Share Your Genius

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Channel • 2 Shows

Marketing

Marketing

Updated Weekly
Marketing

Marketing

Updated Feb 14

6D AGO

How do you rebuild trust when your brand story changes? | Josh Privett, Communications Strategist and Principal Copywriter, Mantra

When your company outgrows its original narrative, how do you shift the story without losing your audience? In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, Rachel Elsts Downey taps Josh Privett, Communications Strategist and Principal Copywriter at Mantra. Josh discusses what it really takes to evolve your message and earn trust in the process. You’ll learn: Why clarity beats cleverness when it comes to brand trustHow to know when it’s time to shift your story, and what happens when you wait too longA real-world case study of turning fear into record-breaking growthJump into the conversation: (00:00) Why brand stories blur and how truth cuts through the noise (00:57) Rebuilding trust by narrowing your message (02:20) How a PT clinic won by owning their unique voice (04:11) From “fix pain” to “better you” and a 77% growth spike (05:21) Trusting your message is a business move Straight to Voicemail is for CMOs, CEOs, and Heads of Marketing in B2B tech who want insights from the people who’ve been there. Each episode centers on one big question answered like a voicemail you’ll want to play again. Don’t miss this conversation! Follow Straight to Voicemail and explore Genius Cuts for more B2B content strategy insights.

6d ago

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6 min
OCT 7

How do you prove ROI and win customer trust? | Mike Genstil, Co-Founder and CEO, ValueCore

The key to credibility in sales? A business case your customer believes in. In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, Rachel Elsts-Downey reaches out to Mike Genstil, Co-Founder and CEO of ValueCore. Mike talks about the disconnect between how sellers present ROI and how buyers perceive it, and offers a practical path to closing that gap with trust and transparency. You’ll learn: Why proving ROI isn’t just about numbers, it’s about trustHow to turn value storytelling into a sales advantageThe biggest mistake companies make when trying to demonstrate impactJump into the conversation:(00:00) Why we wanted to talk to Mike about ROI, trust, and real-world impact(00:25) Introducing Mike Genstil of ValueCore(00:51) How to prove ROI and win customer trust(01:59) Why skipping “cost of the problem” is a missed opportunity(03:25) Building trust by letting customers adjust assumptions(04:49) The three essentials of delivering credible ROI conversations Straight to Voicemail is for CMOs, CEOs, and Heads of Marketing in B2B tech who want insights from the people who’ve been there. Each episode centers on one big question answered like a voicemail you’ll want to play again. Don’t miss this conversation! Follow Straight to Voicemail and explore Genius Cuts for more B2B content strategy insights.

Oct 7

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6 min
SEP 18

How do you build trust that feels authentic, not transactional? | Natalie Marcotullio, Head of Growth and Product Marketing, Navattic

What if building trust didn’t start with the product, but with the story you tell before you ever show it? In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, Rachel Elsts Downey connects with Natalie Marcotullio, Head of Growth and Product Marketing at Navattic. With over a decade of marketing experience, Natalie helps B2B companies build trust through transparent content, demo-led experiences, and storytelling that centers the customer. You’ll learn: Why most product marketing comes off as a pitch and how to make it a conversation insteadA trust-building framework to anchor your marketing in authenticity, not just ROIHow Navattic uses customer “show-and-tells” to create high-context, low-pressure demosJump into the conversation:(00:00) The big question: how do you build authentic trust in product marketing?(01:00) Why storytelling always comes before product demos(01:34) The power of founder origin stories and leading with customer voices(02:00) Navattic’s “customer show-and-tells” - a non-salesy way to showcase value(03:00) Natalie’s “Unique and Valuable” framework for trust-driven content Straight to Voicemail is for CMOs, CEOs, and Heads of Marketing in B2B tech who want insights from the people who’ve been there. Each episode centers on one big question answered like a voicemail you’ll want to play again. Don’t miss this conversation! Follow Straight to Voicemail and explore Genius Cuts for more B2B content strategy insights.

