Marketing Espresso

Bec Chappell

Your easily digestible, quality shot of helpful marketing advice. Marketing Espresso is a podcast about marketing strategy, branding, business growth and visibility for modern business owners. Hosted by marketing strategist Bec Chappell, the show explores what’s actually working in marketing right now - from content and email marketing to AI, branding, customer psychology and business growth.

  1. 6d ago

    The Link Between Public Speaking & Personal Brand with Carmen Sederino

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Marketing Espresso, I’m joined by speaking coach, creative director and founder of Illuminated Story, Carmen Sederino, for a conversation about public speaking, visibility, leadership and personal branding. If you’ve ever felt terrified of speaking up in meetings, presenting in front of a room, pitching your business, recording content or putting yourself forward publicly, this episode is for you. Carmen shares her journey from studying performing arts and theatre at university to unexpectedly building a successful leadership career inside a large Australian corporate business, eventually becoming the brand manager of a $300 million portfolio before launching her own business. One of the biggest themes throughout this conversation is the idea that communication skills can completely change the trajectory of your career and business. Carmen explains how the ability to speak clearly, confidently and persuasively helped her progress through leadership roles — despite often being one of the only women in the room. We talk about:  Why speaking skills are essential for leadership  The connection between public speaking and personal branding  How visibility impacts career growth and business opportunities  Why introverts can become incredible speakers  Managing nerves and public speaking anxiety  The role storytelling plays in communication  Speaking at conferences, events and panels  How to become a recognised thought leader  Why audiences crave real human connection more than ever  The impact AI and social media are having on trust and visibility  How speaking in person creates deeper credibility than short-form content Carmen also shares how many leaders and business owners avoid speaking opportunities for years because of fear, only to later realise how much visibility and growth they were missing out on. One thing I really loved in this conversation was Carmen’s reminder that nerves are not necessarily a bad thing. They often mean we care deeply about what we’re doing. We discuss how speaking nerves are a completely normal human response and how they can actually become an energy source once you learn to work with them instead of against them. We also unpack the difference between speaking in a meeting room versus speaking on stage. Carmen explains that presenting at events is a performance in many ways — one that requires presence, storytelling, energy and audience connection. Another powerful part of this episode is the conversation around women in leadership and visibility. Carmen shares a story about coaching a senior female engineering leader who initially avoided speaking opportunities, only to later realise that being visible publicly could inspire other women entering the industry. This episode is packed with practical insights for business owners, leaders, marketers, creatives and professionals who want to communicate more effectively and build stronger visibility in their career or business. If you’ve ever thought:  “I’m too nervous to speak publicly”  “I’m not naturally confident”  “I don’t have anything valuable to say”  “I’m not extroverted enough” …this conversation will absolutely challenge those beliefs. Because as Carmen explains throughout this episode, speaking confidently is not something people are simply born with. It’s a skill that can be developed with practice, support and experience. You can connect with Carmen Sederino and learn more about Illuminated Story via the links in the show notes.  DOWNLOAD MY CONTENT PLANNER Instagram @bec_chappell LinkedIn – Bec Chappell If you're ready to work together, I'm ready to work with you and your team. How to work with me: 1. Marketing foundations and strategy consultation 2. Marketing Coaching/ Whispering for you a marketing leader or your team who you want to develop into marketing leaders 3. Book me as a speaker or advisor for your organisation 4. Get me on your podcast This podcast has been produced and edited by Snappystreet Creative

