Marketing Smarts: Recent Episodes
Anne Candido and April Martini
From brand-building and marketing veterans Anne Candido and April Martini comes a podcast committed to cutting through all the confusing marketing BS so that you can actually understand how to take action and change your business today. They deep-dive into topics most would gloss-over, infusing real-world examples from their combined 35+ years of corporate and agency experience. They tell it how it is so that whether you are just starting out or have been in business awhile, you have the Marketing Smarts to immediately impact your business.
So many of us women deserve to be in the leadership positions we dream of. But, we struggle getting there due to outdated beliefs - some environmental, some due to archaic processes, and some due to us getting in our own way. This is exactly why we launched ForthRight Women (FRw) - to help us overcome what is holding us back. Helping women rise in leadership comes down to being good moms and good leaders, having the responsibility to rise and pull others up, being powerful, and acknowledging where we get in our own way. But what if you don’t have a village? How do you make time to prioritize yourself? And why does everyone else have to have an opinion? We have all the answers, as this is an area we’re super, super, super passionate about.
Do you want to stand out in your industry and get more sales? Show you’re different to attract and retain top talent? Build a brand that drives real business results? Grab your Brand Strategy Workbook at: https://forthright-people.com/brand-strategy
And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com.
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/
LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/
WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/resources
VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
Being an influencer has grown from a hobby to a lucrative business for many. Platforms such as TikTok and Instagram have given celebrity status to everyday people seemingly overnight. Is this all about luck or being at the right place at the right time? Not entirely. Becoming an influencer that actually gets hired comes by following certain truths. Join us in this Quick Hit as we discuss what these are and start creating opportunities you may be missing out on. Listen to the full episode here.
For this episode, we welcome special guest Andy Snyder, Brand Manager at Rhinegeist Brewery. He discusses brand as a key means for differentiation in a crowded category - in this case (pun intended), craft beer. Brand is THE starting place for any company to build the right emotionally-led foundation to connect with consumers. It’s those emotional connections that - when built authentically - drive consumers to choose you more often, indefinitely.
Do you want to stand out in your industry and get more sales? Show you’re different to attract and retain top talent? Build a brand that drives real business results? Grab your Brand Strategy Workbook at: https://forthright-people.com/brand-strategy
And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com.
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/
LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/
WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/resources
VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
You need to know exactly what to look for when choosing the right agency for you and your business. With the ever-changing agency environment comes different expectations. In this Quick Hit, Scott Lucas from Sterling Brands joined us to discuss how the agency focus should be on problem-solving, not process-following. Catch the full episode here.
Impostor Syndrome is very real and very common. How do you combat it? It comes down to embracing the 80/20 rule, being brave enough to step outside the box, becoming a lifelong learner, and getting in front of managing change. We wanted you to learn from a true expert in the space, so we welcomed on Ryane LeCesne. She’s the Master Your Mindset Coach at Inspire Brand Consulting.
Do you want to stand out in your industry and get more sales? Show you’re different to attract and retain top talent? Build a brand that drives real business results? Grab your Brand Strategy Workbook at: https://forthright-people.com/brand-strategy
And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com.
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/
LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/
WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/resources
VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
We talk a lot about creating a connection to your consumer, customer, or client. It’s a key element in creating Brand-Love. Consumer research can seem like a massive undertaking, but doing your due diligence by engaging your consumer in a unique fashion can deliver value and shape your business. In this Quick Hit, we share a couple key questions that lead to insightful consumer research. Make sure to check out the full episode here.
For this episode, we welcome special guest Steve Leder, Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Badge Design Studio. He discusses an important - and often controversial - topic in the marketing world: creative strategy. We often talk the importance of a brief because it gets everyone on the same page. It’s imperative the brief translates into a creative strategy the entire team can get on board with from the get-go to produce the desired result. We dive deep into how to combat the challengers like ego, clarity, and relationships that get in the way of this.
Do you want to stand out in your industry and get more sales? Show you’re different to attract and retain top talent? Build a brand that drives real business results? Grab your Brand Strategy Workbook at: https://forthright-people.com/brand-strategy
And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com.
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/
LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/
WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/resources
VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
Creating the name of your business, brand, or product is one of the most stressful times for entrepreneurs. Launching your “baby” into the world is both exciting and anxiety-ridden, which also makes naming very emotional. This can unfortunately lead to poor decisions. In this Quick Hit, we give real-world examples and explain what to avoid. Make sure to catch all 4 points in the full episode here.
This week, we’re making the entire episode a Marketing Smarts Moment. We’re honored to welcome special guest Keltie Knight, the 3-Time Emmy Award-Winning TV Host and Creator of “Superfan.” Hear how to achieve your goals, keep trying and trying, develop your personal brand, and why women often focus on so much comparison. You’ll also hear the behind-the-scenes of Keltie’s new show “Superfan,” which airs Wednesday at 9pm on CBS, starting August 9th.
Do you want to stand out in your industry and get more sales? Show you’re different to attract and retain top talent? Build a brand that drives real business results? Grab your Brand Strategy Workbook at: https://forthright-people.com/brand-strategy
And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com.
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/
LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/
WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/resources
VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
From the lack of willing employees to overpaying for warm bodies, it’s more important than ever to hold ourselves and our employees accountable. If we don’t, we compromise our culture - making it harder to bring in and retain quality talent. This Quick Hit gives you “In the Trenches” real-world examples to help you navigate this challenge. Catch the full episode here.
Have you thought about how you’re going to approach the later years of your career? It’s an area so many of us don’t have a roadmap for. Successful succession planning means defining the legacy you want to leave, firming up your business and brand to operate independently, putting your talent in a position to grow and prosper, and planning your exit strategy. We’re of course NOT financial advisors, so we welcomed on Nick Bour. He’s the Founder and CEO of Inspire Wealth, a financial company providing wealth building and retirement planning services to residents of Michigan, Ohio, and Massachusetts.
Do you want to stand out in your industry and get more sales? Show you’re different to attract and retain top talent? Build a brand that drives real business results? Grab your Brand Strategy Workbook at: https://forthright-people.com/brand-strategy
And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com.
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/
LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/
WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/resources
VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
People often find themselves on a career path that leads directly to a management position, when they are perfectly happy in their current role as a doer. Not everyone is cut out to be a manager - and that’s okay. In this Quick Hit, we discuss how to carve out your own path to success without the trajectory to manager. Make sure to listen to the full episode here.
The digital space is crowded. It’s hard to capture enough attention for your content to break through the noise. Dan Gadd, SVP of Growth for the Atlanta Dream WNBA and former Sr. Director of Digital Strategy for the Atlanta Falcons, calls it “a street fight for attention!” You need a mindset shift that embraces the reality that “there is no reach without reaction.” Dan’s proven framework is your guide for getting this reaction and creating digital content people want to watch.
Do you want to stand out in your industry and get more sales? Show you’re different to attract and retain top talent? Build a brand that drives real business results? Grab your Brand Strategy Workbook at: https://forthright-people.com/brand-strategy
And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com.
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/
LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/
WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/resources
VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
Mike Brown, Founder and CEO of Rebel Mettle Brewery, joined us to talk how their success is as much about creating community within Rebel Mettle as it is integrating into the Cincy community. We talk about the 3 crucial brand questions: Who am I? How am I different? Why would you want me? It’s important to get this right from the beginning to allow your community to know who you are. Listen to the full episode here.
So many workplace struggles can be alleviated by starting with mindset. What is your current set of beliefs and expectations? How is this impacting your ability to feel content and excel? Shift your mindset to better excel at work by believing it to see it, focusing on MY career, MY responsibility, realizing you can lead at any level, and managing your energy. We wanted you to learn from the Mindset Monk himself, so we welcomed on V. Krishna Lakkineni. He’s the CEO of ROI Media Works, an Investor, TEDx speaker, and Author of 3 Amazon Best Sellers.
Do you want to stand out in your industry and get more sales? Show you’re different to attract and retain top talent? Build a brand that drives real business results? Grab your Brand Strategy Workbook at: https://forthright-people.com/brand-strategy
And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com.
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/
LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/
WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/resources
VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
People decisions are hard to make for many managers and leaders. Making the choice to fire an employee can be difficult, unless there’s egregious misconduct. So often, team members are kept on - especially if they are a high performer - when they should really be let go. This Quick Hit gives you 2 things to consider if you’re struggling to identify whether it’s time to say goodbye. For the full list, catch the full episode here.
As a leader, your image and reputation are paramount in order to command the respect you need to influence. Personal Brand Characteristics have the potential to lead to behaviors and actions that can undermine and sabotage your brand. Although this applies equally to males and females, there are certain Characteristics that show up more consistently in females that can lead to significant challenges. Join us as we highlight 4 tendencies we see most often that may not be moving you towards your goals of becoming a strong female leader.
Do you want to stand out in your industry and get more sales? Show you’re different to attract and retain top talent? Build a brand that drives real business results? Grab your Brand Strategy Workbook at: https://forthright-people.com/brand-strategy
And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com.
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/
LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/
WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/resources
VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
Have you ever landed a role as a manager and thought, “Now what?” How do you transition from one role to another without abandoning responsibilities? Or define your new role successfully? Make sure to catch this Quick Hit with 2 of the 4 tools you need now. Listen to the full episode here.
We spend a lot of time talking about how to put branding and marketing practices into action. We thought you’d appreciate hearing it from the other side of the table for a change! We’re excited to welcome on one of our clients to talk about how our collaborative work to evolve their mission, vision, and values has transformed his business. He’s Scott Farmer, and he’s the CEO of LYP Health Management. They’re a patient contact center focusing exclusively on healthcare and medical organizations. Let’s explore what worked well in this collaboration.
Do you want to stand out in your industry and get more sales? Show you’re different to attract and retain top talent? Build a brand that drives real business results? Grab your Brand Strategy Workbook at: https://forthright-people.com/brand-strategy
And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com.
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/
LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/
WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/resources
VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
“How can I bring more of myself to work?” We get this question a lot. In fact, it can sometimes feel like we have 2 personalities: 1 at work, and 1 in our personal lives. But unlike many people think, the goal isn’t to fuse these. Listen to this Quick Hit as we navigate 2 of the 4 steps to appropriately achieve the balance you may be seeking. Catch the full-length episode here.
