🎧 Digital Marketing Made Easy Episode 95: Why Commercial Intelligence Separates Marketers from Leaders

Welcome back to Digital Marketing Made Easy — the podcast where we break down what actually matters in digital marketing right now, what’s shifting in 2026, and how to build a career and earning potential that keeps accelerating.

In today’s episode, we’re talking about something most marketers aren’t taught early enough: Commercial intelligence. Because here’s the truth: Marketing skills might get you hired.

Commercial intelligence gets you promoted. Commercial intelligence isn’t just understanding metrics.

It’s understanding:

• Revenue
• Profit margins
• Customer lifetime value
• Cost of acquisition
• Forecasting
• Financial impact 

It’s knowing how marketing connects to money. And in 2026, that connection is everything. In this episode, we explore:

• The difference between reporting activity and reporting impact
• Why engagement metrics don’t impress leadership rooms
• The language CEOs and boards actually care about
• How commercial awareness increases influence and authority
• Why financially fluent marketers command higher salaries
• How understanding growth mechanics unlocks consulting and business opportunities

Because here’s what separates a marketer from a leader:

A marketer says:
“We increased engagement by 35%.”

A leader says:
“That engagement translated into a 12% conversion lift and £240,000 in revenue.” One reports activity.

The other reports impact. And impact drives influence. We also unpack why commercial intelligence is embedded into professional digital marketing qualifications — not as finance theory, but as a strategic lens for understanding performance, planning, forecasting, and growth.

This is a core reason why so many marketers who develop commercial intelligence move into £60K, £80K, £120K+ roles.

• Leadership positions
• Consulting
• Or authority-led digital businesses Because they’re no longer seen as a cost centre —they’re seen as a growth driver. 

If you want to be taken more seriously, move into leadership, or increase your earning potential — this episode is essential listening.

Marketing gets attention.
Commercial intelligence gets authority.
Authority gets influence.

🔗 Free Resources, Courses & Next Steps

Access FREE digital marketing resources and learn more about professional, accredited qualifications at:
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📘 Explore accredited digital marketing courses designed to future-proof your career

🎓 Learn how to move into leadership, strategy, and higher-earning roles

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Follow @businessconsort on Instagram (100K+ followers) for daily tips, tools, and practical insights to build your digital skills and stay ahead.

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Digital marketing isn’t just a skill.
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🎧 Digital Marketing Made Easy
Episode 94: Why Authority Beats Consistency in 2026

Welcome back to Digital Marketing Made Easy — the podcast where we focus on what actually works in digital marketing today, what’s changing in 2026, and how to build a career, business, and reputation that lasts. In this episode, we challenge one of the most overused pieces of advice in marketing: “Just be consistent.” Because in 2026, consistency without authority is invisible. You can post every day.

You can be active on every platform.
You can follow every content calendar. And still not be chosen. Why?
Because attention is no longer scarce.
Trust is. Consistency used to be the differentiator.

Now, everyone is consistent — brands, creators, businesses, and even AI tools. What actually separates those who get chosen?

Authority. In this episode, we unpack:

• Why authority now beats consistency in crowded markets
• How trust, clarity, and perspective drive decision-making
• Why people follow leadership — not output
• The signals buyers and employers look for when choosing who to trust
• How authority reduces uncertainty and creates opportunity
• Why authority-led marketers progress faster, earn more, and attract inbound opportunities

We also explore why authority isn’t built by posting more, but by:

• Saying fewer things more clearly
• Taking a strong point of view
• Backing ideas with strategy and substance
• Demonstrating understanding of the bigger commercial picture

This is why the most successful marketers in 2026:

• Create less content — but make it work harder
• Focus on depth over volume
• Lead conversations instead of reacting to trends
• Shape perception rather than chase algorithms

We also share how this thinking is applied at Business Consort Academy, where marketers learn to move beyond content creation into strategy, positioning, leadership, and authority-led growth — resulting in promotions, higher-paid roles, and scalable digital businesses. If you’ve ever felt:

• “I’m showing up, but it’s not landing,” or
• “I’m doing the work, but I’m not being recognised,”

This episode is your reframe. Consistency keeps you visible.
Authority makes you memorable.
And memorability is what creates opportunity.

🔗 Free Resources, Courses & Next Steps
Access FREE digital marketing resources and learn more about professional, accredited qualifications at:
👉 https://digitalandsocialmediaacademy.com/pages/podcast

📘 Explore accredited digital marketing courses designed to future-proof your career

🎓 Learn how to move into leadership, strategy, and higher-earning roles

📲 Join Us on Instagram Follow @businessconsort on Instagram (100K+ followers) for daily tips, tools, and practical insights to build in-demand digital skills and stay ahead of the market.
You can also follow the host at @dawnmcgruer.

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🎁 We’ll send you a FREE gift as a thank you. 🎙️
Don’t forget to follow Digital Marketing Made Easy so you never miss an episode, or listen directly on our website.

Digital marketing isn’t just a skill. It’s career insurance.

🎧 Digital Marketing Made Easy Episode 93: Why SEO Is Becoming a Leadership Skill, Not a Technical One

Welcome back to Digital Marketing Made Easy — the podcast where we cut through the noise of digital marketing and focus on what actually moves careers, businesses, and opportunities forward in 2026 and beyond. In today’s episode, we’re rethinking SEO.

If your first thought is keywords, algorithms, or something only a specialist handles, this episode will challenge that perspective. Because SEO is no longer just a technical skill.

It’s becoming a leadership skill. Search today isn’t just about traffic.
It’s about visibility, trust, authority, and choice. People search to:

• Validate decisions
• Compare expertise
• Check credibility
• Reduce risk

And the brands and professionals who understand this aren’t reacting to the market — they’re shaping it. In this episode, we explore:

• Why visibility now determines opportunity
• How SEO influences brand perception, authority, and trust
• Why leaders focus on being the obvious choice, not just ranking
• How SEO has moved from execution to strategy
• Why SEO now sits with founders, growth leaders, and senior marketers
• How strategic SEO creates career leverage and leadership opportunities

We also break down why the most valuable marketers today aren’t just implementing tasks — they’re directing growth by connecting:

• Search behaviour
• Customer intent
• Authority-building
• Commercial outcomes

That combination is rare — and rarity creates value. This is exactly why SEO remains one of the most powerful digital marketing skills to master in 2026 — not as a technician, but as a strategist. 🎓


🔗 Free Resources, Courses & Next Steps

Access FREE digital marketing resources and learn more about professional qualifications at:
👉 https://digitalandsocialmediaacademy.com/pages/podcast

 📘 Explore accredited digital marketing courses designed to future-proof your career

🎓 Learn how to move into leadership, strategy, and higher-earning roles

📲 Join Us on Instagram Follow @businessconsort on Instagram (100K+ followers) for daily tips, tools, and practical insights to build your digital skills and stay ahead.

⭐ FREE Gift Alert If you enjoyed this episode:

1. Rate & review Digital Marketing, Made Easy in your favourite podcast player
2. Screenshot your review
3. DM it to us on Instagram @businessconsort

🎁 We’ll send you a FREE gift as a thank you! 🎙️ Don’t forget to follow Digital Marketing, Made Easy so you never miss an episode, or listen directly on our website.

Digital marketing isn’t just a skill.
It’s career insurance.

🎧 Episode 92: Why Digital Marketing Is the Most Future-Proof Skill You Can Learn

Welcome back to Digital Marketing, Made Easy — the podcast that cuts through the noise and focuses on what actually drives growth, opportunity, and career security. In this episode, we’re not talking about platforms, algorithms, or short-lived trends.

We’re talking about why digital marketing has become one of the most future-proof, in-demand skills in 2026 and beyond. As entire job categories shrink and automation accelerates, one skillset continues to rise in demand: commercially minded digital marketing. In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why digital marketing directly impacts revenue — and why that matters to employers
• How recognised qualifications move you from “doing marketing” to leading growth
• Why qualified digital marketers earn more, progress faster, and face less redundancy risk
• How digital marketing creates flexibility through consulting, freelancing, and business ownership
• Why this skillset is often described as a career multiplier, not a single career path

You’ll also be guided through a powerful visualisation — graduating with a professional digital marketing qualification, cap and gown at Westminster — and what that moment really represents: credibility, confidence, and long-term leverage in a crowded market.

At Business Consort Academy, over 83% of graduates go on to secure a pay rise, promotion, new role, or start their own business — not because the qualification is easy, but because it’s respected. And respect creates opportunity. If you’re thinking:

• “I don’t want to be left behind”
• “I want skills that protect my future”
• “I want options — not limitations”

This episode is about positioning, not pressure.