    26 min
  2. May 18

    Why Speaking Up Matters More Than Ever in the Age of AI with Theresa Miller

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Marketing Espresso, I’m joined by media trainer, author and communication expert Theresa Miller for a conversation that feels incredibly relevant right now. We dive into why speaking up matters more than ever in a world filled with AI-generated content, misinformation and constant noise online. Theresa’s book, Speak Up: How to Be a Successful Presenter and Media Spokesperson, explores how people across every industry can communicate more clearly, confidently and effectively - whether that’s on stage, in the media, online or inside their workplace. One of the biggest themes throughout this episode is the idea that if people with genuine experience and expertise stay quiet, less qualified voices fill the space. We unpack why so many people hesitate to speak publicly, share opinions or put themselves forward, even when they have years of valuable lived experience behind them. We also talk about:  Why public speaking is still one of people’s biggest fears  How imposter syndrome stops experts from sharing what they know  Why audiences are craving real human connection again  The rise of AI content and declining trust online  Why in-person events and conversations are becoming more valuable  How to communicate clearly without relying on jargon  Media training and communication tips for business owners  Why understanding your audience changes everything  The importance of intentional communication and storytelling Theresa shares practical communication frameworks that can help anyone become a stronger speaker and communicator, including how to structure your ideas clearly, how to make your message memorable, and why “what’s in it for me?” is the question every audience is subconsciously asking. One part of this conversation I particularly loved was Theresa’s perspective on communication as service. Instead of focusing on ourselves and worrying about judgement or criticism, she encourages people to think about how their knowledge, stories or experience could genuinely help someone else. We also explore how communication impacts marketing, leadership and business visibility. In a world where AI is making generic content easier than ever to create, authentic communication and real expertise are becoming even more valuable. This episode is packed with practical insights for business owners, marketers, leaders, creatives and anyone wanting to communicate with more clarity and confidence. If you’ve ever struggled with visibility, public speaking, confidence or sharing your expertise online, I think you’ll get a lot from this conversation. You can find Theresa’s book Speak Up online, in bookstores, on Audible and via her website. Resources & Links from Theresa Miller:  Theresa’s book and audiobook: Speak Up – Book & Audiobook  Theresa’s online course: Online Media & Presentation Course  Ten tips to nail your media interview: Media Interview Tips  Eight attention-grabbing presentation openers: Presentation Openers Guide  Connect with Theresa on LinkedIn  Follow Theresa on Instagram  Find Theresa on DOWNLOAD MY CONTENT PLANNER Instagram @bec_chappell LinkedIn – Bec Chappell If you're ready to work together, I'm ready to work with you and your team. How to work with me: 1. Marketing foundations and strategy consultation 2. Marketing Coaching/ Whispering for you a marketing leader or your team who you want to develop into marketing leaders 3. Book me as a speaker or advisor for your organisation 4. Get me on your podcast This podcast has been produced and edited by Snappystreet Creative

    35 min
  3. May 11

    Social Media won't save your marketing

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Marketing Espresso, I’m diving into a question I’m hearing more than ever right now: where should I actually be marketing my business? Because if I’m being honest, a lot of people feel lost. The landscape feels noisy, social media feels saturated, AI has made everyone feel like they suddenly “get” marketing, and yet… results aren’t matching the effort. So what’s actually going on? I share what I’ve been seeing in the current marketing environment - from declining social media engagement to the rise of bots and AI-generated content - and why so many business owners are feeling disillusioned with the platforms they’ve been told to rely on. We unpack the reality that social media isn’t what it used to be. Time spent on platforms is dropping year on year, trust is shifting, and more people are questioning the ethics and impact of these channels. And yet, so many businesses are still pouring all their energy into trying to “win” there. This episode is about stepping back and thinking more strategically. Instead of chasing the next platform or trend, I talk about why it’s more important than ever to come back to your fundamentals. That means understanding your customer deeply, reassessing your product or service offering, and making sure what you’re selling is actually relevant in the current market. Because when the economy tightens, behaviour changes. And if your offer doesn’t match what people need right now, no amount of content will fix that. I also explore the importance of being intentional with your marketing channels. Yes, digital still matters. Yes, social media still has a role. But it’s not about being everywhere - it’s about being in the right places, for the right reasons, with a clear strategy behind it. This is your reminder that marketing is not one channel. It’s not one tactic. It’s a system. And if that system isn’t working together, nothing will feel like it’s working. Key Takeaways & Actions If your marketing feels confusing, start with research, not reaction. Understand your customer, their behaviour and what they actually need right now. Reassess your product or service. Is it still relevant in the current market, or does it need to evolve? Stop assuming more content will solve the problem. If the foundation isn’t right, more visibility won’t fix it. Be intentional about your channels. You don’t need to be everywhere, but you do need to be where your audience is. Use social media strategically, not emotionally. It is a tool, not the entire strategy. DOWNLOAD MY CONTENT PLANNER Instagram @bec_chappell LinkedIn – Bec Chappell If you're ready to work together, I'm ready to work with you and your team. How to work with me: 1. Marketing foundations and strategy consultation 2. Marketing Coaching/ Whispering for you a marketing leader or your team who you want to develop into marketing leaders 3. Book me as a speaker or advisor for your organisation 4. Get me on your podcast This podcast has been produced and edited by Snappystreet Creative

