enVisioning Success

In this episode, Laura DiBenedetto and Julia Becker Collins discuss the pitfalls of DIY marketing and the importance of understanding when to outsource tasks. They explore the concept of opportunity costs, the risks to brand reputation, the inefficiencies of trying to do everything yourself, and the legal implications of marketing decisions. The conversation emphasizes the value of hiring experts to navigate these challenges and make informed decisions for business growth. Takeaways 1 - DIY can lead to lost opportunity costs. 2 - Time spent on DIY tasks can be more costly than hiring experts. 3 - Reputation management is crucial for business success. 4 - Outsourcing can free up time for business growth. 5 - Hiring a strategist can protect against poor investments. 6 - Understanding your strengths helps in deciding what to outsource. Ideas or Questions? Contact us on our website here, or our socials below! https://vision-advertising.com/contact/ Sign up for our newsletter here! https://vision-advertising.com/e-news... Chapters 00:00 The Cost of DIY: Understanding Opportunity Costs 07:45 Reputation Risks: The Importance of Brand Management 11:03 Efficiency Losses: Time Management in Business 15:26 Legal and Compliance Issues: Protecting Your Business 20:35 Leveraging Expertise: The Value of Hiring Professionals

In this episode, Laura DiBenedetto and Julia Becker Collins discuss the complexities of marketing and sales, emphasizing the importance of understanding the difference between sales pitches and actual marketing results. They explore the significance of long-term versus short-term marketing strategies, the necessity of expertise in the field, and how to identify empty promises made by salespeople. The conversation also highlights the value of conducting thorough research and checking testimonials before making hiring decisions in marketing. Takeaways: 1 - Salespeople may not deliver actual marketing results despite their charm. 2 - Long-term marketing strategies are essential for sustainable growth. 3 - Beware of empty promises and sales jargon in pitches. 4 - Research potential marketing partners thoroughly before committing. 5 - A good marketing partner should prioritize your success over their sales. 6 - Integrity in business practices is vital for long-term relationships. Ideas or Questions? Contact us on our website here, or our socials below! https://vision-advertising.com/contact/ Sign up for our newsletter here! https://vision-advertising.com/e-news... Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Marketing Challenges 04:58 Understanding Sales vs. Marketing Objectives 10:55 Long-Term vs. Short-Term Gains 15:59 The Importance of Expertise in Marketing 18:46 Identifying Empty Promises in Sales 25:47 The Value of Testimonials and Reputation Checking 30:34 Intro- Vision Advertising Podcast copy.mp4

In this episode of Envisioning Success, Laura DiBenedetto and Julia Becker-Collins discuss the common misconceptions surrounding DIY marketing, particularly for small businesses. They emphasize the importance of specialized skills in marketing, the high costs associated with amateur mistakes, and the critical role of strategy in achieving business success. The conversation also highlights the impact of brand perception and shares real-world examples of how poor marketing can lead to business failure. The hosts encourage listeners to seek professional help and avoid the pitfalls of trying to manage marketing efforts without the necessary expertise. Takeaways: 1 - DIY marketing often leads to costly mistakes. 2 - Specialized skills are crucial in marketing. 3 - Amateur mistakes can cost time and money. 4 - Brand perception significantly affects business credibility. 5 - Investing in expertise pays off in the long run. 6 - It's never too late to pivot your marketing strategy. Ideas or Questions? Contact us on our website here, or our socials below! https://vision-advertising.com/contact/ Sign up for our newsletter here! https://vision-advertising.com/e-news... Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to DIY Marketing Myths 06:04 The High Cost of Amateur Mistakes 12:14 Brand Perception and Its Impact

In this episode of Envisioning Success, Laura DiBenedetto and Julia Becker Collins discuss the often undervalued role of marketing in business. They emphasize the importance of understanding marketing as a specialized skill, the necessity of engagement, and the critical need for measurement and communication of marketing results. The conversation also covers the significance of market research and the value of highlighting customer success stories to gain buy-in from stakeholders. Takeaways: 1 - Marketing is often undervalued and misunderstood. 2 - Good marketing requires specialized skills and experience. 3 - Engagement is crucial for effective marketing. 4 - Measuring marketing success is essential for growth. 5 - Regular communication of results builds trust and buy-in. 6 - Highlighting customer success stories can persuade skeptics. Ideas or Questions? Contact us on our website here, or our socials below! https://vision-advertising.com/contact/ Sign up for our newsletter here! https://vision-advertising.com/e-news... Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Marketing Value 03:36 Understanding Marketing as a Specialized Skill 06:48 The Importance of Engagement in Marketing 09:24 Measuring Marketing Success 12:30 Communicating Results and Educating Stakeholders 15:45 Investing in Market Research 18:26 Highlighting Customer Success Stories 20:35 Conclusion and Key Takeaways

