Are Google Ads dead? The answer may surprise you. Digital ads - along with other performance marketing vehicles - can feel like a black box. Even for the most skilled at managing these campaigns, it can be difficult to predict the behavior of the algorithms.  However, new capabilities like AI (Artificial Intelligence) are making us smarter, more efficient, and ultimately helping us produce better results. We wanted you to learn from an expert who truly knows how to help you navigate the world of Google Ads & performance marketing, so we welcomed on Anthony Chiaravallo, the Founder & CEO of Vallo Media. They’re a digital performance marketing company that helps brands & agencies implement strategies that grow revenue. And as always, if you need Strategic Counsel, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com. FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ RESOURCES https://www.forthright-people.com/resources VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop

One of the best ways to grow your business more efficiently and productively? A strong brand. In this Quick Hit, we share what can happen once you have that established: you can capture attention without having to overpay for it & generate a powerful word-of-mouth engine. Check out the full episode here

Last time we spoke about Vigilant Leadership, we covered the first principle, The Landscape Reality Check. This time, we’re diving into the second principle, Strategies for Getting Unstuck: “What Must Be True” Action Planning. That is, how to action against the goals you established in The Landscape Reality Check. This involves looking at some common goals, setting up accountability checks, having a dashboard where you track & prioritize, and more. And as always, if you need Strategic Counsel, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com. FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ RESOURCES https://www.forthright-people.com/resources VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop

The misconception you can keep your head down, do work, and be noticed is simply not a thing. We’ve all heard it: “No one is going to manage your career for you.” And it’s so true! In this Quick Hit, we share how growing your credibility comes down to becoming a student of strategy and cultivating your personal brand. Hear the rest of the tips in the full episode here

Traditionally, being a spokesperson meant you were the person fronted for interviews with media. This is still the case, but the definition has broadened as the media channels have broadened. They are approached differently as the conversation is usually one-way, but should be intentionally curated all the same. How do you become a credible voice for your business when communicating across channels? We wanted you to learn from a brilliant mind in the space, so we welcomed on Peter Murphy Lewis, the Founder & CEO of Strategic Pete. They help CEOs turn marketing chaos into reliable growth. And as always, if you need Strategic Counsel, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com. FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ RESOURCES https://www.forthright-people.com/resources VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop

Nonprofits, listen up: brand can be your secret weapon. So, how do you capture attention with brand? In this Quick Hit, we reveal how it comes down to inspiring people to care & cultivating culture. Make sure to catch the full episode here

If you have listened to us before, you know Vigilant Leadership is a style of leadership we uphold as being the best for creating highly effective teams. Vigilant Leadership is an elite level of leadership that draws upon a hyperawareness of what moves a business towards success, while avoiding common pitfalls that get in the way - all while leading from a place of consistent, intentional action. In this episode, we’re breaking down the first principle of Vigilant Leadership, The Landscape Reality Check. And as always, if you need Strategic Counsel, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com. FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ RESOURCES https://www.forthright-people.com/resources VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop

Being a creative agency is always an adventure. There are so many challenges, but it can be some of the most rewarding work you’ll ever do. What are some of the biggest challenges today’s creative agencies face? Execution falls flat, and “brand” continues to be hard to explain and internalize. In this Quick Hit, we reveal what to do about these challenges. Check out the full episode here

There are many things that can distract even the very best leaders. Those include the lack of prioritization, leaning too far into empathy, the inability to give timely & direct feedback, and the desire to be liked over being respected. In these scenarios, it’s essential to maintain focus and strong strategic oversight. In this episode, we take our 40+ years of combined experience paired with the many leaders we have coached and contextualize what happens, why, and what to do about it. And as always, if you need Strategic Counsel, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com. FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ RESOURCES https://www.forthright-people.com/resources VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop

When we say “brand,” we mean more than your logo, colors, and fonts. We’re talking about the experience you’re creating and how it’s going to connect emotionally with your client, customer, or consumer. In this Quick Hit, you’ll hear Ron Novak. Ron is a Founding Partner and Principal at Drawing Dept, a full-service architectural firm that pursues a diverse range of work. Catch the full episode here

