Marketing In The Now

How to Create a Social Media Playbook

Dive into the art of social media strategy on "Marketing In The Now" with host David Reske and special guest Jenn Foster, Founder and CEO of Foster Marketing. This episode explores the transformative power of a well-crafted social media playbook, especially for businesses like franchises or those with multiple locations. Jenn discusses how a strategic social media playbook ensures consistency in branding and messaging across platforms, thus building a trusted and recognizable brand. From outlining the key components of a successful playbook—including brand voice, visual identity, and engagement strategies—to discussing the balance between local customization and brand coherence, this episode is a deep dive into crafting effective social media campaigns that resonate with both local and global audiences. Jenn also touches on the integration of AI in content creation, emphasizing how technology can enhance human creativity without replacing the authentic connections that are crucial for brand loyalty. Tune in to learn how to leverage these strategies to maintain a compelling and cohesive social media presence that drives engagement and growth.

The Power of Personal Branding for Founders

Tune into "Marketing In The Now" with host David Reske as he welcomes Shannon Curran, a seasoned marketing advisor and leader from SSC Consulting. This episode dives into the transformative impact of personal branding in the B2B software sector, discussing how founders can utilize their personal brand to elevate their company's visibility and establish trust with their audience. With her extensive background in brand organizational development and go-to-market strategy, including her role as VP of Marketing at MadKudu, Shannon brings valuable insights into creating compelling narratives that drive revenue and ensure strong market differentiation. The discussion focuses on actionable strategies for founders to showcase their unique stories and values, enhancing their ability to influence and lead their businesses to new heights. Join us to learn how effectively managed personal branding can be a game-changer for founders looking to stand out in competitive markets.

The Essential Role of Marketing in Product-Led Growth

Join host David Reske on "Marketing In The Now" as he chats with Warren Sukernek, a seasoned fractional CMO with extensive experience in both B2B and B2C sectors. This episode dives into why marketing remains crucial within a product-led growth strategy, countering the common belief that exceptional products sell themselves. Warren emphasizes that products like Canva and Netflix, despite their inherent appeal, have thrived due to robust marketing strategies that enhanced visibility, built trust, and supported continuous growth. The discussion covers how effective marketing not only propels initial discovery but also bolsters word-of-mouth, sets products apart in saturated markets, and fosters enduring customer relationships. Tune in to discover why sidelining marketing could limit your product’s full market potential, and how integrating thoughtful marketing tactics can drive sustained success.

Balancing AI and Humanity

Join David Reske on "Marketing In The Now" as he explores the complex interplay between artificial intelligence and human values with Vinda Souza, CMO of Ref Assured. In this thought-provoking episode, Vinda shares her insights on the ethical considerations and potential impacts of AI on the human experience, particularly in the marketing realm. Delving into topics such as the unseen costs of convenience and the importance of maintaining human touchpoints, they discuss how AI, while a potent tool for efficiency, should not replace activities that foster genuine human connections and creativity. This episode is a deep dive into how professionals can use AI responsibly to enhance rather than diminish the quality of both work and life, ensuring that technology serves as a complement to human capabilities, not a substitute. Tune in to gain a nuanced understanding of how to navigate the ethical challenges posed by AI in the digital age.

Global Branding at Scale

Join host David Reske and guest Jessica Crimmins on "Marketing In The Now" as they delve into the strategic intricacies of Santander's global rebranding from Sovereign Bank. Jessica shares her firsthand experiences on aligning internal operations, ensuring employee buy-in, and effectively engaging the community to transform a local entity into a global banking leader. Learn how Santander meticulously coordinated updates from physical signage to digital assets and leveraged strategic storytelling across multiple marketing channels to introduce the new brand identity seamlessly. This episode is packed with insights on executing a large-scale rebrand that resonates well both internally and in new markets.

Amplifying Lead Generation Through Strategic Branding

Join host David Reske in this insightful episode of "Marketing In The Now" as he discusses the critical interplay between strategic branding and lead generation with Michelle Heath, founder and CEO of Growth Street. Michelle brings her extensive experience from working with both Fortune 500 companies and startups to highlight how effective branding can significantly enhance lead generation efforts. This episode delves into why investing in a robust brand identity is not just for large corporations but is crucial even for early-stage companies. Michelle explains how a strong brand acts as a force multiplier, making marketing efforts more efficient and leading to lower acquisition costs and higher conversion rates. Listen as they explore practical strategies for balancing investments in branding with direct lead generation tactics, understanding your ideal customer's psychographics, and how to escape the common "feature trap" by focusing on the emotional benefits of products. Tune in to learn how to leverage your brand’s unique value to outshine competitors and foster sustainable business growth.

The Evolving Role of Marketing

Join host David Reske and Maria Sweeney, fractional CMO for The Mom Project, in this insightful episode of "Marketing In The Now" as they explore the dynamic shifts in marketing strategies in today's digital age. With Maria's extensive experience in both B2C and B2B sectors, including high-profile roles at Hasbro and Reebok, she brings a unique perspective on integrating brand engagement with data-driven performance metrics. This episode delves into how marketers can effectively balance traditional brand engagement with robust analytical approaches to foster growth and build lasting customer relationships. Discover the importance of key performance metrics such as customer acquisition cost and engagement rates, and learn how a deeper understanding of the buyer's journey can transform marketing efforts. Tune in to hear Maria discuss the challenges of aligning strategic intuition with empirical data, the evolving role of content, and the future of marketing in an increasingly data-driven world.

The Power of Personal Branding

Dive into the essentials of personal branding with host David Reske and marketing expert Larissa Bedgood on "Marketing In The Now." This episode explores how executives can leverage personal branding to enhance their professional influence and organizational impact. Larissa offers practical advice on creating an authentic and engaging online presence, from understanding your core "why" to maintaining consistent and strategic engagements. Discover how blending professional insights with personal stories can build a relatable persona, and learn key strategies for navigating the challenges of personal branding in today’s digital landscape. Tune in for valuable insights on using personal branding to open doors to new opportunities and achieve greater success.

Building a Community That Builds Your Business

In this episode of "Marketing In The Now," join host David Reske and Elizabeth Long, Fractional CMO of LabOps Unite, as they delve into the transformative role of community building in today's business landscape. Elizabeth brings her wealth of experience to discuss the strategic importance of creating a community that goes beyond marketing, fostering a space for customers, partners, and industry peers to connect, share, and grow together. She outlines the tangible benefits for both community members and organizations, including enhanced peer connections, professional growth, trust building, and invaluable customer insights that drive business growth.
Don't miss this episode if you're looking to build or rejuvenate a community that not only supports its members but also significantly contributes to your business success.

Unlocking the Full Potential of Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO)

Join David Reske on "Marketing In The Now" as he sits down with Chris Kirsch, a seasoned marketing consultant with over 25 years in B2B cybersecurity, to explore the expansive world of Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) beyond just landing pages. This episode dives deep into how B2B companies, particularly those adopting a product-led growth strategy, can greatly enhance their conversion rates by taking a holistic approach to the entire buyer's journey. Chris shares insights on defining clear customer journey goals, understanding the different stages from awareness to decision, and the crucial role of monitoring and optimizing every step to ensure seamless transitions from trial to paid versions. The discussion also covers common CRO pitfalls such as technical hurdles, fragmented messaging, and the impact of irrelevant traffic, offering strategies to overcome these challenges. Tune in to discover how a strategic, comprehensive view of CRO can not only improve conversion rates but also boost overall customer satisfaction and drive long-term business success.