Refuel Your Fire

Why do some posts get engagement whilst others fall flat?

What can you do to spice up each and every post to grow your online community and generate leads?

Following on from Monday's Motivation episode, today I'm talking about how to continuously build curiosity and create connection in each and every post you share and conversation you start.

Tweet with me @laurenkress89 with the hashtag #growyourbrand to let me know what you think of the show!

Ps. If you like this podcast, don't forget to share it with your friends, leave a positive rating and review and click the subscribe button on your favourite podcasting platform.

It really helps to support me with all the work that goes into putting this together!

You can also help to support me, my work and this podcast by buying me a cup of coffee at https://ko-fi.com/laurenkress

Find out more about me and the work I do at https://www.laurenkress.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenkress.substack.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenkress.substack.com

Visit http://growyourbrand.com.au to sign up to our newsletter! "Brand is the invitation to an emotional connection...it is the thing you can't explain that you feel when you buy something and engage with somebody" - Suzanne Chadwick

In today's Live with Leading Thinkers episode I speak with Bold Business, Branding & Speaker Coach & Author Suzanne Chadwick!

Suzanne is a bold branding, business and speaker coach, working with entrepreneurs and leaders to help define their core message, build a brand that stands out and that attracts and engages the right people.

We're talking about the psychology of branding & how to use to captivate your dream customers.

Find out more about Suzanne Chadwick on her website here: https://www.suzchadwick.com/

Or follow her on instagram @suzchadwick

Tweet with me @laurenkress89 with the hashtag #growyourbrand to let me know what you think of the show!

Ps. If you like this podcast, don't forget to share it with your friends, leave a positive rating and review and click the subscribe button on your favourite podcasting platform.

It really helps to support me with all the work that goes into putting this together!

You can also help to support me, my work and this podcast by buying me a cup of coffee at https://ko-fi.com/laurenkress

Find out more about me and the work I do at https://www.laurenkress.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenkress.substack.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenkress.substack.com

Subscribe to the Grow Your Brand newsletter at https://growyourbrand.com.au Do you feel like it's hard to squeeze all the information onto your LinkedIn profile or landing page in order to help your next potential customer decide whether or not they want to work with you?

The fact of the matter is - you don't have to!

The key to driving interest, engagement and conversion is in being able to build and sustain curiosity as you take potential customers down the rabbit hole towards conversion.

Join Lauren Kress in this week's Monday motivation episode as she explains how to build mental availability across multiple touch points.

Key time codes:

0:00 Happy Monday!
0:14 What I've been up to over the weekend
0:42 What's on this week on the Grow Your Brand vodcast
2:00 Understanding how to leverage customer behaviour insights
4:03 Identifying key touchpoints in your marketing funnel
4:53 Why inbound marketing is important for effective lead generation
5:40 What is a lead magnet
6:17 How to create a powerful lead magnet
7:10 Multiple touchpoints are required to generate a viable sales lead
8:13 Tracking is crucial to retargeting
8:37 How to build mental availability
9:50 Use empathy mapping to get laser focused on the mindset of your ideal client: https://www.laurenkress.com/customer-empathy-map-start-attracting-your-ideal-client
10:38 Why recording a conversation is such a powerful way to communicate to your customer
11:32 How to get your ideal customer curious about what you do
13:28 How to say the right thing at the right time in the customer journey
15:03 Don't dismiss potential clients unnecessarily by being too restrictive
17:17 The importance of personalisation and one-on-one communication
19:09 The sales as a science system: marketing qualified leads and sales qualified leads - find out more about this concept here: https://medium.com/axeleo/sales-as-a-science-a-scientific-approach-to-b2b-sales-22ccbb5769fa
21:17 My favourite conversion rate optimization tools: Active Campaign (Find out more using my affiliate link: https://www.activecampaign.com/?_r=V8BWB9QC )
23:01 Learn how to pick your best content
23:53 Identify your key stakeholders. Learn more here: https://youtu.be/OkyVirNorAc

