Podcasts about paid ads

What a pleasure to get to meet Kate Assaraf CEO/Founder of DIP. Kate is incredible and has built a million dollar brand without spending one penny on digital advertising. Summer and Scott get so many Juicy Nuggets about how she did it. An incredible story about how she built this company on word of mouth!  The Always Off Brand is always a Laugh & Learn!    FEEDSPOT TOP 10 Retail Podcast! https://podcast.feedspot.com/retail_podcasts/?feedid=5770554&_src=f2_featured_email   Guest: Kate Assaraf LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-assaraf-b25a741a7/   QUICKFIRE Info:   Website: https://www.quickfirenow.com/ Email the Show: info@quickfirenow.com  Talk to us on Social: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/quickfireproductions Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quickfire__/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@quickfiremarketing LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/quickfire-productions-llc/about/ Sports podcast Scott has been doing since 2017, Scott & Tim Sports Show part of Somethin About Nothin:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/somethin-about-nothin/id1306950451 HOSTS: Summer Jubelirer has been in digital commerce and marketing for over 17 years. After spending many years working for digital and ecommerce agencies working with multi-million dollar brands and running teams of Account Managers, she is now the Amazon Manager at OLLY PBC.   LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/summerjubelirer/   Scott Ohsman has been working with brands for over 30 years in retail, online and has launched over 200 brands on Amazon. Mr. Ohsman has been managing brands on Amazon for 19yrs. Owning his own sales and marketing agency in the Pacific NW, is now VP of Digital Commerce for Quickfire LLC. Producer and Co-Host for the top 5 retail podcast, Always Off Brand. He also produces the Brain Driven Brands Podcast featuring leading Consumer Behaviorist Sarah Levinger. Scott has been a featured speaker at national trade shows and has developed distribution strategies for many top brands. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-ohsman-861196a6/   Hayley Brucker has been working in retail and with Amazon for years. Hayley has extensive experience in digital advertising, both seller and vendor central on Amazon. Hayley lives in North Carolina.  LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayley-brucker-1945bb229/   Huge thanks to Cytrus our show theme music "Office Party" available wherever you get your music. Check them out here: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/cytrusmusic Instagram https://www.instagram.com/cytrusmusic/ Twitter https://twitter.com/cytrusmusic SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6VrNLN6Thj1iUMsiL4Yt5q?si=MeRsjqYfQiafl0f021kHwg APPLE MUSIC https://music.apple.com/us/artist/cytrus/1462321449   "Always Off Brand" is part of the Quickfire Podcast Network and produced by Quickfire LLC.  

I'm always on this show getting all preachy about how important it is for podcasters to build an email list. Today I'm bringing in my Pod Pal Tracy Beavers to show us how to skyrocket our list building WITHOUT using paid ads! Topics covered: -Tracy's favorite way to build her list. -Do lead magnets still work? -Tracy's thoughts on AI. Connect with Tracy: https://www.tracybeavers.com/   ***** Links mentioned in this episode: Want more strategies for podcast launch, growth, and how to leverage your podcast to get more clients? Get my FREE weekly Podcasting Business School Newsletter every Thursday! https://www.podcastingbusiness.school/news   Join my FREE community on Skool: https://www.skool.com/podcastingbusinessschool/about  

John Madsen shares how he went from NFL player to building a multi-million-dollar fitness business by leveraging bold niche marketing, paid acquisition, operational excellence, and a faith-driven shift toward purpose, profitability, and long-term impact.⁣⁣Connect with John - ⁣https://www.instagram.com/suprahuman_john/?hl=en⁣https://suprahuman.com/⁣⁣__________⁣If you'd like my team to run your marketing & sales department to scale your business apply here https://www.pinedapartners.com⁣⁣Join our private mastermind for elite business leaders who golf. https://www.mastermind19.com⁣⁣Want to be featured on the Wealthy Way Podcast? Apply here https://www.wealthyway.com⁣⁣If you want to start your real estate investing business, we'll give you 1:1 coaching, seller leads, software, & everything you need. https://www.wealthyinvestor.com⁣⁣Tired of paying so much in taxes every year? We'll give you strategy, tax prep, and accounting all in one place. https://www.taylor-tax.com⁣⁣Join free Bible studies and workshops for Christian business leaders. https://www.tentmakers.us⁣__________⁣⁣Chapters:⁣00:00 - First Ad to First Signup⁣00:39 - Polarizing Messaging⁣04:06 - NFL Journey⁣15:02 - NFL Training Lessons⁣18:49 - Gym Ownership & Online Pivot⁣30:02 - The First Million⁣36:13 - Paid Ads vs Organic Growth⁣45:04 - Marketing to High Earners⁣48:01 - High-Ticket Sales & Compliance⁣50:49 - Peptides, HRT & Business Goals⁣1:00:07 - Profitable Growth with Affiliates⁣1:07:35 - Community & Retention⁣1:15:08 - Training & Performance Evolution⁣1:15:54 - Business Struggles & Faith⁣1:23:39 - Humility & Renewed Purpose⁣1:30:08 - Ambition, Faith & Community⁣1:36:01 - Real Estate, Social Media & Identity

Can you really have it all, a thriving business, a beautiful family, your health, and time for yourself? This week I'm joined by Ashley Brock, founder of Paid Ads Marketing, entrepreneur, wife, and mama, who's proof the answer is yes, on your own terms. We get into what it actually takes to build a sustainable business, when to start investing in paid ads, the mistakes that quietly kill most campaigns, and the simple framework Ashley uses to help businesses become truly findable online.But this episode goes far beyond marketing. Ashley opens up about motherhood, redefining success, building real support systems, her inspiring 50-pound weight loss journey, and the daily habits that keep her grounded through it all. Whether you're just starting out or scaling without losing what matters most, this conversation is one you'll want to bookmark.Join ICONIC Mastermind: www.melissaambrosini.com/iconicHead to www.melissaambrosini.com/702 for the show notes.Join my newsletter: www.melissaambrosini.com/newsletterGet my FREE ZenTone Meditation: www.melissaambrosini.com/zentoneFollow me on Instagram: @melissaambrosiniGet Time Magic: www.timemagic.me Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paid Ads That Actually Work for Boutique Fitness & Wellness Businesses with Roger MartinAre your Facebook and Instagram ads generating clicks—but not clients? Or are you spending money on paid advertising without seeing a real return?In this episode of the Female emPOWERed Podcast, Christa Gurka sits down with Roger Martin, founder of Thrive More Autopilot, to break down what actually works with paid ads in 2026. Roger shares the biggest mistakes studio owners make with Meta advertising, why most agencies fail brick-and-mortar businesses, and the small changes that can dramatically improve your return on ad spend.If you own a Pilates studio, cash-based physical therapy practice, yoga studio, gym, or boutique fitness business, this episode is packed with practical marketing advice you can implement right away. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why most paid ads fail before they ever go live  The biggest targeting mistakes fitness and wellness businesses make  How to create ad creative that actually stops the scroll  Why your headline matters more than your offer  The importance of landing pages, Meta Pixel, and tracking conversions correctly  What click-through rates and conversion rates you should realistically expect  How to build irresistible introductory offers that convert  Why testing and optimizing—not "set it and forget it"—wins with paid advertising  The biggest difference between marketing online businesses and brick-and-mortar studios About Roger MartinRoger Martin spent 25 years in the pharmaceutical industry before becoming an entrepreneur and co-founding RockBox Fitness, helping grow the franchise to more than 60 locations. He later co-founded Beam Light Sauna, scaling the brand to over 50 locations before its acquisition.Today, Roger is the founder of Thrive More Autopilot, a boutique digital advertising agency specializing exclusively in helping brick-and-mortar fitness, wellness, recovery, and physical therapy businesses generate more qualified leads and grow profitably through paid advertising. Resources & Links

Think ads are only for big businesses with big budgets? Think again, seamstresses! I am sitting down with Whitney and Daniela, the duo behind Wedding Industry Ads, who turned a shared wedding venue client into an agency serving wedding pros. With Whitney's 12 years in the wedding industry behind them, they break down how paid ads actually work for local, one-to-one service providers like bridal seamstresses — no viral reels, giant email lists, or midnight tears in the Meta Ads Manager required.In this episode:- Google Ads vs. Meta Ads — high-intent searches vs. relationship building, and which fits YOUR business- Why your ads might be reaching brides three states away ("expand my audience" is not your friend)- The truth about vanity metrics — likes don't pay for thread, bookings do- What happens AFTER the click: dedicated landing pages and follow-up systems that turn leads into fittings- Why ads + SEO give you independence beyond bridal shop referrals- Real results: one client saw ~60 leads and 10 booked weddings in 90 days from Google Ads- Budget talk: what $500/month gets you — and what just a couple dollars a day can do during busy seasonGrab their free Ads Investment Guide: https://weddingindustryads.com Follow them on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weddingindustryadsConnect with Nadine:Check out the exclusive private podcast series, Fitting Packages 101: https://enchanting-sun-77080.myflodesk.com/privatepodcastBecome a member: https://secretsofabridalseamstresspodcast.com/membershipInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/secretsofabridalseamstress/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nadinebozemanYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@secretsofabridalseamstress/

