Discover the bold and boundary-pushing marketing tactics in episode 663 of the award-winning Small Business Big Marketing podcast. Our guest, renowned for his creative strategies, has done everything from promoting his business via aeroplane PA systems to swimming products out to kayakers. This episode is a testament to the power and potential of unconventional marketing, offering unique insights and inspiration for businesses looking to make an impactful statement. Dive into the world of innovative marketing with us and learn how thinking outside the box can lead to extraordinary success.

A little more about unconventional marketer and Forij founder Parker Olson...

Welcome to today's episode featuring a truly unique figure in the world of business, Parker Olson. He's not just any entrepreneur; he's a cereal entrepreneur with a deep-seated passion for unconventional marketing tactics. And when I say cereal, I'm talking literally – he's the innovative mind behind Forij, a thriving granola brand.

Parker's journey in mastering unconventional marketing tactics is nothing short of remarkable. From handing out product samples to kayakers mid-swim to commandeering the cabin crew's microphone on flights, his methods are as unconventional as they are effective. He even embarked on a cross-country adventure in a Forij-branded Mazda van, making stops across the United States to engage with buyers directly – all epitomising the essence of cost-effective, high-impact marketing.

In our conversation, we delve deep into the realm of these unconventional marketing tactics. We'll explore the creative process behind Parker's innovative ideas, how he assesses the return on investment of such unique strategies, and why he believes in the power of simple tools like a $10 whiteboard to drive massive marketing success.

And there's more – for an exclusive glimpse into our intriguing discussion, check out a captivating video snippet over at Patreon.com/MarketingPodcast.

So, without further ado, let's dive into the world of unconventional marketing tactics with the master himself, Parker Olson.

Businesses that make this podcast possible

StudioHawk - No generalists, just a damn good SEO agency (award-winning actually!).

Patreon - Join Timbo's Business Owner Membership and take control of your marketing.

Book Tim Reid - Keynote or conference emceeing.

As always, thanks for your support. May your marketing be the best marketing.

Timbo Reid

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/marketingpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Explore the booming hot chilli sauce market with Renae Bunster, a leader in Australia's hot sauce scene. In episode 662 of the award-winning Small Business Big Marketing podcast, Renae updates us on her expanding empire, including her new Tequila and pre-mixed cocktail lines. Get ready for a fiery discussion!

A little more about Bunster's Worldwide founder Renae Bunster ...

During a holiday through central America in 2011, Aussie journalist Renae Bunster fell in love with the delicious fresh hot sauces from the region.

Upon returning home she couldn’t find anything that came even close, so like all good entrepreneurs, she began making her own, calling it Shit The Bed!  Friends who'd never even liked chilli before were suddenly kicking down her door, and it quickly turned into a thriving business with orders coming in from all over Australia.

In fact, when I first interviewed Renae in episode 401, she was already selling $8,000 worth a day, and was the number one selling hot sauce on Amazon Australia ahead of the giant Sriracha! Realising she was on to something, she sent a load over to the US and Shit The Bed quickly became number one on Amazon USA!

Today, the Bunster hot sauce empire is thriving with new flavours added, supported by a huge national distribution including Woolworths, plus Renae has extended the brand into pre-mixed cocktails and a dedicated Tequila brand with flavours including Peanut Butter and Fruit Tingle!

So sit back as Renae shares how she’s gone about building her empire, along with how she’s raised $3.7M through equity crowd-funding, and how she got her hot sauce brand featured on Hot Ones, one of YouTube's biggest channels.

As always, you’ll find a video snippet from this interview that I feel is super interesting over at Patreon.com/MarketingPodcast.

Enough from me, let’s go meet Renae …

Resources mentioned in this episode ...

 Built To Sell interview with John Warily

Working Backwards interview with Colin Bryar

Hot Ones YouTube channel

Businesses that make this podcast possible

StudioHawk - No generalists, just a damn good SEO agency (award-winning actually!).

Patreon - Join Timbo's Business Owner Membership and take control of your marketing.

Book Tim Reid - Keynote or conference emceeing.

As always, thanks for your support. May your marketing be the best marketing.

