Marketing is really just relationship-building at scale. But within that "scale" are activities that aren't 100% programmable. That's what a successful marketing mix looks like. But explaining that to stakeholders isn't always easy. As marketers we have to be both business strategists, human connectors and creatives. Today we're talking with Rachel Elsts Downey, founder/CEO of Share Your Genius, about the growth strategies available in tight economic climates and how no aspects of marketing are, in fact, dead.Resources: Connect with Rachel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelelstsdowney/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.dontsaycontent.com/Created in partnership with Share Your Genius: https://www.shareyourgenius.com/

It’s 5 pm, do you know how your CMO is doing? You probably do, because they are anxiously wading through the same muck wondering how they are going to deliver consistent results while the foundation of their industry and macro environment are in tumult. The average day of a CMO right involves trying to strategically plan growth when even demand gen playbooks aren’t functioning like they used to, buyers are taking longer at every stage of the journey, budgets are both reduced and less consistent QoQ, and no one wtf is going to happen with interest rates, search, AI, the election, wars, etc will impact their companies, campaigns, day-to-day lives. So yeah, CMOs are feeling it, too, and we talked to a few for this episode as a kind of group hug and reminder: You’re not alone!Resources: Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.dontsaycontent.com/Created in partnership with Share Your Genius: https://www.shareyourgenius.com/

What makes a marketing function successful today? There are new trends and old playbooks, but what marketers do startups really need? And what about bigger companies? We talk structure, success, and our big dreams for what it looks like in the future. Join us as we chat through what types of marketers we see rising to the top now, and how marketing can best align and structure itself to grow into the future.Resources: Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.dontsaycontent.com/Created in partnership with Share Your Genius: https://www.shareyourgenius.com/

We talked about it way back in season 1. Today, what we’re interested in is: What personal brand currently does for individuals, particularly in a world where there's waning trust among institutions and executives? Personal branding is reputation. As tech moves faster, channels change more rapidly, you have to  harness your reputation. Yes, even if you’re B2B. Actually, ESPECIALLY if you’re B2B. You have a personal brand, regardless if you’re activating it through social channels. Even if you don’t want to be an “influencer”, this episode is for you. Resources: Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.dontsaycontent.com/Created in partnership with Share Your Genius: https://www.shareyourgenius.com/

Ok, ok. So, we’ve all been wrapping our heads around how to use AI in our content marketing production and distribution for a bit now. It’s time we talk about it. In this episode, we dive into some bigger questions. How should you think about AI? How will it affect quality? What does AI change? And what will always remain? If you’re using AI, or if you’re too overwhelmed to even know where to start, this one’s for you. Resources: Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.dontsaycontent.com/Created in partnership with Share Your Genius: https://www.shareyourgenius.com/

As you ascend to higher levels in your career, your most valuable skill becomes navigating internal politics, policy, and process. It's not just about managing up when you work for large companies, it's about managing many senior stakeholders and the dynamics they bring with them. Competency goes a long way  to getting the opportunities you want, the budgets you need and support for your initiatives. We're going live with Ashley Faus, Head of Lifecycle Marketing at Atlassian, to learn her strategies for navigating the corporate maze to elevate your influence and efficacy.Connect with Ashley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyfaus/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://dontsaycontent.substack.com/Created in partnership with Share Your Genius: https://www.shareyourgenius.com/

This is the best episode we’ve ever recorded. Is it because we get into an in-depth spicy conversation (cough, argument, cough) about why everyone and their mother are measuring awareness and affinity marketing programs totally wrong? Is it because Margaret gets so heated that she drops f-bombs, and eventually Devin says something she RARELY ever says? Is it because we put CFOs completely on blast for ruining marketing metrics?You decide! Resources: Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.dontsaycontent.com/Created in partnership with Share Your Genius: https://www.shareyourgenius.com/

Exploring the challenges of transitioning to managerial marketing roles, focusing on executive alignment, delegation, and motivation. Discussing the shift from practitioner to leader, mastering marketing strategy, and navigating the struggles of delegation. Emphasizing the importance of work relationships, management philosophies, and the power of encouragement and recognition for career growth.

Audacity - or as the kids call it: delulu. You need more of it in your life. In this episode, we explore our own relationship with audacity, how to cultivate it, why it’s so elusive to maintain, and why it’s so important at this (and any point) in your career. Resources: Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.dontsaycontent.com/Created in partnership with Share Your Genius: https://www.shareyourgenius.com/

Is marketing a creative or business role?We believe that marketing should be heavily involved in business strategy - not just creative strategy. But oftentimes, the marketing teams are positioned to support business growth rather than craft the strategy itself.In this episode, we explore how founders/CEOs can deploy their marketing function to focus more on business strategy, and what comes first (no, no - not the chicken or the egg, the business strategy or the go-to-market strategy). Resources: Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.dontsaycontent.com/Created in partnership with Share Your Genius: https://www.shareyourgenius.com/