Imagine you're at a local networking event, your hand extended, ready to exchange business cards. But instead of a trade, you give your card away without expecting one in return.

Strange? Maybe. But according to my recent guest, this simple act of generosity could be the golden key to unlocking unprecedented business growth and genuine relationships. That's what we're delving into today on More Perfect Marketing; it's not about transaction, it's about transformation.

In the business world, we often get caught up in the numbers game—leads, conversions, and the bottom line. However, my conversation with Josh Elledge turned that notion on its head. He revealed that the most impactful leaders are those who approach each interaction with an open heart, ready to give without the immediate expectation of receiving. In a landscape brimming with overt sales pitches and insincere networking, Josh's approach refreshes like a cool breeze on a sweltering summer day.

We live in an era where connection is currency, but Josh emphasizes that it's the quality, not quantity, of these connections that truly matters. By creating relationships beyond mere transactions, we pave the way for collaborative growth and success. And let's be real, who doesn't want to be that person in someone else's corner—offering insights, connections, and even friendship?

Josh's strategy involves a discerning approach to relationships, choosing to invest time where it's most likely to flourish into partnerships that are more than just transactional. But don't be fooled, while it sounds altruistic, and it is, there's a strategic side to this method. By aligning ourselves with key people and offering value upfront, we lay the groundwork for a network that's more akin to a supportive community than a fickle fan base.

Josh Elledge is a U.S. Navy veteran and launched UpMyInfluence.com to help entrepreneurs grow their authority and influence. UpMyInfluence builds 7-figure B2B sales systems with zero paid ads.

He also started SavingsAngel.com which has grossed more than $6 million in sales with zero paid ads.

Josh is a keynote speaker, writes a syndicated newspaper column to 1.1 million readers, and regularly appears on more than 75 TV stations across the country. All told, Josh has appeared in the media more than 2000 times.

Links Mentioned:

Josh Elledge's Website: https://upmyinfluence.com/

"The Go-Giver" by Bob Burg: https://amzn.to/3U0LAlB

When you think of a burger chain, what usually comes to mind? Freshly grilled patties, mouth-watering cheese, and slick marketing tricks, maybe? But what if I told you that one wildly successful burger company chose to spend more on training their staff than on flashy advertising?

Today, we explore brand experience—where flipping burgers meets flipping the traditional marketing playbook on its head.

It’s an important topic for anyone in the marketing world, especially those in the business of pleasing customers and keeping them coming back for more. At the heart of this pivot from conventional advertisement to hands-on training is the idea that what people experience inside your store – or any touch point with your brand – is what they'll remember, talk about, and, most importantly, what will make them come back for seconds. I'm passionate about this because it represents a seismic shift in how we approach marketing: focusing on creating a culture that breathes your brand rather than simply shouting about it.

And for this discussion, I'm pleased to welcome Doug Reifschneider. Doug is a seasoned expert in marketing, working closely with clients to sharpen their insights, strategies, and execution. He offers his expertise in various roles including fractional, interim, and project-based, ensuring businesses have access to top-tier marketing leadership when they need it most. His methods are battle-tested across multi-unit businesses and franchises, and his insights come from a wealth of experience and deep-dives into what makes or breaks a customer's experience with a brand.

Links Mentioned:

https://chiefoutsiders.com

Have you ever heard a story so captivating it felt like you were living it? That’s the power of good marketing. In this episode, we explore why crafting a compelling story can make or break your brand.

Marketing is an art, blending creativity with strategy to connect with people on a level that goes beyond just features and benefits. I've come to realize it's not just what you sell that matters, it's the story you tell. When our stories align with our audience's values and experiences, magic happens. But, it's also more than just storytelling. It’s about creating a bond with consumers and often, introducing a common “villain” for your hero—your customer—to conquer.

Many brands still struggle to implement this approach effectively. They either overlook the importance of narrative in their marketing strategy or fail to create authentic stories that resonate with their audience. That's why I brought someone on board who knows how to tell a story that not only captivates but also converts.

Our guest is Danielle Harris, a marketing & messaging consultant who teaches coaches and service providers how to attract and sign dream clients by sharing their unique stories in their messaging. She has worked in marketing for over 10 years and believes that for most business owners, their story is their most underutilized asset.

Danielle is based in Metro Detroit where she was born and raised. Danielle is known for her love of chocolate and travel.

