Can you believe it’s not even a year since ChatGPT entered our collective consciousness, making AI part of everyday speak?! “How did we ever live without it?” some are saying. Whilst others are openly cursing it. Love it or hate it, AI (in all its forms) is here to stay, so best us business owners do our best to wrap our heads around it. It’s another artificially intelligent episode 653 of The (14 year-old, award-winning) Small Business Big Marketing podcast.   A little more about this episode As you’re probably experiencing yourself, AI continues to be the talk of the town. You only have to visit any social media platform to see friends and colleagues boast about what they’re achieving thanks to their new found best artificial friend, the amazing images they’ve created and the crazy amount of time they’re saving by using the likes of ChatGPT. There’s no doubt AI is saving us all a bunch of time, and enabling us to get shit done that we never dreamed possible. But are you getting stuck on the AI treadmill? Or are you being super smart in the way you’re using it? Well today, myself and past guest (from episode 630) Troy Dean of Agency Mavericks continue the AI discussion. We discuss: How smart business owners are using AI. The interplay between human and machine, and the importance of being a good prompter! I share the results of a research study I did amongst my Facebook Tribe and LinkedIN followers, who revealed how they’re benetting from AI And we talk about how to get started with AI if you haven’t already. And just a reminder that all Silver Members of my Small Business owners Membership can watch the full video of this interview (plus access a bunch of other marketing goodies) over at Pateron.com/MarketingPodcast. There’s a free, no-obligation 7-day trial, then it’s 47 tax-deductible dollars per month.   Links Mentioned Learning Studio AI - Transform any subject into a stunning online course Holly Hires - AI powered virtual recruiter Task Ade - Unlock the power of generative workflows, task automation Google Duet - An always-on AI collaborator that provides help to users of all skill levels where they need it. Opus - Turns long videos into high-quality viral clips Product Hunt - From poetry writing to tackling tedious tasks, AI apps can automate almost anything    Businesses that make this podcast possible StudioHawk - No generalists, just a damn good SEO agency (award-winning actually!).   Patreon - Join Timbo's Business Owner Membership and take control of your marketing.   Book Tim Reid - Keynote or conference emceeing.   As always, thanks for your support. May your marketing be the best marketing. Timbo ReidSupport the show: https://www.patreon.com/marketingpodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Canva's Melanie Perkins. From her parent’s lounge room in 2013, 32 year old Melanie Perkins invented Canva; an online design tool with a mission to empower everyone in the world to design anything and publish anywhere. In 2023, Canva has just been valued at 25.5 billion dollars! It’s a rags to riches episode 652 of The (14 year-old, award-winning) Small Business Big Marketing podcast. A little more about Canva founder Melanie Perkins ... In 2006, Melanie Perkins was a troubled 19 year-old teenager. Not by the usual stuff that troubles most people of that age. Oh no … something much more serious. Melanie was troubled by the fact that desktop publishing software (like Adobe, CorelDraw and Photoshop) was complicated and hard to use. So, like any smart, young entrepreneur, she came up with a simple, elegant solution … starting small by launching a business making high school yearbook design easy. It was a huge success, and following an unexpected meeting with a venture capitalist, she found herself able to pursue her original idea and the chance to take on the software industry giants of the desktop publishing world. Fast forward to 2023, and Melanie’s online design platform Canva, has recently been valued at $25.5B, she employs over 2,500 staff who have no working hours or dress code, Canva has over 135 million active users … and here’s the interesting bit … Melanie thinks she’s only just scratched the surface of what’s possible. This interview is from 2019 when I caught up with her in Canva’s new inner-Sydney 7-story office which resembles something more of an oversized cubby house for millenials, complete with a very cool rooftop garden, full commercial kitchen pumping out two home-cooked meals a day, a very funky, well-stocked bar, and all types of meeting booths and rooms and pods full of young folk getting stuff done. I started off by asking Melanie what it feels like to be the founder of a company that (at the time) was valued at a tiny $3B? Oh, and here's the transcript of my interview with Melanie Perkins of Canva.   Businesses that make this podcast possible StudioHawk - No generalists, just a damn good SEO agency (award-winning actually!).   Patreon - Join Timbo's Business Owner Membership and take control of your marketing.   Book Tim Reid - Keynote or conference emceeing.   As always, thanks for your support. May your marketing be the best marketing. Timbo ReidSupport the show: https://www.patreon.com/marketingpodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How and why a small business should design a category and own their niche with Christopher Lochhead. If the idea of standing out, for all the right reasons, in your crowded marketplace appeals (and why wouldn’t it?!), then it’s time you became a category pirate! Arrrrrrrrr, it’s episode 651 of The (14 year-old, award-winning) Small Business Big Marketing podcast. A little more about Category Design expert author Christopher Lochhead ... If you’re a regular listener of this podcast, you’ll have heard me bang on about the power of owning a niche an inch wide and a mile deep. Well, you no longer need to take my word for it, as we’re about to hear from a world-leading expert on this exact topic or as he likes to call it …. Category Design. Christopher Lochhead is a dyslexic paperboy turned three-time Silicon Valley public company CMO and investor / advisor to 50+ startups; however he’s best known as the Godfather of Category Design, having written numerous best sellers including Niche Down, Play Bigger and The 22 Laws of Category Design; he publishes a newsletter on the topic, plus he has a podcast called Follow Your Different. Get ready for a captivating conversation on how to think differently and why seeing the world through a category design lens can change the course of your business and your life. And just a reminder that all Silver Members of my Small Business owners Membership can watch the full video of this interview over at Pateron.com/MarketingPodcast. There’s a free, no-obligation 7-day trial, then it’s 47 tax-deductible dollars per month. Righto, here’s Christopher explaining what category design is and how it differs from niching.   Businesses that make this podcast possible eBusiness Institute - Watch eBusiness Institute's free 90-minute Masterclass on how and why to buy, renovate & sell content websites. StudioHawk - No generalists, just a damn good SEO agency (award-winning actually!).   Patreon - Join Timbo's Business Owner Membership and take control of your marketing.   Book Tim Reid - Keynote or conference emceeing.   As always, thanks for your support. May your marketing be the best marketing. Timbo ReidSupport the show: https://www.patreon.com/marketingpodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve Sims, founder of the world's first luxury concierge, shares his advice on achieving ridiculous goals. From organizing events in unconventional locations like the headquarters of Space X to securing private tours with Elon Musk, Steve's accomplishments start with pushing boundaries. He emphasizes the importance of getting out of your own way, being willing to be laughed at, and creating a sense of community in business. Don't miss this episode full of unconventional wisdom!

Here's some B2B sales tips for small businesses. Afterall, B2B selling can be tricky. Even trickier if you’re selling a complex product or service to an infrequent buyer.  Today’s guest is confronted with both these challenges on a daily basis. Poor him, but lucky us as he’s about to share how he does it. It’s a businessy episode 649 of The (14 year-old, award-winning) Small Business Big Marketing podcast.   A little more about BindiMaps Co-Founder Mladen Jovanovic ... So I know I’ve set up today’s special guest Mladen Jovanovic of BindiMaps, as a B2B sales expert. And he is; and you’re going to love the tips he shares including a super simple formula for ensuring your prospects feel understood, and why focussing on your staff first is also good for B2B selling. Buy Malden's B2B Sales Tips Training Course here. But Malden is also the co-founder of a very unique business. Called BindiMaps, think of it as Google Maps but for the indoors. That’s right, BindiMaps starts where Google Maps finishes. It maps large buildings, shopping centres, hospitals, sporting venues and so on, and delivers these maps via an app. I do love the never ending ways people make money! Launched in 2019, the business employs 19 staff, has offices in Sydney and Melbourne, and has mapped indoor locations across Australia, New Zealand and Europe. So lean in as Malden shares the BindiMaps origin story, why