If your business's video content feels flat, forgettable, or just kind of...lame? You’re probably missing the most important ingredient: you.

In this episode, I’m joined by two-time Emmy Award-nominated Director of Photography and Producer Tom Langan to discuss why most business videos fail to make people care and how to shift from surface-level, trend-chasing content to a story-driven strategy that actually makes people care.

We talk about how to create content that feels like a person, not a pitch, why you don’t need a “crazy life” to tell great stories, and how to use your everyday experiences to build trust, connection, and a brand people actually remember.

Here’s what we cover:

• What it actually means to humanize your brand (beyond “just showing your face”)
• How to build emotional connection without oversharing or veering off-brand
• The mindset shift that makes showing up on camera 10x easier
• Simple storytelling tricks for turning everyday moments into magnetic content
• Why chasing trends keeps your brand forgettable (and what to do instead)
• The underrated role of video in building trust and long-term brand equity

Connect with Tom

• Connect on LinkedIn
• Connect on Instagram
• Grab Tom’s book Legendeering
• Sign up for his upcoming masterclass (Happening 5/15) on video content

In this episode, I’m joined by Cassidy Handle to unpack the real power of brand messaging and why your words are the thing that's either pulling people in or pushing them away.

If you’ve ever felt like your content sounds like someone else… or you’re trying to sound like a pro but end up sounding like a weird robot version of yourself, this one's for you.

Cassidy breaks down what brand messaging actually is, how to create consistent, trust-building copy across everything you put out, and why skipping this step is the fastest way to confuse (and lose) potential clients.

Whether you’re DIY-ing your messaging or are finally ready to hire it out, this episode will help you untangle all the swirling thoughts in your head and turn them into words that actually work.

• Follow Cassidy on Instagram: @thecopywritingmama
• Grab her freebie: Fire in the Hole – 50 Subject Lines That Actually Get Opened
• Visit her website: www.thecopywritingmama.com

Design isn’t just how your brand looks. It’s how it speaks.

Before anyone reads a word, your visuals are already doing the talking. Your colors, fonts, logo, and brand experience are all setting the tone, creating expectations, and shaping perception...in literal milliseconds.

So if you’ve been treating your visual identity like an afterthought? Let this be your wake-up call. Because what people see is telling them more about your brand than what you say ever will.

Your brand's best content ideas aren’t going to be found while scrolling for inspiration on your feed...They’re in your real life.

In this episode, I’m breaking down:

• Why “scrolling for inspiration” is actually code for “send help, I’m spiraling into comparison”
• How copying what’s already out there makes your brand forgettable
• The psychology behind content that actually connects—and converts
• Why lived experiences turn into the most you content ever

If your content feels clunky, stiff, or just plain exhausting to create, it’s probably because you’re overthinking it. Trying too hard to sound perfect or professional is actually making your brand feel robotic, and it’s killing your connection with your audience.

In this episode, we’re breaking down why your content feels so forced and how to make it feel more human (without spending hours stressing over every post).

If you’ve ever wondered why some content grabs attention and creates instant connections while other content falls flat, the answer isn’t just "the algorithm."

The best content—whether it’s a social post, a website, or an ad that stops people in their tracks—all follow the same three-part formula: Psychology + Storytelling + Visual Design

In this episode, I break down:

• The role of psychology in content marketing (and how to get inside your audience’s head)
• Why storytelling is the key to emotional connection
• How design choices and visuals impact audience engagement
• How to combine these three elements (psychology, storytelling & design) for maximum impact

So, if you’re tired of throwing content out there and just hoping it sticks, this is the episode that will help you start creating with more intention (so your content actually starts to work for your business).

Connect with me:

• Instagram - @⁠pane.marketing

Sound is one of the most overlooked elements of branding, yet it has the power to make or break your audience's experience.

When your content's audio feels off, people might not be able to articulate what's wrong—but they'll click away faster than you can say "is this thing on?"

Most business owners obsess over visuals while treating audio as an afterthought.

They grab trending sounds for their Reels.

They use generic stock music for their videos.

