<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1974786/fan_mail/new">Send us Fan Mail</a>In this episode of Imperfect Marketing, I sit down with Jonny Holsten of BridgeSelling to unpack why sales gets such a bad reputation—and how to fix it. We dive into what actually works in modern sales conversations (hint: it’s not scripts or pressure).Jonny shares his journey from marketing into sales strategy and how that shift led to his book Fix Your Broken Sales Calls. Together, we explore how to move from chasing leads to building meaningful, problem-solving conversations.Here’s what we cover:From Leads to “Best Fit” Clients<ul><li> Why all leads are not worth your time </li><li> The 4-part framework for identifying a true “best fit” customer </li><li> How narrowing your focus actually increases conversions </li></ul>Why Sales Feels “Icky” (and How to Fix It)<ul><li> The real reason selling feels uncomfortable for so many people </li><li> Why belief in what you’re selling changes everything </li><li> The difference between pushing a sale and solving a problem </li></ul>The Power of Better Questions<ul><li> How great sales conversations start with curiosity, not pitching </li><li> Why most salespeople skip identifying the real problem </li><li> A simple technique to get prospects to open up more </li></ul>Handling Inbound Leads the Right Way<ul><li> Why inbound leads aren’t always qualified (and that’s okay) </li><li> How to guide conversations like a consultant, not a salesperson </li><li> The importance of setting expectations and taking control early </li></ul>Knowing When to Walk Away<ul><li> How to gracefully exit conversations with poor-fit prospects </li><li> Why referring someone elsewhere can actually grow your business </li><li> The mindset shift: serving first, selling second </li></ul>Improving Sales Without More Leads<ul><li> Why most teams lack a clear plan for sales calls </li><li> How small tweaks to discovery calls can drive massive revenue growth </li><li> The importance of reviewing and learning from your own calls </li></ul>Key Takeaways<ul><li> Selling should feel like helping—not convincing </li><li> Clarity in your message makes everything easier </li><li> The better your questions, the better your results </li></ul>Connect with Jonny: LinkedIn: <a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonnyholsten/'>https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonnyholsten/</a>If sales has ever felt uncomfortable, awkward, or forced—this episode will change how you think about it.Ready to make sales feel natural (and actually work)? Tune in. Looking to leverage AI? Want better results? Want to think about what you want to leverage? Check and see how I am using it for FREE on YouTube. From &quot;Holy cow, it can do that?&quot; to &quot;Wait, how does this work again?&quot; – I&apos;ve got all your AI curiosities covered. It&apos;s the perfect after-podcast snack for your tech-hungry brain. <a href='https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCw7C-o-rOm0uYoPDeFsuSg2HlVKHUN2z&amp;si=31keH2pIFOvfWWkz'>Watch here</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1974786/fan_mail/new"&gt;Send us Fan Mail&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Imperfect Marketing&lt;/em&gt;, I sit down with Jonny Holsten of BridgeSelling to unpack why sales gets such a bad reputation—and how to fix it. We dive into what actually works in modern sales conversations (hint: it’s not scripts or pressure).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Jonny shares his journey from marketing into sales strategy and how that shift led to his book &lt;em&gt;Fix Your Broken Sales Calls&lt;/em&gt;. Together, we explore how to move from chasing leads to building meaningful, problem-solving conversations.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Here’s what we cover:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;From Leads to “Best Fit” Clients&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt; Why all leads are not worth your time &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; The 4-part framework for identifying a true “best fit” customer &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; How narrowing your focus actually increases conversions &lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Why Sales Feels “Icky” (and How to Fix It)&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt; The real reason selling feels uncomfortable for so many people &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; Why belief in what you’re selling changes everything &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; The difference between pushing a sale and solving a problem &lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Power of Better Questions&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt; How great sales conversations start with curiosity, not pitching &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; Why most salespeople skip identifying the real problem &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; A simple technique to get prospects to open up more &lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Handling Inbound Leads the Right Way&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt; Why inbound leads aren’t always qualified (and that’s okay) &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; How to guide conversations like a consultant, not a salesperson &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; The importance of setting expectations and taking control early &lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Knowing When to Walk Away&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt; How to gracefully exit conversations with poor-fit prospects &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; Why referring someone elsewhere can actually grow your business &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; The mindset shift: serving first, selling second &lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Improving Sales Without More Leads&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt; Why most teams lack a clear plan for sales calls &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; How