Rep Your Brand: Recent Episodes
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Rep Your Brand is a podcast for B2B marketers who are looking to build their career through a strong personal brand. It’s hosted by Nick Bennett, voted one of LinkedIn’s Top Voices of 2020. In each episode, Nick captures stories about how to overcome the challenges marketers face with growing their personal brand. And, ultimately, Rep Your Brand helps marketers open doors to opportunities they never thought were possible. Listeners can tune in to get tangible tips & launch strategies to build their own personal brand right away.
In this episode of The Anonymous Marketer host Kirsti Lang welcomes Jayde I. Powell, a renowned content creator and marketer, to discuss strategies for monetizing as a creator. Kirsti introduces Jayde, highlighting her role as the Founder and Head Creative of the Em Dash Co., and her experience as the host of the LinkedIn audio series, Creator T Talk. Jayde's insights are especially pertinent for creators looking to navigate the complex landscape of brand partnerships.
The episode kicks off with a question from an anonymous marketer: "I am growing my following on LinkedIn and I'd love to start exploring working with some brands. Do I need to work with an agency? Where do I even start?" Jayde shares her experiences and emphasizes the value of building a strong personal brand on LinkedIn. She discusses various monetization methods, including sponsored posts and partnerships, and explains how creators can leverage their unique content style to attract brand collaborations.
Jayde elaborates on her journey, detailing the importance of professional communication and maintaining high standards in content creation. She reflects on her own successes and challenges, offering practical advice on how to approach brand partnerships and negotiate fair compensation. Throughout the conversation, Kirsti and Jayde explore the evolving opportunities on LinkedIn, encouraging creators to experiment, post consistently, and prioritize quality to achieve long-term success in the creator economy.
In this episode of The Anonymous Marketer, host Kirsti Lang is joined by Mita Mallick to address a listener's question about creating consistent content on LinkedIn amidst a busy schedule. The anonymous marketer struggles to balance long working hours and family life while trying to build a personal brand. Mita shares her journey, starting with observing and engaging on LinkedIn, which eventually led to regularly posting authentic content during the pandemic. She emphasizes the importance of consistency and authenticity in building a meaningful LinkedIn presence.
Mita dives into her personal strategies for content creation, highlighting that she manages without a virtual assistant by using simple tools like a notebook and her phone's notes section. She underscores the value of jotting down ideas as they come and using tools like Canva for graphics. Mita also discusses the evolving LinkedIn algorithm, which now prioritizes content that provides tips and advice over generic posts, encouraging users to share genuine, valuable insights to grow their community.
The episode concludes with practical advice for marketers on LinkedIn, focusing on the importance of starting immediately and staying consistent. Mita encourages listeners to engage with comments and find their unique voice and format for content creation. If you have a burning question or need expert advice, submit your questions at markdoesntdemand.com/anonymous. We look forward to hearing from you!
In the latest episode of "The Anonymous Marketer," host Kirsti Lang addresses a question from an anonymous marketer: “Fractional work seems to be on the rise, especially in marketing. I'd love to know about this kind of work and how to get into it. Is it a trend that's going to last?” To provide expert insights, Kirsti invites Christina Garnett, a seasoned marketing professional and founder of Pocket CCO, to discuss the nuances of fractional marketing roles.
Christina explains that fractional roles involve dedicating a portion of one's time to multiple companies, often at a leadership level, offering strategic insights and execution capabilities. This approach allows companies to access high-level expertise without the need for full-time hires, particularly beneficial in times of economic uncertainty. She emphasizes that this trend is here to stay, driven by the need for companies to maintain operations efficiently despite budget constraints.
The episode also dives into the practicalities of succeeding in fractional roles. Christina shares strategies for effective context switching, such as deeply understanding each company's mission and staying organized with detailed workflows. She encourages professionals to write their dream job descriptions to clarify their goals and leverage their strengths in the market. For those interested in transitioning to fractional work, Christina’s advice and personal experiences offer invaluable guidance on navigating this evolving career path.
In this lively episode of "The Anonymous Marketer," Kirsti Lang engages Simon Heaton in a deep dive into the intricacies of securing a marketing role at Buffer amid a fiercely competitive job market. Simon, with a rich background at both Shopify and Buffer, unpacks his journey and the proactive steps candidates can adopt to stand out. He emphasizes the significance of genuine engagement with the company’s culture beyond mere perks and highlights how strategic responses to application questions can illuminate a candidate's true potential and alignment with the company's values.
The conversation pivots to the rigorous hiring process at Buffer, where Simon details the hands-on approach taken by hiring managers, steering clear of traditional recruitment agencies. He shares insights into the personal touch in reviewing applications, underscoring the value of thoughtful, well-researched responses that resonate with Buffer's mission and operational style. This part of the discussion sheds light on the expectations from candidates and the meticulous nature of Buffer’s recruitment, aimed at finding not just a skill fit but a holistic match for the company’s culture.
Towards the end, Simon offers sage advice to job seekers in the tech industry, stressing resilience and the importance of leveraging personal networks. He suggests practical steps for candidates to remain industrious and visible in their fields, even when not formally employed, thus maintaining relevance and attractiveness to potential employers. This blend of strategic foresight and personal investment in the job search process encapsulates the theme of the episode: navigating career challenges with informed tenacity and authentic self-presentation.
In this episode of The Anonymous Marketer, host Kirsti Lang dives into the nuances of SEO with Lily Ray, the Vice President of SEO Strategy and Research at Amsive. Lily, with over 14 years of experience in SEO, shares her journey and the impact of Google algorithm updates on SEO strategies. Their conversation highlights the balance between technical know-how and creative marketing, emphasizing SEO as both an art and a science.
The discussion further explores Google's helpful content update and its implications for websites, especially those relying heavily on SEO for traffic. Lily advises against drastic actions in reaction to SEO updates, advocating for a focus on building a trustworthy brand and diversifying traffic sources. She stresses the importance of understanding Google's guidelines and using AI tools responsibly to enhance content quality without losing the human touch.
Kirsti and Lily tackle the future of SEO in light of AI advancements, including Google's SGE update. They caution against panic and underscore the ongoing need for content that values the reader's time and attention. Lily's insights offer a roadmap for navigating SEO's complex landscape, prioritizing long-term growth over quick wins.
In this episode of The Anonymous Marketer, host Kirsti Lang sits down with Samantha Zabell, the Director of Content Strategy at Duolingo, to tackle the pressing issue of marketing team burnout. Samantha shares her journey from journalism to leading Duolingo's organic content marketing across six markets, highlighting the unique challenges and rewards her role offers.
The conversation delves into the struggles small marketing teams face, including high expectations, tight budgets, and the constant battle for respect within larger organizations. Samantha offers valuable insights on motivating teams, prioritizing tasks, and earning the recognition marketers deserve. Her experiences at Duolingo shed light on effective strategies for fostering a creative and productive team environment, even in the face of limited resources.
The episode wraps up with actionable insights for navigating workplace challenges and optimizing team resources. Samantha highlights the critical role of open communication and relentless prioritization in workload management. Drawing on her experiences at Duolingo, she demonstrates how staying aligned with a company's mission and harnessing the team's collective strengths can empower marketers to push past burnout and make significant contributions to their organizations.
In this episode of The Anonymous Marketer, Kirsti Lang and guest Masooma Memon dive into effective B2B content marketing strategies, focusing on bottom-of-funnel (BoFu) tactics.
Masooma emphasizes the importance of creating a content "playground" where each piece interlinks, guiding readers through a learning journey about the brand's tools and services. The discussion covers the misconception of the marketing funnel's obsolescence, advocating instead for a nuanced approach that treats content as a dynamic resource library rather than rigid funnel stages.
