On PopSpeed® Digital Marketing LLC's official podcast, we're talking about insider tips on securing ROI from your marketing efforts. Social media marketing WORKS - tune in and we'll prove it!
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In-Person Events in a Virtual World All-digital-all-the-time isn’t always the best marketing move. In this episode, Lori talks with Nicole Lapointe of GatherPointe about why in-person events still deliver, how to figure out what your audience actually wants, why every event needs a mission statement, how to pick (or skip) speakers, free vs. ticketed events, and whether the gala is dead or just wearing capris now. Host: Lori Jo Vest, PopSpeed Digital MarketingGuest: Nicole Lapointe, Founder, GatherPointe (corporate event agency)Runtime: ~32 minutes Statistics Referenced 37% of in-person event m
Nobody Wants Your About Page: Why Short-Form Video Wins When was the last time you read a company’s About Us page before buying? Probably never. But when was the last time a 20-second video of someone using a product convinced you to buy? Probably recently. In this episode of Rev & Reach, Lori Jo Vest makes the case for short-form video as the single most powerful trust-builder in digital marketing today—and shares a practical, low-lift formula any small or service-based business can use starting this week. Themes discussed in this episode: Why written content alone no longer builds trust with
5 Ways to Stretch Your Social Budget A tight budget doesn’t mean a quiet brand — it means you have to be smarter than your competitors who are outspending you. In this episode of Rev & Reach, Lori Jo Vest breaks down five practical ways to stretch your content, maximize every platform, and get loud results when the money is tight.Budgets are getting cut. Resources are shrinking. More of us are being asked to do more with less. But the good news? Some of the most creative, effective marketing Lori has ever seen has come from low- and no-budget projects.This episode is your playbook. Themes disc
The Social Commerce Revolution In this episode of Rev & Reach, Lori Jo breaks down the rapid rise of social commerce and why brands can no longer rely on websites alone to drive sales. She explains how platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube are evolving into full storefronts, where customers can discover and purchase products without ever leaving the app.Lori shares why creator-led selling is outperforming traditional ads, how short-form video fuels impulse buying, and what businesses need to do to stay competitive. From building community to tracking real conversions, this episode offe
Google is Dead. Long Live Google. In this episode of Rev & Reach, Lori Jo Vest breaks down how AI is fundamentally changing the way people search — and why traditional SEO alone is no longer enough. She explains the rise of generative engine optimization (GEO), how AI-powered search results are reshaping visibility and website traffic, and what small and mid-sized businesses need to do right now to stay competitive. From creating “top 10” style content to showing up across multiple platforms, Lori shares practical, actionable strategies to help businesses get found, build credibility, and driv
How Tiny Influencers Beat Big Ad Budgets In this episode of Rev & Reach, Lori Jo Vest explains why micro influencers are becoming one of the most effective marketing tools for small businesses in 2026. Instead of focusing on celebrity influencers with massive followings, Lori breaks down why smaller creators with highly engaged audiences can deliver stronger results, more authentic promotion, and better ROI. She walks through common mistakes businesses make with influencer partnerships, explains how to test campaigns strategically, and shares practical ways to start working with local creators
Hallucinations: The Hidden Cost of AI Speed In this episode of Rev & Reach, Lori Jo Vest discusses the hidden risks behind the speed and convenience of AI, focusing on the growing problem of AI hallucinations — when AI confidently generates false or fabricated information.While AI can be a powerful tool for marketers, Lori explains why relying on it without verification can lead to costly mistakes, poor decision-making, and reputational harm. Through real-world examples and practical guidance, she shares how marketers can use AI strategically while protecting their business by verifying source
Focus as a Growth Hack In this episode of Rev & Reach, Lori Jo Vest breaks down why focus is one of the most important — and most misunderstood — elements of successful digital marketing.Drawing from real client examples, Lori explains why trying to be everywhere at once dilutes your efforts, wastes budget, and hurts ROI, and how choosing the right channels, message, and success metric helps businesses get better results with less effort. Themes discussed in this episode: Why “being everywhere” is a myth that hurts marketing performance How subjectivity and too many opinions derail effective s
Video Content that Converts In this episode of Rev & Reach, Lori and Kiley break down why video remains the most powerful form of digital content in 2026—especially in a crowded, AI-heavy marketing landscape. Together, they unpack why audiences are tuning out overly polished, AI-generated content and gravitating toward real people, real stories, and authentic conversations. Themes discussed in this episode: Why video remains the most trusted content format in an AI-saturated digital world How authenticity consistently outperforms polished, overproduced content The role of video as a “trust sho
3 Marketing Predictions We’re Putting on the Record for 2026 In this episode of Rev & Reach, Lori shares marketing predictions for 2026 rooted in the everyday realities she sees with clients and across digital channels. Instead of speculative forecasting, Lori focuses on shifts already reshaping the marketing landscape—highlighting authenticity, creativity, and platform strategy as the keys to brand success in an increasingly AI-driven world. With candid real-life examples, she reveals how marketers can cut through the clutter, build real trust, and make their brands memorable in the new year.
Your Creative Is Cute, But Does It Convert? In this episode of Rev & Reach, Lori dives into the realities of digital marketing performance, debunking the myth that “pretty” or clever creative always leads to results. Through real-world examples, Lori explains why clarity, authenticity, and genuine audience targeting consistently outperform polished but empty campaigns. She shares her framework for creative that actually converts, offers practical advice for tracking ROI, and issues a challenge for marketers to look beyond beauty and focus on what actually moves their audience down the sales fu
The Social Sales Funnel In this episode of Rev & Reach, Lori dives deep into the real-world mechanics of building a Social Sales Funnel that moves audiences from unaware to loyal customers—without resorting to pushy sales tactics. Lori breaks down each stage of the funnel, explains why most brands get stuck in the “awareness” phase, and shares actionable strategies for driving connection, trust, and conversion through purposeful social content. Real-world examples, measurement advice, and practical challenges help listeners rethink their social media approach to truly drive ROI. Themes discuss
Local SEO: Why It's Critical to Hire an Expert In this episode of Rev & Reach, Lori dives into the ever-evolving world of local SEO and how it drives real results for businesses of all sizes. Discover why showing up in local search is mission-critical, how social and AI channels have become the new front doors for discovery, and what actionable steps you can take to boost your local visibility.From Google Business Profiles and NAP consistency to the power of reviews, influencers, and authentic engagement, Lori explains the strategies that help both small and growing organizations get found by
Building a Brand Community: How-To & Why-To In this episode of Rev & Reach, Lori explores how building a true sense of community around your brand is the modern marketing superpower. From iconic brands like Peloton, LEGO Ideas, and Glossier, to small businesses and local practices, Lori shares the practical strategies and real-world examples that make community more than just a buzzword.It’s the key to enthusiastic customers, organic referrals, and resilient brands. Discover how to activate loyal ambassadors, foster authentic engagement, and why showing up online with a two-way conversation, n
Small But Mighty: Digital Marketing That Works for Small Businesses In this episode of Rev & Reach, Lori and Kiley walk through what small businesses really need to kickstart digital marketing without feeling overwhelmed or overspending. They share honest insights from their own journey as a marketing agency, why it’s okay to start small, and the importance of realistic goals, consistent content, and a strong website.If you run a business that’s under $3 million (or even just starting), this episode is packed with focused, actionable advice made just for you. Themes discussed in this episode:
The Compound Effect: How it All Comes Together In this episode of Rev & Reach, Lori and Kiley break down the compound effect of digital marketing: why showing up in multiple channels is essential for strong ROI, and how brands can efficiently build layered strategies without becoming overwhelmed.The duo shares real-world examples from agency and client life, especially focusing on nonprofits, and covers how to keep your audience engaged, protected, and growing by avoiding reliance on any single platform. Themes discussed in this episode: Why effective digital marketing requires being “everywhe
The Compass Effect: How Strategy Powers Digital Marketing In this episode of Rev & Reach, Lori and Kiley walk you through their entire process for creating a social and digital strategy that drives real results.From setting goals and KPIs to deep-dive audience research, content buckets, and competitive audits, this episode pulls back the curtain on how seasoned marketers think… and what it really takes to build an adaptable marketing plan. Themes discussed in this episode: Why strategy must start with clear goals and measurable KPIs Using research and audits to deeply understand audiences Coll
One Message, Five Channels: Tailoring Without Losing the Plot In this episode of Rev & Reach, Lori and Kiley explain why posting identical content on every channel is a mistake, and what to do instead.They dig into the unique quirks, shifting rules, and best practices for Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, Pinterest, and YouTube.Learn why hashtags are becoming less powerful, how vertical video is changing the game, and how to truly engage every audience where they are. Themes discussed in this episode: Why you can’t just post the same thing on every social platform What’s different about I
AI Search is Here: Is Your Marketing Strategy Ready? In this episode of Rev and Reach, Lori and Kiley discuss the massive changes shaking up SEO, web traffic, and digital marketing strategy in 2025. As AI-generated answers take over Google results and web traffic declines, the team shares how social channels are now powerful search engines too—and what brands need to do to keep reaching their audiences. Themes discussed in this episode: Why Google searches now often show AI answers before website links How this trend is impacting traffic (and why web visits are down) The rise of “search everyw
Signal vs. Noise: Decoding Social Media Analytics That Drive ROI In this episode of Rev and Reach, Lori and Kiley dive into the intricacies of social media analytics and how they relate to achieving Return on Investment (ROI). They explain the distinction between analytics and true business results, and explore how to effectively use data to optimize marketing strategies. Themes discussed in this episode: The difference between social media analytics and ROI Key metrics that can indicate interest and engagement How to use analytics to refine and enhance content strategies Understanding the imp
When the Wheels Fall Off: Navigating Client Engagements Gone Wrong In this episode, Lori and Kiley share stories of client engagements that didn’t go as planned. By examining these experiences, they uncover valuable lessons about setting realistic expectations, the importance of collaboration, and the need to recognize when it’s time to walk away. Themes discussed in this episode: Challenges of managing client expectations in social media marketing The critical role of team collaboration in executing successful campaigns Recognizing when an engagement might not be beneficial for either party L
From Crickets to Clicks In this episode of Rev and Reach, Lori and Kiley share foundational strategies to optimize your social media presence without overthinking. Delve into the core practices that help brands enhance authenticity, engagement, and ROI. Discover why simplicity, authenticity, and strategic engagement are the keys to winning social strategies Themes discussed in this episode: The power of simplicity in social media strategy The impact of authentic imagery and user-generated content The role of calls to action in boosting engagement Tailoring content and engagement techniques for
To Tok or Not In this episode of Rev and Reach, Lori and Kiley explore the relevance of TikTok as a platform for businesses. They discuss the rapid rise of TikTok, its impact on content across other platforms, and considerations for brands deciding whether to invest in TikTok as part of their marketing strategy. Themes discussed in this episode: The growth of TikTok and its influence on digital marketing Identifying if TikTok is the right platform for your brand Developing content that captures attention and resonates with the TikTok audience The commitment required to succeed on TikTok Episod
The Power of Your Face: How Talking Heads & Selfies Are Winning Social Media In this episode of Rev and Reach, Lori and Kiley explore the changing landscape of organic content in digital marketing. As organic reach continues to decline, they discuss the vital role of intentionality in content strategy and the growing importance of integrating ad spend to achieve meaningful results. Themes discussed in this episode: The transformation of organic content from primary to supplementary strategy The importance of using paid promotions to boost engagement and reach Strategies for leveraging organic
The Power of Your Face: How Talking Heads & Selfies Are Winning Social Media In this episode of Rev and Reach, Lori and Kiley discuss the impactful role of showcasing genuine human connection on social media. They explore how showing faces—whether of team members, clients, or leaders—creates authenticity, enhances engagement, and boosts ROI. Learn practical ways to humanize your brand and effectively connect with your audience. Themes discussed in this episode: The importance of human connection in social media marketing Leveraging authenticity by showing real faces in content The pitfalls of