Why is Brand-Love important? Because 90% of decisions are made from the heart. As consumers, we are constantly inundated, which means setting your business apart from the competition requires you to emotionally connect to your consumers. After learning the tools we discuss in this episode, check out Anne’s book “The Super-Highway of Relevancy: Getting More People to Choose Your Brand, More Often, Indefinitely” (available on Amazon here) for a deeper dive!
Do you want to stand out in your industry and get more sales? Show you’re different to attract and retain top talent? Build a brand that drives real business results? Grab your Brand Strategy Workbook at: https://forthright-people.com/brand-strategy
And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com.
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/
LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/
WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/resources
VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
Scott Mautz is Founder of Profound Performance, a popular author, keynote speaker, and our prior business coach! Oftentimes, we think we need to be the named leader in order to lead. This is far from the truth. In this Quick Hit, we bring you audience questions from our “In the Trenches” segment. Don’t miss out on the 4 tips in the full episode here.
You want to be a leader. How do you take that into your own hands? Get very clear on your personal brand and clean out what is not serving you, develop your vision and declare it out loud on repeat, surround yourself with supporters and hire a coach, and build your reputation and skills beyond your current role. Take these to heart and you’ll be on the right path to keep rising in your career.
Do you want to stand out in your industry and get more sales? Show you’re different to attract and retain top talent? Build a brand that drives real business results? Grab your Brand Strategy Workbook at: https://forthright-people.com/brand-strategy
And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com.
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/
LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/
WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/resources
VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
A PR campaign should be an essential part of every business’s marketing efforts. PR (Public Relations, or earned media) can build credibility through third-party endorsements and drive awareness and engagement of your latest news. Join us for this Quick Hit where we share the 1st tip on how to develop a compelling campaign. Make sure to listen to the full-length episode here.
“Leading from afar” has become a hot topic due to remote working environments. But even before our current situation mandated it, we have found the very best type of leaders have the ability to do so from afar. This means giving their teams space and autonomy to do things their own way. And the benefit? They end up with higher performers and better results than those that micromanage. We call this Vigilant Leadership, meaning a leader is keeping careful watch over progress and results, but not involved and hands-on at every turn. In this episode, we speak to Vigilant Leadership best practices and how this can lead you to an entirely new level of success. We discuss John Mackey, Founder of Whole Foods, and how his practice of Vigilant Leadership resulted in business success and committed team members.
Do you want to stand out in your industry and get more sales? Show you’re different to attract and retain top talent? Build a brand that drives real business results? Grab your Brand Strategy Workbook at: https://forthright-people.com/brand-strategy
And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com.
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/
LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/
WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/resources
VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
Whether you have or haven’t yet vetted an agency for your business, there are strategies to implement to ensure a more successful relationship. Unfortunately, we have seen a lot of scammers out there take advantage of businesses. To avoid being one of them, join us as we approach this discussion from 2 perspectives: the corporate side and the agency side. Make sure to catch the full episode here.
A strong brand character is more critical than ever to brand success. Between the limited in-person interactions we continue to face and the proliferation of online channels, it’s imperative to speak authentically and personably across all touchpoints. This episode focuses on the necessary approach for a strong brand character. Don’t miss out on the full length episode and worksheet here: https://forthright-people.com/podcast/4-guidelines-for-creating-a-strong-brand-character/
Agencies can be a huge help to your business in a wide variety of ways. Like many aspects of the marketing world, the role of agencies has changed drastically over time. You can expect modern agencies to seek to understand the make-up and capability of your team, train you to build your capability, provide a tiered way of approaching the work, and collaborate heavily. You’ll also need to know how to handle some tricky situations with agencies - what do you do if you’re stuck in the “old way” of operating with your agency? What about if you don’t have any “true marketers” on your team? How do you even vet agencies in the first place? We have all the answers for you, as we know this topic inside and out. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com.
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/
LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/
WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/worksheets
VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
A key way to drive credible reach and stretch your equity is to leverage influencers and partners who already have a relationship with a consumer you want to tap into. In this Quick Hit, we bring you the first of four principles and welcome guest Samantha Baier, a sports marketing leader and Director of Integrated Marketing for Charlotte FC. She is an expert in executing these principles and shares her experience in executing content that worked well - and not so well. Make sure to catch the full episode here: https://forthright-people.com/podcast/4-principles-for-leveraging-partners-to-create-content-that-drives-your-brand/
The changes in NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) have gotten a looooooot of attention in college athletics over the past few years. It’s created a huge opportunity for both college athletes and brands. But it’s still early - and it still feels like the Wild West. So, if you’re a college athlete, how do you better negotiate an NIL deal? It’s key you get appropriately compensated for exclusivity, be really good at creating branded content, clarify usage rights and get the appropriate approvals from all parties, and know your worth. You also may run into a blackout period, be asked to post during a tournament, and need to figure out a team to support you in your NIL journey. We wanted you to learn from an expert at tackling these tricky NIL scenarios, so we welcomed on Nick Lord. He’s the Co-Founder and CEO of NOCAP Sports, an NIL sports tech company helping athletes transform influencer marketing. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com.
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/
LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/
WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/worksheets
VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
The digital space is crowded, and it’s hard to capture enough attention for your content to break through the noise. As our guest Dan Gadd, Sr. Director of Digital Strategy for the Atlanta Falcons, will attest: “It is a street fight for attention!” This Quick Hit gives you a taste of Dan’s proven framework to put into place with valuable conversation and examples. Make sure to catch the full episode here: https://forthright-people.com/podcast/the-framework-for-creating-digital-content-people-want-to-watch/
Your sub-brands can pack a serious punch for your business - when you use them correctly with your primary brands. How do you get your brands to work together like a family? It comes down to a strong brand architecture. In this episode, you’ll learn how empowering your sub-brands gives each sub-brand a “home” under the master brand, its own visual and verbal toolkit for strategy creation, unites the sub-brands and creates success criteria, and allows for cross-promotion. You’ll also discover how to approach brands that make vastly different revenue, what to do with brands that don’t fit, and how to decide if new brands would fit. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com.
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/
LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/
WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/worksheets
VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
A brief needs to serve the team working on a project. It needs to lay a meaningful foundation and be a continued point of reference that also leads to results at the end of the process. Anne and April have both been on the receiving end of some pretty bad briefs in their time, so we thought why not take a moment to process their experiences and channel those memories into meaningful results? In this Quick Hit, you’ll hear one of our “In-the-Trenches” scenarios with real-world examples. Make sure to listen to the full episode here to get the 4 components of results-driven briefs: https://www.forthright-people.com/podcast/episode/1bb12b4c/4-components-of-a-results-driven-brief
The work world has changed A LOT in recent years - and of course we have a lot to say about it. One of the biggest aspects that’s changed is work environments. While it used to be expected to come into the office every day during the work week, the use of hybrid work environments is becoming more and more common. So, how do you lead your team in a hybrid work environment? In this episode, you’ll learn how to set clear expectations, when to schedule key team meetings, how to maintain consistent behavior, and make sure people don’t get too lax working from home. You’ll also hear how often you should be in the office, what to do when someone’s failing to get their work done at home, and the best way to handle losing talent over your mandated work environment. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com.
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/
LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/
WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/worksheets
VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
This Quick Hit gives you the first 2 points in our discussion about brand as a key means for differentiation in a crowded category. Brand is THE starting place for any company to build the right emotionally-led foundation to connect with consumers. Joining us is Andy Snyder, Brand Manager at Rhinegeist Brewery, to speak to the use of brand in arguably one of the most crowded categories today - craft beer. Catch the full episode here: https://www.forthright-people.com/podcast/episode/2f51f38a/4-tips-for-utilizing-brand-to-differentiate-in-a-crowded-space
How are you liking the modern world of virtual and hybrid events compared to the traditional world of solely in-person events? There are certainly pros and cons of each format. Virtual events have many, many perks that can help spark your B2B marketing efforts. For starters, virtual events allow you to grow your credibility as a thought leader, create a comfortable space to build relationships, can be more economical, easier to facilitate, and frequent, and reduce the barriers to commitment. There are also several key ways to maximize the success of your virtual event - before, during, and after the event. We wanted you to learn from the best of the best in the event space, so we welcomed on Jon Kazarian. He’s the Founder and CEO of Accelevents, an event technology platform here to facilitate every type of event - including virtual events, webinars, large conferences, field marketing events, and more. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com.
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/
LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/
WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/worksheets
VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
In this Quick Hit, we discuss how you can stay resilient by adopting “Test-and-Learn” practices. This is the cycle of doing, learning, refining, repeating. It allows for fast-cycle iteration, saving money and time, and it can be applied to all aspects of your business. We talk about specific practices and examples based on our experience so you can immediately integrate Testing-and-Learning into your business today. Make sure to catch the full episode here: https://www.forthright-people.com/podcast/episode/f89f1ee3/remaining-resilient-the-art-of-test-and-learn
How do you want to be remembered in your career? Let’s assume it’s a positive legacy you want to leave - there are a TON of ways to leave your mark. Many of these you can start doing right now, no matter your role or level of experience. In this episode, you’ll learn how to take the time to mentor, set the new standard, create culture, and intentionally plan your succession. You’ll also find the truth behind your legacy at your previous place of employment, how to work on your legacy despite the expectation of your day-to-day work, and the best way to build your legacy over time. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com.
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/
LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/
WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/worksheets
VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
It can be challenging making the transition from a strong brand foundation into a strong and successful marketing strategy and executed plan. But it is THE way to create meaningful emotional connections with your customers and consumers. We love giving you real-world examples and specifics on how to implement strategies in our “In the Trenches” segment. This Quick Hit gives you just that with special guest Mike Hines, Team Leader at Build Collective, who speaks to the discipline and hard work it takes to build a strong brand and then effectively market against it. Check out the full episode here: https://www.forthright-people.com/podcast/episode/1b2ec400/4-steps-for-translating-your-brand-into-an-effective-marketing-strategy
Your brand is everything. How do you set your brand up for success - today AND in the future? We have you covered on both fronts. In this episode, you’ll learn why your brand is more than a logo, it has verbal and visual components, how to create tools from your brand, and expand its components over time. You’ll also find out whether you need to start over, where to begin on the verbal components, and why your executions may be falling flat. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com.
