Marketing School | Digital Marketing | Online Marketing

In episode #1787, we talk about the effectiveness of gamification and how it can be used to optimize the process of onboarding. The thing about gamification is that it motivates people and if you can tap into it to encourage a client as well as stand out from your competition this will aid your business immensely in the long term. Listen in today and learn how to break down your onboarding journey into a process involving levels with prizes.  TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: 3 Easy Ways to “Gamify” Your Onboarding Process. [00:30] Gamifying success in the workplace using Bonusly. [01:01] Breaking down an onboarding process into levels. [01:50] Dangling carrots in front of clients to motivate them to ‘level up’. [02:40] Encouraging referrals as a challenge in the onboarding process. [04:04] How blockchain will factor into gamification in the future. [04:38] Go to marketingschool.io/live to learn about our virtual and live peer groups.   Get ad-free listening plus exclusive content wi

In episode #1786, we talk about the key ingredient in marketing! No matter who you are and what you do, building a brand takes time, especially something sustainable. We have learned over years in the game that the only way to build things is slowly and patiently, so tune in to hear all about how you can find success doing the simple things well, over time! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: The Key Ingredient in Marketing. [00:29] The key ingredient to marketing is patience! [01:33] Focusing on delayed gratification and resilience to stay the course. [03:16] Adding tweaks and experiments to your strategies to constantly improve. [03:34] Things do not often work out the way you want or hope! [04:04] Good SEO takes time to fine-tune in order to reap the rewards. [04:20] Patience is the thing that will help you beat out your competition! [05:14] That’s it! [05:18] Go to marketingschool.io/live to learn about our virtual and live events.    Get ad-free listening plus exclusive content

In episode #1785, we talk about whether you should create an internal podcast. The value of an internal podcast lies in its ability to communicate and keep team members and employees on the same page. It is for this reason that this route is most suited to companies that have grown a lot, and need remain on the same page. Tune in to find out more! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: Should You Create an Internal Podcast? [00:27] What do we mean by an 'internal podcast'? [01:02] The primary value of culture and communication at any company.  [01:51] The best times to consider starting an internal podcast during your company's growth. [02:13] Other mediums to consider using to communicate with your team. [02:55] The risks associated with broadcasting company podcasts. [03:41] Go to marketingschool.io/live to learn about our virtual and live events.  Get ad-free listening plus exclusive content with Marketing School Pro. Try for free at www.marketingschool.io/pro Links Mentioned in Today’

In episode #1784, we discuss whether you should manage your own social media or hand it off to someone else. As your business scales, it is definitely worthwhile for you to consider getting someone to help you with your different social media profiles and responsibilities. Tune in to hear our thoughts on how to do this successfully and why it can take you to the next level! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: Should You Manage Your Own Social Media Or Hand It Off? [00:28] The two things to consider when wondering about handing off the management of your social media accounts. [01:34] Investment needed in order to run social media, and tools that can help with this. [01:51] Looking at the great example of Gary V and how he has grown. [02:30] Tailoring the content you post to the platform for maximum impact.  [03:17] How we currently approach running our own accounts. [03:29] Why handing off social media is preferable when trying to scale your business. [03:45] The training and time that i

In episode #1783, we talk about how to go about increasing the engagement rate of your email newsletter! No matter what you are sending out to your audience, getting people to open and react to your content is a high priority. Tune in to hear about how you can boost these numbers, avoid being stuck in the spam folder, and get people excited for your next email too! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: How to Increase Your Newsletter Engagement Rate. [00:27] What do we mean by the term 'engagement rate'? [00:48] Ensuring that your emails and newsletters are valuable to your audience. [02:07] Tactics to use to stay out of the spam folder! [02:34] Tricks for getting higher open rates and interest in your communications. [02:49] Storytelling strategies and evoking curiosity and excitement. [03:13] The value of using personalization in your subject lines. [04:01] Using questions early on to boost response rates and deliverability.  [04:22] That’s it! [04:24] Go to marketingschool.io/live to

