Marketing by Design

Andy Milligan
  • 5.0 (6)
  • MARKETING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Marketing by Design is a narrative spotlight show for high-performing marketers and founders on how to drive real business results with design, branding, and strategy. Powered by the Columbus Chapter of the American Marketing Association, we explore how smart design and intentional strategy helps businesses stand out, earn trust, and convert the right customers.

  1. The Role of Designers in a Marketing Team in an AI World | Josh Canale

    12H AGO

    The Role of Designers in a Marketing Team in an AI World | Josh Canale

    ⚡️ High-Converting Websites Visual Swipe File: https://www.mmgdesign.net/visualswipefile Josh Canale went from borderline failing engineering classes to leading AI design systems at Epic — the largest electronic health records platform in America. Now, as the founder of Float, he works with AI startups to design their user experiences from the ground up. In this episode, Josh breaks down how the design process is fundamentally reshaping — why prototyping is now a form of ideation, how to build an AI tool stack without getting lost in the hype, and what separates the designers who will thrive from the ones who get left behind. Whether you're a founder building an AI product or a marketer trying to understand where design is headed, this conversation is packed with frameworks you can use immediately. CONNECT WITH JOSH 🌐 Website https://www.buildwithfloat.com/ 💼 LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshcanale/ CONNECT WITH ANDY 🌐 Website https://www.mmgdesign.net/ 💼 LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmgdesign/ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Intro 02:54 - Small Town Kid to UX Designer 08:19 - The Scrap Wood Desk That Started It All 14:01 - When AI Landed on Josh's Lap at Epic 16:59 - The Article That Changed His Career Forever 22:45 - What Designers Looked Like 5 Years Ago vs. Now 32:24 - Designing Without a Mind's Eye (Aphantasia) 39:14 - The CRAFT Prompt Framework Every Designer Needs 49:28 - Cut Through the Hype: Josh's Actual Tool Stack 53:46 - Building a Diabetes App in One Hour with Vibe Coding 58:23 - How to Stay on the Leading Edge Without Burning Out TEAM 🎙 Host // Andy Milligan https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmgdesign/ 🎥 Production // MMG Design https://www.mmgdesign.net/ 🤝 Powered by // AMA Columbus and COHatch https://amacolumbus.org/ https://www.cohatch.com/mbd

    54 min
  2. What Most Marketers get Wrong About The Sales Process | Marcus Schaller

    2D AGO

    What Most Marketers get Wrong About The Sales Process | Marcus Schaller

    ⚡️ High-Converting Websites Visual Swipe File: https://www.mmgdesign.net/visualswipefile Marcus Schaller is a Fractional B2B Strategist with 20+ years studying why some people thrive at selling while others white-knuckle their way through every conversation. In this episode of Marketing by Design, Marcus breaks down why selling is really just problem-solving, why trust outweighs every other tactic in services, and why most founders and marketers sabotage their pipeline by spending time in the wrong rooms. If you've ever felt weird about selling, this one will reframe everything. CONNECT WITH MARCUS 🌐 Website: https://marcusschaller.com/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcusschaller/ CONNECT WITH ANDY 🌐 Website: https://www.mmgdesign.net/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmgdesign/ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Intro 01:38 - The headphones story that explains invisible selling 03:52 - Why the best sellers are obsessed with solving problems 05:38 - The two books that changed how Marcus thinks about sales 09:42 - Does believing in your product actually matter? 13:41 - Selling for yourself vs. selling as part of a team 18:22 - You don't need to be interesting—you need to be interested 22:58 - Why trust is the only currency in services 28:44 - The daily habits of trustworthy salespeople 30:47 - Networking events: are you there for comfort or results? 38:22 - How to know if you're in the wrong room 42:40 - There are no sales mistakes—only data TEAM 🎙 Host // Andy Milligan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmgdesign/ 🎥 Production // MMG Design: https://www.mmgdesign.net/ 🤝 Powered by // AMA Columbus: https://amacolumbus.org/ 🤝 Powered by // COHatch: https://www.cohatch.com/mbd

    48 min
  3. The Numbness of Success & How to Fulfill Your Freelance Destiny | Josh Hall, Web Designer Pro

