Ep 153: Turning In-Person Connections into Qualified Leads: A Deep Dive with Hayley Denker

Send us a textLinkedIn Prospecting Workshop - September 22 @ 12pm CSTApply for the Tiny Marketing ClubLinkedIn | How I hit multi-six figures in year one.Ever wonder why those steady referrals that built your business suddenly dried up? In this episode, I unpack the exact strategy to reignite your referral engine without begging, pestering, or resorting to desperate tactics.After my own journey from relying on past employer referrals to building a sustainable pipeline, I've mapped the patterns that repeatedly work for B2B service businesses. The secret isn't becoming a social media superstar—it's becoming remembered, trusted, and recommended within specific circles where your expertise matters most.Discover the "niche networker" approach that blends strategic community participation with intentional LinkedIn relationship-building. Rather than passively posting content hoping someone notices, learn how to curate your feed with direct prospects, referral partners, and industry peers who can naturally connect you to opportunities. I share how one client went from zero pipeline (and three months away from missing mortgage payments) to a wait list in just six months using these exact methods.The process hinges on three key components: finding the right niche communities where your dream clients already gather, crafting a gateway offer that gives people an easy way to recommend you, and mastering the "magic DM" approach that turns LinkedIn connections into meaningful relationships without being sleazy or salesy.Want to put this into practice? Join my LinkedIn Prospecting Workshop where I'll share the templates, systems and exact approach that generated $94,000 in just 30 days—no paid ads, no spam, no cold calling. Check the show notes for details and keep marketing small but making it big!Join my events community for FREE monthly events.I offer free events each month to help you master your business's growth through marketing, sales, systems, and offer strategy. Join the community here! Are you tired of prospects ghosting you? With a Gateway Offer, that won't happen.Over the next Ten Days, we will launch and sell our Gateway Offers with the goal of reaching booked-out status!Join the challenge here.Support the showJoin the Tiny Marketing Club >>> Join the ClubCome tour my digital home :) >>>WebsiteWanna be friends? >>> LinkedInLet's chat every Tuesday! >>> NewsletterCatch the video podcast on YouTube >>>YouTube

Send us a text>> Apply for the Tiny Marketing Club<<Ever wondered why some businesses collect stacks of business cards at events yet generate zero actual business? The difference lies in strategic event marketing that transforms casual connections into qualified leads.Marketing expert Hayley Denker reveals her proven approach to leveraging both hosted and sponsored events for powerful lead generation. Rather than focusing on immediate sales, Haley shares how intentional follow-up systems create natural pathways for attendees to enter your business pipeline. You'll discover why simply collecting contact information isn't enough - and what to do instead.For businesses hosting events, Haley provides tactical advice on expanding your reach beyond existing networks. She shares surprising insights about using Reddit communities and local event calendars to attract qualified prospects without appearing overly promotional. Her creative approach to on-site lead capture - from interactive demos to branded selfie stations - demonstrates how engaging experiences naturally facilitate follow-up conversations.Sponsoring someone else's event? Forget standard logo placement. Haley explains how to negotiate for meaningful engagement opportunities that showcase your brand's unique personality. From signature cocktails with branded elements to specialized workshops, you'll learn how smaller businesses can maximize sponsorship investments without massive budgets.The discussion extends to virtual event strategies, emphasizing how focused segments, interactive elements, and clear pathways to your broader ecosystem maintain engagement in digital environments. Throughout, Haley emphasizes the importance of setting clear objectives and embracing the "silent sell" approach - positioning yourself as an industry expert rather than pushing for immediate conversions.Whether you're looking to host your first lead generation event or maximize your sponsorship ROI, this conversation provides actionable strategies to transform event marketing from a business card collection exercise into a consistent source of qualified leads.Hayley Denker | Website | LinkedInHayley’s career in marketing has paralleled the booming growth of social media. From restaurJoin my events community for FREE monthly events.I offer free events each month to help you master your business's growth through marketing, sales, systems, and offer strategy. Join the community here! Are you tired of prospects ghosting you? With a Gateway Offer, that won't happen.Over the next Ten Days, we will launch and sell our Gateway Offers with the goal of reaching booked-out status!Join the challenge here.Support the showJoin the Tiny Marketing Club >>> Join the ClubCome tour my digital home :) >>>WebsiteWanna be friends? >>> LinkedInLet's chat every Tuesday! >>> NewsletterCatch the video podcast on YouTube >>>YouTube