They also explore the power of storytelling in product showcases and customer success stories, highlighting the need for empathy and value-driven content that positions the reader as the hero of their journey.
In this episode of The Anonymous Marketer, host Kirsti Lang welcomes Sara Jensen from Brighter Messaging. They dive into the nuances of marketing strategies that stand out in today's competitive landscape. Sara shares insights on targeting the right audience and the importance of a solid marketing foundation. They discuss leveraging SEO and content marketing to maximize impact, even with limited budgets.
The conversation also explores the differences between B2B and B2C marketing, highlighting the unique challenges and opportunities each presents. Sara shares practical tips on how businesses can navigate these landscapes effectively, stressing the importance of adaptability and continuous learning.
Listeners interested in submitting questions to The Anonymous Marketer can do so by visiting marketersindemand.com/anonymous. There, they'll find a submission form where they can ask Kirsti Lang and her guests about marketing strategies, challenges, and trends.
In this enlightening episode of The Anonymous Marketer, host Kirsti Lang dives into the world of freelance marketing with Anna Burgess Yang, a renowned freelance Fintech and Product-Led Content Writer. Anna shares her transition from a corporate role to freelancing, emphasizing the importance of networking, especially on platforms like LinkedIn. She highlights the significance of building a personal brand and online presence before fully committing to freelance work.
Anna discusses the intricacies of freelance pricing strategies and contract management, providing valuable insights for aspiring freelancers. She stresses the importance of treating freelancing as a business, focusing on sales, project management, and client relations. Additionally, Anna offers practical advice on navigating challenging conversations about pricing and payment, underscoring the need for clear communication and assertiveness in these discussions.
This episode offers a realistic and comprehensive overview of freelancing, equipping listeners with the knowledge to embark on or enhance their freelance journeys.
In this episode of The Anonymous Marketer, host Kirsti Lang converses with Erik Martin, a seasoned marketing expert. They delve into the importance of maintaining a professional portfolio for marketers. Erik, with his extensive background in various high-profile marketing roles, shares insights on creating compelling portfolios that stand out in a competitive job market.
The discussion begins with Erik emphasizing the value of portfolios in showcasing a marketer's achievements and skills. He advises on how to document marketing projects effectively and highlights the significance of visually representing one's work, even for non-visual roles. Erik's unique perspective on portfolios extends beyond job hunting; he views them as tools for self-reflection and career development.
Kirsti and Erik explore the practical aspects of portfolio creation. Erik suggests using accessible tools like Notion, Canva, and public Google Docs, making it easier for those with limited technical skills. He also touches on the relevance of personal branding and the use of portfolios as a strategy for career advancement.
This episode is a deep dive into the professional world of marketing, offering valuable advice for marketers at any career stage. Kirsti and Erik's conversation is not only informative but also serves as a guide for marketers looking to enhance their professional presence and impact.
In this insightful episode of The Anonymous Marketer, host Kirsti Lang dives into the intricacies of personal branding on social media in a corporate setting with guest Lorraine K. Lee from RISE Learning Solutions. Lorraine, a LinkedIn aficionado, shares her journey and the impact of a robust online presence on her career.
The conversation pivots to the challenges faced when corporate boundaries clash with personal branding efforts. Lorraine advises on navigating these waters, emphasizing transparency with employers and the importance of a disclaimer in posts to differentiate personal opinions from company stances.
Furthermore, the episode touches on the mutual benefits of employee advocacy on platforms like LinkedIn. Lorraine highlights how personal branding not only elevates individual profiles but also enhances corporate visibility and credibility. The discussion culminates in practical tips for listeners eager to build their own brands, underscoring the value of starting small and maintaining authenticity.
In this episode of The Anonymous Marketer, host Kirsti Lang talks with Ashley Louise, the Co-Founder & CEO of Ladies Get Paid. They delve into the challenges and strategies of salary negotiations, especially in uncertain economic times.
Ashley shares her insights on navigating layoffs and advocating for fair pay, emphasizing the importance of self-worth and effective communication. She discusses the mission of Ladies Get Paid, highlighting its role in empowering women in the workplace.
The conversation also covers practical tips for professionals facing tough career decisions, offering guidance on how to approach salary discussions and workplace dynamics. This episode provides valuable perspectives for anyone looking to advance their career and negotiate effectively.
In this episode of The Anonymous Marketer, host Kirsti Lang engages with Lindsay McGuire from Goldcast. They dive into the nuances of hosting marketing events, a skill increasingly vital in today's digital landscape. Lindsay, balancing her role as a mother and a professional, shares insights from her journey.
The conversation begins with a focus on the importance of technical preparation for events, emphasizing the need for tech checks to avoid chaos. Kirsti and Lindsay then touch on the challenges and joys of parenting, a shared experience that adds a personal touch to the discussion.
Lindsay's background in journalism and her transition to content marketing form a significant part of the conversation. Her journey from aspiring news anchor to a key player in event marketing illustrates the adaptability and skills transferable between journalism and marketing. This episode not only explores the technical aspects of event hosting but also dives into the personal growth and career evolution of a marketing professional.
In this episode of The Anonymous Marketer, Kirsti Lang dives into the world of community engagement with Alex Angel. With a rich background in community development at Reddit, Nike, and Commsor, Alex brings a wealth of experience. They explore the transformation of support communities into dynamic spaces for learning and knowledge sharing.
Alex emphasizes the importance of understanding the 'why' behind wanting to shift a community's focus. It's crucial to align these changes with broader company goals and understand the benefits for the organization. This approach ensures that the community evolves in a way that's beneficial and sustainable.
The discussion moves to engagement strategies and the benefits of different community types. Alex highlights the value in relationship building, marketing, customer support, and product development through community engagement. They also touch on the importance of understanding community member motivations and whether the current community aligns with the desired changes.
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In this episode of The Anonymous Marketer, host Kirsti Lang welcomes Christina Garnett from HubSpot to explore the power of turning customers into fans. Christina emphasizes that word of mouth remains a timeless marketing strategy, unaffected by technological advancements or trends.
Kirsti, taking over as the new host, dives into the topic with enthusiasm, discussing the significance of building a community around a brand. Christina, an expert in community building and customer marketing, shares insights on why fans are crucial for a brand's growth. She explains that fans are not just customers; they are advocates who actively promote and defend the brand in various online platforms, adding a layer of trust and authenticity that brands alone cannot achieve.
The conversation then shifts to practical strategies for cultivating fans. Christina advises focusing on the customer experience, ensuring that every interaction, from sales to support, is respectful and engaging. She stresses the importance of consistent care and attention, not just during renewal periods but throughout the customer journey. By meeting and exceeding customer expectations, brands can transform satisfied customers into loyal fans.
In this episode of The Anonymous Marketer, hosts Justin Brown and Tristan Pelligrino sit down with Nick Bennett, Chief Customer Officer and Co-founder of TACK. They dive into the podcast's unique format and discuss how traditional interviews have become passé. The trio discusses the power of anonymous questions, making the conversation more relatable and engaging.
Nick Bennett shares his insights on owned media. In a world where platforms like LinkedIn and TikTok can vanish, owned media remains king. Nick also talks about the burgeoning creator economy. B2B brands are keen to collaborate with creators but often don't know where to start. Nick sheds light on how to lead the charge.
The episode wraps up with a discussion on the essence of podcasting. It's not just about entertainment; it's about delivering value. The hosts and guests agree: keep it conversational, stay unbiased, and don't be afraid to take a stand.
