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Marketing SucksGrowing a Brand with your Spouse / Living in PortugalWe’re flipping the script! This episode of Marketing Sucks is a collab with the Love Saranghae Podcast. Hosts Peter Lee and Andrea Mourad have Phil and I in the hot seats, and we keep it R-E-A-L while discussing marriage, business, and what can happen when you mix the two. During this conversation, Phil and I share what it’s really like to grow a successful brand with your spouse on your own terms. Tune in as we dig into the nitty-gritty of balancing ambition with freedom, building a life and business that supports our love of trave...2025-07-2243 minMarketing SucksBabe, You're Hired: Marketing Sucks Gets a Co-HostBig news! Marketing Sucks now has a co-host: my husband and new podcasting partner-in-crime, Philip Ginther. He’s also the new VP of Marketing at Grind Social! A little about Phil: he’s an award-winning creative director, expert brand storyteller, and copywriter with over 15 years of experience. As the former Senior Creative Director at Spin Master, he led massive brands including Rubik’s Cube, Paw Patrol, and Hatchimals. I’m super stoked to have Phil on board to share his insights and experience working with agencies, entrepreneurs, and big corporation machines. During this conversation, we talk about why he de...2025-07-0818 minMarketing SucksREPLAY: Paid Ads 101 with Alvaro BerriosThinking about taking the plunge into paid ads? Wondering why your current campaign is falling flat? I got you. In this episode of Marketing Sucks, I sit down with Alvaro Berrios, founder of the digital marketing agency Alvaro Berrios Digital. As a leading expert in ad management, Alvaro helps his clients get mucho bang for their ad spend bucks. Tune in as we discuss ALL things paid ads — when to use them, how much to pay for them, how to know when you’re ready for your first campaign, and how to avoid unethical ad agencies. Along the w...2025-07-0140 minMarketing SucksFrom Zero to Page One: How to Actually Win With SEO with Adrienne KmetzThere’s a TON of confusion about SEO right now. If you’re wondering what even works these days (or are just taking your first steps) this episode of Marketing Sucks is for you. I’m joined by fabulous SEO and content expert Adrienne Kmetz to explore what SEO actually means, bust some major myths, and outline the path to your highest ROI! Tune in as we dig into the REAL nitty-gritty of modern search engine optimization — how to choose and create your niche pillars, what to benchmark and build before investing in paid media, and how to grow o...2025-06-2444 minMarketing SucksHow Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs Thrive by Breaking the RulesNeuro-spicy business owners thrive when they figure out how to work WITH their brains instead of against them — no matter what everyone else is doing. In this episode of Marketing Sucks, I chat with advocate and educator Erin Tee, who champions neurodiversity in education and beyond as the owner and creative producer of the Endless Films Collective, a much-needed platform for storytelling and learning that centres neurodivergent voices. Erin shares how uncovering her kid’s neurodiversity helped her realize her own… and led her to build her brilliant biz. We get REAL about the experience of neurodivergent entrepr...2025-06-1747 minMarketing SucksHow Safe Spaces Save LivesIf you’re a man, have men in your life, are raising a young man, or just love Natacha Pennycooke (because she’s the best!), you’ll want to hit play on this episode of Marketing Sucks! In this mental-health-focused episode, I sit down with Natacha, her fellow psychotherapist and registered social worker Kunle Ifabiyi, and brand storytelling expert Phil Ginther to talk about the biggest mental health challenges men tend to face — and why they’re often so resistant to talking about them.During this roundtable convo, we get into the root cause of why men can strugg...2025-06-1043 minMarketing SucksBuild Your Email List TodayI love a good Instagram strategy, but I’ll be the first to say you can’t build a biz on socials alone. While social media is great for building awareness, your time and effort can be wiped out instantly by a tweak to the algorithm or an account suspension. Your email list is a revenue-generating asset you actually control, made up of people who want you in their inbox every week — so stop ghosting your audience and let’s get that list poppin’!This week’s short ‘n’ sweet solo episode of Marketing Sucks explores how to create irresi...2025-06-0318 minMarketing SucksNetworking with Ease with Deanna SeymourCrappy networking sucks and we all know it. I hate it. You hate it. And we still push ourselves to do it. But here’s the thing: networking doesn’t have to be awful — and if you do it right, it can actually be a good time. In this episode of Marketing Sucks, I sit down with the lovely Deanna Seymour, queen of non-cringey networking. As the founder of vibrant online community The Playhouse, she’s created a welcoming space for service providers that gives members a TON of tools and opportunities to promote themselves without feeling salesy. Love it!2025-05-2747 minMarketing Sucks10 Things Grief Taught Me About Showing Up Online (20 Years After Losing My Mom)Grief and loss change you in so many big and small ways that you never expected… and no one is immune. This week marks the 20th anniversary of my mother’s passing, an event that has hugely and forever changed