MAPPED OUT

When your ideas are tapped out, we've got more. Welcome to MAPPED OUT – your GPS to breakthrough growth, minus the headaches.

Ready for some serious support on your marketing journey? Meet your new co-pilots: Lauren and Aurrie. As seasoned marketers and business owners, we're here to help you cut through the noise and make powerful decisions that drive real growth. No fluff, no theoretical nonsense – just actionable strategies and a clear itinerary for mapping out your exact coordinates for your next big win.

What You'll Discover

• Why traditional marketing advice often leaves you feeling lost
• How MAPPED OUT approaches marketing differently with practical, implementable strategies (not just theories)
• What to expect in future episodes: templates, tools, and tactical advice
• Who this podcast is perfect for: founders, marketers, and brand leaders ready to scale

Meet Your Hosts

Lauren Loreto - Founder of Brand Good Time, Lauren specializes in helping disruptive, founder-led brands break through the noise. With almost 10 years of agency experience and a keen eye for untapped potential, she's helped countless brands transform from "profitable and growing" to "scaling successfully."

Aurrie Hicks - Based in Birmingham, Alabama, Aurrie brings over a decade of experience in branding, marketing, and strategy. As the founder of Hopson Rae, she's developed winning strategies and managed brand identities for 130+ clients, combining corporate experience with entrepreneurial insight.

Connect With Us

• Lauren:
  • Website: brandgoodtime.com
  • Instagram: @brandgoodtime
  • LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/laurenloreto
  • Pinterest: pinterest.com/brandgoodtime
• Aurrie:
  • Website: hopsonrae.com
  • Instagram: @hopsonrae
  • LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/aurriehicks
  • Pinterest: pinterest.com/hopsonrae

Ready to Map Out Your Success Story?

Subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts and join us for relatable conversations, fresh perspectives, and tools you can implement right away. Your journey to better marketing starts here.

#MappedOutPodcast #MarketingStrategy #BusinessGrowth #MarketingPodcast #BusinessPodcast

Special episode drop (breaking the hitatus). We went to IBOUND 2024 so you didn't have to :P In this episode, hosts Lauren and Aurrie recap their experiences at the INBOUND marketing conference. Lauren, founder of Brand Good Time, and Aurrie, founder of Hopson Ray, share key insights from sessions on B2B LinkedIn ads, AI in content creation, and email marketing strategies. The episode offers actionable strategies for marketers to enhance their efforts going into 2025 and beyond.

Timestamps:

• Best Practices for B2B LinkedIn Ads (00:04:03)
• Insights from a LinkedIn Paid Ads Agency (00:05:08)
• Creative Content for B2B (00:07:26)
• Using AI in Content Creation (00:09:34)
• Effective Call-to-Action Buttons (00:11:15)
• AI Trigger Words in Emails (00:12:48)
• Preparing for 2025 Trends (00:14:34)
• Apple Email Update (00:17:05)
• Neil Patel on Content Marketing (00:18:13)
• The Shift from SEO to Search Everywhere Optimization (00:20:08)
• Maximizing Content Strategy (00:22:57)
• Marketing Funnel Insights (00:26:33)
• Brand Competition and Customer Sharing (00:29:10)
• Creative Content and B2B Engagement (00:30:08)
• Humor in B2B Marketing (00:32:52)
• Color Psychology in Branding (00:34:07)
• Thought Leadership on LinkedIn (00:36:27)
• Effective Storytelling in Ads (00:38:20)
• CMO Insights on Organizational Goals (00:41:28)
• Repurposing Webinars with AI (00:44:32)
• Launching Products on Social Media (00:46:24)
• Hacking the Instagram Algorithm (00:47:08)
  
  

Find Lauren Loreto online:

• Follow us on Instagram: @brandgoodtime @shesbusyaf
• Connect with Lauren on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/laurenloreto 

Find Aurrie Hicks online:

• https://www.hopsonrae.com
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

When was the last time you paused to consider how your well-being affects your work? Ashleigh Hubbard joins Lauren Loreto in a heart-to-heart about the symbiotic relationship between personal health and professional success. This chat traverses their personal evolutions: Lauren's pivot from the weightlifting circuit to the entrepreneurial fast track and Ashleigh's impressive leap from a non-athletic past to a weightlifting present.  Ashleigh and Lauren dissect the nature of motivation, from external prompts to the deeply personal internal drive, and how it can sharpen our mental acuity and sustain our passion for our work. They swap notes on how simple starts with exercise and a solid grasp on our 'why' can revolutionize both our productivity and sense of satisfaction.

