POPULARITY
Categories
305 episodes with b2b marketing
253 episodes with b2b marketing
172 episodes with b2b marketing
153 episodes with b2b marketing
118 episodes with b2b marketing
121 episodes with b2b marketing
75 episodes with b2b marketing
83 episodes with b2b marketing
101 episodes with b2b marketing
148 episodes with b2b marketing
64 episodes with b2b marketing
113 episodes with b2b marketing
60 episodes with b2b marketing
57 episodes with b2b marketing
35 episodes with b2b marketing
93 episodes with b2b marketing
36 episodes with b2b marketing
73 episodes with b2b marketing
47 episodes with b2b marketing
41 episodes with b2b marketing
37 episodes with b2b marketing
37 episodes with b2b marketing
23 episodes with b2b marketing
47 episodes with b2b marketing
27 episodes with b2b marketing
36 episodes with b2b marketing
31 episodes with b2b marketing
97 episodes with b2b marketing
40 episodes with b2b marketing
31 episodes with b2b marketing
12 episodes with b2b marketing
35 episodes with b2b marketing
18 episodes with b2b marketing
24 episodes with b2b marketing
32 episodes with b2b marketing
13 episodes with b2b marketing
18 episodes with b2b marketing
52 episodes with b2b marketing
19 episodes with b2b marketing
19 episodes with b2b marketing
24 episodes with b2b marketing
14 episodes with b2b marketing
13 episodes with b2b marketing
10 episodes with b2b marketing
12 episodes with b2b marketing
13 episodes with b2b marketing
15 episodes with b2b marketing
9 episodes with b2b marketing
14 episodes with b2b marketing
29 episodes with b2b marketing
39 episodes with b2b marketing
26 episodes with b2b marketing
11 episodes with b2b marketing
22 episodes with b2b marketing
10 episodes with b2b marketing
7 episodes with b2b marketing
14 episodes with b2b marketing
14 episodes with b2b marketing
9 episodes with b2b marketing
9 episodes with b2b marketing
13 episodes with b2b marketing
15 episodes with b2b marketing
6 episodes with b2b marketing
16 episodes with b2b marketing
8 episodes with b2b marketing
7 episodes with b2b marketing
19 episodes with b2b marketing
27 episodes with b2b marketing
15 episodes with b2b marketing
7 episodes with b2b marketing
8 episodes with b2b marketing
10 episodes with b2b marketing
8 episodes with b2b marketing
14 episodes with b2b marketing
7 episodes with b2b marketing
11 episodes with b2b marketing
7 episodes with b2b marketing
7 episodes with b2b marketing
10 episodes with b2b marketing
20 episodes with b2b marketing
12 episodes with b2b marketing
6 episodes with b2b marketing
18 episodes with b2b marketing
12 episodes with b2b marketing
11 episodes with b2b marketing
7 episodes with b2b marketing
6 episodes with b2b marketing
6 episodes with b2b marketing
6 episodes with b2b marketing
11 episodes with b2b marketing
3 episodes with b2b marketing
10 episodes with b2b marketing
4 episodes with b2b marketing
4 episodes with b2b marketing
103 episodes with b2b marketing
9 episodes with b2b marketing
4 episodes with b2b marketing
5 episodes with b2b marketing
7 episodes with b2b marketing
9 episodes with b2b marketing
5 episodes with b2b marketing
5 episodes with b2b marketing
10 episodes with b2b marketing
3 episodes with b2b marketing
11 episodes with b2b marketing
7 episodes with b2b marketing
3 episodes with b2b marketing
4 episodes with b2b marketing
6 episodes with b2b marketing
5 episodes with b2b marketing
13 episodes with b2b marketing
4 episodes with b2b marketing
5 episodes with b2b marketing
9 episodes with b2b marketing
4 episodes with b2b marketing
5 episodes with b2b marketing
6 episodes with b2b marketing
6 episodes with b2b marketing
5 episodes with b2b marketing
5 episodes with b2b marketing
3 episodes with b2b marketing
15 episodes with b2b marketing
7 episodes with b2b marketing
7 episodes with b2b marketing
7 episodes with b2b marketing
3 episodes with b2b marketing
4 episodes with b2b marketing
6 episodes with b2b marketing
7 episodes with b2b marketing
4 episodes with b2b marketing
4 episodes with b2b marketing
4 episodes with b2b marketing
3 episodes with b2b marketing
6 episodes with b2b marketing
3 episodes with b2b marketing
3 episodes with b2b marketing
4 episodes with b2b marketing
4 episodes with b2b marketing
4 episodes with b2b marketing
3 episodes with b2b marketing
5 episodes with b2b marketing
3 episodes with b2b marketing
63 episodes with b2b marketing
4 episodes with b2b marketing
3 episodes with b2b marketing
4 episodes with b2b marketing
4 episodes with b2b marketing
6 episodes with b2b marketing
3 episodes with b2b marketing
3 episodes with b2b marketing
8 episodes with b2b marketing
4 episodes with b2b marketing
11 episodes with b2b marketing
3 episodes with b2b marketing
4 episodes with b2b marketing
2 episodes with b2b marketing
4 episodes with b2b marketing
3 episodes with b2b marketing
3 episodes with b2b marketing
2 episodes with b2b marketing
6 episodes with b2b marketing
52 episodes with b2b marketing
4 episodes with b2b marketing
3 episodes with b2b marketing
2 episodes with b2b marketing
5 episodes with b2b marketing
5 episodes with b2b marketing
5 episodes with b2b marketing
2 episodes with b2b marketing
4 episodes with b2b marketing
4 episodes with b2b marketing
Favour Obasi-ike, MBA, MS unpacks how Eventbrite functions as a powerful off-page SEO tool, not just a ticketing platform.Eventbrite SEO: Why Your Event Title Is Your Most Powerful Marketing Asset?With 50 million monthly visitors, Eventbrite gives businesses organic reach that paid ads cannot match.The round table covers title optimization, data collection strategies, the "short code, long money" framework, and why you should never spend money on ads before investing time in your website.Book SEO Services? Save These Quick Links for Later>> Book SEO Services with Favour Obasi-ike>> Visit Work and PLAY Entertainment website to learn about our digital marketing services>> Join our exclusive SEO Marketing community>> Read SEO Articles>> Subscribe to the We Don't PLAY Podcast>> Purchase Flaev Beatz Beats Online>> Favour Obasi-ike Quick Links>> Start Recording your Podcast with Riverside Today | Sign Up with My Affiliate Link HereKey TakeawaysEventbrite is off-page SEO, not just ticketing. With 50 million monthly visitors, every event you create is a searchable page that links back to your business.Your event title becomes your URL. Put the event type (workshop, bootcamp, conference) and keywords in the title so people searching Eventbrite can actually find you.Three measures of a successful event. The number of people, the quality of people, and what happens after they leave.Collect more than just emails. Change the default Eventbrite settings to require phone numbers. Export the CSV and load it into your CRM. Share the data with sponsors.Optimize free tools before spending money. If your website is not built, do not run ads. Eventbrite generates 3.99M organic visits versus only 101K from paid search.Attention is a new currency, retention is a new balance. It is not what you spend, it is what you keep. Build systems that retain, not just attract.Memorable Quotes"Attention is a new currency, retention is a new balance. It's not what you spend, it's what you keep." — Favour [94:38]"Short code, long money. All the millionaires and billionaires got a short code." — Marcus [83:52]"Strangers can accidentally see your event on Eventbrite because they're searching for it in the surrounding areas." — Marcus [36:46]"If you haven't spent time on your website, don't spend money on ads. It sounds brutal, but I'm saving you from stress." — Favour [88:27]"If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." — Favour [80:05]FAQsQ: Is Eventbrite only for paid ticketed events?A: No. Free events on Eventbrite give you the same SEO benefits, data collection, and discoverability. Churches, nonprofits, and retail stores should all use it for givebacks, sales, and community events.Q: How do I know when to schedule my event?A: Poll your audience with two questions: weekdays or weekends, and weekdays or weeknights. Add a bonus question about lead time (1-3, 4-6, or 7-9 weeks). Start with whatever feedback you receive.Q: Should I spend $1,000 on event ads?A: Not before your website is ready. Run a $10/day A/B test for 10 days first. Then decide how to invest the remaining $900 based on data, not guesswork.Q: What tools were recommended?A: Eventbrite, Google Search Console, Google Trends, Pinterest Trends, Glimpse, GoHighLevel, Flodesk, SimilarWeb, and G2 for software reviews.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Favour Obasi-ike, MBA, MS hosts a two-part live session from the Marketing Club on Clubhouse, joined by Brian (digital marketing), Liverpool (social media), Angelique (commercial lending startup), and others. The conversation covers how to build product and service pages that rank on search engines, the three stages of buyer awareness (problem aware, solution aware, product aware), why 82% of websites worldwide are outdated, the four types of media (owned, paid, shared, earned), how Google Reviews impact rankings, and tools like Nudgify, Switchy.io, and SEMrush for building brand awareness online.Key TakeawaysBuild from the ground up, not the roof down. Your website needs keyword-rich URL slugs, proper H1-H6 heading structure, and semantic keywords before any social media push.Three stages of buyer awareness drive every sale. Problem aware (they search Google), solution aware (they land on your page), product aware (they recognize your brand as the answer).82% of 1.9 billion websites have not been updated in 6 months. Update your website daily to signal the algorithm that your business is active.Use the CNN model. Never give the full story on social media. Drive people to your website for the complete content, just like major news outlets do.Google Reviews are a major ranking factor. Keep them fresh, avoid all five-star reviews (looks moderated), and embed them on your site using tools like Nudgeify.Master the four types of media. Owned (your content), Paid (ads), Shared (social platforms), and Earned (press/features). Start with owned media and build toward earned.Memorable Quotes"You don't build a house from the roof down. You build from the ground up." — Favour [07:30]"82% of 1.9 billion websites have not been updated in the last six months." — Favour [101:03]"If CNN gave you the full story on Instagram, would you go to their website? No." — Favour [118:24]"SEO is not a one-size-fits-all. It's not a cookie cutter machine." — Favour [71:17]"The better the connection, the better the frequency. The better the frequency, the better the energy." — Favour [119:14]FAQsShould I focus on products or services for my website?Both need dedicated keyword-rich pages. Each product or service should have its own page with text, video, images, pricing, and FAQ so search engines can index them individually.How often should I update my website?Daily if possible. Even once a week puts you ahead of the 82% of websites that go six months without an update. Every update signals the algorithm that your business is active.What tools were recommended?Nudgify (social proof popups), Switchy.io (UTM codes, link shortening, pixel tracking — $39 on AppSumo), SEMrush (keyword research), and Google Business Profile for reviews.How do I build brand awareness from scratch?Start with owned media on your website. Answer the questions your audience is searching for. Then distribute to social media, collect emails, and build toward earned media like press features.Book SEO Services? Save These Quick Links for Later>> Book SEO Services with Favour Obasi-ike>> Visit Work and PLAY Entertainment website to learn about our digital marketing services>> Join our exclusive SEO Marketing community>> Read SEO Articles>> Subscribe to the We Don't PLAY Podcast>> Purchase Flaev Beatz Beats Online>> Favour Obasi-ike Quick Links>> Start Recording your Podcast with Riverside Today | Sign Up with My Affiliate Link HereSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Favour Obasi-ike, MBA, MS hosts a two-part deep dive on email marketing and CRM platforms from the Marketing Club on Clubhouse, joined by Alex (HubSpot, agency owner), Sandra (MailerLite, digital products coach), and David (Flodesk, just starting out).The conversation spans why four out of five marketers prefer email over social media, how a single font size change drove a 73.7% open rate,Flodesk's Magic Links and auto-segmentation features (Read on G2 Reviews), subject line testing with CapitalizeMyTitle.com, deliverability testing with mail-tester.com, the "send fewer emails, get higher clicks" strategy, and the critical difference between first-party and second-party data.Book SEO Services? Save These Quick Links for Later>> Book SEO Services with Favour Obasi-ike>> Visit Work and PLAY Entertainment website to learn about our digital marketing services>> Join our exclusive SEO Marketing community>> Read SEO Articles>> Subscribe to the We Don't PLAY Podcast>> Purchase Flaev Beatz Beats Online>> Favour Obasi-ike Quick Links>> Start Recording your Podcast with Riverside Today | Sign Up with My Affiliate Link HereKey TakeawaysFont size 16 is the email sweet spot. Favour moved from 12/14 to 16 and hit a 73.7% open rate and 68.9% click rate — his highest ever.Send fewer, better emails. Cutting from 16 emails/month to 4 increased click rates from 3.5% to 17.9% over three months.For every $1 spent on email marketing, expect $42 back in impact across traffic, connections, and conversions.Flodesk Magic Links auto-segment subscribers based on what they click, eliminating manual workflow creation.Test deliverability before sending. Use InboxBooster.com to check inbox placement across Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, and AOL. A Wikipedia link triggered spam in Favour's test.Use CapitalizeMyTitle.com to score subject lines on readability, SEO, and sentiment. Score green on all three before sending.Memorable Quotes"Four out of five marketers say they would rather give up social media marketing than email marketing." — Favour [03:10, Pt.1]"It's not just what you say. It's how you say things, and how it's layered." — Favour [13:05, Pt.1]"The content you send to your audience is more important than what platform you use." — Sandra [31:18, Pt.2]"Email marketing is like an animal in itself. It's not just about sending email. It's about analyzing the data." — Sandra [29:41, Pt.2]"We divided our time in half and got more impact. From 16 emails in May to 4 in August — 15% increase in click rates." — Favour [52:00, Pt.2]FAQsQ: Which CRM platform does Favour recommend?Flodesk. He has used it since 2019 (beta). It partners with Amazon SES for high deliverability, costs $19/month for unlimited subscribers, and offers Magic Links for auto-segmentation.Q: What other platforms were discussed?Alex uses HubSpot (B2B agency), Sandra uses MailerLite (small list, digital products), Melo uses MailChimp, and Ty uses Klaviyo. Each fits different business needs and budgets.Q: How do I improve my email open rate?Increase font size to 16, test subject lines on CapitalizeMyTitle.com, test deliverability on mail-tester.com, and segment your list so every email is relevant to the recipient.Q: How often should I send emails?Quality over quantity. Favour cut from 16/month to 4/month and saw click rates jump from 3.5% to 17.9%. Send fewer emails with more substance.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
More LinkedIn Lunatics? https://www.youtube.com/playli... Welcome to the wild, weird, and occasionally wonderful world of LinkedIn, where corporate buzzwords and self-promotion reign supreme! In this video, we're taking a deep dive into r/LinkedInLunatics, the subreddit that exposes the most cringe-worthy LinkedIn posts you'll ever see. If you've ever thought LinkedIn was a bit too much, wait until you see these posts—they're the ones that make even the most seasoned professionals shake their heads in disbelief. From CEOs who think they're the second coming of Steve Jobs to influencers who've taken "personal branding" a little too far, this video is packed with LinkedIn fails that will have you laughing out loud. Ever wondered what happens when corporate speak gets out of control? Or when someone tries to turn a simple coffee break into a life-changing leadership lesson? You're about to find out! These LinkedIn cringe moments are as hilarious as they are baffling. But it's not all just fun and games—okay, maybe it is. We'll also talk about how LinkedIn has become a breeding ground for over-the-top self-promotion and why r/LinkedInLunatics is the perfect antidote to the platform's sometimes pretentious vibe. So, if you're ready to cringe, laugh, and maybe even question your own LinkedIn habits, hit play and join me on this journey through the most ridiculous LinkedIn posts the internet has to offer! ------------------------------------------------------------ Wanna send me mail? ReddX Family Castillejos Post Office C/O Nico Garcia Castillejos Zambales Philippines 2208 #reddit #neckbeard #hashtag Discord: https://discord.gg/Sju7YckUWu Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/daytondo... PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/daytondo... Patreon: http://patreon.com/daytondoes Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/daytond... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReddX... Subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/ReddX... Amazon link to my mic: https://amzn.to/3lInsRR ReddX merch: https://reddx-1-shop.fourthwal... Character art: https://twitter.com/DarkleyStu... Creepypasta channel: https://www.youtube.com/Dayton... Gaming channel: https://www.youtube.com/dayton... Wifey's channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MrsReddX ------------------------------------------------------------ Playlists: Full neckbeard stories: https://www.youtube.com/playli... All neckbeard stories: https://www.youtube.com/playli... All legbeard stories: https://www.youtube.com/playli... RPG Horror Stories: https://www.youtube.com/playli... Weeaboo tales: https://www.youtube.com/playli... ------------------------------------------------------------ Podcasts: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/... Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/reddxy iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/... Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/... Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podc... Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/us/show... Podcast Addict: https://podcastaddict.com/podc... JioSaavn: https://www.jiosaavn.com/shows... Also on Castbox, Audible, and iHeartRadio! Have you ever met a neckbeard or a nice guy? They are frustrating to deal with, but luckily you aren't alone! These r/neckbeardstories from Reddit are among the top posts of all time and include some of the funniest Reddit stories ever posted on the neckbeard stories subreddit! rSlash NeckbeardStories have all kinds of funny neckbeards in them, but especially the nice guy. And the weeaboo. There is a wide spectrum of neckbeards, and this is but a small slice of it. Listening to ReddX's neckbeard stories playlist is a great experience! These neckbeard stories Top Posts of All Time from Reddit are made for you to enjoy any time you feel like it, so be sure to save my rSlash neckbeard stories playlist to your favorites! Some of the top rSlash entitled parents channels I recommend checking out are the original rSlash, Redditor, fresh, r/Bumfries, VoiceyHere, Mr Reddit, Storytime and Darkfluff. These Reddit story channels inspired me to start my own Reddit story channel, with a focus on Entitled Parents stories and at times going into the r/pettyrevenge and r/choosingbeggars subreddit as well. Subscribe to ReddX for the freshest daily Reddit content. I post relatable readings of Reddit posts and Reddit stories every single day! Journey with me as I relate these amazing Reddit stories to my personal life journey. I'm greatly inspired by the top reddit posts of all time videos and reddit stories on YouTube which is why I started doing them myself. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channe... Discord: https://discord.gg/Sju7YckUWu Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/daytondo... PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/daytondo... Patreon: http://patreon.com/daytondoes Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/daytond... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReddX... Merch: https://reddx-shop.fourthwall....