my life, my perspective, and my approach to business. Over the last two decades, I built (and sold) a million-dollar business, created a family, grew a community, wrote two books, launched a podcast, and more, all while carrying an invisible but heavy weight. In this solo episode of Marketing Sucks, I share 10 lessons grief taught me about showi...2025-05-2019 minMarketing SucksMental Health Week - Your Questions Answered with Natacha PennycookeHappy Mental Health Awareness Month! In our quarterly mental health episode of Marketing Sucks, I’m joined again by the incredible Natacha Pennycooke for a deep dive into some of the biggest mental health issues faced by business owners. This time around, we’re tackling juicy audience-submitted questions, like: How can I see myself as others do?How do I figure out what my emotional needs are?How do I create healthy boundaries — and actually STICK to them?Is my drive to succeed in business just high-functioning anxiety?How can I stop comparing myself to others on social media?H...2025-05-1352 minMarketing SucksREPLAY: The Anatomy of a Perfect Marketing EmailSick of sending out emails every week without getting a single response, click-through, or sale? Before you hurl your laptop out the window and give up on email altogether, let me say this: email marketing, if done correctly, can have an ROI of $36 for every $1 spent. Not only is email one of the most powerful tools at your disposal, it’s also one of the few channels that you can control. If Mark Zuckerberg decides to shut down Instagram tomorrow, there’s not a damn thing you can do about it… but you’ll always own your mailing l...2025-05-0620 minMarketing SucksWhen to Stop Taking Advice and Start Acting in Your BusinessIs your webinar habit slowly killing your business? While I’m all for learning, consuming too much advice online makes it HARDER for you to move forward and see results. Information overload doesn’t just put you at risk of decision paralysis, it can trick you into believing you’re being extremely productive when you’re not actually turning tips into action. Think about it — how often do you actually put those course or webinar strategies to work in your biz?If you want to show up as a business owner instead of a hobbyist, you need to get out...2025-04-2913 minMarketing SucksThe Hard Truth About Burnout with Lyndsay CormierHustle culture is more dangerous than you think. My guest on this episode of Marketing Sucks almost lost her life to the 24/7 grind… and walked away with some insights you NEED to hear. Ten years ago, Event & Brand Photographer and Burnout Coach Lyndsay Cormier was working multiple jobs and living on energy drinks when she experienced a terrifying burnout wake-up call that totally changed her life.Our conversation digs deep into the intense lessons Lyndsay learned, the ten-year healing journey that made her a bona fide overwhelm expert, and how you can reduce your risk of burning ou...2025-04-2234 minMarketing SucksWebinars That SellWant to create webinars that get people fired up to buy all the things? As an avid learner, I’ve seen a ton of webinars. There are HUGE differences between the boring-ass presentations that just want to sell to me and the engaging, value-packed webinars that get me legit excited to pull out my card — and some of them may not be what you expect!In this episode of Marketing Sucks, I put my decade of experience in adult education to good use and reveal why your presentations haven’t gotten the results you’re looking for — and what y...2025-04-1524 minMarketing SucksWealth Strategies with Kerry RizzoWe need to bust the myth that women aren’t good with money. Thanks to this BS belief, we have more trouble getting business loans and more anxiety about investing and financial planning. Here’s the thing: we’re actually better at managing money — so let’s change the narrative and take control of our financial health!My guest for this episode of Marketing Sucks was named one of the Top 50 Leading Women in Wealth in Canada for two years running, one of the Top 50 Advisors in Ontario, and is the #1 person I want to talk to about ANYT...2025-04-0836 minMarketing SucksThe Entrepreneur’s Guide to Staying Organized (Without Losing Your Mind) with Britt GaudioDo you have killer organization skills in your business — but cringe at the chaos in your kitchen or living room? This episode of Marketing Sucks is for bad-ass biz owners who need a little help to get their living space as uncluttered and streamlined as their Google Workspace.My guest is Britt Gaudio, owner and Head Nester of wellnested Living Co. As a professional organizer and decluttering coach, she helps busy people optimize their space, so they can focus less on stuff and more on what matters. Our conversation explores why entrepreneurs struggle with organization, the parallels be...2025-04-0142 minMarketing SucksWhy Your Website Sucks (And How to Fix It) with Inkling DesignThink you can build a successful, sustainable business on social media alone? While social media is an amazing tool for business growth, it’s unpredictable — and having a fabulous social presence won’t protect you from losing your audience if a platform goes down, is bought by Elon Musk, or gets banned in your country. Alongside your social strategy, you need a strong website or landing page and an email list that YOU control.In this episode of Marketing Sucks, I’m joined by Andrea Krones and Kelley Gibson of the women-run graphic design and website development studio