This is the episode where most “marketing advice” gets called out and we get down to the organizational strategies that work for you.What if your website isn’t failing because of SEO, ads, or algorithms……but because it doesn’t mean anything to the person landing on it?In this episode, I sit down with James Weiss of Big Drop INC, to break down the uncomfortable truth about branding, design, and why most businesses blend in instead of standing out.James and I get into:-The difference between “looking professional” and being memorable-Why most websites repel the right clients without realizing it-How design quietly controls trust, pricing power, and conversions-What local and growing businesses should focus on before spending another dollar on adsIf you’re tired of marketing that feels loud but goes nowhere, this conversation will flip how you think about your brand, your website, and how people actually decide to work with you.🔗 Connect with James & Big DropJames Weiss on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesalex...Big Drop INC Website: https://www.bigdropinc.com/Big Drop INC on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/big-...👉 Subscribe if you want marketing that builds connections instead of just chasing clicks.💬 Drop a comment with the moment that made you stop and rethink your strategy.

How to DM Without Sounding Like a Sales Bot (or a Creep)
Most DMs fail because they lead with the ask instead of the value. In this Office Hours episode, I break down how to turn cold, awkward messages into warm, natural conversations that actually get replies.

If you are a business owner, creator, or realtor who wants real connections instead of muted inboxes, this gives you a simple system you can use this week.

What You’ll Learn:
• How to warm up a conversation before you send the DM
• Ways to add value that make people want to respond
• How to use mutual connections to build trust faster
• A follow-up method that turns chats into long-term connections

This Week’s Challenge:
Use one strategy per day and focus on building familiarity, not forcing a pitch. When the timing feels right, exchange emails or newsletters to move the relationship out of DMs and into your real network.

#WarmMarketing #EntrepreneurLife #RealtorMarketing #DMStrategy #BusinessNetworking #PersonalBranding #SmallBusinessTips #ContentMarketing #LinkedInTips #SocialSelling #BuildYourNetwork

Why Your Business Isn’t Showing Up on Google and What an SEO Expert Would Fix FirstIn this episode, I sit down with Joshua Thompson, founder of SEO Boise, to break down what actually makes businesses rank in Google Search and Google Maps.

We go beyond surface-level tips and get into how real SEO systems turn clicks into calls, traffic into customers, and visibility into long-term growth. If you run a local business, market for clients, or want to stop guessing what Google wants, this conversation gives you a practical roadmap instead of marketing fluff.👉 Joshua’s Website: https://relentlesslocalseo.com/👉 Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshualinked/Topics We Cover in This Interview• How local SEO really works behind the scenes and why most businesses misunderstand it• How to identify keywords that attract buyers, not browsers• The difference between ranking on Google and converting traffic into revenue• Common SEO mistakes that quietly kill visibility and trust with search engines• Building long-term search authority instead of chasing short-term hacks• Simple SEO systems that scale as your business growsIf you care about visibility that leads to real conversations, not just impressions, this one’s worth your time.🔔 Subscribe for weekly conversations with marketers, entrepreneurs, and business builders who care about systems, not shortcuts.And if you want to learn Warm Marketing Strategies for your business visit www.LiveLocalWarmMarketing.com

Video expert Graham Kuhn breaks down what actually makes video work, and why most marketing videos miss the mark.In this interview, Graham Kuhn shares how businesses can stop treating video like a trend and start using it as a real trust-building tool.Instead of chasing algorithms or overproducing content, Graham focuses on clarity, authentic storytelling, and using video intentionally so it actually connects with real people.In this conversation, we cover:• What most businesses get wrong before they ever hit record• How to sound natural on camera without scripting yourself into boredom• Why authenticity consistently outperforms polished perfection• How to use video to build trust faster with your audience• A smarter way to think about video as a long-term assetIf you’re a business owner, entrepreneur, or creator who knows video matters but feels stuck or frustrated with results, this conversation will give you a clearer path forward.👉 Connect with GrahamLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gkuhn1/Website: https://www.focusfilms.com/And Drop a comment with your biggest takeaway or what’s holding you back from using video consistently.And for more Warm Marketing content, visit www.LiveLocalWarmMarketing.com

Most marketing advice tells you how to attract more people.

This episode shows you how to attract the right people by repelling everyone else.

In this Live Local Office Hours session, I break down what I call The Magnetic Filter, a three-layer framework that helps entrepreneurs, marketers, and business owners stop chasing beige audiences and start building a brand that pulls in high-value, aligned clients who actually respect your time, your process, and your pricing.

