Grow Up: Recent Episodes
Jason Parkinson & Mark Hemmer
Grow Up is a weekly podcast that seeks to help businesses grow better using technology. Discussing the top tech issues of the day, Jason Parkinson and Mark Hemmer talk about what was, what’s new, and what’s coming next in business technology. Each episode ends with practical takeaways for business leaders looking to leverage technology more effectively. With a history in traditional media, Jason and Mark have seen the changes that technology brings firsthand and want to share what they’ve learned to help others thrive in a shifting landscape.
Jason and Mark discuss the importance of a custom marketing strategy in this episode of Grow Up. Learn why it's a bad idea to listen to outside noise about what strategies or tactics are “dead” or to follow hot trends blindly.
In this episode, Jason and Mark talk about Databox with ONEFIRE analytics expert Adam Bockler. Adam explains the benefits of Databox, what similar tools can do for your business, and how ONEFIRE uses data to show client success.
What can your business learn from Facebook’s rebrand? In this episode, Jason and Mark discuss Facebook, the recent rebrand, and lessons that any business can learn and apply in their own rebranding efforts
In this episode, Jason and Mark break down Google’s latest algorithm change: BERT. What does BERT mean for your business and your approach to marketing for search and SEO? Find out on Grow Up.
We're back with a new episode next week, but this week we're back in our archives to an episode from last season when Jason & Mark talked about the reason your business should care about reaching a Gen Z audience.
Generation Z is made up of over 65 million people in the United States and by 2020, they will account for 40% of all U.S. consumers. This is a cohort of young people that can't be ignored by your business. With the media's focus on Millennials over the past 10 years, many businesses are still largely talking about that group and not thinking about the next group that's coming through High School and College right now.
Join Jason & Mark as they do a deep dive into a cohort with over $44 billion in spending power.
Show Links:
- ONEFIRE Gen-Z Information
- Grow-Up Podcast Feedback
We're heading back to the Grow Up archives for today's episode which aired last season.
While the world of merchandising isn't new, the technology that's being used to power it is. Esports is a relatively new industry where video games are played competitively and Nations is turning this captive audience into revenue through online and in-person sales of gaming merch.
Founder & CEO Patrick Mahoney got his start in the world of music merchandising for bands like the Mighty Mighty Bosstones and Oasis. When he saw the opportunity to expand this business into Esports, he jumped on the opportunity. Technology has made the barrier to entry for online businesses lower than ever.
Show Links:
We Are Nations
Manhead
Shopify
We're digging back into the Grow Up archives to resurface this important interview with Michelle Mekky about Public Relations & Influencer marketing.
Influencer Marketing. How can you get started using this modern method for marketing your business? Jason and Mark are joined by Michelle Mekky from Mekky Media to talk through influencer relations and how specific brands are using this form of marketing to grow better. Learn practical advice for how you can leverage influencers as part of your marketing strategy.
Show Links:Michelle Mekky LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellemekky/
Mekky Media Relations - http://www.mekkymedia.com/
Mekky Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/mekkymedia
ONEFIRE - https://onefire.com
In this episode of Grow Up, Jason and Mark share some easy to use free tools that businesses can deploy today to remove friction from the customer experience. Learn how you can take advantage of quick-win opportunities for your business.
Drawing on real life examples, Jason and Mark discuss keeping your business goals top-of-mind when you approach a website project. In this episode, Jason and Mark explain why Growth Driven Design is the key to an effective website project.
Jason and Mark talk with Zach Benson about how his company, Assistagram, helps individuals and businesses increase influence on Instagram. In this episode, learn how you can start driving business results on Instagram today.
Show Links:
Assistagram.us
ONEFIRE CEO and Grow Up co-host Jason Parkinson attended INBOUND 2019 in Boston. In this episode, Mark and Jason discuss HubSpot's newest features, marketing trends, and the insights that Jason picked up during his trip.
Show Links:
Gong.io
Most colleges and universities struggle to recruit and retain international students. Using technology, you can enhance the student experience for this group. Technology can help build familiarity, introduce your campus from afar, and create lasting connections. Virtual reality, personalized video, and more can help make international students feel at home, far from home.
Educating partners about the specific ins and outs of a business can be a long and frustrating process for many business owners. While finding an agency with industry expertise can provide relief, it's critical to stick with the process and allow the marketing strategy (and the professionals hired to execute it) time to deliver results. If not, many companies find themselves right back at square one.
