Shows
SmartBug on TapIs It Time to Fire Your ATS? What HubSpot Can—and Can't—Do for Staffing FirmsIn staffing, your applicant tracking system (ATS) may feel like both a lifeline and a limitation. It's great at storing resumes and ensuring compliance—but does it actually help you nurture candidates, align with marketing, or forecast sales? In this episode, host Alexandra Whitmore is joined by Abigail Allen, SVP of Sales at SmartBug, to tackle the big question: Is it time to fire your ATS? Together, they explore: 🤝 The core differences between an ATS and a CRM like HubSpot 🔄 Why staffing firms get stuck in reactive "post and pray" recruiting 📧 How HubSpot transforms candidate engagement with automation + personalization 📊 The reporting and...
2025-09-0518 min
SmartBug on TapDouble Funnel, Double Trouble: Solving for Candidates and Clients in One CRMManaging both candidates and clients in one CRM can feel impossible, but it doesn't have to be. In this episode of SmartBug on Tap, host Alexandra Whitmore (VP of Sales at SmartBug) sits down with Sandy Moore (Senior Director of Account Strategy at SmartBug) to unpack why staffing firms struggle with "double funnel" operations and how HubSpot helps solve the chaos. You'll learn: ✅ What the "double funnel" is and why it causes friction ✅ Common CRM mistakes staffing firms make with candidates vs. clients ✅ How legacy CRMs fall short in supporting both sides of the staffing equation ✅ Ways to structure HubSpot pipeline...
2025-08-2919 min
SmartBug on TapSecond Brain Systems: How to Set Up Custom GPTs and Gems for Your Marketing TeamWe're diving into the concept of second brain systems—how to use custom GPTs (in ChatGPT) and Gems (in Gemini) to scale your marketing team's productivity, eliminate repetitive tasks, and streamline onboarding, content creation, paid media, and more. You'll learn: ✅ What a second brain is (and why marketers need one) ✅ How to build your own custom GPT or Gem ✅ What to feed your second brain to get great outputs ✅ Real SmartBug use cases ✅ Tips for maintenance, security, and future-proofing your setup Whether you're new to AI or a seasoned power user, you'll walk away with actionable tips to make AI work for you...
2025-08-0637 min
SmartBug on TapThe Enterprise Attribution Problem: What's Working, What's Not, and What to Do About ItWelcome back to SmartBug on Tap, where we dig into smarter, more scalable HubSpot strategy for marketing, sales, and RevOps teams. In this episode, Casey Peddicord sits down with Sandy Moore, SmartBug's Senior Director of Account Strategy, to unpack one of the most complex—and misunderstood—topics in enterprise marketing: attribution. Whether you're battling siloed data, long sales cycles, or disconnected touchpoints, attribution reporting can feel impossible to get right. But it can work—and Sandy's here to show you how. From model selection to executive dashboards to AI's evolving impact on reporting, this is a must-listen for anyone working in ent...
2025-07-3121 min
SmartBug on TapAI Meets the Pen: How Writers Are Embracing AI Without Losing Their VoiceAI is changing the content game—but how do writers keep their creativity, voice, and humanity intact? In this episode of SmartBug on Tap, host Julia Bye chats with SmartBug copywriter Rebecca Corgan about how content creators can embrace AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini without compromising authenticity. From overcoming blank-page syndrome to building powerful second-brain workflows, Rebecca shares how she integrates AI into her writing process—without letting it take over. Learn where AI shines, where it falls short, and how to strike the right balance between efficiency and originality. Whether you're a writer, marketer, or ops leader curious abou...
2025-07-1642 min
SmartBug on TapEnterprise-Grade Integrations: How to Make HubSpot Play Nice with EverythingIntegrating HubSpot with your broader tech stack can either unlock operational gold—or become a chaotic mess. In this episode of SmartBug On Tap, host Casey Peddicord sits down with Justine Verrier, Technical Solutions Engineer at SmartBug Media, to demystify what it takes to build enterprise-grade integrations that actually scale. From NetSuite and Salesforce to custom-built systems, Justine shares insights from a decade in the HubSpot ecosystem, walking through what works, what doesn't, and how to avoid the most common integration pitfalls. They cover key concepts like data governance, source of truth, one-way vs. two-way syncs, and how AI is st...
2025-06-2726 min
SmartBug on TapFrom Guesswork to Greatness: Paid Media in the AI EraIn this episode of SmartBug on Tap, "From Guesswork to Greatness: Paid Media in the AI Era," we dive into how AI is transforming digital advertising—and what marketers need to know to stay competitive. Join Paul Schmidt, VP of Marketing at SmartBug, and Louis-Claude Martin, a seasoned paid media expert at SmartBug, as they unpack the real impact of AI on campaign strategy, targeting, and performance. From the power of first-party data to the evolving role of media managers, this episode reveals how to shift from manual guesswork to data-backed greatness in the age of AI. 🎤 Speakers Paul Schmidt (Host...
2025-05-2236 min
SmartBug on TapHubSpot and Salesforce: How to Integrate and When to MigrateToday we're tackling one of the biggest questions B2B companies face: Should you keep both HubSpot and Salesforce connected—or is it time to fully switch? Join Casey Peddicord, Senior Director of Channel Sales at SmartBug, and Alex Bisaillon (a.k.a. "Biz"), Solution Architect at SmartBug, as they break down how to decide between integrating and migrating, based on real-world experience helping companies align their revenue tech stacks. 🎤 Speakers Casey Peddicord (Host) Senior Director of Channel Sales at SmartBug cpeddicord@smartbugmedia.com Alex Bisaillon (Guest) Solution Architect at SmartBug abisaillon@smartbugmedia.com 📚 What You'll Learn ✅ When to integrate Salesforce...