Sep 18

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4 min
SEP 16

What’s your go-to move for earning client trust early? | Melissa Bryant, Founder, 6 Degrees West

Trust isn’t built on quick fixes, it’s earned through clear plans and flawless execution. In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, Rachel Elsts Downey connects with Melissa Bryant, Founder of 6 Degrees West. With years of experience in rev ops and go-to-market execution, Melissa specializes in guiding companies through complex product launches, pivots, and operational challenges. Her unique approach focuses on delivering clarity and confidence, ensuring that trust is at the heart of every client relationship. You’ll learn:Why trust is not about quick fixes but clear, actionable plans.How Melissa uses data-driven strategies and AI to align sales, marketing, and operations into a cohesive force.How to eliminate friction in client relationships to scale faster and smarter. Jump into the conversation:(0:00) Melissa Bryant’s secret to earning client trust from day one(00:46) The power of a clear roadmap in building trust(01:27) Why the first two weeks of client engagement are crucial(02:52) Aligning teams to create trust across departments(03:58) Leveraging AI and automation to scale faster and smarter(04:47) Melissa’s key takeaways on trust and client partnerships Straight to Voicemail is for CMOs, CEOs, and Heads of Marketing in B2B tech who want insights from the people who’ve been there. Each episode centers on one big question answered like a voicemail you’ll want to play again. Don’t miss this conversation! Follow Straight to Voicemail and explore Genius Cuts for more B2B content strategy insights.

Sep 16

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5 min
OCT 2

What role does trust play in leadership? | Denise Healy, CEO and Co-founder, Streets2Schools

Trust isn’t a soft skill, it’s a foundational asset. In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, Amanda Smith connects with Dr. Denise Healy, Ph.D., CEO and Co-founder of Streets2Schools and an expert in organizational psychology. With a Ph.D. in the field and decades of executive experience, she leads with empathy and strategy, building cultures where trust isn’t just a value, but an operational tool. Her approach blends radical candor, emotional intelligence, and transformational leadership. You’ll learn: How to define trust in a way that drives organizational alignmentWhy trust is essential for innovation, collaboration, and accountabilityPractical examples of “radical candor” and building reliable, transparent teamsJump into the conversation:(00:00) Why trust gets talked about but rarely operationalized in leadership (00:24) Meet Dr. Healy: How Streets2Schools turned trust into a core business function (01:08) Denise breaks down the definition of trust leaders must align on (02:06) How Denise uses team feedback to steer the company (03:13) Real examples of incentive planning and strategic retreats (04:50) Why violating stated values kills trust fast (05:22) Radical candor and reliability: The twin pillars of trustworthy leadership (06:15) Denise closes with two research-backed frameworks to explore Straight to Voicemail is for CMOs, CEOs, and Heads of Marketing in B2B tech who want insights from the people who’ve been there. Each episode centers on one big question answered like a voicemail you’ll want to play again. Don’t miss this conversation! Follow Straight to Voicemail and explore Genius Cuts for more B2B content strategy insights.

Oct 2

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7 min
SEP 25

How does trust attract attention? | Gretchen Freemyer, Associate Director of Growth, Gravity Global

Attention is currency, and trust is the ultimate growth lever. In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, Rachel Elsts Downey taps Gretchen Freemyer, Associate Director of Growth at Gravity Global where she helps B2B brands cut through noise with bold, audience-first campaigns. Her expertise spans sales enablement, brand strategy, and content design that converts. You’ll learn: Gravity Global’s “Fame, Admiration, Belief” framework for building brand trustWhy naming your audience’s fear is key to earning attention and actionHow taking bold risks can transform B2B storytellingJump into the conversation:(00:10) Gretchen frames today’s B2B landscape: attention is currency, trust is what keeps it(00:50) The FAB framework: Fame, Admiration, Belief, and how each builds trust(02:30) Why naming your audience’s fear is more powerful than showcasing your product(03:35) How to spark admiration by creating bold, curiosity-driven content(04:40) The lemur campaign: turning plumbing into a memorable B2B brand moment(05:30) Trust starts by understanding what your audience truly cares about Straight to Voicemail is for CMOs, CEOs, and Heads of Marketing in B2B tech who want insights from the people who’ve been there. Each episode centers on one big question answered like a voicemail you’ll want to play again. Don’t miss this conversation! Follow Straight to Voicemail and explore Genius Cuts for more B2B content strategy insights.

Sep 25

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6 min
SEP 9

How to build trust in a world of noise and AI? | Rachel Rizzuto, Director of Marketing, GadellNet Consulting Services

