Consistency, Community, and Credibility There’s this common myth that as a business owner, you’ve got to do it all. LinkedIn can feel overwhelming, but today, Nina Froriep debunked that myth and showed us how to simplify and thrive on the platform. Her approach is a breath of fresh air—practical, doable, and built for business owners who’d rather s…

You know that sinking feeling when you realize you’ve been ignoring great advice or giving up on something that actually worked? We’ve all been there, myself included. That’s why I loved this conversation with Matt Nettleton. As my most frequent podcast guest, Matt brought his signature blend of insight and candor to our “What Went Wrong?” series. …

When I was Vice President of Creative Services at Conseco, we were always out of literature for key products. In the insurance business literature is all you have to sell, so these outages would cripple our sales team. Out out of stock list was routinely close to 300 different items and climbing. While we had numerous meetings on the subject nothin…

I love games. Whether it’s playing cards with family, a quick round of trivia, or even the occasional video game, there’s something so engaging about the world of play. But I’ve never really thought about applying the principles of games to business—until I spoke with Rob Alvarez of Professor Game. Gamification, as Rob explains it, is about using e…

Good marketing isn’t all one thing or another. It’s really about creating a hybrid approach, pulling together the best elements of different strategies to move your brand forward. In today’s episode, I spoke with Alex Thoric, a seasoned digital marketer and entrepreneur, about how combining organic content and paid advertising can create a winning …

Failure can feel like a four-letter word for entrepreneurs, but it doesn’t have to be. It can also be an opportunity to learn and grow, but let's face it failure is painful, so sometimes it is nice to learn from other people's mistakes. That's why I decided to launch the What Went Wrong series, I wanted to create a space for honest conversations ab…

Stand Out by Finding Your Unique Flavor How often have you been told that the first step to creating marketing is getting crystal clear on your customer. Who are they? What do they need? That's just the starting point. The real magic happens when you figure out how to be different. And I'm not talking about different for the sake of being different…

If you’re like me, you’ve probably found yourself working so hard on your business that burnout feels inevitable. That’s why I was excited to talk with Rob Tracz, a performance coach who helps entrepreneurs transition from burnout to breakthrough. With his holistic Prime Performance Coaching framework, Rob tackles the physical, mental, and emotiona…

Why did I invite Lisa McDonald, a certified career coach to join me for a conversation? You are not looking for a job, but you are probably looking for employees, And Lisa is probably working with those potential employees, telling them not to apply for a job with your company. In this lively conversation, we talk about the mistakes employers make …

I bet you're thinking this is going to be another marketing tip. Well, not today. Instead, I want to tell you about something I'm working on that I'm really excited about. We all learn best from our mistakes, but mistakes can be painful. So I want to help you learn from other people's mistakes. That's why I'm inviting back some of my favorite guest…

Content Co-Creation with AI: The Human Touch Makes It Greater You know, when it comes to creating standout content these days, the real magic happens when you get humans and AI working together. Now, I know what you might be thinking - "But Lorraine, won't the AI just do it all?" Well, let me tell you, that's not the case at all. You see, while AI …

There’s a common myth that as a business owner, it’s your business, so you must do it all. Carolyn Bisaleeski’s journey shows just how limiting that mindset can be. A former accountant turned coach and author, Carolyn shared her story on More Than a Few Words about breaking free from micromanagement, finding clarity, and creating a business aligned…

Every great story starts with a spark—an idea that captures attention and draws people in. But to tell a story that truly connects, you need more than just inspiration. You need a clear picture of your audience and the problem you’re solving for them. Whether you’re talking to customers, your team, or the world at large, a good story is your secret…

You know the feeling - you're staring at a blank screen, desperately searching for inspiration. The creative well has run dry, and no matter how hard you try, you just can't seem to come up with any fresh, innovative ideas. Been there, done that, right? Well, my friend, the solution is simpler than you might think. Just like your car needs gas to k…

If you’re trying to grow your business, one of the best places to go is where other businesses hang out—and that’s LinkedIn. But maybe you’re there already and just not getting the results you want. That’s exactly where Deanna Russo, founder of Leverage Up, comes in. Deanna took her LinkedIn following from a modest 400 to an impressive 30,000 and c…

As a small business owner or consultant, creating consistent marketing content can feel like yet another task on your already long to-do list. That’s why I invited Sally Loftus, an expert in human resources and organizational improvement, to share her practical approach to using themes to simplify content creation. By organizing her marketing aroun…

On a cold rush hour morning, a good looking man, dressed in jeans and a baseball cap walked into a train station, carrying a violin case. He opened the case, dropped a few dollars in to encourage others to do the same. Over the next 45 minutes, he earned less than $35 for his performance. Most people simply walked by, barely stopping to listen to t…

