The polished “after” posts get all the attention—viral numbers, 100k followers in three months, a paid-off house from writing on LinkedIn. But as Trevor Grimes reminds us, that’s not the content people need most. What’s missing is the climb—the doubts, the no-likes posts, the awkward early experiments.

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This week, Trevor pulls back the curtain on what he calls the messy middle. He shares why documenting your imperfect process builds more trust and relatability than any “I made it” post ever could. From treating failures as your Museum of Failures to reframing stuckness as actual content, Trevor shows why being a few steps ahead—not miles—makes you worth listening to.

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If you’ve been waiting to “figure it all out” before hitting publish, this episode is your reminder: you don’t have to be done to be helpful. You just have to be honest.

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• Why showing only the “after” makes your wins less believable
• How the messy middle builds trust, relatability, and community
• Why documenting your process makes your future success credible
• The danger of copying creators who are in a completely different phase
• How to reframe pivots, burnout, and restarts as valuable content
• Why failures belong in your “Museum of Failures” and not in the trash
• The mindset shift from waiting for milestones to creating right now
• How being just three steps ahead makes you worth following

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• P90X (referenced as an example of before-and-after marketing)
• MrBeast (referenced as an example of different creator phases)
• Museum of Failures (an Instagram post Trevor saw right before recording)

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Low-Tech, High-Impact Account-Based Marketing

If you’re ready to trade expensive, tech-heavy account-based marketing for a repeatable, revenue-driving ABM program, check out Scrappy ABM. Led by a team of Scrappy ABM experts, they specialize in low-budget plays and programs that deliver high impact—no shiny tools required. Scrappy ABM has built account-based programs that have delivered millions in revenue, and you can build your first successful ABM program with their help.

Start with a pilot program or launch an account-based podcast. Learn more at scrappyabm.com. Let's get scrappy.

Hitting “post” and watching your content flop is a feeling every creator, marketer, or founder knows too well. In this solo episode, Trevor Grimes breaks down why most content doesn’t connect — and what to do about it.

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Drawing from his own messy middle of podcasting and content creation, Trevor shares the three silent killers of resonance: writing for everyone, teaching instead of showing, and skipping the middle part of the story. He walks through examples of content that misses the mark and offers a practical framework — relatable, emotional, and specific — for creating work that actually resonates.

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Whether you’re writing LinkedIn posts, starting a podcast, or trying to convince a skeptical CEO of the value of content, this conversation will give you specific ways to move beyond generic advice and start showing the real, human side of your journey.

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• Why writing for everyone dilutes connection and how to get specific about your audience’s real-life moments
• The difference between teaching and showing — and why social proof, stories, and personal experience matter
• How skipping the messy middle erodes trust and why documenting the journey builds connection
• The “Prince Charles vs. Ozzy Osborne” example that proves demographics aren’t enough for resonance
• Why frameworks alone aren’t enough — and how to ground them in lived experiences
• A simple three-part framework (Relatable, Emotional, Specific) to guide your next piece of content
• How Trevor is applying these lessons in real time while growing this podcast

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Low-Tech, High-Impact Account-Based Marketing

If you’re ready to trade expensive, tech-heavy account-based marketing for a repeatable, revenue-driving ABM program, check out Scrappy ABM. Led by a team of Scrappy ABM experts, they specialize in low-budget plays and programs that deliver high impact—no shiny tools required. Scrappy ABM has built account-based programs that have delivered millions in revenue, and you can build your first successful ABM program with their help.

Start with a pilot program or launch an account-based podcast. Learn more at scrappyabm.com. Let's get scrappy.

Shifting careers isn’t always linear — sometimes it’s messy, surprising, and exactly what’s needed. Trevor Grimes sits down with Amanda Hall, Account Manager at Scrappy ABM, to unpack her journey from teaching every grade level imaginable to designing products at an edtech startup and eventually shaping sales content that actually worked.

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Amanda shares how creating simple, problem-focused one-pagers became her most effective sales enablement tool, why convincing a CEO to update messaging requires both empathy and A/B testing, and how customer feedback drove every piece of content she produced. From live demos to FAQs to onboarding guides, Amanda shows how resourceful teams can build trust and adoption through content-led strategies that focus less on features and more on real customer needs.

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Listeners will walk away with actionable ideas for building content that speaks the customer’s language, avoids wasted effort, and drives both sales and long-term product adoption.

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👤 Guest Bio

Amanda Hall is an Account Manager at Scrappy ABM with a background spanning education, UX design, and edtech product strategy. She began her career as a teacher before transitioning into the startup world, where she became the first full-time employee at an edtech company. Amanda is passionate about creating content that connects with customers, building tools that support adoption, and advocating for accessibility and universal design for learning.

