More Than A Few Words

Some of the content that's doing really well on LinkedIn right now are the multi image posts putting together two or three related images and putting that in your feed like a carousel or just a collage really grabs the attention because it's different than the single images that everyone else is putting out there. Those multiple images allow you to tell a more complete story. The second thing that is dominating LinkedIn right now is video. Video, video. The beautiful thing is that you do not need to create video just for LinkedIn. You can use the same shorts that you're putting on YouTube and TikTok and Facebook and share them. On LinkedIn to create that brand exposure and deliver your message.    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 had so much fun welcoming back Kendra Corman back to the show.  An accomplished marketing strategist whose insights are as practical as they are powerful. Kendra’s worked with everyone from small businesses to global brands like Jeep, bringing her marketing expertise to a range of clients. Today, we dug into the ever-evolving world of AI and how it can be a real game-changer for social media and email marketing. Now, if you know me, you know my relationship with AI is complicated. I love the possibilities, but I’m a bit wary of giving up too much control, especially when it comes to my voice. But Kendra shared some great tips and tricks to get the best of both worlds—leveraging AI to streamline content creation while keeping it uniquely “you.”   Training AI in Your Voice: Start by “teaching” AI how you sound. Share real content, like podcast transcripts to help AI learn your unique tone. The result? Content that’s in your voice, whether you’re crafting a LinkedIn post, a Facebook update, or an email newsle

If you've been around business as long as I have—or even half as long—you know the cycles are inevitable. There are highs, there are lows, and the real question is: how prepared are you for the downturns? That’s the heart of this conversation from my archive, with  than Matt Nettleton, a sales powerhouse and founder of DTB Sandler Training. Matt’s seen it all, from both the trenches and the boardroom, and he knows exactly how to help salespeople elevate their game. In fact, he’s the reason my own business took off years ago when he was my sales coach. Here are just a few of the key points from our conversation:    Maximize Your CRM: A CRM only helps if it’s used effectively. Make sure it’s tracking meaningful data and guiding your sales efforts—not just sitting idle. Follow a Consistent Sales Process: Having a structured sales process moves prospects predictably from strangers to loyal clients. Don’t rely on luck; create repeatable steps for success. Refine Your Story: Your story should resonate with

If you are like me, you work hard to get a prospect. There's marketing to get them interested and usually a series of conversations and proposal before you close the sale. So when you have an interested prospect, it is hard to let go, but sometimes you should. Years ago I was approached by the marketing manager at a fairly large company looking to outsource some of their work to a smaller firm, like mine. He was very impressed with his credentials and the fact that he had this big company behind him. Right from the beginning of our conversation he began to throw the weight of his company around. He was arrogant and quite honestly, a bit rude. I started out being polite, trying to overlook his rudeness. After a few minutes, however, my internal alarm began to sound. I realized our communication was not going to improve if we worked together. The warning bells rang louder and louder in my head. I didn’t like him. I didn’t like his arrogance or his attitude or his unrealistic expectations that I would drop every

I had a chance to sit down with Facebook ad expert Carol Kabaale to demystify Meta's advertising platform. Whether you’re a social media newbie or someone who’s been burned by past ad campaigns, Carol offers practical advice on how to navigate the Meta algorithm and create ads that actually work. As an advocate for women entrepreneurs, Carol breaks it down step by step, making Facebook ads less intimidating and more accessible for business owners at any level. Start with What’s Already Working Carol’s first piece of advice is simple: look at your best-performing organic content and turn it into an ad. Whether it's a reel, carousel, or post, your winning content is likely already sitting on your page. Why reinvent the wheel when you can put a small budget behind what’s proven to resonate? Pay to Play: Why It’s Worth It Meta platforms are no longer a free-for-all when it comes to organic reach. Even a small budget—think as little as $5—can make a significant difference. It's about getting more eyes on your cont

Are you taking advantage of the LinkedIn newsletter tool? If not, you're missing a huge opportunity. Sure, you've been creating newsletters for years and you have your audience. But there are people you are connected to on LinkedIn who will never subscribe to your newsletter. By taking that same content and moving it to this platform, you have an opportunity to deliver your message to a much wider audience, connecting and engaging with an entirely different group of people. When you are using the LinkedIn newsletter tool your newsletter is delivered from LinkedIn. So you have that umbrella of a much larger organization backing and supporting your content.  In a way they are endorsing your message. 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/    

Are you curious about the power of curiosity itself? If so, this conversation with Emily Aborn, an experienced copywriter, speaker, and podcast host, will draw you in. Emily shares her insights on the art of curiosity marketing—a strategy that builds intrigue by inviting people to wonder, engage, and connect deeper. In our interview, she unveils the process of creating content that is compelling, relatable, and keeps people coming back for more. Key Takeaways: Curiosity Marketing Defined: Emily describes curiosity marketing as the creation of a gap between what we know and what others are curious about. She emphasizes that striking the right balance between curiosity and clarity avoids confusion and keeps audiences engaged and wanting to know more. Knowing Your Audience: Understanding your audience’s background is essential. Emily shares that by grasping what your audience already knows, as well as their challenges, you can build content that speaks directly to their interests and keeps them intrigued.

