Trader Stu reveals how business barter creates opportunities for new customers and partnerships while sharing his journey using podcasting instead of SEO to market his business. He discusses innovative marketing strategies and shares exciting local events happening at the Michigan Renaissance Festival.

• Using barter as a powerful business growth tool that isn't taught in business schools
• Partnership with Quantum Local Media placing ads on indoor digital billboards in high-traffic locations
• Michigan Renaissance Festival featuring world market, belly dancing competition, steampunk contest
• Camping adventures and lessons learned including the exploding tent incident
• Hyperlocal marketing strategy focusing on education through podcast promotion
• Free advertising opportunity for businesses hosting digital monitors

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Thanks for listening to The Trading Post Podcast!

Find all our important links—including our LinkedIn, MetroTrading.com, and Michigan Renaissance Festival info—at:
https://linktr.ee/traderstu

Questions or guest suggestions? Email us at thetradingpostwithtraderstu@gmail.com

© 2025 The Trading Post Podcast. All rights reserved.

We unlock the secrets of business-to-business trade through powerful networking strategies and explore using podcasts as a marketing tool instead of relying solely on SEO.

• Working from home while dealing with family health challenges demonstrates today's business flexibility
• Renaissance Festival sponsorship provides free tickets in exchange for podcast promotions
• New partnership with an indoor billboard company creates opportunities for Metro Trading Association members
• Indoor billboards produce powerful results with an 83% recall rate among customers
• Businesses hosting billboards receive $4,600 in free annual advertising across multiple locations
• Targeting by county ensures advertising reaches potential customers within reasonable distance
• The concept of "15-minute cities" shows a return to local business and community focus
• High-traffic locations like restaurants, salons, and fitness centers make ideal billboard hosts

Contact us at 248-244-0000 and ask for Stu to learn more about indoor billboard opportunities in Oakland County.

Send us a text

Support the show

Thanks for listening to The Trading Post Podcast!

Find all our important links—including our LinkedIn, MetroTrading.com, and Michigan Renaissance Festival info—at:
https://linktr.ee/traderstu

Questions or guest suggestions? Email us at thetradingpostwithtraderstu@gmail.com

© 2025 The Trading Post Podcast. All rights reserved.

Behind the scenes of a local Chamber of Commerce networking event called "Coffee Talk," sharing real elevator pitches from business professionals across diverse industries.

• Speed networking events allow participants to give 2-minute elevator pitches to multiple tables
• Using notes is perfectly acceptable and helps ensure you cover all important points
• The key components of a good pitch include a clear introduction, what makes your business unique, and a specific "ask"
• Networking is a skill that improves with practice - don't expect to nail it the first time
• Even experienced professionals get nervous when presenting their business
• Diverse businesses represented include orthodontists, banks, recreation centers, art organizations, and more
• Building relationships through in-person networking can be more effective than relying solely on SEO
• Recording real pitches helps demystify the networking process for newcomers

Whatever y'all do out there, be good or be good at it.

Contact information for those who gave a 2 minute presentation:

1. Paint Creek Center for the Arts — Shaun Hayes — Shaun@PCCArt.org — www.pccart.org
2. Olivia Kay (Certified Speaker, Neuroscience Coach, and Author) — Olivia Kay — www.oliviak.org
3. ReSale Connection (Assistance League of Southeastern Michigan) www.semich.AssistanceLeague.org
4. Stand For What Is Noble — Elizabeth Graham Kaniarz — elizabeth.kaniarz@standforwhatisnoble.com — standforwhatisnoble.com
5. RARA Recreation — Samuel Lunt — Sam@RARArecreation.org — www.rararecreation.org
6. OPC Social & Activity Center — Jenay Frost — jfrost@opcenter.org — opcenter.org
7. First State Bank — Laurie Sigelko — lsigelko@fsb.bank — www.fsb.bank
8. David Powers — David Powers — DP@DAVIDPERFORMS.COM — www.davidperforms.com
9. The Marketing Shop — Vicky M. Winkler — vicky@tms.marketing — www.tms.marketing
10. Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan — info@wustylerochester.com — www.wustylerochester.com

Send us a text

The Michigan Renaissance Festival
Experience the Michigan Renaissance Festival, where history and fantasy collide!

Support the show

Thanks for listening to The Trading Post Podcast!

Find all our important links—including our LinkedIn, MetroTrading.com, and Michigan Renaissance Festival info—at:
https://linktr.ee/traderstu

Questions or guest suggestions? Email us at thetradingpostwithtraderstu@gmail.com

© 2025 The Trading Post Podcast. All rights reserved.