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📌 What We Cover

• The messy but meaningful career shift from education to edtech startups
• How customer conversations shaped messaging, positioning, and content direction
• The surprising power of one-pagers when focused on solving real problems
• Why A/B testing messaging helped bridge the gap between a CEO’s vision and customer reality
• Content that carries beyond sales — from onboarding to implementation to adoption
• Why FAQs and knowledge bases matter as much as flashy features
• The biggest content hill Amanda would die on: listen to your customers first

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Low-Tech, High-Impact Account-Based Marketing

If you’re ready to trade expensive, tech-heavy account-based marketing for a repeatable, revenue-driving ABM program, check out Scrappy ABM. Led by a team of Scrappy ABM experts, they specialize in low-budget plays and programs that deliver high impact—no shiny tools required. Scrappy ABM has built account-based programs that have delivered millions in revenue, and you can build your first successful ABM program with their help.

Start with a pilot program or launch an account-based podcast. Learn more at scrappyabm.com. Let's get scrappy.

Content often stalls before it even begins—not because people lack talent, but because they don’t know what to say or how to start. In this solo episode, Trevor Grimes shares how interviewing yourself can unlock new ideas, create momentum, and shift the way you think about content.

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Fresh off welcoming his second child and recording ahead of paternity leave, Trevor reflects on lessons he’s absorbed from past guests and how they’ve reshaped his own philosophies. He talks candidly about messy beginnings, why bad audio is worse than bad video, and why consistency is more about commitment than daily posting.

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Listeners will also get access to a free self-interview questionnaire template, a practical tool to help break through creative blocks and generate content directly from your own answers.

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📌 What We Cover

• A simple technique for generating content ideas by interviewing yourself
• Why describing what you do to a stranger is harder (and more helpful) than it sounds
• The importance of recentering content to the right ICP or persona
• How to stretch and repurpose existing content instead of starting from scratch
• The balance between “just create” and raising your quality standards
• Low-cost, DIY ways to improve audio and video setup for more professional content
• Why consistency doesn’t mean posting daily—it means staying committed
• The overlooked power of emails that simply ask for a reply

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🔗 Resources Mentioned

• Scrappy ABM – Podcast sponsor
• Free questionnaire template (DM Trevor on LinkedIn)

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Low-Tech, High-Impact Account-Based Marketing

If you’re ready to trade expensive, tech-heavy account-based marketing for a repeatable, revenue-driving ABM program, check out Scrappy ABM. Led by a team of Scrappy ABM experts, they specialize in low-budget plays and programs that deliver high impact—no shiny tools required. Scrappy ABM has built account-based programs that have delivered millions in revenue, and you can build your first successful ABM program with their help.

Start with a pilot program or launch an account-based podcast. Learn more at scrappyabm.com. Let's get scrappy.

Consistency, not perfection, is what actually keeps content moving forward. In this conversation, host Trevor Grimes sits down with Briana Yates, Project Manager at Vers Creative, to talk about wrangling creatives, building trust with clients, and keeping projects on track without losing sight of the human side of the work.

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Briana shares candid lessons from years of balancing account management, project timelines, and client relationships. She breaks down why organic, scrappy content often outperforms polished production, how to scope projects in ways that protect both sides, and why showing up consistently—even with small actions—is the key to earning long-term trust.

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Listeners will come away with simple, repeatable ways to stay accountable, avoid scope creep, and build processes that make creative work sustainable.

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Briana Yates is a Project Manager at Vers Creative, an agency working with nonprofits and faith-based organizations across the U.S. Over the last five years, she’s managed client relationships, led marketing initiatives, and supported creative teams in producing consistent, meaningful results. With experience spanning project management, account direction, and even stepping into a marketing director role, Briana brings a grounded perspective on what it takes to deliver creative work that actually gets done.

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• The real difference between an account manager and a project manager—and why Briana often plays both roles
• How to wrangle creatives and clients while still keeping projects on brand and on point
• Why scrappy, organic content often performs better than polished production
• Simple ways to overcome hesitation when filming yourself or encouraging clients to create video content
• Building processes in real time: why “figure it out as you go” can be the best approach
• The importance of clear project scoping and how to handle scope creep with clients
• Why consistency and fast replies build trust that lasts longer than any single campaign
• The “pennies in the bank” approach to showing up for clients and teammates

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• Vers Creative
• Jaden Young’s idea of “walk in the park content”
• Alex Hormozi’s short-form video approach

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Low-Tech, High-Impact Account-Based Marketing

If you’re ready to trade expensive, tech-heavy account-based marketing for a repeatable, revenue-driving ABM program, check out Scrappy ABM. Led by a team of Scrappy ABM experts, they specialize in low-budget plays and programs that deliver high impact—no shiny tools required. Scrappy ABM has built account-based programs that have delivered millions in revenue, and you can build your first successful ABM program with their help.