I...2025-03-2541 minMarketing SucksPodcasting 101 with The Ultimate Creative Podcast CompanyHosting a podcast is a ton of work, but a high-quality show can be one of your most powerful marketing tools — for one thing, your episodes will outlive your Instagram Reels by YEARS.In this episode of Marketing Sucks, I sit down with the amazing Emily Decloux of The Ultimate Creative, a Toronto-based podcast production company that helps small biz owners and subject matter experts share their voices and thought leadership via audio.During this high-energy conversation, Emily and I dive into the REAL nitty-gritty of hosting a podcast that doesn’t suck (or make you...2025-03-1850 minMarketing SucksBuilding Everyday Moments with Palak DaveHas the pandemic shift to doing EVERYTHING online left you feeling starved for IRL community? If unplugging from the digital world is on your to-do list, you’ll want to listen to this episode of Marketing Sucks. My guest Palak Dave, known as the ‘Queen of IRL,’ is the founder of the Embiria Social Club and an experience expert who has curated and hosted over 350 super-memorable community and media events. Palak is championing a movement towards everyday fulfillment and joy, and encouraging others to prioritize IRL moments and human connection over digital distractions. During our conversation, you’ll learn...2025-03-1142 minMarketing SucksBalancing Family Life and Entrepreneurship: Productivity HacksWhen you’re a mom and a business owner, it’s easy to feel stretched thin 24/7. If you spend your days juggling family, business goals, and self care (if you’re lucky), it can feel like you’re constantly falling behind and even failing. As a mom of two and entrepreneur of 20 years, I’ve done it all… and had the burnout to prove it. In this episode of Marketing Sucks, I explain why the perfect work-life balance is BS — and how to make it all work anyway. Tune in as I share a few of my hottest hacks a...2025-03-0427 minMarketing SucksBuilding a Franchise Empire with Jessica SennetHave you ever dreamed about building a brand that’s bigger than you? In this episode of Marketing Sucks, I sit down with the amazing Jessica Sennet, CEO of Mighty Mom, a fitness company that helps prenatal and postpartum women get strong and comfortable in their own skin. Jessica not only helps moms build new muscles, endurance, and confidence, she’s also built a kick-ass franchising empire.In this no-holds-barred conversation, Jessica shares the accidental, non-linear entrepreneurial journey that took her from New York City acting auditions to boot camps in Toronto parks. We talk about how she...2025-02-251h 09Marketing SucksWhy Your Personal Brand Isn’t Working (And How to Fix It)A successful personal brand is the best business asset you can have, but trying to build one can leave you feeling like the Invisible Woman. You can post all the tips, tricks, hot takes and how-tos you want, but you won’t see a strong ROI if your personal brand is weak — it’s just not going to happen.If you’re sick of showing up online every week, posting a ton of high-value content, and getting crickets in return, this week’s episode of Marketing Sucks is for you. I dive deep into the nitty-gritty of building a...2025-02-1819 minMarketing SucksPaid Ads 101 with Alvaro BerriosThinking about taking the plunge into paid ads? Wondering why your current campaign is falling flat? I got you. In this episode of Marketing Sucks, I sit down with Alvaro Berrios, founder of the digital marketing agency Alvaro Berrios Digital. As a leading expert in ad management, Alvaro helps his clients get mucho bang for their ad spend bucks. Tune in as we discuss ALL things paid ads — when to use them, how much to pay for them, how to know when you’re ready for your first campaign, and how to avoid unethical ad ag...2025-02-1140 minMarketing SucksThe Anatomy of a Perfect Marketing EmailSick of sending out emails every week without getting a single response, click-through, or sale? Before you hurl your laptop out the window and give up on email altogether, let me say this: email marketing, if done correctly, can have an ROI of $36 for every $1 spent. Not only is email one of the most powerful tools at your disposal, it’s also one of the few channels that you can control. If Mark Zuckerberg decides to shut down Instagram tomorrow, there’s not a damn thing you can do about it… but you’ll always own your mailing l...2025-02-0420 minMarketing SucksEmbracing a Social First MindsetTurning lurkers into buyers takes a hell of a lot more than just a slick website or colour-coordinated Instagram grid these days. Bands that want to stay relevant in 2025 and beyond need to embrace a social-first mindset, which means rethinking social media’s role in your brand’s ecosystem, switching up how you connect with your audience, and knowing how to turn social feedback into marketing (and product development) gold.When you’re hands-on and intentional in the way you show up and operate your business, you can consistently give your audience what they need from you — instead...2025-01-2815 minMarketing SucksOne Year Of Marketing SucksYour brand story is so much more than just a few paragraphs tucked away on your About page — it should guide your marketing strategy and shape the way you show up for your audience. Having a strong story helps you spark connections, build trust, and grow an engaged community that wants to work with YOU, specifically.As Senior Creative Director at Spin Master, my guest (and husband) Phil