What if managing your marketing was more like hosting a party? That’s the premise behind the Party Principle, a concept Dave Charest of Constant Contact shared with me. As someone who loves both a good metaphor and a well-organized shindig, this approach clicked immediately. Social media becomes the lively main event, email is the cozy afterparty, …

From The Archive - Online advertising can feel like navigating a dense forest without a map—especially for businesses trying to sell nationally without the resources of big-name competitors. That’s why I invited Krystal Covington, to share her expertise. Originally released in September 2022, Krystal's tips are still relevant today. Together, we ex…

I teach marketing at a local university, and this week I was talking to my students about Ansoff's Marketing Matrix. In this structure, he identifies four ways that you can grow your business. 1) Sell more of what you're already selling to your existing customers. 2) Sell more of what you're selling, but to new customers. 3) Develop a brand new pro…

Whether you’re running a business, managing a nonprofit, or just trying to share your message with the world a good story is the key to connecting with people. Stories bring ideas to life, giving them color and shape that facts and figures alone just can’t match. That’s why I was so excited to chat with Shaté Hayes . She is a creative strategist wi…

In this episode, I sat down with Johnny Cooper to tackle a big question: Who is your ideal client? If you’re like most business owners, you’ve probably wrestled with this at some point, worrying about whether narrowing your focus means missing out on other opportunities. Johnny, who runs the popular community Johnny Hates Marketing, had a refreshin…

You probably don’t want to hear this. I’m going to do it SEO wrong. You’re spending all your time focused on what search engines want, worrying about stuffing your pages with keywords, inbound links, and outbound links. But search engines don’t buy from you, people do So I want you to think about SEO differently. Start focusing on content that answ…

Sometimes, managing social media can feel like you are on a hamster wheel. As a small business owner you’re running fast, but it doesn't seem as if you are getting anywhere? In my chat with Peg Fitzpatrick, we focused on simple and practical tips. From rethinking which platforms are worth your time to using Pinterest as a hidden traffic booster, we…

I know you own your own business. You're in there working it all the time, but I'm going to let you in on a secret, smart business owners don't do it alone, we. We find partners who are focused on the same markets and have similar objectives. Sometimes that's an interview on a podcast, and sometimes it's collaborating on a bundle. I wanted to know …

I've noticed lately that no matter what social platform I'm on there is lots of video. There are video shorts and more video and more video. Obviously it's being driven by the rise of TikTok as every other platform is trying to get in on that short format and the shorts are great. They get a lot of engagement. And so it becomes a little addictive. …

Every message you send shapes your brand—make it count Chris Moore and I explored the importance of crafting communication that aligns with your company’s vision. Chris is a leadership expert who has spent over 25 years guiding both Fortune 500 companies and small businesses toward building strong, results-driven cultures. As he explains, every mes…

Your vibe attracts your tribe. Show up with purpose every day. Chatting with Jaclyn Strominger had me rethinking what it means to build genuine connections with an audience. Her energy is infectious, and her insights are spot on. In her decades of coaching, she’s seen one thing over and over: real business growth isn’t about flashy marketing tactic…

These days, content has jumped off the page. There are podcasts, there are videos and pros and cons to those formats. You don't have to worry about your grammar and your spelling. You can just talk and that's great. And, you can let a little bit of your personality come through. But there is a line. As I listen to podcasts, I listen for that line. …

Do you ever find yourself lying awake, thinking of all the things you need to do tomorrow? Elizabeth Louis, neuropsychology expert and mindset coach, has a solution. In this conversation she breaks down why planning your day the night before is a game-changer, especially for high achievers who can’t seem to switch off. Along the way she shares prac…

Sitting down with Robert Downey, CEO of Simply Be Found, I discovered a new way of looking at AI—not just as a marketing tool, but as a powerful sales ally. We dove into how AI can help small businesses boost their local SEO, streamline social media efforts, and make the most of website content. Robert’s insights on AI’s role in digital marketing m…

Some of the content that's doing really well on LinkedIn right now are the multi image posts putting together two or three related images and putting that in your feed like a carousel or just a collage really grabs the attention because it's different than the single images that everyone else is putting out there. Those multiple images allow you to…

I had so much fun welcoming back Kendra Corman back to the show. An accomplished marketing strategist whose insights are as practical as they are powerful. Kendra’s worked with everyone from small businesses to global brands like Jeep, bringing her marketing expertise to a range of clients. Today, we dug into the ever-evolving world of AI and how i…