the original target audience quickly changed once they went live, and how they’ve gone about selling a complex product to an infrequent buyer. And just a reminder that all Silver-arma Members of my Small Business owners Membership can watch the full video of this interview over at Pateron.com/MarketingPodcast (in fact, it’s been up there for a week). It’s 47 tax-deductible dollars per month, and you can trial it free for 7-days. Righto, let’s go meet BindiMaps co-founder and B2B sales expert Malden Jovanovic …   Last Week's Episode of The Small Business Big Marketing Podcast Old School Marketing Strategies Built This Rock Solid Stone Empire | 648   Businesses that make this podcast possible eBusiness Institute - Watch eBusiness Institute's free 90-minute Masterclass on how and why to buy, renovate & sell content websites StudioHawk - No generalists, just a damn good SEO agency (award-winning actually!)   Patreon - Join Timbo's Business Owner Membership and take control of your marketing   Book Tim Reid - Keynote or conference emceeing   As always, thanks for your support. May your marketing be the best marketing. Timbo ReidSupport the show: https://www.patreon.com/marketingpodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Old-school marketing strategies. If you’re interested in building a business with rock-solid foundations that’s primed for growth, then you’re in the right place. Not because today’s special guest owns Australia's largest, family-run stone business; but because he’s doing it in a way that ensures steady, long-term growth that avoids the painful peaks and troughs. It’s a not-so-rocky episode 648 of The (14 year-old, award-winning) Small Business Big Marketing podcast.   A little more about Gitani Stone Owner Jason Gittany... As an immigrant tiler, Jason Gittany’s father started Gitani Stone in 1974. At the time, it was a modest business providing exceptional supply and installation of marble stone bench tops and other stone products to homes across the Sydney metropolitan area. Fast-forward to 2023, and Jason’s now running the business, having taken it from a modest one man show, to now one of Australia's premier, family-owned stone suppliers and installers, employing 60 staff, and turning over $40 million annually. They even own their very own Australian quarry, whilst still importing from a quarry outside of Florence, Italy where Michaelangelo once acquired his own stone for the likes of creating David and other famous works. In this candid chat, Jason shares what he calls his steady strategies for growing the business to where it is today, how he builds loyal, trusted client relations, and how he targets both B2C and B2B customers, each one requiring something just a little bit different. I started off by asking Jason what the most extravagant project Gittany Stone has ever delivered.   Last Week's Episode of The Small Business Big Marketing Podcast AI For Small Business: A Beginner's Guide with Dr Catriona Wallace | 648    Businesses that make this podcast possible eBusiness Institute - Watch eBusiness Institute's free 90-minute Masterclass on how and why to buy, renovate & sell content websites Patreon - Join Timbo's Business Owner Membership and take control of your marketing Book Tim Reid - Keynote or conference emceeing As always, thanks for your support. May your marketing be the best marketing. Timbo ReidSupport the show: https://www.patreon.com/marketingpodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AI for small business. Thanks to ChatGPT launching in November 2022, AI (AKA artificial intelligence) is now on the lips of every small business owner. To find out how we can use AI to our advantage, world leading expert Dr Catriona Wallace joins us to share the good, the bad and the downright ugly. It’s a no holes barred, slightly scary, and definitely artificially intelligent episode 647 of The (14 year-old, award-winning) Small Business Big Marketing podcast.   A little more about world-leading AI expert Dr Catriona Wallace … In October 2022, we were all happily going along running and growing our precious businesses. Writing copy, creating content, SEOing, PPCing, recruiting, targeting, selling, pricing and so on. Then in November, ChatGPT launched and AI became the most talked about thing since, well … the Internet itself! But what really is AI? What types of AI are there? How do they work? Can they be trusted? How can they help your business grow? Should you be scared or excited? Or both? How can you use ChatGPT to your advantage? And what other AI applications are out there? So many questions! Fortunately, today’s special guest, Dr Catriona Wallace is a world-leading AI expert. She’s