In this episode of The Marketing Plan Podcast, we interview digital marketing guru Rand Fishkin. Rand is well known in the SEO industry for starting one of the most popular SEO-related websites, Moz.com (he was formerly known as the “Wizard of Moz.”) But Rand has since moved on to start the audience research software company, SparkToro – and do LOTS of other things not related at all to SEO.

During this interview, we learn how Rand first got into digital marketing (hint: it involves his mom!) We also learn some key digital marketing strategies that will help your business grow.

Just some of these amazing (and Random) tips and strategies include:

• How to create an influence map.
• Why your job as a marketer is to concentrate on 1-3 media channels that make the most sense for you. (According to Rand, you need to combine your passion and interest and focus on the marketing channels where you can provide unique value that’s different than your competition.)
• The four types of research you should do to find out more about your customers and your competitors.
• Learn some great tools that you can use to find crucial data and information you need to gain insights about your audience.
• Video marketing strategies.
• Tips on where you should upload your videos – and YouTube is not always the best place!
• What the biggest mistake marketers are making right now.
• Why local business owners should be trying to get interviewed on podcasts – and how they can capitalize on those interviews to help their local businesses.
• Rand’s thoughts on retargeting and display advertising.
• Why you should focus on the marketing that you’re personally passionate about and you bring unique value to.
• And More!

Rand isn’t known for all his amazing digital marketing knowledge for nothing! If you want to up your digital marketing game and get ahead, this episode is one you should listen to. The depth and breadth of knowledge he shares is amazing!

Rand and I had a TON of fun doing this interview! (I mean LOTS of fun!) I’d highly recommend that you watch the video on YouTube so you can see all the fun we had and how totally cool Rand is – for real! You can check out the video on The Marketing Plan Podcast YouTube Channel.

How to Reach Rand Fishkin

Rand Fishkin is co-founder and CEO of audience research software startup, SparkToro. He’s dedicated his professional life to helping people do better marketing through his writing, videos, speaking, and his book, Lost and Founder.

When Rand’s not working, he’s usually cooking a fancy meal for the love of his life, author Geraldine DeRuiter. If you bribe him with great pasta or fancy cocktails, he’ll happily pull back the curtain on big tech’s dark secrets.

Folks are welcome to sign up for a forever free SparkToro account at https://sparktoro.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/randfish

If you’re an Instagram user and want to grow your business or audience on Instagram, listening to this episode with The Instagram Queen is a MUST! Sue B. Zimmerman is a recognized Instagram influencer that trains and coaches people and businesses on how to use Instagram to grow their Instagram accounts and increase their business presence on Instagram.

Sue B. Zimmerman is known as “The Instagram Expert” – and with good reason. Over the past 8+ years, Sue B. has helped business owners turn Instagram into their most effective marketing platform. She’s a speaker on stages all over the world, giving Instagram tips and strategies -- and teaching business owners how to be successful on Instagram. (In fact, we connected because we both spoke at Digital Marketer’s Traffic & Conversion Summit conference!)

In this episode of The Marketing Plan Podcast, Sue starts out by talking about her entrepreneurial journey and how she sold $5,000 worth of products in one minute on QVC! (She taught people how to decorate their printed photos with a special craft tape and beads.) Now she teaches people how to use videos to preserve memories and market themselves using Instagram!

Sue talks about what you should do to your Instagram account before you even create content on Instagram – and that’s writing a killer “boss bio.” (And how this benefits your Instagram profile overall!)

She also discusses the importance of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) in Instagram marketing – something very few people talk about!

Here are some other Instagram tips you’ll learn in this podcast episode that will you’re your Instagram engagement and your Instagram business marketing:'

• The importance of a uniform promise in Instagram posts so it aligns with the promise you make in your Instagram bio.
• Why it’s important to continually change the URL in your bio. (Hint: Do not make your Instagram bio URL your home page.)
• How to quickly get to Stories and how to effectively use Stickers
• Instagram Reels. Instagram Reels. Instagram Reels. Why everybody should be using Reels! (And you don’t have to lip sync or dance!)
• How consumers are using Instagram shopping to buy from businesses on Instagram.
• How to use Product Tags so people can use Instagram shop and buy directly from your company on Instagram.
• Instagram tips you can do to increase your followers on Instagram.
• Where to find the Add an Action Button to create a button so people can order food, book now or reserve.
• Explains how people are using Instagram to find local businesses using keywords.
• What is a hook? Why a hook is important to grab your viewers’ attention.
• How to create the best Instagram hashtags.
• And much more!

