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Traditional SEO is dying. Pay-per-click is getting gamed. And most law firms are losing clients before marketing ever gets the blame. This week we flip the script. My fractional CEO, Mandi Ellefson of Hands-Off CEO, puts me in the hot seat and interviews me on the biggest shift I've seen in 30 years of marketing law firms. We get into why keyword-stuffed content and AdWords no longer deliver, how AI search now recommends just three or four names instead of a long list, why authenticity beats polish, and why most firms lose clients at intake instead of marketing. We also cover why niching down beats casting a wide net, and why marketing is an investment, not a cost. If you're looking for practical growth advice, this is an episode worth witnessing. Listen now, and subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Most marketing advice tells you to spend more. Tyson Franklin says the smarter move is to be first. Whoever markets a service or a piece of equipment first owns that space. Tyson is one of the sharpest marketing minds I know. He is a business coach, best-selling author of It's No Secret There's Money in Podiatry, and host of the Podiatry Legends podcast. Over 30 years, he built, scaled, and sold more than 20 podiatry practices across Australia before moving into coaching and podcasting full time. If you're looking for practical growth advice, this is an episode worth witnessing. Listen now, and subscribe so you never miss an episode.

He's a podiatric surgeon, an Army veteran, and a private pilot who flies his own airplane across the country, and he's built Sunshein Podiatry one of Ohio's most trusted foot-and-ankle practices without ever chasing the biggest patient numbers. Dr. Sunshein has stood out for over 30 years: he treats marketing the same way he treats patients: comprehensively, personally, and always looking for the "why." In this episode, he shares how a refreshed website, patient reviews, video content, and serious investment in treatment technology have kept his practice thriving, and why he actually decided to see fewer patients per day. If you're looking for practical growth advice for an independent practice, this is an episode worth witnessing. Listen now, and subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Bob Clark and his partner Alan Steinhorn of Clark & Steinhorn are finally retiring after almost 46 years, and we sat down to talk about what actually built their practice… and what happens next. Here's the part every business owner should hear: Bob never paid a dime for ads. No PPC, no SEO, no AdWords. Instead, he built one of the most respected personal injury and malpractice firms in his community the durable way: caring deeply about clients, earning referrals, writing nearly all his own content, and recording 125+ podcast episodes over the last decade. The result is a body of work that keeps bringing the right people to his door. The result is a genuine Google magnet. If you're building something you want to last, this one's worth your time. Listen now, and subscribe so you never miss an episode.

He's not an attorney, he's never worked inside a law firm, and yet he walked in and took their close rate from 50% to 84% in 90 days. I don't know exactly how long I've known Michael Patrick Strauch but every time we talk, he challenges the way I think about sales and growth. In this episode of Tom's World of Marketing, Michael - co-architect of Your Practice Mastered and leader of "The Closing Room" - and I sit down as he shares how he's helped law firms go from a 50% close rate to 84% in just 90 days, and how he and his team have generated north of $20 million in additional revenue for firms without adding a single new lead. His message is simple: You don't always need more leads. You need a better process for the leads you already have. If you're looking for practical growth advice, this is an episode worth witnessing. Listen now, and subscribe so you never miss an episode.

I don't know how long I've known Michael, but every time we talk, he challenges the way I think about growth. In this episode of Tom's World of Marketing, Michael and I sit down as he shares how he's helped a law firm go from a 50% close rate to 84% in just 90 days. His message is simple: You don't always need more leads. Sometimes you need a better process. We talked about sales, leadership, scaling a firm, and why the best business owners learn to stop doing everything themselves. If you're looking for practical growth advice, this is an episode worth witnessing.

