More than a Few Words - a Marketing Conversation

More than a Few Words is a marketing conversation for business owners hosted by Lorraine Ball, founder of the Digital Toolbox

When I started my …

The marketing minute is a shorter version of the popular More than a Few Words podcast. Instead of a conversation with a marketing professional, host …

More than a Few Words is a marketing conversation for business owners hosted by Lorraine Ball

When it comes to content marketing, the process is key.  Without structure, you are always chasing the program instead of …

More than a Few Words is a marketing conversation for business owners hosted by Lorraine Ball, founder of the Digital Toolbox

These days, video is …

The marketing minute is a shorter version of the popular More than a Few Words podcast. Instead of a conversation with a marketing professional, host …

More than a Few Words is a marketing conversation for business owners hosted by Lorraine Ball, founder of the Digital Toolbox

As a business …

More than a Few Words is a marketing conversation for business owners hosted by Lorraine Ball

Our guest, Thomas Libby spends a lot of time on LinkedIn. And the time pays off, because he uses the platform to help people …

The marketing minute is a shorter version of the popular More than a Few Words podcast. Instead of a conversation with a marketing professional, host …

More than a Few Words is a marketing conversation for business owners hosted by Lorraine Ball

I love a good story.  I love to listen to a good story and tell one.  Stories are a valuable element in building your …

The marketing minute is a shorter version of the popular More than a Few Words podcast. Instead of a conversation with a marketing professional, host …

More than a Few Words is a marketing conversation for business owners hosted by Lorraine Ball

As a small business owner, particularly if you are in  …

The marketing minute is a shorter version of the popular More than a Few Words podcast. Instead of a conversation with a marketing professional, host …

More than a Few Words is a marketing conversation for business owners hosted by Lorraine Ball

If you are like most business owners you want your website to be attractive and functional.  This week we chatted with Wayne …

The marketing minute is a shorter version of the popular More than a Few Words podcast. Instead of a conversation with a marketing professional, host …

When it comes to generating leads from LinkedIn, our guest  Susan MacConnell thinks most people make several critical mistakes. 

1 - Trying to …

The marketing minute is a shorter version of the popular More than a Few Words podcast. Instead of a conversation with a marketing professional, host …

More than a Few Words is a marketing conversation for business owners hosted by Lorraine Ball

As a business owner, sometimes it is hard to figure out where your business ends and you begin. It can be challenging to …

More than a Few Words is a marketing conversation for business owners hosted by Lorraine Ball

You are not charging enough for your products.  If you are like most business owners you make the mistake of looking at your …

The marketing minute is a shorter version of the popular More than a Few Words podcast. Instead of a conversation with a marketing professional, host …

More than a Few Words is a marketing conversation for business owners hosted by Lorraine Ball

You work hard to build your email list and it is …

More than a Few Words is a marketing conversation for business owners hosted by Lorraine Ball

Everyone wants to do more than just work in their business. The challenge for small business owners is how to find the time …

The marketing minute is a shorter version of the popular More than a Few Words podcast. Instead of a conversation with a marketing professional, host …

The weekly marketing podcast, More than a Few Words is hosted by Lorraine Ball and features conversations with professionals from around the world.

Introduced in September 2020, LinkedIn Stories offers entrepreneurs …

The marketing minute is a shorter version of the popular More than a Few Words podcast. Instead of a conversation with a marketing professional, host …

The weekly marketing podcast, More than a Few Words is hosted by Lorraine Ball and features conversations with professionals from around the world.

When someone subscribes to your email list your first communication …

The marketing minute is a shorter version of the popular More than a Few Words podcast. Instead of a conversation with a marketing professional, host …

The weekly marketing podcast, More than a Few Words is hosted by Lorraine Ball and features conversations with professionals from around the world. 

The marketing minute is a shorter version of the popular More than a Few Words podcast. Instead of a conversation with a marketing professional, host …

The weekly marketing podcast, More than a Few Words is hosted by Lorraine Ball and features conversations with professionals from around the world. 

According to Andrea Petrone, attracting clients starts with three …

Today I want to talk about what a customer is worth because I think all too often business owners look at what a customer's spending today and see that as the only value of that customer. But if you're in a business …

The weekly marketing podcast, More than a Few Words is hosted by Lorraine Ball and features conversations with professionals from around the world. 

Where does marketing end and sales activity begin?  These days, the …

If you’re like many business owners, you started your company to do something you enjoyed. Maybe you were a chef and you started a restaurant, or a doctor who wanted to take care of people, or a marketer who …

The weekly marketing podcast, More than a Few Words is hosted by Lorraine Ball and features conversations with professionals from around the world. 

You have only a few moments to make that great first impression …

The marketing podcast, More than a Few Words is hosted by Lorraine Ball and features brief marketing tips and conversations with professionals from around the world. 

Okay, so you’ve launched your new website and …

The weekly marketing podcast, More than a Few Words is hosted by Lorraine Ball and features conversations with professionals from around the world. 

Before you can create an irresistible offer, you have to have a clear …

When I was Vice President of Creative Services at Conseco, we were always out of literature for key products. In the insurance business literature is …

The weekly marketing podcast, More than a Few Words is hosted by Lorraine Ball and features conversations with professionals from around the world. 

These days there is a lot of noise out there. With the increasing …

The weekly marketing podcast, More than a Few Words is hosted by Lorraine Ball and features conversations with professionals from around the world. 

Good marketing starts with the basics.  You need to have a plan.  …

The marketing minute is a shorter version of the popular More than a Few Words podcast. Instead of a conversation with a marketing professional, host …

he weekly marketing podcast, More than a Few Words is hosted by Lorraine Ball and features conversations with professionals from around the world. 

These days everybody's trying to present themselves as an expert. So …

The podcast More than a Few Words is hosted by Lorraine Ball and features conversations with marketing professionals from around the world.

A heart-centered business has purpose and intent, connected to your superhero …

The marketing minute is a shorter version of the popular More than a Few Words podcast. Instead of a conversation with a marketing professional, host …

The weekly marketing podcast, More than a Few Words is hosted by Lorraine Ball and features conversations with professionals from around the world.

Many business owners assume they know the answer. They believe they …

The weekly marketing podcast, More than a Few Words is hosted by Lorraine Ball and features conversations with professionals from around the world. 

This week we explore the importance of sales and marketing working …

The marketing minute is a shorter version of the popular More than a Few Words podcast. Instead of a conversation with a marketing professional, host …

The weekly marketing podcast, More than a Few Words is hosted by Lorraine Ball and features conversations with professionals from around the world. 

Handling the mental health challenges (mostly stress, anxiety, and …

I happen to love things that are quirky and a little off balance. That should come as no surprise considering the fact that I named my company …

The weekly marketing podcast, More than a Few Words is hosted by Lorraine Ball and features conversations with professionals from around the world. 

…

The marketing minute is a shorter version of the popular More than a Few Words podcast.  Instead of a conversation with a marketing professional, …

The weekly marketing podcast, More than a Few Words is hosted by Lorraine Ball and features conversations with professionals from around the world. 

So often small businesses make their web copy and marketing …

The marketing minute is a shorter version of the popular More than a Few Words podcast.  Instead of a conversation with a marketing professional, …

The weekly marketing podcast, More than a Few Words is hosted by Lorraine Ball and features conversations with professionals from around the world. 

These days, we're not doing a lot of face to face interactions with …

The marketing minute is a shorter version of the popular More than a Few Words podcast.  Instead of a conversation with a marketing professional, …

The weekly marketing podcast, More than a Few Words is hosted by Lorraine Ball and features conversations with professionals from around the world. 

We are living in a relationship centric era.  Long gone are the …

Often when I talk to business owners about their Google Analytics, they focus a lot of attention on how many people came to their website, how many unique visitors, and what their bounce rate was.

They miss  some of …

The weekly marketing podcast, More than a Few Words is hosted by Lorraine Ball and features conversations with professionals from around the world.

As more and more people are working from home, physical networking …

If you want to run a direct mail campaign, you can buy a mailing list. There are reputable sources for addresses and phone numbers of local homeowners and businesses. And the lists are relatively current, and you can …

The weekly marketing podcast, More than a Few Words is hosted by Lorraine Ball and features conversations with professionals from around the world.

…

Why should I buy from you in a cluttered marketplace with many companies all claiming be able to solve a problem that a customer has? How do you …

The weekly marketing podcast, More than a Few Words is hosted by Lorraine Ball and features conversations with professionals from around the world. 

