Big Bad Marketing Podcast

If your business is growing but you feel like you’re working more than ever… there’s a good chance you’re still doing everything yourself.Client work. Emails. Scheduling. Content. Admin. Tech problems. Random little tasks that seem harmless on their own but pile up fast.And here’s a big bad truthbomb for you: you can’t scale a business if you’re responsible for every single task.At some point, your time becomes the bottleneck.In this episode, we break down the first tasks you should automate, delegate, or outsource as your business grows so you can free up time without sacrificing quality or efficiency.We talk about what you should never delegate as a small business owner, the first three tasks almost every business should offload, and the surprising next two things to hand off as your company grows.If you want your business to grow beyond the number of hours you personally have in a day, this episode is for you.In this episode, we talk about:• Why doing everything yourself eventually stalls your business growth• What small business owners should keep vs delegate• The first 3 tasks almost every business should automate or outsource• Why scheduling automation is one of the fastest productivity wins• How to offload repetitive admin work without losing control• The right way to outsource content without losing your voice• Two surprising tasks you should delegate as your business grows• How to know when it’s financially smart to start outsourcingOther stuff we mention in this episode:How to be the face of your brand:https://www.bigbadmarketing.com/blog/how-to-be-the-face-of-your-brand👉 Sign up for the Big Bad Marketing newsletterhttps://www.bigbadmarketing.com/newsletter

We're taking you out of an overwhelmed state by helping you figure out the next three things that actually matter in your business. And wer'e doing it all in less than 30 minutes!We cover:How to do a brain dump that actually clears mental clutterWhy stepping away from your list can help you think more clearlyHow to categorize and prioritize without spiralingWhy your to-do list should never have 27 “top priorities”How to identify the smallest next step for each taskWhy doing less might actually be the best answerHow systems, automation, and outsourcing can help you get your time back👉 Sign up for the Big Bad Marketing newsletter at https://www.bigbadmarketing.com/newsletter

You got the lead. Someone called, DM'd, emailed, or filled out your website form. Your marketing worked! YAY YOU!!Then, y'all have a great conversation and then...crickets.In this episode, we’re talking about one of the easiest ways to make more sales without creating more content, running more ads, or redoing your website. And it's as easy as following up. We break down why so many small business owners avoid it, how to do it without feeling pushy or cringey, and the super simple system you can use to make sure leads don’t disappear into the void.We cover:Why following up matters more than most people thinkWhat prospects usually mean when they go quietHow to follow up without sounding salesyWhy a “no” is still useful feedbackA simple spreadsheet system to track follow-upsWhat to do this week if you’ve let leads slip through the cracks👉 Sign up for the Big Bad Marketing newsletter at https://www.bigbadmarketing.com/newsletter

If your marketing feels scattered, it might be because you’re trying to show up everywhere at once.You might be on Instagram, sending emails, attending multiple in-person networking events every month, optimizing your website for Google (SEO), running paid ads, asking for referrals, recording podcasts, and now you're stretched so thin across so many platforms that marketing feels like a full-time job on top of actually running your business!In this episode, we’re breaking down inbound vs. outbound marketing and why you don't need to be on 5 or more channels to grow. You need one place where people can discover you and one way you actively reach out to them.We cover:What a marketing channel actually isThe difference between inbound and outbound marketingWhy trying to do too many channels creates overwhelmHow one inbound and one outbound channel can work togetherThe 3 questions to ask before choosing your channelsWhy consistency matters more than doing everything👉 Sign up for the Big Bad Marketing newsletter at https://www.bigbadmarketing.com/newsletter

If you feel like your marketing isn't working, it might be becuase you're talking about what you do instead of the problem your customer is trying to solve.In this episode, we’re breaking down what pain points really are, how to identify your customer’s real frustrations, and how to use them so your marketing stops sounding like a pitch and starts sounding like relief.We cover:What a pain point actually is (and what it’s not)Why most small business messaging misses the markReal examples from service-based businesses5 questions to uncover your customer’s true painHow to use pain points in your offer, branding, and content👉 Sign up for the Big Bad Marketing newsletter at https://www.bigbadmarketing.com/newsletter