"For 30 years… I was guessing what a case was worth." That's how Dirk Derrick describes his experience before he had data. On this episode of The World of Marketing, Tom Foster sits down with Dirk Derrick, founder of Derrick Law Firm - who went from a one room practice to a 35 attorney powerhouse. But the real story? How he flipped the legal system on its head. After decades of relying on "what insurance companies might pay", Dirk built something radically different: Real jury focus groups 26,000+ jurors worth of data AI-powered case analysis Predictable outcomes (instead of guesswork) The result? Average case value up 150% Revenue up 800% More leverage. More truth. Better outcomes for clients. "We use truth to flip leverage." If you're still making decisions based on assumptions… this one will challenge how you think about value, positioning, and leverage. Listen to the full episode of The World of Marketing Featuring Dirk Derrick, Derrick Law Firm "The information discussed in this podcast is provided to the general public and does not in any manner constitute an attorney‐client relationship between Derrick Law Firm Injury Lawyers and the listener. While the information in this podcast is about legal issues, it is not intended as legal advice or as a substitute for the particularized advice of your own counsel in your state. Anyone seeking specific legal advice or assistance should retain an attorney."

In the latest episode of Tom's World of Marketing, I sat down with Dawn Apuan, founder of Copy Queens, who went from ministry work and nonprofit leadership to becoming a powerhouse copywriter helping businesses generate sales—sometimes within 24 hours.  Her journey started with one powerful moment. After being told she had to put her daughter in daycare and questioning her future, Dawn made a decision: "I will figure this out." That decision led her into digital marketing… and eventually to mastering the psychology behind persuasive copy. Insights she shared: Great marketing triggers five key neurochemicals in the brain: Cortisol – grabs attention by identifying the problem Dopamine – gives the audience hope and aspiration Oxytocin – builds trust and authority Serotonin – creates empathy and connection Endorphins – delivers relief and the feeling of resolution  When your message follows that sequence, your audience naturally moves toward action. We also talk about: How small copy changes can dramatically increase conversions Why most marketers miss the most important emotional trigger The surprising connection between faith, neuroscience, and storytelling And one wild example: A client changed just two elements on a sales page and increased revenue from $45K to $450K. Listen to the full episode of Tom's World of Marketing to discover how better messaging can transform your marketing results.

And for thousands of patients, that simple truth changes everything. On this episode of Tom's World of Marketing, Tom Foster sits down with Dr. Eric Williams, a board-certified plastic & reconstructive surgeon specializing in peripheral nerve surgery—one of the most complex and misunderstood areas of medicine. Dr. Williams shares powerful stories of patients who spent years—sometimes decades—living with chronic pain, told repeatedly that "nothing could be done"… until the right specialist looked at the problem through a different lens. In one case, a patient suffered 30 years of leg pain. In under a minute, the real cause was identified. The pain was eliminated completely. This episode is more than just medicine—it's about education, mindset, and marketing: ✔ Why many patients fall through the cracks ✔ How specialized expertise changes outcomes ✔ Why great medicine needs great marketing to reach the people who need it most If you or someone you know has been told to "just live with the pain," this conversation might change how you think about what's possible. Listen to the full episode of Tom's World of Marketing Featuring Dr. Eric Williams, Dellon Institute for Peripheral Nerve Surgery

What happens when a top-tier attorney thinks like a marketer? On the latest episode of Tom's World of Marketing, I sat down with Peter Hoppenfeld — the "marketer who happens to be a lawyer" behind some of the biggest names in direct response and info marketing. Peter has spent 40+ years helping entrepreneurs, health professionals, and thought leaders grow without crossing legal lines — and in this conversation, he breaks down what actually works. In this episode, we cover: Why strategy comes before lawyering How compliance can be a competitive advantage The #1 mistake professionals make when marketing their expertise Why trust, integrity, and clarity still outperform every new tool How to scale without giving away your "golden egg"  (your equity) "There's no shortcut to smart. The most effective marketing has always been the trusted advisor." If you're a lawyer, doctor, consultant, or expert trying to grow your practice without risking your license or reputation, then this episode is a must-watch. Or listen now: [link to episode] Host: Tom Foster Guest: Peter Hoppenfeld   #WorldOfMarketing #TrustedAdvisor #MarketingStrategy #Compliance #ProfessionalServices #Entrepreneurship #DirectResponse #PersonalBrand

