The Duct Tape Marketing Podcast

John breaks down why SEO is no longer just about rankings—it’s about visibility. In this solo episode, he shares the seven key steps of a complete visibility audit, from showing up in AI search and local map packs to building authority through media mentions and fresh reviews. You’ll learn how to strengthen trust, optimize content for AI, and ensure your calls to action convert visitors into customers. 00:00 Start 01:00 SEO in 2025 01:27 Rankings Are Dead 02:17 The Visibility Audit 02:47 Step 1: AI Overview Presence 03:30 Step 2: Local Pack Wins 04:13 Step 3: Review Strategy 05:04 Step 4: Media Mentions Matter 06:12 Step 5: Master EAT Principles 07:06 Step 6: AI-Ready Content 08:44 Step 7: CTAs That Convert Rate, Review, & Follow If you liked this episode, please rate and review the show. Let us know what you loved most about the episode. Struggling with strategy? Unlock your free AI-powered prompts now and start building a winning strategy today! 👉 Get Your Free Prompts: https://dtm.world/freeprompts

Anthony Blatner, founder of Speedwork Social and host of LinkedIn Ads Radio, joins John Jantsch to uncover why so many businesses struggle with LinkedIn advertising. With years of experience helping B2B companies—from SaaS startups to Fortune 500s—Anthony explains the pitfalls of default campaign settings, the power of Thought Leader ads, and how to properly target the right professionals. Listeners will learn how to cut wasted spend, boost ROI, and finally make LinkedIn ads work. 00:00 Start 00:33 Meet Anthony Blatner 01:09 Why LinkedIn Ads Work 02:20 Best Industries for LinkedIn 03:20 Campaign Structure Secrets 06:04 Thought Leader Ads 08:26 Targeting Mistakes to Avoid 11:29 Budgeting for LinkedIn ROI 14:32 Retargeting & Lead Capture 16:14 Creative Best Practices 18:04 LinkedIn Culture Shift 18:31 AI Impact on LinkedIn Rate, Review, & Follow If you liked this episode, please rate and review the show. Let us know what you loved most about the episode. Struggling with strategy? Unlock your free AI-powered prompts now and start building a winning strategy today! 👉 Get Your Free Prompts: https://dtm.world/freeprompts

Todd Sawicki, founder and CEO of Gumshoe AI, joins John Jantsch to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the future of search and marketing. With decades of experience in digital media, startups, and customer acquisition, Todd shares insights into the rise of AI-driven discovery and why marketers must adapt beyond traditional SEO. Discover how AI search is reshaping buyer behavior, driving higher conversions, and rewarding high-quality content like never before. 00:00 Introduction 00:53 Meet Todd Sawicki 01:58 AI Search Revolution 03:47 How AI Changes Search 05:49 AI Boosts Conversions 07:22 SEO to Product Marketing 08:18 Training AI Like Salespeople 09:47 Quality Content Wins 13:01 Future of AI Conversions 15:50 Birth of Gumshoe AI 17:01 What AI Says About You 18:18 AI Customer Personas 19:38 AI Competitive Edge 20:41 High-Intent Search Focus 22:58 How Gumshoe Works 25:20 Competitor Analysis Tools 26:38 Gumshoe for Marketers Rate, Review, & Follow If you liked this episode, please rate and review the show. Let us know what you loved most about the episode. Struggling with strategy? Unlock your free AI-powered prompts now and start building a winning strategy today! 👉 Get Your Free Prompts: https://dtm.world/freeprompts

Globally recognized leadership and customer experience expert Neen James joins John Jantsch to explore the power of creating exceptional experiences in business. As a keynote speaker and author of Exceptional Experiences: Five Luxury Levers to Elevate Every Aspect of Your Business, Neen shares how attention, anticipation, personalization, generosity, and gratitude can transform ordinary interactions into extraordinary results. Listeners will learn practical strategies to stand out, build loyalty, and make every client feel valued. 00:00:00 Start 00:00:53 Meet Neen James 00:01:45 What Is Luxury? 00:03:42 Luxury as a Feeling 00:05:15 Experience Elevation Model 00:06:45 Luxury Lever: Attention 00:09:22 Luxury Lever: Anticipation 00:13:11 Experience Audits 00:14:58 Luxury as Ease 00:16:06 Engaging Five Senses 00:17:50 Human vs. Automation 00:19:56 Standing Out Strategy Rate, Review, & Follow If you liked this episode, please rate and review the show. Let us know what you loved most about the episode. Struggling with strategy? Unlock your free AI-powered prompts now and start building a winning strategy today! 👉 Get Your Free Prompts: https://dtm.world/freeprompts

