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It's easy to assume marketing in 2026 means going all in on digital: automation, targeted ads, algorithms doing the heavy lifting. But Chris Tonn, co-founder of Rocket Drones, is proof there's still real money on the table when you show up in person.

We talk about why trade shows and conferences remain one of the most underrated ways to convert leads, especially if you sell something complex. Chris shares how Rocket Drones turns booth visits into genuine conversations using hands-on demos like their inflatable drone cage and flight simulators, and why that kind of engagement builds trust faster than any ad campaign can.

If you've been wondering whether trade shows are still worth the investment, this episode makes the case for why in-person still works, and how to make the most of it.

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Ask most people what an Executive Assistant actually does and they'll guess wrong. We're back on Practical Rebels with Kate Simmons from Sunchase Companies, and she's laying out what the job really looks like once you're the one making things happen behind a growing company's clean org chart, marketing coordination, problem solving, and all.

Kate walks us through why she left a big institution for a smaller, faster-moving team, what it's like when onboarding hits full speed by day two, and why this role hands you confidence before you ever feel ready for it. She also produces Sunchase's own podcast start to finish, guest outreach, scheduling, editing, publishing, social promotion, and shares how her marketing responsibilities grew after a rebrand until she became the one trusted point person everything ran through.

Then we get into the practical stuff. How she switches gears all day long, what she does when three "urgent" requests land at once, and how she keeps the plates spinning without dropping the ones that matter. Kate breaks down her decision filter, why a quick check-in with leadership beats guessing, and the tools that actually keep her sane, Google Calendar as her single source of truth, and handwritten notes for the context an AI note taker will always miss.

We also talk imposter syndrome, owning your mistakes out loud, and what she'd tell young professionals trying to break into a hiring landscape run by AI. If you're job hunting, building a career in marketing operations, or just trying to make your transferable skills and your network work harder for you, this one's worth the listen.

Subscribe, send it to a friend just starting their career, and drop a review with the best work advice you've ever gotten.

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Many marketers use AI only for quick answers or surface-level tasks. In Episode 53 of Practical Rebels, Veronique and Logan explain why that approach leaves valuable opportunities on the table. They explore how deep research mode in ChatGPT can help teams gather insights, analyze competitors, and organize information that drives stronger strategy.

The episode begins with a breakdown of what deep research mode actually does. It helps teams work through complex questions, identify hidden patterns, and pull together structured analysis that normally takes hours of manual research. Because of this, marketers can speed up decision making and focus more energy on creativity and execution.

Veronique and Logan explain how to compare brand messaging, evaluate service offerings, and uncover positioning gaps that can shape marketing strategy. They walk through practical examples that show how to turn raw research into usable insights.

Additionally, the episode covers the importance of setting clear prompts. With the right guidance, ChatGPT can organize findings, summarize sources, and create strategic frameworks that teams can use during planning sessions. This is especially helpful for small teams that want to move quickly without sacrificing depth.

Finally, the team shares tips for integrating AI into everyday workflows. They show how deep research mode supports better brainstorming, faster campaign planning, and more informed creative thinking.

For marketers who want to elevate their work, this episode offers a clear path forward. Deep research mode is more than a tool. It is a way to work smarter, stay competitive, and build stronger strategies with confidence.

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Staring at a blank content calendar?

In this episode of Practical Rebels, Veronique sits down with Savannah, HatchMark Studio’s own social media manager, to talk about what really causes burnout and how to get your creativity flowing again.

From leaning on your team for ideas to using AI the right way, they share practical tips that help brands come up with social media content ideas that actually connect.

Listen now on your favorite podcast platform. 🎧

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Some logos stick in your mind for decades. Others fade from your memory in just a few years.

In this episode of Practical Rebels, we talk about the five qualities that make a logo truly last. It is called the SMART framework, and it stands for:
✏️ Simple – Clear and easy to recognize.
🎯 Memorable – Sticks in your audience’s mind after one glance.
⏳ Ageless – Avoids trends so it stays relevant for decades.
 🖥️ Reliable – Works everywhere, in every size and format.
💡 Thoughtful – Has meaning that connects to your brand’s story and values.

Whether you are a designer, a marketer, or a business owner, you can use SMART to evaluate your current logo or guide the creation of a new one.

🎧 Now streaming on both Apple and Spotify!

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Your marketing team is probably already using AI. The real question is: are you getting content that truly sounds like your brand?

In this episode of Practical Rebels, Logan and Veronique unpack how to train AI the right way. From giving better prompts to refining outputs in rounds, they share how to turn AI into a creative partner instead of a quick shortcut.

🎙️ The episode is now live. Listen today on your favorite podcast platform.

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What do a lot of brands get wrong? 

They build for themselves, not for their audience.

In this week’s episode, we’re talking about why your personal preferences shouldn’t lead the branding process, and how real audience research can completely change the game.

We break down:
✅ How to identify your actual audience
✅ What goes into a strong brand persona
✅ Why the best brands are built on insight, not instinct
✅ And how branding for your audience drives real ROI

If you want your brand to connect, convert, and grow, tune into this latest episode for some amazing tips and insights.

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Email marketing doesn’t have to feel like automation overload. 

In this episode of Practical Rebels, Gavin Hewitson, founder of In-box, shares why the future of email is all about genuine connection.

We explore the difference between sales-driven emails and plain-text messages that feel like they’re coming directly from a founder. Gavin explains why small human touches like adding a thoughtful delay to post-purchase emails or sending messages that express gratitude can help you bolster your brand loyalty. 

For service-based businesses, we dig into how to deliver consistent value through education, not just promotions. We also tackle the hype around SMS marketing and uncover how to use it strategically and when you should focus your efforts elsewhere. 

If you’re ready to transform your subscribers into a real community, this episode gives you practical strategies to make email your most personal marketing channel.

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Google is evolving fast, and your content strategy needs to keep up.

In Episode 47 of Practical Rebels, Logan and Ramsey discuss the two AI-powered search features every marketer and business owner needs to understand. 

🔍 Google AI Overviews: Quick answers at the top of search results
 💬 Google AI Mode: An immersive, ChatGPT-like experience built for deeper queries

These tools are changing how people search and how your content gets discovered. 

In this episode, we cover: 
✅ What makes AI Mode different from AI Overviews
✅ How user behavior is shifting and what it means for your SEO
✅ Simple steps to start optimizing for AI Search right now

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Big update: Google is now indexing Instagram posts from professional and creator accounts.

That means your Reels, photos, and carousels can show up in Google Search results.

In the first episode of our new format on Practical Rebels, Logan and Ramsey break down what this means, why it matters, and what you should be doing about it.

 ✅ Why Instagram posts are now part of your SEO
 ✅ What kinds of posts are most likely to rank
 ✅ How to repurpose your existing content for search

Our goal with this and future Practical Rebels episodes is to give you more industry insider tips with a shorter run time that is easy to listen to in one shot on your morning commute or coffee routine. We hope you enjoy it!

🎧 Listen in wherever you get your podcasts. Now streaming!

🎙️ And don’t miss this:
On August 14th, here at Hatchmark Studio, we have our live podcast with Red Iron Design, and we are going to be talking about everything social, how to grow your presence, how many times to post, and all the things that may keep you from showing up online.

This is the first live Practical Rebels podcast (maybe the last, who knows), but we’re going to give it a shot and make it happen.

 📍 August 14th | 6 PM–8 PM | Doors open at 5:30 PM
 📍 Hatchmark Studio | 1201 Barrancas Avenue, Pensacola, Florida
 🎟️ Tickets are $10 + tax, and you can find them here https://lnkd.in/gX3y3QeF