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1156: Differentiate Your Professional Services Firm through Thought Leadership with Scribewise Founder John Miller
As a professional services firm, you're facing a unique set of marketing challenges that set you apart from traditional product or SaaS companies. The typical digital marketing strategies and tactics don't always translate, leaving you frustrated and struggling to stand out. How do you effectively market your expertise and high-value services in a crowded landscape?
John Miller is a marketing maverick on a mission to help professional services firms break free from the shackles of safe, uninspired marketing. As the founder of Scribewise, he's a true trailblazer in the world of thought leadership and demand generation for high-stakes industries like management consulting, IT services, and benefits consulting. Today, John discusses the unique marketing challenges faced by professional services firms and explores the key differences in the buying cycle, customer mindset, and marketing strategies required for success in the professional services space. Stay tuned!
Quotes
“Thought leadership is essentially your gift to your industry. It’s like free consulting—not yet customized to a client, but it demonstrates your thinking and expertise.” - John Miller
"Courageous marketing isn't just outrageous or crazy; it's bold. It requires a lot of confidence, which takes a great deal of homework to build up." - John Miller
“Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.” - John Miller
Takeaways
01:32 Professional services firms have a different marketing approach compared to product-oriented or SaaS companies, as they often sell high-value engagements rather than individual user subscriptions.
04:39 Thought leadership is crucial for professional services firms to demonstrate their expertise and build trust with potential clients, which is more important than quick lead generation.
07:41 Creating consistent, valuable content takes patience and a long-term mindset, as it can take time to see the results in terms of increased engagement, new business conversations, and revenue growth.
13:29 Marketers should avoid making unrealistic promises and instead focus on building trust and making the buying process less daunting for professional services clients.
19:18 Embracing courageous, bold marketing that stands for something can be more effective than playing it safe, even if it means facing some initial pushback.
Resources
- Scribewise: We make professional services firms unignorable.
- John Miller on LinkedIn
- Playing It Safe Sucks: A manifesto for courageous marketing by John Miller on Amazon
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 26:33 — 36.7MB) | Embed
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1155: The Subconscious Secrets to Happiness, Success, and Fulfillment with Best Selling Author Mark Januszewski
Feeling stuck after reading self-help books that promise change but deliver little can be frustrating. It’s disheartening to invest time and energy into solutions that seem to fall short, leaving you trapped in familiar patterns. The cycle of disappointment can make it hard to believe in the possibility of real transformation.
Mark Januszewski is a trailblazer in the self-improvement industry, challenging the status quo with his unique approach. As the author of "The Seven Laws of the Mind," he has cracked the code on why traditional self-help methods fail to create lasting change. Today, Mark discusses his unique approach to self-improvement, emphasizing the importance of understanding the subconscious mind. Stay tuned!
Quotes
“Once the subconscious accepts something, four billion synaptic connections fire in the subconscious mind simultaneously.” - Mark Januszewski
"Everybody's a creative genius. That's a fact." - Mark Januszewski
“Your life's a printout of what you actually believe, not what you think you believe.” - Mark Januszewski
Takeaways
01:23 Traditional self-help books and methods often fail to create lasting change because they don't address the power of the subconscious mind.
03:29 Influencing the subconscious mind through repetition and affirmations during the theta state can help reprogram limiting beliefs and habits.
22:41 The Master Key System course teaches participants how to understand and harness the power of the subconscious mind to create the life they desire.
23:47 Replacing negative habits with positive ones is key to creating lasting change, as the subconscious mind is chemically addicted to certain emotional responses.
32:28 Everyone has greatness within them, but they must take responsibility and put in the work to unlock their full potential.
Resources
- Mark Januszewski: The World's Laziest Networker
- Mark Januszewski on LinkedIn
- Mark Januszewski on Facebook
- The Seven Laws Of The Mind: Master Your Mind Master Your Life by Mark Januszewski on Amazon
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 34:29 — 47.6MB) | Embed
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1154: Marketing Counts: Proven SEO, Social Media, and Digital Marketing Strategies from Marketing Counts Founders Shreya Banerjee & Paul Counts
Generating consistent organic traffic while keeping ad spend low can be a challenge many businesses face. The key lies in optimizing your content for SEO by focusing on relevant keywords and creating high-quality, engaging material that meets your audience's needs. Additionally, building a strong presence on social media platforms and encouraging user-generated content can enhance visibility and engagement. Over time, these strategies can help reduce the reliance on paid advertising and lead to more sustainable growth.
