Categories
Marketing Podcast

Unpacking B2B Influencers: The Gamechangers

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Welcome back to Next Future Today, your go-to podcast for exploring the fascinating intersection and acceleration of business and technology.

Today, we dive deep into the world of B2B influencer marketing with our special guest, Justin Levy.

Justin is a well known expert in the field, most recently serving as the Senior Director of Influencer Marketing at Demandbase.

With over a decade of experience in this space, Justin’s insights are invaluable for anyone looking to harness the power of influencers to grow their business.

During this enlightening conversation, our host, Dan Keldsen, uncovers the secrets of successful influencer marketing campaigns and how to become a better influencer yourself.

They kick off the discussion by highlighting how social media has revolutionized the concept of influence, allowing individuals to gain prominence beyond traditional methods like writing books or giving keynotes. From there, Justin shares his expertise on the various types of content production and audience engagement that influencers can utilize to make a true impact.

One standout point from the episode is the essential role of LinkedIn in B2B influencer marketing. Justin explains how this platform has become the primary medium for influencer content in the business world, offering unparalleled opportunities for reaching professionals and decision-makers.

The conversation also emphasizes the importance of identifying influential individuals within specific markets, regardless of whether they fit the traditional demographic profile. This highlights the need for a strategic approach to influencer selection that goes beyond simply considering follower count, but also focuses on engagement, resonance, and diversity of the influencer’s audience.

Throughout the episode, Justin emphasizes the significance of establishing genuine, long-term relationships with influencers to ensure mutual success. He advises brands to involve influencers in the content creation process, allowing them to play to their strengths and preferences rather than forcing them into unfamiliar formats. This approach yields more authentic and engaging content, resonating better with the audience.

Moreover, Justin stresses the importance of thinking strategically rather than solely pursuing short-term gains. Building credibility, being known, and showcasing one’s skills and abilities are vital across industries, and this rings true for influencers as well. From startups to established brands, all can benefit from incorporating influencer marketing into their overall marketing strategies.

To measure the success of influencer marketing campaigns, Justin highlights key metrics such as engagement rate and cost per engagement. These metrics provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of collaborations and help brands make data-driven decisions moving forward.

So, whether you’re an aspiring influencer or a brand seeking to make a bigger impact in the B2B world, this episode is a treasure trove of knowledge and practical tips. Join us on Next Future Today as we delve into the exciting world of B2B influencer marketing with the incredible Justin Levy. Get ready to unlock the secrets of success and propel your business to new heights. Let’s jump right in!

FOLLOW DAN AND JUSTIN

Dan Keldsen – https://www.linkedin.com/in/dankeldsen/
Justin Levy – https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinlevy/

Categories
Entrepreneurism Innovation Podcast

What is The Leader Way? From Domination to Empowerment in the Workplace

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Welcome to Next Future Today, hosted by Dan Keldsen.

Today’s episode is What is The Leader Way? From Domination to Empowerment in the Workplace” with Leadership Expert Jamie Mason Cohen – NextFutureToday Ep 14

Find more episodes at https://NextFutureToday.com, on YouTube, or in your favorite podcast app.

In this episode of NextFutureToday, I’m interviewing Jamie Mason Cohen, a well known leadership development and resilience expert with an array of stories that, no matter how improbable they are (hint: he doesn’t take NO for an answer… and I mean that literally), are just do.damn.good. and chock full of tips for work and life.

During our conversation, he shared some incredible quotes that really resonated with me, that I’ll call out here:

1. “Leadership should be a shared responsibility and privilege.” This quote truly underscores the importance of collaboration and empowering others within leadership roles. It reminds us that leadership is not about being the dominant force (like a hard charging Jack Welch, or Steve Jobs for example), but rather about elevating and supporting those around us.

2. “Experimentation is the key to effective leadership.” The value of trying new approaches and thinking outside the box is an uncommon take that’s well worth putting into action. It highlights the need for leaders to embrace innovation and learn from their mistakes, creating an environment that fosters growth and adaptability.

