Marketing From X 2 Z: Digital marketing strategy and tips to help you grow your small business

Hosting an event — but worried no one will show up? In this episode of Marketing from X to Z , Liz Bachman (Wildflower Social Media) and Mike Albuquerque (Bear Double) break down the fundamentals of event marketing and how to promote an event effectively so people actually attend. Many businesses assume that if they create an event and post about it online, people will automatically show up. In re...

Episode Summary TikTok has officially been sold, and the short-form video landscape is shifting. In this episode, Liz and Mike walk through what the sale means for everyday users, content creators, and small business owners — covering everything from algorithm changes to data privacy concerns and what platforms you should have on your radar. Key Takeaways TikTok's algorithm is being retrained on A...

In this episode of Marketing From X to Z , Mike and Liz reflect on the marketing strategies and tactics that actually worked in 2025 — and why they mattered. From scalable website builds to serialized social content, email newsletters, paid ads, and hyper-local SEO, this conversation focuses on practical approaches that delivered real results for small businesses. Rather than chasing every new tre...

Instagram keeps changing, but the fundamentals are clearer than ever: make content people want, not posts the algorithm might tolerate. Liz (social strategy) and Mike (branding/web) unpack what’s new and what lasts—trial reels, longer watch times, smarter keyworded captions, fewer hashtags, DM-first engagement, and why “comfort creators” are winning over mega-polished feeds. You’ll learn Why quali...

Business associations, chambers, and networking groups aren’t just “another small business.” Their marketing lives at the intersection of events, membership, and community value. Mike (branding/web) and Liz (social strategy) break down what actually drives growth: clear goals (events vs. membership), friction-free information, repeatable systems, and simple campaigns that turn event interest into...

SEO can feel intimidating and jargon-heavy, but it does not have to be. Mike (branding/web) and Liz (social strategy) break down what small business owners actually need to know: what SEO is, what it is not, why it is a long-term play, and which few actions move the needle. We cover foundational setup, common myths, “black hat” shortcuts to avoid, how AI is changing search behavior, and simple way...

It’s a new year, but you don’t need a whole new marketing plan. Mike (branding/web) and Liz (social strategy) break down what’s changing in 2026 and what still works: consumer-first messaging, storytelling that actually educates, smarter use of AI and automation, long-form’s comeback, and the danger of putting all your eggs in one channel. You’ll learn - Why consumer-first always wins and how to s...

Happy New Year! Mike (branding/web) and Liz (social strategy) unpack the biggest small-business marketing lessons from 2025 and how to apply them right away. We cover the rise of AI and AI-SEO, why storytelling beats listicles, when quantity vs. quality matters by industry, why putting all your eggs in one channel is risky, and how to simplify tools, automation, and audits so you can grow with les...

An audit is not a full strategy overhaul—it is a clear-eyed check of what worked, what didn’t, and what to adjust. In this episode, Mike (branding/web) and Liz (social strategy) share a practical end-of-year (or any-time) marketing audit you can actually finish. We cover which metrics matter at each funnel stage, how to avoid common audit traps, and when to double down versus pivot—without blowing...

The holidays compress time and crank up pressure—and your marketing doesn’t need to pile on. Mike (branding/web) and Liz (social strategy) share practical ways to stay visible without overcommitting: plan ahead, schedule the essentials, repurpose what already works, and set clear boundaries so you can actually enjoy the season. You’ll learn Why consistency moves your business more than one-off hol...

This episode takes the year-in-review from Part 1 and turns it into a clear plan for the next 12 months. Mike (branding/web) and Liz (social strategy) revisit your ideal customer, set direction, choose a guiding theme, define 3–5 SMARTER goals, and break them into quarterly and monthly targets. We also share simple accountability habits so your plan has a cadence—not just good intentions. You’ll l...

Before you set goals for next year, you need a clear look at this one. In this first half of a two-part series, Mike (branding/web) and Liz (social strategy) walk through a simple year-in-review process: celebrating wins, surfacing challenges, capturing lessons learned, and pulling out the metrics that matter. This reflection sets up Part 2 next week, where we will turn insights into concrete goal...

Looking to reach more nearby customers? In this episode, we explain local SEO for small businesses—how to improve your chances of showing up in the Google Maps pack and in AI/Gemini answers, and how to turn more “near me” searches into qualified inquiries. Mike (branding/web) and Liz (social strategy) walk through a practical approach that covers keyword research, service + city landing pages, Goo...

