Running a marketing agency used to mean juggling a small army of freelancers, risking missed deadlines, and spending more time managing people than creating content and building strategies. That’s how Barbara Jovanovic of Startup Cookie used to operate. She’s now built a streamlined operation that generates six figures annually with a tech stack that costs…
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Generative engine optimization: What we know so far
SEO is changing. We’re entering a new era of search — the AI age — and with it comes generative engine optimization (GEO), the practice of optimizing content for AI-driven engines such as ChatGPT or Perplexity. If we want our content to reach the right people, we need to adapt. There’s no need to throw…
KPI dashboards & how to use them in your marketing
I’ll never forget the first time someone asked me for a marketing performance update. I had six messy spreadsheets open, no clear narrative, and no KPI dashboard to tie it all together. I had the numbers, technically … but not the clarity. I wasn’t even sure which metrics mattered most. That’s when I started building…
Why you shouldn’t buy Instagram followers (& what experts say to do instead)
You might know your Instagram content is good, but imagine how much better it will seem if it looks like 10,000 people agree. Whether you’re trying to become a social media celebrity or simply looking to spread brand awareness on Instagram, it can be tempting to take shortcuts wherever you can in order to expand…
Sales pipeline stages: My blueprint for what to look for at each stage
Well-defined sales pipeline stages allow reps to track their deals and nurture their prospect from lead to customer. Whether you’re just getting started in B2B sales management, want to improve your team’s performance with repeatable, proven practices, or anything in between, you need a sales pipeline in place. In this post, I’ve assembled a step-by-step…
Sales pipeline stages: My blueprint for what to look for at each stage
Well-defined sales pipeline stages allow reps to track their deals and nurture their prospect from lead to customer. Whether you’re just getting started in B2B sales management, want to improve your team’s performance with repeatable, proven practices, or anything in between, you need a sales pipeline in place. In this post, I’ve assembled a step-by-step…
Stop sending “just checking in” emails. Here are 22 alternatives for your follow-ups
Hi, it’s me again, just checking in. Following up. Circling back. Despite the temptation to try this easy follow-up opener, I never recommend that salespeople send “just checking in” emails. The simple reason? They don’t work. It feels like a guilt trip, and doesn’t add new value or pique the prospect’s curiosity. But that doesn’t…
Stop sending “just checking in” emails. Here are 22 alternatives for your follow-ups
Hi, it’s me again, just checking in. Following up. Circling back. Despite the temptation to try this easy follow-up opener, I never recommend that salespeople send “just checking in” emails. The simple reason? They don’t work. It feels like a guilt trip, and doesn’t add new value or pique the prospect’s curiosity. But that doesn’t…
How I get fired up for my cold calls, insights from my 18 years in sales (+ tips for reps)
When I was in 5th grade, I was voted “Most Reserved” in the yearbook at Dewey Elementary School in Cherry Hill, NJ. I had just moved back to Jersey after bouncing around SoCal. I was a shy kid, nervous about making new friends. No one would expect me to go into sales, a field that’s…
How I get fired up for my cold calls, insights from my 18 years in sales (+ tips for reps)
When I was in 5th grade, I was voted “Most Reserved” in the yearbook at Dewey Elementary School in Cherry Hill, NJ. I had just moved back to Jersey after bouncing around SoCal. I was a shy kid, nervous about making new friends. No one would expect me to go into sales, a field that’s…