Podcast Rundown

• This week’s topic is ‘Storytelling for Business’
• Discusses why storytelling is important, how businesses can use stories to engage their audiences, and pitfalls to avoid.
• Shares an experiment on how stories can increase the perceived value of a product.

Segment 1: Why Do You Think Storytelling Is Important in Business?

• 00:02:19 - 00:03:14: Jen highlights the psychological importance of storytelling, mentioning Apple's success in this area.
• 00:03:14 - 00:04:43: Jay emphasizes that stories resonate with people, citing Nike and Jameson Whiskey as examples.
• 00:04:43 - 00:05:58: Sian stresses the necessity of a story for emotional connection and effective branding.
• 00:05:58 - 00:07:03: Judie mentions using Pixar's story spine in workshops.

Segment 2: What Do You Do To Help Your Clients Tell More Engaging Stories?

• 00:07:03 - 00:08:05: Jay focuses on the importance of a strong foundation and knowing the 'why'.
• 00:08:05 - 00:10:40: Jen talks about structuring clients' stories.
• 00:10:40 - 00:12:41: Sian encourages not to be too hard on oneself and considers podcasts as a storytelling medium.

Segment 3: Pitfalls/Things to Avoid When Telling Stories

• 00:12:41 - 00:13:29: Sian advises knowing your story before creating a brand.
• 00:13:29 - 00:15:33: Jen discusses the six-word story and how to structure stories effectively.
• 00:15:33 - 00:17:36: Jay emphasizes the need to capture the audience with a compelling story.
• 00:17:36 - 00:20:41: Panel discusses the importance of hooks in campaigns and how no story is truly unique.
• 00:20:41 - 00:22:35: Judie mentions TED Talks for storytelling advice and the significance of conflict in stories.
• 00:22:35 - 00:25:07: Jen and Judie discuss Tim Urban’s TED Talk and the synchronization effect of storytelling on the brain.
• 00:25:07 - 00:32:04: Jay and the panel talk about various media examples that illustrate effective storytelling.

Segment 4: Teach Me Something New

• 00:32:04 - 00:33:10: Judie talks about Derek Thompson's TED Talk on mixing familiar and new elements in storytelling.
• 00:33:10 - 00:34:23: Jay compares different movies with similar storylines and emphasizes research.
• 00:34:23 - 00:35:59: Jen discusses future-proofing a story and recommends the book "A Secret History of Brands".
• 00:35:59 - 00:35:59: Sian advises seeking help if you struggle with storytelling and the importance of trademarking.

Outro

• 00:35:59 - 00:37:57: Thank you for listening! Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share. See you next week!

Links/People Mentioned

• Apple
• Nike
• Jameson Whiskey
• Pixar
• The Vidacademy
• Vibes and Scribes
• TED Talks Podcasts
• Tim Urban TED Talk
• The Young Offenders
• Always Sunny in Philadelphia
• Welcome to Wrexham
• F1
• John Lewis
• Clarkson’s Farm
• Derek Thom

Podcast Rundown

Clip from Podcast

• 00:00:00: Highlight clip

Host Introductions

• 00:00:30: Host introductions

Welcome

• 00:01:03: Welcome back! Sian is here, Jen is out. Today’s topic: How to get people to your newsletter.

Segment 1: Good Ways to Join a Newsletter

• Judie: Loves quizzes for sign-ups but stays for valuable content.
  • TLDR Newsletter
• Jay: Only joins high-value newsletters. A big fan of Rich Webster.
  • Rich Webster
  • Rich Webster Instagram

Segment 2: Annoying Ways to Join a Newsletter

• Judie: Hates intrusive pop-ups and value-less newsletters. Importance of strategic value.
• Sian: Generic 10% off offers are boring.
• Jay: Prefers 20% off and strategic discount offers.
  • Hubspot
• Sian: Suggests additional incentives for loyalty.

Segment 3: How Do You Get People to Your Newsletter?

• Jay: VIP events and free templates work. Promote through social channels.
• Judie: Uses pop-ups and linktrees effectively. Emphasizes GDPR compliance.
  • The Vidacademy
• Sian: Segments subscribers and debates linktrees vs. landing pages.
  • Sian Horn
• Judie: Suggests merchandise with QR codes for sign-ups.
  • Courtney Kingdom Media
  • Courtney Kingdom
• Discussion: Offline audience building, newsletter strategies, and Google reviews.

