Claim OwnershipThe SDM Show
Subscribed: 2Played: 26
Subscribe
© Rob Cairns
Description
The SDM Show discusses all things Business, Marketing and WordPress. This show was formerly known as The SDM Business, Marketing and WordPress Show.
637 Episodes
Reverse
In this podcast episode, host Rob Cairns and guest Bud Kraus discuss the implications of aging within the WordPress community. The conversation highlights the transition of the platform from a niche hobby to a mature global industry, noting that much of its foundational knowledge resides with older professionals. Kraus advocates for the creation of a digital hall of fame or memorial system to honor the long-term contributions of members after they pass away. They also explore practical concerns for aging tech workers, such as the necessity of digital succession plans and maintaining security credentials for family members. Despite feeling occasionally out of place at youth-oriented events, both men emphasize that staying active in tech provides purpose and liberation during their later years.
In this podcast episode, host Rob Cairns and marketing expert Bridget Willard discuss the strategic necessity of cleaning and maintaining digital marketing lists. They emphasize that scrubbing inactive subscribers from email databases improves deliverability and ensures engagement metrics remain accurate. The conversation highlights that quality over quantity is essential for business growth, as keeping disinterested users on a list can be a costly waste of resources. Beyond email, the pair explores segmenting social media and CRM data to ensure the right message reaches the appropriate audience at the optimal time. They conclude that consistent, empathetic communication is more effective than overwhelming potential customers with excessive notifications. Similarly, the speakers suggest that businesses should treat their digital presence with the same rigorous organization required in a physical retail environment.
In this episode, Stacey Hylen shares her strategies for helping entrepreneurs scale their businesses and "add a zero" to their revenue without the typical burnout-inducing hustle. Drawing from her experience working with Tony Robbins and Chet Holmes, Stacey explains how to identify "hidden profits" already existing within a business and how to use strategic positioning to move from a "commodity" to a "couture" service provider.
In an era dominated by AI and social media "walled gardens," Rob and Ryan discuss the dangerous trend of businesses relying solely on social platforms. They break down why owning your digital real estate—specifically a self-hosted website and an email list—is the only way to future-proof a business against platform instability, censorship, and "AI slop."
This podcast episode features an interview between Rob Cairns and Chris Kile regarding strategies for scaling a business while avoiding burnout. Kile shares his personal journey from a struggling entrepreneur to the founder of EO Staff, a company that connects business owners with virtual assistants in the Philippines. The discussion emphasizes that owners are often the primary bottleneck in their own companies and must learn to delegate repetitive tasks to regain their time. Kile explains how hiring offshore talent provides a cost-effective solution for handling administrative duties, lead follow-up, and executive support. The conversation also highlights the importance of personal branding, effective calendar management, and the role of AI as a productivity tool rather than a replacement for human connection. Ultimately, the sources advocate for a "work to live" philosophy by building sustainable systems and professional teams.
In this episode, Rob Cairns sits down with marketing strategist and author Anthony Gaenzle to discuss the "sea of sameness" in the corporate world and why human connection is the ultimate competitive advantage. They explore the practical steps to building a personal brand, the role of AI in content creation, and why patience is the most underrated marketing tool.
In this episode, Rob Cairns and RJ Taylor dive deep into the evolving landscape of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within digital marketing. They discuss how AI has shifted from a novelty to a mainstream tool, with RJ sharing a survey finding that 85% of consumers are now using AI for personal or professional tasks. The conversation explores the balance between automation and human creativity, the rising importance of brand differentiation, and practical ways to integrate AI into existing workflows like email and SMS marketing.
In this episode, host Rob Cairns sits down with regular co-host and marketing expert Todd Jones to celebrate the launch of Todd’s new book, "Musings from an Arkansas Storyteller: On Coffee, Community, and Stories that Connect Us." They discuss the creative process behind the book, the power of repurposing content, and how Todd used AI as a collaborative partner to bring his collection of essays to life.
This episode of the SDM Show features a deep dive into SEO strategies that extend beyond your traditional website structure. Rob Cairns and Warren Laine-Naida discuss how podcasts, video platforms, and newsletters serve as vital discovery vehicles in the modern digital landscape.
In this episode, Rob Cairns sits down with AJ Cassata, founder of Revenue Boost, to dissect the often-misunderstood world of cold outreach. AJ shares his journey from knocking on thousands of doors in New York to building a remote agency in Vietnam, offering a masterclass on how to turn cold emails and LinkedIn messages into high-value conversations without being "spammy."