619 Million Podcast Listeners vs. 619 Million Pinterest Users: The Content Overlap Nobody Sees. In this episode, Favour Obasi-ike, MBA, MS will teach you How to Use Pinterest and Podcasting Together to Build Revenue in 2026. Understand what Podcast Listeners Are Doing, Where Pinterest Users Are Planning: Why That Changes Everything. AI + Pinterest + Podcasting = The Revenue Framework for Business Owners.We had a section in this episode discussing From Sourdough to Strategy: How Pinterest Search Reveals Your Next Customer and many more monetization insights for podcast listeners, hosts, and Pinterest business owners.Favour Obasi-ike, MBA, MS and co-host Jon Muranko break down a striking discovery: there are 619.2 million global podcast listeners and 619 million Pinterest monthly active users, nearly identical audiences with completely different behaviors. Podcast listeners consume while doing (commuting, exercising, getting ready). Pinterest users consume while planning (buying, building, deciding). This episode explores how business owners can bridge both platforms using AI tools like Claude to reverse-engineer revenue outcomes, build Pinterest boards that mirror search intent, and time podcast publishing for maximum 24-hour download cycles.Book SEO Services? Save These Quick Links for Later>> Book SEO Services with Favour Obasi-ike>> Visit Work and PLAY Entertainment website to learn about our digital marketing services>> Join our exclusive SEO Marketing community>> Read SEO Articles>> Subscribe to the We Don't PLAY Podcast>> Purchase Flaev Beatz Beats Online>> Favour Obasi-ike Quick Links>> Start Recording your Podcast with Riverside Today | Sign Up with My Affiliate Link HereKey Takeaways619M podcast listeners equals 619M Pinterest users. The audiences are nearly identical in size but differ in behavior: listeners are doing, pinners are planning.Top 3 places people listen to podcasts: getting ready (1st), commuting (2nd), and exercising (3rd). Knowing this shapes when and how you publish.Podcast publishing time affects your 24-hour download window. Post early in the cycle to maximize downloads before the daily clock resets.Pinterest search reveals buyer intent before the purchase. Typing "sourdough" surfaces "discard recipes" as the top suggestion, telling you exactly what URL to build on your website.Use AI as an accelerator, not a replacement. Jon's framework: define your outcome, reverse-engineer it with Claude or Gemini, then validate with a human strategist.Launch Pinterest ad campaigns on Tuesdays or Wednesdays to maximize a 14-day campaign window with the strongest start.Memorable Quotes"619.2 million podcast listeners versus 619 million Pinterest visitors. This is globally." — Favour Obasi-ike [00:05]"You can't plant a mango tree and expect pomegranates. It's what you give that you get." — Favour Obasi-ike [17:44]"AI is not gonna give you the magic key. It will help you accelerate. But if you and I are accelerating the wrong direction, is that gonna help us?" — Jon Muranko [08:25]"Write down your ideas on a physical piece of paper. Takeaways at the top, goals in the middle, actions at the bottom. Then process it through Claude." — Jon Muranko [37:19]"If you're not the one doing it, at least know what you're paying for. That in itself is enough gold to make a better decision." — Favour Obasi-ike [33:39]FAQsQ: Why compare podcast listeners to Pinterest users? A: Both audiences total 619 million globally. Podcast listeners are active (commuting, exercising), while Pinterest users are planning purchases. Bridging both platforms lets you reach the same audience at two different decision stages.Q: How does podcast publishing time affect downloads? A: Podcasts operate on a 24-hour download cycle. Publishing early in that window gives your episode the full day to accumulate downloads, rather than posting late and getting only one hour of traction.Q: How can AI help with Pinterest strategy? A: Use Claude or Gemini to reverse-engineer your revenue goal into a Pinterest content plan, but always validate outputs with human expertise and fact-checking.Q: When should I launch Pinterest ad campaigns? A: Tuesdays and Wednesdays are optimal launch days, giving your 14-day campaign a strong start within the weekly cycle.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
AI is making Marketing faster than ever. But if faster just means more mediocre content, you're not winning…you're just creating more noise. Daniel sits down with Elizabeth Maxson Martinet, CMO of Contentful, to unpack how modern Marketing teams can balance speed, personalization, and quality in the age of AI. From why entry-level Marketers now need to think more like engineers, to how brands can use AI without creating “AI slop,” to why personalization is still wildly underused, Elizabeth shares what it actually takes to build a high-performing marketing team right now. They dive into the “great content collapse,” how to use AI to save time and money without losing the human element, and why ungating your content is one of the smartest plays in modern B2B Marketing. If you're a Marketer trying to use AI more effectively without sacrificing creativity, strategy, or customer experience, this is the episode for YOU. https://customer.io helps brands turn data into personalized messages that actually connect, across email, SMS, and beyond. Learn more at https://customer.io/tmm Follow Elizabeth: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emaxson/ Follow Daniel: 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
Imagine spending or investing $0.02 per click with 619+ Global Million Pinterest Users? The Pinterest Playbook for Business Growth is here!Favour Obasi-ike, MBA, MS, host of the We Don't PLAY!™️ Podcast and Pinterest-certified SEO strategist, leads a live Clubhouse session breaking down the difference between Pinterest marketing (organic) and Pinterest advertising (paid).Joined by John, Dr. Cynthia, and Ramyar, Favour shares real client case studies, including one that jumped from 54M to 154M Google image impressions in three months using Pinterest.He reveals why Pinterest is a visual search engine with 619 million monthly active users, 96% unbranded searches, and 3x higher shopping ad conversions.Key TakeawaysPinterest is a visual search engine, not social media. Users arrive early in their planning phase, making them high-intent buyers.96% of Pinterest searches are unbranded. Your content reaches people who have never heard of you but are searching for your solution.Pin shelf life crushes Instagram. A pin lasts 3.5 to 5 months; add a blog link and it extends to 24 months vs. Instagram's 72 hours.Pinterest indirectly boosts Google rankings. One client went from 54M to 154M Google image impressions in three months via Pinterest.Use Pinterest to A/B test creatives for free. Post five graphics organically for 14 days, then run paid ads only on the top performers.Separate personal and business accounts. Use your domain email for business to claim 100% content ownership via Pinterest's hub.Memorable Quotes"Pinterest is a visual search engine. Drop the P and it's interest. Pinterest has a taste bud of interest and keywords." — Favour Obasi-ike [18:34]"85% of weekly users purchase from pins, and 45% of US Pinterest households earn over $150K a year." — Favour Obasi-ike [27:14]"Pinterest is the least skipped platform for ads. You may not even know what a Pinterest ad looks like." — Favour Obasi-ike [28:11]"Content is king and context is queen. Build the two together and the value increases." — Favour Obasi-ike [40:14]"Build a brand that your website is proud of." — Favour Obasi-ike [92:02]FAQsQ: What is the difference between Pinterest marketing and Pinterest advertising?A: Pinterest marketing is organic: consistently publishing through a claimed website, RSS feed, and Pinterest tag. Pinterest advertising is paid: targeted ads by zip code, interest, and device for quick visibility.Q: How does Pinterest help my Google rankings?A: Your website images appear in Google Images and Bing Images via Pinterest, acting as a backlink and image traffic source that compounds domain authority.Q: Can I target locally on Pinterest?A: Yes. Pinterest allows ad targeting by zip code, making it powerful for local businesses.Q: What is the best way to test ad creatives cheaply?A: Post five creatives organically for 14 days, rank by impressions, then run paid A/B tests only on the top two winners.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Favour Obasi-ike, MBA, MS breaks down the critical difference between content marketing and context marketing for SEO. Using relatable analogies, from buying a home to purchasing an iPhone, Favour explains why content alone is not enough. Content is what you create; context is the meaning, story, and connection behind it. He introduces the WEBLAST acronym (Website, Email, Podcast, LinkedIn, Ads, AI, SEO) as a seven-pillar framework for building a competitive online presence and shares how AI tools can be trained with your brand voice to save time and drive real partnerships.Book SEO Services? Save These Quick Links for Later>> Book SEO Services with Favour Obasi-ike>> Visit Work and PLAY Entertainment website to learn about our digital marketing services>> Join our exclusive SEO Marketing community>> Read SEO Articles>> Subscribe to the We Don't PLAY Podcast>> Purchase Flaev Beatz Beats Online>> Favour Obasi-ike Quick Links>> Start Recording your Podcast with Riverside Today | Sign Up with My Affiliate Link HereKey TakeawaysContent is the "what"; context is the "why." Content gets you seen. Context gets you understood, remembered, and chosen.SEO is intentional, not guesswork. Throwing random keywords no longer works. Structure, readability, and sentimental value drive rankings.Three pillars of context marketing: Readability (humans understand it), SEO (bots can crawl it), and sentimental value (it resonates emotionally).The WEBLAST framework: Website, Email, Podcast, LinkedIn, Ads, AI, and SEO, seven tools that, used together in a progressive cycle, produce measurable growth within 30 days.AI should be trained on your brand. Feed your intellectual property into AI to get responses that sound like you, not generic prompts.Pre-purchase vs. post-purchase context: Before the sale, show up everywhere (YouTube, Google, Pinterest). After the sale, deepen the relationship (email, Zoom, Slack).Memorable Quotes"SEO is intentional. It's not guesswork. We don't do that in 2024, and we're not doing that for 2025 either." — Favour Obasi-ike [03:45]"The website is the content. The pages are the context." — Favour Obasi-ike [07:09]"If I say 'my pleasure,' I don't have to say the brand name to tell you who I'm talking about. That's context." — Favour Obasi-ike [07:54]"Content is free right now. AI is going to give me that content. But context? That's what makes you different." — Favour Obasi-ike [44:05]"Feedback is the best currency." — Favour Obasi-ike [40:49]"You're not prompting ChatGPT, you're prompting yourself." — Favour Obasi-ike [32:36]FAQsQ: What is the difference between content marketing and context marketing?A: Content marketing is the material you produce, the blog, video, or post. Context marketing is the meaning, relevance, and story wrapped around that content so your audience truly understands and connects with your message.Q: Why is context more important than content for SEO?A: Search engines now prioritize user intent and experience. Context ensures your content is readable, emotionally resonant, and structured so both humans and bots can interpret it, which directly improves rankings.Q: What is the WEBLAST framework?A: WEBLAST stands for Website, Email, Podcast, LinkedIn, Ads, AI, and SEO. It is a seven-pillar system for building a strong, competitive online presence when used in a consistent, progressive cycle.Q: How can AI help with context marketing?A: By training AI with your brand's intellectual property, tone, and goals, it becomes a personalized assistant that drafts emails, proposals, and responses in your voice, saving significant time.From seo strategies to ai marketing techniques to pinterest seo to podcast monetization to email marketing for beginners to ai seo tools, this episode id for you.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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.
Buyers are more cautious, deals are stalling, and trust is at an all-time low! Learn the proven strategies emotionally intelligent leaders use to protect margins, rebuild trust, and shorten sales cycles, even when uncertainty reigns.And don't forget! You can crush your marketing strategy with just a few minutes a week by signing up for the StrategyCast Newsletter. You'll receive weekly bursts of marketing tips, clips, resources, and a whole lot more. Visit https://strategycast.com/ for more details.==Let's Break It Down==05:37 "Decline of Trust in Institutions"08:05 "Stick to Ideal Client Profiles"12:35 "Strategic Insights for Sales Success"14:08 "Solving Problems Over Features"19:46 "Listen and Learn from Customers"21:44 "Survival Brain in Sales"26:37 "Addressing the Elephant in Sales"29:24 "Why Mentors Matter"==Where You Can Find Us==Website: https://strategycast.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strategy_cast/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strategycast==Leave a Review==Hey there, StrategyCast fans!If you've found our tips and tricks on marketing strategies helpful in growing your business, we'd be thrilled if you could take a moment to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback not only supports us but also helps others discover how they can elevate their business game!
Favour Obasi-ike, MBA, MS delivers a tutorial on why Pinterest is a search engine, not social media, and how to connect it with Google Search Console for SEO impact.Pinterest is the least skipped ad platform while YouTube is the most, and Pinterest ads cost two to thirty cents versus dollars elsewhere.He covers claiming your business account, how earned media works exclusively on Pinterest, and why a pin lives three to five months compared to an Instagram post's 19 to 72 hours. Favour shares a client case study where organic image impressions grew from 54.1 million to 154 million in three months with zero ad spend, with Pinterest ranking in the top three linking sites.The conversation covers MCP servers, Google's crawl budget drop from 15 to two megabytes, why 67 percent of searches result in zero clicks, and why GoDaddy is not scalable.Mark recommends WordPress, and Shira shares how evergreen content generates leads years after posting.Book SEO Services? Save These Quick Links for Later>> Book SEO Services with Favour Obasi-ike>> Visit Work and PLAY Entertainment website to learn about our digital marketing services>> Join our exclusive SEO Marketing community>> Read SEO Articles>> Subscribe to the We Don't PLAY Podcast>> Purchase Flaev Beatz Beats Online>> Favour Obasi-ike Quick Links>> Start Recording your Podcast with Riverside Today | Sign Up with My Affiliate Link HereTimeline and Timestamps[00:08] Introduction — Pinterest SEO Marketing on Clubhouse.[02:53] Pinterest: least skipped ad platform vs. YouTube.[04:02] Pinterest is a search engine for images.[07:04] You cannot be on ChatGPT if not on Google.[08:15] Claiming your Pinterest business account.[10:02] Earned media — only Pinterest offers it.[12:05] Pin lifespan: 3–5 months vs. Instagram: 19–72 hours.[19:00] Tuna on WebMCP and AI impact on SEO.[21:56] Google crawl budget: 15 MB down to 2 MB.[23:35] 67% of Google searches result in zero clicks.[33:09] Why GoDaddy is not scalable.[40:03] Mark: WordPress — own your website.[58:45] Pinterest + Google Search Console: the perfect blend.[60:30] Case study: 54.1M to 154M impressions organically.[73:49] Shira: evergreen content still generates leads.[79:50] SEO scorecard tool — 10 questions, instant report. 93:01] 97% of Pinterest searches are unbranded.[95:32] Pinterest and Amazon partnership.Memorable Quotes"Pinterest is the least skipped ad platform. YouTube is the most — people pay to skip ads.""If you drop the P, it's interest. Pinterest is interest, literally.""You build a house on land you don't own." — Mark, on closed-source builders."Keep putting out your message, even when nobody's watching, because someone is." — Shira"67% of Google searches don't result in a click. That's a culture shift." — TunaFAQs AnsweredIs Pinterest social media?On the personal side, yes. On the business side, it is a visual search engine where you own 100% of your data through a claimed account.What is earned media?When someone saves your paid pin and revisits it later, you earn impressions without spending again — dividends on your ad spend.Why not GoDaddy?It lacks code injection, scalable pop-ups, and flexibility. WordPress is recommended for full ownership and SEO control.How long does Pinterest SEO take?It depends on domain authority and consistency — no fixed timeline, but articles linked to Pinterest accelerate results.Key TakeawaysClaim your website on Pinterest Business. Track Pinterest as a linking site in Google Search Console. Pins live 3–5 months versus hours on Instagram. 97% of Pinterest searches are unbranded. Own your site on WordPress. Evergreen content compounds and generates leads long after posting.KeywordsPinterest SEO, Google Search Console, earned media, Pinterest ads, visual search engine, domain authority, crawl budget, WordPress, claimed accounts, unbranded search, evergreen content, zero-click searches, SEO scorecard, MCP servers.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Big launches happen all the time. Very few turn into movements. That's what makes the Barbie movie such a powerful case study. What could've been a simple movie launch turned into a full-blown cultural takeover. In this episode, we break down the marketing strategy behind it with the help of our special guest Rekha Srivatsan, SVP & CMO at Tableau. Together, we explore what B2B leaders can learn from having a sharp point of view, building campaigns designed for participation, and letting brand impact and demand generation work side by side. About our guest, Rekha Srivatsan Proven product marketer with experience working in both large and small (but thinking "big") organizations. Winner's mentality, entrepreneurial spirit, and team player. Technical and creative skill set to execute with precision. Ability to conceptualize and execute in and outbound marketing programs and assets that directly impact the organization. What B2B Companies Can Learn From Barbie: Have a point of view and don't apologize for it. Most B2B brands try to hedge. They sand down their sharp edges. They aim for consensus. Barbie did the opposite. As Rekha puts it: “Barbie did not try to please everyone.” That clarity is what made the campaign magnetic. In B2B, differentiation rarely comes from features. If your brand sounds like it was written by committee, it won't move anyone. The brands that win take a stand, speak clearly, and accept that not everyone is the audience. Design for participation, not just promotion. Barbie didn't just run ads. It became a movement. Rekha explains, “The Barbie audience, they aren't passive. Because they showed up really, really well. They showed up, dressed up, they posted.” That doesn't happen by accident. It happens when you create something people want to join. In B2B, this means building campaigns your customers can step into. If your marketing is something people consume and forget, you've capped your impact. If it's something they participate in, you've built a flywheel. Brand and demand are not opposites. Too many B2B teams treat brand and demand differently. Barbie proves that's wrong. Rekha says it directly: “The brand and demand aren't opposites… This is such an emotional, playful storytelling that they had, and they created such a huge commercial impact because of that. To me, the best kind of marketing is when you do both.” The takeaway for B2B is simple: emotional storytelling is leverage. When you build a brand people feel something about, demand follows faster and scales further. Quote “Barbie didn't just break through; it actually took over the conversation and made it so intentional and thoughtful. And candidly, it was such a reminder for all of us in marketing about how our job is so important and how it can also be very, very fun when creativity and courage come together.” Time Stamps [01:15] Meet Rekha Srivatsan, SVP & CMO at Tableau [02:14] Why Barbie? [03:25] The Role of CMO at Tableau [05:36] Barbie & the $150M Breadcrumb Campaign Explained [10:27] B2B Marketing Takeaways from Barbie [43:13] Tips for Your 2026 Marketing Strategy [44:33] Final Thoughts and Takeaways Links Connect with Rekha on LinkedIn Learn more about Tableau 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 Jess Avellino, mixed by Scott Goodrich, 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.
A software company's marketing strategy built on trust, transparency and AI. Autodesk CMO Dara Treseder shares how Autodesk uses AI to augment human creativity, analyze huge amounts of design data earlier in the process and automate repetitive tasks — while being transparent about how its AI tools work and staying focused on being a trusted partner to customers navigating constant change.