Segment 4: Teach Me Something New

• Jay: Recommends Senja for video reviews.
  • Senja
• Jay: Personalized video with Loom.
  • Loom
• Judie: Focus on building rapport with subscribers.
• Sian: Highlighting value and occasionally making asks.

Outro

• 00:40:17: Thanks for listening! Like, subscribe, and share. See you next week!
  • Jay Woodard Instagram
  • The Vidacademy Instagram
  • Sian Horn Instagram
  • Jen Bryan Instagram
  • Unbranded Podcast Instagram

Welcome to Episode 33 of the Unbranded Podcast, where we delve deep into the nuances of client pricing and the impacts and implications of pricing transparency. This episode, hosted by Jen, explores various perspectives on the topic, with valuable insights from our guests. Unfortunately, Sian is out this week due to illness, but the discussion continues with vibrant input from our other hosts.

Episode Timestamps:

• 00:00:00 - 00:01:58: Introductions and Welcome
  • Host introductions and a quick welcome.
  • Jen introduces this week’s topic, stemming from her video about pricing transparency at her agency, Lemon7.
  • Watch Jen’s Pricing Video.
• 00:01:58 - 00:14:04: Thoughts On Pricing Transparency
  • Jay appreciates the concept of transparency, discussing the strategic use of "Starting from" in pricing.
  • Judie endorses clear pricing visibility as beneficial for business comparisons, discussing "intuition pricing" and strategic high pricing.
  • Jen reflects on the direct feedback from pricing transparency, including responses to proposal rejections.
  • The Production Company Pricing
  • The Production Company Instagram
• 00:14:04 - 00:29:29: Risks/Worry With Pricing Transparency
  • Jay shares experiences from his donut shop and the competitive insights gained from transparent pricing.
  • Jen provides insights from her consulting days, understanding competitive pricing landscapes.
  • Judie contemplates implementing transparent pricing in her training courses, referencing Everlane for its transparency.
  • Take Nine Studio Instagram
• 00:29:29 - 00:40:02: Teach Me Something New
  • Jay discusses the potential of AI in voiceovers with examples from Artlist and Eleven Labs.
  • Judie explores new features in Google Calendar that facilitate appointment scheduling.
  • Jen reflects on personal accountability in business, inspired by the documentary Sprint on Netflix.
• 00:40:02 - 00:40:21: Outro
  • Closing remarks and reminders to subscribe, like, and share the podcast.

Episode 32 - Trends Predictions For 2025

Welcome to Episode 32 of the Unbranded Podcast! In this episode, our hosts dive into their predictions for the trends that will shape 2025. From AI advancements to the future of content creation, join Jay, Judie, Sian, and Jen as they explore what's on the horizon.

TIMESTAMPS:

• 00:00:00 - 00:01:31 Introductions and welcome
• 00:01:31 - 00:16:04 Segment 1: Trend Predictions/Styles That Will Catch On
• 00:16:04 - 00:25:34 Segment 2: Trends That Won’t Last
• 00:25:34 - 00:29:51 Segment 3: Teach Me Something New
• 00:29:51 - 00:30:30 Outro

Segment 1: Trend Predictions/Styles That Will Catch On

00:01:31 - 00:04:35

• Predicts personalized AI videos will become bigger
• Jay shares his experience with Loom in courses
• Sian uses welcome videos for new followers in ‘The Club’
• Links:
  • BHuman
  • Loom
  • The Club

00:04:35 - 00:08:55

• Talks about TikTok ‘Symphony’ and AI avatars
• Discusses AI's role in personalizing ads
• Jay mentions Muriel Foley’s insights on Meta's privacy policy
• Links:
  • TikTok Symphony
  • Muriel Foley

00:08:55 - 00:10:55

• Believes real authenticity will become more significant
• Concerns over small business budgets and trust in AI

00:10:55 - 00:16:04

• Hosts debate the impact of AI avatars
• Speculate on AI's role in business operations and communication skills
• Examples of AI in everyday tools like clubcards and bot checkers

