MarCom Strategist Podcast #6 | download

[audio:http://www.dhcommunications.com/wp-content/podcasts/marcom_strategist_mport.mp3]

In this episode of the MarCom Strategist podcast, I interview Michael Port, author of the new book, Beyond Booked Solid.

Often times we think we’re not reaching our goals (or dreams) because of external forces: I believed for a long time, for example, that my being a mom limited me to what I could achieve. I can’t work 50 – 60 hour weeks, ergo, I can’t be as successful as some of my peers.

Wrong, wrong, wrong. This is a limiting belief and it’s blasting past these types of beliefs that Michael talks about in his book and in this podcast.

This is a fabulous interview. Michael gives lots of great tips about how to overcome your own mental limitations in order to take yourself — and your business — to the next level, including:

The warning signs that indicate you’re now working for a crazy boss — as in, you are the crazy boss. 

How consultants and/or copywriters can grow their businesses — without hiring employees.

The difference between positive and negative constraints — and why negative constraints can actually be good for you.

The biggest challenge that prevents small business owners and/or entrepreneurs from getting to the next level.

Podcast Length: approx. 28 minutes

Websites mentioned in the podcast:

Michael Port’s blog

Michael Port’s Website

Think Big Revolution radio show

MarCom Strategist Podcast #5 | download

[audio:http://www.dhcommunications.com/wp-content/podcasts/MarCom_Strategist_ThomasNet.mp3]

In this fifth episode of the MarCom Strategist podcast, I interview Linda Rigano, Director of Strategic Alliances, and Brendan O’Connell, Director of Web Operations, both of ThomasNet.

Linda, Brendan, and I talk about ThomasNet’s new white paper, “Aligning Your Online Marketing Strategy with Your Business Plan.”

Linda and Brendan, who view hundreds of B2B Websites, give their insights on the weaknesses they see with these sites, and the changes companies need to make as they confront how the Internet has dramatically changed the way business is done.

We also discuss:

Why B2B companies have taken so long to “get it” with regards to the Web.

The fallacy that most industrial buyers will call a company if they don’t find what they need on a Website — and why 91% of buyers will simply click back out if they can’t find information.

How B2B companies can begin aligning their online marketing efforts with their business plans.

Length is approximately 27 minutes. Links mentioned in the episode:

• ThomasNet
• White Paper: Aligning Your Online Marketing Strategy with Your Business Plan
• DH Communications, Inc.

MarCom Strategist Podcast #4 | download

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In this fourth episode of the MarCom Strategist podcast, I interview Lyn Chamberlin, a personal branding expert based in Massachusetts.

Lyn describes the difference between a personal brand and a corporate brand and why developing a personal brand is important. Other questions Lyn and I cover include:

What exactly is a “personal” brand.

Why women have a hard time talking about their achievements.

Steps you can take to begin developing your personal brand.

Length is approximately 19 minutes. Links mentioned in the episode:

• Skye PR
• The Brand Dame Blog
• DH Communications, Inc.

MarCom Strategist Podcast #3 | download

[audio:http://www.dhcommunications.com/wp-content/podcasts/MarCom Strategist_McIntosh.mp3]

In this third episode of the MarCom Strategist podcast, I interview Mac McIntosh, the Business-to-Business Sales Lead Expert.

When I started my marcom career about 15 years ago, I really had no clue about sales and how my work fit into the sales process. In fact, it wasn’t until I met Mac about seven years ago that I really began to understand how marketing and sales work together.

In this very engaging interview, Mac and I talk about the difference between inquiries and sales leads and why marketing needs to understand the sales process and work to ensure we’re getting real results.

Other questions Mac and I cover include:

How marketing can help sales generate leads.

Determining which marketing tactic to use.

Why marketing should be involved in the sales lead process.

Why marketing needs to toot its horn.

Length is approximately 21 minutes. Links mentioned in the episode:

• B2B Magazine
• Mac’s Learning Center
• Sales Lead Insights Blog
• DH Communications, Inc.

I would also like to take this time to publicly thank Mac. He’s been a great mentor and friend: over the years he’s helped me over the humps in growing my business, introduced me to people whenever we’ve attended the same networking functions, and asked tough questions that got me to think about where I’m going and what I’m doing.

Mac, thanks for everything. You’re the best!

(As a side note, I’m still learning about the technical side of podcasting. One thing to note: when using a bridge line to record the call, the volume of the voices is different — i.e. my voice is louder than the person with whom I’m speaking. I finally hired a sound engineer to fix this problem. He also added music and removed extraneous noise. So this podcast sounds great!

I’m very pleased that I learned how all this stuff works, but from now on, I’m having an expert take care of the technical backend for me. I’ll just come up with interview topics.  Thanks for listening!)

MarCom Strategist Podcast #2 | download
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In this second episode of the MarCom Strategist podcast, I interview Michael Stelzner, author of the book, Writing White Papers: How to Capture Readers and Keep Them Engaged. He’s also the publisher of the Writing White Papers blog — which is a terrific blog and one I read regularly.

Mike and I talk about white papers and their role in the B2B sales lead process. You can find lots of information about how to write white papers, but few people talk about how to use them in marketing campaigns once they’ve been written.

Other questions Mike and I cover include:

How white papers fit into the sales lead process.

Using landing page copy to help better qualify leads.

“Versioning” white papers for specific job types (i.e. manager vs. Sr. VP).

The various ways you can use white papers in marketing campaigns.

Length is approximately 26 minutes. Links mentioned in the episode:

• Writing White Papers blog
• White Paper Source
• Andrew Goodman’s e-book, Winning Results With Google Adwords (book available at Page Zero Media)
• John C. Havens — About.com: Podcasting
• DH Communications, Inc.

Thanks, Mike, for your time! I appreciate it.

MarCom Strategist Podcast #1 | download

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In this first episode of the MarCom Strategist podcast, I interview blogging and podcast expert Ted Demopoulos, author of the book, What No One Ever Tells You About Blogging and Podcasting.

The question I put to Ted is, can business-to-business (B2B) companies use podcasting to help sell widgets and/or generate sales leads?

Other questions include:

What are some of the benefits and drawbacks of B2B podcasting?

How do you begin a podcasting campaign?

Is it ok to repurpose existing content?

Once you start podcasting, do you have to do it continually, or can you develop a few podcasts and then stop?

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Ted Demopoulos’ Blogging for Business blog
• Oracle, Jupiter Research, and Elastic Path Software podcasts
• RightLook Radio podcasts
• Whirlpool podcasts

You can also find a bunch of how-to podcasting links in the current issue of my MarCom Writer newsletter.

This is my first podcast where I recorded the file using free telephone conferencing provided by Basement Ventures (so it’s a little rough around the edges as I’m still learning how to use Audacity to edit mp3 files) but it was great fun and a huge learning experience. Let me know what you think.