The Digital Success For Business Podcast

In this episode of the Digital Success for Business Podcast, Leanne Cohens breaks down what AI will do brilliantly for marketing in 2026, where its limits are, and how to build a human-first marketing system that scales without losing authenticity. This is a practical, grounded conversation for business owners who want clarity not chaos as AI becomes embedded in every platform.

Marketing is getting noisier. Audiences are getting smarter. Budgets are tighter.So in 2026, success isn’t about doing more — it’s about doing what actually works. In this episode of the Digital Success for Business Podcast, Leanne Cohens, Founder of Marketing Leap, walks you through how to build a clear, focused marketing game plan for 2026 by identifying what to keep, what to drop, and where to double down for real results. Drawing on 12+ years running a digital agency and hands-on experience across finance, tech, health, manufacturing, tourism, and professional services, Leanne breaks down the patterns she sees repeatedly in businesses that grow — and those that stay stuck. This is a strategic, no-hype episode designed to help business owners simplify their marketing, cut wasted effort, and enter 2026 with clarity instead of chaos. ✅ What You’ll Learn in This Episode The core marketing foundations that still work — and why you should protect them The tactics draining your time, energy, and budget that need to be retired How SEO, AI, and search behaviour are evolving in 2026 (and what actually matters now) Where to double down for the highest ROI without corporate-sized budgets How to simplify your tech stack, content, and follow-up systems What winning businesses are doing differently as they head into 2026 🔑 Key Quotes to Remember “2026 isn’t about doing more marketing — it’s about doing what actually works.” “The businesses that grow in 2026 won’t chase trends. They’ll double down on clarity.” “If your marketing feels overwhelming, the problem isn’t effort — it’s focus.” ⏱️ Episode Timestamps 00:00 Introduction: The Marketing Landscape in 202600:41 Welcome to the Digital Successful Business Podcast01:25 Key Marketing Strategies for 202602:07 Foundations That Still Matter02:48 The Importance of Brand Story and Customer Understanding04:20 SEO and Search Evolution with AI06:06 The Power of Follow-Up and Email Marketing07:10 Paid Ads and Offline Integration08:26 What to Drop in 202611:34 Doubling Down on Effective Strategies15:50 Conclusion: Simplify and Amplify Your Marketing 📣 Final Takeaway + CTA Your 2026 marketing plan doesn’t need to be complicated — it needs to be clear. If listening to this episode has you thinking “I need help implementing this”, that’s exactly what we do at Marketing Leap. Whether you need: a Fractional CMO to lead strategy and execution a Done-For-You marketing team or a 90-Day Strategy Intensive to map your 2026 roadmap We help businesses move from overwhelm to momentum. 👉 Learn more or book your strategy session at https://marketingleap.net 🎧 While You Relax Over Christmas Week This episode is intentionally reflective, its a pause-and-plan listen you can come back to between Christmas and New Year as you shape your 2026 priorities. If you enjoyed this please Subscribe & Take the Marketing Leap today...Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarketingLeap LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marketingleap/YouTube: http://bit.ly/SubscribeMarketingLeapTwitter: https://twitter.com/marketingleapInstagram: https://instagram.com/marketingleapPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/MarketingLeap/My FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/DigitalSuccessWithStyle  

In an age where AI can generate thousands of posts in seconds, the brands breaking through aren’t the ones posting the most — they’re the ones telling the most human stories. In this episode of the Digital Success for Business Podcast, we explore why emotional connection is still the number one driver of buying behaviour, and why storytelling outperforms even the smartest AI-generated content.Drawing on more than 30 years in business and 12 years running a digital agency, Leanne Cohens explains how human-led messaging creates trust, loyalty, and long-term visibility — and why your story is your most powerful marketing asset. You’ll learn how to move beyond bland, informational content and start sharing stories that resonate, differentiate you from competitors, and convert your audience into long-term clients. Whether you’re a coach, consultant, founder or service-based business owner, this episode shows you how to use human-led storytelling as a strategic advantage in 2026 ... not just a creative flourish. What You’ll Learn / Key Takeaways: Why emotional resonance drives the majority of buying decisions How human stories build trust in a way AI simply can’t replicate The psychology behind narrative-driven marketing Why facts alone don’t sell — but stories do The storytelling frameworks that actually work (without sounding cheesy) Real-world client examples that transformed connection and conversions How to make your customer the hero of the story — not your brand The difference between informational content and emotional content How to use storytelling across your website, socials, emails and funnels Why consistency in your story builds long-term loyalty What to avoid when using AI in your content creation Key Quotes: “Facts inform people. Stories move them.” “Your audience won’t remember your features, but they’ll remember how your story made them feel.” “In 2026, human-led storytelling isn’t optional — it’s the only way to cut through the noise.” Timestamps: 00:00 – Why emotional connection drives purchasing 00:33 – Today’s episode overview 01:01 – The power of storytelling in modern marketing 01:38 – The science of emotional resonance 03:20 – Where brands go wrong with AI-generated content 04:30 – Case study: Transforming a financial services business with story 05:59 – How to apply the Hero’s Journey to your own messaging 08:40 – Building emotional loyalty beyond the first sale 11:38 – Episode wrap + next steps If you want marketing that actually connects — and converts At Marketing Leap, we help founders and SMEs build message-led, human-first marketing systems that generate clarity, visibility and clients. If you’re done blending in and ready to build a brand people remember: 👉 Book Your Strategy Session https://marketingleap.net Let’s shape your story into the strategic engine behind your business growth. P.S. If you enjoy the show, please follow, rate, and subscribe on your favourite platform — and hit Subscribe on YouTube for the full video version each Saturday. ✅ Download the free Social Media Infographic for platform insights: https://marketingleap.net/resources🎯 Ready to plan your next 90 days? Book your VIP Intensive: 90-Day Roadmap: https://digitalsuccess.global/vip-planning🎧 Listen to more episodes: https://marketingleap.net/podcast About The Host: Leanne Cohens is the Digital Success Coach and owner of the agency Marketing LEAP. With over 25 years of experience as a marketer and over 30 years as a business owner, Leanne helps entrepreneurs grow their businesses through proven marketing strategies. If you enjoyed this, please Subscribe & Take the Marketing Leap today! Let's Connect:Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/MarketingLeapLinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketing-leap YouTube: http://bit.ly/SubscribeMarketingLeapInstagram:  https://www.instagram.com/marketingleap/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marketingleap

In a world obsessed with 3-second scrolls, fleeting Reels, and AI-generated everything, podcasting has become one of the most reliable ways to build visibility and trust that actually compounds over time.In this episode, I break down why podcasting still matters in 2025 and into 2026 and how to use it as the central pillar of your marketing strategy to grow your authority, nurture leads, and move people towards your offers with confidence. Whether you're building a brand, growing a service-based business, or trying to generate consistent leads, podcasting is the long-game strategy most founders are overlooking. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why podcasting outperforms short-form content for long-term brand growth The psychology behind voice, connection, and trust How podcast episodes become evergreen visibility assets The real reason podcast listeners convert faster than social followers How to repurpose one episode into a month of content (the Marketing Leap method) Why “influencer culture” is dying — and why expert authority now wins How to use your podcast as a strategic funnel, not just another channel Key Quotes “Your voice is your secret sauce — don’t outsource the one thing that builds real connection.” “Trust doesn’t start at the checkout — it starts with your voice in someone’s ear.” “Your podcast isn’t content — it’s your strategy, your sales funnel, and your authority all rolled into one.” Episode Timestamps 00:00 — Introduction: Why podcasting is more powerful than ever01:23 — The evolution of marketing & why attention has changed02:51 — Podcast episodes as evergreen visibility assets03:53 — Your authentic voice: the real trust builder05:17 — Why podcast listeners convert faster than social followers07:03 — Repurposing: turning one episode into a month of content09:28 — The shift from influencers → experts10:37 — Final thoughts: building a brand that lasts Podcasting works because it gives you what social media can’t: time, trust, and deep connection. If you're ready to turn your ideas into influence — and build a content engine that supports your entire marketing strategy — Marketing Leap can help. 👉 Book your Strategy Session: https://marketingleap.netLet’s build the visibility, systems, and authority your business deserves. P.S. If you enjoy the show, please follow, rate, and subscribe on your favourite platform — and hit Subscribe on YouTube for the full video version each Saturday. ✅ Download the free Social Media Infographic for platform insights: https://marketingleap.net/resources🎯 Ready to plan your next 90 days? Book your VIP Intensive: 90-Day Roadmap: https://digitalsuccess.global/vip-planning🎧 Listen to more episodes: https://marketingleap.net/podcast About The Host: Leanne Cohens is the Digital Success Coach and owner of the agency Marketing LEAP. With over 25 years of experience as a marketer and over 30 years as a business owner, Leanne helps entrepreneurs grow their businesses through proven marketing strategies. If you enjoyed this, please Subscribe & Take the Marketing Leap today! Let's Connect:Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/MarketingLeapLinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketing-leap YouTube: http://bit.ly/SubscribeMarketingLeapInstagram:  https://www.instagram.com/marketingleap/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marketingleapMy FB Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/digitalsuccesswithstyle   

The countdown to Christmas isn’t just about decorations and deadlines — it’s about strategy. In this episode of Digital Success for Business, Leanne Cohens, Founder of Marketing Leap, shares how changing buyer behaviour across generations is reshaping holiday marketing. From Gen Z discovering products on TikTok to Gen X relying on Facebook, Leanne explains how to meet your audience where they are and plan your most profitable Christmas campaign yet. What You’ll Learn How Gen Z, Millennials, and Gen X shop and make decisions differently this Christmas Why discovery now starts on TikTok and Instagram ... not Google How to align your social content, ads, and funnels for each generation The right way to prepare for Black Friday and Christmas promotions How to finish the year strong with strategy, not stress Key Quotes “If you’re throwing up posts hoping for last-minute sales, you’ve already lost the race.” “Connection is the new conversion — and that starts long before the checkout page.” “You don’t need more content; you need the right content at the right time for the right people.” Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction: The New Christmas Countdown00:10 – Generational Shopping Trends02:21 – Understanding the Shift in Buyer Behaviour04:27 – The Role of Social Media in Modern Marketing07:47 – Effective Paid Ad Strategies09:29 – Preparing for the Holiday Season10:54 – Strategy Over Stress: How to Plan Ahead The end of the year isn’t the time to scramble — it’s the time to strategise.Whether you’re a service-based business or an eCommerce brand, success this Christmas starts with clarity, connection, and consistency. ✅ Download the free Social Media Infographic for platform insights: https://marketingleap.net/resources🎯 Ready to plan your next 90 days? Book your VIP Intensive: 90-Day Roadmap: https://digitalsuccess.global/vip-planning🎧 Listen to more episodes: https://marketingleap.net/podcast About The Host: Leanne Cohens is the Digital Success Coach and owner of the agency Marketing LEAP. With over 25 years of experience as a marketer and over 30 years as a business owner, Leanne helps entrepreneurs grow their businesses through proven marketing strategies. If you enjoyed this, please Subscribe & Take the Marketing Leap today! Let's Connect:Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/MarketingLeapLinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketing-leap YouTube: http://bit.ly/SubscribeMarketingLeapInstagram:  https://www.instagram.com/marketingleap/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marketingleapMy FB Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/digitalsuccesswithstyle