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A Brand Story is a powerful tool when created and utilized properly - it’s a key differentiator to any business’s success. In this Quick Hit, we discuss how to ensure you have the right Brand Story to set your foundation. We also dive into the ability to use it as a lens for every decision your brand makes, leading to brand and business success. Make sure you catch all 4 reasons in the full episode here: https://www.forthright-people.com/podcast/episode/2d856127/4-reasons-to-start-with-a-brand-story
We spoke a couple episodes ago about how to build company values. Here's Part 2: how to roll out those values to your company. And it’s super important - because company values don’t mean anything if no one on your team knows about them or takes them to heart. In this episode, we’re sharing 4 ways to roll out company values. You’ll learn how to nominate the right representatives, why you should involve as many people as possible, how to create an engaging launch strategy, and develop a post-launch strategy and evaluation process. You’ll also find out what to do if the value creation efforts get lost in the mix, how to make sure the team latches onto the values the way you want, and what to do when you’re sensing less momentum and enthusiasm. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com.
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/
LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/
WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/worksheets
VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
Word-of-mouth (WOM) is the most coveted - yet elusive - marketing channel for many. It’s generated by a consumer who loves your brand so much they openly and frequently recommend you to others. This Quick Hit is focused around our conversation with Sue Frech, Co-Founder and CEO of Vesta - a digital community platform company. Hear the full episode here to learn more ways to generate WOM marketing: https://www.forthright-people.com/podcast/episode/2049be04/4-ways-to-generate-word-of-mouth-wom-marketing
Company values - it’s a topic that’s near and dear to our hearts. Company values can make the difference between a company that flourishes and a company where the team can’t wait to jump ship. How do you build company values that inspire your team and stand the test of time? In this episode, we’re bringing you 4 ways to build company values. You’ll learn how to identify the key pillars your company stands for today, engage a team to assist in the value development, be choiceful about the values you select, and craft the values in your company’s voice. You’ll also discover how to choose the decision-makers for your value development, roll out the values to your company, and hear real examples from April and Anne’s experience with company values. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com.
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/
LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/
WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/worksheets
VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
Our ultimate goal in doing this episode is to shine a light on the realities of being a woman in business, so women can approach their careers and lives with their eyes wide open. Many of these realities are highly controversial, so they are rarely talked about - especially within the walls of a company. This Quick Hit shares two of the things we wish people would have shared with us. Make sure you catch the full episode here: https://www.forthright-people.com/podcast/episode/f6caf688/being-a-woman-in-business-everything-we-wish-someone-would-have-told-us
Referrals, referral, referrals. They can be the best way to grow your business. But how exactly do you get them? It helps to get to know your customers, build a clear and easy-to-understand referral program, create two-way interactions with your customers, and facilitate a community that is not about you. You’ll also need to know when you’re ready for a referral program, how to budget for it, build an effective program, and make sure it stays fresh. We wanted you to learn from an expert who knows referrals better than anyone, so we welcomed on Raúl Galera. He’s the Chief Advocate at ReferralCandy, which essentially allows companies to run referral programs on autopilot. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com.
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/
LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/
WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/worksheets
VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
It seems like every brand has jumped into cause or purpose-based marketing. Which begs the question - am I missing out if I don’t? The truth is “doing good” is definitely one way to differentiate and give people a reason to choose you. But, it can also be detrimental to your brand and business if certain rules aren’t followed. This Quick Hit defines Cause Marketing vs. Purpose Marketing and gives you lots of examples of who did it right and who did it wrong. Catch the full episode here: https://www.forthright-people.com/podcast/episode/1a78189e/4-guidelines-for-effective-cause-and-purpose-based-marketing
Short and sweet! That’s the rule to live by when it comes to your elevator pitch. Have you worked on refining yours lately? A compelling elevator pitch can open so many doors for your business - and not just the elevator doors. Great elevator pitches are short thanks to sound bites, keep your audience in mind, let the point-of-difference (POD) come through, and leave your audience wanting more. We wanted you to learn from the best of the best when it comes to elevator pitches, so we welcomed on Shane Meeker. He’s a Keynote Storytelling Speaker, movie analogy extraordinaire, and Author of StoryMythos: A Movie Guide to Better Business Stories. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com.
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/
LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/
WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/worksheets
VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
Leveraging influencers and partners can be super helpful and beneficial for your brand and business. They can bring instant credibility through their endorsement and have a platform of engaged fans - adding significant reach to a brand’s message. This needs to be thought through strategically, as you’re making an investment. In this Quick Hit, we share one tip you need to make good choices and translate your investment into business results. Catch the full episode here: https://www.forthright-people.com/podcast/episode/2172e07f/4-tips-for-using-influencers-effectively
There’s certainly an art to cold calling. There’s a big difference between a message that’s perfect for your target customer and one that comes across the wrong way. How do you go about cold calling without appearing spammy, pushy, or too salesy? In this episode, we’re breaking down real cold call messages we’ve received that do and (definitely) don’t work. You’ll learn how to make your message customized, offer immediate value without gating it, be professional in tone and style, and make an irresistible offer. You’ll also discover the cold calls likely to turn people off the most, whether cold calling is even worth it, and the best channel for cold calling. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com.
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/
LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/
WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/worksheets
VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
In this digital world, the customer experience is essentially flat - almost creating a commoditized effect. Here, the brand can lose control of their relationship with the customer as it fights to create a Brand-Love connection in a world that is somewhat one-dimensional. In this Quick Hit, you’ll hear us dive in with another marketing expert, Brian Bolten. Check out the full episode here: https://www.forthright-people.com/podcast/episode/1fb0cf5e/4-realities-about-digital-interfaces-and-ai-that-can-help-you-improve-customer-experience
It can be a really tough - but beautiful - thing to get your team to work together towards a common goal. It’s essential for the success of your company, but there are so many distractions that can take away from good work. How do you remove those barriers? In this episode, you’ll learn how to focus your team, manage egos, and nominate the right people. You’ll also find out how to make sure everyone feels their voice is heard, what to do about those on the quieter side, and how to know it’s time to concede. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com.
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/
LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/
WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/worksheets
VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
“Leading from afar” has become a hot topic due to remote working environments. But even before our current situation mandated it, we’ve found the very best types of leaders have the ability to do so from afar. This Quick Hit brings you two ways to sharpen your Vigilant Leadership: Allow the space for your entire team to grow and Develop the ability to let things go. Make sure you listen to the full episode here for the other valuable points: https://www.forthright-people.com/podcast/episode/2cd027b9/vigilant-leadership-the-art-of-leading-from-afar
Have you ever considered adding a podcast to your business or brand? It’s a form of content that’s booming, with loads of potential and low barriers to entry. But if you start a podcast, you want to do it right - otherwise, you might be setting your team up for disappointment or burnout. To properly podcast, you need to find your valuable POV, keep the focus on top-of-the-funnel awareness, and be prepared to invest resources to promote it. This is a topic that’s super close to home, as we’ve learned a TON through our podcasting journey of over 100 episodes so far. We also wanted you to learn from an expert who runs an entire business focused on launching podcasts for businesses, so we welcomed on Harry Morton. He’s the Founder and CEO of Lower Street, offering next-level podcast production services for ambitious companies. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com.
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/
LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/
WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/worksheets
VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
There’s a mantra in the marketing and branding world that “Content is king.” From digital to written to programmatic to OTT (over-the-top), we’re now surrounded by content. The reason it’s king? It’s the ultimate differentiator for a business and a brand. In addition to driving awareness by increasing touchpoints with your consumers, content that’s consistently branded across platforms can disproportionately build credibility, reputation, and trust. These are essential to building the emotional and mental connections which compel your customer to choose you over and over again. In this Quick Hit, we share 2 ways to make this type of content, which will deliver ROI and propel your business. Make sure you listen to the full episode here: https://www.forthright-people.com/podcast/episode/24afa8a0/4-attributes-of-content-that-drives-roi
Brainstorming and strategy sessions can work wonders for your organization - if you do them right, that is. Collaborative work sessions can be a huge help and create that insight your business needs right now. But, it gets tricky really quickly when you have so many voices in the same room. So how do you nail your next collaborative session? In this episode, you’ll learn why you should always have 2 facilitators, give homework, allow for respectful debate, and never leave the final decision up to the group. You’ll also discover how to manage strong personalities who dominate the conversation and ensure your team takes the right steps following the session. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com.
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/
LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/
WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/worksheets
VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
A career coach can be one your most valuable assets. For this Quick Hit, we give you a few real-world examples to help you navigate the path to a career coach. Catch the full episode here to hear us examine the 4 key roles your business coach should play and set up criteria for choosing and evaluating coaches: https://www.forthright-people.com/podcast/episode/2db45b80/4-roles-your-business-coach-should-play
Are you using text message marketing for your business? It’s a communication channel that traditionally has been kept to personal chatting between friends and family. But there’s a whole world of possibilities when you think about text messaging from a business sense. Text messaging is the #1 preferred communication channel, doesn’t require immediate responses, allows for proactive but non-invasive reminders and value-adds, and provides for a phenomenal first-mover advantage as a business. We wanted you to hear from the best of the best when it comes to text message marketing, so we welcomed on Aaron Weiche. He’s the Co-Founder and CEO of Leadferno, helping to create delightful conversations at speed for businesses using messaging to close more leads faster. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com.
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/
LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/
WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/worksheets
VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
You have the tools in place to go out on your own. Now, we’ll give you the operational and promotional aspects to think about and put into action. From creating your logo to creating engagement, here’s the rundown of what to focus on when becoming a freelancer. Check out the full episode here: https://www.forthright-people.com/podcast/episode/3def08d5/becoming-a-freelancer-part-2
Let’s face it - you deserve a pat on the back. Many pats. But giving yourself credit and praise is often awkward and uncomfortable. How do you self-promote without putting people off? We’re here to help you shout your wins from the rooftops! In this episode, you’ll learn how to flatter others as you promote yourself, emphasize the effort behind the accomplishments, and volunteer to teach others an area you excel at. Hear how to nail that performance review, be proud of your accomplishments, and take the credit you deserve. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com.
