Cannabis Marketing Best Practices: Insights from Lisa Buffo

“You must have a good story. If you have a good story and you pair it with a thoughtful strategy, then you can get the unicorn concept that everyone wants: virality and fast growth.” – Lisa Buffo

The finer details of this episode:

• Importance of storytelling in cannabis marketing
• Unique challenges and opportunities within the cannabis industry
• Role of the Cannabis Marketing Association (CMA) in supporting marketers
• Strategies for overcoming stigma and misinformation about cannabis
• The significance of data-driven marketing and aligning strategies with business goals
• Current state of marketing budgets and resource allocation in the cannabis sector
• Practical tips for enhancing marketing efforts in cannabis businesses
• The collaborative nature of marketing between businesses and professionals
• Regulatory challenges and compliance in cannabis marketing
• Insights on choosing the right marketing service provider in the cannabis industry

Episode resources:

• Book a free consultation with Guillermo: https://anderscpa.com/virtual-cfo-cannabis/
• If you’d like to be a guest on the show: cannabizsuccessshow@anderscpa.com
• Love our content? Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.summitcpa.net/summit-cannabis-newsletter
• Connect with Lisa here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisabuffo/
• Check out Cannabis Marketing Association here: https://thecannabismarketingassociation.com/

Timestamps:

Guest Introduction (00:00:27)

The host introduces Lisa Buffo, emphasizing her achievements and the significance of storytelling in cannabis marketing.

Lisa Buffo’s Background (00:02:24)

Lisa shares her journey into the cannabis industry and the founding of the Cannabis Marketing Association in 2016.

Early Career Experiences (00:02:41)

Lisa discusses her initial work with service dogs and veterans, highlighting the impact of storytelling and social media.

Transition to Cannabis Marketing (00:06:35)

Lisa explains her move to Colorado and how she began working in the cannabis industry after its legalization.

Founding the Cannabis Marketing Association (00:08:31)

Lisa recounts the inception of CMA, initially aimed at self-education, which evolved into a full-fledged organization.

Importance of Storytelling in Marketing (00:10:30)

Lisa reflects on the significance of storytelling over marketing strategy in creating impactful connections.

Overcoming Marketing Challenges (00:12:43)

Lisa shares insights on how good storytelling can drive marketing success and address common challenges faced by businesses.

Learning and Practicing Storytelling (00:15:16)

Lisa discusses the necessity of practice and authenticity in storytelling, emphasizing the human connection.

Addressing Imposter Syndrome (00:18:20)

Lisa acknowledges the challenges individuals face in sharing their stories and the importance of recognizing their value.

Understanding Accelerator Programs (00:20:54)

Lisa introduces accelerator programs, explaining their role in supporting startups, particularly in the cannabis industry.

Here are the extracted timestamps and their titles from the podcast episode transcription segment:

Understanding Accelerators (21:03)

Discussion on the structure and purpose of business accelerators, particularly in the cannabis industry.

Learning and Community in Accelerators (21:57)

Insights on the learning environment and peer support