UNF*DGE Your Marketing
The podcast where we talk about what really happens when marketing doesn’t go according to plan.
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Type of Interview
Refreshing Your Brand: From Marketing Autopilot to Authentic Visibility
Episode 99
Join Kristi Mitchell and Rachel Allen as they share real-life lessons from years of marketing, including the struggle of marketing your own business, evolving your brand identity, and overcoming the fear of visibility. Hear how embracing authenticity, refreshing outdated strategies, and reconnecting with your network can reinvigorate your marketing efforts. If you’ve ever felt stuck or hesitant to show up as yourself in your business, this episode is for you.
When Corporate Habits Hold Back Your Marketing
Episode 98
Transitioning from corporate life to entrepreneurship, Mark Stern shares hard-won marketing lessons, mindset shifts, and the unexpected journey that led to founding Custom Box Agency. Hear candid stories of early business missteps, how listening to customers sparked product innovation, and practical advice for staying focused in a fast-changing business landscape. Discover why niching down, seeking mentorship, and tuning into your audience are crucial for long-term growth.
Lessons from a Failed Mass Messaging Campaign
Episode 97
Jon Goehring, founder of Story Trust Media, sits down with Kristi Mitchell to discuss a marketing misstep and the lessons he learned from using mass messaging campaigns with purchased lists. The conversation explores why building genuine relationships and prioritizing quality over quantity is crucial for high-trust, service-based businesses. Jon and Kristi share practical strategies for outreach, sustainable business growth, and creating value-driven content.
Stop Chasing Shiny Objects: Aligning Marketing Tactics with Your Values
Episode 96
Discover the real challenges of marketing when impatience and shiny new tactics cloud your strategy. Humaira Akhter shares her candid experience with LinkedIn Sales Navigator, why lead generation shortcuts rarely work, and how self-alignment and leveraging existing networks are crucial for growth. Kristi and Humaira explore the importance of trusting your instincts, the risks of abandoning effective foundations, and practical ways to get clear on what really works for your business.
When Facebook Ads Flop: Hard Lessons in Marketing
Episode 93
Join Kristi Mitchell as she sits down with sales psychologist, Nancy Zare, to unpack marketing mishaps, specifically the lessons learned from failed Facebook ad campaigns. They highlight the temptation of passive income tactics, the importance of understanding analytics, and why marketing is never a "one trick pony." Listeners get actionable advice on testing strategies, learning from mistakes, and why it’s crucial to lean on experts instead of going it alone. If you're figuring out where to focus your marketing efforts or wondering about the realities behind paid ads, you’ll walk away with practical takeaways and a fresh perspective on building authentic connections.
Finding Your Business Identity: AI Tools vs. Real Experts
Episode 92
Explore the real challenges of marketing as Kristi Mitchell interviews Alan Lamparella about the early days of his business and lessons learned from relying on AI instead of experts for branding. Discover why personal connection and human expertise lead to better results, and how trusting your gut can lead to success. Perfect for entrepreneurs and business owners navigating the complexities of modern marketing.
When AI Goes Too Far: Protecting Authenticity in Your Marketing
Episode 90
Discover what can go wrong when AI tools are used for online engagement without transparency. Kristi Mitchell and Rachel Platt discuss a real-world LinkedIn interaction gone awry, the importance of authenticity in marketing, and how to manage automation without losing the human touch. You'll learn the crucial lessons every business owner should keep in mind when building digital relationships and outsourcing marketing activities.
From Bland to Brilliant: Transforming Your Testimonials
Episode 87
Discover why most testimonial strategies fall short and how authentic customer stories drive real business growth. Neil Carroll and Kristi Mitchell explore the hierarchy of testimonials, actionable tips for capturing impactful feedback, and methods to turn client insights into powerful marketing assets. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your testimonials to the next level, this episode offers practical advice to boost trust and credibility for your business.
Beyond the Sizzle: How to Pick a Marketing Agency That Listens
Episode 86
Marketing strategist, Kristi Mitchell, sits down with Lance LeFort, owner of LeFort Talent Group, to discuss lessons learned from years of hiring and working with marketing agencies. They explore the importance of healthy skepticism when evaluating agency promises, why true listening sets successful partners apart, and how one-size-fits-all solutions can often miss the mark for unique businesses. Lance LeFort shares real stories from managing recruitment and marketing efforts, highlighting the value of trust, personalized approaches, and having clear guarantees in agency agreements. Listeners will gain practical advice on vetting marketing providers, ensuring agencies understand their specific needs, and protecting themselves with strong contracts and realistic expectations.
From Google Ads Overload to Smart Outsourcing: A Data-Driven JourneyFrom Google Ads Overload to Smart Outsourcing: A Data-Driven Journey
Episode 85
Serial entrepreneur Jeremy Shapiro joins Kristi Mitchell to talk about the dangers of relying too heavily on a single marketing channel and the importance of data-driven decision making in business. They discuss real-life lessons from scaling ad campaigns, navigating diminishing returns, and the pivotal moment when bringing in outside experts made all the difference. Listeners will walk away with practical advice on hiring, tracking key metrics, and diversifying lead sources to reduce risk and support business growth.
The Power of Alignment: Why Your Lead Magnet Isn’t Converting
Episode 83
Discover how to avoid one of the most common marketing mistakes business owners make with lead magnets and sales funnels. Lisa Klein shares her journey from health coaching to business strategy, highlighting the importance of aligning your freebie with your core offer so you attract leads who are ready to buy. Kristi Mitchell and Lisa Klein break down actionable tips on creating strategic, high-converting lead magnets, building effective nurture funnels, and making sure your audience is the right fit for your services. Packed with relatable stories, practical advice, and honest reflections, this episode is a must for any business owner looking to optimize their marketing strategy and get better results from their list building efforts.
