The Small Business Big Marketing Podcast with Tim Reid

Andrew Banks made a motza from building two of the world’s largest recruitment companies - Morgan & Bans and Talent 2. He’s also one of the original sharks on the Australian version of Shark Tank in which he’s already invested in nine start-ups. He has an infectious attitude towards business that I know you’re going to love.   “In order to build a solid team culture, we would recruit around people’s personality, style, and passion. So we’d hire Accountants to recruit Accountants, and Engineers to recruit Engineers. We recruit around who the person was as opposed to what they used to do.” – Andrew Banks, Shark Tank   There’s loads more tips and insights just like this that will help you build that beautiful business of yours into the empire it deserves to be. Hit the PLAY button above to listen now, or subscribe free to hear the full interview.    If you have questions about how to build an empire from scratch then you’ll get the answers in this interview with shark Andrew Banks, including: How to build a strong team culture? Why buying an ad in the Super Bowl was one of the best marketing moves ever! How to attract and retain great people. What makes a great leader. How to manage adversity in business. How to become a Shark on Shark Tank! And plenty more …   A little more about today’s guest, Shark Tank’s Andrew Banks: Andrew Banks is a failed actor Andrew Banks. A good-looking failed actor, but a failed actor nonetheless. Realising his days in front of the camera were numbered, he borrowed $5,000 on two credit cards to get his first business off the ground. Fast forward 30 years and he’s established two of the world’s biggest recruitment companies – Morgan & Banks and Talent 2, employing thousands of people globally. Along the way, he’s made an absolute motza! These days, he’s back in front of the camera, as one of the sharks on Network Ten’s Shark Tank, whose task it is to either fund or maul startups and inventors ready to take their idea to the next level. He’s proudly made more mistakes than all of us combined, which places him in a great position to share what it takes to build a business empire literally from scratch.   Here’s what caught my attention from my chat with Andrew Banks from Shark Tank: He’s a genuinely good bloke. Very accessible and very giving of his time.  I loved his advice around finding time to get creative in your business. And his view on marketing versus sales is critical. Too many business owners don’t separate the two. You do because you’re listening to this show .. but what about the rest!?   But the marketing gold doesn’t stop there, in this episode: This week’s Monster Prize Draw winner is: Peter from the Marketing Study Lab   Resources mentioned: Channel Ten’s Shark Tank Andrew Banks Wikipedia listing   Please support American Express who make this show possible: American Express Business Explorer Credit Card Let your business expenses reward you. Every year.   Join me at the Idea Exchange in Melbourne (October 17) and Sydney (November 22).   If something in this episode of Australia’s favourite marketing podcast peaked your interest, then let me know by leaving a comment below. May your marketing be the best marketing.   For more interviews with successful business owners visit Small Business Big MarketingSupport the show: https://www.patreon.com/marketingpodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

67-year-old Bill Watson is a Noosa legend having sold ice creams and cold drinks on Noosa’s main beach for the past 48 years. How’s that for business longevity?! In this revealing interview, Bill takes us behind-the-scenes of a business most people would kill to own … explaining how it all started, what he’s learned about people over the journey, his simple approach to customer service, and how he’s embedded himself in the local community. There’s loads more tips and insights just like this that will help you build that beautiful business of yours into the empire it deserves to be. Hit the PLAY button above to listen now, or subscribe free to hear the full interview. You’ll also find the full interview transcription below. A little more about today’s guest, Bil Watson of Hey Bill: William ‘Hey Bill’ Watson truly is a Noosa icon. With his signature red quad bike and trailers parked beside the Noosa Surf Club, Hey Bill can be found laughing and joking with the dozens of children waiting for a snow cone. Now a thriving business, Hey Bill started with nothing more than a hessian bag of oranges and a dream to live in paradise. With his car offering beachside accommodation, Hey Bill sold oranges to beachgoers at Tea Tree and Alexandria Bay throughout the summer. “There were more people there than Main Beach in those days,” he explained. Today, Hey Bill and his bevy of beauties can be found traveling between Noosa Surf Club and the river mouth offering ice-creams, drinks and snow cones. And he’s done that for the past 48-years! Here’s what caught my attention from my chat with Hey Bill’s Bill Watson: - Be willing to diversify by constantly challenging your business model.- Focus on what you’re good at and what works.- Bill’s positive approach has got him through.