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Alright, we’ve talked all week about moving away from cold outreach and toward something that actually works. Now it’s time to try it as part of our Call to Action Friday! And in the spirit of Live Local, this won't be a full overhaul; we will not be building a whole new system, but just one simple action. Actionable. Doable. Effective.   The One Video Challenge Here’s your assignment for today. Do   one video . That’s it. Step 1: Pick a Local Business You Like A business you

By now, you’ve probably realized something: Cold outreach is a grind. Cold calls, cold messages, cold emails… It’s a lot of effort just to get someone to   maybe   respond 3% of the time, and then drop you the moment a cheaper version of you is available. This trend does not mean you’re doing it wrong, but because you’re asking for attention from people who have no reason to give it to you and don't know you. So instead of blowing up your entire strategy, let’s do something s

Today, let's start with simple and reclaim 15 Minutes From Cold Marketing. By now we’ve talked about why cold calls rarely work the way people hope they will. I personally hate it because it interrupts people. They feel awkward. And most of the time, they lead to a polite “not interested.” It has always felt like you are paying a third party for the right to call and bother people.   So today, let’s do something more productive. Instead of eliminating cold outreach entirely,

Alright. We have been talking about your CRM all week. On Monday, we cleaned it up. On Wednesday, we talked about why it is suddenly one of the most powerful marketing tools you have. And today… well, today is Call to Action Friday. Which means it is time to stop nodding along and actually do something with it. By now, I know you see the value. You understand that your CRM is not just a list of contacts, it is a map of relationships. It helps you follow up, track interactions

Let's keep the Monday momentum going by repeating the fact that most entrepreneurs use their CRM like a calendar with extra buttons. Nice review of Monday, and if this speaks to you, then you will love what comes next... A well-used CRM is not just a list of people. It is a   map of relationships . And if you look at it that way, something interesting happens. You stop asking, “Who should I sell to today?” and start asking, “Who in my network should probably know each other?”

Most entrepreneurs use their CRM like a calendar with extra buttons. It reminds them about birthdays, anniversaries, follow-ups, and maybe who opened an email. These are all essential, money-making activities, but it is also leaving a lot of value sitting on the table. A well-used CRM is not just a list of people. It is a map of relationships. And if you look at it that way, something interesting happens. You stop asking, “Who should I sell to today?” and start asking, “Who i

Maybe you don’t need a new lead source, first let's see how you handle the people you already have. Spring cleaning is not just for your rugs and junk drawers; your CRM also needs to be periodically cleaned and organized too. And most CRMs are cluttered with noise. Old names. No context. No next step. No real intention. That’s not a relationship system; that’s more like a digital junk drawer. So how about we spend time to reset, for the next week, spend 30 minutes a day going

As we continue our week of repeating our messaging, I want to start by noting the obvious, yet forgotten, that people process content differently. If you only communicate in one style, you’re accidentally excluding part of your audience. This is will help you organize, plan, and create your content each week as you find ways to hone in on different styles to meet certain learning preferences. I LOVE helping you save time and simplify your marketing. Let’s look at five common

If someone can’t explain what you do in one sentence, your brand isn’t clear yet. Which means that clarity only comes from repetition...I know, as an entrepreneur, you often get bored of your own content, you want to get creative, break through barriers. And you can, but you have to keep the brand and the messaging repetitive while you get creative. The brands that win locally, nationally, and globally repeat the same core message over and over and over again because they und

All week we focused on the fact that AI is great, but NOT in person Great. We talked about how the key to a solid connection is being clear about your value add, and then taking control of the connections that you know will grow your business.   Now it is time to move. Here is your assignment: Get 20 “Free Coffee” business-sized cards printed, nothing complicated, simply put, "this card is an invite to grab a cup of coffee on me." Be sure to include your value add clearly, ei

Marketing isn’t just about selling products or services. It’s about connecting with people . When you build strong relationships, your marketing becomes more effective, authentic, and sustainable. I’ve seen firsthand how focusing on relationship-building can transform a business. Let’s dive into why this approach matters and how you can make it work for you. What Relationship-Building in Marketing Really Means Relationship-building in marketing is about creating genuine conne

Earlier this week, we talked about more face-to-face conversations, as wonderful and time-saving as AI can be, the classic connection strategies still work best. However, If you are hesitating to schedule coffee meetings or go to socials, it usually is not about time. It is about confidence. You are wondering: “What am I actually bringing to this conversation?” "Who would want to talk with me?" If the answer is that you are actually bringing nothing… then it probably should n

Growing a business today isn’t just about shouting the loudest or chasing every lead. It’s about building genuine connections that last. That’s where relationship-based marketing shines. It’s a smart, authentic way to attract clients who truly value what you offer. And the best part? It feels good. No pushy sales tactics, no cold calls that make you cringe. Let’s dive into how you can leverage relationship-based marketing to grow your business sustainably and attract your ide

I have been spending the start of the year talking about systems, talking about efficiency, motivation, and a lot of using AI the smart way. Now let’s talk about something just as important: In-person conversations. AI can write your emails. It can outline your blog. It can help you organize your CRM, but it cannot shake a hand. It cannot feel the energy in a room. It cannot hear the tone shift when someone says, “You know who you should meet?” I am sure you are seeing the sa

This week we talked about motivation. I have found over the years that once we get through February strong(ish), then we are headed to Spring and get re-energized.   And as we finish out our week with our call to action, I am reminded of a podcast episode that I just finished with Becky Amble, a marketer with over 30 years in the business, and we ended up in the exact same place on the topic of burnout and imposter syndrome:  Burnout is not usually about working too hard. It

On Monday we set the stage for our motivation and gave some practical stategies, now let's move into actionable steps - hacks if you will - when the motivational juices need recharging. There are seasons when discipline carries you. And there are days when you need a third-party voice to kickstart the engine. Here are a few reliable places to find it. 1. Long-Form Conversations, Not Highlight Reels Short clips hype you. Long conversations steady you. Podcasts, interviews, boo

“It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.”  — Sir Edmund Hillary I am not going to say that February is a make-or-break month, that is overly dramatic. It’s about internal resistance. Cold mornings. Fewer likes. Slower results. Same mountain, heavier boots. This is the month that you prove to yourself that you can persist and when we make it through February, then we are setting ourselves up for success come Spring. So this week, let's hold each other accountable, a

Earlier this week, we asked if your marketing would be missed if it disappeared. Then we talked about the most common adjustments people make once they realize their content isn’t landing. Now it’s Friday and it is time for your call to action. This is usually the point where people panic, refresh analytics, and change everything again. Don’t. Good content doesn’t always give you instant feedback. It gives you signals first. Here are three effective ways to track whether your

Marketing today is not just about selling products or services. It’s about building real, authentic connections with people. When you focus on genuine relationships, your business grows naturally. You attract clients who truly resonate with what you offer. This approach feels good and works better than cold outreach or pushy sales tactics. Let’s dive into how you can nurture authentic connections in marketing and create a business that thrives on trust and meaningful engageme

Monday, we asked a simple but uncomfortable question: If your marketing disappeared for 30 days, would anyone notice? If you are like me, once you realize the answer might be “probably not,” I usually don’t stop posting. I adjust. The problem is, most of those adjustments don’t fix what’s actually broken. They just make people feel busy again. So to help you with some practical solutions, here are the three most common adjustments content creators make once they realize their