The Practical Marketing Show

Ep 14 - Social Media Help: What Should I Be Posting?

Episode Summary In this solo episode, host Cary Weston tackles one of the biggest marketing stressors for businesses: social media. If you've ever stared at a blank screen, wondering what to post—or given up after a flurry of short-lived effort—this one's for you. Cary breaks down the real reason most businesses struggle with social media (hint: it's not creativity) and shares a practical, repeatable way to build confidence and a content plan. No gimmicks, no dancing required—just simple, valuable content rooted in real customer conversations. 3 Key Takeaways * You're not bad at social media—you're unclear on what counts as valuable. Most folks struggle because they overthink creativity instead of focusing on clarity and consistency. * Boring stuff = valuable stuff. Your everyday conversations, FAQs, pricing chats, and behind-the-scenes insights are gold for content. * One question can become 10 different posts. With just 20 solid customer questions, you can build a year's worth of posts—checklists, stories, videos, myth-busters, and more. ABOUT CARY WESTON A certified marketing coach and former ad agency owner with over 25 years of experience, Cary works with business leaders and marketing folks who are tired of the confusion, wasted time, and second-guessing. He helps businesses make common-sense marketing decisions, so you get more out of the time, talent, and money you invest in marketing your business. CONNECT WITH CARY * Practical Marketing Podcast Website: www.PracticalMarketingShow.com [http://www.PracticalMarketingShow.com] * ChatGPTExperiment Podcast Website: www.ChatGPTExperiment.com [http://www.ChatGPTExperiment.com] * Cary's Consulting Website: www.CMWeston.com [http://www.CMWeston.com] * LinkedIn: Cary Weston on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/caryweston] 🎵 MUSIC CREDITS The instrumental music used in this podcast is called "StrivingForSuccess" by TimTaj.

Ep 13 - Data vs Information: Remembering What It Is Like To Be The Buyer

Episode Summary: In this solo episode, host Cary Weston tackles a common marketing misstep: mistaking data for useful information. Drawing from recent client conversations, he unpacks how businesses often overload prospects with long lists of features and benefits—thinking more is more—when in reality, they're just creating confusion. Cary lays out how marketers and business owners can flip the script, becoming helpful guides rather than info dumpers. It's all about empathy, clarity, and remembering what it's like to be on the other side of the table. 3 Key Takeaways: * Features and benefits don't sell on their own. Without context, they're just noise. * Being helpful means guiding—not overwhelming—the buyer. Explain what matters and why. * Empathy wins. Step out of your "curse of knowledge" and into your customer's shoes. ABOUT CARY WESTON A certified marketing coach and former ad agency owner with over 25 years of experience, Cary works with business leaders and marketing folks who are tired of the confusion, wasted time, and second-guessing. He helps businesses make common-sense marketing decisions, so you get more out of the time, talent, and money you invest in marketing your business. CONNECT WITH CARY * Practical Marketing Podcast Website: www.PracticalMarketingShow.com [http://www.PracticalMarketingShow.com] * ChatGPTExperiment Podcast Website: www.ChatGPTExperiment.com [http://www.ChatGPTExperiment.com] * Cary's Consulting Website: www.CMWeston.com [http://www.CMWeston.com] * LinkedIn: Cary Weston on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com] MUSIC CREDITS The instrumental music used in this podcast is called "StrivingForSuccess" by TimTaj.