Host Rob Cairns is joined by digital marketing expert Ryan Waterbury to discuss the strategic mindset needed for 2026. Rather than focusing on vague New Year's resolutions, the duo dives into the importance of measurable goals, time-blocking, and auditing business tools to maintain an agile and efficient agency.
In this episode, host Rob Cairns and marketing expert Bridget Willard dive deep into the concept of patience as a fundamental, yet often overlooked, strategy in marketing. They explore why small business owners and entrepreneurs struggle with delayed gratification and offer practical advice on shifting from a "feast or famine" mindset to one of consistent, long-term growth.
In this episode, Rob Cairns sits down with Henry DeVries, an author, publisher, and marketing expert, to discuss the transformative power of writing a book to grow a professional service business. They explore the shifting landscape of the book industry, the rise of audiobooks, and why being an author is the ultimate marketing tool for consultants and agencies.
Rob Cairns sits down with David Wilder, a media strategist and founder of Trust Point Exposure, to tackle the complexities of AI in 2025. They discuss the rapid transition of AI into the mainstream, its impact on the manufacturing and job markets, and why businesses must shift toward "Answer Engine Optimization" to remain visible in a search landscape dominated by AI overviews.
In this episode, host Rob Cairns sits down with content creator and filmmaker Jake Isham to discuss the evolution of storytelling, the impact of AI, and practical advice for entrepreneurs looking to build a digital presence.
In this podcast episode, host Rob Cairns and guest Todd Jones review the state of copywriting and digital marketing throughout 2025. They discuss the practical use of artificial intelligence in content creation, emphasizing that while AI is useful for summaries and social media posts, it often lacks the creativity needed for remarkable results. A significant portion of the conversation focuses on the power of storytelling, specifically the importance of developing a founder story to build human connections in a commoditized market. The speakers also address industry shifts, noting that customer experience and emotional targeting are becoming more vital as traditional digital playbooks lose their effectiveness. Finally, they highlight the potential risks of AI replacing junior-level roles, which could disrupt the long-term development of skilled professionals in the field.
In this podcast episode, Rob Cairns and Warren Laine-Naida review the evolving landscape of SEO as 2025 comes to a close. They highlight how artificial intelligence has fundamentally changed search by providing direct answers, requiring creators to structure content into clear, verifiable "chunks" for better visibility. The discussion emphasizes that while technical performance remains vital, successful digital marketing now relies on a holistic approach that connects a user-friendly website with active social media engagement. Laine-Naida argues that off-page SEO and genuine relationship-building are more critical for discovery than the specific platform or CMS used. Ultimately, the source advises businesses to prioritize trust and authority through case studies and facts rather than outdated tricks like keyword stuffing. The conversation concludes by reminding listeners that SEO is a long-term commitment requiring patience, adaptability, and a willingness to experiment.
In this podcast episode, host Rob Cairns and marketing expert Bridget Willard conduct a comprehensive review of the 2025 marketing landscape. They emphasize that small businesses must prioritize foundational stability, such as functional websites and accurate analytics, over flashy, expensive ad campaigns. The conversation highlights social media as a vital component of SEO, noting that active engagement on platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn helps brands stay relevant in AI-driven search results. They also discuss the nuanced role of AI, framing it as a tool that requires human expertise to produce authentic, high-quality content. Finally, the pair advises businesses to maintain human connections and exercise cultural sensitivity during times of global political turmoil.
In this podcast episode, Rob Cairns and Ryan Waterbury conduct a comprehensive year-in-review for 2025 while looking ahead to 2026. The hosts discuss the critical importance of customer support systems and the technical challenges of WordPress core updates during the busy holiday retail season. A significant portion of the conversation focuses on artificial intelligence, highlighting its role in streamlining agency processes and commoditizing traditional web development. They also emphasize the necessity of digital visibility and email marketing as essential tools for lead generation in an increasingly noisy online landscape. Finally, the duo explores the need for business backup plans due to recent major cloud service outages and the impact of evolving privacy regulations on data collection.
Episode 616 The Future of Work – Augmenting Humans with Practical AI. Cairns is joined by guest Derek Crager, the founder of Practical AI, to discuss the current state and future of artificial intelligence. The conversation centers on the rapid advancements in AI, such as the release of Gemini 3, and the hosts’ belief that AI is an augmentative tool rather than a replacement for human labor, citing historical technological revolutions like the printing press and the agricultural revolution. Crager explains that Practical AI, his enterprise-level product, is designed to provide practical, instantaneous, and secure knowledge to industrial manufacturing workers, functioning as a "Pocket Mentor" to reduce cognitive load and increase productivity. The discussion also touches upon the high failure rate of corporate AI adoption and the importance of educating the public about AI to diminish fear and skepticism.
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States