Don't Say Content

Building a community isn’t as simple as posting content and hoping for the best. It’s about real connections, authentic conversations, and making people feel like they’re part of something bigger than just your brand. In this episode, Devin and Margaret explore what it really takes to build a community-driven brand, the challenges that come with it, and why it’s way more than just the “marketing t...

B2B buyers used to be wowed by a sleek product demo and a well-placed buzzword. Now? They’re rolling their eyes at your AI-powered, next-gen whatever. The reality: your buyers have changed. They’re more diverse, more skeptical, and they don’t care about your shiny tech unless it actually solves a problem. They grew up with software, they expect it to just work, and they see through the fluff. So w...

Control and creativity don’t always play nice together—especially when you’re leading a team. Knowing when to hold tight to your vision and when to let go is a balancing act that even the best struggle with. Some leaders micromanage every detail, others delegate so freely they lose sight of the bigger picture. And somewhere in between? That’s where the magic happens. So how do you trust someone el...

Stealing ideas is as old as time, but in the age of AI and content overload, the lines between inspiration and straight-up plagiarism blur. Some folks remix, some give credit where it’s due, and some? They copy-paste, cross their fingers, and hope no one notices. When someone lifts your words, runs them through ChatGPT, and then presents them as their own—without even a casual nod in your directio...

What does personal branding actually do for individuals today—especially in a world where trust in institutions and executives is fading? Personal branding is your reputation. As tech evolves and channels shift, your reputation is your leverage. Yes, even in B2B. Actually, especially in B2B. Like it or not, you already have a personal brand—even if you’re not actively building it on social. And no...

Fame is a rat race both to reach and then maintain. It’s not for everyone. But these days, folks who want to support themselves as content creators or “influencers” kinda have play the fame game. Only instead of hiring a PR team to stay in the zeitgeist, they have to become constant content machines and algorithm strategists to earn the popularity badge of engagement and make money. But what if yo...

Are websites still pulling their weight in B2B marketing, or are we all just clinging to the past? In this episode, we’re throwing a little shade at outdated digital strategies and breaking down the chaos marketers face today—think shifting customer behaviors, the AI takeover, and the sneaky lies your web metrics might be telling you. We’ll get into what’s actually working (spoiler: word-of-mouth...

All marketers have heard absurd statements from bosses and co-workers. In this episode, we’re sharing stories from marketers about the hilarious and downright baffling requests, feedback and mandates they’ve gotten from on high: bosses and others in the C-suite, clients, know-it-all VCs and the beloved tech teams who think they can do marketing better.  From unrealistic expectations to bizarre fee...

Are we really at peak content?  An IG story is an IG story. A TikTok is…well, a TikTok. Calling everything content isn’t exactly strategic. It’s time to move away from lumping everything into one pile and treat our creations with more intention.  When you stop thinking about just creating “content” and start thinking about the message, medium and outcome, you realize there’s still room to create s...

Has your latest challenge reshaped your definition of success? If yes, you’ve likely unlocked a deeper level of growth. If not, it might be time to consider a new perspective. In a society fixated on constant achievement and proving our worth, what if the toughest moments—like surviving cancer twice—are the ones that teach us to embrace imperfection, laugh more freely, and trust the process? In th...

Did your content marketing achieve its intended outcomes? If YES, then it’s quality. If NO, then it’s not quality.  B2B marketers are obsessed with “quality” content. Some are obsessed with The Style Guide and are incensed by a missing comma (especially if it’s Oxford). Many are obsessed because they are stuck in an unofficial yet ongoing companywide debate about what makes High Quality Content an...

Ever feel like content marketing comes with way too much drama? Same, bestie. In this episode, we’re taking a closer look at those so-called “emergencies”—typos, broken links, chaotic launches—and letting you in on a secret. It’s never life or death. We’re going to share relatable stories of missteps, embarrassing moments, and the occasional PR hiccup. Because let’s be real—most “emergencies” are...