Send us a text"What if people actually want to talk to you?" This simple mindset shift is just one of the game-changing approaches that can transform networking from an anxiety-inducing obligation into a natural, rewarding practice.In this conversation with recruiting expert Jenna Kimball, we tackle the common fear of awkward networking and provide practical strategies anyone can implement immediately. Jenna shares her journey from being painfully shy to confidently connecting with strangers, proving that networking skills can be developed regardless of your personality type.The discussion reveals several powerful techniques, including how to gamify your networking approach by setting achievable challenges, ways to re-engage your existing network without feeling intrusive, and conversation prompts that create meaningful dialogue instead of awkward small talk. Perhaps most valuable is Jenna's four-word magic phrase—"keep me in mind"—which opens doors without putting pressure on either party.We also explore the fascinating concept that third-level connections (people you barely know) often facilitate major life opportunities, from job offers to significant relationships. This insight transforms networking from a self-serving activity into an exciting opportunity to build a web of connections that might change your life in unexpected ways.Whether you're an entrepreneur seeking clients, a job seeker looking for opportunities, or simply someone who wants to build a stronger professional community, this episode provides actionable strategies to make networking feel natural and productive. By approaching connections with genuine curiosity and a service mindset, you'll not only build a stronger network but also enjoy the process along the way.Don't miss our upcoming workshop "Five Ways to Network Without Being Awkward" on April 23rd at 1:30pm Central Time. Sign up through the link in our show notes to attend live or receive the replay after the event.Join my events community for FREE monthly events.I offer free events each month to help you master your business's growth through marketing, sales, systems, and offer strategy. Join the community here! Are you tired of prospects ghosting you? With a Gateway Offer, that won't happen.Over the next Ten Days, we will launch and sell our Gateway Offers with the goal of reaching booked-out status!Join the challenge here.Support the showJoin the Tiny Marketing Club >>> Join the ClubCome tour my digital home :) >>>WebsiteWanna be friends? >>> LinkedInLet's chat every Tuesday! >>> NewsletterCatch the video podcast on YouTube >>>YouTube

Send us a textTired of feeling like you need to choose between making sales and maintaining your integrity? This episode of Tiny Marketing reveals the secret to selling effectively without the pushy tactics that make everyone uncomfortable.Sarah Noelle Black pulls back the curtain on "Silent Selling" – a powerful approach that allows you to upsell naturally without triggering resistance in your audience. The psychology is fascinating: when people sense a hard sell coming, they immediately disengage. But when you build curiosity instead of pressure, they'll often sell themselves on your offer.Discover three game-changing strategies you can implement immediately. First, learn how to create private invitations that feel exclusive and personal, targeting only your most engaged leads. Second, master the art of offer threading – weaving mentions of your services naturally throughout your content instead of saving it all for an awkward pitch at the end. Third, explore how to "slip into the DMs" consensually, moving from public webinar conversations to one-on-one sales opportunities in a way that feels helpful rather than intrusive.Perhaps most valuable is Sarah's insight on nurturing attendees who don't convert immediately. She shares her proven framework for creating email sequences that continue to educate while gently reminding prospects how they can work with you when they're ready. The truth is, most sales happen during the nurture phase, not during your initial presentation.What makes this approach so powerful is how it shifts the dynamic: instead of pushing for a sale, you're creating an environment that makes it easy for prospects to take the next step naturally. Your audience maintains their autonomy while you maintain your integrity – and your conversion rates will likely improve as a result.Ready to transform your sales approach? Head to the show notes to access the complete workshop, workbook, and office hours through the Tiny Marketing Club, starting at just $150.Join my events community for FREE monthly events.I offer free events each month to help you master your business's growth through marketing, sales, systems, and offer strategy. Join the community here! Are you tired of prospects ghosting you? With a Gateway Offer, that won't happen.Over the next Ten Days, we will launch and sell our Gateway Offers with the goal of reaching booked-out status!Join the challenge here.Support the showJoin the Tiny Marketing Club >>> Join the ClubCome tour my digital home :) >>>WebsiteWanna be friends? >>> LinkedInLet's chat every Tuesday! >>> NewsletterCatch the video podcast on YouTube >>>YouTube