Ginther has helped shape the stories of big-name toy brands like Paw Patrol and Rubik’s Cube. This episode of Marketing Sucks revisits our most popular 2024 conversation, which covered some...2025-01-2131 minMarketing SucksUnderstanding Blue Monday: Mental Health Strategies for the New Year with Natacha PennycookeWhile the third Monday of January has been called the most depressing day of the year, the surrounding weeks can also wreak havoc on your mental health. Many of us feel sad, tired, and unmotivated after the holidays, and the stress of our current economy can make these symptoms feel even worse. Your mental health has a direct impact on the health of your business. In this episode of Marketing Sucks, I’m joined by brilliant psychotherapist and mindset coach Natacha Pennycooke to talk about the signs and symptoms you should keep an eye on during the win...2025-01-1439 minMarketing SucksSacred Serenity: Redefining Productivity, Balance, and Self-Care with Francesca BrunsdenWe live in a world that glorifies hustle, where 12-hour workdays get high-fives and everyone competes to be the one doing the most. But when we’re constantly multitasking, we aren’t creating space for ourselves to literally just BE — and this inevitably leaves us feeling anxious, overwhelmed, and burnt out. While rest may be seen as unproductive, mental downtime actually fuels us… and gives our creativity a major boost. In this episode of Marketing Sucks, I sit down with Francesca Brunsden, a Mindset and Human Design Alignment Coach who works with women who are sick and tired of...2025-01-0739 minMarketing SucksThe Power of Simplification with Erin BinnsNewsflash: “busy” is NOT the badge of honour people think it is. If you’re sick of the grind and want to stop overcomplicating EVERYTHING, this episode of Marketing Sucks is for you. My guest is the fabulous Erin Binns, a multi-million-dollar real estate mogul turned bad-ass business consultant who runs the brilliant workshop The Simplicity Shift. Our conversation explores the different ways we make things harder on ourselves for no reason — and how to break through the BS that keeps us stressed. Tune in to learn how to let go of the pesky perfectionism that keeps you doing...2024-12-2448 minMarketing SucksManaging Energy in Your Business with Chernell BartholomewWhile this episode of Marketing Sucks is dedicated to mompreneurs, it’s packed with expert tips that will help any entrepreneur reduce the overwhelm and find energetic balance in their business. My guest is Certified Health Coach and bestselling author Chernell Bartholomew. Since experiencing burnout 9 years ago, Chernell has been on a mission to shift the focus in health from vanity to intentional energy, so you can feel connected to yourself and not crash every day at 1 pm. Our conversation dives DEEP into energy management and stress reduction. Tune in as we get real about the expectations of...2024-12-1751 minMarketing SucksBeyond the Gift Wrap: How Shopping Small Impacts Lives with Megan MunroIn an economy where huge corporations rake in record profits as everyday people struggle, shopping small and local wherever you can is the right move. In this episode of Marketing Sucks, I sit down with Megan Munro, owner of the incredible purpose-driven retail boutique Caribou Gifts. The cool thing about Caribou Gifts is that Megan sources most of her goods from small businesses owned by Canadians, women, and POC, so you can feel great about your shopping choices when picking up baskets of goodies. During this conversation, we discuss Megan’s journey from online-only to brick-and-mortar, map out...2024-12-1030 minMarketing SucksHow to Make More Sales Using PsychologyIt’s shockingly easy to miss the mark in your content and messaging. If you’re always triggering people’s FOMO, they’ll eventually stop paying attention. Lean too hard on your analytics, and you won’t create an emotional hook. The best marketing plan offers your audience a holistic experience - one that grabs attention no matter where they are in the customer journey. Because if you’re not meeting your audience where they’re at, you aren’t giving them what they need from you in order to feel good about pulling out their credit card. Thi...2024-12-0312 minMarketing SucksI Went Viral Last Month: Here's What I Learned“Going viral” is held up as a major accomplishment in the online world. With every post, we hope to grow our audience and thought leadership. But while getting new eyes on your content can be a big win, losing ALL control over your exposure and audience definitely has a downside. This became all too clear to me last month after one of my Reels went viral… and wound up pissing off a ton of men. Oops. Let’s be real - there are a lot of jerks out there quick to share their unwelcome opinions...2024-11-2614 minMarketing SucksYear-End Marketing Review: Key Steps for Success Next YearWhile few business owners truly love digging into the back-end of their businesses, taking an honest, no-BS look at your numbers is the best way to uncover what’s working for you… and what isn’t. Scheduling a year-end marketing review will give you crucial insight into what you need to change to start getting the results you want - and REAL clarity on how to structure your marketing budget, set realistic goals, and take your strategic next best steps.In this episode of Marketing Sucks, I lay out four major reasons why a year-e...2024-11-1915 minMarketing SucksMy Predictions for Marketing in 2025Two big questions