Tales From The PROS

In this episode of Tales from the PROS, I talk with Tara Hunt, an author, speaker, and Founder & CEO of Truly and the CEO of Phlywheel.

Tara is an executive-level digital marketing professional with over 20 years of progressive experience. She specializes in relationship and inbound marketing with a passion for a data-driven strategy and has over 20 years of research and analytics experience using quantitative and qualitative data.

She is also a best-selling author of The Power of Social Networking and Crown Business, professional international speaker, and was recognized as a Women to Watch in Entrepreneur Magazine in 2013, Women-led Startups to Watch in Fast Company in 2011, and The Most Influential Women in Technology in Fast Company Magazine in 2009.

In this episode, we chat about Tara's entrepreneurial journey and how she leverages social media to tell great stories that instantly connect with her audience. 

Listen to this episode. Hope you enjoy it!

Don't Miss:

1. Tara's entrepreneurial journey - 04:50

2. Why audience should be the "hero" of your story - 19:30

3. Challenges that made Tara stronger and more determined - 47:03

Listen and Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tales-from-the-pros/id1371067192

Things we talked about:

1. Tara's inspiring story and her entrepreneurial journey

2. How to tell a story that can connect with your audience 

3. How to create an effective content strategy

4. How to leverage today's social media channels correctly and organically

5. Some problems and struggles she overcame during her career

6. Tara defines her story in "one-word."

Follow Tara Hunt:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/missrogue

Instagram: http://instagram.com/missrogue

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/missrogue/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trulysocialwithtara/

Website: http://www.tarahunt.com/

Follow Me and Subscribe:

https://linktr.ee/mgeorgiou22

In this episode of Tales from the PROS, I talk with Brandon Steiner, a renowned media personality, author, speaker, and sports marketer. 

Brandon is the Founder & President of The Steiner Agency and CollectibleXchange. The Steiner Agency is the nation's premier independent athlete procurement source. The CollectibleXchange is an online platform for fans, collectors, store owners, celebrities, athletes, and teams to buy and sell collectibles. 

Previously, he created Steiner Sports Marketing and Memorabilia, one of the largest companies of its kind. Additionally, he is a well-known motivational and inspirational speaker. He has spoken to world-class organizations such as the New York Yankees, BMW North America, Nike, Live Nation, Cornell University, TEDx, and Harvard Business School. He is also the author of Living on Purpose, The Business Playbook, and You Gotta Have Balls. 

In this episode, Brandon talks about his journey of being a salesman for over 50 years and shares some critical business and marketing insights.

Check out this episode. Hope you enjoy it!

Don't Miss:

1. How to change your mindset and stay focused - 8:20

2. Brandon's success story - 12:38

3. Why you need to get out of an SOS mindset - 48:30

Listen and Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tales-from-the-pros/id1371067192

Things we talked about:

1. Brandon's inspiring story of how he got to where he is today

2. Why it's so important to listen to your mother's advice

3. The lesson learned of why you have to stop selling and start serving

4. His experience working with the Yankees and some of the world's top sports athletes

5. What it means by letting success get in the way of more success

6. To do good, start with gratitude

7. Brandon defines his story in "one-word."

Follow Brandon Steiner:

https://twitter.com/brandonsteiner

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonsteiner/

https://www.instagram.com/brandonsteiner

https://collectiblexchange.com/ 

https://brandonsteiner.com/ 

Follow Me and Subscribe:

https://linktr.ee/mgeorgiou22

In this episode of Tales from the PROS, I talk with Shanee Moret, the CEO and Co-founder of MedSnake Media and the Founder of Growth Academy.

Shanee is a stage 4 cancer survivor and is one of the top content creators on LinkedIn. She has successfully generated hundreds of millions of views through her inspirational and insightful content.

Shanee has a social following of around 1M people and growing. She is an International Goodwill Ambassador for Public Health, and she also serves as a Global Goodwill Ambassador.

In this episode, Shanee shares her entrepreneurial journey and her battle with cancer. She also talks about storytelling and ways to create stories that can truly resonate with the audience.