The marketing minute is a shorter version of the popular More than a Few Words podcast.  Instead of a conversation with a marketing professional, …

The weekly marketing podcast, More than a Few Words is hosted by Lorraine Ball and features conversations with professionals from around the world. 

Creating great marketing content takes a while It is important, …

Did you know that 57% of all purchase decisions are actually made before a customer ever talks to a supplier.

The marketing minute is a shorter …

More than a Few Words,  a weekly marketing podcast, hosted by Lorraine Ball features conversations with professionals from around the world. 

This week,  Shane Barker joined us for a conversation about email …

These days, it seems like everyone is talking about content marketing. But what is it really?

The marketing minute is a shorter version of the …

More than a Few Words,  a weekly marketing podcast, hosted by Lorraine Ball features conversations with professionals from around the world. 

This …

The marketing minute is a shorter version of the popular More than a Few Words podcast.  Instead of a conversation with a marketing professional, …

The weekly marketing podcast, More than a Few Words is hosted by Lorraine Ball and features conversations with professionals from around the world. 

Getting Started

These days a lot of people who never thought they …

The marketing minute is a shorter version of the popular More than a Few Words podcast.  Instead of a conversation with a marketing professional, …

The weekly marketing podcast, More than a Few Words is hosted by Lorraine Ball and features conversations with professionals from around the world. 

Many business owners think marketing is all about tactics and …

The marketing minute is a shorter version of the popular More than a Few Words podcast.  Instead of a conversation with a marketing professional, …

The weekly marketing podcasts, More than a Few Words is hosted by Lorraine Ball and features marketing conversations with professionals from around the world. 

Many people assume they need …

The marketing minute is a shorter version of the popular More than a Few Words podcast.  Instead of a conversation with a marketing professional, …

The weekly marketing podcasts, More than a Few Words is hosted by Lorraine Ball and features marketing conversations with professionals from around …

In an age where most people would rather text than talk, we've seen a dramatic rise in live chat features on websites. And while sometimes I get …

Each week host Lorraine Ball and her guest have a marketing conversation for business owners.  This week the topic is how to make a great second impression.

Our guest, Janice Porter explains that it starts with being a …

My uncle used to say that he was going to write me a short note but didn’t have time, so he wrote me a long letter instead.  When you are limited in …

Each week host Lorraine Ball and her guest have a conversation for business owners.  This week the topic is how to work from anywhere.

2020 has been an interesting year.  It has created lots of challenges for business …

If you are like me, you have that one thing that you always put off, it's something that has to get done. But there is always something else more important that gets in the way.

It is time to break the cycle of guilt …

Why build a dream team?  On the one hand things are so much simpler when it is just you.  On the other hand, when it is just you, then you are wearing all of the hats, all the time.  You have to do everything. If you …

The internet is filled with calls to action. Everywhere you go, there are brightly colored buttons commanding you to read more, get the content, …

A wise man once said, there is nothing so constant as change. That is especially true when you are a business owner. The key to success is often identifying opportunities to pivot and being brave enough to make the …

Celebrity endorsements aren’t new. I mean, they’ve been around for a really long time as far back as the 1760s, when producers of pottery in China …

People often ask me if I work with my husband.  And I politely explain that I would rather remain married, than try to navigate that challenging …

A few thoughts to start your blogging checklist.

I am a big fan of blogging because I think it can be a very powerful part of your overall …

This week our guest Mark Dunsmore explains the best way to become an expert in your niche is not to try to learn everything about your industry.  You don't have to be a superpower in the industry and teach everything …

If a prospective customer went to Google to look for a business like yours, what words would they use? Your website must contain those words. They …

When people throw around the term customer experience, what are they really talking about? They're talking about the experience that customers go through when interacting with your brand.  It is not just a single …

Every day when you leave your home, you lock the door and you take your keys. That's what you do to protect your home. 

As a business owner with a website, you need to lock your website to protect that as well. To …

It is human nature to be judgmental, to look at things which are different and judge them good or bad.

What is the difference between judgement and curiosity?  Actually, they're two sides of the same coin.  They …

In this week's Marketing Minute, we look at the art of the Meme

If you’ve been using social media for any length of time, you’ve probably seen a …

This week's guest Robby Slaughter discusses the pros and cons of remote work.  He shares tips on how to make  working remotely more productive without allowing it to take over your life.

Stop using the phrase wok - …

Remember when everyone thought the internet was free, you could put your message out there and suddenly traffic came to your website? It was like …

Ten years ago, More than a Few Words was in its infancy. We tested a lot of formats, short programs, live broadcasts, and interviews with marketing professionals.

And for about a year, simply the show was comprised of  …

Everyone wants their website to  look awesome, with interesting pictures and cool animation. Unfortunately, none of that matters if the words don't …

When you're trying to get someone's attention, get them to open your email, or click on a link from social media, you have to be able to tell them what's in it for them.  You need to use what's called a Gain Headline.

…

Some web hosting firms are definitely better than others.  While they were once your very best choice, these days we find ourselves saying No Daddy to GoDaddy. 

When someone stumbles across your content or social media or it’s dropped into their inbox, you have just a few seconds to make them care enough to click and read more.

With so much information thrown at potential …

Building a website is easy, but building it correctly is not.  In this episode Sam Moss of the 1Click Agency shares the five most common web design …

We are living in a visual world. And as a brand, every image you choose has to support the message you want customers to receive. 

Jennifer Riley Simone of Fresh Figs Marketing joined me for a conversation about how …

Why You Should Conduct Web Performance Reviews

If you have employees, you're probably conducting performance reviews on a regular basis, evaluating …

In the early days of SEO, it was all about the links. It was about quantity, how many inbound links could you build for your website.  These days, …

Let's face it, everyone wants to feel special. When you walk into a coffee shop and you're greeted by name, or a waitress remembers that you like your eggs over easy before you order, you feel at home. And the next time …

Why do reviews matter?  Part of the answer to that question lies in the psychological phenomenon of social proof. We look to others for advice and …

“I can do that,” I said calmly, as I looked across the table at a potential client.  All the while in my head, I could hear a loud frantic voice …

Since starting my first Twitter account in 2008, I've had a love hate relationship with the platform. It's fast moving and entertaining.  There are …

Nobody told me when I was a kid how much harder it was going to be to make friends when I got older. Changing jobs and moving to new cities, I always …

Want to grow your business from zero to 1000 fans?  Start by asking people what they want from you. Sounds simple, right? But that's exactly what my guest Josh Tapp, The Lucky Titan,  said he did to grow his business.

Let’s face it, everyone is not your customer. Even if you sell the most basic of products like crackers or toilet paper, some people will like your …

Think Instagram is just for pretty pictures of food, fashion and flowers will think again. With Instagram stories, your business can deliver relevant messages to an audience that really cares. Our guest today Bobbi …

Have you noticed that everyone seems to be changing their name lately? I mean, every time I turn around, Dunkin Donuts is now Dunkin and Weight Watchers is WW, Burger King is trying to slide in there with BK.

What's …

Let's face it, things happen. Businesses take twists and unexpected turns. But are they really all that unexpected? In today's conversation, Sam and I talk about how you can proactively plan for the crises, you know, …

Wouldn't it be great if your marketing could get people to buy from you? Unfortunately, as our guest Chris Hoyt explains, that's not how marketing …

The Marketing Minute: Patience

Let's talk about patience, because that is something  small business owners typically don't have.

We start our businesses with grand plans.  We go out and start marketing our product and …

The problem with automated marketing is that well, it feels automated. There's a not quite human sound to the way those emails and chat bots respond to questions from real customers. Your challenge is to humanize your …

Today's conversation is a bit of a departure for us, but it is such an important topic, property taxes. I know , nobody wants to talk about property taxes. But  if you don't talk about it, and you don't think about it, …

Is email marketing or social media a better tool for your business. The truth is, it’s not an either or situation. Each of these marketing tools has …

What is a rich snippet? 

Rich Snippets is the term used to describe structured data markup that site operators can add to their existing HTML, which in turn allow search engines to better understand what information is …

What if you had an employee who could be hard at work as you were doing something else. Sounds wonderful, right?  Well that is the idea behind …

If you're like many business owners, you started your company to do something you enjoyed. Maybe you were a chef and you started a restaurant, or a doctor who wanted to take care of people, or a marketer who enjoyed the …

These days inboxes are overloaded and social media news feeds are controlled by the platform algorithms.  So, as a small business owner how do you …

If you have ever read a comic book you know that the Super Hero has amazing powers, but also the one critical weakness.  Business owners are marketing super heroes with amazing skills and talent, but weakness which can …

Do you have a plan for your business? I don't mean a vague generic, "Yeah, we kind of want to do this." I mean, a specific plan that outlines the steps that you're going to take to reach your goals.

