Marketing is about authenticity, communication, and learning from missteps.

Dan Bennett, founder of Hot Sauce Video and creator of Hot Sauce Studio, shares his journey from working with Fortune 500 clients to helping entrepreneurs shine on camera and build lasting connections through video content.

In this episode, Kristi and Dan discuss the challenges Dan faced hiring marketing providers who weren’t the right fit, the pitfalls of “yeah buts” and unfulfilled promises, and the importance of setting boundaries with vendors. Dan offers candid lessons learned about trust, communication, and how control over your marketing voice leads to success.

You’ll discover:

• Why handing over marketing without clarity and alignment often backfires
• Lessons on setting milestones and boundaries with marketing partners
• How momentum and excitement can cloud judgment in vendor relationships
• The importance of asking tough questions and doing due diligence upfront
• Why regular communication and clarity prevent costly misunderstandings
• How embracing grace during setbacks fuels resilience and growth
• Dan’s unique approach to video production as a tool for business storytelling

Connect with Dan Bennett:

• Website: danhaslinks.com
• Hot Sauce Video on Social Media

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, share, and leave a review so you never miss a chance to unfudge your marketing.

Learn more about Kristi and get in touch with her to learn how to Unf*dge YOUR marketing: kristimitchell.com

Marketing is all about storytelling… authentic narratives that connect people to your brand.

Renee Frojo, brand strategist, storytelling coach, and former journalist, helps founders and solo business owners build reputations that resonate.

In this episode, Kristi and Renee dive into the pitfalls of outsourced social media engagement that lacks authenticity, and why genuine connection in marketing can’t be delegated away or automated without risking your brand.

Renee shares her journey learning the power of true engagement and how to leverage storytelling to build trust and community.

You’ll learn:

• The dangers of outsourcing social media engagement and automated comments
• How real, thoughtful engagement serves as both marketing and market research
• Why messaging and content must reflect your authentic voice, not cookie cutter templates
• How to balance outsourcing tasks while owning your energy and unique story
• Practical tips for creating content that you love to share and that connects genuinely
• Why storytelling is not just marketing but a way to weave meaning and connection
• How to build a sustainable marketing approach that feels good and drives results

Connect with Renee Frojo:

• LinkedIn: Renee Frojo
• Newsletter: A Good Reputation
• Join her community for weekly story coaching and brand building

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, share, and leave a review so you never miss a chance to unfudge your marketing.

Learn more about Kristi and get in touch with her to learn how to Unf*dge YOUR marketing: kristimitchell.com

Marketing is all about relationships… authentic connection, consistent follow up, and speaking in your true voice.

Ely Delaney, the “People Whisperer” and creator of the Follow Up Rockstar System, helps entrepreneurs thrive by building strong relationships that last.

In this episode, Kristi and Ely talk honestly about marketing missteps, including the pitfalls of cookie-cutter approaches, impersonal automation, and the power of owning your unique style in outreach. Ely shares his journey from web graphic design to becoming an Amazon bestselling author and community builder passionate about helping others grow sustainably.

You’ll discover:

• Why authenticity beats automation every time in marketing communications
• How to approach cold outreach like real-life networking, not scripts and bots
• The importance of asking meaningful questions and tailoring marketing to your business
• How to spot marketing providers who truly invest in understanding you and your goals
• Practical ways to build relationships before attempting to sell
• Why investing in community and consistent value creation outperforms quick fixes

If you want to unfudge your marketing by cultivating genuine connections and lasting engagement, this episode is essential listening.

Connect with Ely Delaney:

• Website: elydelaney.com
• Social media links available on his website

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, share, and leave a review so you never miss a chance to unfudge your marketing.

Learn more about Kristi and get in touch with her to learn how to Unf*dge YOUR marketing: kristimitchell.com

Are you tired of marketing providers who promise the moon but deliver cookie cutter strategies that don’t fit your business?

Ben Albert, owner of Balbert Marketing LLC and host of the internationally recognized podcast Real Business Connections, understands the pitfalls many business owners face after bad marketing experiences.