In this episode of The Anonymous Marketer, host Nick Bennett and guest Mark Kilens, CMO of Airmeet and co-founder of ClubPF, dive deep into the art of building a marketing organization from scratch. They tackle a listener's query about constructing a marketing team for a SaaS data analytics company. The duo shares insights on gaining momentum and setting the stage for success.
Kilens introduces his unique equation for momentum. He emphasizes the need for clear goals and metrics. These tools, he suggests, are vital for tracking progress and maintaining the pace. The conversation is a masterclass in strategic planning and execution.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to build a marketing team from the ground up. Bennett and Kilens offer a roadmap to success, providing listeners with practical advice and actionable strategies. Tune in to learn from their wealth of experience and knowledge.
In this episode of The Anonymous Marketer, host Nick Bennett and guest Mark Kilens, CMO of Airmeet, dive into the art of building a marketing organization from scratch. They discuss the importance of a belief system, a rallying cry that brings employees, customers, and the community together. Mark emphasizes that every business, regardless of size or industry, can have a belief system that informs their marketing strategy.
The conversation then shifts to the practical aspects of building a marketing team. Mark suggests starting with a strong generalist marketer who understands how to market in public and learn from what they ship. As the team grows, it's crucial to start specializing in the core functions of marketing, such as brand/content, product marketing, and demand/revenue marketing.
Wrapping up, Nick and Mark tease a part two where they will delve deeper into how to build momentum with a new marketing organization. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to build or revamp their marketing team from the ground up.
Special thanks to our sponsors:
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In this episode of The Anonymous Marketer, host Nick Bennett sits down with Tim Davidson, the Sr. Director of Marketing at Directive. The conversation centers around the challenge of driving revenue growth within existing enterprise accounts, particularly in businesses where salespeople view themselves more as account managers than lead generators.
Davidson shares his insights on improving the relationship between marketing and sales teams. He emphasizes the importance of open communication, citing an example of a dedicated Slack channel where sales can provide direct feedback on lead quality. This proactive approach, he suggests, fosters trust and collaboration, ultimately benefiting the lead generation process.
The discussion concludes with Davidson offering advice to marketers struggling in a predominantly account-focused model. He encourages creativity in marketing strategies, especially when dealing with existing customers, as this can lead to unique opportunities that competitors can't replicate. The episode serves as a valuable resource for marketers seeking to enhance their lead generation and sales collaboration efforts.
In this episode of The Anonymous Marketer, host Nick Bennett engages in a rich discussion with Tim Davidson, the Sr. Director of Marketing at Directive. The conversation orbits around the challenges of maximizing the impact of LinkedIn paid ads on a limited budget, a common hurdle for many marketing teams today.
Davidson shares his insights on how to focus on target accounts rather than widespread awareness, a strategy that can yield better results for businesses. He also delves into the importance of customer research, testing messaging, and understanding the nuances of LinkedIn's targeting system. His advice is particularly valuable for those new to paid media.
The episode concludes with Davidson offering three tactical takeaways for listeners: building an account list through customer research, testing messaging, and learning the intricacies of LinkedIn targeting. These insights provide listeners with practical strategies to make the most of their marketing budget.
In this episode of The Anonymous Marketer, host Nick Bennett sits down with Amanda Natividad, VP of Marketing at SparkToro. They delve into the challenges and strategies of content creation for early-stage companies, particularly those with limited resources.
Amanda shares her insights on event-led growth, emphasizing the importance of having clear goals and strategies for different types of events. She also discusses the common mistakes startups make when it comes to content creation, such as not fully understanding SEO before hiring for it, and how these can be avoided.
The conversation concludes with Amanda's advice on identifying short-term wins that the whole team can work towards. She also shares her contact information for listeners who want to connect with her further. This episode is a treasure trove of information for anyone navigating the world of content strategy in a startup environment.
In this episode, host Nick Bennett engages in a thought-provoking discussion with guest Justin Levy on the evolving landscape of the creator economy and influencer marketing. They delve into the complexities of the influencer sphere, highlighting the importance of authenticity, community value, and strategic partnerships in driving impactful results.
Nick and Justin explore the intricacies of influencer marketing, particularly the necessity for a symbiotic relationship between brands and influencers. They underscore the need for brands to respect the creative freedom of influencers, fostering a mutually beneficial relationship that resonates with their communities.
Towards the end, Justin shares valuable tips for brands and creators looking to venture into influencer marketing. Emphasizing the importance of trust, value alignment, and collaboration, his insights offer a roadmap to a successful influencer marketing strategy. An engaging episode packed with insights, it's a must-listen for anyone seeking to navigate the intricate world of influencer marketing.
Special thanks to our sponsors:
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The pandemic has forced companies to make significant budget cuts, which has resulted in numerous layoffs; some have even closed their doors permanently. However, the pandemic has also initiated a significant shift in how we do business. Remote-first or remote-only culture has become common as organizations saw the benefits of a global talent pool. Similarly, job seekers have more options since they can now apply for roles at companies around the world.
Still, layoffs are hard, and we all approach them differently. In this episode of The Anonymous Marketer, we chat with Brianna Doe, the director of Demand Generation at Aion, about how you can recover after a layoff and start looking for a new job. Brianna shared her experience and gave valuable advice on using social media and communities to land new opportunities.
Brianna and our host Nick Bennett touch upon the difference between small and large organizations from a marketing perspective. They also talk about the best mediums to present yourself to a potential employer, whether you are at the beginning of your career, you have been laid off, or want to change your job and specialize in a specific marketing field.
In the new episode of The Anonymous Marketer, we explore questions about career growth and the challenges of moving from a small organization to a larger one.
Our host is Ryan Narod, the VP of Marketing at Mutiny. Ryan first explains the differences between a marketing manager and a marketing director and the skills that qualify a marketing manager for a higher role.
Ryan also shares his operating cadence from Monday through Friday and how such a structure affects productivity and efficiency across the organization. Finally, Ryan and our host Nick Bennett discuss the importance of community and how to build meaningful long-term relationships with people from your professional sphere.
Kyle Lacy, the CMO of Jellyfish, joins us to answer the question submitted by an anonymous marketer: How does a marketing team transition to a revenue organization aligned under the pipeline?
Kyle was involved in a similar process in his previous company, Lessonly. First, he explains what precedes the transition and the aspects marketing teams must focus on. Kyle also shares the challenges of such a process, mentioning the silos in which marketing and sales teams work. He says working within a revenue-driven framework helps get out of these silos. He also explains how reporting works in a revenue organization when sales and marketing teams work in alignment and how compensation should be structured for teams reporting under marketing.
Special thanks to our sponsors:
Hockeystack
Allego
Opensense
What is a community? Some will consider the people interacting over social networks, like LinkedIn, to be a community.
But from the perspective of a B2B marketer at a SaaS company, a community is so much more than that.
In this episode of The Anonymous Marketer, our host Nick Bennett welcomes Katie Ray, the head of Community at Metadata. Katie explains what a community is and how you can build a community around a company. Katie and Nick discuss the importance of having a strategy and shared identity in the community and how you can measure if a community is working or not.
Special thanks to our sponsors:
Hockeystack
Allego
Opensense
Setting goals is one of the prerequisites for success in marketing. And both short-term and long-term goals are an essential part of your strategy.
But how do you balance short-term and long-term marketing goals?
In this episode of The Anonymous Marketer podcast, our host Nick Bennett welcomes Pete Lorenco, the VP of Demand Generation at HYCU. They share their thoughts on executing short wins, the importance of building credibility, and how to develop your marketing hypotheses for the long-term.
Special thanks to our sponsors:
Hockeystack
Allego
Opensense
Many companies view field and event marketing as the same thing. And if you’re a field marketer, sometimes you have to figure out how your role fits into the larger picture.