Links Mentioned:

drharrisconsulting.com/story

Have you ever sat across from someone, listened intently to their story, and suddenly realized it has completely changed your perspective? That's the kind of shift that happens when businesses truly start to listen to their customers—not just hear them, but deeply understand their experiences, desires, and frustrations.

It's this understanding that can pivot a company's direction towards real success. With such a cluttered and noisy marketing environment, where shouting the loudest often gets mistaken for being the most effective, the voice of the customer is often overlooked.

Many businesses are so wired into the loop of speculation and assumption that they miss the strong undercurrents of customer sentiment that actually drive sales. We're living in an era where the customer's voice can either crown you as a market leader or blatantly reveal that your "innovative" product is just not cutting it. Customer behavior and their buying journey are more important than ever, and businesses need to adapt by adopting a customer-centric strategy.

On this episode, I'm thrilled to explore this topic with Kristin Zhivago, the founder and president of a digital marketing agency, Zhivago Partners, where the bring in qualified leads to their clients, while helping clients with pre- and post-sale customer interactions that lead to higher revenue.

Kristin is the author of the 5-star book, “Roadmap to Revenue: How to Sell the Way Your Customers Want to Buy,” and is an expert on the customer’s buying process. She spent decades as a revenue coach to company owners and CEOs, helping them grow their revenue by understanding what their customers want to buy, and how they want to buy it. She’s worked for hundreds of companies and interviewed thousands of their customers.

She has developed a system that helps marketers and top management quickly and inexpensively find out what their customers are really thinking when they set out to buy, so they can use this information to reverse-engineer successful sales and create new sales in quantity. Kristin has spent her life helping others realize their dreams.

Links Mentioned:

"Roadmap to Revenue: How to Sell the Way Your Customers Want to Buy" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/49kgkmT

Zhivago Partners website: zhivagopartners.com

Have you ever found yourself at a networking event awkwardly waiting for a break in the conversation to deliver that perfectly polished elevator pitch?

Or maybe you've had a one-on-one meeting where you only received polite nods and “interesting” as feedback?

On today's episode, we discuss the art of creating genuine connections and becoming a person others can't stop talking about – in a good way!

The fact is, most of us understand networking and referrals to be integral to business success, but not everyone recognizes that the right way to go about them can make a world of difference. The fine line between a forgettable interaction and one that leaves a memorable impression often comes down to the way we share our expertise and engage in conversations. That's what makes today's talk especially important; it's about transitioning from formulaic pitches to fostering conversations that organically generate interest and lead to referrals.

So how do you become truly referable without resorting to aggressive tactics that can turn people off?

This is where our guest, Michael Roderick, comes into the picture. Michael Roderick is the CEO of Small Pond Enterprises which helps thoughtful givers become thought leaders by making their brands referable, their messaging memorable, and their ideas unforgettable. He is also the host of the podcast Access to Anyone which shows how you can get to know anyone you want in business and in life using time-tested relationship-building principles. Michael's unique methodology comes from his own experience of going from being a High School English teacher to a Broadway Producer in under two years.

Links Mentioned:

https://www.myreferabilityrater.com

Have you ever stopped to think that perhaps the most effective marketing tool isn't some flashy new ad platform or a viral social media campaign, but something much simpler and inherently human?

On this episode of More Perfect Marketing, we’re diving into a proven approach that makes your marketing truly resonate. Specifically, we're tapping into fundamental human connections which can turn a struggling campaign into a staggering success.

This strategy is built on a solid, unalterable foundation: identifying and solving a real problem that your target market faces. It's about going beyond just selling a product or service but fulfilling an actual need. When you do that, your product practically markets itself because you're providing genuine solutions to your audience.

Now, think about the last time you bought something because a friend recommended it. Customer reviews and testimonials hold immense power—because we see our needs reflected in the stories of others. These stories connect us, and these connections drive buying decisions. It's like forming a community around your brand where every satisfied customer is a beacon drawing others toward you.

In our constant attempts to grab customer attention, we shouldn't forget that at the core of effective marketing lie principles that remain unchanged regardless of technology or platform shifts. Meta and Google may change their algorithms, but our fundamental approach to reaching people at a human level remains constant.

Enter my guest, John Chan, a marketing master who stands out in a crowded field. He runs 2x Growth Agency, a performance marketing agency specializing in E-Commerce and Direct to Consumer brands. His agency plays a role in nurturing the entire customer journey, from stirring initial interest with paid search campaigns to building lasting relationships through email marketing retention. He's not just in it for the quick conversion; he's all about building a base of loyal, returning customers.