2025-05-1335 min
SmartBug on TapStrategic Spending: AgeTech GTM Strategies for Paid Media SuccessDive into how AgeTech companies can build effective, ROI-driven paid media campaigns—even with a lean marketing budget. SmartBug's Senior Sales Executive, Tonia Speir, sits down with Briana Greer, Director of Paid Media at SmartBug, to explore how to prioritize platforms, optimize spend, and avoid common pitfalls in early go-to-market (GTM) efforts. Whether you're targeting adult children, seniors, caregivers, or B2B buyers such as healthcare professionals or senior living execs, this conversation offers a blueprint for smarter advertising decisions. 🎤 Speakers Tonia Speir (Host) Senior Sales Executive at SmartBug tspeir@smartbugmedia.com Briana Greer (Guest) Director of Paid Media at Smart...
2025-05-1332 min
SmartBug on TapSetting Up HubSpot for AgeTech OrganizationsIn this episode of SmartBug on Tap, titled "Setting Up HubSpot for AgeTech Organizations," I delve into the intricacies of configuring HubSpot to meet the unique needs of AgeTech companies. Joined by John Suarez, SmartBug's Director of HubSpot Strategy, we explore the importance of setting up HubSpot correctly from the start to ensure data integrity and operational efficiency. John shares insights on managing parent-child company relationships, handling multiple buyer personas, and maintaining clean data. We also discuss how to leverage HubSpot's features for tracking referrals and managing operations across multiple locations. Tune in to learn how to create a robust...
2025-05-1342 min
SmartBug on TapWhere to Start with HubSpot–CRM or Marketing FirstJoin us as we unpack one of the most common questions new HubSpot users ask: Do you begin with Marketing Hub or Sales Hub? This episode features a tactical discussion between Tonia Speir, Senior Sales Executive at SmartBug, and John Suarez, Director of HubSpot Strategy at SmartBug, diving into how to make the right first move in HubSpot based on your business model, team structure, and long-term goals. 🎤 Speakers Tonia Speir (Host) Senior Sales Executive at SmartBug tspeir@smartbugmedia.com John Suarez (Guest) Director of HubSpot Strategy at SmartBug jsuarez@smartbugmedia.com 📚 What You'll Learn ✅ When it makes sense to start wi...
2025-05-1320 min
SmartBug on TapMaximizing Portfolio Oversight: How Private Equity Firms Leverage HubSpot for Growth + TransparencyTake a deep dive into how private equity firms are streamlining reporting, reducing inefficiencies, and driving portfolio-wide growth using HubSpot. This episode features an insightful conversation between Paul Schmidt, SmartBug's VP of Marketing, and Casey Peddicord, Senior Director of Channel Sales, breaking down how private equity firms are overcoming fragmented tech stacks, manual reporting, and siloed data by using HubSpot as a single source of truth. 🎤 Speakers Paul Schmidt (Host) VP of Marketing at SmartBug Media pschmidt@smartbugmedia.com Casey Peddicord (Guest) Senior Director of Channel Sales at SmartBug Media cpeddicord@smartbugmedia.com 📚 What You'll Learn ✅ The top data and operatio...
2025-05-1334 min
SmartBug on TapMarketo Customer Success Story with Longview On this episode of SmartBug on Tap, Jen Spencer shares how SmartBug® worked with Longview to optimize its Marketo investment, boosting lead generation and qualification, and maximizing its marketing ROI.
2021-06-1505 minSmartBug on TapCustomer Success Story with 1st United Credit UnionOn this episode of SmartBug on Tap, Jen Spencer shares how SmartBug worked with 1st United Credit Union to overcome a reporting challenge with the institution's third-party software.
2021-06-0805 minSmartBug on TapCustomer Success Story with Clevens Face and Body Specialists On this episode of SmartBug on Tap, Jen Spencer shares how SmartBug worked with a cosmetic surgery practice to build a new website, improve its premium content, and serve its patients better, and ultimately thrive during a pandemic.
2021-06-0106 minSmartBug on TapCustomer Success Story with Southern Nazarene UniversityOn this episode of SmartBug on Tap, Jen Spencer shares how SmartBug worked with Southern Nazarene University to maximize HubSpot and increase the number of applications to the College of Professional and Graduate Studies programs.
2021-05-2511 minSmartBug on Tap3 Strategies to Maintain Consistent Revenue Growth in Your Business On this episode of SmartBug on Tap, Jen Spencer shares three strategies to maintain consistent revenue growth in your business. Jen discusses how to: 1. Maintain a consistent marketing strategy 2. Leverage marketing automation 3. Personalize your marketing approach
2021-03-1607 minSmartBug on TapHow Content Marketing Fits into a Sales Enablement StrategyOn this episode of SmartBug on Tap, Jen Spencer shares how content marketing fits into a sales enablement strategy.
2021-03-0906 minSmartBug on Tap5 Ways Sales Enablement Encourages Marketing and Sales Alignment On this episode of SmartBug on Tap, Jen Spencer shares five ways sales enablement can improve your marketing and sales alignment. Jen discusses how sales enablement... 1. Organizes Content so that Marketers and Sellers Can Find It When They Need It 2. Empowers Marketers to Alert Reps About which Content Is the Most Up to Date 3. Helps Marketers Gauge How It's Helping Sellers 4. Helps Marketers and Sellers Gather Feedback on How Content Performs with Buyers 5. Ensures that Content Remains on Brand
2021-03-0208 minSmartBug on Tap3 Ways a Sales Team Survey Can Help Boost Your Content's SuccessOn this episode of SmartBug on Tap, Jen Spencer shares how a sales team survey can uncover gaps in your content strategy and identify potential areas of need before problems arise.