When B2B companies are busy serving clients, they often ignore their own marketing. Credible businesses with busy owners leave their social media channels, company blog, and website on the shelf collecting dust. Prospects can get the wrong impression about a business if their marketing assets are outdated. Choosing the right strategic partner can help.
Show Links:
From Likes To Leads Webinar
Not every business needs to compete nationally. In fact, some need to reach a specific group of people or a specific area. Narrowing your marketing focus effectively is possible, with the right approach. Explore the strategies and tactics that will bring more people to your physical location(s).
Positioning members of your team as Subject Matter Experts can be a boon for your business, but it requires considerable work. You need to build and distribute the right mix of content for increased visibility, authority, and influence. With the backing of a smart strategy, you can take action to establish SMEs today.
The insurance industry is relationship driven, which can leave technology as an afterthought. Marketing technology can help detect customer’s unmet needs. Using modern marketing, insurance agents and brokers can deliver the right messages at just the right time, attracting new customers and creating upsell opportunities.
Institutions of higher learning should use a marketing mix that’s heavy on personalization to make students feel valued. Jason & Mark discuss how combining the right marketing actions with the right technology can help universities leverage personalized email and video to drive better enrollment, better engagement, and better alumni relations.
Show Links:
ONEFIRE Campus XR Platform
Promoting from within can be a challenge for companies. Inntro is a platform that helps employee retention, culture and the hiring process. Jason & Mark are joined by Inntro Founder, Steve Glynn to talk about how Inntro is going to change the way companies hire from within.
Show Links:
Inntro.me
Live events can be a successful way to capture leads and build trust with potential customers for your business. Jason & Mark are joined by Matt Queen from Chiropraise to talk about their success in hosting live events to drive leads for Chiropractors.
Show Links:
ChiroPraise.com
ChiroPraise.com/free-guide
The World Health Organization now classifies "Burn-Out" as a legitimate syndrome. They say feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion; increased mental distance from one's job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one's job; and reduced professional efficacy are all symptoms of this condition.
Jason & Mark talk about how you can void burn-out in your company and keep yourself and your employees on the path to productivity.
Show Links:
EOS
Jason & Mark are joined by social media marketing expert, Audrey Mrowiec from ArmsReach Marketing to talk about how small businesses can get started using video to grow the impact.
Show Links:
- ArmsReachMarketing.com
- ONEFIRE.com
Jason & Mark kick off season 2 of the Grow Up Podcast starting after the Fourth of July weekend.
In a world where Google & Facebook are tracking your every move online, it's almost an expectation that you have little privacy. However, if you implement specific tracking into your own website, you have the opportunity to empower your sales team with the insights they need to close more deals like never before.
Show Links:
HubSpot
Having processes in your company is nothing new, but communicating them to your customers can be powerful when done right. Jason & Mark talk about ONEFIRE's proven process and specifically why having one for your business can be a game changer.
Show Links:
ONEFIRE's Proven Process
Colleges & Universities are starting to realize that they need to embrace new technology to reach today's modern students. The same is true for your business. Jason & Mark are back from an education summit that brought great conversations with college admissions professionals from across the Midwest and ready to share what they learned from the frontlines.
Show Links:
ONEFIRE Campus XR Platform
Does social media in 2019 effectively drive the right results for your company?
Jason is joined by ONEFIRE Content Strategist, Adam Bockler. Adam is often asked to amp up a company’s organic social media presence by posting more, with the expectation that doing so will increase visitors to their website and then convert those visitors into leads.
- Does posting more content to social media increase visitors to a company’s website?
- Does posting more content to social media increase conversions of those visitors into new leads for the company?
Based on the available data, the answer to both those questions appears to be 'no.'
Show Links:
- Social Media Blog Post
- From Likes to Leads Webinar
While the world of merchandising isn't new, the technology that's being used to power it is. Esports is a relatively new industry where video games are played competitively and Nations is turning this captive audience into revenue through online and in-person sales of gaming merch.
Founder & CEO Patrick Mahoney got his start in the world of music merchandising for bands like the Mighty Mighty Bosstones and Oasis. When he saw the opportunity to expand this business into Esports, he jumped on the opportunity. Technology has made the barrier to entry for online businesses lower than ever.
Show Links:
We Are Nations
Manhead
Shopify
Everybody is using video in their marketing now, but what happens if you create unique, individual, personalized videos for every person that's watching? The results are in and they're amazing.
The click through rate on email campaigns increases by over 400% when you use personalized video. In addition to that, more people actually watch the entire video as the video completion rate increases from 38% to an incredible 72% when using personalization in the video.
