Imperfect Marketing

Send us Fan MailHave you ever left a networking event with a handful of new contacts and no idea what to do next?How do you follow up without sounding like you are immediately trying to sell something?And once you make a good connection, how do you stay top of mind without becoming another email they automatically delete?In this episode of Imperfect Marketing, Kendra Corman talks with Ely Delaney about what happens after the networking event. Meeting someone is only the beginning. The real opportunity comes from how you follow up, continue the conversation, and build enough trust that people actually remember you.Ely explains why one of the biggest networking mistakes is going straight for the sale. Instead, he recommends making the conversation about the other person. Ask who they serve, learn what kinds of referral relationships matter to them, and look for ways to be useful.Kendra and Ely also explore how email can help you maintain those relationships at scale. They discuss how often to email, why short and personal messages can outperform polished newsletters, and how automated nurture emails can still feel like genuine communication when they are done well.In this episode, you’ll learn:How to follow up after networking without immediately pitchingWhy relationship-building should come before sellingHow email can help you stay top of mind with prospects and referral partnersWhy useful, conversational emails can generate more engagement than traditional newslettersHow often you should consider emailing your audienceHow to use automation without making your communication feel automatedThe opportunity is not simply to collect more contacts. It is to build a follow-up system that keeps good relationships alive long after the networking event ends.About Ely DelaneyEly Delaney began using networking to grow his first business in the 1990s, eventually building his web and graphic design agency from a dining-room operation into a business with employees and a steady stream of new contracts. Over time, he began developing follow-up and email systems designed to help businesses stay connected, add value, and turn conversations into long-term relationships.Connect with Ely:Website: elydelaney.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/elydelaney Looking to leverage AI? Want better results? Want to think about what you want to leverage?Check and see how I am using it for FREE on YouTube. From "Holy cow, it can do that?" to "Wait, how does this work again?" – I've got all your AI curiosities covered. It's the perfect after-podcast snack for your tech-hungry brain. Watch here

Send us Fan MailIs AI making SEO obsolete, or is it making strong content even more important?As AI changes the way people search for information, many businesses are watching website traffic decline and wondering whether traditional SEO still matters. According to SEO expert Lindsey Busfield, the answer is yes, but the way we think about visibility needs to evolve.In this episode of Imperfect Marketing, Kendra Corman talks with Lindsey about SEO, AI search, content marketing, and what businesses can do to become easier to find online. Lindsey explains why potential customers are still searching, even if they are not always clicking through to websites, and why businesses need useful, credible content that Google and AI tools can understand and trust.They also explore one of the hardest parts of content marketing: figuring out what to talk about next. Lindsey shares practical ways to uncover better content ideas, including listening to real customer questions, getting more specific with topics, thinking locally when appropriate, and improving on answers that already exist instead of simply creating more content for the sake of it.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why SEO still matters in the age of AI searchHow AI is changing website traffic and online visibilityHow to find content topics potential customers actually care aboutWhy AI should not be responsible for generating your entire content strategHow mind mapping can uncover more specific content ideasWhy talking with customers is one of the best forms of content researchHow customer language differs from industry jargonWays local and national businesses can approach SEO differentlyWhy answering customer questions does not mean filling your website with FAQ pagesWhy flexibility and continuous learning matter in modern marketingOne of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is simple: search may be changing, but people are still looking for answers. Businesses that provide those answers clearly, specifically, and credibly have a better chance of being found wherever that search happens.About Lindsey BusfieldLindsey Busfield helps businesses improve their visibility in Google so prospective clients can find them before they find the competition. She specializes in SEO for law firms, although many of the strategies she shares apply to any business that relies on online search to connect with potential customers.Connect with Lindsey:Website: optimizemyfirm.com/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lindsey-busfield/ Looking to leverage AI? Want better results? Want to think about what you want to leverage?Check and see how I am using it for FREE on YouTube. From "Holy cow, it can do that?" to "Wait, how does this work again?" – I've got all your AI curiosities covered. It's the perfect after-podcast snack for your tech-hungry brain. Watch here