Favour Obasi-ike, MBA, MS redefines profitable SEO as more than just rankings — it is profit multiplied by time. He introduces the concept of a foundational evergreen operating system: being where people are, staying ever-ready, and building connections that compound. The episode covers the SEO quadrant and its four pillars, why your contact database is your most valuable SEO asset, and how first-party data from email lists outperforms second-party data from platforms like LinkedIn, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Jonathan shares how NewsBreak and Medium drive backlinks and high domain authority, while Dr. Martin highlights the BlackNews.com story — a site built in 1999 on pure HTML that became the top black news site in the world because Google could easily crawl it. Favour performs a live Semrush audit, explains authority scores, and breaks down how commercial-intent articles like "top 10" lists build domain dominance the way Yelp does. The conversation also covers the new FTC rule on fake reviews, why your website must be the cornerstone of all marketing, and how SEO is ultimately about being the person of remembrance.Book SEO Services? Save These Quick Links for Later>> Book SEO Services with Favour Obasi-ike>> Visit Work and PLAY Entertainment website to learn about our digital marketing services>> Join our exclusive SEO Marketing community>> Read SEO Articles>> Subscribe to the We Don't PLAY Podcast>> Purchase Flaev Beatz Beats Online>> Favour Obasi-ike Quick Links>> Start Recording your Podcast with Riverside Today | Sign Up with My Affiliate Link HereTimeline and Timestamps[00:07] Introduction — profit times time formula.[03:04] The SEO quadrant: mastering the four pillars of SEO.[04:06] Foundational evergreen operating system explained.[07:23] Jonathan on writing for NewsBreak and generating backlinks.[09:05] How NewsBreak articles drive local SEO and 50M monthly users.[10:14] Funneling: 250 words on NewsBreak, full article on your website.[15:55] Associating your brand with related brands for SEO value.[17:01] Profitable SEO: measuring profit in time and money.[19:42] Profitable SEO measured by total contacts in your database.[22:08] First-party vs. second-party data — LinkedIn, Spotify, Apple.[30:40] Live Semrush audit — authority score of 24, 3.7K organic traffic.[34:08] What is domain authority and how to build it.[36:34] Commercial-intent articles: the Yelp strategy for SEO dominance.[42:09] FTC new rule on fake reviews and fake followers.[43:03] BlackNews.com — 25 years of domain authority on pure HTML.[48:31] SEO is about being the person of remembrance.[51:00] Problem aware to solution aware to product aware funnel.[54:00] Answer questions on your website, not just social media.[60:08] On-the-spot audits announcement — turning 5% learning into 90%.Memorable Quotes"Profitable SEO is measured by the total amount of contacts you have in your database.""SEO is letting you be the person of remembrance.""When you're building a house, you don't start from the windows. You start from the thought.""Don't give them the full article on LinkedIn. Give them a little bit, then they click through.""Clubhouse is just 5% acquisition of learning. We want to turn that to 90%."FAQs AnsweredWhat does profitable SEO mean?It is profit multiplied by time — measuring both the monetary return and the time saved through organic search visibility and relationship building.What is domain authority?A proprietary metric measuring a domain's dominance based on years of indexed content, quality backlinks, and organic search traffic.Why is first-party data important for SEO?Platforms like LinkedIn and Spotify own your subscriber data. Building your own email list gives you direct access to your audience through your domain.How do commercial-intent articles help SEO? "Top 10" and comparison articles keep visitors on your site longer, build authority, and capture searches where users are ready to take action.Key TakeawaysBuild your contact database — it is your most valuable SEO asset. Create commercial-intent articles to capture high-value searches. Use platforms like Newsbreak and Medium for backlinks but always funnel traffic to your website. Your website is the cornerstone — answer questions there, not just on social media. SEO is a long game: do the groundwork, and your business will eventually fly on autopilot.Keywordsprofitable SEO, domain authority, SEMrush, backlinks, first-party data, email marketing, Newsbreak, commercial intent, contact database, SEO quadrant, authority score, organic traffic, content funneling, evergreen content, website optimizationSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Favour Obasi-ike, MBA, MS delivers a deep dive into winning local SEO using Google Business Profile. He explains how local SEO works through the formula of product/service plus location, then breaks down the technical backbone — sitemaps, robots.txt, and no-index tags — revealing how one misconfigured tag can make an entire website invisible to Google. Real client case studies include a bakery in Georgia invisible on Google from two miles away, and a massage therapy business paying $16–$32 per click for keywords they could rank for organically. Dr. Fashion and Celese Williams contribute insights on keyword research, engagement, and why AI still needs the human element for conversions.Book SEO Services? Save These Quick Links for Later>> Book SEO Services with Favour Obasi-ike>> Visit Work and PLAY Entertainment website to learn about our digital marketing services>> Join our exclusive SEO Marketing community>> Read SEO Articles>> Subscribe to the We Don't PLAY Podcast>> Purchase Flaev Beatz Beats Online>> Favour Obasi-ike Quick Links>> Start Recording your Podcast with Riverside Today | Sign Up with My Affiliate Link HereTimeline and Timestamps[00:13] Welcome and introduction[02:38] Dr. Fashion on the importance of online visibility.[04:34] Origin story of Google Maps and its free iPhone launch.[07:07] What is local SEO? Product/service + location formula.[19:58] No-index tags — how one setting blocks your entire site.[24:44] Dr. Fashion on targeting low-competition keywords.[27:28] Three essentials: Google Business Profile, website, social media.[36:10] Zip code marketing and the "set it and forget it" trap.[37:03] Google gives you 30 service slots — most businesses use only a few.[39:05] TAM, SAM, and serving within a 35-mile radius.[43:23] Google ranks webpages and links, not websites.[54:15] Organic traffic vs. paid ads for local businesses.[57:05] Case study: bakery invisible on Google from two miles away.[65:00] LinkedIn engagement at 3.8% vs. Instagram at 0.7%.[70:00] Podcasting as a nesting ground for compound growth.[77:41] E-E-A-T: Experience, Expertise, Authority, and Trust.[80:00] Celese on why AI needs human design for conversions.[86:01] Live SERP API search demo for Canadian results.Memorable Quotes"Google does not rank your website. Google ranks your webpage.""The only way to create capacity is by building it.""You can't even be on ChatGPT if you're not on Google.""I'd rather have so much organic feedback that I can run ad campaigns for branding, not survival.""If you don't have the words people type in your domain, you have no conversation."FAQs AnsweredWhat is local SEO?Product or service plus location, optimized so nearby people find you through search.What is a no-index tag?It tells search bots not to index a page. If left on by default, your entire site becomes invisible to Google.What are sitemaps and robots.txt?Sitemaps list your content for search engines. Robots.txt instructs bots on what to crawl or block. Both must work together.How many services can I list on GBP?Google allows about 30 service listings — most businesses only use a fraction.Does SEO still matter with AI search?Yes. If you are not on Google, you will not appear on ChatGPT, Perplexity, or any AI search tool.Key TakeawaysConnect your website to Google Search Console and ensure proper indexing. Use city and state in your URLs for local ranking. Fill all 30 service slots on GBP. Build organic content to reduce ad spend. LinkedIn outperforms Instagram for B2B.E-E-A-T is the code of conduct for local search visibility.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Favour Obasi-ike, MBA, MS demonstrates an integrated marketing approach in real time — from AI prompt to website article to LinkedIn to Threads to podcast to Clubhouse, all within the first 15 minutes.He used an AI assistant to scan 85+ articles on his website and generate five bottom-of-funnel topics, then built an entire content chain across platforms from one topic.The episode features the "Did You Know" series revealing how major brands started with different products — IKEA with pens, Sony with rice cookers, Samsung as a grocery store, Lamborghini as tractors.Favour connects this to the lesson that businesses evolve and what you start with is not what you become.Keith shares the PayPal origin story, and Liverpool's Finest emphasizes knowing your target audience before executing any strategy.Key TakeawaysUse AI to mine existing content for new topics.Build content chains across platforms.Every brand evolves — your starting product is not your final product.Test emails technically, not just visually.Position your podcast through strategic RSS feeds.Omni-channel marketing starts with one thought and multiplies through execution.Book SEO Services? Save These Quick Links for Later>> Book SEO Services with Favour Obasi-ike>> Visit Work and PLAY Entertainment website to learn about our digital marketing services>> Join our exclusive SEO Marketing community>> Read SEO Articles>> Subscribe to the We Don't PLAY Podcast>> Purchase Flaev Beatz Beats Online>> Favour Obasi-ike Quick Links>> Start Recording your Podcast with Riverside Today | Sign Up with My Affiliate Link HereTimeline and Timestamps[00:06] Welcome and introduction.[02:53] How the topic was born — AI scanning 85+ website articles.[05:10] Five bottom-of-funnel topics AI generated from the website.[09:02] Topics: Pinterest SEO, email marketing, keyword research, Clubhouse alternatives, integrated marketing.[11:18] Live demo of the integrated marketing workflow.[18:50] Podcast playback — "Did You Know" series begins.[22:54] Brand origins: IKEA, Sony, Nokia, Samsung, Nike, Lamborghini, and more.[28:12] The moral: start early, grow fast.[32:41] Recap of the integrated content chain.[37:15] Keith on PayPal's origin — from Palm Pilot app to payments.[38:16] Most millionaires took 22 years to make their first million.[39:54] Liverpool's Finest on integration, portability, and target audience.[45:40] Email testing — technical vs. cosmetic testing.[48:51] Podcast positioning through RSS feeds with depth.[51:33] Web3, IP protection, and applied AI.[53:05] Omni-channel marketing: ideation to execution.Memorable Quotes"The business you're starting is not going to be the same business in 10 years.""It's not that your podcast is not being heard — it's not positioned to be heard.""I'd rather not send that email at all than send it and have question marks behind it.""Most millionaires took on average 22 years to make their first million." — Keith"If your marketing is not reaching your audience, you're wasting money." — Liverpool's FinestFAQs AnsweredWhat is an integrated marketing approach?Creating one piece of content and distributing it across multiple platforms so each channel feeds the next.How can AI help with content planning?Prompt AI to scan your existing content and generate bottom-of-funnel topics, then build content chains from those topics.What is technical email testing?It analyzes which providers receive your emails and whether your text-to-HTML ratio triggers spam filters — beyond just checking for typos.Why does podcast positioning matter?Strategic RSS feed placement connects your episodes to distribution channels that expand reach beyond a single app.Keywordsintegrated marketing, omni-channel marketing, podcast SEO, AI content strategy, email marketing testing, RSS feed distribution, brand evolution, bottom-of-funnel content, Web3 SEO, LinkedIn marketing, podcast positioningSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Favour Obasi-ike, MBA, MS breaks down the SEO difference between podcast downloads and unique listeners — two metrics every podcaster must understand. A download is triggered after just 45 seconds of listening, while a unique listener represents someone who returns to engage with your content repeatedly, much like a returning website visitor. Favour connects these metrics to podcast SEO, keyword density, IAB certification, and long-term monetization. He reveals how transcripts convert speech into indexable text that fuels Google rankings and why every episode acts as a keyword bank. Celese Williams joins with questions on podcast ranking and the SEO-podcasting connection. The episode also covers the industry's explosive growth — valued at $38–50 billion, projected to reach $131 billion by 2030 — and the milestone of podcasting overtaking radio in consumption.Book SEO Services? Save These Quick Links for Later>> Book SEO Services with Favour Obasi-ike>> Visit Work and PLAY Entertainment website to learn about our digital marketing services>> Join our exclusive SEO Marketing community>> Read SEO Articles>> Subscribe to the We Don't PLAY Podcast>> Purchase Flaev Beatz Beats Online>> Favour Obasi-ike Quick Links>> Start Recording your Podcast with Riverside Today | Sign Up with My Affiliate Link HereEpisode Timeline and Timestamps[00:00] Introduction and episode overview.[00:44] What counts as a podcast download — the 45-second rule explained.[04:27] Defining unique listeners — comparing them to returning website visitors.[08:04] Exact match phrasing and how podcast platform search works.[10:02] The "red carpet" analogy — why timestamps create a guided experience.[14:19] Keyword density: every episode is a keyword bank; more episodes = larger keyword database.[20:31] IAB certification and monetization through dynamic ads from brands like Shopify and Canva.[23:03] Downloads vs. unique listeners by the numbers — the 40% gap.[26:22] RSS feeds, structured data, schema, and FAQs powering podcast SEO.[31:34] Why top podcasters rank — more episodes, more keywords, higher visibility.[35:52] The seven essential podcast SEO spots every show needs.[38:22] Favour's growth from 1K downloads/month to 1K downloads/week.[46:41] Industry valued at $38–50B, projected $131B by 2030.[47:54] Podcasting overtakes radio in consumption for the first time.[53:14] Celese shares her biggest takeaway and next steps.[61:14] Q&A: Hosting vs. distribution — choosing the right platform.Memorable Quotes"A podcast download counts as a 45-second time-lapse that results into one download.""Think about every episode like a keyword bank.""If you have a podcast and you don't know SEO, that's where the struggle bus starts.""For the first time in history, podcasting has overtaken radio when it comes to consumption.""The goal is not just to have downloads and listeners, it's to have action takers."FAQs AnsweredWhat counts as one podcast download?A listener must play at least 45 seconds for it to register as one download.How do unique listeners differ from downloads?Unique listeners return to re-listen or engage deeply with specific sections, like returning website visitors.How does podcast SEO work?Transcripts convert spoken words into indexable text. More episodes mean a larger keyword database and stronger signals.What is IAB certification?The Interactive Advertising Bureau certifies platforms for ad placement, enabling dynamic ads and monetization.What are the seven podcast SEO spots?Podcast title, description, episode title, episode description, author, podcast cover art, and episode cover art.Which platform is best for business?Start with free hosting, distribute everywhere, then scale to an IAB-certified platform. Connect your RSS feed to LinkedIn for auto-syndication.Keywordspodcast downloads, unique listeners, podcast SEO, keyword density, IAB certification, RSS feed, podcast monetization, exact match phrasing, podcast transcripts, structured data, podcast hosting, podcast distribution, Google Search Console, podcast rankingSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Favour Obasi-ike, MBA, MS dives deep into the art and science of building a high-performing website. The conversation kicks off with a fundamental principle: a high-performing website is built on a foundation of high-quality, structured content that builds a relationship with the consumer. Favour emphasizes that content without consumption is merely information, and the key to engagement is creating content that drives conversation and conversion.The episode explores the importance of starting with a website before diving into social media, establishing a central hub for your brand and content. Favour introduces listeners to the power of Google Advanced Search as a tool for discovering high-volume search phrases and understanding audience intent. This data-driven approach to content creation is presented as the cornerstone of a successful content strategy.The discussion then shifts to the technical aspects of website performance, highlighting the significance of structured data (schema markup) and the Open Graph protocol. Favour explains how these technical elements help search engines understand and display content more effectively, leading to improved visibility and click-through rates. The episode also touches on the latest trends in web design, mentioning innovative tools like PeachWeb, Spline Design, and Dora that are shaping the future of web development.A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to a real-world case study, where Favour shares impressive growth metrics from a client who doubled their website traffic and saw a massive increase in image search impressions by focusing on technical SEO and content structure. This practical example serves as a powerful testament to the effectiveness of the strategies discussed.The conversation also features a guest, Tree, who shares her struggles as a small business owner in the tree service industry. This leads to a valuable discussion on how to overcome marketing challenges with limited resources, with Favour suggesting a podcast as a low-cost, high-impact strategy for building authority and attracting an audience. The episode concludes with a wealth of practical advice and resources for business owners looking to enhance their online presence and build a website that drives sustainable growth.Book SEO Services? Save These Quick Links for Later>> Book SEO Services with Favour Obasi-ike>> Visit Work and PLAY Entertainment website to learn about our digital marketing services>> Join our exclusive SEO Marketing community>> Read SEO Articles>> Subscribe to the We Don't PLAY Podcast>> Purchase Flaev Beatz Beats Online>> Favour Obasi-ike Quick LinksKey Takeaways1. Content is King, but Structure is Queen: A high-performing website is built on high-quality, structured content that is consistently delivered to your audience.2. Start with Your Website: Before you build your social media presence, establish your website as the central hub for your brand and content.3. Leverage Google Advanced Search: Use Google Advanced Search to find high-volume search phrases and understand what your audience is looking for.4. Technical SEO is Crucial: Pay attention to technical details like structured data (schema markup) and the Open Graph protocol to improve your website's visibility and click-through rates.5. Embrace New Technologies: Stay ahead of the curve by exploring innovative web design and development tools like PeachWeb, Spline Design, and Dora.6. Podcasting as a Powerful Marketing Tool: A podcast can be a low-cost, high-impact way to build authority, attract an audience, and drive traffic to your website.7. Focus on Long-Term Growth: Building a high-performing website is a long-term investment that requires a strategic approach and consistent effort.Memorable Quotes[01:03.0 - 01:08.0] "Because if you write content, but nobody's consuming it, then is it really content or is it just information?"[06:49.8 - 06:52.8] "I wouldn't start a social media if I don't have a website."[31:25.1 - 31:26.9] "It's not a one plug fix."[57:18.6 - 57:20.1] "If Google doesn't trust you, Google is not going to trust you with their client or with their customer."[86:08.4 - 86:11.3] "A podcast is free and a lot of people are starting podcasts today..."FAQs1. What is the first step to building a high-performing website? The first step is to focus on creating high-quality, structured content that addresses the needs and questions of your target audience.2. Why is it important to have a website before a social media presence? Your website is the only online property you truly own and control. It serves as the central hub for your brand and content, while social media should be used to drive traffic back to your website.3. What are some key technical SEO elements to focus on? Two crucial technical SEO elements are structured data (schema markup) and the Open Graph protocol. These help search engines understand and display your content more effectively.4. How can I find out what my audience is searching for? Google Advanced Search is a powerful tool for discovering high-volume search phrases and gaining insights into your audience's intent.5. What are some low-cost marketing strategies for small businesses? Starting a podcast is a low-cost, high-impact strategy for building authority, attracting an audience, and driving traffic to your website.Timestamps[00:00.0] Introduction: How to Build a High-Performing Website[01:03.0] The Importance of Content Consumption[02:27.0] Starting from Scratch: No Website, No Social Media[03:07.0] Using Google Advanced Search for Content Ideas[05:01.0] The Equation: High-Performing Website = High-Quality Content[06:46.6] Why You Need a Website Before Social Media[08:16.5] Google Search vs. Google Discover[09:27.3] Understanding the Open Graph Protocol[11:05.1] The Power of Visuals: Thumbnails and Rich Snippets[13:05.0] Case Study: Doubling Website Traffic with Technical SEO[20:01.0] The Importance of a Mobile-First Approach[23:04.0] Building a Website with No-Code Tools[28:32.8] The Future of the Web: AI and Personalized Content[34:41.1] How to Build High-Quality Content[40:01.0] The Role of AI in Content Creation[45:01.0] Overcoming Marketing Challenges with a Podcast[57:10.3] The E-E-A-T Framework: Expertise, Experience, Authority, and Trust[01:00:10.7] The Importance of a Long-Term Perspective[01:15:01.0] Q&A with Tree: A Small Business Owner's Journey[01:23:10.7] Conclusion: Building a Sustainable Online PresenceResourcesHost by Favour Obasi-ike, MBA, MSWe Don't PLAY!™️ PodcastWhat is SEOTechnical SEO CourseTop SEO Strategies to Boost Organic TrafficPeachWebSpline DesignDoraSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Good for Business Show with LinkedIn Expert Michelle J Raymond.
Most corporate LinkedIn strategies underperform because social teams are brought in too late.In this episode, Michelle J Raymond speaks with Melissa Dawson from WD about what high-performing corporate social on LinkedIn actually looks like inside large organisations. They explore why treating social media as a distribution channel rather than a strategic partner limits results.Topics include corporate social strategy, LinkedIn marketing for B2B, employee advocacy, organic and paid LinkedIn strategies, and how marketing teams can better align campaigns with social from the start.Key moments in this episode - 00:00 – Why corporate LinkedIn strategies underperform 01:05 – Defining high-performing corporate social in B2B 03:10 – Why brand impact matters more than leads 06:20 – Why creative and message drive campaign success 10:35 – The “just post this” problem for social teams 13:05 – Why trade show social posts usually fail 18:45 – Employee advocacy and LinkedIn visibility 20:30 – Combining organic and paid LinkedIn strategiesCONNECT WITH MICHELLE J RAYMONDMichelle J Raymond on LinkedInBook a free intro callhttps://socialmediaforb2bgrowthpodcast.com/B2B Growth Co newsletterToday's episode is sponsored by Metricool. Make sure to register for a FREE Metricool account today. Use Code MICHELLE30 to try any Premium Plan FREE for 30 days. https://metricool.com/michellejraymond/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=20260303_michelle-raymond_march-premium-li_en&utm_content=audio&utm_term=q1
Welcome to the Health Marketing Collective, where strong leadership meets marketing excellence.On today's episode, Carrie Maurer joins Sara Payne for the second conversation in a powerful two-part series dedicated to the realities of high-stakes, consensus-driven B2B buying environments. With over 25 years of experience as a senior marketing and growth leader, former CMO, and advisor to CEOs across industries, Carrie Maurer brings deep expertise in guiding leadership teams to unlock market expansion and position marketing as a true partner in revenue growth.This episode centers on the inside story of how major B2B buying decisions are really made—and why even the most innovative solutions and persuasive pitches can still stall or slip through the cracks. Sara and Carrie zoom in on two critical, often misunderstood concepts: the group dynamics behind big-ticket buying choices, and the pivotal role trust and risk management play in moving opportunities through complex sales cycles. More than exploring marketing tactics, they tackle structural and cultural barriers that can either empower—or hinder—marketing from being a genuine driver of business decisions and deal velocity.Key Takeaways:In High-Stakes B2B, Inaction Is the Real CompetitorCarrie Maurer points out that B2B deals most often stall not because a buyer doesn't like a solution, but because taking action feels risky—and the default, safest choice is to do nothing. Buyers hesitate when they cannot fully defend their decision internally, meaning trust and risk reduction are more impactful than even the best innovations.Decisions Are Made by Groups, Not IndividualsThe notion that marketing and sales can win over a single ‘key decision maker' is fundamentally flawed. Meaningful B2B decisions are nearly always made by buying groups—informal or formal clusters with varied priorities, concerns, and veto power. Effective marketing strategies must look beyond personas to understand and support the group dynamics and internal politics that shape consensus.Marketing's Role Is to Help Decisions ‘Travel'Success isn't just about generating interest. Marketing must help opportunities move from initial clarity (awareness) through confidence (defensibility) to consensus (organizational alignment). This means anticipating objections, aiding internal champions, and providing tools and narratives that enable buyers to ‘sell' the decision internally.Operating Models Can Be Hidden Constraints or Force MultipliersA major cause of stalling is not creative failure but structural misalignment within marketing teams. When internal processes and shared services slow marketing's responsiveness, opportunities slip and trust erodes—both with buyers and inside the business. Organizations that prioritize impact (speed, alignment, proximity to buyer needs) over efficiency (queues, rigid processes) empower marketing to be a genuine growth driver.Trust Is Built Through Defensibility, Not Just Brand WarmthIn B2B, trust isn't about likability or soft sentiment. It's about creating ‘safety' for buyers: Are you enabling them to defend and own the buying decision with confidence in front of skeptical stakeholders? Marketing must provide proof points, support, and responsiveness at exactly the right moment to reduce the personal and emotional risk involved in high-profile buying decisions.This episode provides both a mirror and a map for marketing leaders: If your team is only focused on personas, lead generation, or creative campaigns, you're missing the real leverage point. True marketing excellence requires architecting cultures, systems, and models that enable decisions to move with confidence, speed, and group consensus—because when decisions move, revenue follows.For more insights or to connect with Carrie Maurer directly, reach out via LinkedIn, and stay tuned to the Health Marketing Collective for the best in leadership-driven marketing strategy.Mentioned in this episode:Health Marketing Collective is Powered by InprelaThe Health Marketing Collective is powered by Inprela: a communications firm built for health brands determined to lead, not follow. We partner with marketing innovators who aren't just chasing attention—they're building movements. Connect with the audiences shaping the future of care and lead the conversations that move your market. Ready to rise above the noise? Visit inprela.com. Let's create something that moves the market.Inprela Communications