Jason & Mark talk through how you can leverage personalization in your next video campaign and watch the results improve dramatically.
While ebooks, guides and the like are still valuable lead capture mechanisms for your website, the results are amplified when you use an interactive piece of content instead. Building helpful calculators, quizzes, assessments and more are a great way for your visitors to self-qualify and get the information they need, while you capture their contact information and start the nurturing process.
When it comes to content marketing, podcasts are one of the hottest mediums available today. Brands from ZipRecruiter to SquareSpace have found huge success using podcasts to reach their customers.
If you're thinking about creating your own podcast to promote your business or skills, there are a few things to consider. Jason & Mark pull back the curtain to talk about how the Grow Up podcast gets produced each week and how you can use this powerful channel for your own business.
Show Links:
- Anchor.fm (Podcasting From Your Phone)
- Zencaster (Remote Recording of Guests)
- ONEFIRE (A company who can help you produce your own Podcast)
With so many companies now trying to sell you on "Digital Ads," how can you be sure what will work most effectively for your business? Should you trust a billboard company, radio station or newspaper with your digital advertising?
Jason Parkinson & Mark Hemmer spend time dissecting the different types of paid ads online (PPC, Display Ads, Pre-Roll Ads, Social Media Boosts and more) while educating you on the best way to use each for your business.
Compare your marketing actions to a tree. Roots are largely unseen and don’t attract as many leads or attention. But, they keep the business stable and strong. Branches jut out and make an impression. They provide a clear burst of growth.
If your marketing strategy has all branches, there may not be enough roots to support it long-term and the whole thing could topple over. If your strategy is all roots, it may not fit your short-term goals.
Jason & Mark talk about taking a strategic approach, helping you plan the right mix of roots & branches to meet your business goals.
Jason & Mark talk through the ways you can improve your business by being flexible with your marketing actions and strategy.
The current education system has become less effective as today's students are adapting to changing technology. Do you need to memorize math equations? No. You have calculators and search engines that exist to help you. What about spelling words? Nope. Every modern device now auto-corrects your spelling. What happens when you empower other students to teach those less experience? Even more exciting, how do you implement this way of teaching into your workplace?
Jason and Mark are joined by Dr. Kevin Berkopes from Crossroads Education to discuss their new "Learning Commons" model. Funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, this modern approach to education is going to change the world.
Show Links:
Crossroads Education
Have you considered using seminars as a source for generating leads for your business? Jason & Mark talk about the benefits of leveraging live events and pre-recorded webinars as an effective marketing tool.
Show Links:
Jet Webinar - Automated Webinars
ONEFIRE Digital Marketing
People are using Alexa, Siri & Google Home at increasing rates. Is your business set up to be found through these new communication channels? Author Kim Brown from Centrally Human joins Jason & Mark to talk about how your business can make a really human connection with your prospects and customers.
Show Links:About Kim & Her Book - http://www.centrallyhuman.com/
Kim's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-weisensee-brown/
Jason and Mark talk about the pieces of technology that can exist in an organization to help them work more efficiently. While some of these pieces of tech are commonplace in some organizations, others could benefit from jumping on the bandwagon and modernizing their operations.
Show Links:Slack - https://slack.com/
TimeBot - https://time.bot/
Line2 - https://www.line2.com/
GSuite - https://gsuite.google.com/
HubSpot - https://hubspot.com
When it comes to selling better in 2019, there are multiple things you need to consider to reach customers in the way they want to be reached. Larry Kaul from Kaul Sales Partners joins Jason and Mark to talk about the approach that his company takes when it comes to helping other businesses grow better.
Show Links:Larry Kaul - https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrykaul/
Kaul Sales Partners - https://kaulsalespartners.com/
We’re all customers and consumers of other people’s products and services. Have you ever thought about how your own customer perceives the service they’re getting from your business? What are the things that drive you nuts with other companies? How often do you step into what the experience is like for your own customer to make sure there is no friction? Join Jason & Mark as they look at techniques for doing exactly that on today’s episode.
Influencer Marketing. How can you get started using this modern method for marketing your business? Jason and Mark are joined by Michelle Mekky from Mekky Media to talk through influencer relations and how specific brands are using this form of marketing to grow better. Learn practical advice for how you can leverage influencers as part of your marketing strategy.
Show Links:Michelle Mekky LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellemekky/
Mekky Media Relations - http://www.mekkymedia.com/
Mekky Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/mekkymedia
ONEFIRE - https://onefire.com
What is the purpose of your website blog? Are you blogging to try and build an audience? Improve SEO? Educate potential customers? Jason and Mark break down the reasons most companies share content on the web and the strategies behind doing it successfully.