In this solo episode, John unpacks why traditional SEO is no longer enough and how businesses must shift toward search visibility in the age of AI. He explores the impact of zero click searches, E-E-A-T, and AI overviews, and shares actionable strategies to stay visible across Google and beyond. 00:00 Opening 00:58 Evolution of Search Engine Optimization 03:01 The Current State of Search 03:41 Focus on Search Visibility Instead of Rank 06:13 How to Demonstrate EEAT 09:04 Audit Your Content Gaps 10:07 Help Pages 11:46 FAQ Pages and Trust Elements 13:03 Refreshing Your Content 13:41 Utilize Your Google Business Page 14:35 Find Out How AI Is Sourcing Information 15:42 Common Mistakes Rate, Review, & Follow If you liked this episode, please rate and review the show. Let us know what you loved most about the episode. Struggling with strategy? Unlock your free AI-powered prompts now and start building a winning strategy today! 👉 Get Your Free Prompts: https://dtm.world/freeprompts

Dr. Sabrina Starling, founder of Tap the Potential and host of the Profit by Design Podcast, is known for helping entrepreneurs create profitable, sustainable businesses that thrive without constant owner involvement. In this conversation, she shares powerful insights on succession planning, the “$10K Hour” framework, and why mindset is the real key to growth. She also opens up about her personal journey of resilience and how it reshaped her approach to legacy and leadership. Listeners will gain practical strategies to delegate effectively, build systems that last, and free themselves to focus on what truly matters. Today we discussed: 00:00 Start 00:52 Meet Sabrina Starling 01:30 Mindset = Growth 02:43 Letting Go for Joy 05:31 Planning Your Legacy 09:02 Family & Team Legacy 10:49 Legal Succession Basics 13:09 Running Without You 13:40 Grief & New Perspective 15:22 Transition Planning 18:19 Take Time Away 19:09 The $10K Hour Activities Get a 30-day free trial today at morningmate.com Rate, Review, & Follow If you liked this episode, please rate and review the show. Let us know what you loved most about the episode. Struggling with strategy? Unlock your free AI-powered prompts now and start building a winning strategy today! 👉 Get Your Free Prompts: https://dtm.world/freeprompts

Amy Rosenberg, seasoned PR strategist, agency founder, and author of A Practical Guide to Public Relations for Businesses, Nonprofits and PR Leaders, joins John Jantsch to unpack the evolving role of PR. She explains why thought leadership is now the cornerstone of visibility, how PR fuels SEO and even AI search, and why businesses need to be more practical in their approach. Listeners will gain clear strategies for building credibility, boosting online authority, and making PR work smarter in today’s digital landscape. Today we discussed: 00:00 Introduction 00:52 Meet Amy Rosenberg 01:22 PR Myths Busted 02:49 AI Changes in Modern PR 04:20 PR's Digital Evolution 05:53 PR Meets SEO 07:44 Thought Leadership Matters 09:42 Starting Your Thought Leadership 11:20 Podcasts for PR Power 13:15 Social Media PR Strategy 15:10 Proving PR ROI 17:24 Getting Started Tips Get a 30-day free trial today at morningmate.com Rate, Review, & Follow If you liked this episode, please rate and review the show. Let us know what you loved most about the episode. Struggling with strategy? Unlock your free AI-powered prompts now and start building a winning strategy today! 👉 Get Your Free Prompts: https://dtm.world/freeprompts

