More Than A Few Words

If you're a player in the digital space today, you need to know what it takes to get the attention of Google and encourage them to drive people to your website. To dive into this topic, I invited Barb Davids, founder of Compass Digital Strategies, to join me. She started our conversation by emphasizing that small business owners shouldn't panic when they hear about changes in Google's algorithm. The digital landscape is constantly evolving, but immediate drastic actions are unnecessary. Patience is key. Here are a few more tips from that conversation .  The S.W.E.E.T. Framework: Barb introduces her S.W.E.E.T. framework for optimizing websites for SEO, which includes: Select a target keyword: Identify what people are searching for and align your content accordingly. Work on a blog post: Create or update blog content to address the target keyword directly and provide clear, useful answers. Enhance with summaries: Optimize meta titles and descriptions to attract clicks from search results. Establis

I've been podcasting for a long time, but if I had to classify my podcast, it's an enjoyable hobby. However, there are ways to make money with your podcast, and that's what I talked with Darren Saul about. Here are some key takeaways from the conversation Sponsorship Opportunities:  Podcasts don't need to have thousands of episodes to attract sponsors. Even from the beginning, podcasters can approach companies aligned with their content to collaborate. This approach can lead to mutually beneficial partnerships where both parties promote each other. Premium Content: Offer exclusive, premium content that listeners have to pay for. While the main podcast episodes remain free, additional in-depth content, resources, or even behind-the-scenes access can be monetized through platforms like Patreon or a subscription model on the podcast's website.  The key is deciding what information to give away, and what to put behind the paywall  Consulting and Coaching: As podcasters build their audience and e

Recently, I had to clean out all of my closets because we were replacing the flooring. The process was interesting because buried deep in those closets were things I hadn't used or thought about in years. And quite frankly, I hadn't missed. Every now and then I ran across something that made me stop and say, "Wow, that's really cool, I should use that again. And it made  me thin about my marketing. When you look at all of the different things you've done over the years, you've got a marketing closet. From time to time, you need to take it all out and evaluate each piece. Is it still adding value? Is there something you forgot about that you used to do that worked really well? Are there things you just need to let go of? If you haven't done it in awhile, it is time to clean out your marketing closet. And if you need a little help, give me a buzz. Set up an office hour and we can talk about what should be in your marketing closet. 

$38 Billion!  Yes that is billion with a "b".  That is the impact women have on the global economy.  If you want a piece of that market, you need to learn how to connect with female consumers. Robyn Newton joined me for a conversation about selling to women.  Here are the key points from the conversation: Women as Powerful Consumers: Women control over 85% of purchases in the U.S., making them a key demographic for businesses to understand and cater to. They are not just the shoppers but also major influencers in the purchasing process. Understanding What Women Care About: Brands need to understand the specific values and concerns that resonate with women, such as family, health, mental well-being, the environment, inclusion, and safety. A brand's message should authentically reflect these priorities to connect effectively with female consumers. Avoiding Common Mistakes: Many businesses fail to consider women's unique buying habits and preferences, often making them feel overlooked or undervalued. It's c

There are three questions you need to answer before you launch your next marketing campaign. The questions are simple, but the answers may not be. Who is your customer? Too often, business owners try to go really broad as they define their target. If you want to create an effective marketing campaign, narrow in on a specific niche. You can always target a different audience with your next campaign. Who is your competitor? This is not a time to puff up your chest and say, I don't have any competitors because you do. And sometimes they don't even do exactly what you do, but they're competing for your customer's attention and cash. What is it that you want to accomplish with this campaign? I know you want to sell more, but do you want to sell more of a specific product? Do you want to sell more high-priced products? Are you trying to attract new customers or get your old ones to come back time and time again?  Each of those objectives will lead you down a path to a very different campaign. So before you start wo

Donna Peterson, CEO of World Innovators and I chatted , about the importance of growing and maintaining a high-quality email list. Here are a few key takeaways: Quality Over Quantity: Donna emphasizes that when it comes to email lists, having a smaller, highly-targeted list is much more effective than a large, unfocused one. A clean and updated list ensures that your messages are reaching the right audience, which can significantly improve engagement rates. Know Your Audience: Understanding your audience goes beyond just their job titles or industries. It's about knowing where they prefer to receive their content and what types of messaging resonate with them. This insight helps tailor your communication strategies for better results. Creative Engagement: Donna highlights the effectiveness of unique approaches like LinkedIn Live series to attract new subscribers. By offering valuable, easy-to-digest content, businesses can provide high perceived value without demanding a large time commitment from their audie

I enjoyed chatting with Jackson Calame about the importance of having a clear vision for your business. Here are some key takeaways: Vision Beyond Profits: Jackson emphasizes that a business vision should go beyond just making profits. He talks about creating a balance between personal well-being and professional success and highlights his mission to bridge the economic gap between North and South America. Thriving vs. Surviving: Jackson distinguishes between a survival mentality and a thriving mentality. Instead of just reacting to problems, thriving involves focusing on solutions and being your best self to achieve the best results. Power Branding: Becoming a market leader, or a "power brand," isn't about being better than others but about being the best version of yourself. Jackson shares the importance of having a strong support system, much like Batman has Alfred, to handle the technical details and allow business owners to focus on their strengths. Tools and Mechanics: He advises entrepreneurs to

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: 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. 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. Utilizing Platforms for Networking: Platforms such as podcasts, YouTube channels, or Facebook groups

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

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 will

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.

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: 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. 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 c

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 - Prope

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 t

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 f

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: La

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

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

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: 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. 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. 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. Ongoing Engagement: Automated emails can keep customers e

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. If you’ve enjoyed this conversation sign up for a weekly newsl