Send us a textJoin the Tiny Marketing Club for only $150!Ever wondered why some consultants consistently attract clients while others struggle to fill their pipeline? The answer isn't luck or market conditions—it's daily habits.In this transformative masterclass, I reveal the 39 everyday profit habits that took me from an empty pipeline to being booked out seven months in advance with a six-week waitlist in just 90 days. When I temporarily abandoned these habits for 90 days, my sales pipeline collapsed. When I reactivated them, my business immediately revitalized. That's how powerful these systems are.I break down specific, actionable habits across business development, offer ecosystem design, social media, content marketing, and email strategies that create a consistent flow of qualified leads. You'll discover why hot leads come from micro-offers, warm leads from active lead generators, and how gateway offers create a natural bridge to your signature services. The most valuable insight? You don't need complex marketing systems or huge audiences. You need consistent, strategic actions performed daily. I'll show you how to build these through habit stacking and batching, so they integrate seamlessly into your existing routine. No more throwing spaghetti at the wall hoping something sticks—these are proven systems that work.My CFO recently pointed out that my profits grew 168% year-over-year. These habits, combined with operational optimization, made that possible. Whether you're starting from scratch or refining your strategy because something's not quite clicking, these everyday profit habits will transform your business within 90 days.Ready to take control of your pipeline? Download the free Everyday Profit Habits worksheet, grab 40 outreach prompts, and discover how the Lean Marketing Engine Accelerator can help you implement these systems in your business.Join my events community for FREE monthly events.I offer free events each month to help you master your business's growth through marketing, sales, systems, and offer strategy. Join the community here! Are you tired of prospects ghosting you? With a Gateway Offer, that won't happen.Over the next Ten Days, we will launch and sell our Gateway Offers with the goal of reaching booked-out status!Join the challenge here.Support the showJoin the Tiny Marketing Club >>> Join the ClubCome tour my digital home :) >>>WebsiteWanna be friends? >>> LinkedInLet's chat every Tuesday! >>> NewsletterCatch the video podcast on YouTube >>>YouTube

Send us a textHave you ever had a service experience so good you were actually happy to pay the invoice? That's exactly what happened when I worked with Knapsack Creative for my website redesign—and I was so impressed, I had to get the inside scoop on how they engineered such a seamless client experience.In this revealing conversation with Savannah from Knapsack Creative, we pull back the curtain on the systems and processes that allow their team to build complete Squarespace websites in as little as one day while keeping clients delighted throughout the journey. What emerges is a masterclass in client experience design that any service business can learn from.Savannah walks us through their entire workflow—from the initial fit call to their unique project mapping system that gives clients total clarity on what to expect. We explore how they use Content Snare to make content collection painless, their strict time-blocking approach that makes projects predictable (Tuesdays and Thursdays are exclusively for client work!), and the meticulous documentation that ensures nothing falls through the cracks.The most valuable insights come from understanding how they create what Savannah calls "micro yeses" throughout their process—small alignment points that prevent the dreaded "this isn't what I wanted" moment at project completion. Their collaborative approach keeps clients engaged while maintaining incredible efficiency.Whether you're a solopreneur, agency owner, or in-house marketing leader, you'll find actionable strategies to transform your own client or stakeholder processes. Get ready to steal some seriously good ideas—I know I did! By the end of this episode, you'll understand why thoughtfully designed systems aren't just good for business—they're the secret to creating experiences clients can't stop talking about.Join my events community for FREE monthly events.I offer free events each month to help you master your business's growth through marketing, sales, systems, and offer strategy. Join the community here! Are you tired of prospects ghosting you? With a Gateway Offer, that won't happen.Over the next Ten Days, we will launch and sell our Gateway Offers with the goal of reaching booked-out status!Join the challenge here.Support the showJoin the Tiny Marketing Club >>> Join the ClubCome tour my digital home :) >>>WebsiteWanna be friends? >>> LinkedInLet's chat every Tuesday! >>> NewsletterCatch the video podcast on YouTube >>>YouTube

