FiredUp! - The Startup Marketing Podcast

Firebrand
  • 5.0 (17)
  • MARKETING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

FiredUp! is the show for marketers working in early and late-stage startups. Each week, we walk through fresh strategies and tactics to build brand and drive demand for your startup. Featuring interviews with marketing leaders, our take on the latest trends, and practical tips about PR, content marketing and growth marketing, we promise plenty of signal with some noisy fun along the way. FiredUp! is hosted by the team at startup marketing agency, Firebrand. Learn more at firebrand.marketing today. 

  1. What’s New in Funding News?

    8H AGO

    What’s New in Funding News?

    You’ve spent months pitching investors, navigating due diligence, and finally closing your latest round of funding, only to realize that announcing it is harder than ever. With over 3,300 VC deals per quarter and a shrinking pool of dedicated venture reporters, your news is fighting for airtime in a saturated market. On this episode of FiredUp!, we address the frustration of silent launches and explain why the traditional embargoed press release is giving way to the media exclusive. We dive into the evolving playbook for funding announcements, teaching startup marketers how to pivot from simple statistics to high-impact storytelling that captures the attention of investors and customers alike. This week, episode 131 of the FiredUp! podcast is about what’s new in funding news!  Download the Multiplier Marketing Megapack today. Exclusive offer for all our listeners — get all our Startup Guides in one go! Over 50 pages of advanced tips and advice that dive deep into content marketing, search advertising, and marketing attribution. In this episode of the FiredUp! podcast, the Firebrand team shares the differences in funding announcements in recent months and actionable steps you can take right now to maximize your chances of your funding announcement being reported on.  Morgan and Chris discuss: The Shift to Exclusives: In a world with fewer reporters covering financing, the broad embargoed pitch is losing its effectiveness. To anchor your news, focus on securing a high-impact media exclusive with a reporter who understands your niche.Storytelling Over Statistics: A funding amount is a statistic, not a story. To get covered, you must provide the raw materials of a narrative—including your team's unique background, proprietary data, or a provocative point of view on where the industry is heading.Target "Unconventional" Outlets: Don't limit your reach to traditional print magazines. Some of the most impactful coverage in 2026 is happening in industry-specific newsletters and hot digital broadcast outlets like TBPN.Transparency with Your PR Team: Your communications team needs more than just the deal size. Give them full visibility into your company’s threads—the small, interesting details that can be pulled into a larger, more compelling story for a time-strapped journalist.Put in the Work: Raising the money is a relief, but the announcement requires its own dedicated effort. Be open to creative storytelling angles that might not make immediate sense to a founder but have been proven to cut through the noise.Before your next announcement, identify three human threads in your company that have nothing to do with your valuation. These are the hooks that will help your PR team secure the coverage you deserve. Thank you for listening! Tune in to all the episodes for practical tips on crushing your startup marketing goals. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast, and tell us your key takeaways! CONNECT WITH FIREBRAND: Firebrand is a startup marketing agency. We help tech startups secure outsized marketing outcomes on their path to growth. Youtube LinkedIn X (Formerly Twitter) Work with Firebrand Apply to Be a Podcast Guest Send us Fan Mail

