If you're still relying on traditional press releases to get your story picked up by the media, it's time to shift gears, especially if you run a rural business. Reporters aren’t ignoring you because your brand isn't newsworthy. They’re ignoring you because you’re using outdated tactics in a completely oversaturated media landscape. Let's dive into how you can get free media coverage as a rural brand.

There’s real data behind using language to build trust  Fast Company explains that 'you guys' may seem neutral to some, but it still carries male-coded baggage. (of course it does, ask any woman!) Preply’s Business Communication Survey found 'Hi (name)' and 'Hello team' to be the most professional greetings. 'Hey guys' and 'Yo'? Not so much.  The Wall Street Journal reported how vague greetings like 'Hey' in workplace chats can create confusion and even trigger anxiety.

If AI is the new front door to your brand, what does that mean for your content strategy? You know that old saying: "If a tree falls in a forest and no one hears it..."? That pretty much sums up what happens when your content isn’t optimized for today’s AI-powered search engines. So how do you prepare when the rules of search have been rewritten?

I've developed and deployed a strategy behind every guest invitation, every topic, and every story I bring to the show. Find out how you, too can have the most fantastic guests on your podcast.

What happens when your customer isn’t human? We don’t market to people first anymore. We market to algorithms. As Mark puts it, “The first judge of your next message is now an algorithm.” This shift isn’t a theory. It’s reality.

In September 2025, I hosted the second, 3-day   REEL Retreat   in Pittsfield, VT.   We came together to learn about reels and short-form video , but getting together in-person at a retreat is so much more than straightforward learning. There was networking, connecting, sharing meals, hiking and learning about each other's businesses. On the second day, a revelation happened: While I was teaching short-form video scripting, I learned something. Most of the small business owner

AI is already in the workflow of most of your team members, employees, and freelancers. A clear AI policy will not slow you or your business down. I will set expectations and protect you, your team, customers, and clients. An AI policy makes safe, efficient AI use possible for employees and freelancers alike.

66% percent of businesses use video to build trust, and 94% of B2B marketers say trust is the key to brand success. Caution! Showcasing one charismatic founder is not a strategy. Buyers want to see real people doing real work. Trust is built through people, not just personality. That is why every brand needs a face or two or three. Because (and I truly believe this) there isn’t just one right face.

In the summer of 2025, I have been focused on improving the SEO and visibility of my video podcast. I am already doing the work to produce it, so why not optimize it, right?  Here's your LOL moment of the day: I am 3.5 years into this journey, and I am still (and again) making updates and adjustments.  And here is today's wisdom moment: It's never too late to make adjustment and updates.

What if the real secret to productivity wasn’t waking up earlier, hustling harder, or checking off every item on your to-do list? I recently sat down with transformational trainer and emotional intelligence expert Sheetal Sujan to explore a softer approach to getting things done. We talked about stillness, self-awareness, and yes, mindful productivity tools that can help us do less, better.

Are your dashboards packed with numbers but lacking direction? If you're a marketer pulling monthly reports no one reads, or worse, no one understands, you’re not alone. Learn how to build better marketing reports. Reports your clients, bosses, or stakeholders will actually want to read.

What makes agency subcontracting successful, and what makes it crash and burn? If you’ve ever been burned by a flaky freelancer, micro-managed into madness, or partnered with an agency only to realize you’re speaking two different languages, this one’s for you.