In this episode, Kristi and Ben discuss the importance of tailored marketing approaches, the common mistakes of relying on templated social media content, and why genuine engagement and relationship building always trump automation.

You’ll discover:

• Why charisma alone doesn’t guarantee marketing success
• How templated outreach and stock images hurt engagement and brand authenticity
• The value of hands-on, collaborative marketing that truly understands your business
• Why asking the right questions and providing client-specific solutions matter
• How to spot marketing providers worth partnering with, including requesting demos and client references
• The power of community, generosity, and consistent value delivery in building trust

If you want to stop wasting money on generic marketing and start building real connections that grow your business, this episode gives you the blueprint.

Connect with Ben Albert:

• Podcast: Real Business Connections
• Community: We All Grow Together

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, share, and leave a review so you never miss a chance to unfudge your marketing.

Learn more about Kristi and get in touch with her to learn how to Unf*dge YOUR marketing: kristimitchell.com

Marketing can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re wearing all the hats in your growing business. Mara Whitener, seasoned entrepreneur and operational growth expert, shares her journey from solo founder to building systems that empower her and her clients to succeed without burnout.

In this episode, Kristi and Mara discuss the importance of finding the right marketing support tailored to your unique business needs. Mara opens up about her own marketing challenges, including handing over marketing to agencies that didn’t fit and learning to reclaim control to align messaging with her authentic voice.

You’ll discover:

• Why matching your support team to your business stage is essential
• Lessons learned from trusting past providers and recognizing when to make changes
• The importance of clear communication and alignment between you and your marketing partners
• How building a customized, flexible marketing approach frees up time and energy
• Mara’s philosophy on operations, SOPs, and systems as foundations for sustainable growth
• Tips on balancing in-house efforts with external expertise in marketing and copywriting
• Why patience, adaptability, and owning the narrative make all the difference

If you want to take your marketing and operations to the next level with clarity and confidence, this conversation offers practical, heartfelt insights.

Connect with Mara Whitener:

• Website: whitenerpros.com
• LinkedIn: Mara Whitener

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, share, and leave a review so you never miss a chance to unfudge your marketing.

Learn more about Kristi and get in touch with her to learn how to Unf*dge YOUR marketing: kristimitchell.com

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, share, and leave a review so you never miss a chance to unfudge your marketing.

Learn more about Kristi and get in touch with her to learn how to Unf*dge YOUR marketing: kristimitchell.com

Are you doing the same marketing over and over and expecting different results?

When you’re too close to your marketing, it’s easy to fall into the “set it and forget it” trap… where your efforts stop evolving as your audience and market shift.

In this episode, Kristi shares why marketing is never a one-and-done deal. She tells the story of a forward-thinking client who regularly revisited their strategy to stay relevant, including refreshing content to address current challenges like AI.

Kristi explains how to stay proactive, review your marketing at least yearly… ideally quarterly… and make the small changes that keep your efforts effective. She shares practical tips for setting a cadence that works for your business and why accountability is critical for success.

What you’ll learn:

• Why marketing must be a living, breathing part of your business plan
• How to recognize when your marketing no longer serves your goals
• The benefits of regular strategic reviews and content refreshes
• How to balance consistency with flexibility in marketing execution
• Tips for setting realistic review schedules based on your bandwidth
• Why accountability keeps your marketing aligned and on track

If you want to unfudge your marketing and build a sustainable, evolving system that grows with you, this episode offers crucial guidance to finish the year strong and prepare for the future.

Connect with Kristi Mitchell:

• Website: kristimitchell.com
• Email: kristi@kristimitchell.com

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, share, and leave a review to keep learning how to unfudge your marketing. Watch for new episodes with guests returning next week on UNF*DGE Your Marketing.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, share, and leave a review so you never miss a chance to unfudge your marketing.

Learn more about Kristi and get in touch with her to learn how to Unf*dge YOUR marketing: kristimitchell.com

Are you tempted by quick fixes like paid ads or lead generation services to instantly solve your marketing challenges?

