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As a small business owner, you need to be a lot of things to make your business go—but you don't have to be a marketer alone. Join host Dave Charest, Director of Small Business Success at Constant Contact, and Kelsi Carter, Brand Production Coordinator, as they explore what it really takes to market your business. Even if marketing's not your thing! You'll hear from small business leaders just like you along with industry experts as they share their stories, challenges, and best advice to ge ...
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Juggling a business is hard enough without adding the pressure of mastering multiple marketing channels. It's easy to feel overwhelmed, spreading yourself thin across social media, email, and who-knows-what-else. But what if there was a way to streamline your efforts and make your marketing work smarter, not harder? That's where multichannel market…
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Melanie Diehl had always envisioned a career path similar to her father's — dedicating 30 years to a single company and retiring comfortably. But then she got laid off and decided to use her severance to explore different options. That's when she discovered her talent with a sewing machine. Melanie learned by doing, navigating the ups and downs of …
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After a corporate career in direct marketing, Aaron Wesley Means had no plans to start a business. It wasn't until he began helping his wife launch her dream dog grooming business that he immersed himself in small business marketing. Eager to build a brand and attract customers, he dove headfirst into researching list-building strategies, email cam…
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Tracey Lee Davis never imagined she'd become a business owner. After years of managing a pet care company, she craved a simpler role where she could follow someone else's lead. But life had other plans. When unemployment benefits ran dry, and job applications went unanswered, Tracey reluctantly stepped into entrepreneurship. Now, as the owner of Zi…
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Lucy Hall's journey into the digital world began with a chunky Dell computer and an eBay account. At 17, she became one of the first eBay power sellers, selling thousands of "ab belts" and discovering a passion for online marketing. This early experience set the stage for Lucy's future as a digital skills advocate and community builder. Today, she …
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Clients are everywhere, but so is the competition. This is the reality for real estate agents in a crowded market. But what if you could become the go-to expert in your community — the agent everyone remembers when it's time to buy or sell their home? For over a decade, Stephanie Alfonso has helped real estate agents transform their marketing strat…
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What if you could transform the fear of rejection into a catalyst for growth in your business? Graphic designer Liz Mosley did just that. After realizing that playing it safe was holding her back from exciting opportunities, Liz embarked on a journey to reframe rejection as a stepping stone to success. Liz has been helping small businesses and crea…
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Small business owners often juggle countless tasks, leaving marketing on the back burner. But what if there was a way to streamline marketing efforts and boost confidence? Enter Constant Contact's latest innovation: the AI-powered Campaign Builder. This tool promises to revolutionize how small businesses approach marketing, addressing the challenge…
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Building a successful business takes grit, determination, and a commitment to your vision. For Maria Miranda, founder and creative director of Miranda Creative, that journey began in 1988 with a simple yet powerful belief: work should be about respect, creativity, and client value. In this episode of the Be a Marketer podcast, Maria and host Dave C…
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Want to grow your community and attract more subscribers on social media or LinkedIn?💡 In episode 68 of the Be a Marketer podcast, Dave Charest, director of small business success at Constant Contact, and Kelsi Carter, the team’s brand production coordinator, share their insights on how storytelling can help you capture your audience's attention. T…
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Your next great marketing idea could come from an unexpected place — possibly from a totally unrelated industry. That’s a powerful lesson Jonny Etherington, Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Care Advantage, has learned over the course of his career so far. It’s a mindset he’s applied in his role at Care Advantage, a trusted provider…
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Wondering how to keep your marketing content fresh without constantly exhausting your brain for new ideas?💡 In episode 66 of the Be a Marketer podcast, Dave Charest, director of small business success at Constant Contact, and Kelsi Carter, the team’s brand production coordinator, explore how AI can help you create fresh content for recurring emails…
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It doesn’t get more authentic than the great outdoors. Matthew Polstein and Tallie Martin of the New England Outdoor Center (NEOC) like to preserve that authenticity in their marketing. Matthew founded NEOC over 40 years ago, offering guests in scenic Maine rafting and snowmobiling, plus lodging and an event center with scenic views of Mount Katahd…
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Looking for ways to increase personalization and segmentation for your organization? In episode 64, Dave Charest, director of small business success at Constant Contact, and Kelsi Carter, the team’s brand production coordinator, talk you through it. Kelsi also provides a long-awaited update on her ducks! Tune in to hear more about: How personalizat…
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KiDsGyM USA focuses on gymnastics, but kids take away so much more than how to tumble. Even if students don’t go on to compete in gymnastics, it teaches them the fundamentals of any sport, and they gain confidence and self-esteem along the way, Since 2004, KiDsGyM USA has been giving youth an inexpensive way to build skills necessary for school and…
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This episode is a little different! Kelsi Carter, the team’s brand production coordinator, puts our very own Dave Charest, director of small business success at Constant Contact, in the hot seat for a change! Tune in to hear Dave share his unique journey, from his experiences with theater (and a short-lived but not forgotten time as a bass player) …
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How can you amplify your marketing plan? Start by looking at what’s worked in the past. Rich Cruz consults for Greater Chicago Consulting, Inc., a prominent management consulting firm in the Midwest. He helps his clients improve their performance by conducting job analysis, training, and development. “It's a people-first approach. Get to know the p…
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Marketing is the machine that never stops running, even for a seasonal business. Mark Chinsky, co-owner of Enjou Chocolat in Morristown, New Jersey, experiences drastic seasonal fluctuations that revolve around holidays. During the quieter seasons, Mark focuses on making technology work for him. His prior experience in the direct mail industry show…
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Are you part of a nonprofit and want to use SMS but aren’t sure how or even if it would be beneficial for your organization? On this episode, Dave Charest, director of small business success at Constant Contact, and Kelsi Carter, the team’s brand production coordinator, talk you through it. Listen in to hear how to: Maximize Event Attendance: Learn…
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Libraries are often the heartbeat of the communities they serve — and Parsippany Public Library in New Jersey is no exception, offering much more than just reading materials. Head of Information Services Nicholas Jackson has been using Constant Contact for several years, both to distribute the library’s newsletter and to text workshop registrants. …
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Do you want to know when someone signs up for your email list? On this episode, Dave Charest, director of small business success at Constant Contact, and Kelsi Carter, the team’s brand production coordinator, talk you through it. This week on the Be A Marketer podcast, learn how to be notified when someone subscribes to your email list so you can k…
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Despite being a newspaper, the Osprey Observer effectively utilizes digital tools like email marketing and social media. The key to running a successful local paper, for Marie, is being deeply involved in and committed to the local community. Her team focuses on covering local good news and events, and the relationships they build with local advert…
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Thinking about importing purchased contacts into your Constant Contact account? In this episode, Dave Charest, director of small business success at Constant Contact, and Kelsi Carter, the team’s brand production coordinator, discuss why you should avoid importing purchased contacts into your account and how to grow your email list organically. Lis…
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Identifying and understanding who your key customers are is a crucial part of marketing for Clif Johnson, especially if you’re targeting diverse audiences like professionals and consumers. "You really have to put on kind of two marketing hats. You have to understand the needs of both of those customers and really be able to cater to them in order t…
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Wondering how nonprofit organizations can use email marketing effectively? In this episode, Dave Charest, director of small business success at Constant Contact, welcomes Kelsi Carter, the team’s new brand production coordinator. They go on to discuss the importance of storytelling, segmentation, and frequency in email marketing. Listen in to hear…
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For Corissa Saint Laurent, building relationships, understanding your audience, and leveraging email marketing are key ingredients for success. And when it comes to growing along with your business, it’s all about focusing on activities that align with your skills and passions while delegating tasks that fall outside your expertise. "The goal shoul…
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Wondering how to better market new in-person events/classes? In this episode, Dave Charest, director of small business success at Constant Contact, shares how understanding your audience, utilizing integrations, creating a clear progression path, building urgency, and leveraging different platforms can help you reach and engage your target market m…
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Wondering how many follow-ups you should send after an initial email outreach? What about the timeframe in which to do so? 🎧 Listen to our latest podcast episode where Dave Charest, director of small business success at Constant Contact, shares his insights on email follow-ups and provides a suggested timeline. Key Takeaways: Multiple follow-ups af…
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When Aisha James set out to create an event celebrating Black-owned businesses in St. Louis, she didn’t think she’d end up running the largest Black-owned food festival in the Midwest. Even while spending her days working as an Operations Manager in the banking industry, Aisha finds time to fuel her passion: bringing together St. Louis’s Black comm…
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Wondering how to review marketing tools and approaches, boost productivity, and execute effective marketing strategies for your organization? In this episode, Dave Charest, director of small business success at Constant Contact, dives into the secrets of reviewing, planning, and executing your marketing strategies. And discover how to leverage tech…
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Dave Delaney, a keynote speaker, author, and business owner, shares his journey of discovering his ADHD diagnosis as an adult and how it's impacted his entrepreneurial journey and strategies. Dave discusses the challenges he faced in 2020, his coping strategies, the importance of self-understanding, and his new podcast, "ADHD Wise Squirrels." He al…
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Gail Bernardo, owner of Invisilace Hair Spa, emphasizes the value of patience and persistence in business growth, as well as the power of combining online marketing with personal, face-to-face interactions. Gail also believes in the power of consistent customer contact. In her experience, even if a potential client doesn't require her services imme…
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If you ask Brad Sundberg, storytelling is an effective marketing strategy that allows you to build trust. Brad shares his experience of using personal storytelling to promote events based on his time in the studio with Michael Jackson. He believes that sharing stories, especially about personal experiences, helps to establish connections with custo…
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Wondering how to get faculty to attend your webinars? In this episode, Dave Charest provides detailed strategies on audience understanding, creating engaging content, effective promotion, and collecting feedback. Listen in to hear how to: Understand your audience's interests and challenges through pre-work and surveys. Create engaging content that …
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Jay Schwedelson has had an interest in direct marketing since he was a five-year-old watching his parents’ direct mail business. Today, he’s one of the internet’s top email marketing experts, but the thing he loves most about email is that you don’t need to be an expert to do it well. “Just get it out there,” he says. “Iterate and keep going. Consi…
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In this episode of the "Be a Marketer" podcast, Dave Charest discusses the benefits of using sign-up landing pages and provides tips on how to effectively promote them in person, in print, and online. Sign-up landing pages are standalone web pages that offer a simple way to collect contact information and grow an email list. Sign-up landing pages c…
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2024 is one of those special years that gives us an extra day—and this Leap Day, Todd Shimkus and Maggie Fronk want you to do something kind for someone else. Todd, the president of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, started Leap of Kindness Day in 2016 to support local impact-sector organizations. The premise is simple: Use February 29 to do…
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When Julianna Curtis made the tough call to shut down her yoga and fitness studio in March 2020, she took a day to feel sorry for herself — then she sat down and figured out how to pivot. Julianna is no stranger to adversity in business. A year after opening The Energy Barre, she ended up in court facing a lawsuit about noise complaints from a neig…
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“We’re all just trying to get through this life together,” says Al Yeck. “So let’s help each other.” As the Executive Director of the Veterans Healing Farm in Hendersonville, North Carolina, Al leads an organization devoted to enhancing the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of U.S. veterans and their families. A former Marine — and a forme…
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From an 800-square-foot store to 12,000 square feet of retail and warehouse space in just three years, Lady Black Tie is the picture of small business success. Owner and founder Marissa Tilley started Lady Black Tie as a brick-and-mortar store after leaving an unfulfilling corporate job. “It came down to the idea of wanting to have fun every day,” …
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Your email’s journey to the customer’s inbox isn’t magic — it’s intentional. Constant Contact has email deliverability experts working behind the scenes to keep your special message out of the dreaded spam folder. But in addition to our technical crew, you, as the sender, can make certain shifts to increase your email’s deliverability. Constant Con…
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Ed Doherty has achieved something most marketers could only dream of: a 72-78% open rate on his Constant Contact newsletters. His secret? Authenticity. Ed launched his consulting business, Ambrose Landen, after being furloughed at the pandemic's start. He also launched a newsletter, Wednesday Weblogs, which he sends every Wednesday at 4:30 a.m. At …
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It can be easy for marketers to forget that real people are on the other side of every interaction. But Brian Solis, Head of Global Innovation at ServiceNow, aims to bring humanity back into marketing. Technology takes humanity out of the equation, he says. As a result, marketers focus too much on metrics like clicks and open rates instead of tryin…
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Artificial intelligence might seem like complex technology that’s best suited for large businesses. But Robert Mitchell disagrees — he thinks small businesses have the most to gain from AI. Robert is the Chief AI Officer at WSI World, a digital marketing agency network that equips small agencies with the tools to grow and thrive, including AI. He h…
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If you had an extra hour in your week, how would you use it? For small business owners who are using artificial intelligence (AI) and marketing automation, this is no longer a hypothetical question. According to Constant Contact’s latest research report, 91% of small businesses that use AI say that it’s helping them save time and work more efficien…
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It’s hard out there for brick-and-mortar businesses. Just ask Charlotte Walsh, the owner of running shoe store Charles River Running, who competes against her vendors for market share. But her store in Norwood, Massachusetts, offers customers what her direct-to-consumer competitors can’t: a place where new athletes can buy their first running shoes…
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If you're looking for ways to build community around your business, consider running an event. It’s a great way to connect with customers, other businesses, and community members. As Jesus Flores, a product manager at Constant Contact focusing on the Events tool, tells us, an event doesn’t have to be a massive production like a concert or gala. He …
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Julia Gackenbach and Darryl Moser from DonorPerfect, are here to share their best email marketing tips for end-of-year fundraising. On this episode of Be a Marketer, Julia, Darryl, and host Dave Charest, Director of Small Business Success at Constant Contact, discuss how often you should communicate, common mistakes you don't want to make, and how …
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When it comes to content marketing, many business owners make the mistake of creating general content that doesn’t address the specific needs of buyers about to purchase. Pamela Wilson, Chief Marketing Officer at Dental Claims Support, makes sure the company’s content answers the kinds of questions prospective buyers are asking just before they’re …
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Raise your hand if networking and building relationships make you uncomfortable. There are at least a few of you out there. And even if you’re an introvert, you likely know how critical those relationships are to growing your business. Valerie J. Lewis Coleman, best-selling author and founder of Pen of the Writer, can talk about book publishing all…
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