Episode 143 - What Can You Do for Social Media?  What do you need to do to get social media to pay off for you? Sorry to disappoint, but it doesn't really work that way. It's what you need to do to make sure that social media pays off for those on the receiving end of your messages. If the content you have to share on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and the like is educational, entertaining, informative and insightful, your audience will reward you with their undivided attention and support. So yeah, it's what you're going to do for social media, not the other way around.

Episode 142 - New Belgium Brewing's Torched Earth Ale Would you ever make a good product into a bad product? Why would you do such a thing? Well, just ask New Belgium Brewing. They made Torched Earth ale, a bad-tasting beverage made with "smoke-tainted water," to make a statement about the climate change crisis. In the process, they got tons of PR and brought lots of attention to this important issue. Brilliant, if you ask me. Simply brilliant. Good for the people at New Belgium Brewing for taking such a strong stand as a brand. How could your business or organization do something similar that results in such a win-win situation?

Episode 141 - Ubiquity, Frequency and Quality on Social Media I am asked quite often about using social media for business. Many brands try. Many brands fail. Many brands don't even give it a shot. Using social media successfully as a business takes time, talent and tenacity, frankly. It's not easy. You need to be ubiquitous, conspicuous in your presence on as many channels as possible. That's my opinion. You need to share content frequently, not just every once in a while. And that content you share needs to be of the highest quality. Mediocrity won't cut it. Ubiquity. Frequency. Quality. That's how you market your business on social media.

Episode 140 - Satisfying Your Audience's Needs, Wants and Demands Can you meet, if not exceed, your audience members’ needs, wants and demands? That’s what it takes to be successful in marketing and sales. That’s what it takes to be successful in business, period.

Episode 139 - Preach Like Chynna Preach like Chynna, Chynna Phillips Baldwin. Yes, she’s not just a super successful singer, she’s a huge hit on YouTube, too, with her ridiculously awesome series, California Preachin’. To say she’s carefree and extemporaneous in her DIY videos - sharing what’s on her mind about her religious faith, family life and more - would be an understatement, but that’s how you do it on social media. Chynna is a perfect example of best practices in how to rock your personal or corporate brand, if you ask me. Just be authentic. Just be transparent. Just be yourself.

Episode 138 - Twitter Spaces, Customer Experience and More with Brian Hurst In this episode of my podcast, Bob Cargill's Marketing Show, I talk to Brian Hurst, who is a colleague of mine on the volunteer social media team for AMA Boston. You can follow Brian on Twitter... here https://twitter.com/BrianHurst01 About Brian Hurst (from Brian's LinkedIn profile)... Experienced Customer Service Representative with a demonstrated history of working in the information technology and services industry. Strong support professional skilled in Customer Relations, Microsoft Office, Social Media.

Episode 137 - The Four Ps of Marketing The four Ps of marketing have been around for a long time, but they are as relevant today as ever. The four Ps of marketing are product, price, place and promotion, otherwise known as the marketing mix. Ideally, what you have to offer your customers and prospects has all of the four Ps going on, but yes, of course, sometimes your offerings are stronger in one or more of them. In this case, I found a product that was super strong in all four areas, a six-pack of Summer | Limited Edition Polar Seltzer in Shaw's Supermarkets. I couldn't resist picking up not just one, but three of these six-packs - on sale - for 10 dollars. What do you think? How can you make sure your own products and services have it all going on when it comes to the four Ps? #Marketing #Branding #Sales

Episode 136 - Authenticity on Social Media  Authenticity on social media is so very important. If brands want to be successful on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter and the like, they need to show their human sides. They need to keep it real. It's one thing to have great products and services to offer those on the receiving end of your marketing messages. It's another to have your audience trust you so much that they wouldn't think of buying from anyone else but you when it comes time to do business. Make it easy on yourself on social media. Just be yourself. P.S. Thanks to Pamela Bump for writing the ridiculously awesome post, "9 Social Media Trends Marketers Should Watch in 2021," on the HubSpot blog (https://www.startupjunkie.org/blog/2020/12/7/9-social-media-trends-marketers-should-watch-in-2021) that inspired this message of mine.   

Episode 135 - Jump on the Social Media Bandwagon Before It's Too Late Don’t fall behind. Jump on the social media bandwagon. It’s already a popular and prevalent communication channel, but it “will be the primary communication channel by 2024” if you agree with a prediction Brooke B. Sellas recently made on her agency’s, B Squared Media, blog here… https://bsquared.media/social-media-primary-communication-channel-2024/  That’s a bold prediction, but I couldn’t agree more with what Brooke has to say about social media. LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and the like are being used by more and more people from all walks of life for both personal and professional reasons. If I were you, I would make sure I knew social media inside and out before it’s too late. #SocialMedia #Communication #Communications

