Welcome back to The Growth Guide! In today's episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Tersh Blissett, the founder of Service Business Mastery and owner of two HVAC companies, Service Emperor and Tristar. Tersh shared his unique journey into the HVAC industry, which began unexpectedly through his circle of car enthusiast friends who were HVAC techs. He transitioned from working at a chemical plant to becoming a service manager in 2007, eventually founding his own companies.

Tersh discussed the challenges he faced in starting Service Emperor, particularly in hiring the right personalities for a completely remote company. He emphasized the importance of monitoring and maintaining team morale through tools like Slack and RILA, an AI ride-along software for technicians. Tersh also shared a harrowing story about a technician who narrowly escaped a falling tree, highlighting the importance of real-time communication and support within his team.

One of the key takeaways from our conversation was the significance of knowing your numbers and hiring the right people. Tersh stressed that many service business owners fail to understand their costs, especially marketing expenses, and often don't fire underperforming employees quickly enough. He also highlighted the importance of getting out of the way as a business owner and allowing others to handle tasks more efficiently.

Tersh shared his insights on effective marketing strategies, including the power of in-person networking and guerrilla marketing tactics like yard signs and door hangers. He recounted a successful campaign where his team placed 700 yard signs around Savannah during a hurricane, which generated significant brand recognition and revenue.

Tersh advised service business owners to ask questions and seek mentorship, emphasizing that everyone starts from a place of not knowing and learns through experience or guidance. It was an enlightening conversation filled with practical advice and inspiring stories. Don't forget to check out Tersh's podcast, Service Business Mastery, for more insights into running a successful service business.

In this episode of the Growth Guide, I had the pleasure of interviewing Joe Quattrone, a seasoned professional in the marketing industry. Joe shared his journey from working with Gary Vee to launching his own brands, offering valuable insights into building successful teams and generating revenue. We delved into Joe's experiences working on impactful campaigns, including the innovative Budweiser World Series project and the thought-provoking Stella Artois campaign. Joe's perspective on the importance of self-awareness in business and the need for patience in career growth resonated with me and our listeners. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of marketing through Joe's unique lens.

In this episode, we had the pleasure of diving into the intricate world of SEO with Chris, the founder of BrisTechTonic. Chris shared his journey from being hesitant about SEO to becoming a go-to expert in the field, especially after moving to Bristol and immersing himself in a community of creative businesses.

We explored the nuances of local versus national SEO, emphasizing the importance of a well-structured website to avoid issues like keyword cannibalization. Chris stressed the significance of content, advising that writing for the reader, not the search engine, is key to success in today's algorithm-driven landscape.

The conversation then shifted to the evolution of SEO strategies in response to the ever-changing internet, the shrinking attention spans of users, and the critical role of understanding search intent. Chris provided valuable insights into keyword research, content clusters, and the concept of E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authority, and Trust) in creating high-quality content.

We also tackled the tricky subject of link building, discussing ethical strategies and the importance of relevancy and niche in acquiring backlinks. Chris warned against the allure of cheap, low-quality links and highlighted the value of natural link profiles.

As we wrapped up, Chris shared his thoughts on measuring the success of an SEO campaign, the common pitfalls to avoid, and the importance of patience and trust in the SEO process. He also touched on the future of SEO with the rise of AI and Google's SGE, reinforcing the need for quality content.

For those eager to connect with Chris and learn more about his work, you can find him at bristectonic.co.uk and on various social media platforms as @bristectonic.

A huge thank you to Chris for joining us and sharing his SEO wisdom!

In this episode of The Growth Guide, I had the pleasure of interviewing Nicky Billou a renowned author, speaker, and advisor to top entrepreneurs. Nicky shared his journey into thought leadership and emphasized the importance of connecting with people on a deeper level. He highlighted the significance of belief in oneself and the power of serving others. Nikki also shared a powerful story of how a fitness trainer transformed his business by focusing on a niche market that resonated with his values.

Throughout the episode, Nikki emphasized the importance of aligning with individuals who genuinely care about their clients and are committed to delivering results. He shared insights on how to generate a million-dollar income by becoming a thought leader in your niche and serving your audience with authenticity and passion.

Nikki's message of belief, alignment, and service resonated throughout the episode, reminding listeners of the importance of staying true to their values and making a positive impact on others. If you're looking to elevate your business and belief in yourself, Nicky Billou's wisdom and guidance are sure to inspire and empower you.

In this insightful episode of The Growth Guide, we had the pleasure of hosting Seth Goldstein, a seasoned entrepreneur with 16 years of experience in digital marketing. Seth shared his journey through the evolution of the industry, from the early days of keyword stuffing to the current AI-driven landscape.

Seth emphasized the importance of adapting to changes, such as the shift from exact match domain names to a more technical SEO approach. He highlighted Google's ability to recognize brand mentions without links and the increasing relevance of social media presence in triggering knowledge panels.

We delved into the role of AI in marketing, with Seth describing it as "spicy autocorrect on steroids." He advised listeners to use AI as a starting point for content creation but to infuse their own style to avoid sounding robotic.

Seth also touched on the significance of owning your content and the benefits of repurposing it across various platforms. He suggested setting aside dedicated time for content creation and leveraging resources like virtual assistants for distribution.

Looking ahead, Seth predicted more niche social media platforms and a potential acquisition of Alignable by LinkedIn. He encouraged marketers to stay agile and open to new opportunities.

For entrepreneurs, Seth's advice was to embrace the challenges and rewards of the journey, highlighting the flexibility and fulfillment it brings to his personal life.

In conclusion, this episode was a treasure trove of practical tips and forward-thinking insights for anyone looking to navigate the ever-changing terrain of digital marketing and entrepreneurship.