Start with a pilot program or launch an account-based podcast. Learn more at scrappyabm.com. Let's get scrappy.

Not every business breakthrough comes from creating more content. Sometimes it starts with a conversation.

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In this episode, Trevor Grimes sits down with Erika Bryant, marketing strategist and business advisor at Piece of Cake Marketing, to talk about how genuine networking can drive business growth without relying on endless posts, blogs, or videos. Erika shares her “30 Coffees in 30 Days” method—a simple, human-centered framework for building relationships that lead to real opportunities.

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Together, Trevor and Erika break down how to find the right people to talk to, what to do when someone says no, and why anchoring yourself in someone’s mind with just a few words can completely change how they refer and remember you. Whether you’re just starting out or looking for a fresh way to grow, Erika’s approach proves that authentic connection often outperforms any content strategy.

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Erika Bryant is a marketing strategist and business advisor, and founder of Piece of Cake Marketing. With 20 years of marketing experience and 13 years running her own business, she helps companies under $10 million without a marketing team make smarter decisions through advisory sessions, masterminds, and done-for-you marketing strategies. Erika also leads The Network, a 480+ member Slack community built on generosity, collaboration, and meaningful connection.

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• How the 30 Coffees in 30 Days method works as a relationship-driven sales funnel
• Four “low-hanging fruit” groups to reconnect with when growing your business
• Why a “no” today doesn’t mean the relationship is over—and how to keep it alive
• The know, show up, give, ask framework for building trust before making an ask
• How to leverage gatekeepers and associations to meet the right people
• Why following your curiosity leads to the right networking opportunities
• The three-step formula for describing what you do so it sticks in people’s minds
• How generosity and giving turn your network into a sales team without feeling transactional

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• Piece of Cake Marketing – The Network
• StoryBrand (mentioned as part of Erika and Trevor’s background)
• Do Over by Jon Acuff (referenced during the conversation)

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Low-Tech, High-Impact Account-Based Marketing

If you’re ready to trade expensive, tech-heavy account-based marketing for a repeatable, revenue-driving ABM program, check out Scrappy ABM. Led by a team of Scrappy ABM experts, they specialize in low-budget plays and programs that deliver high impact—no shiny tools required. Scrappy ABM has built account-based programs that have delivered millions in revenue, and you can build your first successful ABM program with their help.

Start with a pilot program or launch an account-based podcast. Learn more at scrappyabm.com. Let's get scrappy.

Why do so many marketing campaigns fall flat, even when the content is strong? Trevor Grimes sits down with Sydney Webber to answer that question through the lens of storytelling, distribution, and authenticity. Sydney, a B2B SaaS marketer specializing in Proptech at Venn, shares her unconventional path from ballroom dancing to leading marketing in the multifamily real estate tech space.

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In this candid conversation, Sydney explains why the heart of a successful campaign lies in people’s relationship to the story, not just the story itself. She reveals how to create content that makes people stop scrolling, why apps may disappear in the next five years, and the one hill she’ll die on: distribution is everything. Listeners will leave with a fresh perspective on what it means to create content that truly resonates and how to bring others along for the ride.

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Sydney Webber is a B2B SaaS marketer specializing in Proptech and currently leading marketing at Venn. With over a decade in the multifamily real estate industry—from leasing agent to tech marketing leader—Sydney blends deep industry expertise with a passion for storytelling. Her background in theater and podcasting fuels her ability to craft authentic marketing strategies that connect with audiences on a human level.

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• The surprising reason your content may not resonate (and how to fix it)
• Why apps might disappear within five years and what this means for marketers
• The difference between a great story and a story people actually share
• How to build authentic relationships that power distribution
• Sydney’s creative process—big ideas, deadlines, and lessons learned from both wins and flops
• Why understanding your customer’s motivations is non-negotiable
• The freedom of creating content knowing “nobody cares” (and why that’s a good thing)
• The power of consistency and why distribution is just as important as the story

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• Scrappy ABM Workshop
• Built Rewards
• Venn

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Low-Tech, High-Impact Account-Based Marketing

If you’re ready to trade expensive, tech-heavy account-based marketing for a repeatable, revenue-driving ABM program, check out Scrappy ABM. Led by a team of Scrappy ABM experts, they specialize in low-budget plays and programs that deliver high impact—no shiny tools required. Scrappy ABM has built account-based programs that have delivered millions in revenue, and you can build your first successful ABM program with their help.

