Rocky Mountain Marketing- Digital Marketing for Entrepreneurs

What does it really take to scale your business without losing your sanity?In this episode of Rocky Mountain Marketing, I sit down with my friend, business partner, and COO of Next Step Social & Podcasting, Shawn Quintero. Shawn pulls back the curtain on the systems, strategy, and mindset shifts that have helped us scale Next Step Social & Podcasting —and support clients doing the same.We talk about:How to shift from founder-dependence to system-dependenceWhat makes a marketing campaign actually workWhy our VIP Day is a game-changer for businesses of all sizesWhat it takes to turn your podcast into a lead-generating machineThe one business principle that will eliminate overwhelmTimestamps00:00 Introduction: Scaling Your Business01:02 Meet the COO: Shawn Quintero01:57 The Importance of Systems in Business03:34 Challenges of Founder-Dependent Businesses10:18 Strategic Incentives and Marketing Campaigns12:53 VIP Day: A Game Changer for Businesses17:14 Client Success Stories21:20 Finding Clarity and Solving Problems25:13 Looking Ahead: Scaling in 202626:52 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsWhether you're a solo business owner or managing a full team, this conversation will give you a behind-the-scenes look at the intentional design that drives real business growth.Ready to take the next step? Book your VIP Day now at yournextstep.agency and let’s build your custom growth strategy.Visit Shawn Quintero online:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heyshawnq/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeyShawnQ/Learn more about Katie and Next Step Social & Podcasting:Speaking: https://katiebrinkley.com/Website: https://yournextstep.agency/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkleyYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/@rockymountainmarketingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkatiebrinkley/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I’ll be honest—most business owners and marketers I talk to think their tracking is dialed in… but they’re still flying blind. Why? Because they’re trusting platforms like Google or Meta to tell them what’s working.In this episode of Rocky Mountain Marketing, I sat down with Zeke Camusio, founder of Data Speaks, to talk about why your tracking pixels might be lying to you—and how to fix it.Zeke breaks down the flaws in traditional tracking methods and shares a smarter, AI-powered approach to marketing attribution. We dive into the three pillars of unified measurement (media mix modeling, incrementality testing, and attribution) and how they help you make confident, data-driven decisions that actually move the needle.Whether you’re spending $2K or $200K a month on ads, this conversation will help you:Stop wasting budget on campaigns that aren’t convertingUnderstand how attribution really works across platformsClean up your tracking for more accurate insightsLearn how to implement AI-powered analytics without needing a data science teamIt’s time to stop guessing and start scaling with accurate marketing data. You won’t want to miss this one.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction: The Problem with Tracking Pixels00:24 Welcome to Rocky Mountain Marketing00:59 The Inaccuracy of Tracking Pixels01:43 Introducing Zeke Muccio and Data Speaks02:30 Are Tracking Pixels Reliable?05:03 Challenges with Tracking Pixels08:21 Unified Measurement Framework11:19 AI in Marketing Analytics14:48 Practical Steps for Business Owners17:32 The Role of UTM Tags and Pixels22:39 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsVisit Zeke Camusio online:Website: https://dataspeaks.ai/LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/zekemuccioFree tools: https://dataspeaks.ai/resourcesLearn more about Katie and Next Step Social & Podcasting:Speaking: https://katiebrinkley.com/Website: https://yournextstep.agency/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkleyYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/@rockymountainmarketingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkatiebrinkley/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if your website could generate leads while you sleep?In this episode of Rocky Mountain Marketing, I sit down with Wes Towers, founder of Uplift 360, to talk about what most business owners get wrong about their websites—and how to fix it. Wes shares his innovative approach to Search Everywhere Optimization, explains how to build an AI-proof content strategy, and breaks down how to make your website your #1 salesperson.We also unpack:The future of SEO in an AI-powered search worldWhy your website’s design may be costing you conversionsHow to create content that gets picked up by AI and voice searchWhy human-first branding still matters—and how to lead with itTimestamps:00:00 Introduction: The Hardest Working Sales Rep00:44 Welcome to Rocky Mountain Marketing01:18 Meet Wes Towers: Embracing AI and Human Connection02:37 The Importance of Your Website as a Sales Rep06:31 Search Everywhere Optimization Explained11:06 Practical Tips for an Effective Website20:02 Leveraging AI While Doubling Down on Human Connection22:03 Key Takeaways and ConclusionIf