If you're like many …

The next time you go to a networking event, ready to launch into your hard sell pitch stop and try something new.  Don't ask the same tired questions.  Instead, our guest Patti Farmer suggests three quick questions …

Small business owners are often very short sighted when they consider the value of a customer, looking only at what they are going to spend today and maybe in the the years to come.

But if you delight that customer, …

Are you looking to expand your organization?  If its a struggle to find qualified candidates. you might need to change your focus.

Typically the focus is on the candidate.The hiring company tells them to change their …

Does your heart sink when someone suggests having a meeting to discuss something?  If you are like me, you have attended so many bad meetings, that it is hard to be excited about the prospect of another one. 

But Dr. …

This is a marketing minute with Lorraine Ball. When was the last time you updated your website? If the answer is more than two years ago, you're doing a disservice to yourself and your customers.

You are not providing …

Great marketing starts with a strategy and a great strategy starts with questions.  What do you do if you don't know what to ask? Well Limehub…

If you want to encourage someone to buy from you, tell them how to solve their problem without you.  That might sound crazy, but our guest John Welch …

Content answers the questions customers have as they're trying to decide if they want to do business with you.

Once upon a time marketers ran television commercials and put ads in newspapers and simply waited for the …

Contagious content is something that SOME people will find so interesting they will be unable to resist the urge to share it. Andrea Breanna, the founder of Rebel Mouse explains we share things  because we want to show …

It may sound crazy, but this week's guest Dr. Shirag Shemmassian says you can actually sell more when you give away free stuff.  He sat down with …

This is a quick marketing tip from Lorraine Ball host of More than a Few Words. Here's an interesting statistic. More than 88% of online shoppers incorporate reviews into their purchase decision. Why? Because people are …

Ken Cloke is a conflict resolution expert.  In this conversation with Lorraine Ball he shares some very simple tactics you can employ to diffuse a …

If you want insight into hot marketing trends, it is best to ask more than one person.  That is exactly what Melanie Allen and Meghan Martin of Green Loop Marketing did.  They reached out to nine marketing professionals …

Marketing Tip from More than a Few Words

My husband is an amazing cook. He reads recipes and comes up with his own variations, blending and layering ingredients in new and delicious ways. And even though he's amazing …

Imagine stepping on to an elevator and the person inside greets you warmly and begins to engage you in a conversation.  Does the prospect of that conversation make you smile or horrify you?

The answer will depend on …

If you want to be a consultant, you need to write a book.  You may not be a best selling author, you don't have to be.  The purpose of this book is …

Denise Praul is the owner of Whiteboard Learning a training company that provides referral marketing training to service based business people.  Her …

In an effort to dominate on social media and in SEO businesses are churning out lots of content.  Unfortunately most of it is crap.  

So if you want to attract people, not just search engines, you need to be a better …

Ten years ago when social media was kind of a new thing.  While there was a lot of research about how big businesses were using these new tools, …

Whether you are hoping to rally your team around a strategy or resolve interpersonal issues an off-site retreat or team building session can be an …

Sometimes, as a sales person heads out to make cold calls, it feels like they are trying to storm a castle.  They prepare to battle their way in the …

When you face a challenging situation, before you look outward, our guest Lauralee Hites suggestion you use the process of introspection, to look inward.  

She defines introspection as the ability to examine your …

You're familiar with Braille lettering on signs and blue rimmed parking spots which make it easier for people who are differently-abled to access traditional physical brick and mortars spaces.  Now we're seeing this …

Ready to leave your nine to five job behind? Before you do, our guest Anna Lundberg suggestions you think about the following five elements necessary …

We talk, write and create messages all day long. But do our messages actually create the impact we're looking for?

That was the topic of the conversation with Patrick Donadio. We discussed a six step process for …

Before we get into the how, let’s talk about the why. Well, the easy answer is that employee profiles are great content! They are the perfect …

As a business owner,  every day you make choices about how to spend your time, dividing it between the mundane things that have to get done, and the interesting things that move your business forward.

If you find that …

Being a successful business owners depends on lots of things, but this week's guest Henriette Danel says it starts with just three things.  Mindset, …

Great content does not happen by accident. The more planning you do up front, the better your results will be. In this episode, Lorraine sat down to …

A cold call should really be called a new call because your goals is simply to build a new relationship.  Start the conversation with your power …

On January 7, 2010 we published the first episode of More than a Few Words on Podbean.  We had no idea how where the journey would take us, but we …

As a leader it can be frustrating when employees make mistakes but it may not be their fault.

Before you blame them, Randy Clark suggests you step …

Kerry Kathleen Heaps, founder of Book, Speak, Repeat  joins Lorraine for a conversation about becoming a public speaker.

If you want to grow your professional speaking business focus on your story.  Think about the …

If you are nervous and anxious when attending a new networking event and the thought of shaking someone’s “maybe unwashed hands” gives you chills, then this conversation with Raven Richardson …

If you are like most business owners you have developed a skill for making gut decisions. But my guest Dr. Gleb Tsipursky thinks that might just be the wrong way to approach your business decisions.  

The author of …

Every day for the past six years, Robby Slaughter has been asking a question of the day. Sometimes, silly, sometimes serious these questions generate responses between friends and strangers. 

I sat down with Robby to …

If you could go back and start your business over, what would you change? This week's guest Barry Magliarditi has three processes he wishes he had …

Like the index in the back of a book, you web site map outlines all the information on your website. It is a powerful tool while you are building the …

We have all attended meetings where nothing got done. Maybe there were great discussions, and maybe you had lots of notes when you left, but nothing changed. This week, out guest Randy Clark, the author of the new book, …

Susan White, co-host of the Joy Powered Workspace Podcast  dropped by for a conversation about creating a work environment where people look forward to walking in the door every day. 

About Susan

Susan White is the …

We all have lots of contacts, but most of the people we know are just that, contacts.  Only a small, select few are true strategic relationships for …

Thinking about a side hustle?  Or maybe you have an employee who wants to do some freelance work on the side.  In this episode, we talk about the …

Monday morning at Roundpeg, right around 11 am, we set up the camera and shoot a Facebook live video.  Why do we do it?  That's the topic of this week's episode of More than a Few words, with Sam Von Tobel, the new host …

Life happens and sometimes it is hard to keep the distruptions of your life or of your employee's lives outside the workplace. This week's guest …

When you are developing social media, where does the information come from? How do you figure out what to write?  These are questions we get asked every day as we write content for companies as different as a flooring …

Many of us started out as a solo entrepreneur. However, somewhere along the way the business grew and we had to make that transition from worker bee …

As we get close to the 10 year anniversary of More Than a Few Words, I've been digging around in my archives.  This week I've put together two episodes that both deal with small businesses and the economy. Although the …

We've all been there, with so many things to do, feeling overwhelmed and stuck.  If you find yourself staring at  a to-do list that is three pages long, or a giant task between you and success, then today's conversation …

Robby Slaughter is a man who uses time well.  The author of five books, he dropped by to talk about his newest one, The New Science of Time Management. 

We can't change the amount of time we have, but we can change …

Just when you got used to millennials, along comes Gen Z. As these younger professionals are now entering the workforce and making their own purchase decisions they bring a very different set of experiences and a …

Let's face it, most companies need a little HELP with their content.  This week, my guest Kevin Mullett shared his special forumula for content HELP. 

Today, Heneka Watkis Porter is a succesful entrepreneur.  How did she get there, and what did she learn along the way?  Listen to today's episdoe to …

This is a special episode of More than a Few Words, recorded live at She Podcast, a women's podcasting event.  Lorraine caught up with JoDee Curtis of the Joy Powered Podcast and Danielle Ireland of Don't Cut Your Own …

One to one marketing is great, but it takes a lot of time. This week, my gest Anna Osherov, an Eventologist explains that events allow you to be more …

Looking for a trade show give away or something for your team, Dean Kapsalis has a simple three step process to help you select the perfect item.

About Dean 

Our guest, Fuel Merchandise Group founder, Dean Kapsalis, …

Are you constantly comparing yourself to other people to see how you measure up or are you proudly different? This week our guest David Di Giorgio thinks that perhaps cases you're suffering from "Comparanoia"

What is …

Everyone has a story to tell. This week, my guest Alexandra Rufatto-Perry the owner and CEO of Practically Speaking, LLC, talks about how to use storytelling as part of your business communication.

About Alex

…

Ten years ago, Bill Caskey inspired Lorraine to create a podcast. Today, he shares why every B2B company needs one.  