In this episode of Envisioning Success, Laura DiBenedetto and Julia Becker Collins discuss the importance of marketing efficiency and how to avoid wasted marketing efforts. They emphasize the need for a marketing audit, cutting low-performing channels, refocusing on high ROI activities, streamlining marketing technology, and encouraging feedback for continuous improvement. The conversation is filled with practical advice and real-world examples to help businesses maximize their marketing investments and achieve better results. Takeaways: 1 - Conduct a marketing audit to assess effectiveness. 2 - Cut low-performing channels to redirect resources. 3 - Refocus on high ROI activities for better results. 4 - Streamline marketing technology to reduce costs. 5 - Encourage feedback for continuous improvement. 6 - Make informed decisions based on data and feedback. Ideas or Questions? Contact us on our website here, or our socials below! https://vision-advertising.com/contact/ Sign up for our newsletter here! https://vision-advertising.com/e-news... Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Marketing Efficiency 03:00 Conducting a Marketing Audit 05:59 Cutting Low Performing Channels 08:59 Refocusing on High ROI Activities 11:59 Streamlining Marketing Technology 14:39 Encouraging Feedback for Improvement

In this episode, Laura DiBenedetto and Julia Becker Collins discuss the importance of automation in marketing, emphasizing digital delegation and the need for effective tools. They explore how to identify tasks suitable for automation, the significance of monitoring and adjusting automated processes, and the necessity of training teams to use new tools effectively. The conversation also highlights the balance between automation and personalization in marketing efforts, ensuring that human connection is not lost in the process. The episode concludes with a teaser for the next episode, which will focus on cutting out ineffective marketing efforts. Takeaways: 1 - Monitoring automated processes is crucial to avoid inefficiencies. 2 - Training your team on new tools enhances effectiveness. 3 - Balancing automation with personalization is vital for engagement. 4 - Regular check-ins on automated systems prevent costly mistakes. 5 - Continuous optimization of automated processes leads to better results. Ideas or Questions? Contact us on our website here! Sign up for our newsletter here! Check out our Socials and Blog! Visit the Vision Blog Our LinkedIn Our Instagram Our YouTube Our Facebook Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Automation and Digital Delegation 02:33 Identifying Automation Opportunities 05:07 The Importance of Monitoring and Adjusting Automation 09:03 Choosing the Right Tools for Automation 11:17 Training Your Team on New Tools 13:35 Monitoring and Optimizing Automated Processes 15:37 Balancing Automation with Personalization 20:43 Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser

In this episode, Laura DiBenedetto and Julia Becker Collins discuss the critical topic of delegation in business. They explore the challenges business owners face when learning to delegate tasks effectively, emphasizing the importance of hiring for character traits, setting clear expectations, providing necessary tools and training, establishing feedback loops, and fostering a culture of ownership within teams. The conversation is filled with humor and practical insights, making it both engaging and informative for listeners looking to improve their delegation skills and overall business efficiency. Takeaways: 1 - Delegation is essential for business growth. 2 - Trusting your team is crucial for effective delegation. 3 - Hiring for character traits can lead to better outcomes. 4 - Setting clear expectations helps in task delegation. 5 - Providing tools and training is necessary for success. 6 - Feedback loops ensure tasks are on track. Ideas or Questions? Contact us on our website here, or our socials below! https://vision-advertising.com/contact/ Sign up for our newsletter here! https://vision-advertising.com/e-newsletter/ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Delegation 03:38 The Importance of Delegation 06:39 Hiring for Character and Skills 09:31 Identifying Delegable Tasks 12:34 Setting Clear Expectations 15:37 Providing Tools and Training 18:34 Establishing Feedback Loops 21:45 Fostering a Culture of Ownership