In this episode of The Anonymous Marketer, Nick Bennett and guest Arthur Castillo (Head of Dark Social & Evangelism at Chili Piper) tackle questions from the community and discuss the primary differences between a field marketing lead and a manager.
After pinpointing the difference between a lead and a manager, they also touch upon the importance of in-person events in 2023. Arthur shares how he approaches live events at Chili Piper and highlights what his team has learned from creating content at major tradeshows.
Special thanks to our sponsors:
Hockeystack
Allego
It's no secret that the world is going through some tough economic times right now. Everywhere you look, companies are cutting budgets and letting people go. And even if you haven't been directly impacted by layoffs, it's hard not to feel the ripple effects. So, it's more important than ever to try and understand what's happening from all angles. Whether you're one of the folks who's been let go or you're still hanging in there at your company, we all have a part to play in trying to make things work.
In this episode of The Anonymous Marketer, we are joined by Kaylee Edmondson, the VP of Revenue R&D at Refine Labs. Kaylee and our host Nick Bennett discuss how marketers should set themselves up in this changing economic climate, define survivor's guilt, and explore how those who stayed at a company can help those who were laid off.
Kaylee shares why she decided to leave her previous role and how building a network on LinkedIn helped her land her dream job. She encourages everyone to start posting on social media and build a community as these relationships will help you adapt and swim through times of uncertainty.
In this episode of The Anonymous Marketer, Nick Bennett shares a recent interview he did on Recorded Content.
The host of Recorded Content, Tristan Pelligrino, and Nick discuss the importance of consistency when producing a podcast and pinpoint why Nick decided to pursue a different theme for his podcast.
For more information about Recorded Content, check out https://motionagency.io/recorded-content-podcast
If you feel like you've outgrown your current marketing role and you know more than your boss, where should you turn? How do you take the next step along your career path?
One option is to discuss the possibility of taking on more challenging tasks or responsibilities within your current role. If that's not possible, then you may want to connect with other leaders in your organization and figure out how to get experience in other areas of the business.
When it comes to career growth, your path doesn't have to be linear.
In the first episode of The Anonymous Marketer, Nick Bennett welcomes Corrina Owens, the Senior ABM Manager at Gong. During the conversation, Nick and Corrina answer two big career growth-related questions sent in by our anonymous marketers.
- How can you find a mentor? Especially when you don't live in a big city like San Francisco or New York. People are always stressing the importance of mentors but fall silent when I ask for working examples.
- It recently hit me that I don't learn from my boss anymore. I actually know more than her. The marketing is very young in experience. But I am not. I can probably cruise here for a while, but what would you personally do if you were in my shoes?
For those interested in being part of our future episodes, visit motionagency.io/anonymous. We look forward to your questions.
Welcome to the new and final episode of Rep Your Brand. This may be the show’s final episode, but it is not Nick Bennett’s last outing as the podcast host. Therefore, keep reading or tune in to the show to find out what's cooking in Nick Bennett's podcast kitchen.
In this final episode, Nick shares what motivated him to start Rep Your Brand and what made him decide to end it. He also gives us a sneak peek into a new show that will be launched in December.
Globalization and changes in behavior and trends have caused a digital transformation at an organizational level and have given the customer more control over the process of buying. Today, a large part of the purchase process is already completed before you get in contact with the supplier. Further, social media is becoming more and more important for personal branding, just as social selling is becoming increasingly important for personal brand promotion.
But while personal branding and social selling go hand in hand, there are differences between the two. Personal branding consists of creating your own brand, which can be sold and marketed, while social selling is about using the power of your personal brand to interact with your prospects on social media.
In this episode of Rep Your Brand, our host Nick Bennett welcomes Evan Patterson, a content and community marketing professional and LinkedIn influencer. Evan and Nick get into a bunch of random stuff that Evan does on his LinkedIn. They discuss influencer and sales marketing, social selling, personal branding, and the relationship between social selling and personal branding.
A strong company brand goes a long way to building trust with your ideal customers. And it helps you stand out when compared to other competitors.
But aren't brands made up of people? If so, how can an evangelist help build your company's brand?
In this episode of the Rep Your Brand podcast, our host Nick Bennett welcomes Will Aitken, a sales evangelist at Sales Feed and a content creator & event speaker at Vidyard. They chat about the role of an evangelist, why evangelists understand customers better, and how to use TikTok for brand building.
With innovations in technology, companies now have access to a global talent pool. This enables them to hire the best professionals to build new and exciting products. But, when everything is available to everyone (undoubtedly the best thing ever), it becomes challenging for businesses to stand out in competitive markets.
Therefore, companies must focus on marketing and create content that will differentiate them from companies offering similar products or services. That's when competitive intelligence comes to the forefront.
In this episode of Rep Your Brand, Patrick Wall, the head of competitive intelligence at Imperva, joins our host Nick Bennett to discuss competitive intelligence and its role in MarTech. The two discuss content creation and what it takes for a marketer to incorporate competitive intelligence in their work. They also talk about why we should respect our competitors and the benefits of encouraging employees to build their personal brands.
When people think of brand advocates, they often think of external people, like social media influencers. And years ago, in large companies, there were people whose role was to hype up the company.
But some of your best brand advocates can be your employees because they know your company inside out and can provide a unique voice to your brand.
According to Michael Roberts, Head of Demand Generation at CloudApp, employee advocacy has many benefits for the company as well as for the employees themselves.
In this episode of Rep Your Brand, Michael gets into the benefits of employee advocacy and how to get people involved in this program. Michael and our host Nick Bennett discuss the employee advocacy program at CloudApp, its results, and how companies could turbocharge their program.
We all use social networks, and each of them serves different needs. As a result, they have become a very common form of communication and a space for expressing opinions and finding work. And most of all, they can serve as a platform to create content and build a personal brand.
But it's hard to create content consistently while you have a job. As a result, some publish exclusively work-related content, others publish only entertaining content or share their thoughts, and a few manage to create a mix of it all.
Fortunately, there are companies that can help you create content and, therefore, a personal brand. Becca Nash, Sam Hembree, and Brooklin Nash started Beam Content for this reason — to create better B2B content for their clients and a better experience for their freelancers.
In this episode of Rep Your Brand, our host Nick Bennett welcomes Brooklin Nash, the co-founder of Beam Content. Nick and Brooklin discuss the importance of creating content and balancing personal brands while working. They get into why it is critical to be transparent while creating content and talk about the different types of content you can create.
LinkedIn has become the most trusted platform for building one’s professional reputation. And it's a great way to connect with your audience, provide value, and help them solve their problems.
But if you want to stand out on LinkedIn, you must stand for something.
In this episode of the Rep Your Brand podcast, our host Nick Bennett welcomes Steve Watt, Director of Market Insights at Seismic. They chat about why companies should let their people shine online, how to be a scroll stopper on LinkedIn, and the connection between strong branding and revenue.
Although ‘personal brand’ has become a buzzword, individuals and organizations have started to recognize the benefits of personal brands. Still, many companies avoid or are openly against their employees building a personal brand as they think it is a conflict of interest and might hurt the business.
Therefore, it's up to companies that acknowledge the value of their employees’ personal brands to spread the word about this practice and encourage other business owners to support their employees in building a personal brand.
In this episode of Rep Your Brand, our host Nick Bennett welcomes Parry Headrick, the founder of Crackle PR. Parry shares what it was like building a company in the middle of the pandemic and how building a community on Linkedin was a game-changer for his career. He also shares valuable advice for employers and organizations and explains how encouraging employees to work on their personal brand benefits companies in the long term.