2021-02-2306 minSmartBug on TapHow To Get The Most Out Of ABM -- Without Ditching InboundOn this episode of SmartBug on Tap, Jen Spencer shares how to get the most out of account-based marketing without ditching inbound. Jen shares how inbound and ABM are made for each other and how to get started by: 1. Focusing on the right goals 2. Ungating your content 3. Exploring different verticals Links Mentioned LIVE DEBATE: Gated vs. Ungated Content Debate
2021-02-1606 minSmartBug on TapHow B2B Marketing And Sales Teams Can Navigate in Uncertain TimesOn this episode of SmartBug on Tap, Jen Spencer shares how B2B marketing and sales teams can stay afloat this year. Jen shares how businesses that aren't used to being agile, smaller businesses, or those with more flexibility baked into their operations can survive with the following strategies: 1. Getting Back To Basics 2. Trying Account-Based Marketing 3. Making Sure Your Messaging Is On The Money 4. Nurturing More Stable Verticals 5. Auditing Your Tech Stack To Maximize ROI 6. Making The Story About Your Customers Links Mentioned...
2021-02-0908 minSmartBug on TapHow to Set Sales and Marketing GoalsOn this episode of SmartBug on Tap, Jen Spencer shares how to set sales and marketing goals. Jen discusses what it looks like when sales and marketing work together to set goals and the steps to set goals.
2021-02-0208 minSmartBug on TapTips For Empowering Sales Development Reps In The Digital AgeOn this episode of SmartBug on Tap, Jen Spencer shares four tips for empowering sales development reps in the digital age. Jen discusses: 1. Building the right team 2. The importance of persona battle cards 3. How to create data-driven strategies 4. The importance of providing the right sales enablement assets
2021-01-2607 minSmartBug on TapHow to Use Sales Battlecards to Close Deals On this episode of SmartBug on Tap, Jen Spencer shares how to create and use sales battlecards. Jen shares: 1. The questions you need to ask to get a clear idea of what sales challenge your team is facing 2. How to set a goal for your battlecard 3. How to draft the actual messaging used on the battlecard 4. And more! Links Mentioned
2021-01-1909 minSmartBug on TapFour Effective Sales Enablement Strategies to Help Reps Meet Quotas On this episode of SmartBug on Tap, Jen Spencer shares four effective sales enablement strategies to help reps meet their quotas. Jen discusses the following strategies: 1. Redefine Sales Leadership 2. Treat Sales Enablement as a Marketing-Driven Role with Sales 3. Use Customer Personas to Serve Better Customers 4. Set Up More Meaningful Benchmarks
2021-01-1208 minSmartBug on TapThree Tips For Marketers To Help Sales Close More Deals On this episode of SmartBug on Tap, Jen Spencer shares three tips for marketers to help sales close more deals. Jen discusses the following tips: 1. How to put your content to work 2. Partnering with sales 3. Building relationships with podcasts
2021-01-0507 minSmartBug on TapHow to Incorporate Your ABM Strategy into Your Virtual Events On this episode of SmartBug on Tap, Jen Spencer shares six ways to incorporate your ABM strategy into your virtual events. Jen discusses the following tips: 1. Sales and Marketing Alignment 2. Customer and Partner Relationships 3. ABM Technology 4. And More!
2020-12-2907 minSmartBug on TapSix Ways to Turn Your Blog into a Lead Generation Engine On this episode of SmartBug on Tap, Jen Spencer shares six strategies to turn your blog into a lead generation engine. Jen discusses the following tips: 1. Buyer Personas 2. Blog Subscribers 3. Using CTAs 4. Quality Content 5. Topic Clusters
2020-12-2207 minSmartBug on TapFive Steps to Plan a Successful Tech Stack Integration ProjectOn this episode of SmartBug on Tap, Jen Spencer shares a simple five phase approach to setting up a successful tech stack integration project. If you are planning to integrate your sales, marketing, or ERP systems and need to know how to best structure the project, this episode is for you.
2020-12-1506 minSmartBug on TapHow to Run a Fully Remote Quarterly Planning Session On this episode of SmartBug on Tap, Jen Spencer shares tips for running a fully remote quarterly planning session. Jen discusses the following: Establishing goals Laying out an agenda Creating working agreements Building a virtual parking lot And more! Links Mentioned Agile Planning for Remote Teams Template
2020-12-0807 minSmartBug on TapHow to Successfully Measure Sales and Marketing Attribution in HubSpot On this episode of SmartBug on Tap, Jen Spencer shares how to successfully measure sales and marketing attribution in HubSpot. Jen discusses the following tips: 1. Ensure your data is clean.2. Determine what the C-suite cares about.3. Set a baseline of metrics.4. Start with the sample reports.5. Optimize and double down on the metrics that are working.
