forank Marketing

forank

Welcome to the forank Marketing podcast with Leigh and Zoe! We dive into all things marketing—no fluff, just honest, actionable insights. From SEO and PPC to industry trends and real-world strategies, we share our expertise with a dose of humour and straight talk. Occasionally joined by special guests, we keep it real while helping you navigate the ever-changing marketing landscape. Tune in for a frank take on marketing success!

  1. 3d ago

    Episode #18: Schema: What Is It And How To Use It

    Schema used to be a technical SEO nice-to-have.Now it's becoming a critical part of how search engines and AI systems understand your content.In this episode, we explore why Schema matters more than ever and how structured data is helping businesses improve visibility in an AI-driven search landscape.We break down what Schema actually is, how it works behind the scenes, and why keywords alone are no longer enough to communicate meaning effectively.We also discuss practical ways to implement Schema, whether you're using WordPress, Shopify, custom-built websites, or Google Tag Manager. From plugins and platform tools to manually adding JSON-LD, we cover the options available and where businesses should start.Along the way, we share our favourite Schema types, including Person, Organisation, Service and Product markup, as well as the tools we use to test, validate and monitor structured data performance.This episode is about making your content easier for search engines to understand — not by creating more content, but by adding the context that helps machines interpret it correctly.If you're interested in SEO, AI search, or improving how your website appears in search results, this one's for you.📍 Find us here:Website: https://www.forank.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@forank-marketingZoe’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoeashbridge/Leigh’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leighbuttrey/ 🎙 Enjoying this episode?Show some love — like, comment, and subscribe to stay updated on future episodes!Interested in sponsoring an episode? Get in touch at marketing@forank.com

    31 min
  2. May 29

    Episode #17: How AI is Shaping Marketing - Our Experiences

    In this episode, we share our real-world experiences of how AI is shaping modern marketing — and why doing more isn’t delivering better results. AI has changed how buyers discover brands, with generative AI now playing a major role in early-stage research. While this has made it easier to scale activity, we’re seeing many teams struggle as volume replaces focus. Across SEO and PPC, AI is amplifying whatever signals it’s given. Broad targeting, generic content, and weak creative lead to diluted performance. Smaller, more intentional audiences create clearer signals, stronger intent, and better outcomes. We also discuss why being human matters more than ever. As AI-generated content floods feeds and search results, personality, storytelling, and originality are becoming key performance drivers — not distractions. On the paid side, we unpack what AI actually optimises for today and why simpler account structures, better creative inputs, and faster testing cycles are winning. On the organic side, we look at how AI-driven visibility is already delivering fewer clicks but higher-intent conversions. This episode is about shifting from scale to focus — and using AI to strengthen relevance, not just increase output. If you’ve ever wondered whether AI is improving your performance or just speeding things up, this one’s for you. @Mentions Liam Fallen - https://www.linkedin.com/in/liamfallen/ Find us here:Website: https://www.forank.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@forank-marketingZoe’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoeashbridge/Leigh’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leighbuttrey/  Enjoying this episode?Show some love — like, comment, and subscribe to stay updated on future episodes! Interested in sponsoring an episode? Get in touch at marketing@forank.com

    45 min
  3. Apr 24

    Episode #16: Building Small, Relevant Audiences: How To Do It And Why It Matters

    Bigger audiences look impressive. Smaller audiences perform better. In this episode, we unpack Building Small, Relevant Audiences to answer one simple question: Why does less targeting often lead to more impact? We explore why chasing scale has become one of the most expensive habits in modern marketing — and how relevance, not reach, is what actually drives results in 2026. What we cover: Why broad targeting creates wasted spend, weaker signals, and fuzzy resultsWhat “relevance” really means when platforms are more automated and opaqueHow to identify the audiences that actually convert — not just clickWays to build smaller audience groups without limiting growthHow tighter audiences improve performance across SEO, PPC, and creativeThis episode is about shifting the mindset from more people to the right people — and why that change matters more than ever as costs rise and attention fragments. If you’ve ever asked:“Are we targeting everyone… or just hoping something sticks?” This one’s for you. 📍 Find us here: Website: https://www.forank.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@forank-marketingZoe’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoeashbridge/Leigh’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leighbuttrey/🎙 Enjoying this episode? Show some love — like, comment, and subscribe to stay updated on future episodes! Interested in sponsoring an episode? Get in touch at marketing@forank.com

    45 min
  4. Mar 27

    Episode #15: GA4,GSC, LOOKER - Which Metrics Are Worth Your Time?

    Vanity metrics are easy to track. Meaningful metrics are harder to agree on. In this episode, we unpack GA4, GSC, and Looker to answer one simple question: Which metrics are actually worth your time — and which ones are just noise? We break down how teams should really be using Google Analytics 4, Google Search Console, and Looker Studio in 2026 — especially as search becomes more fragmented, AI-driven, and less click-focused. What we cover: Why sessions, clicks, and rankings don’t tell the full story anymoreThe GA4 metrics that do signal real business impact (and the ones to stop obsessing over)How to use GSC beyond surface-level impressions and average positionWhen Looker adds clarity — and when it just creates prettier confusionHow to align SEO, PPC, and reporting around outcomes, not dashboardsWhether you’re reporting to clients, stakeholders, or your own leadership team, this episode is about measuring what matters — not what’s easiest to export. If you’ve ever asked: “Are we tracking this because it’s important… or just because it’s there?” This one’s for you. 📍Find us here: Website: https://www.forank.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@forank-marketing Zoe’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoeashbridge/ Leigh’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leighbuttrey/ Kyle Rushton McGregor: https://krmdigital.uk/blog/ai-in-ga4/ 🎙 Enjoying this episode?Show some love — like, comment, and subscribe to stay updated on future episodes! Interested in sponsoring an episode? Get in touch at marketing@forank.com

    34 min
  5. Feb 27

    Episode #14: Is Topical Authority Still Worth Chasing In 2026?