Episode 134 - Marketing, Social Media, Healthcare and Teaching with James Gardner In this episode of my podcast, episode 134, I talk to fellow adjunct professor and marketing professional, James Gardner, for over an hour.  While our conversation covered everything from marketing to social media, teaching to technology, healthcare and more, this is the quote of his I want to leave you with today because I think it is a such a great example of James' words of wisdom. "I think the challenge for tomorrow's leaders is...keep the best of yesterday, but overlay it with the tools of tomorrow." ~ James A. Gardner About James Gardner James is a digital sales and marketing leader with 20 years of B2C and B2B experience. While his career’s roots are in consumer packaged goods and strategy consulting, James has held leadership roles with fast-moving tech startups, established Fortune 1000 leaders, and forward-leaning digital marketing agencies. James started his career with Procter & Gamble before earning his MBA at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. Since then, he has served clients as a consultant with McKinsey & Company, led complex digital projects while agency-side, and built several high-performing marketing teams. James also teaches digital media at Northeastern University, is a contributing editor for MedTech Boston, and actively mentors startups from MassChallenge and the Harvard Innovation Lab.    

Episode 133 - Put More Emphasis on the Social in Social Media Put more emphasis on the social in social media and you'll be more successful on social media. It's as simple as that. But you know and I know that being social takes time. Being social isn't easy to automate. Being social doesn't necessarily scale. Being social on social media, however, is a secret to success. Chime in personally from time to time, if not daily. Even if you're a big brand or a business, the more social you are on social media, the more likely you'll be to build a devoted, loyal audience that ultimately does business with you. #SocialMedia

Episode 132 - Marketing is Every Employee's Job  I’ve always believed that every employee is a marketer to some extent, especially when it comes to using social media on behalf of his or her employer. Employees need education and empowerment, of course, for which the company’s marketing team should be responsible. But once they’re properly trained, they can help amplify their employer’s messaging, helping to get the word out to an exponentially larger audience. This is collaboration. This is cooperation. This is a coordinated effort between every member of a team. This is any employee of any organization possibly making the difference between the success and failure of a campaign. Does your organization have this every-employee-is-a-marketer mindset? Do you contribute to, support or lead your company’s marketing efforts? P.S. Thanks to Norman Guadagno, CMO at Acoustic, by the way, for writing the article in ClickZ.com (which you can read here... https://www.clickz.com/marketing-is-every-employees-job-they-just-dont-always-know-it/265651/) that inspired this riff of mine.

Episode 131 - PR and Corporate Communications with Maura FitzGerald In this episode of Bob Cargill's Marketing Show, Episode 131, I talk to Maura FitzGerald, Co-Founder and Partner at V2 Communications, a Boston-based public relations and digital communications firm. During our conversation, we touch upon the challenges that businesses have faced during the pandemic, the importance of a solid internal communications program, hiring practices, employee empowerment and much more.  About Maura FitzGerald Maura is one of Boston’s most seasoned public relations veterans. With decades of experience and not one, but two, high-growth PR agencies under her belt, Maura was the 2019 recipient of Boston PR Club’s John J. Molloy Crystal Bell Lifetime Achievement Award. Over her career, Maura successfully founded and grew one of the premier U.S. brands in strategic technology communications, FitzGerald Communications. Under Maura’s direction, the agency immediately became one of the fastest-growing technology public relations firms, rapidly transitioning from regional boutique to respected national brand in less than three years. After successfully building FitzGerald Communications to five offices and nearly 200 PR professionals, Maura sold FitzGerald Communications to Omnicom Corp. in 2002. A serial entrepreneur, Maura could not sit back when she witnessed a market opportunity evolving. With new technology innovations flooding the market as a result of digitization, Maura was poised to address the sophisticated communications challenges of these emerging companies. Together with Jean Serra, an experienced technology communications strategist and senior executive from FitzGerald Communications, she launched Version 2.0 Communications, now V2 Communications, in late 2006. After her experience running FitzGerald, Maura wanted to establish a firm that is boutique by design. Since its inception, Maura has grown V2’s client roster to include several unicorns, disruptors and pioneers in the mobility, green technology, enterprise software and even nonprofit spaces. Today, V2 is recognized as a “Best Place to Work” in Boston and beyond.  Maura brings her unique blend of communications strategy and business management to counsel CEOs and senior marketing leaders from some of technology’s most innovative market pioneers, including Sony, Motorola, Digital Equipment Corp., Compaq, Sapient, Peregrine and Manugistics. Working with these industry giants from their early days, Maura has designed programs to establish industry awareness, bolster credibility and position these organizations for future successful liquidity events. She continues to bring this expertise and experience to V2’s clients through her direct management and mentoring of the agency’s leading account teams. 

Episode 130 - The Language of Global Marketing with Wendy Pease In this episode of Bob Cargill's Marketing Show, episode 130, Wendy Pease and I talk about her new book, The Language of Global Marketing - Translate Your Domestic Strategies into International Sales and Profits. We talk about why companies would want to go global, how companies can go global, which companies have gone global successfully, which languages are most common around the world and much more.    About Wendy Pease Wendy Pease lived in a small agriculture town in Taiwan when she was 8-9 years old.  From that experience, she learned what it's like to be different and not know the language. For the last 15 years, she's owned Rapport International, a foreign language services company that specializes in multilingual marketing, and translation.  Her passion is connecting people across languages and cultures for a peaceful and prosperous world.  Prior to this role, she served in Senior roles in marketing and business development.  She has an MBA from Dartmouth College and graduated in three years from Penn State in Foreign Service.  For fun she likes to swim, spend time in the woods and connect with her teenage sons.