    34 min
  2. AI Agents and Vibe-Coding in PR

    MAR 5

    AI Agents and Vibe-Coding in PR

    Is AI coming for your PR job, or is it just coming for the tedious parts of your workflow? Many communications professionals are stuck in ChatGPT limbo—using basic prompts but failing to unlock the true potential of AI agents and agentic workflows. On this episode of FiredUp!, we dive into the frontier of vibe coding and PR automation. This week, episode 130 of the FiredUp! podcast is about AI agents and vibe-coding in PR!  Download the Multiplier Marketing Megapack today. Exclusive offer for all our listeners — get all our Startup Guides in one go! Over 50 pages of advanced tips and advice that dive deep into content marketing, search advertising, and marketing attribution. In this episode of the FiredUp! podcast, the Firebrand team shares what non-standard PR tasks can look like if using AI for assistance and actionable steps you can take right now to implement vibe-coding as an option for internal projects.  Morgan and Chris discuss: From Chat to Agents: Move beyond simple text generation. The real power of AI in PR lies in agentic workflows—AI systems that can plan, execute multi-step tasks, and use tools autonomously to solve complex problems.The Rise of Vibe Coding: Discover how "vibe coding" allows PR professionals to create custom software and tools using natural language. You don't need to be a developer to build the specific PR utilities your team needs to scale.Adaptability Over Displacement: AI isn't necessarily taking jobs, but those who master AI are taking the lead. Learn why "onboarding" to agentic tools is now easier and more intuitive than earlier, more rigid iterations.Automating the "Non-Standard": AI is moving into the realm of non-standard PR work. By applying agentic workflows to research, monitoring, and outreach, consultants can free up time for high-level strategy and relationship building.The tools are getting better, faster, and more accessible every day. The question isn't whether AI will change PR, but whether you will be the one directing the agents. This week’s challenge: Revisit an AI tool you "bounced out of" six months ago. Whether it’s an agentic platform or a specialized PR utility, the technology has likely leaped forward. See if it can now handle that one manual task you dread most. Thank you for listening! Tune in to all the episodes for practical tips on crushing your startup marketing goals. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast, and tell us your key takeaways! CONNECT WITH FIREBRAND: Firebrand is a startup marketing agency. We help tech startups secure outsized marketing outcomes on their path to growth. Youtube LinkedIn X (Formerly Twitter) Work with Firebrand Apply to Be a Podcast Guest Send a text

    44 min
  3. The Secrets of Rapid Response and Newsjacking

    FEB 26

    The Secrets of Rapid Response and Newsjacking

    In the hyper-competitive tech landscape of 2026, waiting for your own "big news" isn't enough to stay relevant. Startups often struggle to break into top-tier publications or build relationships with new reporters because they are shouting into a void of crowded inboxes. On this episode of FiredUp!, Morgan and Chris unpack the world of newsjacking for tech brands. They address media invisibility, explain how to turn breaking industry news into an opportunity for your brand to lead the conversation, and more. This week, episode 129 of the FiredUp! podcast is about the secrets of rapid response and newsjacking!  Download the Multiplier Marketing Megapack today. Exclusive offer for all our listeners — get all our Startup Guides in one go! Over 50 pages of advanced tips and advice that dive deep into content marketing, search advertising, and marketing attribution. In this episode of the FiredUp! podcast, the Firebrand team shares the state of rapid response PR in 2026 and actionable steps you can take right now to prepare your PR teams and executives for rapid response opportunities.  Morgan and Chris discuss: Why Insight Trumps Information: To win at newsjacking, provide a unique "so what?" that helps the journalist build a deeper story for their audience.The First Responders Rule: Speed is the ultimate currency in rapid response. Build a short-list of pre-approved spokespeople to ensure you can move at the speed of the news cycle.Avoid the AI Microplastics Trap: Reporters know how to spot AI slop. Ensure your commentary is uniquely human in a way that LLMs can’t replicate.Leverage Calls for Sources: Beyond reacting to the news, proactively monitor platforms like Help a Reporte" or specialized Slack groups. These are direct open-door invitations from journalists looking for specific expertise, making them the highest-conversion opportunities in PR.Strategy Over Volume: Not every breaking story is your story. Only "newsjack" when you can provide a legitimate connection to your brand’s core mission. Building a successful PR program in 2026 requires more than just a list of reporters; it requires a commitment to being a helpful, fast, and authoritative resource. Thank you for listening! Tune in to all the episodes for practical tips on crushing your startup marketing goals. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast, and tell us your key takeaways! CONNECT WITH FIREBRAND: Firebrand is a startup marketing agency. We help tech startups secure outsized marketing outcomes on their path to growth. Youtube LinkedIn X (Formerly Twitter) Work with Firebrand Apply to Be a Podcast Guest Send a text

