1820229928
Marketing Trends Now by Katie Brinkley

Advertise on podcast: Marketing Trends Now by Katie Brinkley

Rating
★★★★★
5
from
21 reviews
This podcast has
53 episodes
Language
English
Explicit
No
Date created
2025/06/12
Latest episode
2026/11/10
Average duration
13 min.
Release period
18 days

Description

Stay one step ahead in the ever-changing world of marketing with Marketing Trends Now, the weekly solo podcast hosted by seasoned strategist Katie Brinkley. Katie breaks down the latest trends in social media, digital marketing, and content strategy—giving 6-figure business owners the insights they need to scale with confidence. Whether you're tired of chasing algorithms or ready to find an agency that acts as your true marketing arm, this show delivers sharp, actionable updates to keep your brand visible, relevant, and growing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Check latest episodes from Marketing Trends Now by Katie Brinkley podcast


How AI Search Is Changing the Customer Journey (And What Your Website Needs Now)
2026/11/10
AI is changing how customers find businesses, research their options, and make purchasing decisions. But what happens when potential customers get the answers they need from Google AI Overviews or ChatGPT before they ever visit your website? In this episode of Marketing Trends Now, Katie Brinkley explores how AI-powered search is reshaping the traditional customer journey and what that means for your website, content strategy, and digital marketing efforts. New research from Pew Research Center found that users clicked traditional search results in just 8% of visits when an AI summary appeared, compared with 15% when no AI summary was present. While that doesn't mean every business is losing half its website traffic, it does suggest that customers may be approaching your website differently. Instead of arriving with basic questions about your industry, some visitors may already understand their options and be looking for specific reasons to choose your business. So, is your website giving them what they need to make that decision? In this episode, you'll learn: How AI search is influencing the customer journey and website trafficWhy your website needs to do more than explain what your business doesHow to build trust through real examples, customer experiences, and clear descriptions of your processWhy educational content and traditional SEO still play an important roleHow to evaluate your landing pages from a potential customer's perspectiveSimple website improvements that can help visitors take the next stepYour Marketing Action Step Choose one important page on your website and look at it through the eyes of someone who already understands your industry. Can they quickly figure out who you serve, what you offer, why they should trust you, and what happens next? Identify one unanswered question and make the answer easier to find. You don't need an entirely new website. Sometimes a clearer headline, a short FAQ, or a customer example in the right place can make a meaningful difference. AI may be changing how customers discover your business, but your website still has an important job: helping people make confident decisions. Stay Connected Subscribe to Marketing Trends Now with Katie Brinkley for actionable marketing strategies, emerging trends, and practical insights to help you market smarter. Work With Katie https://www.nextstepsocial.com New episodes every Tuesday. Keep your marketing smart, strategic, and always on trend.
AI Isn't Saving You Time: Mike Allton on Smarter Content Creation
2026/11/03
Your team is using AI to create content faster. So why does everyone still feel so busy? In this episode of Marketing Trends Now, Katie Brinkley sits down with AI strategist and Agorapulse's Mike Allton to explore why the real value of AI isn't creating more content—it's getting your time back. Mike introduces Archie, Agorapulse's AI-powered content repurposing tool, and explains how marketers can turn existing podcasts, webinars, and videos into authentic social media content without sounding like everyone else. They also tackle the hidden cost of constantly switching between tools, why AI belongs on your org chart, and how to spend less time creating posts and more time thinking strategically. The takeaway? Stop using AI just to do more. Start using it to make room for the work that actually matters. Connect & Explore: Connect with Mike Allton on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikealltonKatie's Favorite Marketing & AI Tools: https://www.nextstepsocial.com/toolsweloveBook Recommendation — Creativity: A Short and Cheerful Guide by John Cleese: https://amzn.to/47wexM3Subscribe to Marketing Trends Now for practical marketing strategies, AI insights, and smarter ways to grow your business. New episodes every Tuesday. Keep your marketing smart, strategic, and always on trend.