Don’t Miss:

1. The inspiration behind Shanee’s LinkedIn journey - 06:10

2. How to make content that people want - 17:11

3. The most effective storytelling method that provides results - 32:55

Listen and Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tales-from-the-pros/id1371067192

Questions Asked:

1. Shanee, I know that you have a very inspirational story. Can you tell us a little about your story of how you got to where you are today?

2. I know you heavily believe in the power of storytelling. What would you consider the science behind your storytelling content techniques on LinkedIn?

3. How do you use growth marketing instead of traditional digital marketing to help your healthcare marketing business and healthcare customers succeed?

4. Do you have any thoughts on the future of healthcare and marketing?

5. Can you describe your life story in "one word"?

Follow Shanee Moret:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaneemoret/

https://www.instagram.com/shaneemoret/?hl=en

Follow Me and Subscribe:

https://linktr.ee/mgeorgiou22

In this episode of Tales from the PROS, I chat with Brian Schulman, who is known as the Godfather of LinkedIn Video, and one of the world’s top video marketing experts.

Brian is the founder and CEO of Voice Your Vibe. He is a Forbes Featured Entrepreneur, LinkedIn Top Voice, and LinkedIn Video Creator of the Year. He is one of the most sought-after international speakers.

Brian talks about how Founders and C-Suite Executives can find their voice, voice their vibe, attract their tribe, and tell a story that people will fall in love with.

Don’t Miss:

1. Brian’s inspirational story - 02:18
2. How to find your ‘voice’ - 19:41
3. How to build digital relationships - 37:05

Listen and Subscribe on iTunes:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tales-from-the-pros/id1371067192

Questions Asked:

1. So, Brian, I know you have an inspirational story of struggle and success. Can you talk a little about that and how you got to where you are today?

2. How does someone find their voice?

3. How do you communicate your story and make it resonate with others online?

4. In your experience, what are the best Linkedin video and content strategies to execute?

5. What is the power of storytelling in your perspective?

6. How do you define your story in one word or one sentence?

Follow Brian Schulman

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianschulman/
https://twitter.com/voiceyourvibe

Follow Me and Subscribe:
https://linktr.ee/mgeorgiou22

In this episode of the Tales from the PROS, I talk with David Brier, Google’s #1 ranked rebranding expert. He has four decades of branding expertise working with companies of all sizes — from startups to global enterprises. He is also a keynote speaker and the bestselling author of his #1 Amazon book called “BRAND INTERVENTION.” 

David has won over 330 international design awards and been named the Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship. He has also received recognition from some of the world’s top names in the business, such as Daymond John from Shark Tank and Grant Cardone. He is nicknamed the “Brandfather.”

In this episode, David shares some crucial insights on branding and marketing. I hope you enjoy it!

Don’t Miss:

1. David’s experience with his first client - 09:15

2. Advice to business owners and leaders on branding - 17:32

3. What is brand storytelling and how powerful it is in the branding world - 30:44

Listen and Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tales-from-the-pros/id1371067192

Questions Asked:

1. Can you tell us a little bit about the story of how you got to where you are today?

2. In your experience, what are some of the branding problems you see businesses of all sizes face?

3. When you are consulting with small businesses, startups, and innovators, what are some of the most important pieces of advice you give them to create a brand and have an emotional connection with their customers?

4. How do you redefine and improve a company’s current brand problem and identify if they even have a brand?

5. In your eyes, what is brand storytelling, and how powerful is it to be included in a brand and marketing strategy?

6. What is the future of branding in our global economy?

Follow David Brier

https://twitter.com/davidbrier

https://www.linkedin.com/today/author/davidbrier

Follow Me and Subscribe:

https://linktr.ee/mgeorgiou22

In today's episode of Tales from the PROS, I chat with the amazing Rand Fishkin. He is the Co-Founder of SparkToro, and previously the Co-Founder of Moz and Inbound.org. 

Rand has dedicated his professional life to helping people do better marketing. We talk about his entrepreneurial journey, how he started and exited from Moz, and his inspiration behind starting SparkToro. 