Amidst all the AI noise, Rachel Rizzuto argues the real differentiator is still human connection. In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, Amanda Smith taps Rachel Rizzuto, Director of Marketing at GadellNet Consulting Service. Rachel focuses on combining marketing expertise with deep technical knowledge to help clients navigate the evolving role of AI. You’ll learn:How GadellNet is leveraging AI efficiencies to reinvest in real, human-to-human interactionsWhy value-driven content (not just clicks) builds lasting trust with stakeholdersPractical ways B2B marketers can partner with internal experts to produce smarter, faster content Jump into the conversation:(00:00) The big question on trust in a world vying for everyone’s attention(00:25) Introducing Rachel Rizzuto of GadellNet Consulting Services(00:55) Doubling down on human connection in an AI-driven world(02:02) Measuring trust through client engagement and relationships(02:48) Using AI to create content faster with subject-matter experts(04:28) Why humans remain essential to technology Straight to Voicemail is for CMOs, CEOs, and Heads of Marketing in B2B tech who want insights from the people who’ve been there. Each episode centers on one big question answered like a voicemail you’ll want to play again. Don’t miss this conversation! Follow Straight to Voicemail and explore Genius Cuts for more B2B content strategy insights.

Sep 9

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6 min
AUG 5

Marketing with a Pulse with Nicole Warshauer, Marketing Expert

In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, host Amanda Smith taps Nicole Warshauer, a marketing expert, about what it takes to create smarter content that builds trust, especially in complex industries like healthcare, finance, and ed-tech. Nicole highlights her approach to content, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and simplicity. She shares her insights on how to truly understand and connect with your community, and why it's essential to create content that resonates and fosters trust at scale. In this conversation, you’ll learn about: The power of community-first content How to simplify complex messaging while staying authenticThe critical role of building trust through evidence-based, human-centered contentWhy patience is key in content creation and community-buildingJump into the conversation: (00:00) Meet Nicole Warshauer (00:10) What "smart content" really means (01:20) The importance of understanding your community (02:45) Simplifying content without losing authenticity (03:11) Building trust with evidence-based, human content (04:18) The key to patience in content creation

Aug 5

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5 min
SEP 11

How to cultivate trust with teams to ensure alignment? | Robin Daniels, Chief Business Officer, Zensai

What if the secret to high-growth execution isn’t speed but clarity? In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, Amanda Smith calls Robin Daniels, Chief Business Officer at Zensai. With two decades leading marketing at companies like Salesforce, LinkedIn, Box, and WeWork, Robin’s learned that fast growth without alignment is just chaos. His playbook? Nail your North Star, optimize your team, then execute like crazy, with just enough agility to pivot. You’ll learn: Why clarity is the foundation for scalable executionHow to build alignment across large, high-stakes teamsWhy Robin always leaves 30% of the roadmap open for changeJump into the conversation:(00:00) Amanda tees up the episode(00:35) Meet Robin Daniels(01:35) Why everything hinges on clarity(03:30) How WeWork aligned priorities and leadership direction(04:45) Assessing and adjusting team to meet goals(05:07) Execute fast while staying agile and focused(06:03) The danger of rigid plans in growth Straight to Voicemail is for CMOs, CEOs, and Heads of Marketing in B2B tech who want insights from the people who’ve been there. Each episode centers on one big question answered like a voicemail you’ll want to play again. Don’t miss this conversation! Follow Straight to Voicemail and explore Genius Cuts for more B2B content strategy insights.

Sep 11

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7 min
11/02/2023

Why Should You Be Thinking About People-First Audio Strategy? [with Nikki Lewallen Gregory of People Forward Network]

Welcome to the first episode of Voicemails with Rachel: Creator Edition. As we're all exploring and redefining what it means to build a brand with a media-led strategy, Rachel is asking the most innovative people she knows for their thoughts and questions to help us all create better, human, intentional content. (This is a special series part of the TACK Network. For more about that, click here.) So to kick us off, CEO and Founder of People Forward Network, Nikki Lewallen Gregory left Rachel a message about how the power of podcasting can do two major things for your business: accelerate growth and fuel culture. As a founder of a podcasting business herself, she’s got so many strategies to share when it comes to how podcasting can achieve those outcomes. And Rachel leaves us with a question—how are you thinking about audio in a media-rich world? Because it’s never just a podcast. Link up with Nikki: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikkilewallen/ Check out People Forward Network: https://peopleforwardnetwork.com/ This is a special episode of Voicemails with Rachel: Creator Edition. Check out more as a part of the TACK Network here: https://tacknetwork.com/voicemail-with-rachel-creator-s-edition Link up with Rachel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelelstsdowney/ Have a question for Rachel? https://www.speakpipe.com/vmswithrachel Want more from Rachel and her crew of brand content experts? Sign up for Genius Cuts. https://www.shareyourgenius.com/genius-cuts

11/02/2023

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12 min

Marketing that lasts is built on trust. We explore how to earn it and scale it through people-first stories, media that moves your audience, and strategies that turn connection into business impact.

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