The Exit Five CMO Podcast (Hosted by Dave Gerhardt)

In this episode, we’re delivering another B2B marketing lesson in under 10 minutes.Matthew Carnevale, Marketing Manager at Exit Five, breaks down the story behind the best ad he’s ever created—one that generated $77,822 in MRR over two years. Spoiler: it wasn’t fancy production or clever wordplay. The secret? Raw, undeniable social proof.Matthew shares why raw social proof, like screenshots, before-and-after results, and authentic testimonials, outperforms polished case studies or logos. By the end, you’ll know how to gather and use social proof effectively to make your marketing efforts stand out and drive real results. Send guest pitches and ideas to hi@exitfive.comJoin the Exit Five Newsletter here: https://www.exitfive.com/newsletterCheck out the Exit Five job board: https://jobs.exitfive.com/Become an Exit Five member: https://community.exitfive.com/checkout/exit-five-membership***Today's episode is brought to you by Knak.Email (in my humble opinion) is the still the greatest marketing channel of all-time.It’s the only way you can truly “own” your audience.But when it comes to building the emails - if you’ve ever tried building an email in an enterprise marketing automation platform, you know how painful it can be. Templates are too rigid, editing code can break things and the whole process just takes forever. That’s why we love Knak here at Exit Five. Knak a no-code email platform that makes it easy to create on-brand, high-performing emails - without the bottlenecks.Frustrated by clunky email builders? You need Knak.Tired of ‘hoping’ the email you sent looks good across all devices? Just test in Knak first.Big team making it hard to collaborate and get approvals? Definitely Knak.And the best part? Everything takes a fraction of the time.See Knak in action at knak.com/exit-five. Or just let them know you heard about Knak on Exit Five.***Thanks to my friends at hatch.fm for producing this episode and handling all of the Exit Five podcast production.They give you unlimited podcast editing and strategy for your B2B podcast.Get unlimited podcast editing and on-demand strategy for one low monthly cost. Just upload your episode, and they take care of the rest.Visit hatch.fm to learn more

Ross Simmonds, Founder and CEO of Foundation & Distribution.ai, shares valuable insights on content marketing and distribution strategies. He introduces the mantra "create once, distribute forever" to enhance marketing efficiency. Ross discusses blending educational and engaging content to captivate audiences. He emphasizes leveraging platforms like LinkedIn and Reddit, providing tactical distribution tips, and the importance of authenticity in communications. Additionally, he reveals how embracing AI can optimize content strategies and enhance audience engagement.

Sylvia Lepoidevin, CMO at Kandji, shares her remarkable ascent from employee #4 to CMO, showcasing her expertise in marketing leadership. She discusses how AI is revolutionizing team efficiency and fostering smaller, agile groups. Sylvia also emphasizes the significance of effective internal marketing strategies to energize cross-functional teams. Her insights on storytelling in meetings and the successful launch of campaigns provide valuable lessons for aspiring marketers, highlighting the power of collaboration in driving brand growth.

Learn how to captivate your audience instantly with the Billboard Test! Discover the key elements of concise messaging, eye-catching visuals, and unforgettable creativity that marketers need. Uncover the urgent necessity for faster lead response times in B2B sales, and how automation can enhance engagement. By mastering these strategies, your marketing efforts will stand out even in today's fast-paced digital landscape.

Kyle Coleman, CMO at Copy.ai, has propelled companies like Looker and Clari to significant revenue growth. In this engaging conversation, he discusses the critical alignment between marketing and sales teams to drive pipeline success. Kyle highlights the importance of building marketing strategies around product roadmaps and emphasizes the value of collaborative efforts in creating qualified opportunities. He also shares insights on balancing long-term vision with immediate revenue goals, ensuring marketing remains accountable and results-driven.

Rowan Tonkin, CMO at Planful and expert in marketing planning, shares invaluable insights on building a successful marketing strategy. He discusses the importance of aligning your marketing plan with business objectives and gaining buy-in from executives. Rowan emphasizes the need for creativity within structured teams and reframes marketing as a revenue-generating investment. He also dives into the significance of collaborating with finance teams and adapting strategies based on evolving economic conditions, all aimed at driving measurable results.

Devin Reed, Founder of The Reeder and former head of content at Gong, shares insights on maximizing LinkedIn for B2B leaders. He introduces the concept of owning a 'one word' to dominate content categories and explains why personal profiles should take precedence for engagement. Devin offers a detailed framework for creating executive-led content and discusses how to build trust and narrow audience focus for impactful marketing. He emphasizes the importance of spontaneous posting and community engagement to enhance visibility and growth.

In this discussion, Andrew Davies, CMO at Paddle and former VP at Optimizely, shares his insights on the core principles of B2B marketing. He emphasizes the importance of foundational strategies over trends and explores how to structure and scale a marketing team. Andrew discusses differentiating in a crowded market and the significance of being a helpful brand. He also touches on innovative marketing initiatives like Paddle's AI Launchpad and the evolving role of AI in shaping effective marketing campaigns.

Dive into the essentials of B2B marketing as Matthew Carnevale breaks down the crucial difference between goals, strategies, and tactics. Discover how a solid strategy serves as the guiding principle for your marketing plan. With real-world examples, learn the importance of aligning your tactics with overarching strategies. This concise lesson equips marketers with the insights needed to maintain team focus and achieve success.

Natalie Marcotullio, Head of Growth and Operations at Navattic, shares her expertise in saying 'no' effectively within marketing. She unveils a strategic marketing framework that simplifies decision-making and prioritization. Natalie details a three-step process for communicating with CEOs, including asking the 'why' and suggesting alternatives. She provides quick-win productivity tips to reclaim focus, and shares her own challenges with saying 'no,' revealing how vital boundaries are in a high-pressure environment.