In this episode, you will find some crucial insights about achieving startup success and learn how focusing on small wins can lead to bigger achievements.

Don't Miss:

1. What is SparkToro and how it can help businesses - 13:34

2. Where are businesses heading in today's competitive world - 17:24

3. The power of branding and emotional storytelling, especially in the tech world - 34:12

Listen and Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tales-from-the-pros/id1371067192

Questions Asked:

1. Rand, as you know that you’re very well known in the marketing world, but for those who don’t know, can you share a little about your story and how you got to where you are today?

2. Due to the crazy times we are in with this crisis, where do you feel digital marketing is headed?

3. What are your thoughts on what small businesses should be focusing on to grow from a strategic marketing perspective?

5. Where do you feel Google is headed in regards to SEO and paid marketing?

6. When it comes to growing your company at Sparktoro and when you grew Moz as well, what were some of the vital steps you took ensuring steady and scalable growth?

7. Do you think brands and business professionals trying to increase exposure and gain more trust and credibility should try to focus more on storytelling?

8. How do you use your story to provide value to others and achieve success?

Follow Rand Fishkin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/randfishkin

https://twitter.com/randfish

https://www.sparktoro.com

Check out Rand’s Book “Lost and Founder” here: https://sparktoro.com/book

Follow Me and Subscribe:

https://linktr.ee/mgeorgiou22 

In this episode of the Tales from the PROS, I chat with Heather Monahan. 

Heather is known as the “Boss In Heels”, teaching how to empower YOU to create YOUR confidence and live life to its fullest, and ultimately achieving success. Coming from humble beginnings, she has become a best-selling author, keynote speaker, entrepreneur, and founder of Boss In Heels. 

Having successfully climbed the corporate ladder for nearly 20 years, this inspiring thought leader is one of the few women to break the glass ceiling and claim her spot in the C-suite.

Listen to this episode. Hope you enjoy it!

Don't Miss:

1. How to build confidence, especially when experiencing long-term struggle - 05:02

2. Heather’s experience with her mentor - 12:50

3. How to build a personal brand - 19:50

Listen and Subscribe on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tales-from-the-pros/id1371067192

Questions Asked:

1. Heather, being a leader in your space, I mentioned you came from humble beginnings. Can you tell us the story of how you got to this successful point in your life?

2. How do you create confidence in yourself when something has gone on for so long that it has become the new norm?

3. Is building confidence developed by more action, or is it more of a mental game, or is it both?

4. In your experience, what were the steps you took to define your purpose and self-worth?

5. Any advice on how to use your purpose and passion to create a personal brand or leverage an existing company brand?

6. On a marketing perspective, what were the most important steps you took to build your audience?

7. We all go through insane struggles and obstacles, you talk about firing your villain. Can you talk more about that?

8. I love how you talk about your story, how do you use storytelling to build yourself, provide value and inspire others?

Follow Heather:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theheathermonahan/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathermonahan/?hl=en

Website: https://heathermonahan.com/

Check out Heather's Amazon Bestseller book: https://heathermonahan.com/confidence-creator-book/

Follow Me and Subscribe:

https://linktr.ee/mgeorgiou22

In this episode of the Tales from the PROS, I talk with Joe Pulizzi, a leading evangelist for content marketing, entrepreneur, speaker, Amazon bestselling author, podcaster, and storyteller.

We talked about Joe's entrepreneurial journey and how he built a leading content marketing educational resource called the Content Marketing Institute. Joe has founded multiple startups. He has received the "Lifetime Achievement Award" by the Content Council in 2014.

Listen to this episode. Hope you enjoy it!

Don't Miss:

1. The key to creating an effective content marketing strategy - 17:00

2. What does it take to create an impactful piece of content? - 31:45

3. Joe's struggles and pinnacle moments and what aspiring entrepreneurs can learn - 42:33

Things we talk about:

1. Joe, being a global leader in content marketing, tell us your story of how you go to this stage in life.

2. I see sometimes you blog and podcast about being content-first, for all businesses our there, what does it mean to be content-first?

3. What do you consider the key fundamentals of building an effective content marketing strategy for a business?

4. Do you believe in some proven strategies and tactics in order to generate an ROI from content?

5. What does it really take to build an effective and impactful piece of content in today’s competitive age?

6. I know sometimes you talk about storytelling, which I love because I am a passionate storyteller myself. But what does great storytelling mean today in relation to content marketing?

7. Were there certain times of your life that were pinnacle moments in getting you to this stage of success and thought leadership?

8. What were some of your toughest struggles and challenges in your life or career, and how did you overcome them?

9. What is the best advice you can give to current and future business leaders?

Follow Joe Pulizzi:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/joepulizzi/

https://www.facebook.com/JoePulizziAuthor

https://twitter.com/joepulizzi

Follow Me and Subscribe:

https://linktr.ee/mgeorgiou22

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tales-from-the-pros/id1371067192

In this episode of Tales from the PROS, I chat with Dan Olson, who is the CEO of UpCity.com, a successful entrepreneur who has spent over 15 years in the digital marketing industry. He is passionate about creating and empowering successful relationships between businesses and trusted marketing services providers.

We talk about Dan's story of how he built and scaled UpCity to becoming a leader in its space, the challenges of building up a successful business and the sacrifices he made during the process, he explains how to differentiate yourself in a competitive market, advice to other business leaders, and much more. 

 Questions:

1. Dan, I am glad that we have finally been able to connect on here, although I am aware of what you do, can you tell us more about your story?

2. My company is currently a customer of UpCity, what triggered you to differentiate your business platform and strategy from other digital marketing agencies? Since we all know it’s heavily saturated.

3. In your experience with marketing and helping startups and companies for so long, what do you see as their biggest challenges they have in common on marketing or business perspective, and what guidance or advice do you give to help them?

4. Any advice, tips, or strategies on how to market yourself or your brand in today’s competitive digital age?

5. What stage of growing and scaling UpCity would you say has been the most challenging for you? And what stage has been the most enjoyable?

6. Did you build UpCity from the ground up? If so, do you think bootstrapping is a good idea or is it smart to look for outside funding?

Three How's Explained:

1. How do you define failure?

2. How do you define your story in one sentence and in one word?

3. How do you define success?

Follow Dan Olson:

Website - https://www.upcity.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-w-olson/

Follow Me and Subscribe:

https://linktr.ee/mgeorgiou22

In this episode of Tales from the PROS, I chat with Dan Olson, who is the CEO of UpCity.com, a successful entrepreneur who has spent over 15 years in the digital marketing industry. He is passionate about creating and empowering successful relationships between businesses and trusted marketing services providers.

We talk about Dan's story of how he built and scaled UpCity to becoming a leader in its space, the challenges of building up a successful business and the sacrifices he made during the process, he explains how to differentiate yourself in a competitive market, advice to other business leaders, and much more. 

 Questions:

1. Dan, I am glad that we have finally been able to connect on here, although I am aware of what you do, can you tell us more about your story?

2. My company is currently a customer of UpCity, what triggered you to differentiate your business platform and strategy from other digital marketing agencies? Since we all know it’s heavily saturated.

3. In your experience with marketing and helping startups and companies for so long, what do you see as their biggest challenges they have in common on marketing or business perspective, and what guidance or advice do you give to help them?

4. Any advice, tips, or strategies on how to market yourself or your brand in today’s competitive digital age?

5. What stage of growing and scaling UpCity would you say has been the most challenging for you? And what stage has been the most enjoyable?

6. Did you build UpCity from the ground up? If so, do you think bootstrapping is a good idea or is it smart to look for outside funding?

Three How's Explained:

1. How do you define failure?

2. How do you define your story in one sentence and in one word?

3. How do you define success?

Follow Dan Olson:

Website - https://www.upcity.com
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-w-olson/

Follow Me and Subscribe:

https://linktr.ee/mgeorgiou22