It's ALL Marketing: Recent Episodes
Dr. Jan Southern
Welcome to the It's ALL Marketing podcast hosted by Dr. Jan Southern, CEO of J. DelSUR Marketing Group and publisher of Effingham Magazine and Pooler Magazine in South Georgia. Join us as we chat with business owners, managers and entrepreneurs about the exciting and sometimes challenging issues in owning and operating a small business. In each episode we also offer listeners the best in business and marketing tips and strategies to help them grow their own businesses.
AI is changing the way customers find local businesses, and small business owners in South Georgia need to adapt. In this episode of Marketing the 912, Jan Southern shares practical marketing advice on how to improve your visibility in AI search results, strengthen your Google Business Profile, and make sure your website and social media are working together.
Drawing on 35 years of marketing experience and her work with businesses across Pooler, Effingham, Bryan County, and the Savannah area, Jan explains why clarity, trust, and consistency matter more than ever. She also breaks down simple action steps business owners can take right now to improve their marketing foundation.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- How AI is changing local search and customer discovery
- Why your Google Business Profile matters more than ever
- What your website needs in order to support AI visibility
- How social media has shifted from social media to interest media
- Why clear messaging beats flashy marketing
- What to fix before spending money on ads
If you own a business in Savannah, Pooler, Effingham County, Bryan County, or anywhere in South Georgia, this episode will help you understand what to update now so your marketing keeps working.
Learn more about J. DelSUR Marketing here:
https://jdelsurmarketing.com
MarketingThe912 #SouthGeorgiaBusiness #SavannahMarketing #SmallBusinessMarketing #AIMarketing #LocalSEO #GoogleBusinessProfile
How does a Savannah-born actor end up in Hollywood blockbusters alongside Tom Cruise and Captain America? In this episode of Marketing the 912, we uncover what South Georgia businesses can learn from his story.
Episode Summary
Mark McCullough grew up near Savannah and worked his way from Effingham County to the big screen. Today, he shares lessons from Hollywood that every business owner in South Georgia can apply — from consistent marketing to finding your authentic brand.
Host Jan Southern and Mark explore how the acting business mirrors entrepreneurship: building a personal brand, networking the right way, and turning rejection into momentum. With over 35 years of marketing experience, Jan connects Mark’s story to what works right here in Bryan, Effingham, and Chatham County.
If you’re growing a business in the 912, this episode is full of powerful takeaways about risk-taking, persistence, and knowing your value.
Key Takeaways
• Why personal branding matters for both actors and business owners
• The power of consistent marketing — even when results take time
• How to handle imposter syndrome and keep moving forward
• The importance of mentorship and learning from successful people
• Why authenticity is your biggest marketing advantage
Guest Bio
Mark McCullough is a Savannah native and Hollywood actor known for roles in Captain America, American Made, and Free State of Jones. He also founded The Working Actor’s Lab, coaching actors across the U.S. and abroad.
Resources Mentioned
J. DelSUR Marketing Website
Effingham Magazine
Pooler Magazine
Bryan County Magazine
MarketingThe912 #SouthGeorgiaBusiness #SavannahMarketing #912Marketing #EffinghamCounty #PoolerBusiness
Host Jan Southern sits down with Peter Brougham-Cook of the local chapters of The Alternative Board (TAB) to unpack what actually moves a business forward when times feel uncertain. Peter leads TAB boards in Savannah Georgia, Bluffton, Beaufort, and Charleston South Carolina. He shares how to help owners get out of their own way, lead teams, delegate the right work, and plan a successful exit. Jan and Peter talk about mindset, accountability, knowing your numbers, and why growth is a must—plus a few can’t-miss book recs.
Connect with Peter: LinkedIn (search “Peter Cook, TAB Lowcountry”) or tab-lowcountry.com.
Books mentioned: How to Win Friends and Influence People, Pumpkin Plan, Simple Numbers, Thou Shall Prosper.
Welcome to Marketing the 912 where we focus on the South Georgia area and provide marketing insight and interviews with local leaders and business owners.
In this episode, Jan Southern addresses how businesses can navigate today’s economic uncertainty while continuing to grow. Drawing on her 35 years of marketing experience, she explains why cutting back on marketing is the wrong move and how to stay visible even in challenging times.