Timbo Reid

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/marketingpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As a smart business owner you’re constantly making adjustments to your product or service offerings, your customer experience, your pricing and many other key parts of your business. But (like me) I bet you avoid, or at the very least, don’t find the time to give yourself a bit of a spruce-up, as well.  If that’s the case, then you’ll love the tips New York stylist Nicole Russo has to share. It’s a smartly dressed episode 661 of The (14 year-old, award-winning) Small Business Big Marketing podcast.

A little more about New York stylist Nicole Russo...

Today’s special guest, Nicole Russo, is a fashion stylist based in New York who is all about helping business owners look and feel like the rockstars they truly are, regardless of their size or what's held them back before. 

From the Saudi Royal family to Google big shots and even New York Times executives, she’s dressed them all and left them pretty damn happy with themselves.

So if the idea of looking sharper, smarter or more business-like appeals to you, then you’ll love what Nicole has to share including:

• What’s the right look for you and how to get it important
• Examples of how a change in one’s appearance resulted in a measurable ROI
• How styling advice differs by industry
• How to change your look based on the business setting
• When should a business have branded uniforms
• Whether we should dress to match our clients
• And of course some simple hacks to get you looking sharp pronto!

As always, you’ll find a snippet from this interview that I feel is super interesting over at Patreon.com/MarketingPodcast.

I kicked things off by asking Nicole how she turned some bad dates into a successful styling business …

Businesses that make this podcast possible

StudioHawk - No generalists, just a damn good SEO agency (award-winning actually!).

Patreon - Join Timbo's Business Owner Membership and take control of your marketing.

Book Tim Reid - Keynote or conference emceeing.

As always, thanks for your support. May your marketing be the best marketing.

Timbo Reid

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/marketingpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s guest lives by the philosophy that offering less enables you to build a business that others simply can’t touch. Has it worked? Has it ever! It’s a ridiculously simple yet powerful, episode 660 of The (14 year-old, award-winning) Small Business Big Marketing podcast.

A little more about Mobile Skips owner Jacob Spencer ...

Eight years ago, and without any industry experience, Jacob Spencer bought the underperforming Mobile Skips business.

This year it will turn over $8 million, thanks to his 17 very motivated franchisees across Australia, a lucrative Bunnings contract and his very own and unique skip bin design.

Now … if you think there’s nothing to learn from a mobile skip business, then you could not be wronger!

Jacob, who’s incredibly humble about his business achievements and marketing know-how, has built a highly profitable business off the back of some very clever, yet simple, concepts. Concepts, that as you’ll see, have made it hard for others to replicate. And concepts that you can apply immediately into your business.

So seriously, grab a journal, as you’re about to discover so much business and marketing gold including:

• Why choosing to do less creates an untouchable business
• The power of offering a celebrity service (and that’s not what you think)
• What you can learn from Janine Allis and her Boost Juice empire
• How to create a brand that attracts the right people
• Jacob explains how he’s encouraged over 5,000 Google reviews
• And you’ll hear yet another example of a compelling customer experience

A big thank-you to past guest and founder of Lord of the Fries, Amanda Leigh-Walker, for bringing Jacob and his business to my attention.

Oh, and a reminder that if you’d like to watch this interview, then simply join my small business owner Membership at Pateron.com/MarketingPodcast. The first 7-days are free.

I started off by asking Jacob why rubbish removal?

Resources mentioned in this episode ...

Product Review website Jacob mentioned

Geoff Ramm's book on Celebrity Service

Businesses that make this podcast possible

StudioHawk - No generalists, just a damn good SEO agency (award-winning actually!).

Patreon - Join Timbo's Business Owner Membership and take control of your marketing.

Book Tim Reid - Keynote or conference emceeing.

As always, thanks for your support. May your marketing be the best marketing.

Timbo Reid

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/marketingpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recently ex-chef turned online entrepreneur Frank Greef shared his incredible journey with us in which he and his brothers started a business in a field they knew nothing about, risking their parents’ livelihood, and then selling it for $180M. As amazing an episode as it was, I was reminded by a long-time listener that Frank and I neglected to cover one very important point. One that if you truly get your head around, your business life will never be the same again. It’s an inspiring episode 659 of The (14 year-old, award-winning) Small Business Big Marketing podcast.

