I've been away from podcasting for two-plus years. I miss it. I've been working as a CMO recently. But I'm returning to consulting. And now I'm ready dip my toe back in the world of CoaM. Over the past couple of years, I've had a blast. I've been on endless Zoom calls, talked with countelss people, shared stories about marketing, led events online (and finally in-person!), hosted webinars, shot too many videos, written thousands of emails, overseen campaigns, and talked with clients. I've learned a hell of a lot. I want to sahre some stories, talk to the industry's best people, solve some problems, and maybe rattle a few cages. Stay tuned in the coming weeks.

<p>On this episode, we have <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynjohnsonaz/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Robyn Johnson</a>, host of the <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketplaceblueprint/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Marketing Blueprint</a> podcast and a world renowned Amazon Consultant and expert. Amazon is ever-present but can be a mystery. We learn about Robyn’s background, and then dig into how she thinks marketing on Amazon has changed for 2021, how COVID pushed brands to use Amazon, and how a retailer can prepare for using Amazon. Plus, Robyn demystifies how Amazon’s search and paid algorithms work and shares the keys to navigating fulfillment by Amazon. Then, we gaze into the future. </p><p><br></p><p><strong>Links of interest:</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.merchantwords.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Merchant Words</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.helium10.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Helium 10</a></li><li><a href="https://www.semrush.com/news/sellerly-split-testing/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">SEMrush for Amazon</a></li></ul><p><br></p>

<p>On the latest episode, we have <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-dickey-6619b712/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chris Dickey</a>, founder and CEO of <a href="https://visably.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Visably</a>, in to talk about multi-channel marketing for search. We find out all about Visably and moving the goal line from<em> “How do I improve my website’s ranking in search?”</em> to <em>“How do I improve my brand’s ranking in search?”</em> Plus, we learn why brand-owned websites are at such a disadvantage compared to ecommerce and media companies when it comes to search, and we find out how a brand can stack the search engine results pages. We pack lots more into this interview.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p>

<p>On this episode, we continue our two-part discussion about taking on a new role as a marketing leader. Joining me are <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamjoshmartin/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Josh Martin</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ausehbritt" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Auseh Britt</a>. This time, we learn about the mentors Josh and Auseh turn to for advice--and we hear about the Slack communities<em> </em>Auseh uses actively.<em> </em>We also get a look at what the first 30-60 days were like in their new roles. Did they have a specific plan? And how did that work out? We find out. <em>Gong // chorus</em></p><p>We also shift the discussion to B2B sales and what it takes to succeed. Then we round out the two parts by learning what it was like finding a new role in these strange times. And they share advice for listeners who are also in search of the next thing. A great way to start off the new year!</p><p><strong>Links to things we discussed:</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattheinz" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Matt Heinz</a> (host of the Slack channel Auseh mentioned)</li><li><a href="https://www.chorus.ai/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chorus</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gong.io/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Gong</a></li></ul><p><br></p>

<p>On this episode, we start a two-part discussion about taking on a new role as a marketing leader. Joining me are <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamjoshmartin/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Josh Martin</a>, Executive Vice President of Marketing at <a href="https://www.decisionlens.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Decision Lens</a>, and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ausehbritt" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Auseh Britt</a>, Vice President of Growth Marketing at <a href="https://terminus.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Terminus</a>. They both joined their companies in 2020. Josh has been on a few times before talking about product marketing. Auseh is here for the first time. </p><p><br></p><p>We discuss what it was like onboarding during Covid--the challenges, what worked well, and what (if anything) they would do differently. Plus, we look into the kind of training their new companies offered and what they did to prepare for their roles. To wrap up this episode, we chat about the biggest challenges they faced at their new companies. Great chat with two great marketers.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p>

<p>We have a bit of a change of pace for this episode. Back on episode 171, ten episodes ago in the long-ago days of early November, Leslie Zane and I were chatting as we got ready to record. And just as I hit the record button, she asked me a question. I’d heard it before, but never really answered it. So, here on this special episode, we share that short discussion. This one won’t take long. Before you know it, you’ll be back to your holiday festivities. </p><p>Enjoy the chat.</p><p> </p>

<p>On this episode, we have another visit with Ben Afia, who describes himself as The Language Strategist, with a goal of making companies more human—in their culture, brand and communications. Ben was one of the first to bring attention to tone of voice and now works with companies around the globe. I worked with him more than a decade ago on a tone of voice project and we’ve kept in touch ever since—in fact, he was an early guest on this podcast—on Episodes Three, Twenty Two, and Sixty One. Now we’re 180 episodes in, it’s great to have him back on. We talk about what words have to do with a brand and why they are important, what you can learn about a company’s values from their website, how to get everyone in a company using the same tone, and how to use the right words at the right time. </p><p><strong>A topic we discussed:</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://cvdl.ben.edu/blog/what-is-appreciative-inquiry/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Appreciative Inquiry</a></li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>More about Ben:</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://uk.linkedin.com/in/ben-afia-language-strategist" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ben Afia on LinkedIn</a></li><li><a href="https://www.benafia.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ben’s website</a></li></ul><p><br></p>

<p>On this episode, we welcome <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaclynschiff" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Jaclyn Schiff</a>, founder of <a href="https://podreacher.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">PodReacher</a>, a “done-for-you” service that transforms podcast episodes into high-quality articles. Before starting PodReacher, Jaclyn worked as a journalist for leading healthcare publications in Washington, D.C. and Chicago and also served as director of communication for a global health research association. We dig into what PodReacher is all about, how podcasting fits into an overall content marketing strategy, how people should look at the content they produce in a podcast, the role of show notes, and repurposing episodes into articles and blog posts. We also get a glimpse into the future of podcasting. </p><p><br></p><p><strong>A few things we discussed:</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://brendanhufford.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Brandon Huffard</a>: SEO for the rest of us</li><li><a href="https://www.podboxer.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Podboxer</a></li><li>The podcast episode that PodReacher worked on for me: <a href="https://confessionsofamarketer.com/video-in-marketing/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Video in Marketing</a></li></ul><p><br></p><p>As I look at my paltry show notes, it’s clear Jaclyn’s service is superior to anything I can do. </p>

<p>On the latest episode, we have <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemaynard/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mike Maynard</a>, managing director of <a href="https://www.napierb2b.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Napier</a>--a B2B PR and marketing agency based in the UK. Mike describes himself as a geek who loves talking about technology. We learn about his background and the path he took from engineer to marketer and then from in-house to agency. We also dig into the shift from siloed marketing to organizing around content development and content distribution, and why marketers often fail to get the ROI they expect from tools like marketing automation. Plus we have a discussion about account-based marketing fails and what it’s been like communicating with people during COVID-19. A fun chat with Mike.</p>

<p>On the latest episode, we have the founder of <a href="https://rightsideup.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Right Side Up</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylerelliston" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Tyler Elliston</a>, in for a discussion about growth marketing in the COVID era. Right Side Up is a collective of growth marketing specialists that have helped 200+ venture-backed tech companies hit their goals. They’ve worked with names such as Stitch Fix, DoorDash, Calm, Roman, Segment, Crunchbase, Faire, Wealthfront, Zenefits, and many earlier stage companies.</p><p>We get a glimpse into Tyler’s background and what it’s been like working during COVID-19 (he and his family all got it and have recovered, which I was relieved to hear). We also dig into shifting product/market fit on a dime (we’ve all had to shift a bit this year, but some have shifted further and faster than others). Plus, we take a look into the future. This was a great, optimistic chat with a growth marketer of the highest order.</p><p>Have fun!</p>