    16 min
  4. Mar 30

    How to market when times get tough

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Marketing Espresso, I wanted to have a real, honest conversation about what’s actually happening in marketing right now - because let’s be honest, it feels messy. Between rising interest rates, cost of living pressures and tighter spending across the board, many businesses are starting to feel the shift. When products or services are discretionary, we know what tends to happen - people pause, delay or opt out altogether. So naturally, the question becomes: what should we actually be doing with our marketing when things feel uncertain? This episode is all about bringing it back to basics. I talk through why social media is not the silver bullet so many people still believe it is, and how the hype of the past few years has pulled business owners away from the foundations of marketing. Marketing is not one channel, one platform or one tactic. It is a system - and when that system isn’t working together, no amount of posting will fix it. Instead of doing more, this is about doing what actually matters. I share the three areas I always come back to when things feel tight in business. The first is your CRM - understanding who is already in your world, who has shown interest, and where the opportunities already exist. The second is your network - the conversations, referrals and relationships that often drive far more growth than any algorithm ever could. And the third is your current marketing activity - what is actually working, what isn’t, and where your time is being wasted. Because time is the one thing we don’t get back, and too many business owners are spending it in the wrong places. We also go deeper into the reality of social media right now. The overwhelm, the noise, the rise of AI-generated content and the increasing pressure to constantly produce more. I unpack why so many people are stepping away from platforms, and why connection - real, human connection, is becoming more valuable than ever. At its core, marketing has always been about connection. And in a world that feels increasingly automated, filtered and noisy, that matters more than ever. If your marketing feels heavy, confusing or like it’s not working, this episode will help you reset and refocus on what actually moves the needle. DOWNLOAD MY CONTENT PLANNER Instagram @bec_chappell LinkedIn – Bec Chappell If you're ready to work together, I'm ready to work with you and your team. How to work with me: 1. Marketing foundations and strategy consultation 2. Marketing Coaching/ Whispering for you a marketing leader or your team who you want to develop into marketing leaders 3. Book me as a speaker or advisor for your organisation 4. Get me on your podcast This podcast has been produced and edited by Snappystreet Creative

    18 min
  5. Mar 23

    What to send after someone joins your email list with Evelina Kaganovitch

    Send us Fan Mail Email marketing is not dead. In fact, it is one of the most valuable and underused channels in your business. In this episode of Marketing Espresso, I sit down with copywriter and email strategist Evelina Kaganovitch to talk about email sequences, nurture flows and why so many business owners are still overlooking one of the most powerful ways to build connection and drive sales. We dive into why email is often more effective than social media when it comes to attention and conversion, and how it acts as a form of insurance for your business. Unlike social platforms, your email list is something you actually own, which means you are not at the mercy of algorithms, reach drops or account issues. We also break down what a strong email sequence actually looks like, especially if you are just getting started. From lead magnets and opt-ins through to welcome sequences, Evelina shares how to build a flow that nurtures your audience rather than overwhelming them with constant sales messaging. A big part of this conversation is around connection. Your emails should not feel like a funnel that is pushing for a sale at every turn. Instead, they should feel like a conversation. This is where storytelling, personality and simplicity really matter. We also talk about: how to create a lead magnet that people actually wantwhy plain text emails can often outperform highly designed oneshow often you should be emailing your listwhy building trust first leads to stronger conversions laterIf you have ever felt unsure about what to send, how often to show up or how to make your emails feel more like you, this episode will give you a clear place to start. DOWNLOAD MY CONTENT PLANNER Instagram @bec_chappell LinkedIn – Bec Chappell If you're ready to work together, I'm ready to work with you and your team. How to work with me: 1. Marketing foundations and strategy consultation 2. Marketing Coaching/ Whispering for you a marketing leader or your team who you want to develop into marketing leaders 3. Book me as a speaker or advisor for your organisation 4. Get me on your podcast This podcast has been produced and edited by Snappystreet Creative

