEO “ABC Method”: How to use keyword permutations for expanded content (“house design A/B/C”) [00:39:56]Strategic Planning: Seasonal and trend-based planning, planning ahead for events (like Christmas trees in May) [00:44:43], [01:12:43]Pinterest Ads & Analytics: Insights on lower ad spend and granular audience targeting (zip code, CSV lists) [00:49:03], [01:19:16]Content Ownership: Importance of claiming accounts for copyright protection [00:26:21]Who Uses Pinterest?: Myths busted (all ages, beyond “mom” niche) [00:31:35]FAQsQ: Who should use Pinterest for business?A: Any business with visual or searchable content—real estate, events, products, media, bloggers, consultants, etc.Q: How long does a Pinterest Pin last?A: Pins can drive engagement for 5+ months, far surpassing standard posts on other social networks.Q: What is the “ABC Method”?A: A keyword expansion technique: type your main keyword + a/b/c to discover long-tail search terms and trends.Q: How does claiming my website help?A: It ensures copyright protection, authenticates the brand, and boosts SEO with backlinks and verified authority.Q: Can Pinterest be used for local business and events?A: Yes! Geotargeting and CSV uploads for ad targeting allow granular, locally focused campaign delivery.Action StepsCreate/Upgrade Business Account: Use your business email and claim your website in settings with DNS/TXT verification.Keyword Research via “ABC Method”: Expand content ideas using variations/keywords relevant to your offering.Content Planning for Longevity: Batch and schedule pins ahead of seasonal trends/events (e.g., Christmas, product launches).Design Saveable, Searchable Pins: Focus on unbranded, interest-based images and videos with clear, keyworded titles/descriptions.Claim Socials & Connect Analytics: Integrate Instagram and check analytics to track saves, clicks, and traffic.Experiment with Ads: Layer promoted pins using zip code and audience data for targeted exposure.Monitor & Adjust: Regularly check pin performance and tweak strategy for conversion, traffic, and save rates.2026 Growth MindsetPinterest isn't just another marketing channel—it's an evergreen engine for discovery, conversion, and enduring brand relevance in the fast-changing digital world.Ready to Rank? Book Your SEO & Web Dev Services Today
In this episode of The Long Game Podcast, David Khim sits down with Johann Wrede, Global CMO at UserTesting, to explore how AI is reshaping brand perception, the role of the modern CMO, and why truly customer-centric marketing still comes down to diet and exercise. They discuss why AI has become the new front door to brands — compressing and abstracting how companies are perceived before a human ever visits their site — and how marketers can influence (but never fully control) that narrative. Johann also shares his philosophy on solution marketing over product marketing, the big bets he's making on in-person events, and how he's building agentic marketing workflows to give his team better first drafts without replacing their judgment. Key Takeaways: AI has become the new front door to brands, compressing and abstracting brand identity before a prospect ever reaches your website — and marketers can influence this but not control it. Semantic pre-compression — stripping fluff and using single, precise descriptors — is the most practical way to influence how LLMs represent your brand. Brand consistency across every customer touchpoint (marketing, sales, support, product) is the only durable lever marketers have in an AI-driven world. The CMO's role is not just pipeline — it's stewarding how the market understands the company across the entire customer journey, including post-sale. Solution marketing outperforms product marketing because people spend money to solve problems, not to add tools to their stack. Listening to sales calls is still the most underutilized source of messaging, positioning, and prompt-tracking insight available to marketing teams. Agentic marketing workflows — chaining copywriter, persona, humanizer, and CRO agents — can dramatically improve first-draft quality before a human ever reviews the output. The workplace is shifting from knowledge work to thought work: the value is no longer what you know but how creatively and critically you can think through problems. Show Links Visit UserTesting on Twitter Connect with Johann Wrede on LinkedIn Connect with David Khim on LinkedIn and Twitter Connect with Omniscient Digital on LinkedIn or Twitter Some interviews you might enjoy and learn from: Actionable Tips and Secrets to SEO Strategy with Dan Shure (Evolving SEO) Building Competitive Marketing Content with Sam Chapman (Aprimo) How to Build the Right Data Workflow with Blake Burch (Shipyard) Data-Driven Thought Leadership with Alicia Johnston (Sprout Social) Purpose-Driven Leadership & Building a Content Team with Ty Magnin (UiPath) Also, check out our Kitchen Side series where we take you behind the scenes to see how the sausage is made at our agency: Blue Ocean vs Red Ocean SEO Should You Hire Writers or Subject Matter Experts? How Do Growth and Content Overlap? Connect with Omniscient Digital on social: Twitter: @beomniscient LinkedIn: Be Omniscient Listen to more episodes of The Long Game podcast here: https://beomniscient.com/podcast/
