Connect The Dots Podcast

Whether you're in sales, marketing or own your own business, you're responsible for engaging with the customer and prospects, evolving the relationship through the 6 steps of the customer journey process.  I review 5 tips for sales people to use to evolve the relationship beyond the current state whether it's unknown or ready to buy.  Listen if you'd like to hear how to evolve relationships as well as hear examples I share for each of the 5 tips. The links mentioned can be found via the show notes at https://www.vickioneill.com/79.

A fun episode showing how marketing, sales and business relate to one of my all-time favorite movies, Tommy Boy.  One of the best comedies and showing how the scene with the 'wrong map' relates to business and plans.  It's a short episode with a couple of audio clips from the movie - see the links in the show notes available here:  https://www.vickioneill.com/78

What is repurposing content? Why is it important?  I review what content repurposing is, why it's important and share examples in this episode of Connect the Dots.  Listen if you want to learn more about repurposing content and find the show notes at:  https://www.vickioneill.com/77

This episode reviews the differences between prospecting and marketing plus the value and power of a balanced combination of the two. Vicki O'Neill, host of the Connect the Dots podcast, reviews 3 ways to increase prospecting and 3 ways to increase marketing (both assume you already know who your target customer is and where they spend time).  More details can be found in the show notes at: https://www.vickioneill.com/76

Vicki reviews the highlights from the 3 interviews and solo episodes she created during this time, including those during COVID-19. Whether you want to know more about marketing today, how to create content for the customer journey and/or how to align marketing and sales teams, you're in for a treat. More information in the show notes available here: https://www.vickioneill.com/75

This episode is from a conversation I had with a small business owner whose business has plateaued the last 2 years. His original thought was he needed to up his marketing game but after our conversation I realized he needed something else. Listen to hear the 5 strategies and which one wasn't for him (you might be surprised by the answer!) Show notes available here: https://www.vickioneill.com/74

Marketing is the upfront part of the customer journey while sales is the middle and/or tail end of the journey. While some companies create differences in these teams, the more successful companies create synergies. Listen to how the differences and similarities can be worked together for the better of all involved - especially the customer. Show notes can be found here: https://www.vickioneill.com/73

There's a new definition of marketing and it doesn't have anything to do with the 4 P's.  Marketing today goes beyond a team, a set of antiquated responsibilities and the thought that it can so easily be dismissed or removed when times get tough.  It's time for Marketing to be seen as the leader in your business and responsible for the customer journey.  Are you in? Show notes are available via: https://www.vickioneill.com/what-is-marketing

In this short episode, I review why pivoting your marketing to align with your revised 2020 goals is important. I ask for listeners to leave a voice message in the show notes of ONE marketing thing they will do differently as a result of COVID-19. Podcast show notes and SpeakPipe app to leave a voice message available here:  https://www.vickioneill.com/leave-vicki-a-voice-message

The customer journey is increasingly important. It's up to the brand to determine the experience the customer has along the way. Marketing takes the lead in collaborating, communicating and creating a customer journey that involves all internal teams but most important it involves the customer. Podcast show notes available here:  https://www.vickioneill.com/70

In this episode, I interviewed David Miller, New Member Engagement Director at The Goering Center. David shared how this non-profit helps family-owned and small business owners grow their business and prepare them for succession planning when the time comes to transition the business. David also shares that part of the mission is to help these businesses stay healthy to help with the economy they serve. Podcast show notes are available here: https://www.vickioneill.com/69

Vicki discusses the emotions associated with trying new marketing efforts and the impact it may be having on your business - including no longer connecting with your target audience.  Listen to the recent failure Vicki encountered and how we can all learn from it! Check out the show notes and links mentioned https://www.vickioneill.com

Using a plumber as a marketing content example, Vicki reviews three scenarios that show various emotional states consumers have when they need a plumber - and how the type of content varies depending on the emotion.  Visit the website show notes www.vickioneill.com/67 and sign up for a 30-minute session with Vicki to get help with content, marketing, strategy or to brainstorm ideas. 

Vicki O'Neill reviews why a SWOT analysis is an important part of the marketing strategy. She also reviews what it is and breaks down questions and points to consider in developing a SWOT for marketing purposes. 

I don't have time for marketing! Where do I begin? Vicki reviews 5 ways that any business can take action right now in marketing their brand. Your time can be short or long depending on how the time commitment you can make. The key is to take action - any action will do your brand good.

Creating content that's relevant, consistent and actionable is the way to attract, engage and convert prospects to buy from you. The key is to have a plan. Just as you created a business plan to create and operate a successful business, you need a plan to create successful content.  I share 20 content ideas and provide a link to download a content calendar to help get you started. All you need to do is create 30 minutes each week to plan your content. Refer to your marketing strategy and business goals for the best results. 

Joseph Myers from Narratology shares how the 3 characters in a story help carry out the narrative, when it's OK to make your marketing about you and whether or not there's one silver bullet that works for everyone all the time. Listen in and visit the show notes at vickioneill.com/63.

Vicki walks through the importance of being on social media consistently with engaging content in order to attract ideal customers. Showing up consistently with information they want and that will solve their problem, relieve a pain point or not keep them up at night is what ideal content is suppose to do. Show your personality, show up and provide value - consistently wherever your ideal customers are spending time. 

Bethan Vincent shares how she leads marketing and approaches sales to ensure alignment and a great customer experience.  She shares her strategy for ensuring communication, setting expectations and delivering high quality leads to sales is in place and owning the marketing portion of that relationship.  This is a great conversation if you want to know how to align marketing and sales teams. 

Vicki shares details on the new Connect the Dots format that will begin in March 2020. She also shares the highlights from all guest episodes 47 - 59 and why someone should listen to each and subscribe!