You’ll get a ton of information about using Instagram to grow your business from Sue B. Zimmerman, The Instagram Queen, in this episode of The Marketing Plan Podcast, which is ALL about Instagram!

Watch the YouTube Video of the Podcast Interview with Sue!

Want to watch all the fun of the interview in video? Check out the video interview on our YouTube Channel! https://youtu.be/kSvwu4s2J4c

NOTE: Unfortunately, Zoom’s recording feature was not cooperating the day we recorded this episode, and it didn’t record the screen share on Sue’s Instagram account that she shared. So please follow along at Sue’s Instagram page at: https://www.instagram.com/theinstagramexpert/.

Get Sue’s FREE Strategy Guide!

@theinstagramexpert

Sue B. Zimmerman’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/suebzimmerman

Video about Reels: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0cB5xpwTsE

Sue B.’s Website: https://suebzimmerman.com/

In this episode, we interview sales and marketing expert, Marcus Murphy. Marcus has more than 10 years' experience in sales and marketing at several different companies. He is also an AMAZING public speaker. (If you’ve ever been to the largest marketing conference in North America, Traffic & Conversion Summit, you’ve likely seen Marcus up on stage. Sherry has been a speaker at T&C for three years and had the opportunity to meet up with Marcus at this year’s Traffic & Conversion Summit!)

Throughout his marketing career, Marcus has worked with some of THE biggest names in marketing – including world-renowned marketing expert Ryan Deiss at Digital Marketer.

In The Marketing Plan Podcast Episode 7: Simplifying Marketing to Get Results with Marcus Murphy, Marcus has outdone it! He gives you in-depth advertising advice on a variety of marketing strategies --things that will help you get into the minds of your customers AND help position your company, products and services through your messaging and various other marketing strategies.

Marcus and Sherry chat about how marketing should be simplified. According to Marcus, marketing has three main “constants”: First, the market itself. Your customer -- the avatar. Second, the message. And the third constant in marketing is where your customers are at and what media you should use to get your message in front of them. He then shares more details…

They also discuss customer avatars – and Marcus’s idea of “avatars” are not what you think! You need to understand personality traits and human behavior, so you can craft the perfect messages for your prospective customers. (If you miss this part, the avatars you’re currently creating have BIG AS$ gaps!)

When it comes to successful marketing strategies, great copywriting is SO important. Marcus discusses how important content and copywriting is to creating a great story that resonates with your prospects. Being able to write content that attracts your future customers is key – without that, you’re spinning your wheels.

You’ll also find out Marcus’s thoughts on B2B vs. B2C. This alone is worth a listen! (Hat tip to Ryan Deiss for this one!)

You’ll also discover why market research is SO important. To get that information about your customers, you need to be curious about your buyers. Marcus tells about the importance of speaking less and listening more – and even more strategies you can use today!

Additionally, as a member of the LinkedIn Advisory Board, he shares some great LinkedIn tips on how to build relationships on LinkedIn. You should humanize yourself and your interactions on LinkedIn – if you’re not doing that, you’re turning off the connections you're trying to make. Think it’s too late to get in on LinkedIn marketing and stake your claim? Find out what Marcus thinks on that topic. (You’ll be surprised!)

This episode is SO rich with marketing concepts and ideas, we go deep to the bottom of the ocean. Hope you enjoy!

Watch the Episode On Our YouTube Channel!

The Marketing Plan Podcast YouTube Channel

How to Reach Marcus:

https://thefivepercent.com/

Email: [email protected] (NOTE: Do NOT spam Marcus. We love him – so only email him if you have a REAL question for him, please.)

Videos. Coaching. Network Marketing. Oh, My! With Ray Higdon: Episode 6

Ray Higdon wasn’t always a multimillionaire. Nope. Years ago, he was a successful real estate investor, but the bottom fell out and he lost everything. Bankrupt and sleeping on a friend’s couch, he was down and out. But Ray was determined to make it. Then he discovered network marketing. As Ray puts it, network marketing is often the only way entrepreneurs can become entrepreneurs.

Now Ray uses a variety of marketing strategies – especially video – to market and promote his multimillion-dollar company. In this inspiring episode of The Marketing Plan Podcast, you’ll learn a variety of motivating strategies that you can use professionally – and personally – to grow your business (and yourself!)

Learn why short-form video content is something that virtually EVERY business should do. (And, no, that doesn’t mean you need to dress up and dance on TikTok!) Ray talks about how you can make short videos with no experience, no expensive equipment and no editing tools. He even gives you ideas for your videos – that will sometimes give you surprising results!

Discover why consistency matters. (Ray went more than 11 years and never missed a day doing a video!) You’ll find out Ray’s content formula for YouTube success: the ILT concept. From just this ONE concept, you’ll learn how to create video content ideas that will fill an endless pipeline! (And you’ll also find out the ULTIMATE tip – ILTE!)

Ray also talks about how you can differentiate your business by out-teaching and bringing more value than your competition. What can you do that your competitors won’t do???

He also talks about networking marketing strategies. (How could he not talk about networking marketing?)

Investing in yourself is important. Ray discusses about why hiring a coach can help you solve specific problems or help you learn certain skills. Hiring a coach can help you shave off years of learning and help you get to where you want to go faster. Ray’s coaches include world-class experts like Grant Cardone and John Assaraf.

And finally…You’ll learn why tracking your marketing efforts is SO important to success. If you don’t track, you don’t know what’s working (or what’s NOT working!)

This jam-packed episode will give you so much information, you will want to go out and start implementing right away.

Watch The Interview Video On Our YouTube Channel

About Ray Higdon

Ray is a best-selling author, coach, and speaker. Like many successful entrepreneurs, Ray went from bankruptcy to running a multimillion-dollar successful company. Ray loves teaching people how to find their voice and understand their worth.

How To Find Ray Higdon

Time, Money, Freedom: 10 Simple Rules to Redefine What’s Possible and Radically Reshape Your Life

https://www.facebook.com/rayhigdonpage/

https://higdongroup.com/

https://www.rayhigdoncoaching.com/

https://rayhigdon.com/

Learn SEO and omni-channel marketing strategies from SEO guru and podcaster, Erin Sparks!

Erin Sparks and Sherry Bonelli discuss what it means to be a digital marketer in 2022 and beyond. As SEO geeks, we first talk about the ever-changing SEO environment and Google's MUM algorithm. With MUM, Google is using AI to try and better understand search queries, making it easier for people to find the right kind of content (text, videos, images, audio, social media, etc.) With MUM, searcher intent is everything, keywords mean less and "entities" mean much more. (In the future, you'll see fewer blue links in Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs) and more media -- so get ready, businesses!)

We also talk about the many benefits of Erin's client "Interview Method": the valuable subject-matter expertise that comes from interviewing your clients with media/video recording. Not only is it knowledge and information you get directly from your client – it is an incredible intake process for understanding your client’s differentiation in the marketplace. 

With some interview skills, you can extract gold from your clients, and with your marketing skills, you can shore up key aspects that give you strategic insights into how to promote and market your clients. 

These client interviews not only bring you closer to the organizations you are working with from an understanding perspective, but they're also a great relationship builder. (BONUS: This process will also help build trust with your clients -- and can help with client retention!)

You'll also discover how to repurpose and turn these client interview videos into digital assets that you can use to promote your clients online -- AND help with Google rankings!

So if you're looking for the latest on ranking high on Google and want a creative way to learn more about your client and get videos that you can actually use to market your clients, this is a must-listen-to podcast.

Watch the interview on our The Marketing Plan Podcast YouTube Channel

Are you looking for an SEO or digital marketing agency to help grow your business? These days having an online digital marketing presence and using digital marketing services and strategies isn’t optional — it’s a requirement. But let’s face it. Digital marketing can be confusing and overwhelming for most business owners. With more than 23 years' experience in the digital marketing world, Sherry Bonelli and her team at early bird digital marketing are here to help!