A little more about Real Base co-founder Frank Greeff ...

In episode 655, I interviewed ex-chef Frank Greeff, who with his two brothers, created and sold a real estate marketing business for $180M, risking their parent’s business along the way. If you’re yet to listen to that chat, I’d encourage you to do so.

Based on your feedback, it’s clear that you guys loved Frank’s story BUT, it’s also clear that I didn’t go quite far enough, as this note from long-time listener Ben Minutoli makes clear. Here’s what Ben had to say …

“Hey Timbo, please tell me you have plans on getting Frank Greeff back on the show again soon?

We went the whole episode hearing about his business and how he built it up from nothing and sold it for a fortune and all the lessons along the way.

But then, right at the end, Frank drops the bombshell that he’s planning to write and sell a cookbook, to raise a million bucks for charity in less than 2 months, and to do that he has hired a videographer and will be doing content marketing costing up to $300,000.

Ohh mate!!!! You need to get him back on so we can hear about what he plans to do and why he decided to go that way.”

Well Ben (and others) your wish is my command.

Businesses that make this podcast possible

StudioHawk - No generalists, just a damn good SEO agency (award-winning actually!).

Patreon - Join Timbo's Business Owner Membership and take control of your marketing.

Book Tim Reid - Keynote or conference emceeing.

As always, thanks for your support. May your marketing be the best marketing.

Timbo Reid

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/marketingpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dive into the world of strategic partnerships on The Small Business Big Marketing Podcast as we explore Unyoked's journey with co-founder Chris Grant. Discover how their alliance with Matthew McConaughey and Apple epitomises the fusion of nature and business, and learn the secrets behind Unyoked's success. This is a masterclass in leveraging high-profile collaborations to redefine the escape from modern stressors through the power of nature. Tune in for inspiration on cultivating impactful partnerships.

A little more about Unyoked's founder Chris Grant ...

In 2017, Chris Grant and his twin brother Cam embarked on a venture to redefine our connection with nature through Unyoked, with strategic partnerships at the heart of their mission. Unyoked’s off-grid, minimal impact cabins, strategically placed in the midst of unspoiled landscapes, offer a respite from the relentless pace of modern life, serving as a bridge back to the ancient calm of the wild.

With a growing portfolio of 100 bespoke cabins across three countries and over 35,000 stays, Unyoked's journey has been bolstered by strategic collaborations with the likes of Matthew McConaughey and tech titan Apple. These alliances have not only amplified their reach but have also affirmed their innovative approach to merging tranquillity with enterprise.

This expansion and recognition as leaders of innovation have been fuelled by a recent $28 million funding, earmarked for a European venture. Chris and Cam's recognition in The Australian's Top 100 Innovators for two consecutive years speaks volumes of their vision.

In our conversation, I explore with Chris the challenges of transitioning from corporate life to carving a path in the wilderness, underpinned by strategic partnerships that transform and transcend.

Businesses that make this podcast possible

StudioHawk - No generalists, just a damn good SEO agency (award-winning actually!).

Patreon - Join Timbo's Business Owner Membership and take control of your marketing.

Book Tim Reid - Keynote or conference emceeing.

As always, thanks for your support. May your marketing be the best marketing.

Timbo Reid

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/marketingpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 657 of the award-winning Small Business Big Marketing podcast reveals the top SEO secrets of 2024. Harry Sanders, Australia's foremost SEO specialist, explains how helpful marketing can be your game-changer in the aftermath of Google's pivotal September update. For small business owners aiming for top Google rankings without splurging on ads, this is an episode you can't afford to miss!

A little more about StudioHawk's founder Harry Sanders ...

If you’re new. Firstly, welcome. Thanks for dropping by.

Secondly, Harry’s Australia’s leading authority on SEO. He’s the founder of StudioHawk - Australia’s most awarded SEO agency. He started Hawk Academy - Australia’s best DIY SEO resource for small business owners. 

Plus he has deep connections into all things Google.

So strap ina as Harry explains what the September 2023 Google update means for your business. Hint. Create online content that helps your precious customers make an informed purchase decision.

