In this episode, Kristi Mitchell sits down with content strategist and writer Alison Ver Halen to unpack a marketing misstep many entrepreneurs will relate to: giving in to the pressure to show up on Instagram… even when it doesn’t feel right.

Alison shares her journey of trying to make Instagram work for her B2B content marketing business—why she resisted it at first, how she committed fully, and ultimately why she decided to walk away. Together, Kristi and Alison discuss the importance of knowing your audience, trusting your gut, and choosing marketing tactics that align with your strengths, your goals, and your bandwidth.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing a marketing tactic just because others say you “should,” this episode will give you permission to rethink that.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Not every platform is for every business. And that’s okay.
• Consistency > frequency when it comes to content and posting.
• Your audience should always be front and center—go where they are, not where everyone else is.
• Ask your clients directly where they hang out online before diving into a new platform.
• Don’t ignore your gut. If something feels off or draining, it probably is.

🧠 Who This Episode Is For:

• Business owners feeling overwhelmed by social media expectations
• Marketers struggling to see ROI from Instagram or other platforms
• Anyone looking for permission to not be everywhere online

👥 Connect with Alison Ver Halen:

• 💼 LinkedIn

• 🌐 avwritingservices.com

• 📺 YouTube: Alison Ver Halen Content Marketer

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

In this episode of Unfudge Your Marketing, Kristi Mitchell welcomes Dr. Kaitlyn Rios, physical therapist, nonprofit founder, and all-around powerhouse, for a refreshingly candid chat about launching virtual events… and what happens when nobody shows up.

Kaitlyn shares her journey of building her nonprofit, Faced with Grace, and the hard marketing lessons she’s learning along the way. From zero-attendance events to refining her messaging and trusting the process, this episode dives into:

• Why marketing must start before your offer is even ready
• The mindset shift around “overpromoting” and how to ditch the fear
• Real-world DM strategies that build genuine connections
• How vulnerability became a powerful tool for Kaitlyn’s brand
• Streamlining, simplifying, and learning to pivot when things don’t go as planned

Whether you’re building something new or recovering from a marketing misstep, this episode will inspire you to keep showing up.

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

In this episode, Kristi sits down with Brad Mendel, a seasoned entrepreneur and founder of Vitalytics, to discuss marketing from the ground up. From bootstrapping strategies to outsourcing insights, Brad shares his journey of trial, error, and ultimate marketing clarity. If you’re a business owner or marketing leader who’s ever felt overwhelmed by all the moving parts, this episode is your permission slip to simplify, systematize, and scale smart.

🔑 Topics Covered:

• How Brad went from trying to do it all himself to realizing the power of bringing in marketing experts
• The importance of content repurposing and consistent messaging across platforms
• Why software can’t replace strategy, and how Brad learned this the hard way
• Lessons from launching Vitalytics and attracting clients without big-budget campaigns
• Navigating the decision to outsource marketing and what to look for in a marketing partner

🧠 Key Insights:

• “You can’t see the label from inside the jar.” — Brad on the value of outside marketing perspective
• Done-for-you marketing only works when you’ve already clarified your brand and goals
• DIY marketing has limits—especially when you’re the bottleneck

💥 Actionable Takeaways:

• Evaluate your current marketing tools… are they empowering you or creating more work?
• Document your brand messaging to ensure consistency across channels
• Know when to shift from generalists to specialists as your business grows
• Don’t wait for perfection before launching… optimize as you go

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

In this episode, Kristi is joined by marketing expert Joe Raasch to tackle the biggest mistakes holding businesses back. They share no-fluff strategies to simplify your marketing, clarify your messaging, and boost your impact, particularly on LinkedIn.

Key Takeaways:

• Clarity Over Cleverness: Why clear messaging always wins.
• Stop Overcomplicating: Simplify your strategies for better results.
• Consistency = Trust: How regular, reliable marketing builds credibility.