In this episode, Kristi shares why investing in advertising without a strong organic foundation is like adding fuel to a fire. She explains why a user-friendly website, clear messaging, consistent email marketing, and engaging social media must come first before spending on ads.

Kristi tells the story of a client eager to run paid ads to sell a book, only to realize their website wasn’t ready… highlighting a common trap many fall into.

She outlines why ads and lead gen tactics aren’t magic bullets and why sustainable results come from a strategic marketing plan that nurtures prospects through a thoughtful funnel.

What you’ll learn:

• Why advertising without a solid marketing foundation is risky and often ineffective
• How to audit your current marketing assets to identify what needs improvement
• The importance of clear website messaging that speaks directly to your ideal client
• How email marketing and social media work together to nurture and convert leads
• Why marketing shortcuts rarely deliver long-term success
• How a marketing funnel guides prospects from awareness to loyal clients
• When and how to invest in paid advertising strategically… and not prematurely

If you want to stop wasting money on ads that don’t convert and build a marketing system that grows your business steadily, this episode is your guide.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, share, and leave a review. Look out for the final episode in this series next week on UNF*DGE Your Marketing.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, share, and leave a review so you never miss a chance to unfudge your marketing.

Learn more about Kristi and get in touch with her to learn how to Unf*dge YOUR marketing: kristimitchell.com

Are you too close to your own marketing to see how it really looks and sounds to potential customers?

In this episode, Kristi tackles one of the biggest blind spots for business owners… being unable to “read the label from inside the jar.”

You know your brand and your messaging inside and out, but that makes it incredibly difficult to see what your audience actually experiences when they encounter your marketing.

Kristi shares why this gap leads to messaging that misses the mark, how it undermines connection and trust, and practical ways to get fresh, outside perspectives to sharpen your marketing.

You’ll discover:

• Why great intentions don’t always translate to messaging that resonates
• How to bridge the gap between your business perspective and your audience’s needs
• The power of understanding your ideal client’s pain points and challenges first
• Why simply sharing what you want to say isn’t enough to attract and convert
• How the “quarter inch drill vs quarter inch hole” analogy explains audience focus
• Ways to get objective feedback through consultants, marketing partners, or trusted clients
• The importance of ongoing content review and iteration to avoid marketing blind spots

Stop guessing whether your marketing is landing. Stop wondering why you’re not hearing from more ideal clients. It’s time to step outside your jar and see your marketing through fresh eyes to truly connect.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, share, and leave a review to keep getting fresh marketing clarity. See you next week for Part 4 of the Q4 Kickstart series on UNF*DGE Your Marketing.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, share, and leave a review so you never miss a chance to unfudge your marketing.

Learn more about Kristi and get in touch with her to learn how to Unf*dge YOUR marketing: kristimitchell.com

Are you caught in the feast or famine rollercoaster of client work and marketing?

Landing a big client feels amazing, but suddenly your marketing slips, your pipeline dries up, and you’re stuck scrambling to find the next one.

In this episode, Kristi shares her personal experience with this common business trap and explains why even when you’re booked solid, marketing can’t take a back seat. She dives into the importance of establishing a baseline of non-negotiable marketing activities, so your marketing keeps moving even through your busiest seasons.

Kristi discusses practical ways to scale back but maintain consistency, including posting less frequently, sending fewer emails, or temporarily pausing some tactics while staying present with your audience.

What you’ll learn:

• Why marketing is relationship-building and needs ongoing nurture
• How to identify minimum viable consistency in your marketing plan
• Why pausing all marketing can threaten your pipeline and growth
• How to use seasonal shifts to adjust your marketing strategy authentically
• The power of accountability for staying consistent through busyness
• Ways to prioritize marketing even when client work is demanding

If you’re ready to unfudge your marketing cycles and build a sustainable system that grows your business steadily, this episode offers real-world guidance on how to win the long game.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, share, and leave a review. We’ll see you next week for Part 3 of the Q4 Kickstart series on UNF*DGE Your Marketing.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, share, and leave a review so you never miss a chance to unfudge your marketing.

Learn more about Kristi and get in touch with her to learn how to Unf*dge YOUR marketing: kristimitchell.com