2020-12-0107 minSmartBug on TapWhat's New with HubSpot's Service Hub On this episode of SmartBug on Tap, Jen Spencer shares some of our recent encounters with HubSpot's Service Hub. Jen discusses the following updates: Custom Feedback Surveys Multi-Language Knowledge Base Identify Logged-In Visitors in Chat
2020-11-2407 minSmartBug on TapPopular HubSpot Integrations for Advanced Users On this episode of SmartBug on Tap, Jen Spencer shares the most popular HubSpot integrations that advanced HubSpot users take advantage of on a daily basis, and how these integrations simplify their lives as a marketer and/or sales leader. Jen shares the following integrations: Salesforce Microsoft Dynamics Vidyard CallRail WordPress Links Mentione
2020-11-1709 minSmartBug on TapHow Your Business Can Leverage CMS Hub On this episode of SmartBug on Tap, Jen Spencer shares how your business can leverage CMS Hub. Jen shares the following recent HubSpot CMS enhancements: Adaptive testing for Enterprise customers Built-in SEO tools Serverless functions And more! Links Mentioned Live Debate: Build Your Website on HubSpot CMS vs. WordPress
2020-11-1006 minSmartBug on TapThe Best Marketo Add-Ons for SMB On this episode of SmartBug on Tap, Jen Spencer shares the best Marketo add-ons for mid-sized business. Jen shares add-ons that will help: Your sales team see Marketo data without leaving your CRM Your reps easily send and track template emails You with your Account-Based Marketing efforts And more! Links Mentioned
2020-11-0307 minSmartBug on Tap3 Tips for Properly Analyzing HubSpot's Multi-Touch Attribution ReportingOn this episode of SmartBug on Tap, Jen Spencer shares three tips for analyzing HubSpot's multi-touch attribution reporting. Jen will discuss:
1. How to choose the data dimension that suits your reporting needs. 2. The four main conversion points used for attribution models. 3. How to understand the different attribution models available Links Mentioned How to Analyze HubSpot's Multi-Touch Attribution Reporting
2020-10-2708 minSmartBug on TapUnderstanding the New Contextual Marketing Features in HubSpotOn this episode of SmartBug on Tap, Jen Spencer shares some of HubSpot's recent enhancements that impact contextual marketing. Jen will share a few recent updates including: Two-Way Contact Syncing with HubSpot and Shopify Adaptive Testing "Wait Until" Delays in Workflows
2020-10-2007 minSmartBug on TapYour Complete Marketo Migration Checklist On this episode of SmartBug on Tap, Jen Spencer shares some recommendations on how to migrate a Marketo instance. Jen will share: A few questions to work through with your team to help determine your goals. A short list of people who should know their roles in advance. How to deep clean your CRM to prepare for your migration How to organize your current marketing platform And more! Links Mentioned Your Complete Marketo Migration List Marketo's Setup Checklist
2020-10-1309 minSmartBug on TapWhy SmartBug Media Decided to Become HubSpot Advanced CMS Certified In this episode of SmartBug on Tap, Jen Spencer shares why SmartBug Media® decided to become HubSpot Advanced CMS Certified.
2020-10-0605 minSmartBug on Tap4 Pros and Cons of Migrating from WordPress to the New HubSpot CMSIn this episode of SmartBug on Tap, Jen Spencer talks about the pros and cons of migrating from WordPress to the new iteration of HubSpot's content management system, named CMS Hub.
2020-09-2910 minSmartBug on TapHow to Build Your Sales Enablement Strategy in Three Easy StepsSales enablement, in its most simple application, is the holistic process of providing your sales team with the information, collateral, and processes they need to seal more deals. In this episode of SmartBug on Tap, Jen Spencer shares how to build your sales enablement strategy in three easy steps.
2020-09-2207 minSmartBug on TapHow Senior Living Teams Can Use Video to Reach ConsumersThe senior living is an industry where building authentic and relational trust with the customer is paramount. You just can't get that kind of authenticity from a blog. Video finds a way to make the experience feel more real and personal. In this episode of SmartBug on Tap, Jen Spencer shares four types of videos senior living teams can start using now.
2020-09-1505 minSmartBug on TapWhy We Gate Content (And When We Shouldn't)Most inbound marketing professionals want to make the world a better place. But, no matter how idealistic and well-meaning we are, most of us have lead numbers and sales quotas to hit. One way inbound marketers generate leads is to gate content. On this episode of SmartBug on Tap, Jen Spencer discusses why we gate content (and when we shouldn't).
2020-09-0805 minSmartBug on TapMergers, Acquisitons, and SEO—Oh My!Welcome to Season Two of SmartBug on Tap. We're back after a summer hiatus, and on today's episode Jen Spencer is chatting about mergers and acquisitions—and their impact on Search Engine Optimization.
2020-09-0104 minSmartBug on TapSmartBug on Tap Season FinaleOn the season finale of SmartBug on Tap, I announced our summer hiatus and share how you can quench your Intelligent Inbound® thirst until we return with Season 2 in September of 2020. I also encourage listeners to expand their podcast library to include voices that are sharing important information about diversity, inclusion, and social justice. Links Mentioned SmartBug Website Code Switch She+ Geeks Out Pod Save the People
2020-06-0403 minSmartBug on Tap5 SaaS Marketing Strategies to Implement in the Face of COVID-19COVID-19 has been devastating, and it has already landed some heavy blows that will leave marks for a long time. By adjusting to these strange times, you can come out ahead on the other side. On this episode of SmartBug on Tap, I share five coronavirus-focused SaaS marketing strategies.
2020-05-2607 minSmartBug on Tap4 Tips for Staying Productive While Working RemotelyAt SmartBug, we know a thing or two about working remotely. In fact, it's one of the foundational cornerstones of our company. Over the years, we've found the secret recipe that enables us to spend ample time with those we love, while still having fulfilling careers. When working from home is done right, we know that remote workers can be more productive than those in an office. On this episode of SmartBug on Tap, I share four tips for staying productive while working from home.
2020-05-1907 minSmartBug on TapThe Key to Being Recession-Proof: Never Stop Marketing or AdvertisingIt's official: We're in a recession. Although it's not clear how long this pandemic-induced recession will last—or what the economy will look like when it's over—to be recession-proof and retain your customers, you shouldn't go dark. You must keep marketing and advertising in order to beat the odds. On this episode of SmartBug on Tap, I share how to recession-proof your business.
2020-05-1207 minSmartBug on TapFree and Discounted Tools to Support Intelligent Inbound During COVID-19During these uncertain times, it's inspiring to see so many businesses opening their virtual doors a bit wider to support healthcare professionals, educators, and families whose lives have been significantly impacted by the coronavirus outbreak. Generosity has not been limited to those on the front lines. We're also seeing free and discounted tools and trainings to support marketing, sales, and service professionals. On this episode of SmartBug on Tap, I share five free and discounted tools to support Intelligent Inbound® during COVID-19. Links Mentioned During the Show Free and Discounted Tools to...