#371 | Most B2B companies gate everything and hide their pricing. Funnel Leasing does neither, and grew from $3 million to $50 million in revenue anyway. Dave sits down with Alex Howe, SVP of Marketing and Growth at Funnel Leasing, to talk about how he built that growth engine with no marketing background, no paid ads, and no sales team pressure. They get into why his whole philosophy is built around being different rather than better, why ungating everything (including pricing) builds more trust than gating ever could, and how to prove marketing is working without hard metrics like a two-week sales cycle. Plus: how a background in political PR shaped his approach to getting attention, the event marketing stunts that actually got prospects talking, and why messaging should keep evolving without ever losing its core story.Timestamps(00:00) - - Introduction (05:32) - - Be Different, Not Just Better (09:13) - - Why You Should Ungate Everything, Including Pricing (13:34) - - How to Prove Marketing Is Working Without Hard Metrics (18:38) - - A Great Product Makes Marketing Easier (24:54) - - Build a Point of View by Staying Close to Your Customers (27:10) - - Creative Event Marketing Beats a Boring Booth (31:00) - - What a PR Background Teaches You About Getting Attention (35:59) - - Hire Specialists and Give Them Ownership (39:00) - - Why Differentiation Matters More Than Ever in the AI Era Join 50,0000 people who get Dave's Newsletter here: https://www.exitfive.com/newsletterLearn more about Exit Five's private marketing community: https://www.exitfive.com/***Brought to you by:Webflow - A website platform built for the agentic web, helping modern marketing teams build fully custom sites—no developer needed—that perform in AI search. Learn more at webflow.com/for/exitfive.Markup AI - A content quality platform that scans your content against brand voice, preferred terms, messaging standards, and AI-search readiness before it goes live, right inside Google Docs. Learn more at markup.ai.Optimizely - A no-code AI platform where autonomous agents execute marketing work across webpages, email, SEO, and campaigns. Learn how to deploy agents on your marketing team at Agents in the Mix. Learn more at optimizely.com/exitfive. Walker Sands - An integrated B2B marketing and growth services agency that helps marketing leaders turn strategy into measurable business impact through their Outcome-based Marketing model. Learn more at walkersands.com/exitfive.Knak - A no-code, campaign creation platform that lets you go from idea to on-brand email and landing pages in minutes, using AI where it actually matters. Learn more at knak.com/exitfive, or check out the MCP server by clicking this link.***Thanks to my friends at hatch.fm for producing this episode and handling all of the Exit Five podcast production.They give you unlimited podcast editing and strategy for your B2B podcast.Get unlimited podcast editing and on-demand strategy for one low monthly cost. Just upload your episode, and they take care of the rest.Visit hatch.fm to learn more

Emily Judice runs Be That Girl Coaching, and last spring she was getting a lot of advice about her ads. Most of it pointed toward handing the whole thing off to someone else. She decided to own the skill instead, and this episode is what happened next. In this episode, Ashley and Emily get into:

In this LoanOfficerPodcast.com episode, the host Chris Johnstone sits down with mortgage marketing expert Chelsea Gardner to discuss how today's loan officers can generate more mortgage leads, build a stronger personal brand, and grow their business using AI, paid advertising, and organic social media. Chelsea shares the proven marketing strategies she uses to help loan officers stay visible, attract qualified borrowers, and create a consistent pipeline of new business without relying on outdated marketing tactics. In this episode, you'll learn:     • How AI is changing mortgage marketing and why loan officers need to optimize for ChatGPT and AI search.     • The paid advertising and retargeting strategies that generate higher-quality mortgage leads and increase conversions.     • How consistent social media content helps loan officers build trust, attract referrals, and grow their mortgage business. Whether you're a new loan officer looking for your first clients or an experienced mortgage professional wanting to generate more referrals and close more loans, this episode is packed with actionable marketing advice you can implement immediately. Listen now to discover how Chelsea Gardner helps loan officers build predictable lead generation systems through AI, paid ads, and content marketing. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to LoanOfficerPodcast.com and leave us a 5-star review. Your support helps us continue bringing conversations with the mortgage industry's top producers, marketers, and business leaders.

In this episode, I'm sharing a powerful conversation I had with Samantha Daily, host of the Make Shift Happen podcast and a brilliant voice for women building intentional online businesses. We get into the hard truth that so many online entrepreneurs are facing right now: showing up, posting, pouring effort into your content, and still not converting. Why? Because your messaging and positioning, not your content or your visibility, is what sells. I walk Samantha and her audience through my Momentum Messaging Framework, the exact strategy that helped me scale to over a million dollars in less than a year. We unpack why constantly reinventing your content strategy might be doing more harm than good, the difference between pleasure content and power content (and why most women only create the first), how to know if your messaging is actually working, and why posting less might be the move that finally gets your ideal client to pay attention and buy. I also share the leadership maturity required to scale, the compounded growth that took me from $250K to $1.3M in nine months, and the question I ask every new client: if I dropped 100 paying clients into your world today, could you actually hold them? If you've ever felt like you're screaming into the social media void or exhausted from over-delivering without the sales to match, this episode is your breath of fresh air. Liked this episode? Make sure to subscribe to our podcast and leave a review with your takeaways, this helps us create the exact content you want!  KEY POINTS:  00:00 Welcome and Mission 00:50 Series Setup and Guest Intro 02:35 Meet Samantha and Julie 03:16 Julie's Pivot to Coaching 07:49 Adapting in a Crowded Market 11:57 Specialize for Authority 14:35 Messaging vs Content 18:40 Momentum Messaging Audit 25:11 Power vs Pleasure Content 27:41 Stories Sell the Feed Grows 29:36 Posting with Intention 30:00 Pleasure vs Power Content 30:48 Curated Story Sets 31:52 Sell First Content Strategy 34:27 Post Less Grow More 35:09 Quality Calls Premium Buyers 38:05 Repurpose Your Best Stuff 42:01 Compounded Growth Scaling 43:35 Paid Ads and Volume 45:57 Systems Funnels Automation 51:04 Leadership Maturity CEO Shift 52:58 Can You Hold Success 56:55 Closing and Next Steps QUOTABLES: “    Nobody needs more watered down content. Nobody needs more watered down how to do things. Like, we're good on that. What we need more of is people really deciding that they wanna be the absolute best at what it is that they do, really own that genius wholeheartedly, and make the absolute best offer that they can for their premium clients.” - Julie Solomon  “    I think that's one thing that you have to be able to do as an entrepreneur of any kind is continue to adapt and innovate.” - Samantha Daily GUEST RESOURCES: You can listen to Samantha's Podcast Make Shift Happen Listen to Samantha's Episode of Woman of Influence RESOURCES: [UNSCRIPTED RETREAT 2027] Where your voice, your message, and your identity become one. February 3–5, 2027 • Nashville, Tennessee APPLY HERE [THE REVENUE ACCELERATOR] Book a strategy call to explore whether The Revenue Accelerator is the right next step for your business and leadership. Apply and schedule your call today. [ORDER] my book or Audible, Get What You Want: How to Go From Unseen to Unstoppable so you can leverage the power of your own influence. Follow Julie on Instagram! MUST HAVES THIS MONTH: [BOOST YOUR CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE]This platform makes it easier for your customers to checkout with the purple “Shop Pay” button, helping you reduce cart abandonment. Start here.