This episode follows on from last Friday's SEEN & HEARD live stream which you can check out here: https://www.laurenkress.com/marketing-optimisation-what-should-i-fix-first

If you haven't already created your customer empathy map - make sure you do this - you can learn more here: https://www.laurenkress.com/customer-empathy-map-start-attracting-your-ideal-client

Lauren also mentions key stakeholder mapping which you can learn more about here: https://youtu.be/OkyVirNorAc

If you are interested in finding out more about Active Campaign, you can check it out via Lauren's affiliate link here: https://www.activecampaign.com/?_r=V8BWB9QC

Ps. If you like this podcast, don't forget to share it with your friends, leave a positive rating and review and click the subscribe button on your favourite podcasting platform.

It really helps to support Lauren with all the work that goes into putting this together!

You can also help to support Lauren, her work and this podcast by buying her a cup of coffee at https://ko-fi.com/laurenkress

DISCLAIMER: This podcast and description contains an affiliate link, which means that if you click on the product link and decide to purchase, I’ll receive a small commission.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenkress.substack.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenkress.substack.com

Subscribe to the Grow Your Brand Newsletter at growyourbrand.com.au If you've got lots of things to fix in your marketing funnel - how do you figure out what to fix first?

What optimisation activities are going to generate the best return on investment for you?

Today Lauren Kress talks about one of the biggest issues she's seeing when it comes to content marketing and thought leadership marketing that is leading smart people astray and costing them time and money in the process.

Time codes:
0:27 The problem with wanting to fix everything in your marketing funnel and not fixing anything
1:22 Why is it important to optimise your content marketing strategy & content plan
1:42 Different stages to content planning
2:08 Content marketing mistakes to avoid
2:50 How to take a closer look at what's working and what's not working in your marketing funnel
3:08 How I identified the top way people find out about me
3:25 Taking a closer look at how people behave after they first interact
3:34 Audience comment - the problem with giving up early
3:41 Podcasters often give up early
3:53 Why people give up on podcasting and content marketing early
5:08 The value of audio visual content and short podcasts
5:50 Understanding how to leverage thought leadership content that has high virality but low relevance
6:50 What analytics you need to have a closer look at and why
7:15 What to do if your LinkedIn profile is where most people are learning about who you are
7:38 Understanding the difference between marketing optimisation for the long term and what to fix right now to benefit in the short term
8:09 Why you need to focus on fine-tuning what's almost working first
10:12 If you're going to invest in a copywriter, make sure they're helping with the right priorities
10:38 The importance of analysing website behaviour and how to use Google Analytics to help
12:07 Tying your insights back to core business objectives
13:12 Audience question: "So, is knowing where they're coming from more important to you than the numbers of views/likes etc.?"
13:21 The problem with vanity metrics
14:16 Views are important but you need to make sure they're the right views
14:50 Often the people who are engaged with our content don't click "like"
17:00 We need to think about and look at behaviour differently to optimise our marketing activities
17:12 Understanding good reach vs. bad reach
18:51 Audience question: "What does the bottom of your sales funnel look like and how do we know whether top-of-funnel content reaches the bottom? Does real revenue result from your online presence?"
19:32 On average it takes 8 touchpoints to generate a viable sales lead
20:58 The trouble with trying to sell online as a consultant versus the value of warming up a lead online
22:00 Professor Byron Sharp's books "How Brands Grow" and understanding industry benchmarks
24:30 What you want to look at depending on where you're at in your content marketing journey
25:15 Embracing the right mindset for continued improvement
25:39 Audience question: "Is that top of funnel or middle of funnel?"
25:50 Clarifying top-of-funnel vs. middle-of-funnel objectives
26:29 If people are searching in google for a brand name, that means they've already heard about you
28:22 Upcoming episodes to include to help you with your analytics

Ps. If you like this live stream, don't forget to share it with your friends, leave a positive rating and review and click the subscribe button on your favourite podcasting platform.

It really helps to support Lauren with all the work that goes into putting this together!

