Marketing School | Digital Marketing | Online Marketing

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

In episode #1767, we give you our top seven podcasting hacks for 2021. Podcasting is blowing up right now and there is still so much room to grow. Using these seven hacks, you can make sure the efforts you are spending creating a great show get the reach they deserve. Join us today and learn about how to increase your audience using email blasts, competitions, advertising, and more! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: 7 Podcasting Hacks for 2021. [00:38] Take a look at your analytics using Chartable. [01:22] Climb the charts and get more downloads using email blasts. [01:52] Do whatever you can to get more reviews. [02:33] Find ways of getting more downloads such as competitions. [03:05] Advertise your show on other influential podcasts. [03:50] Join a podcasting network. [04:21] Get onto a podcasting subscription platform. [05:11] 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

In episode #1766, we share a few different approaches to purchasing businesses that don’t require you to put any of your own capital on the table. We spoke previously about the value of investing in hard assets during inflationary periods, and a business is another form of hard asset. So if you can get a hard asset right now by spending no money, that is a double whammy. Tune in and hear which types of businesses to look for and how to buy them using seller financing, capital raising, and call options! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: How to Buy A Business with No Money Down. [00:25] Why the idea that you have to spend money to buy a business is false. [01:05] Use seller-based financing to pay off the seller while you run their business. [02:15] The abundance of businesses to be bought from senior business owners. [02:47] How to raise capital for the downpayment of an acquisition. [03:47] Failing businesses are cheaper to buy but more work to fix. [04:00] Another option in the form of

In episode #1765, we talk about the current period of inflation and share some of the ways we are dealing with it. The term inflation refers to a process whereby currency becomes somewhat devalued and things gradually begin to cost more. While what we say should not be considered financial advice, listen along and hear about a strategy involving putting cash into hard assets. TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: Inflation is Here. Here’s How We Are Dealing with It. [00:38] Understanding inflation: decreased buying power. [01:12] Signs of the inflationary landscape right now. [01:50] Don’t leave as much of your money in cash. [02:30] Aim for hard assets. [02:53] Remembering the period of hyperinflation in post-WW1 Germany. [04:13] Be careful not to take on too much risk. [04:56] 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 episode #1764, we show you how to recruit A-player marketing talent to grow your revenue. Unsuccessful hiring is the single biggest problem in business today, so you need to know what you are looking for and how to get it when it comes to your team. Follow along in this episode and hear how we approach hiring in our businesses. TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: How to Recruit A-Player Marketing Talent to Grow Your Revenue. [00:30] The three types of A-players. [01:11] How Neil looks for and poaches his A-players! [02:28] Defining the type of employee you want. [03:53] Hooking the A-players more easily by not pitching directly. [04:23] 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:   StrengthsFinder Who   Leave Some Feedback:     What should we talk about next? Please let us know in the com

In episode #1763, we share the #1 way to attract more leads to your consulting business this year.  Tanner has a unique way of generating leads for any service business that uses Facebook Messenger bots. Tune in to learn a breakdown of how Tanner’s funnel works and how you can leverage it to enjoy extremely high closing rates! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: The #1 Way to Attract More Leads in Your Consulting Business This Year. [00:36] Generating leads using Facebook Messenger bots. [01:01] A breakdown of Tanner Chidester’s funnel. [02:25] How to train your messenger team. [03:45] Where to learn more about Tanner’s funnel online. [04:09] 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:   Tanner Chidester   Leave Some Feedback:     What should we talk about next? Please let us know in the commen

In episode #1762, we share four powerful SEO campaigns that have generated amazing results on our side. SEO campaigns, in contrast to small and quick hacks, are strategies that are implemented for the long term. Tune in and learn about expanding globally, using pillar pages, hosting non static content on a CDN, and leveraging existing domain authority through M&As. TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: 4 Powerful SEO Campaigns You Probably Haven’t Tried. [00:30] What we mean by SEO campaigns. [00:42] All the work that goes into expanding globally. [01:11] Using pillar pages with links to child pages. [02:10] Hosting non-static content on a CDN. [02:41] Using existing domain authority with M&A. [04:03] 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 nex