    36 min
  4. Burning Questions About Tech Marketing

    FEB 19

    Burning Questions About Tech Marketing

    As the first quarter of 2026 hits its stride, marketing leaders are facing a new kind of pressure. The traditional marketing playbooks are being rewritten by the shift from keyword-based SEO to AI-driven search. Are you prepared for the April 1st Board Meeting question: How is AI search actually impacting our bottom line? On this episode of FiredUp!, we dive into the mailbag to answer the burning questions from our community of startup marketers. We tackle the anxiety surrounding board expectations, the shifting dynamics of marketing budget allocation, and why your "Share of Voice" might look different in a world of LLM citations. This week, episode 128 of the FiredUp! podcast is about your burning questions about tech marketing!  Download the Multiplier Marketing Megapack today. Exclusive offer for all our listeners — get all our Startup Guides in one go! Over 50 pages of advanced tips and advice that dive deep into content marketing, search advertising, and marketing attribution. In this episode of the FiredUp! Podcast, the Firebrand team shares the importance of finding ways to measure your AI visibility and actionable steps you can take right now to be prepared for questions you might get asked at your Q1 board meeting.  Morgan and Nicole discuss: Own the AI Citation Metric: Boards are moving beyond simple traffic numbers. You must be able to demonstrate whether your brand is being cited by AI agents as a top solution. Start tracking your AI Share of Voice to prove your brand's authority in generative search results.The 60/40 Budget Reality: While the classic split between brand awareness and demand generation remains a benchmark, the AI era rewards those who build a deep lake of content. High-quality, original content is the fuel that allows AI crawlers to recommend your brand to prospects mid-funnel.Focus on the Returning Visitor: In a buyer journey that now averages over 200 days and 70+ touches, one-and-done traffic is a vanity metric. Success is measured by how many people return to your site directly after their initial discovery phase in an LLM.Human Authenticity Wins on LinkedIn: Executive presence is more critical than ever, but beware of the automated reply trap. Using generic AI-generated comments to boost impressions will ultimately erode trust. Real engagement requires a human pulse and a fragrant, unique point of view.The marketing landscape is changing fast, but the fundamental need for human connection and authoritative expertise remains constant. Don't let the technical shifts of 2026 distract you from the power of a well-told story and a clear point of view. Thank you for listening! Tune in to all the episodes for practical tips on crushing your startup marketing goals. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast, and tell us your key takeaways! CONNECT WITH FIREBRAND: Firebrand is a startup marketing agency. We help tech startups secure outsized marketing outcomes on their path to growth. Youtube LinkedIn X (Formerly Twitter) Work with Firebrand Apply to Be a Podcast Guest Send a text

    33 min
  5. Go-to PR Strategies for 2026

    FEB 12

    Go-to PR Strategies for 2026

    In the crowded tech landscape of 2026, building brand awareness isn't just about flashy logos or polished websites; it's about breaking through the digital noise with authentic human connection. The challenge right now is that corporate posts are being ignored while the AI slop of generic, machine-written content is eroding trust with potential customers and investors. On this episode of FiredUp!, we tackle the essential PR tactics that actually move the needle. We explore why executive visibility is seeing a massive resurgence and how you can leverage personal authenticity to outshine the robotic "Uncanny Valley" of automated marketing. This week, episode 127 of the FiredUp! podcast is about go-to PR strategies for 2026! Download the Multiplier Marketing Megapack today. Exclusive offer for all our listeners — get all our Startup Guides in one go! Over 50 pages of advanced tips and advice that dive deep into content marketing, search advertising, and marketing attribution. In this episode of the FiredUp! podcast, the Firebrand team shares the best ways to make your c-suite executives more visibe and actionable steps you can take right now to build a strategic PR plan for 2026.  Morgan and Chris discuss: Prioritizing Executive Visibility: Potential customers want to buy from people, not just faceless corporations.Seek Smaller Podcasts To Start:. Seek opportunities on smaller podcasts to build confidence and sharpen your talking points, preparing you for the big leagues.Authenticity Over AI Efficiency: While AI can boost productivity, its recognizable cadence can be a turn off for buyers seeking real connection. Authenticity is the ultimate signal of quality..Build the Rapid Response Muscle: Success in 2026 requires a strategic rapid response program that leverages breaking news and data storytelling to maintain a constant, authoritative presence in industry conversations.For more tips on the latest PR playbooks, subscribe to FiredUp! and check out our monthly newsletter, The Forge. Thank you for listening! Tune in to all the episodes for practical tips on crushing your startup marketing goals. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast, and tell us your key takeaways! CONNECT WITH FIREBRAND: Firebrand is a startup marketing agency. We help tech startups secure outsized marketing outcomes on their path to growth. Youtube LinkedIn X (Formerly Twitter) Work with Firebrand Apply to Be a Podcast Guest Send a text