You can also help to support Lauren, her work and this podcast by buying her a cup of coffee at https://ko-fi.com/laurenkress

Subscribe to the Grow Your Brand Newsletter at growyourbrand.com.au

#contentmarketing #smallbusiness #growyourbrand

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenkress.substack.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenkress.substack.com

Subscribe to the podcast newsletter: http://growyourbrand.com.au In today's Live with Leading Thinkers episode on the Grow Your Brand podcast we're talking SEO strategy with Yatharth Thakur and the SEO mistakes businesses need to avoid in order to improve their online marketing efforts.

Yatharth has spent the past decade working with small businesses and ecommerce stores helping them to rank on the first page of google.

In this episode we discuss:

- Why SEO is so important for brand growth
- The role of SEO strategy
- Why SEO takes time to work
- The pros and cons of paid search ads vs. SEO
- 5 big SEO mistakes to avoid
- Actions you can take for to grow your brand with SEO

You can connect with Yatharth on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yatharththakur/

And access Yatharth's website here: https://yatharthdigital.com/

Ps. If you like this live stream, don't forget to share it with your friends, leave a positive rating and review and click the subscribe button on your favourite podcasting platform.

It really helps to support Lauren with all the work that goes into putting this together!

You can also help to support Lauren, her work and this podcast by buying her a cup of coffee at https://ko-fi.com/laurenkress

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenkress.substack.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenkress.substack.com

Wondering if you should be advertising and which platforms will work best for you?

Today Lauren Kress shares why you need to get your content marketing ducks in a row before you start advertising.

Download the digital marketing checklist here: https://www.laurenkress.com/digital-marketing-checklist-am-i-ready-to-start-advertising

What do you think of today's episode? Tweet with Lauren: @laurenkress89

Ps. If you like this live stream, don't forget to share it with your friends, leave a positive rating and review and click the subscribe button on your favourite podcasting platform.

It really helps to support Lauren with all the work that goes into putting this together!

You can also help to support Lauren, her work and this podcast by buying her a cup of coffee at https://ko-fi.com/laurenkress

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenkress.substack.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenkress.substack.com

Download my free eBook outlining each of these 6 interviews here: https://www.laurenkress.com

How do you create 3-6 months of compelling thought leadership content with just 6 interviews?

...by answering all the questions your target audience really want answered!

Come join my live stream this morning as I chat through the 6 interview formats I designed to help experts become recognised thought leaders in their industry.

If you want to learn more about the 5 elements of story that I mention in this podcast head to: https://www.laurenkress.com/copywriting-and-the-5-things-you-must-do-to-maximise-cro

Episode timecodes:

0:40 The problem many experts are facing when it comes to content marketing and brand building
1:10 The book that inspired me to design these interview formats: "Game Changer: The 4 visual models you need for clarity, clients and cash" by Renee Hasseldine
1:49 What we're talking about when I say "interviews" and the power of audio visual content
2:58 How to repurpose audio visual content
4:40 Introducing the 6 interview formats
5:07 The myth-buster interview - what it is and the questions to ask
8:20 The diagnostic interview and what this will help your customers to understand about their most painful symptoms in relation to the problem you solve
11:52 The guide interview - telling the transformation story your clients experience when they work with you using the five elements of story
14:41 The recipe interview - a unique format where you share your system or pillars for success
19:02 The scenario interview - showcasing case studies that highlight why the solution you offer is so crucial in avoiding failure and achieving success
22:30 The legacy interview - how we communicate your goal and vision for the future and inspire others to join you on this journey and be a part of your community
25:40 Why I put these interview formats together
26:14 Why a content hack-a-thon can help you to get better content created in less time

Ps. If you like this live stream, don't forget to share it with your friends, leave a positive rating and review and click the subscribe button on your favourite podcasting platform.

It really helps to support me with all the work that goes into putting this together!

You can also help to support me, my work and this podcast by buying me a cup of coffee at https://ko-fi.com/laurenkress

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenkress.substack.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenkress.substack.com

How can behavioural economics help you find your niche and grow your business?

