UNF*DGE Your Marketing
The podcast where we talk about what really happens when marketing doesn’t go according to plan.
CATEGORIES: Solo Episodes | Business Owner Interviews | Guest Marketing Experts
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.
How Real Stories (Not Bots) Build Trust and Business Growth
Episode 67
Renee Frojo joins Kristi Mitchell to share a candid story about a social media outsourcing mishap that threatened her brand’s reputation. They discuss the risks of outsourcing engagement, especially when using low-cost services or AI tools, and why authentic, personal interaction is key for building trust online. The conversation offers practical advice on what marketing activities to keep in-house, how to shift your mindset to enjoy marketing, and the importance of telling your own story to connect with your audience. Listeners will walk away with actionable tips for creating genuine engagement and avoiding common marketing pitfalls.
Staying True to Yourself in Marketing - Lessons from the Stage
Episode 66
In this episode of UnF*dge Your Marketing, host Kristi Mitchell chats with Ely Delaney, the "People Whisperer" and creator of the Follow Up Rockstar system. Ely shares a powerful story about a public speaking setback that pushed him to embrace his unique style instead of following advice that didn’t feel authentic. Themes covered include the importance of staying true to your core values in marketing, recognizing the difference between discomfort and misalignment, and why authenticity attracts the right clients. Listeners will gain valuable insights on learning from marketing missteps and how to show up as themselves to make a genuine impact.
When “Handing It Off” Fails: How to Take Back Your Marketing
Episode 64
Join host Kristi Mitchell as she chats with growth expert Mara Whitener about the often-overlooked pitfalls of outsourcing marketing and the importance of operational clarity for CEOs. Mara shares hard-earned lessons from her own journey, including the challenges of finding the right marketing support, the consequences of vague messaging, and the value of customizing solutions to fit your unique business. Discover why you can't just “hand off” your marketing, how to get your content to sound like you, and actionable advice on building systems that let you grow your business on your own terms. Perfect for entrepreneurs ready to move beyond word-of-mouth growth and take control of their marketing.
Patience, Persistence, and Picking What Works: An Interior Designer's Journey
Episode 63
Award-winning interior designer Cristiana Crin joins host Kristi Mitchell to share her candid experiences navigating the challenges of marketing her business, Perpetuum Designs. From learning hard lessons about costly website and SEO mistakes to the importance of self-advocacy and patience, Cristiana reflects on the realities entrepreneurs face when hiring marketing providers. Key themes include the need for due diligence with vendors, aligning marketing tactics to your business model, and building resilience in the face of setbacks. This episode is a valuable listen for business owners seeking practical lessons and inspiration on overcoming marketing pitfalls.
Building Relationships, Not Robots: Winning Clients Without Losing Yourself
Episode 56
Discover some of the biggest marketing missteps business owners make when outsourcing, with guest Darnell Brown sharing his firsthand experience hiring a marketing agency for cold outreach. Key topics include red flags to watch for when agencies promise guaranteed results, why "cut and paste" messaging can backfire, and the impact of automation versus authentic, human connection. Darnell and host Kristi Mitchell offer actionable advice for creating genuine relationships, tailoring your outreach, and embracing a more thoughtful, human-centered marketing approach in the age of AI.
Surviving LinkedIn Lockout — Why Your Business Needs More Than One Platform
Episode 55
Miranda Von Fricken joins host Kristi Mitchell to share her journey from relying solely on LinkedIn for business growth to embracing a more diversified marketing strategy. Hear Miranda’s real-life marketing missteps, including her panic moment when she was unexpectedly locked out of LinkedIn, and how it inspired her to build her email list and expand her marketing ecosystem. This episode explores the importance of not putting all your eggs in one social platform basket, nurturing relationships beyond social media, and staying authentic in your marketing efforts. Perfect for entrepreneurs and business owners looking for candid advice and actionable tips to un-fudge their marketing approach.
Stop Stepping Over Your Best Marketing Opportunities
Episode 53
Join host Kristi Mitchell and guest Kris Ward as they unpack the common marketing missteps entrepreneurs make—especially those missed opportunities hiding in plain sight. Kris shares her journey from overworking to building a business that supports her life, and explains how overlooking seemingly "small" client questions can actually be a major differentiator. Discover strategies for connecting more authentically with your audience, the value of addressing misconceptions, and why it's crucial to align your business and marketing with the life you want to lead. Packed with actionable takeaways and memorable analogies, this conversation is a must-listen for any service-based business owner wanting to make their marketing (and business) work better for them.
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.