- Standing your ground with customers is not a bad thing. They’re not always right, are they?! But the marketing gold doesn’t stop there, in this episode: This week’s Monster Prize Draw winner is:Shelby Hohnberg from Bohemien Bucket Hats Jingle of the Week - Clean, wax and polish with Mr. Sheen Please support American Express who make this show possible: American Express Business Explorer Credit CardLet your business expenses reward you. Every year. Visit: amex.co/2GLI7i2 Join me at the Idea Exchange in Melbourne (October 17) and Sydney (November 22). If something in this episode of Australia’s favourite marketing podcast peaked your interest, then let me know by leaving a comment below. May your marketing be the best marketing. For more interviews with successful business owners visit Small Business Big MarketingSupport the show: https://www.patreon.com/marketingpodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Having the right mindset around your marketing goes a long way to ensuring your marketing produces the ROI you're looking for. Today I share a mindset hack that I've been benefitting from for the past 9 years, yet I'm surprised at how many business owners just aren't getting it. PLUS there's plenty more marketing gold in episode 426 of your favourite marketing podcast.   Resources mentioned in today's episode: My interview with traevl blogger Caz makepeace from YtravelInterview with Melissa Maker from Clean My SpaceInterview with Instagram rockstars Stephanie & Laura from KIC GirlsInterview with self-publishing legend Sharon Witt   Monster Prize Draw winner Artist Stephen Crichton   Advertising Jingle of the Week Paul Hogan (Hoges) in that famous old Winfled ad from 1970   Please support American Express who make this show possible: American Express Platinum Card   If something in this episode of Australia’s favourite marketing podcast peaked your interest, then let me know by leaving a comment below. May your marketing be the best marketing.   For more interviews with successful business owners visit Small Business Big MarketingSupport the show: https://www.patreon.com/marketingpodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Being asked "So, what do you do?" is a golden opportunity to pitch that beautiful business of yours. However, so may business owners get it wrong. So, in today's episode, I introduce you to the capstone pitching model, a way for you to convey what you do, how you do it and why someone whould hand over their hard-earned to you. PLUS I have some ideas for a business owenr who's struggling to attract customers, I help another one choose the right marketing agency, and this week's advertising jingle involves football, meat pies, kangaroos and Holden cars!   This week’s Monster Prize Draw winner is: Anita Affleck from New Zealand's Global Baby   Resources mentioned: Interview with Damien Lee of Mr. Lee's Noodles about resillience in business Eden Health Retreat - don't tell anyone about this incredibly special place to detox, reset and basically head home feeling a whole lot better than when you came! Interview with The Cuddlist, Adam Lippin Here's the website I reviewed for Emmette Therapist Al Reupena   Advertising Jingle of the Week The classic Holden TVC from 1972 - Football, Meat Pies, Kangaroos and Holden Cars!   Please support American Express who make this show possible: American Express Platinum Card   If something in this episode of Australia’s favourite marketing podcast peaked your interest, then let me know by leaving a comment below. May your marketing be the best marketing.   For more interviews with successful business owners visit Small Business Big MarketingSupport the show: https://www.patreon.com/marketingpodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Saddleback Leather’s Dave Munson uses storytelling to sell his leather bags. Leather bags he thinks even Indiana Jones would love! He tells stories in his website copy, his videos, his product descriptions … even his voicemail! He believes great storytelling has the power to convert idle prospects into raving fans. So sit back and listen in as Dave explains exactly how storytelling has been his business’s secret marketing weapon.   “You know, people really value authenticity in marketing because it’s rare. Sadly we just don’t get it very often. So, it’s a breath of fresh air to hear someone tell a story. And it doesn’t have to be some crazy adventurous story. It could be something as simple as “So, I was arguing with my wife the other day and ….” Just something that has your prospects get interested in what you gave to say and sell.” -Dave Munson,Saddleback Leather   There’s loads more tips and insights just like this that will help you build that beautiful business of yours into the empire it deserves to be. Hit the PLAY button above to listen now, or subscribe free to hear the full interview.   If you have questions about how to identify and tell interesting and compelling stories in your business then you’ll get this answers in this interview, including: What is storytelling in business? Why is storytelling in business so important? How can telling stories about your business convert prospects into customers? What stories does Saddleback Leather tell? How do I identify stories to tell in my business? Do I need to be a great writer to tell stories in my business? And plenty more ...   