In today’s episode, Laura and Julia explore how to grow and keep growing, whether you’ve started yesterday or just acquired something new. Our hosts discuss strategies that make your path to growth clear, comprehensible, and even easy, such as expanding beyond horizontal acquisitions, investing in automation, prioritizing consistency, and positioning your business as a thought-leading “difference maker”. Long term growth is a challenge, particularly when handling multiple brands, so tune in to learn how to grow faster and go further! Takeaways: 1 - Prioritizing consistency, quality personal touch and unified elements of design and culture for a brand, particularly a brand encompassing separate businesses, is key for long-term growth. 2 - Investing in systems and practices that simplify, accelerate or automate necessary business responsibilities can save time, energy and resources. 3 - Expanding outside of horizontal acquisition, and developing your business along with one in a differing sector can allow for valuable consolidation opportunities. 4 - Customize your organization’s media presence to respond specifically to consumer pain points and industry trends, and position your organization as a “difference maker”, proposing new ideas and strategies. 5 - Prioritize ability to pivot direction based on market feedback and changes, pay attention to and take advantage of new innovations in the space. Today’s Resource Recommendations: 01:34 - Episode 55, focusing on scaling post-acquisition. (https://youtu.be/8t9TySP6Oi0) 08:05 - Gusto, a service providing benefits, payroll and human resource management software. (https://gusto.com/) 12:48 - Laura’s current listen, Steve Jobs by Walter Issacson (https://www.amazon.com/Steve-Jobs-Walter-Isaacson/dp/1451648537) 14:42 - All Marketers Are Liars by Seth Godin (https://www.amazon.com/All-Marketers-are-Liars-Works/dp/1591845335) Ideas or Questions? Contact us on our website here! Sign up for our newsletter here! Check out our Socials and Blog! Visit the Vision Blog Our LinkedIn Our Instagram Our YouTube Our Facebook Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 04:55 - Suggestion #1: Establish a strong, unified brand. 07:01 - Suggestion #2: Invest in technology and automation. 09:02 - Suggestion #3: Expand into new markets. 10:14 - Suggestion #4: Develop a content leader strategy. 14:55 - Suggestion #5: Monitor and adapt 16:56 - Conclusion

In today’s episode, Laura and Julia tackle the aftermath of acquisitions — integration and scaling. Our hosts discuss best practices for growing your businesses together, like analyzing past marketing efforts and consumer data, merging campaigns, marketing to your existing audiences and maximizing consolidation. We know that after such a big step, you may not know where to go next — listen in to find your new direction! Takeaways: 1 - After an acquisition, seeking and employing collaborations or merging between the marketing efforts of your new and old businesses can save money, time and energy. 2 - Investigate the current marketing of your new acquisition and observe what is working, what may be losing you money, and what may need more time to fully mature. 3 - Utilize information from customer data to redefine, refine and specify your target audience, and create an accurate and refreshed avatar. 4 - Marketing your new business to your already-existing audience and consumer base, and marketing your existing business to your new audience and consumer base can produce great results with little effort or resources. 5 - Take note of opportunities to maximize consolidation within your new and old companies, especially when it comes to consumer avatars. Today’s Resource Recommendations: 11:30 - Our two arcs on avatars, episodes 9 through 13 and 25 through 28! 12:25 - Episode 54, which focuses on assessing the value of a target acquisition. Ideas or Questions? Contact us on our website here! Sign up for our newsletter here! Check out our Socials and Blog! Visit the Vision Blog Our LinkedIn Our Instagram Our YouTube Our Facebook Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction: Acquisition and the first ninety days 06:23 - Suggestion #1: Merge marketing efforts 08:30 - Suggestion #2: Optimize your marketing mix 10:37 - Suggestion #3: Leverage new customer insights 12:14 - Suggestion #4: Cross promote 13:27 - Suggestion #5: Focus on brand consolidation 16:56 - Conclusion

