What if your customers could become your best marketers?

In this minisode of Small Business Bytes on This is Small Business, host Andrea Marquez dives into the power of user-generated content (UGC) and why UGC is a game-changer for businesses of all sizes. You’ll learn how UGC builds trust, loyalty, and engagement with your audience, discover simple ways to encourage your customers to create content, and get actionable tips to use UGC effectively.

Whether you’re a brand that's just getting started or an established business looking to grow, this minisode will give you tools you can tap into when it comes to the content your customers are already creating.

So, how will you start leveraging UGC? Share your ideas or results with us in a Spotify comment, Apple Podcasts review, or email us at Thisissmallbusiness@amazon.com. Doing that will not only hold you accountable but could also inspire another entrepreneur to take their next big step.

Sources:

If you want to know more about influencer marketing and Brittany Hennessy's story, listen to: How Influencer marketing Can Help You Grow Your Business - This is Small Business

If you want to know more about marketing and Liz Downing's story, listen to: How to Build Your Marketing Strategy - This is Small Business

Consumer Behavior Stats 2021: The Post-Pandemic Shift in Online Shopping Habit - Nosto

UGC Content 101: A Comprehensive Introduction - American Marketing Association

Consumer Confessions: How does UGC Impact and Influence the Shopping Experience? - TurnTo Networks

Why User-Generated Content Is Winning - Forbes

Your pitch is more than just words – it’s your first impression, your story, and your chance to stand out. But how do you pack all that into just 60 seconds or less?

In this minisode of Small Business Bytes on This is Small Business, host Andrea Marquez walks you through how to craft an elevator pitch that grabs attention, tells a compelling story, and leaves people wanting more. Whether you’re pitching to a potential customer, investor, or partner, you’ll walk away with actionable steps to make every second count.

You’ll also get inspired by real-life examples of past guests who’ve crafted pitches that opened doors for their businesses – like Felicia Jackson, founder of CPR Wrap, who turned a personal crisis into a life-saving product, Matthew Tesvich, founder of Skunk Skin, who solved a smelly problem with humor and creativity, and more! These stories will bring the steps to life and show you exactly how to apply those lessons to your own pitch.

So, what’s your pitch? Share it (or just one line) with us in a Spotify comment, Apple Podcasts review, or email us at Thisissmallbusiness@amazon.com. Doing that will not only hold you accountable but could also inspire another entrepreneur to take their next big step.

Sources:

If you want to know more about CPR Wrap, listen to Felicia’s story here: Every Entrepreneur's Dream: ‘Your Product Is a Life Saver!’ - TISB: Behind The Buy

If you want to know more about Skunk Skin, listen to Matthew’s story here: Knock Their Socks Off: A Fresh Solution to a Stinky Problem - TISB: Behind The Buy

If you want to know more about Shezza Socks, listen to Tiffany’s story here: From Blisters to Breakthrough: Behind Shezza Socks' Viral Success - TISB: Behind The Buy

If you want to know more about Agua Bonita, listen to Kayla’s story here: A Taste of Tradition: Infusing Heritage in Every Sip - TISB: Behind The Buy

11 actually great elevator pitch examples and how to make yours - Zapier

People don’t just buy products – they buy stories. So how do you tell yours in a way that sticks, connects, and builds loyalty?

In this minisode of Small Business Bytes on This is Small Business, host Andrea Marquez explains how you can write a brand story that does more than just sell – it builds a loyal customer base. You’ll learn how to craft your story, why embracing your struggles can make your brand more relatable and inspiring, and how to weave your customers into your story so they see themselves in your mission.

Plus, you’ll hear real-life examples from past guests like Conchita Pleasant, the founder and CEO of Nefertiti's Secrets and Ray Phillips, the CEO of Soap Sox, who turned personal challenges into powerful brand stories that inspire and connect.

By the end of this minisode, you’ll have tools to craft a story that doesn’t just explain what you do – it’ll show why it matters.

So, what’s your story? Share it with us (or even just a piece of it) in a Spotify comment, Apple Podcasts review, or email us at Thisissmallbusiness@amazon.com. Doing that will not only hold you accountable but could also inspire another entrepreneur to take their next big step.

Sources:

If you want to know more about Nefertiti's Secrets, listen to Conchita’s story here: How Looking Back Can Lead to Forward-Thinking Business Ideas - This is Small Business

If you want to know more about Soap Sox, listen to Ray’s story here: From Concept to Reality: Building and Validating Your Business Idea - This is Small Business

How to Tell a Compelling Brand Story [Guide + Examples] - Hubspot

People Buy Feelings, Not Things - Tony Robbins

Start with Why - Simon Sinek