What if the secret to accelerating marketing growth was actually slowing down?In this episode, operations educator Jen Bergren joins Ali Schwanke to reveal the counterintuitive truth: fast-moving marketing teams thrive because they prioritize documentation.Discover how the "move fast and break things" mindset can sabotage growth—and how simple, strategic documentation can be your competitive edge.Learn how to:Build a culture of documentation that accelerates executionIdentify and eliminate hidden process bottlenecksUse project management tools to create momentum, not meetingsCreate MVP-level documentation that evolves with your growthWhether you're an overwhelmed marketer or a leader seeking scalable growth, this episode will change the way you think about speed.__________Explore Jen's Courses: https://www.jenbergren.com/coursesJoin the MarketingOps Community: https://marketingops.com/Connect with Jen Bergren on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenbergren/

Every marketing team has heard it: “We need more leads—and fast.” But is your business focusing too much on immediate lead gen while neglecting brand strategy? In this episode, Dan Gershenson, founder of High Caliber Branding, breaks down why lead generation and brand strategy often get confused—and how that confusion can cost you real growth. What we cover: How to properly qualify leads The impact of brand positioning Why your marketing problem might not be a marketing problem at all Plus, insights on how AI and business intelligence tools are changing the game. Don't miss this deep dive into smarter, more strategic marketing! __________ Check out High Caliber Branding: https://www.highcaliberbranding.com/ Duct Tape Marketing Network: https://ducttapemarketing.com/ Connect with Dan Gershenson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dangershenson/

SEO isn't what it used to be. If you're still following outdated tactics, Google has already moved on—and so should you! In this episode, Mordy Oberstein breaks down everything marketers and business owners need to know about modern SEO. Whether you're struggling with indexing, ranking, or content strategy, this episode will give you actionable insights that actually work. What You’ll Learn: How to Get Indexed Faster: The must-have tool (Google Search Console) and key technical fixes. Google’s AI & Machine Learning Impact: Why search results are shifting and what it means for your strategy. Content Strategy That Works: Why pillar-cluster models might not be the golden ticket anymore. Leveraging Image SEO: How properly optimized images can bring in more organic traffic than you think. Ranking vs. Conversions: Why vanity metrics (rankings) don’t always equal real business impact. Mordy also shares insights from the Google API leak, revealing how Google actually evaluates your site’s authority. Check out Traffic Think Tank: https://trafficthinktank.com/ The SERP's Up Podcast: https://www.wix.com/seo/learn/podcast Connect with Mordy Oberstein on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mordyoberstein/

When it comes to sales success, it’s easy to fall into the trap of hustle culture and endless grinding. But what if there was a better way? In this episode, Ali Schwanke sits down with Jordan Benjamin, a peak performance sales coach and former HubSpotter, to explore the power of purposeful systems, emotional intelligence, and mindful habits in achieving lasting sales success. Key insights include: Why empathy and emotion are essential to successful selling How to create purposeful systems to build habits and stay consistent The importance of rest and mindfulness in achieving peak performance Check out My Core OS: https://www.mycoreos.com/ Connect with Jordan Benjamin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanbenjamin/

Discover the untapped power of podcast advertising! 🚀 In this episode, Ali Schwanke is joined by Kerry Tracy to explore why podcasting is an ideal advertising channel for SMBs and brands. Learn how to target niche audiences effectively, understand the three types of podcast ads, and discover how the 40/40/20 rule drives results. Kerry also shares insights on leveraging tools like dynamic ad insertion (DAI) for timely campaigns and how to test podcast advertising on any budget. Check out the Podbean Advertising Guide: https://www.podbean.com/advertising Connect with Kerry Tracy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerrytracy/

Unlock the secret to escaping founder-led sales and scaling your business with clarity and precision! In this episode of Marketing Deconstructed, Ali Schwanke chats with Corey Quinn—author of Anyone, Not Everyone and host of The Deep Specialization™ Podcast. Discover how vertical specialization transformed Corey’s business journey, helping companies scale from $20M to $150M in annual revenue. Learn how to: Use a marketing opportunity calculator to analyze verticals Identify the two paths to specialization: industry vs. service Overcome founder-led sales with actionable frameworks This episode is packed with case studies, insights, and tools to help you niche down and grow. Plus, Corey shares a special offer for a free copy of his book! Get Corey’s Book: ⁠Anyone, Not Everyone: A Proven System For Agencies To Escape Founder-Led Sales Subscribe to Corey's Newsletter Get more insights from Corey Built to Sell: Creating a Business That Can Thrive Without You by John Warrillow

PR isn't just about press releases or ads—it's a strategic powerhouse for brand growth. In this episode of Marketing Deconstructed, Ali Schwanke interviews PR expert Michelle Garrett, author of B2B PR That Gets Results. Michelle shares actionable advice on leveraging PR effectively in today's fast-moving world. What You'll Learn: The evolving role of PR and how to integrate it with AI-based search trends. Common PR myths—PR isn’t paid media! The PESO model. How to pitch effectively and build lasting media relationships. Why PR is critical for building reputation, trust, and visibility in 2025. Get Michelle’s Book: ⁠B2B PR That Gets Results: A Guide to Simple and Targeted Public Relations Practices Get more insights from Michelle on PR Explored Check out the PESO Model

In this episode of Marketing Deconstructed, Ali Schwanke dives into the world of brand strategy with Brian Sooy, author of Trade Secrets and founder of Aespire. Learn why service companies struggle to market effectively—and how to fix it. Key Takeaways: Why clear messaging beats being "the best" every time. How to align your business and brand with Brian’s four-part framework: Clarity, Orientation, Relevance, and Experience. The role of touchpoint ecosystems in delivering consistent, memorable customer experiences. Real-life insights into differentiating service businesses through storytelling and strategic alignment. Get Brian’s Book: Trade Secrets: Four Core Strategies to Maximize Value for Service Companies. Brian's Agency: Aespire

In this episode of 'Marketing Deconstructed,' Tyler Mount, a personal branding expert and founder of Henry Street Creative, discusses the importance of authentic personal branding, differentiating oneself in both corporate and personal spheres. He explains how an authentic personal brand is crucial, regardless of one's position, and provides actionable steps to create and improve it. We delve into the impact of AI on branding and content creation, highlighting how these tools can optimize time and effort. Tyler emphasizes consistency, authenticity, and the importance of online presence across platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn. He also outlines the key components and KPIs for measuring personal branding success. Tyler's Site: https://tylergmount.com/ Tyler's Company, Henry Street Creative You are a Bad Ass Book

What makes people remember you—and choose you—over anyone else? In this episode of Marketing Deconstructed, host Ali Schwanke chats with Kay Miller, author of Uncopyable You, to explore the power of building an intentional, memorable personal brand.  Whether you’re in sales, leading a team, or an entrepreneur, Kay shares actionable insights on how to stand out in a crowded market and leave a lasting impression.  From defining your “moose” (ideal customer) to leveraging storytelling and small memorable details, Kay dives into practical steps for crafting a brand that people will remember and trust. Tune in to discover: Why personal branding is key for relationship selling How to create stories and symbols that make you unforgettable The secret to building a memorable brand—even if you're in a competitive field