If you've been around here for a while, you already know—I’m an email marketing geek. Not the kind of geek who builds robots in her basement, but the kind who gets excited about subject lines and open rates the way some folks get excited about the first tulips of the season. That’s why chatting with Ellen McDowell Strauss felt like talking to an old friend who also happens to alphabetize her spice rack. Ellen and I first connected over our mutual affection for email, but our latest conversation had a more urgent tone—thanks to Microsoft’s recent announcement that could throw a wrench in the way we all send emails. If email is your small business’s secret weapon, it’s time to sharpen it.

Main Points from the Conversation:

1. Microsoft’s Email Policy Changes Microsoft has announced stricter deliverability rules—emails that don’t get opened or clicked may not make it into inboxes at all, even if the sender is marked safe. This shift will force marketers to pay more attention to engagement metrics like never before.

2. List Hygiene is No Longer Optional Holding onto disengaged subscribers could hurt your deliverability. Cleaning out your list—removing folks who haven’t opened or clicked in 6–12 months—isn’t just good housekeeping, it’s mission critical.

3. Quality Over Quantity Big lists are out, and meaningful lists are in. A smaller, engaged audience is far more valuable than a bloated list of people who aren’t paying attention.

4. Smaller Campaigns, Better Results Ellen suggests sending smaller, staggered campaigns to improve sender reputation. Large blasts might raise red flags, even if your content is solid.

5. Strategic Email for Every Stage Email can’t be one-size-fits-all anymore. You need tailored messages for prospects, new clients, and past clients—each stage should feel intentional and personal, not like you're just checking a box.

Actionable Takeaways:

• Audit Your List: Check who’s been opening and clicking. If someone’s been snoozing for over 6–9 months, it may be time to let them go—or offer a re-engagement path.

• Segment Your Sends: Break your list into smaller groups and stagger your email sends to improve visibility and avoid being flagged.

• Lean on Third-Party Tools: Ditch BCC blasts. Use trusted email marketing platforms (like Constant Contact, Mailchimp, or Robly) that work hand-in-hand with email providers to boost deliverability.

• Craft Content with a Purpose: Make every email part of a bigger story. Whether it’s educating, engaging, or asking for a review, know your audience and meet them where they are.

• Rethink “Set It and Forget It”: Email marketing isn’t a crockpot dinner. It’s more like sourdough—needs regular attention, care, and a little love.

 

You know, I’ve spent years telling business owners to get laser-focused. Find your niche, talk to your niche, sell to your niche. It’s like that old saying: “You can’t please everyone, so pick your people.” But every once in a while, someone comes along and flips my perfectly organized marketing world on its head.

That someone was Matt Diamante, founder of Hey Tony, a marketing agency that helps small business owners tackle SEO and social media in ways that actually work. When Matt pitched me the idea of going broad to find your niche, I raised an eyebrow — and then I leaned in. Because sometimes, you have to plant wildflower seeds everywhere before you find out which patch of soil will let your business bloom.

Start Broad to Get Noticed Matt shared how narrowing his content too quickly meant missing out on visibility. Early SEO how-to videos flopped because algorithms didn’t know where to send them. By widening his content to appeal to a broader audience, he started generating massive reach — and, surprisingly, attracting the exact people he wanted.

Make Social Content Personal and Entertaining The trick isn’t just broad topics, it’s how you deliver them. Matt started adding humor, behind-the-scenes moments with his wife, and simple SEO tips framed like secret hacks. This authentic, entertaining style helped his videos go viral while quietly establishing his expertise.

Convert Viral Attention with Consistent, Niche-Focused Follow-Ups Even though viral videos brought millions of eyeballs, the real strategy was in publishing one to three pieces of content daily, mixing broad appeal with posts targeted to DIY business owners. Those niche posts turned casual viewers into inquiries and, eventually, paying clients.

Work Within Your Capacity, But Stay Consistent Matt emphasized that your content output depends on your business goals and available time. When he had more time, he posted several times a day. But the real advice is to do as much as you realistically can, because marketing is often the first thing people drop — and the last thing they should.

People Buy from People, Not Logos Matt’s final nugget: don’t outsource your social media presence. Especially for small businesses, people want to see the face behind the brand. A good example? Judy’s Family Cafe, where the owner turned goofy viral clips into personal invitations to her restaurant. It’s proof that personality-powered content connects.

Try These Simple Steps to Launch Your Go Broad Campaign

Test wide topics to see what gets attention, even if it feels unrelated to your core niche at first.

Infuse humor, personal moments, and relatable scenarios into your content. People want to connect with people, not textbook tutorials.

Balance broad reach with targeted follow-up posts aimed at your ideal customer. Viral reach brings them in — niche content converts.

Commit to a realistic, consistent posting schedule. If you can manage a post a day, great. If it’s twice a week, start there. Just don’t disappear.

Own your presence. Your followers want you, not a generic brand. Show up, be seen, and let them get to know the person behind the business.

Marketing is all about connections, but too often, we skip over the most important piece—people. Sure, we love talking about product, price, place, and promotion, but what about the humans behind the strategy? That’s why I brought back Dave Dave Charest, Director of Small Business Success at Constant Contact, for a lively chat about the Four P’s of People—peers, pros, patrons, and promoters. Spoiler: your next marketing breakthrough might come from focusing less on what you’re posting and more on who you’re talking to.

Peers Are Your Marketing Wingmen Think of your peers as your brainstorming buddies—the business owners and marketers walking the same path. Sure, they might be in your industry, but they’re not your competition. Instead, they’re allies who can share insights, lessons learned, and even a little encouragement. As Dave put it, peers can help you grow by sharing their own roadmaps to success.

Pros: Your Marketing Role Models These are the businesses that make you say, “I want to do that someday.” Dave suggested following pros for inspiration—whether it’s how they craft campaigns or how they interact with their audience. Even better, engaging with their content can lead to new connections with like-minded people. Think of pros as your north star for what’s possible.

Patrons Keep the Lights On Your customers are your patrons, the folks who not only pay the bills but also provide a goldmine of feedback. Whether you’re creating posts to entertain, educate, or answer their questions, keeping this group engaged can spark deeper loyalty. And when they engage with your content, their networks notice, bringing you closer to your next batch of clients.

Promoters Are Your Secret Weapon Promoters are the people who sing your praises, often loudly and without being asked. They may not even be customers themselves, but they believe in what you’re doing and love sharing it with their communities. Dave reminded me that it’s worth nurturing those relationships—comment on their posts, cheer them on, and show them the love they show you.

Remember, success isn’t  about shouting your message into the void. It’s about listening, building relationships, and connecting with the people who matter most to your business.        

Dave Charest

Dave Charest is the Director of Small Business Success at Constant Contact, the online marketing leader trusted by millions of small businesses. In his role, Dave acts as an educator and an advocate for small business leaders, marketing professionals, and nonprofits by providing practical marketing advice to help them achieve their goals.

He is a dynamic leader, speaker, creator, and award-winning marketer who strives to inspire small businesses by simplifying the complex world of online marketing. Dave also hosts the Be a Marketer podcast, a 2024 Webby Awards Honoree.

 

I had a wonderful conversation with Josh Elledge about strategies for generating inbound leads and moving away from outdated, spammy marketing tactics. Here are the key points from their conversation:

1. Shift from Outbound to Inbound Marketing:

   • Traditional outbound methods like sending unsolicited emails are no longer effective. Consumers, including business decision-makers, are overwhelmed and turned off by spam.
   • Josh emphasizes the importance of creating an inbound funnel that attracts potential clients naturally, reducing the emotional toll on marketers.

2. Noble Intent and Authenticity:

   • Success in modern marketing requires leading with noble intent and genuine empathy. Businesses should prioritize the needs and desires of their customers over their own sales goals.
   • Transparency and authenticity are crucial. Consumers can detect when a business's primary motive is self-serving, which can drive them away.

3. Utilizing Platforms for Networking:

   • Platforms such as podcasts, YouTube channels, or Facebook groups can be powerful tools for building authority and networking. By highlighting and celebrating others, businesses can create reciprocal relationships with leaders and potential clients.
   • Josh has successfully launched many B2B podcasts, which he describes as the ultimate networking tool for building relationships and authority without needing to sell aggressively.

4. Generosity as a Strategy:

   • Leading with generosity and providing value upfront is essential in today's business environment. Creating a "butterfly garden" of valuable content and resources can attract clients more effectively than chasing them down with aggressive sales tactics.
   • This approach involves understanding and empathizing with the target audience's values and pain points, offering solutions that resonate with them.

5. The Power of a Platform:

   • Building and leveraging a platform allows businesses to earn time with high-level leaders and create opportunities for collaboration. This can be done by using one's own platform or collaborating with others.
   • The key is to focus on serving and celebrating others, which naturally leads to reciprocity and business growth.

If you’ve enjoyed this conversation sign up for a weekly newsletter get links to episodes you might have missed and other resources for your business   https://morethanafewwords.com/avoid-fomo/

​I am an email marketing fan so I was excited to invite Kendra Corman to join me for a conversation on how to make email marketing effective.

She started by explaining why email is so important.  Sure it is great to build a community on social media, but what will you do if Facebook goes down or cuts off your profile. You are stuck.  But if you have email addresses, you  own those contacts and can take them wherever you want.

You have the flexibility to contact them when you want and to share information  they want and need to know.

 

If you’ve enjoyed this conversation sign up for a weekly newsletter get links to episodes you might have missed and other resources for your business   https://morethanafewwords.com/avoid-fomo/

Every parent knows, It takes a village to raise a child. Each of the adults in the child’s life, relatives, teachers, coaches, brings a different perspective. The same is true for your business. No matter how smart you are or how much you know about your business, there are gaps in your skill-set.

Your business village should be filled with smart, talented subject matter experts to help you fill in the gaps. If you are running a small business your village won’t be comprised of employees, but an advisory board comprised of professionals, who provide information and guidance in their areas of expertise.

Who Do You Need in Your Business Village? (On your advisory board)

Your Attorney

Your attorney’s primary objective is to protect you and your business from risk. As you start you business your attorney can advise you on the right structure for your business and submit appropriate state and federal documents. As you business grows turn to your attorney for a range of legal documents such as contracts, non-disclosure agreements, and non-compete agreements with employees. An attorney who is familiar with your business makes the process of creating new documents much more efficient because you won’t have to start each review by explaining what your business is about.

Your Accountant

There are bookkeepers, financial accountants and tax accountants. Which do you need? Well that depends on your comfort level with the numbers of your business. A bookkeeper keeps your day to day operations on track, paying bills and invoicing clients. A financial accountant is someone who can provide guidance not just bookkeeping assistance.

Your accountant should prepare financial reports on a monthly basis and review key numbers with you. Your accountant should be able to help you predict if you have enough cash to meet future obligations and growth goals.

A tax accountant does more than just prepare your tax returns, understanding your business, he/she can help you make decisions about when to invest, when to pull back, and how to avoid paying more than you should in taxes each year.

 Your Banker

The worst time to establish a banking relationship is when you need money. As you start your business get to know your local business banker. He/she will advise you on the types of accounts you will need, develop a cash management strategy, and secure funding when you need it.

Your Financial Planner

For many small business owners, the business is your retirement plan. The question is will this be enough? Don’t guess. A good financial planner will look at both your personal and business finances to make sure you have what you need when you are ready to walk away from the business.

Your IT and Marketing Support

Sure, you can manage your computers and software on your own. You can post content on social media and call it marketing, but just like every other element of your business, you need to stop and ask yourself, should you? Is this the best use of your time, and do you really have the expertise to manage those roles in house. If not, it is time to add these professionals to your team. In both cases, the industry is changing rapidly. You need people on your advisory board who understand both the trends and your business objectives. Lean on them to make the right suggestions about where and when to invest so you can focus on growing your business.

Build Your Business Village

Sure you may own your own business, but you don’t have to do it all on your own. Start building your village today. Don’t try to do it all at once. Find someone in one of these categories and enlist their aid in filling the other slots on your advisory board.

 

If you’ve enjoyed this conversation sign up for a weekly newsletter get links to episodes you might have missed and other resources for your business   https://morethanafewwords.com/avoid-fomo/

Mickey Kennedy, founder of eReleases joined me for another conversation about building your authority and online visibility.  This time we talked about the importance of using surveys and studies to stand out as a subject matter authority.

Why does this strategy work?  First of all the media loves data.  Fresh data from industry-specific surveys can attract media attention. You can use a platform like SurveyMonkey to create a 16-question survey, including some fun or unusual questions to capture interest.

You don't need to do it on your own.  consider partnering with small or independent trade associations to distribute your survey. These associations often seek media attention and can help amplify your survey in exchange for being mentioned in the press release.

This strategy works because the survey results helps position you as an industry expert so once you are done conducting the survey, create a dedicated page on your website with all questions and responses. Highlight key findings in your press release and direct journalists to this page, potentially leading to more coverage. . Share resulting media coverage on your website, social media, and newsletters to build trust and credibility with potential customers as well. 

If you’ve enjoyed this conversation sign up for a weekly newsletter get links to episodes you might have missed and other resources for your business   https://morethanafewwords.com/avoid-fomo/

What is the fastest least expensive way to get clients? Guest, Gall Doby suggests  there is one strategy that people often ignore, and it’s right in front of them.

Looking for new sales? Start with your current clients. Almost every single client ( assuming you are doing a good job) will be willing to do business with you in a different way. Maybe it is an add-on to their project, a few more things and they hadn’t originally considered or an entirely different project.

It’s so much easier to go to your current clients and try to add something on to a project.  Then right behind that group are your past clients. Both of these groups know, like and trust you so it is one of the easiest, fastest and the cheapest ways to get more business.

 

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Let’s go on a buying journey. Think about the last item that you bought, where you spent more than $100. Maybe it was something for your business or home. Write down the item you bought and work backwards through your buying journey. Describe why you chose that particular product. Did you see an ad? Did someone recommended it? Was there information on social media which made you curious? Write down all of the things you remember related to that purchase.

For example, we recently installed new windows in our house. Before we bought the windows, we talked to a few of our neighbors, checked. Angie’s List, and then we went to the company website.

Do this exercise two or three times for different types of purchases, so you get a better picture of your typical buying process.  What information sources to you rely on and what influenced you?

Next, build your customer’s buying journey the same way. Evaluate your marketing based on  your typical buying process. If you were a customer for your product or service, would you notice your marketing? If the answer is yes, that’s great. if you are your target customer.

If you’re not your target customer, you got some work to do.  Ask several of your customers about their buying journey and see how that lines up with your marketing.  Make sure you are spending money on marketing to enhance their buying journey.

The trick for small business owners is not to spend more money, but to spend well, making investments designed to motivate customers to pay attention to you.

 

If you’ve enjoyed this conversation sign up for a weekly newsletter get links to episodes you might have missed and other resources for your business   https://morethanafewwords.com/avoid-fomo/

Janine Liston, a business strategist and pricing expert, joined me for a conversation about the complexities and strategies behind setting the right price for products and services.

