Rocky Mountain Marketing

In this episode of Rocky Mountain Marketing, I break down one of the most critical changes we’ve seen on TikTok in a while. With new ownership under the U.S.-based TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, retrained algorithms, and updated Terms of Service, business owners and creators are rightfully asking: Should I still be investing time here? I walk you through what these updates mean, how to respond strategically, and the crucial distinction between your marketing content and your business assets. If TikTok is part of your growth strategy, this is a must-listen.5 Key Takeaways:TikTok’s U.S. Ownership Shift: TikTok is now operating under a U.S.-based corporate entity, with ByteDance holding less than 20%. This impacts data governance and the algorithm retraining process.Retrained Algorithm, Real Impact: If your reach is fluctuating, it might not be your content—it’s the recalibrated algorithm learning new engagement priorities.New Terms of Service: TikTok now has broader content licensing language, explicitly allowing your content to be used for machine learning and platform improvement. This is standard across platforms but now more transparent.Don’t Use Social as a Storage Vault: Uploading high-value assets, drafts, or proprietary content to TikTok (or any platform) is risky. Treat your business content with strategy and caution.Build an Exit Ramp Now: Grow your email list, promote your podcast or YouTube channel, and make sure TikTok isn’t your only traffic engine. Don’t build on rented land.Learn more about Katie and Next Step Social & Podcasting:Speaking: https://katiebrinkley.com/Website: https://www.nextstepsocial.com/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkleyYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/@rockymountainmarketingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkatiebrinkley/

In this episode of Rocky Mountain Marketing, I sit down with my partner-in-purpose (and co-owner of Next Step Social), Shawn Quintero, to break down how we’re using Lunch and Learn workshops to bring business owners and their teams clarity, confidence, and actionable results—without sales pressure or shiny-object overwhelm.As we kick off 2026, we’re leaning into education-first marketing and showing business leaders how to activate their teams, build trust through content, and show up consistently on social—organically and strategically.5 Key Takeaways:Lunch and Learns aren’t new—but we’ve modernized the model to create immediate wins for business teams through actionable, in-person training.The Internal Influencer Strategy helps businesses leverage their own staff as the face of content—building more trust, more reach, and more results.Confidence is the biggest ROI. When teams feel empowered, they take ownership and drive brand visibility organically.It’s not a pitch. These workshops are designed for value-first connection and education—not upsells.Clarity beats complexity. We ditch bloated frameworks and instead provide simple, repeatable content strategies that any team member can start implementing that day.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction: The Need for Clarity in Marketing00:52 Welcome to Rocky Mountain Marketing01:21 Meet Sean Ero: COO and Co-Owner of NeXTSTEP Social02:02 The Concept of Lunch and Learns02:32 The Evolution and Impact of Lunch and Learns03:27 Training Staff to Leverage Social Media03:59 The Role of Internal Influencers04:42 Hands-On Training and Immediate Results05:36 Education-First Marketing Philosophy06:10 Differentiating Our Lunch and Learns06:48 Bridging the Education Gap and Accelerating Sales09:29 Empowering Teams with Clarity and Confidence12:20 Balancing Education and Sales15:26 Building Trust and Relationships20:28 Conclusion: The Power of Clarity and Relationships21:29 Outro: Stay Connected and Keep LearningVisit Shawn Quintero online:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heyshawnq/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeyShawnQ/Learn more about Katie and Next Step Social & Podcasting:Speaking: https://katiebrinkley.com/Website: https://www.nextstepsocial.com/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkleyYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/@rockymountainmarketingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkatiebrinkley/

In this episode, I sat down with Lianna Patch, a conversion copywriter and comedian, to talk about what really makes content convert in 2026—humor, voice, and human connection. With so much AI-generated content out there, the businesses that win are the ones who sound like themselves.We dive into practical ways to make your copy more engaging, where AI fits into the mix, and why the funniest brands tend to be the most memorable.Key Takeaways:Safe copy is forgettable—don’t be afraid to polarize.Humor can be subtle and still powerful.AI can help draft but you need to inject voice and value.Specific copy sells—ditch vague industry buzzwords.Writing should be fun—because fun converts.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction to Engaging Copywriting00:51 Meet Our Guest: Leanna Patch02:07 The Role of Humor in Marketing03:21 AI vs. Human Copywriting04:42 Using Humor Effectively in Copy06:22 Challenges and Opportunities with AI08:26 Practical Tips for Better Copywriting18:06 Upcoming Workshop and Resources23:31 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsWhether you’re writing email funnels or social captions, this episode is your permission slip to sound like a human again.Visit Lianna Patch's social media pages:Website: https://punchlinecopy.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liannapatchWanna have more fun on stage? https://punchlinecopy.com/speak-funny-training/Learn more about Katie and Next Step Social & Podcasting:Speaking: https://katiebrinkley.com/Website: https://yournextstep.agency/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkleyYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/@rockymountainmarketingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkatiebrinkley/