A little more about today’s guest, Dave Munson of Saddleback Leather: Dave Munson owns Saddleback Leather. A US-based business that makes and sells leather bags Indiana Jones would love. They're Dave’s words, not mine. You see, the guy is a master storyteller. Everywhere you go in his marketing, there’s a story being told. Throughout his website, his videos, his product descriptions. Even his voicemail message, as you heard at the top of the show. The guy loves and respects the power words have when convincing someone to buy from him. Even his tagline evokes story - “Saddleback Leather. They’ll fight over it when you’re dead!” Now I know everyone is banging on about how effective storytelling can be in marketing your business. We’ve covered it a lot on this show. Remember that episode with author Valerie Khoo in which she shared the 8 power stories every business owner must tell? The fact is, we all love a good story. We lean in and we listen when ones being told. So take a listen to what Dave has to say, then start implementing it in your business.   Here’s what caught my attention from my chat with Dave Munson from Saddleback Leather: In business, people buy from people they have a relationship with. Storytelling helps you build that relationship. Don’t always look for the sales angle … instead, be on the lookout for stories to tell in your business. People become less price sensitive when you educate them about quality. They become even less price sensitive when you help them.   But the marketing gold doesn’t stop there, in this episode: This week’s Monster Prize Draw winner is: Jackie Silverman from Black Velvet Coffee   Resources mentioned: Saddleback Leather’s official website Interview with Valerie Khoo on the 8 power stories every business must tell   Please support American Express who make this show possible: American Express Business Explorer Credit Card Let your business expenses reward you. Every year.   If something in this episode of Australia’s favourite marketing podcast peaked your interest, then let me know by leaving a comment below. May your marketing be the best marketing.   For more interviews with successful business owners visit Small Business Big MarketingSupport the show: https://www.patreon.com/marketingpodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jen Geale owns Australia’s largest and most unconventional mountain bike store with her husband Michael and another married couple … with a turnover in excess of ten million dollars a year … and she’s done it all from the comfort of her own home whilst offering exceptional customer service.   “I know deep down that if we worked 80-hours a week we would grow our business just that little bit more., We would make more money. We would be that little further ahead. But we’ve all made a conscious decision that that’s not what what we want.” Jen Geale,Mountain Bikes Direct   There’s loads more tips and insights just like this that will help you build that beautiful business of yours into the empire it deserves to be. Hit the PLAY button above to listen now, or subscribe free to hear the full interview.    If you have questions about how to successfully run an unconventional online store then you’ll get this answers in this interview, including: Why did Mountain Bikes Direct close their bricks and mortar store? Why does being online offer so much flexibility? What was the point when the online business really took off? What’s the most effective marketing for Mountain Bikes DIrect? What technology is critical in running an online store? And plenty more ...   A little more about today’s guest, Mountain Bike Direct’s Jen Geale: Jen Geale owns Mountain Bikes Direct, Australia’s largest selection of mountain biking gear.  She owns it with her husband Michael and two other business partners (also married to each other). She was named by Internet Retailing magazine as one of Australia’s top eCommerce superstars for 2018, and in 2017 was a Telstra Business Award winner, and was included in Smart Company’s Hot 30 Under 30 Awards. During our chat we cover everything from how she built Mountain Bikes Direct to an 8-figure annual turnover, her secret to amazing customer service (when they don’t even have a phone number to call!), how to work with your spouse and of course, what marketing is really working for them.   Here’s what caught my attention from my chat with Mountain Bike Direct’s Jen Geale: I love how Jen’s challenging the way business gets done. No office. Staff all over the place. No phone number. Yet it all works. I love how she shares the content creation around amongst her staff. And specifically how she has them rewrite the product descriptions and reviews, instead of just going with what the manufacturer provides, which is often dull and boring. And I love how a key criteria for introducing new ideas and systems in to the business is to ask the question “Will this lead to a superior customer experience?”   