Feel busy all day, but your business isn’t actually growing?It’s probably not because you need to work harder. It’s probably because you don’t know what to focus on next.In this episode, we break down the 4-stage growth framework we use to help small business owners stop doing random “busy work” and start doing the tasks that actually drive revenue.We cover:How to know what stage your business is inWhat to focus on daily at each stageWhy most people are doing visibility and promotional tasks too earlyA simple filter to decide if a task is worth your time10 growth activities that work at almost any stageGrowth isn’t about doing more.It’s about doing the right things in the right order.If you’re a small business owner with limited time and a limited budget, this episode will give you clarity on your next best move.👉 Join our newsletter for monthly marketing insights:https://www.bigbadmarketing.com/newsletterAnd here are some other helpful resources mentioned in this episode:How To Create A Compelling Offerhttps://www.bigbadmarketing.com/blog/how-to-create-a-compelling-offerHow To Do Small Business Email Marketing Righthttps://www.bigbadmarketing.com/blog/how-to-do-small-business-email-marketing-rightHow Do You Choose The Right Social Channels For Your Businesshttps://www.bigbadmarketing.com/blog/how-do-you-choose-the-right-social-channels-for-your-businessHow To Get Stellar Testimonials To Promote Your Brandhttps://www.bigbadmarketing.com/blog/how-to-get-stellar-testimonials-to-promote-your-brand

Being the face of your brand sounds good in theory until you actually have to show up and post your photo, or share your opinion, or talk about what you do, or sell something with your name attached to it (eeeek!!).In this BBM Unfiltered episode, we’re talking honestly about what it feels like to be the face of your business.We cover:Why personal visibility feels so vulnerableThe difference between ego marketing and leadershipHow to show up without oversharing your lifeWhy hiding is usually costing you more than you thinkHow to make being the face of your brand feel aligned👉 Sign up for the Big Bad Marketing newsletter at https://www.bigbadmarketing.com/newsletter

You have a clear offer (and YAY!), you’re finally ready to sell it. But asking someone to pay you thousands of dollars the first time they hear about you? That feels like a big leap.In this episode, we’re breaking down how to turn your offers into a simple, logical sales funnel that takes someone from “just found you” to “yes, I’m in.” No 97-step nonsense. Just a service-based funnel that respects how real humans actually buy.In this episode, we cover:What a sales funnel really is and why your business needs one (We go into way more detail in these two episodes about what a sales funnel is and how to build one)Why people rarely buy the first time they hear about youHow to define your core offer before building anything elseThe commitment ladder that builds trust without pressureHow to create a value-heavy warm-up layerWhat most service businesses forget after the sale👉 Sign up for the Big Bad Marketing newsletter at https://www.bigbadmarketing.com/newsletter

If you’ve ever said, “I just don’t have time to market my business,” what you probably meant was: you’re stretched thin, you’re doing everything, and marketing keeps getting pushed to nights, weekends, or never.In this episode, we break down five ways to make the most of the limited time you do have to market your business, without waking up at 5 am, being on ever more platforms, or burning yourself out. This is about fewer, smarter moves that actually lead to leads, sales, and momentum.In this episode, we cover:Why the problem usually isn’t time, but the tasks you're choosing to focus onThe difference between effort-based and outcome-based marketingHow to choose one high-leverage marketing channelWhy batching beats multitasking every timeHow to separate visibility from conversionHow to create a realistic marketing rhythm you can actually sustain👉 Sign up for the Big Bad Marketing newsletter at https://www.bigbadmarketing.com/newsletter

A lot of marketing advice is built around trends, algorithms, and posting constantly just to stay visible. It might work for a moment, but then it disappears, and you’re right back on the hamster wheel.In this episode, we’re talking about evergreen content: what it actually is, why it matters so much for small business owners, and how to create marketing assets that keep working long after you hit publish.We cover:What evergreen content really means (and what it doesn’t)Why chasing trends leads to burnout and inconsistent resultsWhere evergreen content works best (and where it doesn’t)How to create high-value content without overthinking itHow to turn one strong piece of content into many (also check out our episode on how to create once and publish everywhere aka COPE!)👉 Sign up for the Big Bad Marketing newsletter at https://www.bigbadmarketing.com/newsletter

When was the last time you looked at your homepage like a total stranger? Not as the business owner who built it late at night with caffeine and Canva, but as someone clicking your link for the very first time.In this episode, we’re breaking down Home Page 101. We talk about the actual job of your homepage, the biggest mistakes small business owners make, and what matters most right now if you’re building with a real-world budget.We cover:The one job your homepage needs to doWhat a homepage is (and definitely is not)The non-negotiables every great homepage needsWhat you can stop stressing aboutBest practices for 2026 and beyond👉 Sign up for the Big Bad Marketing newsletter at https://www.bigbadmarketing.com/newsletter

