MQL's are NOT DEAD | E80 with Ross Howard

How do you keep the spark alive with MQLs when everyone’s ready to call them dead? In this episode, Ruta and Emma sit down with Ross Howard, Product Marketing Director at Inbox Insight, to share a no-holds-barred conversation about the messy, hilarious, and sometimes maddening world of Marketing Qualified Leads. Rather than ditching MQLs altogether, our guest and hosts explore how a little relationship-building, a whole lot of content creativity, and a fresh look at aligning sales and marketing can make all the difference.We dive into: ✅ The truth behind the “MQL myth” and why these leads aren’t the enemy✅ How early marketing blunders (hello, email typos!) paved the way for smarter strategies✅ Balancing lead gen and demand gen without sacrificing quality or your sanity✅ Creative multi-touch tactics that keep your audience engaged long after the first email✅ The secret sauce of building genuine connections, even when the system seems stacked against you✅ Insider marketing gossip that proves even the pros have their off daysIf you’re ready to rethink your lead strategy without scrapping everything you’ve built, this episode is your new go-to guide. Let’s embrace our MQLs for life—done right, they can be your secret weapon.We’re Ruta and Emma, the marketing consultants behind Blame it on Marketing. If you’re in B2B SaaS or professional services and looking to do marketing that actually drives revenue and profit, we’re here for it.Visit blameitonmarketing.com and let’s get this show on the road.

Why do so many senior marketers think a website rebuild will solve all their problems? 🤔 We’ve all seen it—new leadership comes in, declares the site outdated, and suddenly, it’s full steam ahead on a total overhaul… with zero strategy behind it.In this episode, we’re joined by Alice Walton, website expert and our new Blame It on Marketing bestie, to unpack the fresh start fallacy—why marketers keep rushing into website redesigns, why it backfires, and what to do instead.We get into:✅ Why marketers love (and overuse) the “new website” play✅ How to know if you actually NEED a new site (or just tweaks)✅ The #1 mistake companies make before redesigning✅ Why some brands obsess over their site… and others ignore it completely✅ How bad CMS choices force unnecessary redesigns✅ The secret war between devs & marketers (and how to win it)✅ SEO, CRO, and why marketers STILL forget them in a rebuild✅ How AI & voice search are changing website strategyIf you’re tired of watching websites get scrapped for no reason—or if you’ve been guilty of pushing a redesign without a real plan—this one’s for you.🎧 Listen now and let’s talk about what actually works.We’re Ruta and Emma, the marketing consultants behind Blame it on Marketing. If you’re in B2B SaaS or professional services and looking to do marketing that actually drives revenue and profit, we’re here for it.Visit blameitonmarketing.com and let’s get this show on the road.

In this no-holds-barred episode of Blame It on Marketing, hosts Emma and Ruta team up with the ever-so-authentic Marie-Claire Silfer (MC) to spill the tea on everything LinkedIn. Tired of the endless parade of AI-generated spam, forced selfies, and “engagement pod” shenanigans? So are we.Join the trio as they dissect the art (and occasional disaster) of creating content that’s genuine, engaging, and refreshingly human. They share their war stories—from early “pitch-slapping” mishaps to dodging misogyny and microaggressions—and dish out the real-deal tips that can help you level up your LinkedIn game without losing your cool.Key Takeaways:Authenticity Wins: Learn why mixing personal struggles with professional wins beats bland, over-polished posts every time.Consistency Is King: Discover how treating content creation like “brushing your teeth” can transform your online presence—even if it’s just 5–10 minutes a day.Content Remix Magic: Get tips on repurposing old posts into videos, carousels, or bite-sized text gems, so you’re never out of ideas.Call Out the Cringe: From forced selfies in random settings to all-male influencer shout-outs, find out what to avoid if you want to keep it real on LinkedIn.Community Over Clout: Explore why building genuine relationships beats chasing likes and how to navigate the pitfalls of engagement pods and fake comments.We’re Ruta and Emma, the marketing consultants behind Blame it on Marketing. If you’re in B2B SaaS or professional services and looking to do marketing that actually drives revenue and profit, we’re here for it.Visit blameitonmarketing.com and let’s get this show on the road.