In today’s episode, Laura and Julia continue to dive into mergers and acquisitions — when you should, and when you definitely shouldn't. Our hosts discuss the red flags of a risky business, like shaky brand recognition, and strict adherence to tradition, and the green flags of a business ripe for the picking, such as a diverse consumer base, good staff retention strategy, and positive growth scalability. Expanding your entrepreneurship with a new acquisition can be both unpredictable and exciting — listen in today to make sure you can turn your gamble into gold! Takeaways: 1 - Seeing and analyzing pre-existing and step-by-step marketing information, such as spending habits and clients, and making data-informed decisions, is essential to gaining a full understanding of a business 2 - Evaluating market presence and analyzing an organization's reputation can give you a better idea of how to handle customer acquisition, scalability, selling and future client relations. 3 - Ensuring a business has the tools needed for future growth, such as automated systems, realistic growth expectations, and careful understanding of production or service, is essential for those looking to expand an acquisition. 4 - Noting particular elements of current customers, such as the diversity of customer bases, retention strategies, and any overreliance on specific large clients, can tell you about an organization's potential future. 5 - A business which is comfortable with adaptation and breaking with tradition, as well as trends and new technologies, is better equipped for potential future growth. Today’s Resource Recommendations: 02:48 - Episode 3, taking a comprehensive look at mergers and acquisitions. (https://youtu.be/HsuDK4uAxNA) 03:08 - American Psycho, the book and movie, discusses mergers and acquisitions… or something much more sinister?! 06:30 - Episode 53, focused on strategies and tips for selling your business. Ideas or Questions? Contact us on our website here! Sign up for our newsletter here! Check out our Socials and Blog! Visit the Vision Blog Our LinkedIn Our Instagram Our YouTube Our Facebook Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 04:35 - Suggestion #1: Analyze existing marketing channels 09:36 - Suggestion #2: Evaluate brand recognition 11:55 - Suggestion #3: Check for growth scalability 17:09 - Suggestion #4: Examine the customer base and retention strategy 20:49 - Suggestion #5: Assess marketing innovation 24:27 - Conclusion

In today’s episode, Laura and Julia get into the fine details of selling your business — and getting your money’s worth. Our hosts explore how online marketing, scalable marketing and clear financial metrics can find your perfect buyer, and get into surprising benefits of… firing yourself! When selling your business, it's important to get back all that you put in, so take a listen, and learn exactly what it takes to make your dream sale! Takeaways: 1 - Providing proof of brand and organization success through mediums like case studies, success stories and testimonials, can aid not with your reputation with buyers, but with customers as well — which can then be observed by buyers! 2 - Improving, upgrading, enhancing and polishing your online presence, to show off your strengths, reach, professionalism and loyal and engaged customer base, is an effective way to draw in buyers, and advance the buying process. 3 - Organizations with the ability to grow on their own merit, through streamlined or even automated systems for customer acquisition, are far more valuable than organizations that need outside help or assistance to grow. 4 - Utilizing and advertising scalable marketing systems in your current business reassures buyers that yours is an organization that is flexible and can remain successful throughout the transition and future shifts. 5 - Step-by-step, detailed metrics for each step of your business process, which can be directly and clearly attributed to specific business and marketing decisions, will inspire trust and confidence in potential buyers. Ideas or Questions? Contact us on our website here! Sign up for our newsletter here! Check out our Socials and Blog! Visit the Vision Blog Our LinkedIn Our Instagram Our YouTube Our Facebook Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction: The basics of selling your business… and firing yourself! 10:55 - Suggestion #1: Highlighting your brands strengths 11:57 - Suggestion #2: Improve online visibility 13:45 - Suggestion #3: Streamline your customer acquisition process. 15:08 - Suggestion #4: Develop scalable marketing systems 16:39 - Suggestion #5: Showcase financial metrics 20:53 - Conclusion