Here are a few key takeaways:

• One common myth is that the lowest price always wins. Many business owners believe this, but it’s not true for most products and services. Targeting the right customer who values your product is more important than simply offering the lowest price.
• When you set your price, you need to put the customer first. Rather than developing a product and then finding customers, businesses should understand their customers' problems and create solutions tailored to them. This approach ensures that prices reflect the value delivered to the customer.
• What's a fair price?  It is actually a balance between what customer are willing to pay, and what is profitable for the business. Many businesses overlook customer value and willingness to pay, focusing too much on costs and competition.  Sometimes, customers are willing to pay much more than you think.
• Price can often communicate messages about your quality.  A higher price signals higher quality, but this only holds if the product or service meets those expectations.
• Pricing is not a one-time task but a continuous process. Be open to adjusting pricing over time and don't be afraid to raise them when necessary. 

If you’ve enjoyed this conversation sign up for a weekly newsletter get links to episodes you might have missed and other resources for your business   https://morethanafewwords.com/avoid-fomo/

Did you miss this conversation with Connie Jones about limiting beliefs?  Then you want to check it out now.

We create these upper limits for ourselves fueled by messages we have received starting early on in childhood about who we are and who we are not.  And who we are supposed to be.  We create patterns of playing roles that are consistent with those messages, but sometimes the messages are wrong and the pattern becomes a trap.

To break the cycle of limiting beliefs, you must first identify the belief, recognize it is creating your reality and chose to change what you believe.  Often it stars with simply acting “as if” until the new behavior becomes natural and you being to believe you can do or be more.

Words have the power to move, motivate, inspire, frighten, and cheer. What you say and how you say it can have a profound impact on another person. And some words, called power words, have more impact than others. These words have a strong meaning which is likely to trigger a psychological or emotional response. They are persuasive, pushing people to take action.

Power words fall in to one of three categories: seductive, emotional, or sensory (visual). As you write web copy, email communication, and social media status updates, employing these powerful phrases will help you grab and hold the attention of a reader.

Seductive Power Words

These terms have the ability to “seduce” readers, overriding logical reasoning and compelling them to take action. Examples of seductive words include:

• New – People often equate new with better. When you offer something new, they assume it is better than what they already have.
• Free – We are conditioned to respond to the word “free.” That promise reduces the resistance to action.
• Because – Simply giving people a reason is all they need to give you a try.
• How To – This is a common search phrase for almost every product category. The phrase “how to” promises practical information. If you use it, be sure your content delivers on the promise.

Emotional Power Words

Tapping into human emotions with your headlines is more challenging. There isn’t a short list of emotional words that always works. Instead you need to consider the emotions themselves and find ways to tap into them.

Common emotions which will drive action include fear, jealousy, curiosity, joy, surprise, anger, disgust, trust, and anticipation. Not all emotions will work the same way. For example, anger may cause someone to share something on social media, but not purchase a product or a service. In contrast, fear or jealousy may drive someone to take action and buy.

Some studies indicate people are more likely to take action to avoid negative outcomes than to achieve positive ones. Example: What do your competitors know that you don’t? That question is designed to elicit fear from the reader.

Sensory Power Words

Sensory words paint a picture in the mind of the reader. These descriptive words are designed to activate one or more of the senses. They describe how we experience the world: how we smell, see, hear, feel, or taste something.

Engage the eyes with words related to colors, shape, or appearance. For instance: gloomy, dazzling, bright, foggy, or gigantic. Make something tangible when you describe textures. These same words can be applied to feelings and abstract concepts also such as gritty, creepy, slimy, fluffy, or sticky.

When you read words like cha-ching, kaboom, or pow, you can almost hear the sounds. Other descriptive words such as crashing, pounding, or ringing will engage the reader’s auditory sense.

Especially helpful if you are writing about food, words related to taste and smell may get your prospective reader salivating for your product. Many of these words like zesty, tantalizing, sweet, stinky, or stale will transform bland copy.

Remember that motion is sensory, too. Active words such as vibrating, soaring, mind-boggling, staggering, or bumpy take the reader on a journey with you

 

I love chatting with Lindsey Anderson, and it has been awhile since this seasoned online business consultant, bestselling author, and podcast host, dropped by for a chat.

It this conversation we talked about her experience as a play in a reality TV game ( The Trust)  and what she learned about using social media effectively as a business owner rather than as an influencer.

Lindsey introduced her VEMS model, which is designed to help business owners build a compelling social media presence that drives sales and engagement. The model consists of four key components:

1. Vibe: Share personal aspects of your life to help people connect with you. Choose three consistent elements to showcase, such as your location, family, or health interests. This humanizes your brand and helps potential clients relate to you.

2. Experience: Regularly share client stories and experiences. This demonstrates your expertise and shows potential clients what working with you is like. Authentic, real-time updates about client interactions can be particularly effective.

3. Methodology: Highlight your unique methods and structured approaches. This gives potential clients confidence in your systematic process and distinguishes you from those who offer ad-hoc strategies.

4. Skills: While it's important to share tips and skills, balance this with other elements to avoid appearing one-dimensional. This prevents you from giving too much away for free and helps maintain interest in your services.

About Lindsey

indsey Anderson is an accomplished online business consultant with over 20 years of experience as a digital marketing business owner. She is also a best-selling author and podcast host.   Leveraging her deep knowledge in marketing and sales, Lindsey helps brands reach their dream clients and scale their business online through her proven strategies, systems and sales methodologies.   LEARN MORE: https://www.lindseya.com/  

Tina Bakehouse is living proof that even the best teachers are always learning. As an intuitive communication coach, she’s built a reputation for helping others communicate with confidence and authenticity. But as she shares in this conversation, her early days in business were filled with valuable lessons—especially about getting clear on her offers. Like many of us, Tina learned that trying to be everything to everyone only leads to confusion. It’s a little like showing up at a potluck with five half-baked dishes—your guests won’t know where to start, and chances are, nothing gets devoured.

Here are some key insights from Tina’s journey:

1. The Power of One Clear Offer: When Tina launched her first five-day workshop, she tried selling both group and individual coaching simultaneously—at the same price. The result? Mixed signals and fewer sales. Her big takeaway? Pick one lane, get crystal clear on your ask, and make it easy for people to say yes.
2. Align Offers to the Audience and Platform: Tina now tailors her approach depending on the audience—whether it’s small business owners, corporate teams, or C-suite executives. It’s about tuning in and delivering what feels right for the moment.
3. Seasonal Strategy: Business has rhythms, just like nature. Tina takes a softer approach in the summer, reserving her high-energy keynotes and workshops for colder months. That shift keeps her inspired and energized throughout the year.
4. Stay True to Yourself: Above all, Tina believes in showing up authentically. By leaning into her identity as an intuitive communication coach, she naturally draws in the right clients and builds meaningful connections.

For business owners juggling multiple products or services, Tina’s journey is a reminder that less is often more. Get clear on your offer, tailor it to the moment, and align your work with what fuels your energy. When you do, success stops feeling like a chaotic balancing act and starts to flow naturally.

Tina Bakehouse is passionate, experienced, intuitive communication consultant & coach, storyteller, creative, and NEW AUTHOR of the book Discovering Our Magnetic Speaker Within.

 

As business owners try to grow their business they assume they have to do it organically.  The problem with the organic approach is you have to be patient. It takes time for the business to mature and grow.

But that is not the only way to grow. Your path to success might include merging with another company or through the acquisition of another business.  Deb Curtis, an expert in SBA-Supported Business Acquisition Loans & Smooth Ownership Transitions shares a few tips and things to consider before you jump into acquisition mode

What do you want people to say about you when you're not in the room. What do you want them to tell people. who are looking for someone who does what you do?

All of those comments add up to your personal brand. Now a lot of business owners are under the misconception that somehow they control their brand. But they don't.

Your brand is something that exists in the mind of your customers.  All you can do is influence it with your marketing messages and your actions and over time you will create a brand representative of who you are.

Looking for more resources on branding and positioning?  Start with the position statement workbook 

If you’re a woman business owner or thinking about becoming one, there are unique challenges you’ll face compared to your male counterparts. However, success is achievable, as demonstrated by Sharon Gillenwater, a tech startup founder who sold her company, Boardroom Insiders, for $25 million. Here are a few key points from our conversation.

