Business strategy notes and marketing planning materials laid out for review

Insights

Practical thinking on business, growth, and AI.

Notes on strategy, leadership, and technology for established businesses — written by an operator who's actually done the work.

Trellivance: The Word for the Moment Your Marketing Finally Lands

Marketing & Growth

Trellivance: The Word for the Moment Your Marketing Finally Lands

Trellivance (noun): the point at which a message becomes genuinely relevant — coined by marketer Jerry Suhrstedt, founder of SumoLab. What it means, why it matters, and how to reach it sooner.

Do I Need a Fractional CMO?

Strategy & Leadership

Do I Need a Fractional CMO?

Most business owners don't ask this question until something breaks. Here's the honest answer — and the five signals that tell you it's time to hire a fractional CMO.

When to Hire a Fractional CMO

Strategy & Leadership

When to Hire a Fractional CMO

Hire too early and the business isn't ready. Hire too late and you've burned 18 months of budget without direction. Here's how to get the timing right when you're ready to hire a fractional CMO.

What Does a Fractional CMO Cost?

Strategy & Leadership

What Does a Fractional CMO Cost?

The honest range is $5,000 to $15,000 a month. But the fractional CMO cost question isn't really about the number — it's about what you're comparing it to.

Job Seeker to Job Creator!

Strategy & Leadership

Job Seeker to Job Creator!

Come join us for a LinkedIn live podcast that will help you make that transition from jobseeker to business owner.

The ‘Ultimate Home Page’ Formula: Stop Guessing, Start Converting

Marketing & Growth

The ‘Ultimate Home Page’ Formula: Stop Guessing, Start Converting

Think about the best first impressions you've ever had. Maybe it was a handshake that felt just right, a well-timed joke that broke the ice, or a website that made you think, "Wow, these people get...

How to Escape the Broken Job Market and Build a Lucrative Consulting Business (Even If You’re Starting from Scratch)

Strategy & Leadership

How to Escape the Broken Job Market and Build a Lucrative Consulting Business (Even If You’re Starting from Scratch)

If you’re reading this, chances are you’re exhausted from the never-ending cycle of job applications, recruiter ghosting, and companies that seem to hire one day and lay off the next. It’s like dat...

Stuck in the Job Hunt? Maybe It’s Time to Stop and Ponder.

Strategy & Leadership

Stuck in the Job Hunt? Maybe It’s Time to Stop and Ponder.

There’s a certain kind of desperation that sets in when you’ve been job hunting for months.

From Bankrupt Disaster to $12 Million in Revenue: My Crazy Business Turnaround Story

Strategy & Leadership

From Bankrupt Disaster to $12 Million in Revenue: My Crazy Business Turnaround Story

We've all heard the saying, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade."

Creating a Seamless Brand Experience: Consistency Across Social Media Channels

Marketing & Growth

Creating a Seamless Brand Experience: Consistency Across Social Media Channels

Maintaining a consistent brand voice and visual identity across every social platform builds trust and strengthens recognition, even though each platform has its own style and expectations.

My Business Turnaround Strategy: From Bankruptcy to a Multi-Million Dollar Company

Strategy & Leadership

My Business Turnaround Strategy: From Bankruptcy to a Multi-Million Dollar Company

A first venture into home building ended in Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Here's what went wrong, and how a rebuilt partnership turned it into a thriving company.

Be Your Own Boss! How I Started My Own Salesforce Consultancy | Jason Washburn

Sales & CRM

Be Your Own Boss! How I Started My Own Salesforce Consultancy | Jason Washburn

The meeting was part of the Jerry-Rigged Business Marketing Podcast focusing on business technology, marketing, and analytics. The primary topic was exploring the benefits and process of starting a...

5 Ways To Find a Huge Lippafoygle

Marketing & Growth

5 Ways To Find a Huge Lippafoygle

In the deep, enchanted woods of Whimsyland, there exists a creature so rare, so extraordinary, that its very name evokes a sense of wonder and delight — the legendary Lippafoygle. But this is really about how SEO works.

