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
Why Most Membership Models Fail and How to Fix Yours
EPISODE 120
In this episode of UnF*dge Your Marketing, we explore some of the biggest marketing missteps and lessons learned from years of business growth and reinvention.
The conversation highlights why relying on past successes can stall new offerings, how shifting market trends reshape product positioning, and the realities of selling memberships compared to high‑ticket programs.
A key theme is the importance of direct conversations with customers to understand what they truly need. You’ll hear insights on staying agile, testing bold ideas, and letting go of ego to evolve your business into something more profitable and aligned with your audience.
Marketing Blind Spots: What Happens When Clients Don’t Know You Exist
EPISODE 117
In this episode of UnF*dge Your Marketing, Kristi Mitchell talks with Tina Larsson to explore the unique challenges of launching a consultancy in an industry where your audience doesn’t even know to look for you.
The conversation highlights early missteps; like assuming client needs, struggling to identify the right audience without a clear database, and realizing property managers weren’t the easy entry point they seemed at first glance.
A key theme is the importance of seeking support: Tina worked with SEO, LinkedIn, and speaking coaches to build visibility and confidence. She shares why listening to clients and committing to ongoing personal development are at the core of effective marketing.
You'll hear hard‑earned lessons on staying flexible, embracing continual learning, and tailoring marketing efforts for both business growth and personal success.
5 Lies Keeping Your Marketing Stuck
EPISODE 116
In this episode of UnF*dge Your Marketing, we talk about the five most common lies that keep business owners stuck with their marketing. We cover why ‘I don’t have time’ shows up so often, the pitfalls of piecing together free advice or leaning too hard on AI, and the mistake of refreshing a website before building a real strategy. We also dig into how believing your business is ‘too unique’ for outside help can hold you back, and why waiting for the ‘perfect time’ is just another form of procrastination.
You’ll learn practical advice on taking ownership of your marketing and building a plan that actually works.
From Sales Struggles to Selling for Weirdos: How to Simplify Marketing
EPISODE 112
Join Kristi Mitchell and business coach Sara Torpey as they share the hard‑won lessons of launching a business the wrong way, and what it takes to turn things around.
In this episode, we dig into the pitfalls of marketing in isolation, the power of real human connections, and why simply talking to more people can accelerate growth. You’ll hear how honest feedback reshapes your strategy, why your offer isn’t for everyone (even those closest to you), and how resilience keeps you moving through inevitable marketing challenges.
Walk away with practical, actionable advice on building meaningful relationships, clarifying your audience, and simplifying your approach to growth.
Stop the Networking Hustle: Build a Sustainable Marketing System
EPISODE 111
In this solo episode of UNF*DGE Your Marketing, we dive into the #1 marketing mistake that keeps entrepreneurs stuck: relying too heavily on referrals and word of mouth.
Networking alone won’t sustain your business growth. You’ll hear why building an email list, creating a lead magnet, and email nurture sequences are the real game‑changers. With the right system in place, you stop chasing contacts and start building confidence while staying top of mind with your audience (and avoiding burn out!)
Listeners will learn how to take clear, actionable steps to design a funnel that attracts, nurtures, and converts, truly setting you up for long‑term success.
Why Your Book Isn’t Selling: The Real Marketing Missteps
EPISODE 110
In this episode, Kristi Mitchell sits down with Ally Machate to unpack what happens when authors wait too long to market their books. The conversation focuses on common mistakes like prioritizing tactics over strategy, the "good book, wrong book" problem, and the critical impact of early alignment between audience, messaging, and business goals. Learn why defining your purpose and audience from the very beginning can save you time, money, and frustration—and how these takeaways apply to any marketing effort, not just publishing.
Starting Over: Lessons in Leaving Corporate and Building a New Brand
EPISODE 109
Join Kristi Mitchell and Stephan Bajaio as they talk about the real challenges of transitioning from corporate marketing to entrepreneurship. Stephan shares his honest experience navigating LinkedIn’s shifting algorithms, rethinking audience targeting, and the ongoing struggle of defining a niche. They discuss how business owners can avoid pitfalls like relying too much on their old networks, the importance of setting boundaries with ideal clients, and leveraging personal expertise over shortcuts like AI-generated content. Walk away with actionable advice on building trust, creating utility-driven marketing, and embracing the messy evolution of business growth.
Symptoms vs Root Cause: Why Your Marketing Isn’t Working
EPISODE 108
Join Kristi Mitchell as she unpacks the difference between marketing symptoms and root causes through real business examples. Learn why jumping from one tactic to the next or chasing the latest trends could be masking deeper strategic issues. Walk away with actionable steps to clarify your audience, messaging, and customer journey so you can stop putting band aids on your marketing and finally build a strong foundation that drives real results.
From Overwhelm to Organized: Small Business Marketing Lessons
EPISODE 105:
If marketing your business feels overwhelming and unpredictable, this conversation is for you! Hear candid lessons from Meg Tyo, a social worker and photographer, on overcoming the chaos of “winging it,” building sustainable marketing routines, and staying visible even when motivation is low. This conversation focuses on how planning, clarity, and realistic expectations can make marketing less stressful and more effective - even if you don’t have a traditional business background. If you’ve ever wondered how to keep showing up when you’re juggling multiple roles, you’ll find practical tips for finding consistency and permission to focus on what works for you.
How Losing a Dream Client Fueled a Major Marketing Shift
Episode 104
Discover the challenges of building a personal brand while working under another company’s umbrella, and learn how to overcome the common pitfalls of relying on someone else’s marketing presence. This conversation between Kristi Mitchell and Ali Raymer focuses on the journey from being “just a photo on a website” to building a bold, authentic brand that attracts the right clients. Kristi and Ali discuss developing content strategy, finding your ideal audience, and embracing resilience when marketing doesn’t go as planned. If you’re navigating your own brand clarity, feeling boxed in by someone else’s brand, or ready to take ownership of your marketing, you’ll find valuable lessons in this conversation.
Celebrating 100 Episodes: Top Marketing Lessons Learned
Episode 100
To celebrate 100 episodes, Kristi Mitchell reflects on the lessons learned from 99 honest conversations with business owners about their marketing mistakes. In this solo episode, she shares the three key lessons that consistently arise in successful marketing turnarounds and the mindset shift needed to view failures as growth opportunities.
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.
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.
I Messed Up: What Happens When You Own Your Marketing Mistakes
Episode 89
Discover how Kristi Mitchell turns personal marketing mishaps into powerful lessons for business owners. She openly shares real examples of mistakes with livestreams and email marketing, highlights the importance of authenticity and transparency, and explains how owning up to mistakes can actually build stronger trust with your audience. If you want to grow your business through genuine connections, 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.
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.
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.