What does it really take to sell with confidence and make your first £10k in business, without feeling like a pushy salesperson or hiding behind jargon?

In this episode of the Video Marketing Toolkit, Dan sits down with sales OG Hugh Cochrane from Creative Folks to break down how he went from “no clue after uni” to building sales functions, launching a business just after lockdown, and now leading growth for a digital agency.

Hugh shares honestly about failed ventures, terrible management, awkward pitches, and why most businesses get sales totally backwards. Together, Dan and Hugh unpack a simple, human process for winning work, building trust and actually closing deals.

You will learn:

How Hugh fell into sales after uni and why that first role shaped everything

What launching a business just after lockdown taught him about risk, resilience and reality

Why so many agencies are “cowboy” and how to spot the red flags

Why outreach beats waiting for enquiries if you want your first £10k

How Hugh uses LinkedIn voice notes and video messages to stand out in crowded inboxes

A simple flow for outreach → discovery call → proposal → close

How to scope work, price properly and avoid giving away your profit

Why confidence in yourself always comes before confidence in your product

How to turn a client’s bad past experience into a long term relationship

Why selling is not B2B or B2C, it is human to human

There is also a quickfire quiz at the end where Dan and Hugh go head to head on sales and business questions, powered by AI, with plenty of laughs and a bit of chaos.

If you are trying to get your first £10k in consistent sales, this episode will help you see that you do not need fancy scripts or endless training. You just need a clear process, a bit of bravery and the willingness to show up as yourself.

Dan Dennis - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-dennis-815a74172/

Hugh Cockrane - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hughcochrane-creativefolks/

In this episode of the Video Marketing Toolkit podcast, I sit down with Leicester estate agent and creator, John Ghent, to break down how he has built a hyper engaged local audience by talking about streets, pubs, underpasses and storm drains.

We talk through his journey from traditional estate agency to short form content machine, how one simple nightlife video exploded to over a million views, and how that attention now turns into real instructions and high quality leads.

You will learn:

How to spot viral local story angles in everyday life

Why nostalgia and local history are gold for content

John’s simple content workflow for long form and shorts

How often you really need to post to stand out in your city

The mindset shift from “perfect video” to “post more”

Perfect for any local business owner, estate agent or creator who wants to become the familiar face in their town or city.

In this episode of Video Marketing Toolkit, I sit down with entrepreneur and YouTube creator Neil Betts, the founder of Go True North and creator of the Vision to Venture startup programme.

Neil recently passed 100,000 YouTube subscribers, and in this episode, we unpack the full story of how he used video and YouTube to find his audience, test his business idea, and build trust online — without the need for perfection.

We talk about:

The power of “fail fast” thinking in business

Why every video is a learning opportunity

How to use YouTube as a trust wall to grow a brand

Turning long-form interviews into shorts

The mindset shift needed to show up consistently

The secret sauce behind real community building

Whether you’re just starting out or growing something new, this episode is packed with honest insights, laughs, and practical advice on how to use video to bring your idea to life.

In this episode of The Video Marketing Toolkit, I’m joined by Chelsea Spencer, founder of the marketing agency Big Reputation, for a powerful conversation about business storytelling and identity in marketing.

We dive into Chelsea’s own career path, what led her to start Big Reputation, and why she believes businesses should focus on building a big reputation rather than just a personal brand.

We also look at:

How to start telling your business’s story, even if it feels messy or unfinished

Why your story is more than just your “About Us” page

How to turn your values, experiences, and purpose into a marketing strategy that resonates.

If you're looking to grow your brand without feeling fake, or wondering how to stand out, this episode is a must-listen.

In this episode of The Video Marketing Toolkit, I sit down with Joanne Tryner.

Business owner, bid writer, and all-around powerhouse, to talk about how bids and tenders can unlock growth for your business. We dive into Joanne’s journey: from running her own business and writing successful bids, to stepping out of her comfort zone and getting in front of the camera to grow her brand online.

