The Marketing Essentials Podcast

It’s time we talk about your online reviews. Studies show that 72% of consumers trust online reviews as much as recommendations from friends and family. So, if you want to compete digitally, you need to consider your online reputation as part of your marketing strategy.

In this podcast we discuss why online reviews matter, how to get more positive reviews, how to deal with negative reviews, or even worse, online trolls.

Embracing your online reputation will help draw in new customers, convert word-of-mouth referrals faster, help you rank higher on search, and put you ahead of your competition.

Content marketing is an effective way to promote your business both online and offline. However, how do you know when to DIY and when to hire a content writer?

On this episode we speak with Aileen McDonough, a content marketer with over 20 years of experience in writing, sales, and marketing, and owner of 3am Writers, a creative communications firm that produces custom quality content for companies all over the world. She explains the role content plays in a marketing strategy, typical best practices for working with writers, and what to expect for content marketing costs and processes.

Aileen provides tips for creating your own content — as well as when to know it's time to hire a professional. If you want to understand more about content marketing and are deciding between DIY and hiring a pro, listen and find out!

Don't get swindled.

It is important that you find a legitimate agency and not a company that added “social media marketing” as a service overnight without any training or experience. But how do you distinguish the difference between a REAL social media marketing company and a “social media enthusiast” or “digital marketing guru” these days?

This episode will detail the questions to ask, the standards to set, and the red flags to look for when you are ready to hire a social media agency

One of the most effective ways to market your business is online, specifically through social media. But you can easily drown in a sea of information, data, tools, and resources. What’s a small business owner to do?

In today’s episode our guest, Suzanne McDonald, throws us a lifeline and shares stories and resources that will help you focus on the aspects of social media marketing that are most relevant to your business.

Not every photographer is the right photographer for you. Hiring the wrong photographer is not only costly and time consuming but can leave you with a bad taste in your mouth from the experience and a final product that is less than adequate.

To select the right photographer for your project and get the best overall outcome there are several elements to consider. Our resident expert, Bill, shares 5 tips for vetting a photographer before hiring them.

Google My Business (GMB) is a FREE and easy to use tool but it’s often overlooked when talking about online search. By creating a complete Google My Business profile your business will be:

2.7x more likely to be considered reputable

70% more likely to attract a visit to your location

50% more likely to lead to an online purchase

We talk to Mark Collins, Local SEO Expert and owner of OnWebLocal, about how to create and update your Google My Business page so you can attract more clients.

Engagement and interacting with your audience is the whole point of using social media to market your business. However, it’s easier said than done. If you feel like you’re posting, and posting, and posting, but not getting the conversation going with your audience this podcast is for you!

Alicia shares tips and strategies that will stop your audience from “scrolling on by” and grab their attention. Check out this episode to increase your engagement rates and make the likes, comments, and shares start rolling in!

LinkedIn is the #1 B2B social platform, with 2 million entrepreneurs posting content daily. Are you one of those entrepreneurs? Then you should know that your LinkedIn profile is not a resume, it’s the story of your career and why you matter.

We’ve invited Nicole Eller, co-founder of The Spark Social to teach us how to bring the right people into your LinkedIn story by optimizing your profile. We cover everything from your profile photo, title, introduction, cover image, to strategic endorsements and more!

Stuff we mentioned during the podcast:

Nicole Eller on LinkedIn
The Spark Social

Does your brand 100% truly and undeniably represent YOU? Your business is unique and your brand should be too. But developing an authentic brand requires a strategic process and working with a professional.

In this podcast we learn how Justin brought a face (literally) to Bill's brand. While other photographers remain behind the camera, Justin found a way to make Bill stand out from the crowd.

Stuff we mentioned during the podcast:

Justin’s presentation for Bill’s brand (mp4)
Justin Kerr Design
W. Parmentier Photography

In Tuni Schartner's experience as the RI Economic Gardener, guerrilla marketing is "making the most out of the least."

In this week's podcast, Tuni shares how she strategically marketed Innovate Newport, a large scale office and co-working project, with a very limited marketing budget. From building your relationships in the community and to grass roots outreach to taking advantage of marketing resources right in your community you can use guerrilla marketing tactics to grow your business!

Stuff we mentioned during the podcast:

Find Tuni on LinkedIn
TS Consulting
The Hive RI
Innovate Newport

Bonus Material for subscribers:
Tuni’s list of favorite marketing books and other educational resources (PDF)
(available only to MET Podcast subscribers, see button below)