Nonprofit leaders work hard and care deeply, but sometimes their message isn’t clear enough to get people excited and involved. The stories are powerful, and the mission is strong, but the message can get lost. It’s a frustrating reality for nearly every marketer involved in the nonprofit sector. So how do you communicate your vision in a way that gets your donors, volunteers, and supporters to rally behind you and make a real impact?    In the newest episode of our Talkin’ Shop series,...

The coaching world is booming, but with thousands of new coaches and consultants entering the industry, it’s becoming a more crowded space. If you're looking to make an impact, the question quickly becomes: How do I get noticed? Many coaches get caught in a cycle of trying to copy what others are doing, hoping it will work for them, but it usually backfires. So how do you find your authentic voice and connect with clients who truly need you?   In this week’s episode of our Talkin’ Shop...

If customers in your town are searching online for what you offer but can’t find you, you’re missing a huge opportunity. It’s like having a storefront without a sign. Local business owners know they need to show up in search results, but SEO can sound like rocket science—complex, overwhelming, and honestly, not what you signed up for. But what if there were a way to use SEO that’s straightforward, doesn’t eat up your time, and just works?   In the latest episode of our Talkin’ Shop series,...

Marketing doesn’t have to be complicated, but let’s be real—it’s easy to screw it up. You know your product or service is great, but your customers aren’t noticing. Why? Because you’re either blending in with everyone else or confusing your audience with messaging that’s unclear. It’s a tough balance: if you’re too creative, people don’t get it. If you’re too clear, it can seem dull. The real challenge is finding that sweet spot that balances creativity and clarity. So, how do you create a...

Traditional productivity advice often assumes a “one-size-fits-all” solution, but for many people —especially those of us with ADHD or other neurodivergent traits—that approach can actually slow you down. You may even feel ashamed of your inability to focus or stay organized, but the real problem might be that the traditional methods weren’t designed for you. Instead of forcing yourself into methods that don’t align with your natural strengths, it's important to recognize that you may need a...

Ready to take your marketing career to the next level? Apply now to become a StoryBrand Certified Guide at StoryBrand.com/Guide and get the tools, training, and community to help businesses boost sales—but hurry, the deadline for the December training is approaching fast!   --   Leading a business means constantly being pulled between competing demands. Should you focus on increasing profits or making a bigger impact? Should you embrace stability or push for innovation? When grappling...

What does the Enneagram have to do with marketing? A lot more than you might think! Your Enneagram type shows how you process information, make decisions, and approach creativity. From perfectionism to overthinking, these innate tendencies directly impact your marketing approach. If you’ve had trouble connecting with your audience or executing a winning strategy, your Enneagram type could be the key. So how can understanding your Enneagram type make your marketing more effective?   In this...

Money stresses us out. Whether you're a small business owner or just trying to manage personal finances, it can feel like you’re always juggling competing priorities. Should you be saving more? Investing in your business? Can you even afford to? Add in the weight of societal pressures, and it’s easy to see why 73% of Americans rank finances as their top stressor. But what if getting clear on your money values (not just the numbers) could help relieve the stress and guide your financial...

We all strive for success, but at what cost? Climbing the ladder often comes with unexpected challenges. As you work toward your goals, it’s easy to focus on the next milestone, only to realize that collecting more accolades leaves you feeling empty instead of fulfilled. Many high achievers find themselves grappling with stress, isolation, and a loss of purpose despite their accomplishments. Is it possible to chase your dreams without losing sight of what truly brings you joy and...

Marketing for nonprofits can feel like a balancing act. You're juggling two distinct audiences—the people you serve and the donors who make it all possible. The challenge lies in crafting a message that speaks to both audiences without diluting your core mission. But when your messaging feels off, it’s easy to get stuck, unsure about what will make the maximum impact. So how do you find that sweet spot where your message resonates with everyone who matters?   In this final part of the...

Is your brand’s message failing to pack the punch you know it should? It’s easy to get stuck when you want to make a bold statement in your marketing but fear the potential backlash. Many business owners feel like they're holding back, worried that being too outspoken might turn people off. But this can water down your messaging, leaving you with a yawn-inducing brand voice and ineffective marketing. So how can you showcase your brand’s personality without the risk of alienating potential...

You're sitting on a goldmine of knowledge—and you know you could package it up into an online course and help people. But every time you think about actually doing it, you hit a wall. You don't have an audience. You have no idea how to find people who'd actually pay for your course. It all feels too overwhelming, and you're starting to think it's just not worth it. But what if you could launch your course without having a huge following?    In this episode of the Getting Unstuck series,...

Is your business feast or famine? Are you struggling to maintain consistent sales, even when you know there's demand? This is a common small business challenge—going from "everyone wants it" to crickets. So how do you keep the momentum going and turn those crickets into a steady hum of excited buyers?   As part of our Getting Unstuck series, today’s episode tackles a question from listener Tina Cusker, owner of La Cuisine, a boutique kitchen store with culinary classes. Tina's classes used...

Your reputation is everything. It's the lifeblood of your business. But what happens when nasty rumors start to circulate? It can feel like an unfair fight. The fear, the uncertainty, the damage to your brand... it's a nightmare! And when your integrity gets called into question, it’s a gut punch and you may not be sure how to fight back. So what should you do?   In this week’s episode of our Getting Unstuck series, J.J. and April help caller Holly with this very issue. Holly is a business...

Being a scrappy entrepreneur is all about making the most of what you have. But when it comes to funding your business, it's easy to feel like you've hitting a brick wall. Financial realities can make your dream of starting a business seem unlikely, or worse: completely impossible. Have hope, heromaker! If you're bootstrapping your startup, you just need to know the right steps to launch without breaking the bank.    In this episode of our Getting Unstuck series, hosts J.J. Peterson and...

If you're targeting a niche market, reaching the right audience can feel tricky. Common marketing advice may work for some (or even most) companies, but it just doesn't seem to resonate with your unique customer base. For marketers and business owners in specialized industries, like tourism or art, success depends on connecting with a specific group of people—aka your "tribe"—who share distinct interests and needs. So how do you hone in your marketing efforts to really speak to your niche? ...

Is your marketing falling flat, even when you’re putting in the work and following all the best advice? You've read the books, listened to the podcasts, and implemented the strategies, but you're still not seeing the results you want. It can be a frustrating puzzle, especially for those who’ve invested time and energy learning solid marketing frameworks like StoryBrand. So where might you be going wrong?   In today’s episode of our Getting Unstuck series, hosts Dr. JJ Peterson and April...

You’ve probably heard the saying, “If you build it, they will come.” But that's simply not true when it comes to business. It actually takes a great deal of strategy and effort to get customers. And the stress of not having enough leads can crush anyone’s spirit, especially when you know your product is top-notch. Rest assured, the problem isn’t your product—it’s your approach to finding buyers. So what’s the secret to breaking through and filling your pipeline?   As we continue our Getting...

You've spent hours perfecting your pitch, confident that this time, you'll convert your audience into enthusiastic customers. But once again, the response is lukewarm, and nobody buys. What gives? If this scenario sounds familiar, then this episode is for you! We’ve heard from many marketers and business owners who found themselves frustrated after their well-prepared presentations flopped. So how do you deliver a sales pitch that’s powerful and persuasive enough to inspire action from your...

Too many businesses, whether large or small, established or new, make the mistake of leading with their own story. In other words, they’re trying to tell their audience all about what makes their business so great — and then they’re confused when their audience reacts with a shrug and says, “I don’t care.” How can businesses reach new customers when “I don’t care” is the prevailing mindset?   StoryBrand and Marketing Made Simple help you answer that question. On the podcast today, hosts Dr....

It’s hard to do creative work when you feel burned out and spread thin. But for many talented people, this is exactly what happens. You’re good at what you do, so more and more people seek you out. Your workload grows, and before you know it, you can easily lose touch with the passion and purpose you once had. Burnout sets in, and if you’re not careful, it can become a weighty fog you can’t see your way out of.   In today’s episode, J.J. and April have a heart-to-heart conversation with...

If you’ve done any kind of sales or marketing, you know that handling customer objections is a huge part of the job. Unfortunately, most companies have a hard time overcoming objections and helping customers see the value they have to offer. The result? They become sales-ey and lose sight of the goal: serving their customers.   In today’s episode, J.J. and April sit down with StoryBrand Certified Guide, Angie Schultz, as she shares her experience using the StoryBrand framework in her own...

Is your business hitting roadblocks with international marketing? Cultural differences, language barriers, and varying consumer behaviors can pose big challenges for any brand. Marketers often find themselves at a loss, struggling to adapt their messaging and strategies to resonate with diverse audiences. This usually leads to underperforming campaigns and missed opportunities to connect with broader audiences. In these cases, a brand needs a universal and flexible framework that accommodates...

Why does talking about your business sometimes feel like explaining rocket science to a 5-year-old? If your message is drowning in technical terms or marketing speak, you might just be alienating your audience instead of drawing them in. Countless businesses find themselves tangled in jargon that might impress a fellow expert but leaves potential customers scratching their heads. Cutting through this complexity and speaking directly to your audience’s needs can be the game-changer your...