About Bill Caskey

Bill Caskey writes books, records podcasts and produces videos with one intent: …

Our guest, Jaime Slutzky is passionate about technology.  Since 2011 she's been helping businesses run more efficiently so their owners can spend …

Mel McMahon is on a mission to to create healthier, stronger communities and more jobs in Indiana by encouraging and facilitating greater use of independent, Indiana-based businesses.

And while that may sound a bit …

This week my guest is JessicaKupferman the co-founder of She Podcasts and the Podcasting School for Women.  We talk about the challenges of expandin …

According to this week’s guest Liana Allison, anger is actually an emotion that we need to bring passion and creativity to life. The trick is to channel that emotion.

Liana Allison is the Australian-based founder of …

In America they are called zip codes in Australia they call them post codes.  Whatever the name, this week’s guest Ross Keating believes there are lots of ways business owners can use geographic information to target …

Burnout has been recognized as a legitimate medical issue. This week my guest, Dr. Ganz Ferrance shares his Me Method, as a way to reduce the chance that you will suffer from burnout.

From busy moms to business owners, …

What do you say when someone casually asks "What do you do? "  

Coach and professional speaker, Jim Karrh, believes that being able to answer that question in a clear, consistent and conversation manner is a distinct …

Consistency may seem boring, but according to this week's guest Barbara Stuhlemmer of Blitz Business Success creating consistent messages and processes is actually the key to business success. 

This week's guest, Andrea Butcher of HRD Advisory Group believes you should live life by design, not by default.  Taking control of your daily …

It is hard to believe that this is the 400th episode of More than a Few Words.  That is a lot of conversations.  Over the years, we have had some terrific guests, some serious and some silly conversations. I thought it …

No matter what business you are in, if you have employees you are in the leadership business. This week our guest, Kyle Gorman of the Employer Blueprint explains how even novice managers can be more effective leaders. 

Joel Russell, founder of eImagine has built company by creating a culture that makes people want to come to work.

Our friend, Javed S. Khan is back with part two of his conversation about LinkedIn. Today he share's some little known tips to help business owners get the most from the professional online community.  

Javed is the …

Buying a franchise can be a great way to become a business owner. But be sure you look before you leap! This week, our guest Stephanie Ewing talks about her process from preliminary investigation to final purchase of a …

Stress is a part of the package when you start a small business. Dr Pete, stress relief expert and author of the book Lighten Your Day, says it doesn’t have to be. 

In this conversation with Lorraine he shares tips and …

Where should a small business start if they want to reduce their environmental footprint?  The short answer?   Listen to this conversation with Julia …

Julie Kratz knows that sometimes conversations are uncomfortable.  Maybe you need to tell a boss, coworker or subordinate that something they doing …

Lindsey Anderson, the founder of Traffic and Leads University thinks webinars are a thing of the past.  How should consultants and coaches reach new …

Author and consultant, Charmaine Hammond shares her perspective and experiences building a collaboration network to support her business. Beyond …

Life is about reinvention. This week, our guest media entrepreneur, Lesley Jane Seymour shares lessons from her journey from corporate leadership …

Don't wait till you need cash for your business to go looking for a business banker!

This week's guest Stephanie Ewing of Key Bank explains why it pas to develop that relationship when you start your business.

MTFW is …

This week, Lorraine is joined by one of her social media buddies, Stephanie Daily. The conversation jumps from social media topic to social media topic with an emphasis on some restaurant marketing tips. 

Grab a cup of …

This week's guest, Arin Anderson believes we are living in an age of creative democracy.  Is that a good or bad thing?  Actually it is a little bit of both. 

MTFW is a production of Roundpeg, a digital agency  and …

Which is better 1% of a big market or 100% of a small one?  Today’s guest, Gerard Doyle of Fractal Marketing believes there is way more benefit in being at the top of a small market.

MTFW is a production of Roundpeg, …

In this week’s episode, Javed S. Khan shares five tips to improve your LinkedIn profile. Be prepared to stop the podcast and improve your profile …

LinkedIn is not just for B2B communications.  In this week’s episode Jennifer Denney of Elevated Marketing shares an example of a consumer product …

Brainstorming by yourself can feel like playing tennis alone. You hit the ball really hard and watch it fly, but it's not that satisfying because you don't get the return.

My guest Carrie Anton the author of Me, Myself …

Your host, Lorraine Ball will be one of 9 featured speakers in the Day of Digital Online conference.   

Listen to  a preview now, then check out her …

Jasmine Jenkins is one of the featured speakers in Day of Digital. Learn more at www.dayofdigital.com

Karen Leonard is one of the featured speakers in Day of Digital. Learn more at www.dayofdigital.com

Want more free time?  This week’s guest Matt Nettleton shares his tips for working smarter, not harder

Bryan Caplan thinks most small businesses are missing out on the opportunity to improve their SEO and advertise their business, essentially for free with Google My Business

Our guest, professional writer Scott Flood is passionate about writing content for human beings.

This week, our guest Grant Carlile  of the Mountains explains that a successful event is about so  much more than the food and the venue. 

More …

This week business and life coach Halle Simpson talks with us about the seven steps of a coaching conversation.

MTFW is a production of Roundpeg, a …

This week our guest Bryan Caplan (Bryan Caplan Marketing)  talks with Lorraine  about how to spice up your Google My Business Page with Photos and Video

This week it is two for the price of one as the Co-founders of Green Loop Marketing Melanie Allen and Meghan Martin join Lorraine Ball for a conversation about social media audits.

More than a Few Words

This week Doug Karr dropped by Roundpeg for a conversation about why companies shouldn't hire a web designer.

Sometimes you have to narrow your focus to increase your profit.  In today's conversation with Laurie Knechtel of Truss Marketing we dive into the topic of how finding a niche can actually drive more business. 

This week we spoke to Bobbi Baehne of Think Big, Go Local about how to use Facebook chatbots to deliver messages your customers will notice.

This week’s speaker, Grant Carlile believes that instead of constraining creativity, rigid process can actually set you free

More than a Few Words is a production of Roundpeg

This week our guest, Karmen Fink describes her networking / mastermind group which offers entrepreneurs a safe space to learn, grow and succeed.  

Start with this conversation with Will Hardison

High tech products often solve problems people aren't even aware they have. So how does a salesperson convince someone to buy something they don't …

What do you do when a much larger, more well funded company comes into the market and starts bidding on the same ad words you want? 

Well you have two choices, pay more or get creative. In today's conversation Michelle …

We are living in an era of unprecedented innovation. At the core of this explosive growth in new businesses, new products, and new ideas is the …

Not all ideas are good ideas.  According to our guest Chris Hoyt, most even suck.  But even so, with the right team, and a willingness to listen to …

If you were about to head out on a long road trip to somewhere you had never been, you would want a roadmap.  The specific outline, with milestones …

As a business owner, you don't always get to spend your day doing the things you love. But if too much of your time is being spent on tasks you don't love, if you are starting to burn out it may be time to consider …

Innovative, unconventional and low-cost marketing techniques aimed at obtaining the maximum exposure.

That is how Alan Silber of the Guerilla Agency describes his approach to marketing. 

For the most part, we think of podcasts as a method of reaching out beyond your organization. But they can be a very effective tool for internal …

When you leave your home you lock your door.  Makes sense, right? You wouldn't want anyone to steal your stuff. But what about your website? Do …

We've added a new program to our line up. In addition to the weekly conversation with marketing professionals from around the world, we're launching Just a Few Words.  

This is a quick daily marketing tip available as …

I love talking with business owners.  I am always surprised at where their ideas came from and what they learned along the way. Well, I discovered I am not alone in that curiosity when I spoke to Heather Chastain, the …

Many people think that influencer marketing is about paying someone to endorse your product.  While that can work, Shane Barker says there is much …

Often, potential customers don't know you have what they want, or even that they want what you have.  That's ok, you can peak their curiosity with an advertisement on Facebook.

Once you have their attention, …

Customers can smell advertising a mile away.  That's why inbound marketing, which drives potential clients to your website looking for information …

47 million Americans have smart speakers in their homes.  So whether they say Hey Alexa, or Hey Google, or even hello Apple these consumers are turning to these devices every day to turn on and off other electronics in …

There is more to email marketing than just sending out a simple newsletter. With segmentation and click funnel tools, they can be an integral part of …

After the sale, the real work begins.  Unfortunately, many organizations do not have a specific process for a smooth handoff between the sales and execution teams. 

Amy Woodall explains that without a well-defined …

Thinking about selling your business? It doesn't happen overnight.  As Ryan Parshall of Peterson Acquisitions explains there is a lot of work to do before you are ready to sell. 