Jan shares strategies for maintaining brand presence, building customer loyalty, and being “strategically loud” when competitors go quiet. She also highlights the value of email marketing, community involvement, and omnichannel approaches that keep businesses top of mind with customers.
Takeaways
- Cutting back on marketing during tough times puts your business at risk.
- Consistency builds trust and keeps your brand top of mind.
- Economic uncertainty can create opportunities for visibility if you stay present.
- Strategic, value-driven messaging stands out in a crowded market.
- Omnichannel marketing — online and offline — is key for long-term success.
- Being “loud” when competitors are quiet gives you a competitive advantage.
Welcome to Marketing the 912 where we focus on the south Georgia area and provide marketing insight and interviews with local leaders and business owners.
In this episode of Marketing the 912, Jan Southern discusses the significant growth occurring in South Georgia and how local businesses can leverage this opportunity through effective marketing strategies.
Emphasizing the importance of targeted marketing, understanding the audience, and creating a welcoming environment for newcomers, Jan outlines several key strategies for business growth. She highlights the necessity of having a solid marketing plan, being open to change, and utilizing both online and offline marketing channels to reach potential customers.
The conversation also touches on the value of community involvement and collaboration among local businesses to enhance visibility and engagement.
Takeaways
Growth in South Georgia presents a unique opportunity for businesses.
Targeted marketing is essential in a crowded market.
A solid marketing plan can significantly improve business efficiency.
Understanding your audience leads to more effective marketing strategies.
Brand identity and messaging are crucial for standing out.
An omnichannel approach is necessary to reach potential customers.
Creating a welcoming environment for newcomers can enhance customer loyalty.
Collaboration with other businesses can expand reach and visibility.
Community involvement is key to building local relationships.
Email marketing remains a powerful tool for customer engagement.
In this episode of Marketing the 912, we’re diving into the growth we’re seeing across South Georgia. From new businesses opening to major developments in our communities, there’s a lot happening, and it’s impacting how we market, build, and grow.
I talk with business owners, community leaders, and others who are directly involved in the changes shaping our region. Through my work with J. DelSUR Marketing and our local publications, I’ve seen how important it is to stay ahead of these trends and understand what they mean for your business.
We hope you find the information in this episode useful as you grow your business or career in the South Georgia market. If you do, please subscribe and share it with someone who would also benefit. A quick review goes a long way. Thank you for your support!
Now let’s get into it.
Have you tried posting to your social media accounts or dancing to the latest TikTok craze and it didn’t lead to more sales? In this episode we break it down and offer some tips to get it working again.
When was the last time you took time to really think about your goals and what excites you about your business? Maybe you want to:
- Open an additional location?
- Be prominent in your community so you can make a difference
- Have more free time
- Leave a legacy or create generational wealth
I know it’s tough but start by slowing down a little. Take the time now to get clear on where you want to go and how you are going to get there.
I hope you enjoy my musings about how I slowed down and accelerated my business.
In this episode, Jan Southern speaks to Trisha Cook - Owner/broker of The Trisha Cook Team at Keller Williams Realty. Trisha is a master at building a real estate business and she shares her take on the US real estate market, how she built her real estate business serving Georgia and South Carolina. We talk about marketing and specifically, real estate marketing. You won't want to miss this episode.
Many businesses don’t really know if their advertising is working and become pessimistic about doing more.
Advertising is too important to do without a clear strategy and a way to measure the results. Whether you are investing in print, radio, TV, digital or just social media, understanding the return on investment (ROI) is important.
In this episode we offer 7 tips to measure results of your marketing and advertising.
An article is also available here: https://jdelsurmarketing.com/is-your-advertising-even-working/
In this episode we hear the interview with Derek Horne of The Horne Law Firm in Pooler, Georgia. If you thought you knew all you needed to about Personal Injury attorneys, think again.
It isn't all about the aggressive advertising campaigns or making a profit at all costs. For this attorney, it is about caring for his clients.
Derek shares his unique and empathetic approach to personal injury cases which will leave you with a fresh perspective on the industry. Derek also shares his diverse career and the lessons he has learned along the way.
