EP146: Managing Holiday Promotions, Avoiding Burnout, and Planning for 2026

In this episode of the Powerful Marketing Tips podcast, Mari-Liis Vaher and Laura Martšenkov cover three timely topics as the year draws to a close: managing holiday promotions, the necessity of rest, and preparing for the upcoming year. They begin by discussing the double-edged sword of seasonal sales. While discounts can drive immediate traffic, they often attract customers who lack genuine brand loyalty. Mari-Liis and Laura explore why competing on price can damage your long-term sales and why focusing on your unique value proposition is a sustainable alternative. The conversation then shifts to well-being and the importance of stepping off the "hamster wheel". Laura shares insights from her recent laptop-free vacation, explaining that taking time off is less about the time away and more about the preparation and mindset that allow it to happen. Finally, the hosts discuss how to set the stage for a successful new year. They share practical advice on organizing internal processes and reflect on the patience required to build long-term success. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: The risk of holiday discounts: relying heavily on price cuts can train customers to wait for sales rather than buying for value. Value over price: effective marketing focuses on service, product quality, and people rather than just being the cheapest option. Rest is strategy: stepping away from daily operations often leads to better solutions and renewed energy. Preparation enables freedom: planning ahead allows you to take vacations without negatively impacting client relationships or business momentum. The reality of growth: overnight success is a myth. Building a community or a brand takes years of consistent effort behind the scenes. Organizing for clarity: using the end of the year to clean up digital files and processes reduces anxiety entering the new year. Timestamps: 00:00 The Pros and Cons of Holiday Promotions 02:19 Why Post-Campaign Sales Drops Happen 05:48 The Importance of Rest and Vacation for Marketers 09:39 Using Time Off to Improve Business Systems 12:13 Preparing for the New Year and Organizing Processes 14:20 Reflecting on the Year and Long-Term Growth 🔗 Resources & Links: Book: Learn more about The Greatest Marketer book and framework: https://thegreatestmarketer.com/  Community: Join the Powerful Marketers Hub to connect with other leaders: https://powerful-marketers.com/hub/  👋 Who We Are: We are Powerful Marketers, a global community where marketing and business leaders connect, collaborate, and grow. Inside the Hub, you’ll find: ✅ Practical training and resources to sharpen your skills ✅ Tactical spaces for Systems, LinkedIn, Instagram, AI, and more ✅ Local and global meetups to stay accountable ✅ Daily support from marketing professionals who truly get it 👉 Join the Powerful Marketers Hub today and get your first month FREE with code PODCAST. Use this link to sign up and enter the code. 🌐 Let’s connect: Website: powerful-marketers.com Instagram: @powerfulmarketers LinkedIn: Powerful Marketers #powerfulmarketers #podcast #marketingcommunity #businessstrategy #marketingleadership #marketingpodcast  