In the latest episode of The World of Marketing, Tom Foster sits down with Eiman Bassam, Founder & CEO of ESB Advertising, to break down how streaming TV advertising has evolved—and why lawyers and doctors can no longer afford to treat TV as a "branding-only" channel. This conversation challenges one of the biggest assumptions in marketing: that TV can't be measured. In this episode, you'll learn: Why programmatic streaming TV is now more measurable than traditional broadcast How ESB's AI platform, MACData, tracks performance down to the household level What actually drives ROI beyond cheap CPMs How AI is reshaping media buying, attribution, and even commercial creation Why "How did you hear about us?" is officially outdated If you've ever questioned whether streaming TV advertising really works - or struggled to connect ad spend to real revenue - this is a conversation worth your time. 🎧 Listen now to The World of Marketing Smarter ads. Better data. Real results.

In this powerful episode of The World of Marketing, host Tom Foster sits down with attorney, speaker, and Business Black Ops founder Dave Frees—a nationally recognized expert on implementing AI within real law practices. Dave isn't theorizing about the future. He's using AI every single day to create what he calls transformational wealth, reclaim hundreds of hours, and build systems that make small-firm lawyers more profitable, more efficient, and more competitive. Highlights from this episode: Why most lawyers are years behind on AI and what the top 5% are doing differently How AI helps you think better, not just work faster Why mindset, resilience, and "thinking about thinking" are the real competitive edge How firms are slashing 70% of document prep time without risking malpractice The coming split between firms that use AI… and firms that get left behind What the next 12-18 months will look like for AI-powered law practices A behind-the-scenes look at Tom & Dave's new AI Mastermind for Attorneys If you're a lawyer who wants more clients, more efficiency, and more clarity about how to use AI strategically, this is a must-listen conversation. Learn more about the Awesome and Amazing AI Mastermind at FosterConsulting.com to get the inside scoop on prompts all lawyers need to know and use to make AI work for you to beat your competition. "AI is changing everything — not someday, but right now. The lawyers who adapt will dominate their markets." — Dave Frees

What happens when an Olympic athlete's entire career is on the line? They call Paul Greene one of the world's leading international sports lawyers. Paul has represented elite athletes from 50+ countries, argued cases before the Court of Arbitration for Sport, taught law internationally, and built a global practice rooted in trust, expertise, and integrity. In this episode, we talk about: Why trust matters more than being the loudest voice How to build a global practice in a specialized field The importance of content-driven marketing over quick fixes Why human connection still beats automation And how Paul rebuilt his entire career from scratch This isn't just a conversation about law. It's a conversation about finding your voice, owning your expertise, and building something that matters. Featuring: Tom Foster, The World of Marketing Paul Greene, Founder of Global Sports Advocates

From creating Disney's iconic Chef Mickey's to transforming customer experiences for NASA and even the Executive Office of the President, Vance Morris knows what it takes to build magic into every moment. In this episode, Vance joins Tom Foster to share: How a near-bankruptcy became the turning point for building lasting business success What Disney taught him about creating unforgettable customer experiences Why "response-required" marketing beats flashy advertising every time And how small businesses can "Disneyfy" their own operations for world-class service If you've ever wondered how to make your clients feel like VIP guests, and keep them coming back for years, then this episode is a masterclass in turning service into competitive advantage.

This week, after a long voyage away from Earth, I'm thrilled to welcome a legend in the direct response marketing world: Brian Kurtz. Brian has spent over four decades shaping the landscape of direct response marketing. As the former EVP of Boardroom Inc., he helped send more than 1.3 billion pieces of direct mail, driving massive business growth and industry innovation. Today, through Titans Marketing, Brian continues to mentor marketers, lead mastermind groups, and promote ethical, relationship-driven marketing that stands the test of time. I've even recently joined his Titans Mastermind, which is composed of some of the brightest minds in marketing.  In this episode, we dive into: The timeless principles of direct response marketing How building deep relationships drives long-term success What separates great implementers from dreamers Balancing results-driven marketing with ethics and trust The future of marketing — what's exciting, and what's concerning   Tune in for a masterclass in marketing wisdom from one of the best in the business.