Simplifying Sales and Marketing – Real Talk on Process, Mindset, and Results
Episode 80
In this episode, Kristi Mitchell switches roles and becomes the guest while sales expert Brian McDonald leads the conversation. They openly discuss the challenges and lessons that come with balancing marketing and sales as a business owner. Key themes include overcoming the fear of rejection in sales, the importance of having a clear and actionable sales process, and why simply doing more isn’t always better. Listeners will get valuable insights on how to simplify both marketing and sales, create structure around follow-ups, and the power of guiding prospects toward decisions without relying on high-pressure tactics or automation.
Finding Focus: How to Simplify Your Marketing and Get Results
Episode 77
Kristi Mitchell chats with Susan Harper, founder of Sharper Creative, about the realities of building a marketing strategy for service providers who have grown through referrals and relationships. Key themes include learning from marketing missteps, navigating the overwhelm of choosing platforms like LinkedIn, rebranding challenges, the value of repurposing content, and experimenting with creative outreach such as direct mail. Listeners will hear candid lessons about focusing on the right audience, managing bandwidth, building sustainable systems, and finding ways to stand out in a crowded attention economy.
Master the Marketing Basics, Then Find the Right Execution Partner
Episode 76
Join Kristi Mitchell as she chats with Barbara and Elisa of Homemade Events about their marketing journey, sharing the real struggles and lessons they faced while scaling their event planning business. This episode highlights the importance of understanding your own marketing strategy before outsourcing, how investing in your own education pays off, and the value of building trust with partners and yourself. If you’ve ever wondered whether you should hire out your marketing or learn the ropes yourself, this candid conversation is packed with practical takeaways to help you grow your business.
From Zero Clients to Consistent Sales: The Power of Patience
Episode 75
In this episode of UnF*dge Your Marketing, Kristi Mitchell sits down with Scarlett Stanhope, the “Biz Hippie” and money and abundance coach, to talk about early business struggles, launching mistakes, and the lessons learned along the way. Scarlett shares her journey from launching her first program with zero sales to eventually building a successful business rooted in clarity, audience-building, and self-confidence. Key themes include the importance of consistent marketing, building a solid organic foundation before running paid ads, staying patient with your growth, and making small, strategic tweaks instead of constant overhauls. Listeners will find actionable advice on investing in themselves, growing their audience, and owning their value as business owners.
Small Groups, Big Impact - How Personal Outreach Fuels Marketing Success
Episode 72
Join Kristi Mitchell and Kerry Dobson in Episode 72 of UnF*dge Your Marketing as they discuss the common marketing misstep of relying on passive market research through email newsletters, instead of direct outreach for feedback. Hear lessons about the power of personalized conversations, the importance of clarity in your ask, and how to cultivate genuine relationships for successful group programs. This episode highlights the value of quality, actionable insights over sheer numbers, and encourages transparency, vulnerability, and setting parameters when gathering feedback to fuel real growth.
Contracted for Results, Delivered Disappointment: Navigating Provider Expectations
Episode 71
On this episode of UnF*dge Your Marketing, Kristi Mitchell sits down with mindset coach Suzanne Longstreet to uncover the real-life challenges entrepreneurs face when hiring marketing support. Suzanne opens up about her personal experience navigating a health crisis while trusting a marketing professional who ultimately failed to deliver. Together, Kristi and Suzanne explore the importance of clear expectations, aligning on deliverables versus outcomes, and learning from setbacks. The conversation covers communication pitfalls, the value of measurable results, and how letting go of perfectionism can empower business growth—essential insights for any business owner seeking better marketing partnerships.
Why Marketing Pros Need Outside Help Too - Lessons from the Field
Episode 70
In this episode of UnF*dge Your Marketing, Kristi Mitchell chats with Anne Gillespie about the common marketing mistakes business owners make, especially around strategy and execution. Anne shares valuable lessons from her years running Fix and Form and 10 to Launch, emphasizing why even marketing professionals should hire external help for their own marketing and branding. The conversation highlights the importance of solid strategy before jumping into execution, the differences between graphic and copy-focused social media management, and using AI tools to streamline workflows without losing the human touch. Listeners will pick up practical tips on hiring, leveraging strengths, and building stronger brands.
Strengths-Based Business & Marketing: Amplify What Makes You Shine
Episode 69
Heather Kay joins host Kristi Mitchell to share her marketing journey, focusing on lessons learned from hiring a marketing consultant and navigating clear deliverables. Topics include the importance of setting strong expectations, effective communication, and the value of identifying your strengths to make a bigger impact. Heather and Kristi discuss strategies for leveraging personal talents, the power of networking, and avoiding common pitfalls when outsourcing marketing tasks. This episode is packed with practical advice for service-based business owners who want to avoid marketing mishaps and create collaborative partnerships that drive results.
Why Clear Agreements Matter: Learning from a Misaligned Partnership
Episode 68
On this episode of UnF*dge Your Marketing, Kristi Mitchell sits down with video expert Dan Bennett to unpack a tough lesson from a misaligned agency partnership. Dan shares his experience with hiring too soon, the pitfalls of in-kind service trades, and what happens when communication and boundaries aren’t clear. Together, they discuss the importance of setting milestones, holding vendors accountable, and learning to give yourself grace when things go sideways. If you want real stories and practical advice for avoiding marketing mishaps, tune in for candid conversation and actionable takeaways.