What happens when technology starts helping you too much. What's left after Artifical Intelligence (A.I.) and automation cover all of the hard skills your company needs to deliver its products & services? Jason and Mark discuss the key soft skills that you and your employees will need to succeed in the future.
Graduate Assistant Megan Funke joins Jason & Mark to talk about her perspective on interacting with post-millennial college students every day. We'll discuss how to reach them, the platforms they're on and the details surrounding interacting with this young audience.
Augmented Reality, Conversational Marketing, Cloud Computing and more. What do Jason & Mark think the future holds for digital marketing, technology and business as we launch into 2019? Listen to find out.
Your marketing actions need to match your primary goal. If that goal is lead capture, consider if you have the digital marketing foundation in place to execute on that goal effectively. Join Jason & Mark as they discuss ways to set your goals and align your marketing actions to achieve them.
Businesses shouldn't be afraid to host or participate in live events as a marketing action. Jason and Mark about how you can use technology at a live event to build goodwill, boost branding and capture leads in a more natural way.
Jason and Mark talk about the concept of providing an experience versus marketing AT somebody. While the end result should be the same, the experiential marketing sets a completely different tone that will help your company grow better. We'll discuss AR, VR, Virtual Tours and more during today's episode.
Running contests for your business is an easy way to capture leads, drive engagement and get people talking. So why aren't more companies doing it? Join Jason & Mark as they dive into potential roadblocks with running contests and some real-world information on how you can start using this technique in your own business marketing.
Generation Z is made up of over 65 million people in the United States and by 2020, they will account for 40% of all U.S. consumers. This is a cohort of young people that can't be ignored by your business. With the media's focus on Millennials over the past 10 years, many businesses are still largely talking about that group and not thinking about the next group that's coming through High School and College right now.
Join Jason & Mark as they do a deep dive into a cohort with over $44 billion in spending power.
Show Links:
- ONEFIRE Gen-Z Information
- Grow-Up Podcast Feedback
Join Jason Parkinson and Mark Hemmer as they talk about some of the barriers that exist inside companies when it comes to adopting digital solutions. Employees can be met with resistance from the "Old Guard" when presenting ideas that may sound too tech-forward. Jason & Mark show you how to break down the barriers and and make sure your message is heard and considered in your company.
While Millennials have gotten most of the attention over the last 10 years, they are now in the workforce and becoming productive members of society. The next cohort of young people (ages 16 - 23) is referred to as "Generation Z" and reaching them with your message is harder than ever. Jason & Mark talk about ways your brand can find success connecting with this young audience.
Businesses of all sizes run into challenges that get in the way of a great digital marketing strategy. In a world where the flywheel needs to be spinning without friction in your organization, it's important to step back and look at what may be slowing you down. Jason & Mark discuss common challenges that prohibit a business from succeeding with their marketing.
Games that are played on a mobile phone now account for 51% of the overall revenue in the gaming industry. With so many consumers playing games on the devices in their pockets, your business can capture the attention of this coveted Gen Z audience and market your products and services. Jason & Mark talk about separating your business from the pack to keep your customers and prospects engaged.
Show Links:
ONEFIRE Mobile Game Development
Wire Wizard Game - iOS & Android
Pro Wrestler Sensei Bock joins Jason & Mark in the Grow Up studio for a Facebook Live episode to talk about building his business and fanbase through social media. See how small businesses can learn from the entertainment industry when it comes to adding followers and customers from social media.
Show Links:
Sensei Bock Facebook Page
Sensei Bock Instagram
The sales funnel is quickly becoming an outdated way to view your internal customer acquisition process. Jason & Mark talk about this new idea of a flywheel process and how transitioning away from the traditional sales funnel can remove customer friction and help your business grow.
Show Links:
How The Flywheel Killed HubSpot's Funnel
ONEFIRE Sales Enablement Services
Kara Kamienski from Kara Kamienski Photography joins Jason Parkinson to talk about how she grew her business from a few small family photo sessions into an international wedding photography business in just a few short years just by using social media.
- Kara Kamienski Photography Facebook Page
- Kara Kamienski Photography Instagram Profile
Business owner Travis Platt from Platt's Printing joins Jason & Mark to share the story of how his business was attacked on Facebook. Learn best practices for handling this situation for your company and information on what you should include in a documented plan.