Former national TV news anchor and founder of Rylan Media, Lynn Smith, joins John Jantsch to share lessons from her new book Just Keep Going. Drawing from career pivots, setbacks, and reinvention, Lynn reveals how resilience can be cultivated in children and adults alike. From overcoming fear to embracing courage, she explains why building resilience early creates stronger leaders later in life. Tune in to discover how to keep moving forward—no matter your age or stage. Today we discussed: 00:00 Start 00:51 Meet Lynn Smith 01:27 Why She Wrote This Book 02:51 The Core Message 04:24 Who This Book Helps 05:48 Writing for Kids is Hard 07:07 Pictures Tell Stories Too 08:59 Teaching Kids Resilience 11:59 Her Career Pivot Story 13:24 The Role of Self-Awareness in Resilience 14:51 Modeling Strength for Kids 17:18 Teaching Resilience Tools 19:07 What's Next? 19:52 Keep Going Moments Rate, Review, & Follow If you liked this episode, please rate and review the show. Let us know what you loved most about the episode. Struggling with strategy? Unlock your free AI-powered prompts now and start building a winning strategy today! 👉 Get Your Free Prompts: https://dtm.world/freeprompts

*This is a re-release of a previous DTM episode. John dives deep into the evolving landscape of SEO in this solo episode. He breaks down what today’s marketers need to know about zero-click searches, AI content, Google Search Console, and how to build search strategies that actually drive conversions. Whether you're a local business owner or a digital agency, this episode delivers a fresh SEO playbook packed with actionable insights to boost visibility, authority, and high-intent traffic. Don't miss this essential update on what really works in SEO today.   Today we discussed:   [00:00] Opening [00:09] Introduction [01:52] Search Presence and Visibility [04:10] Embracing AI for Content [05:59] Local Search Isn't Going Anywhere [08:29] Prioritize Intent Based SEO [11:06] Link Building [13:58] Long Tail Queries   Rate, Review, & Follow   If you liked this episode, please rate and review the show. Let us know what you loved most about the episode.   Struggling with strategy? Unlock your free AI-powered prompts now and start building a winning strategy today!   👉 Get Your Free Prompts: https://dtm.world/freeprompts

With over two decades of experience helping small businesses thrive, John dives solo into this episode to explore how AI is revolutionizing the buyer's journey. He breaks down the stages of his signature “Marketing Hourglass” framework and shares how businesses must adapt their strategies in an AI-driven world. Tune in to learn how to future-proof your marketing by aligning with evolving customer behavior, embracing self-service tools, and doubling down on authenticity and trust. Today we discussed: 00:00 Introducing Christine Perkett 00:09 The evolved buyer journey 02:29 Reintroducing the Marketing Hourglass as a flexible customer journey mode 03:43 How AI interrupts and reshapes journey stages like know, like, and trust 04:55 Recommendation engines and the rise of self-service experiences 06:12 The need to rethink SEO: focus on questions, not keywords 06:50 Combining digital efficiency with emotional, human-centered marketing 08:33 The journey is already changing—are you adapting?   Rate, Review, & Follow If you liked this episode, please rate and review the show. Let us know what you loved most about the episode. Struggling with strategy? Unlock your free AI-powered prompts now and start building a winning strategy today! 👉 Get Your Free Prompts: https://dtm.world/freeprompts

Michael Aaron Flicker, founder of XenoPsi Ventures and co-founder of the Consumer Behavior Lab with behavioral scientist Richard Shotton, joins John Jantsch to explore how psychology shapes the world’s most successful brands. Drawing from their book Hacking the Human Mind, Michael shares insights into the hidden science behind consumer decisions and brand loyalty. Listeners will learn how to apply behavioral science to create more effective campaigns, craft memorable messages, and drive real business growth. Today we discussed: 00:00 Start 01:03 Meet Michael Aaron Flicker 01:46 Hacking the Human Mind 02:47 Do Brands Know Psychology? 04:05 Challenging Marketing Myths 05:57 Behavioral Science Lab Work 07:43 Apple's iPod Memory Trick 10:41 Why 17 is Magic 12:09 Surprising Brand Psychology 13:37 The Peak-End Rule 16:23 Ethics of Mind Hacking 18:19 Getting Started Guide Rate, Review, & Follow If you liked this episode, please rate and review the show. Let us know what you loved most about the episode. Struggling with strategy? Unlock your free AI-powered prompts now and start building a winning strategy today! 👉 Get Your Free Prompts: https://dtm.world/freeprompts

Brent Weaver, CEO of E2M Solutions, joins John Jantsch to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the agency landscape. As the leader of a top white-label provider of WordPress, SEO, content, and AI solutions, Brent shares insights on how agencies can adapt to evolving client expectations, leverage AI tools, and stay competitive in a rapidly shifting market. Listeners will gain valuable strategies for thriving in the post-AI era of marketing. Today we discussed: 00:00 Start 01:03 Meet Brent Weaver 01:47 AI Changes Everything 03:06 Embracing AI for Agencies 04:25 AI Adoption Challenges 07:33 AI Hype vs. Reality 08:32 SEO in the AI Era 11:59 Local SEO Still Matters 12:51 Post-AI Competition 14:13 Humans vs. Machines 15:23 AI-Powered Customer Experience 17:20 Brent's AI Journey 18:41 From Doer to Strategist Rate, Review, & Follow If you liked this episode, please rate and review the show. Let us know what you loved most about the episode. Struggling with strategy? Unlock your free AI-powered prompts now and start building a winning strategy today! 👉 Get Your Free Prompts: https://dtm.world/freeprompts

Jim Murphy is a high-performance coach, author, and creator of the Inner Excellence Methodology. He’s coached Olympians, world-class athletes, and business leaders to achieve breakthrough results by mastering their inner game. In this episode, Jim shares how his book Inner Excellence went viral after NFL star AJ Brown was seen reading it mid-game, and he unpacks the mindset shifts that lead to fearless performance, deeper fulfillment, and extraordinary results. Listeners will gain powerful insights into letting go of outcomes, embracing vulnerability, and training the mind for both peak performance and a meaningful life. Today we discussed: 00:00 Start 01:05 Introducing Jim Murphy 01:48 AJ Brown's Impact on the Book 03:39 Book's Viral Success & Printing Issues 05:03 Jim Murphy's Personal Journey 06:41 Core Principles: Identity & Letting Go 08:27 Redefining Fear & Success 10:47 Business Leadership Applications 12:10 Daily Goals & Mindset Training 13:27 Spiritual Elements in Coaching 14:26 Vulnerability & Humility Breakthroughs 15:59 Society vs Inner Excellence 17:16 From Doing to Being Mindset 18:13 Handling Increased Exposure Rate, Review, & Follow If you liked this episode, please rate and review the show. Let us know what you loved most about the episode. Struggling with strategy? Unlock your free AI-powered prompts now and start building a winning strategy today! 👉 Get Your Free Prompts: https://dtm.world/freeprompts

Michael Tchong, innovation expert and founder of UberTrends, joins John Jantsch to reveal how seismic shifts in consumer behavior and technology are reshaping marketing. Recognized by the Daily Telegraph as America’s most influential trend spotter, Michael has helped brands like Apple, American Express, and Mercedes-Benz anticipate the future. In this episode, he breaks down the difference between fads and lasting Uber Trends, explores the rise of AI and transparency, and shares how businesses can turn emerging shifts into real opportunities. Today we discussed: 00:00 Start 01:03 Meet Michael Tchong 02:04 What Are Uber Trends? 03:08 Uber Trends in Action 03:56 Breaking Down Uber Trends 04:31 Time Compression Explained 05:27 My Trend-Watching Journey 07:27 Trends vs. Fads 09:22 Using Trends for Business 11:26 Digital Marketing & AI Boom 14:35 Customer Experience Wins 15:47 The Transparency Revolution 20:24 How to Spot Trends 22:27 Critical Data Analysis Rate, Review, & Follow If you liked this episode, please rate and review the show. Let us know what you loved most about the episode. Struggling with strategy? Unlock your free AI-powered prompts now and start building a winning strategy today! 👉 Get Your Free Prompts: https://dtm.world/freeprompts

Victoria Downing, president of Remodeler’s Advantage, has been leading top-performing peer groups for over three decades, helping business owners across North America achieve greater profits, stronger leadership, and better work-life balance. In this episode, she reveals how the structure, accountability, and shared wisdom of peer groups can cut your growth timeline in half. From managing group dynamics to fostering a culture of investment in teams, Victoria shares proven strategies any entrepreneur can apply to thrive. Today we discussed: 00:00 Start 00:53 Introducing Victoria Downing 01:34 Remodelers Advantage Vision 02:58 Peer Groups as the Core Tool 04:06 Peer Group Structure & Impact 05:33 Adding Tactical Roles 07:23 Challenges for Remodelers 09:17 Peer Accountability & Transparency 11:54 Tech & Innovation 13:25 Group Dynamics & Placement 16:33 Success Stories 18:26 Other Peer Group Models 19:22 Industry Trends & Future Rate, Review, & Follow If you liked this episode, please rate and review the show. Let us know what you loved most about the episode. Struggling with strategy? Unlock your free AI-powered prompts now and start building a winning strategy today! 👉 Get Your Free Prompts: https://dtm.world/freeprompts

Sara Nay is the CEO of Duct Tape Marketing and author of Unchained: Breaking Free from Broken Marketing Models. With over 15 years of experience helping small businesses grow, Sara returns to discuss the powerful concept of owning your marketing strategy. In this episode, she unpacks the shift away from outdated agency models toward building lean, AI-enabled systems and internal capabilities. Learn how to take control, simplify your marketing, and build lasting assets that fuel growth. Today we discussed: 00:00 Introduction 00:52 Introducing Sara Nay 03:30 Costs and Risks of Outsourcing Marketing 06:31 Simplifying Marketing Through Focus and Strategy 08:29 Importance of Strategy Over Tactics 10:39 Evolving Marketing Roles: From Doers to Orchestrators 14:37 Adapting to AI: Career Mindset and Skill Development 16:34 Marketing Execution as an Asset: Owning vs Renting 19:27 The Role and Evolution of the Fractional CMO Rate, Review, & Follow If you liked this episode, please rate and review the show. Let us know what you loved most about the episode. Struggling with strategy? Unlock your free AI-powered prompts now and start building a winning strategy today! 👉 Get Your Free Prompts: https://dtm.world/freeprompts

Rhea Allen is the President and CEO of Pepper Shock Media, host of The Marketing Expedition Podcast, and a branding expert who helps businesses build unforgettable brands from the inside out. In this episode, she dives deep into the connection between culture and branding — and why your internal team is the foundation of how the world sees your business. Discover practical strategies for aligning HR and marketing, fostering employee buy-in, and using storytelling to shape a culture that truly represents your brand. Today we discussed: 00:00:00 Start 00:00:52 Introducing Rhea Allen 00:01:39 Culture vs. Brand 00:02:45 Hiring for Culture Fit 00:03:46 Culture & Brand Camp 00:05:27 Team Buy-In Through Values 00:06:29 Storytelling in Culture 00:07:47 Storytelling in Marketing 00:08:31 Rise of Authentic Stories 00:10:28 Authenticity vs. AI 00:13:19 Fun & Engagement in Culture 00:18:21 Culture ROI: Retention & Happiness 00:19:52 Final Thoughts 00:21:36 Closing & Contact Info Rate, Review, & Follow If you liked this episode, please rate and review the show. Let us know what you loved most about the episode. Struggling with strategy? Unlock your free AI-powered prompts now and start building a winning strategy today! 👉 Get Your Free Prompts: https://dtm.world/freeprompts

Laura Ries is a globally recognized branding strategist, bestselling author, and president of Ries & Ries—the firm she leads alongside her father, legendary positioning pioneer Al Ries. In this episode, she unveils the powerful concept behind her latest book, The Strategic Enemy, and explains why great brands don't just stand for something—they stand against something. Discover how identifying a strategic enemy can give your brand clarity, focus, and unstoppable energy. Today we discussed: 00:00 Start 00:52 Introducing Laura Ries 03:04 Defining a Strategic Enemy vs Competitor 03:37 Examples of Strategic Enemies in Branding 05:02 Understanding the Enemy as a Problem or Alternative 06:11 The Importance of Finding and Focusing on Your Enemy 06:52 Southwest Airlines: A Case Study in Focus and Enemy Positioning 08:08 Narrowing Focus as the First Step in Positioning 09:01 Category Importance and Brand Examples 12:46 Framework for Building a Brand and Finding Your Enemy 15:52 Entrepreneurial Success Stories: Airbnb and Others 18:33 Innovative New Brands and Category Ownership 20:40 Risks and Realities of Creating a Strategic Enemy Rate, Review, & Follow If you liked this episode, please rate and review the show. Let us know what you loved most about the episode. Struggling with strategy? Unlock your free AI-powered prompts now and start building a winning strategy today! 👉 Get Your Free Prompts: https://dtm.world/freeprompts

Sara Nay is the CEO of Duct Tape Marketing and a pioneer in strategy-first marketing for small businesses. With over 15 years of experience in roles from intern to fractional CMO, she now leads the charge in redefining what it means to run a successful, modern agency. In this episode, Sara unpacks her new book Unchained, which introduces the groundbreaking “anti-agency” model—a practical, AI-enabled approach that empowers business owners to stop renting their marketing and start owning it. Listeners will walk away with actionable insights on building lean, AI-enhanced marketing teams and why leadership—not just execution—is the future of scalable growth. Today we discussed: 00:00 Start 00:43 Introducing Sara Nay 01:37 Identifying Problems with the Traditional Agency Model 03:30 The Anti-Agency Model and AI's Impact on Marketing 05:22 Timeless Marketing Principles in the Age of AI 07:23 Challenges and Dangers of AI Adoption in Small Business Marketing 09:47 The Fractional CMO Plus Model for Small Businesses 14:45 Agency Mindset Shift to Stay Relevant in the AI Era 16:36 Practical Steps for Small Businesses to Take Ownership of Marketing 18:22 How Small Businesses Should Approach AI Integration 20:33 Closing and Resources Rate, Review, & Follow If you liked this episode, please rate and review the show. Let us know what you loved most about the episode. Struggling with strategy? Unlock your free AI-powered prompts now and start building a winning strategy today! 👉 Get Your Free Prompts: https://dtm.world/freeprompts

Stacey Hylen is an internationally recognized business coach, growth strategist, and former Vice President of Chet Holmes International. With over two decades of experience helping entrepreneurs and Fortune 500s uncover untapped revenue, she is the author of the upcoming book Hidden Profits: More Clients and Cash. In this episode, Stacey reveals powerful, actionable strategies to boost profits—without spending more on marketing—including reactivating past clients, raising prices with confidence, and fixing hidden “profit leaks.” Tune in to discover how to shift from scarcity to abundance and transform your business into a revenue-generating machine. Today we discussed: 00:00 Start 00:52 Introduction to Stacey Hylen 01:28 Hidden Profits Concept and Initial Story 02:38 Raising Prices and Overcoming Fear 03:44 Narrowing Focus and Attracting Ideal Clients 05:32 Profit Leaks and Focus on Revenue-Generating Activities 06:39 Shifting Sales Mindset from Selling to Serving 07:54 Business Owners' Relationship with Profit 09:48 Low Hanging Fruit: Reactivating Past Clients 11:42 Come Back Strategy Success Stories and Lessons 12:47 Repackaging and Repositioning Offers 13:53 Hidden Profits Framework: Reactivation and Upselling 15:06 Team Involvement in Sales and Cross-Selling 16:37 From Commodity to Couture: Positioning for Value 18:24 Surprising Client Results and Simple Strategies 20:02 Closing and How to Connect with Stacy Hyland Rate, Review, & Follow If you liked this episode, please rate and review the show. Let us know what you loved most about the episode. Struggling with strategy? Unlock your free AI-powered prompts now and start building a winning strategy today! 👉 Get Your Free Prompts: https://dtm.world/freeprompts