2020-05-0506 minSmartBug on Tap6 Ways Marketing Can Help Sales Succeed with Sales EnablementSales and marketing are two different departments with the exact same goal, but they're incredibly different animals with different perspectives and approaches. The solution for better alignment? Sales enablement. Sales enablement is about closing the loop between marketing and sales to ensure that everyone has the intel and content they need to meet customers wherever they are on the buying journey. On this episode of SmartBug on Tap, I share 6 ways marketing can help sales succeed with sales enablement.
2020-04-2806 minSmartBug on TapFive Benefits of Google Tag ManagerIf your business has a website, you've probably heard of Google Tag Manager, which is the free software tool that gives you the ability to install different types of tags on your website. In the past, companies needed a web developer on their team in order to track codes. With hundreds of codes to track, this got a bit complicated to update and maintain. Google Tag Manager came in and solved the problem by storing all tags in one place—the Google Tag Manager account. On this episode of SmartBug on Tap, I share five ben...
2020-04-2105 minSmartBug on TapVideo Marketing Best PracticesVideo marketing is one of the strongest ways to give a visual introduction or demonstration of your products or services—and it allows you to capture the attention of your buyer personas at the right stage of the Buyer's Journey. On this episode of SmartBug on Tap, I share five best practices to ensure that your company benefits from video marketing.a
2020-04-1406 minSmartBug on Tap5 Video Marketing Best PracticesVideo marketing is one of the strongest ways to give a visual introduction or demonstration of your products or services—and it allows you to capture the attention of your buyer personas at the right stage of the Buyer's Journey. On this episode of SmartBug on Tap, I share five best practices to ensure that your company benefits from video marketing.
2020-04-0706 minSmartBug on TapHow to Write Content to Outrank Your Competition on GoogleLong gone are the days of publishing high volumes of low-quality, wafer-thin content and expecting your search engine rankings to increase. Today, SEO is as much an art as it is a science. It requires content writers and digital marketers to understand search engine ranking factors, prioritize searcher intent, and publish valuable, high-quality content that appeals to users and Google's algorithm. On this episode of SmartBug on Tap, I share five SEO-friendly content writing tips to outrank your competition.
2020-03-3109 minSmartBug on TapContent Ideas For Every Stage of the Marketing FunnelNo matter what industry you're in, inbound marketing's buyer-driven approach to content creation turns leads into customers by leveraging your company's expertise and experience. On this episode of SmartBug on Tap, I share content ideas and examples for every stage of the marketing funnel.
2020-03-2405 minSmartBug on TapDo Pop-up Ads Actually Work?Should you be using pop-up ads on your page? The answer is more complex than you may think. Despite self-reporting that ads provide a poor user experience, when pop-ups are implemented appropriately, they can be incredibly effective. On this episode of SmartBug on Tap, I share the history of pop-up ads, if they work, and some do's and don'ts to follow if you give them a try on your website.
2020-03-1708 minSmartBug on TapWhat Is Geofencing? Everything You Need to Know About Location-Based MarketingWith the growth of mobile phone usage, mobile marketing has been growing by leaps and bounds. More recently, marketers have taken full advantage of its capabilities with geofencing, an incredibly powerful way to harness the power of location based marketing. On this episode of SmartBug on Tap, I share how you can take your mobile marketing to the next level with geofencing.
2020-03-1007 minSmartBug on Tap3 Ways to Use Video in the Sales ProcessBrands are only as successful as the stories they tell. In a world where everyone is inundated with content, video has become a top contender for being visually appealing and effective as a tactic for marketing. On this episode of SmartBug on Tap, I share three ways that sales video can help your sales team convert prospects into customers.
2020-03-0305 minSmartBug on TapEssential Elements of a Great Case StudyCase studies are great pieces of collateral that can have immediate impact on the audience you connect with and can be used in a number of ways throughout the course of your marketing and sales efforts. On this episode of SmartBug on Tap, I share four essential elements of a great case study.
2020-02-2505 minSmartBug on Tap5 Reasons Why Remote Workers Are More ProductiveAs remote work becomes increasingly popular and more statistics surface about its effectiveness, it's clear that this style of working could be the wave of the future. However, it's important for you and your individual company to decide if remote work is the right fit for your organization. In this episode of SmartBug on Tap, I talk through five ways we've seen remote work make employees more productive.
2020-02-1806 minSmartBug on TapFacebook Ads vs. Boosting Posts: Which is Right for Your Business?With almost 2.5 billion users on Facebook every month and advertising capabilities that are highly targetable, this is one advertising platform businesses should consider including in their marketing budget. But what's right for you will depend on your marketing goals and budget. On this episode of SmartBug on Tap, I share a few key distinctions to help you decide what is right for your business.
2020-02-1106 min
SmartBug on TapHow to Optimize Blog PostsHaving a blog-posting strategy in place that resonates with your target audience will help with your goal of generating more leads for your business and helps establish your business as a thought leader in your industry—so you need to make sure your posts are optimized to maximize your reach. On this episode of SmartBug on Tap, I'll share a few easy steps to consider before hitting publish on your next post.
2020-01-2105 minSmartBug on TapHow to Present Your Marketing Reports to Your CEOIf you're no stranger to SmartBug, you're not new to the conflict between sales and marketing. We talk about the misalignment between marketing and sales all the time, but the same conflict can exist between marketing and the C-suite as well. CEOs are focused on revenue generation and business growth, and they want their teams to be laser focused on an upward trajectory of revenue. A critical element of helping the C-suite find value is in how you present the data to them. On this episode of SmartBug on Tap, I'm going to be sharing s...
2019-12-2406 minSmartBug on TapHow to Optimize a Website for Local SEODid you know that almost half of all Google searches are local? People are constantly searching for information that's relevant to their needs, and most people are looking for something close to their home or work. Therefore, if you're not optimizing your content for local search, you're missing out. But not to worry. On this episode of SmartBug on Tap, I'll share a few easy steps to help you get started in optimizing your website for local SEO. Check us out on Apple Podcasts here. And if you don't use Apple Podcasts, here's an alternative...
