Frankie Fihn loves to stand out - both for his agency and for his clients!

In this episode of Marketing Without Rules, Lewis Vandervalk of Blue Crocus Solutions is joined by Brad Akers, who shares his journey from roofing distribution to running a marketing and consulting agency.

They discuss effective strategies for customer acquisition, emphasizing the importance of good communication, customer service, and creating processes that turn customers into promoters.

Brad details how businesses can optimize their sales and marketing efforts by engaging their clients, neighbors, and other stakeholders. He shares actionable steps to leverage referrals, including practical role-play scenarios and ways to incentivize customers for referral-generating activities.

The conversation highlights the importance of systematic approaches in marketing, the significance of word-of-mouth, and the psychology behind customer trust and satisfaction. Despite potential challenges, Brad guarantees success for those adopting these methodologies while sharing anecdotes and results from his own client experiences.

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00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:47 Brad's Background and Journey

02:53 Client Acquisition Mindset

04:23 Role-Playing Sales Scenarios

05:51 Proactive Communication Strategies

08:32 Extending Customer Service to Neighbors

19:05 Referral Programs and Generating Activities

28:52 Elevating Customer Experience

29:24 Stacking the Yeses

30:11 Incentivizing Sales Reps

31:20 Handling Cold Leads

32:33 Proven Sales Strategies

36:59 Implementing Effective Processes

41:41 Common Mistakes to Avoid

45:22 The Power of Social Proof

52:02 Final Thoughts and Resources

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In this episode of Marketing Without Rules, we dive into the transformative marketing strategies of PJ Hickenbottom, a junk removal business owner who has redefined community-focused marketing. From leveraging Facebook giveaways to partnering with local businesses and nonprofits, PJ shares how he built a standout brand in a small rural market.

Key takeaways include:

• How to engage your community with social media giveaways.
• The power of collaborating with local businesses for mutual success.
• Creative ideas like branded drink coasters and restaurant takeovers to expand reach.
• Using nonprofit partnerships to gain recognition and give back to the community.
• Why genuine engagement and networking—both online and offline—are the future of marketing.

PJ’s innovative strategies prove that being a “hunter,” not a “gatherer,” is essential to dominating any market. Whether you're running a small-town business or a large-scale operation, this episode is packed with actionable insights to grow your brand through community-driven efforts.

Tune in and get inspired to think outside the box, engage authentically, and take your marketing to the next level!