Marketing School | Digital Marketing | Online Marketing

In episode #1359, we give you five tools to help you run a remote team. In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, working remotely is a more important topic than ever before, so we wanted to give you these five things to boost your ability to excel! From communication tools and note-taking to project management and beyond, tune in to get it all!  TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: The 5 Tools You Need to Run a Remote Team. [00:34] The current remote climate and what this means for businesses. [01:38] The great service provided by Zoom! [02:32] Downturns in the economy and why they are never what you expect. [03:10] Communication and connection on Slack and Microsoft Teams. [03:42] Flexible and improved note-taking on Notion. [04:12] Project management on platforms such as Asana. [04:56] Feedback and connection to the pulse of organization through 15Five.  [05:51] That’s it! [05:54] To stay updated with events and learn more about our mastermind, go to the Marketing School site for mo

In episode #1358, we share five unusual hacks to convert more inbound traffic into customers for your business! From surveys and freemium experiences to retargeting and pic snippets, these are all worth you attention. Tune in to get these strategies that you may not have heard of yet. TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: 5 Unusual Hacks to Convert More Inbound Traffic into Customers. [00:44] Using surveys to funnel traffic on your site to specific campaigns. [01:34] Creating a freemium experience with exciting elements and features. [02:35] Everywhere retargeting; higher conversion rates and lead generation. [03:40] Pic snippets for better email open rates. [04:15] Customer data platforms and weaponizing your collected data! [05:31] That’s it for today! [05:34] To stay updated with events and learn more about our mastermind, go to the Marketing School site for more information. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: The Ask Method Ryan Levesque Bucket.io Hull Clearbit HubSpot Outre

In episode #1357, we give you seven new and emerging growth channels that aren't saturated yet! We talk about tools, social platforms, podcasting and more. There is so much out there that you can utilize for your company's growth, so listen in to hear how you can get your numbers way up! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: 7 New and Emerging Growth Channels That Aren't Saturated Yet. [00:36] Leveraging the power of tools; acquiring new customers affordably. [01:05] The power of LinkedIn and its organic reach! [01:47] Using landing page content for stories on social media platforms. [02:34] Podcasting versus blogging; it is still a great time to start. [03:44] Expanding your geographic reach; new regions means more money. [04:18] Customer data platforms and creating a marketing machine from what you have. [05:06] Using live platforms for selling as well as education.  [05:54] That’s it for today! [05:57] To stay updated with events and learn more about our mastermind, go to the Marketi

In episode #1356, we share five ways to stand out and get noticed as a marketing employee! From writing out great content to fearlessness and work on the side, these are the five things to get you a raise and a promotion. Tune in to hear how you can get ahead of your peers and up your game! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: 5 Ways to Stand Out and Get Noticed as a Marketing Employee. [00:36] The interest in boosting your career; the reason for today’s topic! [01:04] The power of writing in sharing your particular type of thinking. [02:00] Coming up with new and fresh marketing strategies to use at your company. [02:53] Fearlessness in the face of a challenge; speaking out and using research. [03:51] Finding ways to cut costs and save money. [04:35] Bringing in learnings from a side-hustle to your main employer! [05:24] That is it for today! [05:27] To stay updated with events and learn more about our mastermind, go to the Marketing School site for more information. Links Mentioned

In episode #1355, we talk about how to rank your content on a new website for less than one thousand dollars! When starting out with a new site, it can be tricky to get higher up in search engine rankings at first, but with these few strategies and simple tools, you can get there in no time. Tune in to hear about renewing old content, converting existing content and using ego bait! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: How to Rank Your Content on A New Website for Less than $1K. [00:41] Google's ranking system and which signals to boost for them. [01:17] Utilizing Google Search Console and making it easier for search engines. [02:07] Finding articles to convert into infographics for more links. [02:48] Content Explorer on Ahrefs; searches for traffic-heavy keywords. [04:04] Renewing decayed content and boosting dropping traffic. [04:41] Using ego bait to reach out to powerful people in a particular space. [05:29] That’s it! [05:31] To stay updated with events and learn more about our mast