What Digital Marketing Is, and What It Is Not

Marketing & Growth

What Digital Marketing Is, and What It Is Not

A field guide to what actually falls under "digital marketing," from SEO and content to PPC, marketing automation, and conversion rate optimization.

Digital Marketing: Strategies, Tips, Best Practices

Marketing & Growth

Digital Marketing: Strategies, Tips, Best Practices

Digital marketing blends traditional marketing goals with modern technology. A look at why it matters, the channels that make it up, and how to build a strategy around clear objectives.

High-Quality Website Design: Elevate Your Online Presence

Systems & Automation

High-Quality Website Design: Elevate Your Online Presence

Professional website design is more than aesthetics: it builds trust, supports SEO, and turns visitors into customers when every element serves a purpose.

Email Marketing: Strategies for Effective Campaigns

Email Marketing

Email Marketing: Strategies for Effective Campaigns

Unlock the power of email marketing with top strategies for crafting campaigns that engage and convert customers effectively.

Social Media Marketing: Boost Your Online Presence Today

Social Media

Social Media Marketing: Boost Your Online Presence Today

Elevate your brand's online presence with strategic social media marketing. Engage, connect, and grow your audience effectively today!

PPC Management: Why Ad Spend Needs a Strategy, Not Just a Manager

Marketing & Growth

PPC Management: Why Ad Spend Needs a Strategy, Not Just a Manager

PPC management keeps ads running. Whether that spend actually pays for itself depends on connecting it to which customers are profitable — a strategic question most PPC engagements never touch.

What a Marketing Agency Actually Does (And When You Need Something Else)

Strategy & Leadership

What a Marketing Agency Actually Does (And When You Need Something Else)

A marketing agency executes. It doesn't own your strategy, sit at your leadership table, or get held accountable for revenue the way a fractional CMO does — and that difference matters more than most owners realize before they sign a retainer.

Digital Marketing Agency vs. Fractional CMO: Who Should Run Your Channels?

Marketing & Growth

Digital Marketing Agency vs. Fractional CMO: Who Should Run Your Channels?

SEO, social, content, and paid media each need specialists — but someone still has to decide how those channels work together and whether the mix is right. A digital marketing agency runs channels. Someone else has to own the plan connecting them.

Boost Your Online Visibility with Expertly Crafted SEO Services

SEO & Search

Boost Your Online Visibility with Expertly Crafted SEO Services

Elevate your website's profile with premier SEO services designed to enhance your online marketing and drive rankings.

How to Vet an Online Marketing Agency's Claim of "Expertise"

Marketing & Growth

How to Vet an Online Marketing Agency's Claim of "Expertise"

Every online marketing agency claims expert-level results. Here's the practical way to test that claim before you sign a contract — and what to do instead if the honest answer is that nobody in your business can evaluate the claim in the first place.

Grow Your Business with Expert Marketing Consulting Services

Branding

Grow Your Business with Expert Marketing Consulting Services

Unlock your brand's potential with customized marketing consulting that drives growth and enhances customer experience. Get started now!

Local Advertising for Growing Businesses: What Actually Moves the Needle

Marketing & Growth

Local Advertising for Growing Businesses: What Actually Moves the Needle

Direct mail, local radio, trade shows, and community sponsorships still work — when someone ties them to a real strategy. Here's what local advertising actually looks like for a business ready to grow beyond referrals.

Email Marketing Services to Grow Your Business Online

Email Marketing

Email Marketing Services to Grow Your Business Online

Boost your brand with top-notch email marketing services that elevate your online presence and customer engagement.

Branding Isn't a Logo Project — It's a Business Decision

Marketing & Growth

Branding Isn't a Logo Project — It's a Business Decision

A branding agency can design a beautiful identity. Whether that identity actually changes how customers remember and choose you is a strategic question, decided before a single asset gets designed.

