Advisor Marketing Made Simple

Episode: Saying Goodbye: What 60 Episodes Taught Us About Marketing

Hosts: Taylor Schulte & Kendra Wright
Date: October 22, 2025

Episode Overview

In their final episode, Taylor and Kendra reflect on the journey of producing Advisor Marketing Made Simple, drawing out their top marketing lessons, behind-the-scenes realities, and notable success stories from real advisors featured on the show. They candidly share what it takes to create meaningful marketing as a financial advisor, discuss the decision to end the podcast after 60 episodes, and offer personal insights on focus, execution, and overcoming challenges. This is a dense, practical wrap-up, full of hard-won truths and actionable takeaways for advisors seeking marketing clarity and results.

1. The Decision to Conclude the Show

Timestamps: [00:00] – [05:04]

• Mutual Decision: Both hosts explain why the podcast is ending—the growth of their businesses and evolving priorities require more focus on their firms and creative projects.
• Honoring the Commitment: The show began with a concrete 52-episode commitment, which both Kendra and Taylor felt was integral for consistency and success.
• Intentional Reflection: “It’s really hard to stop doing something we love so much...but we have to ensure it is the highest and best use of our time.” – Taylor [02:10]

2. Behind-the-Scenes Reality: What Goes Into a Podcast

Timestamps: [05:04] – [06:07]; [46:02] – [49:49]

• Time Investment: Producing 52 episodes took nearly 600 hours of the team’s time; only 70 hours was actual recording.
  • 55 hours in prep, 15 hours on email, and hundreds more on editing, copywriting, scheduling, and brainstorming.
• Illusion vs. Reality: “For those who think all we do is turn on a microphone and hit record—that is not the reality.” – Taylor [05:04]
• Key takeaway: True marketing mastery requires focus and an honest assessment of where your time goes.

3. Real Advisor Case Studies: Success After the Show

a. Thomas Cook – From Overwhelmed Generalist to Niche YouTube Success

Episode Recap: "How to Focus Marketing When You’re Split Between Two Niches" [06:07] – [12:50]

• Initial Struggles:
  • Too many marketing activities scattered across pickleball events, library talks, and a moderately successful YouTube channel.
  • Targeting two different audiences, splitting energy and focus.
  • Vulnerable moment: “If I don’t grow this business within two years, I will have to sell my house.” – Thomas (recalled by Kendra) [07:30]
• Recommendations:
  • Stop creating content for multiple client types; focus on the most profitable (pre-retirees).
  • Go all-in on YouTube, pausing other initiatives.
• Results:
  • Closed 10 new clients from a single viral video; consistently getting 60 prospects/month.
  • Now needs a waitlist and is focused on backend systems.
• Memorable moment: Meeting Thomas’s happy family—“These are the people he would’ve had to move out of his house...it was a cool, full-circle moment.” – Kendra [12:40]

b. Joe Marshall – LinkedIn FOCUS and Funnel Optimization

Episode Recap: "How to Turn LinkedIn Success Into Client Growth" [13:48] – [21:58]

• Initial Situation:
  • Most leads from LinkedIn but unqualified and not increasing conversions.
  • Spreading efforts across multiple channels (SEO, webinars) without results.
• Recommendations:
  • Double down on LinkedIn, optimize profile, and refine booking process to screen for quality.
• Results:
  • Case study posts now reaching 350,000 views.
  • Prospects booked a month out, 40 new email subscribers/month.
  • Close rate soared from 20% to 50–75% after implementing funnel suggestions.
• Quotable: “It would have been so easy…for Joe to ignore us and go start an Instagram channel, but he doubled, tripled down on LinkedIn…and he’s having awesome success.” – Taylor [18:18]

Practical Tactics:

• Joe’s strategy: Send blank connection requests, let the profile and content speak for themselves. Timely posts relevant to recent connections generate rapid prospect calls. [35:11]

4. Lessons Learned: Common Threads and Themes

[21:58] – [37:04]

Taylor’s Top Insights ([22:13]):

1. Crystal Clear Ideal Client

   • If you can’t articulate who your perfect client is in less than 10 seconds, your marketing will stall.
   • “It’s really important to be honest with ourselves…because it does impact a lot of these marketing decisions.” [08:56]

2. Better Words > Better Visuals

   • Strong copy and messaging outperform beautiful design.
   • “A compelling story…outperforms any glossy redesign every time. Your words are what move people to take action, not your color palette.” [25:30]