you’re a coach, consultant, or small business owner who wants to future-proof your brand and actually see results from your website, this episode is your game plan.Visit Wes Towers:Website: https://uplift360.com.au/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/westowers/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@uplift_360Learn more about Katie and Next Step Social & Podcasting:Speaking: https://katiebrinkley.com/Website: https://yournextstep.agency/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkleyYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/@rockymountainmarketingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkatiebrinkley/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/socialprofitlab Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When crisis strikes, will your business be ready?In this episode of Rocky Mountain Marketing, I sit down with Mike Swenson to uncover what every small and mid-sized business must know about crisis management. Mike shares his 30+ years of experience in public relations and walks us through a five-step framework for creating a crisis plan that actually works. From social media slip-ups to data breaches, we explore real-world scenarios that can put your reputation at risk—and how to protect it before it's too late.We also talk about why a crisis communication plan should be considered part of your marketing strategy, not just your PR playbook.What You’ll Learn:The biggest mistake small businesses make when it comes to crisis planningWhy your credibility is your most valuable asset—and how to protect itThe five must-have steps in a crisis management planThe importance of designating a crisis team (even if you’re a team of 5!)How communication can make or break your business during a crisisTimestamps:00:00 Introduction: Facing a Business Crisis00:45 Welcome to Rocky Mountain Marketing01:23 Meet Mike Swensen: Crisis Management Expert03:02 The Importance of a Crisis Plan08:01 Steps to Create an Effective Crisis Plan12:05 Real-World Examples and Lessons18:25 Actionable Steps for Entrepreneurs22:28 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsWhether you’re a solopreneur or scaling a business, this episode will leave you thinking differently about how to prepare for the unexpected.Visit Mike Swenson:Website: https://crisistrak.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeswenson1/Learn more about Katie and Next Step Social & Podcasting:Speaking: https://katiebrinkley.com/Website: https://yournextstep.agency/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkleyYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/@rockymountainmarketingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkatiebrinkley/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/socialprofitlab Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If your business isn’t ranking on Google Maps, you might as well be invisible. In this episode of Rocky Mountain Marketing, I am joined by local SEO expert Josh Thompson, founder of Bright Beam SEO. They dive deep into practical strategies that local business owners can implement today to rank higher in local search results.Josh shares his powerful OCTBR SEO framework—Optimize, Content, Targeting, Backlinks, and Reviews—and explains why focusing on bottom-of-the-funnel searchers leads to real, revenue-generating results. From the future of AI in search to the simple tweaks you can make to your Google Business Profile, this episode is a masterclass for business owners who want to get found by customers ready to buy.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why Google Maps rankings matter more than everThe most common local SEO mistakes (and how to avoid them)The real deal on backlinks—and how to earn quality onesHow to future-proof your business against AI-driven searchJosh’s go-to SEO strategies for immediate visibility gainsTimestamps: 00:00 Introduction: The Power of Google Search00:29 Welcome to Rocky Mountain Marketing01:06 Understanding Local SEO with Josh Thompson02:19 The Importance of Google Maps for Small Businesses05:49 SEO Strategies: Optimize, Content, Target, Backlinks, Reviews09:38 Impact of AI on Local SEO14:02 Building Effective Backlinks19:26 Quick Wins for Improving Local SEO22:28 Common SEO Mistakes to Avoid26:59 Conclusion and Contact InformationDon’t miss this chance to turn Google into your best lead generator. Tune in now and walk away with a game plan for better visibility, stronger reviews, and more ideal customers.Visit Joshua Thompson:Website: https://brightbeamseo.