    49 min
  6. Why OOH is Working for Startups in 2026 with Ty Tinker

    FEB 5

    Why OOH is Working for Startups in 2026 with Ty Tinker

    In an era of digital ad fatigue, how does a startup break through the noise to build real-world authority? Startup marketers are feeling the burn of skyrocketing CPAs on social platforms and a growing distrust of purely digital brands. In this episode opf FiredUp!, we explore the modern evolution of Out-of-Home (OOH) advertising, from precision-targeted digital billboards to measurable attribution, with Ty Tinker.  We discuss how today’s OOH strategy allows you to target specific office buildings for Account-Based Marketing and track exactly how those offline impressions drive online conversions. This week, episode 126 of the FiredUp! podcast is about why out of home is working for startups in 2026!  Download the Multiplier Marketing Megapack today. Exclusive offer for all our listeners — get all our Startup Guides in one go! Over 50 pages of advanced tips and advice that dive deep into content marketing, search advertising, and marketing attribution. In this episode of the FiredUp! podcast, Ty Tinker shares the need for iterative planning and faster experimentation in OOH advertising and actionable steps you can take right now to bridge the gap between physical awareness and digital pipeline.  Ty Tinker is the Director of Analytics at AdQuick, a platform for planning, executing, and measuring out-of-home advertising campaigns. He is an innovative, forward-thinking data scientist with 4 years of experience using quantitative and qualitative methods of measuring.  Ty, Morgan, and Nicole discuss: Target Your "Whales" with OOH-led ABM: Move beyond generic placements. Use precision targeting to place digital billboards directly outside the corporate headquarters of your top-tier prospects, building immediate ‘around the office’ credibility for your sales team.Measure Offline ROI Like a Pro: Stop guessing if your billboard worked. By leveraging mobile location data, you can compare a control group of people who weren't exposed to your ad against an exposed group, measuring the exact lift in website visits or app downloads.The "Billboard Effect" is Real: OOH provides a level of legitimacy that digital ads can’t buy. Seeing a brand in the physical world signals to buyers and investors that your company is established, well-funded, and here to stay.Leverage Creative Optimization: Don't treat OOH as a static medium. With Digital Out-of-Home, you can run experiments with different creative versions and iterate based on performance data, just like you would with a Facebook or Google ad.Is your marketing strategy stuck behind a screen? The most successful startups in 2026 are those that own the physical space where their customers live and work. Thank you for listening! Tune in to all the episodes for practical tips on crushing your startup marketing goals. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast, and tell us your key takeaways! CONNECT WITH TY TINKER: LinkedIn CONNECT WITH FIREBRAND: Firebrand is a startup marketing agency. We help tech startups secure outsized marketing outcomes on their path to growth. Youtube LinkedIn X (Formerly Twitter) Work with Firebrand Apply to Be a Podcast Guest Send a text