This week we are pulling back the curtain.Inside our Noctave AI Cohort 1 mastermind we brought in a very special guest — Tony Cruz, a cleaning business owner of 15-plus years and one of the most knowledgeable people in the home services industry on the topic of voice AI.In this episode, Brandon introduces Tony and then plays an exclusive behind-the-scenes clip from our live Zoom training where Tony shares his story, his background, and his perspective on where the cleaning industry is headed.This is the first 10 minutes of a much longer session Tony led for our paid cohort members. We wanted to give our podcast audience a taste of who Tony is and what he brings to the conversation before he joins us live on July 7th.Tony Cruz will be joining Brandon live on the July 7th webinar with a special bonus offer for Cohort 2 that he will only reveal on the call.Register for the free live training — Tuesday July 7th at noon Mountain:profitcleaners.com/voiceaiHighlights:00:00 – Introduction00:28 – Meet Tony Cruz: The Cleaning Business Owner Behind the AI Success Stories06:21 – The Biggest Mistake That Nearly Cost a Family Cleaning Business07:48 – The Mindset Shift That Changes How You Sell Premium Cleaning Services08:36 – Why Cold Audiences Don't Care About Your Awards or Reviews09:14 – The Real Reason Customers Will Pay More for Your Cleaning Service10:50 – How Paid Ads and AI Work Better Together11:52 – Where to Learn More About Implementing AI in Your BusinessLinks/Resources Mentioned:Profit Cleaners Website Watch the FREE Masterclass: https://profitcleaners.com/masterclass)Join the FREE Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/profitcleaners/Visit profitcleaners.com/cleanerclean to stay updated on everything coming next from Profit Cleaners. profitcleaners.com/cleanercleanRegister for the free live training — Tuesday, July 7th at noon Mountain:profitcleaners.com/voiceaiLearn more about Noctave AI: noctave.ai

Paid ads are an accelerant, not a foundation — which is why this is Part VIII, not Part I. Most people start with ads, spend $500, get zero clients, and conclude that advertising doesn't work. It doesn't work when it's the first thing you do.With three funnels already built (social media, referrals, content), paid ads become a multiplier. This episode walks through the complete process on screen.Start by boosting your best organic post for $5-10/day for a week. Low-risk testing to learn which message resonates. Then graduate to an Advantage+ Leads campaign in Meta Ads Manager.As of 2026, Meta's Advantage+ AI handles targeting, placements, and budget allocation by default. You provide three creative variations testing different angles on the same problem — problem-focused, story-focused, and direct offer. Meta's AI automatically shifts budget to the winner.Create three variations using the "What Do You Sell?" work from Part I. Use Instant Forms so leads never leave the app. Set a $20/day minimum budget for lead gen. Don't touch anything for 7 days while the AI learns.After two weeks, use Manus AI inside Ads Manager to analyze results — ask plain-English questions about which variation works, which audience responds, which placement converts.Budget framework: $5-10/day to test, $20-50/day for lead gen, then scale when the math supports it.Next episode: Part IX — putting it all together and what comes next.Connect with Chris Cooper:Website - https://businessisgood.com/

What if the secret to growing your business wasn't another funnel, ad campaign, or social media strategy?In this inspiring conversation, Julie sits down with Virginia Muzquiz, known as "The Referral Diva," to discuss how entrepreneurs can build thriving businesses through authentic relationships, meaningful connections, and referral-based growth. Virginia shares lessons from more than 20 years of helping coaches, consultants, and entrepreneurs create revenue through trust instead of transactional marketing.The conversation goes far beyond referrals. Virginia opens up about overcoming a devastating health crisis, rebuilding her confidence, developing self-efficacy, and learning how to create success without relying on fear, perfectionism, or burnout.If you've ever felt overwhelmed by funnels, social media algorithms, or trying to "do business the right way," this episode will remind you that relationships remain your most valuable business asset.In This EpisodeWhy perfection is hurting your visibilityThe difference between visibility and validationBuilding a business through relationships instead of adsThe entrepreneur mindset shift that changes everythingVirginia's powerful health and healing journeyDeveloping self-efficacy through adversityWhy consistency beats talentThe importance of market insight before building offersReferral marketing strategies that actually workNetworking mistakes entrepreneurs makeThe power of asking for helpHow to become a super connectorWhy kindness is a business strategy

8 Shopify marketing growth strategies for brands of all sizes and niches, who want ecommerce growth. This week, Nick Trueman from Spec Digital and the Winning With Shopify Podcast host outlines 8 Shopify Growth Strategies that businesses cannot ignore. Nick's been running his ⁠PPC & SEO Agency,⁠ Spec Digital since 2007 and has serviced thousands of brands over that time. Nick shares his top tips for growing (or aspiring) Shopify Stores on things they can't neglect, based on his extensive experience of things going well for brands, or, falling apart. In this episode, you'll learn: - The secret 8 strategies that generate ecommerce growth for brands- Hidden opportunities to scale up your Shopify Store setup and performance- How to protect Shopify product margins whilst growing 0:00 Introduction – Winning With Shopify Podcast1:15 The Dangerous Mistake of Relying on One Marketing Channel4:00 Paid Ads vs Organic Growth: Why You Need Both6:15 The Hidden Revenue Opportunity Most Brands Ignore8:25 How to Win Back Customers Who Stopped Buying10:45 Why Great Products Still Fail (And How to Fix It)13:00 Turn Existing Customers Into Your Best Sales Team15:00 The Profit Margin Strategy That Fuels Faster Growth17:00 Building a Business That Doesn't Depend on One Person18:30 The 8 Growth Strategies Every Shopify Brand Needs19:48 Final ThoughtsWinning With Shopify is the podcast for Shopify store owners who want to grow revenue, increase conversions, and scale their ecommerce brand. New episodes every Tuesday and Friday.Seguno: Shopify Email Marketing Listeners get a free customer analysis and strategy session with an email expert. https://www.seguno.com/winning-with-shopify-podcastYoast: Shopify SEO. Listeners get 15% off Shopify and Wordpress, with code WWS15 https://yoast.comInventory Planner: Shopify Inventory Management Listeners can join a free 7-Day inventory bootcamp https://info.brightpearl.com/winning-with-shopify-holiday-planning-bootcampTaxCloud: Shopify Sales Tax Managment. Listeners get free Migration onboarding, as a Winning With Shopify Listenerhttps://taxcloud.com/winning

Finding new listeners has never been easier, yet getting discovered can still feel like one of the biggest challenges in podcasting. In this episode, the morning show cast and crew discuss how YouTube has become a major Podcast Discovery Platform, changing the way audiences find and engage with new shows. The conversation covers listener behavior, social media's role in growth, AI-generated content, advertising trends, and why creators need to think beyond traditional podcast apps. Most podcasts don't struggle because there aren't enough listeners. They struggle because those listeners are discovering content in places many creators aren't paying attention to.Episode Highlights:[02:41] Game Talk[06:13] News and Data Roundup[14:19] Business Bite: Beyond CPM Revenue[21:01] Amanda Returns Update[27:08] Shure Microphone Deals[28:51] The AI Podcast Flood[30:24] The Transparency Debate[32:06] Regulation Risks for AI Content[39:56] Netflix and Video Podcasts[47:49] YouTube's Discovery Shift[50:04] Podcast Growth Tactics Breakdown[53:29] Paid Ads and Podcast Websites[01:00:02] Using AI for AnalyticsLinks & Resources:Empowered Podcasting LIVE! (live or recorded):https://podcastingmorningshow.com/epcliveShure's 4-day Sale:https://www.shure.com/en-US/special-offersFeature Your Podcast on the Podcasting Morning Show:https://PodcastingMorningShow.com/spotlightThe Podcasting Morning Show:⁠⁠www.podcastingmorningshow.com⁠⁠Ways to Watch or Listen:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.podcastingmorningshow.com/joinus/Meet the PMS Cast and Crew:⁠⁠https://podcastingmorningshow.com/people⁠⁠Join The Empowered Podcasting Facebook Group:⁠⁠www.facebook.com/groups/empoweredpodcasting⁠⁠⁠Book A Free Call With Marc:https://calendly.com/ironickmedia/freestrategycallApplication To Submit Your Show For Evaluation:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcastingmorningshow.com/eval⁠⁠Join us every other Monday at 8 AM ET for the Obsession Worthy Podcasts:⁠⁠⁠http://podcastingmorningshow.com/owp/⁠⁠Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 8 am ET (US) on ⁠Clubhouse⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcastingmorningshow.com/clubhouse⁠⁠Powered by⁠⁠⁠ ⁠iRonickMedia.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ and⁠ ⁠ContentCreatorsAccountant.com⁠⁠Send in your mailbag questions:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.podcastingmorningshow.com/contact/⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠marc@ironickmedia.com⁠Want to be a guest on The Podcasting Morning Show? Send me a message on PodMatch, here:https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1729879899384520035bad21b

Before you spend another dollar on ads, listen to this episode. Chris Cooper is getting more leads from free Facebook posts than almost any other marketing channel.Today on “Run a Profitable Gym,” Coop shares how he writes Facebook posts that start real conversations, bring back lapsed members and attract new clients.The core idea is simple: Start capturing what's already happening in your gym. The breakthroughs, the mistakes, the 6 a.m. class where only three people showed up and everyone crushed it anyway. Chris also challenges you to make your clients the star of your content—just a good photo and two to four sentences that make everyone who knows them stop scrolling. These posts cost nothing and don't require a social media manager or a fancy content strategy.You'll also hear about the posts that kill organic reach (like unfiltered rants) and why protecting your reach matters more than making a point.Your gym's best Facebook content is already happening in front of you every day. It's time to start capturing it.LinksGym Owners UnitedBook a Call0:00 - Intro0:50 - Why organic Facebook still works4:04 - Capture, don't create5:57 - The posts that perform best6:45 - What kills your organic reach7:20 - Make your clients famous9:40 - How personal posts juice the algorithm