    FEB 12

    The Numbness of Success & How to Fulfill Your Freelance Destiny | Josh Hall, Web Designer Pro

    ⚡️ High-Converting Websites Visual Swipe File: https://www.mmgdesign.net/visualswipefile Josh Hall is the founder of Web Designer Pro — a community, coaching, and course platform that's helped hundreds of web designers build real businesses. He's also the person who got Andy started in web design. In this in-studio conversation, Josh breaks down why communication is the single most valuable skill an entrepreneur can develop, what it actually feels like when you hit a revenue goal and realize it's not what you expected, and how knowing when to pause (without calling it quitting) separates sustainable founders from burned-out ones. CONNECT WITH JOSH Website: https://www.joshhall.co/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshhallco/ CONNECT WITH ANDY Website: https://www.mmgdesign.net/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmgdesign/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindfulmilligan/ Yep — for platforms like YouTube, Spotify, and Webflow, adding a dash after the time makes timestamps cleaner and more scannable (and matches common formatting). Here it is fixed: TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Intro 05:49 - The intangible Josh sees in entrepreneurs who make it 08:04 - Why having a Plan B is actually dangerous 11:47 - The one skill that determines your quality of life 17:56 - What Josh would tell his kids about entrepreneurship 24:42 - Why hitting your number can feel completely numb 33:03 - The real cost of "never quit" 35:15 - Quit, pause, rest — they're not the same thing 38:01 - Every identity shift Josh has made in 16 years 43:31 - You don't need to be the best — just the best for your client 1:01:34 - Signal vs. noise and the task inventory 1:24:28 - Should you still get into web design in 2026? TEAM Host — Andy Milligan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmgdesign/ Production — MMG Design: https://www.mmgdesign.net/ Powered by — COHatch: https://cohatch.com/mbd

    1h 50m
  4. The State of Newsletters in 2026: Marketer’s Playbook | Kyle Adams, Creator Glue

    FEB 10

    The State of Newsletters in 2026: Marketer’s Playbook | Kyle Adams, Creator Glue

    ⚡️ High-Converting Websites Visual Swipe File https://www.mmgdesign.net/visualswipefile Kyle Adams, newsletter strategist and founder of Creator Glue, breaks down exactly why most newsletters are broken and what to do instead. In this episode, Kyle shares the framework he uses to help creators turn their newsletter into a named, positioned product that drives real revenue — plus he coaches Andy live on his own newsletter strategy, giving actionable advice any marketer with a small list can steal immediately. CONNECT WITH KYLE Website: https://www.creatorglue.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itskyleadams/ CONNECT WITH ANDY Website: https://www.mmgdesign.net/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmgdesign/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindfulmilligan/ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Intro 04:41 - Why your newsletter beats every social platform you're on 07:39 - The "greatest hits" email trap killing your list 09:07 - How to turn a newsletter into a weekly growth engine 12:23 - The only stats that actually tell you anything 15:22 - Reply rate: the metric nobody tracks but should 16:19 - How to become a mind reader for your subscribers 27:12 - Why naming your newsletter changes everything 37:53 - Relaunching a stale newsletter without alienating your list 44:08 - Andy's live newsletter audit (steal this advice) 50:59 - Social media's heading toward pay-to-play — now what? 54:13 - The "self-starter filter" that wins you clients TEAM Host // Andy Milligan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmgdesign/ Production // MMG Design: https://www.mmgdesign.net/ Powered by // AMA Columbus: https://amacolumbus.org Supported by // COHatch: https://www.cohatch.com/mbd

    44 min
  5. Money Mindset, Imposter Syndrome, and Simplifying B2B Content | Lee Densmer