In episode #1782, we talk about the shifts in culture that have caused children to dream of being YouTubers rather than astronauts when they grow up. With so much of the content that people of all generations consume online being produced by influencers who seemingly have fun all day while making buckets of money, it is no wonder that being a YouTuber looks so appealing. Tune in and get our take on this situation. TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: Why Twice As Many Kids Want to Be YouTubers (Not Astronauts). [00:30] The move from kids wanting to be astronauts to YouTubers. [01:40] How the ways people make money are going to drastically change. [02:20] The different reasons why people love watching YouTube. [03:15] What is alluring about YouTubers and how to monetize an audience. [01:50] How people like Floyd Mayweather, Logan Paul, and Kylie Jenner make money. [06:40] Go to marketingschool.io/live to learn about our virtual and live peer groups.   Get ad-free listening plus exclusive

In episode #1781, we talk about the upcoming trends in marketing that you should be focusing your attention on for the next six months. You’ll hear about withstanding rising costs by optimizing for conversions, getting in tune with the movement toward decentralization in media, and a whole lot more! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: Where to Focus Your Marketing Over the Next 6 Months. [00:40] Rising costs and optimizing for conversion optimization. [01:50] Decentralization in media and building one’s own audiences. [03:50] How to avoid the pitfalls of social algorithms and build a lasting audience. [04:32] Thinking about marketing and retention in tandem. [05:00] Go to marketingschool.io/live to learn about our virtual and live peer groups. Get ad-free listening plus exclusive content with Marketing School Pro. Try for free at www.marketingschool.io/pro   Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Leave Some Feedback:     What should we talk about next? Please let us know in the co

In episode #1780, we talk about the one thing you need to master if you are just entering the workforce. Generally speaking, the biggest and most important thing that separates successful companies and people from the rest is their ability to learn from their mistakes. Tune in to find out more. TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: If You Are Just Entering The Workforce, Master This One Thing. [00:33] Learning from the failures of yourself and others. [01:46] How to see what you do well and optimize for those strengths. [03:11] Developing scar tissue through failing to get more comfortable with risk. [03:17] The core principles of running a successful business haven’t changed. [04:28] Go to marketingschool.io/live to learn about our virtual and live peer groups. Get ad-free listening plus exclusive content with Marketing School Pro. Try for free at www.marketingschool.io/pro   Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:   Managing Oneself   Leave Some Feedback:     What should we talk a

In episode #1779, we give you three simple tricks to get more blog traffic. There are many methods of growing a blog other than SEO and content creation, but people just aren’t doing them. Listen along and get up to speed on three ways to leverage relationships to expand your reach. TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: 3 Simple Tricks to Get More Blog Traffic. [00:40] Emailing the people that you link out to on a piece of content. [01:17] Setting up an alert for when other people mention you. [01:54] Getting people who share your competitors’ content to share yours. [02:50] How to perform advanced searches on Twitter search. [03:22] Go to marketingschool.io/live to learn about our virtual and live peer groups. Get ad-free listening plus exclusive content with Marketing School Pro. Try for free at www.marketingschool.io/pro   Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Leave Some Feedback:     What should we talk about next? Please let us know in the comments below Did you enjoy this

In episode #1778, we talk about the qualities in employees that make their employers want to give them promotions. At the end of the day, you might get a promotion if you ask for one, but this strategy is the one that we recommend the least. What bosses want to see in their employees is a willingness to go above and beyond, and what’s more, people are willing to pay top dollar for talent these days. TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: How To Get A Promotion At Work. [00:54] Going above and beyond and what employers want to see in employees. [01:39] Coming to your boss with solutions rather than problems. [02:16] Giving your boss a feeling of relief by volunteering to solve problems. [02:55] People are willing to pay top dollar for talent. [04:45] The worst way to get a promotion is by asking for one. [05:04] Go to marketingschool.io/live to hang out with Neil and Eric in September. Get ad-free listening plus exclusive content with Marketing School Pro. Try for free at www.marketingschoo