Caleb's guest is Doug Sirkoch from UpRoute, a marketing agency specializing in the green industry. The conversation focuses on digital advertising strategies for landscaping and hardscaping businesses, specifically highlighting the importance of tracking metrics like customer acquisition cost (CAC) and lifetime value (LTV). Doug explains the mechanics of Google Ads and the auction-based system that determines search rankings, while emphasizing that fundamental business practices like high-quality reviews remain essential. He also touch upon Facebook retargeting and the necessity of having a professional website to convert leads effectively. The episode provides a roadmap for contractors to use paid media as a scalable lever for business growth and diagnostic improvement. Key Takeaways: Calculate your customer acquisition cost and lifetime value to ensure your marketing spend is actually driving long-term profitability. Maintain high-quality website content and professional imagery to establish authority and attract premium, high-paying clients. Differentiate your business from large corporations by prioritizing personal communication and responding to leads as quickly as possible. Commit to a consistent, long-term advertising strategy rather than turning ads on and off to allow search algorithms to optimize your results over time. Implement retargeting campaigns on social media to stay in front of potential customers who have already shown interest in your high-ticket services. Connect with Auman Landscape

They said it was too taboo to talk about. Too sensitive to market. Too uncomfortable to scale.Jhalesa Seymour turned it into a multi-million dollar empire.In this episode of Inside The Vault, Jhalesa breaks down how she built an eight-figure feminine wellness brand from her college dorm room — starting with just $67 and a problem no one wanted to address.No investors. No big box stores. No massive ad budget.Just conviction, focus, and a product that worked.Inside this episode, we cover:• How Jhalesa built a $70M brand from handmade soap • The power of word-of-mouth marketing (no ads for years) • The 150,000-unit breakthrough moment • Losing 20,000 orders overnight (and surviving it) • The $80,000 internal betrayal that changed everything • Why focus is the real eight-figure secret • How to scale a physical product business the right way • Building legacy beyond the moneyIf you've ever wanted to build a product-based business, dominate a niche, or turn something “too taboo” into a global movement — this is the blueprint.

Episode Summary: In this episode of Legal Marketing Happy Hour, host Sean O'Connor sits down with Miles Kestran, a digital paid media strategist at Above-the-Bar Marketing, to dissect the common pitfalls law firms face with paid advertising. They explore the journey from click to conversion, emphasizing the importance of the creative, copy, and conversion process. Miles highlights the significance of negative keywords and the role of landing pages in boosting conversion rates. The discussion also covers the critical role of intake personnel in ensuring leads turn into clients and the use of tools like CallRail for tracking and improving ad performance. This episode is essential for law firms looking to optimize their advertising strategies and improve their return on investment. Key Timestamps: 00:01 – Introduction 00:22 – Challenges with Law Firm Paid Ads 01:06 – The Three Cs of Advertising 01:54 – Identifying Conversion Gaps 03:08 – Importance of Negative Keywords 04:03 – Structuring Campaigns for Lead Quality 06:17 – Case Study: Misdiagnosed Ad Performance 07:38 – Role of Call Tracking in Ad Success 09:20 – Impact of Landing Pages on Conversions 11:38 – Pressure Testing Ad Campaigns 12:39 – Metrics to Monitor for Ad Success 14:27 – Mobile Optimization and Future Trends About the Show: Legal Marketing Happy Hour serves up tactical marketing insights to help law firms grow smarter, faster, and more profitably. Each episode features industry experts who share their knowledge on various aspects of legal marketing, from digital advertising to client intake processes. The show is designed for legal professionals looking to enhance their marketing strategies and achieve better results. With a focus on practical advice and real-world examples, Legal Marketing Happy Hour is your go-to resource for staying ahead in the competitive legal market.

Authority means more than just showing up on social media. It is about carving out space, going deep, and using your podcast as a vehicle to drive real results in your business. In this episode of Influential Voices of Authority, Erik K. Johnson sits down with Louise McDonnell, host of the Social Media Takeaway podcast and leading social media marketing expert. Louise unpacks how her show has become the cornerstone of her authority, expands her network, and consistently drives speaking opportunities and business growth on a global scale. Important Links: Louise McDonnell website: https://sellonsocial.media Louise's Social selling assessment: https://www.sellon.social Or PodcastTalentCoach.com/SellOn Podcast Authority Audit: http://www.podcasttalentcoach.com/coaching Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcasts: http://www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/apple Spotify: http://www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/spotify Website: http://www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/podcasts   Episode Segments: 00:01 "Building Authority with Podcasting" 00:14 "Deep Dives and Organic Conversations" 01:36 "Guests, JV Partnerships, and Client Stories" 02:11 "Solo vs Interview Episodes" 02:49 "Launching to the Top of the Charts" 03:36 "Celebrating Guests and Milestones" 05:10 "Podcast Doors to Global Stages" 06:19 "Consistent Marketing with Podcasting" 07:19 "Who is Listening? Expanding Your Reach" 08:20 "Battling the Weeds: Staying Strategic" 09:27 "Planning, Data, and Determination" 11:46 "True Marketing Alignment" 13:15 "Where Businesses Go Wrong" 14:17 "The Power of a Clear Offer" 16:27 "Lead Generation Systems that Work" 17:38 "Getting Your Lead Magnet Seen" 18:10 "Ad Budgets and Platform Strategies" 19:14 "Training the Algorithm" 21:41 "Understanding Ad ROI and Nurture" 22:54 "Louise's Social Selling Assessment" 24:56 "How to Access the Assessment" 26:34 "If Louise Started Over" 28:35 "What's Next for Louise"   Key Takeaways: - Your Podcast as a Launchpad Louise reveals how her podcast directly led to speaking gigs at global summits, stronger JV partnerships, and a far-reaching client base. Visibility leads to opportunity, not just more content. - Consistency and Clarity Build Authority Coaches and consultants often let their own marketing slide. Committing to a podcast schedule keeps your brand top-of-mind and enforces discipline in your own strategic growth. - Marketing Missteps to Avoid Louise's data-driven social selling assessment highlights two major problems: lack of a clear, compelling offer and no lead generation system. She explains how social media marketing fails when the basics are overlooked, regardless of platform tricks or new features. - Your Email List is Your Real Asset Chasing followers is not the key. Louise argues the true winners in social media are those with powerful, nurtured email lists–and she shares her formula for connecting social efforts to lead generation and nurturing for real business growth. - Paid Ads are Essential for Scale Louise emphasizes the necessity of paid ads in today's landscape but breaks down how to be smart with modest budgets and train the algorithm for better ROI. She unpacks common pitfalls in Meta AI ad creation and how to keep brand images authentic. - Assess to Progress Louise's social selling assessment empowers entrepreneurs and experts to pinpoint real blockages in their marketing–from messaging to offer clarity to systems for consistent client acquisition.   Episode Highlights: How Louise leveraged her podcast to hit top business charts and open new business relationships Real stories of surprise listeners and expanding markets outside your niche Proven ways to move from frustrating busy-work to strategic marketing action The simple "alignment" principle that multiplies authority, no matter the platform Tactical tips on ads, LinkedIn tactics, and building a global business from a rural base   Connect with Louise McDonnell: Ready to identify your blind spots? Take Louise's free Social Selling Assessment and discover exactly where your marketing needs attention: https://sellon.social/assessment You can also find all the details at PodcastTalentCoach.com/sellon Website: https://sellon.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louisemcdonnell/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louisemcdonnell/   Your Podcast Authority Audit: Ready to strategically grow your podcast authority? You've published the episodes. You've stayed consistent. You know your content is good. And yet… You're not being seen as the authority in your niche Your podcast isn't creating the level of influence or opportunity you expected People listen—but they don't take action And you sound professional… but not unforgettable The truth? Consistency alone doesn't create authority. Intentional leadership does. Are you ready to turn your podcast into an authority engine and not just more content? Would you like to move from best-kept secret to recognized authority? Let me audit your podcast and find the gaps. Go to www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/coaching, click the button and apply to have a chat with me. We will uncover your authority positioning problem, develop your plan to succeed, and see how I can help and support you to achieve your podcast goals. Get your podcast audit at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/coaching.

