Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur | Start and Grow Your Own Business 1237: How to be successful in the world of AUDIO ADVERTISING (and how to be EFFECTIVE rather than annoying) w/ Buck Robinson
Ever wonder why some ads get stuck in your head but never make you buy? In this episode, we sit down with Buck Robinson, a serial entrepreneur and audio advertising veteran whose marketing education began with his father, the ad man behind the iconic Ronco brand. Buck cuts through the noise of vanity metrics and shiny new platforms to deliver a masterclass in ROI-driven advertising. He reveals a simple, powerful formula for creating ads that don't just build brand awareness, but actually drive sales. For any entrepreneur tired of wasting money on marketing that doesn't work, this episode provides a clear roadmap to crafting compelling messages that turn listeners into loyal customers.
💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business
- 💰 How to structure your ad copy with a simple, proven formula: problem, solution, differentiation, and a clear call to action.
- 🚀 Why focusing on customer benefits instead of product features is the key to creating ads that convert.
- 📈 How to leverage "old school" media like radio and podcasts for a fraction of the cost of oversaturated digital platforms.
- 🗣️ The art of using storytelling in audio ads—and how to determine the right storyteller (founder, customer, or professional voice) for your brand.
- 🛒 The critical mistake to avoid after landing a retail placement and why your marketing work is just beginning when your product hits the shelf.
- 📊 Why metrics like "mindshare" and "recall" are useless if they don't directly lead to a positive and profitable return on investment.
📝 About Buck Robinson
Buck is a seasoned entrepreneur with a legacy rooted in advertising—his father’s industry and his own lifelong passion. Over the past 30 years, he has launched and scaled multiple ventures, including one that earned a spot on the Inc. 100 list of fastest-growing U.S. companies. His latest endeavor, Retail and Response, reflects the culmination of decades of experience, aligning his strengths, values, and vision. With this venture, Buck focuses on delivering meaningful impact for clients while building lasting value alongside his business partner.
🎯 Buck’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs
"Do it because you love it... You have to be enjoying it every single day... Stick to it if this is what you truly know you're meant to do... That type of persistence is ultimately what makes it all worthwhile."
📢 Memorable Quotes
- “My job is to sell stuff. So selling, if I'm selling stuff, it's working. If it's not selling stuff, it's not working. No matter how many people are like, 'Oh, I love your commercial.'"
- “Audio is a story medium. It is a medium where it's all about explanation, not demonstration.”
- “Getting your product onto the shelf... that is not the finish line. That is the starting line.”
💡 Actionable Takeaways
- ✅ Audit your current marketing messages. Are you talking about features ("it has this...") or benefits ("it will change your life by...")? Rewrite your copy to focus on the customer's transformation.
- ✅ If you have a retail product, build an advertising budget specifically for the 90 days after you launch in stores to drive sell-through and avoid being delisted.
- ✅ Investigate the costs of "tried and true" media channels like radio, podcasts, and satellite. You may find they offer a higher ROI than more crowded and expensive digital platforms.
🔗 Links & Resources