Feeling unsure how to stand out on Amazon? In this episode of the Powerful Marketing Tips podcast, host Mari-Liis Vaher talks with Pasha Knish, CEO of AMZ Optimized, about what it really takes to succeed on Amazon today. Pasha shares how he moved from selling products to building a full-service Amazon agency, why market fit matters more than “hacks”, and the core steps to launch and grow on Amazon. They also walk through a live mini consultation for Mari-Liis’s book The Greatest Marketer and talk about how to use pre-orders, AI tools, and smart advertising to build visibility and trust. 💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why visibility on Amazon starts with market fit, not tricks How to use keyword research before you even decide what to sell The first critical steps to launching a product on Amazon When it makes sense to partner with an agency or freelancers How to scale an existing Amazon business using advertising and subscriptions Ways to expand your brand beyond Amazon into other markets and channels How AI is changing Amazon listings and search Simple experiments to test product demand before you invest in inventory Common myths about selling on Amazon and what still works now Practical tips for launching a book on Amazon using pre-orders and your existing audience ⌛ Key Timestamps: 00:05:07 – Navigating the Amazon marketplace and why market fit matters 00:10:08 – Strategies for success on Amazon and first steps for new sellers 00:14:57 – Building a brand beyond Amazon and why the platform should be part of an ecosystem 00:19:59 – Scaling and expanding your Amazon business with ads and catalog growth 00:24:27 – The evolution of AI in ecommerce and intent-based search 00:27:05 – Innovative tools and data strategies for Amazon sellers 00:29:36 – Quick wins and “hacks” to validate ideas and test demand 00:30:39 – Debunking myths about selling on Amazon 00:38:44 – Inspiration, mindset, and actionable takeaways 🔗 Resources & Links: Learn more about AMZ Optimized: amzoptimized.com Try the Amazon data tool: amzbrain.ai  Connect with Pasha on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/pasha-knish/  Learn more about Mari-Liis’s book The Greatest Marketer (now available on Amazon!): thegreatestmarketer.com  👋 Who We Are: We are Powerful Marketers, a global community where marketing and business leaders connect, collaborate, and grow. Inside the Hub, you’ll find: ✅ Training and resources to sharpen your skills ✅ Tactical spaces for LinkedIn, Instagram, AI, and more ✅ Local and global meetups to stay accountable ✅ Daily support from marketing professionals 👉 Join the Powerful Marketers Hub today and get your first month FREE with code PODCAST. Use this link to sign up and enter the code: https://community.powerful-marketers.com/plans/1817594?bundle_token=efcbda8aac51702f640d669c70c95291&utm_source=manual 🌐 Let’s Connect: Website: powerful-marketers.com Instagram: @powerfulmarketers LinkedIn: Powerful Marketers   #powerfulmarketers #podcast #marketingcommunity #marketingtips #amazonmarketing #ecommerce

Feeling like a hamster in a wheel with your marketing? In this episode of the Powerful Marketing Tips podcast, co-founders Mari-Liis Vaher and Laura Martšenkov continue their unscripted conversation sparked by AI-generated questions. This time, the focus is on marketing leadership, proactive planning, and protecting your well-being. They unpack the idea of “hurry slowly”, why always being “busy” is not a badge of honor, and how to shift from reactive task-doing to clear, intentional leadership. You’ll also hear why MIP (Most Important Person) time, systemizing repetitive work, and healthier boundaries are non-negotiable if you want to lead sustainably instead of burning out. ⌛ Timestamps 02:39 The Importance of Proactive Marketing Leadership 05:41 Hurry Slowly: Balancing Urgency and Importance 08:04 Maximizing MIP Time for Strategic Work 10:54 Systemizing Recurring Marketing Activities 13:46 Empowering Teams Through Delegation 16:37 Understanding the Bigger Picture in Marketing 19:26 Protecting Against Burnout in Marketing 21:46 The Role of Relationships in Marketing Success 🔗 Related Resources Episode: We Let AI Interview Us (Here’s What Happened) Video: How MIP Hour Helps Increase Productivity Free resource: Marketing Workflow Setup Template Learn more about The Greatest Marketer book and framework 👋 Who we are We are Powerful Marketers, a global community where marketing and business leaders connect, collaborate, and grow. Inside the Hub, you’ll find: ✅ Practical training and resources to sharpen your skills ✅ Tactical spaces for Systems, LinkedIn, Instagram, AI, and more ✅ Local and global meetups to stay accountable ✅ Daily support from marketing professionals who truly get it Join the Powerful Marketers Hub – global community for marketing and business leaders Use code PODCAST for one month of premium access: https://powerful-marketers.com/hub/  🌐 Let’s connect Website: powerful-marketers.com Instagram: @powerfulmarketers LinkedIn: Powerful Marketers #powerfulmarketers #podcast #marketingcommunity #AIinmarketing #marketingpodcast #businesspodcast