Humor in marketing is great in theory. But, it’s not great for every brand. If you’re using humor in your marketing, it needs to be strategically on-brand for who you are (brand story) and how you communicate (brand character). We wanted you to learn from a super creative screenwriter turned copywriter who knows all aspects of humor, so we welcomed on Emily McGregor, the Founder & CEO of PenguinCat Creative and Scrappy Ads. They’re a creative agency of marketing geniuses who craft copy so charming it’ll make you dance your pants off. And as always, if you need Strategic Counsel, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com. FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ RESOURCES https://www.forthright-people.com/resources VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop

Podcasting has grown a TON as a business-building tool over the past couple decades. But what does it take to start - and continue - an awesome podcast for your business or personal brand? In this Quick Hit, you’ll hear our podcast producer: Max Branstetter! Max is the Founder & Podcast Producer at MaxPodcasting, the Host of the Wild Business Growth podcast, and writes the Podcasting to the Max newsletter - where podcasting meets entrepreneurship (and terrible puns). Listen to the full episode here

Do you have a CRM system (Customer Relationship Management)? CRM tools have become a bit diluted over the years. But, a true CRM system can drive leads for your business like no other. We wanted you to learn from a bright mind who knows exactly how to make your CRM effective, so we welcomed on Jason Kramer, the Founder & CEO of Cultivize. They’re your CRM guru for sales, marketing, and agency teams. Visit AfterTheLead.com and use code: StrategicCounsel to get $50 off the Profit Path sales tracking tool. And as always, if you need Strategic Counsel, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com. FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ RESOURCES https://www.forthright-people.com/resources VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop

Too often, design becomes a purely creative exercise. This is a HUGE missed opportunity. In this Quick Hit, you’ll hear Paul Stonick, Founder of KICK Consultancy & Former Vice President of SCADpro - a collaborative design studio connecting current and future art and design professionals with business leaders to solve real-world challenges. He’s also a founding cohort member of Punks & Pinstripes, a private network of transformation executives. Make sure to check out the full episode here

The misconception you can keep your head down, do work, and be noticed is simply not a thing. We’ve all heard it: “No one is going to manage your career for you.” And it’s so true! Growing your credibility comes down to building advocates at all levels, becoming a craftsman of your trade, becoming a student of strategy, and cultivating your personal brand. Let’s make that credibility blossom. And as always, if you need Strategic Counsel, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com. FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ RESOURCES https://www.forthright-people.com/resources VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop

It helps to view social media through a marketing lens - whether you’re using it for your business or your personal brand. When you take this approach, it requires intention, a narrative, and a strategy. In this Quick Hit, you’ll hear AJ Kumar, The Digital Maestro at The Limitless Company. Catch the full episode here

There are so many powerful things you can accomplish once you have found your voice. Your voice is what breaks you out of the “I can’t do it” mindset. What you thought was once inconceivable and impossible becomes plausible and possible. We wanted you to learn from a trailblazer who’s used her voice to grow a super successful business, so we welcomed on Kari Warberg Block, the Founder & Chief Rebel at EarthKind. They’ve revolutionized pest control with solutions that are as kind as they are effective. And as always, if you need Strategic Counsel, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com. FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ RESOURCES https://www.forthright-people.com/resources VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop

Thought leadership - when done right - can be a fantastic way to build your credibility and bring in new business. But how exactly do you roll out thought leadership for yourself, your team, and your organization? In this Quick Hit, we welcomed on Joe Zappa, Founder and CEO of Sharp Pen Media. Check out the full episode here

What’s the key to breaking through and capturing attention? Finding new and unexpected places to connect with your audience. One of the most fascinating ways to do this is to create an experiential digital experience. We wanted you to learn from someone who’s doing exactly that, so we welcomed on Zack Sugarman, the Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) of SUPERPLASTIC. They’re the world’s top creator of animated celebs, vinyl toys, and digital goods. You have to check out Janky & Guggimon, DOPEAMEME, and AREA15 to believe it. And as always, if you need Strategic Counsel, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at: ForthRight-People.com. FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/forthrightpeople.marketingagency INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/forthrightpeople/ LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/company/forthright-people/ RESOURCES https://www.forthright-people.com/resources VIRTUAL CONSULTANCY https://www.forthright-people.com/shop

It’s the process you have a love-hate relationship with…strategy planning! In this Quick Hit, you’ll hear how to guide successful strategy planning by asking what you want to be when you grow up and what needs to be true in order to achieve it. Listen to the full episode here