Are Podcast Ads Worth It? How to Choose the Right Shows for Your Business
2026/10/27
Is podcast advertising worth your marketing budget? And could a show with just 50 highly targeted listeners be more valuable than one with thousands of downloads? In this episode of Marketing Trends Now, Katie Brinkley explains why audience fit matters more than audience size when it comes to podcast advertising. Learn how to evaluate potential sponsorship opportunities, create ads that connect with listeners, and measure results beyond clicks and promo codes. Before you spend money sponsoring a podcast, make sure you're reaching the right people—not just more people. New episodes every Tuesday. Subscribe to Marketing Trends Now for smarter, more strategic marketing insights. Work with Katie: https://www.nextstepsocial.com
The AI Content Trap: Why Publishing More Isn't Making Your Marketing Better
2026/10/20
AI can write a blog post in 30 seconds. But if your competitor can generate nearly the exact same article, what makes your content worth reading? In this episode of Marketing Trends Now, Katie Brinkley breaks down the average content trap—the growing problem of businesses publishing polished, SEO-friendly content that sounds just like everyone else's. AI has made content creation faster and easier than ever. But producing more blog posts, social media updates, and marketing emails doesn't automatically make your marketing more effective. If your content lacks firsthand experience, original insights, and a clear point of view, you're simply adding more generic information to an already crowded internet. Katie explains why the solution isn't abandoning AI or manufacturing controversial opinions. It's using AI to communicate your expertise rather than expecting it to create that expertise for you. Drawing on her experience running Next Step Social and producing podcasts for businesses, Katie shares how real client challenges, professional judgment, and lessons learned can turn an ordinary piece of content into something genuinely valuable. In this episode, you'll learn: What the average content trap is and why AI-generated marketing can make businesses sound interchangeableWhy publishing more content doesn't guarantee better results for your SEO or marketing strategyWhat Google recommends about original, helpful content and firsthand experienceHow to use AI as a writing assistant without losing your brand's unique perspectiveWhy your professional experience matters more than generic advice when building trust with potential customersHow to turn one original idea into multiple pieces of content for blogs, podcasts, social media, and emailA simple test to make your content stand out before you hit publishThe big takeaway: Faster content production doesn't make average content more valuable. AI can help you write faster, but your experience is what makes the content worth reading. Subscribe to Marketing Trends Now with Katie Brinkley for practical marketing strategies, AI insights, and actionable ideas to help your business stand out. Work with Katie: https://www.nextstepsocial.com New episodes every Tuesday. Keep your marketing smart, strategic, and always on trend.
How to Get UGC That Actually Helps You Sell
2026/10/13
Your customer just said the nicest thing about your business in an email. So why is your website still running copy your marketing team wrote about itself? This week on Marketing Trends Now, we're talking user-generated content. Forget the unboxing videos and paid creators for a minute. A review is UGC. A customer photo is UGC. A LinkedIn post about working with your team is UGC. The people who've already bought from you know exactly what your next customer wants to hear, and they say it better than your brand copy can. I also share the mistake I made for years as a business owner: asking "Can I get a testimonial?" It got me "great team, highly recommend" every time. That's nice, but it tells a future buyer nothing. Here's what to ask instead. In this episode: What actually counts as user-generated contentThe one question to answer before you collect any customer content3 prompts that get specific, honest customer storiesWhy a balanced review can win more buyers than a five-star oneHow to respond when a review names a real problemBeing transparent about paid creators and incentivesGetting permission before customer content goes into adsFeaturing a range of customers so new buyers see themselvesYour action step: Pick one offer. Write down three things a buyer needs to know before saying yes. Then check your existing customer feedback. If a real customer's experience answers one of those questions, get their permission and put it where that question comes up. If nothing answers it yet, ask a customer who can answer it honestly. Better questions to ask your customers: Before you started working with us, what was the most frustrating part of managing [X]?What surprised you about the process?If a friend was considering this, what would you tell them to expect?Resources mentioned: PodMatch: https://joinpodmatch.com/katie Connect with Katie: Website: https://katiebrinkley.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/@iamkatiebrinkley LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkley New episodes every Tuesday. Subscribe so you never miss a marketing shift, and if this episode helped, share it with a business owner who's been putting off asking for testimonials.