Sherry has been a digital marketer for 23 years, specializing in SEO, Google Business Profile (GBP), content marketing, reputation marketing, email marketing, website development project management and more. She is a Google Business Profile Gold Product Expert, has a Master's Degree in Internet Marketing, is a LinkedIn Learning Instructor, is an adjunct professor, trainer and coach. She also speaks at some of the top digital marketing conferences and webinars and writes for leading digital marketing and advertising websites like Search Engine Journal, Search Engine Land, Moz and Adweek.

If you're looking for a digital marketing agency that you can trust, early bird digital marketing is the one to call.

Book a time to talk with a digital marketing expert today to chat about your company's digital marketing needs or call Sherry directly at 319-409-3287. We look forward to helping you with your digital marketing needs!

Erin Sparks is the owner and president of Site Strategics, a company he founded in 2004 specializing in high-end Web services for small and mid-sized businesses. His 23-year career in web technology straddles the IT and marketing professions and includes 17 years’ experience in search engine optimization (SEO). Site Strategics has been at the forefront of marketing technology and serves a diverse clientele. Erin has directed his organization toward omnichannel digital marketing tactics, utilizing an agile marketing approach that allows flexibility based on performance feedback, resulting in a positive return on investment.

Erin is also the creative force behind the EDGE of the Web Radio podcast, which interviews thought leaders in marketing and technology. It is broadcast weekly and has had over 450 episodes over the last ten years. The EDGE of the Web podcast is the longest-running and one of the top-ranking SEO podcasts, showcasing top names in the digital marketing industry.

https://www.sitestrategics.com/

https://edgeofthewebradio.com/ (#1 in the carousel for SEO Podcasts)

https://edgemedia.studio/

https://www.facebook.com/erinlsparks

https://twitter.com/erinsparks

https://www.instagram.com/erinlsparks

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

https://edgeofthewebradio.com/erin-sparks/

To grow your business, your company, team and culture need to be aligned – and inspired. Taylor Welch, CEO of Traffic And Funnels, gives us sage advice on how to keep your team motivated as well as how to create a culture at your company that will inspire. You’ll also learn how to prevent YOUR batteries from running low by using Taylor’s “Micro Macro” strategy. (If you’re on the edge of burnout, you have to listen to this strategy!)

And because we always talk marketing, Taylor – who began his marketing career as a copywriter – talks “old school” marketing strategies. We talk about the “gangster” copywriters and what they got right and why some marketing strategies never go out of style.

"What does “good culture” mean? When you walk into a good culture you feel like ‘I can do anything!’ You feel bigger. You feel more excited. You feel more energetic, and you feel like you can do anything, you know? That to me is the definition really of a great culture.”

Taylor’s business and marketing knowledge will WOW you!

You can watch all the fun of the interview on our The Marketing Plan Podcast YouTube channel!

Market Movers Daily Taylor's new investment/business newsletter recently launched...very exciting for anyone wanting to get a quick 10-minute read of news from dozens of podcasts, journals, and news sources that have been consolidated. 

Taylor’s Daily Mind Medicine Podcast     

Taylor Welch's Website: https://taylorawelch.com/

FREE Wealth and Net Worth Training

As a best-selling author and sought-after speaker, John Jantsch is probably one of the most well-known marketing experts. With his multiple best-selling books, including Duct Tape Marketing, The Referral Engine and his new book, The Ultimate Marketing Machine, John’s marketing strategies and methodologies are standards that marketers use to promote their businesses, products and services.

In this episode of The Marketing Plan Podcast, you’ll learn how important it is to identify why your business is different than your competitors. (Pay attention, people – this is CRUCIAL!) You’ll discover how differentiation is the first key to raising your prices.

John also discusses why you should focus more on creating a successful customer. He even built a tool that allows you to take your customers from where they are today to where they want to be. He calls it “The Customer Success Track.” (You can get the complete Customer Success Track template on the companion site to his book, The Ultimate Marketing Machine.) John walks you through the steps of the Customer Success Track.

You’ll also learn how to find the right customers or clients for your company. (Hint: not every customer is the right customer…) John also shares why he thinks that buyer personas can be limiting. He will teach you new strategies on how to find your ideal customer.