Send us Fan MailWhat if your email marketing could respond to what a prospect is actually doing instead of sending everyone the same sequence?How do you use AI to personalize outreach at scale without making your emails sound like they were written by AI?And what signals can tell you when a prospect may actually need what you offer?In this episode of Imperfect Marketing, Kendra Corman talks with Austin Reed about behavioral email automation and how businesses can use AI, data, and customer behavior to create more relevant outreach.Austin explains why effective personalization goes far beyond inserting someone’s name into an email. The real opportunity is identifying the signals that suggest a company may have a problem you can solve, then using that information to create outreach that feels timely and specific. Those signals might come from hiring activity, funding cycles, company content, technology, LinkedIn activity, or other indicators unique to your market.They also explore why understanding your customer still matters even when AI is doing some of the heavy lifting. AI can help research prospects, organize information, and generate messaging, but the strategy still depends on knowing your audience, recognizing their problems, and understanding what makes your offer relevant.In this episode, you’ll learn:How behavioral email automation differs from traditional email sequencesHow to combine AI, prospect data, and proven messaging frameworksWhy some popular triggers, including job postings and funding announcements, may come too lateWhy email infrastructure and deliverability matter before you worry about copyHow consistency helps you maintain marketing momentum instead of constantly starting overOne of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is that better automation isn’t necessarily about sending more messages. It’s about becoming more thoughtful about who you contact, why you’re contacting them, and what is happening in their business that makes the conversation relevant right now.Austin also shares the marketing lesson he learned through growing his own company: don’t stop marketing when business gets busy. Once you lose momentum, rebuilding it can be much harder than maintaining it.About Our GuestAustin Reed comes from a software development background and began exploring cold email and behavioral automation while looking for better ways to grow his own agency. Connect with AustinWebsite: horizon.dev/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/automationsexpertIf this episode gave you an idea you can use in your own marketing, follow Imperfect Marketing so you don’t miss the next conversation. Looking to leverage AI? Want better results? Want to think about what you want to leverage?Check and see how I am using it for FREE on YouTube. From "Holy cow, it can do that?" to "Wait, how does this work again?" – I've got all your AI curiosities covered. It's the perfect after-podcast snack for your tech-hungry brain. Watch here

Send us Fan MailAre you asking the wrong question about AI in your business?A lot of businesses start with, “How can we use AI?” But that question can send you down a rabbit hole of tools, experiments, and half-finished ideas.In this episode of Imperfect Marketing, Kendra Corman explains why a better starting point is the problem itself. Look for the process that is slowing you down, creating a backlog, or eating up more time than it should. Then ask whether AI can help solve it. Sometimes the best answer might not involve AI at all.Kendra shares a real example of a client who used AI to review an existing process and uncover a much simpler solution: a SharePoint list with automations. The win wasn’t using more AI. It was finding a better way to work.She also explains why one of the highest-return AI projects you can tackle is teaching AI your voice. If every AI-generated draft requires a complete rewrite, you haven’t actually saved yourself any time. Giving AI real examples of how you communicate can help it produce stronger first drafts that need refinement instead of reconstruction.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why “How can we use AI?” may be the wrong questionHow to identify the right problem before choosing a tooA simple way to use AI to uncover process improvementsWhy defining your voice can make AI-generated content more usefulHow to start with one small AI pilot instead of trying to transform everything at onceWhy one measurable win is more valuable than ten unfinished experimentsThe goal isn’t to become an AI-first business. The opportunity is to become a better problem-solving business and use AI where it actually makes sense.Ready to make AI sound more like you?Get Kendra’s Write Like You GPT at kendracorman.com/write-like-you.And if this episode gets you thinking about a problem you want to tackle first, connect with Kendra on LinkedIn at kendracorman.com/LinkedIn. Looking to leverage AI? Want better results? Want to think about what you want to leverage?Check and see how I am using it for FREE on YouTube. From "Holy cow, it can do that?" to "Wait, how does this work again?" – I've got all your AI curiosities covered. It's the perfect after-podcast snack for your tech-hungry brain. Watch here