also a Shark on Network Ten’s hit series Shark Tank. She’s LinkedIN’s top voice on Technology. She’s Chairperson at BOAB AI, a VC firm investing in AI startups. The author of the best selling book Checkmate Humanity. Founder of the Responsible Metaverse Alliance. An advocate for the psychedelic renaissance. And she’s the mother of five. You honestly could ask for a better person to help us navigate this brave new artificially intelligent world. For those of you who are silver or gold Members of my small business owners Membership, you can also watch the video of this full interview. It’s been up there for a week. If you’re not a Member you can become one in less than 30 seconds over at Patreon.com/MarketingPodcast. I started off by congratulating Dr Catriona Wallace on her Shark Tank success. Last Week's Episode of The Small Business Big Marketing Podcast How (& why) to target small compounding growth initiatives not short-term sales with Ferndale’s Leigh Edward | 646   Businesses that make this podcast possible - Please support them ... Watch eBusiness Institute's free 90-minute Masterclass on how and why to buy, renovate & sell content websites Join Timbo's Business Owner Membership and take control of your marketing Book Tim Reid to speak or emcee at your next business event    As always, thanks for your support. May your marketing be the best marketing. Timbo ReidSupport the show: https://www.patreon.com/marketingpodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ferndale Food’s second-generation owner Leigh Edward goes about running his multi-million dollar family business in a very refreshing way. He’s strong on values, considered in his approach, and avoids trying to be anything he isn’t. As a result, Ferndale are the producers of some of Australia’s biggest, privately-owned confectionery brands. It’s episode 646 of The (14 year-old, award-winning) Small Business Big Marketing podcast, that wreaks of the sweet, sweet smell of success!   A little more about Ferndale Food's Owner Leigh Edward... I can’t really put my finger on it, however there’s something about the way regional-based, family-owned businesses are run that I find a joy to hear about. Whilst I’m generalising, the owners of these types of businesses seem to go about growth a little differently to those in the big smoke, that aren’t family run. They’re often run on a strong set of values passed down through the generations, they’re in less of a rush (to do anything, really!) than their big city cousins, and they create great working environments that attract good, quality staff. Today’s special guest, Leigh Edward, second-generation owner of Ferndale Foods in regional Victoria is a great example of this. Started in 1995 by Leigh’s old man in response to a gap in the market for low-sugar confectionery products, Ferndale is the creator of global confectionery brands including JILA Mints, JOLS Pastilles, Licorettes and they even produce Blitz Mints for supermarket chain ALDI. Turning over 35 million dollars annually and employing over 60 staff, this is a great story that builds on the message of last week's episode with Mez from Wholesome Bowl… stick to your values, avoid being anything you’re not and slowly build a business loved by all. We cover plenty of marketing ground in this chat with Leigh including his approach to branding, packaging, innovation, risk-taking and manufacturing, plus he has some solid insights into how best to navigate the fragmented media landscape we’re all confronted with. Last Week's Episode of The Small Business Big Marketing Podcast How to slowly launch a successful FMCG brand with Wholesome Bowl's Mez Jamali | 645   Businesses that make this podcast possible - Please support them... Watch eBusiness Institute's free 90-minute Masterclass on how and why to buy, renovate & sell content websites Join Timbo's Business Owner Membership and take control of your marketing Book Tim Reid to speak or emcee at your next business event    As always, thanks for your support. May your marketing be the best marketing.   Timbo ReidSupport the show: https://www.patreon.com/marketingpodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Any private individual (not company, but individual) who launches an FMCG brand instantly has my attention. Why? Because the hurdles between the idea and success are huge.  