John also breaks down the steps of his Marketing Hourglass – a modern twist on the classic “funnel.”

Getting referrals is key to any business. When a trusted person refers you, it breaks down all barriers. John has amazing tips on how to ask your clients or customers for referrals.

This is one of the most in-depth interviews you’ll find about some of the most successful marketing strategies you can use to grow your business and acquire more customers.

Watch The Video Of The Interview On The Marketing Plan Podcast YouTube Channel

Get free chapters at: https://theultimatemarketingengine.com/

https://ducttapemarketing.com/

Jason Portnoy is an experienced ad manager. He and his agency successfully manage more than $50M in ad spend for their clients. In this episode of The Marketing Plan Podcast, All Advertising Works, Jason talks about the misconceptions about advertising, why some people say "[INSERT AD PLATFORM HERE] advertising just doesn't work for me" and why that's just an excuse.

As a business owner, it's important to be top of mind. You need to build trust and credibility. Jason gives you tips on how you can use social media to build that trust so when consumers/clients NEED a company like yours, YOU are the one they contact.

You'll also discover the number one reason businesses fail with advertising and why your offer is so important to your advertising success. (Surprise: 75% of what it takes to make your online ads successful has NOTHING to do with the platform.)

You'll also learn about the whole purpose of an ad -- and it's probably NOT what you think...And there's so much more valuable information in our conversation!

If you want your social media marketing to be successful, this is a must-listen-to episode!

Watch the video of the podcast on The Marketing Plan Podcast YouTube Channel

About Jason Portnoy

Jason Portnoy is the founder of JPORT Media, an online marketing agency with over $30M in managed ad spend. Jason is also a speaker and consultant in the digital marketing space.

He is a regular contributor for Entrepreneur Magazine, Addicted2Success, Thrive Global and other publications.

Jason is also the creator of the acclaimed Perfectly Mentored podcast, whose guests have included Gary Vaynerchuk, Daymond John, Randi Zuckerberg, Grant Cardone, Russell Brunson and others.

How to Contact Jason:

https://jportmedia.com/

https://jportnoy.com/

Be sure to check out Jason's coaching/training programs!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamjasonportnoy/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jasonportnoy

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasonportnoy/

Welcome to The Marketing Plan Podcast – where you’ll find expert marketing advice for business owners and marketers who want REAL results.

To be successful, marketing must be a part of EVERY business. And there are strategies that can help you get more out of your marketing dollars and boost your promotional efforts. If you’re looking for ways to reach your goals and generate more revenue through marketing, The Marketing Plan Podcast is here to save the day!

Every week, our expert guests will give you actionable advice on how to create more buzz around your brand, improve your business, relate with your clients and customers, plan and create business strategies and more. We're going deep – everything from old-school necessities like planning to strategies like digital marketing. Get ready to learn from our industry experts!

The Marketing Plan Podcast Host, Sherry Bonelli

Sherry Bonelli, owner of early bird digital marketing, is a Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and digital marketing professional with 23+ years’ experience. Her digital marketing agency, early bird digital marketing, serves clients all over the country.

 Sherry is a Google Business Profile Gold Product Expert and is/has been a columnist for leading digital marketing websites like Search Engine Journal, Adweek, MOZ, SEMrush, Search Engine Land and others. She received Search Engine Land’s 2018 SEO Contributor of the Year Award.

She is a recognized presenter and speaker at leading digital marketing conferences, podcasts and webinars like Traffic & Conversion Summit (2018, 2019, 2021), State of Search, Digital Marketer, SCORE, Moz, Edge of the Web, Midwest Digital Marketing Conference, Duct Tape Marketing, Florida Realtors Convention and others. Sherry holds a Master’s Degree in Internet Marketing. She is also a LinkedIn Learning Instructor.

If your business needs help with digital marketing, contact Sherry and her team today! You can find out more information by visiting https://earlybirddigitalmarketing.com or by giving Sherry a call at 319-409-3287

Want to see the "What is The Marketing Plan Podcast" podcast video? You can watch the video on our The Marketing Plan Podcast YouTube channel!