This conversation is a Thanksgiving-week reset: what worked, what didn’t, and the practices we’re keeping. Mike (branding/web) and Liz (social strategy) share the business lessons they’re thankful for—content habits, relationship-building, refocusing on core work, and turning challenges into systems. You’ll learn Why reflection matters and how to turn a tough year into a better plan How strategic...

Word-of-mouth isn’t magic—it’s a strategy. Mike (branding/web) and Liz (social strategy) break down how to earn and organize referrals without feeling salesy. From picking the right rooms to show up in, to creating simple touch points, to tracking who sends what, you’ll learn how to turn relationships into a reliable pipeline. You’ll learn Why “one platform/one room” thinking is risky and how WOM...

Market research doesn’t have to be expensive or intimidating. Mike (branding/web) and Liz (social strategy) break down practical ways small businesses can validate ideas, learn what customers actually want, and turn insights into better messaging—without big reports or pricey tools. You’ll learn Why assumptions cost money and how lightweight research closes the gap Fast, low-cost methods: Instagra...

Putting all your marketing eggs in one social basket is risky. Mike (branding/web) and Liz (social strategy) explain why platform dependence can backfire and how to diversify smartly—without doubling your workload. You’ll learn how to use owned channels as a safety net, repurpose content across platforms, choose the next-best channel based on your audience and format, and set simple guardrails if...

In Episode 10 (technically 11 because of our mini episode), Mike (branding/web) and Liz (social strategy) break down what to track, what to ignore, and how to tie metrics directly to your business goals so you’re not just reporting—you’re learning. You’ll learn How to map business goals to a small set of metrics that matter Why follower counts and likes are usually vanity metrics Which social metr...

Getting “Google-bombed” with sudden, illegitimate 1-star reviews? In this quick mini episode, Mike and Liz walk through what to do right away, how to reply when a review is real (but negative), and how to rebound with a steady, ethical review flow that restores trust. You’ll learn Why fake review spikes happen—and why they’re so damaging to small businesses. The fast triage: how to flag/report ill...

Big budgets are nice—not necessary. In this episode, Mike (branding/web) and Liz (social strategy) share how early-stage and still-growing small businesses can market effectively without overspending. From documenting your journey on social to standing up a basic website/GBP, email touchpoints, and content that compounds, we cover what to do now, what to delay, and how to know if it’s working. You...

Marketing shouldn’t steal your sanity. In this episode, Mike (Gen X, branding/web) and Liz (Gen Z, social strategist) break down the marketing systems that keep you consistent—batching, simple workflows, and right-sized tools—so you can grow without living online 24/7. You’ll learn Why marketing feels chaotic (noise, mixed advice, tool overload) and how systems fix it What to systematize first: sc...

Marketing shouldn’t feel icky. In this conversation, Mike (Gen X, branding/web) and Liz (Gen Z, social strategist) unpack how to promote your business with integrity—so you’re visible, valuable, and clear without the pushy vibes. You’ll learn Audience-first, not me-first: speak to problems solved, outcomes, and fit—let buyers decide. Where the “salesy ick” comes from—and how to separate discomfort...

Websites don’t convert because they’re pretty—they convert because they’re clear and customer-focused. In this conversation, Mike (Gen X, branding/web) and Liz (Gen Z, social strategist) dig into what actually moves a visitor to act: messaging, structure, and simple changes that remove friction. You’ll learn Make it about the customer: lead with problems solved, outcomes, and “what’s in it for me,...

AI isn’t your strategy—it’s a tool. In this conversation, Mike (Gen X, branding/web) and Liz (Gen Z, social strategist) dig into how small businesses can use AI to work smarter without losing their voice, judgment, or trust. You’ll learn AI as partner, not pilot: Treat it like an intern—you remain the decision-maker. Hype vs. reality: Where AI truly saves time (research, summarizing, outlining) an...

Social media isn’t just a task. It’s a system. In this conversation, Mike (Gen X, branding/web) and Liz (Gen Z, social strategist) break down how small businesses can use social without letting it run their lives: what to ignore, what to focus on, and how to build a workflow that actually sticks. You’ll learn Social ≠ personal: Your feed isn’t a journal; day-in-the-life works only when it serves a...