In this episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing Catherine Cortez, a seasoned marketer with over 15 years of experience. Catherine shared her journey in the marketing industry, starting from her early days in 2007 when she joined Odesk (now Upwork) and began setting up Facebook advertising campaigns for businesses. She quickly learned the ropes of marketing and expanded her skill set to include copywriting, website design, and server management.

Catherine's passion for marketing led her to start her own agency, where she merged project management and business analysis with marketing. She emphasized the importance of marrying different aspects of a business, such as marketing, sales, and the overall business flow, to achieve successful conversions and growth.

Throughout the interview, Catherine highlighted the need for constant testing and adaptation in the ever-changing landscape of advertising platforms. She stressed the importance of having a testing budget and being willing to fail fast in order to find the most effective strategies for each client. Catherine also discussed the challenges of navigating ad platform algorithm changes, emphasizing the need to understand consumer psychology and guide the algorithm with data.

Catherine shared her agency's approach to helping clients succeed, which includes offering a wide range of services such as Google and Facebook ads, SEO, landing page design, and content creation. She emphasized the importance of keeping consumers excited throughout the sales process and addressing objections to ensure conversions.

To learn more about Catherine and her work, listeners can find her on YouTube under the name Marketex and on social media as Cat Ad Lord.

Overall, Catherine's insights and experiences provide valuable lessons for marketers looking to navigate the ever-evolving world of advertising and achieve conversions and growth for their clients.

In today's episode of The Growth Guide, we had the pleasure of speaking with Philippa Games, a seasoned expert in digital analytics. With over two decades of experience, Philippa shared her insights on how businesses can leverage analytics to drive growth and reduce unnecessary spending.

Philippa Games provided invaluable advice on using analytics to not just gather data but to extract meaningful insights that can lead to informed decisions and business growth. Her expertise reminds us that at the heart of analytics is the goal of understanding and serving our customers better, and that a clear strategy is essential for success.

Remember to connect with Philippa on LinkedIn for more insights and to grab a copy of her free ebook. Join us again for the next episode of The Growth Guide, where we continue to explore strategies for business success.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/philippagamse/

In today's episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Jeff Brown, a seasoned marketing expert with 17 years of experience. Jeff has witnessed the evolution of social media from the launch of Facebook to the decline of MySpace, and the rise of new trends like YouTube Shorts.

Listeners can learn more from Jeff by following his agency, Box Six Marketing, on social media or visiting ⁠https://www.box6marketing.com/⁠

Jeff generously shares free marketing advice and keeps his audience updated on the latest trends and strategies.

In this insightful episode of The Growth Guide, we had the pleasure of speaking with Mike Hoyles, a seasoned expert with over two decades of experience in e-commerce and digital marketing. Mike shared his journey from leaving a significant career to becoming an independent consultant, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and the power of creating content that resonates with an audience.

Mike discussed the explosive growth of e-commerce, particularly highlighting the impact of COVID-19 as a catalyst that accelerated online retail sales from about 10-12% to 28% in just 18 months. He stressed the importance of businesses transitioning from online catalogs to transactional websites with comprehensive customer service.

We delved into the marketing side of e-commerce, where Mike pointed out the common mistake of over-relying on paid media. He advised focusing on improving conversion rates before increasing ad spend and shared a case study where enabling digital payment options significantly boosted a client's conversion rates.

Mike also touched on the importance of proper analytics setup and the pitfalls of working with disreputable agencies that may manipulate data for their benefit. He emphasized the need for transparency and due diligence when selecting a marketing partner.

On the topic of SEO, Mike argued that it should be a priority for businesses with long-term product strategies, rather than an afterthought. He also provided career advice for up-and-coming digital marketers, suggesting self-learning and finding a mentor in the field.

Lastly, Mike offered two key pieces of advice for digital marketers: to foster a culture of testing and to remain open to change, as the digital landscape is constantly evolving.

Overall, Mike Hoyles provided a wealth of knowledge and practical tips for anyone looking to grow in the e-commerce and digital marketing space. His emphasis on value-driven strategies and adaptability left us with a lot to think about and apply to our own practices.

If you found this episode valuable, be sure to subscribe to The Growth Guide for more expert insights on entrepreneurship and digital marketing. Thank you for listening, and we look forward to bringing you more valuable conversations in future episodes.

To work with Mike visit this link https://ecommercetraining.live/

In this insightful episode of The Growth Guide, we had the pleasure of speaking with Chaya Glatt, an expert in creating digital funnels that ensure prospects are warm by the time they join your sales meeting. Chaya shared her strategies for optimizing digital touch points such as emails, lead magnets, and websites to pre-qualify prospects, ensuring they have a clear understanding of what your business does and who it serves before they even book a meeting.

Chaya emphasized the importance of branded conversion copy over generic conversion copy, highlighting the need to make an emotional connection with the audience. She walked us through a case study of her work with an automation consultant, illustrating how she helped the client reposition their brand and target a specific audience through storytelling and addressing their pain points.

We also delved into the nuances of messaging at different stages of the sales funnel. Chaya explained that top-of-the-funnel copy should acknowledge the prospect's lack of familiarity with your brand, while middle-of-the-funnel content should nurture their interest, and bottom-of-the-funnel copy should be more direct in offering your services.

Chaya's approach is hands-on, working closely with clients in a research phase to extract the unique value propositions of their offerings. She also assists in refining target audiences and aligning brand strategy with messaging for a cohesive brand experience.

Listeners interested in learning more about Chaya's work or accessing free resources on copywriting and brand strategy can visit her website at https://chayaglatt.com/ or check out this free resource https://chayaglatt.thrivecart.com/chaya-glatts-courses-and-guides/

We thank Chaya for her valuable insights and look forward to bringing more growth strategies to our listeners in future episodes.