Ep 12 - Breaking Comfort Zones: How to Sell More Experiences

Episode Summary In this solo episode, host Cary Weston shares two real-world marketing success stories from experience-based businesses: a community theater and a family-run apple orchard. Through smart strategy tweaks—like using familiar shows to break down audience hesitation and building an email list during peak orchard season—both businesses increased engagement, ticket sales, and customer return rates. Cary breaks down what made these approaches work and how the same principles can be applied in any business, even if you're not selling "experiences." 3 Key Takeaways * Reduce Risk for Customers: When selling experiences, the fear of wasting time is a real hurdle. Use familiar or popular entry points to build trust and get new people in the door. * Know Your Audience—Literally: Gathering customer data (like emails) during high-traffic times lets you stay in touch and invite folks back when it's not peak season. * Model What Works: Once you know why people come, find ways to replicate that vibe or value throughout the year. Small changes can lead to repeatable results. ABOUT CARY WESTON A certified marketing coach and former ad agency owner with over 25 years of experience, Cary works with business leaders and marketing folks who are tired of the confusion, wasted time, and second-guessing. He helps businesses make common-sense marketing decisions, so you get more out of the time, talent, and money you invest in marketing your business. CONNECT WITH CARY * Practical Marketing Podcast Website: www.PracticalMarketingShow.com [http://www.PracticalMarketingShow.com] * ChatGPTExperiment Podcast Website: www.ChatGPTExperiment.com [http://www.ChatGPTExperiment.com] * Cary's Consulting Website: www.CMWeston.com [http://www.CMWeston.com] * LinkedIn: Cary Weston on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/caryweston/] MUSIC CREDITS The instrumental music used in this podcast is called "StrivingForSuccess" by TimTaj.

Ep 11 - How To Get Started Using AI In Your Business

Episode Summary In this solo episode of the Practical Marketing Show, host Cary Weston takes the mystery out of AI and gives listeners a common-sense path to start using tools like ChatGPT in their business. Speaking directly to non-techie marketers and business owners, Cary shares three practical, approachable steps that strip away the pressure and position AI as a helpful teammate—not a tech hurdle. Whether you're curious or completely new to AI, this episode offers a friendly on-ramp to using it to get more done with less stress. 3 Key Takeaways * You don't have to "learn AI"—you just need to learn how to talk to it like a helpful intern. * Talk to it, literally. The more context and direction you give, the better the results. * Get started by introducing yourself. Tell it what you do and ask how it could help. Then follow up with "tell me more." ABOUT CARY WESTON A certified marketing coach and former ad agency owner with over 25 years of experience, Cary works with business leaders and marketing folks who are tired of the confusion, wasted time, and second-guessing. He helps businesses make common-sense marketing decisions, so you get more out of the time, talent, and money you invest in marketing your business. CONNECT WITH CARY * Practical Marketing Podcast Website: www.PracticalMarketingShow.com [http://www.PracticalMarketingShow.com] * ChatGPTExperiment Podcast Website: www.ChatGPTExperiment.com [http://www.ChatGPTExperiment.com] * Cary's Consulting Website: www.CMWeston.com [http://www.CMWeston.com] * LinkedIn: Cary Weston on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/caryweston] 🎵 MUSIC CREDITS The instrumental music used in this podcast is called "StrivingForSuccess" by TimTaj. Let me know if you'd like this formatted for a website, blog post, or social media.

Ep 10 - Summary Seekers, Detail Divers, and Hunter-Gatherers

EPISODE SUMMARY In this solo episode, host Cary Weston breaks down how understanding different communication styles can lead to more effective marketing and sales conversations. He introduces three types of people you'll encounter in your marketing materials and sales processes — Summary Seekers, Detail Divers, and Hunter-Gatherers — and explains how to create messaging that works for each one. Whether you're building a PDF, a web page, or a sales email, knowing who you're talking to and how they process information can make or break your chance at the next conversation (and the sale). 3 KEY TAKEAWAYS * Not everyone processes information the same way. Marketing needs to account for both high-level thinkers and detail-focused folks. * Design your materials for two sides of the brain. Think: summary on one side, deep dive on the other — whether it's a doc, PDF, or webpage. * Hunter-gatherers matter. They may not be the final decision-maker, but they are key to getting you in the door. Help them help you. ABOUT CARY WESTON A certified marketing coach and former ad agency owner with over 25 years of experience, Cary works with business leaders and marketing folks who are tired of the confusion, wasted time, and second-guessing. He helps businesses make common-sense marketing decisions, so you get more out of the time, talent, and money you invest in marketing your business. CONNECT WITH CARY * Practical Marketing Podcast Website: www.PracticalMarketingShow.com [http://www.PracticalMarketingShow.com] * ChatGPTExperiment Podcast Website: www.ChatGPTExperiment.com [http://www.ChatGPTExperiment.com] * Cary's Consulting Website: www.CMWeston.com [http://www.CMWeston.com] * LinkedIn: Cary Weston on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/caryweston/] MUSIC CREDITS The instrumental music used in this podcast is called "StrivingForSuccess" by TimTaj.