Former comedy writer Bette Bentley built Skimpies—the world's first liner designed specifically for leggings—into a number one TikTok brand entirely through organic livestreams, bypassing paid ads by treating the platform like an interactive group chat. This innovative founder breaks down how she embraced raw authenticity to collapse the traditional sales funnel, handle extreme burnout, and turn a grueling six-month streaming schedule into a $60,000 warehouse livestream. For more on Skimpies and show notes, click here. Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

Justin Stoddart, CEO of ProInsight, shares innovative strategies for building a referral-based business through strategic relationships, leveraging community alliances, and integrating AI effectively. Discover how to scale your sphere, foster genuine relationships, and utilize technology to create a sustainable, high-value business.   Professional Real Estate Investors - How we can help you: Investor Fuel Mastermind:  Learn more about the Investor Fuel Mastermind, including 100% deal financing, massive discounts from vendors and sponsors you're already using, our world class community of over 150 members, and SO much more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/apply   Investor Machine Marketing Partnership:  Are you looking for consistent, high quality lead generation? Investor Machine is America's #1 lead generation service professional investors. Investor Machine provides true 'white glove' support to help you build the perfect marketing plan, then we'll execute it for you…talking and working together on an ongoing basis to help you hit YOUR goals! Learn more here: http://www.investormachine.com   Coaching with Mike Hambright:  Interested in 1 on 1 coaching with Mike Hambright? Mike coaches entrepreneurs looking to level up, build coaching or service based businesses (Mike runs multiple 7 and 8 figure a year businesses), building a coaching program and more. Learn more here: https://investorfuel.com/coachingwithmike   Attend a Vacation/Mastermind Retreat with Mike Hambright: Interested in joining a "mini-mastermind" with Mike and his private clients on an upcoming "Retreat", either at locations like Cabo San Lucas, Napa, Park City ski trip, Yellowstone, or even at Mike's East Texas "Big H Ranch"? Learn more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/retreat   Property Insurance: Join the largest and most investor friendly property insurance provider in 2 minutes. Free to join, and insure all your flips and rentals within minutes! There is NO easier insurance provider on the planet (turn insurance on or off in 1 minute without talking to anyone!), and there's no 15-30% agent mark up through this platform!  Register here: https://myinvestorinsurance.com/   New Real Estate Investors - How we can work together: Investor Fuel Club (Coaching and Deal Partner Community): Looking to kickstart your real estate investing career? Join our one of a kind Coaching Community, Investor Fuel Club, where you'll get trained by some of the best real estate investors in America, and partner with them on deals! You don't need $ for deals…we'll partner with you and hold your hand along the way! Learn More here: http://www.investorfuel.com/club   —--------------------

In this podcast, I sat down with Zoli Honig, founder and CEO of Short Form Media — a creative agency specializing in short-form video production, executive personal branding, and podcast distribution. In this podcast, we explore how TikTok redefined the social media landscape, shifting focus from follower counts to content quality. We discuss strategies to get more views and how creators can achieve significant reach, even with a small following. This episode highlights effective social media marketing techniques and offers insights into how to go viral, demonstrating the power of engaging content.⏱️ TIMESTAMPS / CHAPTERS

Send us Fan MailThis episode is brought to you by QuickPatents LLC. Looking for the IWM trusted patent solution? Look no further! https://www.quickpatents.com/

Struggling to get follows or DM responses? Here's what you need to check off, before you boost your online coaching business with paid ads.This week's topics:1. When you are ready for paid ads? 4:022. Non-negotiable metrics to track 21:433. Why you get no DMs / follows 25:104. How much to spend & the stats to watch 32:29Become a Standout PT:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Access⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our community: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Access⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ As always, if you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to drop a comment or get in touch!

Episode 220: Automate Your Lead Generation with our FREE online course: https://go.digitaltrailblazer.com/auto-leads-course-freeRunning paid ads without a profitable funnel structure is one of the fastest ways to burn through your budget — leaving coaches, course creators, and agency owners frustrated with little to show for it. Without the right offer architecture and ad strategy, most business owners either lose money on ads or attract low-quality leads that never convert to high-ticket clients.In this episode, Paul Meldrum teaches us how to build a self-liquidating funnel where your leads essentially pay for themselves. He breaks down the difference between low-ticket and high-ticket offer strategies, why your lead magnet must solve a specific problem (not mirror your main offer), how ad frequency impacts conversions, and how to structure your front-end offers to naturally lead prospects toward your premium programs.About Paul Meldrum: Paul has spent 21+ years building acquisition, delivery, and operational systems for fitness, coaching, and service-based businesses. His work across thousands of clients has earned him industry recognition, including Personal Trainer of the Year (2005/2006) and the Clinical Excellence Award from the Australian Sports Kinesiology Institute.Today, Paul runs Ascend Collective, where he helps trainers, coaches, and service-based business owners turn their skills into scalable systems — building real businesses with predictable revenue and no reliance on hype or shortcuts.Get Paul's free gift here: https://www.ascendcollective.com.au/Connect with Paul:https://www.facebook.com/paul.meldrum.7 https://www.instagram.com/thepaulmeldrumWant to SCALE your online business bigger and faster without the endless hustle of networking, referrals, and pumping out content that nobody sees?Grab our Ultimate Ad Script for Coaches, Agencies, and Course Creators.Learn the exact 5-step script we teach our clients that allows them to generate targeted, high-quality leads at ultra-low cost, so you can land paying customers and clients without breaking the bank on ad spend.Grab the Ultimate Ad Script right HERE - https://join.digitaltrailblazer.com/ultimate-ad-script✅ Connect With Us:Website - https://DigitalTrailblazer.comFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/digitaltrailblazerTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@digitaltrailblazerX (Twitter): https://x.com/DgtlTrailblazerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/DigitalTrailblazer

Paid ads have changed. Here's what gym owners need to know to make them work in 2026.In this episode of “Run a Profitable Gym,” Two-Brain CEO John Franklin and founder Chris Cooper close out Marketing May with the paid ads funnel. You build this funnel last because it's the one that amplifies everything else.John explains why the old ads playbook is dead—Meta's Andromeda update changed how ads are targeted and delivered—and what that means for gym owners. Chris and John share why gym owners need to know how to run their own ads and understand their ad math, rather than just outsource to an ad agency. They walk through exactly how to create an effective ad campaign and even deliver two clear action steps to help you get started: one for gym owners who have never run an ad, and one for gym owners who are already running them and want better results.This is episode 4 of 4 in the Marketing May series. If you missed the previous funnels, check them out via the links below.LinksThe Referral FunnelThe Social FunnelThe Content FunnelGym Owners UnitedBook a Call0:00 - Intro1:31 - Media buying is dead5:56 - The 5-1-30 post10:10 - How to generate content ideas15:40 - Campaign structure & tracking18:28 - Your action steps

Accredited Investors: Catalina Island deal closes soon. Join waitlist: somerscapital.com/investIn this episode Rich sits down with Jason Wojo to talk about marketing, AI, funnels, paid ads, and what it really takes to scale a business in today's online economy. Jason breaks down the risks of giving AI tools too much access, why entrepreneurs need to protect their time, how to validate offers with organic and paid traffic, and what business owners should know about Meta's changing ad billing policies.Rich and Jason also dive into the importance of speed, trust, podcasting, sales systems, setters versus closers, and building a strong company culture as you grow. From scaling offers and shortening sales cycles to creating content at a high level and making better decisions as a founder, this conversation is packed with practical game for entrepreneurs, creators, and business owners looking to grow with more clarity and intention.Connect with Rich on Instagram: @rich_somersInterested in joining The 7 Figure Creator Mastermind? Visit www.the7figurecreator.com to book a free intro call.Interested in joining our Boutique Hotel Mastermind? Visit www.somerscapital.com/mastermind to book a free call.

Send us Fan MailWhether you are early in your business or ready for your first multi six figure launch or seven figure year, paid ads might be the next best step for you!Stacia Sleight is the Co-Founder and CEO of Switch It Up Designs, a 7-figure digital marketing agency, and Fractional CMO to New York Times Best-Selling Authors, TEDx speakers, and industry-leading health and wellness brands. Her team manages over $8 million in paid ad spend annually and has generated over $500 million in revenue for clients — by combining organic strategy with paid ads that actually convert. Stacia launched her first business at 24 with zero formal marketing training and learned everything the hard way. That decade of figuring it out — training under elite media buyers, saying yes to every role in marketing (while staying up until 3 a.m. watching YouTube videos on how to do it), and relentlessly testing what actually works — is what built her agency from the ground up and the instincts she brings to every client today. She also founded Authoritie, an affordable DIY ad platform built for small business owners who can't afford an agency or are overwhelmed by Meta Ads Manager. A true passion project turned company, Authoritie lets anyone run expert-level ads in just four clicks. LINKShttps://authoritie.io - use code ROBYNGOODING for $10 off your first month. IG: https://www.instagram.com/authoritie.io/ Agency: https://switchitupdesigns.comIf you would like to learn more about The Mothered Business Mastermind, click here. Want to download the 15 minute CEO Map? If you only have 15 minutes it will tell you exactly what to work on to move the needle in your business. Click here. Please say hi to me on Instagram @robyn.gooding or take a peek at my website for more info www.robyngooding.comClick here to book your call anytime! If you loved this episode, I'd appreciate if you could leave a review or share on your socials. It truly means the world to me and helps amplify this message for other mothers desiring a supportive business for motherhood.  Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. The content shared reflects my personal experience and professional perspective as a coach.Any stories shared are anonymized or composite examples drawn from real experiences, with identifying details changed to protect privacy.This podcast does not constitute medical, legal, financial, or...