Episode 129 - The Free Offer Works Wonders  Giving something away for free is a great way to get people’s attention. It’s one way to introduce what you have to offer to a new audience. When I had my own small business in the ‘90s, I gave away 50 half-pound bags of ground gourmet coffee to a list of prime prospects as a way of drawing interest in my marketing services. I told those on the receiving end of my outreach that “some opportunities aren’t meant for the back burner,” and this was one of them. This was their opportunity to get my very best work, as I had every intention of perking up their results. This campaign was a success in more ways than one, earning me plenty of publicity and some new business as well. Whether it’s a free trial of your products and services or a complimentary gift of any sort whatsoever, putting something for nothing into your audience’s hands is a great way to win their favor.

Episode 128 - Marketing Isn't Difficult  Marketing isn’t difficult if those on the receiving end of your messages know that you care about them. If those messages are cold, impersonal, calculated and repetitive, they will see right through you and ultimately ignore you. If you’re listening to them, engaging with them and supporting them, they will gravitate towards your brand and everything you have to offer. People do business with people.

Episode 127 - The Social in Social Media Don’t automate everything you share on social media. Don’t be all business, either. Be all human. Share your feelings and opinions, not just news and information. Show what’s going on in your life and the lives of your colleagues, not just what you have to market and sell. Be there for your audience, those who are following you and supporting you. Give them as much attention as they give you, even more. Listen to them and engage with them. Praise them and thank them. Help them as much as possible. Don’t overlook the importance of the social in social media.

Episode 126 - Involve Your Audience as a Marketer Back in the day, early in my career, I learned the importance of involving my audience as a marketer. I worked at Meredith Corporation in Des Moines, Iowa. As a copywriter, my job was to write direct mail packages on behalf of the company's roster of magazines, convincing those on the receiving end to subscribe to them. One technique we used was to encourage recipients to move a sticker or token from one side of the order card to the other before returning it for a free trial issue of the magazine. The idea was to get them involved, to overcome inertia, to trigger a favorable action on their part. That was 1985. This is 2021. Yet the same principle still holds true in marketing today. Whether you're using direct mail or social media, print or digital, if you involve your audience as a marketing professional, chances are they'll respond more favorably to what you have to offer.

Episode 125 - The Emotional Connection You Make with Your Audience Marketers, advertisers, brands, businesses...it's not just about the products or services you have to offer your audience, it's about the emotional connection you have with them. Kudos, props and congrats to Anheuser-Busch for reinforcing this very important point in their ridiculously awesome ad for simply getting together over a beer.

Episode 124 - Purpose-Driven Branding with Katie Burkhart In this episode of Bob Cargill's Marketing Show, episode 124, Bob talks to Katie Burkhart about purpose-driven branding, marketing, social media and much more.  About Katie Burkhart Katie Burkhart is a builder, founder, and communicator. Defining matter as equal parts strategic and positively impactful, Katie started by founding Matter 7, a firm that builds purpose-driven brands. She’s also the founder of MatterPulse, which enables ambitious teams to run and grow against the double bottom line.   Katie delivers critical focus while distilling the big picture into pointed actions. She's the author of MatterLogic and has been published in The Startup, UX Collective, and Boston Content. Follow her on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/katharineburkhart and subscribe to her newsletter at www.katieburkhart.me/newsletter.

Episode 123 - What's What in Social Media with Angela Pitter In this episode of my podcast, episode 123, I talk to Angela Pitter about marketing, social media and more. About Angela Pitter Angela Pitter is Founder and CEO at LiveWire Collaborative, a digital marketing consultancy. LiveWire Collaborative helps business owners and executives to tap into digital marketing solutions that unleash their brand’s full potential and to use social media to connect, collaborate, and convert their target communities. Angela is a highly sought-after speaker who was previously featured on the TV series Chronicle, WCVB, and has personally trained thousands of CEOs, business owners, and consultants worldwide on their signature LinkedIn Influencer system. She is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and holds both her M.S. in Administration and B.S. in Computer Engineering from Boston University. Angela currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Newton Needham Regional Chamber of Commerce. Follow her on Twitter: @angelapitter and visit website www.livewirecollaborative.com

Episode 122 - Talking with Helen Pinchanski about Marketing and Social Media During the Pandemic and Beyond In this episode, I talk to Strategy Consultant, Purpose Marketing Strategist and Digital and Customer Experience Advisor, Helen Pinchanski, about marketing and social media during the pandemic and beyond. Helen is a fellow member of the board of directors of AMA Boston, a marketing industry colleague and a good friend. She is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to her areas of expertise and a great conversationalist, as you will hear. Listen and enjoy.  About Helen Pinchanski (From Her LinkedIn Profile) Experienced Strategy Consultant with a demonstrated history of working in the information technology and services, retail and consumer/business products industries. Skilled in Strategy, Purpose Marketing, Analytical Skills, Management, Start-ups, Leadership, and Entrepreneurship. Strong consulting professional and advisor with a Master of Liberal Arts, Marketing Management focused in Branding, Social Media and Customer Experience from Harvard University.    