Boost Your Local Business with Proven Local SEO Services

SEO & Search

Boost Your Local Business with Proven Local SEO Services

Elevate your visibility and attract more customers with tailored local SEO services that boost your business's online presence.

Lead Generation Services for Thriving Businesses | Expert Solutions

Lead Generation

Lead Generation Services for Thriving Businesses | Expert Solutions

Elevate your business with our expert lead generation services designed to secure high-quality prospects and boost your sales pipeline.

Your Website Isn't a Design Project — It's a Conversion System

Marketing & Growth

Your Website Isn't a Design Project — It's a Conversion System

A web design agency can build something beautiful. Whether it converts visitors into leads is a strategic question about structure, messaging, and what happens after the click — decided before the first wireframe.

Top Digital Advertising Strategies for Your Business

Digital Marketing

Top Digital Advertising Strategies for Your Business

Elevate your brand with top digital advertising strategies tailored to boost your online presence and drive conversions. Start thriving online!

Content Creation Services: Elevate Your Brand with High-Quality Content

Branding

Content Creation Services: Elevate Your Brand with High-Quality Content

Elevate your digital presence with our top-tier content creation services. Forge a stronger brand identity that resonates with your audience.

B2C Marketing: Why Acquisition and Brand Have to Work Together

Marketing & Growth

B2C Marketing: Why Acquisition and Brand Have to Work Together

A B2C marketing agency will run acquisition campaigns well. Whether those campaigns build a brand people remember after the sale — or just rent attention one purchase at a time — depends on a strategy decided above the campaign level.

Boost Your Online Visibility with Expert Website Optimization Services

Web & Design

Boost Your Online Visibility with Expert Website Optimization Services

Elevate your website's potential with premier website optimization services, ensuring a seamless user experience and stronger SEO.

Elevate Your Brand with Professional Graphic Design Services

Branding

Elevate Your Brand with Professional Graphic Design Services

Unlock your brand's full potential with our cutting-edge graphic design services - your gateway to a memorable visual identity.

Market Research Services - Expert Data Analysis & Insights

Digital Marketing

Market Research Services - Expert Data Analysis & Insights

Unlock your brand's potential with our market research services—gain vital insights and drive strategic decisions to lead your market.

Digital Marketing Solutions | Unlock Your Online Potential

Digital Marketing

Digital Marketing Solutions | Unlock Your Online Potential

Elevate your brand with cutting-edge digital marketing solutions designed to maximise your online presence and growth.

Search Engine Marketing (SEM) Guide for Better Rankings

SEO & Search

Search Engine Marketing (SEM) Guide for Better Rankings

Unlock the full potential of your website with our expert Search Engine Marketing (SEM) strategies to achieve top rankings and boost visibility.

B2B Marketing Only Works When It's Aligned With Sales

Sales & CRM

B2B Marketing Only Works When It's Aligned With Sales

A B2B marketing agency can generate leads. Whether those leads turn into pipeline your sales team actually closes depends on alignment between marketing, sales, and your CRM — the part most agency engagements never touch.

5 Reasons Web Design in Phoenix, AZ Doesn't Have to Cost a Fortune

Marketing & Growth

5 Reasons Web Design in Phoenix, AZ Doesn't Have to Cost a Fortune

Affordable, custom web design in Phoenix, AZ that actually converts — built by an operator who treats your site as a lead-generation system, not just a design project.

SEO Tools for Website Traffic: What They Get Wrong

Marketing & Growth

SEO Tools for Website Traffic: What They Get Wrong

Drawing on experience as CMO of an HR tech brand, a look at why popular SEO tools like Ahrefs and SEMrush can mislead marketers, and where the real opportunity in long-tail keywords actually is.

