The Exit Five CMO Podcast (Hosted by Dave Gerhardt)

Jen Allen-Knuth, founder of DemandJen and a B2B sales expert, shares her journey from corporate to entrepreneurship with over 15 years of experience. She discusses enriching the marketing-sales partnership by co-creating engaging content that resonates with customers. Jen emphasizes the importance of authentic storytelling in videos and how she built her personal brand on LinkedIn. She also explores the necessity of genuine diversity efforts in the workplace, pushing for deeper connections rather than superficial inclusivity.

In this discussion, Talia Wolf, founder and CEO of GetUplift, shares her insights on the frequent pitfalls of B2B websites based on an analysis of over 100 sites. She highlights how many companies overly focus on features rather than emotional engagement, hampering conversion rates. Talia explains the concept of emotional targeting and the importance of understanding customer needs. She also identifies common design mistakes and emphasizes the need for compelling copy before diving into aesthetics, urging stakeholders to prioritize effective messaging and user experience.

Megan Lueders, CMO at Sonatype, Ido Mart, CMO at ManyChat, and Kimberly Storin, CMO at Zayo, share insights from their diverse backgrounds in managing marketing for tech companies. They discuss the transformative challenges CMOs face today, emphasizing the shift from traditional demand generation to brand-led growth. The importance of emotional engagement and storytelling in B2B marketing is highlighted, alongside strategies for aligning effectively with other C-suite executives. They also unpack how to prove marketing's worth in an efficiency-driven era.

In this discussion, Anthony Blatner, a LinkedIn Certified Marketing Expert and Managing Director of Speedwork, shares his insights on maximizing LinkedIn ads for B2B marketing. He emphasizes the vital role of creative content and consistent branding in forging connections. Anthony dives into effective lead generation strategies, even on tight budgets, and the importance of targeting niche audiences with tailored content. He also highlights the benefits of personal engagement in ads and the intricacies of nurturing leads through well-planned campaigns.

Stephanie Christensen, an event marketing leader with 15 years at Qualtrics, and Kristina DeBrito, Director of Strategic Events at Iterable, dive into the resurgence of B2B events. They discuss the crucial metrics for tracking event ROI and the biggest pitfalls marketers make in planning. Listeners gain insights on securing executive buy-in, leveraging micro-events, and the importance of post-event engagement. The duo also explores the blend of virtual and in-person strategies, providing a roadmap for impactful events in 2025.

Diane Wiredu, founder of Lion Words and a messaging strategist, illuminates the world of B2B communication. She explains why most B2B messaging falls flat and how to create a compelling messaging strategy that resonates. Diane emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between positioning and messaging, the value of customer research, and how to structure homepage content for maximum impact. With insights on crafting clear value propositions and the role of storytelling, she equips listeners with actionable strategies to enhance their messaging effectiveness.

Ross Hudgens, co-host of the Content and Conversation podcast, shares insights on leveraging organic growth and SEO in B2B marketing. He discusses the critical role of content strategy and community-driven approaches for sustainable growth. Ross emphasizes the power of LinkedIn for personal branding and how podcasts can enhance brand visibility. The conversation also touches on balancing paid marketing with organic efforts, turning content into a growth flywheel, and avoiding common content marketing pitfalls.

Rita Cidre, Head of Academy at SEMrush, Ross Simmonds, Founder of Foundation, and Tom Whatley, Founder of Grizzle, share their expertise in B2B SEO strategies. They tackle common mistakes marketers make and the impact of AI on search engine optimization. The trio discusses how content must be optimized for user intent and presents a case study on improving conversion rates. They also emphasize the importance of internal linking and URL structure for top rankings, while debunking outdated practices like keyword stuffing.

Melton Littlepage, CMO at 1Password, is on a mission to turn a consumer favorite into a B2B cybersecurity leader. He dives into the critical nature of category leadership and how it shapes market perception. Melton discusses the shift from password management to Extended Access Management, emphasizing the need for innovative marketing. He warns against relying solely on attribution for success and highlights the interplay between brand-building and demand generation. Explore how COVID has reshaped the cybersecurity landscape and what it means for the future of 1Password.

Madhav Bhandari, Head of Marketing at Storylane, Robert Kaminski, Co-founder at Fletch PMM, and Dan Murphy, COO at Exit Five, delve into the essentials of high-converting product pages. They discuss the common pitfalls in B2B marketing, such as overloading features without clear messaging. The trio emphasizes the importance of interactive demos, videos, and strategic CTAs to enhance user engagement. They also critique real product pages, offering valuable insights on optimizing design and content for better conversion rates.