In this episode of "Invest in Yourself: The Digital Entrepreneur Podcast," host Phil Better connects with marketing veteran James Hipkin.

With over four decades of experience in advertising and digital marketing, James shares invaluable insights into the entrepreneurial mindset, effective marketing strategies, and the importance of customer-centric approaches.

Discover how curiosity can open new market opportunities, why understanding the customer journey is crucial, and actionable advice for budding entrepreneurs.

Timestamps:

• [00:00] Introduction to James Hipkin and Episode Topics
• [02:35] The Role of Curiosity in Entrepreneurship
• [08:15] Understanding Customer Needs for Effective Marketing
• [14:20] Transitioning from an Inside-Out to an Outside-In Approach
• [19:45] Strategic Importance of Websites and Customer Lists
• [25:30] Managing Mistakes: The Sheila Story
• [31:15] Identifying New Market Segments: Energizer Case Study
• [38:00] Building Trust and Long-Term Client Relationships
• [43:45] Key Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
• [49:00] Call to Action and Closing Remarks

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Key Takeaways:

• Curiosity is essential for exploring new market opportunities and building customer loyalty.
• Entrepreneurs should focus on understanding their customers' journeys rather than just pushing product calls to action.
• An outside-in marketing approach (customer-focused) is more effective than an inside-out approach (marketer-focused).
• Investing in a strategic, user-friendly website is crucial for digital success.
• Mistakes are natural and often provide valuable learning experiences.
• Building trust and long-term client relationships sometimes means saying no to projects.
• Prioritize significant improvements over small tweaks to yield better results

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Guest: James Hipkin

Over a 40-year career, James worked in marketing and advertising at a high level. Since 2010, he has built his clients’ businesses with digital marketing.

James is an accomplished, forward-thinking marketing professional. His clients included Sprint, Apple, Wells Fargo online bank, Nestlé, and Toyota. They appreciate his practical, no-nonsense approach. He has the scars and many stories to share.

His stories are always valuable and entertaining. His humor and infectious good-natured approach to marketing are fun and practical. But he never loses track of what’s important. Marketing, done well, creates value for customers and the business.

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Connect with James Hipkin:

Website: https://inn8ly.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inn8ly/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/inn8ly

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inn8ly/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jhipkin

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