In this episode of The Guiding Brands Podcast, Chief Guide Karen Vick welcomes Adam Ortman — consumer psychologist, CEO, and founder of Kinetic 319 Marketing, a Denver-based marketing and advertising agency rooted in consumer psychology. Adam shares his insights on leveraging psychological principles for more effective nonprofit marketing and fundraising, drawing from his experiences with clients ranging from big names like Nike, American Express, and the American Red Cross, to small and midsize nonprofits.
Key points discussed in this episode:
What is consumer psychology, and how does it influence purchasing, donating, and brand interaction? Why people give: The personal, emotional, and empathetic drivers behind donations of time, money, and support. The critical role of empathy—how people want to see themselves reflected in the causes they support. Common nonprofit marketing mistakes, including the “projection fallacy” (assuming decision-makers’ preferences reflect the wider audience) and “compassion fade” (how big numbers can actually decrease giving). The four pillars of trust: Authenticity, Empathy, Relevancy, and Consistency—for nonprofit and small business marketing alike. Practical steps for small businesses and nonprofits to discover what their audience actually cares about—through surveys, feedback, and focus groups. Harnessing the power of AI tools (like ChatGPT) to easily craft effective surveys and question prompts.
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Kinetic 319 Marketing: https://kinetic319.com/
American Red Cross: https://www.redcross.org/
Google Forms (for easy customer/donor surveys): https://www.google.com/forms/about/
Microsoft Forms: https://forms.microsoft.com/
ChatGPT (for writing survey/interview questions): https://chat.openai.com/
Next steps & actions for listeners:
Ask your customers or donors what matters to them! Whether you use a formal survey, a quick email, or a simple conversation—dig deeper for specifics and look for patterns in their feedback. Chunk your goals into achievable milestones. When fundraising, share the big vision but highlight the realistic steps donors can help achieve. Focus your communication: Be authentic, empathetic, relevant, and consistent to build trust and stronger relationships. Don’t be afraid to leverage technology! Use AI tools to help you shape targeted questions and streamline outreach.
Subscribe for future episodes and more marketing and branding insight for service-based small businesses and nonprofits!
The Guiding Brands Podcast: https://guidingbrandspodcast.com
Leave a review & share this episode with a fellow nonprofit or small business owner who’d benefit from a bit of marketing psychology!
Welcome to a new season of The Guiding Brands Podcast! Chief Guide Karen Vick is joined by Christine, a branding and authority coach known for her dynamic personality, 25+ years in media, and expertise in broadcasting and business growth. Christine shares how she helps women entrepreneurs worldwide find their voice, define their brand, and shine as thought leaders—whether through podcasts, websites, or personal branding.
Key Discussion Points
Christine’s Journey
Broadcasting background: radio in Los Angeles, writing for America Online & MSN
Shifted focus to supporting women entrepreneurs, especially coaches, solopreneurs, and thought leaders
Realized the importance of giving clients what they need—not just what she wants to offer (e.g., expanding beyond only podcast creation services)
The Power of Podcasting
Podcasting as a key visibility tool—but not the only one
Importance of aligning your brand and message with your audience’s real needs
Podcast guesting: a powerful way to build searchability, authority, and reach new audiences, even if you don’t start your own show
Podcast content can be strategically repurposed into books, blogs, and courses
Branding Tips for Entrepreneurs
YOU are the brand: Authenticity and relatability matter most
Don’t strive for perfection—taking action and learning from mistakes leads to mastery
Embrace failure as a natural part of the growth process
Podcast Format & Approach
Variety works: from micro-podcasts (5 min) to traditional interviews
Short attention spans make bite-sized episodes highly effective
Series or seasonal formats are valid—your show doesn’t have to last forever!
Resources Mentioned
Christine’s podcasts (including "The Micro Podcast on Podcasting")
The value of email, social media, and blogging—but how podcasting can help you stand out
Example of "It’s Time to Pray" (1-minute daily podcast Karen listens to)
Connect with Christine
http://www.expertauthoritycoach.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-blosdale-579697168/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christineblosdale/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChristineBlosdale
Podcasts: https://www.christineblosdale.com/mypodcasts
Connect with The Guiding Brands Podcast
https://guidingbrandspodcast.com
Next Steps / Actions Suggested
For Listeners:
Consider guesting on podcasts in your industry before committing to hosting your own
Experiment with micro-episodes if you’re intimidated by long-form content
Show up authentically, focus on bringing value—not just selling
Repurpose your podcast content for books, blogs, or courses
Don’t wait for perfection—start, learn, and grow as you go!
For Potential Podcasters:
Remember, your podcast doesn’t have to be video or an hour long; audio-only and short formats are great options
Use podcasts as a strategic networking tool to connect with others in your field
Think of podcast episodes as assets—potential chapters in a future book or stand-alone pieces for marketing
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the podcast and leave a review! Thank you for listening and see you next week!
Episode Overview: In this enlightening episode of The Guiding Brands Podcast, Chief Guide Karen Vick is joined by Nicole Johnson, the multifaceted founder of Digital Made Simple. They dive into the fascinating world of knowledge commerce, exploring how entrepreneurs can monetize their expertise and create passive income by sharing what's 'between their ears.' Tune in to discover how you can transform your unique skills and experiences into valuable offerings for your audience.
Key Points Discussed:
Introduction to Knowledge Commerce:
Understanding the concept of monetizing your knowledge and skills.
Journey of Nicole Johnson:
From chemical engineering to a digital marketing strategist, bringing a unique operational perspective to branding and design.
Importance of Knowledge Commerce:
Explored its potential to generate passive income and discussed its major forms such as online courses, podcasts, and masterminds.
Marketing and Branding:
Strategies to effectively market knowledge-based products, ensuring they are well-packaged and targeted to the right audience.
Challenges and Opportunities:
Common challenges entrepreneurs face in entering the knowledge commerce space and the opportunities presented by technology and AI.
Resources Mentioned:
Online Course Platforms:
Udemy, Teachable, Skillshare for hosting online courses.
Social Media for Promotion:
Importance of social media in promoting and marketing your courses.
Nicole Johnson's Special Offer:
Done-for-you course outline template with a coaching session. Visit
Digital Made Simple - DFY Course
Next Steps:
Connect with Nicole Johnson:
Michelle’s Offer: Unlock potential in knowledge commerce with Nicole’s special $289 offer for a DFY course outline and coaching session! Limited time only.
Action Items:
If you're inspired to transform your knowledge into a digital product, reach out to Nicole for a comprehensive strategy session.
Visit the website for more insights and grab the offer while it's available.
Closing: If you find value in this episode, please subscribe, leave a comment, and share it with your network. Your support helps us continue bringing insightful conversations to the forefront of business development.
The Guiding Brands Podcast:guidingbrandspodcast.com
Thank you for listening! We look forward to guiding you in the next episode.