Find out in today's Live with Leading Thinkers where I speak with Melissa Pepers to discover the art and science behind transforming a boring business into an extraordinary one in order to grow online.

We're talking startup mistakes, how to avoid boring your audience and the importance of gaining a loyal following that is dying to work with you!

In this interview we cover:

- The problem many businesses face when it comes to getting cut through in their market
- Niche business design, the different types of niches and why they enable you to attract more customers
- Common startup mistakes
- How to define your target audience and the problem you solve for them
- The problems with the way most businesses are doing their market research
- How to design an extraordinary business
- How to connect your business strategy with your marketing activities
- Understanding the customer buyer's journey offline and offline
- How to setup your startup for success

Melissa Pepers is the Founder of Bonbo, a business design company transforming boring businesses into extraordinary ones.

Melissa believes that to succeed in business it's important to have an ambitious yet achievable roadmap so you can have fun while your business blows minds.

Find out more about Melissa and her work on Instagram here @bonboau https://www.instagram.com/bonboau

You can also reach out to her on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissapepers/

Or visit Melissa's website https://bonbo.co/

Find out more about me and the work I do at https://www.laurenkress.com

Tweet with Lauren: @laurenkress89 and join the discussion #growyourbrand

Ps. If you like this podcast episode, don't forget to share it with your friends, leave a positive rating and review and click the subscribe button on your favourite podcasting platform.

It really helps to support all the work that goes into putting this together!

You can also help to support me, my work and this show by buying her a cup of coffee at https://ko-fi.com/laurenkress

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenkress.substack.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenkress.substack.com

In today's Monday Motivation episode of the Grow Your Brand Podcast with Lauren Kress we're talking about the most important step of content creation - building your customer empathy map - and the role of content marketing in building community and connection.

Join Lauren Kress as she shares how to empathy map your ideal client and the action you can take this week to make a deeper connection with your ideal client.

The other resources and videos mentioned in this show are:

1) Download your free empathy map template here: https://www.laurenkress.com/download-your-customer-empathy-map

2) Brainstorming Techniques: https://www.laurenkress.com/post/brainstorming-techniques-start-your-business-from-home

3) Access all my latest interviews ahead of podcast release by heading to: https://www.laurenkress.com/grow-your-brand

Find out more about Lauren and her work at https://www.laurenkress.com

Tweet with Lauren: @laurenkress89 and join the discussion #growyourbrand

Ps. If you like this podcast episode, don't forget to share it with your friends, leave a positive rating and review and click the subscribe button on your favourite podcasting platform.

It really helps to support all the work that goes into putting this together!

You can also help to support Lauren, her work and this show by buying her a cup of coffee at https://ko-fi.com/laurenkress

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenkress.substack.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenkress.substack.com

If you're doing a lot of heavy-lifting to create content and are often stumped by the question ‘what am I going to post today?’ tune into today's SEEN & HEARD live stream!

Today I'm talking about the biggest mistake I see most people making with their thought leadership content and social media marketing efforts that is creating a lot of work for not much reward.

We discuss:

- Content Marketing definition
- Changes in content marketing over the past 10 years
- The biggest content marketing mistake being made in 2020
- Why content marketing is the most important strategy to get right to become a thought leader
- Why you need to create a home for your content
- Content marketing tips to stop making this mistake
- The results you can expect from adopting these content marketing tips
- How to become a thought leader in 6 steps using content marketing
- The actions you can take this week to improve your content marketing

Find out more about me and the work I do at https://www.laurenkress.com

Tweet with me @laurenkress89 and join the discussion #growyourbrand

Ps. If you like this podcast episode, don't forget to share it with your friends, leave a positive rating and review and click the subscribe button on your favourite podcasting platform.

It really helps to support me with all the work that goes into putting this together!

You can also help to support me, my work and this show by buying me a cup of coffee at https://ko-fi.com/laurenkress

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenkress.substack.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenkress.substack.com