Jay and Seth tackle a major crisis brewing for flat-fee practices: why skyrocketing click costs are leaving criminal defense firms upside down on traditional PPC marketing. They look closely at the true time-and-money ROI of broad networking groups, with Seth questioning if non-targeted groups are actually worth the squeeze for specific practices. Finally, Jay shares his playbook on running a full-time weekend intake team to lock down clients before competitors even check their mail on Monday morning. #LawFirmBlueprint #LegalMarketing #CriminalDefense #IntakeSystems #PPCManagement #LegalTech #BusinessOfLaw #LegalNetworking #LawFirmOperations

Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueledAI is no longer something that's “coming.” It's already changing the way auto repair shops get discovered, build trust, and attract high-value clients. In this conversation, Brian Walker sits down with Doug DeLucca and Chris Luoma to talk about what happens when an auto repair shop embraces an AI-first SEO strategy and starts creating the kind of content AI platforms actually want to recommend.From ChatGPT and Claude to Grok and Gemini, both shop owners share real stories of customers finding their businesses through AI searches, arriving more educated, more trusting, and more ready to buy than the average lead. They also break down how content marketing, thought leadership, blogs, FAQs, and branding are helping their shops stand out in a rapidly changing digital landscape.You'll hear how one AI-generated referral turned into a $4,500 brake repair job, another became a $17,000 truck repair ticket, and why the future of marketing auto repair shops may look very different from traditional Google search.If you want to understand where SEO, AI, and shop marketing are headed and how to position your shop ahead of the curve, this is an episode you don't want to miss. Listen now.Show Notes with TimestampsIntroduction to AI-First SEO (00:00:09) Host Brian Walker introduces guests Doug DeLucca and Chris Luoma to discuss the results of their AI-first SEO strategy.Sponsors: Shop Boss & App Fueled (00:00:31) A brief thank you to the episode's sponsors, Shop Boss management software and App Fueled custom loyalty apps.Business Growth Over the Last 12-18 Months (00:01:21) Doug and Chris share their significant growth in revenue, gross profit, and car count over the past year.First Customer from an AI Recommendation (00:02:51) Both shop owners recall the first time a customer mentioned finding their business through an AI tool like ChatGPT.Which AI Platforms Are Recommending Shops? (00:04:51) The guests discuss the various AI platforms, like ChatGPT, Grok, and Claude, that customers are using to find them.How AI-Referred Clients Differ from Google Clients (00:05:37) AI-referred customers are more educated about the shop and their vehicle's issue, arriving with a higher intent to buy.Building a Relationship with AI (00:07:40) The conversation explores how users build a trusted relationship with AI, making its recommendations feel like a personal referral.The Impact of Upgrading to Level Two SEO (00:09:17) Doug and Chris explain how upgrading their SEO strategy led to higher quality clients and increased online appointment bookings.Targeting College Students with SEO (00:11:32) Both owners discuss successfully using dedicated web pages and blogs to attract college students and their out-of-state parents.Big Ticket Jobs from AI Referrals (00:13:14) Doug shares a story of a $4,500 brake job from a customer who used Grok to troubleshoot his car.Sponsors: Shop Boss & App Fueled (Mid-roll) (00:14:51) A mid-episode break highlighting the features and benefits of Shop Boss shop management software and App Fueled loyalty apps.A $17,000 Job from an AI Lead (00:17:03) Chris recounts how a new customer, who researched the shop extensively via AI, came in for a $17,000 engine replacement.Organic vs. Paid Growth Strategies (00:19:19) Doug discusses his organic, content-focused growth strategy, which has lowered marketing spend while increasing business by over 30%.A Mixed Marketing Approach (00:22:23) Chris explains his strategy of combining paid ads on Google and social media with a strong focus on content creation.The Future of Paid Ads in AI (00:23:38) The group speculates on how paid advertising within AI platforms might change the marketing landscape for auto repair shops.What Shop Owners Don't Understand About Marketing (00:26:44) The guests emphasize that content is king and that shops need to be different, using video and social media.Using Video and Social Media for Engagement (00:29:39) Doug and Chris discuss their use of video and frequent social media posting to build brand awareness and engagement.Final Thoughts: Lean into Content (00:31:11) The guests conclude that creating consistent, quality content is the best way to win in the new era of AI.How To Get In TouchJoin The Auto Repair Marketing Mastermind Group on FacebookMeet The ProsFollow SMP on FacebookFollow SMP on InstagramGet The Ultimate Guide to Auto Repair Shop Marketing BookEmail Us Podcast Questions or Topics Lagniappe (Books, Links, Other Podcasts, etc)Endless Customers by Marcus SheridanThey Ask, You Answer by Marcus SheridanBusiness Network International (BNI)Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueledThis episode is sponsored by Shop Boss. You know, other shop management software makes you work, but Shop Boss works for you.AppFueled at appfueled.com. “Are you ready to convert clients to members? AppFueled™ specializes in creating custom apps tailored specifically for auto repair businesses. Build your first app like a pro.”The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life. https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size. https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/

What does it really take to scale your business with paid ads — without wasting money, burning out, or feeling overwhelmed? In this powerful episode, Allison Walsh welcomes paid advertising expert and entrepreneur Ashley Brock, founder of the Paid Ads Academy, to break down the mindset, strategy, and systems behind profitable business growth through paid traffic. Ashley shares her incredible journey from working with Fortune 500 brands like Coca-Cola, Michaels, and GameStop to building her own 8-figure company in less than three years. Together, Allison and Ashley unpack: The biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make with paid ads How to know when you're ready to invest in advertising Why your mindset around money directly impacts your sales How Ashley overcame fear and self-doubt while building her business What makes paid ads work across Facebook, Instagram, Google, YouTube, TikTok, Pinterest, LinkedIn, Spotify, and more The importance of data, testing, and customer lifetime value Why visibility is critical for scaling your impact and income How to stop relying on guesswork and become “findable” online Ashley also shares the emotional story behind the moment she bet on herself, invested in mentorship while pregnant, and turned uncertainty into her first six-figure day — a decision that ultimately helped launch an 8-figure brand. Whether you're a coach, creator, service provider, local business owner, or entrepreneur ready to grow your audience and revenue, this episode will help you rethink how you approach marketing, money, and scaling your business. If you're ready to learn how to turn visibility into consistent leads and real business growth, this conversation is for you. Ready to stop guessing when it comes to paid ads? Join Ashley Brock's 5-Day Win With Paid Ads® Challenge and learn how to attract the right audience, create profitable ad strategies, and become more “findable” online — without wasting money or relying solely on organic growth. ✨ Join the challenge here: https://paidadscoaching.com/challenge-604074?am_id=allison2763 Connect with Ashley: https://www.instagram.com/ads.with.ashley/ https://paidadscoaching.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/paid-ads-academy https://www.youtube.com/@ads.with.ashley https://www.facebook.com/WinWithPaidAds/ This episode was sponsored by Be A Mind Leader and AdventHealth for Women.  Learn more about Be A Mindleader here.  Learn more about AdventHealth for Women here   Positioned for Partnerships™ Mini Course - Turn your platform into a revenue-generating brand opportunity—without needing a massive following. Learn how to position your brand, create a high-converting media kit, and confidently pitch partnerships so brands instantly understand your value. 