    FEB 5

    Money Mindset, Imposter Syndrome, and Simplifying B2B Content | Lee Densmer

    ⚡️ High-Converting Websites Visual Swipe File https://www.mmgdesign.net/visualswipefile⁠ In this episode of Marketing by Design, Andy sits down with Lee Densmer, Content Strategist and Owner of Globia Content Marketing, to talk about the hidden barriers that hold marketers back. Lee shares how money mindset and imposter syndrome quietly shape pricing, confidence, and career growth. They also unpack what it really takes to write a book, simplify B2B content programs, and build authority without burning out. This conversation is honest, practical, and deeply reassuring for marketers who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or undercharging for their expertise. Key Takeaways - Why money mindset is often shaped long before your career starts - How imposter syndrome affects pricing, confidence, and leadership - When you’re actually ready to write a book (and when you’re not) - Why most B2B content programs are overcomplicated - How simplifying content leads to better results and less burnout Timestamps 00:00 – Can we swear on the podcast? 01:22 – What “money mindset” really means 02:31 – Imposter syndrome and owning your expertise 05:45 – How early money stories shape career behavior 08:23 – Why we undercharge ourselves but not our friends 11:48 – Feeling confident later in your career 12:33 – What it really takes to write a book 16:12 – Why feedback hurts (and why you need it) 19:17 – Building a personal board of directors 26:06 – In-house vs consultant mindset 29:42 – How to become a thought leader without oversharing 35:47 – The before-and-after promise of Content Simplified Resources Mentioned Content Simplified (Book): https://www.leedensmer.com Globia Content Marketing: https://globiacontent.com/ Connect with Lee Website: https://www.leedensmer.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leedensmer/ Email: lee@globiacontent.com Connect with Marketing by Design Free Newsletter: https://www.mmgdesign.net/resources-all-lead-magnets Website: https://www.mmgdesign.net/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmgdesign/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindfulmilligan/ Helpful Resources Highest Converting Websites Visual Swipe File: https://www.mmgdesign.net/visualswipefile Marketer’s Essential AI Toolkit: https://www.mmgdesign.net/ai Marketer’s Essential Reading List: https://www.mmgdesign.net/books Help Us Grow If this episode helped you rethink confidence, pricing, or content strategy, please rate and review Marketing by Design on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. It helps us reach more marketers like you. TEAM Host: Andy Milligan – https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmgdesign/ Production: MMG Design – https://www.mmgdesign.net/ Powered by: AMA Columbus – https://amacolumbus.org

    34 min
  6. AI Search Playbook: How to Rank in 2026

    FEB 3

    AI Search Playbook: How to Rank in 2026

    ⚡️ High-Converting Websites Visual Swipe File: https://www.mmgdesign.net/visualswipefile In this episode of Marketing by Design Michelle Bourbonniere breaks down how AI search actually works under the hood — in plain English. We unpack the five-step process (prompt → personalization → expansion → draft → linking), why AI citations are often unreliable, and what B2B marketers should do instead of obsessing over links. If you care about being recommended by OpenAI, Google AI Mode, or Perplexity AI, this is the “stop guessing, start engineering” playbook. Connect with Michelle Michelle Bourbonniere Website: https://www.wordsontherise.com/ AI Search Cheat Sheet: https://www.wordsontherise.com/ai Newsletter: https://www.wordsontherise.com/ (subscribe on-site) Connect with Andy Andy Milligan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmgdesign/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindfulmilligan/ Website: https://www.mmgdesign.net/ Production by MMG Design: https://www.mmgdesign.net/ Key takeaways - Why “AI search” is mostly “search + synthesis,” not magic - The real KPI isn’t clicks from citations (yet) - How to “optimize for the fire” (background queries), not individual prompts - Why passages matter more than pages in AI results - The simplest way to reverse-engineer why you’re getting recommended Timestamps 00:00 - Creator Science, SEO influences, and what changed 01:21 - The shift: from “AI writes content” to “how do I get found?” 02:15 - Michelle’s mindset switch: AI as a new ranking game 05:10 - “Gloom to glee”: why AI used to break content marketing 06:32 - The turning point: chatbots got search indexes 07:01 - The research sprint: patents, papers, and what matters 11:11 - The 5-step AI search model (simple version) 12:38 - Personalization: location, history, and what’s coming 15:26 - Expansion: multiple background searches happening for you 18:16 - Why AI citations are stitched on last 19:35 - Don’t chase links — chase mentions + clarity 27:00 - “Optimize for the fire,” not the spark 33:00 - The timeless principle that matters more now 37:11 - The unconventional move: ask customers for their chat logs Resources Mentioned - Michelle’s site: https://wordsontherise.com - AI cheat sheet: https://wordsontherise.com/ai - Tools/platforms discussed: OpenAI, Google AI Mode, Perplexity AI - Concepts: Google patents, AI Overviews/AI Mode, “passages not pages,” personalization, background queries Connect with Marketing by Design LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmgdesign/