Social networks have become part of everyday life, both personal and professional. And a strong personal brand on social media can help you a lot in your career.
But not all companies are open to this type of promotion of their employees, even if it can be of great benefit to them. Fearing that employees will leave them one day, companies do not want to support them in their personal branding efforts and limit them in terms of the content they can publish.
Kaylee Edmondson, Director of Demand Generation at Brightwheel, believes that leaders should always support their employees. As someone who had great leaders who invested in her and empowered her, she notes that it made her love them much more.
In this episode of Rep Your Brand, Kaylee gets into the importance of personal branding. Kaylee and our host Nick Bennett discuss whether a constant presence on LinkedIn or the content is more important, how companies look at posting content, and the benefits of LinkedIn.
Today, people use social media a lot, and the promotion of brands on social platforms has become an integral part of business.
But many companies have a misconception about what it means to make social media work for them and fail to realize the importance of strong personal brands that can contribute to the company's growth.
In this episode of Rep Your Brand, host Nick Bennett welcomes Mark Jung, VP of Marketing at Sales Impact Academy. They get into the importance of social media in building a strong personal brand and discuss changes in the way brands incorporate social media into their businesses.
Companies are increasingly hiring people with a strong personal brand because it has many benefits. And for companies that are still building their own brand, the social presence of a personal brand is high on the list when choosing candidates.
But many young people are afraid to share their views and ideas with other people. That is mainly because they think that posting content requires some experience and that they do not have the credibility to express their thoughts so publicly.
In this episode of Rep Your Brand, host Nick Bennett welcomes Corrina Owens, Senior ABM Manager at Gong. Corrina has experience developing and leading content generation across multiple media platforms. She explains what a personal brand is and who can post on LinkedIn. In addition, Nick and Corrina talk about why it's important to be yourself on LinkedIn and truly connect with people.
Even if you are working for a company, you can still create content on social media and build a personal brand. Today, many people try to build a personal brand on LinkedIn by writing articles and sharing valuable advice and business tips. In this way, they also help to promote their company.
But some organizations don't allow employees to create and share authentic content and prohibit posting during work time. However, a strong personal brand of even one employee can bring a lot of benefits to the company. So what happens if your company doesn't support you? How do you balance work and your own brand?
In the new episode of Rep Your Brand, Nick Bennett welcomes Todd Kunsman, the Director of Marketing at EveryoneSocial. Nick and Todd get into the ins and outs of building and promoting a strong personal brand, how to make your content stand out, and discuss why companies should support employees in building their social media profiles.
Your personal brand is your golden ticket to building a successful career. And there are tremendous benefits to developing your own brand — from attracting new clients to generating new opportunities for your business.
But personal branding is not strictly reserved for entrepreneurs. On the contrary, everyone can and should have a personal brand.
In this episode of the Rep Your Brand podcast, our host Nick Bennett welcomes Erin Balsa, the founder of Erin Balsa Content Marketing and, as of this year, a full-time self-employed content marketer. They talk about the perks of having a strong personal brand, how to build relationships on social media, and why consistency is critical.
Building a personal brand can stem from a lot of different activities. It’s all about what you want to achieve. LinkedIn has become one of the most popular channels to introduce yourself and let people know who you are. But some people do it only for the “likes” and never really connect with people.
So, how do you use LinkedIn as a way to truly engage with the audience? In this episode of Rep Your Brand, Nick Bennett welcomes Sam Kuehnle, VP of Demand Generation at Refine Labs. Nick and Sam get into what makes content appealing to a specific audience, identify ways to connect with people, and explain how you can get started with creating your own content to help you stand out on LinkedIn.
The combination of social media and communities has become an integral part of our professional lives over the last few years. And professional networking sites such as LinkedIn and Twitter are at the forefront of this evolution.
But there's an increasing demand for transparency and honesty on social media, so if you want to make it online, you need to keep it real with your audiences.
In this episode of the Rep Your Brand podcast, our host Nick Bennett welcomes Zoë Hartsfield, the Community Architect at Spekit. They talk about the importance of staying true to yourself on social media, how to improve your content writing skills, and the difference between a community and an audience.
The way you build a personal brand depends on your personality and the goals you want to achieve. And today, LinkedIn is the most popular platform for presenting yourself and your views, promoting your goals, sharing valuable posts to let people know who you are, and creating a personal brand.
But not everyone is successful at building their brand on LinkedIn. Some people don't connect with the audience; instead, they focus on how many "likes" they get. However, the truth is that these "likes" do not determine whether your brand is successful or not.
In the new episode of Rep Your Brand, Nick Bennett welcomes Liam Moroney, the SVP of Revenue Marketing at Notarize. Liam has more than ten years of experience as a demand gen SaaS marketer. Nick and Liam get into what makes a successful personal brand, identify ways to connect with the audience, and emphasize the importance of authenticity when presenting your brand to the target audience.
No matter how successful you want to become, it’s important to realize that you have to start somewhere. It's important to be honest with your peers and your online community by sharing your internal struggles. It’s important because others have struggles, too. And Linkedin is one of the best ways to share your experiences.
But most people, especially in the B2B community, use LinkedIn to share their latest promotion or how much money their company raised. And it's clear their posts only highlight success stories. What about what's happening behind the scenes?
In the new episode of Rep Your Brand, Nick Bennett chats with Robin Daniels, a three-time CMO who's currently taking a break from work, life, and LinkedIn. They have a meaningful discussion about sharing struggles on LinkedIn, overcoming your imposter syndrome, and the importance of taking a break and doing what gives you joy in life.
How you build a personal brand depends on your personality, goals, and platform choice. LinkedIn has become one of the most popular channels for presenting yourself as a brand, promoting your goals, and sharing valuable posts to let people know who you are.
But how do you use LinkedIn correctly to grow your audience and get them to engage with your content? While most people trying to build their brands on LinkedIn focus on how many ‘likes’ they get, experts disagree with that approach. Those metrics can be false, and they do not determine whether your brand is successful or not.
In the new episode of Rep Your Brand, Nick Bennett welcomes Michelle Griffin, the Strategic Personal Branding Advisor at BRANDthority. They have an insightful conversation about building your brand on LinkedIn, the best ways to use the platform to foster engagement, and the role authenticity plays while presenting your brand to the target audience.
Building a personal brand is one thing. And creating a positive culture around a brand is an essential element that entrepreneurs and employers should keep in mind when gathering their marketing teams. In addition, the salary standards have risen, and employees have many more opportunities than before. And that has become quite challenging for employers.
But building a culture around a brand is not reflected through higher salaries. If employees, especially the so-called A-players, are surrounded by a toxic work environment, they'll soon find a place with a positive work atmosphere and other A-players.
In the new episode of Rep Your Brand, Nick Bennett welcomes Kathleen Booth, the SVP of Marketing at Tradeswell. They talk about what it means to build an employer branding strategy, why hiring has become a challenge, and the importance of involving the C-suite in marketing.
Personal branding continues to be a big topic in 2022, and anyone aspiring to grow professionally should consider building a personal brand. But few companies see the value that personal branding could bring to their specific business.
Therefore, it is the job of marketing professionals, especially those who have already built an extensive community on channels, such as LinkedIn, to spread the word about personal branding and educate business owners about its importance.
In today's episode of Rep Your Brand, we get to hear from an expert in sales and marketing—a person who has been in entrepreneurship for over two decades, Jorge Soto.
Jorge is a podcaster, the founder of Sotoventures Fund and Head of Content and Community at Reprise. In this episode, he shares his professional journey and encourages everyone to build their personal brand.
Building a personal brand goes beyond establishing a social presence or being active on social media. Personal branding is more about credibility and reputation, and these concepts should not be underestimated by individuals seeking fruitful careers or profitable opportunities.