2019-12-1705 minSmartBug on TapHow to Market Your Public-Facing Webinars in 12 Easy StepsYou've got a killer webinar topic, but you have no idea how to market it (much less how to leverage the event after it's over). On today's episode of SmartBug on Tap, I'll tell you 12 easy steps to market your public-facing webinars to make yourself (and your topic) stand out. What are the six steps you should be taking before the webinar, and how do you continue to market the event once it's over? The answers are more simple than you think, and they're all here. Check us out on Apple Podcasts here...
2019-12-1009 minSmartBug on TapThe Role Marketers Play in Sales Pipeline OwnershipMaybe this isn't true at your company, but I'm seeing that marketing marketing is finding itself deeper inside the sales pipeline. Especially when revenue goals rely on feeding sales with qualified leads that become paying customers. On this episode of SmartBug on Tap, I talk to you about 2 ways that marketing should own its role in the pipeline and give 2 tips for making it happen. Check us out on Apple Podcasts here. And if you don't use Apple Podcasts, here's an alternative link.
2019-12-0309 minSmartBug on Tap3 Need-To-Knows on Implementing Email Marketing AutomationMarketing automation is all about efficiency — in general. But it's so easy to misuse (by spamming inboxes and frustrating contacts). Before you think you're ready to ready to implement, ask yourself these 3 questions first. On this episode of SmartBug on Tap, I talk to you about how to know whether you're doing email marketing automation right. P.S. I'm proud (and excited) to announce the free resource we launched: The Ultimate Guide to Marketing Automation Software. Check us out on Apple Podcasts here. If you don't use Apple Podcasts, her...
2019-11-1905 minSmartBug on Tap4 Tips for Ensuring Your SDRs Have Everything They Need to SucceedThanks to an increasingly content-fatigued audience, and a rise in the popularity of automation and conversational AI, today's SDRs face an uphill battle. Because of this, SDRs need the right tools, skills, and collateral to really connect with the right leads and usher them through the buyer's journey. And as marketers, there are some things you can do to help your SDRs be more successful. So, on this episode of SmartBug on Tap I'm sharing my 4 tips for ensuring your SDRs have everything they need to succeed.
2019-11-1209 minSmartBug on Tap4 Tips for Implementing a Contextual Marketing Strategy on Your WebsiteEmploying a great contextual marketing strategy on your website can help you build awareness, generate leads, nurture prospects, and delight your customers. But how do you put together a great strategy? On this episode of SmartBug on Tap I'm sharing my top 4 tips to employing a great contextual marketing strategy on your website. Check us out on Apple Podcasts here. And if you don't use Apple Podcasts, here's an alternative link.
2019-11-0506 minSmartBug on TapThe 15 Questions You Should Be Asking When You Interview Customers for a Case StudyI get really excited when a customer agrees, or better yet, proactively volunteers, to participate in a case study. But let's be honest. The case study process can be a bit nerve racking. Your customers are really busy people. So, you only have one opportunity to talk with them. Yet successful case studies are crucial to your business, so it's important to be prepared to make the most of your client interviews. So, on this episode of SmartBug on Tap, I'm sharing some pro t...
2019-10-2906 minSmartBug on TapDesigning Your Website with a Mobile Experience in MindThis may go without saying. But website design today absolutely must account for the proliferation of users accessing pages on mobile devices. And there's a huge difference when designing for a desktop versus mobile. So, with that in mind, on this episode of SmartBug on Tap I'm sharing my top 10 tips for designing for mobile. Check us out on Apple Podcasts here. And if you don't use Apple Podcasts, here's an alternative link.
2019-10-2204 minSmartBug on TapHow to Analyze the Success of Your WebsitePrinted content is generally complete when it's published. But websites are different. Because they're not 100% final when they go live. Pages will be added or removed. And design and functionality will be changed, as needed. So, while you want it to be as perfect as possible at launch, your website is meant to be an evolving, improving creation. And to foster this kind of growth driven design, you need to know what's working and what's falling short of expectations. That's where analytics come in handy. On this episode...
2019-10-1506 minSmartBug on TapUsing Pop-Ups to Enhance Inbound ExperienceEvery month, tens of thousands of Google users search some version of "how to block pop-ups." Evidently, we're not all in love with this digital marketing tactic. But here's the thing: some types of pop-ups can actually be a pretty useful addition to your inbound marketing strategy. So, on today's episode of SmartBug on Tap we're looking at pop-ups, how they've evolved, and how you can effectively incorporate them into your inbound strategy. Resources we talked about: HubSpot Lead Flows Juli Durante's article...
2019-09-1705 minSmartBug on Tap3 Steps to Achieving Frictionless Selling in Your OrganizationI'm happy to report that the SmartBugs are all back in our respective cities after a few of us were in Boston last week for HubSpot's INBOUND 2019 conference. We had a great time visiting with everyone there and really walked away with some great key takeaways. One of the highlights for me was the launch of HubSpot's frictionless selling framework. The framework is a road map to reducing friction and improving the effectiveness of your sales team. So, on this episode of SmartBug on Tap I'm walki...
2019-09-1006 min
SmartBug on TapCountdown to INBOUND 2019: Why We Want to Know More About the Customer RevolutionIf you've looked at the agenda for this year's conference, the first thing you probably noticed is that there are literally hundreds of sessions to choose from. Unfortunately, that means it's simply impossible for you to attend all of these amazing sessions. You've got the challenge of choosing and prioritizing how you'll spend your time in Boston. But we're here to help. That's why we started our Countdown to INBOUND series a few weeks ago. We're giving you the inside scoop on all things INBOUND to help you decide which sessions to attend. ...
