The Marketing Essentials Podcast

Small businesses that frequently publish compelling blog content experience 126% lead growth over small businesses that don’t. However, coming up with ideas for blog content can be challenging and intimidating so we sat down with Chloe Deiulis, Head of Content Strategy at Reward Gateway, to discuss her sources and methods for generating valuable marketing content.

Stuff we mentioned during the podcast:

Reward Gateway

Chloe Deiulis on LinkedIn

Lil’ Rhody Marketing Support Group

Many local non-profits don’t take advantage of digital marketing tools such as social networks and smart phone apps. Lev Poplow, a RI-based communications and development consultant, talks about how he helped a local non-profit increase their social media audience by 7900%, bring attention to the stories of Rhode Island holocaust survivors, and champion an anti-hate message for all people.

Stuff we mentioned during the podcast:

Lev Poplow on LinkedIn

The Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center

The Rhode Island Holocaust Memorial

RI Holocaust Memorial App (iTunes)

Lil’ Rhody Marketing Support Group

Cause marketing is a way for small business to be socially responsible and connect with the community. We invited three small business owners, Kara Daniello, Adam Rizzo, and Steven Hipolito, to tell their stories and explain how they’re reaching beyond selling a product or a service to connect with the community around them.

Stuff we mentioned during the podcast:

Adam Rizzo - 1 800 Water Damage of Rhode Island

Kara Daniello - Four Echoes at Grist Mill Pond

Stone Coast Community Church

Steven Hipolito - Silver City Limousine

Steven Hipolito’s video that went viral

Lil’ Rhody Marketing Support Group

What marketing trends does 2019 hold in store for your small business? Bill, Alicia, and Justin discuss chatbots, artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and other trends coming in the next year. When you’re done listening to today’s episode check out the plethora of resource links below!

Stuff we mentioned during the podcast:

Google My Business Profile

The Complete Guide to Chatbots (Sprout Social)

Google Assistant makes a salon appointment (YouTube)

Snapchat, Instagram Stories, or Facebook Stories—Which is Right For You? (HootSuite)

Airbnb diversifies their brand image with custom illustration

What Will Be the Next Big Thing in App Design for 2019? (Line25)

Using podcasts as marketing tools will increase in 2019

Augmented Reality Photography Apps

3 Video Trends Shaping the Future of Digital Media (Adweek)

With so many social media channels to choose from how do you decide which one is the best fit for your business? We put that question to our podcast guest, Nicole Eller of Ginger Green Marketing. We also discuss the basic uses for each social media channel, some new developments such as Instagram Stories, and which social media platform will make the biggest moves in 2019.

Stuff we mentioned during the podcast:

Ginger Green Marketing

The Ultimate Guide to Instagram Grid Layouts (Business 2 Community)

Instagram Stories: What They Are and How to Make One Like a Pro (HubSpot)

Twitter tips for small businesses (Sprout Social)

LinkedIn Changes: How to Prepare for 2019 Trends (Weidert)

Lil’ Rhody Marketing Support Group

Webinars are a great way to market your business and establish expertise with prospective clients. You’ve already identified your target audience and selected a topic, so what’s next? In today’s episode we discuss the nuts and bolts of putting together an effective webinar.

Stuff we mentioned during the podcast:

Webinar recording software: OBS Studio, Zoom, GoToWebinar

Email programs for webinar promotion: MailChimp, Constant Contact

The mics we use for our podcast: Audio-Technica AT2020 Studio Microphone

Lil’ Rhody Marketing Support Group

Bonus Content: How to Create a Webinar: Checklist for Success (PDF)
(available to MET Podcast subscribers)

Nothing connects better with potential customers than a good story. You may not think your business has a story to tell but a public relations expert like Mark Berger of Berg’s Eye Communications can get to the heart of your message (the who, what, and why) and help your organization get the recognition it deserves in local and regional publications.

Stuff we mentioned during the podcast:

Berg’s Eye Communications (website)

Berg’s Eye Communications (Facebook)

Lil’ Rhody Marketing Support Group

“I tried Facebook ads once but it didn’t work” is the marketing equivalent of, “I went to the gym once but it didn’t work.” Getting the most out of Facebook ads is today’s topic and our resident expert, Alicia Piazza, explains the difference between boosting and budgeting, how to target your audience, and setting your expectations for results. So whether you’ve tried Facebook ads once or are a complete newbie to the world of paid social media advertising you don’t want to miss this episode!

Stuff we mentioned during the podcast:

Podcast 012 - Tips for the Social Media DIY'er

How To Build Buyer Personas For Better Marketing

Facebook Text Overlay Tool (measures proportion of text/image in your FB ad)

Lil’ Rhody Marketing Support Group

Bonus Content: 4 Rules to Follow When Using Facebook Ads (PDF)
(available to MET Podcast subscribers)

Riddle me this: what is the most effective way to attract new customers to your business and create a loyal following on your social media channels? If you’re Byron Delmonico, owner of The Riddle Room, it’s through contests and direct customer interaction on your Facebook page. The Marketing Essentials Team recorded this episode from inside one of Byron’s elaborate riddle rooms as we discuss his unique brand and how he engages The Riddle Room’s loyal fan base.

Stuff we mentioned during the podcast:

Riddle Room website

Riddle Room on Facebook

Google Analytics for Beginners

The Facebook Pixel

Learn about Chat Bots

Bonus: Marketing Contests: A Checklist for Success
(available to MET Podcast subscribers)

What happens when you take a local insurance agency languishing in traditional print and TV advertising and infuse it with progressive marketing tactics like social media and video? The answer is 30% growth! The Marketing Essentials Team sits down with John Lapointe, second-generation insurance agent and self-appointed marketing director for Lapointe Insurance, to uncover the details of how he made some simple changes that rocketed his family’s company into the 21st century and social media stardom.

Stuff we mentioned during the podcast:

Lapointe Insurance (website)

Lapointe Insurance (YouTube Channel)

Lil' Rhody Marketing Support Group