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/
LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/
WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/worksheets
VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
Whether you’re ready to take the plunge and gear up your side hustle or are taking the leap and leaving your corporate job, we give you the first 5 steps to take some of the guesswork out of this uncertain territory. Make sure to catch the complete list in the full episode here: https://www.forthright-people.com/podcast/episode/1fe508d5/becoming-a-freelancer-part-1
Marketing, marketing, marketing. It’s everywhere you look, and we all know it’s important to growing your business. But who should actually do the marketing? Should you do it yourself or hire a marketing team? We believe a marketing team can be a phenomenal addition to your team - they’ll ensure you’re staying up to date with the ever-changing marketing world, they see the world differently than the rest of your organization, and they can even teach marketing to the rest of your team. Speaking of marketing teams, we’re incredibly excited to welcome marketing extraordinaire Jeff Reynolds on the show this week. He’s the Founder and President of Reynolds+Myers, Author of The Monster That Ate Marketing, and has top-notch insight on the best way to hire a marketing team for your organization. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com. FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/
LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/
WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/worksheets
VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
Defining the role of email marketing - which usually plays one of three roles - is key to your success. How do you give your customers and clients value and keep them coming back for more? This Quick Hit brings you a glimpse of our episode featuring Kelsey Johnson from AWeber on how to effectively leverage email marketing. Listen to the full episode here: https://www.forthright-people.com/podcast/episode/2fa2f158/how-to-effectively-leverage-email-marketing-withkelsey-johnson-product-marketing-manager-at-aweber
Happiness at work - is it really possible? You bet! And it can improve lots of other areas of your life, as well. The hard part is making the changes needed to find that happiness. In this episode, you’ll learn the top ways to be happier at work, based on our collective perspective and different experiences across the industry. Hear how to surround yourself with the right people, make it about more than the actual day-to-day work, find outlets and interests outside of work, and strive to always learn and grow. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com. FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/worksheets VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
If you think you can just write your blog and not do anything else to gain traction and attention, you have come to the right place! There are tried-and-true actions to take to give you and your blog credibility and grow your followers. Listen to this Quick Hit for a brief overview of what you need to be doing before listening to the full episode here: https://www.forthright-people.com/podcast/episode/25f7b22d/how-to-write-a-compelling-blog
You’re listening to this, so you’re familiar with audio marketing. But really - another marketing channel?! It better be worth it. Audio marketing can open so many doors for you and your business when done right. There are just some key decisions to make: public or private podcasting? Audio or video? What should you talk about? We have you covered, as this week we welcome guest Nora Sudduth - Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer of Hello Audio - to share her audio brilliance and answer your questions on making an impact with the medium. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com. FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/worksheets VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
Many have taken to social channels to compensate for other channels that may have been cut off to COVID. Add this to the folks who were already there and now we have mass chaos. Unfortunately, most businesses have been sucked into the chaos versus rising above it and being heard. The secret to successful social channels? A brand-led social strategy. In this quick hit, we give you the 4 elements of every successful social strategy - which will become your playbook to build an engaged audience who become word-of-mouth advocates for your business. You can find the full-length episode with “in the trenches” real life examples here: https://www.forthright-people.com/podcast/episode/dc6991c2/the-4-elements-of-every-successful-social-strategy
This week our focus is on the importance of building your marketing team and continuing to evaluate the team structure that will set your business up for success. When hiring new team members, yes it is important to consider their skills and what they can bring to the table individually, but don’t forget how crucial it is that they fit in with the team as a whole. We welcome Tim Parkin, President of Parkin Consulting, to share his expertise and shine the light on how best to build a strong team. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com. FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/worksheets VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
Coming from opposite sides of the proverbial marketing tracks, we share a common truth: the best marketing work comes from the most functional teams. Not the teams who like each other the most, which is a common misconception. In this quick hit, we share one of our ‘In the Trenches’ topics: what to do if you are a leader who tends to fear conflict? For more insights, catch the full episode here: https://bit.ly/3OwHagB.
If you’ve listened to us for any amount of time, you know how much we believe in building a strong brand and cultivating it from the ground up to carry your business to the heights you aim for. There are many reasons the big brands we know and have grown to love have become the success stories they are. In this episode we welcome Steve Robinson, former CMO of Chick-Fil-A, who shares his wisdom on how leading your business with brand can lead to success. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com. FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/worksheets VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
You know we think personal brand is paramount to building your business in a big way. We break down the basics of personal brand, what exactly it means, and why it is so important to begin working on yours if you haven’t already. Make sure you listen to the full episode here: https://bit.ly/3Hi4r2b.
Navigating the PR world can be a challenge especially when your results fall short of your expectations. The kind of PR we are referring to here is ‘earned media’, something that gets you coverage without having to pay for it. With so many channels out there from TV to social media influencers, we highlight 4 myths we have seen in our many years in the business. Don’t forget to listen to complimentary episodes as you align on your PR needs and goals: 4 Key Components of a Successful PR Campaign & The Essentials of a Successful PR Stunt. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com. FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/worksheets VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
In this quick hit, you’ll hear from Steve Leder, Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Badge Design who joins us in discussing the important topic of creative strategy. We often talk about the importance of a brief because it gets everyone on the same page. In terms of design, it is imperative that the brief translates into a creative strategy that the entire team can get on board with from the get-go to produce the desired result. This speaks from the lens of “art vs. design” and the difference between the two when it comes to being subjective for the greater good of the project. For more insights, you can find the the full length episode here: https://bit.ly/3sCRuvJ.
In this episode we welcome guest Mike DaRe, Managing Director of Smarts Agency, who like us, knows the difference between telling a story and telling a compelling story that gets attention, which is the story your audience longs to hear! We often talk about making an emotional connection with your audience across all of your marketing channels, and this topic is no different. Consumers can see straight through a story that is inauthentic and created for the sake of having an original origin, for example, versus a brand that is communicating from a place of knowing exactly who they are talking to and what they want to hear. Join us as we give you specific areas to focus on and real world examples to guide you in creating your compelling story! And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com. FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/worksheets VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
The ways you have generated leads in the past are likely suffering or at the very least, have drastically changed due to the pandemic. Especially if you relied on big events, foot-traffic or live patronage. Yes, we are returning to life as we once knew it, but certain types of events and exposure have changed maybe forever. This means you need to pivot. In this quick hit episode, we give you 4 lead gen strategies that are working for businesses like yours. You can find the full length episode with 'in the trenches' real life examples here: https://bit.ly/3LipZ0q.
While the world and workforce has changed vastly over the years, we still find that it is still dominated by males. This episode is not about feminism but meant to highlight the fact that there is still struggle for women to rise to the top where the seats are most often occupied by old, white men. We have built ourselves and other women up along our journey and want to share how you can do the same with some specific points that could go a long way in yours. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com. FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/worksheets VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
Over the past couple of years, you may have found yourself in the “doer” role more often than you’d like or should be. If you are working IN your business more than ON your business, then who is? If you have found yourself in the weeds and you need assistance to pull yourself out, this is the Quick Hit for you. For more insights, you can find the the full length episode here: https://bit.ly/3BnWMxE.
We have found ourselves in an environment where hiring can be challenging. Finding quality candidates can be even more difficult. Hiring is not an exact science by any means, but there are strategic steps you can take to set your company up for success. If you haven’t already listened to Ep 34: Strategies for Attracting and Retaining Quality Employees, make sure you go back and download for additional help in your hiring process. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com. FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/worksheets VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
Success means something different to everyone, but most of us equate being successful with wealth and recognition. We get caught in the grind to consistently achieve and get more, more and more. Success also includes feeling at peace with the life you choose. We often lose sight of the fact that we do have choices, whether we like them or not. We need to take responsibility for the choices we make to have peace with your life and the success that brings. For more insights, you can find the the full length episode here: https://bit.ly/3oxJDgq.
Not all those in the PR world love the idea of a stunt (more on this inside the episode!) Do they work? Sure. They are intended to wow and when done well, for the right brand, they can deliver the desired reaction from consumers. A drama filled stunt can provide excitement, but there also needs to be a level of engagement which requires you to do your homework and planning BEFORE the stunt takes place. We invite you to listen to tried and true measures to take if you are flirting with the idea of implementing a stunt into your PR campaign. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com. FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/worksheets VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
Being an entrepreneur takes courage and determination, but also a plan. If you find yourself dreaming about doing your own thing, GREAT! But there is so much more you need to know and prepare for before pulling the trigger and leaving your day job. We will discuss 4 signs you are ready to take the leap and also address some of the things we have learned on our journeys and wish someone had shared with us. You can find the full length episode with 'in the trenches' real life examples here: https://bit.ly/3r6dFch.
We welcome guest Kelsey Johnson, Product Marketing Manager at AWeber to discuss the importance of effective email marketing. Key word here is EFFECTIVE! Utilizing email in your marketing campaign is a savvy move, but the “set it and forget it” attitude won’t get you very far. This episode is a bit more tactical designed to give you an outline on what to focus on to drive more business your way. If you haven’t already developed your marketing campaign to understand your target as well as where, when and how to reach them, watch Episode 41: Stimulating your Business Growth: The Art of the Marketing Campaign. Be sure to check out https://go.aweber.com/podcast as mentioned by Kelsey if you are interested in starting your marketing campaign for FREE!
And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com. FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/worksheets VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
One of the first ways people vet your business is by doing a “Google Search”. Your website is critical to the first impression you are giving to your potential consumer. In this quick hit episode, we give you 4 monumental mistakes businesses make on their websites which sabotage their conversion and things to put into action avoid them in the future. You can find the full length episode with 'in the trenches' real life examples here: https://bit.ly/37O9GKW.