But the marketing gold doesn’t stop there, in this episode: This week’s Monster Prize Draw winner is: Jasmin Pearson from online clothing store Jasley   Resources mentioned: Mountain Bike Directs official website Mountain Bike Direct’s Google Reviews ‘Let my people go surfing’ by Patagonia Founder Yvon Chouinard   Please support American Express who make this show possible: American Express Business Explorer Credit Card Let your business expenses reward you. Every year.   If something in this episode of Australia’s favourite marketing podcast peaked your interest, then let me know by leaving a comment below. May your marketing be the best marketing. For more interviews with successful business owners visit Small Business Big MarketingSupport the show: https://www.patreon.com/marketingpodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beer Cartel’s Richard Kelsey walks you step-by-step through a simple content marketing strategy utilising an online survey which: Increased revenues by 34% Added 17,000 prospects to his mailing list Got him thousands of dollars in free publicity And positioned his business as an industry authority THAT’S marketing gold … right there!   “When we used to do market research projects in the commercial world they used to cost tens of thousands of dollars. This one we did for Beer Cartel cost $1,500. It’s amazing what us small businesses can do!” -Richard Kelsey,Beer Cartel   There’s loads more tips and insights just like this that will help you build that beautiful business of yours into the empire it deserves to be. Hit the PLAY button above to listen now, or subscribe free to hear the full interview.    If you have questions about how to create effective content and specifically how to use online surveys then you’ll get this answers in this interview, including: How do you create an online survey? What can you achieve from an online survey? How do you get people to complete an online survey? How do you get other businesses to promote an online survey? How do you structure an online survey? Why would you use an online survey to create content? And plenty more ...   A little more about today’s guest, Richard Kelsey of Beer Cartel: Richard Kelsey is the founder of Beer Cartel, an online and bricks & mortar store offering Australia’s largest range of craft beers. 1,100 in fact! He first appeared on this show three years ago, and since then the business has gone from strength to strength. But a few months ago, Richard (an ex Market Researcher - that helps!) decided his sales needed a kick along. He also wanted to significantly increase his database, and become known as an industry authority. So he created an online survey which produced some amazing results, and he’s been kind enough to share exactly how he did it with us, today.   Here’s what caught my attention from my chat with Richard Kelsey from Beer Cartel: I love the idea of a small business taking responsibility for conducting an ambitious piece of market research. And boldly calling it the 2017 Australian Craft Beer Survey. I love the way Richard incentivised other businesses to promote and complete the survey by offering them a personalised report. We call that amplification! I love how a simple Google search will help you identify the best questions to ask in your industry. … Simply Google [Your industry] market research questions.   But the marketing gold doesn’t stop there, in this episode: This week’s Monster Prize Draw winner is: Perth home handyman - Keith Hutchings   Resources mentioned: Beer Cartel’s official website The actual Beer Cartel Survey results The video Beer Cartel used on Facebook   Please support American Express who make this show possible: American Express Business Explorer Credit Card Let your business expenses reward you. Every year.   If something in this episode of Australia’s favourite marketing podcast peaked your interest, then let me know by leaving a comment below. May your marketing be the best marketing. For more interviews with successful business owners visit Small Business Big MarketingSupport the show: https://www.patreon.com/marketingpodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carman's Muesli founder Carolyn Creswell is on a mission to create a hugely successful brand, in  Australia’s most cutting-edge workplace, whilst maintaining an enviable work / life balance for herself … and her staff. In this incredibly generous chat, Carolyn talks about how she’s turned Carman’s into a household name, the importance of creating a workplace people love coming to, how she gets the most from her staff and the role branding has played creating strong awareness in a crowded marketplace.   “So many people believe that Carman’s has been an overnight success. The reality is that we’ve been chipping away at this labour of love for well over 20 years now. I was only 18 when my business journey began – buying the tiny muesli business for only $1,000.” - Carolyn Creswell, Carman's Muesli   There’s loads more tips and insights just like this that will help you build that beautiful business of yours into the empire it deserves to be. Hit the PLAY button above to listen now, or subscribe free to hear the full interview.    