He also explains the importance of EEAT, standing for  experience, expertise, authority & trust.

He takes us through Google’s new SGE - Search Generative Experience.

And to top things off, he shares some digital PR case studies that are getting solid backlinks for StudioHawk clients.

And BTW, if you’re not a StudioHawk client, but you like the idea of being and staying on page one for key search terms, then check-out StudioHawk.com/Timbo for Harry’s exclusive listener package.

I start off by asking Harry how us small business owners should think about SEO.

Businesses that make this podcast possible

StudioHawk - No generalists, just a damn good SEO agency (award-winning actually!).

Patreon - Join Timbo's Business Owner Membership and take control of your marketing.

Book Tim Reid - Keynote or conference emceeing.

As always, thanks for your support. May your marketing be the best marketing.

Timbo Reid

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/marketingpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who doesn't love unconventional marketing ideas? Olivia Carr of Shhh Silk does. When it comes to marketing her business, Olivia Carr is all about out-of-the-box-thinking. How out of the box? Like … she flew to LA from Australia, hired a car and drove to the Kardashians house and left them some product! It’s an all-systems-go episode 656 of The (14 year-old, award-winning) Small Business Big Marketing podcast.

A little more about Shhh Silk's founder Olivia Carr ...

Righto, at this point I normally rabbit on about supporting the work I do for small business by joining my Membership over at Patreon.com/MarketingPodcast.  But I have something so much more important to share with you, especially if you’re looking for new and effective ways to put your business on the map OR simply if you want to add more fun to your marketing.

Olivia Carr is the founder of Shhh Silk. An online / offline business that sells silky things that help you sleep - eye masks, pillow cases, etc. It’s turning over around $2M a year and has seven staff. But that’s not important right now.

What is important is the way she goes about building the business, through fun, Guerilla-type marketing ideas. And she has plenty.

From driving right up to the front door of the Kardashian’s house unannounced, to flying a plane towing a promotional banner over the Melbourne Cup, Olivia is a huge believer of out-of-the-box thinking. 

Her mantra is to do what other business owners aren’t willing or haven't even thought about doing. That’s where the clear air is.

Now, a couple of things to note … Olivia has written a book called Self Made which you’ll hear referenced a few times, plus she’s endured a troubled upbringing, postnatal depression, and she’s a fellow sufferer of anxiety … all of which we touch on in the early stages of this very personal chat.

If you are doing it tough, or you are triggered by any of this discussion, then please talk to a friend, or call your local support service which in Australia is Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Let’s go meet Olivia Carr.

Businesses that make this podcast possible

StudioHawk - No generalists, just a damn good SEO agency (award-winning actually!).

Patreon - Join Timbo's Business Owner Membership and take control of your marketing.

Book Tim Reid - Keynote or conference emceeing.

As always, thanks for your support. May your marketing be the best marketing.

Timbo Reid

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/marketingpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eleven years ago, Frank Greeff was a chef.  Ten years ago he started a business with his brothers in a completely unrelated industry. Last year he sold that business for 180 million dollars! But it’s what he risked to achieve that outcome that is truly breathtaking! It’s a not-for-the-faint-hearted episode 655 of The (14 year-old, award-winning) Small Business Big Marketing podcast.

A little more about RealBase co-founder Frank Greeff ...

Today’s special guest, Frank Greeff, used to be a chef who, with his two brothers ten years ago, started a business (from scratch) called RealBase, helping land rats, sorry I mean real estate agents with their marketing. It grew to 350 staff, turning over 35 million annually, and was then acquired by Domain.com.au for $180 million last year. Frank, welcome … I have so many questions! Why don’t you start by giving us the one-minute Realbase pitch, and telling us how the idea came about.

Businesses that make this podcast possible

StudioHawk - No generalists, just a damn good SEO agency (award-winning actually!).

Patreon - Join Timbo's Business Owner Membership and take control of your marketing.

Book Tim Reid - Keynote or conference emceeing.

As always, thanks for your support. May your marketing be the best marketing.