In episode #1354, we talk about when you should go beyond basic SEO tactics. This means creating things like tools and widgets, using some helpful plugins, posting linkable content and more! Tune in as we unpack the ways that you can take your traffic and reach that much further with these advanced strategies! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: When to Go Beyond Basic SEO Tactics. [00:35] What do we mean by the term 'basic SEO tactics? [01:01] A great SEO plugin for WordPress that you should be using! [01:20] Going above and beyond what everyone else is doing. [01:55] The power of building a tool or a widget; finding something that you can provide. [02:55] Linkable content; the work that goes into infographics. [03:29] Using a 'power page' to up your ranking in many different areas. [04:10] Transcribing and translating content to reach different markets.  [04:36] Updating old content to keep it alive and ranked. [05:08] A-B testing your title tags for increased traffic and more persua

In episode #1353, we discuss all the reasons why you should start a side hustle to level up your marketing skills. While some employers prohibit employees from doing work on the side, it can be a significant advantage to any company. Tune in to hear why employers should grab the opportunity to invest in upcoming entrepreneurs!  TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: Should You Start A Side Project to Level Up Your Marketing Skills? [00:36] Thoughts on allowing employees to have side hustles.[00:52] Why we encourage side hustles at Single Grain.[01:09] Feel good if your employee ends up leaving you to pursue their side hustle full-time. [01:34] Wanting the best for people even if it doesn’t produce the best outcome for you.[01:44] A side hustle is the best way to learn marketing because you are keen to experiment. [02:02] Find a job that gives you the autonomy to experiment and allows you to fail. [02:59] Keep in mind that people will make more effort to learn things they care about.  [03:35] People

In episode #1352, why this is the number one reason why your traffic is not growing! Our biggest message is that marketing channels become crowded so to keep being different you need to use an experimentation/innovation model. By applying this strategy you can test the waters before taking big shots at differentiating yourself. Hear more by tuning in today. TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: Why This is the Number One Reason Why Your Traffic is Not Growing.[00:33] The idea that all good marketing channels eventually become less effective.[01:15] Rejuvenating a marketing channel by conducting mostly failed experiments.[02:51] Conducting small experiments that lead to large innovations.[03:47] Why people don’t grow: they aren’t taking big enough shots.[04:06] Getting into the mindset of experimentation, or else.[04:22] That’s it for today![04:25] To stay updated with events and learn more about our mastermind, go to the Marketing School site for more information. Links Mentioned in Today’s Epis

In episode #1351, we talk about the top seven marketing tools that you should pay for! We cover everything from back end analytics and CDP software to the best platforms for editing videos and finding templates on the cheap. Tune in to hear how you can make attractive campaigns and know exactly how they are doing! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: The Top Seven Marketing Tools that You Should Pay for.[00:35] Paying the price for the use of Sprout’s great reporting to plan based on its data.[01:03] Skipping expensive designer hires by using Canva templates.[01:37] Using Slack’s integration capabilities to shares insights with your team.[02:24] The effectiveness of videos; using frame.io for editing.[03:05] Webinar software capabilities enabled by Livestorm.[03:31] How Supermetrics acts as an API between ad platforms and Google Data Studio.[04:02] The automated CDP that Hull enables.[05:00] That’s it for today![05:02] To stay updated with events and learn more about our mastermind, go to the Ma

In episode #1350, we talk about how you can hire incredible designers for cheap! We touch on pointers like reaching out to designers in countries with a lower cost of living, what platforms to use, and all the different ways you can vet one to see if they are a good match! Get it all right here! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: How You Can Hire Incredible Designers for Cheap.[00:33] How to reach out and confirm designers on Dribble or Behance.[01:08] Finding permanent designers in areas where the currency is weaker than the US.[01:49] Using filters to vet designers on Upwork.[02:40] The value of paying your regular designer per project vs per hour for quality control.[03:49] A pro tip: use Dribbble’s talent program to find new designers you didn’t know before.[03:58] Testing designers with small initial projects using clear descriptions.[04:39] The more similar a designer’s past work to your brief, the better they will do.[04:55] That’s it for today![04:57] To stay updated with events and lea