    25 min
  6. Mar 16

    AI should amplify you, not replace you with Bonnie Wicks

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Marketing Espresso, I’m joined again by the brilliant Bonnie Wicks, and we dive straight into a conversation that’s becoming impossible to avoid: the rise of AI in small business and the growing trend of people trying to replace themselves with it. What started as a helpful tool for reducing admin is now being sold as the next miracle shortcut — with AI companies promising everything from three-month holidays to ten-times profit without lifting a finger. It’s seductive, especially for business owners who are overwhelmed, stretched and tired of constantly having to show up. But Bonnie and I unpack why outsourcing yourself is one of the fastest ways to damage your brand. Together, we explore how AI can absolutely make life easier when used ethically — from analysing sales calls to streamlining onboarding — but also how quickly it can start eroding trust when it becomes a stand-in for your personality, your voice, or your presence. We talk about the dangers of AI-generated videos and AI-written scripts, the ick of automated chat replies pretending to be human, and the disconnect that happens when your audience realises it’s not actually you. We share personal stories too, including my own ManyChat mishap that sent completely irrelevant replies to people who genuinely wanted to connect — a perfect example of how automation can unintentionally tell someone you don’t value them. Bonnie and I also talk about why people crave connection more than ever, and why your imperfections, tone, nuance and lived experience can never be replicated by a robot. This episode is a reminder that marketing and sales should never be the first thing you outsource — and in fact, should probably be the last. People buy from people. And in an AI-saturated world, the most human brands are going to stand out. Key takeaways  The more you remove yourself from your brand, the more you dilute trust. AI is powerful, but it becomes damaging when it replaces your personality instead of amplifying it. Connection beats perfection every single time. Your frameworks, your thought leadership and your lived experience are your real intellectual property — and AI can’t replicate that unless you hand it over. And if you’re using automation, transparency matters far more than pretending to be human. Actions you can take  Audit where AI is currently showing up in your brand, and decide whether it’s amplifying you or replacing you. Upload your existing content or frameworks and use AI to enhance, not imitate. Keep yourself in your marketing and make sure that your sales conversations still involve you. If you use automation, be upfront about it. And most importantly, protect the parts of your brand that only you can bring. DOWNLOAD MY CONTENT PLANNER Instagram @bec_chappell LinkedIn – Bec Chappell If you're ready to work together, I'm ready to work with you and your team. How to work with me: 1. Marketing foundations and strategy consultation 2. Marketing Coaching/ Whispering for you a marketing leader or your team who you want to develop into marketing leaders 3. Book me as a speaker or advisor for your organisation 4. Get me on your podcast This podcast has been produced and edited by Snappystreet Creative