But what is the secret to building a successful personal brand? Can it be measured through the audience's engagement? And must we be present on social networks in order to evolve personal brands and succeed in our careers?
In this episode of Rep Your Brand, Nick Bennett welcomes Pete Lorenco, the VP of Marketing at Alyce. Nick and Pete get into the concepts that play a vital role in building a personal brand, the secrets to successful niching down, and the idea of social presence and its key elements.
The term "personal brand" certainly has many definitions. And every marketer has a different perspective on what building a personal brand should look like. While some define it as the way you promote yourself, others describe it as a combination of a person's interests, beliefs, and skills.
But one thing is certain — a personal brand is about who we are and how we manage ourselves in front of people. Building a personal brand is often associated with a social media presence and many question whether it can help us achieve our goals or make it more difficult.
In this episode of Rep Your Brand, Nick Bennett welcomes Amanda Natividad, the Marketing Architect at SparkToro. Amanda is known for her interesting Twitter threads and has a unique perspective on the concept of personal branding. Nick and Amanda get into personal branding, how it is connected with reputation, what people don't like about it, and how our presence on social channels can encourage or discourage employers from hiring us.
It's no secret that having a strong personal brand can get you places in business. And we've all seen endless examples of thought leaders and influencers landing their dream jobs because of their online reputation (we even have one of them with us today).
But did you know that there are companies that encourage their employees to build personal brands and share their expertise with the world?
In this episode of the Rep Your Brand podcast, our host Nick Bennett introduces MJ Peters, the VP of Growth at Refine Labs, and a must-follow on LinkedIn. They get into the Refine Labs' company culture of embracing their employees' personal brands, how to start working on your LinkedIn presence and which content formats have the strongest potential on this social media platform.
Every experienced content creator who shares their content on LinkedIn would probably agree that posting frequently is key to success. But, what happens when your activity is so high that it awakens suspicions and amounts to a violation of the platform's terms and conditions.
In this episode of Rep Your Brand, Camille Trent joins our host Nick Bennett to share what it was like to be suspended on LinkedIn, why she was banned, and how she managed to recover her account.
Camille believes consistency is the way to build a personal brand on LinkedIn, but she also says it should not be the only platform where you connect with your audience. Following her own advice, Camille hosts a podcast and is considering creating a newsletter.
Building a personal brand is undoubtedly critical for anyone paving their path in the B2B space. In fact, most companies today encourage their employees to build one because nothing represents your business better than employees eager to grow as professionals while advocating for your company, its vision, and goals.
But what does it take to build a personal brand? It may surprise you or sound like a cliche, but being yourself is the key. Of course, you can't neglect algorithms and trends, but you should never follow them at the cost of your authenticity. Remember, quality content always finds its way to the audience.
In this episode of Rep Your Brand, Ding Zheng joins our host Nick Bennett to discuss the importance of building a personal brand, what inspired him to become a salesperson, and what it is like to be a rapper in the B2B space.
With over 700 million users, Linkedin has become a powerful social media network that attracts professionals worldwide. It's a platform where you can boost your career through networking, connections, and content creation.
But how many of us actually do it? Despite the massive potential of the digital world and the endless social media possibilities, do we have what it takes to build a personal brand online effectively?
In this episode of the Rep Your Brand podcast, our host Nick Bennett welcomes Devin Reed, the Head of Content Strategy at Gong and a respected thought leader in the space. We get into why building a personal brand is a smart career move, how to create content that will resonate with your audience and earn you the spot of an influential thought leader, and the differences between memorable and forgettable content.
Some employees start their own brand while they are still working for a certain company. Others are dedicated to side hustles. But they share the same goal — becoming the best at what they do without sacrificing their primary job or side projects.
But these side ventures are not always accepted by C-levels because they are afraid that the student might become the master.. This fear often stems from the executives' insecurity regarding their leadership role, and often has nothing to do with the employee's skills or ability to do a job.
In this episode of Rep Your Brand, Nick Bennett welcomes Kyle Lacy, the Chief Marketing Officer at Lessonly, powered by Seismic. Nick and Kyle delve into the process of building your own brand, explain the 80/20 rule, and highlight the importance of building a community.
When it comes to achieving success on social media, what is more important: the quantity or the quality of posts you publish? Of course, many will argue that quality always beats quantity. However, it doesn't mean you can publish one post and repost it for the rest of your life. But should you, in general, republish your content?
According to our guest Ross Simmonds, "the life cycle of an article doesn't end when you press publish. "If your post is valuable, you can publish it repeatedly because today's audience may not be tomorrow's audience. Each day is an opportunity for someone new to come across your content and use it as a valuable learning source.
Ross Simmonds is the founder of Foundation, a content marketing agency on a mission to help B2B brands create and distribute high-quality content. In today's episode of the Rep Your Brand podcast, he talks about the most common fears marketers face when creating content. He also explains why reaching the right audience and finding adequate channels leads to success.
He believes being authentic and providing value can be the same thing, but no matter what professional sphere you are in, don't forget to show your true self; just be human. At the end of the day, as Ross says, "people connect with people."
''People love to hear about failure just as much as success,'' says our guest Scott Leese, the CEO and Founder of Scott Leese Consulting. It is a common belief that you have to present yourself in the best light on social media in order to grow your following. However, as Scott states, you'll earn credibility only if you are true to your audience and, most importantly, yourself. Authenticity pays off; sharing your ups and downs and talking about fears creates a high-quality connection.
Being a VP of sales and managing multiple teams in Scott's case meant taking care of each member and advocating equality. That's why he is against creating fake images of ourselves, whether online or in the physical world.
In this episode of Rep Your Brand, Scott joins our host, Nick Bennett, to discuss how a personal brand helped him become an entrepreneur. Scott also talks about the importance of investing in relationships with people from your network and nurturing those relationships throughout your career.
There are many different ways to build a personal brand - from publishing social media posts to establishing yourself as a keynote speaker. However, there is one method that not many marketers use to its fullest potential - podcasts. So why and how have podcasts become one of the most powerful ways for building a personal brand?
"Podcasts give me access to people smarter than me," says Ashley Levesque, the VP of Marketing at Banzai and the Host of SaaS Breakthrough Podcast. Ashley believes that podcasts help both marketers and brands learn about cutting-edge tactics through genuine conversations. Podcasts also enable hosts to meet many inspirational people and connect industry leaders with their audience.
In this episode of Rep Your Brand, Ashley Levesque and Nick Bennett, who used to co-host a podcast together, talk about personal branding and the best ways to engage with your audience through social posts.
When someone has a considerable number of followers, people usually think, ''Oh, it's easy for them.'' However, all those followers didn't appear overnight. Also, anyone can build a large community; it only depends on how determined you are. So, if you want to learn how, tune in to this latest episode of the Rep Your Brand podcast because our guest is Jared Robin, a Community-Led Evangelist.
Jared lost his job right before the pandemic hit, but it wasn't a surprise for him. So, once he realized "the end was near," he started connecting with people and building networks outside of his job. He became more active on LinkedIn, and soon after, the journey called RevGenius began. RevGenius is a community of revenue-generating sales and marketing professionals brought together to learn, share, support, and grow with each other.
In today's episode of Rep Your Brand, Jared and our host, Nick, discuss the importance of building a community and the reasons companies often underestimate its power. They also talk about different social platforms and why LinkedIn should be your number one option for building a personal brand.
As our guest states, a personal brand can help you attract high-quality job offers. But, he also says a personal brand is (only) important for certain roles.
Never underestimate the power of words. Words can build or break apart our relationships; they can lead businesses to success or failure. It all depends on how you use them.