In today’s episode, Laura and Julia share five suggestions for professionals considering hiring accessible — but inexperienced — marketers for their organization. Our hosts discuss the value of understanding marketing’s complexities, from likes to licenses and legality, and valuing your employee’s expertise, which can be an investment for your organization. We know that you want the most bang for your buck — listen in to find out what marketing strategy is best for you. Takeaways: 1 - Experience as a consumer does not equal experience as a marketer, which requires experience and understanding of online marketing’s complexities. 2 - Experienced marketers bring in many benefits, including connections, resources and industry access, that those just starting out cannot provide. 3 - Marketing is a highly volatile and evolving industry, and continuing education and training of your staff and leadership can help you stay on top of the new best practices. 4 - Going with amateur, under-informed or under-experienced marketers can lead to serious problems, such as the loss of social media accounts, misunderstood terms of service, or even lawsuits or legal challenges over copyright and other regulations. 5 - Hiring an experienced marketer, and avoiding the time-wasting pitfalls that can haunt an inexperienced one, is a valuable way to invest in your business. Today’s Resource Recommendations: - Catrina, our Director of Marketing, posts insightful tips on her LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/catrinagardner/) - Episode 51, focused on mindful social media practices (https://youtu.be/tnQRHRsVsYs) Ideas or Questions? Contact us on our website here! Sign up for our newsletter here! Check out our Socials and Blog! Visit the Vision Blog Our LinkedIn Our Instagram Our YouTube Our Facebook Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction: Can my highschooler do my marketing? 03:37 - Suggestion #1: Understanding the complexities 05:40 - Suggestion #2: Value expertise 10:10 - Suggestion #3: Take advantage of training 13:20 - Suggestion #4: Consider the risk of amateur efforts 17:45 - Suggestion #5: Invest in your business 21:17 - Conclusion

In today’s episode, Laura and Julia share five strategies to employ when considering the cost-quality question of your marketing. Our hosts discuss the benefits of hiring the experts, avoiding costly mistakes, focusing on ROI, and frankly considering value gained over funds spent. We know you want to be smart about your budgeting — listen in to learn how best to invest your marketing dollars. Takeaways: 1 - The many elements that make up an effective and trustworthy marketing plan, such as data, time, expertise and plans from strategists, can rarely be cultivated or found cheaply. 2 - Make your marketing decisions with the long-term in mind — consider options that are specific, targeted and strategy oriented, rather than task oriented. 3 - Return On Investment metrics will allow you to identify which marketing strategies are performing best with your chosen audience, and which are stable and long-lasting. 4 - You have to spend money to make money — and if you don’t, you may end up paying anyway in the form of lost profits. 5 - Hiring experts to consult on important marketing decisions helps you avoid pitfalls and traps characteristic of cheap or under-informed marketing. Today’s Resource Recommendations: 5:13 - Episode 50, focused on websites and online presence (https://youtu.be/35E_PjNVX5E) 5:25 - Google Analytics is a great way to track your business and professional data. (https://developers.google.com/analytics) Ideas or Questions? Contact us on our website here! Sign up for our newsletter here! Check out our Socials and Blog! Visit the Vision Blog Our LinkedIn Our Instagram Our YouTube Our Facebook Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction: How “cheap marketing” works. 06:56 - Suggestion #1: Consider value over cost. 12:14 - Suggestion #2: Practice long-term thinking 15:08 - Suggestion #3: Focus on ROI 17:45 - Suggestion #4: Avoid hidden costs! 20:47 - Suggestion #5: Hire the experts! 23:58 - Conclusion

In today’s episode, Laura and Julia explore the world of business websites — and why a brand built solely on social media doesn't cut it. Our hosts discuss controlling your brand message online, the importance of owning and analyzing your own data, and why you shouldn't trust platforms like Instagram or Facebook to always be there for you. Creating a website can be daunting — we know, we build them! — but they allow you the control, security and creative freedom you need to rocket your organization to success! Listen in to learn all the juicy details! Takeaways: 1 - Unlike social media accounts, websites are entirely owned and operated by their organization, allowing for complete control over message, appearance and credibility. 2 - Data, especially consumer data such as email lists, can be protected and preserved on websites, avoiding issues like platform crashes or hacks. 3 - Websites support a variety of organizational success elements — data capture, stability, credibility, and more — that are necessary for securing leads, and gaining even more. 4 - Websites are immune to the numerous destabilizing forces that can affect social media, including hacking, crashes, or deplatforming. 5 - Effective websites exist in many ways, and organizations can customize their page based on their needs and budgets. Today’s Resource Recommendations: 04:36 - Episode 49, focused on online ratings and reviews (https://youtu.be/0suBKKaRaxg) 06:57 - Laura’s current listen, Steve Jobs by Walter Issacson (https://www.amazon.com/Steve-Jobs-Walter-Isaacson/dp/1451648537) 07:32 - Episode 48, focused on personal brands (https://youtu.be/8C3qJ383LeM) 10:14 - Our blog article “Business Bootcamp: Marketing When Social Media is Down” (https://vision-advertising.com/blog/2021/business-bootcamp-marketing-when-social-media-is-down/) 17:07 - Wordpress is a reliable and flexible web management system used to host websites, blogs, stores and other online media. (https://wordpress.com/) Ideas or Questions? Contact us on our website here! Sign up for our newsletter here! Check out our Socials and Blog! Visit the Vision Blog Our LinkedIn Our Instagram Our YouTube Our Facebook Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 02:35 - Suggestion #1: Ownership, credibility and controlling your message! 07:57 - Suggestion #2: The importance of owning your data 11:42 - Suggestion #3: Capturing more leads! 14:27 - Suggestion #4: Ensure your stability! 16:53 - Suggestion #5: Consider your wants and needs! 19:33 - Conclusion

