The Digital Marketing Podcast: New Year’s Resolutions for Marketers 2025
Release Date: January 6, 2025
Hosts: Ciaran Rogers, Daniel Rowles, and Louise Crossley
Produced by: Target Internet
Introduction
In the January 6, 2025 episode of The Digital Marketing Podcast, hosts Ciaran Rogers, Daniel Rowles, and Louise Crossley delve into strategic New Year’s resolutions tailored for marketers aiming to excel in the rapidly evolving digital landscape. Skipping the usual advertisements and intros, the trio provides a rich discussion filled with insights, personal anecdotes, and actionable strategies to kickstart 2025 with a competitive edge.
Energy Levels and Personal Anecdotes
The episode kicks off with a lively discussion about maintaining high energy levels in the marketing profession. Daniel humorously recounts a memorable experience at the CIM conference:
Daniel Rowles [00:44]: "I found that I've never forgotten that CIM conference. Kieran was going on to stage. Were you not late onto stage as well? Because everything was delayed or something? And I think you'd had about 17 coffees."
Kieran shares his own mishap on stage, emphasizing resilience and adaptability:
Kieran Rogers [00:22]: "I just thought, oh, my God, like the dread. And I just thought, this can't get any worse. I'm just gonna riff it."
Their banter highlights the importance of maintaining composure and leveraging unexpected situations positively.
Embracing AI and Fostering Innovation
A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the omnipresence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in digital marketing. Daniel underscores the necessity of fostering a learning culture to stay ahead:
Daniel Rowles [04:25]: "When this pace of change is this fast, you can't survive without being able to innovate. Right? You need to be able to try new things... but you can't innovate without a learning culture."
They highlight that while many marketers use basic AI tools like ChatGPT, advanced utilization remains limited. Encouraging continuous learning and experimentation is pivotal for leveraging AI effectively.
Effective Use of Social Media: LinkedIn and Beyond
The hosts explore optimizing social media platforms, particularly LinkedIn, for professional growth and learning. Daniel advocates for curating feeds to maximize value:
Daniel Rowles [04:00]: "If you went in and create curated your feed a little bit, who do you want to follow? Who do you want to listen to? Get inspiration from, learn from."
Kieran adds practical tips on using tools like Feedly to consolidate and manage content:
Kieran Rogers [06:02]: "You can create all the feeds from all your competitors’ blogs, for example... It just can be quite energizing and invigorating just to stay on top of what's been going on."
This segment emphasizes the importance of intentional content consumption to stay informed and inspired.
Streamlining Email Management
Addressing email overload, Kieran shares his strategy for decluttering his inbox:
Kieran Rogers [07:06]: "I discovered I had like 9,000 emails in my inbox that hadn't even opened. I deleted a lot and it half the size of my inbox because if somebody's written to me and they don't want me to reply back, I don't need the message."
Daniel reflects on the balance between managing emails and maintaining business relationships:
Daniel Rowles [08:48]: "If it was important, they would send a follow-up email... Using your email effectively is probably a good way."
This advice underscores the necessity of efficient email management to enhance productivity and reduce stress.
Podcasting Formats and Enhancing Engagement
The hosts discuss experimenting with podcast formats to keep content fresh and engaging. Daniel introduces the idea of incorporating monologues alongside their traditional format:
Daniel Rowles [09:02]: "We're also going to do some monologues, which is where each of us at different occasions will have something to talk about, which we just want to get a quick episode, like a 10-minute episode out there as well."
Kieran supports the notion of flexible lengths based on content value:
Kieran Rogers [09:52]: "I've always said it's as long as it needs to be and you still give value."
This segment highlights the importance of adaptability in content delivery to meet audience preferences.
Encouraging Listener Engagement and Rewards
To foster community interaction, the podcast encourages listeners to leave reviews and participate in giveaways:
Daniel Rowles [10:27]: "If you do it, we will basically put you into a prize draw... So we'll send you some of that stuff."
Kieran humorously admits to not having received merchandise yet, prompting further engagement:
Kieran Rogers [25:55]: "So I like to think about our mugs as well, but only because I don't have one."
This playful exchange serves to incentivize listener participation and strengthen the podcast’s community bond.
Prioritizing Creative Content and Strategic Planning
A critical resolution discussed is the shift from sheer content volume to quality and creativity. Daniel references the Hootsuite Trends 2025 report, noting the surge in generative AI usage:
Daniel Rowles [13:20]: "80 something percent of marketers say that generative AI is helping them to publish levels of content they never could have published before... but it's just drowning in the noise."
Kieran and Daniel emphasize the need for content that stands out amidst the abundance, advocating for:
- Creativity: Crafting unique and engaging content.
- Strategic Planning: Investing time in planning to ensure content resonates with the target audience.
Kieran reinforces the importance of audience-centric content:
Kieran Rogers [21:11]: "You need to express yourself through other people and other things. Don't try to be the brand that's always cool or hip or always funny or always on the latest trends because it's all about you."
Avoiding the Pitfalls of Following Trends
The hosts caution against blindly following social media trends and memes without aligning them with the brand’s identity:
Daniel Rowles [19:48]: "If you're just sitting there using social media monitoring to identify what a trend is and then jumping on it, you're never going to come up with a trend and you're never going to own it."
Louise adds that virality doesn’t equate to meaningful engagement:
Louise Crossley [23:23]: "There's a difference between having an audience on those platforms and having a community... you need to make sure that you're getting feedback as well and that you're speaking with your customers."
Kieran humorously refers to brands that fail by following the wrong trends:
Kieran Rogers [19:48]: "I see it all the time. It's one of the biggest mistakes, so called with it brands are making. Some of the ways they try and leverage on a thing, it's just so unfunny."
This discussion underscores the necessity of authenticity and relevance in content creation.
Final Thoughts and Takeaways
Wrapping up, Daniel reiterates the key resolutions:
- Cultivate a Culture of Learning: Embrace continuous education and innovation.
- Focus on Creative Planning: Prioritize strategic content creation over quantity.
- Don’t Follow the Herd: Maintain authenticity and avoid misaligned trends.
Additionally, listeners are encouraged to subscribe to Target Internet’s newsletter for free live updates and masterclasses. Daniel announces giveaways, including copies of his latest book, "Digital Branding":
Daniel Rowles [10:27]: "If you sign up to the newsletter, we're just going to randomly grab a load of people that sign up to the newsletter and send out some free books as well."
Notable Quotes
- Daniel Rowles [04:25]: "You can't survive without being able to innovate. Right? You need to be able to try new things... but you can't innovate without a learning culture."
- Kieran Rogers [06:02]: "It can be quite energizing and invigorating just to stay on top of what's been going on."
- Daniel Rowles [09:02]: "We've never... actively extended a thing like we. For a long time, we've been putting out ten 12-minute episodes if that's all we needed."
- Kieran Rogers [21:11]: "Don't try to be the brand that's always cool or hip or always funny or always on the latest trends because it's all about you."
Conclusion
The January 2025 episode of The Digital Marketing Podcast provides invaluable resolutions for marketers aiming to navigate the complexities of the digital realm. By emphasizing continuous learning, strategic creativity, and authentic engagement, the hosts equip listeners with the tools to thrive in an ever-changing landscape. Whether you're looking to optimize your social media strategy, manage your email efficiently, or enhance your podcasting approach, this episode offers practical advice to start the year strong.
For more insights and resources, visit targetinternet.com and subscribe to their newsletter for exclusive content and giveaways.
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