LinkedIn isn’t what it used to be, in this episode, we sit down with Andy Lambert to break down what’s actually working in social media marketing today. We get real about the mistakes marketers keep making, why engagement matters more than ever, and whether company pages are hard work.Oh, and AI? It’s changing the game—but let’s be clear: it’s a tool, not a replacement for actual strategy. We also dive into community building, video content (spoiler: just posting isn’t enough), and why authenticity beats algorithms every time.Takeaways (or, what to yell at your marketing team about)✅ Social media keeps changing—marketers need to keep up.✅ LinkedIn is still gold for B2B (but you need a strategy).✅ Rushed marketing = bad marketing.✅ Video is big, but quality > quantity.✅ Engagement > just posting.✅ Personal brands > company pages (sorry, corporate).✅ AI can boost creativity, but don’t let it kill your soul.✅ Community > audience—build relationships, not just reach.✅ Focus on what your audience actually wants.✅ Authenticity wins—people can smell BS from a mile away.Marketing changes, but the fundamentals don’t. Listen in, take notes (or don’t), and let’s talk about what actually works.We’re Ruta and Emma, the marketing consultants behind Blame it on Marketing. If you’re in B2B SaaS or professional services and looking to do marketing that actually drives revenue and profit, we’re here for it.Visit blameitonmarketing.com and let’s get this show on the road.

In this episode of Blame It on Marketing, Ruta and Emma take on the obsession with chasing competitors in B2B marketing. They dig into why marketers fall into the copycat trap, share their own experiences of getting it wrong, and discuss how to break out of the cycle with a strategy that actually works. The conversation covers the importance of knowing your own product and audience, the risks of playing it safe, and the ethical dilemmas that come with marketing today. Bottom line? Creativity beats imitation every time.TakeawaysChasing competitors leads to bland, copy-paste marketing.Understanding your unique value proposition is non-negotiable.Creativity and originality win in the long run.A solid go-to-market strategy keeps you focused.Differentiation matters—especially in a crowded market.Managing internal stakeholders is just as important as external messaging.Ethical marketing is no longer optional.Marketers should prioritize their ideal customer profile (ICP) over industry trends.Copying competitors often results in surface-level strategies with no depth.Close collaboration with product teams can make or break marketing success.

In this episode of Blame it on Marketing, Emma and Ruta are joined by Alex Vince-Myers, Head of Marketing, to tackle the big question: which marketing metrics actually matter? Together, they sort the fluff from the facts, breaking down the difference between vanity metrics and actionable ones that drive real results. The trio dives into personal confessions about marketing missteps, the perks of sharing metrics across teams, and why getting leadership to buy into metrics is easier said than done.The discussion doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff—like the gap between marketing efforts and revenue—and wraps up with insights on how to navigate the ever-evolving trends shaping today’s marketing landscape.Takeaways:Marketing metrics are a cornerstone for growth and accountability.Vanity metrics might look good, but they don’t always tell the full story.Sharing metrics internally can boost team morale and engagement.Senior leaders need to get on board with understanding marketing numbers.Metrics should align with business goals to ensure relevance.Tailor the metrics you present to the audience at hand.Accurate attribution relies on understanding the full customer journey.Context matters—analyze metrics within appropriate timeframes.Don’t lean too heavily on vanity metrics for decision-making.Leadership buy-in is essential to maximize marketing’s impact.This one’s all about making your numbers work for you, not against you.We’re Ruta and Emma, the marketing consultants behind Blame it on Marketing. If you’re in B2B SaaS or professional services and looking to do marketing that actually drives revenue and profit, we’re here for it.Visit blameitonmarketing.com and let’s get this show on the road.

In this episode of Blame It on Marketing, Emma, Ruta, and guest Jamie Pagan dive into the gritty realities of marketing budgets. From the awkward dance of asking for money to the headaches caused by mismatched sales and marketing priorities, they unpack the budgeting struggles marketers face daily. Jamie shares practical advice from his years in B2B marketing, offering insights on educating leadership, proving ROI, and making the most of lean budgets.This episode tackles why tight budgets make for tight-lipped marketers and how better communication and alignment with sales can turn things around. If you’ve ever had to justify your existence to the finance team, this one’s for you.Takeaways:Budgeting in marketing is often ignored until there's a problem.Misalignment between marketing and sales creates budget gaps.Sales cycles heavily influence budget timing and strategies.Proving ROI isn’t just nice; it’s non-negotiable.Educating leadership on marketing's value is critical to securing funds.Shoestring budgets lead to lackluster engagement and retention.Free tools and creativity are lifesavers when the budget is tight.Building trust with leadership pays off in future budget negotiations.Regularly tracking and sharing your impact builds a case for investment.Negative past experiences with marketing can skew leadership's perception.We’re Ruta and Emma, the marketing consultants behind Blame it on Marketing. If you’re in B2B SaaS or professional services and looking to do marketing that actually drives revenue and profit, we’re here for it.Visit blameitonmarketing.com and let’s get this show on the road.

