Marketing Spark (The B2B SaaS Marketing Podcast)

In this episode of Marketing Spark, Mark Evans sits down with Ishveen Jolly, founder and CEO of OpenSponsorship, to explore how athlete sponsorship has been transformed by social media and digital platforms. OpenSponsorship, a marketplace that connects brands with athletes, has helped democratize sponsorship deals, enabling even small brands to work with sports stars across various niches.Ishveen shares her journey from sports agent to tech entrepreneur, detailing how her platform has evolved from a simple idea to a tech-enabled agency working with global icons like LeBron James and Tiger Woods. She provides insights into the shifting dynamics of the sports sponsorship industry, emphasizing how athletes are no longer just the faces of brands but partners in building powerful, authentic campaigns.

In this episode of Marketing Spark, Mark Evans sits down with seasoned marketer Linda Melone to explore how AI is transforming the marketing landscape. Linda shares her personal journey, from transitioning out of the fitness industry into content writing and copywriting, to embracing AI tools like ChatGPT to streamline her workflows. She discusses the challenges and opportunities AI presents, offering insights into how she selects and utilizes various AI-powered platforms to maintain authentic, high-quality content for her clients. The conversation dives into the importance of personalizing marketing in an AI-driven world, the balance between automation and human touch, and predictions for the future of AI in marketing. Whether you’re new to AI or already experimenting, this episode offers valuable perspectives on how to navigate this fast-evolving space.

Dale Harrison, an experienced marketer skilled in onboarding and customer success, shares invaluable insights on transforming customer onboarding into a loyalty-building powerhouse. He likens onboarding to a dating game, stressing the importance of first impressions and continuous engagement. Dale critiques traditional churn analysis and emphasizes the need for tailored strategies to keep users active. He also highlights how monitoring user engagement can proactively combat churn and enhance long-term retention strategies, essential for any SaaS business.

In this episode of the Marketing Spark podcast, Mark Evans delves into the intense competition within the CRM market, highlighting the prominent players like HubSpot and Salesforce. Mark talks to Jessica Andrews, Copper's VP of marketing, a smaller CRM company that has successfully distinguished itself through precise brand positioning and inventive marketing strategies. Jessica describes how Copper focuses on specific industries like agencies, consulting, and financial services, emphasizing relationships and non-linear sales cycles. The podcast discusses Copper's brand evolution, the impact of economic conditions, and the strategic importance of aligning product and marketing efforts. Jessica provides insights into Copper's marketing strategy adjustments, including leveraging LinkedIn for thought leadership and experimenting with new channels like Reddit. The conversation also covers the challenges and techniques involved in convincing corporate leadership to engage on social media and the continuous process of monitoring and adapting brand positioning.Thanks to Leadfeeder for sponsoring this episode. Know who’s coming to your website, convert more leads and get a free trial at Leadfeeder.com/try

In this episode of Marketing Spark, host Mark Evans talks with Jiaqi Pan, co-founder and CEO of Landbot, an AI-powered platform revolutionizing customer service. Jiaqi shares Landbot’s journey from a B2C service to a leading B2B SaaS solution. Topics include recognizing unsustainable business models, effective brand positioning, and balancing AI with human interaction. Jiaqi offers valuable advice for B2B SaaS entrepreneurs and discusses metrics for measuring AI-driven customer service success. Tune in for practical insights into leveraging AI, driving leads, and enhancing customer experience. Connect with Jiaqi on LinkedIn and learn more about Landbot at landbot.io

In this episode of Marketing Spark, Mark Evans interviews Sam Dunning, a content marketing and SEO expert, to dissect the recent leaks about Google's search algorithm and the rise of AI-generated content.The conversation delves into the implications of these leaks, which reveal the ongoing importance of backlinks and brand relevance despite Google's previous statements.Sam explains the critical impact of these changes on B2B SaaS companies and shares best practices for staying competitive in this volatile landscape.They also discuss the future of SEO, emphasizing the shift towards bottom-of-the-funnel content and the diminishing value of top-funnel, AI-overviewed content.The podcast highlights the importance of understanding high-intent prospects, leveraging detailed customer research, and creating content that genuinely resonates with target audiences.As AI continues to transform SEO and content marketing, Sam offers practical advice on adapting strategies to maintain visibility and drive leads.Thanks to this week’s sponsor, Landbot, AI Chatbot Generator for Conversational Experiences.

In the latest episode of Marketing Spark, host Mark Evans sits down with Matt Mireles, CEO and co-founder of Talktastic. They dive into the transformative impact of AI on content marketing, exploring how generative AI tools like ChatGPT are reshaping the industry. Matt shares his entrepreneurial journey, from being a paramedic and journalist to founding AI-driven companies. He discusses Talktastic's innovative new app that transforms rambling speech into polished writing, maintaining the user's authentic voice. The conversation also delves into the ethical considerations of AI in content creation and the future of AI as a tool for enhancing human communication. This episode provides valuable insights for marketers on integrating AI effectively while preserving creativity and authenticity.

In this episode of the Marketing Spark podcast, Mark Evans interviews Billy Broas, a leading messaging expert.They delve into the importance of clear, compelling messaging in marketing, discussing why it often gets overlooked in favor of more glamorous tactics. Billy shares his insights on how effective messaging can significantly boost customer engagement and conversion rates. He introduces his "Five Light Bulbs" framework, which helps businesses create persuasive core messaging. They also explore the common mistakes companies make with their messaging and how to avoid them. This episode is packed with practical advice for marketers looking to improve their messaging strategies.

In this episode of Marketing Spark, Mark Evans talks with Drew Moffitt, head of marketing at KumoSpace, to explore the evolving landscape of remote and hybrid work. As companies navigate the complexities of bringing employees back to the office while maintaining the flexibility of remote work, KumoSpace offers a unique solution. Drew shares how KumoSpace is redefining virtual collaboration with immersive and interactive virtual spaces, helping businesses enhance productivity, engagement, and team culture.Drew also delves into best practices for hiring, onboarding, and managing remote teams, providing practical advice for navigating the challenges of the modern workplace.

In this episode of Marketing Spark, Mark Evans sits down with Kirk Simpson, co-founder of Wave Accounting, which was sold to H&R Block for $537 million in 2019. Kirk shares his journey from Wave's early days, detailing the inspiration behind the company and the challenges faced while growing it into a successful business.Key highlights include: Origins of Wave Accounting: Kirk and his co-founder James Lochrie's vision was to simplify financial management for small business owners, inspired by Mint’s innovative approach to personal finance. Challenges and Successes: The duo faced initial struggles with funding and market penetration but eventually succeeded through strategic positioning and a fortunate feature in the Google Chrome app store. Free Model and Product Development: The advantages and pitfalls of offering a free product and the importance of continuously improving the product to meet user expectations. Venture Capital Journey: Insights into raising venture capital, the adrenaline and focus it requires, and the importance of telling a compelling business story. Acquisition by H&R Block: The process and emotions involved in the acquisition, including the challenges of transitioning from a startup to an acquired company. New Ventures: Kirk's latest entrepreneurial endeavour, GoConfirm, is an identity verification platform to enhance trust in peer-to-peer transactions, particularly in marketplaces like Facebook.Kirk’s story is a testament to the rollercoaster ride of entrepreneurship, highlighting both the highs and lows and offering valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs.