Personalization in cold outreach: how much is enough? I see a lot of debate about how deeply we should personalize cold emails. Some swear by referencing a prospect’s favorite podcast, others prefer a one-size-fits-all pitch. For me, personalization works best at the company level. If a company is hiring for multiple roles, that already tells me what they care about. Growth, scaling, or maybe a gap in a specific department. That’s where I tailor my message. I don’t spend time digging into profiles or trying to find something personal to mention. If I notice something obvious, like a promotion, I’ll bring it up but I don’t go hunting for details. I’ve found that being relevant matters more than being hyper-personal. How do you personalize your outreach? Do you focus on the company, the person, or somewhere in between?

Just came across an article that hit me HARD today... Personal branding isn't just for influencers and entrepreneurs - it's for EVERYONE trying to level up their career game! 💯 Think about it - in today's job market, what makes YOU stand out from the crowd? Your personal brand is basically the intersection of your authentic story + core values + career goals. This is exactly what we talk about on the podcast! That transformation journey isn't just internal - it's also about how you present yourself to the world. Here's a quick thought exercise for my Transformational Shapers: 1️⃣ Jot down 5 strengths you bring to the table (be honest, but don't be humble!) 2️⃣ List 3 core values that drive your decisions 3️⃣ Write your career goals - both 1-year and 5-year vision When these align authentically... BOOM! That's your personal brand foundation. Who's working on their personal brand right now? Drop a 🙋 below and let me know what part you're struggling with - maybe we can workshop it together! #PersonalBranding #CareerGrowth #BecomeLegendary

I'm really excited to share that our latest podcast guest is LinkedIn legend Katie Street! Her vulnerability and authenticity on LinkedIn is unmatched, her down to earth approach to share real challenges and offer value is inspiring... in our next episode of OnBD with ALF - OUT TOMORROW - hear from Katie directly on how to win at people-powered marketing!   Here are a sneak peeks of what's covered on the pod:   ✨ People-powered marketing matters - the best campaigns start with human connections, not algorithms.   🤝 Build your personal brand - your voice and perspective can open doors and create trust.   💌 Content is more than noise - create value for your audience, not just more emails.   👥 Human connection still counts - even in an AI-driven world, face-to-face and meaningful interactions make all the difference.   🎯 Authenticity is everything - being genuine in how you sell and market pays off in the long run. Although these points might feel like stating the obvious, in tomorrow's episode, Katie will explain HOW to execute each one successfully! Interested in getting some advice from someone with over 21,000 LinkedIn followers? The newest episode of OnBD with ALF is out tomorrow - don’t miss it!   #OnBDwithALF #Sales #BusinessDevelopment #Marketing #MediaSales #ALFInsight #PersonalBranding #PeoplePoweredMarketing

💡 New Podcast Episode Alert 🎧 In a crowded digital marketplace, a tangible marketing piece can be your most powerful tool. 💌 In the newest episode of The Best Dam Podcast, I discuss the strategic advantages of targeted direct mail with Tim Knifton, owner of RSVP Las Vegas. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gDR8vFZd Key takeaways from our conversation include: 🎯 High-Value Targeting: How to effectively reach the top 30% of homeowners with a cost-effective, shared-mail approach. 📊 Proven ROI: Tim shares client stories of incredible success, including one business that generated over $2.5 million in revenue from postcards in just six months. 💡 Consumer Psychology: Learn why tangible mail requires 20% less cognitive effort to process than digital ads, making it more impactful for consumers, including Gen Z. 🔁 Lead Generation: Why a multi-channel marketing plan that incorporates direct mail is crucial for creating a repeatable, reliable stream of quality leads for your business. This episode offers actionable strategies for any business owner aiming to diversify their marketing and drive substantial growth. 🚀

LinkedIn Is the New Goldmine   And most sellers haven’t struck it yet I sat down with Kevin King on the AM/PM Podcast to talk about how ecommerce brands are using LinkedIn to generate real leads... not just likes. We covered: ✅ Why LinkedIn is the untapped channel for ecommerce growth ✅ How to build authority that attracts buyers (not just followers) ✅ The shift from Amazon-first to brand-first strategies ✅ Practical ways to turn content into conversions If you’re a seller, this episode might change how you look at your marketing strategy. 🎧 Listen to the full episode in the first comment.

What if your LinkedIn wasn’t just a “nice to have” — but a lead-and referral engine? You’re showing up online, posting content, staying visible… so why isn’t it bringing you the referral-partners and clients you know you should have? In the latest episode of the Serve First & Sell Later Marketing Podcast, I’m pulling back the curtain on how to: - Turn your LinkedIn presence into a magnet for professionals who refer business. - Craft content that speaks their language — not just yours — and invites genuine conversations. - Use LinkedIn (yes, including direct messages) to elevate your credibility, expand your network and spark partnerships that lead to real business. And yes,  social media can actually bring you new clients — when it’s done strategically. If you’re done posting and hoping someone will simply knock on the door — this is about building the door and walking your partners through it. 🎧 Tune in now! #ReferralMarketing #LinkedInTips #ProfessionalGrowth #ServeFirstSellLater

What if your LinkedIn wasn’t just a “nice to have” — but a lead-and referral engine? You’re showing up online, posting content, staying visible… so why isn’t it bringing you the referral-partners and clients you know you should have? In the latest episode of the Serve First & Sell Later Marketing Podcast, I’m pulling back the curtain on how to: - Turn your LinkedIn presence into a magnet for professionals who refer business. - Craft content that speaks their language — not just yours — and invites genuine conversations. - Use LinkedIn (yes, including direct messages) to elevate your credibility, expand your network and spark partnerships that lead to real business. And yes,  social media can actually bring you new clients — when it’s done strategically. If you’re done posting and hoping someone will simply knock on the door — this is about building the door and walking your partners through it. 🎧 Tune in now! #ReferralMarketing #LinkedInTips #ProfessionalGrowth #ServeFirstSellLater

Marcus Piazzisi, CEO of VIIRL Marketing, joined Paul Jamison on the Green Industry Podcast to share tips for a successful multi-channel marketing strategy. In this episode, Marcus reveals the importance of understanding the customer journey. He also mentions how tools like CallRail help track and optimize marketing results for smarter spending. Listen to the full episode for all of these insights and more: https://okt.to/76M9Az

🎙️ “I’m a Retailer — Here’s How to Pitch to Me” podcast Episode 2 is live and this one’s all about cold outreach! Why it often annoys me. What makes it ineffective. And how it can actually work when done right. I sat down with the legendary Aaron Luxmoore, recent winner of the @NORA Industry Elevator Award and Head of Sales & Partnerships at Lexer. Together, we unpacked cold out reach whether it be a call, linkedin message, email or SMS. 🎧 If you're in sales, partnerships, marketing or just fear reaching out to someone you don't know, this one’s worth a listen: Link to videos in comments.

“Your logo won’t win hearts — but your story might.” When Fraser Merrifield started FORM careers, he didn’t have a big marketing plan. No website. No fancy pitch deck. Just a LinkedIn account… and his personality. He started writing about what he knew — recruitment, people, and real life. Not sales talk. Not motivational fluff. Just the truth. And it worked. Clients started showing up in his inbox saying, “I’ve never commented on your posts… but I like what you do.” That’s when it hit him — building a personal brand isn’t about likes. It’s about trust. It’s about being visible enough for people to feel they already know you long before they ever need your help. Because people don’t buy from faceless companies. They buy from people they feel connected to. So maybe the best marketing strategy isn’t shouting louder. It’s simply being yourself — consistently. Don’t miss this inspiring story! The full conversation with Fraser Merrifield (FORM careers) drops this Sunday, 12th of October, 2025 on The Growth Blueprint Podcast. Subscribe + hit 🔔 so you don’t miss it. Link in the comments. #TheGrowthBlueprintPodcast #FounderStories #FormCareers #SocialEnterprise #ImpactDriven #GrowthBlueprint