In episode #1777, we talk about what to do if your social media posts get low engagement. Tuning into this episode you’ll hear about switching up your content, the connection between comments and reach, the tests that Eric and Neil have run, and a whole lot more! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: If Your Social Media Posts Get Low Engagement, Do This. [00:35] Change up the content you are creating. [00:51] Ask your friends with a lot of followers to make open-ended comments. [01:26] The limits of reels and using tweets as quotes. [02:33] Trying things out and getting high engagement for content out of your niche. [03:10] Go to marketingschool.io/live to hang out with Neil and Eric in September. Get ad-free listening plus exclusive content with Marketing School Pro. Try for free at www.marketingschool.io/pro   Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Leave Some Feedback:     What should we talk about next? Please let us know in the comments below Did you enjoy this episode? If s

In episode #1776, we talk about how to give extra special gifts and the value of doing so from a marketing standpoint. When you get someone a gift that is memorable, not only does this generate goodwill but it amounts to free marketing because it keeps you top of mind. Listen in today and hear about great gift ideas for helping clients better themselves, making kick-off calls more congenial, and a whole lot more.  TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: 5 Inexpensive Client Gift Ideas (that Win Repeat Business). [00:27] The benefit of gifting as far as staying top of mind. [01:12] Why a good pair of headphones is inexpensive compared to what your client gives you. [01:44] Using a gift basket filled with snacks to make kick-off calls as good as possible. [02:16] Giving gifts people can use and tips for how to personalize them. [03:08] The value of any gift that can help clients improve themselves. [03:49] How to find out what a client likes and buy them a gift that matches their interests. [0

In episode #1775,  we share our thoughts on the viability of blogging in 2021 and the best ways of expanding the reach of your content. The truth is that the text-based content space is flooded and with all the copywriting AI tools out there, this won’t change very soon. Tune in and hear about some alternatives such as video pillar pieces and the leverage offered by platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn. TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: What Kind of Blog Should You Create in 2021? [00:31] The different types of content out there and the difficulty of choosing which type to post. [01:01] Competition in the blogging space; other platforms that might offer more reach. [01:14] Why Eric would rather focus on LinkedIn and Twitter than blogging. [02:13] Getting past competition in the text space by starting a video-based blog. [02:59] How people are using text generation tools like Conversion.ai. [03:29] Starting with a pillar audio piece and then converting and repurposing it. [04:19] Whateve

In episode #1774, we talk about the biggest SEO opportunity you are missing. When it comes to SEO, people typically believe that ranking high is a matter things like of backlinks, keywords, and on-page errors. It is easy to get so obsessed with optimizing for these features that you miss the main aim: solving the client’s problem! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: The Biggest SEO Opportunity You’re Missing. [00:27] People want to easily find the solution to a problem they search Google for. [01:12] Typical SEO features like backlinks catch the attention of algorithms but not people. [01:42] Solving people’s problems is the real key to ranking high on Google. [02:04] The mistakes Eric made early on. [02:47] Approaching SEO from a customer-centric mindset. [04:10] Go to marketingschool.io/live to hang out with Neil and Eric in September. Get ad-free listening plus exclusive content with Marketing School Pro. Try for free at www.marketingschool.io/pro   Links Mentioned in Today’s Episo

In episode #1773, we share the five marketing trends we are most excited about for Q3. We are currently in the month of May and there are a few storms brewing in the marketing world! LinkedIn is finally ramping up its ad platform, people are making serious money out of NFTs, and the creator economy is stronger than ever. Tune in and hear all five! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: 5 New Marketing Trends We’re Excited About for Q3 2021. [00:37] New features on LinkedIn such as boosting and event ads. [01:15] Automating tedious marketing processes with UiPath. [01:51] All the platforms and features out there that support the creator economy. [02:33] The advent of Instagram messenger bots. [03:21] How promising NFTs are as a marketing mechanism. [04:37] Go to marketingschool.io/live to hang out with Neil and Eric in September.   Get ad-free listening plus exclusive content with Marketing School Pro. Try for free at www.marketingschool.io/pro   Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:   UiP