Start with a pilot program or launch an account-based podcast. Learn more at scrappyabm.com. Let's get scrappy.

Social media is your testing ground—flops vanish, wins multiply. Host Trevor Grimes sits down with LinkedIn devotee Kate Erwin (a self-described “I live on LinkedIn for a living” writer) to trade honest stories about content that lands—and the plenty that doesn’t. Kate moved from “typical content marketer” to guiding B2B tech brands and their executives on LinkedIn, armed with twelve years of writing, slam-poetry stage chops, and a mindset of “test the weird thing.”

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Together they unpack why social posts are low-risk labs, the three must-haves for ghost-writing an exec’s voice, and how memes can “sneak vegetables into mac-and-cheese” by serving insight without the hard sell. Expect straight talk on pricing creative work, turning “not right now” into future deals, and why self-advocacy beats viral wish-casting. Actionable, human, and refreshingly unpretentious.

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Kate (Brady) Erwin is an extroverted writer who has “lived on LinkedIn” for over twelve years. An English major turned slam-poetry award-winner, she now helps B2B tech brands and their executives grow reach and mindshare on LinkedIn—often via her consultancy, Ghost Megaphone. A big performer and part-time karaoke DJ, Kate blends storytelling, meme culture, and honest strategy to make business content actually resonate.

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• Why social media is the safest place to experiment—if a post flops, almost nobody sees it.
• Kate’s “big three” for successful ghostwriting: firm executive buy-in, an internal project manager, and leaders with real stories.
• Using memes to “sneak in your message without shoving it down their throats.”
• The value of “test the weird thing” and letting LinkedIn lag on trends so you look original.
• Pricing creative work: why ghostwriting for execs “always costs more—higher, higher.”
• Turning a “not right now” reply into future business through consistent, chill follow-ups.
• Lessons from Chili Piper and Close on brand voice, collaboration, and embracing edgy ideas.
• Self-advocacy: posting your wins and simply asking past contacts for new work.

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• Scrappy ABM – ABM in a Day workshop – free live session, Aug 7
• Chili Piper
• Close
• Ghost Megaphone
• Will Aitken & Travis Tyler
• Gong
• ThePath
• Silicon Valley (TV)
• TikTok & YouTube Shorts
• Facebook Marketplace
• Ted Lasso (TV)

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Low-Tech, High-Impact Account-Based Marketing

If you’re ready to trade expensive, tech-heavy account-based marketing for a repeatable, revenue-driving ABM program, check out Scrappy ABM. Led by a team of Scrappy ABM experts, they specialize in low-budget plays and programs that deliver high impact—no shiny tools required. Scrappy ABM has built account-based programs that have delivered millions in revenue, and you can build your first successful ABM program with their help.

Start with a pilot program or launch an account-based podcast. Learn more at scrappyabm.com. Let's get scrappy.

What if you could bring the fun right where people already are—no need to chase trends, just deliver what they want? Jakob Eliason, co-founder of Pickleball Popups, shares how a mix of marketing strategy, bold execution, and relentless documentation transformed an idea into a traveling pickleball phenomenon. Hosted by Trevor Grimes, this episode dives into how Jakob and his team mastered the logistics behind portable courts, the importance of listening to real audience needs, and how “making noise” and capturing authentic moments powers lasting growth.

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Jakob breaks down their go-to-market journey, from buying portable courts before even getting approval, to turning temporary activations into scalable events at breweries, festivals, and trade shows. Along the way, he shares insights on product-market fit, the value of iterative feedback, and why content should come from what’s genuinely happening—not manufactured for the sake of it. If you want practical takeaways on connecting with your audience, building momentum, and growing with authenticity, Jakob’s story is packed with actionable wisdom.

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👤 Guest Bio

Jakob Eliason is the co-founder of Pickleball Popups, a company that transforms empty spaces into pickleball courts for events nationwide. Based in Memphis, Tennessee, Jakob leverages his marketing background to build a unique business blending logistics, community-building, and event activation.