Send us a textStruggling to turn website visitors into customers? The missing piece might be a strategically crafted lead magnet that does more than just collect email addresses.In this workshop replay, I break down my framework for creating lead magnets that actually convert to sales. We dive deep into how your lead magnet should function as the first step in your customer's journey, connecting directly to your gateway offer and signature service. You'll discover why the most effective lead magnets mirror the experience of working with you and how this simple shift can dramatically improve your conversion rates.Beyond just theory, I walk through the exact process for identifying your ideal lead magnet topic, choosing the right format, structuring it effectively, and setting up the technical components for seamless delivery. You'll learn how to use your thank you page as a selling tool and how to promote your lead magnet to reach your ideal clients.What makes this approach different is the focus on strategic alignment. Your lead magnet shouldn't be a standalone piece of content—it should be the first step in a carefully designed journey that leads naturally to your paid offerings.Whether you're creating your first lead magnet or optimizing existing ones, this episode provides the blueprint for transforming your lead generation system from merely collecting emails to consistently creating qualified prospects who understand your value and are ready to buy.Ready to revolutionize your marketing funnel? Listen now, and don't forget to subscribe to Tiny Marketing for more actionable marketing strategies.Join my events community for FREE monthly events.I offer free events each month to help you master your business's growth through marketing, sales, systems, and offer strategy. Join the community here! Are you tired of prospects ghosting you? With a Gateway Offer, that won't happen.Over the next Ten Days, we will launch and sell our Gateway Offers with the goal of reaching booked-out status!Join the challenge here.Support the showJoin the Tiny Marketing Club >>> Join the ClubCome tour my digital home :) >>>WebsiteWanna be friends? >>> LinkedInLet's chat every Tuesday! >>> NewsletterCatch the video podcast on YouTube >>>YouTube

Send us a textEver found yourself wondering if LinkedIn is worth the effort for your business? Molly Godfrey, co-founder of Build Impact Convert, definitively answers this question with practical strategies that won't leave you feeling overwhelmed or inauthentic.The biggest revelation? You don't need to live on LinkedIn to see results. Posting just three times weekly with strategic focus delivers far more impact than random daily content. "I don't even have the time for LinkedIn and I run a LinkedIn business," Molly confesses, immediately relieving the pressure many founders feel about the platform.What sets LinkedIn apart from other social platforms is its professional environment. Your Instagram approach won't work here—LinkedIn requires content specifically tailored to its audience. The platform rewards good writing, especially when it aligns with your professional identity. Whether it's a perfectly crafted hook or an in-depth framework explanation, quality consistently rises above quantity.Beyond posting, Molly shares her most powerful growth hack: maxing out your 100 connection requests weekly. This simple habit compounds dramatically, creating a passive pipeline of opportunities that often convert months later. Combined with strategic commenting on partners' content (just 20 minutes twice weekly), you'll extend your reach to ideal clients already engaged in relevant conversations.The magic happens when you balance educational content with strategic sales messaging. Sharing client transformation stories provides powerful social proof without feeling promotional. As Molly explains, "People want to know if I hire you, you're going to get results." Add a consistent "post signature" to your posts—a brief reminder of who you help and how—and watch your direct message inquiries increase without additional effort.Whether you're skeptical about LinkedIn's potential or simply haven't found your rhythm on the platform, Molly's approach offers a refreshingly realistic pathway to results. Connect with her to learn about her LinkedIn Accelerator Intensive, storytelling challenges, and digital resources designed to help founders leverage LinkedIn without the overwhelm.Join my events community for FREE monthly events.I offer free events each month to help you master your business's growth through marketing, sales, systems, and offer strategy. Join the community here! Are you tired of prospects ghosting you? With a Gateway Offer, that won't happen.Over the next Ten Days, we will launch and sell our Gateway Offers with the goal of reaching booked-out status!Join the challenge here.Support the showJoin the Tiny Marketing Club >>> Join the ClubCome tour my digital home :) >>>WebsiteWanna be friends? >>> LinkedInLet's chat every Tuesday! >>> NewsletterCatch the video podcast on YouTube >>>YouTube