    28 min
  7. Mar 9

    Enhancing Your Award Entries with AI with Heather Marano

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Marketing Espresso, I’m joined again by Heather from Green Door Co., and we dive into a question so many business owners are asking right now: Should I use AI to write my award submissions? With everyone leaning heavily on AI for content, it’s natural to assume it could also take care of something as time-consuming as award entries. But as Heather explains, award submissions are a completely different beast — and relying on AI without understanding what it can and can’t do could cost you valuable opportunities. Heather shares what she’s seeing across the awards landscape: a huge wave of AI-generated entries that are generic, flat and immediately obvious to judges. And while judges won’t outright reject an entry just because AI was involved, they can see when the submission lacks depth, nuance and genuine personality. The result? Those entries rarely make it to finalist stage, let alone win. We talk about why award submissions require a very particular kind of writing — part storytelling, part evidence-based persuasion — and why AI struggles with that structure on its own. Heather breaks down the reality that if you want AI to help, you still need to provide extensive detail, emotional context, examples, statistics and a clear narrative. It won’t magically create that for you. We also unpack the misconception that AI saves time. What actually happens is the time simply shifts: instead of writing, you’re spending hours crafting detailed prompts and then editing the output to make it sound human, consistent and aligned with the award criteria. In many cases, it’s the same amount of work — sometimes more — and if you’re entering an award with an entry fee attached, taking shortcuts becomes an expensive gamble. Where AI can be helpful is in refining your writing once you’ve done the heavy lifting. You can use it to tidy your tone, help with structure or polish your clarity — but only if your storytelling, emotion and evidence are solid to begin with. At the heart of this conversation is a reminder that award submissions are more than just a form you fill out. They’re one of the most public expressions of your brand. Even if the submission isn’t published, influential judges are reading it. Industry leaders are evaluating it. Your brand is being held to a high standard. And if the quality isn’t something you’d proudly share, it’s probably not something that will win. Heather also gives us a sneak peek into the custom AI tool she and her team are building — one trained specifically on award-writing methodology — designed to support DIYers without sacrificing quality. It blends the efficiency of AI with the nuance of expert award strategy, and it’s set to launch later this year. DOWNLOAD MY CONTENT PLANNER Instagram @bec_chappell LinkedIn – Bec Chappell If you're ready to work together, I'm ready to work with you and your team. How to work with me: 1. Marketing foundations and strategy consultation 2. Marketing Coaching/ Whispering for you a marketing leader or your team who you want to develop into marketing leaders 3. Book me as a speaker or advisor for your organisation 4. Get me on your podcast This podcast has been produced and edited by Snappystreet Creative

    20 min
  8. Mar 2

    Leads won't save your business With Sim Kaur

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Marketing Espresso, I’m joined once again by the brilliant Simran Kaur, and we dive straight into one of the biggest misconceptions in the business world: the idea that leads alone will fix everything. It’s the belief so many business owners cling to — that more leads mean more revenue, more stability and more growth. But as Sim and I unpack, that thinking completely overlooks how marketing actually works. Sim talks about leads from a full-funnel perspective, and why so many people obsess over the bottom of the funnel while ignoring the work that needs to happen long before someone is ready to buy. If you’re only focused on the moment a person enquires, you’re missing the bigger picture entirely. Awareness, consideration, education and brand memory are the building blocks that lead to strong conversions, and yet those pieces are often skipped because they take time and don’t deliver instant gratification. We also explore the impatience that so many business owners are feeling. Social media has created a culture where people expect immediate ROI, instant sales and fast results — but marketing isn’t designed to move at that pace. And when you’re changing your message every week, pivoting constantly or rewriting your offer every time you feel bored, you’re not speeding things up. You’re restarting the clock. Every shift resets your momentum, and the market barely has a chance to understand what you do before you’ve already changed direction. Sim and I share real-life examples of why brand building and consistent storytelling make such a significant difference to long-term growth. People buy emotionally, even when they think they don’t. A smell, a memory, a jingle, a feeling — these are the tiny cues that sit in our subconscious and influence what we pick up off a shelf or who we choose to trust online. AI can support our work, but it will never replace emotional nuance. It can’t read body language, interpret subtle meaning or understand why certain phrases make people sit up straighter in their chair. And that’s why strategy always needs humans behind it. This conversation is really a reminder that marketing is a long game. It’s strategic. It’s layered. It’s about earning trust over time rather than hunting for a quick win. When you build a strong brand, the right leads show up — and not just in volume, but in quality. Those are the leads that convert with ease because the groundwork has already been done. DOWNLOAD MY CONTENT PLANNER Instagram @bec_chappell LinkedIn – Bec Chappell If you're ready to work together, I'm ready to work with you and your team. How to work with me: 1. Marketing foundations and strategy consultation 2. Marketing Coaching/ Whispering for you a marketing leader or your team who you want to develop into marketing leaders 3. Book me as a speaker or advisor for your organisation 4. Get me on your podcast This podcast has been produced and edited by Snappystreet Creative

    32 min

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Your easily digestible, quality shot of helpful marketing advice. Marketing Espresso is a podcast about marketing strategy, branding, business growth and visibility for modern business owners. Hosted by marketing strategist Bec Chappell, the show explores what’s actually working in marketing right now - from content and email marketing to AI, branding, customer psychology and business growth.

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