Product Chats Podcast

 Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNJI2Tv2yxOLBI02nyJoprA  Learn more about us: https://www.pragmaticinstitute.com/  Start your Product Marketer certification here "Journalists are story builders, and you have to always be aware that what you're releasing has to fit the narrative of the story." – Mickie Kennedy In this episode of Product Chats, Mickie Kennedy joins us to discuss how to craft compelling press releases by understanding the needs of journalists, focusing on storytelling, and considering newsworthy elements. He emphasizes the importance of including standout quotes, presenting data and numbers effectively, and using the human-interest angle. Key Takeaways: ·     Product marketers and managers should focus on the narrative they're presenting with their press release, ensuring it aligns with the journalist's audience's interests. ·     Including elements such as case studies, testimonials, and relevant data in press releases can make them more appealing and informative. ·     Sharing media coverage with leads and customers can boost conversions and retention by leveraging the credibility that comes with earned media. About Mickie Kennedy: Mickie is the Founder and President of eReleases, the small business leader for press release distribution, now celebrating 25 years in business. He is an expert at helping businesses increase their visibility and credibility and he’s here to share some valuable insights about how to hone your product release stories to make you irresistible to the media. ABOUT PRAGMATIC INSTITUTE: Since 1993, we’ve provided training and professional development for product, design, and data professionals to accelerate innovation, increase customer satisfaction, and bolster revenue. Through our comprehensive methods and propriety Pragmatic Framework, we train professionals with the skills needed to accelerate their product management and product marketing careers, increase team efficiency, and boost revenue. Our online, in-person, and on-demand courses are taught by industry experts with decades of experience at top companies like Microsoft, Cisco, Dell, Hallmark, Quaker Oats, and Dun & Bradstreet. We offer individual course training in product, design and data, and certification tracks for Product Management Certifications, Product Marketing Certifications, and the Pragmatic Product Master Certification. All attendees gain access to the Pragmatic Alumni Community, a network of over 30,000 alumni worldwide. If you’re looking for product management or product marketing training or are pursuing a product marketing certification or product management certification, browse our certification paths at https://www.pragmaticinstitute.com/product/. Courses are available online, in-person, or on-demand to fit your schedule. Want to learn more about becoming a Pragmatic Certified Product Marketer? Learn more here.

"Marketing is starting a conversation with someone that could be a great client." - Tom Schwab, Chief Evangelist Officer at Interview Valet Tom Schwab is a trailblazer in the world of online marketing. With his extensive experience working with over 700 leading brands, Tom brings a wealth of knowledge and practical insight to the table. His role as a Chief Evangelist Officer at Interview Valet allows him to share his expertise and help businesses transform their product strategies. In this episode, Tom Schwab and Rebecca Kalogeris delve into the power of podcast interviews as a platform for marketing. Tom shares invaluable insights on how to identify the right conversations to engage with one's audience, the importance of bringing value during podcast interviews, and the strategies for maximizing the impact of the interview afterwards. Key Points: 1. The Power of Conversation: Tom emphasizes that marketing is about starting a conversation with potential clients and this can be achieved effectively through podcast interviews. 2. Lookalike Audiences: Tom talks about the concept of "lookalike audiences," where you can find groups of people who share traits or behaviors with your ideal customers. Knowing where to find these lookalike audiences can help you reach potential customers more effectively. 3. Importance of Understanding the Buying Process: Tom points out that more and more, things are being bought, not sold. He emphasizes the need to understand this shift and adapt marketing strategies accordingly. This means focusing on helping potential customers make their buying decision rather than trying to sell to them. Eager to learn more about marketing tactics and how they can elevate your product strategies? Enroll in our Market class today and learn from industry experts to become a Certified Product Marketer.

"Data is the key to your success in this. Getting data about how your product is being used, getting data about the market and or customers or potential customers validation points on that data is absolutely crucial." - Mike Smart   Mike Smart is a seasoned product consultant specializing in accelerating product sales growth and developing market-driven practices for better business outcomes. He is the founder and managing principal at Egress Solutions and has served as an advisor for multiple startups.   Key Takeaways: Strategic Planning Insights: Mike delves into the critical aspects of strategic planning for the year 2024, focusing on market dynamics, customer validation, and the crucial role of data analysis. Four Pillars of Success: He elaborates on the four pillars of strategic planning: aligning with business strategy, in-depth market research, rigorous data analysis, and the efficient use of technology and resources. Expectation Management: Emphasizing communication, Mike discusses the importance of managing expectations throughout the planning process. Mike’s expertise provides a clear guide for professionals aiming to lead in a rapidly evolving market landscape, making it a must-listen for those seeking to enhance their strategic planning skills.   Want to learn more about using data in product practices and decisions? Take our Insight course to turn your data into product strategies.

"As a product leader, you want to be able to come to the table with information that will get you heard. Sometimes it's less storytelling, more data, and really knowing your audience and knowing who you are working with and the way in which they will receive information best." - Josey Borman In this episode of the Pragmatic Product Chat Series, we are joined by Josey Borman, an EdTech expert and a firm believer in the power of education in product. Having transitioned from being a high school social studies teacher to a product and content development executive in EdTech, Josey brings a unique perspective on leadership, product management, and partnerships. Key Takeaways: - The Role of Data: Josey emphasizes the importance of data in making informed decisions, particularly in the area of product management and in deciding potential partnerships. - Team Management: Josey shares insights on leadership, focusing on understanding audience diversity, nurturing team dynamics, and building relationships for success. - Exploring Partnerships: Josey provides a detailed approach on exploring partnerships, considering strategic goals, core competencies, and the readiness of the organization to take on new initiatives. Tune in to this episode to gain insight into Josey's unique approach to product management, leadership, and partnerships. Want to learn more about using data in product practices and decisions? Take our Insight course to turn your data into product strategies.

“When they say you lost on price, that’s not a good enough answer. You have to peel the onion. You have to do the work to uncover the real answer” – Spencer Dent   In this replay episode of Pragmatic Live, we are joined by co-Founder of Clozd—a leading provider of technology and services for win-loss analysis.   Key topics discussed include: The Impact of Pricing Models: A big one-time payment can be intimidating. Breaking it down into smaller, monthly bites often feels more manageable and less risky to customers Clear Pricing Wins Trust: No one likes hidden costs. Being upfront about your pricing not only builds trust but can also attract more buyers. Remember, People Make Purchases: It's people, not companies, who make the final call to buy. Personalizing your sales approach to meet their specific needs can make a huge difference. Additional Resources Price This course equips you with the essential tools to eliminate the uncertainties of pricing and boost your profits. Discover a tested pricing strategy that aligns with market willingness to pay and bolsters your organization's strategic goals. >>Enroll Today   Accelerate Your Subscription Business Pricing specialist Mark Stiving brings his deep knowledge of subscription models to the Pragmatic Learning Network, offering product teams vital insights to enhance their subscription ventures and spur growth. >> Learn More

"I often say to executive leaders that a launch may very well be the biggest cross-functional initiative your company participates in, with the exception of an acquisition." - Dave Daniels, founder of BrainKraft   In this episode of the Pragmatic Product Chat Series, we are joined by Dave Daniels, a mastermind in product launches and the founder of BrainKraft. Dave shares his invaluable insights on crafting effective launch strategies and building organizational alignment for consistent market success.   Key Insights: Focus on Outcomes, Not Outputs: Learn why focusing on outcomes, rather than mere outputs, is crucial for a successful product launch. The Blueprint for Success: Discover Dave’s expertise in establishing clear objectives and fostering collaboration for effective product launches. Building Launch Expertise: Understand how BrainKraft equips organizations with structured approaches and governance for repeated launch success. Role of PMO: Dive into the critical role of the Program Management Office in ensuring consistent implementation of launch processes across various business units. Use Your Resources: Dave shares actionable tips for defining clear launch objectives and highlights BrainKraft's resources for further guidance. Tune in to this episode for a helpful discussion on mastering the art of product launches and developing the necessary "muscles" for consistent success. As a gift to our listeners, you can receive a free Launch Worksheet when you contact Dave.   Want to learn how to execute successful launches that align your entire organization around the same strategies and goals?   Our Launch course will teach you how to define measurable goals, measure and report on launch effectiveness, and how to craft a launch strategy that aligns your teams.

"Everything boils down to a pain point and how you’re solving it. It’s our job to intimately understand our customer’s pain points." – Lindsay Sutula, Founder & CEO of Top Fox Marketing   In this episode, Lindsay Sutula of Top Fox Marketing shares essential tactics for understanding and outsmarting your competition through stealthy marketing strategies.   Key Takeaways: Keyword Planning: Find out how to use Google's keyword tools to figure out what your competitors are up to and spot trends before they take off. Ad Insights: Discover how to see every ad your competitor has run using tools like Google's Ads Transparency Center and similar features on Meta and LinkedIn. Staying Alert: Learn to set up Google Alerts in a way that most businesses miss, keeping you informed about your competitors and industry shifts. Tech Scouting: Use builtwith.com to learn what tech your competitors are using and how it can give you an edge, whether you're competing or looking for potential clients. Tune in and learn how to gain the competitive intelligence you need to make smarter marketing decisions and keep your business ahead of the curve. Want to learn how to get to know your market and build the product marketing strategies that deliver results? Our Market course will teach you how to build buyer expertise and how to measure impact on the bottom line.

This episode is from our latest Product Chat webinar >> watch the webinar In a world where customer expectations are ever-evolving, delivering personalized experiences isn't just nice to have, it's imperative.” – David Tang, Product Leader (fmr. Dropbox)In this episode, Product Leader David Tang talks about the transformative power of personalization in today's competitive market landscape, and how your company can learn from the players that do it best.Key Takeaways: Personalization and Customer Data: Learn how personalization shapes buying decisions and why customer data is key to understanding different customer groups. Customer Segmentation: Discover various methods of categorizing customers based on their behaviors and attitudes, and the importance of regular evaluation. AI-Driven Personalization: Explore practical examples of how AI and machine learning contribute to personalization, like reducing customer churn and recommending products. Evaluating Model Success: Understand the need for measuring the performance of personalization models using different metrics and KPIs to align with business goals. Building a Strong Personalization Engine: Get actionable advice for creating a data-driven personalization engine that improves customer satisfaction and business growth.   Dive into this insightful discussion to enhance your personalization strategies, better engage with your customers, and stay ahead in the competitive market. Want to learn more about using data in product practices and decisions? Take our Insight course to turn your data into product strategies.

“I don't care if you have the best creative in the world. I don't care if you have the best concepts in the world, but if you're reaching out screaming at the top of your lungs to the wrong audience, you’re not going to get any results” - Sarah Saffari   In this episode of Pragmatic Product Chat, host Rebecca Kalogeris interviews Sarah Saffari, Founder of InfluencerNexus, about best practices for influencer marketing. Sarah provides valuable insights from both sides of influencer partnerships.   They discuss: How influencer marketing is “word-of-mouth at scale” due to loyal niche audiences Vetting influencers carefully to avoid fraud and ensure an authentic audience Developing genuine relationships and allowing creative freedom for best results Measuring influencer impact through trackable links and other metrics Case studies of successful influencer campaigns and partnerships Why micro-influencers can sometimes outperform celebrity influencers Keep Learning How to Market Your Product Effectively   Want to learn how to build effective product marketing strategies that resonate with buyers? Register for our Market course.   Course Overview: Gain a thorough understanding of your buyers and how they like to buy so you can build product marketing strategies that deliver results. Align across go-to-market teams by effectively sharing and leveraging your buyer knowledge to prioritize the right product marketing strategies. Measure your strategies against the metrics that matter most to your organizations, focusing on outcomes and impact, not vanity. Market is taught by leading experts with decades of real-world product marketing experience. And you can take it live online, in-person, or through private corporate training.   Learn More & Register

“Being nice is about making the other person feel better, which may involve avoiding the truth or actions that could benefit them in the long run. Being kind can sometimes be hard,” - Jenny Martin   In this episode of Product Chats, host Rebecca Kalogeris and Agile Coach Jenny Martin delve into the heart of creating a nurturing and collaborative team environment.   Jenny, with her rich background in psychology and extensive experience in the tech sector, brings a fresh perspective on blending kindness, compassion, and collaboration to foster high-performing and psychologically safe teams.   They discuss The role of collaboration in maximizing the benefits of collective effort, and how inviting diverse strengths in a team can lead to better problem-solving and innovation. The difference between “nice” and “kind” Why genuine listening and giving others the benefit of the doubt are steps towards understanding and practicing kindness. Exploring new tools to measure kindness to offer a glimpse into assessing and enhancing the compassionate culture within teams. Follow and connect with Jenny: Website: thecollaborationcoach.net YouTube: The Collaboration Coach LinkedIn: Jenny Martin (Look for the profile picture with Jenny hiding behind Lego bricks)