A stalled ad account. A two-year pause. Then, a rebuild that turned careful testing into a record quarter. In this episode, Optidge Paid Media Specialist Sara Reinhold walks through how we revived paid media for FamilyTreeDna by stripping back to intent, stabilizing with a feed-only Performance Max strategy, and expanding product availability to give the algorithm room to win. We chat about how we made adjustments along the way, setting a realistic ROAS floor, pausing underperforming channels, and rebuilding search around present-day demand rather than yesterday's assumptions.The result? By choosing time over speed and prioritizing reliable conversion signals, the Optidge team was able to validate their structure and prove the value of their advice, ultimately extending the partnership and increasing loyalty. An Optidge "Office Hours" EpisodeOur Office Hours episodes are your go-to for details, case studies, how-to's, and advice on specific marketing topics. Join our fellow Optidge team members, partners, and sometimes even 1:1 teachings from Danny himself, in these shorter, marketing-focused episodes. Get ready to get marketing!Episode Highlights:This case study example illustrated how just because something worked in the past doesn't mean it works now, as market conditions, platform algorithms, and auction dynamics shift constantly.Patience in scaling compounds trust. By choosing six months over three, Optidge rebuilt reliable conversion signals and created the foundation for a 5.7x budget increase.Budget pacing is as important as budget size. Aggressive spending without a validated structure wastes money; sustainable scaling with clear milestones delivers results.Full-funnel thinking measures the whole system, not just the middle click. Upper-funnel awareness (YouTube, Demand Gen) feeds lower-funnel conversion (search). This case proves that long-term partnerships outperform short-term wins. The 2.59 ROAS and 100% client satisfaction came from working through highs and lows together, not from a single tactic or campaign. Episode Links:Episode 084: From NICU Nurse to PPC Pro: A Career Pivot Story with Sara Strickland (Office Hours)Sara Reinhold on LinkedInThe Digital Marketing MentorThe DM Mentor on InstagramOptidge Paid Media Services Send us Fan MailFollow The Digital Marketing Mentor:Website and Blog: thedmmentor.comInstagram: @thedmmentorLinkedin: @thedmmentorYouTube: @thedmmentorInterested in Digital Marketing Services, Careers, or Courses? Check out more from the TDMM Family:Optidge.com - Full Service Digital Marketing Agency specializing in SEO, PPC, Paid Social, and Lead Generation efforts for established B2C and B2B businesses and organizations.ODEOacademy.com - Digital Marketing online education and course platform. ODEO gives you solid digital marketing knowledge to launch/boost your career or understand your business's digital marketing strategy.

A lot of coaches hit a point where one-on-one work starts to feel maxed out. The client results are there, the demand is growing, but suddenly the business feels heavy. Too many DMs, too many protocols, too many moving pieces. In this episode, Kendra breaks down what it actually looks like to transition from one-on-one coaching into a scalable group program without sacrificing client experience or burning yourself out in the process.She dives into the difference between cohort-style launches versus ongoing enrollment models, why community matters so much in women's health programs, and the systems you need in place before scaling. Kendra also explains why most coaches are trying to grow too early without a real marketing foundation and how building an email list, running webinars, and leveraging paid ads can dramatically simplify client acquisition.This conversation is also a reminder that scaling isn't just about strategy. It's about mindset, boundaries, delegation, and learning how to build a business that actually supports your life instead of consuming it.In this coaching call with Marnee, Kendra discusses: The real reason health coaches plateau even when their offer is working and their close rate is solidThe three things Kendra has seen separate coaches who make it from the ones who don'tWhy persistence beats strategy every single time and what that actually looks like in practiceWhat to do when self doubt, rejection, and a bad week on social media make you want to quitThe mindset shift that turns a struggling health coaching business into a sustainable oneMarnee Dejong's Bio:Marnee DeJong is a certified health coach and former drug and alcohol counselor with a passion for helping women over 40 navigate the hormone chaos of perimenopause. Drawing on nearly a decade of one-on-one counseling experience, Marnee brings a deeply personal and supportive approach to her coaching, helping women in this season of life reclaim their energy, boost their metabolism, and feel like themselves again. She is the creator of a signature four-month hormone and perimenopause program designed to guide women through real, lasting change with the kind of high-touch support that actually moves the needle.Connect with Marnee: https://instagram.com/marnee.dejong  Leave the podcast a 5-star review: https://ratethispodcast.com/wealthy

If your business feels like it depends on you for everything… this episode is for you. In this conversation, Dominic Rubino sits down with Brady Lewis to break down how shop owners can grow their business without burning out. Most owners start as skilled tradespeople… But growth forces you into systems, leadership, and structure. This episode shows you how to make that shift.

In this episode, Ashley sits down with Catherine Licari to talk about what it really takes to build a business you are in control of.  Catherine walks through her journey from working in magazines to starting her first online luxury brand at 25, getting her MBA from Columbia, and creating The Small Business Planner to help entrepreneurs get a clear handle on their finances and operations. In this episode, they break down:

Favour Obasi-ike, MBA, MS, dives deep into the realities of budgeting and investing for SEO services in 2026. Favour explains that businesses should expect to invest between $500 and $10,000 monthly, emphasizing that organic search provides a much higher long-term conversion rate than paid media. The conversation heavily highlights the necessity of technical SEO—such as integrating Google Search Console and fixing canonical tags—before scaling content. Furthermore, Favour breaks down the evolution of "AI SEO," explaining how modern websites must use structured data, updated content tags, and local zip code embedding to ensure they are recommended by AI bots and localized search updates.Who is this for? This content is perfectly tailored for business owners, digital marketers, entrepreneurs, and content creators looking to navigate the technical and financial realities of search engine optimization in 2026. Whether you manage a local brick-and-mortar shop or a global e-commerce brand, this breakdown provides a blueprint for leveraging organic growth and artificial intelligence.Ready to Rank? Book Your SEO & Web Dev Services Today

Paid ads can waste money quickly when tracking is broken, goals are fuzzy, and data never makes it back to the platforms. Join Brad Friedman and Andy Janaitis as they break down how to build smarter Google and Meta ad campaigns with better measurement, stronger attribution, and more realistic strategies for small businesses so you can spend more confidently and grow profitably. Andy is the founder and chief strategist of PPC Pitbulls, a boutique digital marketing agency that helps small businesses grow past 7 figures using Google and Meta Ads. The Digital Slice Podcast is brought to you by Magai. Up your AI game at https://friedmansocialmedia.com/magai If it's your first purchase, use BRAD30 at checkout to get 30% off your first 3 months. Visit thedigitalslicepodcast.com for complete show notes of every podcast episode.

Looking for help with raising your rates? Get BFU's playbook for raising prices so you can charge what you're worth while minimizing client pushback. Includes step-by-step instructions and email templates you can copy and paste. Get it HERE. Here are 3 ways to get more BFU in your life Follow BFU on Instagram HERE Subscribe to Mark's YouTube channel HERE Pick up a copy of Mark's book HERE Are you a gym owner doing more than $15k/mo looking to grow your gym in the next 90 days?   Learn more about the Unicorn Society HERE.

This week Chris Schaeffer a Google Ads expert manager and consultant discusses the state of Google Ads in 2026. There are a lot of things that have changed and these topics are weighing heavy on today's advertisers. Let's talk about the wide diversity in today's google ppc ads.Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/pspChris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.comSubmit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

Paid ads used to be simple: find the right audience, dial in your targeting, and scale. Now? It's where a lot of businesses quietly burn cash.  In this episode, we are joined by Hernan Vazquez, a paid ads expert with over a decade of experience. Hernan explains why so many business owners are spending more on ads and getting less back. The biggest problem is the math. What used to work at $3 leads or cheap clicks doesn't work when acquisition costs have doubled or tripled. But many businesses haven't adjusted. They're still running the same funnels, expecting the same outcomes, and wondering why margins are disappearing.  According to Hernan, platforms like Meta and Google now rely heavily on AI, which means your creative is doing the real work. If your message doesn't land instantly, your budget gets eaten alive. That's why more operators are shifting to low ticket offers. Instead of risking everything on a cold high-ticket sale, Hernan suggests using low-ticket products to test demand, recover ad spend faster, and avoid wasting months on funnels that don't convert. If you've ever looked at your ad spend and thought, "this should be working by now," this episode will show you what's actually going wrong, before it costs you even more. Topics Discussed in this episode: Hernan's background in paid ads  (02:31) Paid vs organic and where to invest today  (04:23) Hernan's advice for hiring your first media buyer (15:28) How paid media has changed and the current struggles with Meta (21:59) The shift from targeting to creative (25:30) Why low ticket offers are making a comeback (28:05) Funnels vs ecosystems and how to structure your strategy (35:31) Retargeting and what still works today (45:43) Mentions:  Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our newsletter Hernan's LinkedIn Low Ticket Profits - Hernan's book Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how to get more conversions from your paid ads!