We meant to record an episode on influence vs fame, but instead we had it out about life in general right now and what we’re doing to thrive and cope. We know other folks are experiencing their own deluge of circumstance, so as per usual, we’re broadcasting our own closet monsters in the hopes that ya’ll might benefit.  Expect stories about giving up perfection, letting go of the need to control,...

Nobody wants to think outside the box anymore, and it is so boring!  While creators and solopreneurs have incorporated video, AI, newsletters, partnerships and more to diversify their product offerings and growth strategy, executives in B2B continue cowering behind old growth tactics.  While these execs complain about diminishing returns from SEO, social and paid channels, brave and curious brands...

In this replay episode, we dive into fear and what it can do when left unresolved. And spoiler alert, it keeps us from being productive, connecting with others, and ultimately from personal and career growth. It also never goes away and in fact, can become an even bigger obstacle as you progress in your career. Whether you work for yourself, run a team or a company, fear surfaces over and over to...

In this replay episode, we summarized the "state of marketing" and what we were looking forward to in the future. Are we there yet? You decide. But we can tell you we’re (still) looking forward to some genuine human connection and fostering authentic content creation in the coming year more than we are into slangin’ the same old worries we’ve been talking about (idk, marketing/exec alignment, AI t...

This replay episode might be one of our favorites of all time. Audacity - or as the kids call it: delulu.  You need more of it in your life. In this episode, we explore our own relationship with audacity, how to cultivate it, why it’s so elusive to maintain, and why it’s so important at this (and any point) in your career. Resources: Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.dontsaycontent.com/ Cre...

In this replay episode, we look back at a discussion we had in Q4 last year around the problems our CEO and founder friends face. Since many of their problems felt, at the time, like nothing new, you can see how we wanted to revisit these again this year. Because even if the problem isn't a new one, that doesn’t mean they aren’t any easier to handle. So we hope our discussion will help bring you b...

In this replay episode, we revisit the stories our CEO & founder friends shared with us last year about what topics are keeping them up at night. While they've probably moved on from these problems, they're still problems that plague many a founder and marketing department in our industry. We channel their full consultative skills and reference their experience in similar situations and roles...

In this replay episode, we take a look back on the content strategies of the past, and of the past/present when this was recorded (in 2023). Where is content marketing headed? Where has it been? What can we take with us into 2025? Things we discuss include personal branding, relatable content, and value-additive content—which never go out of style.  Connect with Devin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/...

We’re back! With a quick bonus episode before season 5 kicks off in January 2025. We’re keeping the feed rolling until then with some replays and bonus episodes to keep you company, and in this bonus episode, we’re catching you up on what we’ve been up to lately. Hope you enjoy, and see you in January! Connect with Devin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devinbramhall/ Connect with Margaret: https://ww...

In this replay episode, Devin and Margaret share stories from their experiences working with founders/CEOs in-house and agency-side over the last decade to discuss the issues at play in the CEO/founder and marketing leader relationship.  Some bigger themes they cover are the importance of shared language and understanding of metrics, how communication and trust impact the CEO/head of marketing rel...

Welcome back to Don't Say Content! While we gear up for season 5, we are re-releasing a timely episode on marketing attribution, AI in content strategy, and the evolution of SEO and brand awareness. To get even more specific, we dive into the ongoing debate over the relevance of attribution models, the necessity of integrating quality relationship-building content, and the balance between human-ce...

On this bonus episode, you'll hear our own Devin Bramhall in conversation with Alex Kracov from Dock on his show, Grow and Tell. They talk about how startups should be thinking about content, how she scaled Animalz, and how she grew our podcast, Don't Say Content. Check out Grow and Tell here: https://www.dock.us/grow-and-tell

In this replay, we're talking about one of those tough moments in leadership. You’re ready to hire marketing talent (either your first hire or a head of marketing), but you don’t have a background in marketing. What background do you look for? How do you set them up for success? We’ve seen the downward spiral of failure: your VCs/board giving bad advice, a lack of shared language around marketing...