small tweaks to discovery calls can drive massive revenue growth &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; The importance of reviewing and learning from your own calls &lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Key Takeaways&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt; Selling should feel like helping—not convincing &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; Clarity in your message makes everything easier &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; The better your questions, the better your results &lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Connect with Jonny:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;b&gt;LinkedIn&lt;/b&gt;: &lt;a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonnyholsten/'&gt;https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonnyholsten/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If sales has ever felt uncomfortable, awkward, or forced—this episode will change how you think about it.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Ready to make sales feel natural (and actually work)? Tune in.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Looking to leverage AI? Want better results? Want to think about what you want to leverage?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Check and see how I am using it for FREE on YouTube. &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;From &amp;quot;Holy cow, it can do that?&amp;quot; to &amp;quot;Wait, how does this work again?&amp;quot; – I&amp;apos;ve got all your AI curiosities covered. It&amp;apos;s the perfect after-podcast snack for your tech-hungry brain. &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;a href='https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCw7C-o-rOm0uYoPDeFsuSg2HlVKHUN2z&amp;amp;si=31keH2pIFOvfWWkz'&gt;&lt;b&gt;Watch here&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Imperfect Marketing, I sit down with Jonny Holsten of BridgeSelling to unpack why sales gets such a bad reputation—and how to fix it. We dive into what actually works in modern sales conversations (hint: it’s not scripts or pressure). Jonny shares his journey from marketing into sales strategy and how that shift led to his book Fix Your Broken Sales Calls. Together, we explore how to move from chasing leads to building meaningful, problem-solving conversati...

Why Sales Feels Icky (And How to Fix It) | Jonny Holsten

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1974786/fan_mail/new">Send us Fan Mail</a>In this episode of Imperfect Marketing, I sit down with Stephanie Sylvestre, founder of Avatar Buddy, to explore how AI is reshaping the way businesses operate—and why human skills matter more than ever.Stephanie shares her fascinating journey from corporate IT leadership to building an AI-powered company, along with the lessons she’s learned along the way (including a few hard-earned ones she hopes you won’t have to repeat).We dive into how businesses can actually use AI effectively—without losing their values, their culture, or their competitive edge.In this conversation, we discuss:The Human Skills That Matter Most in an AI World<ul><li> Why resilience is essential when working with AI (hint: your first output isn’t your best) </li><li> How creativity and resourcefulness give you a competitive advantage—especially in fast-changing environments </li><li> The critical role of problem-solving and critical thinking when AI sounds right… but isn’t </li><li> Why these “human skills” are becoming the real differentiator in an AI-driven world </li></ul>Demystifying AI for Businesses<ul><li> What AI agents actually are—and how they can streamline your workflows </li><li> How AI can save massive amounts of time when used strategically </li><li> Why understanding your data is just as important as understanding the technology </li><li> The biggest mistake organizations make when adopting AI too quickly </li></ul>Responsible AI: Where Ethics Meet Execution<ul><li> Why responsible AI starts with people—not the technology </li><li> How your data directly shapes your AI outcomes (for better or worse) </li><li> Practical ways to build ethical guardrails into your AI systems </li><li> Why transparency, ownership, and respect for content matter more than ever </li></ul>AI, Leadership, and Company Culture<ul><li> How AI can actually strengthen (not weaken) your company culture </li><li> Why leaders need to treat AI like any other business initiative—with clear goals and strategy </li><li> The importance of starting small, iterating, and evolving your AI implementation </li><li> How AI can reduce internal friction and improve team dynamics </li></ul>Key Takeaways for Marketers and Leaders<ul><li> You’re not selling AI—you’re selling trust </li><li> AI won’t replace people, but people who use AI effectively will have a clear advantage </li><li> Your values should guide how you implement and use AI </li><li> Success with AI comes from clarity, strategy, and continuous iteration </li></ul>Whether you&apos;re just starting to explore AI or looking to refine how you’re using it in your business, this episode offers a grounded, practical perspective on what it really takes to succeed.Are you ready to use AI in a way that actually supports your business—and your values? Tune in to learn how to make AI work with you, not instead of you.Connect with Stephanie Website: <a href='https://avatarbuddy.co/'>https://avatarbuddy.co/</a> Instagram: <a href='https://www.instagram.com/avatar_buddyai/'>https://www.instagram.com/avatar_buddyai/</a> Tiktok: <a href='https://www.tiktok.com/@avatar_buddyai?lang=en'>https://www.tiktok.com/@avatar_buddyai?lang=en</a> Looking to leverage AI? Want better results? Want to think about what you want to leverage? Check and see how I am using it for FREE on YouTube. From &quot;Holy cow, it can do that?&quot; to &quot;Wait, how does this work again?&quot; – I&apos;ve got all your AI curiosities covered. It&apos;s the perfect after-podcast snack for your tech-hungry brain. <a href='https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCw7C-o-rOm0uYoPDeFsuSg2HlVKHUN2z&amp;si=31keH2pIFOvfWWkz'>Watch here</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1974786/fan_mail/new"&gt;Send us Fan Mail&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Imperfect Marketing&lt;/em&gt;, I sit down with Stephanie Sylvestre, founder of Avatar Buddy, to explore how AI is reshaping the way businesses operate—and why human skills matter more than ever.