In this episode Jan Southern talks with Travis Stephens from Total Service Heating & Air in South Georgia. Travis and his wife Lisa started Total Services after years working for Lisa's family business. Through hard work, integrity and an honest business philosophy, they grew their company to a thriving operation in seven short years.
David Legasse, and his wife Carol are the owners of The Salt Table. David has had a long and successful career in marketing and advertising and shares this knowledge and experience with me, as well as how the couple started and expanded their unique business.
The Salt Table has grown to 6 locations and a thriving e-commerce business with hundreds of products. You won't want to miss this episode full of valuable insight for any business owner.
Marketing and technology is moving at a rapid pace. As business leaders, it may be overwhelming. In this episode I summarize 6 areas to focus on in the coming year. These tactics will give you the competitive advantage and help you grow your business through solid, strategic marketing.
In this episode, Jan Southern answers a few of the most common marketing questions she has received and offers sound advice for getting started with marketing, social media and brand identity.
In this episode, Jan Southern chats with Tripp Sheppard. Tripp is the president of the Bank of Newington in South Georgia. Tripp's family founded the Bank of Newington
In this episode we talk with Melissa McBride Stille. When it comes to health insurance, Melissa knows her stuff. She has been in the health insurance industry for 13 years, an independent insurance agent for four years and the sole proprietor of Stille-DeWitt Health Brokerage since 2020.
Melissa has extensive experience with Medicare and other insurance providers. She goes over the current challenges in the healthcare industry and what to look for when choosing healthcare coverage.
We also talk about how she built her business with grass roots marketing and building a network of referrals in the local area. We can learn a lot from Melissa's experience growing her business.
Enjoy
In this episode we talk about grass roots efforts and networking to grow your business. We go over the top six recommendations for using simple strategies that will help you dominate your local market before you decide to scale and expand your marketing and advertising.
Enjoy!
In this episode we talk with Pam Southard, Executive Director of the Greater Pooler Area Chamber of Commerce in Pooler, Ga. Pam shares about the importance of networking and how the Chamber helps businesses get the support they need and stay connected to their community of business owners. We also share some tips on how to network in person and online
Enjoy!
In this episode we talk with Lisa Yannett, Vice President for Horizon Staffing in Savannah.
Lisa shares timely information about the state of the employment industry and the challenges with the staffing shortages and economic challenges. If you own or manage a business that hires employees, you are not going to want to miss this episode.
This episode is a mini course on how to improve your businesses Google rankings and SEO. SEO is a fairly complex set of strategies but there are a few things you can do to move the needle and improve your company's ranking online. Enjoy!
In this episode of It's ALL Marketing, we discuss getting your brand and your message right so it appeals to just the right audience. We also talk about the challenges of managing multiple brands and companies.
Our guest on this episode is the one and only, DeeDee Morris. She is the owner and formulator for Ellen Claire Soapery in Bloomingdale, Georgia as well as the CEO of The Mo' Southern Collection.
A former nurse, DeeDee has built her business and grown her brands in just a few short years and can offer some valuable insight for up and coming entrepreneurs and other business owners.
Enjoy!
This quick episode provides 5 specific tactics to utilize local marketing strategies effectively.
Local marketing helps you stay in touch with local residents while also attracting new customers visiting or moving to the area. By combining these 5 strategies, you will improve your online search rankings, increase local traffic to your website and most importantly, bring customers into your physical location.
In this episode of It's ALL Marketing, we focus on Branding. We talk about what a brand is, what it isn't, and why it is one of the most important elements to your business. From colors, logo, company culture and customer interactions, our business brand is the sum of all the elements of your business.
We also chat with Dee Moncrief. Dee, and her husband Jimmy Moncrief own Moncrief Enterprises. Moncrief Enterprises is comprised of Moncrief Renovations, Moncrief Square Event Venue in Springfield, Georgia and Dee's real estate work. Dee has a long career in real estate among other fields and she shares with us some great stories about how she has come to be a prominent person in business in and around Effingham County, Georgia.
Enjoy!
Welcome to the It's ALL Marketing podcast. With each episode we offer tips and strategies to help you grow your business while learning from other entrepreneurs in the area.