In this solo episode of Rocky Mountain Marketing, I’m diving into something that’s been on every entrepreneur’s mind this year: do goals still matter in 2026? The world is changing fast, and with the rise of AI, shifting priorities, and burnout creeping in, it’s easy to lose sight of your direction.But here’s the truth: goals still matter—when you know how to set them right.I’ll share how to:Get crystal-clear on your directional goalsPush through the doubt that creeps inRecommit to goals that align with who you are (not just what everyone else is doing)Use the momentum of Q1 to build sustainable progress—not just productivityTimestamps:00:00 Introduction: Embracing the Uncertainty of Goal Setting00:38 Welcome to Rocky Mountain Marketing01:08 The Reality of Goal Setting in 202604:29 The Importance of Writing Down Goals09:33 Setting Directional Goals10:34 Marketing Goals for 202611:39 Behavior Goals: The Key to Consistency14:23 The Role of AI in Achieving Goals20:28 Final Thoughts: Protecting Your Time and Staying Focused21:54 Conclusion and Call to ActionIf you’re looking to reclaim your focus, strengthen your strategy, and finally commit to what matters this year, this episode is for you.Let’s reset your strategy for 2026 and start taking aligned action—together.Learn more about Katie and Next Step Social & Podcasting:Speaking: https://katiebrinkley.com/Website: https://yournextstep.agency/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkleyYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/@rockymountainmarketingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkatiebrinkley/

As 2025 wraps up, I’m taking you behind the data to reveal the top 10 most downloaded episodes of Rocky Mountain Marketing this year—and the biggest theme that kept emerging: trust-first strategy over trends.In this year-end special, you’ll hear from brilliant guests like Gordon Firemark, Megan Dougherty, Mike Swenson, Lisanne Murphy, Sarah Nay, and more. We cover everything from building trust in the age of AI, creating human-first content, crisis-proofing your brand, to leveraging SEO and podcasting for sustainable growth.If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by marketing "shoulds"—this episode is your permission slip to slow down and get strategic.In this episode, you'll learn:What 2025 taught us about audience trust and authentic marketingWhy AI without strategy won't work in the long runHow to get more ROI from your marketing effortsHow your podcast can become a powerful business driverWhat real business owners did to simplify, grow, and lead effectivelyTimestamps:00:00 Reflecting on a Year of Intentional Marketing00:21 Introduction to Rocky Mountain Marketing00:51 Year-End Review: Key Insights from 202502:18 Top 10 Episodes Countdown: Legal Protection for Podcasters05:54 Podcast Blueprints for Business Success08:54 Crisis-Proofing Your Brand11:45 Transforming Your Website into a Sales Machine15:29 Sustainable Growth Strategies for Small Businesses18:19 Using Psychology to Attract Dream Clients20:40 Finding Clarity and Passion in Entrepreneurship21:37 Getting Your Local Business on Google's First Page25:25 Human-First AI Marketing with Mike Monte29:06 Turning Cold DMs into Warm Conversations33:54 Trust-First Marketing Without Posting Every Day38:44 Final Thoughts and Year-End ReflectionsWhether you're a long-time listener or new to the show, this recap is packed with timeless advice to guide your 2026 strategy.Hit follow and subscribe now to make sure you don’t miss the powerful conversations we have coming next year!Learn more about Katie and Next Step Social & Podcasting:Speaking: https://katiebrinkley.com/Website: https://yournextstep.agency/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkleyYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/@rockymountainmarketingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkatiebrinkley/