Timbo Reid

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/marketingpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who doesn't love a bit of unconventional business wisdom! Ben Leonard has no business training. In fact, his background is in Ecology. Oh, and he’s a whale and dolphin nerd, who had no interest in fitness, until his mid 20s, when he decided to build a successful online fitness brand called Beast Gear which, in its third year, turned over six million large ones! It’s an unbelievable episode 654 of The (14 year-old, award-winning) Small Business Big Marketing podcast.

A little more about this episode

First and foremost Ben Leonard is an ecologist by trade, and a self-confessed whale and dolphin nerd.

Thanks to a health scare, he’s also the founder of Beast Gear, an online business, built on a laptop, in a cupboard, in his spare time, with an initial £1,000 investment. 

Three years later, Beast Gear was turning over more than £4 million at which point Ben achieved business’s Holy Grail …. and exited for life on a hammock.

Well, that’s not exactly true … whilst he did exit with a nice little earn, he’s already in the throes of at least two more online business ideas … one which I absolutely love.

Oh, and he’s also written a book titled Quit Stalling & Build Your Online Brand. What is it with these millennials?!

In this chat, Ben generously shares where the idea for Beast Gear came from, how he scaled using chatbots and Instagram, why a huge fitness brand tried to sue him and failed, plus he’s a big fan of the business learnings from Sonic the Hedgehog!

With all this success, and with so many eCommerce stores out there, I started off by asking Ben whether it’s too late for the average Joe to start one.

Links Mentioned

Grab a copy (plus some free goodies) of Ben Leonard's book Quit Stalling And Build Your Online Brand.

Businesses that make this podcast possible

StudioHawk - No generalists, just a damn good SEO agency (award-winning actually!).

Patreon - Join Timbo's Business Owner Membership and take control of your marketing.

Book Tim Reid - Keynote or conference emceeing.

As always, thanks for your support. May your marketing be the best marketing.

Timbo Reid

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/marketingpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can you believe it’s not even a year since ChatGPT entered our collective consciousness, making AI part of everyday speak?! “How did we ever live without it?” some are saying. Whilst others are openly cursing it. Love it or hate it, AI (in all its forms) is here to stay, so best us business owners do our best to wrap our heads around it. It’s another artificially intelligent episode 653 of The (14 year-old, award-winning) Small Business Big Marketing podcast.

A little more about this episode

As you’re probably experiencing yourself, AI continues to be the talk of the town.

You only have to visit any social media platform to see friends and colleagues boast about what they’re achieving thanks to their new found best artificial friend, the amazing images they’ve created and the crazy amount of time they’re saving by using the likes of ChatGPT.

There’s no doubt AI is saving us all a bunch of time, and enabling us to get shit done that we never dreamed possible.

But are you getting stuck on the AI treadmill?

Or are you being super smart in the way you’re using it?

Well today, myself and past guest (from episode 630) Troy Dean of Agency Mavericks continue the AI discussion. We discuss:

• How smart business owners are using AI.
• The interplay between human and machine, and the importance of being a good prompter!
• I share the results of a research study I did amongst my Facebook Tribe and LinkedIN followers, who revealed how they’re benetting from AI
• And we talk about how to get started with AI if you haven’t already.

And just a reminder that all Silver Members of my Small Business owners Membership can watch the full video of this interview (plus access a bunch of other marketing goodies) over at Pateron.com/MarketingPodcast. There’s a free, no-obligation 7-day trial, then it’s 47 tax-deductible dollars per month.

Links Mentioned

Learning Studio AI - Transform any subject into a stunning online course

Holly Hires - AI powered virtual recruiter

Task Ade - Unlock the power of generative workflows, task automation

Google Duet - An always-on AI collaborator that provides help to users of all skill levels where they need it.

Opus - Turns long videos into high-quality viral clips

Product Hunt - From poetry writing to tackling tedious tasks, AI apps can automate almost anything

 Businesses that make this podcast possible

StudioHawk - No generalists, just a damn good SEO agency (award-winning actually!).

Patreon - Join Timbo's Business Owner Membership and take control of your marketing.

Book Tim Reid - Keynote or conference emceeing.

As always, thanks for your support. May your marketing be the best marketing.

Timbo Reid

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/marketingpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.