Funding and Networking Obstacles:

Women receive only about 2% of venture funding. Additionally, if you’re not part of the entrepreneurial network, gaining access to funding and talent can be tough. It’s crucial to build a network of contacts who can guide and support you.

Importance of Clear Planning and Communication:

If you are preparing to seek funding, be sure you can clearly articulate your business idea, model, and market. Talk to to as many knowledgeable people as possible to refine your plan and pitch

Keeping Financial Records Clean:

Sharon shared a personal lesson on the importance of keeping business finances separate from personal finances. The take-away - Proper record-keeping from the start can prevent complications when your business grows or when you’re ready to sell.

Customer Focus:

Despite skepticism from funders and industry experts, Sharon’s focus on customer satisfaction proved to be a key factor in her success. She advises ignoring the naysayers and listening to your customers.

 

 

One of the advantages of having more than 1,000 episodes in my archive, is the wealth of great information buried there.  This week I dug way back, to find a conversation I had with Allison Carter back in 2013,  when she was my regular co-host.  We always had a good time, but I really loved this conversation about finding your brand voice. 

• Just as you can recognize someone's speaking voice, their writing voice is unique too. It’s like a fingerprint. A strong, consistent voice can help a company build its brand and connect with its audience.

• Your writing should convey the essence of who you are, not just mimic how you speak. It's about creating a connection that feels genuine and consistent with your personality, whether you're warm and fuzzy or more reserved and snarky.

• Just like you wouldn’t talk to a child the same way you’d talk to your doctor, your writing should be tailored to your audience. This keeps your messages clear and relatable without coming off as condescending or overly complex.

• Even teams, with diverse individual styles can present a unified voice by defining parameters  for each writer.  For larger companies, formal guidelines can help maintain this consistency.

• Understanding and defining your company's voice is crucial. It shapes how you communicate on social media, in emails, and in all other forms of content. This reflection of your company’s personality can significantly impact how customers perceive and interact with your brand.

The Creative Process

I am often asked, why I chose to name my company “Roundpeg.” The obvious answer was because I spent all those years in corporate, feeling like a square peg in a round hole, and this is where I fit!

But there is more to the story. I wanted to build a business around the ideas of creativity, collaboration, and positive energy, and for me, creativity begins with a “R.O.U.N.D” process.

R.O.U.N.D: Research, Originate, Unite, Nurture, Do It! Research

If you want creative output, you need creative input! Collecting a variety of information, without worrying how it fits, is the foundation of the research phase. Input comes from everywhere, what you read, what you see when you are out for a walk, what you learn from others.

• Explore your environment. Look for new ideas, trends and tools.
• Seek inspiration everywhere. Take a walk and really look around you. I often find inspiration from nature.
• Learn something new. Enhance your education, expand your talents, abilities and skills.
• Look back to move forward. Analyze data and study historical trends.

Originate

The second step is the most fun. In this phase, everything is possible. The process works well with a diverse group, people with very different skills, personality styles, and experience. Make sure everyone in the room understands, there are no bad ideas and no limitations.

Keep the sessions short so the energy stays high, but remember some people are more comfortable thinking out loud and may overpower the more analytic folks in the room. To get all the best ideas look for ways to balance the conversation invite people to submit ideas in writing after the session.

Don't have group - Carrie Anton had some great tips on how to Brainstorm by Yourself.

• Connect to your inner child, don’t be afraid to be silly or outrageous. Sometimes in the craziest idea there is something worth exploring. Be creative, think, and daydream
• Bring people together to brainstorm and answer the “what-if” questions.
• Generate many, many ideas.

Unite

This phase involves reviewing all the ideas you have generated and selecting a few to explore in greater detail. You are still not completely critical, and crazy suggestions will still play a roll in this phase. Remember in this phase there are still no bad ideas and no limitations such as budget, time, or people.

There are however a few best ideas, and these are the ones you need to focus on expanding. As you embrace these ideas, unite related concepts, look for connections and ways to build on the ideas of others.

• Question the information you have collected. Is it relevant reliable and usable?
• Identify common threads and reoccurring themes.
• Borrow ideas from others, build on initial suggestions adding alternatives and enhancements.
• Select a few to take forward.
• Look for ways to take ideas to the next level don’t be afraid to invent and innovate.

Nurture

It is important to take a break between uniting and nurturing. It may be only a few minutes or a few days. This break marks the transition from wild ideas to critical review.

The time between the stages is important for the more analytic and introverted members of the group. It gives them time to process information, formulate responses and questions so they are ready to share their ideas with the group or individual members.

The nurture team may be expanded or changed as the real work begins, evaluating ideas with objective eye to improve and refine the concepts so they become actionable.

Identify and eliminate obstacles as you nurture the best ideas, giving them the chance to blossom and grow. Many ideas don’t survive this phase, as impractical or unworkable ideas are rejected, so the best ideas can blossom.

• Objectively evaluate ideas.
• Reject what doesn’t work.
• Simplify the over-complicated.

Do-It

To move from concepts to reality, you must commit to a course of action. Develop action plans, timelines, deadlines, and measures. Success depends on your passion, commitment, enthusiasm, and your ability to learn from your mistakes.

• Market your idea.
• Deal with critics.
• Measure progress.
• Survive success.
• And Begin Again!

It is a round process, because, as soon as you think you are done, it is time to start again!

I had a great conversation with Jason Barnard ( @jasonmbarnard  ) about online branding. Importance of Brand SERPs:

One of the standout points Jason emphasizes is the critical role of Brand Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs). He explains how they reflect a brand's online reputation and visibility, and why businesses should prioritize optimizing their Brand SERPs for better recognition and credibility.

Knowledge Panels: Jason delves into the significance of Knowledge Panels, those information boxes that appear on the right side of Google's search results. He discusses how they can enhance a brand's authority and trustworthiness, offering tips on how to get your brand featured in these panels.

AI and Future Trends: The conversation also touches on the impact of artificial intelligence in digital marketing. Jason shares his thoughts on future trends, suggesting that AI will continue to shape the industry in exciting and unexpected ways, influencing how brands interact with their audiences.

Personal Branding: Lastly, Jason talks about the power of personal branding in the digital age. He offers practical advice on building and maintaining a strong personal brand, emphasizing its importance for professionals looking to stand out in a crowded marketplace.

 

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In this conversation from my archive, chatted with Matt Nettleton about the importance of practice and the danger of over practicing.

Have you ever done something for the first time, without prior knowledge and been able to achieve success? If so, you’re truly unique. Most humans find themselves meeting new challenges with a series of frustrations and failures. Imagine an infant as they decide to walk for the first time, they stand up then they stagger and inevitably they fall. To become consistent walkers they repeat the stand-stagger-fall cycle for a few weeks or months.

This pattern of stand-stagger-fall is repeated throughout our lives. Over time we learn that practicing tasks makes eventual success more likely. We also learn that preparation is a bit of a grind certainly not enjoyable and nearly always hard work. But learning to effectively gain new skills and improve performance with existing skills is the key task we all face as adults. So, we learn to practice.

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When it comes to marketing, it's easy to focus on activity. Just create a list of tasks and check them off as you complete them:

• Write five blog posts ✔
• Send an e-newsletter ✔
• Post status updates on Facebook and LinkedIn ✔
• Schedule ads ✔
• Create a landing page ✔
• Send postcards ✔
• Make phone calls ✔

As you check things off your list, you feel good about all you have accomplished. But when you focus exclusively on the activities of marketing, you're missing half the equation.

It doesn't really matter how much marketing you do if you're not getting results. Whether you are doing your own marketing or you have hired a company to do these tasks for you, don't settle for a list of activities. You need to hold your marketing accountable for results. You need to focus on the productivity of your marketing, and that's harder to do.

Productivity measures might include:

• Traffic or Interest: Did the actions create engagement on social media or drive traffic to your website or your storefront?
• Leads:Did people fill out a form, download information, or call for an appointment?
• Conversion: Did any of those people who came by or called become customers?

If you don't know the answers to these questions, stop wasting money on marketing. Put systems in place monitor web data and actual inquiries. Ask people how they heard about you or why the called. Study your closing rate. Once you have the numbers you will know have a better idea of what is working and where you need to be spending more time.

• Don't look at the numbers individually, because they work together. If your campaigns are driving lots of traffic but visitors rarely stay long or take the next step, look at both what you are offering in the campaign and the user experience when a visitor arrives.
• Lots of fans on Facebook may make you feel good, but if they don't engage with your content you might be offering the wrong thing, or you might not have great fans after all.

The bottom line: Anyone can look busy. As a business owner, you need to be sure that when you and your team spend time, it isn't just activity, but productive activity.

 

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If you’re looking to harness the power of testimonials for your business, this conversation with Danielle Klemm, a positioning and funnel strategist, is packed with insights.

She packed so much information into the short conversation:  Here are just a few highlights. 

There is a structure to a great testimonial

Testimonials should follow a story structure with a beginning, middle, and end. When asked to give a testimonial, customers usually describe their experiences from the end point, but that isn't where your next customer is in their process  You need to guide the conversation starting from the problems they faced before using your product or service.

Ask specific questions to prompt customers to talk about their initial challenges, the aha moments they experienced, and how your product or service solved their problems. This approach not only enhances the testimonial but also provides valuable marketing language directly from your customers.

Do more with testimonials

Beyond just posting on social media or your website, testimonials can be used creatively across various platforms. This includes integrating them into blog posts, case studies, media publications, and even at physical booths using QR codes. The goal is to make these testimonials part of your natural sales process, helping to build credibility and trust.

Learn More https://www.danielleklemm.com

 

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Seven years ago, I chatted with Luke Magsamen, who was a member of the Roundpeg team at the time, about marketing automation.  While tools have changed, the strategies we discussed are as relevant today to help you keep a business running smoothly, even while you sleep. Here are some key points from our discussion:

1. Automated Messaging: Automated emails and messages can engage both new and existing customers without constant manual effort. This includes sending birthday wishes or reminding customers about abandoned carts.

2. Essential Tools: To implement a successful automated marketing campaign, you need a good email program, engaging landing pages, and a comprehensive database of customer information.

3. Personalized Campaigns: Personal touches, like birthday discounts or anniversary reminders, can re-engage customers effectively. Luke shared his experience with Dollar Shave Club, where a birthday discount prompted him to make an additional purchase.

4. Ongoing Engagement: Automated emails can keep customers engaged over long sales cycles. For instance, sending a series of emails with different resources after a proposal can guide potential customers towards a purchase decision.

5. Evergreen Content: Ensure your automated emails contain evergreen content that remains relevant over time. Avoid seasonal references or outdated information by linking to updated content on your website.

6. Complementary Follow-up: While automation is powerful, it’s essential to complement it with personal follow-ups, such as phone calls, to maintain a human touch in customer interactions.

 

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A few years ago I sat down with Wayne Mullins, founder of Ugly Mug Marketing, to dive into his unique “3-5-3” formula for turning your website from a static space into a real business driver. If you missed the original release of this episode, you want to be sure to catch it now. 

His approach is all about honing in on what users need, and it starts with capturing attention in the first three seconds. The truth is, visitors aren’t "browsing" anymore—they’re "hopping" from one page to the next, and you need a hook to keep them around.

Next up are the five critical questions to ask on every page. Who’s visiting this page? What’s the exact action you want them to take? And maybe most importantly, why would they take that action, from their perspective? This exercise of stepping into the visitor’s shoes can completely transform how each page is designed to serve them.

The final three elements, or “three C’s,” of effective design wrap it all together: composition, contrast, and content. Wayne’s big takeaway here? Lead with the content. Instead of designing for looks first, start with what you’re trying to communicate, then build the design around it. Simple and actionable tips like these make the 3-5-3 formula a powerful way to evaluate your site and start getting better results right away.

 

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Over the years, I have had the opportunity to work with start-ups, as they look for name for their new business or product. The process is rarely easy, but always interesting.

The process should start with a look at the ultimate customer and the unique elements of the solution being presented. Even in traditional industries, looking for a unique twist will help set the business apart.

So what else should you consider on your quest to find the perfect name?

• Simple and Memorable: If the name isn’t short, punchy and relevant customers may struggle to remember it when it is time to buy! Prospective customers may do a Google or voice search for your business. If you name is hard to pronounce or spell, they may have trouble finding you.
• Relevant: It may or may not be descriptive, but it should evoke a feeling, perception, or impression in the mind of your target audience.
• Unique: If you want to trademark the name, it needs to be unique in the category.

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One of the things that happened during Covid was that virtual events exploded.  And today, even as we return to in person activities, there is still a place for virtual events in your marketing.  That was the topic I dove into with Michael Tucker. 

Here are some key points from the interview with Michael Tucker about virtual events:

1. Building Trust and Credibility: Michael loves virtual events because they are a powerful way to quickly build trust and credibility with an audience. They offer an opportunity to teach, engage, and build relationships, which can expedite the sales process.

2. High Energy and Engagement: Successful virtual events require high energy and engagement. Keeping the audience's attention is crucial, and this is best achieved by showing up with passion and enthusiasm, even if you’re not naturally an extrovert. The content should be crafted with the audience in mind, focusing on what is relevant and valuable to them.

3. Starting Small and Focusing on Quality: It's important to start with the resources you have, such as an existing email list or social media following. The goal should be to attract a quality audience, not necessarily a large one. A smaller group of highly interested and relevant attendees can be more effective than a larger, less engaged group.

4. Crafting a Clear Goal and Transformational Content: Every virtual event should have a clear goal. The content should be designed to help attendees achieve their goals and should lead them to the next step in their journey, which could be making a purchase or booking a call. The content must create a transformation by shifting their beliefs and actions, rather than just providing value.

5. Selective Value and Strategic Content: It’s important not to give everything away in the event. Instead, provide enough value to create a shift in the audience’s thinking and leave them wanting more. This makes them more likely to take the next step, such as hiring you or buying your product.

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In this conversation from our archive, I had a chance to talk with Brenden Kumarasamy from MasterTalk. Brenden shares practical tips to enhance communication and public speaking abilities. Here are four simple exercises you can add to your daily routine.

1. Random Word Exercise: Pick a random word and create a 60-second presentation around it. This helps improve your ability to think on your feet and make sense of unexpected topics, which is crucial in business settings.

2. Question Drill: Practice answering one question about your business every day. This prepares you for the unexpected questions you might face in sales calls or networking events and builds your confidence and expertise over time.

3. Video Messages: Send 20-second video messages to people you appreciate without retakes. This exercise helps you practice spontaneous communication and strengthens relationships.

4. Jigsaw Puzzle Strategy: When preparing for a big presentation, practice your introduction and conclusion multiple times before tackling the middle. This ensures a strong start and finish, which are critical for making a lasting impression.

Brenden emphasizes that these simple exercises can significantly improve your public speaking skills and overall communication effectiveness. For more tips, check out MasterTalk on YouTube.

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Social media is a lot like going to a singles bar. You’re going to meet a lot of nice people and have some interesting conversations.  But at the end of the day your goal is to bring your date home.

In the world of digital marketing home is your website and your email list.  This is where you can have that great one on one conversation without all the distractions like silly videos, cat pictures and baby images.  This is where you can control the conversation.

As your creating marketing and advertising for social media, remember, you want to bring your date home. 

 

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I enjoyed the time I spent with Deborah Bowers, a seasoned marketing expert, to discuss the essentials of digital advertising for small businesses. Here are a few key points from our conversation:

Importance of Digital Advertising: Deborah emphasizes the necessity of incorporating paid advertising alongside organic marketing to reach a wider audience and drive more sales

Starting with Digital Advertising: For those new to digital advertising, Deborah suggests focusing on directional advertising, targeting people who already know they want a product or service. Spending more of your budget on people who are closer to the point of purchase is an effective way to stretch limited marketing funds.

 Digital Search Ads: These ads appear to users based on their search behaviors across multiple platforms, allowing businesses to target potential customers without the need for a separate budget for each platform.

Targeting and Budget Management: Deborah explains the importance of targeting specific demographics and setting limits on how often ads are shown to avoid overspending and annoying potential customers. She emphasizes the need to capture leads effectively through well-designed landing pages.

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Do you feel overwhelmed by social media if you do you're not alone but I've got some good news for you because there are things you can do to manage the chaos and make the time you're spending on social media productive.

Our guest, Andrea Jones explains one of the challenges with social media is that it's a mixture of our business and our personal life.  She suggests dividing platforms by purpose—some for personal use and others strictly for business. This helps manage focus and reduce distractions.  She has some other great suggestions in this lively conversation

Time Blocking: Instead of stressing over posting frequently, spend a set amount of time each day engaging with your community and creating content.

Content Strategy: Balance your posts between connection and conversion. Andrea recommends the 80/20 rule—80% of content should aim to connect with the audience, and 20% should focus on conversion.

Reflect Business Activity: Use real business interactions and questions as the foundation of your content, keeping your updates relevant and engaging

Define Social Media Goals: Understand what you want to achieve with social media, whether it’s building authority or driving sales. This clarity can help turn social media from a chore into a valuable tool.

For more insights, check out Andrea's podcast, the Savvy Social Podcast, and her website, http://onlinedrea.com.

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The internet is fueled by cats. Cute cats, funny cats, grumpy cats, cat photos and cat videos. It's cats, cats, cats, all day long. I'm actually okay with that because I like cats. We even had two cats, Clyde and Truman who lived Roundpeg  and if you followed us on social media you would see them regularly featured.  Clyde even had her own Facebook page and probably has more fans than I did.

And it is this love of cats that kind of inspired us to do a fun promotion for our marketing seminars. We designed an ad with a headline that said:  Free Kittens with every seminar. If you read the fine print, we weren't giving away kittens but you did get a chance to play with our cats

It was a little bit out there, so we wondered how our audience would react, so we created a more traditional version as an alternative.  We both graphics on Facebook and on LinkedIn, thinking we  we knew exactly how this was going to play out. We expected the kittens to do well on Facebook and  the more traditional version to score points on LinkedIn. 

We were wrong!.  The cats got barely got a ripple on Facebook, with few people noticing and interacting.  It certainly didn't t get the viral shares I expected. Instead the traditional graphic, when reshared to my personal page with a bit of text telling friends and family where I was going to be in the next month got lots of engagement.  

LinkedIn just the opposite. The traditional schedule got a few thumbs up but the cats went viral. The image was shared and reshared.   People kept commenting and talking about it, long after the seminars were over.

The lesson we learned:  Don't be afraid to shake things up. Be a little silly and to go outside your box or simply look for ways to do exactly the opposite of what everybody else is doing.  If you can do that, you are more likely to get noticed.

 

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Monica Pitts, founder of MayeCreate Design and host of the "Marketing with Purpose" podcast brought her energy and humor to this conversation about your website.    Like me, she considers it a critical part of your overall marketing.

1. Authenticity and Realness: She emphasizes the importance of using real images instead of stock photos and writing website content in your own authentic voice. Being genuine helps customers connect with you.
2. Storytelling: Your business is unique. Even in a cluttered industry, you need to find your unique stories and tell it on your website instead of using generic marketing language.
3. Consistency: Once you embrace your unique voice, you need to maintain it is message across all platforms, from your website and social media, to in person interactions.  This cohesive brand experience helps prospective customers understand who they will really be working with. Not everyone will appreciate your unique voice.  That's ok, the ones who do, will make the best customers.
4. Practical Tips for Content:  Content is everywhere.  One great source are you sales and customer service teams. Every day they hear the questions customers want answered.  Use the questions and answers to fuel your content.
5. Website Performance: Speed is everything.  Beyond the great content and effective conversion forms, your website must be driven by a powerful and fast engine to deliver information to visitors quickly, before they click away

What To Put On Your Website - A page-by-page website content checklist. Learn what to put where and how to make it all come together for a website that’s as easy to use as a coffee cup. GET STARTED NOW 

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I know you think we’ve talked SEO to death, but the field keeps changing and there are different approaches. My guest Meg Casebolt explains many people think think SEO is incredibly complex and you need to have an expensive team come in to fix your website for it.  They also assume you must produce boatloads of content to be successful.

She doesn’t think either of those things is true.  Today, the trick is not quantity, but content which clearly defines who you serve and how you help that audience.  Here are a few simple tips that can easily improve your SEO

Optimizing Existing Content: Utilize tools like Google Search Console to identify what content is already performing well. Update and repurpose existing content, and create cornerstone pages that compile related resources, which can rank better in search results.

Link Building and Authority: Effective use of internal and external links can enhance SEO. Linking to and from reputable sites builds credibility and signals to search engines that your content is trustworthy and authoritative.

Creating Leads through SEO: Every piece of content should direct users towards further engagement, whether that’s filling out a contact form or accessing a lead magnet. This strategy turns SEO into a tool for generating and nurturing leads, not just driving traffic.

Content Strategy Alignment: Align content creation with your lead magnets and overall marketing goals. By reverse-engineering from lead magnets, you can create content that naturally leads users through the customer journey, ultimately converting them into leads.

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I'm sure you're familiar with the story of Prince Charming. He went trudging through his kingdom carrying a shoe looking for the prefect girl. He tried it on multiple people until he finally found his one true love.

Well, that's a fairy tale but it has real applications for your marketing. In a way you have to be like prince charming. You have to go trudging through different types of marketing until you find something that fits. You're going to consider and reject a lot of things before you find that perfect marketing for your business.

But here's the catch. Unlike prince charming you don't always get to live happily ever after. That dream solution is great this year but it may not be perfect next year and so you've got to be willing to go trudging through marketing solutions over and over again to continually find the best fit for your business. 

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Sometimes, as business owners and marketers, we get so wrapped up in what excites us about our products or services that we lose sight of what matters to our audience. That’s exactly what Brad Koch, a coach and business strategist, discovered the hard way.

Brad talks about what went wrong as he shared a story of a marketing campaign that fell flat—and the lessons he learned about crafting messaging his customers really cared about. 

Key Takeaways:

1. Shift the focus to your audience’s needs. Brad’s original campaign focused on features and specs that excited his team but didn’t address the real pain points of his target audience. The "aha" moment came when he realized his messaging needed to solve his customers' problems, not highlight his product’s capabilities.

2. Be the guide, not the hero. Effective marketing positions your customer as the hero of the story and your business as the guide who helps them succeed.  

3. Clarity beats complexity. Trying to say everything in your marketing only dilutes your message. Narrow your focus, be clear, and trust that a simple, specific message will have more impact than a long list of features.

4. Get an outside perspective. Brad emphasized the value of fresh eyes. Whether it’s a trusted colleague, a coach, or an external consultant, feedback from someone outside your organization can help you see what your audience sees—and spot the gaps you’re too close to notice.

Actionable Insights: Before launching your next marketing campaign, ask yourself:

• Does this message solve a problem for my audience?
• Am I guiding them toward their success?
• Is my message clear and focused?
• Have I sought feedback from someone outside my team?

Learn more about Brad

And if you have enjoyed this conversation, be sure to check out all the resources for small business owners at More than A Few Words

 

Your audience is out there. The people that are just dying to work with you. The problem is they don't know you exist.  Being a guest on a podcast can help those ideal clients get to know you.

My guest, Jamie Atkinson, shared some great tips on how you can be invited to be a guest on more podcasts. 

1. Podcasting for Visibility: Podcasting provides an easy platform for organic conversations, helping entrepreneurs reach new audiences and make more sales.

2. Finding Podcast Opportunities: Utilize platforms like "Need a Guest" on Facebook, connecting podcasters with potential guests, making it easier to get booked on shows.

3. Crafting Effective Pitches: When reaching out to podcast hosts, be transparent, do research, leave a 5-star review, and emphasize how you can promote the episode for a win-win collaboration.

4. Consistency is Key: Spend time daily reaching out to multiple hosts. Aim for two podcast appearances per week to maximize exposure and reach new audiences.

JOIN THE FACEBOOK GROUP 

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If you missed my conversation with Jeff Felton about using email to build trust with prospects, take a few minutes to listen now. 

Most people think about email marketing as a sales tool. But my guest, Jeff Felten thinks it is so much more.  Email can play a valuable role as a way to build trust and relationships with your audience.

1. Trust is the Currency of Business: This is especially for service-based professionals. While many talk about the impressive ROI of email marketing, Jeff believes that for service businesses, trust is even more critical than immediate sales.

2. Social Proof and Generosity: These are the two main strategies to build trust. Social proof involves showcasing past successes and client testimonials. Meanwhile, generosity, such as providing valuable content and offering one's time, can also foster trust and engagement.

3. Engage in Conversations: Encourage your email recipients to reply as a means of starting conversations. It humanizes the interaction and helps identify qualified prospects.

4. Replies as the Holy Grail: While opens and clicks are important metrics, replies indicate genuine interest and can lead to meaningful conversations, 

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A few weeks ago, I dropped a quick marketing tip about creating less content.  That advice might seem counter intuitive when you are engaged in the battles of the content wars.  But the trick is  finding ways to expand your content.  I shared some suggestions on how repurpose your content instead of reinventing the wheel.

Now, I have one more suggestion.  Let AI do the work for you. Don't get me wrong, I am not advocating you actually publish that very stuffy, or all too bro style content.  Instead, let AI do what it does best.  Summarize transcripts of interviews and meetings.   Create bullet lists, social shares or blog posts from your original content.  Yes, you will still need to rewrite, but at least you have a starting point. 

And my new favorite too is Opus Pro,  which will transform a longer video, into a series of short, binge-worthy clips. 

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Business owners often tell me they know some of their marketing is working they just don't know which part.  So as a result, they waste a lot of money on the wrong types of marketing. So I invited Sara Nay, of Duct Tape Marketing to join me for a conversation about how business owners can stop wasting money. 

She had some great tips.  

1. Strategic Approach Over Tactical Rush: Many business owners dive into marketing tactics without a clear strategy. Instead of blindly following trends or competitor actions, they should focus on understanding their target audience and crafting messages that resonate on the right channels. It's about thinking strategically about the entire customer journey, not just individual marketing tactics.

2. Measuring Success and ROI: Another common mistake is not measuring the effectiveness of marketing efforts. Metrics like conversion rates, click-through rates, and customer retention are crucial for determining the success of marketing campaigns. Without proper tracking and analysis, businesses may continue investing in ineffective strategies.

3. Holistic Marketing Hourglass Approach: The interview introduces the concept of the "Marketing Hourglass," emphasizing the importance of guiding customers through the stages of know, like, trust, try, buy, repeat, and refer. This holistic approach involves not only attracting new leads but also nurturing relationships, ensuring customer satisfaction, and encouraging referrals for sustainable growth.

4. Customer-Centric Focus: Successful marketing starts with taking care of existing customers. If businesses fail to retain or satisfy their current clients, no amount of marketing can compensate for poor service or product quality. Prioritizing customer experience and satisfaction lays the foundation for effective marketing efforts.

5. Continuous Optimization and Adaptation: Businesses should regularly evaluate their marketing strategies, track relevant metrics, and adjust their approaches based on data insights. Continuous optimization ensures that resources are allocated effectively and that marketing efforts remain aligned with business goals.

Go to: https://dtm.worldback/growth to learn more.

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A flywheel, builds energy, as you push it slowly over time it gets faster and faster and faster.  A marketing flywheel will do that as well. With consistent action, the marketing flywheel will deliver more and more results. 

In this conversation from our archive, Josh Ramsey explains the Marketing Flywheel revolves around three pillars. 

1. Building Lasting Impressions: Tell a clear story and have a unique design so customers remember you when they're ready to buy, even if they're not ready now.

2. Easy to Find, Easy to Buy: Just as a product needs to be on the shelf in a physical store, it must also be readily accessible online. Competitive pricing, ease of purchase, and fast loading times are essential components of your easy to buy strategy.

3. Reach Everyone: Connect with all kinds of customers, not just the ones already looking for you, to grow your business. Instead of focusing narrowly, cast a wider net while still targeting the most promising groups.

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I love working with entrepreneurs. They’re excited and enthusiastic and their energy is contagious as they talk about their great idea. Unfortunately, I often have to tell these amazing people I can’t help them because excitement and energy is not enough to make a business successful.

Usually it’s because their idea is only half-baked. There’s a good concept but they haven’t really done the homework to fill in the details. The gaps usually occur in one of several categories

• Not enough experience in the industry
• They haven’t thought through the fulfillment process
• Incomplete competitive assessment

In this episode, I share a few examples of how half-baked ideas could have been completed with a little work and a little patience  but entrepreneurs are impatient.

Don’t let this happen to you.  If you have an idea for a business do your homework learn about the industry, your competitors and your customers.  Give your idea a chance to succeed by putting it back in the oven for a little while. When you’re ready to talk about your half baked marketing idea give me a call  

If you are like many small business owners, you're probably laying awake at night worrying about your business, working all day long and in your spare time, thinking about your business Well, according to Joey Drolshagen that's not the way to get ahead.  

He suggests:

Mindset Shift: From the traditional notion of hard work to a more strategic approach, Joey challenges the idea that exhaustive effort is the only path to success,.

Awareness and Alignment: Many business owners dive into tasks without considering alignment with their goals, leading to burnout and inefficiency.

Dynamic Vision: Your vision should inspire and motivate you, helping you make prioritize tasks and make better decisions.

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Open-mindedness and Learning: Even if you have been doing this for awhile, Joey stresses the importance of having an open mind and a beginner's mindset.  

Systems and Delegation: When you have systems in place and get comfortable with delegating it is easier to focus on working on the business rather than just in it 

LEARN MORE ABOUT JOEY - https://coachwithjoey.com

 

I love to tell stories. Not only because they’re fun, but because they’re great for business.  That’s why I was excited to sit down with master storyteller, David Hutchins a few years ago.   If you missed the conversation back then, here's you chance to learn more about storytelling. 

1. The Power of Stories: Stories create connection and belief, which leads to better outcomes in business.

2. Selecting the Right Stories: Choosing the right stories by strategically identifying the types of stories that align with a business's goals  drive engagement and shape the organization's culture.

3. "Us at Our Best" Stories: These stories illustrate what it looks like when a business is delivering top-notch value and excellence.

4. Intentional Storytelling: Hutchens stresses that storytelling should be intentional and methodical, crafting stories purposefully to achieve their desired results.

5. Repetition and Consistency: The more often people hear the stories, the  more likely that people will engage with the business's vision and goals.