The good news, you can start working on …

What if you could put your product or service in front of a prospective customer just as they are thinking about buying? 

With Google Adwords you …

Hosting a conference isn’t as difficult as you think and Jennifer Crawford believes the pay off can be huge .

Planning an event for 200 or frewer …

You don't need to be a WordPress wizard to craft a quality site. Content is key to getting your message across, and you shouldn't just focus on your …

Trade shows are overwhelming. There are so many people to talk to, products to look at, and business cards to hand out. It seems easy to get lost in the flurry. You need to stand out. What are some things you can do to …

A new workplace brings with it a whole set of challenges. It can be intimidating being in a foreign space with a completely new set of coworkers. …

Adapting to change can be difficult, not just in the work-place. What do you do when you're suddenly thrust into an unfamiliar position? You can …

In the span of a month, the International House of Pancakes affectionately known as IHOP changed their name to IHOB and then back again. Was this savvy marketing or a silly prank gone hopelessly wrong? 

Page Jones …

Indiana is taking bold steps to introduce Hoosiers to the World, and the World to Indiana. Through the ISBDC (Indiana Small Business Development …

For generations, accountants relied on handwritten ledgers, carefully written recording every transaction generated by a business.  Then came …

If you have been paying attention to changes on Facebook lately, you will notice blue and grey check marks appearing next to company listings.  These …

When June rolls around, suddenly everything gets a bit more colorful. Rainbow flags adorn porches and automobiles. It's very tempting to hop on the …

This week, Lorraine talks with Waylon Wright and Diana Caldwell of life science company Pearl Pathways about their web design process.  If you have a company which sells expertise, not products, this episode is a must …

Memes are almost synonymous with the internet. Memes are a constantly changing inside joke, shared by millions and distributed via the web. They can be inclusive or exclusive. They serve as commentary on shared …

While some people come to your website to browse, the vast majority come for a purpose. They are looking for a specific piece of information or resource.  Custom, landing pages help visitors find exactly what they are …

Everyone has a network. it is comprised of family members, friends, and former coworkers. Some people have large networks, and others have smaller, supportive groups, but every one of your employees has a network. 

As …

No matter how interesting your content is, if you miss the mark with your headline, no one will read it.  

In today's conversation, Allison Carter and Lorraine Ball talk about the art of a headline, why writing …

If your products or services aren’t represented on Pinterest, you could be missing out on a growing stream of potential customers. Discover the ins …

Part of what makes a podcast interesting is the skill of the interviewer.  Professional podcaster, Jen Edds boils down the process of preparing for …

Google is always happy to help you spend more money.  They will always show you new ways to do more with your advertising.  That's how they generate $17 Billion a quarter. 

While you can spend more money, the question …

The first step to creating really interesting and relevant blog content is to release the idea that the blog is about you and your business. It isn't. 

As Jennifer Riley Simone, founder of Fresh Figs Marketing …

For business owners overwhelmed with a long task list, that is the message business Coach CJ McClanahan wants them to hear. Once you accept the idea that some things are just not going …

Businesses of all sizes can benefit from video media. If you're thinking about adding video into your marketing strategy, might start by looking at what other people are doing.

Look for trends and styles which stand …

Google My Business has evolved a lot over the years. If you have it, maybe you're not using it to the fullest. Everything in marketing is about …

What is the difference between marketing and PR? They're basically the same thing, right? Well, kinda. But not really.  As Roundpeg's Page Jones to explains PR is focused much more on the top of the funnel, while …

Whether you're working with a complete stranger or your best friend, there are a few things you should expect when embarking on a design project. …

Has your inbox been flooded with  “Improvements to Our Privacy Policy” emails? It isn't an accident. Most global websites are scrambling to come into …

Storytelling has always been a part of marketing. But how do you tell a story in 140 characters, or with just one image?  Jason Falls thinks social …

Twitter is a social network, which means that you should be interacting with other people and brands. One of the best ways to have a conversation and …

Is your site showing signs of age? Like deciding when to get a new car, it may be unclear if you should throw more money at your website or go for a …

Keeping your things secure in the digital world can be scary. A good password can help a lot. If your passwords look like a cat walked across a keyboard, you may not be as secure as you think. 

Join Roundpeg's Lorraine …

Jen Edds is the Brassy Broad in charge.  She is a musician, a podcaster and the founder of Brassy Broadcasting, a podcasting coaching company.  She helps ordinary business owners find their voice on this growing …

When does 1 + 1 = More than 2?  When you are adding the power of multiple marketing channels together.. 

Each piece of your marketing delivers …

With new details emerging almost every day about the Facebook data breach founder Mark Zuckerberg is apologizing, a lot.

This isn’t the first time …

More than a few Words goes global as Lorraine chats with Javed S. Khan., the owner of Empression, a Marketing Services Company based in Toronto, Canada about video messaging.

Just like their American counterparts, …

Do you own your contacts?  If you are building a community exclusively on social media, the answer to that question is actually no.  You are simply …

Twitter can be hard. Having a successful Twitter account is all in the details. Love it or hate it, Twitter is a great tool for business. Thankfully …

Earlier this year, Facebook announced that they will be refocusing their social media platform on the individual. But what does this mean for businesses, small and large?

It's time to start rethinking the way in which …

Branding. It's not just who you are, it's how you present yourself. Is your current brand doing everything it can? When should you start thinking …

Tune in with Lorraine of Roundpeg and Randy Clark while they explore what it means to be a good leader.

Great leaders aren't born. Sure, some are born with more of an aptitude for socialization, but this doesn't mean …

In today's episode, Lorraine and Jennifer from Social Media Rescue talk about what to do on social media when things go wrong.  

Mistakes are inevitable. Things will go wrong.  Don't wait until the moment a crisis …

There is an old expression, that you can't put lipsitck on a pig.  Basically there are some things which are too ugly to fix with a little makeup.  …

In the second of a two-part series, Lorraine and her guest Cathy Cain-Blank of CC Marketing and Communications dive deeper into Linkedin.  If you are ready to ramp up your LinkedIn profile, this program is for  you. 

…

Do you show up every day, knowing that you will make a difference in someone else's life? You have the potential to be that person to someone.

Everyone needs somebody to lean on. Are you that person?

Join Roundpeg's …

No matter how interesting your email campaign is, it won't be very effective if people don't open your email. Discover tricks to command attention and drive readers to open your email as soon as it arrives in their …

Looking to get your LinkedIn program started? In this first of a two-part conversation with Cathy Cain-Blank of  CC Marketing and Communications.

More Than a Few Words is a production of Roundpeg, a digital agency …

Every year, since 2010 we have studied internet marketing trends among small business owners. This year the study looked at social media platforms, email, blogging, and internet advertising.

This week we share some of …

Join Roundpeg's Lorraine Ball and Lydia Thurston while they discuss the new updates to the Facebook stream algorithm that drastically changes the way that marketers use Facebook.

If you are not aware, on Thursday, …

The questions on every business-owner's mind: how should I blog? Am I blogging enough? Why is blogging important?

Join Roundpeg's Lorraine Ball and …

Customers are likely to believe what other people say about your business.  That's why reviews are so important.  In today's podcast, Lorraine chats …

You wouldn't get in your car and drive without a map, if you didn't know where you were going, so why do you think you can drive your business …

For more than a decade images have ruled the internet, but 2018 is shaping up to be the year of the video.  With cameras in everyone's pocket,  it …

Everyone knows the best place to look for a dead body is on page 2 of a Google search. Why? Because no one will actually look there. To avoid a fate worse than death, small business owners need to embrace and active SEO …

It doesn't matter how good your email newsletter is, if you don't have enough people to send it to you won't have a chance to share your information.  

In today's program, Lorraine shares an excerpt from a longer …

Julie Kratz, a highly-acclaimed leadership trainer, speaker, and author, joined us for a conversation about male allies.

• We talked about what they …

These days everyone is pumping out content. There are blog posts and pictures and video that all follow a predictable formula.  After a while, every …

Last week we made hand turkeys.  Sure it is a silly thing for adults to do, but as Sam explained,  there are several good reasons why every business …

At Roundpeg, we love all our customers, but we definitely enjoy working with our food clients a bit more.  Why? Well, of course, there are the products, but also the creativity and the opportunity to promote product …

Today, Erik Deckers is recognized across the country as a humorist, author, and marketer. But just a decade ago, that wasn't the case.  So how did …

Advertising is easy.  For a relatively small investment, even a novice marketer can reach a wide audience.  but when you are ready to go beyond the …

Albert Kaufman considers himself a lifelong networker. In this conversation, he shares his opinions and tips for making the most of your networking activities.  Learn more about him at www.albertideation.com

More …

Your website has to do more than just look good, it needs to be filled with keyword rich, recent and relevant content. In the second of a four-part series, Lorraine looks at some of the most common content mistakes and …

Wordpress is promising us that Version 5 of the popular software is going to be packed with some pretty significant changes.  The biggest is …

When was the last time you looked at your website - really looked at it the way a prospective customer might.  If it has been more than a few months, it has probably been too long. In today's episode, we begin a …

As a marketing professional, my attention is usually focused on generating leads.   While leads are important, at the end of the day, your business runs on sales, not leads.  

Unfortunately, too often business owners …

Your customers on looking for information when they are at their desks, from mobile devices when they are on the go and even in real life.  Do you …

Trying to get prospective customers to engage with you on Facebook or your website?  Josh Haynam of TryInteract.com suggests you ask people …

This week our guest is Dylan Careker, the marketing manager at Flexpac.  Dylan is pretty passionate about his belief that there is a place for every …

Psychographic segmentation divides your market based on consumer personality traits, interests, problems, values, philosophy, and motivations. 

With data from social media, it is easier than ever to use psychographic …

When Applebee’s announced they would close 135 locations in 2017 I wondered what had happened to the once-popular chain. As I looked at their recent …

One of the most important things to do at the beginning of a web design project is to get key decision makers in a room and brainstorm to create a wish list.  

That was the topic of our conversation with Barbara …

Where is the line when it comes to free speech? What can you say and where can you say it?  The advent of social media has made this question even more challenging to answer. 

As social media companies work to prevent …

Websites and marketing tools are smarter than ever.  Today you can track prospective customers from your email to your website and back again.  

…

When it comes to marketing, you only have so much credibility when you are talking about yourself. Sometimes you have to step back and let other people, your customers or referral partners do the talking for you. 

That …

SEO is a complicated topic.  But Nicole McCullum of Captivate Designs breaks it down to a few simple ideas every business owner can start using right …

Each week, Lorraine Ball chats with industry leaders from around the …

What do you think if polls? Love them? Hate them? Really don't care?  

See what I did there? I asked you a question and gave you choices to make it …

People are significantly more likely to believe what other people, even strangers say about a business before they believe what is published on the company website. 

People have always relied on the opinions of others. …

Do you love Twitter?  Dana Nelson does.  In this episode, she shares success stories and tips for anyone hoping to make connections using Twitter. 

More than a Few Words is a production of Roundpeg, a digital marketing …

This week our guest is writer Sue Toth.  Sue provides writing and editing services, helping business owners tell their stories. 

We talked about how to get started and where to find good ideas for your blog.  If you …

Have you tried Facebook Live yet? Marketing strategist, Vanessa Cabrera thinks you should.  In this week's episode, she shared some of her favorite …

You can put anything you want on your Instagram account.  But if it is nothing but 300 selfies I am going to judge you.

This week Lorraine rants a bit about this narcissistic practice and shares a few tips t creating a …

Every entrepreneur faces challenges as they try to get their business off the ground. 

Susana Fonticoba of www.rightclickadvantage.com & www.marketingsisters.com things women face additional challenges when it …

Much like Facebook and Google AdWords, business owners can use Yelp advertising to …

Let's face it, sometimes things don't work out exactly the way you planned them. While this is true for all of us, it is especially true for small business owners

Just when you think everything is just perfect, life …

Interested in starting your own podcast?  This week Lorraine chats with Debbie Dechambeau of the Select Business Team about the basics of podcasting. She also shares some ideas on how to use your podcast as a business …

In today's episode of More than a Few Words, Melanie Diehl , Your Social Gal talks about the importance of having a Google Business Page.  It won't …

Ready to jump into your web design project? Roundpeg web designer, Peter Wolfgram thinks maybe you should slow down.  It's not that he doesn't want …

Are you taking advantage of cross-marketing strategies to grow your business?  Vikram Rajan of Raviate  & PhoneBlogger.net thinks it is something …

Every small business owner knows tt is hard to attract a steady stream of new customers. Nick Cavarra of Social Punch Marketing thinks there is a better way.

We chatted about strategies to stay connected to your …

It is summer, and my guess is you are looking for fun and interesting things to do this weekend.  And if you are like Sam, our digital specialist you are probably looking at concert venue websites.

As he was …

I was introduced to the One Philosophy by Ellen McDowell the founder of Ellen McDowell – Your Social Butterfly.   We talked about the first three principals and how small business owners can apply them throughout their …

Auto response campaigns make it easier to stay in touch with prospective and former customers, delivering relevant information at just the right time. 

Moore than a Few Words is a production of Roundpeg 

Every organization is made up of people. We know that, but some companies seem to be content to hide behind a faceless corporate profile.

While that may be ok, for a large …

"You've got mail"

Has it really been almost twenty years since we first heard those words?  

Like any relationship, our feelings about email have certainly changed.  From something, we looked forward to, to something …

Every year, Facebook adds new features to keep individuals on their site longer and attract more and more small business owners.  Ultimately they hope you will advertise, but they lure you in with lots of new content …

During a multi year research study Hazel Walker and Frank De Raffele, Jr made some surprising discoveries about  the role gender plays a role in …

What is the Linkedin Blitz?  It is a concentrated 30 day program to improve your results on LinkedIn.  Does it work?  I gave it a try a few years ago …

If not, it’s time to get serious.  Download our FREE bundle of marketing budget tools.

When …

People don't become customers overnight.  It is an ongoing process which often begins with a visit to your website. 

Thanksgiving is in November and Christmas is in December, right?  Well if you are in retail or hospitality your planning for these important months …

There are lots of things to keep track of when you try to improve your SEO.  In this episode we focus on the basics every small business owner should …

Our digital specialist Leisha Jenkins had some easy to follow advice for anyone planning a social media strategy.  

From our archive, a conversation about how to use content marketing to close sales. 

When you're busy (which, let's face it, is always), it's so easy to let a week slide by without writing any new content for your blog or responding to content sent over by your marketing company. It's understandable, …

Your brand position statement isn't just marketing hype. Used correctly it defines what you want customers and prospects to think about your company.

It defines who your customer is, what they want and how you are …

From our archive: About 18 months ago, Allison and I debated whether Facebook was on the way out.  We agreed that even though people were spending less time on Facebook it still had a place in the marketing mix of many …

Sales begin with pain.  Customers come to you when they are not happy about something.  It is your job to figure out what is causing pain and show them how your product can make the pain go away. 

A good inbound marketing strategy involves getting customers to your website, offering them something they want, and receiving their contact …

Whether you enjoyed the big game or felt your gut sink in the final moments, this year's Bowl was packed with big budget ads. Some were funny, some were sad, and all of them were expensive. Were they all smart …

When you sell home services like carpet cleaning, roofing, or plumbing you rarely have a chance to play on your own turf. The sales pitch is almost always in the customers house, where they are most comfortable and you …

What if you never had to find another new client ever again?  Sound too goo to be true?

There was a time when your home page needed to contain all that you did.  The format was much like the front page of a newspaper with a series of article snippets with links to learn more.  But the trend has shifted. …

If you were going to build a building you would start with the Groundwork. The same is true for your 2015 marketing plan. Whether you are a …

It is not enough to have a broad plan for your business. You need to have specific, measurable goals which you can translate into action.

How are you going to reach your goals this year?

You could hire us to write your marketing plan, but then what?  You’ld have a well written document …

We have been talking to quite a few business owners lately who are excited about starting their new business.  Unfortunately, it seems as if they haven't done their homework.  There doesn't seem to be a plan other than …

What type of marketing will you be doing a week or month from now? What about in six months? How will your different marketing activities work together to drive sales?

If you can’t answer those questions, you need a …

Looking to jump start your business idea with a little capital infusion? With online fundraising tools like Kickstarter or Indiegogo, it is easier …

I loved the website we launched in September of 2013, so why did we completely overhaul our theme just a year later? These days a year is a long time …

What started as a  joke turned in to an interesting social media experiment when we decided to use kittens in our seminar marketing campaign.  The …

Business is still about relationships.  And when it comes to the internet those relationships are measured by who links to you and to whom do you link.
 
While Google no longer puts the same weight on links that it once …

Let's face it, today your website visitors have a shorter attention span than ever before. So how do you keep readers interested long enough to digest your message? This week we will take a quick look at ways to create …

Some of your marketing effort should be focused on people who are right on the verge of a purchase, and have made their intentions known. Do you have …

One of the most surprising events in the social media community in 2014  was a decision by Copy Blogger to close down their Facebook page. With more than 38,000 fans this seemed like a strange move for a social …

When a prospective customer comes to your website or enters your physical retail store your primary  objective is to interest them in something you have to sell or share. This week we talk about ways you can do just …

It is a hard thing to accept, but no matter how cool your product is there are people out there who don't want it.  Instead of wasting time trying to …

Most customers are not ready to buy right away.  You need to move them from Just Browsing, to Interested,to On the Fence, to Hooked.  This week we talk about what to do when someone is in the "hooked category. 

Don't assume your customers know what you really offer.  Ask questions and confirm the order. 

From high touch to high tech here are some of our favorite suggestions on how to grow your email list.  This week we share some of our favorite tips.  And if the show has left you wanting more, you can download our …

This is a recording of Lorraine talking with Erin Sparks of Edge of the Web Radio about User Generated Content. 

Even if you hire someone else to manage your social media and content strategy, you need to stay involved. Here are some tips to help you take the …

The sales process may begin when a customer calls, but it doesn't end there.  In many industries you need to have a follow up process to nurture the …

This week we are talking about Pigeon.  No, not the annoying bird which leaves a deposit on your window.  We are talking about the latest Google update focused on making reviews of your busienss easier to find. Now more …

No one tries to create a website customers and search engines hate, but let's face it, we know it happens all the time. 

More and more companies are jumping into the content game, cluttering in-boxes and news feeds. How do you compete to be sure your content is seen, read, liked and shared?

One approach is to to simply write more, but at …

While you may never be able to compete with large national brands, if you only serve a local community you don't have too. Instead focus your energy on winning local search.

Some people say that a picture is worth 1,000 words.  Every wonder why?  It is because our brains process images significantly faster than we can process words. In an instant, they convey a range of emotions and ideas.  

Many business experts agree one of the best ways to grow a business is with “OPM” (Other people’s money). The idea is to reduce your risk and …

LinkedIn continues to evolve and improve. This week we take a look at two exciting new additions to the platform. 

Sometimes video can do more in 30 seconds than you can do in five or six pages.  Today we talk about some of the how and why of small business video. 

When it comes to content marketing it takes more than just great words and ideas.  It isn't just what you say, but where you say it that makes the difference. 

It isn't enough to get people to come to your site.  You need to welcome them, engage them and keep them coming back.  Inbound marketing strategies can help you do just that. 

When people repeat themselves too often, you tune out. And it isn't just a semi senile grandmother people are ignoring, it is messages from companies just like yours. And it isn't just customers, prospects and potential …

Content marketing makes sense for almost any business.  This short program describes how a bean company used content marketing to drive sales. 

There are lots of successful companies which have been around 20, 25 or even 30 years without a website.  Do they need one now?  

Lorraine tends to fly by the seat of her pants, and Jarred loves process and systems.  This week we talk about why a more organized approach is the right choice for most businesses. 

Did you ever wonder what other businesses are really doing online?  How much time are they spending and where they are spending it? Well we were curious so we decided to ask and share the answers with you. 

Google has made another round of changes to their search algorithm.  These changes are revisions to both their Panda and Payday Loan updates. Does all that sound like too much SEO Speak? That's ok, this week we break it …

Customers will always have complaints and inquiries about your services or products- it's all part of doing business. In the modern age of smartphones and the Internet, your clients are only a few mouse clicks away from …

A guide to using your web analytics to drive your marketing strategy.  If you aren't happy with the total amount of traffic coming to your website then dive in to the analytics and look at your traffic sources.  

There is no one perfect design for your home page.  In this week's show we weigh the pros and cons of different designs and talk about things you …

When you write something for your blog you hope someone will read it.. Every now and then you get a bonus when someone likes the content well enough to share it excerpts on their blog.   And if that blog has high …

It's simple - you want to get noticed and be successful. The number one goal for any small business owner is recognition and exposure for their …

LinkedIn is making some big changes.  Product pages are out and the new Showcase Pages are in.  

Wondering what are Showcase pages and what can you do with them?  Jarred and Lorraine will step you through some of the …

How did you access your email 10 years ago?  Yahoo?  AOL? Hotmail? Or were you an Outlook users?  Regardless of what you were using, your world changed ten years ago when Google launched Gmail.  For those of you who …

A thriving company culture drives innovation, entrepreneurship and productivity. Has your business gone through all the necessary steps to  define a …

Building great relationships is the key to any successful business endeavor. Most people don’t have the time to get networking wrong.  Having a game …

The technology of the internet continues to evolve.  So what's next?  What will the internet look like just a few years from now?

Not every advertising vehicle is right for every business.Should you advertise on Linkedin? Yelp or the Yellow Pages.com?   This week we will talk …

Branding is easy with a new company. You have clean slate.  There are no expectations, no existing impressions to overcome.  That isn't the case when …

You have been spending months working on your blog posts, but no one seems to be reading them.  This week Jarred and Lorraine talk about some of the reasons readers are not flocking to your site, and how to fix that. 

Twitter is the ticker tape newsreel of the modern era. It's a global watering hole, perfect for researching the latest trends, following breaking …

While every business plan covers the same basic topics the emphasis is different based on who will be reading your plan.  What a banker wants is dramatically different from what an investor needs to know. 

The big game was a blow out, but what about the advertising battle played out on social media and on TV?  Anne and Lorraine talk about the real winners and losers of yesterday's game. 

All good things come to an end.  That is especially true for content marketing.  Even the best campaign can only run so long.  So how do you know when it is time to call it quits? 

It is so much easier to do anything when you plan ahead.  That is especially true when it comes to your content marketing.  

When it comes to your website there is always something new.  A new feature or tool.  This week we share some of our favorite web enhancements, …

When it comes to your product or service, who are the influencers? Who will others look to when they need help deciding what to buy?  Do you have a specific plan to get these people on board to help you market your …

While the big social networks of Facbook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google + get lots of attention, there is a vast "underground" or private internet that bypasses these platforms completely. Increasingly, we're seeing a …

For businesses which have formed in the era of the internet, we have grown accustomed to getting our tools for free.  But things are changing. …

Does your brand really need to have an opinion on everything?  We don't think so.   For example why exactly did the childhood favorite brand of canned spaghetti feel the need to comment on the 72nd anniversary of the …

After having spent several years building a strong Facebook community, it is frustrating to see posts with visibility to less than 10% of our community. That is no accident says Facebook as they look to increase …

When you're busy (which, let's face it, is always), it's so easy to let a week slide by without writing any new content for your blog or responding to content sent over by your marketing company. It's understandable, …

 More than just marketing hype, your brand position statement is about creating an impression of your company in the mind of your prospective …

Word of mouth has always been a powerful way to build your business.  Even in the age of the internet it still is. The difference?  The words are now …

What if you threw a party and no one came? These days with the internet, and especially social media that is highly unlikely. You can use your website to house event information, send email invitations, invite people to …

Build a brand by not talking about your product? Done well, that strategy is not as crazy as it sounds, especially if you are trying to appeal to the Millennial generation. Chipotle has done just that by focusing their …

JC Penny has been in business for 100 years.  Cleraly they did a lot of things right over the years to stay in business as other retailers have come and gone.  But these days, they are struggling as they try to be …

English is not a static language. New words, phrases and grammar rules are added all the time. In this episode we talk about why  we  must, evolve …

The economy cycles up and it cycles down.  Learning to roll with the punches is part of running a successful business. This week we talk about things …

While we love it when companies outsource their marketing to us, sometimes the best decision is for them to bring on a staff member.  Trying to decide what is right for you?  This conversation might help

While we love it when companies outsource their marketing to us, sometimes the best decision is for them to bring on a staff member.  Trying to decide what is right for you?  This conversation might help

When it comes to marketing many business owners are surprised what a big impact a few little things can make.  It is easy to remember to send the big campaigns, get the booths ready for the trade show, but success is in …

What is content marketing?   It is information you share with prospects which help them reach a buying decision without overtly selling.  Content can be video, audio, pictures, eBooks, blog posts, email or social media …

While large companies can afford a few bad hires, small businesses can't.   This week we explore the ups and downs of finding the perfect person.  And if you are looking for a job, this conversation is directed at you …

The lines between on and off line are blurring, but some stores, particularly high end retails stores seem slow to make the move.  Given the computer …

 Your brand is what you want people to think about your company, and feel about your company.  The logo, color, and font choices should all support …

Businesses go through growth stages and there is a little pain at each step.  From hiring employees to deciding when to our source or add a new system, these changes may hurt a little, but are necessary in the long run …

As much as you would love to sell to everyone, you need to accept that Everyone is NOT your customer.    No matter what you sell, there are people …

While a healthy ego can help you have the confidence to launch and run your own business, left unchecked it can lead you down the wrong path.   There are times to trust your gut, and times to take the advice of others. …

Google has just rolled out another change to their popular email tool. your inbox is now presorted into tabs, with only the most important content …

The biggest challenge most beginning bloggers face is where to find the content to fill all those blog posts. 