It’s a real and honest conversation about business, marketing, mindset, and the power of putting yourself out there. We also talk about:

What bids and tenders actually are

How they work behind the scenes

Why they’re such a valuable (and often overlooked) tool for small businesses

What it’s like learning to show up on video when it doesn’t come naturally

If you’re a business owner who’s ever thought, “I should really apply for more funding or contracts,” this episode is for you.

🎙 Hosted by me, Dan Dennis.

In this episode of The Video Marketing Toolkit, Dan Dennis from Daniel Dennis Media sits down with long-time friend and retail media expert Benjamin Goode, Branding and Communications Manager of Co-op Media Network, to unpack one of the innovative areas in retail marketing: retail media.

We dive into:

What retail media actually is.

How it’s changing the way brands advertise.

What the Co-op Media Network is doing to support suppliers and partners.

Why first-party data and in-store touchpoints are becoming the next big thing.

Ben and Dan have been mates for over a decade. They grew up together, went to uni together, ran businesses side-by-side, and even shared office jobs before finding their own paths.

This chat is part deep-dive into marketing, part walk down memory lane, and full of lessons for anyone in marketing, media, or retail today.

Dan Dennis - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-dennis-815a74172/

Benjamin Goode - https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-goode1/

In this episode of The Video Marketing Toolkit, I’m joined by Alicia Teltz, LinkedIn expert and personal branding pro, who shares exactly how she grew her LinkedIn following to over 20,000 followers organically.

We break down what actually works on LinkedIn in 2025, from content strategy and post formats to personal storytelling, commenting, and building a strong personal brand that attracts opportunities.

Whether you're a business owner, freelancer, or just starting to build your presence online, this episode is packed with real talk, practical advice, and inspiration to help you show up confidently and grow your network the right way.

Today we learn:

- How to craft the PERFECT post.

- Why you NEED to engage with others.

- Common MISTAKES people make.

- Alicia's story and why she QUIT her $250,000 p/a job.

#LinkedInGrowth #PersonalBranding #MarketingTips

In this episode of The Video Marketing Toolkit, I’m joined by Fred Warner, entrepreneur, business strategist, and creator of a powerful framework designed to help you master any plan using just 7 key questions.

Whether you’re growing a business, launching a new marketing campaign, or navigating a big personal project, Fred breaks down how clarity, structure, and the right questions can turn chaos into progress.

We talk mindset and why most plans fall apart. Not because they’re bad ideas, but because they’re built without the right foundation.

🎯 Perfect for:

✔ Business owners

✔ Marketers and creatives

✔ Anyone who wants to get more done with less stress

📌 Learn how to apply Fred’s 7-question method to your own business or marketing strategy and actually make things happen.

In this episode of Video Marketing Toolkit, I’m joined by Dawn Coupe, a seasoned project manager with a track record of delivering huge, high-stakes projects across multiple industries. We talk about what it really takes to manage a successful project, whether you're launching a business, rolling out a marketing campaign, or tackling something even bigger. From planning and team dynamics to risk management and staying on track when things get messy, Dawn shares practical tips and real-world insight to help you stay in control and deliver with confidence.

🎯 Great for:

✔ Business owners

✔ Creators and marketers

✔ Anyone leading a project solo or with a team

🎧 Listen to the full episode to learn how to think like a project manager—without the jargon.

Linkedin - Dan Dennis

Linkedin - Dawn Coupe

In this episode of Video Marketing Toolkit, I’m joined by branding expert Sophie Allen to break down how to design a brand that actually connects. Whether you're building a small business from scratch or refreshing your current look, we cover the essentials like logos, colours, tone of voice, and how to keep it consistent across video, marketing, and beyond. It’s a no-fluff chat full of practical tips to help you create a brand that feels like you and attracts the right audience.

Linkedin:

Dan Dennis - https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-dennis/

Sophie Allen - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-allen-sm/