UNF*DGE Your Marketing
The podcast where we talk about what really happens when marketing doesn’t go according to plan.
Browse episodes:
Type of Interview
Stop Losing Business: Nail Your Message, Attract the Right Clients
Episode 94
Discover the real impact of messaging clarity and consistency on your business as Hersh Rephun joins Kristi Mitchell to discuss common marketing mistakes and how clarity in your message can lead to authentic growth. Learn why simply increasing visibility isn’t enough, and how ensuring consistency across all channels helps you avoid confusion and missed opportunities. Hear practical advice for aligning your brand, especially if you’re multi-passionate or transitioning roles
Why More Isn’t Always Better: Smarter Ads and Marketing Spend
Episode 91
Discover the biggest marketing mistakes business owners make when it comes to ad placement, messaging, and budget strategy. Guest Lindsey Laughlin and host Kristi Mitchell share their approach to audience-focused marketing, using real examples from client work. Learn how to avoid spreading your budget too thin, create strategic campaigns, and build lasting customer relationships. If you're tired of generic ads and want actionable advice for smarter marketing, this episode is for you.
Avoiding Expensive Marketing Mistakes: Strategy First, Tactics Second
Episode 88
Discover why so many small and midsize business owners mistake marketing activity for real strategy, and learn how to simplify your approach for sustainable growth. Kristi Mitchell and Shay Prosser share practical examples of common marketing missteps, like misaligned lead magnets and over-complicating tactics, and offer actionable advice for building strong marketing foundations rooted in clarity and intentionality. You'll walk away with tips for focusing your efforts, knowing your true audience, and when to seek expert guidance so you can avoid burnout and get better results.
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.
Why Your New Website Isn’t Getting Traffic – Common Mistakes and Solutions
Episode 84
In this episode of UNF*DGE Your Marketing, Kristi Mitchell interviews Greg Mandile, a digital marketing expert with decades of web experience. They break down common misconceptions about launching a new website, especially the false belief that traffic will come automatically. Key themes include the importance of maintaining and optimizing your Google Business listing, using SEO strategies that fit your budget, and ensuring consistency across online directory listings. Greg Mandile also shares tips on vetting website providers, asking the right questions, and building a strong collaborative relationship for website success. Perfect for business owners who want actionable advice on driving real traffic and avoiding costly web mistakes.
Solving the Sales-Marketing Disconnect – Real Stories and Solutions
Episode 82
This episode of UnF*dge Your Marketing features a conversation between Kristi Mitchell and Adam Rojas about the critical need for alignment between marketing and sales teams. Key themes include the pitfalls of disconnected messaging, the importance of unified customer-centered communication, and practical strategies for fostering collaboration between internal teams and external agencies. Adam Rojas shares real-world examples from his work with founder-led and early-stage companies, highlighting how misalignment not only impedes growth but also affects customer satisfaction and delivery. Listeners will walk away with actionable advice on bridging the gap between marketing and sales, ensuring their messaging resonates from first contact to final sale.
Stop Talking About Yourself! How to Build a Client-Centric Brand
Episode 81
Join Kristi Mitchell and Kim Marie McKernan as they explore the biggest branding mistakes business owners make, why skipping brand strategy can derail all your marketing efforts, and how embracing authentic, conscious marketing leads to real results. They discuss the importance of understanding your client's perspective, the danger of chasing shiny new tactics, and the power of feedback from your best customers. Whether you’re a small business owner or a marketing leader, this episode is packed with practical tips to build a trustworthy, standout brand and create marketing you actually enjoy.
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.
Authentication & Deliverability: Why Your Emails Aren’t Reaching Inboxes & How to Fix It
Episode 79
Marketing strategist Kristi Mitchell talks with email marketing expert Karen Grill about the costly mistakes business owners make with email marketing, especially around email authentication and deliverability. They unpack the critical changes made by Gmail and Yahoo, discuss best practices for maintaining a clean email list, and give actionable tips for avoiding the spam folder while building trust and engagement with your subscribers. If your business relies on email for marketing or sales, this conversation is packed with must-know insights.
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.
Email Marketing Mistakes Holding You Back and How to Fix Them
Episode 74
Discover candid conversations around common email marketing mistakes, finding your authentic voice, and overcoming the fear of vulnerability with Kristi Mitchell and Joanne Homestead. They explore the importance of alignment in your marketing, share strategies for balancing how much you reveal about yourself, and explain why true connection with your audience starts with what feels right for you. Packed with practical tips on nurturing your email list, building trust, and making marketing less daunting, this episode uncovers actionable lessons for soulful business owners and coaches looking to make a genuine impact.