This episode is designed to assist you in the next step of executing your brand and all the challenging and scary things that it brings with it! You have defined your brand character, developed your TOV and next comes the messaging. But what does that entail exactly? Bringing to life the brand you have spent countless hours creating can give you an “OH $^!t” moment, but don’t worry. We have you covered and will give you the tools you need to develop your plan so you can put it into action! If you haven’t already listened to our episodes on brand character and TOV go download them NOW! And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com. FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/worksheets VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
Anyone can have a blog and it seems like they do! Having a quality, productive blog provides much value to your business, but there are tried and true tips to follow to ensure you are producing content that actually drives business your way. We often talk about how important POV and tone are and your blog content is a prime example of this. Remember, a blog is a marketing channel and should be given the time and attention as other avenues. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com. FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/worksheets VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
As promised, this is our rebuttal to Episode 76, Business-Limiting Mistakes Agencies Make. If you haven’t had the chance to listen, download and catch it after today’s show. This time around, we look at what the client can put into action to create a better relationship with the agency, which not only produces better work, but a smoother, more enjoyable process for all involved. Relationships can be tricky, but we have you covered with specific actionable steps to take for positive outcomes. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com. FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/worksheets VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
You’re working really hard, making connections with the ‘right’ people so you should be getting close to a promotion right? Well, it’s not always that clean and simple. The road to promotion is one many of us have traveled in our careers. We discuss it often with our coaching clients and want to give it to you straight in this episode. Based on our evaluation of candidates for promotion, we shed light on how to shift your mindset to set yourself up for success and more quickly than the approach you may be currently taking. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com. FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/worksheets VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
If you’ve listened to us any length of time, you know we love to give sneak peaks ‘under the tent’ of both the corporate and agency worlds. This episode takes a deeper dive into things we have touched on in the past, but think they are important enough to touch on again. You are likely never to hear them from clients and if you do it’s most likely too late. Join us as we discuss mistakes you may be making and give you the tools to correct and move forward. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com. FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/worksheets VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
In today’s environment and across many industries, finding employees is a challenge. Finding employees that provide good customer service can be seemingly impossible. The desire to provide your clients or customers with the best experience should not be cast to the side. Instead, focusing on a few simple tips for upping your customer service can have a lasting impact on your businesses success. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com. FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/worksheets VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
More often than not, brand identity in the B2B space is overlooked and the lack of attention and action is a huge miss. We are NOT suggesting you stop everything to build your brand. Whether you need to take a look at the 3 foundational questions to set your brand up for success and build alongside what you are already doing, or are just getting started, join us and special guest Dave Necessary of Gardner Business Media and gain insight to how you can improve your brand presence in the B2B space. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com. FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/worksheets VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
As we acknowledge and celebrate Women’s History Month, we take this opportunity to narrow our focus on an area we have seen and experienced some struggle with. Women managing other women. What if we not only trailblazer the path, but kept it open and made it wider for those who follow? Join us as we dive into some key points you can avoid to help those you manage not only reach their goals but exceed them. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com. FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/worksheets VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
Not all ego is negative. The right amount of ego can be a benefit and can come across as confident, successful and adds to a person’s “swagger”. This is NOT the type of ego we talk about in this episode. The ego we reference is the type that gets in the way of the team, the work, etc. Being the leader with one of these personalities in a position above you comes with some difficulty, but there ARE strategies you can implement to make this person easier to navigate and work with. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com. FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/worksheets VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
Being an influencer has grown from a hobby to a lucrative business for many. Platforms such as Tik Tok and Instagram have given celebrity status to everyday people seemingly overnight. Is this all about luck or being at the right place at the right time? Not entirely. Becoming an influencer that actually gets hired comes by following certain truths. Join us as we discuss what these are and start creating opportunities you may be missing out on. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com. FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/worksheets VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
The agency world is ever changing making it even more important to know what exactly to look for when choosing the right one for you and your business. With the changing environment also comes different expectations. Join us as we welcome friend and special guest, Scott Lucas from Sterling Brands. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com. FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/worksheets VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
Creating a connection to your consumer/ customer/ client is something we talk a lot about. It is a key element in creating brand love. Consumer research can seem like a massive undertaking, but doing your due diligence by engaging your consumer in a unique fashion can deliver value and shape your business. And be sure to review Ep 35: 4 Techniques for Defining and Engaging your Target Consumer with Jennifer Knoeppel of Nascar. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com. FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/worksheets VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
Creating the name of your business, brand or product is one of the most stressful times for entrepreneurs. Launching your ‘baby’ out in the world is both exciting and anxiety ridden. It’s one of those “Oh sh*t” moments knowing this is for real! Which also makes naming very emotional, which unfortunately can lead to poor decisions. Join us as we discuss what not to do when naming your business, brand or product. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com.
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/worksheets VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
Leading from afar is a position we will most likely be finding ourselves in for a while. Over the past couple of years, you may have found yourself in the “doer” role more often than you’d like. If you are working IN your business more than ON your business, this is the episode to help you dig yourself out of the weeds. For those who want a deeper assessment, we have a virtual consultancy module to aid you on this. Just go to our “shop” page on our website: forthright-people.com And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com. FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ WORKSHEETS https://www.forthright-people.com/worksheets VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop
Success means something different to everyone, but most of us equate being successful with wealth and recognition. We get caught in the grind to consistently achieve and get more, more and more. While there is nothing wrong with having nice cars, homes, and being able to get a table at the hottest restaurants, there is more to the journey of being successful. And sometimes changing our focus can also change how successful we feel. We invite you to listen as we discuss how you may change your definition to get the most out of your path. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com.
As we are all aware, COVID has impacted nearly every facet of our lives. The workforce is one of the major ones! From the lack of willing employees to overpaying for warm bodies, it is more important than ever to hold ourselves and our employees accountable. If we don’t, we compromise our culture making it harder to bring in and retain quality talent. Building a workplace people are proud to be a part of leads to them taking pride in their work which leads to success for everyone. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com.
New Year, New You! We all know the flood of trends, and usually tricks, to overhaul our lives that come with a new year. Resolutions tend to fail because people look for a quick fix and try unsustainable methods to make big changes in a short amount of time. The way to make sure your resolutions translate to true, lasting life impact is by addressing them in context of your Personal Brand. We discuss 4 questions for doing just that. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com.
Have you ever come across people in management who, let’s be honest, should never manage people? Many of us can say, YES! The truth is, not everyone is cut out to be a manager and that’s okay. So often, people find themselves on a career path that leads directly to a management position when they are perfectly happy in their current role as a doer. Join us as we discuss how to carve out your own path to success without the trajectory to manager. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com.
On this episode, we welcome Mike Brown, Founder and CEO of Rebel Mettle Brewery, one of our favorite Cincinnati spots. We talk a lot about how crucial the three brand questions are: Who am I? How am I different? Why would you want me? Getting this right from the beginning is important to allow your community to know who you are. Mike talks about how their success is as much about creating community within Rebel Mettle as much as it is about integrating into the Cincy community. These and many more lessons are shared that will be of value to any business. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com.
People decisions are hard to make for many managers and leaders. Other than obvious egregious misconduct, making the choice to fire an employee can be difficult. So often, team members are kept on especially if they are a high performer, when they should really be let go. Rather than keeping someone on the payroll that could be harming your team, listen in and learn how to clearly identify when it’s time to say good-bye. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com.
So you’ve found yourself on the path or have landed a new role as a manager versus the doer. Congratulations! Now what? How do you transition from one role to another without abandoning your responsibilities? How can you manage the transition without micromanaging? How do you define your new role? How do you get it all done successfully? We give you the tools you need to move into your new role while leaving your previous responsibilities in good hands. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com.
“How can I bring more of myself to work?” We get this question a lot. In fact, it can sometimes feel like we have two personalities, one at work and one in our personal lives. But really, the goal isn’t to fuse these like many people think. Instead, it is about how to find a space for yourself within the culture, letting yourself shine while still respecting the company’s culture and staying true to yourself. Join us as we navigate the appropriate steps to take to achieve the balance...and be ready to admit that part of the problem may be you. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com.
In this episode, we welcome Scott Mautz, Founder of Profound Performance and popular author, keynote speaker and our prior business coach! Oftentimes, we think we need to be the named leader in order to lead. This is far from the truth! Being a part of a team comes with many perspectives and having a strong influence over the team drives leadership. Join us as we dig into how to be a leader even without the title. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com.
A PR campaign should be an essential part of every business’ marketing effort. PR (public relations, or earned media) can 1) Build credibility through third-party endorsement, 2) Drive awareness and engagement of your latest news, and 3) Create searchable content and links that help with SEO. Join us for this episode as we give very specific guidance in how to develop a compelling campaign and the watch-outs to avoid. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com.
Whether you have or haven’t yet vetted an agency for your business, there are strategies to implement to ensure a more successful relationship. Unfortunately, we have seen a lot of scammers out there take advantage of businesses. To avoid being one of them, join us as we approach this discussion from two perspectives: the corporate side and the agency side. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com.
For this episode, we welcome a special guest, Steve Leder, Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Badge Design to discuss an important, and often controversial topic in the marketing world...creative strategy. We often talk about the importance of a brief because it gets everyone on the same page. In terms of design, it is imperative that the brief translates into a creative strategy that the entire team can get on-board with from the get-go to produce the desired result. We dive deep into how to combat the challengers like ego, clarity, and relationships that get in the way of this. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com.
For those that dream of being their own boss one day, YES, it is rewarding and exciting and worth it. BUT spoiler alert, you are on the hook for EVERYTHING! If you are thinking of going out on your own or have recently, we discuss the top 4 misnomers to give a realistic inside look of being your own boss. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com.
Why is Brand-Love important? Because 90% of decisions are made from the heart. As consumers, we are constantly inundated, which means setting your business apart from the competition requires you to emotionally connect to your consumers. After learning the tools we discuss in this episode, check out Anne’s book “The Super-Highway of Relevancy: Getting More People to Choose Your Brand, More Often, Indefinitely” (available on Amazon here) for a deeper dive!
And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com.
On the fringes of traditional marketing and branding lies franchising. Whether it’s a career change, the beginnings of a second career or a way to diversify your investments, we welcome guest Lance Graulich, founder of ION Franchising to discuss how franchising can be the gateway to entrepreneurship. From clarifying your “why” to establishing the right mindset to starting the process, it is all in this episode. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com.
