The Content Cocktail Hour

"I owe it to my community and the sales industry to gather data on women's compensation and promotion in sales. There's a lack of comprehensive surveys and sufficient input on these issues," says Alexine Mudawar of Women in Sales.In this episode of The Content Cocktail Hour, we’re joined by CEO of Women in Sales, Alexine Mudawar. Women in Sales is a thriving community that's shaking up the traditional revenue models by making membership completely free and finding innovative ways to fund their initiatives through corporate sponsorships. Alexine shares her journey from a successful tech sales executive to leading an impactful community, the evolution and role of community-led growth, and the challenges and rewards of venturing on your own.In this episode, you’ll learn:The state of women in sales and industry trends and challengesHow organizations should find ways to make revenue from companies, not individual membersChallenges of working independently, whether through budgeting, taxes, and lack of team supportResources:Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-gandolf/ Check out The Juice HQ: https://www.thejuicehq.com/ Connect with Alexine on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexine-mudawar/ Check out Simple Strat: https://www.women-in-sales.com/ Timestamps:[00:00] Challenges and opportunities of building community into business[05:59] Women in sales and diverse career topics[07:26] Insufficient data for women's compensation in sales[12:36] Company-led communities prioritizing product-led growth and user connections[14:51] Launch slowly, build your nest egg, then soar[18:40] Big organizations and the need to prioritize profits wisely

"As long as you're confident in your interpretation and willing to share your methodology, there's great value in sharing even the basics. Don't be intimidated; there's always more we can improve in our creations," says Ryan Law, Director of Content Marketing at Ahrefs.In this episode of The Content Cocktail Hour, we’re thrilled to welcome Ryan Law, a content marketer with a fascinating journey through the marketing world, from his early days at university to his current role at Ahrefs. Join host Jonathan Gandolf and Ryan as they discuss Ryan’s extensive use of generative AI in content creation, the importance of proprietary data in developing standout marketing content, and the evolving landscape of SEO amidst the rise of AI.In this episode, you’ll learn:Ryan’s content marketing philosophy, the emphasis on research-driven content, and the importance of proprietary dataUsing data to enhance content credibility and challenges and methodologies in data collectionThe role of AI in content marketing and how it can take your business to the next levelResources:Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-gandolf/ Check out The Juice HQ: https://www.thejuicehq.com/ Connect with Ryan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thinkingslow/ Connect with Ryan on his website: https://ryanlaw.me/ Timestamps[06:08] Effective content marketing balances effort and impact[07:52] Data-driven trend reports inform ongoing decision-making[10:35] Balancing data support with content creation challenges[14:40] AI’s impact on SEO[19:24] Quality is not always necessary in content marketing[20:40] Overcoming fears and learning from experience

"Content marketing and strategy are essential foundations for any business. They are not just additional tasks but critical efforts that demonstrate to your audience why your business deserves a seat at the table," says Elizabeth IrvineIn this episode of The Content Cocktail Hour, we're joined by Elizabeth Irvine, the VP of Marketing and Customer Success at MarketMuse, to dive into the evolving role of AI in marketing, the importance of aligning customer success with marketing efforts, and the unique challenges and strengths of being an introvert in a marketing role. Elizabeth shares her journey from crafting email copy to leading dual teams, offers tips on leveraging AI technologies, and advises marketers looking to get closer to their customers.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why it is necessary to be in continuous engagement with customers beyond the initial saleHow impactful real-time adjustments to marketing efforts due to customer language and feedback areBeing an introvert can have both challenges and advantages in marketing and professional settingsResources:Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-gandolf/Check out The Juice HQ: https://www.thejuicehq.com/Connect with Elizabeth on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethdunlea/Check out MarketMuse: https://www.marketmuse.com/Timestamps:[06:05] Generating AI aids in content creation and automation[11:37] Allocate time to customer calls[16:06] Marketing's impact beyond revenue[18:33] Overcoming shyness through smaller work environments[22:23] Rising investment needed for quality content marketing[24:31] Personalized marketing's effectiveness