Speaking as a Marketing Strategy: What Actually Gets You Booked
2026/10/06
Speaking can be one of the most powerful marketing tools for your business. But only if you do it with intention. In this episode, Katie Brinkley talks with Leisa Reid, founder of Get Speaking Gigs Now and CEO of the International Speaker Network. Leisa has delivered more than 600 talks. She hasn't cold pitched in over 10 years, and she still speaks about 40 times a year. You'll learn: When speaking is worth your time, and when it isn'tWhy "brilliance hoarding" is costing you clientsThe two traps new speakers fall into: "get my name out there" and "pay my dues"The difference between speaking to market your business and being a paid keynote speakerWhy warm outreach beats cold applicationsHow a "speaker soulmate" can keep you booked for yearsHow to write a call to action that turns an audience into clientsWhere to give your very first talkIf you've thought about speaking but didn't know where to start, this is your permission slip. Get Leisa's five tips to get more speaking gigs: getspeakinggigsnow.com/tips
Consistency vs. Burnout: What 550 Podcast Episodes Taught Me About Marketing
2026/09/29
Have you ever kept doing something just because you've always done it? After more than 550 episodes across Marketing Trends Now and Rocky Mountain Marketing in five years, Katie Brinkley needed a break. In this return episode, she explains why she stepped away for four months, and why pausing is sometimes the smartest marketing decision you can make. Marketers hear it constantly: stay consistent, keep creating, never lose momentum. Katie believes consistency matters. She also believes in posting less, being intentional, and making smarter marketing decisions instead of adding one more thing to the calendar. Here's what's new on the show: New episodes every Tuesday morningShort solo episodes, most 10 minutes or lessOne idea per episode: what's happening, why it matters for your business, and what to do nextA monthly interview with experts in digital marketing, AI, and social media strategyTired of 10 different people telling you to post more, use AI, make more video, and join another platform? This show helps you sort out what's worth your time and what isn't. Subscribe to Marketing Trends Now so you never miss an episode.
How Can Business Owners Use AI for Execution, Not Just Ideas?
2026/04/30
What if AI didn’t just help you think — what if it actually started doing the work you hate to do? That’s the question Katie tackles in part three of this four-part AI series. So far, this series has covered two major ideas: first, most business owners are using AI too narrowly, mostly for output instead of execution. Second, if AI doesn’t sound like you yet, it’s not because it can’t — it’s because you haven’t trained it with enough context. Now comes the real shift. In this episode of Marketing Trends Now, Katie explains how to move from using AI as an assistant to using it as an executor. Because if AI is still only “helping” you, but you’re doing every final step yourself, you’re still the bottleneck. In this episode, Katie covers:Why even “good” AI users are often still doing all the work themselvesThe mindset shift from help me to handle thisWhy speed alone is not enough if tasks are still running through youHow to identify the repetitive tasks that drain the most energyWhy your anti to-do list matters more than your prompt libraryWhat friction removal actually looks like in a real businessPractical examples like follow-up emails, podcast repurposing, and meeting prepWhy the goal is momentum, not perfectionHow to start building repeatable systems without overcomplicating everything Timestamps: 00:00 – Stop Using AI for Ideas Only (Execution Is the Real Win) 01:00 – Why You’re Still the Bottleneck (Even With AI) 02:00 – The Mindset Shift: “Help Me” vs “Handle This” 03:00 – Build Your AI Anti-To-Do List (Start Here) 05:00 – Real Example: Automating Emails & Content With AI 07:00 – Why AI Doesn’t Need to Be Perfect (Momentum > Perfection)  If AI is only helping you think, you’re still doing all the work. The real payoff happens when AI starts handling pieces of execution and removing friction one task at a time. Before the next episode, pick one task from your anti to-do list and use AI to handle it from start to finish. Then refine what it gives you. And if you want help building a smarter marketing system that actually frees up your time, that’s exactly what we help business owners do at Next Step Social. Learn more about Katie and Next Step Social & Podcasting: Speaking: https://katiebrinkley.com/ Website: https://www.nextstepsocial.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkley YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingTrendsNow Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkatiebrinkley/
Are You Giving AI Prompts — or Real Context?