In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on what it actually looks like to run a remote, asynchronous business and the real-life systems, tradeoffs, and mindsets that keep things moving when life is loud.We talk about:Why we intentionally built Big Bad Marketing as a remote, async businessThe systems that matter more than being “always online”How work still moves even when routines disappearWhat clients actually care about (hint: not your availability)The honest tradeoffs of flexibility and freedomWhy clarity beats constant communication👉 Sign up for the Big Bad Marketing newsletter at https://www.bigbadmarketing.com/newsletter

If you’re sending people to your website and hoping they “figure it out,” this episode is for you.In this episode of the Big Bad Marketing Podcast, we’re breaking down how to DIY a landing page that actually does its job by getting someone to take one clear action.We talk through:What a landing page actually is (and how it’s different from your website)Why sending traffic to your homepage usually kills conversionsHow fewer options lead to better resultsWhat needs to be above the fold to keep people from bouncingHow to match your message to the action you want someone to takeWhy clarity matters more than clever copy or pretty designWe also share real-world examples of how small businesses can use landing pages to test offers, compare channels, and make smarter decisions about what’s actually working without overcomplicating their setup.Join the Big Bad Marketing newsletter at bigbadmarketing.com/newsletter for practical marketing guidance we don’t share anywhere else.And if this episode helped something click, be sure to like, subscribe, and share it with a business owner who’s still sending everyone to their homepage and crossing their fingers.

This is an honest conversation about capacity, priorities, and learning to trust the season your business is actually in. We dig into why so many business owners feel behind even when they’re doing the right things, how mental clutter creates decision fatigue, and why not everything that matters needs to be done right now.We also talk about:The difference between “important” and “urgent”Why having ideas doesn’t mean you need to act on all of themLetting go of the pressure to be ready for everything at onceBuilding boundaries around your time, energy, and focusMaking decisions that support your real life, not an imaginary future version of your businessThis episode is for the business owner who feels stretched thin, overwhelmed by possibilities, or stuck in a loop of “I’ll get to that someday.” It’s a reminder that doing less intentionally is often what creates the most momentum.Join the Big Bad Marketing newsletter at bigbadmarketing.com/newsletter for thoughtful insights, strategic guidance, and ideas that help you simplify instead of piling more on.If this conversation resonated, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share it with a fellow business owner who needs permission to slow down and focus on what actually matters.

Happy 2026!!In this Big Bad Marketing Unfiltered episode, we’re pulling back the curtain and sharing what we’ve learned after just over a year of running Big Bad Marketing. This is an honest conversation about the real highs, the hard moments, and the things we wish more business owners talked about out loud.We talk about decision fatigue, mental clutter, and the pressure to constantly do more, especially when you’re running a small business with limited time, limited budget, and a million tabs open in your brain.We also share what’s actually helped us simplify, make better decisions, and build a business that supports real life, not just growth for growth’s sake.These BBM Unfiltered episodes exist for one reason: to remind you that you’re not alone. That feeling behind, overwhelmed, or unsure doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong. It just means you’re building something real.Sign up for the Big Bad Marketing newsletter at bigbadmarketing.com/newsletter for practical insights, reflections, and ideas we don’t share anywhere else.If this episode resonates, be sure to like, subscribe, and share it with another small business owner who needs a reminder that messy doesn’t mean failing.

This 16-minute guided meditation is designed for business owners who want to feel calmer, clearer, and more grounded as they move into their next season.Through gentle breathwork and visualization, you’ll be guided to release mental clutter, reconnect with what matters most, and envision a version of your business that feels aligned with your values and capacity. This is not about hustle or productivity. It’s about intention, presence, and clarity.This meditation is best listened to in a quiet space with headphones.

