#295 Messaging | Dave is joined by Emma Stratton, founder of Punchy, where she helps B2B tech companies sharpen their positioning and write messaging that actually connects. Emma’s worked with hundreds of teams to cut through vague, abstract copy and turn it into language buyers instantly get. Dave and Emma cover: How to go from vague to punchy using specificity and buyer empathyWhy most B2B messaging blends into the “sea of sameness” (and how to stand out)How customer research and real conversations create message–market fitThey wrap with a candid chat on journaling, focus, and how managing your mental energy can make you a better marketer and human. Timestamps (00:00) - – Intro to Emma (05:12) - – What makes B2B messaging actually good (08:54) - – Common messaging mistakes (and why “clarity > clever”) (11:52) - – Positioning vs. messaging: what’s the difference? (16:05) - – Why it’s hard to name great B2B marketing examples (18:29) - – How to sharpen weak messaging and fix vague positioning statements (21:37) - – Simplifying complex products without dumbing it down (24:47) - – How to write for buyers (not just execs) (30:05) - – Using customer interviews and research to build strong messaging (34:43) - – Standing out in a crowded, buzzword-filled market (37:27) - – How storytelling fits into B2B messaging (40:33) - – Messaging advice for early-stage founders and startups (43:48) - – How often should you revisit and update messaging? (45:58) - – Productivity, managing your energy, and staying focused (49:13) - – Journaling, mindfulness, and being intentional with your time (53:08) - – Final takeaways Join 50,000 people who get our Exit Five Newsletter here: https://www.exitfive.com/newsletterLearn more about Exit Five's private marketing community: https://www.exitfive.com/ *** Today’s episode is brought to you by Paramark. It’s November. 2026 planning is already here. And the stuff you’re doing right now will decide how next year plays out. But here’s the problem: most teams are still planning next year's marketing strategy based on the WRONG DATA because of broken attribution and a misleading gut feel. And you can’t make smart budget calls if you’re just guessing what’s working, what’s not, and where to put your next dollar. That’s where Paramark comes in. They help you replace the guesswork with actual insight backed by $2 billion in analyzed marketing data. They’ve figured out what actually drives incremental growth across every channel including LinkedIn, Meta, TikTok, Google, CTV, even OOH. And right now, they’re offering a private 1:1 consultation with their CEO and CMO, Pranav and Sam, who have led marketing teams at companies like Dropbox, Adobe, Microsoft, and Shutterfly. In this 45-minute strategy session, they’ll help you measure the real impact of every marketing dollar, pull insights from your current media mix, and design a 2026 roadmap that’s rooted in data, not gut. This is a heck of an offer. And it’s real. And will go fast. So if you want to future-proof your marketing strategy for 2026, don’t miss out on this offer. Grab your spot at paramark.com/brand-consult. *** Thanks to my friends at hatch.fm for producing this episode and handling all of the Exit Five podcast production. They give you unlimited podcast editing and strategy for your B2B podcast.Get unlimited podcast editing and on-demand strategy for one low monthly cost. Just upload your episode, and they take care of the rest.Visit hatch.fm to learn more