If you are tired of “vampire clients” who drain your energy, ask for discounts, and ignore your systems, this episode is your wake-up call.

Here is what we cover:

1. The Anti-Avatar (Repulsion)
Why speaking to everyone makes your message invisible. Learn how to create “Not For You” posts, values stakes, and effort gates that quietly screen out the wrong people before they ever DM you.

2. The Origin Bridge (Relatability)
How to stop looking like a polished expert and start looking like a human your audience trusts. We walk through the Day Zero story, myth vs fact content, and how to use a shared enemy to instantly build connection.

3. The Level 2 Filter (Sophistication)
Why beginner content attracts beginners. Learn how to skip the basics, use “inside baseball” hooks, and speak directly to people who are already in the game but stuck on the nuance.

We finish with a Filter Audit you can run on your own brand today:
Who in your audience drains your energy?
What industry standard do you secretly disagree with?
If you could only work with five people this year, how would your marketing change?

This is not about more leads. This is about better conversations, better clients, and a business that actually fits your life.

If you are building a brand in a noisy, AI-saturated, copy-paste world and want your marketing to feel human again, this episode is for you.

Are you a leader or creator looking to cut through the noise and build a brand that lasts? In this episode, I sit down with Ray Hartjen, a marketing strategist, best-selling author, and master storyteller, to pull back the curtain on how to use narrative to dominate any industry. From SaaS and investment banking to professional racing and best-selling thrillers, Ray has proven that the right story is the ultimate competitive advantage.We dive deep into Ray’s "Immaculate Marketing" philosophy and his "Punch Today in the Face" mindset. Ray shares how he has navigated a five-decade career by constantly pivoting and why storytelling remains the only constant in a rapidly changing market. Whether you're building a business or facing personal adversity, Ray’s insights on resilience and brand authority are a masterclass in grit.In this video, you’ll learn:Storytelling as a Strategy: Why storytelling isn’t just "fluff", it’s the foundational tool for authority in everything from tech to sports.The Art of the Pivot: How to successfully transition your expertise across wildly different industries (and why your "tribe" is your greatest asset).#PunchTodayInTheFace: How to cultivate a relentless, resilient mindset when facing professional setbacks or personal health battles.Writing for Authority: Ray’s process for publishing best-sellers and how a book can become your most powerful business card.Connect with Ray Hartjen: Website: https://rayhartjen.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rayhartjen/ Ray’s Books: https://rayhartjen.com/store

Are you an entrepreneur looking to scale your business using a book? In this episode, I sit down with Steve Booth, the powerhouse behind Genius Publishing Studio, to pull back the curtain on effective book marketing and high-impact writing.We dive deep into why a book is the ultimate "qualifying tool" for your business and how to move away from the "cold outreach grind" by becoming an established authority in your niche. Steve shares his 28+ years of experience in editing, design, and publishing to show you how to turn your expertise into a lead-generating machine.In this episode, you’ll learn:The ROI of a Book: Why writing a book is about more than just sales, it's about qualifying your ideal clients.Effective Book Marketing: How to reach a broader audience without losing your authentic voice.Quality Over Volume: Why professional editing and design are non-negotiable for entrepreneurs.The "Genius" Approach: How to use your writing to educate prospects before you ever hop on a discovery call.Connect with Steve Booth:Website: https://geniuspubstudio.substack.com/about

Are you tired of potential clients "ghosting" your funnels? Most entrepreneurs focus on adding more information, but the secret to high conversion isn't more data—it’s less friction.In this week’s Office Hours, we dive deep into the 5 Friction Killers. These are the exact shifts you need to make in your marketing systems to move a prospect from "just looking" to "ready to buy" without the digital exhaustion.What You’ll Learn:In this replay, we break down the Warm Marketing System approach to lead magnets and landing pages:- One Action Only: Why offering "next steps" too early kills your conversion.-Shrink the Commitment: The "Coffee Test"—would someone do this while waiting for a latte?-Remove the Login Wall: Why email gates are friction and how to deliver value before you ask for the click.-Orientation Over Information: Helping your avatar locate themselves in the problem rather than giving them a textbook.-The ONE Clear Next Step: How to avoid the "Calendar Ambush" and lead them to the natural next phase.Every week, I host a live session for entrepreneurs to audit their marketing, simplify their systems, and build "warm" journeys that respect the customer’s time and intelligence.Subscribe to the channel to catch the next live session by going to www.LiveLocalWarmMarketing.com and using the code AlwaysWinning at checkout for a heavy discount on the first month.