2026/04/23
What if AI doesn’t sound like you — not because it can’t, but because you’ve never actually shown it how? That’s the shift Katie Brinkley tackles in part two of this AI series. In this episode of Marketing Trends Now, Katie breaks down one of the biggest frustrations business owners have with AI: it feels generic, off-brand, and like it creates more editing instead of less. But the issue usually isn’t the tool. It’s the lack of context. If you’ve ever opened ChatGPT or Claude, typed in a prompt, and thought, “I would never actually post this,” this episode is for you. In this episode, Katie covers:Why most people expect AI to read their mindsWhy better prompts are not the answerThe real difference between prompts and contextWhy AI sounds generic when your brand voice is undefinedThe three things you need to define before AI can sound like you: your tone, your audience, and your beliefsWhy you need to show AI, not just tell itHow to use examples of what feels right and what feels wrong to train better outputsWhy starting from scratch every time guarantees inconsistent resultsHow patterns and structure turn AI into part of your workflow instead of just another tool Timestamps: [00:00:00] – Why AI Content Doesn’t Sound Like You (Big Mistake) [00:01:30] – The Real Problem: AI Doesn’t Know Your Brand Voice [00:03:00] – Stop Prompting—Start Training AI With Context [00:05:00] – How to Teach AI Your Tone, Messaging & Audience [00:07:00] – Why Most AI Content Feels Generic (And How to Fix It) [00:09:00] – Turn AI Into a Time-Saving System (Not More Work) If AI doesn’t sound like you, it’s not because it’s broken. It’s because it doesn’t know you yet. Better results come from better context, better examples, and better patterns. Before the next episode, find one piece of content that sounds exactly like you and one that feels completely off. Use both as your starting point. And if you want help building smarter systems that make your marketing actually feel like you, that’s exactly what we do at Next Step Social. Learn more about Katie and Next Step Social & Podcasting: Speaking: https://katiebrinkley.com/ Website: https://www.nextstepsocial.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkley YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingTrendsNow Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkatiebrinkley/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Why Does AI Still Feel Like More Work?
2026/04/16
What if AI isn’t saving you time — not because it isn’t powerful enough, but because you’re using it the exact same way as everybody else? That’s the real question behind this episode. In part one of this new AI series, Katie Brinkley breaks down why so many business owners are using AI, but still not feeling the payoff. Because yes, AI can help you write a caption, brainstorm an email, or draft a blog outline. But if you still have to rewrite everything, make all the decisions, and carry all the mental load, then AI didn’t really free you up. It just gave you a faster starting point. This episode is about the shift from using AI like a content tool to using AI like a CEO. In this episode, Katie covers:Why AI often feels helpful but not truly life-changingThe difference between using AI for outputs vs. using it to reduce frictionWhat “ask and receive mode” is, and why it keeps you stuck in shallow AI useWhy so many entrepreneurs are still the bottleneck, even when they’re using AIHow AI can support execution, decision-making, and your day-to-day operationsThe difference between making more content and creating more capacityWhy repetitive tasks drain more energy than most business owners realizeWhat an “anti to-do list” is, and how to use it as your starting point with AIWhat to do before the next episode in this 4-part seriesLearn more about Katie and Next Step Social & Podcasting: Speaking: https://katiebrinkley.com/ Website: https://www.nextstepsocial.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkley YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingTrendsNow Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkatiebrinkley/
Why Aren’t Your YouTube Views Turning Into Leads?