"But that's a beautiful thing around a people-first approach. You build things with other people in a very public way, and that helps you do your marketing and sales in a more efficient way," says Mark Kilens from TACK.In this episode of The Content Cocktail Hour, we are joined by special guests Nick Bennett and Mark Kilens from TACK. Nick and Mark discuss the evolution of building a community and audience with a people-first approach to business. They share practical strategies to prioritize transparency and authenticity and uncover how transparent pricing, personal marketing emails, and educational, value-based content can revolutionize how you connect with your audience.Resources:Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-gandolf/ Check out The Juice HQ: https://www.thejuicehq.com/ Connect with Nick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickbennett1/Connect with Mark on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markkilens/ Check out TACK: https://www.tackgtm.com/ See the TACK Network: https://tacknetwork.com/Timestamps:[00:00] Market and customer behaviors[06:05] Using storytelling, relationships, and partnerships to sell[07:37] Diversified funnel and community building[11:18] Leveraging demand[16:40] Experimenting with podcast and video-based content[17:24] Transitioning from on-prem to cloud[20:28] Unlocking opportunities with a well-defined strategy[25:01] Customer acquisition and growth strategy[27:42] Generational shift impacting market and consumption habits

Join Ali Schwanke, Founder of Simple Strat, as she discusses the importance of understanding audience behavior and leveraging the right channels for marketing success. She shares insights on practical AI in marketing, video production, and building trust through consistent content creation. Learn about brand investment, personal branding, and the power of quality content distribution in engaging with audiences.

"One of the most interesting and fun aspects we're focusing on is the word 'fun' itself. The idea that B2B brands can and should be more playful and exhibit their personality in their branding to catch consumers’ attention in a more meaningful way,” says David Kavanagh, Chief Marketing Officer at Jebbit.In this episode of The Content Cocktail Hour, we’re joined by the Chief Marketing Officer at Jebbit, David Kavanagh, to share why companies should embrace their weirdness and try different branding strategies. David also explores the challenges marketers face today, from technological advancements to shrinking budgets, and how to cut through the noise to create genuine connections with customers. Listen in as David emphasizes the importance of foundational work, improving marketing operations, and refreshing your brand to stand out. So, grab your favorite drink, and let’s get down to business.In this episode, you’ll learn:Brands need to balance the investment in data collection with compliance with privacy legislation and the fear of third-party cookies going awayMarketers should focus on creating great personalized experiences and being good stewards of customer dataLeveraging the plethora of available tools and content can help data-driven marketers build effective data strategies and connections with customersResources:Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-gandolf/Check out The Juice HQ: https://www.thejuicehq.com/Connect with David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dmkavanagh/?originalSubdomain=caCheck out Jebbit: https://www.jebbit.com/Timestamps:[06:06] Facing data challenges in a cultural landscape[07:44] Brands on privacy and consumer data[12:13] The basic human element in marketing[19:45] How to do strategic positioning for a new brand launch[22:53] The unpredictability of marketing[26:06] Should B2B brands embrace fun?

"We often talk about marketing as if we're addressing robots, using playbooks to tenfold our growth, stuck in the early 2000s mindset of click funnels. Too many people are still in that space,” says Luke Frazier, Chief Growth Officer at GOOD Agency.In this episode, we are joined by GOOD Agency’s Luke Frazier to discuss the authenticity of marketing, the evolution of B2B content, and the importance of creativity amidst data-driven strategies. Luke also brings a unique perspective on content marketing that challenges traditional B2B practices. From Luke's viral 'Sauna Series' to his insights on building genuine connections, this conversation uncovers the secrets behind successful content marketing. In this episode, you’ll learn:Prioritize listening to your customers to better tailor your marketing strategiesHaving a flexible and fun approach to content creation can yield meaningful engagementUsing detailed brand strategy and market research as the foundation is crucial for effective marketingResources:Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-gandolf/Check out The Juice HQ: https://www.thejuicehq.com/Connect with Luke on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukefrazier/Check out GOOD Agency: www.goodagency.comTimestamps:[03:48] Marketing insights in the sauna[08:51] Seeking community engagement in an AI-driven, inauthentic world[12:59] CMOs in the tech industry[14:36] Marketers fighting for value[18:40] Emotional involvement and a better company culture[21:23] Market research, strategy, and authenticity[24:27] Do constraints breed creativity?