Shreya Banerjee and Paul Counts are the Co-Founders of MarketingCounts.com, a powerhouse duo who have generated over $100 million in revenue for their clients, and hosts of The Marketing Counts Digital and Social Media Marketing Podcast. Their unique expertise lies in helping businesses dramatically reduce their skyrocketing ad spend while simultaneously increasing profits. Today, Shreya and Paul discuss the timeless marketing strategies that are making a comeback, including the power of forums like Reddit and Quora, the importance of human-generated content and authentic engagement on social media, and their proven framework for reducing ad spend and increasing profits by optimizing the core foundations of a business. Stay tuned!
Quotes
“AI can't really have experiences, so Google added that to their ranking formula. You can use AI to provide a foundation, but you need to incorporate your own stories and experiences.” - Paul Counts
"Consistency is key, no matter which platform you're using." - Shreya Banerjee
“People are craving human interaction more than ever, so it's very important. I think that's always going to rise to the top, no matter what.” - Paul Counts
“Google loves this because forums generate human-created content, so Reddit and Quora are getting a lot of traffic now. Many people have discredited those, chasing the new thing. But I'm saying, no—the forums are back; they just have different names.” - Shreya Banerjee
Takeaways
01:14 Focusing on the fundamentals of marketing, like sales letters and retargeting, can be more effective than chasing the latest trends.
05:25 Engaging on forums like Reddit and Quora can be a valuable source of traffic and insights, as Google is prioritizing user-generated content.
11:49 Leveraging a combination of AI and human-generated content is more effective than relying solely on AI, as Google values authentic experiences and storytelling.
18:50 Consistent, intentional engagement on social media platforms is crucial for building authority and driving organic traffic.
22:48 Optimizing the foundation of a business, such as messaging, customer avatars, and conversion rates, can significantly reduce ad spend and increase profits.
Resources
- Marketing Counts: Proven Marketing When It Counts!
- The Marketing Counts Digital and Social Media Marketing Podcast by Shreya Banerjee and Paul Counts
- Shreya Banerjee on LinkedIn
- Paul Counts on LinkedIn
- Shreya Banerjee on Facebook
- Paul Counts on Facebook
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:07 — 41.6MB) | Embed
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1153: Transform Legacy B2B Brands Through Digital Innovation with Greenwood Consulting Founder Jason Greenwood
Establishing a successful e-commerce presence as a B2B business can be challenging. Transitioning to online sales involves navigating different dynamics compared to traditional B2B sales models. It requires adapting strategies to meet the unique needs of online buyers while maintaining the integrity of your business relationships and offerings.
Jason Greenwood is the go-to expert for B2B businesses struggling to establish a successful e-commerce presence and Host of THE ECOMMERCE EDGE Podcast. As the founder of Greenwood Consulting, a B2B e-commerce consultancy, he has over 25 years of experience helping brands expertly architect compelling digital shopping and brand engagement experiences. Today, Jason discusses his expertise as a B2B e-commerce consultant, helping legacy brands navigate the digital transformation by identifying their requirements, selecting the right technology, and guiding them through the implementation process. Stay tuned!
Quotes
“Travel early and often. Travel as much as you possibly can. It will improve your life in ways you cannot even anticipate.” – Jason Greenwood
"E-commerce is now table stakes; it's an absolute expectation." – Jason Greenwood
“What people call e-commerce is changing, especially in the B2B world. It’s not just the ‘Buy Now’ button; it’s a whole suite of digital services, and I think that’s critical.” – Jason Greenwood
Takeaways
01:19 Identifying and focusing on underserved or overlooked market segments, like B2B e-commerce, can lead to significant business opportunities.
03:04 Providing a comprehensive, hands-on approach to guiding clients through digital transformation, from strategy to implementation, is crucial for success.
07:52 Understanding the unique challenges and pain points of legacy businesses is essential for a consultant to effectively support their digital evolution.
21:47 Structuring a podcast with recurring episode formats can help create a consistent, valuable content experience for the audience.
26:32 Embracing a digital nomad lifestyle and global travel can enhance personal and professional growth through increased empathy and cultural understanding.
Resources
- Greenwood Consulting: B2B Digital COMMERCE Specialists
- Jason Greenwood on Facebook
- Jason Greenwood on LinkedIn
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:33 — 39.4MB) | Embed
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1152: Master the Art of Content Conversion with TrioSEO CEO Steven Schneider
Struggling to make SEO and content marketing efforts pay off can be frustrating, especially when it feels like you're spinning your wheels. Creating content that doesn’t rank or convert can make it seem like your hard work isn’t yielding results. It’s challenging when strategies don’t seem to align with your goals or deliver the expected impact.
Steven Schneider is the Co-Founder and CEO of TrioSEO - the content marketing agency that helps businesses drive high-intent, organic traffic through strategic, bottom-of-the-funnel content. As a self-proclaimed "SEO nerd," he has a unique ability to transform even the most complex SEO challenges into a thrilling "video game" of sorts. Today, Steven discusses his approach to SEO, including the importance of patience, creating a content strategy with a 90-day plan, and the role of lead magnets and user experience in nurturing leads. Stay tuned!
Quotes
“SEO compounds over time, so the people who are good at it are those who are patient enough to see it come to life.” – Steven Schneider
"The better you are at it, the more visitors you can attract. Over time, you develop an organic traffic machine that provides a steady flow of customers and leads." – Steven Schneider
“People who get into business usually don’t have a multi-month time frame in mind; they have a multi-year horizon. So, invest in your company and your brand, because your competitors will if you don’t.” – Steven Schneider
Takeaways
03:34 Patience and a long-term perspective are crucial for success in SEO and content marketing.
05:12 Creating a detailed, data-driven content strategy and roadmap is essential for driving consistent, high-quality results.
12:43 Providing a seamless user experience, with elements like lead magnets and author bios, helps build trust and convert website visitors.
18:08 Networking and being open to serendipitous opportunities can lead to unexpected, valuable business partnerships.
22:06 Leveraging AI responsibly, such as for editing and optimization, can enhance content workflows, but human-written, conversational content is key for ranking and engagement.
Resources
- TrioSEO: Help growing businesses drive more traffic and qualified leads with SEO
- Steven Schneider on LinkedIn
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:21 — 40.5MB) | Embed
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1151: Overcome Adversity and Find Happiness with Leadership Change Expert Dr. Allen Lycka
Finding happiness and positivity amidst chaos and negativity can be challenging. The weight of the world’s issues can sometimes feel overwhelming, making it hard to stay upbeat and focused. Overcoming these feelings often requires intentional effort and finding small ways to cope with the surrounding challenges.
Dr. Allen Lycka, host of the popular radio show "Live with the Famous Dr. AL," has overcome his own personal struggles, including a near-death experience and a misdiagnosis of ALS, to emerge as a beacon of hope and inspiration. Dr. Lykca emphasizes the importance of starting each day with gratitude, focusing on the small joys and blessings in life. He provides practical tips, such as identifying three things to be grateful for each morning, to help listeners cultivate a positive mindset and overcome the negativity that often permeates our daily lives. Today, Dr. Lykca shares his powerful strategies for living a fantastic life. Stay tuned!
Quotes
“Start with gratitude. Every morning, begin by listing three things you’re grateful for that day. Starting each day with happiness is essential, and happiness is a choice.” – Dr. Allen Lycka
"You have to bring enthusiasm to every job you do, because you never know the stuff that's going to come out of it." – Dr. Allen Lycka
“It's not what happens to you, it's what you do with what happens.” – Dr. Allen Lycka
Takeaways
02:44 Start each day with gratitude by identifying 3 things you are thankful for.
06:16 Focus on what you can control, rather than worrying about things outside your influence.
13:14 Maintain enthusiasm and positivity in all your tasks, as you never know the positive impact they may have.
16:57 Continuously learn from others, including reading books and listening to experts.
23:43 Celebrate your achievements and successes, no matter how small.