In this episode of Rep Your Brand, Tara Horstmeyer shares her professional journey and what sparked her to become a writer. She also talks about the importance of community and how, no matter what industry you are in, building high-quality relationships is a proven formula for success.
Tara and host Nick Bennett also touch upon the importance of building a personal brand and discuss why a personal brand is the new company brand. However, Tara states that not everyone wants to dedicate their time to building a personal brand. But if you do, there are plenty of opportunities to learn how.
Tara is active on LinkedIn and sees it as the best platform for meeting amazing people, collecting knowledge, and building a community. She is a writer but also an editor. And one of the reasons she became an editor is because she has a deep desire to help others shine.
Building an online presence is important if you want your business to last. A personal brand provides a face to an otherwise faceless company. However, there are lessons you should learn before creating a personal online presence.
In this episode of Rep Your Brand podcast, Peep Laja reveals how and why you should take advantage of social media to build your own personal brand. Peep uncovers how adopting a habit of posting leads to success. And he also encourages young professionals to believe in themselves and to not be afraid to make mistakes. In fact, according to Peep, changing your mind is a sign of strength.
Peep and host Nick Bennett also discuss why companies should encourage their employees to work on their personal brand. Peep pinpoints how people don't relate to faceless businesses; they relate to other people.
Is Gaetano DiNardi one of the most polarizing professionals in the world of B2B marketing? Some may argue that he is. In this episode of Rep Your Brand, Nick Bennett captures some of the thoughts Gaetano has on capturing and sharing your point of view.
As the Head of Growth and Demand Gen at Nextiva, Gaetano is not obsessed with calendars and schedules, it’s more about what's happening right now. And that's how he organizes his social media presence.
Gaetano talks about how your point of view plays a more vital role than having a strong opinion. On the other hand, he doesn't think people should be too noisy or visible on social channels. He encourages people to have a balance and to post when they want to share something valuable and impactful. That way, one can make a positive impression on followers.
In this episode, we also uncover Gaetano’s preferences around LinkedIn or Twitter. And we reveal the people who inspired him to become better at what he does.
In this episode of Rep Your Brand, Nick Bennett talks to Steve Lamar, the founder of PromoPrep. PromoPrep is a planning tool designed to assist marketing teams when it comes to calendars and scheduling campaigns.The two discuss Steve's past experiences when working for a marketing agency and identify what led him to quit and turn his passion into a full-time job.
Steve Lamar thinks that creating your own brand and running a business can really improve your life, but only if you're prepared to get out there and give your best. Promoting the brand via social media platforms can help a lot, but Steve thinks that communication and honesty with others are much more important.
Having a mentor is also one of the recommendations Steve breaks down. He also points out that if you make a commitment to deeply observing other professionals, it can improve your own business and help you build both personal and professional relationships.
In this episode of the Rep Your Brand podcast, MK Getler, Head of Marketing at Alyce, joins host, Nick Bennett, to discuss the importance of building a personal brand. According to MK, a personal brand is your point of view. It is a point of view at this particular moment in time. It can change and grow as you grow on a personal and professional level.
MK is an outdoorsy type. She is passionate about snowboarding, skateboarding, and surfing. She enjoys spending time in nature and taking long walks with her fiance and their dog. Our guest believes time we spend outside of the workplace gives a new dimension to our personality.
Nick and MK discuss social media. Our guest reveals she doesn't spend much time on online platforms except on LinkedIn. MK also talks about the importance of being part of a community and explains how it helped her build a personal brand.
What is the secret to building a strong brand? The secret is that there are no secrets! A powerful personal brand is a result of hard work, patience, and you guessed it - being yourself! Or, as our guest likes to say, "Don't be afraid to have strong opinions."
Justin Welsh, the founder of JW Strategic Advisory, joins Nick Bennett to share the lessons he’s learned on his solopreneur journey. Over the last decade, Justin's helped build two $50M+ ARR companies, teams of 150+ people, and has helped raise over $300M in venture capital. Then, in 2019 he burned out and decided to start working for himself. Today, he runs an advisory firm, creates digital products, and writes about all things entrepreneurship.
In this episode of the Rep Your Brand podcast, Justin and Nick discuss the benefits of having a powerful personal brand and pinpoint how it can help with your career. Justin shares his hacks for accelerating online growth and talks about his content creation tips. If you're interested to learn how you can monetize your own brand, tune in to this conversation.
In this episode, Nick Bennett chats with Kate Bradley Chernis, Co-founder and CEO at Lately, the only social media management platform that creates content FOR you with the power of artificial intelligence.
Kate talks about the good and bad sides of robots and explains why humans are still very important in content creation regardless of AI's capabilities. She points out that being authentic and focused on one goal is key to success and teaches us how to properly utilize social media while looking for leads.
Kate states that company culture is very important, and every team member must fit in it. She also thinks that running and growing a business can burn people out and strongly recommends employing someone to help.
We've entered a new B2B marketing era when people want to work with people, not with faceless companies, says Dave Gerhardt, a Chief Marketing Officer at Privy. Dave was always passionate about marketing. He is an example that hard work, constant learning, and dedication lead to success.
In this episode of the Rep Your Brand podcast, Dave Gerhardt discusses the importance of building a personal brand. Dave shares his story and reveals how creating a personal brand was not his initial goal. His passion for marketing inspired him to initially think about launching a blog. Instead, he started a podcast called Tech in Boston.
Dave also believes people should have side projects and consider them the best source of knowledge and sharpening skills. He also says building a brand is not everyone's goal, and he respects that.
Dave also mentions the best time to transition from a consumer to a creator is now. First, you need to find your voice, share what you are doing and then build an audience. He is also writing a book; the title is Founder Brand. ''It's all about how being the face of your brand and sharing your work is the single best thing you can do to build the brand.''
In this episode of Rep Your Brand, the host Nick Bennett talks with Jason Vana about branding yourself on social media platforms such as LinkedIn and Twitter. Jason explains how important it is to be yourself, test any advice you get, and learn everything about your target audience.
Jason Vana is also known as #sassyjason, and his sharp tongue is what puts him in the spotlight. He thinks that you can't keep telling people you're a marketing guru if you don't have the following: it is crucial to find your own voice and start creating content that will engage your target audience, regardless of the industry you're in.
Jason stands firmly on the standpoint that it is better to have around 300 likes and 300 comments that are authentic than having thousands of generic likes through pods or similar groups.
In this episode of Rep Your Brand, the host, Nick Bennett, talks to Kyle Coleman. Kyle leads the Growth team at Clari. It is a combination of sales development, growth marketing, and revenue enablement.
Kyle talks about the importance of building a personal brand. He believes personal brands have a positive impact on a company's success. He also finds LinkedIn as the best platform for presenting himself. LinkedIn, as Kyle says, fits his business style, writing style, and target audience.
Successful people usually act like success is a Zero-Sum Game, Coleman states. They believe someone's success must come at the expense of someone else's. That's not true, the guest explains. The whole point of success is sharing your story and helping others achieve it. It is also the projection of how far you have come and what else you can do to be even more successful.
Kyle and Nick mention another key to success, and that is personalization. Interlocutors conclude: hundreds of likes don't matter. What matters is the impact you have on the people you interact with. If you've helped one person, you've done a tremendous job.
In this episode of Rep Your Brand, the host, Nick Bennett, talks to Daniel Murray, a senior manager of marketing operations at ServiceTitan. Interlocutors discuss the benefits of growing your brand on LinkedIn. Daniel shares the story about his beginnings on social media and the lessons he learned over time.
