Nikki and Mark start season 2 off with a reflection on the first year of A Little Marketing and their favourite episodes, featuring special appearances by Guest Experts Kristy Carruthers, Steph Goldman, Steph Wharton, Dr. Isreal Puterman, Kirstin Siggins, and Michelle Leech.

Nikki and Mark are joined by PR expert Bryan Tritt, who recounts his hilarious journey into the world of Public Relations and shares tips for creating strategies that help generate exposure for his clients.

Madonna Parris joins Nikki and Mark to chat about her 3 overarching principles to deliver great customer service regardless of your industry or business - including how to communicate through various channels.

Meghan Lamle talks Nikki and Mark about how to add in a new platform to your marketing plan. How do you know what will work? What will stick around? If you're an early adopter, how do you even know how to use these new platforms? Meghan breaks it all down for us in this episode that's more like a mini-training. PS: Catch Meghan's first episode: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/wYYzGsySyBb

About Nikki Gillingham and ⁠⁠Blue Whale Communications⁠⁠ in Vernon, BC Nikki gained valuable experience in change management, stakeholder and employee engagement, content marketing strategy and development, social media and digital marketing, and branding from a career that started in the corporate world; working for public and private sector organizations of all sizes. In 2017, Nikki founded Blue Whale Communications, a boutique marketing agency that has helped more than 75 small-medium-sized businesses and entrepreneurs improve their online brand awareness, reputation, and authority. With so many fish in the sea, we help you position yourself as the leading industry expert in your waters. Services include: +Marketing Strategy and Fractional CMO Services +Review Management Services +Google Business Profile Management and other local listings strategies +Done-For-You Content Creation (including social media management, blog writing, email marketing, and more)+Coaching (ask about our low-cost Marketing Expert On-Demand membership or one-on-one strategy calls) Blue Whale works with businesses in all industries, with experience in metal recycling, laser and aesthetics, marketing, aviation, employee benefits, workplace safety, insurance, financial services, real estate, information technology, theatre, film, pool and spa, warehouse logistics, leadership development, and many more. About Mark Goren and ⁠⁠10|20 Marketing⁠⁠ in Montreal, Quebec: Mark is passionate about helping small business owners succeed online. Throughout his career in marketing and communications strategy, analysis and content creation, some of his biggest accomplishments have come from showing local business owners that little wins can add up to big ones when you work through an online marketing strategy. Mark has also gained great satisfaction helping these same clients solve problems that they have discovered while examining their own web presence, whether it be coaching them on how to respond to reviews, moving misplaced pins on online maps, suppressing inaccurate or dated listings, or simply being there to lend an ear. Mark is a specialist in using online software tools to enhance his skill set and has relationships and licenses with vendors across several disciplines – including Uberall, BirdEye, Brandwatch and others – which he uses to the benefit of his clients. He currently spends his time helping business owners with 1 to 49 locations claim their online business listings, listen to customer feedback via online reviews and social media listening, and build their web presence through local directory marketing, social media, and online marketing strategy development. Small businesses Mark has helped include Green Rebel, Sunshine Leisurescapes, Maxillo Tandem, Montauk Sofa, Green Mile Chrysler, Pret Auto Express, Pret Auto Partez, Concept Kia Dorval, Centaur Theatre, GSA & Associates, Cameo Collection, NH Salvage, Harry Toulch Optometrist, Aspirateur VacuPro, Papillon Foods, Modanessa, Globe Metal, Pizza Prima, Codell Audio, Premier Ostomy Centre, PCN Maison and many others. 10|20 Marketing also operates as a full-service marketing agency offering lower-cost services, including marketing and digital strategies, paid media management (search and social), social media marketing, brand strategy. We also believe in measuring all our work to show results and adjust campaigns. Companies we help include Canlak Coatings, SDVoE Alliance, Air Transat, Ford Canada, Centennial Academy, Core Benefits, DE Systems, Sutherland Global Services, D-BOX Technologies, and others.

Nikki and Mark talk to Kirsten Siggins, co-founder of The Institute of Curiosity, on how to have difficult conversations and how business owners can become better listeners to improve the outcome of conversations.

With years of experience at creative agencies in Toronto, Guest Expert Bev Spritzer joins Nikki and Mark to break down the role of a copywriter and exactly what it is the copywriter at creative agencies is responsible for!

Nikki and Mark dive into what the day-to-day tasks of a content marketer look like - with Mark asking Nikki questions about how things go down over at Blue Whale! Nikki talks about everything from assigning content to handling last minute requests, and share tips including time tracking, project management, and making time for yourself.

Nikki and Mark continue their in-person series with a discussion on the importance of creating a consistent brand presence. They touch on the process an agency takes when working with clients, as well as what business owners can do to ensure their own online presence is consistent and recognizable.