In episode #1761, we share our perspectives on when AI will replace PPC jobs. While AI doesn’t  have much on human beings when it comes to creativity, computers take the gold medal when it comes to optimization. Tune in and hear about how it won’t be long before we will see AI do a better job of figuring out what titles and descriptions will end up generating the most clicks! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: When Will AI Replace PPC Jobs? [00:32] What we mean by PPC ads. [01:01] AI will soon do a better job of generating the most clicks. [02:11] Humans can’t compete with computers when it comes to optimization.  [03:28] Making sure you don’t get replaced by focusing on creativity. [03:36] 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? Ple

In episode #1760, we share our thoughts on why employees should have side hustles. While the idea of employees having side hustles may seem at like a threat to the work you are paying them to do at first, Eric and Neil actually encourage it. Listening in, you’ll hear how side hustles can help employees upskill, provide investment opportunities, and more! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: Why Your Employees Should Have Side Hustles. [00:30] Neil’s take on side hustles at his company. [01:06] Side hustles can help employees upskill. [01:31] Why Eric encourages side hustles at his company. [02:17] What Eric will and won’t allow regarding employee side hustles. [04:00] Encouraging transparency around side hustles in the workplace. [04:07] 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 Feedba

In episode #1759, we share our thoughts on when AI will replace content marketing jobs, if at all. The tools that leverage GPT-3 are definitely being adopted, meaning we will see significant AI-supplemented content marketing in the next few years. However, the one thing an AI can’t do is be creative. Tune in and hear our take on how this situation will play out. TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: When Will AI Replace Content Marketing Jobs? [00:50] When companies will start using AI to speed up content marketing. [01:27] AI can remix old data but cannot display creativity yet. [01:53] Content that does the best is new content, not repurposed content. [03:16] Whether using AI to supplement copywriting really saves time. [03:50] If you are in content marketing, sharpen up your creativity. [04:28] 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

In episode #1758, we talk about how to drill down your Unique Selling Proposition or USP. One of the most important sides of growing a successful business is getting to know your customer and correctly positioning yourself to fit that niche. Tune in to hear our top tips for getting this process right in today’s show. TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: How to Drill Down Your Unique Selling Proposition. [00:28] What a USP is and how it helps you differentiate yourself. [00:51] Examples of how companies drilled down on their positioning. [02:11] Figuring out your USP by talking to customers. [02:44] How to do customer development without asking leading questions. [03:51] 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:   April Dunford SharpSpring The Mom Test   Leave Some Feedback:     What should we t

In episode #1757, we show you how you can launch a profitable book funnel if you choose not to go the conventional publishing route. Eric recently launched his book, Leveling Up, using a book funnel and it has been very successful so far. We share some of the essential strategies that make a book funnel work as well as easy ways to get one together if resources and skills are scarce! Tune in today. TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: How to Launch A Successful Book Funnel in 2021. [00:28] Why Eric chose a book funnel rather than going a conventional publishing route.  [01:09] Metrics for the success of Eric’s book funnel. [02:05] How a book funnel ends up being profitable using upsells and back-end offers. [03:38] Recommendations for how to build a book funnel as a newbie. [05:23] 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 Mention

In episode #1756, we talk about how to succeed in podcasting in 2021. Neil and Eric have been in the podcasting game for a long time and have learned a lot since this podcast sounded like it was recorded in a bathroom! Tune in and learn how to assess the success of your show, how to  improve it based on the data, and a whole lot more! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: How to Succeed in Podcasting in 2021. [00:28] How long we have been doing podcasting for. [01:18] Aim for a daily podcast and be sure to repurpose it. [01:53] How to push the marketing of your podcast hard at first. [03:01] Play around with your calls to action. [03:10] Show as many episodes as possible on the hosting page. [03:35] Working out how to keep retention rates up. [04:03] Why Neil and Eric upgraded their mics. [05:05] Be sure to watch your analytics and optimize based on your insights. [06:48] Advertising your podcast by doing collaborations. [07:14] Why lots of downloads aren’t an indicator of success. [07