In episode #1349, we talk about where social media marketing is headed in 2020 and beyond! We look at the rise of stories, moving away from landing page conversion and why you should be pumping all your money into video! Tune in to get the latest for your social media strategy! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: Where Social Media Marketing is Headed in 2020 and Beyond.[00:36] The increase of the concept of stories across the different platforms.[00:55] Monetization will move from landing pages to native social media pages.[01:50] The gift of working your sales pitch into normal copy and conversation.[02:57] Increases in conversion numbers when utilizing cheap influencers.[05:02] The importance of video; better relatability, conversion and engagement.[05:29] Spending a small amount of money every day to boost your reach.[06:02] That’s it for today![06:04] To stay updated with events and learn more about our mastermind, go to the Marketing School site for more information. Links Mentioned in T

In episode #1348, we share seven crazy sales tactics that work surprisingly well! From personalized webinars and cold texting people using their first names to the idea of the 'dream 100', we cover some great ways to boost your sales. Tune in to hear how these can help your business and get you ahead. TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: 7 Crazy Sales Tactics that Work Surprisingly Well.[00:34] Personalized webinars and reaching out to specific companies with solutions.[01:31] Using PicSnippets to trick people into opening a link you want them to access.[02:19] Retargeting based on reach and boosting traffic and action.[03:24] Cold texting with someone’s name to improved response rates.[04:53] Laying out your dream people to work with and giving direction to your work.[05:25] Calendarising calls and appointments to increase show-up rates.[06:10] Dinners and events to make connections (after coronavirus!). [07:13] That’s it for today![07:16] To stay updated with events and learn more about our mas

In episode #1347, we talk about how you can write a very effective chat marketing sequence! Chat is proven to do well with converting people, especially when it comes to a product, so we are going to talk about how to structure it to get the conversion results you’ve been looking for. We cover how to funnel a customer down on web-based chat experiences and the value of educational pitches when it comes to text-based ones. Enjoy! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: How You Can Write a Chat Marketing Sequence that Works.[00:33] What is chat marketing? Chat-based platforms that convert![01:44] Web-based chat tactics: firstly find out the reason a customer has visited your website.[02:39] Mapping which of three main activities a visitor can be funneled down into.[03:11] Making the transition from bots to human-assisted smooth by using LTVplus.[03:48] Text-based strategies: the first message should be the ‘first name question mark’.[04:27] Make the chat educational: customers want a problem solved.[0

In episode #1346, we talk about Neil’s crazy Instagram strategy for 2020! Eric had his turn on the last one and now it’s time to hear from Neil! This great tip session includes the results of a testing process Neil has been conducting to find out which content types get the best responses. The main takeaway from today is using Instagram’s Live format to drive web traffic and how to optimize that process. Don’t miss today’s tips to get your Instagram popping in 2020! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: Neil’s Crazy Instagram Strategy for 2020.[00:53] One step further than the Instagram carousel: the LinkedIn carousel![01:00] The result of Neil’s content testing: people respond to family-related content.[01:32] Driving leads to your website using Live rather than Instagram posts.[02:50] Using the Q&A format rather than spitballing in Live sessions.[03:10] To stay updated with events and learn more about our mastermind, go to the Marketing School site for more information. Links Mentioned in Toda

In episode #1345, we talk about Eric’s crazy Instagram strategy for 2020! By crazy we don’t mean going out there and doing anything that outlandish, but simply that these tips will have crazy good outcomes if implemented! We highlight things like using peer carousels, how to accurately run contests to reach the right audiences, and ways to repurpose content to put it to maximum use. Tune in for all the best Instagram strategies for 2020! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: Eric’s Crazy Instagram Strategy for 2020.[01:06] The use of carousels which have proven to up engagement with posts.[01:34] Using guest carousels in which a friend posts your carousel their account.[02:25] When running contests, make the prize geared towards those you intend to reach.[03:30] Better CPA which can be gained through Instagram story ads.[04:09] Repurposing YouTube content to share to other platforms.[04:51] To stay updated with events and learn more about our mastermind, go to the Marketing School site for more i