Planning your 2026 marketing doesn’t require a massive strategy doc or a brand-new platform. It requires clarity, priorities, and a plan that fits your real life.In this episode, we break down how to approach 2026 marketing in a way that actually feels doable. You’ll learn how to review what worked, let go of what didn’t, and build a focused plan that supports your business and your life.In this episode, we cover:The two things you should do before diving into 2026 planning (Hint: reflect and dream!)What to keep, what to stop, and what to refine going into 2026How to choose priorities when you don’t have time or budget to do everythingWhy clarity matters more than new tacticsHow to create a marketing plan you can actually stick withCheck out our Guided Meditation to settle your brain before you plan! https://youtu.be/BVBoxmhL26sSnag your 2026 Planning template:https://www.bigbadmarketing.com/s/BBM_New-Year-Planning-Template.pdf💌 Big Bad Marketing NewsletterMonthly insights, ideas, and actually useful marketing advice. Sign up athttps://bigbadmarketing.com/newsletter

Have you ever opened Pinterest to “get inspired” for your business… and somehow ended up planning a fictional life in Italy instead?Same.In this episode of the Big Bad Marketing Podcast, we’re talking about how to create a vision board for your small business that’s not just vibes and pretty pictures, but something that actually guides your decisions, keeps you focused, and helps you build the business you keep thinking about at 2 am.We break down:Why vision boards work (even if you’re allergic to woo-woo)How a vision board can act as a strategic filter, not just inspirationThe two types of vision boards your business might need right nowHow to visualize revenue, impact, and growth without turning it into a manifestation clichéHow to turn your vision board into something actionable using habits and consistencyThe most common vision board mistakes small business owners make (and how to avoid them)This episode is part strategy, part mindset, and part “who do I need to become to support the business I say I want?”✨ Bonus for listeners:If you love the idea of pairing vision with habits, you can get 15% off a Sticker the Habit calendar using code BIGBAD. It’s a simple, analog way to track habits and actually follow through on the vision you’re creating.👉 https://stickerthehabit.etsy.com?coupon=BIGBADAnd if you want monthly marketing inspo that actually helps you think bigger without burning out, sign up for the Big Bad Marketing Newsletter at bigbadmarketing.com/newsletter.

Flyers. Postcards. Brochures. Snail mail.Is any of this actually working anymore… or are you just paying to be tossed straight into someone’s recycling bin?In this episode, we’re breaking down whether print marketing via mail still works in 2026, and the answer might surprise you. We’re walking you through when direct mail makes sense, when it doesn’t, how much it actually costs, and which types of small businesses see the highest ROI. (Spoiler: print is far from dead.)We even brought receipts from our friend Nikki Bernet at Local Trend, who shared insider data on targeting, budgeting, offer strategy, and why global brands like American Express and Domino’s still rely heavily on direct mail.You’ll learn:Why postcards and targeted mailers still convertThe difference between saturation mailers (like EDDM) vs. refined mailing listsWhich industries see the best return on printWhat types of offers work best (and which ones fall flat)How much you should expect to spend mailing to 1,000, 5,000, or 10,000 homesWho shouldn’t use direct mailHow to test the waters affordably using cooperative mailIf you’ve ever wondered whether sending physical mail is worth it or how to effectively send print campaigns without wasting money, this episode gives you the clarity you need.Want to learn more about affordable, targeted print campaigns? Connect with Nikki at localtrendcharleston.com.📬 Sign up for the BBM newsletter: bigbadmarketing.com/newsletter

One year ago, we kicked off this podcast with a scrappy little elevator pitch and a mission: help real small business owners DIY their marketing on a budget. And honestly? That messy first draft was exactly what we needed to get started.Now, one year later, we’re revisiting our original elevator pitch, breaking down what’s changed, what’s stayed the same, and how our own clarity has evolved as Big Bad Marketing has grown. We’re also sharing the biggest lesson we’ve learned after working with small business owners all year long: if everything in your business feels hard, it usually starts with a fuzzy elevator pitch.In this episode, we’ll walk you through:Our original 2024 elevator pitch (and whether we’d change it today)The 5-part template you can still use to nail your own pitchHow your elevator pitch exposes deeper issues with your offers, pricing, or audienceHow to test, refine, and evolve your pitch as your business growsIf you want to reshape how you talk about what you do, and finally make it clear, confident, and easy for customers to say “ohhh, I need that”, this episode is for you.🎧 Listen to our original elevator pitch episode:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-elevator-pitch-how-to-sell-yourself-in-30-seconds/id1793837831?i=1000687632491📘 Read the companion blog post:https://www.bigbadmarketing.com/blog/heres-how-to-perfect-your-elevator-pitch📬 Get our monthly BBM newsletter:https://www.bigbadmarketing.com/newsletterLet’s do this.