Let me guess—you didn’t start your business to spend hours copying and pasting, chasing down leads, or drowning in admin work. In this episode, I sit down with Mike Allton, Director of Partner-Led Growth at Agorapulse and founder of The AI Hat, to uncover how AI can truly give you back your most valuable resource: time.We break down how to move beyond using AI just for content creation and explore how it can reduce “admin drag,” support revenue-driving activities, and elevate your strategic thinking. Mike shares what revenue architecture really means and how solopreneurs and sales teams can use AI to scale smarter—not louder.If you’re ready to reclaim your schedule and protect the human side of your business, this episode is your roadmap.What You’ll Learn:What “admin drag” is and why it’s killing your creativityHow to audit your workflow and identify where AI can support youThe difference between AI as a replacement vs. a revenue partnerHow AI can free up emotional energy and rebuild trustPractical examples of AI in sales and proposal processesWhat the “revenue architecture” framework actually looks likeWhy reclaiming your time is the new ROITimestamps:00:00 Introduction: The AI Time-Saving Revolution00:34 Welcome to Rocky Mountain Marketing01:04 The Real Opportunity with AI01:46 Introducing Mike Alton: AI and Revenue Architecture02:37 Understanding Admin Drag and AI Solutions05:23 The Role of AI in Sales and Marketing08:12 Implementing AI: Practical Steps and Benefits18:57 Revenue Architecture: Integrating AI into Processes25:18 The True ROI of AI: Time and Trust33:49 Final Thoughts and TakeawaysReady to take back your time?Subscribe to Rocky Mountain Marketing and never miss an episode packed with strategies to scale your business with purpose—and less stress.Visit Mike Allton's social media pages:Website: https://theaihat.com/connect/Agorapulse: https://www.agorapulse.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikealltonLearn more about Katie and Next Step Social & Podcasting:Speaking: https://katiebrinkley.com/Website: https://yournextstep.agency/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkleyYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/@rockymountainmarketingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkatiebrinkley/

Ready to stop doing it all yourself and build a high-performing team?In this episode of Rocky Mountain Marketing, Katie Brinkley sits down with Shawn Quintero, COO and co-owner of Next Step Social & Podcasting, to share exactly how they scaled a remote team that runs on clarity, collaboration, and strong company culture.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction: The Real Challenge in Business00:45 Welcome to Rocky Mountain Marketing01:19 Meet the COO: Sean Quintero02:38 The Importance of Hiring and Onboarding04:01 Building Effective Systems and Culture05:27 Managing People: Soft Skills and Emotional Intelligence06:35 Making Tough Decisions: Letting Go and Hiring Right15:16 Onboarding and Training: Setting Up for Success20:09 Addressing Performance Issues24:03 Creating a Positive Remote Work Culture29:10 Conclusion: People Are People30:20 Outro: Subscribe and Stay ConnectedIf you’re an entrepreneur, coach, or agency owner who’s tired of bottlenecking your business, this is the episode that will help you step fully into your leadership role.Don’t miss it—hit play now and discover what it takes to scale your team with confidence.Visit Shawn Quintero online:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heyshawnq/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeyShawnQ/Learn more about Katie and Next Step Social & Podcasting:Speaking: https://katiebrinkley.com/Website: https://yournextstep.agency/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkleyYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/@rockymountainmarketingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkatiebrinkley/

Every time Austin Armstrong joins me on the show, he’s leveled up—and this time is no different. From billions (yes, billions) of organic views to launching tools like Syllabi and ThreadMaster, Austin’s name is now synonymous with AI-powered content creation and repeatable virality.In this episode, we dive into the systems, frameworks, and mindset behind Virality—his new book that breaks down how to stop chasing vanity metrics and start building real business leverage with your content. You’ll hear about:Why “stop chasing views” is his first messageThe power of thinking like a business owner who creates content—not just a content creatorHis START Video Framework for strategic postsHow he uses AI tools to create 20+ pieces of content a day (without burnout!)The leverage behind vanity metrics when paired with the right backend strategyA practical AI prompt you can copy to generate a 30-day content planAustin also unpacks what’s actually working right now on social—and how you can implement the same systems to grow your brand, your revenue, and your reach.If you’re tired of posting with no results, this episode is for you.Visit Austin Armstrong online:Website: https://syllaby.io/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Owwstin/Virality! (Book): https://a.co/d/4UnuJ0xThreadmaster.AI: https://threadmaster.ai/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SocialtyProLearn more about Katie and Next Step Social & Podcasting:Speaking: https://katiebrinkley.com/Website: https://yournextstep.agency/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkleyYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/@rockymountainmarketingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkatiebrinkley/