Blame it on Marketing ™

In this episode, we’re ditching the basic bitch prompts and going deep on real AI power for marketers. Emma and Ruta unpack everything from prompt engineering to custom GPTs to automated workflows—so you can stop treating AI like a toy and start using it like a pro.We get into: ✅ The AI lingo you actually need: models vs. providers vs. platforms vs. benchmarks ✅ Prompt engineering 101: zero-shot, few-shot, meta-prompts & when to use “reasoning” ✅ Building your own Custom GPTs—for content, strategy docs, coaching & more ✅ Automations that turn transcripts into blog posts, spreadsheets into insights ✅ Data cleaning, contract checks & process docs—all without lifting a finger ✅ Picking the right model: why cheaper LLMs sometimes outscore GPT-4 on copy ✅ AI as your personal CMO-mentor: role-plays, feedback loops & impulse checks ✅ Content audits, gap analyses & campaign plans—instant, AI-powered QAIf you’re tired of treating AI like a magic wand—or you’re ready to stop copy-pasting prompts and start building real AI-driven workflows—this one’s for you. We’re Ruta and Emma, the marketing consultants behind Blame it on Marketing. If you’re in B2B SaaS or professional services and looking to do marketing that actually drives revenue and profit, we’re here for it.Visit blameitonmarketing.com and let’s get this show on the road.

In this engaging discussion, Chris Kelly, Head of Marketing at John D. Wood with over 20 years of experience, shares invaluable insights into conquering board meetings. He emphasizes the importance of storytelling over data, and how to prepare for those nerve-wracking moments. Networking tips transform casual chats into boardroom opportunities, while AI tools help tackle tough questions. Chris reveals the metrics that matter and stresses showcasing your team's successes. Get ready to rebuild your board meeting confidence and shine!

Helen Saxton, a seasoned customer-experience advocate, joins to discuss why marketers often miss the mark by ignoring direct customer input. She emphasizes the need to balance quantitative data with qualitative feedback, urging brand managers to engage with customers actively. The conversation highlights how customer service teams can be a goldmine for insights, promoting collaboration to enhance branding and marketing strategies. Saxton encourages marketers to cultivate genuine relationships with customers to drive successful and meaningful campaigns.

Why do so many B2B marketers treat YouTube like a dusty archive? 🤔 We’ve all seen it—upload a stale webinar, paste a podcast video, and then scratch your head when views don’t budge… with zero strategy behind it. In this episode, we’re joined by Jake Kitchiner, co-founder of Channel Crawler and our new Blame It on Marketing YouTube guru, to unpack the B2B Tube trap—why companies dump content on YouTube and see no ROI, and how to build a channel that actually drives leads. blame-it-on-marketing_y…blame-it-on-marketing_y…We get into: ✅ Why simply reposting webinars and demos is YouTube clickbait… for crickets ✅ The three-step service model: free tutorials → paid deep-dives → new clients ✅ How B2B SaaS brands like Clay turn “how-to” videos into product subscriptions ✅ YouTube’s three discovery feeds—Homepage, Suggested, Search—and how to win them ✅ Crafting hooks, thumbnails & chapters that make viewers click, watch, and subscribe ✅ Evergreen content planning: batch filming, SEO research, and a six-month runway ✅ How to use YouTube Ads with channel & video-level targeting (not just keywords) ✅ Repurposing your podcast or LinkedIn content into short-form YouTube hitsIf you’re tired of uploading endless “just-because” videos—or if you’ve been guilty of treating YouTube like a dumping ground—this one’s for you.🎧 Listen now and let’s talk about turning YouTube views into real business. We’re Ruta and Emma, the marketing consultants behind Blame it on Marketing. If you’re in B2B SaaS or professional services and looking to do marketing that actually drives revenue and profit, we’re here for it.Visit blameitonmarketing.com and let’s get this show on the road.

Why do so many companies treat consultants like magic beans? 🤔 We’ve all seen it—bring in a “growth expert,” sprinkle them between teams, and pray they fix everything… without clear goals or accountability.In this episode, we’re joined by Loren Shumate, growth consultant and our new Blame It On Marketing bestie, to unpack the consultant conundrum—why leadership chases silver bullets, where it blows up, and how to get real ROI instead ​E84.We get into: ✅ The biggest myth giving consultants a bad rap—and why clear deliverables matter ✅ How to know when your startup needs outside help (and who should make that call) ✅ The right questions to ask before signing a statement of work ✅ Why siloed tactics fail—and how consultants drive cross-functional alignment ✅ Dodging “magic bean” tech plays: why you need vendor-agnostic advice ✅ Turning boardroom truths—like “my CRM’s a ball of yarn”—into actionable change ​E84 ✅ Red flags that scream “run away” when you’re vetting marketing experts ✅ The LinkedIn soap-opera of fake influencer feuds—and why labels don’t make better marketingIf you’ve ever hired (or been tempted to hire) a consultant—and ended up with a mess—this one’s for you.