    31 min
  7. The State of Writing in 2026

    JAN 29

    The State of Writing in 2026

    In 2025, we saw a massive surge in AI-generated content, followed by an even bigger backlash from audiences tired of shallow, automated insights. If your engagement is dropping and your brand feels indistinguishable from the competition, you’re likely falling into the trap of being AI-dependent rather than AI-enhanced. On this episode of FiredUp!, Morgan, Nicole, and Chris dive into the backlash against AI and the return of the human storyteller. They address the struggle of balancing the efficiency of AI with the need for authentic brand differentiation, why big tech companies are hiring storytellers, and how you can reclaim your narrative after AI-dependency. This week, episode 125 of the FiredUp! podcast is about the state of writing in 2026!  Download the Multiplier Marketing Megapack today. Exclusive offer for all our listeners — get all our Startup Guides in one go! Over 50 pages of advanced tips and advice that dive deep into content marketing, search advertising, and marketing attribution. In this episode of the FiredUp! podcast, the Firebrand team shares the difference between being AI-dependent and AI-enhanced,  and actionable steps you can take right now to create authentic, story-centric content to differentiate your brand.  Morgan, Nicole, and Chris discuss: Understanding the massive 2025 shift where audiences began rejecting generic, AI-led content. Deciding where to use AI and where it is more of a hindrance on your content and brand voice. The 80/20 Paradox: AI can provide 80% of a draft in 20% of the time, but the final 20% of the work—the deep thinking and fact-checking—requires 80% of the effort.Using original stories and case studies within your data to differentiate yourself in a crowded market.In the age of AI, the easiest path is rarely the one that builds a brand. Authenticity can’t be automated, and trust isn't built on "quick and easy" drafts.  Thank you for listening! Tune in to all the episodes for practical tips on crushing your startup marketing goals. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast, and tell us your key takeaways! CONNECT WITH FIREBRAND: Firebrand is a startup marketing agency. We help tech startups secure outsized marketing outcomes on their path to growth. Youtube LinkedIn X (Formerly Twitter) Work with Firebrand Apply to Be a Podcast Guest Send a text

    34 min
  8. Turning Old Content into New Demand

    JAN 22

    Turning Old Content into New Demand

    Most startup marketers have hundreds of old blog posts that are either gathering digital dust or worse, being surfaced by AI search bots with outdated messaging and stale data. In an era where 89% of B2B buyers use generative AI to build their vendor shortlists, your "zombie pages" could be disqualifying you before you even know a prospect is looking. On this episode of FiredUp!, we dive into the strategic blog refresh - moving beyond the simple cleanup to show you how to optimize your existing content for Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) and drive new leads from old assets. This week, episode 124 of the FiredUp! podcast is about turning old content into new demand!  Download the Multiplier Marketing Megapack today. Exclusive offer for all our listeners — get all our Startup Guides in one go! Over 50 pages of advanced tips and advice that dive deep into content marketing, search advertising, and marketing attribution. In this episode of the FiredUp! podcast, the Firebrand team shares the importance of a blog refresh in the face of GEO and actionable steps you can take right now to get fresh eyes on your existing content.  Morgan, and Nicole discuss: The AI Shortlist is Critical: Since 89% of B2B buyers use generative AI as a research partner, your blog content must be visible and authoritative to ensure your brand is cited when prospects ask ChatGPT or Perplexity for the "best tools" in your category.Prioritize Your Audit with Three Buckets: Don't try to refresh hundreds of posts at once; instead, focus on the top 20 posts in three categories: high organic search traffic, high AI search traffic, and those currently used as landing pages for paid (CPC) campaigns.Implement "Light Lifts" for High Rewards: Significant gains can be made without a full rewrite by simply updating outdated statistics, refreshing Calls to Action (CTAs) to point to current events, and adding GEO elements like FAQ sections and clear author bios.Kill the "Zombie Pages": Outdated blog posts with old messaging or defunct product focuses can confuse Google’s crawlers and AI bots, leading to lower brand authority; these should be redirected to more relevant, high-performing content.The B2B buyer journey is now a 211-day marathon with 76 individual touches across multiple channels. If your blog is a graveyard of 2022 trends, you are failing the "credibility check" that modern buyers perform daily. Thank you for listening! Tune in to all the episodes for practical tips on crushing your startup marketing goals. Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast, and tell us your key takeaways! CONNECT WITH FIREBRAND: Firebrand is a startup marketing agency. We help tech startups secure outsized marketing outcomes on their path to growth. Youtube LinkedIn X (Formerly Twitter) Work with Firebrand Apply to Be a Podcast Guest Send a text

    34 min
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FiredUp! is the show for marketers working in early and late-stage startups. Each week, we walk through fresh strategies and tactics to build brand and drive demand for your startup. Featuring interviews with marketing leaders, our take on the latest trends, and practical tips about PR, content marketing and growth marketing, we promise plenty of signal with some noisy fun along the way. FiredUp! is hosted by the team at startup marketing agency, Firebrand. Learn more at firebrand.marketing today. 

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