
The SDM Show
The SDM Show discusses all things Business, Marketing and WordPress. This show was formerly known as The SDM Business, Marketing and WordPress Show.
Latest episodes

May 14, 2025 • 1h 5min
Episode 547 Ecommerce With Sabir Semerkat
The SDM Show podcast hosted by Rob Cairns, featuring guest Sabir Semerkat. The conversation focuses on e-commerce, with Sabir, an experienced e-commerce professional, sharing insights and strategies. They discuss the acceleration of e-commerce growth due to the pandemic and the importance of optimizing for mobile devices. Sabir introduces his "8D method", outlining eight key dimensions for building and scaling a profitable e-commerce business, which include performance, pricing, customer journey, marketing, logistics, tech, and team optimization. The discussion highlights the significance of a multi-dimensional approach and the potential for substantial growth when these aspects are effectively addressed.

May 9, 2025 • 25min
Episode 546 Agency Chat With Ryan Waterbury Productised Services and Niching Down
The SDM Show, hosted by Rob Cairns, featuring a discussion with Ryan Waterbury. They primarily discuss the concept of productizing services and the importance of niching down for agency owners. The conversation highlights the challenges of scope creep and the benefits of streamlining services to improve efficiency and quality. Both hosts emphasize the significance of work-life balance and suggest prioritizing tasks, potentially outsourcing non-core activities, and seeking personal support if needed to enhance overall well-being and business success.

May 6, 2025 • 30min
Episode 545 Copywriting With Todd Jones Trust in Copywriting
This excerpt from an SDM show podcast, hosted by Rob Cairns and featuring Todd Jones, focuses on the critical importance of trust in business and copywriting. They discuss the increasing filters of distrust people have, especially in digital interactions, leading to a need for more touch points to build relationships. Strategies for building trust are highlighted, including ensuring your business does what it promises, showcasing social proof like testimonials and reviews, and establishing credibility through positive experiences and third-party endorsements. Finally, the speakers emphasize the power of knowing your audience, demonstrating likability, and utilizing tools like storytelling and community to foster connection and reduce friction in the buying process.

May 5, 2025 • 52min
Episode 544 Transparency in Your Agency With Laurie and Betsy of Pursu Agency
This episode of the SDM show features a conversation between host Rob Cairns and Laurie and Betsy from the Pursu Agency. They discuss the importance of transparency and collaboration in the agency world, particularly regarding website design and development. The conversation touches upon their backgrounds, the value of clearly defined contracts, and the need for clients to understand the process and the expertise involved in creating quality digital assets. They also explore topics like the ethical use of AI, copyright issues, and the significance of understanding the client's target audience. The discussion emphasizes building trust and long-term relationships through open communication and realistic expectations.

Apr 30, 2025 • 32min
Episode 543 Marketing With Bridget Willard - Why You Need to Publish on Linkedin
This text is a transcript from the SDM show, a podcast hosted by Rob Cairns, who is joined by Bridget Willard for their monthly marketing segment. The episode specifically focuses on the importance of publishing on LinkedIn, particularly for businesses in the B2B sector. Bridget emphasizes the benefits of publishing articles on the platform for visibility, thought leadership, brand authority, and off-page SEO, noting its relevance for reaching decision-makers and C-suite executives. They also briefly discuss the difference between posting and publishing on LinkedIn, the value of building genuine relationships over intrusive sales tactics, and mention upcoming book releases by both Bridget (co-authored with Warren Laine-Naida) and Rob.

Apr 28, 2025 • 32min
Episode 542 Security With Tim Nash The Human is The Weakest Link
This episode of the SDM show features a conversation between host Rob Cairns and guest Tim Nash regarding digital security, with a particular focus on the idea that the human element is often the most vulnerable point. They discuss how even seemingly secure communication apps like Signal can be compromised due to user error, such as accidentally adding unauthorized individuals to private chats, as seen in recent instances involving US politicians. The discussion broadens to encompass other human-related security issues, including falling for scams by clicking malicious links or not thinking critically, and the widespread use of weak or easily compromised passwords, even within professional settings. Finally, Tim Nash announces the upcoming launch of his WordPress security fundamentals course, aimed at helping system administrators and developers improve their knowledge and implementation of web security practices.

Apr 24, 2025 • 48min
Episode 541 E Commerce and PPC With Sam Piliero
"The SDM show" featuring host Rob Cairns and guest Sam Piliero from Moonlighters, a digital marketing agency. The discussion focuses on the evolution of e-commerce and the challenges and strategies associated with digital advertising, particularly on platforms like Facebook and Google. They explore topics such as rising ad costs due to increased competition, shifts in consumer behavior and ad targeting methods, and the importance of a multi-channel approach to advertising. The conversation also touches on the significance of understanding key business metrics and optimizing website user experience, while highlighting the benefits of outsourcing advertising management to allow business owners to focus on core operations. Finally, they discuss the advantages of the Shopify platform and offer practical advice for businesses starting out with digital ads.

Apr 22, 2025 • 38min
Episode 540 When It is Time To Step Back From Social Media With Spencer Forman
Rob Cairns of the SDM show interviews Spencer Foreman about their decisions to significantly reduce their time on social media. They discuss how constant exposure negatively impacted their mental health, leading to anxiety and unwanted emotional involvement in online content. Both found that stepping back allowed them to be more present, engage in healthier activities like reading, and experience reduced anxiety, particularly before sleep. They critique the addictive nature and negativity prevalent on many platforms, contrasting it with more constructive online interactions and the distractions from real-life engagement. The conversation touches on the feeling of being overwhelmed by global issues amplified online and the benefits of focusing on controllable aspects of life. Ultimately, they advocate for a more mindful approach to technology and social media consumption to improve overall well-being.

Apr 21, 2025 • 29min
Episode 539 Copywriting With Todd Jones Humanizing Content
This audio excerpt from The SDM Show features a discussion between host Rob Cairns and Todd Jones about humanizing content in the age of AI. They explore the tendency of AI-generated text to sound corporate and lacking in a personal touch. Jones shares insights on prompting AI effectively to achieve a more human tone, referencing advice from copywriting experts and his own experiences. The conversation touches upon the limitations of AI in areas like storytelling, emotion, and originality, emphasizing the ongoing need for human editing and the importance of creating engaging and relevant content. Ultimately, they advocate for a thoughtful integration of AI in content creation, stressing the value of authentic and relatable communication.

Apr 17, 2025 • 31min
Episode 538 Neeto With Neeraj Singh
The provided text is an excerpt from The SDM Show, a podcast hosted by Rob Cairns, featuring an interview with Neeraj Singh about his company, Neeto, and its suite of business productivity tools. Singh explains the origins and motivations behind creating Neeto Cal, a Calendly competitor, and Neeto Record, a Loom alternative, highlighting their focus on user needs and affordability. The discussion touches upon the features, pricing models (including a unique free tier for Neeto Cal), and the future roadmap for these and other upcoming Neeto products like a CRM and invoicing system. Singh emphasizes Neeto's approach of offering a comprehensive ecosystem of tools while prioritizing user-friendliness and value over extensive marketing spending.