Episode 121 - Nobody Trusts Anybody Anymore Nobody trusts anybody anymore. At least that's how it seems. I recently read a ridiculously awesome article on Heidi Cohen's blog about five marketing trends https://heidicohen.com/marketing-trends/​, one of which had to do with the erosion of public trust. Unfortunately, this lack of trust can have a negative impact on the success of your marketing and sales efforts. The less people trust, the less likely they are to support brands and businesses unless they're already loyal customers. That's where social media can help. Social media makes it possible for you to build mutually beneficial relationships with those on the receiving end of your messages. Social media gives you the opportunity to show that you have a personality, not just a pulse. The more people learn about you on social media, the more likely they'll be to trust you. #SocialMedia​ #Marketing​ #Branding

Episode 120 - Being Incessant on Social Media Incessant creating. Incessant sharing. Incessant listening. Being incessant in everything you do on social media is one of the keys to success there. In the documentary, “ZZ TOP: That Little Ol’ Band from Texas,” the band’s lead singer and guitarist, Billy Gibbons, talks about the “incessant touring” they did in the early stages of their career and how that helped them become so popular. The rest of their story, of course, is history, as they went on to become iconic, international superstars on the music scene. As it was for these ridiculously awesome rock musicians, it is for you, me and anyone else who wants to perform successfully on social media. We have to be incessant. #SocialMedia​ #Marketing​ #Branding​ #ZZTop

Episode 119 - Put on a Show Chris Brogan is on to something. In an article he recently published on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-im-changing-my-title-showrunner-2021-chris-brogan/), he said he was going to be changing his title to “Showrunner” and that he would be helping companies turn their business into a show. Chris is perfectly suited to do just that for his clients. He's a master communicator, whether he's hosting his daily video show, The Backpack Show, keynoting a conference or writing a blog post. Imagine what he can do for your digital brand if he does just a little of what he does for himself and others already. I concur with Chris completely. With the emergence of #SocialMedia years ago, we said that every brand was a publisher. I say that they’re now broadcasters, too. Whether we’re talking about independent consultants and contractors or big and small companies, creating a variety of content on a regular basis and sharing it publicly is the way to go in the new year ahead. Every business should be employing people who are capable of communicating compellingly in front of a camera, behind a microphone and in writing. To stand out among the clutter and compete successfully against the competition, every brand should be putting on a show in 2021.

Episode 118 - Talking Marketing, Advertising, TikTok and DEI with Karen McFarlane In this episode, I talk to Karen McFarlane, founder and CMO of Kaye Media Partners and President of AMA New York - the American Marketing Association's New York chapter - about marketing, advertising and social media, specifically TikTok. We also have a great conversation about social justice and the importance of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in the workplace.  About Karen McFarlane With over 25 years of marketing experience, Karen brings a wealth of knowledge in strategy, revenue generation, branding, and digital marketing to organizations that want to map creativity and ingenuity to audiences that value their products or services. She help start-ups, SMBs, and enterprises generate the demand they need to grow. This includes jumpstarting the marketing function, building and training teams, and managing key marketing initiatives. From marketing strategy to marketing automation to the creation of high-impact digital content that converts, businesses rely on her expertise for strategic direction, fractional marketing, and targeted projects that are measurable, effective, and memorable.

Episode 117 - Being Inspired and Impressed by Debbie Bean In this episode of my marketing show, I don’t talk about marketing at all. Instead, I talk about overcoming challenges and coping with crises with a friend of mine from Franklin, the town in which I grew up, Debbie Bean. Debbie, 66, has experienced more than her fair share of health issues, the most severe being the loss of her hands and feet due to a very serious case of streptococcemia she suffered in late 2006. She was so sick at the time that the doctors were telling her family to say goodbye to her because she was not going to make it. Says Debbie now about that incident, “It changed my entire world. Instead of being so darned independent, I found myself dependent on everyone for everything. But every day thereafter, I’ve tried teaching myself how to do what I need done. I try to reinvent the wheel to make things work for me.” Not only did Debbie survive that terrible scare, though, she also has beaten cancer and undergone a handful of other successful surgeries. And as if all that weren’t enough, both of Debbie’s parents’ lives were cut short tragically, her mother’s due to cancer and her father’s as a result of an auto accident. Today, Debbie works as an administrative assistant, attends the Franklin United Methodist Church on Sundays and drives herself around town, enjoying life as a single mother of two daughters and a grandmother of four. Her attitude is as positive and optimistic as anybody’s you’ll ever know, which makes you feel good all over just being around her. She says she can either laugh or cry, and she chooses to laugh. I say I’m sure you’ll love listening to our conversation as much as I loved having it. Get ready to be inspired and impressed by Debbie Bean.

