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
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.
From Summit Stress to Business Growth: Lessons From Investing Before You’re Ready
Episode 51
Lisa Mallis joins Kristi Mitchell to reflect on early business mistakes, the challenges of marketing to the wrong audience, and the consequences of taking on projects outside your zone of genius. They explore the importance of investing in the right support, learning from setbacks, and trusting your instincts as an entrepreneur. The conversation highlights real-life lessons about niching down, evolving your ideal client, and balancing ambition with staying true to yourself and your values.
Why Live Launching Isn't for Everyone – Trusting Your Gut in Marketing
Episode 50
Kristi Mitchell interviews business growth strategist Michelle DeNio about her marketing journey, focusing on the highs and lows of live launching. Together, they explore why certain marketing strategies—like open-and-closed cart launches—might not feel aligned for every business owner, and how tuning into your energy and preferences can lead to more authentic and successful marketing. Michelle shares her transition to evergreen offers and emphasizes the importance of picking marketing tactics that are both effective and enjoyable. The conversation is packed with real advice on overcoming burnout, finding your unique approach, and building marketing strategies around what truly works for you.
Authenticity, Automation, and Analytics: Winning Strategies from 19 Years in Business
Episode 49
UnF*dge Your Marketing host Kristi Mitchell sits down with Allen Falcon, CEO of Cumulus Global, to explore the ups and downs of transforming marketing strategies in a tech-focused business. Allen shares his journey of consolidating multiple marketing systems into a single platform, the impact of data-driven decision making, and the power of streamlining processes for greater efficiency. The conversation highlights embracing imperfection, setting firm deadlines to drive progress, and the importance of authenticity and relationship-building in marketing. Listeners will gain practical insights on leveraging technology, evolving messaging for ideal clients, adapting nurture strategies, and keeping marketing fresh and effective through periods of change.
Overcoming Cookie-Cutter Marketing: Finding Your Authentic Voice
Episode 48
Ashley Cox joins Kristi Mitchell to share candid stories about her early marketing missteps—including investing in overly rigid, cookie-cutter marketing programs that didn’t fit her unique business or voice. Together, they explore lessons in overcoming overwhelm, finding authentic strategies that align with your personality, and letting go of “shoulds” and shame in business. Tune in for honest insights on building a marketing approach that feels good, leverages your strengths, and creates real connections.
Redefining Marketing: Ditching Cold calling for Relationship Building
Episode 46
Ashley Carlson, founder and CEO of Elevate Virtual Business Solutions, joins Kristi Mitchell to share her journey of redefining marketing after leaving the corporate world. Together, they explore the shift from traditional, numbers-driven marketing to a more authentic, relationship-based approach that feels aligned and sustainable for small business owners. Key themes include overcoming the intimidation of marketing, finding strategies that match your strengths, the power of human connection, and the importance of delegating tasks to stay in your zone of genius. Ashley also highlights how outsourcing content creation can maintain authenticity while reducing overwhelm, and how genuine connection and founder-led content help businesses grow.
Breaking Free from the “Guru Trap” to Build Authentic Business Growth
Episode 44
Norma Frahn joins Kristi Mitchell to share her journey from corporate HR to entrepreneurship, highlighting the pitfalls of “being gurued” by one-size-fits-all business advice and marketing strategies. Norma and Kristi discuss the importance of building a business and marketing approach rooted in your own values, vision, and strengths—rather than blindly following industry “experts.” Hear Norma’s lessons learned from building two businesses, tips for regaining clarity and intentionality in marketing, and practical advice for finding the right kind of support as a small business owner. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to market with authenticity, stay aligned to their goals, and filter out the noise of empty marketing promises.
Investing in Your Business: Tips for Making the Right Choice
Episode 42
In this episode of "UnF*dge Your Marketing," hosts Kristi Mitchell and Toby Myles explore the challenges entrepreneurs face when investing in their business. They discuss the importance of recognizing where to invest first and how to evaluate whether an investment aligns with your current needs and expectations. The conversation highlights real-life experiences of hiring coaches and service providers, emphasizing the value of trust, clear expectations, and the lessons learned from both successful and less-than-ideal investments. Plus, the episode touches on the impact of consistent content marketing and the often-hidden audience of "lurkers" who become clients when they're ready.
Resisting Peer Pressure as a Business Owner: Choosing the Right Social Media Platforms
Episode 41
In this episode of "UnF*dge Your Marketing," Kristi Mitchell and Alison Ver Halen dive into the challenges and lessons of marketing missteps. They explore the pressure of following trends, like the use of Instagram for business, and discuss the importance of aligning marketing tactics with personal strengths and audience preferences. Alison shares her journey of experimenting with Instagram, the realization of its misalignment with her audience, and the benefits of focusing on platforms like LinkedIn. They emphasize the significance of authenticity, consistency over frequency, and the patience required to see results in marketing efforts. This episode is filled with valuable insights for business owners contemplating their marketing strategies.
Facing Zero Attendees: Lessons in Marketing Resilience
Episode 40
Join host Christy Mitchell as she welcomes Kaitlyn Rios to share her experiences in launching a nonprofit organization and the marketing challenges she faced. This episode uncovers valuable lessons learned from organizing virtual events with no attendees, the importance of starting your marketing efforts early, and the benefits of leveraging automation and consistency. Gain insights into overcoming self-doubt, embracing vulnerability, and the power of authentic connection in building meaningful relationships for your business.