are floating around the business world right now: how will marketing evolve in 2025? And, more importantly, what does that actually mean for my business? Thanks to market saturation and changing consumer expectations, brands will need to switch up their strategy to stand out and stop the scroll. But while many experts are hyping up sexy new tech as the 2025 game-changer, I see content, connection, and community playing a huge role in brand-building and revenue growth over the next 12 months. Grab a pen and get ready to take some notes - this juicy ep...2024-11-1212 minMarketing SucksWhat's Your Superpower?Too many entrepreneurs out there are suffering from an identity crisis and pretending to be something they’re not. If marketing your business feels super hard, it may because you’re forcing it — and because your efforts are unaligned with your unique gifts. Instead of twisting into a pretzel trying to fit someone else’s mold, you need to identify and lean into your authentic superpowers in your businesses.Superpowers are more than just skills or talents. They’re a combination of strength, experience, and perspective. When you know how to work with them, they can h...2024-10-2911 minMarketing SucksTurn Client Feedback into Social Media GoldWhen you’re making a big-ticket purchase, I’m going to bet that you check out three things: the features, the pricing, and the reviews. Very few people want to hand over their credit card deets without seeking out social proof… and that includes your prospective customers. If you’ve been wondering how to fill your website with glowing client testimonials, this episode of Marketing Sucks is for you! In this solo episode, I look at all things client feedback — how to get testimonials, why you need them, and where to use them. Tune in to learn ho...2024-10-2215 minMarketing SucksBuilding an E-Commerce Empire with Love, SaranghaeIn a world of high-def images, the skincare industry is hotter than ever — and Asian skincare brands are one of today’s biggest beauty trends. In this episode of Marketing Sucks, I sit down with husband-and-wife team Peter Lee and Andrea Mourad, co-founders of the amaaazing Korean skincare brands Saranghae Skincare and Orora Skin Science, to dive into the nuts and bolts of building a successful beauty brand, from launching new lines to upleveling your e-commerce game. During this juicy conversation, Peter and Andrea spill the story behind their incredible brands and the science behind their...2024-10-1540 minMarketing SucksMental Health Matters: Quarterly Check-In with Natacha PennycookeHappy World Mental Health Month! Entrepreneurs definitely need reminders to prioritize our well-being, especially as we move into winter (AKA the depression season). In this episode of Marketing Sucks, I sit down once again with the one and only Natacha Pennycooke, award-winning psychotherapist and leader in workplace mental health and safety, to talk about our heightened risk of mental health issues during these sun-deprived months, and what we can do to stay healthy and protect our peace. Tune in to learn the physical and emotional symptoms you should watch out for (and what to d...2024-10-0829 minMarketing SucksHow to Get Back Online After Taking a BreakAs summer comes to an end, many biz owners are getting ready to get back onto their socials, reconnect with their audience, and start working toward their year-end goals. What’s the best way to come back online after taking a bit of a break — and how do you make it feel seamless for your followers?In this episode of Marketing Sucks, I reveal my best tips and strategies for showing up online again in an intentional and strategic way, from getting reacquainted with your audience to catching up on the hottest social trends you...2024-09-2413 minMarketing SucksSummer Recap Living In PortugalAs entrepreneurs, we NEED time to slow down our businesses, reconnect with our loved ones, and recharge our batteries. Staycations don’t always get the job done, as it’s hard to fully relax when everyone around you is still ‘GO-GO-GO.’ Maybe you dream about putting your biz on quiet mode and jetting off to a coast or cabin for the summer — but wonder what that actually looks like in practice (especially if you have kids). Thanks to my annual tradition of spending the summer in Portugal, I can give you a little sneak peek! This epis...2024-09-1027 minMarketing SucksLet’s Talk About Hustle CultureOver the past couple of years, hustle culture has dipped in popularity in the online business space, and for good reason: it SUCKS. When we’re burning the candle at both ends and not creating the space to take care of ourselves, we’re not just hurting our health and well-being — we’re hurting our businesses. If you want to thrive in all areas of your life, opting out of the 24/7 grind is a no-brainer. In this episode of Marketing Sucks, you’ll learn how to assess whether you’re suffering the impacts of hustle cultur...2024-08-2722 minMarketing SucksContent Marketing Hacks to Save You TimePsst, here’s the secret they don’t want you to know: you don’t need to create brand new content from scratch every week to grow your business. When you get organized, strip down to the essentials, and build a practical marketing plan that actually fits your biz goals, you can stop wasting time on things that aren’t making you any money — and start seeing REAL results. In this solo episode of Marketing Sucks, I share some of my juiciest time-saving content marketing hacks, designed to help