Send us Fan MailPPC has a reputation in home services: expensive, unpredictable, and somehow always blamed when the phones aren't turning into booked work. We sit down with Brett Hansen from WebFX to make pay-per-click advertising practical for contractors who want revenue, not vanity metrics. We talk about PPC the way it really works, as a Google Ads auction, and why the same budget can either buy you booked jobs or burn cash depending on setup, targeting, and what happens after the call comes in.We dig into the biggest reasons PPC for contractors fails: underfunding, bailing out too early, and judging success by clicks and impressions instead of conversions. Brett lays out the L.O.S.S. timeline (Learning, Optimization, Sweet Spot) and why you should expect a real ramp before ROI shows up. Then we get blunt about the operational side: if your booking rate is low, you don't have a lead problem, you have a call handling problem. Lead speed, CSR training, and listening to recordings can move your results faster than swapping ad copy.From there, we get tactical on the foundations that improve ROAS: sending traffic to the right landing page (not the homepage), setting campaigns to optimize for conversions, cleaning up search terms, and using call tracking plus CRM attribution in tools like ServiceTitan or Housecall Pro so you can tie spend to real revenue. We also compare Google Local Services Ads (LSA) vs PPC, why layering them works, and what a realistic monthly budget looks like in small markets versus competitive metros.If you want a clearer view of what's working, what's not, and what to fix next, listen through and take notes. Subscribe, share this with a contractor friend, and leave a review so more people can stop buying clicks and start buying booked jobs.If you enjoyed this chat From the Yellow Chair, consider joining our newsletter, "Let's Sip Some Lemonade," where you can receive exclusive interviews, our bank of helpful downloadables, and updates on upcoming content.Please consider following and drop a review below if you enjoyed this episode. Be sure to check out our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram.From the Yellow Chair is powered by Lemon Seed, a marketing strategy and branding company for the trades. Lemon Seed specializes in rebrands, creating unique, comprehensive, organized marketing plans, social media, and graphic design. Learn more at www.LemonSeedMarketing.comInterested in being a guest on our show? Fill out this form!We'll see you next time, Lemon Heads!

Paid ads used to be simple: find the right audience, dial in your targeting, and scale. Now? It's where a lot of businesses quietly burn cash.  In this episode, we are joined by Hernan Vazquez, a paid ads expert with over a decade of experience. Hernan explains why so many business owners are spending more on ads and getting less back. The biggest problem is the math. What used to work at $3 leads or cheap clicks doesn't work when acquisition costs have doubled or tripled. But many businesses haven't adjusted. They're still running the same funnels, expecting the same outcomes, and wondering why margins are disappearing.  According to Hernan, platforms like Meta and Google now rely heavily on AI, which means your creative is doing the real work. If your message doesn't land instantly, your budget gets eaten alive. That's why more operators are shifting to low ticket offers. Instead of risking everything on a cold high-ticket sale, Hernan suggests using low-ticket products to test demand, recover ad spend faster, and avoid wasting months on funnels that don't convert. If you've ever looked at your ad spend and thought, "this should be working by now," this episode will show you what's actually going wrong, before it costs you even more. Topics Discussed in this episode: Hernan's background in paid ads  (02:31) Paid vs organic and where to invest today  (04:23) Hernan's advice for hiring your first media buyer (15:28) How paid media has changed and the current struggles with Meta (21:59) The shift from targeting to creative (25:30) Why low ticket offers are making a comeback (28:05) Funnels vs ecosystems and how to structure your strategy (35:31) Retargeting and what still works today (45:43) Mentions:  Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our newsletter Hernan's LinkedIn Low Ticket Profits - Hernan's book Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how to get more conversions from your paid ads!  

It's sad but true. People lie. Companies lie. And there are real victims. Google Ads expert Chris Schaeffer discusses 9 ways that Google Ads experts lie to their clients and how you can spot those scams to avoid being a victim.Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/pspChris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.comSubmit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

In this episode, we dive into the challenges of scaling paid ads on platforms like Meta and Google. Hemant Varshney, founder and CEO of digicom.io, explains why many Shopify brands struggle to scale and how the new "Andromeda" algorithm update changes how marketers should approach creative and targeting. He discusses the importance of conversion rate optimization (CRO) and finding the right media mix to turn ad spend into profit without burning budget.Topics discussed in this episode:  How to scale revenue without burning budget.What the Andromeda algorithm update means for brands.Why conversion rate optimization is critical.How to build a structured testing campaign.What differentiates scaling from testing campaigns.Why targeting creative beats audience targeting.How to handle media mix across different platforms.Why auditing your store before scaling matters.What the right media spend tiers look like.Why trusting the algorithm requires the right structure.Links & ResourcesWebsite: https://www.digicom.io/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hvarshney/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digicom-digital-commerce-corporation/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/digicom.io/Get access to more free resources by visiting the show notes at https://tinyurl.com/24p2dapeI'd love your feedback. Tap the the link to send me a text.______________________________________________________LOVE THE SHOW? HERE ARE THE NEXT STEPS!Follow the podcast to get every bonus episode. Tap follow now and don't miss out!   Rate & Review: Help others discover the show by rating the show on Apple Podcasts at https://tinyurl.com/ecb-apple-podcasts   Join our Free Newsletter: https://newsletter.ecommercecoffeebreak.com/   Support The Show On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/EcommerceCoffeeBreak   Partner with us: https://ecommercecoffeebreak.com/partner-with-us/

Rich sits down with paid ads expert and CEO Lindsay Stockall, who's helped businesses scale with an average 6x return on ad spend. She breaks down why most ads fail, how bad strategy burns both time and money, and what actually separates top-tier ad operators from everyone else.They dive into the real mechanics behind profitable ads — from building a full acquisition strategy before spending a dollar to optimizing funnels, targeting the right audience, and focusing on conversions over vanity metrics. If you've ever felt like ads “don't work,” this conversation shows you what's actually been missing.Connect with Rich on Instagram: @rich_somersInterested in investing with Somers Capital? Visit www.somerscapital.com/invest to learn more.Interested in joining The 7 Figure Creator Mastermind? Visit www.the7figurecreator.com to book a free intro call.Interested in joining our Boutique Hotel Mastermind? Visit www.somerscapital.com/mastermind to book a free call. Connect with Rich on Instagram: @rich_somersInterested in joining The 7 Figure Creator Mastermind? Visit www.the7figurecreator.com to book a free intro call.Interested in joining our Boutique Hotel Mastermind? Visit www.somerscapital.com/mastermind to book a free call.

✨ Gelila Debebe, Sr. Manager of Acquisition Marketing at Savage X Fenty by Rihanna☁️ How Gelila went from no experience to landing her first big internship through a standout cover letter☁️ Why getting rejected hundreds of times actually helped her career☁️ How posting TikToks for 30 days led to job offers and real marketing experience☁️ What growth & acquisition marketing actually is (and how it drives revenue)☁️ The strategy behind getting promoted from coordinator to senior manager in under 5 years☁️ Why documenting your wins is the key to getting promoted☁️ Balancing a full-time marketing career with being a content creator Join the Sky Society Marketing Girly private LinkedIn group.Follow Sky Society on Instagram @skysociety.co and TikTok @skysociety.co

If you had to build a business that would be more likely to succeed in Google Ads what would it look like? Well that's the topic of this week's show. Chris Schaeffer discusses 3 ways to make a brand new campaign succeed in Google Ads using unique strategies and tactics that could make a huge difference in the performance of your account.Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/pspChris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.comSubmit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com

Everyone wants to know if they can build a business without being glued to social media… and the answer is yes. But probably not in the way you think.In this episode, Kendra breaks down what it actually looks like to build a business “off” social media, and why most people are focusing on the wrong thing entirely. Because the goal isn't to disappear from social media; it's to stop relying on it as your main growth strategy.She walks through what really drives consistent leads and sales, why your email list should be the center of your business, and how to use social media in a way that supports your growth without burning you out. If you've been dreaming of stepping off of the social media content hamster wheel, this episode will help you rethink your entire approach.In This Episode:The Business Model That Remains Tried and TrueWhy Social Media Is Just “Proof of Life” (Not Your Lead Strategy)How Paid Ads Create Consistent Leads Without Daily PostingWhy Video Content Builds Trust Faster Than Anything ElseThe Role of Webinars in Replacing Constant Social EngagementHow to Step Back from Content Without Stalling Your BusinessWATCH ON YOUTUBEResources mentioned: Apply for HCA: https://kendraperry.net/applyLeave the podcast a 5-star review: https://ratethispodcast.com/wealthy

There really are settings and features in Google Ads that are hidden. And some of these settings can make a big difference in the performance of your search campaigns. In today's podcast Chris Schaeffer, an expert of Google Ads with 23 years of experience, discusses 10 settings and where to find them.Try Opteo for free for 28 days - https://opteo.com/pspChris Schaeffer - http://www.chrisschaeffer.comSubmit a Question - https://www.paidsearchpodcast.com