In today’s episode, Laura and Julia tips and strategies to handle and leverage online reviews. Our hosts discuss the benefits of professionalism in the face of criticism, showcasing your positive online reputation, and review sites like Yelp, Facebook, and Trustpilot, which can boost your ratings and credibility with consumers. Online reviews, especially negative ones, can feel disconcerting or even tangential, but they can make or break your business — listen in to learn how you can get that five star rating, and benefit your business while you’re at it! Takeaways: 1 - Responding to reviews, negative or positive, builds credibility and relationships with your consumer base, as it shows you are attentive and appreciative. 2 - Utilizing outbound links, as well as review and social sites like Yelp, Facebook and Trustpilot, can boost the credibility of your website and improve its SEO performance. 3 - Treating reviews as critiques and suggestions for improvement can both elevate consumer’s view of you, and enhance your own business strategy and day-to-day. 4 - Encouraging reviews through direct communication from digital sales or in-person staff can boost your ratings and counteract any negative bias. 5 - Exhibiting and displaying your good reputation, whether with online reviews or in other forms, can boost your visibility and enhance your reputation further. Today’s Resource Recommendations: 03:50 - Our article on responding to negative reviews! (https://vision-advertising.com/blog/2021/marketing-psa-always-respond-to-negative-reviews/) And here's another one! (https://vision-advertising.com/blog/2023/business-bootcamp-answering-negative-customer-reviews/) 09:32 - Outbound links, aka “backlinks”, are hyperlinks on websites, or elsewhere on the web, that link back to your own site. 17:20 - Angi’s (formerly Angie’s List), and Houzz are sites where contractors can advertise their services. (https://www.angi.com/, https://www.houzz.com/) Yelp and Trustpilot are sites where businesses can receive ratings and provide further information for consumers. (https://www.yelp.com/, https://www.trustpilot.com/) 22:29 - Here is the first episode of our arc on marketing partnerships! (https://youtu.be/W39hmdylBzU) Ideas or Questions? Contact us on our website here! Sign up for our newsletter here! Check out our Socials and Blog! Visit the Vision Blog Our LinkedIn Our Instagram Our YouTube Our Facebook Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 02:44 - Suggestion #1: Respond to Reviews (positive or negative)! 09:23 - Suggestion #2: Boost your presence with reviews! 12:09 - Suggestion #3: Leverage for improvement! 15:36 - Suggestion #4: Encouraging more reviews! 23:06 - Suggestion #5: Showcase your reputation! 25:11 - Conclusion