Send us Fan MailPR and marketing may work together, but they are not the same thing.In this episode of Imperfect Marketing, Kendra Corman talks with PR expert Lauren Cockerell about what public relations actually does for a business, how it differs from marketing, and why getting media attention takes much more than sending out a press release. Lauren describes PR as a function of reputation, while marketing is more directly connected to sales and measurable ROI.They also dig into one of the most important questions in PR: Who cares? Lauren explains how businesses can determine whether a story is truly newsworthy, find the angle behind the announcement, and connect what matters to the company with what matters to the audience.You’ll also hear practical advice for building a realistic PR strategy, choosing the right channels, staying consistent, and recognizing when it may be time to bring in professional support.Highlights• The difference between PR and marketing, and why businesses need both• Why reputation is at the heart of effective public relations• How to use the “Who cares?” test to evaluate whether a story is newsworthy• Why a company anniversary, sale, or announcement may need a stronger story behind it• How podcasts, contributed articles, and thought leadership can help you start building visibility• Why consistency matters more than trying to show up everywhereAbout Our GuestLauren Cockerell has spent more than two decades in public relations, beginning her career as an intern at a PR firm and eventually rising to vice president. After several years working in-house, she launched her own firm, where she helps businesses uncover the stories that make them distinctive and communicate those stories in a clear, compelling way.Connect with Lauren:Website: kwedarco.com/Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/laurenkwedar/ Looking to leverage AI? Want better results? Want to think about what you want to leverage?Check and see how I am using it for FREE on YouTube. From "Holy cow, it can do that?" to "Wait, how does this work again?" – I've got all your AI curiosities covered. It's the perfect after-podcast snack for your tech-hungry brain. Watch here

Send us Fan MailAre you marketing what you want to sell, or what your customers actually value?In this episode of Imperfect Marketing, Kendra Corman talks with twin sisters Jillian Reece and Jordan Truster, founders of Lovely Loops, about how listening more closely to their customers transformed their offers, messaging, and membership experience.Jillian and Jordan originally focused their marketing on teaching calligraphy techniques, providing worksheets, and helping students improve their skills. Over time, customer surveys, community conversations, and Zoom calls revealed something much more meaningful.Most customers were not trying to become master calligraphers. They wanted a calming creative hobby, a way to make thoughtful gifts, an opportunity to connect with others, or something fulfilling during retirement, burnout, grief, or a major life transition.That insight led Jillian and Jordan to simplify their offers, rename their membership, and shift their messaging away from perfection and mastery. Instead, they began focusing on creativity, enjoyment, confidence, connection, and the role calligraphy could play in someone’s everyday life.In this conversation, you’ll learn:How to uncover what customers truly valueWhy surveys only work when you listen without looking for confirmationHow customer conversations can reveal better marketing languageWhy too many offers can create confusion and reduce salesHow to use testimonials to communicate outcomes and transformationBetter questions to ask when collecting customer feedbackWhy confidence and excitement matter when promoting an offerHow simplifying your marketing can improve clarity for everyoneJillian and Jordan also share practical ways to collect stronger testimonials, including asking for feedback at the end of a defined experience and giving customers specific questions instead of an intimidating blank page.The biggest takeaway is simple: customers are rarely buying only the product, course, or service itself. They are buying the experience, feeling, identity, or outcome they believe it will create in their lives.About Our GuestsJillian Reece and Jordan Truster are twin sisters and the founders of Lovely Loops, an online calligraphy education business they have operated since 2017.They are also the creators of Calligraphy Together, a membership community where approximately 500 members learn, practice, and enjoy calligraphy in a supportive, low-pressure environment.Connect with Jillian and JordanJillian Reece LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jillianreece/Jordan Truster LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jordantruster/ Looking to leverage AI? Want better results? Want to think about what you want to leverage?Check and see how I am using it for FREE on YouTube. From "Holy cow, it can do that?" to "Wait, how does this work again?" – I've got all your AI curiosities covered. It's the perfect after-podcast snack for your tech-hungry brain. Watch here