As web and mobile technologies improve, pictures and video are becoming a more important part of the social experience.  To keep up, or stay one step …

Some "experts" are seeing the recent declines in the time people are spending on Facebook as a clear signal that Facebook is dying.   I think their predictions are a bit premature.  Facebook is still huge social media …

Just like a dog is easily distracted by a passing squirrel, small business owners are distracted by new toys, tools and technologies.  So how do you …

It is time to move past interns and part time employees.   Social media is serious marketing and needs to be treated that way.    This week we take on the topic of social media management.  Our conclusion?  It isn't so …

Often abused and overused, email has gotten a bad reputation.  But if done well it, used to send relevant messages to an interested audience email will  still deliver extraordinary and cost effective returns.  This week …

For many small businesses, summer means one thing: interns. Should you be hiring an intern? Do they need to be paid? And what should they be getting …

It's June! The days are longer, the temperatures are rising and people are starting to think about vacations. It's unfortunate many of the small business owners I work with make the mistake of skipping vacations because …

Allison and Lorraine talk about recent changes to Google + and Tumblr.

Now that tax season is over, it’s a good time to look at ways to reduce your tax bill next year. Join us as we chat with Gregory Simons about how you, the small business owner, can get ahead. About Gregory Simons: Greg …

CJ McClanahan believes that fundamentally, every business has the core objective to “deliver goods or services in a fashion that provides an en ever …

With changing rules from Google and new technology, keeping your marketing one step ahead of  your competitors is an on going challenge. That’s what …

Great videos begin with great stories. This week, we will talk with Lisa Whitman, co-owner of Digital Stories Productions, about how to use stories as the foundation of a great video. Lisa describes herself as a host, …

Today you’re focused on building your business, but someday you may want to sell it or turn it over to your employees. All too often business owners wait until it is way too late to start mapping out an exit strategy. …

In the rush to create content for blogs, emails and social media, many small business owners fall in to the trap of simply re-purposing content they find elsewhere. While some of this information is good to share, you …

Talking with entrepreneurs in Indy, I often hear complaints about the lack of local funding in the city. Today’s guest Brandon Smith is trying to change that. He is part of a new venture Localstake, which connects …

Business owner Joel Russell believes a business should do more than just produce products and services.  A business should be actively engaged in …

A vibrant artistic community will adds interest, jobs and revenue to a city. Indy is lucky to have an organization like IndyFringe at the center of our community. From modest beginnings just under a decade ago, the …

A great brand is more than a great logo. Having a truly iconic brand means understanding who you are and what you offer to customers. From the …

If you  don’t make sales, you won’t have much of a business. While we all know that’s true, it’s easy to get distracted and focus on busy work instead of the business of sales. Sales doesn’t have to be hard or …

Long before podcasting was cool or easy to do, our guest Alan Houser began experimenting with the medium.  Now, after more than seven years, he has …

The results are in from our 2013 Social Media Survey. We'll be releasing the white paper soon, but for now Allison and I will be talking about some …

Throughout his twenty year career, meteorologist Paul Poteet has done one thing, consistently  - talk to people about the weather. He has been the …

It's a new year, and time for a new start to your business and your life. This year, you're going to eat healthier and exercise more, right? Our …

Go it alone or go with a partner? It’s a question many business owners have to answer as they build their company.  This week we will be chatting with serial entrepreneur Arifa Aronson about her advice and lessons …

Search engine optimization and social media are an important part of driving traffic to your website, but getting prospects in the door is not enough. Once they arrive, do you have something for visitors to do? Are you …

Looking for something interesting to do in Indy his weekend? Just ask Ben Risinger. He turned a passion for the city into business as the founder and on-air host of DoItIndy. Along the way, he has also learned quite a …

Looking for something interesting to do in Indy his weekend? Just ask Ben Risinger. He turned a passion for the city into business as the founder and on-air host of DoItIndy. Along the way, he has also learned quite a …

Hard to believe it’s a brand new year. This week on our marketing podcast, Allison and I will discuss the importance of starting the year off with a business and marketing plan that will help you achieve your goals.

You may have noticed recently that Google has been aggressively promoting their AdWords product. If you are trying to figure out where to get started, or even if pay-per-click is right for your business, this is is one …

Are you gearing up for spring trade shows? Want to make the most out of  your investment? Whether you’re planning a booth at a conference or a …

The Internet has significantly changed the way we market. It begs the question, does anyone print anything anymore?  While we love internet marketing, we think there is still a place for print.  Join us on More Than a …

What is the role of print publications in the age of the Internet,  Listen as Kyle Garago, Editor-in-Chief at the Air Conditioning Heating and …

If you want people to notice your company online, give them something to look at. A great way to present information is through the use of an infographic, the equivalent of a digital poster. Infographics have …

There are always rules, including about what you can and can’t say in your marketing. In some industries, the rules are general suggestions, while in …

The holiday season is just heating up as retailers battle for shoppers’ mind share. As consumers create their holiday gift lists, retailers have been …

A few years ago, I commented on a blog post about how you decide who you choose to follow on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. The comment led to a …

Joining us for MTFW, our weekly marketing podcast, is author and marketing strategist Ruth King. She is a serial entrepreneur with more than seven …

It's easy to write marketing plans for products people want to buy, things like cars, vacations, food products and clothes.  But what if your product is something people need, but don't want to think about - insurance …

Generally, a hobby is defined as something you do for personal enjoyment while a job is something you do to make money. So what happens when your hobby becomes your business? Nancy Lee is a contemporary designer and …

We think Indianapolis is a great place to run a business, and Ron Gifford, Executive Vice President of Public Policy at Central Indiana Corporate …

Ten years ago, a handful of people started meeting in a bar to discuss how they could work together to grow their individual businesses.  From that …

Social media is a great way to connect with prospects and clients.   It is also a terrific way to share expertise.   Dr. Greg  Magnusson,  owner of …

Lorraine is still away so join Allison, Jenna and Peter as they chat about life in a small agency…and probably cats.

One of our favorite guests in MTFW history is Muhammad Yasin. Director of PR and Social Media at HCCMIS, Muhammad has a great sense of humor and an encyclopedic knowledge of social media.  It’s always a great show when …

How comfortable will you be to one day put your business in the hands of the next generation? Orr Fellowship believes in raw education and real world experience for young people. Orr Fellowship fosters recent graduates …

Indiana is a great place to start a new business. With a vibrant, supportive community, new business owners are just a meetup away from developers, founding partners and investors needed to launch their idea. At the …

We are excited to have  Cindy Hartman with us this week to discuss how to create a successful turnkey business package. Since 2004,  Cindy owner of …

Everyone wants to be on page one as customers search Google for a business like theirs. Unfortunately, there are often millions of possible options.

So how do you move to the top of the page? Search engine optimization …

On a regular basis Allison and Lorraine talk about the importance of creating a content strategy which will serve two masters: search engines and …

If you dream to start a small business but you’re stuck somewhere in the beginning stages, tune in this week to get advice from a legal standpoint. Matt Griffith of Indiana Business Law explains in plain terms what you …

We all think we understand the importance of building business relationships with customers. But do we really know how to establish and nurture these relationships to let our business benefit? This week our guest Serina …

The web has continued to expand and change.  As it does, your web design needs to change as well.  This week our extraordinary web designer Peter and I will discuss new web trends as well as the do’s and don’ts of good …

f you have been reading our blog lately, you know we have been talking about email marketing, a lot.   Why?  Because this  often overlooked tool, …

Marketing has always raised legal questions: Can you say that? Will I sue you if you do? The move of marketing to the internet has brought all of those questions to a new platform as well as raising quite a few more. …

It is the week of the 4th of July, so we assume most of our readers and listeners will be taking the day off.  But just in case you are craving a …

MTFW has gone international to find out if marketing different around the world? We are going to find out.  Our guest this week is Olwen Dawe -founder of  Irish Business Intelligence. She will be calling in and sharing …

You know you need to blog regularly, but how do you develop good content? This week’s we will be chatting with  TJ Furman about that topic. We will …