I had a great conversation about what it really takes to start a business and build it into something successful—even if the odds seem stacked against you. My guest Jeanne Omlor, went from being a 54-year-old single mom in debt to a multi-seven-figure online business owner—all without spending a dime on ads! Key Takeaways: Take the First Step: Instead of getting overwhelmed by a to-do list, focus on the one thing you can do today to start moving forward. Jeanne calls it "getting your foot in the door." Focus on Revenue-Generating Actions: Before worrying about websites or business cards, prioritize actions that lead directly to a sale—like talking to people and making offers. Start Without Ads or Fancy Tech: Jeanne proves you can scale a business without expensive ads or complicated tech. Use free tools like social media to connect with your audience. The Power of Imperfection: Don't wait for things to be perfect. Start selling your product or service now, and perfect it as you go. Embrace Fear as Motivation:

I've been podcasting for 15 years. And in the early days of the show, I experimented with a lot of different formats.. But I have to admit over the last few years, I've kind of fallen into a rut. And when I look at my listener data, it shows. So it's time to shake it up a little bit with  feedback from you. What would you like to hear? What would get you excited about another episode of more than a few words in your feed? DM me on any social platform, drop me a note at hello@morethanafewords.com or take a minute to complete this  survey https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sv/AWHOIJ0/MTFW

 Many small business owners might think that outdoor ads are only for big brands or political campaigns with massive budgets, but Charlie breaks down how businesses of all sizes can benefit from this often-overlooked channel. We talked about the creative flexibility of outdoor advertising—it’s not just billboards! From wrapping cars to printing ads on pizza boxes, the opportunities to grab attention in unique ways are endless. And here’s the best part—outdoor advertising is measurable. Gone are the days when you'd throw an ad out into the world and hope for the best. With today’s tools, you can track impact, using methods like mobile IDs and even pixel tracking on websites. We also dove into the importance of simplicity in outdoor ad creative—sometimes less is more. For a billboard, you've got about five seconds to make an impression, so a concise, punchy message works best. And no, don’t even think about using long URLs or QR codes on highway billboards—Charlie and I agree that’s just dangerous! Overall, it

If you've been in business for any length of time, what I want you to do is answer a simple question. If you could only work with three clients, who would it be? Go back, look at all of the companies that you've worked with, all the people you've worked with, and pick your top three. It's not easy because there might be lots of favorites. When you narrow it down and you identify those three customers, because of the projects that you did with them, because of who they were, or how you worked together whether you realize it or not, you've identified your niche.  This is your your sweet spot. Now what you need to do is figure out how did they become clients and how can you get more customers just like them? If you're ready to start narrowing in on your niche, give me a buzz. We can set up an office hour conversation and figure it out together. https://morethanafewwords.com/office-hours/  

Everybody loves a getaway, and retreats offer the perfect opportunity to renew, refresh, and learn something new. But what if you're a coach or consultant looking to host a retreat? How do you package your knowledge and skills into a transformative experience that draws in your ideal clients?  Michelle Perad, an intuitive guide, consultant, and founder of Multi-Dimensional Leaders (MDL) shared her expert tips on planning a successful retreat that’s not only impactful but also a five-figure opportunity. Collaborate to Share Costs and Expertise Planning a retreat can feel overwhelming, especially when you think about all the logistics—location, content, and invitations. Michelle suggests considering a collaborative retreat model. By partnering with someone who complements your expertise, you can share costs and responsibilities while offering attendees a more holistic experience. This not only eases the financial burden but also allows both you and your partner to play to your strengths. For example, if you're

I am a LinkedIn junkie, but unlike people with other addictions, I'm not looking for a 12-step program to cure me of my habit because I think LinkedIn is healthy for my business. Instead, what I've done is developed a six-step process that allows me to simplify content creation and improve the quality of the content I'm creating. The six steps are easy. Define your objective. Figure out why you're really on LinkedIn and what you can realistically accomplish. Build out your profile and becoming someone people want to get to know. Identify who your target audience really is and getting laser focused on putting messages out there that are relevant for them. Spend the majority of my time engaging with the content that other people put out there, strategically connecting with other individuals. And finally, when you do all those five things well, creating content is easy.  Looking for a more detailed look at this process?   Watch the Video Now   

This time of year, we always start thinking about the holidays and holiday marketing.  That's why I was so excited to chat with Caroline Balinska on holiday marketing.  Here are 5 key points from my conversation with Caroline Plan in advance: One of the biggest mistakes businesses make is not planning holiday campaigns early enough. Starting at least three months in advance to set up social media posts, emails, and design imagery is not too early Focus on relevant holidays: Not all holidays are relevant to every business. It's important to pick holidays that align with your products. For instance, World Animal Day is more relevant for pet-related products than Valentine's Day. Stand out with unique content: For holiday campaigns, businesses should create fresh and themed content, including new imagery and emotional trigger words that resonate with their target audience. Leverage post-holiday opportunities: Businesses can continue benefiting from holidays even after they pass by extending promotions or