    In this episode of Forank Marketing, we dig into one of the most debated questions facing modern brands and marketers: is topical authority still worth chasing in 2026 or is it time to rethink how visibility and credibility are built online? Zoe Ashbridge and Leigh Buttrey unpack how the idea of “owning a topic” has evolved, why simply publishing more content is no longer enough, and what actually drives trust, relevance, and long-term growth today. Drawing on real-world experience, they explore what topical authority really means in practice and where many businesses go wrong when trying to build it. The conversation cuts through the noise to look at how audiences discover information now, why depth and consistency matter more than volume, and how brands can stay visible without burning time and budget chasing outdated tactics. We also discuss how smaller brands can compete, what signals genuinely build credibility, and how to think beyond short-term performance when shaping content and marketing strategies. Ideal for: marketers, founders, content strategists, and brand leaders who want to build authority that lasts not just traffic that fades. Topics covered: What topical authority actually means in 2026Why content volume alone no longer creates visibilityThe balance between expertise, trust, and discoverabilityCommon mistakes brands make when “chasing authority”Practical ways to build relevance without overcomplicating your strategyIf you’re questioning whether topical authority is still worth the effort or wondering how to approach it more intelligently this episode offers clarity, perspective, and actionable insight. 📍Find us here: Website: https://www.forank.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@forank-marketing Zoe’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoeashbridge/ Leigh’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leighbuttrey/ 🎙 Enjoying this episode? Show some love — like, comment, and subscribe to stay updated on future episodes! Interested in sponsoring an episode? Get in touch at marketing@forank.com

    48 min
  6. 12/26/2025

    Episode #12: Our Freelancing Journey

    In this episode of forank marketing, we take you behind the scenes for a candid conversation on Our Freelancing Journey, the real story of how Zoe Ashbridge and Leigh Buttrey built their careers outside the traditional 9–5. Zoe and Leigh share the unexpected wins, the tough lessons, and the pivotal moments that shaped their paths as freelancers and, eventually, agency founders. From finding those first clients and pricing early projects to navigating imposter syndrome, setting boundaries, and learning what not to do — this is a transparent look at the realities of freelancing in the marketing world. We break down what makes freelancing both challenging and incredibly rewarding, the misconceptions many new freelancers face, and the practical steps to build a sustainable, confident freelance career. Ideal for: New or aspiring freelancers, marketers looking to go solo, and agency professionals curious about the journey that happens before agency life begins. Topics covered: • How Zoe and Leigh got started in freelancing • The biggest challenges in the first year — and how they overcame them • Finding clients and building a reputation from scratch • Mistakes made along the way (and what they taught us) • Tips for building confidence, clarity, and long-term stability as a freelancer If you’re thinking about going freelance — or want to feel less alone in your own journey — this episode offers honesty, encouragement, and plenty of hard-won insights. 📍Find us here: Website: https://www.forank.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@forank-marketing Zoe’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoeashbridge/ Leigh’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leighbuttrey/ 🎙 Enjoying this episode? Show some love — like, comment, and subscribe to stay updated on future episodes! Interested in sponsoring an episode? Get in touch at marketing@forank.com

    1h 11m
  7. 11/28/2025

    Episode #11: Marketing Audits Exposed

    In this episode of forank marketing, we lift the lid on a topic that makes many marketers squirm: Audits Exposed — The Secrets Your Marketing Doesn’t Want You to See. Zoe Ashbridge and Leigh Buttrey peel back the layers on what really happens inside a marketing audit — the blind spots, hidden inefficiencies, and misalignments that quietly drain performance while going unnoticed by teams and stakeholders. We explore why audits are one of the most underrated tools for growth, the recurring issues they uncover, and how transparency (even when it stings) can dramatically sharpen your strategy. From underperforming channels and misreported metrics to messy tracking setups and neglected customer journeys — this episode is loaded with unfiltered insights and practical recommendations. Ideal for: marketers, founders, in-house teams, and agency pros who want to understand what’s actually working in their marketing… and what’s only pretending to. Topics covered: Why every marketing team needs regular, honest audits• The most common problems uncovered during audits — and why they matterHow to spot misalignment between strategy, spend, and executionFixing hidden tracking, attribution, and measurement issuesUsing audits to create clarity, accountability, and smarter decision-makingIf you’ve ever wondered what a marketing audit would reveal — or want to tighten up your strategy before small issues become expensive ones — this episode is for you. 📍Find us here: Website: https://www.forank.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@forank-marketing Zoe’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoeashbridge/ Leigh’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leighbuttrey/ 🎙 Enjoying this episode? Show some love — like, comment, and subscribe to stay updated on future episodes! Interested in sponsoring an episode? Get in touch at marketing@forank.com

    47 min

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About

Welcome to the forank Marketing podcast with Leigh and Zoe! We dive into all things marketing—no fluff, just honest, actionable insights. From SEO and PPC to industry trends and real-world strategies, we share our expertise with a dose of humour and straight talk. Occasionally joined by special guests, we keep it real while helping you navigate the ever-changing marketing landscape. Tune in for a frank take on marketing success!