🔗 Free Resources, Courses & Next Steps

Access FREE digital marketing resources and learn more about professional qualifications at:
👉 https://digitalandsocialmediaacademy.com/pages/podcast

 📘 Explore accredited digital marketing courses designed to future-proof your career

🎓 Learn how to move into leadership, strategy, and higher-earning roles

📲 Join Us on Instagram Follow @businessconsort on Instagram (100K+ followers) for daily tips, tools, and practical insights to build your digital skills and stay ahead.

⭐ FREE Gift Alert If you enjoyed this episode:

1. Rate & review Digital Marketing, Made Easy in your favourite podcast player
2. Screenshot your review
3. DM it to us on Instagram @businessconsort

🎁 We’ll send you a FREE gift as a thank you! 🎙️ Don’t forget to follow Digital Marketing, Made Easy so you never miss an episode — or listen directly on our website.

Digital marketing isn’t just a skill.
It’s career insurance.

🎙️ Digital Marketing, Made Easy Episode 91: Why Digital Marketing in 2026 Is a Strategy Game — Not a Tool Game Podcast: Digital Marketing, Made Easy

Hosted by Dawn McGruer FRSA FCIM - Founder of Business Consort Academy established 2003 - We have trained and certified over 30,000 students - 100% Online with 99% pass rate.

📌 Episode Overview

Digital marketing in 2026 isn’t about learning more tools — it’s about learning how to think strategically.

In this episode of Digital Marketing, Made Easy, Dawn McGruer breaks down why AI hasn’t replaced marketers — it’s replaced guesswork, outdated tactics, and unstructured thinking.

If you’re feeling busy but not progressing, confident in tools but unsure of strategy, or ready to future-proof your career in an AI-driven world, this episode will help you understand what actually matters now — and why strategic marketers are ranking in the top 1% of the industry. 

🎧 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why digital marketing has shifted from execution to strategy
• How AI has changed expectations — not eliminated opportunity
• The difference between doing marketing and leading marketing
• Why commercial intelligence now drives earning potential
• What separates tactical marketers from strategic growth leaders
• How structure, strategy, and qualification future-proof your career

🚀 Key Takeaway

In 2026, the most in-demand marketers aren’t the ones who know the most tools — they’re the ones who understand strategy, planning, and commercial impact. That’s what opens doors to promotions, pay rises, new roles, and business opportunities.

🎓 Why Strategy Matters

At Business Consort Academy, over 83% of students achieve a pay rise, promotion, new job, or start a business after graduating. Students don’t just learn how to do digital marketing — they learn how to:

• Build strategic plans
• Understand commercial performance
• Choose the right channels
• Specialise in high-value areas such as AI, SEO, paid advertising, ecommerce, or social media management

Graduates earn a degree-level CIM qualification awarded at Westminster, positioning them in the top 1% of marketers.

🎙️ About the Podcast Digital Marketing, Made Easy breaks down the most important trends, skills, and strategies shaping digital marketing in 2026 and beyond — translating complexity into clarity for ambitious professionals, marketers, founders, and career-switchers.

No jargon.
No overwhelm.

Just smart, strategic marketing that drives real results.

🔔 Subscribe & Listen Subscribe to Digital Marketing, Made Easy for weekly episodes covering:

• AI & the future of marketing
• SEO, paid ads, and performance strategy
• Social media influence & authority
• Ecommerce growth systems
• Career progression in digital marketing

www.digitalandsocialmediaacademy.com @businessconsort on Instagram

In this episode, we break down how to ethically use generative AI without crossing any lines. 

From using AI to spark ideas to avoiding the plagiarism pitfalls, we’re covering the essentials that will keep your content fresh, unique, and legally sound. You’ll discover how to turn AI into your best brainstorming friend, while still making sure your brand’s voice shines through. 

Whether you're new to AI or a seasoned pro, these tips will help you harness the power of AI
responsibly and effectively.


Here are the Highlights:

(01:18) Inspiration not duplication
(03:56) Take the idea and make it your own
(06:36) Aligned to the brand
(11:16) Collaboration between AI and human teams

Connect with Dawn:
Visit our website - https://www.digitalandsocialmediaacademy.com/ 
Buy the Dynamic Digital Marketing book today - https://www.digitalandsocialmediaacademy.com/product/dynamic-digital-marketing-book
Join the Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/businessconsort/
Follow us on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/businessconsort/ 
Follow on Twitter - https://twitter.com/businessconsort
Connect on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/school/868404/

Today, we're unpacking five innovative ways to scale your business with a robust newsletter strategy. Now, if you're still sceptical about email marketing, think again. With its unmatched ROI, a well-crafted newsletter can be your secret weapon to boost engagement and drive revenue.

We'll explore how newsletters can evolve with the digital landscape, blending classic tactics with modern trends. From audience segmentation and personalised content to leveraging newsletters for brand awareness and customer loyalty, this episode is packed with actionable insights.

Whether you're revamping your existing strategy or starting from scratch, there's something here for everyone. Let's get started!


Here are the Highlights:

(01:11) ROI on email marketing is HUGE
(04:14) It's hard work!
(08:14) Drip campaigns
(11:13) Clear calls to action
(13:03) Partnering and subscription models

Connect with Dawn:
Visit our website - https://www.digitalandsocialmediaacademy.com/ 
Buy the Dynamic Digital Marketing book today - https://www.digitalandsocialmediaacademy.com/product/dynamic-digital-marketing-book
Join the Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/businessconsort/
Follow us on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/businessconsort/ 
Follow on Twitter - https://twitter.com/businessconsort
Connect on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/school/868404/

In this episode of "Digital Marketing Made Easy," we discuss the essentials for starting or scaling your e-commerce business. Dawn highlights choosing a profitable niche, validating your product idea, and registering your business, including trademarking your brand and products. We also cover building a user-friendly website and setting up secure payment methods.We then focus on optimising for search engines and creating engaging content.

Dawn shares strategies for using social media, email marketing, and paid ads to drive traffic and increase sales. Lastly, we stress the importance of excellent customer service and regularly analysing your business performance. Tune in for actionable insights to help your e-commerce venture thrive.

Here are the highlights:

(01:22) The positive effects of Covid
(04:46) SEO strategies
(06:11) We need to sell consistently
(08:23) The importance of Social Proof


Connect with Dawn:
Visit our website - https://www.digitalandsocialmediaacademy.com/ 
Buy the Dynamic Digital Marketing book today - https://www.digitalandsocialmediaacademy.com/product/dynamic-digital-marketing-book
Join the Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/businessconsort/
Follow us on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/businessconsort/ 
Follow on Twitter - https://twitter.com/businessconsort
Connect on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/school/868404/

Welcome to Episode 87 of Digital Marketing Made Easy! 

Today, we're diving into three easy steps to create a powerful content strategy that will set your brand apart. 

We'll explore how to define your content mission and vision, understand your audience, and optimise your content to drive engagement and growth. 

Whether you're a seasoned marketer or just starting out, these tips will help you create content that resonates and delivers results. 

Highlights: 
(2:17) Content marketing mission statements that align with purpose and values
(3:51) Long-term goals and aspirations in your business
(7:20) Training AI tools to create aligned content
(9:20) Saving time with AI

Connect with Dawn:
Visit our website - https://www.digitalandsocialmediaacademy.com/ 
Buy the Dynamic Digital Marketing book today - https://www.digitalandsocialmediaacademy.com/product/dynamic-digital-marketing-book
Join the Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/businessconsort/
Follow us on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/businessconsort/ 
Follow on Twitter - https://twitter.com/businessconsort
Connect on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/school/868404/

Welcome once again to another episode of Digital Marketing Made Easy.

In this episode, we outline the top 10 daily tasks every marketer should focus on to stay productive, such as breaking down big tasks, reviewing analytics, and creating dynamic social media posts.

We emphasise the importance of translating efforts into actionable insights, maintaining visibility through engaging content, and building meaningful client relationships.

This episode provides a practical guide for marketers to enhance productivity and drive business growth with data-driven decisions and targeted marketing strategies.

Here are the highlights:
(00:39) New qualifications!
(04:07) Keep a dashboard
(05:06) One post at a time
(09:06) Connect differently

Connect with Dawn:
Visit our website - https://www.digitalandsocialmediaacademy.com/ 
Buy the Dynamic Digital Marketing book today - https://www.digitalandsocialmediaacademy.com/product/dynamic-digital-marketing-book
Join the Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/businessconsort/
Follow us on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/businessconsort/ 
Follow on Twitter - https://twitter.com/businessconsort 
Connect on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/school/868404/