In this episode of the Powerful Marketing Tips Podcast, host Mari-Liis Vaher speaks with Michael Kempner, Founder and CEO of MikeWorldWide (MWW), one of the top independent PR and marketing agencies in the US and UK. With over 37 years of experience guiding Fortune 500 CEOs, global organizations, and political leaders through high-stakes situations, Michael shares why every marketer needs a crisis plan and how reputation management has become essential for every business today. They talk about how to build trust before a crisis, how to communicate effectively under pressure, and why preparation can turn a problem into a brand-building opportunity. Michael also discusses the role of marketing, social media, and AI in today’s fast-moving communication landscape. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why we all operate in a world of “permanent crisis” The key steps to creating a crisis communication plan How trust and transparency protect your brand The role of marketing and internal communication in a crisis Turning challenges into opportunities for reputation growth How social media and AI have changed crisis management Why preparation and empathy matter more than perfection Key Timestamps 32:11 How prepared companies build lasting trust 02:00 What counts as a crisis today 06:00 Building trust and relationships before you need them 11:00 How to create a practical crisis communication plan 17:00 Marketing’s role in crisis management 22:00 Managing social media, AI, and misinformation 30:00 Lessons learned: how preparedness builds resilience About Michael Kempner Michael Kempner is a recognized authority on reputation management, crisis communication, and corporate responsibility, and has advised many of the world’s leading executives and organizations. Michael has been named PRWeek’s PR Professional of the Year twice and was inducted into the PRWeek Hall of Fame in 2020. He also served on national boards and was appointed by President Obama to the White House Council for Community Solutions and as a Governor of the US Agency for Global Media. 🌐 Website: mww.com 💼 LinkedIn: Michael Kempner 📸 Instagram: @mww_pr 👋 Who We Are We are Powerful Marketers, a global community where marketing and business leaders connect, collaborate, and grow. Inside the Powerful Marketers Hub, you’ll find: ✅ Training and resources to sharpen your skills ✅ Tactical spaces for LinkedIn, Instagram, AI, and more ✅ Global and local networking opportunities ✅ Daily support from marketing professionals who understand your challenges 🎁 Try the Hub for Free: Use code PODCAST for one month of free premium access. 👉 Join here Follow us: 🌐 Website: powerful-marketers.com 📸 Instagram: @powerfulmarketers 💼 LinkedIn: Powerful Marketers #powerfulmarketers #marketingpodcast #marketingcommunity #crisiscommunication #marketing #crisisplanning

In this fun episode of the Powerful Marketing Tips podcast, co-creators of Powerful Marketers, Mari-Liis Vaher and Laura Martšenkov, do something different: they let AI take the role of interviewer. With zero preparation and plenty of curiosity, they answer thought-provoking questions about marketing, burnout, community, and how to work smarter in today’s fast-paced world. Mari-Liis and Laura share what they’ve learned about overwhelm, why “no one wins alone” is more than just a slogan, and how to avoid the most common mistakes businesses make with marketing. You’ll also hear their first impressions of AI (spoiler: they weren’t impressed at first), and how they now use it to support their creativity and strategy. If you’ve ever felt like marketing is too much, this episode will remind you that simplicity, collaboration, and clarity always win. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:01:00 – Early misconceptions about success in marketing 00:02:38 – The burnout moment that led to creating Powerful Marketers 00:05:16 – Why collaboration matters more than ever 00:08:29 – The biggest marketing mistake business owners make 00:11:36 – Keep It Super Simple: the K.I.S.S. mindset 00:13:00 – What failed campaigns can teach you 00:16:21 – First experiences with AI in marketing 00:18:32 – Where to invest a small marketing budget 00:20:10 – Turning data into real business growth 00:22:22 – The most common communication mistake 00:25:18 – Why assuming is the root of all problems 🔗 Related Resources Why No One Wins Alone: Inside the Powerful Marketers Hub How to Start Using AI in Marketing Without Feeling Overwhelmed Marketing Strategy Clarity Builder (Lite Version) 👋 Who We Are We are Powerful Marketers, a global community where marketing and business leaders connect, collaborate, and grow. Inside the Hub, you’ll find: ✅ Practical training and resources to sharpen your skills ✅ Tactical spaces for Systems, LinkedIn, Instagram, AI, and more ✅ Local and global meetups to stay accountable ✅ Daily support from marketing professionals who truly get it 🌐 Let’s Connect Website: powerful-marketers.com Instagram: @powerfulmarketers LinkedIn: Powerful Marketers #powerfulmarketers #podcast #marketingcommunity #AIinmarketing #marketingpodcast #businesspodcast