In episode #1772, we talk about why acting rich is the easiest way to go broke! There is a difference between being wealthy, and being rich, and we explore what that means in terms of sustainability and financial safety. Ideally you do not want to be living beyond your means to impress others, so listen in to hear a few tips for some better lifestyle choices! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: Why the Easiest Way to Go Broke is By Acting Rich. [00:29] What does it mean to 'act rich'? The difference between being wealthy and being rich. [01:16] Making sure your income is greater than your expenses and making space for saving. [02:15] Adding unnecessary stresses onto your life in order to compete with others. [02:55] The importance of making sure you have a margin of financial safety. [03:28] Focus on a comfortable and sustainable life rather than other people's opinions. [04:09] That’s it for today! [04:12] Go to marketingschool.io/live to meet Eric and Neil in person!    Links Mentione

In episode #1771, we talk about some easy ways that you can collaborate with big influencers within your budget. There are a few simple strategies that can be employed here, where both parties come away winning. However, we generally recommend partnering with smaller-scale influencers that are most directly related to your market and will have a more noticeable effect on your conversions. Tune in to hear all about it! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: How to Collaborate With Big Influencers for Cheap. [00:29] How do we define 'big influencers'? Looking at follower numbers. [00:42] Thinking about possible equal exchanges between you and a big influencer. [01:30] Offering equity or revenue share to entice bigger names. [01:40] Why you should avoid partnering with big influencers! [02:09] Looking to micro-influencers for better returns on investment and conversions. [03:07] Tools for finding the best influencers to partner up with! [03:53] Go to marketingschool.io/live to meet Eric and Ne

In episode #1770, we explore whether having a newsletter is still a valuable tool in the marketing toolkit. We have been hearing a lot of complaints these days about newsletters performing badly and for this reason, it might seem like they are dead as a technique. We think differently however and in today’s episode, you’ll learn how to up the performance of your newsletter. People will never get tired of information as long as it is high-quality! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: Should You Still Have A Newsletter? [00:42] Email open and click-through rates are down. [00:53] Why we still think you should have a newsletter. [01:24] The issue isn’t newsletters, but that people don’t scrub their lists. [02:13] Building a list for the long-term by creating good information. [02:25] The creator economy and why newsletters are here to stay. [04:06] Go to marketingschool.io/live to hang out with Neil and Eric in September.   Get ad-free listening plus exclusive content with Marketing School

In episode #1769, we talk about earnings calls and the value of listening to them from a marketing perspective. Earnings calls are updates shared by publicly traded companies every quarter. So much of the strategies that internet marketers use are intertwined with companies like Google, Facebook, and Amazon. Listening to what the CEOs of these companies are thinking about during their earnings calls can set you apart from the rest! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: Why Every Marketer Should Listen to Earnings Calls. [00:30] What are earnings calls? [01:05] Following the paid advertising strategies of big social platforms. [02:33] Getting ahead of trends by tapping into CEOs’ thinking. [03:19] Understanding what sets the companies you admire apart. [04:06] Go to marketingschool.io/live to hang out with Neil and Eric in September. Get ad-free listening plus exclusive content with Marketing School Pro. Try for free at www.marketingschool.io/pro   Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

In episode #1768, we share the things we like to do to unwind on our days off. While Neil has a daughter and another child on the way, Eric is still a single man so our two hosts have very different ways of spending their free time. Tune in and see which type of day off resonates with you and pick up a few pointers along the way! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: What We Do On Our Days Off. [00:38] Neil’s experiences in parks playing with his daughter. [01:33] Eric’s love of taking walks and catching up on his favorite reading. [02:19] The ‘rose, bud, thorns’ conversations Eric has with his friends. [03:18] Text us at 310 349 3785 if you want to stay up to date on all we do. Get ad-free listening plus exclusive content with Marketing School Pro. Try for free at www.marketingschool.io/pro   Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:   Jason Gaignard   Leave Some Feedback:     What should we talk about next? Please let us know in the comments below Did you enjoy this episode? If so