I'm one of those guys who can incorporate pop culture references into just about anything, but today, I'll be linking them to marketing, content and audience.

Pop culture can put marketing concepts in a fresh context that resonates in unique and meaningful ways. Today's examples include:

• How Miracle of 34th Street teaches a powerful lesson about brand attitudes and consumer behavior
• How The Truman Show demonstrates the disconnect between corporate speak and human connection
• What Coming to America's Randy Watson teaches us about social media
• Why Ted Lasso's and Roy Kent's communication styles tell us about self-awareness
• What Emperor Palpatine reminds us about copywriting

Even if you haven't seen one of these movies or TV episodes, these pop culture moments offer fresh perspectives on creating content that truly connects with your audience.

Professional photos can be the deciding factor when clients choose between experts. John A. Demato, a visual storytelling expert who works with speakers, authors, and consultants, explains why authentic photos can be a real game-changing difference-maker for their business.

Today, he'll share how strategic photography builds meaningful and impactful connections with your audience.

You'll learn:

• Why stock photos and generic poses are disrupting business opportunities
• How to think strategically about photos before the camera comes out
• Why being "camera ready" matters less than you think
• The key differences between smartphone snapshots and professional event photography
• Why your everyday business moments make compelling visual stories
• Why professional photos are an investment in relationship-building, not just marketing

Even if you think your business isn't "visual enough" for professional photography, today's show reveals how professional photos can improve how potential clients perceive and connect with you.

John's website - www.JohnDemato.com

On Linkedin - John A. Demato

While finding the right language is always a challenge in content marketing, some industries get stuck using the same words. In the higher education industry, it can be words like "student-centric."

Brian Piper is the Director of Content Strategy and Assessment at the University of Rochester and the author of Epic Content Marketing for Higher Education.

Today, we'll discuss the challenges and solutions around creating content that connects with today's prospective students and essential audiences, including:

• Why generic buzzwords are killing your message (and what to say instead)
• How to tap into your best marketing resource – the students already on your campus
• Smart ways to make online students feel like part of your community
• How insightful content like podcasts can change minds about higher education and reach multiple audiences
• Why playing the long game in content marketing pays off (and how to measure it)

Even if you're not a student, staff member, or university faculty member, today's show offers some excellent content marketing insights that are valuable for all content marketers.

Brian's website - www.BrianWPiper.com

Brian's Book - Epic Content Marketing for Higher Education

Brian on LinkedIn - Brian Piper

Brian's Podcast - AI for You

Hello! I was out of town last week, but I'm back now and booking guests for the rest of 2024. The next show will be in two weeks - October 23.

Cisco Talos Intelligence estimates that 150 billion emails sent globally are spam. Even marketers get a lot of spam!

So, if you're a marketer, how do you create emails that stand out from the spam, make connections, generate responses and develop long-term customer relationships?

Business consultant and author Ed Forteau helps service providers, entrepreneurs, and sales professionals build authentic relationships, and he's here to share some answers, including:

• Why personalization is more crucial than ever in cutting through the noise
• The shift from mass emailing to focused, quality connections
• Why your email strategy should align with other platforms like LinkedIn
• How to use content amplification to warm up cold leads
• The power of behavioral segmentation in boosting engagement
• Why understanding customer personas leads to more impactful communication
• How AI can enhance your email strategy without losing the human touch

Ed's website - EdForteau.com

Ed on LinkedIn - Ed Forteau

Ed's Book - No More Cringe

Ever wonder why some slogans, product names or ads stick in your head while others fade away? James I. Bond does, and he's written a book about it called Brain Glue. In today's episode, he shares:

• Why some ads make you flinch
• How a clever name can turn a copycat product into a goldmine
• Why men might want to buy a "Lawnmower" for their bathroom
• How fire helped a company boost its business
• Why rhyming, honesty and being blunt are good messaging strategies

These concepts and more stick to our brains because they connect to it where decisions really happen.

James' website - YesBrainGlue.com

James' book - Brain Glue on Amazon

James on LinkedIn - James I. Bond

After a short break (holiday weekend) - the show will be back next week!

Let's dive into the world of social care and digital customer engagement with Brooke B. Sellas, founder and CEO of B Squared Media and author of Conversations That Connect.

Brooke shares her extensive experience in leveraging social media to enhance customer experiences, focusing on proactive social care, the importance of quick and effective responses, and the role of social listening.

You'll learn how engaging in meaningful conversations can lead to ROI, why hyper-personalization is the future of customer interaction and social media content ideas that generate conversations and responses.

Brooke's company - B Squared Media

Brooke on LinkedIn - Brooke B. Sellas

Brooke's book - Conversations That Connect