In episode #1344, we advise you on approaching your marketing in times of uncertainty. Rather than making irrational decisions based on fear, keep doing the things that have already proven to work and keep going it as long as you are making a profit. Tune in to hear why it’s wiser to keep investing in your business than turning to the stock market in times of crisis.  TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: What To Do with Your Marketing In Times of Uncertainty. [00:39] Marketing is ROI-centric so do not let the economy throw you off. [01:16] If you spend $1 and make $2 – it’s still worth your while! [01:36] Look at the data instead of responding irrationally to fears.[01:45] Make sure Google Analytics or Google Data Studio is set up correctly.[01:57] VCs look for a formula when deciding whether they want to invest. [02:21] Why you should rather invest in your business than the stock market. [03:06] Go back to the basics and double down on what works. [03:29] As long as you continue to see a profit,

In episode #1343, we compare making content for specialist versus generalist audiences. Big brands have the budgets and other resources to do well with generalist content, but for smaller companies, it is best to specialize and focus on a very specific market. Tune in to hear how you can also increase your revenue through subscriptions by opting for content that speaks to a niche audience.  TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: Generalist vs. Specialist: Who You Should Make Content For and Why. [00:39] What we mean by “generalist” and “specialist” and examples of each. [01:32] Why the majority of those listening should specialize as much as possible. [02:26] Specific content that targets specific problems will end up performing better.[03:00] The traffic to specialized blogs and podcasts seems to be increasing too. [04:05] The more you specialize, the more you can ask for subscriptions. [04:39] The many benefits of focusing on a specialist audience rather than a generalist one. [05:05] That’s it f

In episode #1342, we share how Google might be stealing half of your potential traffic and how to get it back. The key is to diversify by having several different channels through which traffic can flow and thus not relying solely on SEO. Tune in to hear how you can keep gaining traffic despite Google’s competing efforts!  TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: How Google Might Be Stealing Half Your Traffic and How To Get It Back. [00:53] A recap of Jumpshot’s study about SERPs and Google redirecting traffic.  [01:45] Keep in mind that Google will continue to direct traffic for their benefit. [02:11] Stick to the fundamentals and best practices like driving traffic through SEO. [02:21] Focus on your own destiny by creating something independent of other channels. [03:02] Diversify and go omnichannel so that you have several streams of traffic. [03:41] Optimize what you are ranking for or the text in your featured snippet.[03:45] Consider optimizing your title and meta description by using Clickflow

In episode #1341, we share four secrets to rapidly increase your traffic with long-tail SEO. There are several resources and tools that can help you find relevant keywords and thereby improve your SEO. Tune in to hear how monitoring the performance of your posts can help you to remain proactive!  TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: Four Secrets to Skyrocket Your Traffic With Long-Tail SEO. [00:33] Look for all the related keywords that people are searching for. [01:13] Blend the keywords in with the rest of your text so that it flows well. [01:26] Monitor the traffic from your high and low performing posts.  [02:00] Check out The Beginner’s Guide to SEO by Moz and structure your content this way. [02:50] Use power pages and pillar pieces and how they differ. [03:31] The tools you can use to find keywords and add them to your content. [03:55] That’s it for today! [03:57] To stay updated with events and learn more about our mastermind, go to the Marketing School site for more information. Links

In episode #1340, we share how you can safeguard your marketing during an economic downturn. A crisis like the COVID-19 can have an astronomical impact on the economy, but if you make smart decisions now, you can thrive in a recession while everyone else is having a hard time. Tune in to hear why this is not a time to invest in long-term strategies and why you should stockpile as much cash as possible.    TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:   [00:25] Today’s topic: How to Safeguard Your Marketing During An Economic Downturn. [00:31] The impact that COVID-19 is having on the global economy.[01:01] Even if your company is not being affected, the stock market is. [01:11] Avoid investing in long-term strategies and focus on anything related to performance.[01:48] During the previous recession, budgets shifted from TV ads to pay-per-click. [02:12] Be sure to diversify and go omnichannel and keep doing SEO and content marketing. [02:33] A downturn is no time to test out new unproven channels.[02:50] You might have a bigge