Why do so many great GovCon companies struggle to stand out?

In this episode, Chelsea is joined by Kris Brinker, Co-founder of Ocean 5 Strategies, to talk about why branding, messaging, and content strategy matter more than ever, especially for companies graduating from 8(a) or hitting a growth plateau.

We unpack how established firms can evolve their image, align internal culture with external messaging, and create trust with buyers across the procurement process.

On this episode:

The biggest messaging mistakes in GovCon

Why branding isn’t just about logos, it’s about building trust

Content strategies that align with the sales cycle

Why your website is more important than you think

How to measure ROI when sales cycles take 12+ months

Timestamps:

[00:00] – Baby updates and Chelsea’s big May

[02:41] – Meet Kris Brinker & Ocean 5 Strategies

[07:40] – Brand isn’t colors, it’s what people believe about your company

[14:33] – Addressing different audiences: procurement, partners, and staff

[19:45] – Involving technical staff in messaging strategy

[22:40] – What to do after 8(a) graduation or sudden growth

[28:35] – Content creation with strategic alignment

[34:09] – Why your website is your most valuable asset

[35:19] – Measuring marketing ROI in government sales

[47:31] – Next steps, sharing, and content release planning

Links and Resources:

Chelsea’s LinkedIn Profile

Kris Brinker's LinkedIn profile

Ocean 5 Strategies Website