you do the damn thing and make that m...2024-08-1316 minMarketing SucksSocial Media Do’s and Don’tsAre you a master of social media etiquette? Or are you unknowingly committing social media faux pas on the regular? While having an active online presence can build your audience and boost your sales, not all content is created equal - and social media missteps can irritate, confuse, or even repel your hard-earned followers.In this juicy episode of Marketing Sucks, I share a few common content mistakes that drive my inner social media strategist absolutely bonkers every time I scroll through my feed - and what you should be doing instead! Listen now...2024-07-2317 minMarketing SucksUpdates from PortugalOlá, meus amigos! This episode of Marketing Sucks comes to you from sunny Portugal, where my family and I will be living for the next three months. This has become our annual summer tradition, inspired by my childhood experiences of travelling to Portugal. While online businesses give you the freedom to work from anywhere, it isn’t always a seamless transition! In this solo episode, I share the juiciest and most surprising insights I’ve learned from living and working in Europe, the shifts and boundaries that keep my biz running without burning me out, a...2024-07-0920 minMarketing SucksLet's Build a Brand Through Networking with Amanda LeachWhen you’re used to doing everything in your business online, popping up at an event and networking face-to-face can feel like something out of the Twilight Zone - but some of the strongest brand-building happens offline. In this episode of Marketing Sucks, I sit down with the fabulous Amanda Leach, an accomplished entrepreneur and Realtor in the Greater Toronto Area, to talk about the magic that can happen when we shut down our laptops and meet up IRL.During this conversation, Amanda shares some truly brilliant strategies for turning com...2024-06-2534 minMarketing SucksLet's Talk About Email MarketingIn a world where literally billions of people hop on Instagram every month, social media is an amazing tool for growing your audience, building your thought leadership, and selling your offers. But as crucial as social media is for modern biz owners, there’s a major downside that we need to talk about.Here’s the thing: you do NOT own your social media space. At any moment, your fave platform could have an outage that lasts for hours - or even days. If you want a channel that will always be under your control, you need to s...2024-06-1817 minMarketing SucksLet's Put Our Best Selves Out There with Natacha PennycookeBeing a female biz owner is like playing the entrepreneurship game on hard mode. Not only are we expected to juggle work and home in ways that men aren’t, we tend to put more pressure on ourselves in both arenas. And when we’re not our best selves, it can be REALLY freaking hard to Do It All™. In this episode of Marketing Sucks, I sit down with the amazing therapist and mindset shift coach Natacha Pennycooke to talk about entrepreneurship, boundaries, wellness, and whether “finding balance” is a real thing. This super-juicy conversatio...2024-06-1133 minMarketing SucksLet's Talk About B-RollWhen it comes to video, you probably spend a lot of time thinking about how you’re going to deliver your message. But when you get creative with b-roll, you can communicate a lot without saying a single word.B-roll footage tells a story without the use of dialogue or text. When you see Reels set to the latest hit single showing people having a blast at a hot-ticket conference, giving a product demo, or offering a behind-the-scenes look into their creative process or morning work-out, you’re looking at b-roll. Yup, those sun-soaked vaca...2024-06-0413 minMarketing SucksLet's Own Your Niche + Build a Course with Megan WalkerTo niche or not to niche? A lot of biz owners and course creators resist the idea of really niching down. But the more you tailor your offer and marketing to a carefully chosen niche, the more they’re going to check the boxes for those people who need you the most. In this episode of Marketing Sucks, I chat with the incredible Megan Walker, a health and medical marketing expert who helps her clinician clients create killer healthcare courses. Over the last two decades, Megan has become a legit master of evolution and reinvention — and s...2024-05-2838 minMarketing SucksLet's Talk About Showing Up When Life Gets HardHere’s the thing about growing a business: you need to just get up and do the damn thing… even on those days when life feels hard. If you sometimes struggle to find the motivation to make your moves, you’re not alone. Literally no one has their sh*t together all the time — not even the shiny business gurus posting branded Reels daily. But when grief enters the picture, doing the damn thing can sometimes feel impossible.Grief is a super-intense human experience that impacts all areas of our lives...2024-05-2114 minMarketing SucksLet's Get Real About Women Entrepreneurship with Natalya SebastianHave you ever followed a biz owner for years, loved their content, and finally started working with them… only to find that their offline personality is totally disconnected from the way they show up online? Yikes. It can feel like a Twilight Zone moment (and maybe even make you wonder what else they’ve been faking).In this episode of Marketing Sucks, I sit down with Natalya Sebastian, creator of the super-popular PilatesBodyWorkout platform, to talk about how to keep it REAL (and sustainable) on your socials.Natalya has buil...2024-05-1450 minMarketing SucksLet's Talk about Your Client JourneyHow do you turn a total stranger into your latest happy customer? You meet them where they are in the customer journey… and give them exactly what they need in order to keep moving through it. This episode of Marketing Sucks is all about the five stages of the customer journey — from ‘totally unaware’ to ‘pulling out the credit card’ — and how to let your potential customers know who you are, what you do, why you do it, and why they need you, without leaving them confused, skeptical, lost, or bored.Tune in for...2024-05-0711 minMarketing SucksHere's Your Ultimate Reels ChecklistMaybe you’re at the point where you feel good about the Reels that you’re posting… but how much time do you sink into creating them? If you’re spending half a day putting together a one-minute video, you’re not getting your best ROI. Even worse: spending hours making a Reel and then second-guessing yourself out of posting it at all! Let’s make your next batch of Reels your best batch. In this episode of Marketing Sucks, I walk you through my Ultimate Reels Checklist. Tune in to discover my no-frills guide to opti...2024-04-3008 minMarketing SucksLet's Get Your Content Out There with Dori AdamsDori Adams is a former advertising creative, a brilliant storyteller, and the owner of one of the coolest businesses I’ve come across recently. Her shutterb platform connects business owners and event planners to a community of affordable smartphone camera creators (aka shutterbz) available to capture their events — absolutely genius!As a former corporate marketer who worked on multi-million-dollar TV spots for giant brands like Labatt, Dori had to switch up her thinking when it came to serving small businesses in the world of digital marketing. In this episode, we dig into the surprises that...2024-04-2337 minMarketing SucksYou Can Get Better At Your HooksIn a world where everyone is completely addicted to scrolling, how do you stand out on the feed and grab their attention? By pulling them in with a killer hook.A great hook can get eyes on your Reel, get your email opened, or boost the stats on any other type of content you create. The problem? Creating hooks may be one of the hardest parts of marketing! They need to grab attention, but shouldn’t be too click-baity. They need to be short and snappy, but still make people curious. They need to be...2024-04-1609 minMarketing SucksLet's Talk About Client Relationships with Fran MurrayThere’s nothing better than having a customer who gets you, loves what you do, and wants the world to know it. Once you have them, you don’t want to let them go — so, how do you build strong client relationships with real staying power? My guest for this episode of Marketing Sucks is a total genius at nurturing customer relationships — and she’s built a thriving business dedicated to helping her clients do just that! Fran Murray is the amazing founder and CEO of Fran Murray Co., a boutique gifting agency that champions f...2024-04-0941 min
That Big CEO Energy102 | Cultivating Genuine Engagement in a World Obsessed with Likes with Amanda Casinha-Ginther"An idea is an idea. It's never going to be executed the same way. You are who you are. The way I deliver something is different than the way Callie delivers something is different than the way the next person delivers something." - Amanda CasinhaJoin me for an inspiring conversation with Amanda, CEO of Grind Social Media and a trailblazer in the world of social media marketing and female entrepreneurship. Listen in as we peel back the layers of Instagram's deceptive marketing veneer, championing authentic engagement and the hard-earned triumphs that come from...2024-04-0347 minMarketing SucksLet's Build Confidence TogetherReal talk: showing up online is scary. It just IS. Hitting record on a Reel or going Live can bring up all kinds of insecurities and take your imposter syndrome from 0-100 in no time. But showing up authentically, warts and all, is the best way to build a powerful connection with your audience. If you’re hiding behind stock photos and playing it safe, your dream clients are less likely to find you relatable or want to work with you. In this short’n’sweet episode of Marketing Sucks, I share five tips that will he...2024-04-0219 minMarketing SucksLet's Get Your Products Sold with Heather HirdIf you run a product-based biz, you already know that most of the content out there is aimed at service businesses. Marketing a product requires a different approach and mindset, and it can be a LOT harder to track down real, actionable, needle-moving strategies. Product businesses need love too, and this episode of Marketing Sucks is packed with insights to help you get your goods into retail shops! As the owner and founder of Alteration Consulting, my brilliant guest Heather Hird helps busy product entrepreneurs carve out their space in the market and get clear o...2024-03-2629 minMarketing SucksLet's Talk About Engagement MetricsTired of spending hours making Reels that no one seems to watch, let alone comment on? Frustrated by a lack of likes on posts that tick literally every box of your dream clients’ pain points? While Instagram can be an extremely valuable tool in your marketing kit, it can also drive you crazy when the response you get doesn't align with the effort you put in. This episode of Marketing Sucks is all about Instagram engagement: what it means, why you may be missing