3. “Leaders should be ‘learn it alls,’ not ‘know it alls’.” Having a way with words, and memorable phrases, is the sign of a great communicator, and this saying encapsulates the mindset that leaders should strive for – continuous learning and humility. It reminds us that true leaders are open to new ideas, receptive to feedback, and willing to admit when they make mistakes. There’s much more, but for the rest… you’ll need to watch/listen. Go go go! And create YOUR Next Future Today. #leadership#leadershipskills#communicationskills#saturdaynightlive

Find out more about Jamie’s work at:

https://jamiemasoncohen.com

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

Categories
Branding Entrepreneurism Marketing Podcast

The Power of Branding for Buyouts

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Welcome to Next Future Today, hosted by Dan Keldsen.

In Episode 13 of NextFutureToday, I had the privilege to interview @TedSchlueter from The Grist Agency Β where we discussed the power of Branding for Buyouts, the title of his book, courses he’s taught at Babson College about Branding for Buyouts, and his core business practice of over 15 years.

πŸ”‘ Key Takeaways:

1️⃣ Branding can significantly increase the value of a business when it is being sold. By repositioning the brand and understanding what potential buyers want, we can unlock untapped value waiting to be discovered.

2️⃣ Marketing and branding often take a backseat in the M&A process, but they deserve a dedicated spot at the table. Working alongside investment bankers can ensure a combined approach that tells the story of a company’s life’s work and sacrifices, attracting the right buyers.

3️⃣ Creating a category and trademarking it can be a game-changer. Just like Gartner’s Magic Quadrant, creating a unique space for your business increases its visibility and potential for success.

Want more? Listen up and be prepared to think about branding in a different way than most brands are designed and promoted!

Find out more about Ted’s work at:

https://www.brandingforbuyout.com/

https://www.thegrist.com/

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

Categories
Entrepreneurism Innovation Podcast Software

Secrets to Successful Software Pricing with Luke Hohmann

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Welcome to Next Future Today, hosted by Dan Keldsen.

Find more episodes at https://NextFutureToday.com, on YouTube, or in your favorite podcast app.

This interview between Dan Keldsen and Luke Hohmann discusses the importance of pricing and profit streams in software businesses, based on Luke’s latest book “Software Profit Streams” a spiritual successor to the long legacy of “canvas” style books first started by Business Model Generation.

“Software Profit Streams” is remarkably easy to understand, beautiful on the eyes, but quickly allows you to go VERY deep into software pricing.

Key Points

  • πŸ•°οΈ Time-based cadence is one of the triggers to change pricing.
  • 🏒 Internal triggers like adding new features can also necessitate pricing changes.
  • 🌍 External triggers such as regulatory changes, competitive forces, or hardware changes can impact pricing decisions.
  • πŸ’° Customer benefit analysis is the foundation for effective pricing strategies.
  • 🎯 Ilities (Reliability, Maintainability, Curability, Scalability) can be recast into current or future economic terms to inform pricing and licensing decisions.
  • 🀝 Intangible benefits of working with a company, such as being more flexible and willing to listen, should be considered in customer benefit analysis.
  • πŸ“ˆ Pricing decisions should be revisited at least once a year, but more frequently in fast-growing products.
  • πŸ§‘β€πŸ€β€πŸ§‘ Collaborative decision-making is essential for pricing strategies.
  • 🧠 Simulations can be useful in building mental models, but relying too much on them can be risky due to unknown external triggers.

Keywords

  • Customer benefit analysis: Assessing the economic value or structure of a software’s benefits.
  • Ilities: Reliability, Maintainability, Curability, Scalability; attributes that can be recast into economic terms to inform pricing decisions.
  • Infrequent transaction: An event that occurs rarely, such as selling a house or revisiting pricing decisions.
  • Intangible benefits: Non-quantifiable benefits of a product or service, such as being a nice company to work with.
  • External triggers: Factors outside of a company that can impact pricing decisions, such as regulatory changes or competitive forces.

More about Luke’s book at:

https://amzn.to/3KgdLqC (this is an affiliate link)