Ahead of the Game

In this week's episode, host Will Francis speaks with Niamh Delaney, co-founder of TeamVirtual, who shares her journey from providing virtual assistant services to coaching others in building their own businesses. They chat about the role of different social media platforms and strategies, as well as email, in generating leads and maintaining strong relationships. Niamh is a great believer in the power of community support, especially when dealing with challenges and while working as a digital nomad between Ireland and Australia, and points inbetween. Find Niamh Delaney on Instagram and her website. The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on our ⁠website⁠, ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠, ⁠Spotify⁠, and ⁠YouTube⁠. Check out the DMI's extensive digital marketing library of ebooks, toolkits, podcasts, webinars, guides, templates, advice, and more! ⁠Join for free today⁠. And if you enjoyed this episode please leave a review so others can find us!

In front of the microphone this week is DMI's own head of marketing, Mischa McInerney. Her particular passion is the psychology of marketing and she chats with Will Francis about all aspects on the "Why", covering  examples of some key brands who have benefitted from smart application of the science. The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on our website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Check out the DMI's extensive digital marketing library of ebooks, toolkits, podcasts, webinars, guides, templates, advice, and more! Join for free today. And if you enjoyed this episode please leave a review so others can find us!

In this episode, host Will Francis⁠⁠⁠⁠ chats with ⁠ Archana Haarnack, Pinterest specialist. They explore what makes Pinterest such a unique social platform, and how organizations can build their brands there. (It’s not just for arts and crafts!) They also tease out some best practices and creative strategies for posting on Pinterest, as exemplified by brands such as HOOG and MADE. And they highlight some common mistakes that people make when they try to establish themselves on the platform. Looking to expand your social media skills? Don’t forget to register for our upcoming Instagram webinar. --------- The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube, Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠all other podcast platforms. And if you enjoyed this episode please leave a review so others can find us! If you have other feedback for or would like to be a guest on the show, email the podcast team!

In this episode - our 100th! - host Will Francis⁠⁠⁠⁠ chats with ⁠Brian Finnerty, the CMO of educational software company D2L. They look at Brian's long career in educational technology where he sees the learner as always taking the central role, especially in the age of AI. He explains how he manages their global marketing strategies, and offers insights into the ideal relationship between marketing and sales, as well as tips for anyone considering working in marketing. "Marketing is a great profession. It's plugged into the heartbeat of a company and its growth and its commercial viability. --------- To listen to more great conversations with professionals in digital marketing subscribe to Ahead of the Game on ⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and the video version on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠. And visit the Digital Marketing Institute for thousands of educational resources. You'll find ebooks, toolkits, podcasts, webinars, blogs, guides, and more! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join as a member for free today⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you enjoyed this episode please leave a review so others can find us! If you have other feedback for or would like to be a guest on the show, ⁠⁠email the podcast team⁠⁠!

How does the current job market look for digital marketing professionals? How is AI impacting the jobs scene? In this episode, Will Francis⁠⁠ interviews Terry Payne, Global Managing Director at Aspire Recruitment and learns about: the demand for digital marketing skills in high-growth markets, cultural differences in hiring practices, the shift towards hybrid work models, and the importance of demonstrating AI skills on CVs. They also touch on the significance of company culture, the average tenure in marketing roles (now 1.5 years!), key skills and roles for 2025, and the findings from Aspire's salary survey across the UK, US, MENA and APAC, available on the DMI website. "We've seen a 221 % increase in marketing professionals now listing AI on their CV. Upskill yourself now... get ahead of the curve." Terry's top 3 tips for jobseekers: Showcasing your tangible results Have realistic expectations Keep upskilling Resources mentioned: 2024 Salary Guides for Digital Marketers --------- The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠, ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠all other podcast platforms. And if you enjoyed this episode please leave a review so others can find us! If you have other feedback for or would like to be a guest on the show, ⁠email the podcast team⁠!

Brendan Almack and Cathal Melinn discuss the evolving landscape of PPC advertising, exploring the impact of AI, the importance of tailored landing pages, e-commerce strategies, and essential tips for PPC beginners. They emphasize adapting strategies and correct conversion tracking for campaign success.

Serial entrepreneur and digital marketing advisor Maeve Kneafsey shares insights on crafting a strategic marketing plan for new businesses, including audience research, customer journey mapping, and testing tactics before scaling. She also discusses getting stakeholder buy-in and essential skills for marketers.

Luan Wise, a social media consultant, shares insights on optimizing LinkedIn routines - engaging with posts, leveraging company pages for advocacy, and personal branding. Discusses AI tools, engagement strategies, and evolving company pages. Emphasizes consistency, visibility, and setting engagement rate benchmarks tailored to goals.

Travel the world in this week's episode! Host Will Francis⁠ peeks into the digital nomad life, chatting with Chris Cerra and Michelle Coulson. Chris founded the platform RemoteBase⁠ for finding remote accommodation and Michelle built HR platform Remote Rebellion out of frustration with companies calling people back to the office. They have tips for newbies, choosing the right destinations, essential gear, and the challenges and rewards of remote work. We also get some insights from Chris on his remarkably successful email newsletter and MIchelle's approach to LinkedIn. BONUS - Download our Free Guide with 10 Top Tips for Digital Nomads! ----------⁠ The Ahead of the Game podcast is brought to you by the Digital Marketing Institute and is available on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠our website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and as a video podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. A ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠transcript of this episode⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is available on the DMI website, where you'll also find all our other episodes on our extensive digital marketing library of ebooks, toolkits, podcasts, webinars, blogs, and more! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join for free today⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you enjoyed this episode please leave a review so others can find us! Want to let us know other topics you'd like to hear us cover, or want to be a guest on the show? Just drop us a line at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@digitalmarketinginstitute.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Luke O'Leary, VP at Neil Patel Digital, discusses the evolving state of AI search with a focus on good UX, optimization, audience understanding, solid content, and testing. Topics include the changing role of SEO, Google and Reddit partnership, TikTok as a search platform, and preparing for AI in search. Luke shares insights on his career transition from California to London and differences in marketing approaches between the US and the UK.