One of the questions that I get asked on a regular basis is, what's the best marketing platform? Where should I be spending my limited marketing dollars and time? And every time I hear that question, I think about something my boss said to me way back in my corporate days. Rick told me  a mediocre idea executed well would outperform a brilliant one executed poorly every single time. And I really took that message to heart.  It has been the basis of my marketing through my whole career.  So my advice to you as you're trying to find that one perfect platform, stop! Stop looking for the one perfect marketing venue and instead find one thing to execute perfectly. Looking for some help on developing your execution plan? Give me a buzz. I'd love to work with you.  https://morethanafewwords.com/office-hours/  

Your Website: More Than Just Pretty – It’s a Salesperson That Never Sleeps Your website isn’t just a pretty face for your business. Done right, it’s a 24/7 salesperson, constantly working to attract and convert leads even when you’re not. But how do you make sure your website pulls its weight? I sat down with **Lori Highby**, owner of Keystone Click, to get to the bottom of what makes a website not only visually appealing but also a powerful sales tool. Here are some key takeaways: Speak to Your Customer’s Pain Your website’s primary job is to solve your customer’s problem. Lori emphasized the importance of understanding your *ideal customer* and addressing their pain points right from the start. Visitors are looking for solutions, and if your site speaks directly to their problems, it will grab their attention immediately.  *Tip*: Each page of your website should focus on *one* problem or pain point. Avoid overwhelming your audience by trying to solve everything on a single page. Pass the “Billboard Test Lor

From my archive, a great conversation with Denise Praul If a prospective customer is introduced to you by someone they trust, you're far more likely to close that sale than if they stumbled upon you on Google. That’s the beauty of referral marketing, and it goes beyond traditional word of mouth. But how do you create a system that consistently brings in high-quality referrals? That’s what this conversation is all about. 1. Referrals = Borrowed Trust When someone is referred to you, you’re borrowing the reputation of the person who made the referral. This is a game-changer because the new client comes in with a built-in level of trust that makes closing the sale much easier. They’re not starting from scratch—they already believe in you because someone they trust vouched for you. 2. Focus on the Benefits, Not Just the Features It’s easy to get caught up in the technical details of your product or service, but customers are more interested in how it benefits them. Denise points out that for referral partners to

We often get advice about how we should interact and engage on social media. You need to be subtle. Don't be too pushy. Don't jump to offering your product and services right away. That is all good advice. I would never want to walk into a networking event and start talking to the very first person I meet about how I can help them without finding out a little bit about them. But, sometimes that advice to be subtle takes us in the wrong direction. We're so careful not to promote our product or services that people don't know what it is we really do. I know I can be guilty of this and so today I'm going to tell you I work with businesses that have spent money on marketing and are not satisfied with the results. They're looking for a quick independent assessment of what they're doing and how they can do it better. Sound like you? Well then book an appointment today. Oh, and come back and listen to longer episodes of More Than a Few Words wherever you listen to podcasts.   BOOK AN OFFICE HOUR -   

Loved chatting with Helene Gidley, founder of A2 Agile Incorporated, about how an an agile approach can help small business owners stay organized, adapt to change, and avoid burnout. Here are a few key takeaways: Agile is about visibility and adaptability: Helene emphasizes the importance of making your work visible and breaking it into small, manageable chunks. This allows you to respond to changes quickly and see progress incrementally. Keep tasks visible: She suggests using physical tools like sticky notes to keep tasks front and center. This old-school method helps you stay focused and track your progress more effectively. Treat time as a valuable resource: Helene discusses the importance of scheduling time not just for meetings but also for completing tasks, ensuring that you prioritize and protect your time as a valuable resource, just like your budget. Break tasks into smaller steps: Large tasks can feel overwhelming, so Helene recommends breaking them down into smaller, actionable steps that ca

One of the things I love about having a podcast for 15 years, is my archive.  Buried in there are hundreds and hundreds of amazing conversations that I want to share with my current audience This conversation from early 2020 with Dr. Yamilette Willams  ( Dr. Yam) is a great example. Here are the key takeaways from my interview  on communication styles: Dr. Yam identifies four main communication styles, which are divided into two categories: outgoing vs. reserved and people-oriented vs. task-oriented. These include: D (Dominant): Outgoing and task-oriented. I (Influential): Outgoing and people-oriented. S (Steady): Reserved and people-oriented. C (Compliant): Reserved and task-oriented. She goes on to explain how recognizing the communication style of the person you're interacting with is key to effective communication. For example, task-oriented individuals prefer concise, direct communication, while people-oriented individuals respond better to engaging and emotional conversations. Understanding communic