Having something worth saying in an email is important, but if no one opens it, it’s useless. What makes people opt to open – or delete an email? It’s the question we posted in this episode to Michelle Vroom of Vroom Communications.

Her subject lines get us in the gut every time we see them, so we had to have her on to discuss why they’re so crucial and how she became so adept at composing them. It’s no easy feat, so listen as she shares her tips.

Prove it!

Michelle shares how one of her emails, with a really compelling subject line, resulted in a significant new client for her firm.

About Michelle Vroom

With more than ten years of marketing and public relations experience with nonprofits, agencies, and corporations, Michelle Vroom now helps small business owners market themselves.

As the marketing strategist at Vroom Communications, she understands the challenges of limited resources and time, and shares her proven methods for visibility and relationship-building to help clients grow their business.

What a great episode for the times we’re living in! Karen Friedman, CEO of Karen Friedman Enterprises,” talk about how to make complicated messages resonate.

As a former reporter for 6ABC in Philadelphia, and numerous places before that, Karen’s a whiz at taking a confusing story and getting to the point, so that no matter your subject matter knowledge, you’ll “get it” when she tells you about it!

Karen spends her time now helping corporate executives present more effectively and efficiently. Her columns in Philadelphia Business Journal and her short video series on quick tips are things I never miss.

Take ten minutes and hear how Karen can PROVE that it is possible to make messages, no matter how confusing, resonate.

The world is changing, and so is how we should be thinking about advertising and marketing. Greg Star is the epitome of “thinking outside the box!” His company, Carvertise, has harnessed the power of the gig economy and has the proof to match his bit idea.

Hear how he started the company and why it’s growing like mad!

Prove it!

Greg explains how this goes beyond just advertising, and how a contest on a wrapped car opened his eyes to how huge this could really become. Great story!

In the third of our three episodes about using LinkedIn, Brynne Tillman, CEO of Social Sales Link, talks about what she’s termed “vendor agnostic content,” which connects perfectly to her first episode on changing your profile from a resume to a resource.

Vendor-agnostic content is where she’s sees great value in LinkedIn. Hear how she defines it and uses it – and how you can, too.

It’s all about content, baby! 

Prove it!

Brynne tells us about someone who was not a great writer, but was terrific at connecting in person, and used video tips to create content for his LinkedIn profile, showcasing him as an expert in his field.

LinkedIn is a social channel with more opportunity than most users can imagine. In these second of three episodes with LinkedIn expert Brynne Tillman, you’ll hear about new ways to leverage your LinkedIn contacts.

Among the insights Brynne shares are who to connect with and why, how to find out more about someone who wants to connect with you that you don’t know, and how that can turn into very effective business development.

Prove it!

Brynne uses an example of how she leveraged her own contacts – and their contacts – to land a piece of business that was perfect for her – and for the client. (Another winning prove it point from Brynne!)

The topic of “LinkedIn” can be a podcast in and of itself (and I believe it is!), but we’re doing a deep-ish dive into the social tool in a three-part series with Brynne Tillman of Social Sales Link.

This episode is about changing your LinkedIn profile from a resume to a resource, and Brynne outlines why that’s the way to go today. You simply can’t give away too much information, and as she says, “When you think you’ve given away too much, give more!”

Hear what to do to update your profile in a way which will garner more attention.

Prove it!

Brynne gives an example of a piece of business she landed herself after someone read her profile – with is now a resource and not a resume at all - and saw the value in her LinkedIn knowledge and how it could help their company with business development. (Great story!)

Have you ever considered the importance of your non-verbal communication? How’s your handshake? Do you make eye contact consistently? How do you use your cell phone in a meeting?

Shelly O’Donovan, founder of Authentic Influence Group, shares insights on the importance of “presence” and making that first impression. (Listen to hear how long it takes someone to make their first impression of you and data on the value of that very first handshake!)

With a background in marketing consumer products from some of the most well-known brands in the country, Ed now serves as the Chief Marketing Officer for the Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board. It was quite a switch leaving the world Under Armour and Timberlands to marketing a destination and Ed shares the nuances and challenges of the position.

Prove it!

Hear Ed talk about how collaborating with the community - and always trying new things to bring visitors to what he calls the “backyard of Philadelphia,” has made an impact on the economy of Montgomery County.

Alissa Kaplan Michaels is a top-notch media pitcher. Have a story – a good story – you need pitched to national publication or media outlet? She’s your gal.

On this episode, Alissa shares the secrets of why relationships matter when it comes to calling a reporter. In ten-minutes, she tells stories of why taking the time, over years, to build these relationships really matters.

Hear how you should work to build trust with reporters

Learn about how to handle a situation when a client asks you to pitch something that is disingenuous

Discover why really understanding journalism when you’re in public relations can make all the difference in the world.

Prove it!

Alissa shares a story about how she was able to place a story in a top-tier publication because of the deep relationship she had formed with the reporter over many years, and why that story, although not exactly what the client had wanted, was a win-win for everyone.

Matt Hugg knows marketing and Matt Hugg knows non-profits, and the combination of that expertise has brought him to where he is today, sharing all of the knowledge with that community at his site. In addition to the robust library of resources on his site, he’s also the author of The Guide to Non-Profit Consulting.

On this episode, Matt is generous with his insights, and in a short ten-minutes, you’ll learn a lot, whether you’re a volunteer, leader, or board member or a non-profit or not.

Hear why marketing for non-profits is different than marketing for a for-profit company or organization.

Learn how non-profits deal with marketing to both donors and recipients of their services

Discover what resources are out there to help non-profits stay ahead of the curve and why starting with the basics still makes sense

Prove it!

Matt will prove it, by sharing a story of how multi-channel marketing made a significant difference for a non-profit.