Send us a text>> Get notified for The Bestseller Experiment <<Marketing should work anywhere—but does it really? I put this challenge to the ultimate test by writing and launching a contemporary romance novel under a completely new pen name, with zero audience, zero borrowed credibility, and no marketing shortcuts.The Bestseller Experiment is my new spinoff podcast that takes you behind the scenes of what happens when a professional marketer attempts to sell fiction from absolute scratch. Rather than hypotheticals or vague advice, I'm documenting every step of my real-world book marketing journey—both the spectacular wins and the humbling failures.Just 10 days after launching my debut novel, the results surprised even me. Without spending a penny on advertising, I hit the top 10 in my Amazon category, maintained consistent daily sales, received over 30 reviews averaging 4.7 stars, and secured pre-orders for upcoming sequels. But more valuable than these metrics are the lessons learned through methodical experimentation.>> Strings Attached by Sera Elly <<Season one launches this July and will reveal exactly how I gained my first 100 readers, which platforms delivered unexpected success (TikTok was a game-changer), which strategies completely bombed, how I secured bookish media coverage, and the planning tools that kept everything on track. Season two follows in November, documenting my October book release with refined strategies based on these initial insights.Whether you're a writer looking to market your work, a business owner launching a new venture, or simply fascinated by marketing psychology when building from zero, this podcast offers a transparent look at growth marketing without an established audience. Subscribe now through the show notes to join me on this journey and be first to know when new episodes drop.Join my events community for FREE monthly events.I offer free events each month to help you master your business's growth through marketing, sales, systems, and offer strategy. Join the community here!Support the showJoin the Tiny Marketing Club >>> Join the ClubCome tour my digital home :) >>>WebsiteWanna be friends? >>> LinkedInLet's chat every Tuesday! >>> NewsletterCatch the video podcast on YouTube >>>YouTube

Send us a textJoin the waitlist!Unlock the full potential of your marketing strategy without breaking the bank or your schedule! In our series finale, we tackle the tough questions around the Tiny Marketing Club's launch bonuses, pricing, and time investment. Discover how a $500 monthly fee with a three-month minimum and a tempting first month offer can revolutionize your approach. For those seeking the upper echelon, our VIP option not only includes a discounted first month and a 30-day trial but also envelops you in a community of forward-thinkers and industry leaders. Imagine having a tailored schedule of quarterly workshops, bi-monthly hot seats, and weekly Monday Morning Marketing Club meets, all adaptable to your hectic life or even assignable to your virtual assistant.Hear firsthand the extraordinary wins our clients are celebrating, and envision your business thriving alongside theirs. By signing up for the waitlist, you'll secure exclusive bonuses and a one-on-one strategic session that could be the spark igniting your most successful year in marketing. Whether you're a small startup or a larger firm recognizing the genius in lean marketing, these insights are your ticket to a club that champions growth and results. Success is not a spectator sport, and with this episode, you're invited to step into the arena where victories are not just stories, but realities waiting to be claimed. Join us and let's make this year your marketing triumph!Join my events community for FREE monthly events.I offer free events each month to help you master your business's growth through marketing, sales, systems, and offer strategy. Join the community here!Support the showJoin the Tiny Marketing Club >>> Join the ClubCome tour my digital home :) >>>WebsiteWanna be friends? >>> LinkedInLet's chat every Tuesday! >>> NewsletterCatch the video podcast on YouTube >>>YouTube