Episode 116 - The Secret of Success in Marketing and Elsewhere   Empathy. It’s one thing we could all use more of if we want to be more successful in both our professional and personal lives.   Yup. Think more about others and less about yourself. It's that easy. That’s the secret to success in marketing, the field in which I earn my livelihood, in business in general and in life itself.   When you walk in someone else’s shoes, you learn a lot about how they think, feel and live. You gain an understanding of their needs and wants, their shortcomings and strengths, their wins and losses. You can relate better to them and vice versa. It is easier to establish a mutually beneficial relationship with them.   Empathy towards others – friends or family, colleagues or clients, teammates or neighbors, even complete strangers – leads to much better outcomes and many more solutions, far less division, dissension and disappointment.   Ask those around you how they are doing today. Ask them for feedback. Ask them how you can help.   This is just some of what I took away from a ridiculously awesome article I read recently written by Michael Brenner, which you can check out for yourself in its entirety here… https://marketinginsidergroup.com/marketing-strategy/follow-dave-grohls-example-and-pour-your-fans-a-beer/   

Episode 115 - A Few Words about Marketing with Chris Russo In this episode, I talk to Chris Russo, principal at Russo Strategic Partners, about marketing, social media (TikTok in particular) and much more.  Bio: Chris Russo is a brand strategist, content creator, and partnership builder. As principal of Russo Strategic Partners, Chris specializes in helping brands elevate their online presence through engaging content, unique virtual events, and strategic partnerships. You can find Chris on LinkedIn or on his website: russostrategicpartners.com.

Episode 114 - A Few Words about Marketing with Amanda Baier In this episode, I talk to Amanda Baier, the Director of Marketing Communications for Vecna Robotics in Waltham, Massachusetts.  About Amanda Baier Amanda Baier is the Director of Marketing Communications for Vecna Robotics. She is responsible for corporate communications, including the internal communications, sales support, and the planning and execution of strategic industry-facing initiatives. She has previously held roles within small IT and automation startups and nonprofit organizations and thrives at the intersection of business impact and humanistic outcomes. Amanda holds a dual degree in English and Comparative Literature with a Specialization in Technical Communications and Business Writing from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.   Amanda Baier on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-baier-b236417/ Vecna Robotics (Vecnarobotics.com) on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/11250876/admin/

Episode 113 - A Few Words with Robert Lee and Matt Haas  In this episode, I talk to Robert Lee, videographer, and Matt Haas, YouTube expert, about their weekly livestreaming show, #VerboseWednesdays. We also address a number of topics and issues related to marketing, social media and much more.  About Robert Lee  Prior to founding ShaLaLaLa, I've spent over 20+ years of experience in direct marketing for businesses, especially medical manufacture, food and the entertainment industry. My marketing background and creativity offers me a unique perspective and approach to shoots where I had produced a music documentary that has aired on several public access channels across Massachusetts and our company won Online video awards with NEDMA. I'm fortunate that the projects have given me the opportunity to work with a diverse range of talent including Edward James Olmos, Kevin Eastman (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle creator), Paul Michael Glaser, Chris Trapper, Noam Chomsky, and Bianca de la Garza. I have had the pleasure to be featured on ProductionHUB, AMA Boston's Talking Marketing Podcast, Live Streaming Pros, The Mobius Video Podcast and UR Business Network Podcast Program. When I'm not working on a shoot, you can easily find me passionately giving talks about video marketing or production in formal and informal settings. A firm believer in an INCLUSIVE approach, pre-production, and that the key things for your videos are knowing your audience, knowing your goals, purposes and more importantly your message. About Matt Haas Matt Haas is a self-proclaimed geek and a YouTube expert that can show you know to grow an audience. Matt created the "Be Awesome on YouTube" course where 32 lesions are 100% free at AllThingsYouTube.com. This course was created because Matt knows it's possible to reach a worldwide audience with consumer-level gear, passion, and great on-camera presence. Most importantly, you don't need anyone's permission! Matt streams weekly at 7pm Eastern where he shares his knowledge and answers YouTube questions from the audience.

Episode 112 - Activate Your Audience  When you put on a special event, encourage everybody involved to talk about it on #SocialMedia, especially the members of your audience. Ask them to share content about your event before, during and after it, amplifying the reach of whatever you have to say or do to an exponentially larger number of people. It’s good for you. Not only are you getting implied endorsements from a legion of fans, you’re getting in front of spectators, viewers and listeners who might otherwise have never discovered you. It’s good for them, too. Yes, according to an article I read recently on the American Marketing Association’s website (“Consumers Enjoy Events More When Commenting on Them” by Gabriela N. Tonietto and Alixandra Barasch, September 23, 2020 https://www.ama.org/2020/09/23/consumers-enjoy-events-more-when-commenting-on-them/), creating content about an experience unfolding in front of them actually increases audience engagement and enjoyment. It’s a win-win. So don’t tell your audience to put down their phones. Rally them to use their phones, laptops and electronic devices to promote your event to their own respective circles. Activate your audience to spread the word on your behalf on social media. 

Episode 111 - A Few Words with Caroline Cooke In this episode, I talk to Inbound Consultant and Comic, Caroline Cooke, about her experiences in marketing, social media, comedy and more.  About Caroline Cooke (from her LinkedIn profile)... I'm a strategic consultant and standup comic helping HubSpot customers to Grow Better. As a storyteller, I craft creative messaging to empathetically connect with audiences through copy that's as compelling as it is clever. Professional Meets Playful. 

Episode 110 - Try a Limited-Time Collab Look what McDonald's is doing with the ridiculously awesome hip hop artist, Travis Scott. He’s sold millions of records. They’ve sold billions of burgers. Now they’ve come up with a win-win collaboration. They’ve gotten together to sell The Travis Scott Meal. Because it’s available for a limited time only, there’s a sense of urgency to take advantage of this offer. Joining forces like this also increase the likelihood that a much larger audience will take an interest. A quarter pounder with bacon and cheese, fries and a Sprite, all with Travis Scott’s name on it? What’s not to like? Naming the meal after Travis makes it a more meaningful purchase, too. It’s associated with his brand. It’s not just a delicious bite to eat. It’s a great collector’s item. You don’t have to sell burgers to try a limited-time collab like this this. Who can you get together with to increase your popularity and sales? #Marketing #Advertising #Branding #McDonalds #TravisScott

Episode 109 - A Few Words with Jessie Coan In this episode, I talk to Jessie Coan Marketing's Jessie Coan  about marketing, social media, how business has changed during this pandemic and a whole lot more. Listen. Watch. Enjoy.   About Jessie Coan (from her LinkedIn profile)... I am a strategic marketer who turns strategy into action. Nothing frustrates me more than having someone build a killer strategy and then you have no idea how to execute on it. That's the opposite of what I do. When people describe me, they say over and over "Jessie gets things done. She's a problem solver, no fear, figure it out marketer." My marketing super power is I turn problems (IE not enough content, campaigns that aren't working, challenges with personalities on teams, failing go-to-market plans) into successes. Over the past 15 years, I have had the privilege of supporting B2B organizations by building brands, developing innovative marketing strategies, and managing fully integrated marketing campaigns that generate profitable revenue. My success is attributed to partnering with cross-functional teams by developing targeted customer acquisition plans that result in the achievement of sales goals and increased customer awareness. I am passionate about building and leading high-performing marketing teams across strategy design, creative, digital, web, content, analytics/research, and communications. When I’m not marketing, I’m spending time with my favorite girl, Nellie (you can find her on Instagram), or cooking up something tasty in the kitchen. I also love really bad movies and dad jokes. I went to Skidmore College and have a BS in Studio art. A masters from Emerson College in Integrated Marketing Communications. 

Episode 108 - The Domino's Homemade Film Festival Free pizza for a year. Sounds good to me. What about you? Free pizza for a year. That’s the grand prize in the Domino’s Homemade Film Festival contest. To enter, all you need to do is submit a video of 60 seconds or less by August 21 at 3 PM ET at https://www.dominosfilmfest.com/ Between September 7-11, people can vote for their favorite homemade films about Domino's, and on September 18, the winners will be announced with $1,560 in Domino’s gift cards going to the grand prize winner, $500 in gift cards to the second place winner and $200 in gift cards to the third place winner. What a great idea! What a great contest! It's a win-win campaign if ever there was one. Domino’s is getting its fans to create their own User-Generated-Content (UGC) on behalf of the brand. And its audience is getting a chance to win free pizza. I also applaud Domino’s for launching this contest during the pandemic. People have a little more time on their hands lately and are more inclined to enter such a contest as well as order pizza instead of going out to dinner or cooking themselves. Brands, businesses, marketers and advertisers can learn a lot from this ridiculously awesome case study. How can YOU do something similar to help promote your own products and services? #Marketing #Branding #Dominos

Episode 107 - A Few Words with Sally Hild    In this episode, I talk to Sally Hild, Nonprofit Director of The Wayside Inn Foundation, about the legendary Longfellow's Wayside Inn in Sudbury, Massachusetts, and what she and her colleagues have been doing to pivot during the coronavirus pandemic.    About Sally Hild Hired as the first Nonprofit Director of The Wayside Inn Foundation in October 2019, Sally Hild was brought on board to strengthen the organization’s nonprofit identity, increase community engagement, and amplify development activities. Sally is in charge of spearheading broader history programs and exhibits that support The Wayside Inn Foundation's educational mission. Sally holds a Master of Arts in Historic Preservation from Boston University’s American and New England Studies program. With extensive experience in nonprofit organization management, before joining The Wayside Inn Foundation, Sally served as Executive Director of the Sudbury Historical Society in Sudbury, Massachusetts and at the Cambridge Historical Society in Cambridge, MA. Sally also worked for 6 years in Sudbury's Office of Planning and Community Development. Having grown up in CT but with family in the Massachusetts area, trips to The Wayside Inn for family gatherings were frequent and helped to grow early on an interest in historic preservation, American and New England studies, museum management, and educational programming. She is an active community volunteer and lives in Sudbury with her husband and two sons.