out, and how to fix it! Listen now...2024-03-1917 minMarketing SucksLet's Get You Published with Sabrina GreerDo you have a book idea floating around in your head… or maybe a full-on manuscript hidden away on your laptop? What’s keeping you from getting it out into the world? If the answer is fear, you’re not alone. The idea of publishing can be legit terrifying, especially if you’re sharing your personal story —but it’s your vulnerability that can create the biggest impact for your biz!In this episode of Marketing Sucks, I sit down with the amazing Sabrina Greer. Sabrina is not only a bestselling author, she’s also the CEO of fEMPOWE...2024-03-1233 minMarketing SucksLet's Build a Content StrategyYou know the drill: you write up an Instagram caption. You add your images and emojis. You double-check to make sure that you included a CTA. You post. You wait. And then… crickets. Tale as old as time. It’s easy to get frustrated when you feel like you’re screaming into the void. But if you’re not marketing with intention, you just won’t get the results you’re looking for… no matter how many Reels or posts you share every week. One of the most-asked questions that I get from my audience is “Ho...2024-03-0526 minMarketing SucksLet's Get You Organized with Kallai PlummerThe back-end of your business is just as important as the parts your clients see. When it’s not running smoothly, you wind up doing WAY more work than you need to - cue feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and frustrated. If your zone of genius doesn’t include organization, project management, or tech, you definitely want to listen to this episode of Marketing Sucks! My guest Kallai Plummer is a Virtual COO and business coach who helps to streamline and optimize the back-ends of women-owned businesses, so that her clients can stop doing the tasks they...2024-02-2733 minMarketing SucksYou Can Show Up OnlineWhat’s one thing that we love to see other people do… but hate to do ourselves? Post Instagram Stories, of course! There are FAR too many biz owners out there who aren’t using Stories often enough (or ever!), and it all boils down to one thing. We’re scared of putting ourselves out there.I’ll tell you right now: if you’re not using Stories, you’re missing out on BIG opportunities to build your connection with your audience, get seen by more people, and drive more sales - in fact, some of my mos...2024-02-2023 minMarketing SucksLet's Get Vulnerable with Christella MorrisThe #1 unavoidable lesson of entrepreneurship: life sometimes hands you a bag of sh*t and you just need to deal with it and keep moving. The trick? Staying vulnerable and authentic as you do. In this episode of Marketing Sucks, I’m joined by incredible brand photographer Christella Morris whose business, Christella Luna Photo Co., is a six-year-long love story with photography, community, and memory-making. From big life changes to major health issues, Christella has definitely handled her share of sh*t while building her biz… and she’s not afraid to get REAL. We dig into ho...2024-02-1338 minMarketing SucksLet’s Get Better at Selling Ourselves with Britteney OfodileSelling yourself is HARD. In fact, it’s one of the biggest stumbling blocks for both new and seasoned entrepreneurs - especially women! Even when you know for a fact that your offer is EXACTLY what your audience needs, talking about it can feel super uncomfortable - so why is that? And how can we start showing up and asking for the sale with more confidence? In this episode of Marketing Sucks, sales queen Britteney Ofodile breaks down her favourite sales strategies and reveals her secret to selling in a way that actually feels GOOD (yep...2024-02-0628 minMarketing SucksLet’s Write Your Brand Story with Philip GintherWhen it comes to brand storytelling, your About page is just the first step. Your story should guide your marketing strategy and the way you show up for your audience - and a killer story can help you build connection, trust, and an engaged community that wants to work with you!As Senior Creative Director at global children's entertainment company Spin Master, Philip Ginther has helped shape the stories of big-name brands such as Paw Patrol and Rubik’s Cube. In this episode of Marketing Sucks, I sit down with Phil to tackle some of...2024-01-3029 minMarketing SucksLet's Drive Sales & Boost Brand Awareness with IntentionDo you look to the big influencers and hot trends for your marketing inspo, only to have your efforts fall flat, over and over? If you think that you need to chase trends and copy the most popular accounts in order to make sales, we need to talk.The truth is that there’s a huge difference between influencers selling someone else’s products and business owners selling their own - and when the purpose behind the marketing is different, using the same tactics won’t deliver the same results. If yo...2024-01-2313 minMarketing SucksWelcome to Marketing SucksMarketing sucks. You know it. I know it. So let’s do something about it together. Marketing Sucks is the podcast for busy business owners who hate marketing - and want to learn EXACTLY what to do to get better at it.Zero filler. No nonsense. Just the kick in the ass you need to start making the right marketing moves!I’m Amanda Casinha, social media strategist, branding expert, author, and founder of Grind Social Media + Co. Each week, I talk to ad experts, funnel developers, content creators, and changemakers about their bold strategies, big...2024-01-1608 min