2026/04/09
Have you ever had a video get views, but nothing actually came from it? No leads. No engagement. No traction. That’s the trap so many business owners fall into on YouTube: they see views and assume something is working. But not all views are created equal. In this episode of Marketing Trends Now, Katie Brinkley breaks down the YouTube metrics that actually matter if you’re using video to grow your business. Because if you’ve ever opened YouTube Studio and felt overwhelmed by the data, this episode will help you simplify what to track and what to ignore. In this episode, Katie covers: Why views are one of the most misleading metrics on YouTubeWhat YouTube actually cares about when deciding to push your contentWhy watch time and audience retention matter more than raw viewsHow to use your first 30 seconds to keep people from dropping offThe real role of click-through rate, thumbnails, and titlesWhat impressions tell you about whether YouTube is even showing your contentThe difference between making videos for views vs. making videos for business growth Timestamps:[00:00:00] – Why Views Don’t Equal Business Growth [00:00:30] – The Biggest Mistake in YouTube Analytics [00:01:15] – Why Views Are a Misleading Metric [00:02:00] – The Metric That Actually Drives Growth (Retention) [00:02:30] – How to Use Audience Retention to Improve Content [00:03:00] – Why the First 30 Seconds Make or Break Your Video [00:03:30] – Click-Through Rate: Titles & Thumbnails That Convert [00:04:00] – Fixing the Disconnect Between Click & Content [00:04:30] – Impressions: The Metric Most Creators Ignore [00:05:00] – How to Diagnose What’s Actually Not Working [00:05:15] – Stop Chasing Views—Focus on Business Results [00:05:30] – The 3 Metrics Every Business Owner Should Track [00:05:45] – How to Use Analytics as Growth Feedback If you want YouTube to help your business, stop obsessing over views and start paying attention to the metrics that show trust, interest, and momentum: retention, click-through rate, and impressions. This week, go into your YouTube analytics and focus on just three things: how long people are watching, whether they’re clicking, and whether YouTube is showing your content. Start there. Improve one thing at a time. And if you want help turning your YouTube content into a strategic lead-generation system, that’s exactly what we do at Next Step Social. Learn more about Katie and Next Step Social & Podcasting: Speaking: https://katiebrinkley.com/ Website: https://www.nextstepsocial.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkley YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingTrendsNow Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkatiebrinkley/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Why Aren’t Most Business Owners Actually Using AI Video Well?
2026/04/02
If you’ve been following AI video this past year, there’s a good chance you heard “Sora” and thought, this changes everything. And honestly, it did. But now OpenAI is reportedly moving away from Sora as a standalone app — and that matters for business owners more than most people realize. Because this isn’t really about one app going away. It’s about what AI companies are prioritizing now, what tools are actually worth your time, and how to stop chasing shiny objects in your marketing. In this episode of Marketing Trends Now, Katie Brinkley breaks down what Sora’s shift really means, why AI video is moving from flashy to functional, and how entrepreneurs can use AI in a way that actually supports leads, sales, and consistency. In this episode, Katie covers:Why OpenAI shifting Sora into ChatGPT and other products is a signal, not a setbackWhat this says about the future of AI ecosystems vs. standalone toolsWhy most business owners never consistently used AI video tools in the first placeThe difference between what AI can do and what is actually useful in your marketingWhy AI video is becoming more about enhancement than creation-from-scratchReal-world examples of AI-assisted content: clipping podcasts, adding captions, cleaning audio, and repurposingThe biggest mistake entrepreneurs make with AI toolsWhy strategy matters more than softwareHow the “awareness to action” framework keeps your content focused when the tools keep changing Timestamps[00:00:00] – Is AI Video Changing Marketing Forever? [00:00:35] – What Happened to Sora (And Why It Matters) [00:01:00] – The Real Problem With AI Tools Right Now [00:01:40] – Why AI Is Moving Into One Ecosystem [00:02:15] – Stop Chasing Tools—Start Building Workflows [00:02:50] – The Shift From Flashy AI to Functional AI [00:03:30] – Why Most Businesses Don’t Use AI Video [00:04:00] – Practical Ways to Use AI Video Today [00:04:45] – How to Turn One Video Into Multiple Assets [00:05:15] – The Biggest Mistake Entrepreneurs Make With AI [00:05:45] – Why Strategy Matters More Than Tools [00:06:10] – The 4-Post Content Strategy Explained [00:06:40] – Build a Content System That Actually Converts [00:07:10] – The Simple AI Repurposing Strategy to Start Now [00:07:40] – Final Takeaway: Strategy Beats Tools Every Time The future of marketing is not more tools. It is better systems. The businesses that win will not be the ones testing every shiny new AI product. They will be the ones using AI inside a clear, repeatable content strategy. This week, instead of creating something new from scratch, pick one strong piece of content you already have and turn it into three more pieces. That is where AI becomes useful. And if you want help building a content system that actually drives leads and sales, that’s exactly what we do at Next Step Social. Learn more about Katie and Next Step Social & Podcasting: Speaking: https://katiebrinkley.com/ Website: https://www.nextstepsocial.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkley YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingTrendsNow Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkatiebrinkley/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What’s Actually Causing Engagement to Drop on Instagram and LinkedIn?
