You might think that unconditional love is an unusual value for a small business but, couple that with a growth mindset and finishing strong, and you have the brand story of Rent Sons, a Rhode Island-based business serving the local community by providing odd job labor like moving furniture, painting, and landscape work.

Rent Sons' brand story starts with Pat Brown, the CEO and "first son" of what has become one of the fastest growing small businesses in Rhode Island and SE Mass. We sat recently with Pat as he told us about discovering his "why", setting aside a highly successful career in the entertainment business, and launching his "big crazy idea" of forming a community of workers (sons and daughters) to help them develop job skills and build relationships.

Stuff we mentioned during the podcast:

Rent Sons

Rent Sons on Facebook

From Pat’s Recommended Reading List:
Principles: Life and Work by Ray Dalio
Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike

In a few years, video will dominate online marketing. Video is an incredible way to market your business and Facebook Live is an easy way to get started for small business owners and entrepreneurs. It’s fresh, it’s live, and it adds authenticity to your brand. On this episode we talk about the benefits and offer some guidance to help you overcome stage fright and become a Facebook Live rockstar!

Stuff we mentioned during the podcast:

Contact us to get access to our Facebook Live Challenge video series

See who’s doing a Facebook Live right now!

Inexpensive microphones and tripods for recording Facebook Live videos

Lil’ Rhody Marketing Support Group

If you’ve ever considered using specialty packaging to enhance your marketing and make a lasting impression with key clientele, you will definitely want to listen to this episode. We’re joined today by Judith Sheehan and James Lucey from Taylor Box, which has been creating award-winning packaging right here in Little Rhody since 1885!

James and Judith walk us through some of the design and manufacturing process but, more importantly, they explain how businesses of all sizes can leverage the value of specialty packaging as a targeted, unique, and memorable marketing tactic.


Stuff we mentioned during the podcast:

Taylor Box website

Taylor Box on Instagram

The story behind Taylor Box’s award-winning Gosling Papa Seal package

Bonus Content:
James and Judith show off some of Taylor Box’s award-winning packaging (video)
(available only to MET Podcast subscribers, see button below)

Ready to launch your own podcast? We can help!

With all of the attention that digital marketing receives (websites, social media, email) it’s easy to overlook the value of print marketing. But successful multi-channel marketing should always include some print materials. On today’s podcast, Justin Kerr reveals the value of haptics (the science of communicating through touch), provides evidence that people assign more value to printed marketing, and explains how to leverage print to get your audience’s attention.

Stuff we mentioned during the podcast:

Justin Kerr Design

Innovation in the Print Sector and the Role of Haptics (Longo)

Paper Beats Digital In Many Ways, According To Neuroscience (Forbes)

Ready to launch your own podcast? We can help!

Email marketing is not new but it is still an effective marketing technique. In fact,"email generates $38 for every $1 spent, which is an astounding 3,800% ROI, making it one of the most effective options available." (DMA National Client Email Report)

Michelle Girasole, a Constant Contact Solutions Partner and email marketing whiz since email was a thing, joins us on the podcast and shares industry tips on getting started and maintaining an email strategy. Stay out of the spam box and skyrocket your open rates with these email marketing best practices!

Stuff we mentioned during the podcast:

Constant Contact (email marketing software)

Email has an average ROI of $38 for each $1 spent (DMA National Client Email Report)

Fresh Rebellion (Michelle’s events, promotion and advertising firm)

Bonus Content:
Michelle Girasole’s 5 Keys to Email Marketing Success (PDF)
(available only to MET Podcast subscribers, see button below)

Ready to launch your own podcast?
We can help with our podcast production services!

On today’s podcast we let our team podcast producer, Bill, loose to share all things tech! It’s 30 minutes of valuable (and mostly free) tools that will have you on your way to being the next tech geek.

Want to DIY your video editing and upgrade your audio files? Or create a professional visual appearance through photos? This podcast is for the marketer who wants to do these things but doesn't know where to start! Bill shares behind-the-scenes elements and the tools you need to make your marketing work before you go to publish!

Stuff we mentioned during the podcast:

Adobe Creative Cloud
Snapseed (app for photo editing)
GIMP (free image editing software)
Adobe Elements (simplified image and video software)
Audacity (free audio editing program)
Open Broadcaster Software (free video production software)
Smoove (hand-held gimbal for iPhone videos)
Theta V 360 camera (360 degree view camera)
Blue Yeti microphone

Ready to launch your own podcast? We can help!

As the Marketing Essentials Podcast celebrates our one year anniversary, we talk about our favorite moments, memorable guests, and some things we’ve learned since beginning our podcasting journey. As always, the discussion includes our favorite places to eat in Lil’ Rhody. Come hang with us as we reminisce, tell stories, and talk about some future ideas for the podcast!

Stuff we mentioned during the podcast:

Our favorite episodes:
Bill: 043 - Marketing Little Rhody by Bringing History to Life
Justin: 034 - Does your business have a relationship with the community?
Alicia: 027 - Being an Agent of Change in a Family Insurance Business

Alicia’s Awful Awful Adventure (video)

MET Webinar promo video - blooper reel

An entire day of podcasting in 1:23 (video)

Marketing Essentials New Podcast Services

Hosting a successful event is more than filling a room — it’s a memorable and impactful experience. This week we speak with event marketer, Patsy Culp, who helps purpose driven entrepreneurs deepen their client connections through extraordinary event experiences. Her tips and industry expertise will help you turn your event attendees into a powerful marketing tool: walking testimonials.

So often when hosting an event we become obsessed with the logistics or filling seats, instead of what really matters. Listen in to this podcast to learn how to take a holistic approach and use your next event as part of a long term goal and an extension of your brand.

Stuff we mentioned during the podcast:

And Celebrate

And Celebrate on Facebook

Lil’ Rhody Marketing Support Group

Are you a graphic designer? A design geek? Or a small business owner with a DIY streak for doing your own design? Well, you’re in luck! In today’s podcast our resident design and branding expert, Justin Kerr, shares his favorite design and productivity tools.

Stuff we mentioned during the podcast:

Justin Kerr Design

See Justin’s sketches for the ABLEx branding project

Favorite design tools: UXPin, Smartmockups, Google Fonts

Favorite organizing and productivity tools: Basecamp, Toggl, Chill

Favorite inspirational sources: Medium, Wired, Brand New

Bonus Content: Justin’s complete list of favorite DIY design and productivity tools (PDF)
(available only to MET Podcast subscribers)

Most businesses already have dozens or hundreds of sales leads who are ready to buy — their current customers — but many businesses don’t know how to leverage their customer email list to increase sales. Ed McDonough, a local email marketing expert, explains how to increase sales through the “DORO” process (delivery, open, read, outcome) and gives us a peek into his proprietary email marketing platform, Quantum, which provides a high rate of return for his clients.

Stuff we mentioned during the podcast:

ECE Marketing Services

The Ultimate Guide to Split Testing Your Email Campaigns (OptInMonster)

Bonus Content: A Deep Dive Into the Quantum Email Marketing Platform (PDF)
(available only to MET Podcast subscribers)