    42 min
  7. He Gave Away Insane Value For Free (Now He’s Pivoting)

    JAN 29

    He Gave Away Insane Value For Free (Now He’s Pivoting)

    ⚡️ High-Converting Websites Visual Swipe File: ⁠⁠https://www.mmgdesign.net/visualswipefile⁠ Mark Szymanski built his audience the “hard way”: consistent, high-value content with little to no selling. But once brand deals and paid requests started showing up, he ran into an uncomfortable truth—getting paid can change your relationship with the work. In this episode, we talk about how to create insane value for free, when not to monetize, and how to make a smart pivot without sacrificing authenticity, trust, or your name. 🔗 CONNECT WITH MARK 🌐 Website: https://markszymanski.co/start/ 💼 Business: https://motive11.com/ 📹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarkJSzymanski 🔗 CONNECT WITH ANDY 🌐 Website: https://www.mmgdesign.net/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmgdesign/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindfulmilligan/ ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Don’t create a problem until you have one 00:30 - Mark’s origin story: WordPress, agency work, and content 03:13 - The early entrepreneurship influence (family business) 06:01 - The real skill: building rapport fast 10:22 - When getting paid “ruins” the thing you love 16:05 - Tool stacks, switching costs, and what actually matters 23:13 - Why WordPress people get emotional (and why that makes sense) 30:46 - Just-in-time learning vs just-in-case learning 38:17 - Daily posting and why Mark can’t stop creating 45:12 - Brand deals: how they happen and how to do them right 51:14 - The idea: Webflow vs WordPress “sell each other” episode 🎙 TEAM 🎙 Host // Andy Milligan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmgdesign/ 🎥 Production // MMG Design: https://www.mmgdesign.net/

    1 hr
  8. VC Marketing: How to Make Your Product Appealing to Investors w/ Ben Wiener

    JAN 27

    VC Marketing: How to Make Your Product Appealing to Investors w/ Ben Wiener

    ⚡️ High-Converting Websites Visual Swipe File: ⁠⁠https://www.mmgdesign.net/visualswipefile⁠ In this episode of Marketing by Design, Ben Wiener breaks down why fundraising is actually a marketing problem—not a deck problem. As a venture capitalist and author of Fever Pitch, Ben shares how VCs process information, where founders lose attention, and the one messaging move that neutralizes objections before investors even speak. If you’re a startup founder or marketer responsible for positioning, storytelling, or go-to-market, this episode reframes pitching as investor marketing and shows you how to do it with clarity, confidence, and leverage. 🔗 CONNECT WITH BEN WIENER 🌐 Website: https://www.benwiener.net/ 📘 Book + Free Pitch Tools: https://feverpitchbook.com/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benwiener/ 🔗 CONNECT WITH ANDY 🌐 Website: https://www.mmgdesign.net/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmgdesign/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindfulmilligan/ ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Why pitching is really marketing 03:30 – Going 0-for-27 pitching a VC fund 06:41 – How VCs form objections in real time 09:04 – Why founders overload investors 12:10 – Passion vs pressure in startup storytelling 17:34 – What investors actually want to feel 27:01 – The HEART framework explained 36:33 – The highest-leverage move founders miss 40:26 – Branding, websites, and investor trust 45:23 – Fever Pitch + free tools 🧠 YOU’LL LEARN How to market your startup to VCs • Why “selling the next meeting” matters more than vision • How to neutralize objections before the solution • The psychology behind investor decision-making • How to package belief, stakes, and differentiation 🎙️ TEAM Host // Andy Milligan https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmgdesign/ Production // MMG Design https://www.mmgdesign.net/ Partners // COHATCH https://www.cohatch.com/mbd

    49 min
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Marketing by Design is a narrative spotlight show for high-performing marketers and founders on how to drive real business results with design, branding, and strategy. Powered by the Columbus Chapter of the American Marketing Association, we explore how smart design and intentional strategy helps businesses stand out, earn trust, and convert the right customers.

Information

  • Creator
    Andy Milligan
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    143
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Andy Milligan
  • Show Website
    Marketing by Design