Find Lauren Loreto online:

• Follow us on Instagram: @brandgoodtime @shesbusyaf
• Connect with Lauren on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/laurenloreto 

Find Ashleigh Hubbard online:

• www.ahubnutrition.com 
• https://www.instagram.com/ashleighmariehubbard/ 
• https://www.instagram.com/ahubnutrition/ 

Timestamps:

• Ashleigh's journey and background (00:01:13) A
• Entrepreneurs and the "busyness" mindset (00:06:18) 
• Motivation and fitness (00:10:21) 
• Challenges and setbacks in maintaining wellness (00:16:01) 
• Balanced dietary recommendations (00:19:59) 
• Proper Nutrition and Meal Planning (00:21:02)
• Creative Meal Ideas and Variety (00:22:06)
• Planning Ahead and Batch Prepping (00:30:00)
• Neutral Mindset and Relationship with Food (00:34:44) 

Topics discussed: wellness, business success, entrepreneurs, healthy lifestyle, motivation, fitness, balanced nutrition, energy levels, self-care, mindset, intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, sleep, physical activity, balanced meals, protein, carbohydrates, vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, mindful eating, meal planning, batch prepping, neutral mindset, A-Hub Nutrition, The Wellness Diaries, social media

Ever wondered how the emotional pull of a well-told story can transform your brand's presence? Emmy award-winning filmmaker Mariana Henninger joins us to reveal just that. Through her lens, we discover how to harness personal tales that foster trust and prompt action—crucial ingredients for any business looking to make a lasting impact.

Find Lauren Loreto online:

• Follow us on Instagram: @brandgoodtime @shesbusyaf
• Connect with Lauren on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/laurenloreto 

Find Mariana online:

• http://brandmagnetic.com
• http://instagram.com/brandmagnetic
• http://linkedin.com/in/marianahenninger

Timestamps:

• Mariana's background and Brand Magnetic (00:03:23)
• The power of brand video (00:06:06) 
• Maximizing exposure of brand video (00:15:48) 
• The longevity of brand videos (00:19:32) 
• Client results and metrics (00:20:46) 
• Organic marketing and paid advertising (00:24:28) 
• The brand video creation process (00:27:59) 
• Preparation and comfort in front of the camera (00:32:19) 

Topics discussed: podcast, She's Busy AF, Lauren, Mariana Henninger, Emmy award-winning filmmaker, Brand Magnetic, brand video, storytelling, emotional connection, trust, marketing tool, audience, sales cycle, customer loyalty, unique, social media, email signatures, website homepage, about page, website visitors, brand success

Have you ever been struck by lightning—metaphorically speaking, of course? That's the jolt of inspiration you'll feel when you hear Erin, improv virtuoso and empathetic leadership guru, recount her leap from the corporate grind to the founder of her own company, Improve It. Our chat brims with laughter and sage advice, as we talk about why empathetic communication isn't just nice to have, but a critical skill across all levels of business—whether you're captaining a team, dealing with clients, or flying solo. Erin's journey through the improv world and her spontaneous spirit—best illustrated by her whimsical "The Price is Right" escapade—will leave you pondering the poignant connection between a zest for life and professional success. 