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Stephanie shares her fascinating journey from corporate IT leadership to building an AI-powered company, along with the lessons she’s learned along the way (including a few hard-earned ones she hopes you won’t have to repeat).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We dive into how businesses can actually &lt;em&gt;use&lt;/em&gt; AI effectively—without losing their values, their culture, or their competitive edge.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;In this conversation, we discuss:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Human Skills That Matter Most in an AI World&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt; Why resilience is essential when working with AI (hint: your first output isn’t your best) &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; How creativity and resourcefulness give you a competitive advantage—especially in fast-changing environments &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; The critical role of problem-solving and critical thinking when AI sounds right… but isn’t &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; Why these “human skills” are becoming the real differentiator in an AI-driven world &lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Demystifying AI for Businesses&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt; What AI agents actually are—and how they can streamline your workflows &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; How AI can save massive amounts of time when used strategically &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; Why understanding your data is just as important as understanding the technology &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; The biggest mistake organizations make when adopting AI too quickly &lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Responsible AI: Where Ethics Meet Execution&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt; Why responsible AI starts with people—not the technology &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; How your data directly shapes your AI outcomes (for better or worse) &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; Practical ways to build ethical guardrails into your AI systems &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; Why transparency, ownership, and respect for content matter more than ever &lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;AI, Leadership, and Company Culture&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt; How AI can actually strengthen (not weaken) your company culture &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; Why leaders need to treat AI like any other business initiative—with clear goals and strategy &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; The importance of starting small, iterating, and evolving your AI implementation &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; How AI can reduce internal friction and improve team dynamics &lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Key Takeaways for Marketers and Leaders&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt; You’re not selling AI—you’re selling trust &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; AI won’t replace people, but people who use AI effectively will have a clear advantage &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; Your values should guide how you implement and use AI &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; Success with AI comes from clarity, strategy, and continuous iteration &lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;Whether you&amp;apos;re just starting to explore AI or looking to refine how you’re using it in your business, this episode offers a grounded, practical perspective on what it really takes to succeed.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Are you ready to use AI in a way that actually supports your business—and your values? Tune in to learn how to make AI work &lt;em&gt;with&lt;/em&gt; you, not instead of you.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Connect with Stephanie&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;b&gt;Website:&lt;/b&gt; &lt;a href='https://avatarbuddy.co/'&gt;https://avatarbuddy.co/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Instagram: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.instagram.com/avatar_buddyai/'&gt;https://www.instagram.com/avatar_buddyai/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;b&gt;Tiktok:&lt;/b&gt; &lt;a href='https://www.tiktok.com/@avatar_buddyai?lang=en'&gt;https://www.tiktok.com/@avatar_buddyai?lang=en&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Looking to leverage AI? Want better results? Want to think about what you want to leverage?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Check and see how I am using it for FREE on YouTube. &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;From &amp;quot;Holy cow, it can do that?&amp;quot; to &amp;quot;Wait, how does this work again?&amp;quot; – I&amp;apos;ve got all your AI curiosities covered. It&amp;apos;s the perfect after-podcast snack for your tech-hungry brain. &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;a href='https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCw7C-o-rOm0uYoPDeFsuSg2HlVKHUN2z&amp;amp;si=31keH2pIFOvfWWkz'&gt;&lt;b&gt;Watch here&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Imperfect Marketing, I sit down with Stephanie Sylvestre, founder of Avatar Buddy, to explore how AI is reshaping the way businesses operate—and why human skills matter more than ever. Stephanie shares her fascinating journey from corporate IT leadership to building an AI-powered company, along with the lessons she’s learned along the way (including a few hard-earned ones she hopes you won’t have to repeat). We dive into how businesses can actually use AI e...