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

In this episode, Mark Harbeke and Kristi Mitchell share their combined expertise on building strategic marketing systems that drive consistent growth. They dive into how small and mid-sized businesses can leverage data, content strategy, and marketing automation to increase their impact. Together, they offer practical tips on aligning marketing with sales goals, measuring the right metrics, and balancing content creation with distribution strategies.

Key Takeaways:

✅ The role of fractional CMOs in scaling businesses effectively.

✅ Creating marketing systems that generate sustainable leads.

✅ Aligning marketing efforts with sales objectives for maximum ROI.

✅ Using data-driven insights to optimize campaigns.

✅ Striking the right balance between content creation and distribution.

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

In this solo episode of Unfudge Your Marketing, host Kristi Mitchell dives into the challenges of marketing in uncertain times. With 2025 kicking off amid political and economic instability, Kristi shares insights from recent conversations with business owners who are struggling to navigate these complexities.

Topics include:

✅ How to communicate with clients feeling uncertain about the future

✅ Leveraging third-party resources to stay relevant without the pressure

✅ When to pivot your marketing strategy vs. sticking to your plan

✅ The power of being a trusted resource and thought leader during chaotic times

Kristi encourages business owners to assess whether they are truly meeting their audience where they are—or simply following the easy path. Marketing is messy, but building real relationships is what makes the difference.

👉 Have thoughts on this episode? Connect with Kristi on LinkedIn or via email at kristi@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

In this episode, host Kristi Mitchell talks with Hayden Orme, founder of Handled by Hayden and Company. Hayden shares her extensive leadership experience and insights into maintaining authenticity in marketing. Her journey includes rebranding and finding the right support, emphasizing the importance of aligning marketing efforts with core values to stand out in the market. The discussion highlights the need to trust one’s instincts and the significance of timing in business decisions. Key takeaways include staying true to your values and making decisions that resonate with personal and professional goals. For more resources and insights, connect with Hayden athandledbyhayden.co.

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

In this episode, host Kristi Mitchell welcomes Bryan McDonald to discuss the nuances of marketing strategy and the importance of realistic expectations. Bryan, known for his expertise in sales and helping businesses reach their revenue goals, shares a candid story about the pitfalls of using Facebook ads when his audience wasn’t there. He emphasizes that not all leads are created equal and highlights the necessity of identifying where prospects genuinely engage.

Key takeaways include the value of hiring someone who can iterate and improve a strategy over several months and focusing on prospects rather than following the crowd. Bryan advises trusting experts who test and refine processes—and cautions against quick-fix promises. Connect with Bryan atmcdonaldbryan.comfor more insights into authentic sales approaches.

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

In this episode, host Kristi Mitchell welcomes Selena and Anna to discuss common marketing mishaps and the importance of building trust and authenticity in business strategies. As dynamic entrepreneurs and co-founders of a business partnership born out of collaboration and support for fellow entrepreneurs, Selena and Anna emphasize the significance of overcoming fear of new strategies while trusting marketing experts. They advocate for patience in marketing efforts, stressing the need for multiple touch points to truly engage audiences.

The duo highlights the importance of clear communication, cautioning against using overly unique language that might confuse potential clients. They emphasize that marketing should be fun and stress the need for adaptability and open-mindedness in trying new tactics. To connect with Selena and Anna, visit their website atannaandselena.comor find them on LinkedIn.

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

In this episode, Kristi Mitchell engages with Chanelle Yarber, CEO of Bright Girl Media, in a candid discussion about the iterative nature of marketing and maintaining authenticity. Chanelle shares her personal journey with hiring an outside marketing agency and underscores the significance of staying true to her brand while understanding her audience deeply.

She offers valuable advice on selecting the right marketing partners and cautions against promises that seem too good to be true. The key takeaway from the episode is the crucial need for authenticity in marketing, knowing your audience and resisting the temptation of quick fixes can pave the way for genuine success.

To connect with Chanelle Yarber, visit her on LinkedIn or check out her website at www.brightgirl.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