Find Erin Diehl Online:

• itserindiehl.com 
• learntoimproveit.com 
• @itserindiehl on Instagram
• Erin Diehl on LinkedIn
• PURCHASE HER BOOK, I SEE YOU: https://www.itserindiehl.com/i-see-you 

Find Lauren Loreto online:

• Follow us on Instagram: @brandgoodtime @shesbusyaf
• Connect with Lauren on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/laurenloreto 

Timestamps:

• Erin's background (00:01:21) 
• Personal anecdotes and the impact of childhood experiences (00:04:35)
• The impact of frequent relocations on personal growth (00:06:15) 
• Erin's journey to creating Improve It (00:13:31) 
• The significance of improv and overcoming fears (00:17:48) 
• Radical Empathy as a Leader (00:22:02) 
• Negative Listening Patterns and Empathy (00:27:31) 
• Where to Find Erin’s Book and Staying Connected (00:37:10)

Topics Discussed: Lauren Loreto, podcast, She's Busy AF, Brand Good Time, content marketing, web development, Erin Diehl, business improv educator, Improve It, keynote speaker, empathetic leadership, professional development, comedy, experiential learning, background, experiences, insights, improv, personal growth, childhood experiences, challenges, adaptability, authenticity, community, college experience, Clemson University, aspirations, broadcast journalism, Chicago, Second City, Improve It, professional development company, acting classes, theater, leadership, radical empathy, book, communication skills, effective communication workshop, negative listening patterns, IQ, leader, burnout, recalibrate, healing journey.

We've talked up and down about how to use AI in marketing, but what about to create more efficiencies in overall business operations? On this episode of She's Busy AF, Lauren brought on Weston Ferguson, COO of McGraw (a growth agency), to dissect the role of AI in reshaping business operations. They chat about how AI tools like ChatGPT are not only simplifying HR processes but also fostering a climate of innovation and efficiency that amplifies human talent rather than replacing it. They chat about the delicate balance between technology and the human touch, exchange stories and strategies for conducting tech stack assessments, and reflect on the sobering responsibilities of data management, ensuring client trust remains unshaken.

Find Weston online:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/westonferguson/

Find Lauren Loreto online:

• Follow us on Instagram: @brandgoodtime @shesbusyaf
• Connect with Lauren on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/laurenloreto 

Timestamps:

• Common Misconceptions about AI in the Workplace (00:04:16) 
• Role of Operations and AI Integration (00:06:29) 
• Impact of AI on Productivity and Performance & Its Challenges (00:09:39) 
• AI Implementation Examples (00:16:06)
• Ethical Considerations and Data Privacy (00:18:32) 
• Selecting AI Tools for Business (00:20:30)
• Ethical considerations in AI usage (00:31:29) 
• Accessibility of AI tools (00:36:03) 

Strapped for cash but overflowing with ambition? In this episode, I'm talking through marketing strategies that don’t require a Scrooge McDuck vault of gold to get started. This is a quick and simple guide to cost-effective growth, and in this episode of She's Busy AF, I break down how to expand your reach from zero to hero with a budget that's less 'Wolf of Wall Street' and more 'Babe the Blue Ox'.  Join me as we explore the nooks and crannies of guerrilla marketing, where hustle meets strategy, and where every penny—or lack thereof—is put to work. Forget what you thought you knew about marketing; it’s time to get busy, get creative, and grow with tactics that are as affordable as they are effective.

CHECK OUT OUR 90 DAY PLAN SERVICE: https://brandgoodtime.com/90-day-plans

Find Lauren Loreto/Brand Good Time online:

• Our website: brandgoodtime.com
• Follow us on Instagram: @brandgoodtime @shesbusyaf
• Connect with Lauren on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/laurenloreto 

Ever wondered how thought leadership can transform your brand's reach and reputation? Lexie Smith, the brain behind GROWTH MODE Agency, THEPRBAR, inc.,  and the Pitchin' and Sippin' podcast, joins me, Lauren Loreto, for an illuminating chat on this very topic. Together, we dissect the art of pairing expertise with branding to not only attract leads but to also catapult businesses into their next level of growth. Lexie's journey of rebranding her company underscores the dynamic nature of PR and offers a wealth of inspiration for founders eager to cast themselves as the go-to experts in their field.