Jessica Jensen, CMO of LinkedIn, joins us for a high-energy conversation on careers, personal branding, and the future of B2B marketing.We dive into the latest job market data (it might surprise you), the skills employers are actively looking for, and how to grow your personal profile on LinkedIn (which could include posting with flamingo glasses). We also unpack the LinkedIn algorithm, handling negative comments, new features creators and brands should be using, and why B2B marketing absolutely doesn't have to be boring.Sign up to our live event, The Calling, on April 21st here:https://event.uncensoredcmo.com/events/uncensoredcmo/2044861Subscribe to our newsletter, The One Thing:https://newsletter.uncensoredcmo.com/Listen to our new podcast, Uncensored Renegades:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/uncensored-renegades/id1868870960Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7qnkqq0XSpgif9A5ZNgSpX?si=f181c3a0e9af480cTimestamps00:00 - Intro01:04 - Jessica Jensen's backstory02:02 - The benefits of being a marketer from a non-marketing background02:42 - The difference between B2B and B2C according to LinkedIn03:38 - How to build high-performing teams06:32 - The data on the job market according to LinkedIn10:02 - What skills are employers looking for?12:04 - How do you build a personal brand on LinkedIn (when working for another company)18:25 - 3 tips for building your personal brand on LinkedIn20:04 - What is going on with the LinkedIn algorithm?21:35 - How to make the most of an ever changing algorithm23:16 - Does LinkedIn suppress posts based on gender?26:14 - How to deal with negative comments on LinkedIn28:00 - What new LinkedIn features should people be using?30:48 - What features can brands use to make the most of LinkedIn32:19 - B2B does not have to be boring35:02 - LinkedIn's billboards poking fun at AI36:21 - How are LinkedIn marketing LinkedIn?41:12 - How are LinkedIn helping younger people get into work43:28 - Addressing the Open to Work badge stigma44:17 - Advice to creators on LinkedIn
Favour Obasi-ike, MBA, MS, provides a comprehensive guide to Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for small to mid-sized businesses (SMBs). The episode explores the critical differences in SEO strategies for product-based (E Commerce / E-Commerce) and service-based businesses (SEO Services), offering actionable insights for online growth.Favour emphasizes the foundational importance of a fast, reliable website for any business, highlighting how website performance directly impacts user experience and, consequently, SEO algorithm rankings. For product-based businesses, the discussion centers on the power of visual storytelling through high-quality, optimized images and the technical advantages of using structured data to create informative rich snippets in search results. The episode then shifts to service-based businesses (SEO Services), detailing how to build trust and authority through valuable content marketing and the necessity of local SEO for businesses serving a specific geographic area. A key theme throughout the episode is the concept of user intent, with Favour explaining how to target both commercial and informational keywords to attract customers at every stage of their journey. Finally, the episode underscores the long-term nature of SEO, stressing that consistency in content creation and optimization efforts is the ultimate key to sustainable online success. This podcast episode is a must-listen for any business owner looking to demystify SEO and implement effective strategies for lasting growth.Book SEO Services? Save These Quick Links for Later>> Book SEO Services with Favour Obasi-ike>> Visit Work and PLAY Entertainment website to learn about our digital marketing services>> Join our exclusive SEO Marketing community>> Read SEO Articles>> Subscribe to the We Don't PLAY Podcast>> Purchase Flaev Beatz Beats Online>> Favour Obasi-ike Quick LinksEpisode Key Takeaways1. Website Performance is Paramount: A fast, reliable, and user-friendly website is the non-negotiable foundation for any successful SEO strategy, impacting everything from user engagement to search engine rankings.2. Tailor Your SEO Strategy: The optimal SEO approach differs significantly between product-based and service-based businesses. Product businesses should focus on visual optimization and structured data, while service businesses should prioritize content that builds authority and trust.3. Leverage Visuals for Product SEO: For e-commerce and product-focused businesses, high-quality, optimized images with descriptive alt text are crucial for attracting and converting customers who rely on visual information to make purchasing decisions.4. Build Authority with Content for Service SEO: Service-based businesses can establish themselves as industry leaders by consistently creating valuable, informative content (like blogs, case studies, and whitepapers) that addresses their target audience's needs and questions.5. Master User Intent: Understanding whether a user is looking to buy (commercial intent) or learn (informational intent) is key. A balanced content strategy that targets both types of keywords will capture a wider audience and nurture leads through the entire customer journey.6. Embrace Local SEO: For service businesses with a physical location or defined service area, optimizing for local search by managing a Google Business Profile and creating location-specific content is essential for attracting nearby customers.7. Consistency is the Long-Term Game: SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. Sustainable growth is achieved through consistent, long-term effort in content creation, technical optimization, and building a strong online presence, rather than expecting overnight success.Memorable Quotes[09:05] "As a service-based business or as a product-based business is your website. How fast is your website?"[35:09] "That's why we're in this room today because we want to know what is a commercial value?"[36:22] "You gotta be consistent, you gotta be putting out the content, you gotta do a lot of things."[37:01] "Long, long, long, long, long-term."Episode FAQs1. What is the most important first step in any SEO strategy?The most crucial first step is ensuring you have a fast, reliable, and mobile-friendly website. A poor-performing site will undermine all other SEO efforts.2. How does SEO for a product-based business differ from a service-based business?Product-based SEO heavily relies on high-quality images, structured data (schema markup) for product details, and e-commerce platform optimization. Service-based SEO focuses more on building authority through in-depth content, demonstrating expertise, and often includes a strong local SEO component.3. What is user intent and why is it important for SEO?User intent is the 'why' behind a search query. It can be informational (looking for information), commercial (intending to buy), transactional (ready to complete a purchase), or navigational (looking for a specific site). Understanding intent allows you to create content that directly addresses the user's needs, leading to higher engagement and better rankings.4. How long does it take to see results from SEO?SEO is a long-term strategy. While some minor results can be seen in a few months, significant, lasting results typically take six months to a year of consistent effort to achieve.5. What is the role of content in SEO for service-based businesses?For service-based businesses, content is the primary tool for building trust and demonstrating expertise. High-quality blog posts, articles, case studies, and guides attract potential clients, answer their questions, and position your business as a credible authority in your field.Episode Timestamps[00:00] Introduction: SEO for Product vs. Service Businesses[03:03] The Difference Between Product and Service-Based Businesses[08:56] The Importance of Website Speed and Reliability[10:01] SEO for Product-Based Businesses: Images and Structured Data[15:21] SEO for Service-Based Businesses: Content and Local SEO[34:10] Understanding User Intent: Commercial vs. Informational Keywords[36:07] The Importance of Consistency in SEOSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this episode, the "Godfather of Effectiveness" Peter Field joins the show to discuss why the pursuit of efficiency is making marketing less effective. He breaks down the "Triple Jeopardy" facing modern marketers: over-investing in the bottom of the funnel, producing dull rational creative, and purchasing low-attention media. Field provides an evidence-based case for why the industry must move away from CPM and toward "cost per attentive second" to drive real profitability.Key TakeawaysThe Triple Jeopardy: Effectiveness is being squeezed by three factors: a lack of brand investment, a decline in creative "magic," and the rise of low-attention media platforms.The 60% Waste: Choosing media based on low CPMs often results in zero attention, effectively wasting the majority of the investment.The One-Second Brand Fail: You cannot build brand memory or mental availability in one second.The Recession Playbook: Economic uncertainty is the best time to "go long" as media costs for brand building decrease, providing a massive competitive advantage for the recovery.The CFO Dialogue: Use evidence and case studies to prove that brand health is the primary driver of conversion efficiency.Guest BioPeter Field is a world-renowned marketing consultant and researcher. He is the co-author of several seminal works on marketing effectiveness, including The Long and Short of It and The Five Principles of Growth in B2B Marketing.Peter Field on LinkedInTimestamps00:04 – The Rant: Stop buying on CPM.04:11 – Defining the Triple Jeopardy of Media.08:44 – Why "going short" in a recession is the riskiest move.15:30 – The "Science-ification" of creative and why it's failing.22:07 – Why CPM is a "bad drug."31:15 – The difference between "Active" and "Passive" attention.42:10 – How to talk to your CFO about brand investment.51:21 – Closing thoughts: Fixing the number one problem in media.Reference LinksBinet, L., & Field, P. (2013). The Long and the Short of It: Balancing Short and Long-Term Marketing Strategies. Institute of Practitioners in Advertising.Field, P. (2024). The Cost of Dull: How boring advertising is costing brands billions. eatbigfish & System1.Field, P., & Binet, L. (2021). The 5 Principles of Growth in B2B Marketing. LinkedIn B2B Institute.Field, P., & Nelson-Field, K. (2022). The Triple Jeopardy of Attention. Amplified Intelligence.Trading Economics. (2026). Canada Consumer Confidence Index. Retrieved from https://tradingeconomics.com/canada/consumer-confidence
Favour Obasi-ike, MBA, MS, pulls back the SEO truths curtain on the world of SEO agencies. Joined by a panel of experts, Favour reveals the questions you should be asking your SEO provider to ensure you're getting the most out of your investment. The discussion covers a wide range of topics, from the true cost of SEO to the importance of a long-term strategy. Favour emphasizes that SEO is not a one-time fix, but an ongoing process that requires continuous effort and adaptation. This episode also explains the four pillars of SEO success — search, find, click, and save — and how they can be used to create a powerful connection with your target audience. Whether you're a business owner looking to hire an SEO agency or a marketing professional seeking to deepen your understanding of the industry, this episode is packed with valuable insights and actionable advice. Tune in to learn how to take control of your SEO destiny and drive sustainable growth for your social business.Book SEO Services? Save These Quick Links for Later>> Book SEO Services with Favour Obasi-ike>> Visit Work and PLAY Entertainment website to learn about our digital marketing services>> Join our exclusive SEO Marketing community>> Read SEO Articles>> Subscribe to the We Don't PLAY Podcast>> Purchase Flaev Beatz Beats Online>> Favour Obasi-ike Quick LinksKey Takeaways1. SEO is a long-term investment, not a quick fix. Sustainable results require a consistent and evolving strategy.2. The cost of SEO varies, but the focus should be on value and ROI, not just the price tag.3. Ask your SEO agency about their team, workflow, strategy, and reporting to ensure transparency and alignment.4. The four pillars of SEO are search, find, click, and save. The goal is to create valuable content that resonates with your audience.5. Don't be a passive client. Educate yourself, ask questions, and take an active role in your SEO strategy.6. Certifications and partnerships (like with SEMrush) can be an indicator of an agency's credibility and expertise.7. Competitive analysis is crucial. You need to understand who your competitors are and what they're doing to succeed in the search rankings.Memorable Quotes[08:20 - 08:34] "There's this illusion of SEO being a genie that just comes and wipes your problems away and then you rank all day. It's not like that."[08:51 - 08:57] "Yes, it's technical, but the fundamental value of SEO is to connect."[25:08 - 25:16] "These agencies will just sell you snake oil and tell you all these things about what to do, what not to do. And then they leave you stranded, high and dry, pay thousands of dollars and you've not received one click or one lead."[30:37 - 30:47] "SEO is about search, find, click, and save."FAQs1. How much should I budget for SEO services?The cost of SEO can range from $500 to $5,000+ per month. For serious results, a budget of at least $1,000 per month is recommended.2. How long does it take to see results from SEO?SEO is a long-term strategy. While some quick wins are possible, significant and sustainable results typically take 6-12 months to achieve.3. What are the most important questions to ask an SEO agency?Ask about their team, their process, their strategy, and how they measure success. It's also important to inquire about their experience in your industry.4. What is the difference between on-page and off-page SEO?On-page SEO refers to optimizations made to your website, such as content and technical aspects. Off-page SEO involves activities outside of your website, such as link building and social media.5. How can I learn more about SEO?There are many resources available online, including blogs, courses, and certifications. Following industry experts and listening to podcasts like We Don't PLAY! can also be beneficial.Timestamps[00:00] Introduction: What SEO agencies won't tell you.[05:55] How much does SEO cost?[07:33] The importance of a long-term SEO strategy.[08:10] SEO is not a one-time fix.[24:04] How to get into SEO.[25:30] The importance of certifications for SEO agencies.[26:51] The role of competitive analysis in SEO.[30:29] The four-wheel cycle of SEO: search, find, click, and save.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this episode of the FINITE Podcast, Jodi sits down with the brilliant Dario Debarbieri, CMO at HCL Software. With a career at the intersection of marketing and AI, Dario offers a candid look at the Intelligence Economy and what it means for the modern B2B marketer.We explore a world where artificial intelligence interacts with audiences in real-time, reading the sentiment of minute digital movements to deliver personalized content in exactly the right context. Dario explains why the traditional 4 Ps of strategy may now matter less than your data quality, and why marketers must evolve from artists into engineers to survive.Key topics covered in this episode include:The Intelligence Economy: Why data is the new oil and how to use the right tools to extract and refine it.Marketers as Engineers: How the role of the marketer is shifting toward technical precision and data science.Context is King: Moving beyond simple demographics to understand the situational context of your buyer.The Ethics of AI: Navigating the fine line between helpful personalization and creepy intrusion (e.g., following a customer to their Alexa at bedtime).Listen to the full episode to hear how hyper-personalization is setting companies apart and how you can prepare for a future where AI is the norm.
In this eye-opening episode of the We Don't PLAY! Podcast, host Favour Obasi-ike, MBA, MS dismantles the myth of "cheap SEO." Joined by guests Dr. Fashion, Austin, John, and Celese, the conversation exposes the significant long-term damage that corner-cutting SEO practices can inflict on a business. Favour emphasizes that SEO is not a one-time fix but a long-term investment in your brand's digital foundation. The episode draws a powerful analogy, comparing cheap SEO to building a house with substandard materials — a structure doomed to fail. The discussion highlights the stark difference between unethical "black hat" tactics, which lead to severe penalties from search engines like Google, and the sustainable growth achieved through ethical, "white hat" strategies. Dr. Fashion shares an inspiring personal story of how her commitment to quality SEO on her YouTube channel led to incredible success, enabling her to purchase her mother's childhood home. The episode is a masterclass for any business owner, marketing professional, or entrepreneur who wants to understand the true value of a robust, strategic, and long-term SEO plan.It's a crucial reminder that in the world of digital marketing, you get what you pay for, and the cost of cheap SEO is ultimately a price too high to pay for any business serious about growth and longevity.Book SEO Services | Quick Links for Social Business>> Book SEO Services with Favour Obasi-ike>> Visit Work and PLAY Entertainment website to learn about our digital marketing services>> Join our exclusive SEO Marketing community>> Read SEO Articles>> Subscribe to the We Don't PLAY Podcast>> Purchase Flaev Beatz Beats Online>> Favour Obasi-ike Quick LinksKey Takeaways1. Cheap SEO is a Myth: Low-cost SEO services often use harmful "black hat" techniques that can get your website penalized by Google, costing you more in the long run.2. SEO is a Long-Term Investment: Sustainable SEO is not about quick fixes. It's about consistently building a strong online presence through high-quality content and ethical practices.3. Quality SEO Drives Real-World Results: As demonstrated by Dr. Fashion's story, a well-executed SEO strategy can lead to significant financial success and brand authority.4. A Holistic Approach is Essential: Effective SEO encompasses more than just keywords. It includes website design, user experience, content quality, and technical optimization.5. Inaction is Expensive: In a competitive digital landscape, not investing in SEO means being invisible to your target audience and losing ground to your competitors.6. Understand the Value You're Paying For: Be wary of SEO providers who make grand promises without clear, measurable results. A reputable expert will provide a transparent and strategic plan.7. SEO is a Way of Life: Favour makes the point that search is a fundamental human behavior. Applying this mindset to your business's digital strategy is key to success.Memorable Quotes[01:04 - 01:17] "The cost of cheap SEO is to the point where you know when you hear something has been done but it has been done poorly. It's like trying to build a house and then you use the wrong sand, you use the wrong brick, you use the wrong everything." — Favour Obasi-ike[22:40 - 22:59] "SEO works, y'all. It's a long-term game. You don't want to enjoy the shade before building or planting the seed. We have to follow the rule. We have to abide by the law. There's a procedure. There's seed, there's time, there's harvest. We can't harvest without planting a seed." — Favour Obasi-ike[67:24 - 67:41] "If you have a business, you should have a podcast...it's a 24/7, 365 marketing platform for you. It's another place where people can search and be discovered." — John[26:20 - 26:31] "When you think about SEO, it boils down to two things. You're either focusing on branded queries, which is your business name, your brand name, the name that people know you for, or you're focusing on non-branded queries." — Favour Obasi-ike[45:53 - 46:02] "If everyone did SEO correctly, we'd have a better search experience, to be honest. 100%, because SEO is not competition. It's search." — Favour Obasi-ikeFAQs1. What is the difference between "black hat" and "white hat" SEO?"Black hat" SEO refers to unethical tactics that violate search engine guidelines to try and rank a site higher, such as buying links or keyword stuffing. "White hat" SEO, on the other hand, focuses on creating high-quality content and a good user experience to earn rankings organically.2. How long does it take to see results from SEO?SEO is a long-term strategy. While some technical fixes can have a quick impact, it typically takes several months to see significant, sustainable results from a comprehensive SEO campaign.3. Why is content so important for SEO?High-quality content is the foundation of modern SEO. It's what attracts and engages your audience, establishes your authority, and gives search engines the context they need to rank your site for relevant queries.Timestamps[00:00] Introduction: The True Cost of Cheap SEO[02:32] The Long-Term vs. Short-Term View of SEO[05:49] Real-Life Success Story: LinkedIn Newsletter Growth[11:11] The Dangers of Black Hat SEO[17:25] SEO Starts with a Secure Website (HTTPS)[20:15] Dr. Fashion on YouTube SEO and Organic Discovery[23:24] John's Experience with Unqualified SEO Pitches[30:04] The Importance of Backlinks and Domain Authority[44:46] SEO as a Long-Term, Ethical Investment[48:22] SEO as a Natural Extension of Human Behavior[55:00] The Power of Podcasting for Business Growth[68:03] The Importance of Language and Mindset in Marketing[71:02] Understanding Keyword Categories for Effective SEOSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
