213. A New Era: Benji Reflects on Content Marketing and More - Benji Carlson
Apr 23, 2025
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A significant turnover marks the beginning of a new era as the longtime host passes the torch. The discussion dives into the evolution of content marketing, emphasizing its impact on the contracting industry. Listeners can learn about building authentic connections with audiences and leveraging unique job site experiences for brand visibility. The importance of addressing buyer pain points is highlighted, alongside the ideal balance of valuable versus promotional content in marketing strategies. Reflecting on over 200 podcasts, the hosts express gratitude for their audience's support.
Contractors must enhance their hiring practices to attract top talent, especially during the current skilled labor shortage.
The podcast has evolved to become a crucial tool for content marketing, adapting to audience preferences for audio content.
Building confidence in content creation is vital, as consistent delivery and authenticity foster deeper connections with the audience.
Deep dives
Strategies for Effective Hiring
The discussion emphasizes the challenges contractors face in hiring during a skilled labor shortage and highlights the importance of improving hiring practices. Utilizing effective job ads and interview techniques can significantly enhance candidate engagement, increasing the likelihood of attracting top talent. The podcast offers job ad templates that have shown success, as well as interview strategies designed to double candidate show-up rates. By adopting these practices, contractors can position themselves as preferred employers in their local markets, attracting high-quality candidates.
The Evolution of Content Marketing
The conversation delves into the origins of the podcast and its role in establishing a content marketing strategy for the Breakthrough Academy. Initially created out of necessity in response to challenges in scaling their business, the podcast became a medium for disseminating valuable content tailored to their audience. Research into audience preferences revealed a demand for audio content, especially suited for the on-the-go nature of contractors, highlighting the importance of meeting potential customers where they are. This shift from relying on external platforms to building their own audience marked a pivotal change in their marketing approach.
Impact on Brand and Audience Engagement
The podcast reflects on the substantial impact of content marketing on brand growth and audience trust. It notes a correlation between the podcast's success and increased business metrics, such as subscriber count and annual sales, evidencing the effectiveness of consistent content delivery. The host emphasizes the importance of delivering valuable, actionable insights that resonate with listeners, fostering a deeper connection with the audience. The rapport built between the hosts and their listeners illustrates the podcast's ability to humanize the brand and build long-lasting relationships.
Content Marketing for Contractors
The discourse encourages contractors to explore content marketing as a means to engage with their audience more personally. It stresses that potential clients often conduct extensive research before making contact, highlighting the necessity of providing informative content that addresses common questions and concerns. Utilizing multiple mediums beyond podcasts, such as videos and newsletters, can enhance visibility and trustworthiness, making contractors stand out in a competitive market. By tapping into their daily operations, contractors can easily generate relevant content that speaks directly to the needs of their clients.
Overcoming Content Creator Challenges
The episode addresses common hurdles faced by new content creators, including the fear of public perception and the potential for initial failures. Building confidence and authenticity in content creation is essential, as is accepting that growth comes with practice over time. Implementing a content calendar and batching production processes are practical strategies to maintain consistency and reduce burnout. Overall, the hosts emphasize the importance of learning and development through content marketing, as well as embracing the inevitable learning curve associated with becoming an effective communicator.
On May 6, attend our free web class to learn the proven hiring framework top contractors use to attract and retain A players during a labor shortage. Register here: https://trybta.com/CE-HIRING-M25
The last official day of Benji's time on Contractor Evolution.
And the first official day of a new era.
In today’s episode, we're pumped to introduce Danny Kerr as your new host.
Danny is one of the co-founders of Breakthrough Academy. In fact, he’s the visionary behind the whole thing.
He’s a lifelong entrepreneur, former painting contractor and a true expert in guiding contractors to more profitable and more fulfilling businesses.
In this episode, he leads his first official interview on the show—with Benji. They're diving into the history behind Contractor Evolution and everything Benji has learned about content marketing along the way.
Episode Highlights:
Get an introduction to the new host of Contractor Evolution: Breakthrough Academy visionary and co-founder Danny Kerr.
Reminisce with Benji as he walks us through the history of the show and what he learned along the way.
Learn from Benji’s experience when it comes to content marketing, and understand how you might use it to benefit your business.
00:00-Intro
01:42-The history and evolution of Contractor Evolution
14:34-The case for content marketing
25:12-Content Marketing 101 for contractors
42:46-Value-add content vs. salesy content
47:41-Avoiding false starts
54:04-Lightning round
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