Find Lexie Online

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexie-smith-pr/
• https://theprbarinc.com/
• https://growthmodeagency.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/theprbar_inc/ 
• Check out GROWTH MODE Agency: https://www.growthmodeagency.com/ 

Find Lauren Loreto online:

• Follow us on Instagram: @brandgoodtime @shesbusyaf
• Connect with Lauren on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/laurenloreto 

Timestamps:

• The importance of thought leadership (00:01:33) 
• Benefits and components of thought leadership (00:09:00) 
• Developing a strong positioning statement (00:10:02) 
• Incorporating personal stories into thought leadership (00:15:22)
• Selecting the right channels for thought leadership (00:16:30)
• Challenges in prioritizing personal brand and thought leadership (00:20:37)
• Writing for Thought Leadership (00:23:15) 
• Leveraging Platforms for Thought Leadership (00:25:18) 
• Pitching Topics to Outlets (00:29:13) 
• Conversion from Articles to Leads (00:32:09) 
• Trends in Thought Leadership (00:37:20) 

Topics discussed: Lauren Loreto, Brand Good Time, marketing agency, content marketing, web design, development, podcast, She's Busy AF, Lexie Smith, Pitchin' and Sippin' podcast, PR Bar Inc, top 20 in their 20s, brilliant PR expert, top female entrepreneur, trailblazer women leader, Growth Mode PR, Communications Agency, rebranding, positioning statement, thought leadership strategy, owned channels, earned channels, target audience, personal brand development, marketing, PR, synergy, authenticity, relatability, benefits of thought leadership, successful thought leadership strategy, challenges, opportunities, sustainability, building personal brand, leads, commitment, accountability, authoring articles, third-party outlets, HARO, Qwoted, journalists, pitching, educational content, earned media, paid contributor programs, AI, content creation, LinkedIn.

On this episode of "She's Busy AF," we're diving into the topic of website conversions (in a totally fun and ready-to-test way). Tune in for actionable advice on boosting conversion rates for both e-commerce and service-based businesses and learn more about the importance of data in shaping business strategies. 

HOW TO CALCULATE YOUR WEBSITE CONVERSION RATE VISUAL EXAMPLE: https://www.loom.com/share/8b35507602ff486aa72aa701d81c5682

Find Lauren Loreto/Brand Good Time online:

• Our website: brandgoodtime.com
• Follow us on Instagram: @brandgoodtime @shesbusyaf
• Connect with Lauren on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/laurenloreto 

Timestamps

• The importance of understanding data (00:00:17) 
• Understanding website conversion rates (00:02:21) 
• Optimizing website conversion rates (00:04:37) 
• Visual cues and user experience (00:12:46) 

Topics discussed
website conversions, e-commerce, service-based businesses, marketing agency, data, user experience, storytelling, content marketing, web design, development, conversion rate, website traffic, service providers, e-commerce businesses, conversion goals, compelling story, calls to action, user testing, web audits, business success, website strategies, optimization.

When you’re scaling a service-based business, client experience and operations must be many things: highly optimized, functional, streamlined, and processed. Client experience: because retention is everything. Operations: because you want nothing to fall through the cracks. On this episode of She’s Busy AF, Bella Hegarty joins Lauren to talk about the importance of both of these things. With her background in travel, hospitality, and operations consulting, Bella shares challenges brands face – such as maintaining quality while scaling, and the need for standardized processes. Lauren and Bella chat about the significance of client feedback, tracking metrics, and creating predictable scaling strategies. Tune in for a deep dive!

Find Bella online:

• https://bellahegartydigital.com 
• https://linkedin.com/in/bella-hegarty-digital 
• https://instagram.com/bellahegartydigital 

Find Lauren Loreto online:

• Follow us on Instagram: @brandgoodtime @shesbusyaf
• Connect with Lauren on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/laurenloreto 

Timestamps:

• Introduction to Client Experience and Operations (00:00:15)
• Common Challenges in Quality Delivery and Scaling (00:07:05)
• Standardized Processes for Service Delivery (00:08:55)
• Creating Predictability in Scaling Process (00:15:53)
• Smooth Onboarding of Clients and Team Members (00:17:56)
• Tools for Streamlining Operations (00:20:07)
• Time Tracking and Data Insights (00:21:42)
• Measuring Client Experience Success (00:26:32)
• Enhancing Customer Experience (00:31:16)
• Importance of Client Feedback (00:36:20)
• Strategic Partnerships and Exit Strategy (00:38:57)
• Long-Term Client Support (00:41:56)
• Understanding Client Expectations (00:42:08)
• Challenges in Service-Based Businesses (00:43:12)
• Closing Remarks (00:45:02)