For the first time, Google has publicly designated a core update as a "Discover Core Update," signaling a major shift in how content is surfaced to users. In this podcast episode of the We Don't PLAY!™️ Podcast, host Favour Obasi-ike, MBA, MS, unpacks the groundbreaking February 2026 Google Core Update with 200+ people in the Clubhouse Audio LIVE! room.This update, which rolled out over 22 days, emphasizes a move towards a more personalized, AI-driven, and visually-oriented search experience. Favour explains that the Discover feed functions like a recommendation engine for the entire web, proactively suggesting content based on a user's interests and online behavior, rather than just reacting to search queries. This means the success of your content is now heavily influenced by the end-user's activity.The episode delves into the critical importance of creating "people-first" content — content that is helpful, reliable, and genuinely valuable to the audience. Favour warns against the use of clickbait and spammy headlines, as the new algorithm is designed to penalize such practices.Furthermore, the discussion highlights the often-overlooked but crucial role of technical SEO. Using a real-world client example and citing HubSpot's past struggles with a core update, Favour illustrates how a weak technical foundation can undermine even the best content strategy.The episode provides a comprehensive overview of what this update means for businesses and marketers, offering actionable advice on how to adapt and thrive. From optimizing images for a visual-first platform to conducting thorough content audits, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of SEO.Book SEO Services | Quick Links for Social Business>> Book SEO Services with Favour Obasi-ike>> Visit Work and PLAY Entertainment website to learn about our digital marketing services>> Join our exclusive SEO Marketing community>> Read SEO Articles>> Subscribe to the We Don't PLAY Podcast>> Purchase Flaev Beatz Beats Online>> Favour Obasi-ike Quick LinksKey Takeaways1. A New Era of Search: The February 2026 Google Core Update is the first to be publicly named a "Discover Core Update," marking a significant shift towards a proactive, AI-powered content recommendation system.2. Content is Still King, but Context is Queen: The update prioritizes "people-first" content that is helpful, reliable, and engaging. The focus is on user intent and value, not just keywords.3. Technical SEO is Non-Negotiable: A solid technical foundation is more critical than ever. Issues with hosting, server response times, and website structure can severely impact your visibility.4. The Power of Personalization: The Discover feed is driven by user behavior and interests. This means your content's reach is now directly tied to how well it resonates with individual users.5. Visuals are Vital: The "Discover" update is inherently visual. High-quality, optimized images and videos are essential for capturing attention and driving engagement in the Discover feed.6. Say Goodbye to Gimmicks: Clickbait, spammy headlines, and other manipulative tactics will be actively penalized. Authenticity and value are the new currency of SEO.7. Embrace an Omnichannel Strategy: Relying solely on Google for traffic is a risky strategy. Building a strong presence across multiple platforms, including social media and email, is key to long-term, sustainable growth.Timestamps[00:00] Introduction to the Google Core Update[01:07] Google's First Publicly Labeled "Discover Core Update"[02:02] Timeline of the February 2026 Update[04:04] The Importance of Technical SEO[05:00] Case Study: HubSpot's Traffic Loss[06:02] The Lack of Information on Core Updates[08:12] Details of the Discover Core Update[10:15] The Role of AI in the Update[13:01] Impact on Different Industries[16:20] The "People-First" Content Strategy[20:01] The Importance of Visual Content[25:54] How User Activity Influences Search Results[27:37] Avoiding Clickbait and Spam[28:06] The Future of Search and ContentMemorable Quotes[01:07 - 01:19] "This is the first time Google has ever publicly mentioned about an update like this, especially to the open, because this doesn't usually happen all the time."[04:19 - 04:26] "I want to know about the core things that's going to either make or break your business online, especially when it comes to AI."[27:43 - 27:47] "You're going to avoid, avoid, avoid, avoid, avoid, avoid, by all means, avoid clickbait."[28:03 - 28:06] "If you're not people-first, it's gonna be quite hard."[26:11 - 26:15] "So the ball is not even in your court anymore. If you really think about it, the ball is in the activity of the user's court."FAQs1. What is the Google Discover Core Update?The February 2026 Google Discover Core Update is a major algorithm change that focuses on personalizing the content shown in the Google Discover feed. It uses AI to proactively recommend articles, videos, and other content based on a user's interests and online behavior, rather than just responding to search queries.2. What is "people-first" content?"People-first" content is content created primarily to provide value to the reader, rather than to rank in search engines. It should be helpful, reliable, well-written, and address the user's needs and interests. This is in contrast to content that is stuffed with keywords or uses clickbait headlines to attract clicks.3. Why is technical SEO important for this update?Technical SEO ensures that your website has a solid foundation for Google to crawl, index, and understand your content. With the Discover update, technical factors like site speed, mobile-friendliness, and structured data are more important than ever for getting your content recommended to users.4. How can I optimize my content for Google Discover?To optimize for Discover, focus on creating high-quality, people-first content with compelling headlines and high-quality images. Understand your audience's interests and create content that aligns with them. Also, ensure your website is technically sound and provides a good user experience.5. What are the key takeaways from the February 2026 update?The key takeaways are to prioritize people-first content, invest in technical SEO, embrace visual content, avoid clickbait, and build an omni-channel marketing strategy to reduce reliance on a single traffic source.More ResourcesGoogle Search Status DashboardGoogle Discover Core Update BlogWork and PLAY! Blog - What is SEO?Work and PLAY! Blog - Technical SEO CourseWe Don't PLAY!™️ Podcast Episode - Social Media Organic StrategiesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Welcome to the stage: Bri is here to discuss her multifaceted journey in the music industry. From her beginnings behind the scenes to stepping into the spotlight as a vocalist, Bri shares the inspiration behind her brand, "Melanin Universe," a platform for networking and promoting fellow artists.She delves into her creative process, the spiritual and Egyptian influences on her music and merchandise, and the story behind her debut song, "Goddess Love." Bri opens up about her struggles with self-doubt, the importance of mental health, and how she transforms negativity into motivation. This episode concludes with Bri giving advice to her younger and future self, and details about her upcoming "Eye Am Isis" tour. starting February 28, 2026. Get your Tickets Here >>Key Takeaways:Embrace Your Calling: Don't run away from your true purpose, even if it's daunting.Alchemy of Negativity: Use doubt and criticism from others as fuel to prove them wrong and achieve your goals.The Power of Self-Belief: Overcoming external and internal negativity is crucial for an artist's growth.Art and Spirituality: Art is a powerful medium for self-expression and healing, deeply connected to one's spiritual and emotional state.FAQs:What is Melanin Universe? It's a networking platform created by Bri to connect artists with producers, tattoo artists, and other creatives. It also features moon phases and affirmations.What is Bri's advice for aspiring artists? She advises artists to not dwell on negative experiences for too long, to feel their feelings and then move on. She also emphasizes the importance of not being a people-pleaser.What is the story behind her first song? Her first song, "Goddess Love," came to her in the middle of the night. It was a way for her to show a more feminine and vulnerable side of herself, contrary to how people perceived her.Timestamps:[01:53] - Discussion about "Melanin Universe."[07:14] - The story of her first song, "Goddess Love."[15:01] - How she deals with mental health struggles.[22:02] - Advice to her younger and future self.[24:04] - Upcoming "I am Isis" tour.Quotes:"I'm really good at shitting on people. Like, if you doubt me, and you think that I can't do something... I'm gonna shit on you every single time.""You gotta lose your mind to gain it all back again.""I wanted to heal the world in whatever way that I'm destined to.""Don't dwell on the things that have happened to you. Feel your feelings. Give yourself 48 hours to feel your feelings and snap out of it."See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
We help B2B brands launch shows that turn their point of view into pipeline. If you're launching a podcast (or have one already) and are not sure how it can hit your bottom line, book a meeting with Jason: https://meetings-eu1.hubspot.com/jason-bradwell/youtube-meeting-link Most B2B marketers are drowning in content and starving for pipeline. Joel Harrison has spent 23 years building media empires in B2B – and he's finally putting his cards on the table. In this episode of Pipe Dream, Jason Bradwell sits down with Joel Harrison, founder of the B2B Marketing publication and host of the Trust and Influence in B2B podcast. Joel brings a rare perspective to owned media: he has built a media company from scratch, exited the operational role he created, and then rebuilt his personal brand through podcasting and thought leadership content. The result is a frank, practical conversation about what it actually takes for B2B organisations to communicate with authority in an AI-saturated world. Joel shares why he launched his podcast after abandoning plans for a book, how he has evolved from audio-only to a full content flywheel spanning YouTube, LinkedIn newsletter, and LinkedIn Live, and why trust – not technology – is the defining challenge for B2B marketers right now. He also makes a compelling case for humanisation as the antidote to AI-generated commodity content, arguing that brands which put real people and genuine points of view at the centre of their marketing will win long-term. The conversation turns candid when Joel addresses why marketing still struggles to earn a seat at the board table, and what it will take to change that dynamic. Key Takeaways ◼️ How to build a content flywheel from a single podcast – why launching with audio alone limits your reach and how adding video, newsletter, and live formats accelerates audience growth. ◼️ Why trust is the defining issue in B2B marketing right now – and how AI-generated content is making the problem worse, not better. ◼️ How to use AI as an enabler of thought leadership, not a replacement for it – the distinction between repurposing genuine perspectives and using AI as a crutch for a missing point of view. ◼️ Why B2B marketing still struggles to earn board-level credibility – and what marketers must do to speak the commercial language that CEOs and CFOs actually respond to. ◼️ How to hook your audience in the first 30 seconds – the simple structural shift Joel made after a year of podcasting that reduced early listener drop-off. ◼️ Why incremental improvements beat big production budgets – and why your point of view matters far more than your studio setup. Chapter Markers 00:00 Intro 02:15 Joel's journey: from founding B2B Marketing magazine to podcasting 07:40 Building a content flywheel across audio, video, and LinkedIn 13:05 The biggest lessons from year one of running a podcast 18:30 What "thinking like a media company" actually means in B2B 23:10 Why marketing still fails to prove its value to the board 28:45 How AI enables thought leadership without replacing it Relevant Links and Resources Joel Harrison on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-harrison/Trust and Influence in B2B Podcast: [search on Spotify / Apple Podcasts]B2B Marketing (publication Joel founded): https://www.b2bmarketing.netTools mentioned by Joel: Riverside, Claude, ChatGPT, Fireflies What's Next If this episode got you thinking about how your organisation can build content that actually earns trust and drives pipeline, don't sit on it – take the first step and book a conversation with the B2B Better team today. Useful Links Connect with Jason Bradwell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonbradwell/Listen to Pipe Dream on Podbean: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/bac4p-2a0121/Pipe-Dream-PodcastLearn more about B2B Better: https://www.b2b-better.com
Anna Tsymbalist, Head of Account-Based Marketing (ABM) at Influ2, explores the rapid rise of ABM and its impact on modern B2B marketing. She unpacks the evolution of Influ2's platform, highlighting how it enables marketers to target specific decision-makers, build dynamic audiences, and track contact-level intent and engagement with precision. Anna explains why this shift—from account-level to person-level marketing—has been critical for delivering more relevant, measurable campaigns. Throughout the conversation, Anna emphasizes that successful ABM hinges on tight alignment between marketing and sales, long-term strategy, and a deep understanding of buyer behavior. She also discusses common pitfalls, such as over-reliance on intent data and lack of cross-team coordination. About Influ2 Influ2 is a B2B marketing platform built to bring precision and transparency to account-based marketing. Instead of targeting entire accounts, Influ2 enables marketers to reach specific decision-makers within buying committees, delivering highly personalized ads and tracking engagement at the individual level. By connecting marketing activities directly to sales outcomes, Influ2 helps teams align more effectively, optimize campaigns with real data, and drive measurable revenue impact. With Influ2, you can act on contact-level intent, reach specific buyers with ads, and make the revenue impact clear. 180+ enterprises and mid-market companies worldwide, including industry leaders such as Capgemini, AppsFlyer, and Hexaware, love the Influ2 technology. About Anna Tsymbalist Anna's expertise has fueled 123% growth in ABM-generated revenue at Influ2, and contributed to a $52.5M Series B fundraising round at Shelf, alongside a year of 4x ARR growth. Anna is passionate about data-driven ABM campaigns that convert top-tier accounts. Time Stamps 00:00:17 - Guest Introduction: Anna Tsymbalist 00:04:12 - Influ2 Overview and Its Role in ABM 00:04:30 - Challenges in ABM and the Need for Precision 00:08:07 - Contact-Level Targeting vs. Account-Level Targeting 00:12:39 - Key Elements for Successful ABM Campaigns 00:15:03 - The Importance of Data and Timing in ABM 00:17:57 - Common Mistakes in ABM Campaigns 00:26:18 - Best Marketing Advice Received 00:27:13 - Advice for New Marketing Graduates Quotes "ABM is like this interesting mixture of strategic campaigns, demand gen and content, basically.” Anna Tsymbalist, Head of Account Based Marketing at Influ2. "Human behavior is at the core of any purchase. And that's what I always keep in mind that people are people and they're going to be behaving the way people behave." Anna Tsymbalist, Head of Account Based Marketing at Influ2. “ABM is not just a marketing initiative. So ABM can't be something that a couple of marketers are doing in their free time because it's just not going to work that way.” Anna Tsymbalist, Head of Account Based Marketing at Influ2 Follow Anna: Anna Tsymbalist on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-tsymbalist Influ2 website: https://www.influ2.com/ Influ2 on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/influ2/ Follow Mike: Mike Maynard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemaynard/ Napier website: https://www.napierb2b.com/ Napier LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/napier-partnership-limited/ If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to our for more discussions about the latest in Marketing B2B Tech and connect with us on social media to stay updated on upcoming episodes. We'd also appreciate it if you could leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform. Want more? Check out Napier's other podcast - The Marketing Automation Moment: https://podcasts.apple.com/ua/podcast/the-marketing-automation-moment-podcast/id1659211547
In this insightful episode of the We Don't PLAY!™️ Podcast, host Favour Obasi-ike, MBA, MS demystifies the critical evolution of search in the age of artificial intelligence, focusing on a concept she terms "AI SEO 101." The central theme revolves around the distinction and strategic importance of closing both prompt gaps and keyword gaps to secure valuable brand citations. While traditional SEO has focused on optimizing for short, fragmented keywords (e.g., "best travel deals"), the rise of conversational AI assistants like ChatGPT and Perplexity has given birth to the prompt—a longer, full-sentence query (e.g., "What are the best international travel deals for a family of four in summer 2026?").Favour argues that many businesses are unprepared for this shift, leaving a "prompt gap" in their content strategy. While they may have content targeting keywords, they lack the in-depth, conversational, and authoritative answers that AI models seek when responding to user prompts. The ultimate goal for any brand is to become a direct brand citation in an AI-generated answer, a feat achieved only by providing comprehensive, well-supported information. As Favour compellingly states, the answers provided by AI are sourced directly from the content available on the web: "Where are those responses AI is getting coming from in the first place? They're coming from your website."The core of the strategy lies in recognizing that your website is the foundational pillar of your digital presence. To bridge the prompt gap, Favour advocates for a robust pillar-cluster content model. This involves creating a main "pillar" page that exhaustively answers a primary customer question, supported by numerous "cluster" pages that explore related sub-topics in detail. This creates a dense, interconnected web of expertise that signals authority to search engines and AI alike. The episode emphasizes a shift from merely creating blogs to creating comprehensive resource hubs, complete with FAQs, multimedia content, and evidence-backed claims, much like a digital research paper.Favour provides a clear action plan: identify the core questions your audience is asking, build out content that answers them conversationally and in-depth, and structure this content logically on your website. She also touches on the technical side, noting that URLs should remain concise and keyword-focused, while the content on the page should be rich and prompt-focused. Ultimately, the episode is a powerful call to action for businesses to stop dwelling on information and start implementing a forward-thinking content strategy. By treating your website as a definitive library of answers, you can close the gaps in your SEO strategy and ensure your brand not only survives but thrives in the new era of AI-powered search.Key TakeawaysPrompts vs. Keywords: A prompt is a conversational, full-sentence question (10-25 words) posed to an AI, whereas a keyword is a short, fragmented search query (2-5 words) used in traditional search engines.The Goal is Brand Citation: In the new landscape of AI search, the primary objective is to have your brand and website cited directly as the authoritative source in an AI-generated answer.Your Website is the Foundation: All digital roads lead back to your website. It is the most critical asset for building authority and providing the in-depth answers that AI models are looking for.Close the Prompt Gap with Conversational Content: To appear in AI search results, you must create content that directly and comprehensively answers the full questions your audience is asking, not just targets keywords.Adopt a Pillar-Cluster Model: For each major question your audience has, create one main "pillar" page with a complete answer and support it with multiple "cluster" pages that cover related sub-topics. This builds a powerful web of expertise.Content as a Resource Hub: Think of your content less like a series of blog posts and more like a library of research. Support your answers with data, evidence, multimedia, and links to other authoritative sources to build trust and credibility.Action Over Acronyms: While understanding terms like AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) is useful, the focus should be on the practical implementation of creating high-quality, question-answering content.Memorable Quotes"A prompt is keywords in confirmation of the context that has been started by conversation.""You can't say a brand without connecting a website.""Where are those responses AI is getting coming from in the first place? They're coming from your website.""Don't be in a place where you're dwelling on information and not taking action on implementation.""15% of new searches every day out of at least 8.5 billion searches a day are new, including yours.""You don't put a prompt in your URL, you put a keyword in your URL.""You're not just creating blogs, you're creating calls to action."Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)What is the main difference between a prompt and a keyword? A prompt is a long, conversational question asked to an AI, while a keyword is a short, fragmented phrase used in a traditional search bar. Your content strategy needs to address both.Why are brand citations important in AI SEO? A brand citation is when an AI search tool names your website as the source of its information. It positions your brand as a trusted authority, driving traffic and credibility.Is blogging still relevant in 2026? Yes, absolutely. However, the format has evolved. Modern blogging should focus on creating in-depth, conversational articles that function as answers to user prompts, effectively turning your blog into a resource hub or "audio blog."How do I start closing the prompt gap on my website? Begin by identifying the most common and important questions your customers ask. Then, create comprehensive content (like a detailed FAQ page or a pillar article) that answers these questions thoroughly and links to supporting cluster pages.What is the pillar-cluster model? It's a content strategy where you create one major "pillar" page that covers a broad topic in-depth. You then create multiple "cluster" pages that address specific sub-topics related to the pillar, with all cluster pages linking back to the main pillar page. This structure organizes your content and signals deep expertise to search engines.Timestamps[00:00] Introduction: AI SEO 101 - Prompt Gaps vs. Keyword Gaps.[01:35] Defining a "Prompt": A conversational query of 10-25 words.[02:48] Defining a "Keyword": Traditional short, medium, and long-tail search terms.[05:52] The Central Role of Your Website in Brand Citations.[06:34] How Search Engines Match Pages to Queries.[07:17] Core Concept: A prompt is "keywords in conversation."[08:03] The Solution: Closing the gap with conversational, FAQ-style content.[09:43] Strategy Deep Dive: The Pillar-Cluster content model (1 Pillar + 9 Clusters).[15:02] Where AI Gets Its Answers: Your website is the source for LLMs.[16:02] Building Authority: Go beyond facts and support claims with experience and evidence.[19:00] Your website is the common thread in all customer interactions.[20:44] Technical SEO Tip: Use keywords in your URLs, not long prompts.[22:36] Market Opportunity: 15% of the 8.5 billion daily searches are entirely new.[23:38] Content with Purpose: Your content should create calls to action, not just exist as a blog.[24:14] Closing Remarks & How to Connect.[25:12] Podcast Outro.Book SEO Services | Quick Links for Social Business>> Book SEO Services with Favour Obasi-ike>> Visit Work and PLAY Entertainment website to learn about our digital marketing services>> Join our exclusive SEO Marketing community>> Read SEO Articles>> Subscribe to the We Don't PLAY Podcast>> Purchase Flaev Beatz Beats Online>> Favour Obasi-ike Quick LinksSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
AI is everywhere in B2B marketing. But most teams are still working with disconnected tools and fragmented data.In this episode of the OnBase podcast, Chris Moody sits down with Dan Rosenberg, co-founder of Octane11, to explore why composable B2B marketing is the foundation for real AI-driven growth. They unpack the myth that ABM is dead, why monolithic marketing clouds fall short, and how connected account-level data allows AI to replace outdated attribution models.Dan shares practical insights on building modular stacks, orchestrating buying groups, scaling multi-channel campaigns, and letting AI interpret what is actually driving pipeline and revenue.If you want to move beyond dashboards and truly connect marketing to outcomes, this episode is for you.About the GuestDan Rosenberg is a thought leader and frequent speaker on B2B data, marketing analytics, and the evolution of modern martech. He's the Founder and CEO of Octane11, an AI-powered, multi-channel analytics platform built for agencies and enterprise B2B marketers. Previously, Dan served as Chief Strategy Officer and CMO at MediaMath and has held senior operating and investing roles across adtech, martech, private equity, and venture capital. He's a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Business School and lives in New York City.Connect with Dan.
Social Marketing Nerds – Facebook Ads und Social Advertising Podcast
360 Brew belohnt Relevanz statt Tricks. Dein Profil wird KI-Signalgeber. Thought Leadership gewinnt an Bedeutung. Und sauberes Tracking entscheidet über Budgets. Die entscheidende Frage lautet nicht mehr: Wie gehe ich viral? Sondern: Bin ich für meine Zielgruppe wirklich relevant? Wenn Du über alles aktuelle im Social Ads Kosmos Bescheid wissen möchtest, abonniere gerne unseren Podcast. Hier kriegst Du deinen wöchentlichen Nerds-Input. 🤓 Hier geht es zum [Blog](https://www.dienerds.com/blog), zu unseren [offenen Stellenanzeigen](https://www.dienerds.com/jobs-bei-den-nerds) und zu unserem [Kontaktformular](https://www.dienerds.com/kampagnensteuerung).
In this masterclass episode of the We Don't PLAY!™️ Podcast, host Favour Obasi-ike, MBA, MS tackles a critical question for 2026: Is blogging still a cornerstone of a successful social business? The answer is a resounding YES. Favour Obasi-ike reveals that businesses with active blogs generate a staggering 67% more leads.This episode is a deep dive into the art and science of using blogs to drive social business revenue and achieve sustainable startup growth secrets. Favour breaks down the technical SEO behind a powerful blog, from understanding sitemaps as the "brain" of your website to structuring your content with a masterclass on headings (H1, H2, H3) and ideal word count (600-2,500 words).Learn actionable SEO tactics and content marketing strategies, including how to leverage Pinterest SEO and its 96% non-branded search traffic, the power of repurposing content, and why your business should aim for at least one blog post per week. Favour also touches on the future, discussing AI marketing, prompt gaps vs. keyword gaps, and how blogging principles apply to App Store Optimization (ASO). This is a must-listen for anyone looking to master digital marketing, boost organic traffic, and understand the long-term ROI of a robust blogging strategy.Episode Timestamps / Timeline[00:13] The Core Stat: Why blogs generate 67% more leads.[01:08] Technical SEO 101: Understanding sitemaps and search engine indexing.[04:02] Content Strategy: Supporting products with listicles, FAQs, and rich media.[05:18] Local SEO: How blogging gives you a local-based advantage.[09:02] Blogging Masterclass: The perfect structure for a high-ranking blog post.[25:00] Off-Page SEO: The power of backlinks and being featured.[28:49] Advanced SEO: Using Wikipedia and Reddit for credibility and traffic.[33:46] Case Study: How Canva used blogging to dominate the market.[35:01] Pinterest SEO Deep Dive: Tapping into non-branded search.[37:52] The ROI of Blogging: Low effort, high impact for long-term growth.[38:46] Beyond Websites: Applying blogging concepts to App Store Optimization.[41:04] The 520-Blog Rule: A benchmark for established businesses.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)Is blogging still valuable in 2026?Absolutely. According to the episode, businesses with active blogs generate 67% more leads and establish crucial brand visibility and authority.How does blogging improve SEO?Blogging expands your website's sitemap, creating more opportunities for indexing. It allows for strategic keyword research implementation, internal/external linking, and building off-page SEO through backlinks.What is the ideal length and structure for a blog post?Aim for a 5-minute read, which is about 600-2,500 words. Structure it with a clear hierarchy of H1, H2, and H3 tags, and keep paragraphs concise (1-3 sentences).How can I use blogging for my social business?Use your blog as a central hub for your content marketing. Repurpose social media posts into detailed articles, embed videos and social feeds, and use your blog content to fuel your email marketing and ad campaigns.Book SEO Services | Quick Links for Social Business>> Book SEO Services with Favour Obasi-ike>> Visit Work and PLAY Entertainment website to learn about our digital marketing services>> Join our exclusive SEO Marketing community>> Read SEO Articles>> Subscribe to the We Don't PLAY Podcast>> Purchase Flaev Beatz Beats Online>> Favour Obasi-ike Quick LinksSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Good for Business Show with LinkedIn Expert Michelle J Raymond.
