The Duct Tape Marketing Podcast

With experience marketing over 1,000 books, Alex Strathdee (CEO of Shelf Life and author of Before the Bestseller), shares why most authors fail to sell books and what to do instead. From free reader seeding to building an author email list and launching with a strategy, he breaks down how to turn your book into a true business asset. If you're an entrepreneur or author looking to drive serious bo...

Carlos Gil, global marketing leader, bestselling author of The End of Marketing, and Brand Evangelist at GetResponse, shares bold, future-focused insights on why traditional marketing is fading and how humanizing your brand is the key to standing out in the AI era. We dive into the evolving role of AI in marketing, the power of employee advocacy, and why building authentic brand relationships will...

I chat with Len Silverman—seasoned entrepreneur, longtime Learning Center owner, and author of Mesh: Aligning Your Personal Brand with Gen Z . With over 30 years of business experience and a front-row seat to Gen Z's development, Len offers expert insights into how businesses can attract, engage, and retain Gen Z employees. We explore what makes this generation tick, why traditional hiring practic...

I chat with Keith Lauver—serial entrepreneur, product launch veteran, and founder of Atomic Elevator, the company behind the high-definition marketing platform Ella. With over $34 million raised for product launches and clients like Trader Joe's and Whole Foods, Keith brings deep expertise in strategic marketing and AI tools for entrepreneurs. We dive into how AI is transforming small business mar...

Struggling to navigate uncertainty in your business? In this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast , I sit down with Bill Canady, seasoned business leader and author of From Panic to Profit . With over 30 years of experience driving business growth and optimizing operations, Bill shares how the 80/20 rule can help you focus on what truly drives profitability and efficiency. We discuss strateg...

Struggling to outrank big competitors in Google search? In this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast , I chat with Sam Dunning, founder of Breaking B2B and expert in SEO for revenue—not vanity metrics. Sam reveals how businesses can escape the traffic trap, leverage long-tail SEO, and optimize for Google rankings that actually drive leads and sales. If you want to boost organic traffic, adap...

Want to know what it really takes to build a successful business? In this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, I sit down with Lori Rosenkopf, Vice Dean of Entrepreneurship at the Wharton School and author of Unstoppable Entrepreneurs: 7 Paths for Unleashing Successful Startups and Creating Value Through Innovation. Lori shares insights on the seven different paths to startup success, from...

Want to know where SEO is headed in 2025? In this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, I sit down with Bruce Clay, the "Father of SEO" and founder of BruceClay.com. With nearly three decades in search engine optimization, Bruce shares expert insights on how Google ranking, AI-generated content, and SEO strategy are evolving. Learn why quality content, usability, and brand mentions matter mo...

Agency growth consultant, author, and podcast host Max Traylor discusses how marketing agencies can dramatically increase profitability by focusing on existing client relationships rather than constantly chasing new business. Max shared strategies for improving client retention through smarter pricing models and positioning your agency as a true marketing leader for clients. This insightful discus...

Reddit's EVP of Business Marketing and Growth, Jim Squires, discusses strategies for small businesses and agencies to harness the platform's powerful community-driven marketing potential. Speaking on the intersection of targeted advertising and organic engagement, he reveals how brands can authentically connect with niche audiences on Reddit's unique platform. From smart ad campaigns to interest-b...

Traditional sales tactics not helping your business grow? On this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, I chat with Chuck Blakeman, a seasoned entrepreneur who's built 13 businesses across 10 industries and authored bestselling books. Chuck explains why focusing on relationships rather than aggressive selling can actually boost your revenue. He shares practical ways to leverage your network,...

Is Google stealing your traffic? In this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, I sit down with Rand Fishkin, co-founder and CEO of SparkToro and one of the most influential voices in SEO and digital marketing. We dive into the rise of the zero-click internet—where 60% of Google searches end without a click—and what this means for your SEO strategy, content marketing, and online visibility. R...

