Marketing Guides for Small Businesses

Episode 204 - Is your business a commodity Marketing Strategies to avoid being commoditized

In this episode of the Marketing Guides for Small Businesses Podcast, we tackle the pressing issue of commoditization that many service-based businesses face. Hosts Ian Cantle, Ken Tucker, and Paul Barthel delve into why businesses struggle with becoming commoditized and how they can stand out in a crowded, competitive market.

The episode offers actionable steps and strategies for differentiation, customer feedback, and leveraging technology to enhance your unique value proposition and secure lasting customer relationships.

Key Learnings:

• Identifying Commoditization: Learn the early warning signs of commoditization such as price wars, customer churn, and lack of differentiation, and how these signs can impact your business.
• Importance of Differentiation: Discover why setting your business apart from competitors is crucial and how it prevents the risks associated with being viewed as a commodity.
• Practical Strategies for Differentiation: Explore actionable strategies to differentiate your service-based business, including productization, systematization, and understanding your ideal customer.
• Leveraging Technology: Gain insights on the key technologies, like CRM systems and analytics tools, that can help your business streamline operations, respond faster, and deliver an enhanced customer experience.
• Customer Feedback: Understand the role of customer feedback in identifying areas of improvement and discovering what your business does well, helping you to refine your services and increase customer loyalty.

TAKE ACTION TODAY:

If you found value in this episode, we encourage you to subscribe to the Marketing Guides for Small Businesses Podcast. Rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform to help us reach more listeners like you. Also, visit our website at https://marketingguidesforsmallbusinesses.com/ for free resources, more episodes, and links to set up free consultation calls with any of the hosts. Share our podcast with your colleagues, friends, and family.

Keep calm and market on!

GET IN TOUCH WITH THE MARKETING GUIDES:

Ian Cantle of Dental Marketing Heroes and Outsourced Marketing

Jeff Stec of Tylerica Marketing Systems

Ken Tucker & Paul Barther of Changescape Web Solutions

What Gives Us Joy In Marketing 

Overview

In this insightful episode of the Marketing Guides for Small Businesses podcast, hosts Ken Tucker, Paul Barthel, Ian Cantle, and Jeff Stec take a deep dive into what brings them joy and satisfaction in their marketing careers. They discuss what fuels their passion for marketing, from the thrill of problem-solving to the satisfaction of seeing their clients succeed. The hosts also share their insights on the various tools and tactics they favor, as well as what challenges and frustrates them in the ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing.

Key Learnings

Ken Tucker's View:

• Passion for Constant Learning: Ken talks about his endless love for learning about new marketing tools and features. He admits to having "shiny object syndrome" but finds joy when discovering new features that can add value.
• Building Solutions: He expresses his love for building websites and creating pages, which serve as immediate, tangible outcomes of his efforts.

Ian Cantle’s Perspective:

• High ROI from SEO: Ian shares his excitement for SEO and how seeing the results positively affect a client's bottom line is the highest form of success for him.
• Orchestration and Holistic Marketing: He emphasizes the importance of a strategic, orchestrated approach to marketing that integrates various tactics seamlessly.

Jeff Stec's Joy in Automation and Problem-Solving:

• Love for Engineering and Building Things: Jeff compares his experience as an engineer to his current role, where he enjoys problem-solving and creating marketing systems.
• Education and Client Empowerment: Jeff likes educating clients and demystifying the marketing processes, making them more involved.

Paul Barthel’s Passion:

• Automation and AI Bots: Paul shares his enthusiasm for building marketing automation systems and AI bots. He finds immense satisfaction in learning how these technologies work and solving the problems they present.
• Deep Technical Knowledge: He enjoys diving into the nuances of SEO tools and getting hands-on to solve technical challenges.