Why Branding Is Important: The Judy & Trudy Success Story

Marketing & Growth

Why Branding Is Important: The Judy & Trudy Success Story

A 30-year-old medical supply company with a forgettable name became memorable overnight with two cartoon nurse characters and a set of bobble-head dolls.

Smart Web Design for Contractors in Chandler, Arizona

Systems & Automation

Smart Web Design for Contractors in Chandler, Arizona

For remodelers, HVAC specialists, plumbers, roofers, and electricians, a well-designed local website is often the deciding factor for a customer choosing between contractors.

10 Benefits of Podcasting for Your Business

Marketing & Growth

10 Benefits of Podcasting for Your Business

From brand authority to SEO and monetization, podcasting has grown from a niche format into a mainstream marketing tool for businesses of every size.

Salesforce Admin VS Salesforce Admin | Guest: Stephen Pricer

Sales & CRM

Salesforce Admin VS Salesforce Admin | Guest: Stephen Pricer

During the Jerry-Rigged podcast, Jerry and his guest, Stephen Pricer, discuss various topics related to business analytics, technology, marketing, and Salesforce.

Behind The Curtain... Unveiling Recruiter Top Secrets | Guest: Melissa Grabiner

Sales & CRM

Behind The Curtain... Unveiling Recruiter Top Secrets | Guest: Melissa Grabiner

Jobseekers and candidates... total must watch!

How a Home Builder Implemented Salesforce and Boosted Sales

Case Studies

How a Home Builder Implemented Salesforce and Boosted Sales

Stanbrooke Custom Homes was managing an 8-12 month sales cycle with spreadsheets and post-it notes. Implementing Salesforce changed that.

Do I Need a Business Analyst?

Strategy & Leadership

Do I Need a Business Analyst?

A business analyst specializes in analyzing a company's operations, processes, and data to identify areas for improvement and build strategies for growth.

5 Powerful Reasons You Need Marketing Automation

Systems & Automation

5 Powerful Reasons You Need Marketing Automation

Marketing automation software eliminates busywork, streamlining and improving the effectiveness of a marketing department's efforts.

Sales Process: 6 Powerful Reasons You Need One

Sales & CRM

Sales Process: 6 Powerful Reasons You Need One

A sales process is a systematic approach to selling that helps convert prospects into customers consistently, instead of leaving results up to individual reps.

What Business Analysts Actually Do

Strategy & Leadership

What Business Analysts Actually Do

Ask ten HR professionals what a business analyst does and you'll get ten different answers. Here's how the role actually breaks down.

Slack: 5 Reasons It's Better for Internal Communication

Systems & Automation

Slack: 5 Reasons It's Better for Internal Communication

Slack and email both handle internal communication, but Slack's real-time, visible format tends to outperform email for team collaboration.

How to Start Your Salesforce Career

Sales & CRM

How to Start Your Salesforce Career

Salesforce is the world's #1 CRM platform, used by over 150,000 companies. A practical path into a Salesforce Administrator career, certification by certification.

Why Your Business May Need Salesforce

Sales & CRM

Why Your Business May Need Salesforce

Salesforce is a cloud-based CRM that helps businesses streamline scattered processes. Here's why it's become one of the most comprehensive CRM platforms available.

5 Reasons Your Business Needs a CRM

Sales & CRM

5 Reasons Your Business Needs a CRM

Managing customer relationships is crucial to business success, whether you have a handful of customers or thousands. CRM software is the tool built for that job.

Do I Need a Salesforce Consultant?

Sales & CRM

Do I Need a Salesforce Consultant?

Salesforce consulting partners help implement projects, build custom solutions, and scale a platform, often for less than the cost of a full-time hire.

I Bought Salesforce, Now What?

Sales & CRM

I Bought Salesforce, Now What?

Salesforce can transform how a business manages customer data, but implementing it well usually means bringing in a Salesforce CRM consultant.

What Really Is a CRM?

Sales & CRM

What Really Is a CRM?

CRM stands for Customer Relationship Management, but the real value is turning scattered customer data spread across spreadsheets, inboxes, and notes into one usable system.

Why Salesforce Is the #1 CRM

Sales & CRM

Why Salesforce Is the #1 CRM

Salesforce leads the CRM category for a combination of reasons: customization, real-time cloud access, ease of use, and a constant pace of innovation.

How To Be A Badass Salesforce Business Analyst - Vanessa Grant

Sales & CRM

How To Be A Badass Salesforce Business Analyst - Vanessa Grant

Vanessa has made significant contributions to the Salesforce community.

Behind The Scenes: Salesforce Recruiters

Sales & CRM

Behind The Scenes: Salesforce Recruiters

In this episode of the Jerry-Rigged podcast, Jerry interviews Khero Witey, a Salesforce recruiter from Third Republic. The conversation revolves around job searching in the Salesforce ecosystem and...

Case Study - Home Builder's Worst Nightmare

Case Studies

Case Study - Home Builder's Worst Nightmare

In this meeting, the host of the Jerry-Rigged Podcast discusses a case study about a home builder called Stanbrooke Custom Homes.

Jerry-Rigged Podcast Introduces Innovative New Show

Marketing & Growth

Jerry-Rigged Podcast Introduces Innovative New Show

Chandler, AZ, January 11, 2024 – The world of business analysis, marketing, and technology often feels like a high-stakes, serious affair.

62 Salesforce Interviews Later... My Full Report

Sales & CRM

62 Salesforce Interviews Later... My Full Report

As someone who's often jokingly referred to as having an A-D-H-D approach to life, I've rarely been the one to meticulously plan out my path.

Top 5 CRM Solutions | Their Impact On Business Operations... We're Going Deep

Sales & CRM

Top 5 CRM Solutions | Their Impact On Business Operations... We're Going Deep

Today's episode of The Jerry-Rigged Podcast, I share my insights on a crucial tool for business success: Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software. In this article, we'll explore the primary ...

7 Business Analyst Skills for 2024

Sales & CRM

7 Business Analyst Skills for 2024

In the tech-savvy world we’re surfing today, data is the new bacon – everybody wants a piece of it, and it’s sizzling hot in the business sector! 🥓💻

The CRM Roadmap: A Case Study For Beginners

Sales & CRM

The CRM Roadmap: A Case Study For Beginners

Listen in as Jerry talks about the history of CRM and a phenomenal case study where Salesforce Sales Cloud helped a Tacoma based home builder skyrocket from zero to $12M in sales.

Are You Too Old to Start a Career in Salesforce? Nope.

Sales & CRM

Are You Too Old to Start a Career in Salesforce? Nope.

🌟 In the pulsating heart of the digital epoch, especially within the realms of Salesforce, there's a common portrayal: it's a playground dominated by the energetic, tech-adept generation, often ju...

I Remember the Time Salesforce Made Me All Giddy

Case Studies

I Remember the Time Salesforce Made Me All Giddy

"We had no system. Salesforce transformed our marketing and sales department with a simple process."

Small Business Marketing Startup Guide

Marketing & Growth

Small Business Marketing Startup Guide

Small business marketing may be one of the hardest things to tackle while running your small business. Running your own business is hard enough without worrying about how to get more customers...

Tried & True Marketing Basics... Ignore At Your Peril

Marketing & Growth

Tried & True Marketing Basics... Ignore At Your Peril

Every business owner presumably wants to grow their business. Many entrepreneurs thrash about throwing stuff on the wall to see what sticks all while looking for that Silver Bullet that's goin...

Is Upper Management Drinking Bourbon & Smoking Big Cigars?

Strategy & Leadership

Is Upper Management Drinking Bourbon & Smoking Big Cigars?

When discussions organically form over a cup of coffee about how and why companies don't grow or are forced to cease operations... (Blockbuster Video, ToysRUs) there's a subject that doesn't get ta...