Is B2B marketing serving customers… or dashboards?In this episode, Michelle J Raymond is joined by Moni Oloyede to question what's really driving modern B2B strategy. From MQL obsession to attribution models and misunderstood buyer behaviour, this conversation challenges the metrics-first mindset many teams feel pressured to follow.If you've ever felt like you're busy but not aligned — this episode will resonate.Michelle and Moni unpack where marketing may have drifted, why attribution isn't the safety net we think it is, and how returning to customer understanding changes everything — including your LinkedIn strategy.This is not about creating more content. It's about creating better direction.Key moments in this episode - 00:00 – Why marketing may have drifted away from customers02:10 – Stakeholder pressure vs customer focus04:30 – The real power of niching (and why teams avoid it)09:05 – How MQL obsession shrinks marketing's role15:40 – Why marketing attribution doesn't tell the full story18:30 – Offline influence, word of mouth & what dashboards miss24:15 – The most misunderstood B2B buying statistic28:00 – What true customer understanding really looks likeCONNECT WITH MICHELLE J RAYMONDMichelle J Raymond on LinkedInBook a free intro callhttps://socialmediaforb2bgrowthpodcast.com/B2B Growth Co newsletterToday's episode is sponsored by Metricool. Make sure to register for a FREE Metricool account today. Use Code MICHELLE30 to try any Premium Plan FREE for 30 days. https://metricool.com/michellejraymond/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=20260224_michelle-raymond_feb-analytics-strategy_en&utm_content=audio&utm_term=q1
It's easy for B2B marketing to sound interchangeable. That's why Steve Jobs and Conrad Hilton are such compelling leaders to learn from. Behind Apple and Hilton is a disciplined approach to customer experience, brand consistency, and raising expectations instead of reacting to them. In this episode, we unpack the B2B marketing lessons behind two of the world's most iconic brands with the help of our special guest Sharon Oddy, VP of Marketing & Communications at TNS. Together, we explore what B2B marketers can learn from anchoring their positioning in customer experience, building trust through consistency, and delivering value buyers didn't even realize they were missing. About our guest, Sharon Oddy Sharon Oddy is the VP of Marketing & Communications at TNS. She's a marketing professional who understands the power of storytelling, the importance of a consistent narrative and the art of using it to inspire action. Sharon is an effective and talented communicator who makes the extraordinarily complex, comprehensible. She's a versatile and decisive leader skilled at building high-performing teams and activating cross-functional collaboration to drive strategic growth, customer retention and acquisition globally. What B2B Companies Can Learn From Steve Jobs + Conrad Hilton: Customer obsession is the only real differentiator. Jobs and Hilton didn't win because they had better marketing. They won because they cared more about the customer experience than anyone else. Sharon nails the mindset: “They listened and they observed in a way that put them in the shoe of the customer.” Jobs makes it the rule: “You've gotta start with the customer experience and work backwards to the technology.” The B2B takeaway is clear: if your marketing starts with what you want to sell instead of what your customer needs to feel, you're already behind. The brands that win build from the buyer backward. Trust is built in the details. Hilton's last words weren't about expansion or revenue. They were: “Leave the shower curtain on the inside of the tub.” Jobs obsessed over design even when customers would never see it. Why? Because as Sharon puts it: “It's always about putting the customer first.” In B2B, this means your credibility lives in execution; consistent messaging, polished touchpoints, and an experience that feels dependable. Don't let the small things create big doubt. The best marketers redefine demand. Customers can't always tell you what they want, but great companies can see what they struggle with. Sharon explains, “Jobs was really good at looking at people and saying, what are they struggling with and how do I make that experience better? Because when I do and they taste it, they're never going back.” That's the B2B lesson: don't just market what exists, create the expectation for something better. The strongest marketing doesn't follow the category. It changes what the category believes is possible. Quote “ If you keep looking backwards and trying to copy instead of lead. That's [an] area of demise. You can't look back and be like, “What does everybody else do? What does everybody else think?” You just have to have confidence that you understand your audience. You understand where the puck is moving, and you're going to keep going forward.” Time Stamps [01:20] Meet Sharon Oddy, VP of Marketing & Communications at TNS [01:27] Why Steve Jobs & Conrad Hilton? [04:00] The Role of VP of Marketing & Communications at TNS [06:25] Deep Dive: Steve Jobs and Conrad Hilton's Obsession with Details [11:19] B2B Marketing Lessons from Jobs and Hilton [47:45] Sharon's Marketing Strategy [51:24] Final Thoughts and Takeaways Links Connect with Sharon on LinkedIn Learn more about TNS 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 Jess Avellino, mixed by Scott Goodrich, 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.
With B2B marketers drowning in data and automation, have we forgotten that our buyers are still human beings who are moved more by compelling visuals than by another line on a spreadsheet? Agility requires not just the speed to react, but the insight to know what to react with. It demands a seamless connection between creative ideation and performance data, allowing teams to not only launch campaigns quickly but to make them smarter over time. Today, we're going to talk about the often-underestimated power of visual communication and design-led thinking in B2B marketing. We'll explore why creativity isn't just a 'nice to have' but a core driver of engagement and business results, how neuroscience backs this up, and how new platforms are enabling marketing teams to scale high-quality creative while directly measuring its impact on the bottom line. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Emma Robinson, Head of B2B Marketing at Canva. About Emma Robinson Emma Robinson is the Head of B2B Marketing at Canva, where she drives customer-centric strategies that showcase the impact of design at scale across enterprise organizations. She brings more than 20 years of global B2B marketing experience and has held leadership roles at Salesforce, Google, Medallia, and ThoughtSpot. Having worked across the UK, Asia Pacific, and the US, she's known for building high-performing teams and bringing innovative, high-impact go-to-market strategies to life. Emma brings deep expertise in customer advocacy, lifecycle marketing, and insight-led content, and is a strong champion for the power of brand and creativity in B2B. Her work is instrumental in positioning Canva as the visual communication platform for the modern workplace. Emma Robinson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-robinson-mtkg/ Resources Canva: https://www.canva.com/about/ Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code AGILE at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://aglbrnd.co/r/c43e68ce5cfb321e The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703 Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74 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 The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company
Companies go upmarket, hit three slow months, and decide the strategy “doesn't work.” In this live episode, Yann (co-founder of Userled, former Salesforce enterprise seller) breaks down what enterprise deals actually look like up close: long stretches of silence that aren't rejection, stakeholders who shape the decision without ever joining a call, and why “activity” can feel busy while the deal goes nowhere. You'll also hear the less glamorous side: what founder life feels like when momentum disappears, why some teams survive the hard quarters (and others don't), and how hiring for energy changes everything. Yann shares how Userled changed their ICP, survived two brutal quarters — then closed more in October–November than the rest of the year combined. We enjoyed this conversation. Hope you will too.
The market has changed. Outbound is noisy. Distribution is fragile. AI is accelerating everything. So how do you know who's actually ready to buy? How do you position in a market that feels unstable? How do you pivot without panicking? This episode dives into the new reality of business in the AI era: the death of lazy volume, the rise of ownership, and the permanent advantage of human connection. Spray-and-pray outreach is fading. Hiring signals are bloated. Metrics are inflated. The old indicators don't mean what they used to mean. And executives are walking away from companies they built because the ground beneath them has shifted. But here's the truth: AI doesn't remove the human game. It amplifies it. You'll hear why: Ownership now beats pure distribution Media companies must become community companies Positioning matters more than ever in a noisy environment Pivoting early beats reacting late AI without humanity fails Intentional outreach outperforms mass automation Signal clarity is the new competitive advantage This isn't about fear. It's about awareness. You can drown in the wave. You can float. Or you can learn to surf. The ones who win won't be the loudest. They'll be the most intentional. Across this episode, you will learn: Why “signal vs noise” is the defining business problem right now How AI is shifting power from distribution to ownership Why outbound at scale is losing effectiveness How to pivot strategically instead of reacting emotionally Why human connection remains the ultimate differentiator How to think chess, not checkers, in a volatile market The importance of intentional positioning in chaotic times Beyond The Episode Gems: Buy My 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
AI can produce content faster than ever…but if your brand feels generic, you're already losing. Daniel sits down with Emma Robinson, Head of B2B Marketing at Canva, to unpack why human judgment, creativity, and brand conviction matter more than ever in an AI-powered Marketing world. From why visual storytelling encodes 74% faster in the brain, to how Canva thinks about brand as the long-term demand engine, Emma shares how elite teams use AI as leverage, not as a replacement for taste. They dive into balancing emotion and logic in enterprise buying, protecting creative standards internally, using AI beyond productivity gains, and why loyalty and brand equity will separate the best marketers from the rest. If you're a marketer navigating AI, performance pressure, and brand building all at once, this is the episode for YOU. https://customer.io helps brands turn data into personalized messages that actually connect, across email, SMS, and beyond. Learn more at https://customer.io/tmm Follow Emma: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-robinson-mtkg/ Follow Daniel: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-murray-marketing/ Sign up for The Marketing Millennials newsletter: www.workweek.com/brand/the-marketing-millennialsDaniel is a Workweek friend, working to produce amazing podcasts. To find out more, visit: www.workweek.com
Favour Obasi-ike, MBA, MS breaks down Apple's video podcast launch in iOS 26.4, covering HLS streaming, approved hosting platforms, and strategic business applications. This episode features live consultation with Amanda (ice cream bus owner) demonstrating podcast marketing for local businesses covering SEO, multi-platform distribution, and monetization strategies from 7 years of podcasting experience (620+ episodes, 160 countries).Book SEO Services | Quick Links for Social Business>> Book SEO Services with Favour Obasi-ike>> Visit Work and PLAY Entertainment website to learn about our digital marketing services>> Join our exclusive SEO Marketing community>> Read SEO Articles>> Subscribe to the We Don't PLAY Podcast>> Purchase Flaev Beatz Beats Online>> Favour Obasi-ike Quick LinksPodcast Episode Key TopicsApple Video Launch: HLS video podcasts, 20-year milestone, creator controlApproved Platforms: Acast, Art19 (Amazon), Triton Omni Studio, SiriusXM (+ AdsWiz, Simplecast)Business Strategy: SEO benefits, organic reach, local targeting, intellectual propertyTechnical: RSS feeds, website integration, domain authority, analyticsContent: Keyword optimization, repurposing, geographic targetingTimestamps00:00-10:00 Intro, iOS 26.4 announcement, HLS explanation, platform partnerships10:00-20:00 SEO fundamentals, website strategy, content discoverability20:00-42:00 Live case study: Amanda's ice cream business, local SEO, city-flavor strategy42:00-50:00 Metrics analysis, trust scores, domain authority (18-22 pt variance)50:00-60:00 Episode naming, URL structure, host's Spotify-to-Art19 switch60:00-73:32 Tutorial strategy, listening contexts, QR codes, restaurant SEO, closingEpisode Key TakeawaysApple video = game-changer for creator control & monetizationOnly approved platforms support Apple video (IAB certified)Local businesses thrive via organic SEO reachMulti-platform distribution essential (Apple, Spotify, YouTube, Pandora)Use keyword-rich titles, not "Episode 001"Dual video+audio strategy for different contextsConsistency builds authority (host: 50 domain/podcast score)Podcasts = evergreen intellectual propertyFormula: Domain + Hosting + SEO = High PerformanceStrategic planning pays off (Art19 switch July 2025 → Apple launch Feb 2026)Favour Obasi-ike's Notable Quotes"Today marks a defining milestone...bringing category leading video experience to Apple Podcasts." - Eddie Q, Apple SVP "Video is the next chapter for podcasting." - Jov Matei, Art19 CEO "Think about podcasting as intellectual property, thought leadership, SEO, and building relationships." "Little drops make a big ocean wave." "I'm planting seeds for the future I don't know will happen."Top FAQsQ: What is iOS 26.4 for video podcasts?A: Apple's system update introducing HLS video podcast support with creator control.Q: Which platforms support it?A: Acast, Art19, Triton Omni Studio, SiriusXM (+ AdsWiz, Simplecast). Q: Should local businesses podcast?A: Yes—organic reach without paid ads, builds trust, targets geography.Q: Best episode naming?A: Use keywords first, not "Episode 001." Example: "Vanilla Ice Cream: Best Summer Flavors"Q: Need a website?A: Yes for SEO. Domain + Hosting + SEO = High Performance.Action ItemsImmediate: Update to iOS 26.4, check hosting platform, audit episode titlesShort-term: Develop dual video/audio strategy, set up analytics, research local SEOLong-term: Build consistent schedule, create evergreen tutorials, track domain authority growthLocal Businesses: Map products to locations, create local content, implement QR codesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Most B2B brands want to stand out, but they end up blending in by trying to look more professional and more polished than everyone else. The result is marketing that's safe and completely forgettable.That's why Snoop Dogg is such a powerful case study. Behind his music, reinventions, and cultural ubiquity is a masterclass in relevance. In this episode, we break down Snoop's B2B marketing lessons with the help of our special guest Shay Thieberg, CMO & Co-Founder at MAIA Digital.Together, we explore what B2B marketers can learn from leading with authenticity, owning a clear niche, and building trust through consistent presence instead of chasing short-term attention.About our guest, Shay ThiebergShay Thieberg is the CMO & Co-Founder at MAIA Digital. Specializing in LinkedIn marketing, Shay holds a Masters degree in Social Psychology & Decision-Making. Shay is among 30 Global LinkedIn Certified Experts and Faculty members at Reichmann University where he teaches “B2B Marketing for Tech”.What B2B Companies Can Learn From Snoop Dogg:Authenticity scales better than polish. Snoop Dogg's enduring relevance comes from never pretending to be someone he's not. Shay points out that when Snoop came to LinkedIn, he didn't dilute his identity to fit the platform. Instead, he expanded the platform by being himself. As Shay explains, “He could have come to LinkedIn, put up the suit and tie, be a super LinkedIn-ish persona… he was able, two years ago, to start making a shift and bringing and showcasing to other people with uniquenesses that they can stay cool, they can stay themself.” The B2B lesson is clear: credibility isn't earned by sounding professional. It's earned by sounding real. Brands that over-polish lose signal. The ones that feel human get remembered.Be known for one thing before you try to be known for everything. Snoop's brand works because it's anchored. No matter how many industries he touches, there's a core idea people immediately associate with him. Shay translates this directly into B2B positioning: “You want to be well known for this exact thing that you do uniquely from other people.” The strongest B2B brands don't chase every opportunity, they reinforce a single, unmistakable identity until the market does the work for them.Visibility is about presence. One of Snoop's most underrated strengths is that he never fully disappears. He doesn't overwhelm audiences, but he consistently shows up across moments, mediums, and decades. Shay say, “It's not about motivation, it's about staying constant.” For B2B marketers, the takeaway is uncomfortable but liberating: you don't need viral hits to stay relevant. You need continuity. In markets where buyers forget fast, staying present is the strategy.Quote“ Smoking, that's his thing. Now maybe some people will think it's a bad thing, which is fine, but I'm looking at it from a B2B perspective… That's his thing. So he is well known about this one and then he utilizes it for its own good… So you want to be well known for this exact thing that you do uniquely from other people.”Time Stamps[01:20] Meet Shay Thieberg, CMO & Co-Founder at MAIA Digital[01:30] Why Snoop Dogg?[02:26] Founding MAIA Digital[06:07] Who is Snoop Dogg?[16:46] B2B Marketing Takeaways from Snoop Dogg[23:31] Optimal LinkedIn Strategy for 2026[25:28] Thought Leadership and Trust[26:23] Challenges with LinkedIn Video Content[30:33] Creating Effective LinkedIn Videos[33:00] How to Optimize Your Content on LinkedIn[40:32] Final Thoughts and TakeawaysLinksConnect with Shay on LinkedInLearn more about MAIA DigitalAbout 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 Jess Avellino, mixed by Scott Goodrich, 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.
In this masterclass episode, Favour Obasi-ike, MBA, MS delivers an in-depth exploration of web sales optimization (CRO - conversation rate optimization) through strategic search engine marketing (SEM). The episode focuses on the critical relationship between website speed and conversion rates, revealing how technical optimization directly impacts sales performance. Favour emphasizes that web sales are fundamentally a result of web speed, explaining that websites loading slower than 3 seconds can decrease conversion rates by at least 7%, with compounding effects reaching 20% for sites taking 10 seconds to load.The discussion covers comprehensive website optimization strategies, including image optimization (recommending WebP format over JPEG/PNG), structured data implementation with schema markup, and the importance of optimizing every website element from headers and footers to file names and internal linking structures. Favour introduces the concept of treating URLs like seeds that need time to grow, recommending a 2-3 month planning horizon for content strategy.The masterclass also explores collection pages, category optimization, and the strategic use of content hubs to create pathways for user navigation. Favour shares practical tools and resources for keyword research and competitive analysis, while emphasizing the importance of submitting websites to Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools for maximum visibility. The episode concludes with actionable advice on implementing these strategies either independently or through professional SEO consultation.Book SEO Services | Quick Links for Social Business>> Book SEO Services with Favour Obasi-ike>> Visit Work and PLAY Entertainment website to learn about our digital marketing services>> Join our exclusive SEO Marketing community>> Read SEO Articles>> Subscribe to the We Don't PLAY Podcast>> Purchase Flaev Beatz Beats Online>> Favour Obasi-ike Quick Links
Happy Valentine's Day! Favour Obasi-ike, MBA, MS breaks down proven strategies for monetizing and segmenting business email lists using platforms like Flodesk. Learn why email marketing delivers $36-$40 ROI for every dollar spent compared to social media, how to segment contacts based on behavior and engagement, and the technical foundations (DNS, backlinks, deliverability) that make campaigns successful. Discover workflows for turning subscribers into buyers through strategic segmentation, behavioral targeting, and quality-over-quantity content delivery.Episode Key Takeaways1. Email Marketing ROI Dominates Social Media – For every $1 spent on email marketing, businesses earn $36-$40 back, far exceeding social media returns.2. Segmentation Drives Conversions – Segment email lists by link clicks, engagement levels, and business vs. personal contacts to send targeted content that resonates.3. Technical Setup Matters – Proper DNS configuration, Google Search Console integration, and backlink strategies improve deliverability and SEO performance.4. Quality Over Quantity – Sending fewer, high-value emails with 15-minute read times generates more revenue than frequent, low-engagement blasts.5. Behavioral Targeting Wins – Track website behavior and email interactions to create personalized follow-up sequences that match subscriber intent.Episode Timestamps[00:00] Introduction: Monetizing and segmenting email lists[02:00] Why email outperforms social media ($36 ROI per $1)[05:00] Building business email lists as valuable assets[10:00] DNS, deliverability, and technical foundations[15:00] Segmentation strategies using link tracking[24:00] Creating consistency through targeted workflows[27:00] Backlinks and SEO benefits from email campaigns[32:00] Calculating engagement: 50 touchpoints = $36 product[45:00] Flowdesk features and automation workflows[68:00] Frequency matters: Quality beats quantity[71:00] Behavioral targeting and site tracking integrationPodcast Episode FAQsQ: What email marketing platform does Favour recommend?A: Favour specifically discusses Flowdesk for its segmentation capabilities, checkout features, and workflow automation that allow precise targeting based on subscriber behavior.Q: How often should I send emails to my list?A: Quality beats quantity. Favour sent only one email in February but generated revenue, leads, and referrals. Ask your audience through polls how often they want to hear from you.Q: What's the difference between business and personal email contacts?A: Business emails (domains like @company.com) engage differently and should be segmented separately. They're checked 3-5 times daily and represent higher-value prospects.Q: How do I improve email deliverability?A: Configure DNS records properly (A, TXT, CNAME), connect to Google Search Console, build backlinks through anchor text in emails, and maintain engagement with quality content.Q: What is behavioral targeting in email marketing?A: Tracking which links subscribers click, what pages they visit on your website, and how they engage with content to send personalized follow-up sequences that match their interests.Memorable Quotes by Favour Obasi-ike, MBA, MS"For every dollar that you spend on email, you get $36 to $40 back compared to social media where you may not get up to a dollar back or $2 back.""The best person to tell about what you wrote on your website is your contact list—the same way the best person to tell about something is your best friend.""I can have 50% open rate and no sales, that's vanity. But if you have 10-20% and that gives you more revenue because it's the right audience and it's segmented, then it helps a lot.""Don't just post on your website and expect magic to happen, abracadabra. You have to be intentional, you have to be factual.""Quality beats quantity. If you're actually able to capture that first party data and implement site tracking, it's very powerful to segment those people and send them follow-up messages."Book SEO Services | Quick Links for Social Business>> Book SEO Services with Favour Obasi-ike>> Visit Work and PLAY Entertainment website to learn about our digital marketing services>> Join our exclusive SEO Marketing community>> Read SEO Articles>> Subscribe to the We Don't PLAY Podcast>> Purchase Flaev Beatz Beats Online>> Favour Obasi-ike Quick LinksSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Happy Valentine's Day Weekend! Need to Outperform Your Competitors in 2026? Favour Obasi-ike, MBA, MS delivers an insightful masterclass on outperforming your competition through applied and actionable SEO marketing tactics. The discussion covers the critical distinction between direct and indirect competitors, strategic approaches to competitive analysis using tools like SimilarWeb.com and SparkToro.com, and the importance of focusing on long-term performance over short-term rankings.Favour emphasizes the value of understanding customer intent, the difference between pre-purchase and post-purchase behavior, and how to leverage both Google search and social media platforms like Instagram for comprehensive market visibility. The session includes live Q&A with participants discussing real-world challenges in SEO strategy, website validation, and go-to-market approaches for startups in niche markets.Book SEO Services | Quick Links for Social Business>> Book SEO Services with Favour Obasi-ike>> Visit Work and PLAY Entertainment website to learn about our digital marketing services>> Join our exclusive SEO Marketing community>> Read SEO Articles>> Subscribe to the We Don't PLAY Podcast>> Purchase Flaev Beatz Beats Online>> Favour Obasi-ike Quick LinksDetailed TimestampsIntroduction & Topic Overview00:00 - 02:02 - Opening: Outperform competitors with applied search everywhere optimization (SEO marketing tactics)02:02 - 03:10 - Understanding your competitors: National, international, local, and regional competitionDirect vs. Indirect Competitors03:10 - 04:46 - Defining direct and indirect competitors in your market04:46 - 06:17 - Market share dynamics and competitive positioningPractical Example: Flower Business Case Study06:17 - 09:13 - Using a Valentine's flower business as a practical example09:13 - 11:47 - Time-based pricing strategies and customer behavior patterns11:47 - 14:22 - Applying competitive insights to pricing and positioningSEO Strategy & Competitive Analysis14:22 - 17:35 - Understanding competitor strengths and weaknesses17:35 - 20:48 - Using competitive intelligence for content strategy20:48 - 23:19 - Keyword research and