Challenges in Marketing:

• Client Expectations: The hosts discuss the difficulties of managing client expectations, particularly when clients want quick results or shiny new tactics without understanding the strategic foundation required for long-term success.
• Outdated or Bad Information: Ian and Jeff talk about the frustrations of battling against outdated or incorrect information that clients bring from networking events or other sources.
• Multi-Vendor Approaches: Ian highlights the issues with having multiple vendors who don't coordinate well, making it hard for clients to achieve a cohesive strategy.
• Technical Challenges: Jeff and Paul touch on the time-consuming and often frustrating task of keeping up with ever-changing software platforms and the lack of proper documentation.

HOW TO GET STARTED TODAY!

Thank you for tuning into this episode of the Marketing Guides for Small Businesses podcast! If you found value in this discussion, please like, share, and subscribe to our podcast. Do you have marketing challenges that you'd like us to tackle? Or do you need tailored advice on how to elevate your business’s marketing strategy? Visit https://marketingguidesforsmallbusinesses.com/ to set up a free consultation call with any of our expert hosts, and let's take your business growth to the next level. Don't forget to rate and review us wherever you get your podcasts, so we can continue to bring you the content that helps you and your business thrive.

Keep calm and market on!

GET IN TOUCH WITH THE MARKETING GUIDES:

Ian Cantle of Dental Marketing Heroes and Outsourced Marketing

Jeff Stec of Tylerica Marketing Systems

Ken Tucker & Paul Barther of Changescape Web Solutions

Budgeting For Marketing

In this episode of the Marketing Guides for Small Businesses podcast, hosts Jeff Stec, Ian Cantle, Ken Tucker, and Paul Barthel tackle one of the most challenging and essential topics for small business owners: budgeting for marketing. This episode is packed with valuable insights, practical advice, and real-world examples to help you effectively allocate your marketing budget and drive your business's growth.

Overview:

Join the marketing experts as they delve into the intricacies of setting a marketing budget, the pitfalls to avoid, and how to maximize your return on investment (ROI). Whether you're a startup entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner, this episode will provide a comprehensive guide to make informed decisions about your marketing spend.

Key Learnings:

1. Challenges of Budgeting for Marketing: Understand why budgeting for marketing is often a daunting task and the common mistakes businesses make.
2. Planning and Research: Learn the importance of planning and strategic research in forming an effective marketing budget.
3. Key Components of a Marketing Budget: Discover the essential elements that should be included in your marketing budget, from advertising costs to content creation.
4. Realistic Expectations: Jeff discusses the “if I build it, they will come” myth and why effective marketing is crucial for business success.
5. In-house vs Outsourcing: Explore the pros and cons of handling marketing internally versus hiring an external agency.
6. The Value of Strategy: Find out how a well-defined marketing strategy can significantly impact your budgeting decisions and overall success.
7. Return on Investment (ROI): Ian and the panel discuss what ROI you can realistically expect from your marketing efforts.
8. Effective Use of Resources: Gain insights into prioritizing marketing channels and making the most of limited resources.
9. Parting Thoughts and Closing Remarks: Key takeaways to help you avoid common budgeting pitfalls and make strategic marketing investments.

GET STARTED TODAY:

Don’t miss out on transforming your marketing approach! Join us for this informative episode and gain the tools you need to set a winning marketing budget. Subscribe to the Marketing Guides for Small Businesses podcast on your favorite platform and stay updated with our latest episodes. For more insights and free resources, visit https://marketingguidesforsmallbusinesses.com/ If you have specific questions or need personalized advice, feel free to set up a free consultation call with any of our hosts.

Tune in, get informed, and let’s take your business to the next level! Until next week, keep calm and market on.

GET IN TOUCH WITH THE MARKETING GUIDES:

Ian Cantle of Dental Marketing Heroes and Outsourced Marketing

Jeff Stec of Tylerica Marketing Systems

Ken Tucker & Paul Barther of Changescape Web Solutions

Special Guest - Unlocking Local SEO Success with Manick Bhan of Search Atlas

In this episode of the Marketing Guides for Small Businesses podcast, our hosts Ken Tucker, Paul Worthel, and Ian Cantle are joined by Manick Bhan, the founder and CTO of Search Atlas, for an in-depth discussion about local SEO.