5 Human Skills That Make You Irreplaceable in the AI Era

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1974786/fan_mail/new">Send us Fan Mail</a>In this episode of Imperfect Marketing, I sit down with Patrick Van Der Burght, a Cialdini Certified Trainer and expert in ethical persuasion. We explore how understanding the psychology of decision-making can transform the way we approach marketing, sales, and communication.Patrick shares how discovering the science behind persuasion helped him move from struggling sales results to becoming a trusted authority on ethical influence. We discuss:How People Actually Make Decisions<ul><li>Why most decisions happen subconsciously</li><li>The difference between intuitive thinking and logical thinking</li><li>How short attention spans affect modern marketing</li></ul>The Seven Principles of Persuasion<ul><li>Reciprocity, liking, unity, and social proof</li><li>Authority, consistency, and scarcity</li><li>Why these principles work across cultures and industries</li></ul>Practical Persuasion Strategies<ul><li>How testimonials and social proof influence buyers</li><li>Why framing messages around avoiding loss can be more persuasive</li><li>The surprising power of leading with a weakness</li></ul>Key Takeaways for Marketers<ul><li>Ethical persuasion builds trust and long-term relationships</li><li>Small language changes can dramatically increase results</li><li>Understanding human psychology makes marketing more effective</li></ul>Whether you&apos;re in marketing, sales, or leadership, this episode reveals how small shifts in messaging can lead to stronger influence and better outcomes.Connect with Patrick: Website: <a href='https://ethicalpersuasion.com.au/'>https://ethicalpersuasion.com.au/</a> Facebook: <a href='https://www.facebook.com/ethicalpersuasion/'>https://www.facebook.com/ethicalpersuasion/</a> LinkedIn: <a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-van-der-burght/'>https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-van-der-burght/</a> Looking to leverage AI? Want better results? Want to think about what you want to leverage? Check and see how I am using it for FREE on YouTube. From &quot;Holy cow, it can do that?&quot; to &quot;Wait, how does this work again?&quot; – I&apos;ve got all your AI curiosities covered. It&apos;s the perfect after-podcast snack for your tech-hungry brain. <a href='https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCw7C-o-rOm0uYoPDeFsuSg2HlVKHUN2z&amp;si=31keH2pIFOvfWWkz'>Watch here</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1974786/fan_mail/new"&gt;Send us Fan Mail&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;b&gt;Imperfect Marketing&lt;/b&gt;, I sit down with &lt;b&gt;Patrick Van Der Burght&lt;/b&gt;, a Cialdini Certified Trainer and expert in ethical persuasion. We explore how understanding the psychology of decision-making can transform the way we approach marketing, sales, and communication.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Patrick shares how discovering the science behind persuasion helped him move from struggling sales results to becoming a trusted authority on ethical influence. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;We discuss:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;How People Actually Make Decisions&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Why most decisions happen subconsciously&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The difference between intuitive thinking and logical thinking&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;How short attention spans affect modern marketing&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Seven Principles of Persuasion&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Reciprocity, liking, unity, and social proof&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Authority, consistency, and scarcity&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Why these principles work across cultures and industries&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Practical Persuasion Strategies&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;How testimonials and social proof influence buyers&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Why framing messages around &lt;b&gt;avoiding loss&lt;/b&gt; can be more persuasive&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The surprising power of &lt;b&gt;leading with a weakness&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Key Takeaways for Marketers&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Ethical persuasion builds trust and long-term relationships&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Small language changes can dramatically increase results&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Understanding human psychology makes marketing more effective&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;Whether you&amp;apos;re in marketing, sales, or leadership, this episode reveals how small shifts in messaging can lead to stronger influence and better outcomes.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Connect with Patrick:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;b&gt;Website:&lt;/b&gt; &lt;a href='https://ethicalpersuasion.com.au/'&gt;https://ethicalpersuasion.com.au/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;b&gt;Facebook:&lt;/b&gt; &lt;a href='https://www.facebook.com/ethicalpersuasion/'&gt;https://www.facebook.com/ethicalpersuasion/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;b&gt;LinkedIn:&lt;/b&gt; &lt;a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-van-der-burght/'&gt;https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-van-der-burght/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Looking to leverage AI? Want better results? Want to think about what you want to leverage?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Check and see how I am using it for FREE on YouTube. &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;From &amp;quot;Holy cow, it can do that?&amp;quot; to &amp;quot;Wait, how does this work again?&amp;quot; – I&amp;apos;ve got all your AI curiosities covered. It&amp;apos;s the perfect after-podcast snack for your tech-hungry brain. &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;a href='https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCw7C-o-rOm0uYoPDeFsuSg2HlVKHUN2z&amp;amp;si=31keH2pIFOvfWWkz'&gt;&lt;b&gt;Watch here&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Imperfect Marketing, I sit down with Patrick Van Der Burght, a Cialdini Certified Trainer and expert in ethical persuasion. We explore how understanding the psychology of decision-making can transform the way we approach marketing, sales, and communication. Patrick shares how discovering the science behind persuasion helped him move from struggling sales results to becoming a trusted authority on ethical influence.  We discuss: How People Actually Make...

The Science of Getting People to Say Yes (Ethically)

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1974786/fan_mail/new">Send us Fan Mail</a>In this episode of Imperfect Marketing, Kendra talks about the growing misuse of AI in marketing and why relying on it too heavily can actually damage your credibility and connection with your audience. While AI can be a powerful tool, Kendra explains why it should support your ideas—not replace your thinking, voice, or experiences. Drawing from real examples with clients and her own marketing experiments, Kendra explores the difference between AI-generated content and AI-assisted content—and why that distinction matters more than ever.The Problem with “AI Slop”<ul><li>How businesses are using AI to generate content without reviewing or editing it</li><li>Why generic AI-written blogs and posts weaken credibility</li><li>What happens when marketing strategy is replaced by automation</li></ul>AI as a Tool, Not a Replacement<ul><li>Why AI still needs human insight, direction, and editing</li><li>The difference between AI-assisted content and AI-generated content</li><li>How AI can save time without sacrificing authenticity</li></ul>The Power of Human Stories in Marketing<ul><li>Why personal stories and experiences connect with audiences</li><li>How unique moments—like real-life anecdotes—create authenticity</li><li>Why AI can’t replicate your quirks, voice, or lived experiences</li></ul>What Happens When You Trust Your Voice<ul><li>How Kendra saw stronger engagement after shifting from AI-generated to AI-assisted emails</li><li>Why audiences respond to content that feels human and personal</li><li>How authentic marketing leads to better results and new clients</li></ul>Key Takeaways for Marketers<ul><li>Why strategy and audience understanding must come from you—not AI</li><li>The importance of reviewing and editing every piece of AI-assisted content</li><li>How to audit your recent marketing to make sure your voice is still present</li></ul>If you’re using AI in your marketing—or wondering if you’re relying on it too much—this episode offers a practical reminder that the real value in your content comes from your perspective, stories, and strategic thinking.AI can help you move faster, but your voice is what makes your marketing meaningful. Looking to leverage AI? Want better results? Want to think about what you want to leverage? Check and see how I am using it for FREE on YouTube. From &quot;Holy cow, it can do that?&quot; to &quot;Wait, how does this work again?&quot; – I&apos;ve got all your AI curiosities covered. It&apos;s the perfect after-podcast snack for your tech-hungry brain. <a href='https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCw7C-o-rOm0uYoPDeFsuSg2HlVKHUN2z&amp;si=31keH2pIFOvfWWkz'>Watch here</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1974786/fan_mail/new"&gt;Send us Fan Mail&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode of Imperfect Marketing, Kendra talks about the growing misuse of AI in marketing and why relying on it too heavily can actually damage your credibility and connection with your audience. While AI can be a powerful tool, Kendra explains why it should support your ideas—not replace your thinking, voice, or experiences. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Drawing from real examples with clients and her own marketing experiments, Kendra explores the difference between AI-generated content and AI-assisted content—and why that distinction matters more than ever.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Problem with “AI Slop”&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;How businesses are using AI to generate content without reviewing or editing it&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Why generic AI-written blogs and posts weaken credibility&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;What happens when marketing strategy is replaced by automation&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;AI as a Tool, Not a Replacement&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Why AI still needs human insight, direction, and editing&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The difference between AI-assisted content and AI-generated content&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;How AI can save time without sacrificing authenticity&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Power of Human Stories in Marketing&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Why personal stories and experiences connect with audiences&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;How unique moments—like real-life anecdotes—create authenticity&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Why AI can’t replicate your quirks, voice, or lived experiences&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;What Happens When You Trust Your Voice&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;How Kendra saw stronger engagement after shifting from AI-generated to AI-assisted emails&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Why audiences respond to content that feels human and personal&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;How authentic marketing leads to better results and new clients&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Key Takeaways for Marketers&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Why strategy and audience understanding must come from you—not AI&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The importance of reviewing and editing every piece of AI-assisted content&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;How to audit your recent marketing to make sure your voice is still present&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you’re using AI in your marketing—or wondering if you’re relying on it too much—this episode offers a practical reminder that the real value in your content comes from your perspective, stories, and strategic thinking.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;AI can help you move faster, but your voice is what makes your marketing meaningful.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Looking to leverage AI? Want better results? Want to think about what you want to leverage?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Check and see how I am using it for FREE on YouTube. &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;From &amp;quot;Holy cow, it can do that?&amp;quot; to &amp;quot;Wait, how does this work again?&amp;quot; – I&amp;apos;ve got all your AI curiosities covered. It&amp;apos;s the perfect after-podcast snack for your tech-hungry brain. &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;a href='https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCw7C-o-rOm0uYoPDeFsuSg2HlVKHUN2z&amp;amp;si=31keH2pIFOvfWWkz'&gt;&lt;b&gt;Watch here&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Imperfect Marketing, Kendra talks about the growing misuse of AI in marketing and why relying on it too heavily can actually damage your credibility and connection with your audience. While AI can be a powerful tool, Kendra explains why it should support your ideas—not replace your thinking, voice, or experiences.  Drawing from real examples with clients and her own marketing experiments, Kendra explores the difference between AI-generated content and ...

When to Turn OFF the AI (And Trust Yourself Instead)

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1974786/fan_mail/new">Send us Fan Mail</a>In this episode of Imperfect Marketing, Kendra Corman sits down with SEO expert Kyle Bailey to explore how artificial intelligence is changing the search landscape—and what businesses should really focus on to stay visible online.Kyle shares his journey from growing up around construction trades to building an SEO agency focused on helping home service businesses succeed online. Along the way, the conversation dives into the realities of modern SEO, the myths around AI replacing search, and why understanding your customer still matters more than any algorithm update. The Evolution of SEO in the Age of AIAI tools like ChatGPT are changing how people search for information—but they haven’t replaced traditional search engines.Kyle explains:<ul><li>Why Google still has a major advantage because it can crawl and understand websites more effectively</li><li>How AI platforms currently rely on signals like reviews and third-party sources (Yelp, Google Reviews, etc.)</li><li>Why businesses need to expand their reputation across multiple platforms—not just Google</li><li>The risks of “gaming the system” with SEO shortcuts that create short-term gains but long-term damage  </li></ul>The takeaway? Solid SEO fundamentals still matter—and probably always will.The Right Way to Approach SEO StrategyOne of the biggest mistakes businesses make is chasing SEO “cheat codes.”Kyle describes the smarter approach:<ul><li>80% solid SEO fundamentals</li><li>20% experimentation with new tactics</li></ul>This balance allows businesses to stay competitive without risking their entire marketing strategy on short-lived hacks.  If you put all your effort into shortcuts, you may see quick wins—but you’ll likely lose everything when algorithms update.Does Blogging Still Matter for SEO?The answer, like many things in marketing, is: it depends.Blogging isn’t just about stuffing keywords anymore. Instead, it should help customers make better decisions.Effective blog content should:<ul><li>Address customers’ biggest fears about working with your business</li><li>Explain how your process prevents common problems</li><li>Educate buyers so they feel confident choosing you</li><li>Demonstrate expertise through real-world examples</li></ul>When content answers real questions, it improves both the customer experience and your search visibility. Why Your Website Strategy Matters More Than EverMany businesses try to save money by piecing together website tools or building sites themselves using drag-and-drop builders.Kyle explains why this can create problems:<ul><li>DIY website builders often lack advanced SEO capabilities</li><li>Businesses may not truly own their domains or data</li><li>Piecemeal marketing strategies lead to inconsistent results</li><li>A holistic approach—website, content, reviews, and SEO—creates stronger long-term growth</li></ul>In other words, your website shouldn’t just exist. It should function as the foundation of your entire marketing strategy. The Most Important Marketing LessonAt the end of the episode, Kyle shares a powerful question every business should ask:“If you c Looking to leverage AI? Want better results? Want to think about what you want to leverage? Check and see how I am using it for FREE on YouTube. From &quot;Holy cow, it can do that?&quot; to &quot;Wait, how does this work again?&quot; – I&apos;ve got all your AI curiosities covered. It&apos;s the perfect after-podcast snack for your tech-hungry brain. <a href='https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCw7C-o-rOm0uYoPDeFsuSg2HlVKHUN2z&amp;si=31keH2pIFOvfWWkz'>Watch here</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1974786/fan_mail/new"&gt;Send us Fan Mail&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode of &lt;em&gt;Imperfect Marketing&lt;/em&gt;, Kendra Corman sits down with SEO expert Kyle Bailey to explore how artificial intelligence is changing the search landscape—and what businesses should really focus on to stay visible online.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Kyle shares his journey from growing up around construction trades to building an SEO agency focused on helping home service businesses succeed online. Along the way, the conversation dives into the realities of modern SEO, the myths around AI replacing search, and why understanding your customer still matters more than any algorithm update. &lt;br/&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;The Evolution of SEO in the Age of AI&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;AI tools like ChatGPT are changing how people search for information—but they haven’t replaced traditional search engines.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Kyle explains:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Why Google still has a major advantage because it can crawl and understand websites more effectively&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;How AI platforms currently rely on signals like reviews and third-party sources (Yelp, Google Reviews, etc.)&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Why businesses need to expand their reputation across multiple platforms—not just Google&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The risks of “gaming the system” with SEO shortcuts that create short-term gains but long-term damage &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;The takeaway? Solid SEO fundamentals still matter—and probably always will.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Right Way to Approach SEO Strategy&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;One of the biggest mistakes businesses make is chasing SEO “cheat codes.”&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Kyle describes the smarter approach:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;80% solid SEO fundamentals&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;20% experimentation with new tactics&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;This balance allows businesses to stay competitive without risking their entire marketing strategy on short-lived hacks. &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;If you put all your effort into shortcuts, you may see quick wins—but you’ll likely lose everything when algorithms update.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Does Blogging Still Matter for SEO?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The answer, like many things in marketing, is: &lt;b&gt;it depends.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Blogging isn’t just about stuffing keywords anymore. Instead, it should help customers make better decisions.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Effective blog content should:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Address customers’ biggest fears about working with your business&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Explain how your process prevents common problems&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Educate buyers so they feel confident choosing you&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Demonstrate expertise through real-world examples&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;When content answers real questions, it improves both the customer experience and your search visibility. &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;b&gt;Why Your Website Strategy Matters More Than Ever&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Many businesses try to save money by piecing together website tools or building sites themselves using drag-and-drop builders.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Kyle explains why this can create problems:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;DIY website builders often lack advanced SEO capabilities&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Businesses may not truly own their domains or data&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Piecemeal marketing strategies lead to inconsistent results&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;A holistic approach—website, content, reviews, and SEO—creates stronger long-term growth&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;In other words, your website shouldn’t just exist. It should function as the foundation of your entire marketing strategy. &lt;br/&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;The Most Important Marketing Lesson&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;At the end of the episode, Kyle shares a powerful question every business should ask:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;“If you c&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Looking to leverage AI? Want better results? Want to think about what you want to leverage?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Check and see how I am using it for FREE on YouTube. &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;From &amp;quot;Holy cow, it can do that?&amp;quot; to &amp;quot;Wait, how does this work again?&amp;quot; – I&amp;apos;ve got all your AI curiosities covered. It&amp;apos;s the perfect after-podcast snack for your tech-hungry brain. &lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;a href='https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCw7C-o-rOm0uYoPDeFsuSg2HlVKHUN2z&amp;amp;si=31keH2pIFOvfWWkz'&gt;&lt;b&gt;Watch here&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Imperfect Marketing, Kendra Corman sits down with SEO expert Kyle Bailey to explore how artificial intelligence is changing the search landscape—and what businesses should really focus on to stay visible online. Kyle shares his journey from growing up around construction trades to building an SEO agency focused on helping home service businesses succeed online. Along the way, the conversation dives into the realities of modern SEO, the myths around AI repla...

Is AI Killing SEO? What Small Businesses Need to Know Now

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