That’s why when I had the opportunity to interview a fellow who, with his own money, had launched Australia’s newest instant noodle brand, I jumped at it! It’s a flavoursome episode 645 of The (14 year-old, award-winning) Small Business Big Marketing podcast. A little more about Wholesome Bowl Co-Founder Mez Jamali... Righto, let’s meet todays’ special guest. His name is Mez Jamali, and like so many small business owners, he’s full of courage and passion for what he’s building. And I love that! Mez is the co-founder of Australia's newest instant noodle brand - It’s called Wholesome Bowl …. and the offering, right now, is simple. Packets of chicken and beef flavoured noodles with the added benefit of being nutritionally good for you thanks to the inclusion of fibre, protein, vitamins and minerals.I know what you’re thinking... Come on Timbo, they’re instant noodles. How can they be healthy?! Well, put any limiting beliefs aside, as it’s Mez’s approach to launching a brand in the cut throat world of FMCG that’s most interesting. I mean, come on, think about some of the challenges he faces: Finding a manufacturer when he’s got no track record. Getting distribution across independent stores as well as the big multinational supermarket chains. Going up against brands like Maggi who’d happily knock him off in  a heartbeat. All this using his own money and on a very modest budget. No matter what business you’re in, there’s plenty to learn from Mez’s approach; especially his focus on nostalgia. More on that shortly. I stared off by asking Mez, what inspired him to become the instant noodle guy?! Last Week's Episode of The Small Business Big Marketing Podcast Reality TV Veteran Dan Munday On How To Generate Big Ideas | 644 Businesses that make this podcast possible - Please support them... Watch eBusiness Institute's free 90-minute Masterclass on how and why to buy, renovate & sell content websites Join Timbo's Business Owner Membership and take control of your marketing Book Tim Reid to speak or emcee at your next business event  As always, thanks for your support. May your marketing be the best marketing. Timbo Reid P.S. Tell me what marketing is working for you - 0480 015 150.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/marketingpodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Where the hell do good ideas come from? Why are they so hard to come by? How do you know when you’ve got a good one that will grow your business exponentially? The hunt for answers to these questions continues today with Dan Munday, a twenty year veteran of reality TV, having contributed to the success of shows including Survivor, The Apprentice and Real Housewives. It’s a big-thinking episode 644 of The (14 year-old, award-winning) Small Business Big Marketing podcast. A little more about reality TV veteran Dan Munday ... If you’re a long time listener of this podcast, you’ll know how much I love and respect the power of a good idea. This dates all the way back to my first job in Australia’s largest advertising agency where ideas were all we had; and we charged handsomely for them. Whether we’re talking about an idea for a new business, a new product or service, a campaign headline, a promotion, or maybe you’re just looking for a more creative way to tell your story, a good idea is worth its weight in gold. Today ideas are more important than ever, with competition in every industry, every category, every market at an all time high; and, in a world of sameness, a great idea can be your point-of-difference, positioning you well away from your competition. But where do good ideas come from? To help answer that, let’s meet Dan Munday, a twenty year veteran of reality TV, working on global hits including Survivor, through to The Apprentice (which one ex-President hosted) and Real Housewives. Dan’s involvement in these multi-gazillion dollar franchises included designing the shows’ look and feel, creating the challenges, helping integrate brands in order to get commercial outcomes; plus the development and pitching of new shows in this sought-after space.  Now working as a freelance creative, Dan recently launched The Sunny Coast Showdown - a film and TV talent incubator. So lean in as Dan and I explore the art and science of generating, and pitching, big ideas.  I started off by asking Dan what’s been his most memorable career highlight? Businesses that make this podcast possible - Please support them DELL Technologies - Small business IT solutions Book Tim Reid to speak or emcee at your next business event Join Timbo's Membership and take control of your marketingLast Week's Episode of The Small Business Big Marketing Podcast Sexual Well-Being Entrepreneur Hugh Crothers Is Disrupting A Category Full Of Stigma | 643   As always, thanks for your support. May your marketing be the best marketing.   Timbo Reid P.S. Tell me what marketing is working for you - 0480 015 150.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/marketingpodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.