Manick shares his extensive knowledge and unique insights into optimizing local businesses' online presence. From foundational SEO strategies to advanced automation techniques, Manick discusses how to effectively boost local rankings, the role of holistic SEO, and leveraging AI for improved results.

Key Learnings:

1. Holistic SEO Approach:

• Manick emphasizes the importance of a holistic SEO approach, involving user experience, authority, content, and technical aspects.
• He introduces the "Exact Holistic SEO Framework," which combines these elements for comprehensive optimization.

2. Local SEO Strategies:

• Manick shares actionable strategies to improve local rankings, such as optimizing Google Business Profiles and focusing on local content.
• He highlights the significance of backlinks, Google My Business posts, and understanding the unique ranking signals for different types of businesses.

3. Common Misconceptions:

• Manick debunks common misconceptions about local SEO, such as the overemphasis on citations and reviews.
• stresses the importance of focusing on the overall SEO strategy rather than just individual elements.

4. Case Studies and Experiments:

• Real-world case studies demonstrate the effectiveness of holistic and automated SEO practices.
• Manick explains the methodologies behind these case studies and how businesses can replicate their success.

5. Automation and AI in SEO:

• The discussion covers the role of AI in SEO, distinguishing between productive uses of AI for efficiency versus the dangerous “set it and forget it” mentality.
• Manick talks about the future of SEO with innovations in dynamic and automated SEO solutions, emphasizing the need for skilled human oversight.

GET STARTED TODAY!

If you’re a small business owner looking to optimize your local SEO, or an SEO professional eager to stay ahead of the curve, this episode is a must-listen. Apply the insights and strategies shared by Manick Bhan to give your business a competitive edge.

For more detailed guides, tips, and resources, visit our website at https://marketingguidesforsmallbusinesses.com/ . Don't forget to subscribe to our podcast on your favorite platform and rate and review us to help others find this valuable content.

Connect with our hosts:

• Ken Tucker & Paul Barthel - Changescape Web
• Ian Cantle - Dental Marketing Heroes
• Manick Bhan - Search Atlas

Have questions or topics you'd like us to cover? Reach out to us on social media or through our website. Let's continue the conversation and help each other grow!

Until next week, keep calm and market on!

In this special 200th episode of the 'Marketing Guides for Small Businesses' podcast, hosts Ken Tucker, Paul Barthel, Ian Cantle, and Jeff Steck come together to dispel common marketing misconceptions.

Celebrating their milestone, they dive deep into various misleading beliefs surrounding digital marketing strategies, AI, customer reviews, and more. Through engaging discussions and expert insights, they provide actionable tips to help small businesses navigate the complex marketing landscape effectively.

Key Learnings:

Misconceptions About Digital Marketing:

• The dangers of assuming digital marketing strategies from years ago are still effective today.
• Why there is no 'silver bullet' in marketing and the importance of a comprehensive, data-driven marketing plan.
• Common errors in setting marketing budgets and transitioning from word-of-mouth to a more diversified marketing approach.

Understanding Website Importance:

• The myth that small and local businesses don't need websites.
• Why an outdated or non-existent website can harm your credibility and potential customer trust.
• How having an effective, minimal viable product website can serve as the hub of your online presence.

Navigating Customer Reviews:

• The importance of asking for reviews and not relying on organic ones for the best customer feedback.
• The pitfalls of review gating and how it can legally and ethically harm your business.
• How AI can be used to draft responses to reviews and the necessity of human oversight in the process.

The Role of AI in Marketing:

• Misconceptions around AI being able to handle all aspects of marketing, including content creation and strategy.
• How AI should be viewed as a tool requiring human guidance to avoid errors and inaccuracies.
• The legal ramifications of incorrect information produced by AI tools.