Show Links * Platt's Printing Website * Travis Platt Twitter * Travis Platt Instagram
Virtual Reality can take you backstage at a concert or on the field with your favorite sports team without the high cost that's usually associated with those experiences. As more and more consumers become used to VR experiences, your business is going to have to be prepared to step into this futuristic space to stay ahead.
The word 'consultant" sometimes has a negative feeling associated with it. However, as a leader in your company, an outsider can provide a valuable perspective into what's working well and what may need some help. On-site consultants that are embedded into your existing team can work to increase productivity and strategically help your company grow better.
Show Links * ONEFIRE Digital Consulting Services * 5 Ways An On-site Consulting Team Can Boost Your Business
Join Jason and Mark for the first LIVE episode, infront of an audience at the Inbound 2018 conference in Boston. They are joined by Sarah Posnak and Oscar Zamorono from HubSpot to talk about using personalization and smart content on your website to increase your conversion rates. Plus they'll talk through everything you need to know about Inbound 2018.
The Inbound methodology of marketing your business contains 4 specific stages, each with a specific goal that moves your potential customers through your sales funnel. Jason & Mark discuss how you can tangibly increase your sales by applying these specific stages to your own marketing.
Show Links * Inbound Marketing Strategy * HubSpot Software
Keith Brown from Forward Motion Production joins Jason & Mark to talk about how businesses can get started using video to enhance their marketing. Keith talks about the StoryBrand methodology to marketing your business and offers some tips for getting your feet wet with creating video content.
Show Links * Forward Motion Website * ONEFIRE Website
It's a given that virtual tours can be used in marketing applications. Colleges are using them to showcase their campus to prospective students, Realtors have been showcasing new properties with tours, etc. In this episode, Mark & Jason do a deeper dive into other applications for virtual tours and talk about the reuse opportunities if you're already creating one for marketing purposes.
Show Links * Virtual Tours Are The Future * ONEFIRE Website
When sales and marketing teams are aligned, businesses see 38 percent higher sales win rates. Jason and Mark share information on Smarketing best practices and specific tools that you can use to help your internal organization work together to empower your sales team to close more deals.
Show Links:
- https://onefire.com/services/hubspot
- http://blog.onefire.com/how-onefire-and-hubspot-turn-your-small-marketing-team-into-an-army
Video games aren't just for your kids anymore. Jason and Mark talk about how you can use games in your business to motivate employees, train new hires and educate your customers. Learn more about this gamification buzzword and why it should be considered to help you grow better.
Show Links:
- Case Study: Moto VR Gamification
- HelloMoto VR - Google Play App Download
With a third of Americans saying they would switch companies after a single instance of poor service, it is more important than ever to provide great customer service with every interaction. Jason and Mark talk through how technology can help your company provide a better customer experience.
When it comes to helping your sales team close more deals, it is important to look at the technology that exists to help them along the way. In this episode, Jason and Mark look at the concept of lead scoring, tracking your sales actions, CRM software and more.
Jason and Mark discuss a new augmented and virtual reality platform called Yuso and explain how businesses can use it at trade shows. Yuso displays interactive 3D models of physical products, allowing businesses to transport oversized items anywhere, instantly. With built-in lead capture and CRM integration, Yuso is a tool business leaders need to hear about.
Show Links:
- Yuso Platform
- 5 Strategies For Improving Lead Capture At Trade Shows
Are you talking to a human... or a bot? Chatbots are becoming incredibly powerful tools to allow businesses of all sizes to provide better customer service experiences through automation. Do you have a strategy for implementing chatbots into your company?
If you're looking for a way to stay ahead of what your competitors are doing and grow your business, simple to use software is making it easier than ever to succeed with chatbots within your own organization
Augmented and Virtual Reality is becoming top of mind for consumers and companies alike. With Apple and Google's inclusion of AR on all of their modern devices, Augmented Reality is now available on the large majority of consumers' smart phones.
Learn how your business can build a strategy to give your potential customers an experience from your brand instead of an interruptive (and often ignored) advertising message.
AI is starting to affect everything we do. Search Engines have been changing their algorithms to get smarter almost every year. With the introduction of Google RankBrain's artificial intelligence platform, you need to be aware of how your company's search result rank is going to be affected and what you can do to make sure you stay ahead of your competition.
Jason and Mark introduce the Grow Up concept, discuss their experience in digital media, and talk about the content essentials that all businesses need today. From an updated website to active social channels, learn what’s essential in the digital space in 2018 and make sure your business can check all of the boxes.