The SDM Show

The SDM podcast episode features a discussion between Rob Cairns and Bridget Willard about leveraging the reply button on social media as a powerful business development tool. Bridget emphasizes the importance of engaging with others' content to build relationships, increase visibility, and demonstrate humanity. They outline strategies for commenting authentically, offering valuable insights, and connecting with individuals in parallel industries. The conversation also shifts into related areas, underscoring the necessity of business development activities such as networking and niching down to find your market. Ultimately, they advocate for building genuine connections and providing value, which will then lead to increased business opportunities.

This podcast episode features a conversation between Rob Cairns and Tim Nash about recent WordPress plugin vulnerabilities. Tim, a WordPress security expert, discusses the challenges of managing numerous security alerts and the limitations of relying solely on automated vulnerability reports. He emphasizes the importance of proactive patching, a well-defined software stack, and the use of web application firewalls (WAFs) for robust website security. The discussion also highlights the risks associated with relying on free, often poorly configured, security plugins and the increasing speed at which vulnerabilities are exploited. Finally, they stress the importance of paying for professional security services to protect against these threats.

This podcast episode discusses credibility enhancers for businesses, focusing on building trust with potential customers. **Social proof**, including **testimonials**, **case studies**, and **media appearances**, are highlighted as key strategies. The speakers also explore the importance of **word-of-mouth marketing**, **logos of well-known brands**, **awards and certifications**, and **data-driven results**. The discussion emphasizes the need for genuine and verifiable information to establish credibility, advising against fabricated data or exaggerated claims. Finally, the importance of responding to both positive and negative customer feedback is stressed.

Rob Cairns, founder of Stunning Digital Marketing, shares ten lessons learned from creating over 500 episodes of his podcast, "The SDM Show." Key takeaways include the importance of consistency, incorporating emotion, utilizing video, and efficient pre-recording techniques. He emphasizes the value of continuous learning, collaboration with other podcasters, and pre-recording advertisements and dedications. Finally, Cairns highlights the unexpected benefit of securing free masterclasses from podcast guests. The podcast covers business, life, productivity, digital marketing, and WordPress.

This podcast features Rob Cairns interviewing Zachery Mimbs, a social media manager, about his career and insights into the field. Mimbs discusses his career path, the challenges of navigating ever-changing social media algorithms, and the importance of authenticity and engagement over follower counts. He also recommends specific tools like Publer and shares his strategies for creating effective content, including prioritizing video and short-form content. Finally, the podcast emphasizes the need for consistent engagement and responding to comments.

This podcast episode features a discussion with Warren Laine-Naida about the impact of website platforms, such as WordPress, Wix, and Drupal, on search engine optimization (SEO). Laine-Naida argues that while the platform itself is a factor, technical aspects, like website speed and accessibility, are paramount for successful SEO. He emphasizes the importance of core SEO principles, such as relevant content and backlinks, regardless of the chosen platform. Ultimately, the best platform depends on a business's specific needs and resources. The discussion also touches upon the broader aspects of website building and maintenance, including hosting and long-term stability.

This podcast episode features an interview with Taco, who recently joined the Progress Planner team. Progress Planner is a WordPress plugin designed to gamify website maintenance tasks, helping users stay on top of updates and content review. The interview discusses the plugin's features, including a free version and a forthcoming pro version with additional challenges and expert consultations. Taco highlights the importance of regular website maintenance and how Progress Planner helps address this often-overlooked aspect of website ownership.

This podcast episode discusses alternatives to WordPress as a content management system (CMS). The hosts, Rob Cairns and Ryan Waterbury, explore various options, including open-source CMSs like Drupal and newer platforms such as Astro and Ghost, as well as Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions such as Shopify and Squarespace. They consider factors like ease of use, e-commerce capabilities, SEO implications, and security when comparing these alternatives. The conversation highlights a shift away from WordPress due to recent controversies and the increasing maturity of competing platforms. The podcast ultimately encourages listeners to consider a wider range of CMS options based on their specific needs.

This podcast features an interview with Marcus Burnette, who recently transitioned from a field marketing role at GoDaddy to a position at BlueHost. Burnette discusses his career change, emphasizing the importance of considering family needs and pursuing opportunities that align with personal goals. He highlights the challenges and rewards of working in support, and the value of maintaining connections within the WordPress community. The conversation also touches upon the importance of work-life balance and the impact of remote work on both personal and professional life. The podcast is hosted by Rob Cairns, who shares his own experiences with career transitions.

This podcast episode features a discussion between Rob Cairns and Todd Jones on differentiation for service-based businesses. Jones emphasizes identifying a unique value proposition by asking key questions about one's services and target audience. He proposes several differentiation strategies, including leveraging one's story, refining one's processes, providing exceptional service, establishing expertise and reputation, implementing strategic pricing, and focusing on a specific type of client. The discussion highlights how these strategies can help service businesses stand out in a competitive market.