If you've been around business as long as I have—or even half as long—you know the cycles are inevitable. There are highs, there are lows, and the real question is: how prepared are you for the downturns? That’s the heart of this conversation from my archive, with than Matt Nettleton, a sales powerhouse and founder of DTB Sandler Training. Matt’s s…

If you are like me, you work hard to get a prospect. There's marketing to get them interested and usually a series of conversations and proposal before you close the sale. So when you have an interested prospect, it is hard to let go, but sometimes you should. Years ago I was approached by the marketing manager at a fairly large company looking to …

I had a chance to sit down with Facebook ad expert Carol Kabaale to demystify Meta's advertising platform. Whether you’re a social media newbie or someone who’s been burned by past ad campaigns, Carol offers practical advice on how to navigate the Meta algorithm and create ads that actually work. As an advocate for women entrepreneurs, Carol breaks…

In this episode from the archive, the topic is mentors, how to find one and how to be one. Why? Because even if we think that we're running our business' completely on our own it helps to have people to turn to for advice and information. That is why I loved chatting with Kate Bradley Chernis, about the transformative role of mentors in business. K…

Are you taking advantage of the LinkedIn newsletter tool? If not, you're missing a huge opportunity. Sure, you've been creating newsletters for years and you have your audience. But there are people you are connected to on LinkedIn who will never subscribe to your newsletter. By taking that same content and moving it to this platform, you have an o…

In this conversation from my archive, I discussed the power of authenticity with Sasha Willis. In all her ventures, Sasha’s authenticity shines, proving that showing up as yourself is the key to a resonant, successful brand. Here’s what she had to share on making authenticity your superpower: Consistency Across Platforms Sasha emphasizes that being…

Are you curious about the power of curiosity itself? If so, this conversation with Emily Aborn, an experienced copywriter, speaker, and podcast host, will draw you in. Emily shares her insights on the art of curiosity marketing—a strategy that builds intrigue by inviting people to wonder, engage, and connect deeper. In our interview, she unveils th…

I love running my own business, getting to do things “my way” … most of the time. But I learned that to be successful, I need to also listen to the opinions of others. Who are these “others?” They are people who compliment my weaknesses and have skills to fill my blind spots. They are the Yang to my Yin. What Is Yin-Yang? With roots dating back to …

I had a great conversation about what it really takes to start a business and build it into something successful—even if the odds seem stacked against you. My guest Jeanne Omlor, went from being a 54-year-old single mom in debt to a multi-seven-figure online business owner—all without spending a dime on ads! Key Takeaways: Take the First Step: Inst…

Let’s face it, people buy from people, and those connections don’t just happen by magic. When it comes down to closing, people buy from people. So before you can make a sale, you almost always need a relationship. In B2B sales one of the best places to build that relationship is on LinkedIn. Relationship pro, Janice has some seriously smart (and su…

I've been podcasting for 15 years. And in the early days of the show, I experimented with a lot of different formats.. But I have to admit over the last few years, I've kind of fallen into a rut. And when I look at my listener data, it shows. So it's time to shake it up a little bit with feedback from you. What would you like to hear? What would ge…

Many small business owners might think that outdoor ads are only for big brands or political campaigns with massive budgets, but Charlie breaks down how businesses of all sizes can benefit from this often-overlooked channel. We talked about the creative flexibility of outdoor advertising—it’s not just billboards! From wrapping cars to printing ads …

I have often been told that I have a strong personality and it kind of came through in my business but I never really thought about the fact that all businesses have personality. Guest Naomi Gora talks about the importance of including ourselves in our business strategy. So many business schools teach us to get to know our ideal customers and compe…

If you've been in business for any length of time, what I want you to do is answer a simple question. If you could only work with three clients, who would it be? Go back, look at all of the companies that you've worked with, all the people you've worked with, and pick your top three. It's not easy because there might be lots of favorites. When you …

Everybody loves a getaway, and retreats offer the perfect opportunity to renew, refresh, and learn something new. But what if you're a coach or consultant looking to host a retreat? How do you package your knowledge and skills into a transformative experience that draws in your ideal clients? Michelle Perad, an intuitive guide, consultant, and foun…

In this encore episode I sat down with Lewis Dalton, a copywriting pro and co-founder of Pine, to dig into the magic behind writing copy that actually converts. Lewis shares some fantastic, down-to-earth advice about finding the sweet spot between short-term and long-term benefits in your messaging, how to blend emotion and logic to really hook you…

I am a LinkedIn junkie, but unlike people with other addictions, I'm not looking for a 12-step program to cure me of my habit because I think LinkedIn is healthy for my business. Instead, what I've done is developed a six-step process that allows me to simplify content creation and improve the quality of the content I'm creating. The six steps are …