From years in the SEO trenches, today's guest knows what it takes to run successful strategies. Adrian Dahlin is the Founder & CEO of Search to Sale, an SEO analytics SaaS company providing automatic content intelligence for B2B, SaaS and marketing agencies.Adrian Dahlin is the Founder & CEO of Search to Sale, an SEO analytics SaaS company providing automatic content intelligence for B2B SaaS and marketing agencies. He began his entrepreneurial journey in 2020 after leaving corporate marketing to launch a startup consultancy, later evolving it into Search to Sale in 2023. Previously, Adrian worked in data science and marketing analytics after earning a Master's in Applied Data Science from NYU, and earlier in his career founded and led sustainability-focused ventures. CONTACT DETAILS:Email: gerardo@searchtosale.io Business: Search to SaleWebsite: https://www.searchtosale.io/ Social Media:LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriandahlin/ LinkedIN Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/search-to-sale-seo-revenue-generation-software/ Remember to SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss "Information That You Can Use." Share Just Minding My Business with your family, friends, and colleagues. Engage with us by leaving a review or comment. https://g.page/r/CVKSq-IsFaY9EBM/review Your support keeps this podcast going and growing.Visit Just Minding My Business Media™ LLC at https://jmmbmediallc.com/ to learn how we can help you get more visibility on your products and services.
Tune into expert AI and marketing strategies designed for entrepreneurs and brands striving to become indispensable with Favour Obasi-ike, MBA, MS. Explore technical SEO, AI marketing techniques, and actionable tactics to boost your visibility and revenue. This episode offers real-world advice to help you master digital marketing and grow your social business online and offline.Favour discusses the essential steps every business owner and brand builder should take to ensure their website and content are recognized, trusted, and indexed by Google. Topics span from domain acquisition and technical setup to organic SEO strategies and evaluating digital visibility. Focusing on the importance of foundational elements like DNS records, consistent quality content, and leveraging free Google tools, Favour makes the case for building a strong organic presence before running ads, ensuring long-term growth and authority online.Who Is This For?Entrepreneurs and small business owners Marketing professionals Website owners and bloggers Anyone aiming to improve online visibility and brand authorityIndividuals seeking long-term digital growth through SEOKey Moments & TimestampsSetting the Stage: Importance of Google for brand recognition and longevity online [00:00:04]The Brand/Google Question: Do you have a brand, and does Google know it? [00:00:36]Domain as Digital Identity: The role of domains for branding, using dovid.com as an example [00:02:05]Identifying Website Issues: Live advice and examples about email deliverability, domain authentication, and DNS health [00:10:33]Google's Free Tools: How to check if your site is indexed using site:domain.com and Google's experimental "learn-about" feature [00:19:37]Organic SEO Before Ads: Why you shouldn't run ads before building organic foundations [00:38:00]Technical Foundations: Importance of DNS, MX records, sitemaps, and technical configuration for trust/visibility [00:27:26]EEAT: Google's acronym – Experience, Expertise, Authority, Trust [00:46:58]Content Longevity vs. Social: Focus on blogs and evergreen content vs. ephemeral social posts [00:51:43]DIY Check: Step-by-step guide to see if you're indexed (site colon search) [00:54:07], [00:55:52]Action Wrap-Up: How to connect, get audits, and next steps [00:57:11], [01:00:13]SEO SummaryBrand = Domain: Your digital “home” is your domain; it's the anchor for all brand activities.Google Recognition: Being online is not enough—Google must be able to identify, trust, and index your content.Technical Health: Essential to configure DNS, email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), sitemaps, robots.txt, and page speed.Organic First: Build trust and visibility via organic SEO efforts before investing in paid ads for better ROI and lower cost-per-click.Content Quality: Content must have structure, value, and meet EEAT standards. Consistent publishing and context matter.Indexing Check: Use site:yourdomain.com and Google's “learn-about” experiment to see how visible your pages are.SEO Tools: Google Search Console, nslookup, and DNS health tools are critical for monitoring visibility and deliverability.Top FAQsHow do I check if Google knows my brand?Search site:yourdomain.com on Google to see indexed pages.What is the Learn About experiment?A Google tool (learning.google.com/experiments/learn-about/signup) to see what Google knows about your brand.Why do I need SPF, DKIM, and DMARC?These email authentications improve deliverability and trust.Should I run ads before optimizing SEO?No—establish organic foundations first to save money and increase effectiveness.What makes content rank well?High-quality, structured, relevant content that demonstrates EEAT (experience, expertise, authority, trust).Action StepsCheck your brand's index status with site:yourdomain.com on Google.Set up or update DNS, SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records.Connect your site to Google Search Console and submit a sitemap.Audit and improve page speed, structure, and content quality.Start a blog and focus on evergreen, helpful content answering audience questions.Use the Google “learn-about” experiment to gauge your brand's digital presence.Build organic authority before launching paid ad campaigns. Consistently monitor, update, and scale your SEO and brand foundation.Ready to Rank? Book Your SEO & Web Dev Services Today
Does everyone on your revenue team actually agree on who your ideal customer is? Daniel sits down with Hailey McDonald, the new VP of Revenue Marketing at Sprout Social, on day one of her new role. They get into one of the most expensive mistakes in B2B Marketing: building campaigns before your ICP is truly locked in across every team. Hailey breaks down why most companies are doing ABM in name only, how to tell within five minutes that a team's ICP is broken, and why getting Marketing, sales, CS, and rev ops aligned on a single definition is the foundation everything else is built on. She also explains the difference between ICP and total addressable market, and how pipeline hitting while revenue misses is one of the clearest signals something is off with your targeting. Daniel makes the case that personalization at scale is really just personality at scale, and why the brands that stay consistent with their messaging even under pressure are the ones that win long term. Plus, Hailey's marketing hill she would die on: you can't have demand without brand. If you're looking to actually understand and identify who your audience is, this episode is for you. Wrike brings structure, visibility, and accountability to work, so companies can make better business decisions, improve efficiency, and reduce risk. Learn more at https://wrike.com/tmm Follow Hailey: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haymcdee/ Follow Daniel: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@themarketingmillennials/featured Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/Dmurr68 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-murray-marketing Sign up for The Marketing Millennials newsletter: www.workweek.com/brand/the-marketing-millennials Daniel is a Workweek friend, working to produce amazing podcasts. To find out more, visit: www.workweek.com
Have you ever seen Schitt's Creek? No? You really need to watch it. That's advocacy. And it's older than marketing itself - somebody took a bite of something and said, “You gotta try this.” Jason Grunberg, CMO of Forter, didn't watch the show until he got sick and had nothing else to do. By the time he was better, he was binge-watching instead of resting. In this episode, he breaks down what Schitt's Creek teaches B2B marketers about pointy characters, ownable positioning, brand as a bank, and why the transformation story is the only story worth telling. Together, we dig into why “safe is not where we make really strong emotional bonds,” what the Rosebud Motel's rebrand can teach any B2B company trying to differentiate, and why AI inflation has already made “AI” a meaningless differentiator. About our guest, Jason Grunberg Jason Grunberg is CMO at Forter, the identity intelligence platform for digital commerce. With a background spanning agency and in-house roles across B2C and B2B, he brings a rare perspective on what it means to treat every buyer as a consumer - because at the end of the day, a wrong decision costs someone their job, and nothing is more personal than that. What B2B Marketers Can Learn From Schitt's Creek Advocacy is the root of every decision. Jason didn't watch Schitt's Creek because of the awards or the marketing. He watched it because people he trusted kept telling him to. His takeaway for B2B: “Advocacy has been a core part of marketing and brand forever for anything. This is coded almost into the human experience - advocacy is the root of like how we end up making decisions and choices.” Before you chase the next channel, ask whether you're creating the conditions for your customers to tell their colleagues, “You really need to try this.” Pointy characters resonate more than representative ones. The safest instinct in B2B marketing is to round off your personas until they feel inclusive. Schitt's Creek did the opposite - and it's why strangers kept telling Jason the show was basically his family. Ian's takeaway: “The more pointy you make it, the more weird, the more absurd, it actually will resonate that much better.” Stop asking whether every CIO will see themselves in your story. Make the character want something specific, and trust the audience to find themselves in it. Brand is a bank - and technology is never the real differentiator. The Rose Apothecary didn't succeed because of its product formulas. It succeeded because of the experience, the distinctiveness, the emotional value. Jason connects it directly to his work at Forter: “Quality is replicable, at least now more so than ever. The brand has to mean something.” On technology positioning, he's blunt: “If there's always the push from your product team to be like, ‘This is the core differentiator,' I'm like, ‘Cool. That is 2,000 lines of code deep. That sounds really replicable. And it doesn't say I'm getting a raise if I buy this.'” “Safe is not where we make really strong emotional bonds. On the edges is where we do that - because on the inside, there's a lot of edge. We've just been conditioned to not show it all the time.” - Jason Grunberg Time Stamps [1:25] Meet Jason Grunberg, CMO of Forter [2:17] Why Schitt's Creek? The Show That Felt Like His Family [4:53] Jason's Role at Forter: Decisions AI and Customer-Centric Marketing [5:56] What Is Schitt's Creek? Character Development as a Foundation [12:11] Marketing Lesson #1: Advocacy Is Coded Into the Human Experience [15:56] Marketing Lesson #2: Pointy Characters Win — Stop Regressing to the Mean [23:14] B2B Is Still Consumer: Everyone Is a Person Making a Personal Decision [26:35] Marketing Lesson #3: Brand Experience — Rose Apothecary and the Bank Analogy [29:11] Marketing Lesson #4: The Rosebud Motel and the Power of Positioning [32:18] The Name, the Pun, and the Juxtaposition of Lowbrow and Highbrow [36:21] The Audacity of the Arc: Why Schitt's Creek Ended on Purpose [39:07] Final Thoughts and Takeaways Links Connect with Jason on LinkedIn Learn more about Forter About Remarkable! Remarkable! is created by the team at Caspian Studios, the premier B2B Podcast-as-a-Service company. Caspian creates both nonfiction and fiction series for B2B companies. If you want a fiction series check out our new offering - The Business Thriller - Hollywood style storytelling for B2B. Learn more at CaspianStudios.com. In today's episode, you heard from Ian Faison (CEO of Caspian Studios) and Meredith Gooderham (Head of Production). Remarkable was produced this week by Meredith Gooderham, edited by Jon Goldberg, and our theme song is “Solomon” by FALAK. Create something remarkable. Rise above the noise. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Zoom has incredibly high brand awareness. But that's actually part of the problem. This week, Elena, Angela, and Rob sit down with Kim Storin, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Zoom, to dig into one of marketing's most counterintuitive challenges: too much awareness for the wrong thing. Kim shares how she diagnosed Zoom's perception problem, rebuilt the brand's health measurement from scratch, and launched a campaign strategy rooted in category thinking, humor, and hard data. Topics covered: [02:30] Mental availability vs. awareness [06:00] Reinventing brand health measurement to track new buying cohorts [08:30] "Brand to demand" and why Kim refuses to separate the two [11:00] Marketing in the dark funnel and the shift toward a zero-click world [15:00] Building a new category narrative around Zoom [19:00] The thinking behind the "Take Back Lunch" and Zuma Head campaigns [24:00] How AI-driven B2B search is changing citation strategy, content and credibility To learn more, visit marketingarchitects.com/podcast or subscribe to our newsletter at marketingarchitects.com/newsletter. Resources: 2011 Byron Sharp Article: https://byronsharp.wordpress.com/2011/03/26/mental-availability-is-not-awareness-brand-salience-is-not-awareness/Kim's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlystorin/
