The Top 10 Marketing Lessons You Need from 2025

As 2025 wraps up, I’m taking you behind the data to reveal the top 10 most downloaded episodes of Rocky Mountain Marketing this year—and the biggest theme that kept emerging: trust-first strategy over trends.

In this year-end special, you’ll hear from brilliant guests like Gordon Firemark, Megan Dougherty, Mike Swenson, Lisanne Murphy, Sarah Nay, and more. We cover everything from building trust in the age of AI, creating human-first content, crisis-proofing your brand, to leveraging SEO and podcasting for sustainable growth.

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by marketing "shoulds"—this episode is your permission slip to slow down and get strategic.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What 2025 taught us about audience trust and authentic marketing
• Why AI without strategy won't work in the long run
• How to get more ROI from your marketing efforts
• How your podcast can become a powerful business driver
• What real business owners did to simplify, grow, and lead effectively

Timestamps:

00:00 Reflecting on a Year of Intentional Marketing

00:21 Introduction to Rocky Mountain Marketing

00:51 Year-End Review: Key Insights from 2025

02:18 Top 10 Episodes Countdown: Legal Protection for Podcasters

05:54 Podcast Blueprints for Business Success

08:54 Crisis-Proofing Your Brand

11:45 Transforming Your Website into a Sales Machine

15:29 Sustainable Growth Strategies for Small Businesses

18:19 Using Psychology to Attract Dream Clients

20:40 Finding Clarity and Passion in Entrepreneurship

21:37 Getting Your Local Business on Google's First Page

25:25 Human-First AI Marketing with Mike Monte

29:06 Turning Cold DMs into Warm Conversations

33:54 Trust-First Marketing Without Posting Every Day

38:44 Final Thoughts and Year-End Reflections

Whether you're a long-time listener or new to the show, this recap is packed with timeless advice to guide your 2026 strategy.

Hit follow and subscribe now to make sure you don’t miss the powerful conversations we have coming next year!

Learn more about Katie and Next Step Social & Podcasting:

Speaking: https://katiebrinkley.com/

Website: https://yournextstep.agency/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkley

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/@rockymountainmarketing

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkatiebrinkley/

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