Daniel explains why it is crucial to be consistent on every social platform. He thinks many people are afraid of failing on social media, but that's part of the learning process. He also knows many people are not interested in building their online presence, and that's ok.
Success doesn't come overnight, Daniel states. Therefore, he reminds listeners about the importance of engagement and responsiveness on social platforms. ''Don't overthink it and just start,'' Daniel advises.
The benefits of personal branding are endless. The best way to understand how your personal brand can help you stand out in the market is to hear a real-life success story.
Not only does Christina Garnett know her way around social media and marketing space, but she is also a real-life example of how having a strong personal brand can create new opportunities. With more than 16,000 followers on Twitter and over 7,000 on LinkedIn, Christina selflessly shares her industry knowledge and experience with her audience. It's safe to say she's the go-to marketer for audience intelligence, inbound marketing, and community building.
In this episode of the Rep Your Brand podcast, Christina and Nick discuss the power of social media in the brand-building process, how to use it to create a community and why no one is truly an expert in this ever-changing industry.
Episode Summary
What does a personal brand really mean? There is no shortcut to becoming known on the web, but the key to building a personal brand is authenticity.
Chris Walker, the CEO of Refine Labs, thinks that giving value to the people who already follow you is the most important part of the personal branding journey. But what does giving value even mean? For Chris, it’s whether his content helped someone. If you think that there is already too much quality content on the internet and that no one will listen to what you have to say, Chris is going to convince you otherwise.
Listen in to this episode as Nick Bennett chats with Chris about personal branding and other key topics like content creation, the DOs and DON’Ts in B2B marketing, and many more.
Guest-at-a-Glance
❖ Name: Chris Walker
❖ What he does: Chris is a CEO at Refine Labs. He has built a strong personal brand on LinkedIn and podcast State of Demand Gen that has almost 100 episodes.
❖ Company: Refine Labs
❖ Key Quote: ''Because in order to be a good leader, you need to demonstrate those actions.''
❖ Where to find Chris: LinkedIn
Key Insights
❏ Don’t be everywhere. Figuring out which platform works best for you is one of the most important parts of a personal branding journey. For some people, Instagram is great, while for others LinkedIn gives the best results. Monitor your progress and focus on the platforms that are a good fit for you.
❏ Great marketing requires interaction with customers. To get the best results, you need to know what your potential customers need. There is no value in your offer if people don’t feel the burning desire to have it. Chris firmly believes that listening to what people have to say will benefit both sides.
❏ Get unlimited content ideas by having a system that works perfectly. Chris talks about how he created the perfect system for content creation so it doesn’t consume his entire day. He thinks that to create great content; you need to know what’s going on in the market.
You can’t build your personal brand overnight. But the best time to start building it is NOW. You need to find a platform most suitable for presenting your products or services and figure out how to create content for the right audience.
Andreas Jonsson, CEO, and co-founder at Shield explains why LinkedIn is the best platform if you are starting from scratch. All newcomers, Jonsson says, need to establish a habit of posting. It does not mean you have to post every day, but you need to develop a habit of spending time on the platform to find out what resonates with people.
In this episode of Rep Your Brand, Andreas Jonsson talks about the importance of building a personal brand. He says it is beneficial for both employees and a company. Answering the question about the algorithm, the guest says: ‘’I’m super curious about the algorithm in general because that is what makes or breaks a platform like LinkedIn, especially the social part of it.’’
At the end of the day, Jonsson reminds us, we want to present our content to other people. We need to get close to the right audience. Our focus should not be on the algorithm but on creating high-quality content. If we want people to engage with our content, we need to share our stories and show ourselves as human beings. With that in mind, the guest concludes: ''No one's perfect. You said it yourself. It's absolutely true. And certainly I'm not perfect. I'm just trying my best, and that's all we can ever do. ''
Guest-at-a-Glance
Name: Andreas Jonsson
What he does: Andreas is a CEO and co-founder at Shield.
Company: Shield
Key Quote: ''We are interesting as people, which is why everyone could post to LinkedIn, even if you're a graduate, a student, if you're an intern, you have a unique perspective. And if you can tell stories and if you engage with people and do all of those things, then people are going to follow you regardless.''
Where to find Andreas: LinkedIn
Key Insights
LinkedIn is the social platform most people could benefit from. It is a great place to start because you can join it, starting from scratch. One of the reasons is a 'crazy good' organic reach.
Get into the feed and figure out what value is. Being part of the LinkedIn community can help you familiarize yourself with your potential customers and users and what type of content would bring them to your profile. It will help you figure out how to add value with every post you publish and attract the desired audience.
Building a personal brand is beneficial for both an employee and a company. Andreas emphasizes the importance of building a personal brand and uses his own experience as an example. ''I just started posting to LinkedIn. I just wanted to explore what this is all about. So, people we bring into Shield, I'm trying to incentivize them to do the same. And the reason for that is I've seen firsthand on myself, with my own personal brand, how it's benefiting me, how it's benefiting the company, how it's benefiting the people that are close to me.''
Episode Highlights
Establish a Habit of Posting
Andreas says the habit of posting is one of the most meaningful ''skills'' he developed to build his following. He explains the importance of consistency and also why consistency is not the same as frequency.
It doesn't mean you have to post every day, but you have to establish a habit. I did that, and it clearly shows, so let me pull out some numbers for you here. In 2019 I posted 136 times. So that wasn't a whole lot. In 2020 I had 250 posts. So it was an increase in my posting activity of around 85%. All my other metrics on the platform, views, likes, engagement in general, and my followers, grew by 400%.''
No One's Really Going to Get Any Amazing Reach and Engagement Once They First Start Out
''If you're someone who's never posted to LinkedIn before, if I tell you to post every day, you're never going to manage, you're not going to build that habit overnight, and you'll be exhausted in your attempt to reach that point of posting every day.
I'm all about getting into the feed and figuring out what works. So for me, any advice would always be, do something you feel like you can sustain, get that first small win, whether that's posting weekly or biweekly.''
The Key Metrics Content Creators Should Be Looking at When Posting on LinkedIn
Audience demographics and post tracking are the metrics Andreas is most focused on. He also does a monthly check to review his averages and see if there's any progression.
''I look over the last four weeks, and that is always on Shield compared to the previous four weeks before that. So we're looking at an eight week period. And if my most recent four weeks are better than the four weeks before that, across the metrics that I care about, then I'm progressing.''
Should People Be Writing Content for the Algorithm?
Talking about the algorithm, Andreas says he doesn’t think a lot about it, especially while creating content. However, the guest doesn’t neglect its strength, but he’ll always give preference to quality content regardless of the algorithm.
''What will get you far over time is quality content for the right audience. If you post about something close to you, you're passionate about, that's much more interesting. And I think over time, you'll beat the algorithm by doing so because you're going to have a compounded effect of your consistency that will add people to your following and add people to your content.''
The Biggest Challenges for a CEO
''I think my biggest challenge is navigating the very uncertain and unpredictable climate of things and pulling it all together, making people thrive in the company so we can sustain the growth. We are also a bootstrapped the company. So we rely on our customers paying us. And the only growth that we're seeing is going to come from customers and customer revenue.''
People Are a Key Resource
''It all starts with people around me. So my colleagues, amazing people who always challenge my thinking. The second layer, customers, users of Shield, then everyone on LinkedIn engaging with my content.''
You Are Your Own Personal Brand
According to Andreas, if you are interested in developing a personal brand, you should know you already have it. ''You are your own personal brand'', the guest says. He also suggests we should focus on other questions, like how big we want to grow (professionally).
He thinks the question people need to ask themselves is: would you only want ten people to know what you do and how well you do it, or would you want an unlimited amount of people to get to know you.