In episode #1755, we talk about which channel performs best out of TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. Since the advent of the short video format popularized by TikTok, we have seen many platforms adopt reel-like features. Tune in and learn which channel is best but why you should still cast the net wide! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: Instagram Reels vs TikTok vs YouTube Shorts - Which One is Best? [00:35] A brief overview of TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. [01:08] Which of the three perform best from a traffic standpoint. [01:30] Jake Fellman’s approach to his YouTube channel. [02:40] The moral of the story: Use all three! [03:20] Repurposing your content to any channel that offers a reel feature. [03:50] 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:   Jake Fellman   Le

In episode #1754, we talk about whether you should start a personal brand or a business brand. If you build a great business that people love, your personal brand will follow, but then again, we are seeing more and more examples of the opposite scenario these days too! Join us today and hear more about our take on the matter. TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: Should You Start A Personal Brand or Business Brand? [00:30] Examples of personal and business brands. [00:57] Assessing one of the biggest personal brands, Gary V. [01:31] Corporate brands are easier to sell and have longer lasting power. [02:17] Why building your business brand around your personal brand is risky. [02:55] Personal brands follow from great business brands. [03:48] It depends on your aims. [04:14] Leveraging your personal brand and building a business brand out of it. [05:38] Go to marketingschool.io/live if you want to master SEO!   Get ad-free listening plus exclusive content with Marketing School Pro. Try f

In episode #1753, we share our SEO expertise with you so that you can learn how to master it. We don’t see ourselves as SEO masters because with mastery comes complacency, but we still have a few tricks up our sleeves learned on our long journeys in the space. Tune in and hear about optimizing for user experience, obsessing over customer feedback, and more. TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: How to Master SEO. [00:30] Thinking you have mastered something makes you complacent. [01:00] Google prioritizes user experience above all else. [01:57] Building a great user experience using extensive customer feedback. [03:00] The value of being open to new things and continuous learning. [03:14] Omnichannel marketing and building your brand. [03:58] Keeping your marketing in line with Google’s preferences. [04:49] Go to marketingschool.io/live if you want to master SEO! Get ad-free listening plus exclusive content with Marketing School Pro. Try for free at www.marketingschool.io/pro   Links M

In episode #1752, we cover three essential life skills we think you should teach your kids so they can become the best versions of themselves. Whether it applies to marketing or not, we believe that learning creative problem solving, independent thinking, and social skills will stand your child in good stead to navigate the world of tomorrow. Tune in to hear why! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: 3 Skills You Need to Teach Your Children. [00:30] Help your child learn how to solve problems by teaching them creativity. [01:21] Avoiding force-feeding kids information so they learn to think for themselves. [02:14] Getting kids off their phones and teaching them social skills. [05:07] 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

In episode #1751, we share our thoughts on why you should send gifts to your clients. People don’t often send out real gifts these days, so keeping this practice alive is a great way of maintaining good relationships and improving the experience you have with the people in your network. Tune in and hear some of Eric and Neil’s gift-giving blunders as well as how to know what gifts your clients will love! TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES: [00:25] Today’s topic: Why You Should Send Gifts to Clients. [00:30] Setting yourself apart by sending physical gifts. [01:26] What to do and what not to do when it comes to sending gifts. [02:06] Why Neil’s wife hated the knife Eric gave her. [03:13] Don’t give gifts with your brand on them. [03:52] Giving gifts with long-term use cases that improve client experiences. [05:07] 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:   Giftology   Leave Some Feedback: