Rob Walling, Tinyseed cofounder joins us to delve into the topic. We discuss key AI-driven processes you need to put in place, agentic AI, and ways teams can utilize AI to iterate and test marketing strategies faster.
In this episode, we sit down with Drew Mooney, Data Analyst at Hubspot. We discuss ways AI is enabling businesses to make faster and more informed decisions, the biggest current gains in new tech for marketing and sales teams & even where we see data and analytics heading in the future.
In this episode of On the Record, we dive into how small and mid-sized businesses can harness big business marketing strategies to drive growth, scale impact, and compete in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Joined by Michaela Mueller, Senior Marketing Manager at Tria, we explore how brands of any size can unlock the power of data-driven marketing, AI tools, and customer-centric strategies—drawing parallels to Radiohead’s revolutionary direct-to-fan release of In Rainbows. With insights from...
How do you build a marketing agency that not only lasts—but thrives in a fast-moving, tech-fueled digital world? In this episode, we sit down with Ryan Kulka, Founder and Owner of BOOM! Marketing Agency, to uncover the foundation of over 11 years of agency success. From BOOM!’s early vision to crafting powerful brand strategies and long-term client relationships—including the meteoric rise of Gray Duck Spirits—Ryan shares hard-earned insights into client retention, conversion rate optimization (...
In this Season Three premiere of On The Record, we explore how marketers can turn overwhelming amounts of data into smarter lead generation with the help of Leadpages’ built-in lead enrichment tools. Inspired by MF DOOM’s conceptual album Mm..Food, we draw powerful parallels between niche branding and targeted marketing, revealing how data segmentation, personalization, and firmographic insights can unlock better leads, higher conversion rates, and scalable growth—even for small businesses....
What do Taylor Swift and top-performing brands have in common? A deep understanding of the power of story. In this episode of On the Record , Ryan and Michael sit down with brand and CX expert Sue Woodard to unpack how emotional connection, storytelling, and smart brand curation can transform leads into passionate brand evangelists. From the re-release of “Red (Taylor’s Version)” to the customer experience strategies of brands like Chewy and Delta, we break down the tactics that help businesses ...
In this episode of On the Record, we reveal how we added $100K in monthly recurring revenue (MRR) in just one month by leaning into customer segmentation, aligning product strategy with actual usage data, and making bold internal shifts that paid off. From redefining our ideal customer to running pricing experiments and navigating team buy-in, we break down the real-world tactics that helped us achieve rapid SaaS growth—while drawing surprising inspiration from Wilco’s Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. If y...
What does it take to build and sustain a high-growth team? In this episode, Michael and Ryan sit down with Thomas Knoll, a startup veteran and leadership coach, to explore the secrets behind successful, fast-growing companies. From his time at Zappos to launching multiple startups, Thomas shares insights on company culture, curiosity, and investing in people as the foundation of growth. They also dive into the role of AI in leadership, the power of perspective, and why hard conversations are key...
Can AI-generated podcasts replace human hosts? In this episode of On the Record, we explore the rise of botcasting vs. podcasting, breaking down how AI is transforming content creation. We share our experience building an AI-powered daily marketing podcast, discuss the efficiency vs. authenticity debate, and dive into the ethics of AI-generated content. Plus, we look at how small teams can scale with AI, the future of podcasting, and why human creativity still matters. And for music fans—yes, we...
What can marketers learn from Beyoncé’s Lemonade? In this episode, Ryan and Michael break down the album’s surprise launch, storytelling genius, and multi-channel strategy, revealing key marketing insights. Special guest Josh Becerra, founder of a Minneapolis-based digital marketing agency, joins to discuss winning strategies, the balance of core vs. edge marketing, and the role of data in decision-making. From audience expansion to overcoming fear in marketing, this episode is packed with lesso...
Season 2 of On the Record kicks off with a bold challenge to Google’s dominance in marketing. Inspired by MF Doom’s Take Me to Your Leader, we explore the risks of over-reliance on paid search and the rewards of diversification. We discuss the rising costs of PPC advertising, diminishing ROI in Google’s ecosystem, and why diversifying your marketing strategy is critical for long-term success. If you’re looking to future-proof your digital marketing strategy, boost ROI, and grow beyond Google, th...
Discover the secrets of enduring brands in this episode of On the Record. From Coca-Cola's timeless nostalgia to Spotify's personalized connections, we explore how brands evolve, build trust, and captivate audiences. Plus, we draw parallels to The Verve’s “Bittersweet Symphony” and the elusive quest for staying power. Whether you're a marketer or brand enthusiast, tune in for actionable insights and fresh perspectives!
In this bonus episode, Michael, Ryan, and Stacy look into their crystal ball to explore what’s ahead for marketing in 2025. Through the lens of David Bowie's The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust, they discuss navigating market shifts, actionable insights in revenue operations, the evolution of influencer marketing, and AI’s transition from buzzword to practical tool. The team also tackles the ethical challenges of AI, lessons from Bowie’s iconic album, and how embracing the unknown can inspire op...
Is your marketing too dependent on Google Search? Join Ryan, Michael, and Stacy as they explore the rising costs of paid search, the shift toward social media as the new search engine, and the power of diversifying acquisition channels. Packed with insights, actionable tips, and inspiration from Public Enemy’s groundbreaking messaging, this episode is for marketers ready to challenge convention and embrace innovation.
We dissect the pitfalls of marketing attribution, from flawed models to the growing challenges of tracking in a privacy-focused era. We explore how over-indexing on data risks stifling creativity and why attribution often fails to capture critical interactions like word-of-mouth. Inspired by the layered brilliance of Paul’s Boutique by the Beastie Boys, this episode offers practical tips for marketers to balance data with storytelling and embrace imperfection in the customer journey.
What can a banana teach us about branding? We break down Andy Warhol’s memorable design for The Velvet Underground and explore how businesses can capture that same bold energy. Join us as we discuss the art of standing out in a competitive world.
In this episode, we discuss feature-based selling, why it might be flawed, and whether you should focus more on prioritizing real connections with your customers. We also review the classic album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill . Lauryn focused solely on connecting with her fans in a very meaningful way, and it worked with great success. What if we did the same with our customers?
When Guns N' Roses took over a decade to release new music, they highlighted a key mistake that businesses make: waiting too long to deliver. In this episode, we discuss how fast, frequent product updates and managing customer expectations can keep your brand relevant. Learn how to avoid the dangers of long development cycles and what marketers can take from the band’s missteps.
Simon Alexander Ong is an award-winning entrepreneur and personal development coach. His Book Energize: Make The Most of Every Moment, is a must-read for anyone who wants to get more out of their business, career, and life. In this episode, Simon discusses managing your energy instead of time, how to get published, and protecting your personal energy.
Brennan Dunn is the leading expert in making marketing automation more human for creators, service providers, and small business owners like you. He is the founder of the personalization software, Right Message , and the author of the new book This Is Personal. During this episode, Brennan shares why you should go all in on email marketing and the key segmentation strategies to get right from the beginning. It’s time to get personal!...
Lloyed Lobo , an entrepreneur, podcast host, and community builder. He's the co founder of TractionConf.io and the fintech platform Boast.ai, which recently received over $100 million in growth equity funding. His new book, From Grassroots to Greatness, reveals 13 rules to build iconic brands with community led growth. In this conversation, Lloyed shares the lessons he's learned from the ups and downs of life, both personal and entrepreneurial, providing you with a straighter path to your own ve...
If you love to transform the lives of your clients, you'll particularly enjoy this episode. My guest is Lauren Armes, the creator of Beyond Seven business coaching for wellness experts. She's also the founder of Well To Do, which was acquired by Fitt Insider in 2022. In our conversation, Lauren shares lessons she's learned as a startup founder and global traveler, marketing mistakes to avoid, and strategies for getting consistent clients. For the show notes, transcripts, and resources mentioned ...
Rob Walling is a passionate evangelist and mentor for founders of bootstrapped SaaS (software-as-a-service) companies whom he serves through the TinySeed business accelerator and the MicroConf community. He's also the voice behind the podcast Startups for the Rest of Us, with over 600 weekly episodes. He's captured much of his 20 plus years in the industry in his fourth book, The SaaS Playbook. In this episode, Rob digs into lessons he's learned as a father, husband, founder and investor, tips t...
Dr. Sherry Walling is a clinical psychologist serving startup founders, and the creator of ZenFounder.com. She's also the author of Touching Two Worlds: A Guide for Finding Hope in the Landscape of Loss. In this episode, Sherry shares her perspective and strategies for becoming a high achieving human up to cool things in our world. She also addresses how to avoid entrepreneurial burnout, and how to process grief and achievement within your personal and professional life. Get the transcripts and ...
Our guest this week is Damon Brown . A prolific author, keynote speaker, and business coach, Damon uses his various platforms to encourage nontraditional creatives to build their businesses on their own terms and timelines. In this episode, Damon shares his journey as a social and tech journalist to Bootstrapping and then selling two apps. We talk about how fatherhood influenced his approach to business and how you can craft your path within bite-sized entrepreneurship. For show notes, transcrip...
My guest today is Lou Bortone , the video marketing godfather. For over 20 years, Lou has used his passion and expertise to help companies and entrepreneurs like you expand your message with video strategies that actually work for you. In this episode, we discuss a few of Lou's favorite video creation resources, tips on utilizing AI in your business, and a variety of ways you can reach and serve your ideal clients. You'll definitely want to get the show notes for today's episode. For all the res...
If you're a coach or consultant wanting to get more clients through speaking, you are in the right spot. Our guest today is Krista Martin , the founder of Six Figure Impact Academy. She shows coaches how to fill their programs through virtual and in person speaking. In this episode, we talk about her jump from pharmaceutical sales to entrepreneurship, strategies for getting audiences to take action, and what to include in your talks to get more people to say yes to your coaching. For the show no...
If you want to have a positive impact on more people, you've likely created or thought about creating an online course. Introducing Nathalie Lussier, the founder and creator of AccessAlly , one of the best course and membership platforms available for WordPress. During our discussion, Nathalie shares lessons from her journey as a software developer turned marketing consultant turned SaaS founder, strategies to create and sell your own online courses, and how to help your students get more value ...
The words that you use to convince people that what you have is what they need, is what copywriting is all about. My guest this episode is Joanna Wiebe , the founder of Copyhackers . Jo discusses her background working for Intuit as she worked herself into the world of entrepreneurship. We also talk about the role of artificial intelligence and copywriting, and her answer may surprise you about that. We also dive deep into what you should be including on your homepages and your landing pages to ...
If you've been trying to grow your business online with YouTube but haven't quite cracked the code, you've tuned into the right episode. My guest today is Matt Giovanisci , the founder of Swim University, Brew Cabin, and Money Lab. In this episode, Matt shares some of his best strategies for growing a YouTube channel and building your email list from your video content. We also dig into his entrepreneurial journey and the lessons he's learned along the way....