Resources
- Dr. Al Speaks: Transformational Speaker
- Dr. Allen Lycka: Empowering Individuals and Businesses to Live a Fantastic Life
- Dr. Allen Lycka on Facebook
- Dr. Allen Lycka on LinkedIn
- The Secrets to Living a Fantastic Life: Two Survivors Reveal the 13 Golden Pearls They've Discovered by Dr. Allen Lycka & Harriet Tinka on Amazon
- The Best of How To Live a Fantastic Life Podcast by Dr. Allen Lycka
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 25:42 — 35.5MB) | Embed
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1150: Solve Key Business Problems: A Workflow Optimization Masterclass with Method Integration Senior Director Nelson De Miranda
Running a small business can feel overwhelming, especially when you're buried in the chaos and complexity of daily operations. It's easy to get stuck playing gatekeeper, managing endless administrative tasks that pull you away from focusing on growth and serving your customers. This constant juggling can leave you feeling drained and frustrated, struggling to find the time and energy for what really matters.
As the Senior Director of Customer Success at method.me, Nelson De Miranda is a seasoned expert in empowering small businesses to break free from the chaos of daily operations. With a background spanning technical marketing, sales, and customer service, Nelson understands the unique challenges facing growing companies - from getting bogged down in tedious administrative tasks to struggling to scale efficient workflows. Today, Nelson discusses the importance of leveraging no-code platforms to automate workflows and empower small businesses to grow beyond the limitations of off-the-shelf software, while maintaining a strong accounting foundation in QuickBooks. Stay tuned!
Quotes
“Technology will only replace so much. Even with AI, we still need humans to press buttons for now. We have to figure that out piece by piece, learn it ourselves, and overcome those challenges on our own.” – Nelson De Miranda
"Limitations are temporary. In the small business space, you're always going to face some sort of adversity." – Nelson De Miranda
“Sometimes what you need is someone to help you push through and realize that the limits you thought you had were just a little beyond your own expectations.” – Nelson De Miranda
Takeaways
04:09 Explore automation solutions to see how processes can be improved and free up time for business owners.
14:36 Integrate your accounting software like QuickBooks as the foundation and build customized solutions on top of that.
16:40 Identify the key problems in your workflow and focus on solving those first, rather than trying to overhaul everything at once.
17:34 Use visual aids like diagrams to help plan and structure your business processes and workflows.
21:04 Immerse yourself in using your own products and services to stay innovative and solve customer problems.
Resources
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 32:12 — 44.4MB) | Embed
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1149: Craft Compelling Brand Stories for Small Business with Bowe Digital Owner Wayne Stanley
Is your business's marketing message feeling stale and outdated? Too often, businesses get stuck focusing on the features and investments they've made, rather than the human connection that truly resonates. As businesses evolve, so too must their storytelling. With the right guidance, even long-established brands can rediscover the spark that made them special in the first place. Are you ready to breathe new life into your company's story? The path forward may be closer than you think.
Wayne Stanley is the Chief Inspiration Officer at Bowe Digital, a marketing agency acclaimed for helping small businesses craft compelling brand stories. With over a decade of experience, Wayne specializes in revitalizing outdated marketing strategies and reigniting enthusiasm within organizations. His unique approach combines customer insights, employee workshops, and creative storytelling to uncover the authentic essence of a business. Today, Wayne discusses the importance of crafting a compelling and evolving brand story for small businesses, focusing on listening to customers, aligning internal priorities with external needs, and much more so stay tuned!
Quotes
“One of the best and worst things about today's world is that we can get whatever customer service we want.” – Wayne Stanley
"Enthusiasm is one of the most contagious feelings there can be. So you have to harness that enthusiasm for your company, your brand, your service, and figure out how to get others to do that." – Wayne Stanley
“Your story two months before the pandemic was very different. It should be able to evolve as your company does.” – Wayne Stanley
Takeaways
01:10 Effective storytelling for a business involves understanding what customers truly value, not just what the business wants to promote.
04:11 Businesses should regularly review and update their brand story to ensure it remains relevant and resonates with their target audience.
11:34 Integrating a new brand story across all aspects of a business, from customer interactions to internal culture, is crucial for success.
21:12 Businesses should focus on doing more with limited resources, even if it's just a small step, to reignite enthusiasm and update outdated practices.
27:53 Embracing a "get scrappy" mindset can help businesses find creative, budget-friendly ways to market themselves effectively.