Segment 2: Trends That Won’t Last

00:16:04 - 00:17:47

• Encourages trying trends regardless of their longevity

00:17:47 - 00:21:30 Podcast Longevity Discussion

• Sian believes podcasts will grow, with only the strongest surviving
• Jay emphasizes the need for constant innovation
• Jen notes other platforms being prioritized over podcasts

00:21:30 - 00:23:44

• Thinks short videos are distracting but hold value
• Predicts a shift towards trying various video types

00:23:44 - 00:24:30 Posting Longer Videos

• Hosts discuss posting longer videos on Instagram

00:24:30 - 00:25:34 Sian

• Believes people follow personalities and values behind-the-scenes content
• Anticipates the ‘shop’ feature

Segment 3: Teach Me Something New

00:25:34 - 00:25:55

• Shares Gary Vee’s thoughts on AI identifying products in videos
• Link: Gary Vee

00:25:55 - 00:26:49

• Talks about using Google Lens to identify items

00:26:49 - 00:29:17

• Shares a story about using Google Lens for Instagram comments
• Judie adds its use in online dating

00:29:17 - 00:29:51

• Emphasizes kindness and mentions Muriel Foley's series on online protection
• Link: Muriel Foley

00:29:51 - 00:30:30 Outro

• Thank you for listening!

This episode delves into the multifaceted world of internal communications. The hosts share their diverse experiences and discuss common issues, new learning tips, and seasonal productivity shifts.

Timestamps & Topics

Introductions & Welcome

• 00:00:00 - 00:02:07: The episode kicks off with a warm introduction from the hosts, welcoming listeners to a discussion on internal communications.

Segment 1: Hosts' Experiences with Internal Communications

• 00:02:07 - 00:15:13:
  • Sian talks about the balance between using email for a paper trail and the need for tone, which sometimes requires voice communication. She advocates for a blend of face-to-face and software-based communication.
  • Jay shares insights from working in both large and small companies, discussing the use of different platforms like Discord and WhatsApp. He advises keeping client communications separate from personal apps.
  • Judie mentions a survey conducted during an internal comms project to determine preferred communication modes, finding an even split among options.
  • Jen emphasizes the importance of clear, concise communication and introduces the AI note-taking tool, Supernormal, used in her meetings for better clarity and record-keeping.

Segment 2: Problems With Internal Comms

• 00:15:13 - 00:32:15:
  • The hosts discuss various issues like the impersonality of emails and the misuse of communication tools in workplaces, sharing personal anecdotes and observations.
  • Jen highlights a part from the book ‘A World Without Email’ by Cal Newport, discussing how reliance on email affects workplace dynamics and personal interactions.

Segment 3: Teach Me Something New

• 00:32:15 - 00:39:01:
  • The discussion shifts to setting personal and professional boundaries to manage communication effectively. Tools like Loom are mentioned for adapting communication to individual needs.

Segment 4: Are You More or Less Productive In The Summer?

• 00:39:01 - 00:40:25: A quick roundtable reveals that most hosts find themselves more productive during the summer, although Judie notes an increase in hours that sometimes leads to fatigue.

Closing Remarks

• 00:40:25 - 00:40:46: The episode concludes with a thank you to the listeners and reminders to follow and share the podcast.

Links & Mentions

• Supernormal
• A World Without Email
• Springboard Communications
• Loom
• Adam Alaksic - Instagram
• Hosts on Instagram: Jay Woodard, The Vidacademy, Sian Horn, Jen Bryan, Unbranded Podcast

Welcome to Episode 30 of the Unbranded Podcast, where we dive deep into the intricacies of email marketing. From what annoys us to the best practices for building your list, join us as we explore the ins and outs of this essential marketing tool.

• 00:00:00 - 00:11:33: Introductions and welcome
• 00:11:33 - 00:23:41: What Pisses You Off About Email Marketing
• 00:23:41 - 00:32:10: Best Ways To Get People To Your Email Marketing List
• 00:32:10 - 00:38:56: What Do You Love About Email Marketing?
• 00:38:56 - 00:44:19: Teach Me Something New About Email Marketing
• 00:44:19 - 00:49:37: This Week’s Dilemma
• 00:49:37 - 00:50:30: Outro

Episode Breakdown

• 00:00:30 - 00:01:03: Host introductions
• 00:01:03 - 00:11:33: Discussion on the current landscape of email marketing and a quick check-in with our hosts on their latest activities including Jen’s new website launch at Lemon7.
• 00:11:33 - 00:23:41: A fiery discussion on the frustrations with email marketing. Topics range from deceptive practices to the underutilization of innovative email strategies.
• 00:23:41 - 00:32:10: Tips on growing your email list without relying on conventional methods, featuring insights from Jen on using ManyChat to enhance newsletter sign-ups.
• 00:32:10 - 00:38:56: Our hosts share their personal stories and successes with email marketing, highlighting the value of genuine interaction and strategic automations.
• 00:38:56 - 00:44:19: Learning segment where each host shares a unique tip or strategy that has significantly impacted their email marketing efforts.
• 00:44:19 - 00:49:37: Discussion on a current dilemma in the social media sphere involving Instagram content and username alignment, featuring influencer Ashling Muldowney.

Links & Mentions

• Jen Bryan: Instagram
• Jay Woodard: Instagram, The Vidacademy
• Sian Horn: Instagram
• Unbranded Podcast: Instagram

Tools and Resources Mentioned

• Wix
• Substack
• MailerLite
• Flowdesk
• Mailchimp

Featured Newsletters

• Jennie McGinn Newsletter
• Lenny Rachitsky

Join hosts Jen, Sian, Judie, and Jay as they dive deep into the world of branding—discussing what irks them, what they admire, and sharing invaluable branding insights. This episode explores the emotional connection, the psychological aspects, and the strategic importance of effective branding.

Timestamps & Details:

• 00:00:00 - 00:02:59
  Introductions and Welcome
  • Host Jen introduces the theme of the episode, emphasizing the relevance of branding in today's market.
• 00:02:59 - 00:14:40
  Segment 1: What Pisses You Off About Branding
  • Sian critiques the oversimplification of branding processes between large and small businesses.
  • Judie laments the conflation of authenticity with poor quality in branding efforts.
  • Jay discusses the underappreciation of branding's power, using Coca-Cola as a case study.
• 00:14:40 - 00:30:32
  Segment 2: What Do You Like About Branding
  • Sian talks about the recognition and emotional loyalty strong branding can engender.
  • Judie delves into the psychology behind branding and its impact on consumer choices.
  • Jay expresses his appreciation for brands that establish a strong emotional connection, like McDonald's.
• 00:30:32 - 00:44:08
  Segment 3: Teach Me Something New
  • The hosts share personal anecdotes and strategies about the foundational aspects of branding. They emphasize the importance of aligning branding with business goals and understanding its psychological impact on consumers.
• 00:44:08 - 00:44:24
  Outro
  • Reminder to like, subscribe, and share the podcast.

Mentioned Links and People:

• Coca-Cola: Instagram
• Seabody: Website | Instagram
• Elite Pilates: Website | Instagram
• Dyson: Instagram
• McDonald's: Instagram
• Stanley Cup: Instagram
• Marks and Spencers Ireland: Instagram
• Dunnes Stores: Instagram
• Aldi Ireland: Instagram
• The Club: Website
• Personal Instagrams: Jay Woodard | Sian Horn | Jen Bryan | Unbranded Podcast

Stay tuned for more insightful discussions and expert opinions on Unbranded, the podcast that dives deep into the nuances of marketing and branding.

• 00:00:00 - 00:02:54 - Introductions and Welcome
• 00:02:54 - 00:11:42 - Segment 1: Product - Pre Launch
• 00:11:42 - 00:29:46 - Segment 2: Product - Launch
• 00:29:46 - 00:38:23 - Segment 3: Product - Post Launch
• 00:38:23 - 00:42:22 - Segment 4: Service/Digital Product - Pre Launch
• 00:42:22 - 00:53:06 - Segment 5: Service/Digital Product - Launch
• 00:53:06 - 00:57:25 - Segment 6: Service/Digital Product - Post Launch
• 00:57:25 - 00:58:52 - Outro

Outro

• Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share.
  • Jay Woodard
  • The Vidacademy
  • Sian Horn
  • Jen Bryan
  • Unbranded Podcast