In today’s episode, Laura and Julia share five suggestions for creating a successful personal brand. Our hosts discuss the benefits of tracking your online presence, structuring with adaptability in mind, learning from credible professionals, and utilizing controversy carefully. Brand building can have disastrous — or wondrous — effects on your business, so listen in, and learn how to create a profitable brand consumers trust! Takeaways: 1 - Ask for feedback from experienced, proven professionals in your field, and incorporate it into your pre-existing brand. 2 - Keeping track of your online presence, and utilizing tools like Google alerts, can give you an up-to-date and complex understanding of your evolving brand, and the brand of competitors. 3 - Examining the strategies and intentions behind your professional goals allows for a clearer and more organized understanding of your direction. 4 - Organizing your brand to allow for evolution and adaptation can enhance your performance in the ever-changing media landscape. 5 - Ensure that your online presence is professional, and utilize “hot takes” or controversy carefully and only when appropriate. Today’s Resource Recommendations: 04:00 - Episode 2, focused on creating strategic partnerships and collaborations! (https://youtu.be/8sZ4WeRsu38) 05:27 - Google Alerts, a great way to track your business and professional reputation. (https://www.google.com/alerts) 17:11 - 04:50 - Our first episode of four on personal brand! (Episodes 9 through 13, https://youtu.be/B6XDA59_0-U?si=XMhjvjKZCNIHsQQW) Ideas or Questions? Contact us on our website here! Sign up for our newsletter here! Check out our Socials and Blog! Visit the Vision Blog Our LinkedIn Our Instagram Our YouTube Our Facebook Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 02:03 - Suggestion #1: Consult with experts! 04:52 - Suggestion #2: Monitor your online presence! 06:43 - Suggestion #3: Reflect on your goals! 08:23 - Suggestion #4: Be adaptable! 11:45 - Suggestion #5: Avoid controversy (or don’t!) 17:06 - Conclusion

In today’s episode, Laura and Julia share five suggestions for professionals looking to boost the visibility of their personal brand. Our hosts discuss the advantages you can reap with public speaking and professional events, intentional networking strategies, and consistent, reliable and distinctive online posting and writing. We know that a personal brand can be difficult to found and fine-tune, so listen in to learn how to get started and keep your momentum going! Takeaways: 1 - Speaking at and attending public industry events helps to boost your profile, credibility and opportunity for relationship building. 2 - Writing, especially storytelling-based writing, on many platforms, can help to build an effective and notable personal brand. 3 - Investigate all social media platforms, and focus your time and energy on those used most by your ideal consumers. 4 - Networking without ulterior motives allows for a natural exchange of knowledge and aid within your professional community. 5 - Offering assistance to other professionals can create new opportunities for both parties. Today’s Resource Recommendations: 01:22, 7:11 - Our last two episodes on LinkedIn and personal brands! (https://youtu.be/36hanFo9PTY, https://youtu.be/NyMp4alIxXk) 03:55 - Julia’s Small Business Expo adventure! (https://www.instagram.com/visionadvertisingrocks/reel/CrBAmhbPf-H/) 06:08 - Julia’s Worcester Business Journal articles! (https://www.wbjournal.com/article/the-perils-of-ignoring-your-business-reputation, https://www.wbjournal.com/article/4-things-i-know-about-using-ai-in-marketing) 10:03 - Julia’s 2023 Small Business Expo talk on resources! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hB8iX8NIhIY) 17:39 - Follow Laura and Julia on LinkedIn! (https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraldibenedetto/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-becker-collins/ ) Ideas or Questions? Contact us on our website here! Sign up for our newsletter here! Check out our Socials and Blog! Visit the Vision Blog Our LinkedIn Our Instagram Our YouTube Our Facebook Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 02:16 - Suggestion #1: Engage in public speaking and events 05:50 - Suggestion #2: Write regularly, on many platforms 09:11 - Suggestion #3: Use social media wisely 12:51 - Suggestion #4: Network consistently and actively 17:14 - Suggestion #5: Give help 18:37 - Conclusion

Summary: In today’s episode, Laura and Julia share five suggestions for professionals looking to improve their business through LinkedIn. Our hosts discuss the benefits of engaging with other accounts, joining active groups, and using recommendations and endorsements, along with ways to optimize your profile. LinkedIn is already a helpful tool for many, but often its most productive tools go completely unused. Listen in and find out how to make LinkedIn work for you! Takeaways: 1 - LinkedIn creators can profit by getting eyes on their content. 2 - Profiles should be created mindfully with the audience in mind. 3 - Posting consistently and authentically boosts your content and profile. 4 - Engaging with other posts and profiles aids in creating new relationships. 5 - Professionals should make use of LinkedIn recommendations and endorsements. 6 - Joining and remaining active in relevant groups aids in creating new relationships. Today’s Resource Recommendations: 04:44 - Our previous episode! (https://youtu.be/NyMp4alIxXk) 04:50 - Our first episode on Avatars! (Episodes 9 through 13) - https://youtu.be/B6XDA59_0-U?si=XMhjvjKZCNIHsQQW Ideas or Questions? Contact us on our website here! Sign up for our newsletter here! Check out our Socials and Blog! Visit the Vision Blog Our LinkedIn Our Instagram Our YouTube Our Facebook Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 01:37 - How does Linkedin selling work? 03:45 - Suggestion #1: Optimize your profile 05:21 - Suggestion #2: Post consistently (and without AI!) 09:34 - Suggestion #3: Engaging with others 11:15 - Suggestion #4: Use recommendations and endorsements 12:51 - Suggestion #5: Join Linkedin groups 15:42 - Conclusion