If you’ve enjoyed this conversation sign up for a weekly newsletter get links to episodes you might’ve missed and other resources for your business :  https://morethanafewwords.com/avoid-fomo/

I love email .  It is not that I love getting email in my inbox. But I love email as a marketing tool. 

There are a lot of people who say things like "email doesn't work" or "it's passe"  They argue there are all sorts of other tools. you can use that are so much more effective.

Well,  I agree,  other tools do exist, but there are some things email does better than any other tool. 

When I have permission to send you  an email we have an interaction that is one on one in your inbox.  There are no distractions. Even if it's only a few seconds I'm the only thing you're paying attention to.

People open emails every single day.  They may ignore social media, taking a break from Tik Tok but too much of their life is still wrapped up in their email . So if you've got a marketing message. You need to be thinking about delivering it in an email.

If you’ve enjoyed this conversation sign up for a weekly newsletter get links to episodes you might’ve missed and other resources for your business :  https://morethanafewwords.com/avoid-fomo/

In life you are often judged by the company that you keep.  The same is true online, your reputation is influenced by who you run with and the clubs to which you belong.  You demonstrate those connections through backlinks. What are backlinks? How do you get them? Why do you need them?  Those are just some of the questions I asked Brandon Leibowitz

1. What Are Backlinks?
   • Backlinks are clickable links from other websites that point to your site. For example, if an article on Forbes.com links to your website, you gain a backlink from Forbes. The more quality websites that link to your site, the more credible and trustworthy you appear to search engines like Google.
2. Strategies for Cultivating Backlinks:
   • Analyze Your Competitors: Tools such as Moz, Semrush, and Ahrefs can help you identify who is linking to your competitors. By examining their backlink profiles, you can discover potential opportunities for your own site.
   • Guest Posting: Offer to write valuable guest posts for other blogs in your industry. This provides value to the host website while also giving you an opportunity to earn a backlink.
3. Focus on Quality Over Quantity:
   • Not all backlinks are created equal. Links from reputable, high-authority sites carry more weight than links from lower-quality or irrelevant sites. M
   • Avoid linking to or receiving links from sites that don't align with your niche. Google watches who you link to and who links to you, and mismatched or spammy links can harm your SEO.
4. Avoid Spammy Backlink Offers:
   • If you receive unsolicited emails offering content in exchange for a backlink, be cautious. These offers often come from questionable sources and could damage your credibility. Choose quality sites and build genuine relationships instead.
5. User Experience Matters:
   •  Linking to irrelevant or low-quality sites can harm the user experience, leading visitors to leave your site and not return.

If you’ve enjoyed this conversation sign up for a weekly newsletter get links to episodes you might’ve missed and other resources for your business :  https://morethanafewwords.com/avoid-fomo/

 

Let’s face it: whether it’s a middle school rumor or a scathing online review, negative feedback stings. As business owners, those harsh words often hit close to home because they’re not just about our work—they’re about us. In this episode of More Than a Few Words, I chatted with David Oates, a seasoned crisis communications expert, about how to handle negative reviews and comments with grace. David shared practical advice on how to respond with "empathy and action"—a simple yet powerful approach to defuse tension, protect your brand, and show others that you care about making things right.

Key Takeaways:

1. Empathy and Action Are Key: When responding to negative reviews or comments, show understanding without immediately accepting blame. Apologize for the experience and offer to make things right, which reassures current and potential customers of your commitment to service.

2. Avoid Ignoring or Arguing: Ignoring negative feedback implies indifference, while arguing online escalates conflict. Both approaches can harm your reputation. Instead, focus on resolving the issue calmly and professionally.

3. Use Reviews as Insights: Positive and negative reviews are goldmines for understanding your customers. Positive reviews can inspire marketing language, while negative ones offer valuable lessons to improve.

4. Solicit Feedback Proactively: Regularly ask for customer feedback and make it easy for satisfied customers to leave reviews on platforms like Google or Yelp. This helps balance out any negative comments with authentic, glowing endorsements.

5. Think Old-School, Act Online: Just as local shopkeepers once chatted with customers over the counter, business owners today can build relationships and trust through online interactions. Approach these conversations with the same care and humanity you’d show in person.

Actionable Tips:

• Monitor reviews and social media mentions regularly to stay on top of feedback.
• Respond promptly and empathetically to negative comments, signaling your commitment to customer care.
• Encourage happy customers to leave reviews to showcase your strengths.
• Remember: every interaction, even online, is a chance to build trust and loyalty.

Want more great advice? Check out David's  website and connect with him on LinkedIn.

For additional resources to grow your business, head over to More Than a Few Words.

From my archive: 

When you started your business you probably assumed that sooner or later you would get around to building a life to go with it.  According to guest Nicole Bandes, that is not necessarily the best way to approach things. She believes you can actually build a successful business around your amazing life.  

Here are a few of the key points from our conversation

1. Ditch Tradition and Embrace Your Own Path:

   • Many of us feel pressure to follow traditional paths set by our parents or grandparents. But when you  forge your own paths you can design a business that suits your lifestyle and values.  

2. Seek Harmony, Not Balance:

   • The idea of work-life balance can feel unattainable, but focusing on harmony offers a more realistic approach. It allows you to dedicate more time to your business when needed, like during a launch or product creation. The trick is to use flexibility to prioritize personal interests and family time when you are not in crunch time.  

3. Outsource and Delegate:

   • There’s never a wrong time to start delegating. Outsourcing tasks that take up too much of your time or aren’t in your wheelhouse, such as bookkeeping, can free you up to focus on what you love and excel at. 

4. Strategic Time Management:

   • Be strategic with your time. Eliminate unnecessary tasks and avoid chasing every shiny object.  

5. Look for Support Systems:

   • Look for ways to build your own support systems, whether it's hiring someone for administrative tasks or leveraging tools and resources to streamline your processes.

If you’ve enjoyed this conversation sign up for a weekly newsletter get links to episodes you might’ve missed and other resources for your business :  https://morethanafewwords.com/avoid-fomo/

One of the most common mistakes business owners make is thinking that there’s some single magic key word or phrase that they must dominate. But that just isn’t how search works anymore. Why? Because today, people are more likely to use natural language as they type or dictate to Siri. So instead of typing a short phrase like furnace repair, they’re more likely to ask “Who can I call to replace my furnace?” or “Why is my furnace making a funny sound?”

 

Today if a prospective customer goes  to Google to look for a business like yours, they are using phrases and questions.  And your website must contain those words. They tell Google and other search engines exactly what your website or page is about. That information is then stored in the search engine database so it can be presented to prospective customers when they’re looking for a product or service.

 

As you think about your keywords, think about natural language and how people are more likely to talk when they’re looking for a business like yours.

 

If you’ve enjoyed this conversation sign up for a weekly newsletter get links to episodes you might’ve missed and other resources for your business :  https://morethanafewwords.com/avoid-fomo/

Client relationships are just that, they are relationships.  While you hope that every new clients is in it for the long haul, we've all had those clients that we wanted to break up with.  So as you are looking for your next client relationship, maybe you need to think about it like a date.  Jennifer Tamborski, a seasoned digital marketing strategist, shared some of the parallels between dating and client acquisition. Just like dating there are stages in the process: Introduction, flirting, dating, commitment, and keeping the romance alive.

1. The Introduction - It is about knowing who your ideal client is and creating marketing how to attract them messaging to attract them. 
2. Flirting through content and communication: This is about creating awareness and engaging with potential clients through the right channels and content. Knowing where your ideal clients hanging out and tailoring messages to attract their attention.  
3. Dating - Next, prospects have to get to know you. Using lead magnets and drip campaigns build the relationship slowly, over time. Too many people try to rush the process pushing the sale and commitment before the prospect is ready. 
4. Maintaining long-term relationships: Once clients have committed, keeping the relationship strong involves nurturing them with continued engagement. Effective email marketing and providing added value can help maintain client relationships over time.