2026/03/26
If your Instagram comments have slowed down, your LinkedIn posts feel quieter, or Threads suddenly seems a lot less lively, you’re not imagining it. Engagement is shifting across platforms — but the real story is bigger than “the algorithm hates me.” In this episode, Katie Brinkley breaks down the recent engagement trends across major platforms and explains what’s actually happening behind the scenes. Because while engagement is down on some of the biggest platforms, that doesn’t mean your content is broken. It means the environment has changed. Katie walks through why social media feels more crowded, more competitive, and more algorithm-driven than ever before — and what entrepreneurs and business owners should do differently if they want their content to keep working. In this episode, Katie covers:Why engagement is declining on Instagram, LinkedIn, and ThreadsWhy engagement is ticking up on platforms like TikTok, Pinterest, Facebook, and XHow social media became far more competitive than it was even a few years agoWhy recommendation algorithms changed the rules of the gameWhy LinkedIn can still be powerful even when engagement rates dipWhat Threads’ cooling engagement really tells us about platform maturityThe difference between vanity metrics and real marketing resultsWhy posting more is not the answer if your strategy is weakHow the Awareness to Action strategy helps create purpose-driven contentEngagement is not the goal. Trust, connection, and business outcomes are the goal. The businesses that succeed are not the ones chasing every algorithm shift. They are the ones building content systems that still create leads and opportunities, even when engagement fluctuates. If your engagement dropped tomorrow, would your content strategy still bring in leads? That’s the question that matters. And if you want help building a content strategy that creates visibility, trust, and business growth no matter what the algorithm does, that’s exactly what we do at Next Step Social. Learn more about Katie and Next Step Social & Podcasting: Speaking: https://katiebrinkley.com/ Website: https://www.nextstepsocial.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkley YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingTrendsNow Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkatiebrinkley/
Why AI Isn’t Increasing Productivity for Most Entrepreneurs
2026/03/19
AI promised to save us time. Faster captions. Faster blogs. Faster videos. Faster everything. But if you’ve actually tried using AI in your business, you already know the truth: it doesn’t always feel faster. In this episode of Marketing Trends Now, Katie Brinkley breaks down the gap between the promise of AI and the reality many business owners are experiencing. Because while AI adoption is exploding, meaningful productivity gains are lagging behind. And the reason is simple: AI is not a strategy. It’s a tool. Katie unpacks where AI is actually useful, why so many entrepreneurs feel like it’s creating more work instead of less, and how to use it in a way that truly supports your marketing instead of cluttering it. In this episode, Katie covers:Why AI feels more complicated than promised for many business ownersThe difference between using AI as a shortcut vs. using it strategicallyWhere AI works well: research, brainstorming, and content repurposingWhy AI struggles with voice, nuance, and relationship-buildingThe real reason so many AI-generated captions still need heavy editingWhy strategy must come before any toolHow to use AI as a multiplier, not a replacement Timestamp:[00:00:00] – Is AI Actually Saving You Time? [00:00:45] – The Gap Between AI Hype vs Reality [00:01:30] – Why AI Without Strategy Creates More Work [00:02:10] – The Hidden Problem With AI Tools Today [00:03:00] – Why AI Content Still Needs Heavy Editing [00:03:40] – What AI Is Actually Good At (Use This Instead) [00:04:20] – Best Use Cases: Research & Content Repurposing [00:05:00] – The Biggest Mistake: Using AI Without a Plan [00:05:50] – Strategy First: Why Experts Win With AI [00:06:30] – AI as a Multiplier (Not a Replacement) [00:07:10] – The Real Goal: Better Strategy, Not More Content The businesses getting the most value from AI are not the ones using it to replace their thinking. They are the ones using it to speed up execution after they already know where they’re going. If you’ve been experimenting with AI but still feel like your content is taking too long — or sounding too generic — it may not be a tool problem. It may be a strategy problem. And that’s exactly what we help with at Next Step Social. From social media strategy to podcast production to full marketing intensives, we help you build the roadmap first so tools like AI can actually make your life easier. Learn more about Katie and Next Step Social & Podcasting: Speaking: https://katiebrinkley.com/ Website: https://www.nextstepsocial.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkley YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingTrendsNow Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkatiebrinkley/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The #1 Podcast Mistake Entrepreneurs Make