Creating Your Unique Signal: Standing Out in an AI-Powered World
Episode 73
On this episode of UnF*dge Your Marketing, Steven Larmer joins Kristi Mitchell to talk about how business owners and coaches can avoid common mistakes when using AI in their branding and marketing. They explore why alignment and authenticity matter in building a memorable brand, and discuss the dangers of relying too heavily on AI-generated content without infusing personal perspective and truth. The conversation highlights lessons learned from real-world marketing experiments, the importance of genuine connections, and practical advice for creating content that truly reflects your brand’s unique voice.
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.
Burned by Bad Marketing? Tips for Choosing Partners Who Deliver
Episode 65
Kristi Mitchell welcomes marketing expert Ben Albert for a candid conversation about common marketing mistakes business owners face, especially those who've been burned by flashy but ineffective marketing providers. Together, they unpack the dangers of one-size-fits-all solutions, the importance of trust and hands-on, tailored marketing strategies, and how to spot red flags when hiring a marketing partner. You’ll also hear practical advice on evaluating potential marketing vendors, questions to ask during discovery calls, and ways to build genuine value before making a hiring decision. This episode is all about helping business owners avoid marketing missteps and find approaches that truly align with their unique needs.
Bridging the Gap: Turning Brand Clarity into Powerful Website Copy
Episode 57
Kristi Mitchell sits down with award-winning copywriter and brand messaging consultant Beth Knaus to talk about the biggest mistakes business owners make when redoing their websites. They unpack the crucial difference between brand assets and actionable messaging, why strong copy and authentic voice matter, and common pitfalls of relying solely on AI for website content. Beth shares actionable advice on finding your unique voice, connecting brand, design, and copy, and the importance of continuously evolving your marketing and messaging. Whether you're refreshing your website or just starting your business, this episode is packed with expert insights on creating genuine, effective marketing communications that attract your ideal clients.
Integrity Over Income: The Truth About Marketing Recommendations
Episode 52
Join host Kristi Mitchell and guest Maria Platusic as they explore the importance of integrity and customization in marketing. They discuss common pitfalls business owners face when working with marketing providers, the dangers of one-size-fits-all solutions, and how to ask the right questions to ensure your unique needs are met. Discover actionable advice on building trust with marketing experts, choosing sustainable strategies, and finding the right fit for your business’s long-term goals. Perfect for mission-driven service providers seeking authentic, client-centered marketing guidance.
Aligning Expectations: The #1 Secret to Successful Marketing Projects
Episode 45
Join Kristi Mitchell and guest Seth Goldstein, a digital marketer and podcaster, as they unpack some of the most common marketing mistakes business owners make—especially around misaligned expectations and project delays. They discuss the importance of clear communication, collaboration, and realistic timelines in successful marketing partnerships, as well as how being strategic with website and content planning can make or break your results. Plus, they highlight why having fun with your marketing and maintaining flexibility in budgets and deliverables leads to more rewarding projects. Perfect for service-based businesses looking to un-fudge their marketing approach and build stronger relationships with their marketing providers.
Marketing Lessons Learned: From Google Ads to Purchasing Email Lists
Episode 37
This episode of UnF*dge Your Marketing features a conversation with Mark Harbeke, founder of Harbeke Marketing, as he shares insights from his experiences in the marketing world. Key themes include the lessons learned from running Google Ads and the challenges associated with buying email lists. Kristi Mitchell and Mark discuss the importance of strategic marketing approaches, the significance of differentiation, and the evolving landscape of email marketing. They also explore alternative ways to grow email lists authentically and discuss the value of leveraging other people's audiences through collaborations. Tune in to gain valuable advice for avoiding common marketing missteps and achieving a better ROI on your marketing efforts.
Mastering Marketing: Overcoming Fear, Building Trust, and Communicating Effectively
Episode 34
Join host Kristi Mitchell as she welcomes guests Selena Konmaki and Anna Larson to discuss common marketing mistakes in the latest episode of UnF*dge Your Marketing. Key themes include the importance of embracing new marketing strategies, understanding the need for multiple touchpoints, and effectively using language to connect with your audience. Gain insights on how to overcome hesitation in trying fresh approaches, the significance of repurposing content to amplify your reach, and striking the right balance in your marketing efforts. Don't miss these valuable lessons to enhance your marketing tactics and grow your business successfully.
Beyond Company Posts: The Power of Personal Content in B2B Marketing
Episode 31
In this episode of "UnF*dge Your Marketing," host Kristi Mitchell engages with Jared Gibson, co-founder of Outworks, to explore strategic marketing tactics for professional services and SaaS industries. The discussion revolves around the transformative power of founder-led content on LinkedIn, emphasizing the importance of stepping out of one's comfort zone and making strategic marketing a priority. Jared shares insights into creating impactful LinkedIn content, the role of personal branding in building trust, and the challenges of being consistent with content creation. The conversation highlights the significance of prioritization, adapting to new marketing trends, and leveraging video content as a key differentiator in B2B spaces.