Quick Fire Misconceptions:

• Short discussions around additional misconceptions such as the effectiveness of direct mail, the one-time nature of cold emails, and AI's limitations in content generation.
• Why incorporating multiple marketing channels is essential for a holistic strategy.
• Adjusting marketing tactics to match the evolving expectations of younger and tech-savvy customers.

Thank you for joining us in celebrating our 200th episode! We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences with marketing misconceptions. Leave us a review, and let us know what topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes. If you have any burning marketing challenges or questions, connect with us at https://marketingguidesforsmallbusinesses.com for more resources, past episodes, and to schedule a free consultation call with any of our hosts. Keep calm and market on!

To reach our Marketing Guides:

Ian Cantle - Dental Marketing Heroes

Ken Tucker & Paul Barthel - Changescape Web

Jeff Stek - Tylerica Marketing Systems

Email Marketing Success Secrets For Small Businesses

In this essential episode of the Marketing Guides for Small Business Podcast, our seasoned hosts reveal the top email marketing success secrets that every small business owner needs to know.

Email marketing remains one of the most effective ways to reach and engage your audience, but only if done right. And for many business owners they hesitate to do email marketing because of their own predispositions against it. But it's folly to avoid this high ROI marketing strategy.

Join us as we dive deep into the strategies and techniques that can transform your email campaigns from good to exceptional.

Learn how to craft compelling subject lines that boost open rates, personalize your messages to build stronger customer relationships, and segment your audience for maximum impact.

We’ll also discuss the best practices for designing visually appealing emails, optimizing for mobile devices, and measuring your success to continually improve your results.

Whether you’re new to email marketing or looking to refine your approach, this episode is packed with actionable insights and expert tips to help you harness the full potential of your email campaigns.

Tune in to discover how to unlock the power of your inbox and drive meaningful results for your small business.

Advertising Driven Omni-Channel

In this dynamic episode of the Marketing Guides for Small Business Podcast, our expert hosts dive into the world of Advertising Driven Omni-Channel Marketing.

As the digital landscape evolves, it's crucial for small businesses to integrate their advertising efforts across multiple channels to create a seamless and cohesive customer experience. Join us as we explore the strategies and benefits of an omni-channel approach, powered by effective advertising.

Discover how to synchronize your marketing efforts across platforms like social media, email, search engines, and more, to maximize reach and engagement.

Learn from real-world examples and expert insights on how to create a unified brand message that resonates with your audience at every touchpoint.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to enhance your current marketing strategy, this episode is packed with actionable tips and proven tactics to help you succeed in today’s competitive market.

Tune in and take your marketing game to the next level with Advertising Driven Omni-Channel Marketing!

In this episode of the Marketing Guides For Small Business Podcast, we explore the benefits of integrating AI technology into small business marketing strategies.

From personalized customer experiences to data-driven insights, we discuss how AI can help small businesses reach their target audience more effectively and efficiently.

Tune in to learn how to leverage AI tools and platforms to enhance your marketing efforts and stay ahead of the competition.

Marketing Strategy for Small Businesses

In this episode of the Marketing Guides For Small Business Podcast, we discuss the importance of having a solid marketing strategy for small businesses.

We will explore various marketing tactics and techniques specifically tailored for small businesses, including social media marketing, content marketing, email marketing, and more.

Our expert guides will share their insights and tips on how small businesses can effectively reach their target audience and drive growth through strategic marketing efforts.

Listen to learn how to create a successful marketing strategy that will help your small business stand out in a competitive market.

In this episode of the Marketing Guides For Small Business Podcast, we are joined by special guest Kyle Roof, a renowned SEO expert, to discuss the importance of Experience, Expertise, Authority, and Trust (E-A-T) in digital marketing.

Kyle shares valuable insights and strategies for businesses looking to improve their E-A-T factors to boost their online presence and credibility.

Tune in to learn how to build trust with your audience and establish yourself as a reputable authority in your industry.