2026/03/12
Have you ever opened your podcast dashboard, looked at your downloads, and immediately decided whether your show was a success—or a failure? You’re not alone. Most podcasters are judging their show using numbers they don’t actually understand, and it’s quietly wrecking their confidence and their strategy. In this episode, I break down what your podcast stats are really telling you, what they’re not telling you, and how to evaluate whether your show is working as a business asset—not just a piece of content. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why a “download” does not equal a listener—and what it actually measuresHow different platforms (your host, Spotify, Apple Podcasts) each tell you a different part of the storyWhy no single dashboard gives you the full picture of your audience behaviorThe three metrics that matter most for entrepreneurs: Listener retention, Completion rate and Subscriber growthWhy you don’t need thousands of listeners for your podcast to be successfulHow to ask better questions of your analytics: Which episodes spark DMs, shares, or client inquiries?Why a small, aligned audience of ideal clients is more powerful than a big, passive audience Timestamp: 00:00 – Why Podcasters Misinterpret Their Analytics 01:05 – What a Podcast Download Actually Means 02:20 – Why Podcast Data Comes From Multiple Platforms 03:20 – The Problem With Relying Only on Downloads 03:55 – The Metrics That Actually Matter 04:05 – Listener Retention Explained 04:25 – Completion Rate and Engagement 04:45 – Why Subscribers Are Powerful Leads The next time you log into your stats, I want you to stop asking, “Are these numbers big enough?” and start asking, “Are the right people listening?” If you’re ready to launch or optimize a podcast that actually supports your business, that’s exactly what we do at Next Step Social. You can learn more at NextStepSocial.com. Learn more about Katie and Next Step Social & Podcasting: Speaking: https://katiebrinkley.com/ Website: https://www.nextstepsocial.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkley YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingTrendsNow Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkatiebrinkley/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Podcast reviews

Read Marketing Trends Now by Katie Brinkley podcast reviews


5 out of 5
21 reviews
★★★★★
Buffalo Brews Podcast 2026/04/01
Clarity in 10 minutes
A multitude of subjects that navigate the marketing world are brought to light in episodes that are about 10 minutes each. From idea to problem solvin...
★★★★★
The Influence Exchange 2026/03/31
I needed This Podcast
Each episode brings clarity and learning how to be a better entrepreneur.
★★★★★
Kethney 2026/03/30
Really Great Marketing Podcast!
I think this podcast is amazing! I really like how each episode is short and sweet but filled with useful takeaways. I’m new to marketing and I feel l...
★★★★★
Dragonsflight 2026/03/30
Great
I love the bite sized episodes packed with great info
★★★★★
James Finochio 2026/03/29
Love these short gems
I just listened to episode 39. I actually wasn’t aware that most podcasts have less than 30 listens per episode. Realistic expectations are so importa...
★★★★★
justme514 2026/03/28
Legit
Helpful insights without all the repetitive and tedious tasks for online marketing. Great help planning for new kids in the marketing world.
★★★★★
TimNATC 2026/02/13
Marketing Clarity Without The Hype
Katie Brinkley delivers smart, strategic marketing advice that actually makes sense in short 8-10 minute episodes. Her breakdowns of TikTok’s ownersh...
★★★★★
FindingHopeAfterLoss 2026/02/13
Super helpful!
I loved Katie's advice! Digital marketing can be so hard to figure out, especially as it is constantly changing. This gave me some real information th...
★★★★★
C2theN 2026/02/13
Great Quick Hits for Marketers
After listening to the episode on social media I am hooked on what Katie brings to the podcast world. The primary reason for this review is because Ka...
★★★★★
Change happened then what? 2026/02/13
Great information!
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