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshualinkedYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@brightbeamseoLearn more about Katie and Next Step Social & Podcasting:Speaking: https://katiebrinkley.com/Website: https://yournextstep.agency/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkleyYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/@rockymountainmarketingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkatiebrinkley/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/socialprofitlab Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Rocky Mountain Marketing, I’m joined by Bradford Carlton, an AI automation strategist helping entrepreneurs take back their time using low-code and no-code AI agents.Bradford explains how AI agents—think “digital employees”—can handle repetitive tasks, streamline workflows, and even replace entire job functions… all for pennies on the dollar. We discuss what platforms to start with (like Zapier, Make, and n8n), what kind of tasks to automate first, and how solopreneurs can scale without burnout.If you're ready to delegate to tech instead of hiring more staff, this episode will show you the way.What You’ll Learn:What AI agents actually are and how they workThe difference between AI tools and AI agentsHow to get started with no-code/low-code automation (no tech skills needed!)Why this isn’t just about productivity—but profitabilityWhy the future of entrepreneurship requires AI literacyWhat You’ll Learn:00:00 Introduction to the Ultimate Team Member00:12 Welcome to Rocky Mountain Marketing00:47 The Burden of Repetitive Tasks01:31 Introducing Dr. Bradford Carlton02:15 The Future of AI in Business03:13 Understanding AI Agents04:48 Real-World Applications of AI05:48 Common Myths and Fears About AI07:29 Getting Started with AI Automation12:06 Practical Tools for AI Automation14:14 The Future of AI Agents and Automation16:11 Final Thoughts and Call to Action19:33 Conclusion and FarewellIf you're a small business owner feeling buried in busy work, it's time to let AI step in. Tune in to this episode and learn how to turn hours of admin into a few clicks—and reclaim your time for what matters most. Subscribe for more future-focused marketing episodes every week!Visit Bradford Carlton:Website: https://www.bradfordcarlton.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradfordcarltonYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@BradfordSCarltonFree Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/automate-business-ai/aboutLearn more about Katie and Next Step Social & Podcasting:Speaking: https://katiebrinkley.com/Website: https://yournextstep.agency/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkleyYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/@rockymountainmarketingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkatiebrinkley/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/socialprofitlab#AIagents #businessautomation #entrepreneurmindset #lowcode #nocode #marketingautomation #AItools #smallbusinessgrowth #digitalproductivity #solopreneurtools #workflowautomation #Zapier #Makecom #n8n #timemanagement Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Rocky Mountain Marketing, I spoke with Hunter Jensen, founder and CEO of Barefoot Solutions, to explore the often-overlooked risks and opportunities in building AI strategies for business.Hunter shares expert guidance on:How companies can use AI without compromising sensitive dataWhy blindly plugging your proprietary info into ChatGPT is dangerousWhat a strong AI governance policy should includeWhen open-source AI models are the better fit for your goalsHow to educate your team on safe and effective AI usageTimestamps:00:00 Introduction: The Hidden Risks of AI Data00:28 Welcome to Rocky Mountain Marketing00:58 Today's Topic: Secure and ROI-Driven AI Strategy01:19 Meet Hunter Jensen: AI and Data Science Expert02:43 The Importance of Secure AI Tools05:55 Steps to Implementing a Secure AI Strategy06:37 The Role of AI Governance and Internal Tools15:58 Custom AI Solutions for Your Business18:58 Final Thoughts and Practical Advice24:23 Conclusion and How to ConnectThey also dig into how machine learning supports predictive analytics, and the importance of fostering innovation within your company culture to fully leverage AI.Whether you're a founder, CIO, or digital marketer, this episode delivers the tactical and strategic insights you need to build a secure, scalable, and ROI-positive AI roadmap.Visit Hunter Jensen:Website: https://www.barefootsolutions.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hunterjensen/Email: hunter@barefootsolutions.comLearn more about Katie and Next Step Social & Podcasting:Speaking: https://katiebrinkley.com/Website: https://yournextstep.agency/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkleyYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/@rockymountainmarketingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkatiebrinkley/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/socialprofitlab#AISecurity #AIStrategy #Chatgpt Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever wonder why your marketing isn’t attracting the right audience—even when your product is great? In this episode, I sit down with Lisanne Murphy, creator of Lumina Growth Lab and a master of scaling businesses using psychology-driven strategies. We explore what “dream traffic” actually means, why not all leads are created equal, and how understanding your audience’s behavior can cut acquisition costs in half.You’ll learn:Why demographic targeting isn't enoughHow to shift your messaging in response to market dynamicsThe psychology behind scroll-stopping contentStrategic slowing down for better business clarityTimestamp:00:00 Introduction to Psychological Marketing01:04 Meet Lizanne Murphy: Scaling Businesses with Psychology02:07 Understanding Dream Traffic09:12 Psychological Triggers for Immediate Action17:06 The Importance of Slowing Down for Business Success22:50 Conclusion and Ways to ConnectIf you’re a business owner, coach, or entrepreneur looking to grow smarter—not harder—this episode is a must-listen.Tune in now to discover how to turn dream traffic into loyal clients. Visit Lisanne Murphy:Website: https://themarketingmatrixpodcast.