"So I believe the true purpose of content is twofold: it serves as both an act of philanthropy and a marketing strategy for brands,” says David Ebner, President of Content Workshop.In this episode, we’re joined by the one and only David Ebner, President of Content Workshop, to dive into the art and science of content marketing, covering everything from storytelling and attribution to the role of content as an act of philanthropy. David shares his unique journey from a creative writing graduate student to leading a successful content agency, emphasizing the importance of blending artistry with strategic goals while weighing in on the controversial topic of gated vs. ungated content. So grab your favorite drink and join us for a conversation that covers it all.In this episode, you’ll learn:Effective storytelling in content marketing involves narrative flow, hero arcs, and overcoming challenges, regardless of the subject matterMeasuring the success of content varies but should align with the goals of providing value and building trust rather than merely driving conversionsSEO remains vital in content strategy, but it's essential to focus on high-intent, lower-volume keywords to effectively reach target audiencesResources:Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-gandolf/Check out The Juice HQ: https://www.thejuicehq.com/Connect with David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjebner/Check out Content Workshop: https://contentworkshop.com/Timestamps:[05:38] Content serves as value in relationships; audience matters[09:58] Storytelling about narrative flow, arc heroes, and outcomes[12:30] Measurement against goals, KPI work, and SEO importance[15:49] Creative content marketers need to balance storytelling[18:23] Artists straddle creative freedom and brand expectations[24:11] Content is valuable, demands contact information exchange

“People are realizing now, with the higher level of scrutiny that they're facing, that they really have to be able to show the impact of what they're working on. And it's not just for the sake of reporting and saying it, but also because they all want to have an impact,” says Pranav Piyush, Co-Founder and CEO of Paramark.In this episode, Jonathan Gandolf and Pranav dive into the intricacies of B2B marketing, exploring the shift from traditional content syndication to innovative content discovery and distribution. They'll tackle the question of marketing accountability, discussing how to demonstrate impact in marketing strategies effectively and the evolution toward a more humane approach to marketing analytics. In this episode, you’ll learn:Focus on deepening engagement with core users to leverage word of mouth and virality, rather than dispersing efforts thinly over multiple unproven channelsTransition beyond basic leads metrics by modeling business inputs and desired outputs to accurately measure marketing impacts on various scalesUtilize a simple scorecard method for monitoring correlation between marketing efforts and business outcomes, allowing for strategic resource allocation based on observable successes or diminishing returnsResources:Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-gandolf/Check out The Juice HQ: https://www.thejuicehq.com/Connect with Pranav on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pranavp/Check out Paramark: https://paramark.com/Timestamps:[05:36] A more humane approach to content syndication.[06:31] Curate content, attract followers, and maintain engagement[11:25] Marketing must demonstrate tangible impact for strategy[14:50] Prioritize capital allocation for predictable marketing returns[17:24] Analyzing returns in channels for business growth[19:55] Track marketing activity in spreadsheet and analyze patterns

"Salespeople know a lot, and yet that knowledge gets impacted. It just sits dormant inside us. But if you're in sales today, you have stories, you have assets that are underused. Start using your damn assets."In this episode, we’re joined by Bill Caskey, President of Caskey Achievement Strategies, to stir the pot by challenging conventional sales tactics and advocating for a more profound, mindset-oriented approach to selling. Bill will help you rethink how sales teams operate, the critical interplay between marketing and sales, and why creating soul in your sales process can lead to more authentic and fruitful customer relationships. This episode is a must-listen for anyone eager to leave the old-school sales playbook behind and engage prospects in a way that’s meaningful and effective. In this episode, you’ll learn:Embrace a mindset change from aggressive sales tactics to understanding and solving potential clients' actual needsLeverage and maximize underused assets like social media platforms and storytelling to improve interactions with customersDiversify your lead generation strategies to reduce dependency on any single source, ensuring stability and continued growthResources:Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-gandolf/Check out The Juice HQ: https://www.thejuicehq.com/Connect with Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billcaskey/Check out Caskey Achievement Strategies: https://billcaskey.com/Timestamps:[04:35] Sales mindset is focused on closing, not relationships.[07:58] Shift your mindset to abundance and focus on others[12:23] Leverage your assets for success and growth[15:42] Outbound calling and other pillars for success[18:24] Content creation and sales team mindset[20:55] Most marketing teams lack sales process knowledge[24:00] Telling stories builds rapport and trust