As a small business owner, you're constantly wearing different hats, from CEO to salesperson to project manager – but what's the secret to juggling it all without burning out? In this insightful episode, John explores the seven critical roles every entrepreneur needs to master, offering actionable advice for delegating, automating, and optimizing your business operations. His practical strategies...

Sara Nay sits down with Jane McCarthy, a seasoned brand strategist and author of The Goddess Guide to Branding . Jane shares her expertise on goddess archetypes and how businesses can use Carl Jung's archetypes to build a compelling and emotionally resonant brand identity. Learn how to align your brand strategy with the right archetype to attract your ideal customers, create authentic brand storyt...

Join me for a fascinating conversation with Mike Ganino where we explore the art of storytelling as a game-changing business tool. Mike, a dynamic keynote speaker and author of "Make a Scene," has left his mark on everything from viral TEDx talks to leadership training at powerhouse companies like Disney, Netflix, and Adobe. In our discussion, he shares invaluable insights on how mastering storyte...

Join me as I chat with copywriting expert David Garfinkel, the author of The Persuasion Story Code . Our conversation explores why storytelling in marketing creates deeper connections than traditional sales methods. David shares how the right mix of persuasion techniques and sales storytelling can transform your marketing strategies and drive business growth. If you're curious about how storytelli...

Emily McGregor, the creative force behind PenguinCat Creative, joins me to talk about the art of making marketing actually fun. Drawing from her two decades of crafting hilarious, high-converting campaigns for major brands and influencers. Emily shares her secrets for creating video content that doesn't just engage – it sells. Whether you're a small business owner or marketing pro, you'll learn pr...

Matthew McQuinn of Coldlytics shares his expertise in transforming cold outreach into a powerful lead generation engine for digital agencies and B2B companies. Through personalization and laser-focused prospecting lists, Matthew reveals how businesses can dramatically improve their outbound sales results while avoiding the common pitfalls that doom most cold email campaigns. This insightful episod...

Join Alex Smereczniak, founder of Franzy.com, as he and John Jantsch dive into the greatest generational wealth transfer in history, the growing trend of people breaking free from their 9-to-5, and how Franzy's transparent platform is helping individuals add to their portfolios or start their entrepreneurial journey at the perfect time, with the economy poised to boom. Today we discussed: [00:00]...

We are diving into the future of marketing in 2025 with Sara Nay, CEO of Duct Tape Marketing. Together, we discuss how AI is reshaping the marketing landscape and why blending cutting-edge technology with timeless human elements, like emotional intelligence and storytelling, is key to staying ahead. John shares actionable insights on hyper-personalization, defining your brand voice, and building t...

On this episode I had the opportunity to talk with Nick Sonnenberg, founder of Leverage and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Come Up for Air , to explore his CPR framework for transforming business productivity. Nick shares expert insights on fixing broken workflows, streamlining team collaboration, and helping organizations move from chaos to clarity. By focusing on Communication, Planni...

Join me for a fascinating conversation with with brand strategist Jacqueline Lieberman, founder of Brand Crudo and trusted advisor to industry giants like Google, Unilever, and Lexus. She introduces us to her groundbreaking Anti-Focus Group methodology, which transforms traditional market research by replacing sterile conference rooms with intimate VIP dinners. Discover how this innovative approac...

In this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, I interview Duncan Wardle, former Head of Innovation and Creativity at Disney. Duncan, who played a transformative role at Disney Imagineering, Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm, shares how he fostered a culture of innovation that reshaped the guest experience, resulting in breakthroughs like the Magic Band. As the author of The Imagination Emporium:...

In this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, I interviewed Robert Glazer, founder of Acceleration Partners, a global partner marketing agency, and author of the bestselling book Rethinking Two Weeks Notice. Robert is an expert in workplace culture, employee retention, and leadership. His work challenges outdated corporate practices and offers fresh strategies for creating thriving workplace...

In this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast , I interviewed Jay Papasan, a bestselling author, VP of strategic content at Keller Williams Realty International, and co-creator of The One Thing . Jay has dedicated his career to helping individuals and businesses achieve extraordinary results by simplifying priorities and mastering the art of focus. His expertise spans habit formation, goal se...