If you have questions about how to grow and market a successful business whilst maintaining a great work / life balance then you’ll get this answers in this interview, including: How did Carman’s Muesli start? What move lead to the business really taking off? How did Carman’s Muesli become a household name? How do you create a workplace staff love coming to? What’s the secret to a good work / life balance? How do you maintain such strong brand consistency? And plenty more ...   A little more about today’s guest, Carolyn Creswell of Carman's Muesli: Carolyn Creswell who (in 1992) founded Carman’s Muesli, which is today a household brand in Australia with 82 SKUs available in over 5,000 outlets, 35 staff and an annual turnover in excess of $100 million. It also exports to 32 countries. Carolyn is mother to four kids under 13, and is reported by the BRW Rich List to have a personal wealth of $57M. She’s incredibly generous in this chat revealing how she’s built such a successful business whilst retaining an enviable work / life balance, how she attracts and retains great staff, why she’s on a mission to build Australia’s most cutting-edge workplace … and a whole lot more.   Here’s what caught my attention from my chat with Carolyn Creswell from Carman's Muesli: I love the fact that she wrote to every person in Australia with the surname Carman. I love how she gracefully says no to a lot of opportunities. I love her disdain for meetings. Should be more of it!   But the marketing gold doesn’t stop there, in this episode: Another motivated listener wins in this week’s Monster Prize Draw   Resources mentioned: Carman’s Muesli official website Interview with Flip Shelton, another Aussie muesli maker This week’s winner of the Monster Prize Draw is: Leanne Shorter from The Montville Mountain Inn Resort   Please support American Express who make this show possible: American Express Business Explorer Credit Card Let your business expenses reward you. Every year.   If something in this episode of Australia’s favourite marketing podcast peaked your interest, then let me know by leaving a comment below. May your marketing be the best marketing.   For more interviews with successful business owners visit Small Business Big MarketingSupport the show: https://www.patreon.com/marketingpodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever been so deeply touched by an idea, that you had no choice but to leave a comfortable existence behind, and pursue it … like nothing else mattered? Well, that’s exactly what happened to sleepbus founder Simon Rowe … and whilst it’s still early days, he’s on a mission to ensure that people who are sleeping rough get a comfortable, safe night’s sleep.   “Following 12 months of research including being homeless myself, the idea of sleepbus was developed. From that research, the issue that kept coming up was, not enough safe places to sleep while working on pathways out of homelessness. What was worse, was allowing people to fall deeper into the cycle of homelessness, rather than catching them early, keeping them safe and healthy until they got back on their feet.” - Simon Rowe, sleepbus   There’s loads more insights just like this that will help you build that beautiful business of yours into the empire it deserves to be. Hit the PLAY button above to listen now, or subscribe free to hear the full interview.    Here’s just some of what we cover in this very candid interview: The moment he decided to escape the corporate cubicle and start SleepBus How a traumatic life event at the age of 19 laid the foundation for doing what he does Why he chose to be homeless himself in order to test his concept How he got the first SleepBus to market How he’s getting SleepBus known in a marketplace of 600,000 Australian charities And plenty more ...   A little more about today’s guest, Simon Rowe of sleepbus: Three years ago Simon Rowe left his cushy corporate job in a mahogany-clad corner office, to start sleepbus … a charity that produces fully decked out buses to provide safe, temporary, overnight accommodation to those sleeping rough on the streets. Today he has one fully operational sleepbus in Melbourne, and a vision to build 319 sleepbuses providing over two million safe sleeps per year all over Australia.   Here’s what caught my attention from my chat with Simon Rowe from sleepbus: I love how Simon so clearly articulates the problem he’s solving in two simple words … Safe. Sleep. How clear are you on the problem you’re solving for your precious tribe … If you think you’ve nailed it, then leave a comment below. Simon is also crystal clear on why he does what he does. The fact that he was homeless way back when he was 19 years old is clearly his motivation for putting everything he has in to making sleepbus a success. How clear are you on why you do what you do? I didn’t love some of Simon’s self-talk. Phrases like “Homelessness isn’t sexy” may be true … but reinforcing them in his everyday speak may be damaging to his dream in the long run. What negative things are you innocently saying to yourself and others that may be damaging the way you market your precious business? Simon’s hunger for media coverage. He jumped at the chance for an interview. Then as he was leaving the studio (which was at radio station 3AW) I introduced him to another of the on-air hosts, he pitched his story, and secured another interview on a national radio show. So … what are you doing to secure some media attention, huh?   