A year after Veo 3 changed the video world, what's actually happened? In this episode of Death to the Corporate Video, Guy Bauer breaks down where AI video stands today - from rapidly improving quality to why AI performances still feel strangely “non-human.” Guy shares his thoughts on: Why AI video is becoming its own category of animation Why great ideas are still the hardest part Why the novelty phase is already over Why taste and storytelling matter more than ever The tools got better. The real question is: does anyone have something worth saying?
Favour Obasi-ike, MBA, MS demystifies the Facebook Ads Library and LinkedIn Ads Library, providing a detailed walkthrough on using them to research competitors, understand ad trends, and inspire ad creation. He emphasizes the distinction between B2C (Facebook/Meta) and B2B (LinkedIn) advertising, noting LinkedIn's higher cost and intent focus, while underscoring the importance of organic branding as a foundation for paid marketing. Favour Obasi-ike demonstrates how leading companies deploy these tools, showcases nuanced platform differences, and compares cost-per-click across Meta, LinkedIn, Google, and TikTok. He also shares new insights on LinkedIn's evolving platform—including paid advice sessions—and explores the promises and pitfalls of AI-powered website builders, warning of current technical limits while highlighting practical safeguards. Throughout, he connects performance measurement, ad copy, landing page optimization, and conversion intent, offering actionable advice on research, conversion strategy, and digital asset protection for marketers and SEO professionals alike.Who Is This For?This podcast episode is ideal for:Marketing professionals, digital strategists, and business owners interested in mastering social media advertising.Anyone seeking practical strategies on using Facebook and LinkedIn Ads Libraries for competitor research, inspiration, and campaign optimization.Individuals curious about the evolving role of AI in SEO, website development, and digital marketing.Key Moments & TimestampsIntroduction to Ads Libraries: difference, power, and practical links – 00:00:03How to use Ads Libraries for research and competitive insight – 00:01:43Detailed comparison of search/filter functionalities (LinkedIn vs. Facebook/Meta) – 00:02:41Limitations: lack of public ad performance analytics – 00:06:25Roleplay: live demonstration with Nvidia and King Kong Marketing – 00:09:15Analyzing ad count and demographic distinctions (B2B vs. B2C) – 00:13:29Using ad longevity and impression markers for campaign inference – 00:14:33Brand presence & organic/paid synergy on platforms – 00:15:28Cost comparison: LinkedIn, Facebook, Google, TikTok – 00:36:14, 00:40:52Best practices: building organic presence before paid campaigns – 00:34:32Discussion: AI website building (pros, cons, future-readiness) – 01:00:41Safeguarding your digital assets and monitoring website readiness – 01:03:09Takeaways: action steps for competitive research and campaign improvement – 01:19:40FAQsQ: What's the biggest difference between Facebook and LinkedIn Ads Libraries?A: Facebook excels at B2C and provides wide targeting, while LinkedIn is tailored for B2B audiences and offers granular demographic filters (00:01:43, 00:13:29).Q: Can I see ad performance and conversion data in these libraries?A: No, performance analytics (like conversions or spend) are not publicly available, but ad frequency, longevity, and low-impression markers offer hints (00:06:25, 00:14:33).Q: Does Favour Obasi-ike recommend using AI website builders?A: They're rapidly evolving, but typically restrict customization and future scalability; always check if your site is AI-ready and back up your code (01:00:41, 01:03:09).Q: How does LinkedIn compare on ad costs?A: LinkedIn is typically $2–$6 per click, more expensive than Facebook and Google, recommending high-ticket or B2B campaigns for ROI (00:36:14, 00:40:52).Action StepsResearch Your Competition: Use Facebook and LinkedIn Ads Libraries to analyze competitors' creative, targeting approaches, and landing pages.Prioritize Organic Presence: Build robust, consistent brand profiles before investing in paid ads (00:34:32).Calculate Platform ROI: Factor in cost-per-click, sales cycle, and campaign intent before allocating budget.Test & Optimize Landing Pages: Ensure ad links align with campaign copy and optimize for conversions.Evaluate AI Tools Carefully: Use AI web builders with caution, regularly back up site code, and assess AI-readiness (01:03:09).Leverage Platform Updates: Explore new LinkedIn offerings like advice sessions for enhanced professional monetization (00:26:56).Safeguard Digital Assets: Keep site ownership and editability top-of-mind for future scalability and security.For a complete learning experience, review the episode's full discussion and check out the referenced Ads Libraries at the top of the chat (01:20:03).Ready to Rank? Book Your SEO & Web Dev Services Today
Favour Obasi-ike, MBA, MS guides listeners through the foundational role of URLs in digital visibility and SEO for 2026. URLs serve as digital identities for every webpage; their language and structure determine how easily search engines and AI platforms can find and rank your content. By adopting precise, location- and intent-based URL strategies—and regularly reviewing for duplication or outdated naming—websites can dramatically improve both local and global search performance.Further, Favour Obasi-ike explains upcoming trends, including Google's move toward localized and entity-based search, and emphasizes taking action for long-term organic traffic.Who Is This For?This episode is for entrepreneurs, business owners, digital marketers, content creators, and anyone building or managing a website in 2026 who wants to improve SEO, increase visibility, and better understand the critical role of URLs and digital real estate in organic search results.Ready to Rank? Book Your SEO & Web Dev Services Today
What if the platform you think is too expensive is actually your most profitable channel? In this episode of Sharkpreneur, Seth Greene interviews Anthony Blatner, Managing Director at Speedwork Social, who explains how LinkedIn advertising has evolved and why it often delivers higher-quality leads despite higher upfront costs. He shares new strategies, including thought-leader ads, improved attribution tracking, and ways B2B marketers can use LinkedIn to drive demand and scale their pipelines more effectively. Key Takeaways:→ LinkedIn is best for reaching niche professionals at scale.→ Cost per quality is more important than cost per click.→ Personal LinkedIn profile ads outperform company page ads. → LinkedIn was less affected by iOS tracking changes than Meta.→ AI is changing how marketers design and analyze campaigns. Anthony Blatner is the Founder and Managing Director of Speedwork Social. This LinkedIn-focused B2B growth agency helps mid-market and enterprise SaaS companies drive revenue through high-performance LinkedIn advertising. Anthony also hosts the LinkedIn Ads Radio podcast, where he interviews LinkedIn product leaders and top B2B marketers about what is working on the platform today. He is a LinkedIn Learning Instructor for B2B Marketing on LinkedIn and teaches LinkedIn Ads Smart Tips & Tricks. Connect With Anthony:Website: https://speedworksocial.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyblatner/https://www.linkedin.com/company/speedwork/
This episode provides practical advice on advanced SEO, AI engine optimization (AEO), answer engine optimization, technical website optimization, schema, and retention strategies for anyone looking to improve digital marketing visibility in the age of AI. Learn how to harness evolving platforms, implement the latest best practices, and create resilient, audience-focused web ecosystems.In this insightful episode, Favour Obasi-ike, MBA, MS dives deep into the evolution of SEO—comparing the foundations of "old" Search Engine Optimization with the demands and opportunities of "new" Search Everywhere Optimization.Listeners will uncover essential strategies for optimizing content across today's rapidly shifting digital environments, including website best practices, AI integrations, and the importance of technical SEO fundamentals.Favour explains how staying updated and proactive is vital, as algorithm changes and the rise of AI platforms like ChatGPT, Gemini, and others are reshaping the discovery and ranking of digital content. Favour also takes questions from the community, responding with real-world examples and tactical advice.Whether you're a business owner, marketer, content creator, or SEO professional, this episode offers actionable guidance for adapting to future-focused SEO. Listeners will learn why website speed, schema markup, secure protocols, and precise keyword versus prompt usage matter more than ever.Favour also discusses why attention and retention are the new KPIs, plus the growing importance of authority, expertise, and trust—in both human and AI-powered search.Who Is This For?Digital marketersBusiness owners and entrepreneursSEO professionalsContent creators and website managersAnyone seeking to future-proof their digital presenceReady to Rank? Book Your SEO & Web Dev Services Today
Good for Business Show with LinkedIn Expert Michelle J Raymond.
What actually matters in B2B marketing right now?After attending Social Media Marketing World and AI Business World 2026, Michelle J Raymond shares the biggest lessons B2B marketers need to hear about AI, LinkedIn, strategy, thought leadership and why clarity matters more than ever.Because after seeing all the AI tools, demos and hype, Michelle came to one conclusion:AI won't save bad marketing.In fact, it might expose it even faster.Why strategy matters more in the AI era - The problem with scaling average contentWhy LinkedIn now rewards expertise and clarityThe growing pressure on B2B marketing teamsWhy human perspective and original thinking matter moreHow to avoid burnout while adopting AI toolsThe role of Company Pages and employee advocacy in 2026Why most AI tools are accelerators, not replacementsIf you're a B2B marketer trying to keep up with AI, LinkedIn changes, content demands and constant pressure to do more, this episode will help you refocus on what actually moves results.Key moments in this episode - 00:00 Why AI won't save bad marketing01:00 Inside Social Media Marketing World 202603:05 Why strategy matters more than ever04:25 LinkedIn's shift towards expertise and clarity06:06 AI tools are accelerators, not replacements09:30 Why human perspective matters more in B2B marketing12:31 AI overwhelm and burnout for marketing teams15:12 The biggest lesson from SMMW26: back to fundamentalsCONNECT WITH MICHELLE J RAYMONDMichelle J Raymond on LinkedInBook a free intro callhttps://socialmediaforb2bgrowthpodcast.com/B2B Growth Co newsletter#LinkedInMarketing #B2BMarketing #SMMW26
Join Flodesk Partner, Favour Obasi-ike, MBA, MS for a robust deep dive into the evolving landscape of email marketing, practical technical strategies, and AI's impact — all centered around the power of Flodesk for creators, small business owners, and marketers. Discover how Flodesk outperforms industry standards with 17% higher email visibility and why its technical backbone (including Amazon SES integration) leads to superior open and click-through rates. Favour dispels myths about pricing, reveals pitfalls of competitor platforms like Mailchimp, Constant Contact, and ConvertKit, and walks through the essential metrics and best practices that drive sustainable growth.Explore actionable tactics for segmenting your list, building workflows, ensuring compliance, managing DNS records, and even leveraging backlinks from within your email platform. Gain insight into content strategy, the importance of high-quality list growth over vanity numbers, and how to work through mental blocks or burnout as a digital creative. Favour also unpacks the risks and opportunities of AI-driven content, the importance of protecting your web assets from scraping, and emerging best practices as AI reshapes marketing. For creators feeling overwhelmed by platform choices, technical jargon, or skepticism about automation and visibility stats, this episode offers clarity, step-by-step guidance, and a boost of confidence to take your email marketing to the next level. Learn from real-world examples, industry benchmarks, and practical tools that favor sustainable relationship-driven marketing over spammy tactics.Who Is This For?Entrepreneurs and small business owners Solopreneurs and digital creators Email marketing beginners to intermediates Marketing professionals looking for actionable technical advice Anyone considering Flodesk or seeking more ROI from email tools Creatives interested in building sustainable, compliant audience relationships List managers wanting to increase engagement and deliverabilityReady to Rank? Book Your SEO & Web Dev Services Today
26+ actionable passive income ideas for 2026 and beyond in this lively and interactive episode with Favour Obasi-ike, MBA, MS and a panel of guests. Drawing inspiration from a viral Instagram post by Business Bounce, the conversation moves far beyond a simple list—delving into real experiences, mindset, and strategies for creating true wealth streams.Listeners are guided through proven paths like dividend stocks, selling digital courses, high yield savings accounts (HYSA), rental real estate, affiliate marketing, and innovative digital ventures such as podcasting and blogging.Our guests share personal stories, cautionary tales, and practical recommendations. The episode emphasizes the importance of research, updating your skills, the power of community, multiple income streams, and maintaining the right money mindset.The dialogue covers everything from global economic nuances, risk tolerance, automation, and leveraging data, to optimizing your online presence for long-term recurring income.Practical tools and resources are mentioned, such as Google AdSense, Cap.so, and tips for leveraging couponing apps or optimizing SEO for passive returns.Real-life examples and community questions bring depth and high value to listeners at any stage of their wealth-building journey.Ready to Rank? Book Your SEO & Web Dev Services Today
Business & Marketing Clubhouse host Rocki invited SEO expert, Favour Obasi-ike, MBA, MS to break down the essential framework for generating consistent, monthly sales through your website. Whether you are a solopreneur just starting out or an established business owner looking to scale, this conversation provides a roadmap for turning your digital presence into a high-performing storefront.This session focuses on the strategic and technical requirements for achieving recurring monthly sales. Favour Obasi-ike explains that monthly sales are a result of continuous effort and "property" building. By treating every new page as an asset, businesses can create multiple entry points for customers, much like a physical storefront with multiple doors.Favour emphasizes that a website is not just an information portal; it is your primary business asset. The discussion centers on the concept of "page depth"; the idea that your website's value increases as you add more entry points for potential customers. By benchmarking your progress (aiming for at least one new page per week), you can build a robust library of content that the algorithm indexes, ensuring long-term visibility.The episode also dives into the distinction between "money pages" and "information pages." A money page is defined by its ability to capture leads or facilitate a direct transaction, such as through email sign-ups or product checkouts. Favour shares a powerful case study on Canva's early growth strategy, illustrating how consistent blogging and SEO-focused content creation laid the foundation for their global success.Listeners will also learn about the technical infrastructure needed to support growth, including the benefits of WordPress multi-site setups and global carts over traditional "rented" platforms. The conversation concludes with a deep dive into the music industry and royalties with guest Aurora the Goddess, highlighting the importance of brand ownership and data tracking across multiple platforms.Ready to Rank? Book Your SEO & Web Dev Services Today
Favour Obasi-ike, MBA, MS, dives deep into the realities of budgeting and investing for SEO services in 2026. Favour explains that businesses should expect to invest between $500 and $10,000 monthly, emphasizing that organic search provides a much higher long-term conversion rate than paid media. The conversation heavily highlights the necessity of technical SEO—such as integrating Google Search Console and fixing canonical tags—before scaling content. Furthermore, Favour breaks down the evolution of "AI SEO," explaining how modern websites must use structured data, updated content tags, and local zip code embedding to ensure they are recommended by AI bots and localized search updates.Who is this for? This content is perfectly tailored for business owners, digital marketers, entrepreneurs, and content creators looking to navigate the technical and financial realities of search engine optimization in 2026. Whether you manage a local brick-and-mortar shop or a global e-commerce brand, this breakdown provides a blueprint for leveraging organic growth and artificial intelligence.Ready to Rank? Book Your SEO & Web Dev Services Today