Episode 106 - A Few Words with Kathy McConnell In this episode, I talk to transformational marketing professional, Kathy McConnell, about marketing, social media and golf - yes, golf. During our conversation, Kathy talks about how when she was about 10 years old, she "really started to fall in love with marketing because I opened up a lemonade stand." Don't miss the rest of the story! About Kathy McConnell (from her LinkedIn profile) Kathy is the epitome of optimist. She believes that we are all in bloom, forever growing ourselves, and our interests. As a marketing consultant, Kathy teaches small businesses the "how to" in marketing. From social media to email to website optimization, she takes her 25 years of corporate marketing knowledge and applies it to real life. With her exclusive brand workbook, developed for and with clients, and honest conversation, Kathy steers you in a direction you are comfortable with. Clients appreciate her upfront and no BS approach to teaching. She is open to teaching all aspects of the digital realm from Google Drive and Microsoft Sharepoint, Kathy can help you organize and structure your team to enter the digital revolution. Not just another marketing consultant, Kathy is able to analyze and dissect your businesses most pressing challenges - and turn them upside down!

Episode 105 - A Few Words with Sharon Grimm In this episode, I talk to relationship marketing professional, Sharon Grimm, about everything from SendOutCards to marketing during the pandemic, social media to just plain having fun and being positive.  About Sharon Grimm (in Her Own Words) I am an Executive Relationship Marketer with SendOutCards! The system builds relationship by sending greeting cards and gifts of appreciation. Via our App or online website you are able to create REAL personalized cards that we print, stuff and mail for you. For a fraction of your marketing budget, you can be building better relationships which ultimately allows you to GAIN and RETAIN Clients! Sharon Grimm 978-618-2479 [email protected] Please connect on LinkedIn & Facebook!

Episode 104 - A Few Words with Julia Khazan In this episode, I talk to innovative marketing professional, Julia Khazan, about marketing during these difficult days, customer-centricity, marketing, social media, job-seeking and more.  About Julia Khazan (from her LinkedIn profile)... A marketing professional who has experience as a business development manager who works the sales enablement process and smarketing very well. I am able to turns leads into satisfied customers within days with both marketing and sales methodologies. My sales ration is 50% on average and am able to attract customers beyond the target market. Creator of ScaleBounder.com, I have now helped over seven clients in the past two years in various industries: an online education institute and artists among them. Scaling start-ups is my passion via effective business and marketing strategy, inbound/outbound marketing, SEO, social media campaigns, email marketing, event planning, website management, UX and marketing campaigns.

Episode 103 - Black Lives Matter Black lives matter. Saying so matters, too. To think that in the year 2020 this country still has a problem with racism. That is not just sad, that is shameful. As Nike has said so well in its timely, new ad, “Don’t pretend there’s not a problem in America.” Whoever we are, whatever we do, wherever we live, we all have a responsibility to speak out and stand up against racism, bigotry, discrimination and injustice. In both our personal and professional lives, we can’t be silent when such a big problem exists. As brands, businesses, people and professionals, we all have a duty to stand together as one in the face of something so wrong and work hard to ensure that everybody in this country has equal opportunity to enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. #BlackLivesMatter

Episode 102 - A Few Words with Elizabeth Schaul In this episode, I talk to marketing strategist and women's empowerment leader, Elizabeth Schaul, about marketing, social media, leadership and much more.  About Elizabeth Schaul (from Her LinkedIn Profile) Energetic and experienced Marketing Manager and initiative leader with proven success managing people and projects in every facet of marketing. Launched and managed multiple websites; produced and facilitated content; elevated corporate social media strategy and accounts; implemented corporate email strategies and programs; initiated and organized events; drove public relations and marketing communications, developed and streamlined budget; impacted SEO and relevant keywords; harnessed CRM capabilities; produced and distributed email automations; improved analytics and applied insights from data; enriched branding; managed vendors and cross-functional teams, and more. Solid foundation of digital and traditional marketing. Accustomed to delivering results in fast-paced environments with competing priorities. Savvy in B2B and B2C marketing with industry experience in e-commerce, retail, financial services, investment management, life science, advertising, non-profit, and hospitality. Exceptionally conscientious and diligent do-er ready to dig into any project. Ability to see a situation from different perspectives and achieve creative and inventive solutions. Critical thinker with strong analytical skills. Creative and dedicated team-player with a keen sense of initiative. Socially aware with a conscience. Recognized for my creative ideas and ability to make them a reality. Known for inspiring and motivating others and creating a positive environment to bring a team together.    

Episode 101 - A Few Words with Brad McCormick In this episode, I talk to digital marketing consultant, Brad McCormick, about marketing and sales during this pandemic, entrepreneurism, innovation, creativity and his role as Vice President of Social Media on the board of directors of the American Marketing Association Boston. About Brad McCormick (from His LinkedIn Profile) I am a self-motivated problem solver, product marketing innovator, and calculated risk taker with the ability to bring new ideas to market from initial concept to execution on delivery. With more than a decade in sales and marketing experience covering retail and e-commerce with a perspective on local, regional, national and international business operations. Currently managing a digital marketing consulting business in e-commerce and digital media space.