2019-08-2707 minSmartBug on TapYou Don't Want to Miss This Session at INBOUND 2019Last week we kicked off our Countdown to INBOUND series. This series is designed to give you the inside scoop on all things INBOUND. We're here to help you decide things like which sessions to attend, to help you really get the most out of your time there. Today we're introducing you to two more of our team members, Christopher Hutchens, Marketing Consultant, and Nicki Kamau, Marketing Programs Manager. They came on this week's episode of SmartBug on Tap to talk about the INBOUND session they're most excited about and why they're recommending that you a...
2019-08-2009 minSmartBug on TapWe're Headed to Boston for INBOUND 2019. Are You?On this episode of SmartBug on Tap we kicked off our Countdown to INBOUND series. INBOUND 2019 is right around the corner, so we're hoping this series will provide you some inside scoop to the world's most remarkable business event hosted by HubSpot! Two of our Senior Marketing Strategists, Jessica Vionas-Singer and Paul Schmidt, came on the show to share the details of the INBOUND session they're most excited about and why they're recommending that you attend, as well.
2019-08-1310 minSmartBug on TapThe Importance of Internal MarketingOn this episode of SmartBug On Tap I'm talking about the importance of internal marketing. You're probably thinking, "Seriously? I have a big enough job already marketing to prospects, customers, investors, and job candidates. Do I really need to also market to my fellow team members?" Well, if you truly want to get your message across, I highly recommend it. In this episode I'm covering why internal marketing is so important and the steps you can take to maximize your internal marketing efforts.
2019-08-0605 minSmartBug on TapHow Marketers Should Prepare Their Sales Teams for a Campaign LaunchOn this episode of SmartBug on Tap, I'm talking about how marketers can better prepare their sales team for a campaign launch. And since my role oversees both marketing and sales, this topic is near and dear to me. As you can imagine, our internal sales and marketing alignment is extremely tight here at SmartBug Media. So, I thought you'd appreciate hearing the way we roll out a marketing campaign and what types of enablement resources we provide our sales team.
2019-07-3007 minSmartBug on TapPitching Contributed ContentToday's 24/7 news cycle has created the need for content. But staff writers can't do it all. They need you. That's where contributed content comes in. Contributed content is when someone at your company authors an article for publication in a trade publication or mainstream outlet. And, if you follow a few tips, you can pitch your content in a way that increases your chance of being published. That leads to improved brand awareness, increased thought leadership, and a greater exposure for your website. So, on this episode of SmartBug on Tap I'm sharing my top f...
2019-07-2307 minSmartBug on TapAdvanced Persona Development — How to Use Customer, Negative, and Micro PersonasYou probably know how important it is to use buyer personas. But your work doesn't end there. It's actually really important to consider customer personas, negative personas, and micro personas. Each of these personas can be helpful when it comes to increasing the success of your marketing campaigns. So, on this episode of SmartBug on Tap, I'm talking through how to use each of these three personas.
2019-07-1607 minSmartBug on Tap8 Steps to Executing a Great Lead Nurture CampaignLead nurture campaigns can seem a bit tricky. After all, there are a lot of elements, like creating great copy or choosing the right frequency, that you need to get right in order to convert leads. But don't worry — in this episode of SmartBug on Tap I'm sharing my guide to addressing each of those elements to create a great lead nurture campaign. These are the eight steps you need to follow to create that great campaign — and how to get each of those steps just right.
2019-07-0908 minSmartBug on TapHow to Use a Content Strategy to Grow Your Organic SearchIf you're already writing SEO-optimized, persona focused content, and if you're publishing that content on a regular basis and creating detailed newsworthy updates that Google's going to love, then the tips I'm going to share with you in this episode of SmartBug on Tap will provide some ideas on where you can go next. On this show I'm sharing our team's favorite tips to help you refine your content strategy and grow your organic search.
2019-07-0209 min
SmartBug Media Audio BlogBest Practices for Adding Medium to Your Blog StrategyIf you regularly publish on your company’s blog, you may already be seeing the benefits of business blogging. On top of posting regularly and promoting content on social, there are other strategies to increase your content’s discoverability, including posting on Medium, a publishing platform launched in 2012 by Twitter’s former CEO, Ev Williams.Medium was designed to be a platform where anyone could read, share, and exchange ideas on a vast range of topics in the form of “stories,” or blog articles. Today, you’ll find everyone from freelance writers to well-known brands publishing and engaging wit...
2019-06-1813 minSmartBug on Tap6 Tips for Overcoming Writer's BlockWe've all been there. You sit down to write and…nothing. Whether it's a blog post, an e-book, or sometimes even an email, writer's block can affect us all. If you're up against a deadline and just can't get your words down on paper, I have some helpful ideas to get you out of your rut. In this episode of SmartBug on Tap I'm sharing six tips for overcoming writer's block.
2019-06-1805 minSmartBug on TapWhy Infographics Are Still a Powerful Content Marketing Tool in 2019Infographics made their splash in 2013. Six years later, they're still popular. That's pretty unusual in the fast-paced, ever-changing market we're used to today. And while infographics have definitely evolved with advances in marketing technology, the same best practices for successful infographic creation — and the same reasons you'd want to create an infographic — still ring true today. So, why are infographics still a valuable content marketing tool? On this episode of SmartBug on Tap I'm sharing five reasons why infographics are still a power content marketing tool in 2019.
2019-06-1105 minSmartBug on Tap3 Ways Marketing Teams Can Help Shorten Sales CyclesInbound marketers today are armed with a serious amount of data. And that data can be used to help a sales team close deals faster. In this episode of SmartBug on Tap I covered the three main ways I like to approach this challenge: segmentation, personalization, and well crafted lead nurturing campaigns. All three of these tactics will give your leads the "I am a special snowflake" feeling and really help build trust.