Send us Fan MailYour profit and loss statement says the business is doing well, so why does it feel like there is never enough cash available?In this episode of Imperfect Marketing, Kendra Corman talks with Emily Bowie, partner at Thorne Advisors, about the critical difference between business profit and actual cash flow.Emily explains why the number at the bottom of your profit and loss statement does not always reflect what is sitting in your bank account. Owner distributions, credit card payments, loans, payment plans, and other financial activity can all affect the amount of cash you truly have available.They also discuss why trying to reduce your taxable profit as much as possible can sometimes work against your larger goals. A low profit number may save money on taxes, but it can also make it harder to qualify for a mortgage, obtain a business loan, or secure a line of credit.Another major focus of the conversation is pricing. Many business owners base their rates on what competitors charge or what they used to earn as an employee. They may not account for overhead, administrative time, software, subscriptions, or the full cost of delivering their services. The result is a business that looks busy but struggles to produce predictable margins.In this episode, you will learn:• Why profit and cash flow are not the same• What your profit and loss statement may be missing• How payment plans and owner distributions affect available cash• Why your tax strategy should support your future goals• How outdated bookkeeping limits strategic decision-making• Why your pricing must include overhead and direct costs• How underpricing can lead to frustration and resentment• Why consistency, visibility, and imperfect action matter in marketingBetter financial visibility helps you make decisions based on facts instead of assumptions. When you understand how money moves through your business, you can price more confidently, build predictable margins, and create a business that supports your life.About Emily BowieEmily Bowie is a partner at Thorne Advisors, where she helps business owners turn profit into cash, reduce taxes strategically, and build long-term wealth and legacy.Connect with EmilyLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/emilyvbowie/Website: go.thorneadvisors.com  Looking to leverage AI? Want better results? Want to think about what you want to leverage?Check and see how I am using it for FREE on YouTube. From "Holy cow, it can do that?" to "Wait, how does this work again?" – I've got all your AI curiosities covered. It's the perfect after-podcast snack for your tech-hungry brain. Watch here

Send us Fan MailWhat if the biggest reason your projects stall isn't because people lack motivation, but because they don't know what success actually looks like?In this episode of Imperfect Marketing, Kendra Corman shares one of the simplest, yet most powerful, changes you can make when delegating work to your team or using AI. Instead of asking whether something is "done," she explains why defining success upfront leads to better results, fewer revisions, and much less frustration.Drawing from her own experience, including a marketing analysis that sat unfinished for seven months because expectations weren't clearly defined, Kendra reveals why clarity is one of the most valuable leadership and productivity skills you can develop.You'll also discover why people and AI make the same mistakes when given vague instructions, and how a few extra seconds of planning can save hours of rework later.In this episode you'll learn: Why "done" is often the wrong goal.  The difference between giving someone a task and giving them a target.  How to create better AI prompts by defining success first.  Why unclear expectations create paralysis, not laziness.  Two simple ways to communicate what a successful outcome looks like.  A practical exercise you can use before your very next project. Whether you're leading a team, working with freelancers, or relying on AI to help you create content and complete projects, this episode will help you communicate more effectively and get better results the first time.Connect with KendraLinkedIn: kendracorman.com/linkedinWebsite: kendracorman.comIf you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow Imperfect Marketing, leave a review, and share it with another business owner who could use a little more clarity in their workflow. Looking to leverage AI? Want better results? Want to think about what you want to leverage?Check and see how I am using it for FREE on YouTube. From "Holy cow, it can do that?" to "Wait, how does this work again?" – I've got all your AI curiosities covered. It's the perfect after-podcast snack for your tech-hungry brain. Watch here