In this episode of the Powerful Marketing Tips podcast, host Mari-Liis Vaher speaks with Carrolee Moore, award-winning speaker, marketing strategist, and founder of The Podcast Pitching Society. Known as the "anti-social content marketer," Carrolee explains why she believes podcast guesting is one of the most powerful ways to grow visibility without relying on social media. She shares why trust is the real currency of visibility, how to measure it, and how to repurpose podcast appearances into lasting content. You’ll also learn why consistency doesn’t mean posting every day, but instead showing up with purpose where it matters most. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why Carrolee calls herself the anti-social content marketer How podcast guesting creates visibility and trust faster than social media Simple ways to repurpose podcast interviews across multiple channels Practical tips for finding the right podcasts to guest on How to measure trust in your business through retention and referrals The role of email marketing in building authentic engagement Key Timestamps: 00:03:06 – The Anti-Social Content Marketer's Journey 00:08:56 – Networking, referrals, and building real connections 00:14:45 – How podcast guesting multiplies your content and reach 00:20:46 – Finding the right fit podcasts 00:26:38 – The best ways to measure trust in marketing 00:29:37 – Building trust through email marketing Resources & Links: Learn more about Mari-Liis Vaher’s upcoming book The Greatest Marketer: thegreatestmarketer.com Connect with Carrolee Moore on LinkedIn Visit Carrolee’s website: carroleemoore.com Get access to Carrolee’s 4 week email podcasting course: https://carroleemoore.net/email-course  Join the Powerful Marketers Hub: use code PODCAST for one month free of premium access 👋 Who We Are: We are Powerful Marketers, a global community where marketing and business leaders connect, collaborate, and grow. Inside the Hub, you’ll find: ✅ Training and resources to sharpen your skills ✅ Tactical spaces for LinkedIn, Instagram, AI, and more ✅ Local and global meetups to stay accountable ✅ Daily support from marketing professionals 🌐 Let’s Connect: Website: powerful-marketers.com Instagram: @powerfulmarketers LinkedIn: Powerful Marketers #powerfulmarketers #podcast #marketingcommunity #marketingtips #marketingsupport

In this casual, non-scripted conversation, co-creators of Powerful Marketers, Mari-Liis Vaher and Laura Martšenkov open up about their personal journeys in marketing, how they balance their different strengths, and why they created the Powerful Marketers Hub. They share the importance of knowing what gives and drains your energy, reframing mistakes as learning opportunities, and finding community support. You’ll also hear about the “Make It Happen” rooms inside the Hub, opportunities for young marketers, and how to get early access to Mari-Liis’s upcoming book The Greatest Marketer. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:01:45 – The Queen of Impossible Story 00:03:34 – Energy-Draining vs. Energy-Giving Tasks 00:05:30 – Why the Power Marketers Hub Was Created 00:08:57 – Mistakes Are Just Another Take 00:12:34 – Creating a Safe Space for Marketers 00:13:21 – Make It Happen Rooms 00:23:17 – Secret Code for Podcast Listeners 00:24:04 – Early Access to Upcoming Book 🔗 Related Resources Be the first to access the upcoming book The Greatest Marketer How to Build Effective Marketing Systems That Actually Work Join the Powerful Marketers Hub 👋 Who We Are We are Powerful Marketers, a global community where marketing and business leaders connect, collaborate, and grow. Inside the Hub, you’ll find: ✅ Training and resources to sharpen your skills ✅ Tactical spaces for LinkedIn, Instagram, AI, and more ✅ Local and global meetups to stay accountable ✅ Daily support from marketing professionals   🌐 Let’s Connect: Website: powerful-marketers.com Instagram: @powerfulmarketers LinkedIn: Powerful Marketers #powerfulmarketers #podcast #marketingcommunity #marketershub #businessgrowth #marketingsupport