In this episode of Blame It On Marketing, hosts Emma and Ruta explore the challenges of marketing attribution with Tara Robertson. They share their own experiences with attribution, unpack the complexities of measurement, and highlight the importance of collaboration between sales and marketing teams. The conversation tackles the messy reality of attribution, emphasizing the need to better understand how marketing influences customer journeys. Their takeaway? Embrace the imperfections—attribution is rarely straightforward.Key Takeaways:- Attribution is often oversimplified and can mislead marketing decisions.- The pressure to measure everything can stifle creativity in marketing.- Sales and marketing teams should work collaboratively towards common goals.- Understanding the customer journey is crucial for effective attribution.- Self-reported attribution can provide valuable insights into customer behavior.- Attribution tools can be helpful but should not be seen as a silver bullet.- The ideal attribution setup varies by company and should focus on key touchpoints.- Marketing should influence all types of opportunities, not just inbound leads.- Leadership expectations around attribution can be challenging to navigate.- Embracing the messiness of attribution can lead to better marketing strategies.We’re Ruta and Emma, the marketing consultants behind Blame it on Marketing. If you’re in B2B SaaS or professional services and looking to do marketing that actually drives revenue and profit, we’re here for it.Visit blameitonmarketing.com and let’s get this show on the road.

Blame It On Marketing Turns Two! 🥳 In this special anniversary episode, Ruta and Emma reflect on two years of podcasting, marketing gossip, and relentless honesty about the industry we love (and sometimes love to hate).From the chaos of LinkedIn to outrageous sales commission stories, they revisit their favourite episodes, hard-earned lessons, and hilarious highlights. Expect shout-outs to iconic guests like Timi and Talya, alongside a passionate plea for marketers to stop settling for 35K manager roles and to demand better buying experiences. Plus, Ruta reveals her unfiltered LinkedIn comment philosophy, while Emma dreams up LinkedIn-integrated podcasts for all our scrolling convenience.Takeaways:Buying Experience: It's still a mess—why aren't companies focusing on the buyer?Sales and Marketing Alignment: Compassion, not competition, is the key to collaboration.CRO Insights: A great CRO transforms businesses, not just quotas.Influencer Sales: Stop expecting your team to moonlight as TikTok stars unless you're paying for it.Career Advice: No job is worth sacrificing your mental health. Make that exit plan if needed.Bad Marketing: Sometimes, breaking the rules is where the magic happens. (Ask them about their tattoos!)Stick around for some spicy LinkedIn gossip and a heartfelt thank-you to the listeners who've made this two-year journey unforgettable. 🚀

Marketing: the first budget cut and the last to get the credit. In this episode, your favorite co-hosts Ruta and Emma sit down with Angeley Mullins, Chief Commercial Officer at Resourceify, as she shares her no-nonsense perspective on why cutting back on marketing during tough times is the business equivalent of eating soup with a fork: messy, ineffective, and you’ll still be hungry. They dive into the delicate dance between performance marketing and brand building, why sales and marketing are like peanut butter and jelly (yes, they belong together), and how ignoring your customer’s needs is a fast track to irrelevance.Takeaways:Investing in marketing leads to long-term growth. Don’t let economic pressures push you into shortsighted decisions.Performance marketing is just one slice of the pie. Don’t forget the power of brand.Sales and marketing should work hand in hand. The dream team works best together, not in silos.Understanding customer needs is crucial. Forgetting this? That’s a fast track to irrelevance.The pendulum is swinging back toward brand investment. And it’s about time.Mistakes are part of the process. If you’re not failing, you’re not trying.ROI isn’t the whole story. Marketing is more than just numbers on a spreadsheet.A strong brand presence makes selling easier. Build it, and sales will follow.Early-stage companies need balance. It’s not just sales or just marketing—it’s both.We’re Ruta and Emma, the marketing consultants behind Blame it on Marketing. If you’re in B2B SaaS or professional services and looking to do marketing that actually drives revenue and profit, we’re here for it.Visit blameitonmarketing.com and let’s get this show on the road.