But the marketing gold doesn’t stop there, in this episode: Another motivated listener wins in this week’s Monster Prize Draw Starting this week I play an advertising jingle from decades gone by - a little marketing reminiscing, if you will.   Resources mentioned: sleepbus official website Interview with the founders of Orange Sky Laundry The episode in which I went on-location with Orange Sky Laundry Interview with Rand Fishkin on SEO best-practices This week’s winners of the Monster Prize Draw: Johnny Leary from Brookfield Poultry Equipment   Please support American Express who make this show possible: American Express Business Explorer Credit Card Let your business expenses reward you. Every year. If something in this episode of Australia’s favourite marketing podcast peaked your interest, then let me know by leaving a comment below. May your marketing be the best marketing.   For more interviews with successful business owners visit Small Business Big MarketingSupport the show: https://www.patreon.com/marketingpodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you find writing marketing and sales copy about as much fun as going to the Dentist, then listen up, as award-winning copywriter Joanna Wiebe shows you how to write copy that converts. And it’s not painful at all. In fact, it’s rather fun. Just like marketing should be! “If you can’t afford to hire a copywriter, then at least learn how to do it yourself … Just because you can use Microsoft Word does not make you a great writer, but at the other extreme, you don’t need to pay thousands for some whiz bag new copywriting course. There’s plenty of good information out there … including this interview! ” - Joanna Wiebe, Copy Hackers   There’s loads more tips and insights just like this that will help you build that beautiful business of yours into the empire it deserves to be. Hit the PLAY button above to listen now, or subscribe free to hear the full interview.   If you have questions about how to write marketing and sales copy that turns idle prospects into active customers, then you’ll get the answers in this interview, including: What you should expect your copywriter to be able to do (eg. brochures, flyers, Christmas cards, landing pages, sales web copy, sales letters, documents v blog posts). How good copywriting involves an understanding of optimisation, user experience, email & ad conversion. What is so important about understanding your audience and how to find their voice to help you write better copy. How swiping copy from prospects & customers by studying the natural language hidden in testimonials, Facebook, Twitter, and emails can help you find headlines. What research marketing secrets are great for finding the people that might be your customers. How to find the best reviews for your niche and see what messages most matter to your prospects, what their needs and wants are, what’s missing, and what they didn’t love. How a headline that is completely different to what you have used before can produce outstanding results. What is more important than a ‘call to action’ in your copywriting, and how it can increase conversion. How you can use information from customers to write great headlines. The power of simple copy and how it can increase conversion. A little more about today’s guest, Joanna Wiebe of Copy Hackers: Joanna Wiebe is the founder of Copy Hackers, an online portal laser-focused on helping business owners write amazing copy that converts. Whether it be for a marketing brochure, a sales letter, or a slide deck, Joanna and her team are experts at this much misunderstood yet mission critical business skill.   Here’s what caught my attention from my chat with Copy Hackers Joanna Wiebe: Write your first draft and then go and get a writer to polish it. I love the idea of reading and pulling apart reviews of books relevant to your industry on book sites like Amazon, and studying the language being used, what the reviewer loved, what they didn’t love and what was missing. I love how Joanna reinforces what I’ve always said about finding and honouring your voice in all your marketing. Be yourself and avoid being someone you’re not.   But the marketing gold doesn’t stop there, in this episode you’ll also discover: I share some feedback about my interview with Clarke Scott, the ex-Buddhist Monk turned entrepreneur Another motivated listener wins in this week’s Monster Prize Draw   Resources mentioned: Copy Hackers official website Joanna Wiebe on LinkedIn This week’s winners of the Monster Prize Draw: Nick Reid from Reid Stock Feeds   Please support American Express who make this show possible: American Express Business Explorer Credit Card ... it’s the credit card that ensures your business expenses reward you. Search Amex Business.   If something in this episode of Australia’s favourite marketing podcast peaked your interest, then let me know by leaving a comment below. May your marketing be the best marketing.   For more interviews with successful business owners visit Small Business Big MarketingSupport the show: https://www.patreon.com/marketingpodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.