Why does email marketing often feel like shouting into the void? 🤔 We’ve all been there—campaigns get built, contacts pile up, and engagement flatlines… yet somehow “just send more emails” remains the rallying cry.In this episode, we’re joined by Beth O’Malley, self‑proclaimed Email Queen and 12‑year CRM veteran, to dismantle the biggest email myths—why your campaigns keep missing the mark, and exactly how to fix them.We get into: ✅ Why borrowing B2C “best practices” and 2004 segmentation still holds you back ✅ The real risks of buying cold lists (and smarter ways to reach prospects) ✅ The three pillars of email mastery: strategy, data integrity & tech setup ✅ How to build subscriber‑centric journeys that deliver the right message at the right time ✅ Quick wins with exclusion‑based campaigns to trim the fat and boost engagement ✅ Why open rates lie—and which metrics actually prove email ROI ✅ Avoiding technical dead ends: SPF, DMARC & platform limitations to watch ✅ Winning leadership buy‑in with analogies (and the cost‑of‑inaction playbook) ✅ The unethical tricks—like fake order confirmations—that always backfireIf you’re done watching your emails underperform—or you’re ready to turn email into your highest‑ROI channel—this one’s for you.Link to Beths course: https://www.certifiedguru.com/ We’re Ruta and Emma, the marketing consultants behind Blame it on Marketing. If you’re in B2B SaaS or professional services and looking to do marketing that actually drives revenue and profit, we’re here for it.Visit blameitonmarketing.com and let’s get this show on the road.

Fiona Jensen, a veteran with over 20 years in B2B marketing recruitment, dives into the hidden crisis facing senior marketers today. The conversation highlights the alarming rise of burnout due to unrealistic KPIs and isolation in leadership roles. Fiona emphasizes the importance of building a strong professional network and finding mentors to combat these pressures. Practical tips for spotting unhealthy work environments are shared, making it a vital listen for those aiming to safeguard their marketing careers and well-being.

Why do CEOs sometimes go rogue on social media—and what does it mean for your brand? 🤔 In this episode, we’re joined by Amber to dig deep into the wild world of executive online antics. From LinkedIn mishaps to rogue posts that cross the line, we unpack how CEOs’ off-the-cuff behavior can affect everything from corporate culture to talent attraction.We get into: ✅ The high-stakes world of CEOs building personal brands—and sometimes stepping way over the line ✅ How misguided attempts at “juicy” engagement can backfire and why a little media training goes a long way ✅ Real-life examples of rogue posts that made waves (yes, including the infamous “boob post”) ✅ The power of a solid social media policy and crisis plan in keeping your brand safe ✅ Insider gossip and survival tips from marketers who've navigated the falloutIf you’ve ever wondered how to manage the fallout when a CEO’s online behavior starts causing havoc—or if you just love a good marketing scandal—this episode is for you.

How do you keep the spark alive with MQLs when everyone’s ready to call them dead? In this episode, Ruta and Emma sit down with Ross Howard, Product Marketing Director at Inbox Insight, to share a no-holds-barred conversation about the messy, hilarious, and sometimes maddening world of Marketing Qualified Leads. Rather than ditching MQLs altogether, our guest and hosts explore how a little relationship-building, a whole lot of content creativity, and a fresh look at aligning sales and marketing can make all the difference.We dive into: ✅ The truth behind the “MQL myth” and why these leads aren’t the enemy✅ How early marketing blunders (hello, email typos!) paved the way for smarter strategies✅ Balancing lead gen and demand gen without sacrificing quality or your sanity✅ Creative multi-touch tactics that keep your audience engaged long after the first email✅ The secret sauce of building genuine connections, even when the system seems stacked against you✅ Insider marketing gossip that proves even the pros have their off daysIf you’re ready to rethink your lead strategy without scrapping everything you’ve built, this episode is your new go-to guide. Let’s embrace our MQLs for life—done right, they can be your secret weapon.

Why do so many senior marketers think a website rebuild will solve all their problems? 🤔 We’ve all seen it—new leadership comes in, declares the site outdated, and suddenly, it’s full steam ahead on a total overhaul… with zero strategy behind it.In this episode, we’re joined by Alice Walton, website expert and our new Blame It on Marketing bestie, to unpack the fresh start fallacy—why marketers keep rushing into website redesigns, why it backfires, and what to do instead.We get into:✅ Why marketers love (and overuse) the “new website” play✅ How to know if you actually NEED a new site (or just tweaks)✅ The #1 mistake companies make before redesigning✅ Why some brands obsess over their site… and others ignore it completely✅ How bad CMS choices force unnecessary redesigns✅ The secret war between devs & marketers (and how to win it)✅ SEO, CRO, and why marketers STILL forget them in a rebuild✅ How AI & voice search are changing website strategyIf you’re tired of watching websites get scrapped for no reason—or if you’ve been guilty of pushing a redesign without a real plan—this one’s for you.🎧 Listen now and let’s talk about what actually works.