search intent analysisTools & Resources for Competitive Research23:19 - 25:42 - Introduction to SimilarWeb, SocialBlade, and SparkToro25:42 - 27:58 - Cost-effective alternatives for competitive analysis27:58 - 30:16 - Building long-term visibility through strategic toolsLive Q&A Session Begins•30:16 - 31:02 - Mohsen introduces himself: Software engineer starting a startup in the tattoo field31:02 - 32:34 - Question: How to approach SEO when there's no competition in your field?Google vs. Instagram Strategy Discussion32:34 - 35:05 - Why Google is the most unsaturated platform for search-based marketing35:05 - 37:15 - Instagram as a feed-based platform vs. Google as intent-based search37:15 - 40:30 - Pre-purchase vs. post-purchase intent: Amazon vs. YouTube analogyWebsite Validation & Trust Building40:30 - 43:12 - The importance of having a website for business credibility43:12 - 45:38 - Off-page SEO: Connecting Instagram to your website45:38 - 48:05 - Building relationship models across platformsAdvanced SEO Tactics48:05 - 50:21 - Running ads effectively: Brand awareness before advertising spend50:21 - 52:47 - Understanding audience targeting and customer journey mapping52:47 - 54:26 - Closing remarks and how to stay connected on ClubhouseFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs)1. What is the difference between direct and indirect competitors?Direct competitors are businesses that offer the same products or services within your niche or market. They target the same customer base and operate in similar ways. For example, if you sell red roses, other florists selling red roses are your direct competitors.Indirect competitors are businesses that offer different products or services but satisfy the same customer need or compete for the same market share. Using the flower example, supermarkets and farmer's markets selling flowers would be indirect competitors to a specialized florist.2. How do I find out who my competitors are?Favour recommends using several competitive analysis tools:SimilarWeb: For website traffic and audience insightsSocialBlade: For social media analytics and competitor trackingSparkToro: For audience intelligence and content discoveryYou can also identify competitors by searching for your target keywords on Google and seeing which businesses rank for those terms. Consider both national, international, local, and regional competitors depending on your market scope.3. Should I focus on Google or Instagram for my business?According to Favour, Google is the most unsaturated platform because it's based on search intent—people actively looking for specific solutions. Instagram is a feed-based platform better suited for brand awareness and showcasing visual results (before/after transformations, product demonstrations).Best approach: Use both strategically. Google captures pre-purchase intent (people researching solutions), while Instagram provides post-purchase validation and builds brand awareness. Having a website connected to your Instagram profile adds credibility and improves your off-page SEO.4. What's more important: ranking or performance?Favour emphasizes that performance is more important than ranking. Rankings fluctuate constantly (like stock prices or gas prices), but performance focuses on long-term outcomes:How quickly can you serve customers?What value do you provide beyond just appearing in search results?Can customers find your information when they need it?Anyone can rank with AI-generated content today, but what makes your business different is the experience, speed, and value you deliver to customers.5. How do I approach SEO if I have no competition in my field?When you're in a niche market with little to no competition, Favour suggests:Reverse engineer your success: If you're getting traction on Instagram, create corresponding website content (10 Instagram posts = 10 website articles)Focus on search volume: Research if there's search demand on Google for your servicesBuild credibility: Having a website validates your business more than social media aloneCreate content ecosystems: Connect your social media to your website through embedding posts and cross-linking6. Why is having a website important if I already have Instagram?A website provides business validation and credibility. As Favour's example illustrated: if three businesses offer the same service but only one has a website, customers will trust the one with a website because it demonstrates investment in human resources, infrastructure, and long-term commitment.Additionally, a website enables off-page SEO—when your Instagram links to your website, you're building relationship models between platforms that improve your overall search visibility.7. What is pre-purchase vs. post-purchase intent?Pre-purchase intent: Customers researching before buying (e.g., reading Amazon reviews, comparing products on Google)Post-purchase intent: Customers who already bought and need guidance (e.g., watching YouTube tutorials on how to use an air fryer they purchased)Understanding this distinction helps you create appropriate content for each stage of the customer journey. Google and review sites capture pre-purchase intent, while platforms like YouTube and Instagram serve post-purchase needs.8. Should I run ads if people can't find my business organically?Favour advises: Don't run ads first if people can't find you organically. If the answer to "Will they find my business without ads?" is no, then focus on building organic visibility first through SEO and content creation.If people can already find you organically, then running ads becomes more cost-effective because you're amplifying existing brand awareness rather than starting from zero.9. What are applied SEO marketing tactics?Applied SEO refers to search everywhere optimization—not just optimizing for Google, but creating a comprehensive presence across all platforms where customers might search:Google searchInstagram searchYouTube searchSocial media platformsReview sitesLocal directoriesIt's about understanding customer behavior across multiple touchpoints and ensuring your business is discoverable wherever customers are looking.Additional Resources MentionedSimilarWeb: Competitive website analyticsSocialBlade: Social media statistics and trackingSparkToro: Audience research and insightsChatGPT: AI content generation tool (mentioned in context of ranking vs. performance)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
This podcast episode provides a comprehensive overview of technical SEO, emphasizing its critical role in any successful digital strategy for 2026. Favour Obasi-ike, MBA, MS delves into the core components of technical SEO, including Core Web Vitals, mobile optimization, and the detrimental impact of crawlability issues and broken links.This episode also highlights the significant growth of the SEO services market, projected to reach nearly $150 billion by 2031. You will gain valuable insights into the importance of a technically sound website for improving user engagement, search engine rankings, and overall online visibility. Favour also shares information about relevant technical SEO courses and resources.Purchase all your Free and Paid Technical SEO Courses available in 2026 here >>Podcast Episode Timestamps[00:00 - 00:10] Introduction: Technical SEO Courses and Stats for 2026[02:57 - 03:45] What is Technical SEO and Why is it Important?[03:45 - 04:27] The Importance of Website Speed and Performance[04:27 - 05:21] Global SEO Services Market Size and Growth Projections[05:51 - 07:19] Understanding Core Web Vitals and Their Impact on User Engagement[07:19 - 08:42] The Significance of Mobile Optimization for SEO[08:50 - 12:06] Crawlability, Broken Links, and Their Effect on Search RankingsFAQs for Technical SEOWhat is technical SEO?Technical SEO refers to the process of optimizing the technical aspects of a website to improve its ranking in search engines. It focuses on making a website faster, easier to crawl for search engine bots, and more understandable for search engines. This includes optimizing website speed, mobile-friendliness, site structure, and ensuring there are no broken links or crawl errors.Why is technical SEO important for my website in 2026?Technical SEO is crucial for your website's success in 2026 because it directly impacts your search engine rankings and user experience. With the increasing competition online, having a technically sound website is no longer a niche specialization but a fundamental requirement. A well-optimized website will have better visibility on search engines, leading to more organic traffic, higher user engagement, and ultimately, more conversions.What are Core Web Vitals?Core Web Vitals are a set of specific factors that Google considers important in a webpage's overall user experience. They consist of three main metrics: Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), which measures loading performance; First Input Delay (FID), which measures interactivity; and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS), which measures visual stability. Websites that meet Core Web Vitals standards can experience a significant increase in user engagement. Read more about Technical SEO from Google DocumentationHow does mobile optimization affect SEO?With over 60% of global website traffic coming from mobile devices, mobile optimization is a critical factor for SEO. Search engines like Google prioritize mobile-friendly websites in their rankings. A website that is optimized for mobile will provide a better user experience for mobile users, leading to higher engagement, lower bounce rates, and a greater likelihood of ranking on the first page of search results.Where can I find the best technical SEO courses?There are numerous free and paid technical SEO courses available online. Some popular platforms for finding high-quality courses include Coursera, Udemy, and the Google Digital Garage. It's recommended to look for courses that are up-to-date with the latest SEO trends and best practices for 2026.Book SEO Services | Quick Links for Social Business>> Book SEO Services with Favour Obasi-ike>> Visit Work and PLAY Entertainment website to learn about our digital marketing services>> Join our exclusive SEO Marketing community>> Read SEO Articles>> Subscribe to the We Don't PLAY Podcast>> Purchase Flaev Beatz Beats Online>> Favour Obasi-ike Quick LinksSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
How to Scale Faster with B2B Brand Strategy Here's a common scenario in B2B marketing: you launch campaigns, hit the deadlines, and fill the pipeline, but the results feel disconnected from your long-term goals. Internal messaging discussions resurface, campaigns feel shallow and reactive, and when you ask people what your brand stands for, you get 50 different answers. This inconsistent approach creates friction and impedes scalable growth. So what can B2B marketers do when their tactical execution is outpacing their brand strategy, and how to do you realign for lasting impact? That's why we're talking to JoAnne Gritter (COO, ddm marketing + communications), who shares her expertise and actionable insights on how to scale faster with B2B brand strategy. During our conversation, JoAnne underscored why a foundational strategy is crucial for building credibility and trust in competitive markets. She also discussed the role of AI in marketing, commenting that while it can support with idea generation and research, it shouldn't replace direct communication with customers and employees. JoAnne shared some common pitfalls such as messaging misalignment and inconsistent branding, which can lead to distrust and reduced credibility, She explained the importance of having a cohesive brand strategy that aligns values, messaging, and customer experiences across all company touchpoints through proactive brand management. https://youtu.be/_Alwkinhw-g Topics discussed in episode: [02:36] The “Soul vs. Body” framework: Why marketing is just the body in action, while brand strategy is the soul that provides direction and values. [06:51] Red flags that your marketing has outpaced your strategy: When content feels fragmented and sales teams are telling completely different stories. [08:52] Defining true brand strategy: Moving beyond logos and colors to include deep research, stakeholder analysis, and internal alignment. [14:41] The critical differences between a brand refresh (auditing existing assets), a complete revamp (starting from scratch), and branding during a merger. [24:10] Actionable steps you can take to realign your brand: – Audit your customer journey – Define messaging pillars – Ensure HR and onboarding match the brand promise [29:37] Why “data-only” marketing fails: The importance of human emotion and psychology that performance data often misses. Companies and links mentioned: JoAnne Gritter on LinkedIn ddm marketing + communications Transcript JoAnne Gritter, Christian Klepp JoAnne Gritter 00:00 AI can be used as a tool. It should not replace thinking and actually talking to your customers and your employees and your sales team. So you can use AI as a crutch to to like, ask it for ideas, idea generation. You can use it for deep research on your on your audience, and stuff like that. But nothing replaces the gold standard of talking to people. I see this in messaging misalignment or content misalignment. If content feels like it’s been written by four different people or completely different companies, that’s a red flag. Christian Klepp 00:37 This is a common scenario for B2B Marketers. You launch campaigns, hit the deadlines and fill the pipeline. It all looks great on paper, but something is still off internal messaging discussions resurface. Campaigns feel shallow and reactive, and when you ask people what the brand stands for, you get 50 different answers. So what can B2B Marketers do when their marketing is outpacing their brand strategy? 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 JoAnne Gritter, who will be answering this question. She’s a member of the leadership team at DDM Marketing Communications that provides integrated marketing solutions to drive business success. Tune in to find out more about what this B2B Marketers Mission is and here we go. JoAnne Gritter, welcome to the show. JoAnne Gritter 01:25 Hi Christian. Happy to be here. Christian Klepp 01:27 We you know, we had such a wonderful, like, pre-interview conversation. I almost feel like we’re neighbors or something, and something to that extent. But I’m, I’m really, like, happy to have you on the show, and I’m really looking forward to this conversation, because this topic is, I’m a little bit biased because I am in the branding space, so it’s a bit near and dear to my heart, but it’s also something that’s extremely important, because you’ll agree. I mean, you, I know you’ll agree because you wrote an article about it. JoAnne Gritter 01:54 Yeah Christian Klepp 01:55 It’s something that marketing teams tend to overlook. And good, goodness gracious me, I’m gonna, like, stop keeping people in suspense. We’ll just jump right in all right. JoAnne Gritter 02:04 Okay Christian Klepp 02:04 So JoAnne, you’re on a mission to provide integrated marketing solutions that drive B2B business success. So for this conversation, let’s focus on this topic, how brand strategy helps B2B organizations to realign for long term growth. So I’m going to kick off this conversation with the following question. In our previous conversation, our previous discussion, you talked about how marketing without a brand is a strategy without a soul. Could you please explain what you meant by that? JoAnne Gritter 02:36 So I just made the comparison kind of to the whole human, as in, like the brand is your soul, meaning like your values, what drives you, why you’re here, what differentiates you, what makes you different than the person standing next to you, whereas, like marketing is your body in action, or action in general, where you hopefully, if you if you’re a trustworthy person, what is, what are your values internally are matching your actions externally? And that is often where we see a divergent in companies, because they don’t think about those as like two sides of the same coin. It is really important that you make sure that you know the direction that you’re going as a company and what you stand for and who you’re there to support or serve, and what markets you’re there to do, and like your whole company, everybody that’s part of interfacing with customers understands that and is and is speaking the same language. Christian Klepp 03:37 Yeah, no, absolutely. And I suppose the the follow up question to that is like, where do you see a lot of, like, marketing teams go wrong. Because, like, you know, more often than not, a lot of teams are like, Okay, we’ve we’ve implemented the campaigns check. We’re generating results and driving pipeline or filling the pipeline, rather check. So where does it all go wrong? JoAnne Gritter 04:00 If you are not paying attention to your branding, you can have a lot of activity without a lot of traction. So or you can have a lot of different messages going out that seem not cohesive or fragmented. And so you can or more examples you can have, like your sales folks going out and telling different stories about about what your company stands for and what you do and how you’re different, that creates a lot of waste, because then you’re continuously trying to get more activity and more campaigns going more sales people out there, because you’re not getting the quality leads that you need, because nobody really knows what you stand for. Everybody says it a little bit differently, and that goes for customer service too. Branding. People think about branding as a marketing problem, or a marketing, you know, teams problem. But if, let’s say part of your brand is your brand identity or values is to put the customer. First, if you don’t really solidify that from your sales team and your customer support team, then there would be a mismatch there, right then you’re just putting out into the world that customers first, but that doesn’t match up with what the customer is experiencing. Christian Klepp 05:16 Yeah, there’s certainly some kind of misalignment there, and you touched on it, like, briefly. It’s interesting to me, like, even in my own experience, one of the telltale signs of that is when you ask people within the organization, well, what makes you different? And you get 50 different answers, and some of them are similar, and some of them are completely, like, different. And it’s like, okay, yep, okay, I see where this is going, or to your to your other point, when sales teams are having those discovery calls, and you listen back to some of those recordings, which I hope you marketing people out there are doing, and you listen to the way that the sales deal with objections, and maybe the procurement team or people like, you know, on the prospect side, they’re probably not phrasing it exactly the way I’m going to say it right now, but like, but they probably are asking something to the effect of, okay, what makes you different from vendor B, C and D, right? What is different about your solution? Like, why are you charging this guy? Why are your rates like, this high. JoAnne Gritter 05:16 Right. Absolutely. And if they have different answers, or if you go and you listen in on four different sales calls and they’re all a little bit different, then that tells you have a branding issue that people don’t fully understand your brand and how you’re different and who you support and serve. Christian Klepp 05:16 Yep, absolutely, absolutely. So you’ve touched on it a little bit, but like, tell us about some more of these. I’m going to call them red flags, right? That signal when marketing has outrun brand strategy. JoAnne Gritter 05:16 Sure, I see this in messaging misalignment or content misalignment. If content feels like it’s been written by four different people or completely different companies, that’s a red flag. If, like we mentioned, your sales team talks about your company completely differently, it’s okay that they put their own little spin on it, as long as you’re still hitting like the purpose of your company, why you’re here, how you serve whatever your target audience or audiences are what your values are. If that’s not coming through in in those different places, then you may have a brand issue, or your training issue, or your brand is not being carried out through the company. So when you have a solid brand, it should be, should be repeated in in like your onboarding process, in HR kind of things, in performance conversations, in obviously, your sales and marketing and your customer service, so that everybody is aligned to that brand, and so that there’s a common message, common theme, because repeatability is is super important. Consistency is super important in marketing. I’m sure a lot of people have heard that it takes multiple multi multiple times of hearing the same message for it to actually resonate, and if they’re hearing multiple different messages, it’s causes confusion and a lack of trust in whatever the company is offering. Christian Klepp 05:16 Yeah, that’s absolutely right. JoAnne, I’ve got a I just thought of another fall off question, and you’ll indulge me here. Um, you know it, I know it. But let’s, let’s clear the air here for a second. Because I’ve been hearing this like, and I’m sure you have as well, in the B2B world, it’s just been thrown around, like, very loosely. Let’s clear the air here. Like, what do you mean by brand strategy, because I’ve heard people, especially at senior level, say, like, Yeah, we don’t need branding. We’ve got a logo and we’ve got a website. We’re good, so maybe just clear the air on that one, please. JoAnne Gritter 05:16 Well, brand strategy is, let’s see, like, I think of strategy in like, four or three different tiers. Like, we have your business strategy, it’s how you win in the marketplace. Then you have your brand strategy, which is positions you in the market and in the minds of your consumers or your customers. And then your marketing strategy is how you take that and communicate it out and you deliver that message in multiple different channels. So if you have marketing running without, without laddering up to that business strategy and and brand strategy, then it’s just, it’s just running and putting stuff out there. So it’s just activity without, without purpose and strategy. So like a brand strategy is so much more than just a lot of people think about it as their logo, their identity suite, whatever, but there should be research that goes into it. They should be stakeholder analysis. They should talk to your customers and kind of understand what they value about about your company compared to another company. So then, using. Their language in some of your brand messaging is super helpful. So if you have like, customers that say, you know, like, I just love working with, you know, Company X, Y and Z, because the people are great. They’re super responsive. They they get me what I need, etc. Like, using some of that as part of your brand is going to be really important. So like, a strategy may may include, like, the focus, the brand, promise your your core values can be part of that. The naming can be part of that. Obviously, the the design part that a lot of folks actually think about and listen or think about and recall would be, like the visual identity that also needs to be consistent, from your logo to your fonts to your colors, and then like, multiple touch points on that, like, again, like repeating that consistency from like the stationary, the collateral, the assets, all that stuff, but then also making sure that the messaging and the voice carries throughout your company, past past your your marketing team, past your sales team. Christian Klepp 05:16 Yeah, that’s absolutely right. I mean, I like to tell people that all of these things that you mentioned, especially the visual aspect, the the sexy part of it, right, like the the visual identity, the logo, the web design and all that. It’s the end result. It’s one of the outcomes of right branding, right? JoAnne Gritter 05:16 That doesn’t come out of a vacuum, right? You don’t show a designer that’s like, I’m super excited about the color red, so we’re gonna do it’s what do our customers, current customers, feel about us, and what do we want our prospective customers to feel about us? And then there’s a lot of strategy behind that. Christian Klepp 05:16 That’s right, that’s right. I’m gonna move on to the topic of key pitfalls to avoid. So what are some of these key pitfalls that B2B Marketing Teams should avoid, and what should they do instead? JoAnne Gritter 05:16 So pitfalls that I see is companies teams that get really excited about certain trends. I’m just going to pick on Tiktok. There’s time and a place for Tiktok, but like, for B2B, they’re like, oh, man, everybody’s on Tiktok, or this latest, you know, social media platform, channel, we really got to get on there. It’s or we got to use AI in some specific way without, like, thinking about the strategy behind that and just like going forward, because you know that that’s the hottest trend right now. So always make sure it ladders up to where your customers are and what you want them to think about you. If you’re a B2B company, it’s likely that your customers are more on LinkedIn than they are on Tiktok. That’s just an example. I can’t say that across the board, but like picking picking things that are always centered on on your customer and your brand are super important. So that’s a pitfall, and then what to do about it? Also treating the brand as a one time exercise, like set it and forget it, kind of thing. A lot of people are just like, Okay, we did the brand. We got a great logo, we got stationery, we even got PowerPoints that are branded and then never think about it again, except for, like, just the, you know, the colors and the logo on all of your media assets, right? So, but the brand is so much more than that. The brand is so much about, like, how you want them to feel, what the differentiators are, what makes you different, what you deliver and like, how you talk about it, how you position yourself. So like, every bit, every asset that goes out the door, should be aligned to that there should be almost a hierarchy. Christian Klepp 05:16 Yeah, no, exactly, exactly. And I’m gonna throw another follow up question at you, only because I know you can handle you can handle it. You probably hear this a lot, and you hear this a lot, most likely also from marketing teams that perhaps don’t have as much experience in the branding space as you do, and they say things like, JoAnne, you know, we’re looking at our company, and we feel that, you know, the overall look and feel and the direction, it’s not really in line with what we aspire to be. So we’re looking for a revamp. And then, and then, as the conversation progresses, they say, Oh, actually, we want maybe, maybe just a refresh, right? And then you hear another prospect say, Well, you know, we just merged the two companies. So like, what do we do there? So maybe just, just to, again, clear the air, so people don’t throw around these terms so recklessly, what actually is the difference between a brand refresh, a brand revamp, and branding as a result of a