Feeling overwhelmed or inconsistent in your marketing? It’s not you—it’s your system (or lack of one). In this episode, Powerful Marketers co-founders Mari-Liis Vaher and Laura Kukemelk walk you through building smarter marketing systems using the 8-step SYSTEMIC framework. Learn how systems can actually support your creativity instead of stifling it—and how to make them work for you, not against you. ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:02:15 – Why systems aren’t as boring as they sound 00:06:45 – Breaking down the SYSTEMIC framework 00:08:20 – How to document and delegate like a pro 00:12:30 – Using AI to make your system smarter 00:17:15 – Tracking progress and continual improvement 🔗 Related Videos & Resources: How to Start Using AI in Marketing Without Feeling Overwhelmed How MIP Hour Helps Increase Productivity The 5 Pillars of Becoming the Greatest Marketer in the World 👋 Who We are: We are Powerful Marketers—a global community where marketing and business leaders connect, collaborate, and grow. Inside the Powerful Marketers Hub, you’ll find everything you need to build clarity and momentum in your marketing: ✅ Training & Resources – Hands-on guidance to sharpen your skills and strategy ✅ Tactical Marketing Spaces – Actionable rooms for Systems, LinkedIn, Instagram, AI & more ✅ Events & Networking – Because no one wins alone ✅ Daily Expert Support – Get real-time help from marketing pros who get it   👉 Join the Powerful Marketers Hub today and get your first month FREE with code PODCAST. Access templates, automation tools, and a community that has your back. Sign up and enter the code HERE. 🌐 Let’s Connect! 🔗 Website 📸 Instagram 💼 LinkedIn   #powerfulmarketers #podcast #marketingcommunity #marketingsystems

In this vibrant LinkedIn Live session-turned-podcast, Mari-Liis Vaher, creator of Powerful Marketers, is joined by two incredible marketing and communication experts from Sweden: Mai Peksén and Mira Thimmayya. Together, they dive into the human side of personal branding—how to build your professional identity on LinkedIn in a way that actually feels like you. This conversation is packed with real-world insights, memorable stories, and plenty of laughs! Practical Tips for LinkedIn Personal Branding: Start small: One post per week is still consistency. Engage: Comments are mini-posts and powerful conversation starters. Focus: Stay within your niche to establish credibility. Use video: Build trust faster by letting people see and hear you. Social proof matters: Ask for and give recommendations on LinkedIn. Timestamps: 08:00 – Be yourself (even in serious industries) 16:10 – Thought leadership tips 28:20 – Avoiding overwhelm and finding your consistency 37:40 – The STICKY Method explained 45:20 – Songs, quotes, and final takeaways Links: Connect with Mai Peksén: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maipeksen/  Connect with Mira Thimmayya: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirathimmayya/  Continue the Conversation in the Hub: Want more tips, templates, and training on personal branding and AI marketing? Join the Powerful Marketers Hub and use the promo code PODCAST for 1 month FREE.  

Many marketers are eager to use AI to work smarter, not harder—but often feel overwhelmed and unsure where to begin. In this episode, co-founders of Powerful Marketers, Mari-Liis Vaher and Laura Kukemelk, cut through the noise around AI in marketing. They reveal how to start small, stay strategic, and actually enjoy experimenting with AI tools. Plus, they walk you through the Powerful Marketers Hub’s 4-Week AI Marketing Challenge designed to guide you step-by-step without needing a technical background. 4-Week AI Challenge: Week 1: Build your custom GPT—your personal AI marketing assistant Week 2: Design social media carousels using Gamma (no design skills needed) Week 3: Repurpose blog posts into videos using Pictory Week 4: Automate repetitive tasks using Zapier and ChatGPT Quotes: "You have to approach AI as if you approach a new employee or a new assistant." - Laura Kukemelk “I Iove brainstorming with it because sometimes it has great ideas, but oftentimes I'm challenging AI as well. I'm telling it, why do you think like that?” - Mari-Liis Vaher "Right now we are in the AI bubble, so-called. So if you don't start and you think that it's going to go away, then I don't think it's going to go away." - Laura Kukemelk “We really want to make this as simple as possible for everybody because we know we need AI, but oftentimes we are too afraid of starting using it." - Mari-Liis Vaher Timestamps: 00:00:18 Overcoming fears of using AI in marketing 00:04:00 AI brainstorming techniques and use cases 00:08:50 Using C.R.A.F.T. for effective AI prompts 00:12:06 Custom GPTs for specific tasks Join the Challenge inside the Powerful Marketers Hub Create a premium account in the Hub and use the code PODCAST for your first month free.