It was halfway through season one of my first podcast, and I was ready to bin the whole thing.
I’d launched it with good intentions – like most people do. I wanted to meet new people, have good conversations, and help other small business owners learn from the marketing mistakes and wins of others.
But something felt… off.
I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but every time I hit record, it felt like I was forcing it. Like I was pushing through something that should’ve been flowing.
If you’ve ever launched something only to realise mid-way that it’s not working, you’re not alone.
The weirdest part? The guests were great. The conversations were full of insight. The production was fine. But I was bored – and I realised it was because I’d built the wrong show.
From Tips to Stories
Here’s the shift: I’d been asking guests for their best marketing advice.
Sounds smart, right? But it turns out tips and tricks are everywhere – and what I actually cared about was the people behind the advice. Their stories. Their detours. The things that shaped them.
So I pivoted. Instead of asking, “What’s worked well for you in marketing?”, I started asking, “How did you get here?”
And everything changed.
I was more engaged. The audience responded more. And the guests – well, they lit up. Because now they weren’t just giving value. They were being heard.
The Unexpected Lesson
The irony? I set out to make a podcast that delivered marketing lessons… and the biggest lesson was staring me in the face:
Your story – your actual, messy, honest story—is your biggest marketing asset.
Not the hacks. Not the gear. Not the polished persona.
People care about what you’ve lived through – and why you do what you do. That’s what they connect with.
In this week’s episode of MarketPulse: Pros & Pioneers, we speak with Anthony Solimini 蘇 利 明 – former banker, global sales coach, and stand-up comedian.
Anthony shares how comedy unexpectedly enhanced his career in consulting and why understanding people always beats pushing product. He also opens up about what selling looks like across cultures – and why empathy, pacing, and humour matter more than ever.
Whether you’re a sales pro or just hate pitching, this conversation is packed with insight, laughs, and ideas you can use today.
Season 2 of MarketPulse: Pros & Pioneers Podcast is all about the amazing story of our guests. From Hollywood producers to a refugee turned rockstar, Guinness World Record Holders, and a journey from prison to a £10m business…. we’re diving deep on the journey, and how we rarely end up where we meant to… but we DO end up where we were MEANT to be!!
You can find us on all good podcast directories, and on YouTube.
Why This Matters to You
If you’ve launched something – podcast, newsletter, video series – and it’s not quite clicking… don’t scrap it. Don’t disappear.
Pivot.
Ask better questions. Realign with what you care about. And let the audience grow with you.
That’s what your “why” does. It gives your content direction. It gives your business meaning. And it gives your audience a reason to stay.
A Quick Challenge for You
If you’ve got a podcast, shoot a 2-minute video today. Nothing fancy. Just you, explaining why you started the podcast and who it’s really for.
Then publish it.
Don’t wait for the perfect script or perfect background. Say what’s true. Let it be enough. And watch how many people resonate with it.
Because when you’re honest, people pay attention.
See you next week.