Our world is inundated with highly popular short-form content like podcasts, blogs, video and social media. You may wonder if there’s a role for books anymore. The answer is YES! We welcome the author and creator of the Market Your Genius brand, Nikki Nash to discuss why writing a book is still important and how to use it to your advantage especially in establishing credibility for your POV and generating leads for your business. She also is offering additional content for you at: https://nikkinash.co/book-marketing. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com.
Many of us have found ourselves or seen someone trying to strong arm those around them in order to push their agenda...either overtly or through crafty manipulation. This may work occasionally to get temporary complacency. But, the only way to create relationships which will lead to reaching your goals and dreams is through influencing communications. This is a skill which we teach in great detail in this episode. And all brought to life based on our personal experience of influencing conversations that went well, and some that did not. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com.
Search engine optimization (SEO) plays a major role in today’s marketing world. So, what exactly is SEO, how do you do it, and how can you make it work for you? In this week’s episode we dive in and answer these questions along with special guest Steve Wiideman, CEO of Wiideman Consulting Group, who specializes in SEO consulting, training, strategy and procurement. He shares a multitude of tools for how to get started on your SEO strategy (links below). And, he gives a promo code so you can take his digital course on SEO for free! Here are the links:
academyofsearch.com (get the code in the podcast for free access to the digital course)
Content Marketing Template
Sample KPI Tracker
SEO Cheat Sheet
SEOVerified.com (vet your agency)
And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com.
As a leader, your image and reputation are paramount in order to command the respect you need to influence. Personal Brand Characteristics have the potential to lead to behaviors and actions that can undermine and sabotage your brand. Although this applies equally to males and females, there are certain Characteristics that show-up more consistently in females that can lead to significant challenges. Join us as we highlight four tendencies we see most often that may not be moving you towards your goals of becoming a strong female leader. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com.
You’ve heard us talk about the importance of creating your brand’s Tone- of-Voice (TOV). Effectively carrying it across all marketing channels and types of communication can be tricky. Here we will lay out ways to create and properly teach your TOV to your organization. If you haven’t already, listen to our episode on creating a strong Brand Character because TOV work cannot begin until this is complete! And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com.
Effectively marketing to different cultures is part of our day-to-day as well as that of our clients. So as we often like to do, we focus on this topic in this episode through the lens of being more mindful of cultural nuances. This can make or break your marketing efforts, so it is important to discuss in detail. To join this discussion, we welcome a marketing to cultures expert, Doni Aldine, founder of Culturs magazine and expert in cross-cultural communications. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com.
Are you struggling to close customers/clients/consumers like you think you should be? This episode is for you. As you can guess, accomplishing this is definitely rooted in branding and marketing. But we are going to assume you are a loyal listener and did your homework here. So, this episode is focused on taking your branding and marketing to the next level by giving you tactical approaches for getting those customers/clients/consumers to choose you.
And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com.
David Spray, Podcaster (Podcasting Stories)and Entrepreneur joins us for this episode to discuss the latest marketing channel to emerge: business podcasting. Businesses are finding podcasting a more flexible and authentic format for translating their Brand Story in order to build culture internally or grow reputation and credibility externally. There are lots of POV’s on what it takes to have a successful podcast and what a “successful podcast” even means which we talk in depth about. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com.
Have you ever been in a meeting where no one seems to ‘have it all under control’? Being left with an uneasy feeling that no one is taking the reins and making sure that everything that was discussed in the meeting is going to happen- balls are dropped and details are missed. In this episode, we define and detail what a good Project Manager is and why they are crucial to a business. It’s important to define the role of a successful PM and layout the characteristics of a great one. A great Project Manager is more than just loving spreadsheets and Gantt Charts, although they love those too. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com.
On this show, we talk a lot about personal brand and as a part of the work we do on the personal brand side and through our coaching we talk A LOT about what it means to show up, build a presence, and make yourself memorable- this can be in person, on screen or on video. We sometimes tend to focus too much on what other people think and forget to be our authentic, confident selves. On this episode, we welcome guest Keri Murphy of Inspired Living who joins the discussion on why it’s important to define “Why You” and why it’s important to decide “Who” you are talking to. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com.
Marketing Campaigns can be a powerful vehicle for stimulating your business growth. Embarking on the development and execution of a Marketing Campaign forces us to relook at and reevaluate existing consumer relationships as well as actively engage new people who may be interested in our brand. In doing this, we find new ways of creating Brand-Love connections with these consumers creating potential for more revenue. This episode goes into detail on how to develop a successful marketing campaign and highlights examples of good and bad ones...some from our own personal experiences. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com.
Now, more than ever, it seems that there are lots of folks out there re-examining their priorities and what makes them happy, productive and applies the best use of their skills. In this episode, we talk about the necessary steps to making a successful career pivot into becoming a freelancer and starting your own gig. And we do it with special guest, Allie Martin, Video Producer and Host, who is in the middle of her very own pivot right now for a first-hand view of someone in the trenches as we speak! And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com.
Whether you are selling to consumers, customers, retailers, third-parties or clients, creating a compelling sales story is key to hook buyers. This can be difficult to do if you don’t understand the wants and needs of your buyers. We are going to give you that insight today through 4 different scenarios. And we know this because we have been intimately involved in all of these scenarios helping to create and deploy these stories. Grab a notebook and something to write with. You will need it! And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com.
Saying NO effectively and being okay with it is not an easy thing to do. But if you never learn to say no, you will eventually find yourself serving others at the sacrifices of serving yourself. And that is not a good place for you to be or the people on the receiving end of your “help”! In this episode, we help you break the bad habit of always saying yes and build the necessary skills to effectively say no so that you can better serve yourself and those around you in the long run. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com.
In this episode, Chris Wallace, Co-Founder and President at Innerview Group, joins us to discuss strategies for transforming your employees into Brand Ambassadors for your business. Your employees can be your most effective word-of-mouth marketers. But only if they have a clear and compelling story to tell. Taking the time to secure and internalize what Chris calls “front-line insights” to shape, tighten and power your Brand Story can be the key in converting sales and ultimately driving revenue. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com.
The role of vulnerability in the workplace is a tricky discussion for most of us. As soon as this word comes up people visibly tense and become uncomfortable and yet we know that vulnerability definitely has a role in the workplace since we are humans and not robots! Its role is directly tied to each person’s Personal Brand, the brand of the organization, and how the people in the organization interact with each other. If you are too vulnerable, you are thought to be highly emotional and soft. If you are not vulnerable enough, you are seen as cold and heartless. Layer on the gender stereotypes and this is further amplified. In this episode, we attempt to provide a roadmap that assists in dialing up and down vulnerability in the workplace. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com.
Jennifer Knoeppel, Senior Director, Team, Driver & Industry Communications at NASCAR (@jennieannknoeppel on IG, Jennifer Knoeppel on LI, and @JenKnoeppel on Twitter) joins us in this episode to discuss defining and engaging your target consumer. We have talked a lot about the need to clearly define your consumer so you can develop a compelling brand and marketing outreach to engage and win them. It is also important to continue to revisit your consumer profiles because the environment we live in changes quickly which impacts your consumers wants and needs. In this episode, we are going to use the world of NASCAR to go into depth on how you define those consumers as well as strategies for engaging them to keep them coming back to you. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com.
This episode is for all of you who are struggling to attract and retain quality employees. From those who are competing in the “who can pay the most” game in filling in your hourly positions to those who are constantly trying to up their game to attract top candidates for salaried positions. It is crazy out there! And it is costing you a lot of time and money that frankly you don’t have. This episode dives deep into specific strategies and tactics to help you play smarter in attracting and retaining quality employees. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com.
In this episode, we focus on the value that comes with setting the right company mission and living it at your core. And how when it is done right, it leads to financial success, which is the ultimate goal of any business. As a reminder, a mission is externally-focused and should therefore reflect both “why we are here?” and the impact you plan to have on our external audience. With the help of our guest, Mark Patchett, Founder of Growth Shop and all the way from Kiev, Ukraine, we discuss how focusing on the right people, with the right blueprint and the right process yields business success. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com.
Tough conversations are just that - tough - and as a result human nature is to avoid them whenever possible. However, this approach does no service to the person that needs the feedback, your team, or the broader organization as a whole. In this episode we talk about how to successfully manage - and perhaps more importantly, have - tough conversations. Part of which is to do so in a timely manner, but with enough time to prepare. Because it really doesn’t have to be as painful as people make it out to be and dare we say you can even get good at these types of communications if you focus on the 4 tenants in this episode. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com.
Measuring the success of marketing efforts can be really challenging especially since they may not be directly linked to your business success metrics like sales and growth. Or if they are, it may be challenging to isolate the tactics in order to have certainty that it was indeed those specific efforts that delivered business sales and growth. In this episode, we give specific steps for defining the right marketing KPI’s so that you can optimize your marketing efforts with more confidence and efficiency. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com.
We often get challenged that B2B marketing is just not the same as consumer marketing. Our argument is that IT IS the same as consumer marketing, although with some caveats. In this episode, we cover the 4 Principles of Successful B2B Marketing. We break down the barriers associated with the old assumption as well as offer insight into how to use consumer marketing to your advantage in this space. Learn all you need to know to build a successfully differentiated B2B marketing strategy with a focus both on your customer and their end consumer. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com.
The importance of a strong workplace culture was only further highlighted with the advent of COVID and the subsequent work-from-home orders. And now, as the world opens back up and some people head back to work while others stay at home, it can be a challenge to figure out how to navigate and manage workplace culture. In this episode, we outline the 4 Elements of a Strong Workplace Culture, with many examples from our experiences through the years of both good and not so good work cultures. This episode applies no matter your current work situation, and is critical to a happy and healthy, as well as motivating, environment. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com.
Now, more than ever, it is critical to brand success to spend the time and focus building a strong brand character. Between the limited in-person interactions we continue to face, and the proliferation of online channels, it is imperative to speak authentically and personably across all touchpoints. This episode focuses on the needed approach for a strong brand character, culminating with a best-in-class example, Grove Collaborative, and their ability to promote a genuine personality in a crowded space among many other strong brands. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com.
A key way to drive credible reach and stretch your equity is by leveraging influencers and partners who already have a relationship with a consumer you want to tap into. From sports properties to events to philanthropic organizations to industry organizations, partners can help drive your business...if you approach branded content with the 4 principles we discuss in this episode. Our guest, Samantha Baier (on twitter and LinkedIn), of Tepper Sports & Entertainment, is the Digital Partnerships Manager for the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC and an expert in executing these principles and shares her experience in executing content that worked well and not so well. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com.
The digital space is crowded, and it is hard to capture enough attention for your content to break-through the noise. As our guest Dan Gadd (on twitter and LinkedIn), Sr. Director of Digital Strategy at the Atlanta Falcons will attest: “It is a street-fight for attention!” What is needed first is a mindset shift that embraces the reality that “there is no reach with reaction”. His proven framework which we outline in depth in the episode is your guide for getting this reaction and creating digital content people want to watch. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com.
From brand-building and marketing veterans Anne Candido and April Martini comes a podcast committed to cutting through all the confusing marketing BS so that you can actually understand how to take action and change your business today. They deep-dive into topics most would gloss-over, infusing real-world examples from their combined 35+ years of corporate, agency and entrepreneurial experience. They tell it how it is so that whether you are just starting out or have been in business awhile, you have the Marketing Smarts to immediately impact your business. To find out more about Anne and April, visit Forthright-people.com, or catch them on Instagram or LinkedIn (Anne and April). And don’t forget to rate and review!
In this episode we talk about how to write a brief that actually serves the teams working on the project as a meaningful foundation and continued point of reference, and that also leads to results at the end of the process. We have been on the receiving end of some pretty bad briefs in our time, so we thought it was important to educate around the process of building an effective brief, and specifically what needs to be included vs. not. It takes time and energy in the short term, but fuels the process in a much smoother way for the long term success of any initiative. We share lots of personal experiences as well as a bit of an unexpected confession from Anne. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com. This episode is sponsored by Profound Performance. Need an inspiring leadership keynote, delivered virtually or in-person? Do you need leadership training, delivered in micro-learning doses or as a complete program? Go to profoundperformance.store today for a menu of options to motivate or train your leaders and employees.
In this episode, we discuss brand as a key means for differentiation in a crowded category. Brand is THE starting place for any company to build the right emotionally-led foundation to connect with consumers. And it is those emotional connections that when built authentically, drive consumers to choose you more often, indefinitely. Joining us for this episode is Andy Snyder, Brand Manager at Rhinegeist Brewery, to speak to the use of brand in arguably one of the most crowded categories today, craft beer. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com. This episode is sponsored by Profound Performance. Need an inspiring leadership keynote, delivered virtually or in-person? Do you need leadership training, delivered in micro-learning doses or as a complete program? Go to profoundperformance.store today for a menu of options to motivate or train your leaders and employees.
Many are struggling to figure out how to make decisions about their business amidst an uncertain economy. In this episode, we discuss how you can stay resilient by adopting “Test-and-Learn” practices. This is the cycle of doing, learning, refining, repeating. It allows for fast-cycle iteration, saving money and time and it can be applied to all aspects of your business. We talk about specific practices and examples based on our experience so you can immediately integrate Testing-and-Learning into your business today. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com. This episode is sponsored by Profound Performance. Need an inspiring leadership keynote, delivered virtually or in-person? Do you need leadership training, delivered in micro-learning doses or as a complete program? Go to profoundperformance.store today for a menu of options to motivate or train your leaders and employees.
It can be challenging making the transition from a strong brand foundation into a strong and successful marketing strategy and executed plan. But it is THE thing for translating your WHY into meaningful emotional connections with your customers and consumers. In this episode, we focus on the HOW of getting from a strong brand foundation to executing a strong marketing plan and how to keep it going for the long haul. Joining us for this episode is Mike Hines, Team Leader at Build Collective, who speaks to the discipline and hard work it takes to build a strong brand and then effectively market against it. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com. This episode is sponsored by Profound Performance. Need an inspiring leadership keynote, delivered virtually or in-person? Do you need leadership training, delivered in micro-learning doses or as a complete program? Go to profoundperformance.store today for a menu of options to motivate or train your leaders and employees.
A Brand Story is a powerful tool when created and utilized properly - it is a key differentiator to any business’ success. But unfortunately too many companies phone it in when it comes to their brand story or even worse...decide not to create one entirely. And at some point, it catches up to them in a bad way. In this episode, we discuss how to ensure you have the right Brand Story to set your foundation and the ability to use it as a lens for every decision your brand makes, leading to the ultimate brand and business success. Our example of a brand who leverages their Brand Story to the fullest is Moxy Hotels by Marriott. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com. This episode is sponsored by Profound Performance. Need an inspiring leadership keynote, delivered virtually or in-person? Do you need leadership training, delivered in micro-learning doses or as a complete program? Go to profoundperformance.store today for a menu of options to motivate or train your leaders and employees.
Word-of-mouth (WOM) is the most coveted yet elusive channels of marketing for many. It is generated by a consumer who loves your brand so much they openly and frequently recommend you and talk about you to others. You can’t buy your way into these authentic testimonials. You must earn them. For this episode, we invited Sue Frech, co-founder and CEO of Vesta , a digital community platform company, to discuss ways to generate WOM marketing. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com. This episode is sponsored by Profound Performance. Need an inspiring leadership keynote, delivered virtually or in-person? Do you need leadership training, delivered in micro-learning doses or as a complete program? Go to profoundperformance.store today for a menu of options to motivate or train your leaders and employees.
Our ultimate goal in doing this episode is to shine a light on the realities of being a woman in business, so that women can approach their careers and lives with their eyes wide open. Many of these realities are highly controversial, so they are rarely talked about...especially within the walls of a company. Which means that sometimes we don’t know we are losing the game until it is too late. And, yes, it is a game that we all must become competent players in to achieve our goals. But the one thing we will say over and over is that you need to do you. Stick to your truth, but do so with awareness. In this episode, we focus on sharing the things we wish people would have shared with us as we navigated our careers and build our personal brands. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com. This episode is sponsored by Profound Performance. Need an inspiring leadership keynote, delivered virtually or in-person? Do you need leadership training, delivered in micro-learning doses or as a complete program? Go to profoundperformance.store today for a menu of options to motivate or train your leaders and employees.
Whether it is to cater to millennials, participate in socio-cultural based conversations, or show support in times of need, it seems like every brand has jumped into cause or purpose-based marketing. Which begs the question...am I missing out if I don’t? The truth is that “doing good” is definitely one way to differentiate and give people a reason to choose you, but it can also be detrimental to your brand and business if certain rules aren’t followed. In this episode, we go into detail about these rules with lots of examples of brands who have done it well and some who have not done it so well. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com. This episode is sponsored by Profound Performance. Need an inspiring leadership keynote, delivered virtually or in-person? Do you need leadership training, delivered in micro-learning doses or as a complete program? Go to profoundperformance.store today for a menu of options to motivate or train your leaders and employees.
A career coach can be one of your most valuable assets. An unbiased resource who has nothing at stake except your personal growth and success, a career coach can help you see blind-spots and give you tools and practices that people closer to you may not. In this episode, we examine the “4 Key Roles your Business Coach should Play”. We also provide lots of personal anecdotes for how we chose our coaches, and how we get the most out of the relationships. And now we offer coaching as part of Forthright People. Whether it be for building your Marketing Smarts, general business guidance, branding and marketing development, Personal Brand cultivation, team dynamics optimization or just about anywhere else you have a challenge, you can expect forthright support stemming from our 35+ years of experience. Contact us at: Forthright-People.com. This episode is sponsored by Profound Performance. Need an inspiring leadership keynote, delivered virtually or in-person? Do you need leadership training, delivered in micro-learning doses or as a complete program? Go to profoundperformance.store today for a menu of options to motivate or train your leaders and employees.
“Leading from afar” has become a hot topic due to remote working environments. But even before our current situation mandated it, we have found that the very best type of leaders have the ability to do so from afar. This means giving their teams space and autonomy to do things their own way. And the benefit? They end up with higher performers and better results than those that micromanage. We call this Vigilant Leadership, meaning a leader is keeping careful watch over progress and results, but not involved and hands-on at every turn. In this episode, we speak to Vigilant Leadership best practices and how this can lead you to an entirely new level of success. We discuss John Mackey, Founder of Whole Foods, and how his practice of Vigilant Leadership resulted in business success and committed team members. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com. This episode is sponsored by Profound Performance. Need an inspiring leadership keynote, delivered virtually or in-person? Do you need leadership training, delivered in micro-learning doses or as a complete program? Go to profoundperformance.store today for a menu of options to motivate or train your leaders and employees.
There is a mantra in the marketing and branding world that “Content is king”. And this couldn’t be more true. From digital to more traditional written and programmatic ]to OTT (over-the-top), we are now surrounded by content. And the reason it is king? It is the ultimate differentiator for a business and a brand. Not only does it drive awareness by increasing touchpoints with your consumers, content that is consistently branded across platforms can disproportionately build credibility, reputation and trust. These are essential to build the emotional and mental connections to your customer which will compel them to choose you over and over again. In this episode, we share how to make this type of content which will deliver ROI and propel your business. We discuss how the brand Athleta leverages these attributes and also where they could do better versus their competition. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com. This episode is sponsored by Profound Performance. Need an inspiring leadership keynote, delivered virtually or in-person? Do you need leadership training, delivered in micro-learning doses or as a complete program? Go to profoundperformance.store today for a menu of options to motivate or train your leaders and employees.
Focusing on your brand in order to build or maintain a successful business is more important now than ever. And we have unfortunately seen too many companies short change their brand given current business climates. So many excuses exist out there: 1) You will worry about brand later. 2) Brand is only for products. 3) It is what big businesses do. 4) It costs too much money. 5) To be clear, this is NOT the way to go about building or maintaining a successful business. In this episode, we will speak to the differentiation that a strong brand can bring and how it is tied to business results. We will also discuss Peloton, and the impact a powerfully brand-led business has transformed a commoditized market and beat out competitors while broadening their audience reach on a regular basis. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com. To get your copy of The Super-Highway of Relevancy: Getting More People to Choose Your Brand, More Often, Indefinitely, click here. This episode is sponsored by Profound Performance. Need an inspiring leadership keynote, delivered virtually or in-person? Do you need leadership training, delivered in micro-learning doses or as a complete program? Go to profoundperformance.store today for a menu of options to motivate or train your leaders and employees.
So many customer interactions have been replaced with digital and automated interfaces. When executed well, the customer appreciates the convenience and flexibility they provide aiding in purchase and re-purchase of products and services. And what’s more, businesses benefit by reducing cost and improving efficiency. But there is a downside. In this digital world, the customer experience is in essence flat...almost creating a commoditized effect. Here, the brand can lose control of their relationship with the customer as it fights to create a Brand-Love connection in a world that is somewhat one-dimensional. In this episode, we invited another marketing expert, Brian Bolten, to join us as we discuss 4 Realities about Digital Interfaces and AI that can help you Improve Customer Experience. Brian specifically shares how these realities played a role in his work with brands like eBay, Smile Direct Club, Anheuser-Busch, and even a current start-up client. You can find Brian through his latest venture with Nextup or through LinkedI here. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com. This episode is sponsored by Gwynne Sound. A brand's sonic identity is the use of sound and music in a way that further defines what a brand stands for in the minds (and hearts) of its consumers. Gwynne Sound has built a team and process that knows how to build a sonic identity for your brand in a way that ensures on-equity delivery of sonic assets for use across all of your marketing touchpoints - ultimately driving a deeper connection between your brand and consumer. They do this with a combination of science and art that starts with their proprietary process and is fulfilled by their in-house (and external) network of world class composers, musicians and sound engineers to bring it to life. Want to learn more? Visit them today at www.gwynnesound.com to make sure your brand is heard!
Remember the old adage, it is not what you know but who you know? Networking is fundamental to any person’s success in business - it does not matter who you are. And it isn’t always easy to put yourself out there, so in this episode, 4 Unspoken Rules of Networking, we focus on what NOT to do in an effort to get to how to network effectively, but also comfortably and authentically. This episode sets you up for networking success because although you never know where networking will lead, it will take you on a journey to getting where you are destined to go. And we end with an unexpected, but fun, example - online dating apps! Because when is networking more important than when you are trying to find your special someone? And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com. This episode is sponsored by Profound Performance. Need an inspiring leadership keynote, delivered virtually or in-person? Do you need leadership training, delivered in micro-learning doses or as a complete program? Go to profoundperformance.store today for a menu of options to motivate or train your leaders and employees.
Influencers and partnerships can be super helpful to brands and businesses. First, they can bring instant credibility through their endorsement. Second, they have a platform of engaged fans, which can add significant reach to a brand’s message. But leveraging influencers and partners needs to be thought through strategically, as you will be making an investment here. In this episode, we give you 4 Tips for Using Influencers Effectively so that you can make good choices and translate your investment into business results. We end with a case study of an influencer campaign Anne led while on the Downy brand at P&G. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com. This episode is sponsored by Profound Performance. Need an inspiring leadership keynote, delivered virtually or in-person? Do you need leadership training, delivered in micro-learning doses or as a complete program? Go to profoundperformance.store today for a menu of options to motivate or train your leaders and employees.
We come from the opposite sides of the proverbial marketing tracks, with Anne at P&G and April at several different agencies. And though we have never worked on the same project, we do share a common truth: the best marketing work comes from the most functional teams. NOT the teams who like each other the most or get along the best, which is a common misconception. In this episode, we distill down our 35+ years of experience into 4 Ways to Create Highly Functional Corporate/Agency Teams. You will learn the characteristics and behaviors these teams employ to produce outstanding work on a consistent basis. And you will note how these apply to all types of teams. Case in point is our featured brand...Ray Dalio and Bridgewater Associates, the world’s largest hedge fund, who exemplifies these practices. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com. This episode is sponsored by Profound Performance. Need an inspiring leadership keynote, delivered virtually or in-person? Do you need leadership training, delivered in micro-learning doses or as a complete program? Go to profoundperformance.store today for a menu of options to motivate or train your leaders and employees.
Most successes and failures in business can be tied back to a leader’s ability to be aware of and manage their personal brand. Characteristics like empathy, ingenuity, and thoughtfulness are critical to bond people. If you have these as a leader, you are probably doing better than most, especially in the midst of a pandemic, where physical togetherness is limited. Now more than ever it is critical to be more intentional in your pursuits, which means inherently recognizing who you are at your core and understanding how this will impact your behaviors and actions which will ultimately define your business. In this episode, we outline the 4 Personal Brand Truths Every Leader Should Know. We highlight a founder we appreciate for embodying these truths, Kevin Systrom of Instagram. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com. This episode is sponsored by Profound Performance. Need an inspiring leadership keynote, delivered virtually or in-person? Do you need leadership training, delivered in micro-learning doses or as a complete program? Go to profoundperformance.store today for a menu of options to motivate or train your leaders and employees.
A partnership can be a beautiful thing when it works. But getting to the right partnership is definitely a journey. In this episode, we talk about what makes a successful partnership work (or not) through the lens of our personal experience in building Forthright People. You asked for our story and here we deliver! And in doing so, also share the top 4 steps to an effective partnership, so you can start your very own journey today. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com. This episode is sponsored by Profound Performance. Need an inspiring leadership keynote, delivered virtually or in-person? Do you need leadership training, delivered in micro-learning doses or as a complete program? Go to profoundperformance.store today for a menu of options to motivate or train your leaders and employees.
In this new world, many of you have taken to social channels to compensate for other channels that may have been cut-off due to COVID. Add this to the folks who were already there and now we have mass chaos. It is like LA during rush hour. And unfortunately, most businesses are getting sucked into the chaos versus rising above it and being heard. The secret to successful social channels? A brand-led social strategy. In this episode we give you the 4 elements of every successful social strategy. This will become your playbook to build an engaged audience who become word-of-mouth advocates for your business. We end with an example of a brand we love, Kim Crawford Wines, whose instagram is a shining example of a strong social strategy. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com. This episode is sponsored by Profound Performance. Need an inspiring leadership keynote, delivered virtually or in-person? Do you need leadership training, delivered in micro-learning doses or as a complete program? Go to profoundperformance.store today for a menu of options to motivate or train your leaders and employees.
By now you have listened to our Part 1 on Becoming a Freelancer. (And if you haven’t go to Part 1 now!) And now that you have all of the tools in place to run a business, it is time to start pitching business. In this episode, we focus on the operational and promotional aspects of starting your own business. This includes everything from the creation of your branded materials, where your materials will be promoted and featured, your proposal structure and pricing, and how to put these items to the best use. All with the mission in mind of getting clients and getting to work! And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com. This episode is sponsored by Profound Performance. Need an inspiring leadership keynote, delivered virtually or in-person? Do you need leadership training, delivered in micro-learning doses or as a complete program? Go to profoundperformance.store today for a menu of options to motivate or train your leaders and employees.
Have an entrepreneurial vision? Whether you are ready to pivot from a corporate life to hang your own shingle or maybe just looking to get into a side hustle, we are going to give the first 7 steps for getting started. There are also a lot of companies who will charge you good money to do really simple things, which you may be inclined to do because you just don’t know. But we want you to spend your money wisely because virtually everyone has to boot-strap when they get started. Learn from our experiences to get your business established in less than 3 days and around $500. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com. This episode is sponsored by Profound Performance. Need an inspiring leadership keynote, delivered virtually or in-person? Do you need leadership training, delivered in micro-learning doses or as a complete program? Go to profoundperformance.store today for a menu of options to motivate or train your leaders and employees.
The ways you have generated leads in the past are likely suffering due to the pandemic. Especially if you relied on big events, foot-traffic or live patronage. Even though we are seeing signs of life, it could be a very long time before these types of events and exposure return. Which means you need to pivot. In this episode, we give you 4 lead gen strategies that are working for businesses like yours. We also address related questions like “how do I launch a new product in a highly digital world?” We end with a personal example from Anne on a company who effectively pivoted their lead gen but didn’t plan appropriately. Don’t let that be you! And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com. This episode is sponsored by Profound Performance. Need an inspiring leadership keynote, delivered virtually or in-person? Do you need leadership training, delivered in micro-learning doses or as a complete program? Go to profoundperformance.store today for a menu of options to motivate or train your leaders and employees.
Personal branding in business has always been important, but is arguably more so now than ever as we live out our lives and attempt to stand out on screens. In this episode, we discuss 4 reasons now is the time to work on your personal brand. We also talk through challenges of doing so across all aspects of life in an authentic way while discussing real world examples for context. And we end with an example of former professional basketball star turned master personal brander, Shaquille O’Neal. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com. This episode is sponsored by Profound Performance. Need an inspiring leadership keynote, delivered virtually or in-person? Do you need leadership training, delivered in micro-learning doses or as a complete program? Go to profoundperformance.store today for a menu of options to motivate or train your leaders and employees.
Find yourself dreaming about doing your own thing? Being an entrepreneur takes courage and determination, but also a plan. And how do you know when it is time to pull the trigger? In this episode, we discuss 4 signs that you are ready to take the leap to being an entrepreneur. We also address some of the things we have learned on our journeys, or things we wish someone had shared with us. We end with an example of someone who is a master entrepreneur, a favorite of ours, Rachel Hollis, who has endured a long journey to success. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com. This episode is sponsored by Profound Performance. Need an inspiring leadership keynote, delivered virtually or in-person? Do you need leadership training, delivered in micro-learning doses or as a complete program? Go to profoundperformance.store today for a menu of options to motivate or train your leaders and employees.
Even before the pandemic, a “Google Search” was one of the first ways people would vet a business. And the first thing they looked for…a website. In today’s world, this may be the first interaction someone is having with your business. So, it better be a good one. In this episode, we reveal 4 monumental mistakes businesses make on their websites which sabotages their conversion. We also address some of the most common questions and challenges we get from our clients on this topic. We end with an example of someone who is exercising their Marketing Smarts in this area…our sponsor and performance coach Scott Mautz. And as always, if you need help in building your Marketing Smarts, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: Forthright-People.com. This episode is sponsored by Profound Performance. Need an inspiring leadership keynote, delivered virtually or in-person? Do you need leadership training, delivered in micro-learning doses or as a complete program? Go to profoundperformance.store today for a menu of options to motivate or train your leaders and employees.