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisanne-murphyLearn more about Katie and Next Step Social & Podcasting:Speaking: https://katiebrinkley.com/Website: https://yournextstep.agency/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkleyYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/@rockymountainmarketingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkatiebrinkley/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/socialprofitlab Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Rocky Mountain Marketing, I’m joined by Mike Montague, creator of the Avenue 9 AI Tools list and a leading voice in ethical, human-first marketing with AI. We dive into the tools, mindset shifts, and ethical considerations every business owner needs to navigate the evolving AI landscape. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just testing the waters with ChatGPT, this episode will help you better understand how to use AI—and more importantly, why your voice still matters.From improving productivity to saving hours of admin work, we talk through Mike’s favorite tools (including which ones are worth paying for), how to maintain authenticity when automating, and the three “C’s” every business owner should remember in the age of AI: Creativity, Curation, and Coaching.What You’ll Learn:Mike’s top 9 AI tools for content, systems, and time managementHow to use AI without sounding robotic or genericWhy human-first marketing is the future of business growthHow to create a voice model in ChatGPTWhere most small business owners go wrong with automationTimestamps:00:00 Introduction: Transforming Your AI Experience01:06 Meet the Expert: Mike from Avenue Nine02:19 Philosophy of Human-First AI Marketing05:09 AI Tools for Small Business Owners10:35 Zoom AI Companion: Perfect Attendance Award14:26 Notebook LM: Most Organized and Best Banter17:04 Podcasting and Presentation Tools22:19 Grammarly and Whisper: Enhancing Your Writing25:09 Sales Connector: LinkedIn Networking27:06 Final Thoughts and TakeawaysIf you're ready to work with AI (instead of competing against it), this episode is your roadmap. Subscribe to Rocky Mountain Marketing for fresh, human-centered strategies that actually move the needle—and don’t forget to share this episode with a fellow creator or coach who’s ready to scale smarter.Visit Mike Montague:Website: https://avenue9.com/mike-montague/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedmontagueLearn more about Katie and Next Step Social & Podcasting:Speaking: https://katiebrinkley.com/Website: https://yournextstep.agency/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkleyYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/@rockymountainmarketingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkatiebrinkley/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/socialprofitlab Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Starting a podcast is easy—but building one that shortens your sales cycle, drives high-ticket leads, and supports your business? That’s a different game.In this episode, Katie sits down with Megan Dougherty of One Stone Creative to unpack the business strategy behind podcasting. They dive into podcast value math, why most shows fail to convert, and how to create episodes that become evergreen sales tools.What You’ll Learn:How to design a podcast that fits your business goalsWhy 12-15 focused episodes might be more powerful than 100 inconsistent onesThe real KPIs that drive ROI (hint: it’s not downloads)When (and how) to turn your podcast into a strategic referral engineTimestamps:00:00 Introduction and Podcasting Strategy Overview01:08 Guest Introduction: Megan Doherty02:06 Common Misconceptions About Podcasting03:47 Designing a Podcast for Business Outcomes05:10 Shortening the Sales Cycle with Podcasts08:05 Entertainment vs. Business Podcasts09:56 Measuring Podcast Success13:54 Business Podcast Blueprints and State of Business Podcasting Report21:07 Final Thoughts and Contact InformationWant to create a podcast that does more than entertain? Visit podcastingforbusiness.com for Megan’s full blueprint. DM Katie on LinkedIn if you want help bringing your podcast strategy to life.Visit Megan Dougherty online:Website: http://podcastingforbusiness.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doughertymegan/Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-business-podcast-spotlight/id1801282981Learn more about Katie and Next Step Social & Podcasting:Speaking: https://katiebrinkley.com/Website: https://yournextstep.agency/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkleyYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/@rockymountainmarketingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkatiebrinkley/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/socialprofitlab Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.