merger, Speaker 1 06:02 like a brand like from scratch, is going to take a lot of different kind of research efforts than like a brand refresh. Like, if you’re doing a brand refresh, then you’re looking at assets that already exist, you know, and and you’re looking at reasons why they might change or are no longer working. So you’re doing more. Of an audit kind of thing, like, what’s different now than it was 20 years ago when we created this brand, and where are we going? Their new leadership? Are they focused on different parts of this like even even DDM, the marketing agency that I work with or that I work for. We, every once in a while, look at our brand, and not just the visuals, but like the things that make us unique. And we say, hey, those are still unique, but we’re talking about them slightly differently now. So we need to take a look at that and change the messaging a little bit. We’re heading in a slightly different direction lately with our creative so let’s, let’s make sure that we’re still in line, so that everything, everything matches. And if they see us on Instagram versus if they see us on LinkedIn or on our website, that it still looks like ABM, you know, and then a merger is slightly different, because you’re putting together two brands, and a lot of times they’re creating a new brand from that, or they might keep one of the brands and then just bring another like, you know, Company X is now a, you know, Company Y brand. And there might be, like a sub. There’s all kinds of different ways hierarchies of brands in that kind of scenario. But more recent one that we did, they created a new brand, which was a combination of the two names, and they completely they went through the whole exercise with the new leadership team. So it’s more similar to like starting from scratch, but also taking bits and pieces that they want to keep from both brands and what’s working. So you kind of look at what clients from both brands like about those brands, and make sure that you keep those and you preserve those, and make sure that it’s it’s heading in the direction that the company wants to go a lot of discovery and research and questions, Christian Klepp 06:16 Absolutely, absolutely. And I love that you keep bringing that up, though, because that is, again, one of these components that people tend to overlook, that this comes with a lot of research. It’s not, as you said, it’s not okay. Here’s the brief. Graphic designers or design team have at it. JoAnne Gritter 17:07 Right? Christian Klepp 17:07 Come up with something, something else, great, right? Yeah, my favorite briefs are always the ones that said we want something modern, clean, yet traditional and exciting. It’s like, JoAnne Gritter 17:17 Oh yes, creative. Make it creative, splashy mean to you? Christian Klepp 17:25 Yeah, yeah, open to interpretation, I suppose. Why do you believe that inconsistent messaging and internal misalignment cost organizations credibility and dollars? And you did touch on it earlier on the conversation. JoAnne Gritter 17:41 It’s a misalignment of what you say versus what you do. If you have on your website that you are there to serve X population and that you are like your mission and purpose in in this world is to support that population in in achieving whatever goal, whatever needs that that population needs, but then that customer or population that comes and interacts with your brand does not get that from the people or get that from their experience with your product. Then then that’s a misalignment, and that creates, you know, instant distrust, like you are not following through on, on what your brand promise was, or if you have multiple people saying they’re promising different things and they don’t get that, that’s a lack of trust. Christian Klepp 18:27 I’m kind of slightly grinning here, although I know that anyone who’s been in this situation probably will not see any humor in it, but like, I’m just thinking about anyone that’s experienced a flight delay, JoAnne Gritter 18:37 right, Christian Klepp 18:39 or been trapped at the airport, and whichever airline it is you’re flying with, and you have to deal with ground staff that are either unprofessional and rude or you just have zero transparency. And I’m sure, like, I’ve certainly gone through it like I’ve experienced a 10, 12 hour flight delay, right where I was at the airport until like, one or two in the morning, and then they finally come and say, well, the plane’s not coming. JoAnne Gritter 19:04 Yeah, that really rocks the brand reputation. I also see that in health care a lot, which, God bless everybody in health care, it’s hard, but like, if all those services are disjointed and the scheduling gives you a different feeling than the doctor gives and trying to do things online, it doesn’t match what your experience is in person. People don’t want to go to that provider anymore. You know, they’re like, this is confusing. I just want help. Just want to get what you’re promising. Christian Klepp 19:35 It’s a very for lack of a description of fragmented ecosystem. JoAnne Gritter 19:39 Yeah, absolutely. And that’s a bigger issue than we can solve here, but Christian Klepp 19:43 Yeah, no amount of branding is going to fix that. JoAnne Gritter 19:47 You got to follow through on it. Christian Klepp 19:49 That’s absolutely right. That’s absolutely right. Talk to us about how aligning, and you’ve touched on it briefly, how aligning soul and action will help to build. Trust, loyalty and resilience and please provide examples where relevant. JoAnne Gritter 20:04 Let me think of an example. We work with a very large medical device manufacturer, and we’ve worked with them for 15, probably close to 20 years now. And so 15 years ago, they were very product centric. They also grow by acquisition. So they have, like several different companies that came in under this master global brand. And even though they have the same logo, they still had their own kind of visual identity. They all talked about their stuff differently. And as a result of that, in those different teams, the customers were getting wildly different experiences from this company, even though they were all under the same master company. So they rebranded. We helped them rebrand seven years ago, maybe, and this is a global organization where they brought all their business units under the same brand. They have a very strict, robust brand now. And I’m not saying that everybody needs 100 page brand guidelines. They don’t, but, like they they went all in on branding, and they make all their new employees do their brand training. It’s worked in through their onboarding. It’s worked in through their like, performance conversations, and they have just really exploded and created this, this amazing reputation as a leader. Christian Klepp 21:25 I’m sorry you’re talking about, you’re talking about real branding, then JoAnne Gritter 21:27 Real branding. Yes, they are now a leader in their industry. I mean, they were big before, but they have just really exploded in the last seven years since rebranding, and it’s been really helpful for them, because now they still grow by acquisition, but they bring in a new company, and they know what the process is to get them on board, not just from a visual identity, like rebranding all the collateral, like the sales enablement and stuff like that, but bringing the internal teams up to speed about like, what what we stand for, what we hire, like, what kind of values we Look for, so that every customer gets the same experience Christian Klepp 22:04 from your experience. How did that exercise of helping them to re brand and take all of this because, you know, there’s that situation of taking all the business units and putting them under one roof, so to speak. How did that exercise help to improve them as an organization. JoAnne Gritter 22:22 It’s been a long time, like in multiple phases. So it improves their organization. It creates a lot of clarity for them. So they’re not like redoing each other’s work, and they’re not all creating the same or they’re they’re not all creating from scratch anymore. They have a they have a similar starting point on, like, the different messaging pillars that they need to hit, even for just their products, you know. So this goes into product messaging and product launch. So like, if they are medical device, they are they want to sell, you know, knee replacements or or stuff along those lines, they know that they need to hit on a couple core values, and they need to make sure that they are targeting the same audience, and that they need to make sure that they that what they’re saying out there aligns with the master brand. Of course, there’s they still need to do the differentiators on the product level, but they also have the full brand that that supports it. So it’s just a higher level like reputation. I like to, I like to compare like branding to your reputation. So that goes along with every product that they bring in. Christian Klepp 23:32 Yeah, no, absolutely, absolutely. Okay, we get to the part in the conversation. We’re talking about actionable tips. And you’ve, you’ve actually given us quite a bit already, but if we were to summarize it, okay, JoAnne, like, if there was somebody out if there was somebody out there that was listening to this conversation, and they were listening to what you were saying, and they were like, oh my goodness, this is exactly what we’re going through right now, right? I mean, besides contacting you, right, what are like three to five things that you would recommend they do right now to realign for long term growth using brand strategy, JoAnne Gritter 24:10 I would take a look at what brand strategy you already have, if you have one otherwise kind of creating at least the bones of that. Like, what are our values? What are we focused on? What is our purpose here and mission? And then, like, what are messaging pillars or groups that align with those values? And then once you have those making sure that you have a succinct narrative or story, or even, like an elevator pitch, that everybody is aligned on. Having that is kind of a simple, hopefully a simple thing for you to figure out and align on, and then auditing the customer journey for those promises and values. So like, if you have a customer journey, they’re going from, you know, awareness of you. Or a problem to consideration between you and your company, and, you know, multiple other companies, and then you’re they’re making a decision, then they’re purchasing, then they’re hopefully your customer experience, and your delivery teams are delivering on those promises, and then you’re creating loyalty. So that’s the customer journey. So of these phases are, they are the customers still experiencing the brand that you want them to experience. So that’s like a little audit that you can do. And then from there, also making sure that all of your content that’s out there, from your like your brochures, your website, your sales enablement kind of stuff, making sure that that’s still aligned to the brand and the message that that you want it to and then making sure that, of course, throughout the company, in your like, HR documentation, you’re, I’ve said onboarding a million times, but like, making sure that everybody that’s coming into your organization understands who you are and who you who you serve, and why? Christian Klepp 26:01 Absolutely, absolutely. And that’s a really good list. And I have to ask you this question, because you know, at the time of the recording, we’re at the end of 2025, and you did bring up AI, so I’m going to bring it up again. How, how has in your experience, from what you’re seeing out there, how has AI impacted brand strategy and all the work that comes along with that. JoAnne Gritter 26:24 Well, that’s a loaded question, right? So as far as brand strategy, I kind of see it. AI can be used as a tool. It should not replace thinking and actually talking to your customers and your employees and your sales team. So you can use AI as a crutch to to, like, ask it for ideas, idea generation. You can use it for deep research on your on your audience, and stuff like that. But nothing replaces the gold standard of talking to people. So like, the the best resources from that research perspective are your customers, or your prospective customers and your sales team, if you can’t get to those customers, will often hear those like, you know, positive and negatives about your products and services. So getting to those and aligning on stakeholders, AI can be used as you know, you can use it to help think of ideas for like, let me think if you were thinking of like values, like core values, like in and messaging pillars, you can say, hey, you know, I really want it to be something along these lines. We’re circling around on like, exactly right the what the right way to phrase this is. And it can give you 50 different ideas, and you can cross out 45 of them and then land on like the top five that you communicate with your team. Don’t ever take it for rate for like per vatum, sorry, exactly as chat GPT gives you, Christian Klepp 27:55 at face value. JoAnne Gritter 27:57 Thank you. I see that that is a lot harder for early career individuals because they don’t have that discernment yet. So they, they will, they will use it as a crutch, and then, like, oftentimes not have that same kind of editing expertise to see what actually works and what doesn’t. So like pairing AI as a tool with with human intelligence and empathy, for sure, Christian Klepp 28:23 Absolutely, absolutely. I mean, at least in from my observation, and this is where I think AI really falls flat, especially when you’re coming up with the verbal expression component of brand strategy. AI doesn’t really have any soul or character, like everything, it turns out, is very, for lack of a better description, lifeless, so, and that’s where the human element, or to your point, the human intervention, can then come into play, because then you can inject that story, you can inject that human emotion, which also is a very crucial component in B2B, right? As much as people like to say, oh, B2B is all factual, right? And I would, I would disagree with that, JoAnne Gritter 29:06 yeah, it’s, it’s quality over quantity. Now, you know people, people can spot, can spot the AI generated content, and there can be a whole bunch of it, and that can help you in a variety of ways. But if it’s not actually, if it doesn’t sound human speaking or human human sounding, then, then people reject it and they don’t trust it as much. Christian Klepp 29:28 Okay, get up on your soapbox a status quo that you passionately disagree with, and why? JoAnne Gritter 29:37 I passionately disagree with data only marketing. So the big push for data driven marketing, I am, I am on board with that at face value, but it still doesn’t tell the whole story, because you can still look at data from, let’s say you did like a. Um, a focus group about about what customers want from a like a beverage or something. I’m thinking of Coca Cola, and they and they say that they they want it to be healthy. They want it to be low sugar. They want it to taste amazing. They want it to make them, you know, feel great, and stuff like that that does not you’re gonna try to create like this Frankenstein kind of soda instead, instead of recognizing that, like, there’s more psychology to this. Like a Coca Cola has, like, a whole traditional, like branding kind of way that, or traditional and emotional way that they make people feel, and that doesn’t show up in the data, necessarily. That doesn’t show up in the performance data. You know that that is a totally different kind of research too. Christian Klepp 30:51 Yeah, yeah, JoAnne Gritter 30:55 You know, that’s performance, marketing and branding. Christian Klepp 30:58 I totally agree. I totally agree that, as much as there is a big camp out there that says the future is data driven now when it comes to B2B Marketing, and I’m like, Yeah, JoAnne Gritter 31:11 humans are tricky. Christian Klepp 31:13 We’re not robots. Absolutely, absolutely, okay, here comes the bonus question. So Rumor has it that you like to draw. JoAnne Gritter 31:23 I do. Christian Klepp 31:24 Yes, and from one enthusiastic sketcher to another, I thought, I thought deep and hard about this question. Tell us about one of the most well exciting, yes, but more importantly, one of the most challenging works that you’ve created to date. So what was the theme and subject? What made it so challenging to draw, and what did you learn from that experience when you when you completed it? JoAnne Gritter 31:50 I really like to find, like, kind of micro moments I have. I have three children at home, and I like to take pictures, or, like, capture, like small moments of, like one of them snuggling the cat, or like holding hands or doing something unexpected. And in, like, not a macro view, but in a micro view of like, the different connections that people have. And then, usually, I’ll take a picture, and then I will sketch those out after they go to sleep and stuff like that. And that’s just kind of my own personal way to, I don’t know it’s it’s therapeutic. It’s a way to see, see the beauty in the world, you know, and to slow down in the moment. Christian Klepp 32:37 100%. I like to call it Balsam for the soul. JoAnne Gritter 32:40 Yeah, Christian Klepp 32:40 all right, I don’t know about you, but like, I like to sketch in the in this very room where we’re doing the recording, and I usually play classical music. So like, show pen, so something like, with with piano. Like, no opera, because that can get a bit too dramatic. JoAnne Gritter 32:59 I like classical too, when, when I’m focused at classical music, and I also like binaural beats, or it’s more like meditation kind of music. So kind of zone, zone into the moment, instead of all the crazy thoughts that go through your head and all the things you have to do. Christian Klepp 33:17 Very nice, very nice. One of the things I learned about drawing is pretty much like certain aspects of our professional work, you know, like marketing and branding. It starts with a line, and then you just keep adding the layers, right? And it’s almost the same like when you’re implementing a campaign, you know, some especially nowadays, right? You try to start small first, and do a lot of testing to see if it works. And you scale from there. And I like to, I like to think of drawings that way too. You start, you start not by adding the details. You start like, you know, with a lighter pencil. And there’s a certain, there’s a certain way of holding the pencil tool, right, so you have lesser control. And just, it’s just a bit free flowing. And for me personally, it took me a long time to start drawing like that, because I’m like, No, then I don’t have control of the process. But that’s kind of the point, right? Let go of the perfectionism, right? JoAnne Gritter 34:18 You outline it first, and then you start filling in. You know that the shadows and the light marks, and then you slowly bring in the detail. I mean, that you’re totally right, that that is like a marketing or branding strategy. You got to outline it first before you go fully in on any specific detail. Otherwise, you’re you may be way off target. Christian Klepp 34:38 That’s it. That’s it. I mean, JoAnne like I think we just found our next podcast interview topic. But 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 people out they can get in touch with you. JoAnne Gritter 34:57 JoAnne Gritter, I’m at DDM Marketing and Communications headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA. And I am COO, Vice President of our company. You can get a hold of me at joanneg@teamddm.com or you can just check us out at Teamddm.com Christian Klepp 35:18 Fantastic, fantastic. And we will be sure to like drop all those links in the show notes. So once again, JoAnne, thanks so much for your time. Take care, stay safe and talk to you soon. JoAnne Gritter 35:27 Thanks, Christian. Bye. Christian Klepp 35:29 Bye, for now you.
Welcome our guest, Rick Elmore, Founder of SimplyNoted.com | In this episode, Rick Elmore discusses the enduring power of handwritten notes in a digital world saturated with automated messages. He explains how his company, Simply Noted, leverages technology to automate the process of sending genuine, personalized handwritten notes, helping businesses cut through the noise and build meaningful connections with their customers.Rick emphasizes that while technology has evolved, the personal touch of a handwritten note remains a powerful tool for customer retention, marketing, and building lasting relationships. He shares insights on how to integrate this strategy into existing marketing workflows and leverage it to increase customer lifetime value and generate referrals.Start your 3-Day Fast Delivery with SimplyNoted.com here >>Rick Elmore's Top Key PointsThe Lost Art of Personal Connection: In an era of digital overload, a handwritten note stands out and makes a lasting impression.High Open Rates: Handwritten mail has a 99% open rate, significantly higher than any other form of direct mail or email marketing.Automation and Scalability: Simply Noted uses robotic technology to produce real pen-written notes that are scalable and can be integrated with CRMs and other marketing automation platforms.Hyper-Personalization with AI: By leveraging AI, the messages in the handwritten notes can be hyper-personalized based on customer data, making them even more impactful.Trackable and Actionable: With features like QR code tracking and delivery notifications, the impact of handwritten notes can be measured, and follow-up actions can be triggered for a multi-touch marketing approach.Podcast Episode Timestamps[02:48] Introduction to Simply Noted and the concept of automated handwritten mail.[07:07] The marketing power of handwritten notes and their high open rates.[10:31] The importance of systems and timing in a handwritten note strategy.[16:19] How to integrate handwritten notes into your marketing stack, including platforms like GoHighLevel.[22:00] How to get in touch with Rick Elmore and get a free sample kit from Simply Noted.Podcast Episode FAQsQ: What is Simply Noted?A: Simply Noted is a service that uses custom-built robots to write personalized, handwritten notes on behalf of businesses. This allows companies to send authentic-feeling mail at scale, fostering a personal connection with customers.Q: How does this integrate with my current marketing?A: Simply Noted can be integrated with most CRMs and marketing automation platforms. You can trigger the sending of a handwritten note based on specific customer actions, such as a purchase, an anniversary, or a birthday.Q: What are the benefits of sending handwritten notes?A: The primary benefits are increased customer engagement and loyalty. Handwritten notes have a near-perfect open rate and help your brand stand out. They are a powerful tool for building relationships, which can lead to higher customer lifetime value and more referrals.Next Steps with Rick ElmoreReady to add the personal touch of handwritten notes to your marketing strategy? Visit simplynoted.com to learn more and request a free sample kit. You can also connect with Rick Elmore directly via email at rick.elmore@simplynoted.com or on LinkedIn.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Most B2B marketing fails for one simple reason: it forgets how persuasion actually works.That's why Mad Men still hits. Beneath the suits, pitches, and personal drama, it's a masterclass in what actually moves people. In this episode, we break down its B2B marketing takeaways with the help of our special guest Fahad Muhammad, Former VP of Marketing at TealBook.Together, we explore why fundamentals matter more than tactics, why emotion drives demand, and how originality is the only real advantage left in modern B2B marketing.About our guest, Fahad MuhammadFahad is a revenue-centric and data-driven marketing leader with 17 years of experience in strategic marketing at severalSaaS/Tech companies ranging from start-ups, SMBs to enterprise organizations. Specializing in demand creation and generation, he takes a data driven approach to identify unique growth opportunities in order to drive revenue and foster meaningful connections with customers. He is a diehard college football fan (Sun Devil for life!) and attends ASU's homecoming game each fall. An avid reader, he loves to read with a cup of his favorite coffee in hand.What B2B Companies Can Learn From Mad Men:Anchor on positioning before you touch tactics. Fahad's biggest takeaway from Mad Men is that modern B2B often skips the hard thinking and jumps straight to execution. The show strips marketing back to its core, and the lesson is uncomfortable in its simplicity. As he puts it, “This discipline is around three core things. It's about positioning, it's about having a very compelling piece of creative… and then the last piece is really understanding who your audience is.” The danger for B2B teams is mistaking activity for strategy. If positioning is fuzzy, no amount of optimization will save it. Get the foundation right first, or everything else is just noise.Emotion is the real differentiator. Fahad makes it clear that cutting through the noise is about resonance. He says, “Something that does speak to us, no matter what medium [it's in], is always going to cut through the noise.” Mad Men works because it understands human psychology hasn't changed, even if the channels have. For B2B marketers, the lesson is simple: logic might justify the purchase, but emotion earns attention. If your message doesn't connect at a human level, it won't survive the noise long enough to matter.Originality beats borrowed playbooks. Fahad warns that one of the fastest ways for B2B brands to disappear is by copying what already worked for someone else. Mad Men celebrates originality because it shows how differentiation is built through conviction, not consensus. As Fahad puts it, “They're not taking the shortcut route of copy pasting or referencing creative… they are elevating themselves and going through their own version of creative.” In a world where everyone has access to the same tools, the only sustainable advantage is saying something true in a way only you can. That's what people remember.Quote“ Everybody has the same access to the tools now. They can do the same thing. And the playing field is more level than ever. So how do you now cut through the noise? It still goes back to the core elements of: How strong is your positioning? How strong is your creative? Are you really thinking [that] this is going to cut through the noise and is it going to move people?”Time Stamps[00:55] Meet Fahad Muhammad, Former VP of Marketing at TealBook[01:37] Why Mad Men?[04:28] Role of VP of Marketing at TealBook[05:20] Behind-the-Scenes of Mad Men[09:21] B2B Marketing Takeaways from Mad Men[32:08] The Role of AI in Marketing[42:43] How to Connect Content to Your Marketing Strategy[45:44] Advice for First-Time VPs of Marketing[47:19] Final Thoughts and TakeawaysLinksConnect with Fahad on LinkedInLearn more about TealBookAbout 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 Jess Avellino, mixed by Scott Goodrich, 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.
© 2020-2026 Ivy Podcast Discovery LLC