And suddenly... their content sounds just like everyone else's (and how the hell are you supposed to stand out, now??)

If your content isn't making the impact you want—even when the visuals look great—this episode with audio expert Julian Blackmore is about to change the way you think about your brand's sound forever.

Inside This Episode, We're Covering:

• How sound triggers powerful memory and emotional responses in your audience
• How to align your audio choices with your brand's mission and values
• The dangers of using trending or stock audio (and why it's probably costing you more than you think)
• Why instrumental tracks are crucial when overlaying voice content
• The psychology behind storytelling through sound using the seven basic plots
• Simple ways to improve your audio quality without breaking the bank
• Why bad audio quality is essentially insulting your audience

Some of my favorite quotes from the episode:

• "Don't underestimate how important audio quality and sound and music is in your content. And don't insult your audience by assuming it's okay to post a piece of sh*t."
• "People might not be able to point exactly to what the problem is, but bad audio just sounds 'nope.'"
• "If you are using stock, be really f*cking careful how you use it."

Resources Mentioned:

• 20K Hertz Podcast: www.20k.org
• Book recommendation: Seven Basic Plots

Connect With Julian:

• Website: julianblackmore.com
• Instagram: @julian.blackmore

Connect with me:

• Website: marissapane.com
• Instagram: @⁠⁠pane.marketing⁠

Your brand isn’t just a logo, a social media feed, or a website—it’s a system.

When your marketing feels disconnected, it’s usually because you’re building in silos instead of creating a brand that works as a whole.

First, you hire a designer for a logo.

Then you hire a marketer for social media.

Then you hire someone else for your website.

And suddenly… none of it actually feels like it fits together.

Sound familiar? If your brand feels off—even after hiring experts—this episode is going to change the way you think about branding and marketing forever.

Inside This Episode, We're Covering:

• Why a brand is a system, not just a collection of marketing pieces
• How hiring contractors without a clear brand strategy leads to a disjointed mess
• The danger of "siloed marketing" (and how it's costing you consistency and clarity)
• Why your logo isn't just one design but should be a complete suite for different applications
• Why having brand guidelines is essential before hiring specialists
• How misaligned marketing pieces confuse your audience and waste your money

Connect with me:

• Instagram - @⁠⁠pane.marketing⁠

If your business feels like a constant game of Chutes & Ladders—gaining momentum, only to slide right back down to square one—this episode is for you.

Because listen, anyone can start a business. Anyone can build a brand. But building an intentional brand? That’s what makes you unforgettable.

In this episode, we’re breaking down:

• Why checking off “business tasks” (logo, website, content) won’t magically give you a strong brand—unless they’re done with intention
• Why so many service providers feel stuck, misaligned, or like they’re constantly rebuilding from scratch—and how to fix it
• How to uncover your true brand voice (without relying on generic “friendly and professional” BS)
• The difference between a business that just sells vs. a brand that builds trust, demand, and long-term loyalty
• Tactical steps to clarify your messaging and create a client experience that actually makes you stand out—so your audience doesn’t just double-tap your posts, they book you

Because if your brand is all vibes and no depth, you’re making this way harder than it needs to be.

Connect with me:

• Instagram - @⁠pane.marketing

So you’ve been creating content and getting likes, maybe even a few DMs...but no actual clients?

Let’s talk about it because engagement doesn’t equal income.

And you're creating content to grow your business, yes?

Well, that viral post you're salivating over achieving? It might get you some clout, but it won’t necessarily get you booked.

Meanwhile, the post that got crickets? It could be the one that lands you your next paying client.

In this episode, we’re breaking down:

• Why high engagement ≠ high conversions (and what actually drives sales)
• The difference between content that entertains vs. content that attracts clients
• Why viral posts often miss the mark for service providers
• The “peer validation” trap—and why getting love from your industry doesn’t pay your bills
• The three types of content you actually need to be posting (hint: it’s not all about going viral)

Because listen—if your content strategy is just chasing likes instead of building trust, authority, and demand for your services… we need to fix that ASAP.

Connect with me:

• Instagram - @⁠pane.marketing