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📌 What We Cover

• How Jakob and his partner pivoted from launching a permanent pickleball facility to creating a mobile popup concept, buying portable courts before even securing venue approvals.
• The logistics challenge behind transporting modular pickleball courts nationwide and the role of operations leadership in their success.
• Branding strategies for events: from decals on courts and nets to custom paddles and backstops that enhance sponsor visibility.
• Why “making noise” through memorable events and documenting everything has been central to growing their brand and audience.
• The importance of product-market fit validated through inbound leads and customer feedback before investing heavily in advertising.
• Insights on managing wait times and manufacturing crowd excitement to build energy and anticipation at free events.
• Jakob’s marketing philosophy: balancing quality and quantity in content, using paid ads to amplify authentic moments rather than manufactured posts.
• The role of continuous iteration and humility—embracing feedback, testing variables carefully, and evolving based on what people actually want.
• How the temporary popup model informed opening an indoor facility without costly renovations, using the same modular court system.
• Why Jakob plans to stay focused on pickleball rather than expanding into other sports, emphasizing pickleball’s unique accessibility and growth potential.
• The power of community-building through events, whether in-person or virtual, as a source for creating meaningful, resonant content.
• Jakob’s “hill to die on”: Make lots of good noise, document everything authentically, and create something worth capturing.

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🔗 Resources Mentioned

• Pickleball Popups website and events (implicitly referenced)
• Pickleball 901 — the Memphis-based pickleball facility Jakob co-founded
• Gary Vaynerchuk’s “Document, Don’t Create” philosophy (referenced)
• Red Bull’s content marketing approach as a case study in making noise without overt selling

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If you want to build something meaningful that resonates, Jakob’s journey offers a masterclass in the art of listening to your audience, executing with boldness, and letting authentic stories lead the way.

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Low-Tech, High-Impact Account-Based Marketing

If you’re ready to trade expensive, tech-heavy account-based marketing for a repeatable, revenue-driving ABM program, check out Scrappy ABM. Led by a team of Scrappy ABM experts, they specialize in low-budget plays and programs that deliver high impact—no shiny tools required. Scrappy ABM has built account-based programs that have delivered millions in revenue, and you can build your first successful ABM program with their help.

Start with a pilot program or launch an account-based podcast. Learn more at scrappyabm.com. Let's get scrappy.

Tired of chasing busywork over real impact? In this episode, Trevor Grimes sits down with Justin Price, principal and founder of Vers Creative, to explore a more meaningful way to lead creative teams. Drawing on his experience serving world-changing faith-based organizations and integrating AI into marketing, Justin reveals why “productive, not busy” should be every leader’s mantra. You’ll learn how to stop mimicking others and start making something that matters by embracing tight guardrails, using constraints as a gift, and ruthlessly editing toward excellence. Whether you’re an agency lead or in-house manager, you’ll leave with actionable takeaways for nurturing talent, driving innovation, and shipping your very best work—every time.

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👤 Guest Bio

Justin Price is the principal and founder of Vers Creative, a consulting agency helping faith-based nonprofits and for-profits grow through brand, marketing, and AI integration strategies. After 12 years as a creative director at top-tier nonprofits, Justin launched Vers to bring “special forces” expertise—tackling the hard stuff so clients can backfill and sustain success. He’s also the author of The Creative Squeeze, a leadership guide for getting the most from emotionally driven creative teams.

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📌 What We Cover

• How being “productive, not busy” fuels intentional growth for agencies and clients alike
• Vers Creative’s “special forces” model: advancing the line, then graduating clients to run on their own
• Why tight constraints and guardrails spark breakthrough creativity rather than stifle it
• Real-world budget examples: from $4,000 CAC on a $1 M spend to the challenge of a $50 CPA goal
• The power of “ship excellence”: ruthless editing and doing less, better, rather than more, mediocre work
• Lessons from The Creative Squeeze on leading emotionally driven creators versus other teams
• Balancing timeless brand DNA against fleeting trends in design, messaging, and voice
• Building a sustainable creative culture that prioritizes collaboration, risk-taking, and mentorship

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🔗 Resources Mentioned

• The Creative Squeeze by Justin Price: https://www.verscreative.com/book
• Justin Price’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-price-053a27b1/
• Trevor Grimes’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-grimes/

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Low-Tech, High-Impact Account-Based Marketing

If you’re ready to trade expensive, tech-heavy account-based marketing for a repeatable, revenue-driving ABM program, check out Scrappy ABM. Led by a team of Scrappy ABM experts, they specialize in low-budget plays and programs that deliver high impact—no shiny tools required. Scrappy ABM has built account-based programs that have delivered millions in revenue, and you can build your first successful ABM program with their help.

Start with a pilot program or launch an account-based podcast. Learn more at scrappyabm.com. Let's get scrappy.