Resources
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:57 — 41.3MB) | Embed
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1148: Discover Your Authentic Self: A Transformative Approach to Business Success with Lefkoe Institute CEO Shelly Lefkoe
Limiting beliefs can significantly hold you back from reaching your full potential, often manifesting as procrastination, fear of public speaking, or difficulty in marketing your business effectively. These internal barriers can create self-doubt and hinder your progress in both personal and professional areas. Overcoming these challenges is essential to unlocking your true capabilities and achieving the success you desire.
Shelly Lefkoe is a transformational coach, co-authored "Hitting the Wall: Eliminate the Beliefs That Sabotage Your Business and Your Life" and an expert in eliminating the limiting beliefs that sabotage success. For over 35 years, she has helped people from all walks of life free themselves from unwanted behaviors and emotional patterns, such as imposter syndrome, fear of public speaking, and the inability to market their businesses effectively. Shelly's unique process goes beyond coping mechanisms, directly addressing the root cause of these issues - the unconscious beliefs that shape our perceptions and actions. Today, Shelly discusses how our unconscious beliefs shape our behaviors, emotions, and ability to achieve success. Stay tuned!
Quotes
“Beliefs are a statement about reality that we hold as the truth.” – Shelly Lefkoe
"Most of our beliefs are unconscious. We don't even know that we have them, but they run our lives." – Shelly Lefkoe
“Underneath anger is always powerlessness. Because if you could do something about it, you would just do it.” – Shelly Lefkoe
Takeaways
01:00 Eliminating limiting beliefs is key to overcoming unwanted behaviors and emotional patterns.
02:07 Beliefs shape our perceptions and experiences and can be changed to achieve success and happiness.
03:00 Understanding the root cause of problems, such as fear of public speaking, is essential for making lasting changes.
25:28 Identifying and challenging core beliefs that hold us back can lead to powerful emotional breakthroughs and transformations.
31:29 Compassion and responsibility are important in overcoming resilience and sabotaging beliefs.
Resources
- The Lefkoe Institute: Free Yourself from the Beliefs that Limit You
- Shelly Lefkoe on Facebook
- Shelly Lefkoe on LinkedIn
- Hitting the Wall: Eliminate the Beliefs That Sabotage Your Business and Your Life by Shelly Lefkoe & Vahan Yepremyan on Amazon
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1147: Streamline Franchise Marketing: Promote Local Growth through Innovative Solutions with LOMA Co-Founder Brett Campbell
Are you a franchise owner or marketer struggling to effectively scale your local marketing efforts? Franchisees often find themselves overwhelmed with the daily responsibilities of managing operations. This leaves them with little time to focus on marketing efforts. As a result, they may struggle to promote their business effectively. Balancing these tasks can be a significant challenge for many franchisees.
Brett Campbell is a seasoned franchise marketing expert with nearly 30 years of experience driving profitability, growth, and brand excellence for major brands like Papa John's and Tropical Smoothie Cafe. As the co-founder of LOMA Platform, Brett has developed a unique solution to address a critical gap in the franchise industry - the lack of scalable tools to support local store marketing efforts. Today, Brett discusses the challenges franchise owners and marketers face in effectively executing local store marketing efforts. Stay tuned!
Quotes
“Local store marketing is one of those areas of marketing that's always been there, but it's not pushed enough. It's not emphasized because it's hard to scale.” – Brett Campbell
"We're trying to create this easy to order process for these franchisees to come in and understand exactly what they're looking for." – Brett Campbell
“Identifying the gaps in your area of expertise and figuring out how to solve them would be my words of wisdom at this point.” – Brett Campbell
Takeaways
02:02 Local marketing is crucial for franchise brands to drive sales and awareness, but often lacks the necessary support and tools.
12:06 LOMA Platform aims to streamline local marketing efforts for franchisees and field marketers, reducing tedious tasks to a few clicks.
17:30 The platform provides a marketplace for franchisees to easily find and hire local marketing vendors, with data-driven insights and benchmark KPIs.
20:39 LOMA's solution can potentially disrupt marketing for small businesses by connecting them with vendors and automating local marketing execution.
24:18 Identifying gaps in your area of expertise and finding creative solutions to fill them can lead to successful business opportunities.
Resources
- LOMA Platform : The platform designed to validate and scale local marketing for multi-unit brands.
- Brett Campbell on LinkedIn
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