Send us Fan MailCan AI really run your Google Ads campaigns without a human ever logging in? And if it can, does that mean marketing knowledge is becoming optional?If you're enjoying the show, follow or subscribe wherever you're listening. It helps more marketers find these conversations.For the last year, "AI will replace marketers" has been one of the loudest claims in the industry. David, founder of Groas, actually built the thing that was supposed to prove it: a fully autonomous ad platform where you connect a campaign once and never log in again. So this episode isn't theory. It's what happened when someone tried to remove the human completely, and what he learned when it didn't work the way he expected.David walks through how Groas evolved from a simple dynamic landing page tool into an end-to-end autonomous ad system, and why he changed his mind about humans being optional in the process. He also explains why Groas recently closed off self-serve signups after nearly a year of accepting anyone who wanted in, and what that decision revealed about where AI genuinely replaces people and where it still can't.If you're building an agency, running ads for clients, or just trying to figure out which of your skills are actually future-proof, this conversation gives you a real answer instead of a hot take.This episode will show you:Why dynamic landing pages built to match search intent can lift conversion rates significantlyThe moment David's stance on "AI replaces marketers" flipped, and whyWhere AI genuinely outperforms human account managers, and where it still falls shortWhy Groas stopped accepting self-serve signups and started requiring applicationsThe two skills David says matter most for anyone starting in marketing or agency work todayIf you're an agency owner or marketer trying to figure out how much of your work AI can actually take off your plate, this episode gives you a founder's-eye view of exactly where that line sits right now.About our guest David is the founder of Groas, a platform that started as a dynamic landing page tool and evolved into a fully autonomous Google Ads system. Website: https://origin-www.groas.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidpourquery/#AIMarketing #GoogleAds #MarketingPodcast #DigitalMarketing #AgencyLife #MarketingStrategy #AIandMarketing #GrowthMarketing Looking to leverage AI? Want better results? Want to think about what you want to leverage?Check and see how I am using it for FREE on YouTube. From "Holy cow, it can do that?" to "Wait, how does this work again?" – I've got all your AI curiosities covered. It's the perfect after-podcast snack for your tech-hungry brain. Watch here

Send us Fan MailWhat if the biggest thing holding your marketing back isn't your ads... but your brand?In this episode of Imperfect Marketing, Kendra Corman sits down with Matt Raminick, founder of Sunnyside, to explore what branding really means and why so many businesses miss the mark by focusing on logos, colors, and visual identity before understanding their customers.Matt shares the four foundational questions every business should answer before investing in marketing, explains why customer research should guide every decision, and discusses how data, curiosity, and real conversations help brands stand out in crowded markets. You'll also hear why AI is a powerful tool for analyzing information, but it can never replace genuine customer insights.Whether you're launching a new business, refreshing your brand, or trying to improve your marketing results, this conversation will help you build a stronger foundation that supports long-term growth.In this episode, you'll discover:✔ Why branding is much more than your logo✔ The four-part framework for building a memorable brand✔ How to identify and understand your ideal customer✔ Why talking to customers is still one of the best marketing strategies✔ How surveys and customer feedback can improve your messaging✔ Why trying to market to everyone usually hurts your business✔ Matt's biggest marketing lesson after more than 20 years in the industryYour brand isn't what you say it is. It's what your customers remember and why they choose to come back.About Matt RaminickMatt Raminick is the founder of Sunnyside, a marketing agency that helps lifestyle brands grow through strategic branding, paid advertising, and customer-focused marketing. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another business owner or marketer who could benefit from the conversation.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattraminick/Website: sunnysidecalifornia.com Connect with Kendra Corman:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kendracorman/#branding #marketingstrategy #smallbusinessmarketing #digitalmarketing #brandstrategy #businessgrowth #entrepreneurship Looking to leverage AI? Want better results? Want to think about what you want to leverage?Check and see how I am using it for FREE on YouTube. From "Holy cow, it can do that?" to "Wait, how does this work again?" – I've got all your AI curiosities covered. It's the perfect after-podcast snack for your tech-hungry brain. Watch here