In today’s episode, Laura and Julia share five suggestions for professionals looking to establish, refine and publicize their personal brand. Our hosts discuss the benefits of exploring personal style and habit to build recognition, creating the story and associations best for you and your organization, and distinguishing a chosen audience so you can appeal directly to them, their hearts, and their wallets. One can often overlook the professional appeal of their individuality, so tune in to learn how to use yourself to your advantage! Takeaways: 1 - A personal identity is how people know you, and the ideas people associate with you. 2 - Your personal brand should highlight that which makes you stand out, from your skills and experience, to your style and personality. 3 - A particular audience will require particular attention, outreach, content and attention, so ensure you are marketing to the correct audiences. 4 - Given that people connect with and learn through stories, telling your organization’s compelling origin and journey will help your target audience bond with your brand. 5 - Consistency in goals, content, service and quality builds engagement and rapport with audiences. 6 - Authentic and distinctive style, attitude and personal experience builds trust and connection with audiences, and draws those with similar attributes around you. Ideas or Questions? Contact us on our website here, or our socials below! https://vision-advertising.com/contact/ Sign up for our newsletter here! https://vision-advertising.com/e-newsletter/ Resource Recommendations: 09:48 - Our first episode on Avatars! (Episodes 9 through 13) - https://youtu.be/B6XDA59_0-U?si=XMhjvjKZCNIHsQQW 11:16 - The Six Habits: Practical Tools for Bringing Your Dreams to Life by - Laura DiBenedetto — Laura's book on personal happiness! Check out our Socials and Blog! Visit the Vision Blog Our LinkedIn Our Instagram Our YouTube Our Facebook Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 02:45 - What is personal branding? 05:41 - Suggestion #1: Understand your unique value! 08:09 - Suggestion #2: Define your audience! 10:12 - Suggestion #3: Craft your story! 15:00 - Suggestion #4: Be Consistent! 20:56 - Suggestion #5: Be true to yourself! 24:10 - Conclusion

In today’s episode, Laura and Julia share five tips to help professionals remain open to support and delegation in leadership and business. Our hosts discuss the benefits of consulting with experts, utilizing special interest or professional groups, prioritizing collaboration, and being aware of gaps in your own knowledge. Receiving and incorporating aid and the expertise of others is essential for a business to thrive, so listen in to reap the advantages of succor and collaboration! Takeaways: 1 - Be aware of gaps in your knowledge, experience, skills or expertise. 2 - Consult with experts and informational resources on subjects or projects that are unfamiliar. 3 - Maintain continuous professional education and work to improve new skills. 4 - Join and utilize professional support and education groups, networks and online spaces. 5 - Make use of teamwork and collaboration strategies with respected staff, organizations, leaders and fellow business people. Ideas or Questions? Contact us on our website here! Sign up for our newsletter here! Today’s Resource Recommendations: 12:15 - Grant Cardone — Entrepreneur who hosts training and professional groups. 14:17 - Tribes by Seth Godin — Excellent book on leadership and finding your business “tribe”! 14:59 - Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know by Adam Grant — Great book examining the crucial art of rethinking! Check out our Socials and Blog! Visit the Vision Blog Our LinkedIn Our Instagram Our YouTube Our Facebook Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 02:04 - Suggestion #1: Know what you don’t know. 04:40 - Suggestion #2: Consult with experts 10:30 - Suggestion #3: Keep learning and gathering skills 11:51 - Suggestion #4: Join special interest or professional groups 15:20 - Suggestion #5: Collaborate with businesses and professionals 18:31- Conclusion