Episode 100 - Ridiculously Awesome Customer Service Businesses, especially small businesses, need to provide outstanding customer service to their customers and clients if they expect to succeed. That’s almost always the case, of course, but that’s truer than ever during this pandemic when people are purchasing considerably less than usual. How do brands and businesses, especially brick-and-mortar stores, survive these unprecedented times? How do they overcome a seemingly endless succession of obstacles and hurdles? A good customer experience can make a difference between success and failure in these tough times. Be responsive and available virtually 24/7. Listen to your audience and meet, if not exceed, their expectations. Make it easy for them to find you online, especially on social media. Reinvent what you have to offer to align with the new normal. Go above and beyond on behalf of everybody who reaches out to you, realizing how much they will appreciate you for the effort and reward you with their loyalty. Be like Daniel Kenn, owner of Sudbury Coffee Works in Sudbury, who provided me with ridiculously awesome customer service recently.

Episode 99 - A Few Words with Meaghan Edelstein In this episode, I talk to social media consultant, Meaghan Edelstein, about her new social media crisis strategy deck and how brands should be tailoring their marketing strategies and tactics during the coronavirus pandemic.  About Meaghan Edelstein (From her LinkedIn Profile) Currently accepting new clients. I provide either short-term or long-term digital marketing consulting and execution. I am a sole practitioner and all work is completed by yours truly. I do not outsource any work. For the past 12 years, I've immersed myself in social media. In 2007, I began documenting my personal battle with cancer via my blog, I Kicked Cancer’s Ass. Within 6 months of my first post, I founded the nonprofit organization, Spirit Jump, a grassroots nonprofit organization. Through the strategic use of social media, I was able to reach thousands of cancer fighters, survivors & supporters. Through invaluable experience gained from running a highly successful blog & nonprofit, my social media passions continued to grow. I took on various freelance & in-house marketing jobs until I was hired as to create and produce social media focused conferences for Global Strategic Management Institute. Over the course of two years, I was responsible for producing over 17 highly successful executive level summits. In addition, I was the Vice President of Social Media for GSMI overseeing all social media marketing efforts including being the senior editor for the GSMI Social Media Strategies Summit blog. I also had the privilege of facilitating Social Axcess 25, GSMI’s executive working group. In an effort to grow my skill set I began my freelance journey, crafting, implementing, maintaining & growing social communities, campaigns & contest for a variety of organizations from small businesses to publicly traded companies. My success in social media marketing has been nationally recognized & as a result, my opinions & insights have been featured in numerous publications including Mashable, Social Media Examiner & Inc. I am also a licensed attorney in the state of Florida. 

Episode 98 - A Chat with Kate Cwieka about Marketing During a Pandemic I had an excellent conversation recently with Avidia Bank's Katelin Cwieka recently about marketing and social media during a pandemic.   These are difficult times for everyone. We all need to hunker down and take care of ourselves, our families, our friends, our colleagues, our neighbors, even complete strangers.   As professionals, of course, this is not business as usual. How can companies and organizations adjust what they're saying to their customers and prospects in order to show empathy, concern, support and understanding. That's what Kate and I talk about during this conversation. Listen...   Kate Cwieka, AVP - Communications Manager, Marketing, Avidia Bank  This social media marketing maven got her start with her own fashion and event blog.  After working as a freelancer and agency, she moved on to the financial marketing life at Avidia Bank.   Kate isn’t limited to marketing and banking.  Kate is a lover of music and IPAs, so you may have even heard that she coordinated a beer collaboration between Avidia Bank and a local brewery which was launched at a music festival!  Her quest is to find ways she can make Avidia stand out in the market, usually through a long, thought out PR Stunt.  You can follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @BankSmartKATE.

Episode 97 - A Few Words with Wendy Pease In this episode, I had the pleasure to speak to Wendy Pease, a Sudbury, Massachusetts neighbor and friend of mine, about marketing, communications, her company, Rapport International - which provides written translation, spoken interpretation and multilingual communication services - and how we are both dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.  About Wendy Pease  Wendy Pease is owner of Rapport International, a translation, interpretation and language services company that eliminates spoken and written language barriers in 200+ languages. Prior to this, she served in corporate senior management positions in international marketing and business development.  She has an MBA from Dartmouth College, and a BA in Foreign Service from Penn State. She’s a frequent speaker and writer on language, culture, marketing, HR, entrepreneurship and exporting. Wendy has lived in Mexico, Taiwan and the Philippines and is passionate about languages, cultures and communications.  

Episode 96 - Staying in Touch With Your Audience During the Coronavirus Pandemic Al Roker is delivering his morning weather forecasts for NBC’s TODAY show from his kitchen. Late-night talk show hosts like Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel are presenting new DIY incarnations of their shows from home, too. Popular musicians and celebrities of all kinds are live-streaming on Instagram, Facebook and almost everywhere else on social media, performing hit songs and connecting with fans.   They are doing whatever it takes to keep the show going on, making a huge positive impression on viewers and listeners during these difficult days. Brands and businesses can be doing the same thing, too. In fact, some of your most meaningful communications could be taking place during these tough times. Your customers and prospects will appreciate hearing from you.