Born in Hong Kong and raised in Vancouver, John dropped out of university at the age of 19 to start his own web design consultancy. Since then, he has worked for several prestigious companies, including UBC and Basecamp, before co-founding 2x Growth Agency. The agency specializes in helping e-commerce and DTC brands grow and scale with paid ads and ad creative development.

Under John's leadership, 2x Growth Agency has managed over $6M of ad spend and helped generate over $30M in revenue for their clients.

Links Mentioned:

https://2x.agency/

Have you ever received an email so gripping that you felt compelled to read every word, only to realize it was a beautifully crafted proposition from a master marketer? That's the persuasive art of email writing. And it's an essential tool for entrepreneurs and business owners looking to connect and convert with an inbox-bound audience.

While some treat email marketing as a dull chore, savvy marketers like John Bejakovic dance across the keys like Fred Astaire on the dance floor, turning the mundane into magic—enchanting readers with every click.

John Bejakovic is an email conjurer who's mastered the art of blending pop culture, storytelling, and valuable insights into a form that leave readers yearning for more. His strategic and intentional approach has proven successful in various sectors, from healthcare professionals to real estate magnates, all with the consistent thread of engaging content.

John is an architect of trust. He understands that like any great relationship, the connection with your audience takes time, a pinch of personality, and heaps of consistency. Whether it's an anecdote about the trials of teaching his cat to use a human toilet or the latest victories in a client's business, he knows value and personality drive readership.

So why should we care about integrating storytelling into our emails? Because stories aren’t just for bedtime. They're the fabric of human connection—a timeless tool that turns facts and features into emotions and experiences. By weaving narratives with valuable content into your own emails, you can build a platform where your expertise can shine.

Making money is the end game, but understanding your audience’s needs and constantly testing your approach is the nuanced strategy we discuss in this episode.

And if you'd like to receive a daily dose of John's insights directly in your inbox, register for his emails at bejakovic.com

Marketing is not just about creativity but the strategic use of data and information. It's not enough to have an eye-catching campaign; today's marketers need the keys to the kingdom—understanding who their customers are, what they want, and how best to deliver it. But there lies the rub: in an age where privacy is prized, how do we obtain this precious data without pushing our customers away?

This conundrum is at the heart of why understanding your customer's journey, and the data that illuminates it, is such an essential facet of the marketing landscape. It's a topic that's always hot on my mind as the host of More Perfect Marketing, and it's one I took a deep dive into with my latest guest, Chris Rodriguez.

In our chat, we peeled back the layers of modern marketing challenges, from navigating personal privacy concerns to leveraging the full power of data analytics without alienating the very audience we aim to charm. Chris's insights were like a beacon in the often murky waters of data tracking and utilization; he shared his perspective on the evolving need for back-end information in B2B marketing, the art of capturing data from personas who guard their information like a treasure, and the journey towards less invasive, yet effective, data extraction techniques.

Email nurturing, segmentation, and contextual messaging emerged as the stars in Chris's strategy for gathering data without the user's direct input. It's about respecting the audience's boundaries while creatively engaging them in a way that feels personal and unobtrusive. This approach doesn't just meet the end goal of data collection; it enhances the user experience, ensuring that marketers walk the tightrope between useful and bothersome with grace.

Chris carries with him not just knowledge, but a palpable passion for uncovering the right answers in marketing through systematic, data-driven processes.

He's a 20-year marketing veteran with a passion for driving growth and tangible results for brands and entrepreneurs. He has worked with over 30 startups across all tiers of funding (Seed Round to Series E) and sizes (<10 to 100+), generating brand awareness, web traffic, signups, downloads, and most importantly customers & revenue. He now runs the agency iExcel.co, a B2B SaaS-focused demand generation and marketing operations agency based out of the greater Washington DC area.

The takeaway from our conversation wasn't just about the strategies themselves, but the ethos behind them. Marketing is no longer a guessing game, nor is it a one-size-fits-all model. It's about being data-wise, customer-centric, and being flexible enough to let the numbers lead the way, even if they take you in new directions.

For those thirsty for more of Chris’s marketing acumen or in need of an expert's touch on their marketing strategy, reach out to him through his website, and he'll be more than happy to chat.

Links Mentioned:

iexcel.co