2019-06-0406 minSmartBug on TapBeing Intentional About Your Marketing EffortsI expend a great deal of energy simply trying not to react. See, I've learned the hard way that, if I react, when the dust settles, my reaction didn't properly represent my intentions. It's when I've allowed myself to react quickly that I've regretted my choices. Because, as it turns out, I never actually made any conscious choices at all. So, on this episode of SmartBug on Tap, I want to share why it's good to hit the pause button every now and then to reset your intentionality.
2019-05-2904 minSmartBug on TapWhy Channel Partner Leads Cost Less and Close FasterWatching a new qualified lead come in is a beautiful thing, because it's a validation of our marketing efforts and our market fit. After all, you can have the best product or service in the world. But if it doesn't solve a real person's problem, good luck selling to anyone. So, with my marketing brain on high alert, the first thing I look for in a lead is its source — what did we do that paved that yellow brick road for this individual to flow directly to us. Was it the webinar we co...
2019-05-2106 minSmartBug on TapThe Best Content for Each Stage of the Buyer's Journey — And How to Deliver ItThere's one kind of question that frequently comes up when I'm doing webinars or in-person presentations: What kind of content belongs in each stage of the buyer's journey? In this episode of SmartBug on Tap, I'm talking about what kind of content you should use through each stage of the buyer's journey and how to deliver it from a tactical perspective. This will ultimately help you achieve that goal of creating a new customer.
2019-05-1405 minSmartBug on TapUsing PR to Boost the Success of Your Content Marketing ProgramIn this episode of SmartBug on Tap, I'm talking about why and how you can use PR to ramp up your content marketing program. Many organizations make the mistake of thinking that a content marketing program fits into the same bucket as public relations. But the thing is, there's more opportunity out there. That's where PR comes in. With that in mind, I want to share three ways you can use public relations to really get the biggest bang out of your content marketing program.
2019-04-3006 minSmartBug on TapHow to Improve a Lackluster E-book CampaignMarketers typically view e-books as a critical part of their marketing strategy. Yet most marketers don't build or promote the material in ways that really maximize their impact. By not properly promoting their resources, marketers are missing out on potential leads and building influence. In today's episode of SmartBug On Tap, I'm talking about three common e-book issues and how to fix them.
2019-04-2305 minSmartBug on TapWhy Sales Enablement Matters to MarketersOn today's episode of SmartBug on Tap, I'm sharing how you can utilize your marketing team to enable sales. Many people assume sales enablement is strictly a job for sales managers. This is wrong! There's one trick you can use to sell efficiently at a higher velocity rate: your marketing team. Today we're going to take a step back and look at what sales enablement really is. I'll also be sharing 3 simple extensions that your marketing team can utilize to ensure a smooth transition for your future customers as they shift from marketing to sales.
2019-04-1606 minSmartBug on TapUsing Digital Strategies to Boost Your Trade Show Marketing EffortsOn today's episode of SmartBug on Tap I'm talking about how you can maximize your trade show marketing efforts by actually incorporating digital strategies. During an era where nearly every marketing innovation is digital, there is still one traditional mainstay I see in B2B marketing — the trade show. But live event marketing campaigns, such as trade shows, are expensive endeavors. How much of the money allocated to these events is wasted? How could marketers use cost-effective digital marketing campaigns to improve the overall ROI of these efforts? That's what we're talking about today. I'm go...
2019-04-0908 minSmartBug on TapHow Sales Teams Should Be Using Buyer Persona Research to Help Them Close More DealsJen Spencer here. On today's episode of SmartBug on Tap we're talking about buyer personas. Specifically, how sales teams can use personas to close more deals. Here's a rundown of what we'll cover. First, we're going back to the basics, reviewing what a buyer persona is and what it is not. Next, I'll review the importance of negative personas. Finally, I'll give you some tips for integrating personas into your sales process. And if using personas is a bit new to you, I've got three steps you can take to get started. Let's dive in.
2019-04-0213 minSmartBug on TapGoing All-In With Reliable DataWhile I was working for a SaaS startup, a member of our board once gave some advice for sales and marketing. He said pick one, maybe two bets, and go all-in. It's not in my nature to go all-in, especially when there's a lot at stake, but it's something I'm working on. And this wonderful little thing called data sure does help. On our latest episode of SmartBug on Tap, we discussed the 3 keys to going all-in with your data. Check it out.
2019-03-2609 minSmartBug on TapUnlocking the Marketing Power of Sales Call RecordingWhen most of us think of "call recording," we think of sales. But call recordings provide an incredible inside scoop on buyers, one we'd never be able to find through any other type of research. So, why aren't marketers using them? This SmartBug on Tap podcast challenges marketers everywhere to reconsider using call recordings as part of their tool belt. Jen Spencer shares 3 tactics for incorporating sales call recording into your marketing strategy.
2019-03-1912 minSmartBug on TapEpisode 0We started a podcast about all things marketing. Why? Well, because everyone has a party trick, even our VP of Marketing and Sales at SmartBug Media. Here's her party trick: providing insanely tactical marketing advice. Each episode, Jen Spencer will share truly tactical solutions around all things marketing, such as lead generation, account engagement, brand loyalty, marketing automation… you get the idea. This week Jen unfolds her ideas, and gives you a taste of what's to come.
2019-03-1908 minSmartBug Media Audio BlogHow to Spam-Proof Your Inbound Strategy with Marketing Automation WorkflowsHave you ever ended up on a company’s email list and for the life of you couldn’t recall ever subscribing or filling out any sort of form on that company’s website? Alternatively, have you ever looked at a list of new contacts added to your marketing automation system or CRM and noticed there were new contacts that were added via “offline sources?” If you’re like me, you probably answered “yes” to both of these questions—or perhaps you haven’t been paying attention, and answered that you don’t know. Here at SmartBug, our marketing strategy is 100% inbound, but t...
2018-04-1707 min