3. Funnel Imbalance Is Usually the Issue

   • If you have a clear niche and marketing still isn’t working, check where your funnel is weak:
     • Top of funnel: Are people discovering you?
     • Middle: Are you nurturing trust?
     • Bottom: Is your call to action clear and actionable? [26:50]
   • “My podcast grew, but nobody reached out...because they didn’t know what I did. I didn’t have a great call to action.” – Taylor [27:20]

Kendra’s Key Takeaways ([28:39], [31:39], [31:56]):

• Ideal Client Clarity (ICC): The most important factor—if you don’t have it, “everything breaks.”
  • “Great copy can save bad design, but great design cannot save bad copy.”
• One Funnel at a Time: You can serve multiple types of clients, but to build a converting funnel, you must market to one.
• Connect Activities into Funnels: Most advisors are spread thin with “smatterings” of activity but lack unified, intentional funnels.
  • “Visibility opens the door, but trust walks people through it.” [33:02]
• Don’t Dabble, Double Down: Results multiply when you obsess over one channel or strategy instead of dabbling in many.

5. How We Built This: Lessons from Producing the Podcast

Timestamps: [37:04] – [52:04]

• Set Concrete, Measurable Goals: Don’t start new marketing “to see how it goes.” Commit to a specific number of podcasts, posts, etc.

  • “Most of us start new marketing initiatives with this vague plan...that mindset almost always leads to inconsistency…and ultimately burnout.” – Taylor [37:45]

• Do the Hard Stuff First, Fun Stuff Later:

  • Recording and publishing came before naming the show, choosing music, or working on branding.
  • “There are two huge hurdles...actually starting, and staying consistent. The fun stuff is a reward for reaching milestones.” – Kendra [43:10]

• Focus Multiplies Results:

  • Expect initiatives to be 10x harder than you plan—another reason to go deep, not wide.
  • “Channel-focused is critical, there’s so much work to do.” – Kendra [46:02]

• Measure All the Hours:

  • Of 593 hours spent on the podcast, only 70 were recording.
  • Even efficient workflows (like “NRN” No Reply Needed emails) add up.

• Accountability is Essential:

  • “If you’re doing something by yourself…you need to find somebody to hold you accountable.” – Taylor [41:50]

• More is NOT Better; Better is Better:

  • “You don’t need to do everything…triple down on things that are already working.” – Taylor [50:10]

6. Final Personal Reflections

Timestamps: [52:13] – [59:54]

Kendra:

• “Strategy is what you say no to.” [52:22]
• Including “non-goals” is as important as commitments—intentionally not doing some things is part of strategic focus.
• Facing imposter syndrome and self-criticism is a part of putting yourself out there; the main critic is often yourself, not others. [53:40]

Taylor:

• “Some ideas…are meant to serve a certain season of growth. When that purpose is fulfilled…it’s OK to move on.” [55:15]
• Perfection is the enemy—iteration and improvement come from doing, not waiting until it’s flawless.
• Deep gratitude for the partnership, shared lessons, and support from Kendra and the community.

7. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It will never be easy, even if you make it simple.” – Kendra [13:48]
• “Focus is the ultimate competitive advantage.” – Kendra [52:04]
• “Great copy can save bad design, but great design cannot save bad copy.” – Kendra [28:39]
• “I think a clear, time-bound goal transforms your mindset from experimenting to executing.” – Taylor [38:25]
• “Don’t dabble, double down.” – Kendra [37:04]
• “Create something you enjoy that is also truly useful for your audience. Consistency compounds way faster than any clever tactic.” – Taylor [51:30]
• Ugly Crying Over Lost Recording: “As marketing hasn’t made you cry, are you even marketing yet?” – Kendra [41:10]

8. Where to Connect with Taylor and Kendra

Timestamps: [59:54] – End

• Taylor: LinkedIn (link on his website) and in the AGC advisor community for continued monthly marketing office hours.
• Kendra: LinkedIn (profile: pink photo), and her advisor newsletter—updates, previews, and ongoing marketing wisdom.

9. Big Takeaways

• Pick one path, stick with it, then iterate.
• Ideal client clarity is the difference-maker.
• Connect marketing activities to a full funnel.
• Show up, get real feedback, and improve (not just try).
• Honest reflection—and saying “no”—is as valuable as doing more.
• Consistency, value-focus, and doing the hard stuff lead to results.

Thank you for listening and learning with Taylor and Kendra.
“Don’t forget—keep your marketing simple.”