The Duct Tape Marketing Podcast
John Jantsch
Insightful interviews with authors, experts, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders who share valuable marketing tips, growth strategies, and resources. Hosted by John Jantsch, one of America's top small business marketing experts, this show is dedicated to helping you craft effective marketing strategies that will grow your business. Whether you're a small business owner, marketing professional, or marketing agency owner, you'll gain valuable insights and actionable advice on topics such as marketing strategy, consulting, social media marketing, content marketing, SEO, email marketing, lead generation, business management, entrepreneurship and much more. With over 900 episodes since its inception in 2005, The Duct Tape Marketing podcast is your go-to resource for all things marketing or business growth. Join us each week as we dive into the latest marketing trends and strategies that will help you achieve your business goals. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn from the best in the business. Tune in to The Duct Tape Marketing podcast and start listening today!
Episodes
Mentioned books
23 snips
Dec 4, 2025 • 22min
The Brain Science Behind Successful Marketing
Michael Aaron Flicker, founder of XenoSci Ventures and co-author of "Hacking the Human Mind," shares his expertise on the psychology behind successful marketing. He explains how brands intuitively leverage behavioral science yet often miss the academic backing. Delving into intriguing concepts, he highlights the Peak-End Rule for memorable experiences and the significance of concrete language in messaging. Flicker also emphasizes the ethical use of behavioral insights, urging marketers to apply these principles responsibly.
Dec 3, 2025 • 22min
Why Great Employees Don't Always Make Great Managers
In this insightful discussion, Ashley Herd, founder of Manager Method and former head of HR at McKinsey, reveals why top performers often falter when stepping into management roles. She explains the pitfalls of promoting individual contributors without proper training and emphasizes the importance of setting clear expectations. Ashley introduces her 'career quilt' concept, advocating for varied experiences in leadership. She also shares practical feedback frameworks and one-on-one techniques to transform team dynamics from mere status updates to meaningful development conversations.
13 snips
Nov 27, 2025 • 10min
How AI is Rewriting the Customer Journey
Discover how AI is transforming the buyer's journey, making marketing strategies more crucial than ever. Explore the innovative Marketing Hourglass framework and its non-linear paths. Uncover how AI tools are revolutionizing research and self-service experiences, including the rise of recommendation engines. Learn why focusing on answering customer questions is key for effective SEO. Most importantly, hear how authentic storytelling and emotional connections will set brands apart in an AI-driven landscape.
17 snips
Nov 26, 2025 • 23min
Using AI to Convert More Leads and Save Time
Joe Gagnon, Co-founder and CEO of Rainmaker, discusses how AI can revolutionize small business sales. He explains the concept of AI-native sales platforms and how automation can enhance customer experience without losing authenticity. Gagnon shares insights on using AI for inbound sales, resolving objections, and managing payments. He highlights the benefits of 24/7 support and democratizing access to sales capabilities, showing that AI can reclaim time for business owners while encouraging informed decision-making among consumers.
26 snips
Nov 20, 2025 • 23min
Magnetizing the Right Clients
David Newman, a keynote speaker and best-selling author, shares insights on attracting ideal clients. He introduces the concept of the "obscurity tax," emphasizing the importance of market eminence over personal branding. Newman encourages contrarian thinking and polarizing messaging to stand out from the crowd. He suggests using AI as a brainstorming tool and discusses the importance of generosity in sharing client work. With practical strategies, he reveals how to magnetize the right clients while repelling those who don’t fit.
19 snips
Nov 19, 2025 • 12min
10 Questions That Reveal the Truth About a Marketing Partner
Choosing the right marketing partner is crucial for business success. Discover the 10 essential questions to ask before hiring an agency. Learn about data ownership and why it matters. Understand how to evaluate success accurately by measuring leads and conversions, not just vanity metrics. Find out how to ensure tactics align with a solid strategy. Explore the importance of knowing who does the daily work and how to review sample reports. Plus, insights on AI use and the need for effective collaboration with your team.
21 snips
Nov 13, 2025 • 22min
Four Pillars for Social Selling
Join Lorenzo Johnson, a LinkedIn expert and partner at SociallyIn, as he unpacks the four pillars of social selling that drive results. Discover how to enhance your LinkedIn presence, improve your SSI score, and create engaging content that cuts through the noise of generic AI posts. Lorenzo stresses the power of authentic engagement and the importance of video in building trust. He also shares the significance of long-term strategies over quick wins, providing practical tips to optimize your profile for future success.
44 snips
Nov 12, 2025 • 21min
10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Agency
Sara reveals ten crucial questions for small businesses before hiring a marketing agency. She emphasizes the importance of asset ownership and measurable success. Understanding contract terms and team interactions is vital for a healthy partnership. She advocates for integrating AI responsibly while involving clients in the process. Transparency, education, and alignment with business strategy are key themes, ensuring businesses build a strong and informed marketing foundation.
23 snips
Nov 7, 2025 • 21min
Give Your Marketing Strategy a Smart Upgrade
Keith Lauver, a serial entrepreneur and marketing strategist, shares his insights on redefining marketing strategies with his AI platform, Ella. He dives into High Definition Marketing, emphasizing clarity and precision in branding. Keith discusses how AI tools like Ella simplify complex marketing frameworks and improve team performance. He highlights a successful case study, showcasing how Ella helped revive a brand’s growth. Finally, he outlines Ella’s future features, aimed at enhancing sales enablement and bridging the gap between strategy and execution.
68 snips
Nov 6, 2025 • 23min
AI, Content Strategy, and Building a Brand That Lasts
Manick Bhan, Founder and CTO of Search Atlas, discusses the evolving landscape of SEO and the impact of AI on content strategy. He debunks the myth that SEO is dead, emphasizing its transformation across platforms. Manick reveals why AI searches are yielding higher conversions and the importance of focusing on quality content over quantity. He encourages marketers to embrace hands-on learning with AI and stresses the need for strong branding. Lastly, he shares insights from his entrepreneurial journey, highlighting the value of persistence through failure.
