Rocky Mountain Marketing

What makes some creators cut through the noise while others just… fade into the scroll?In this week’s episode, I sit down with Jay Acunzo, international speaker, storytelling coach, and the mastermind behind the “resonance over reach” philosophy. Jay has worked with brands like Google, HubSpot, and ESPN—and today, he shares what really helps coaches, creators, and business leaders connect with their audience in a meaningful, profitable way.We talk about how to uncover clarity in your message, why most “signature talks” miss the mark, and how you can structure your communication to inspire change—not just attention.If you’re trying to grow your thought leadership, book speaking gigs, or create content that sticks, this conversation is a masterclass.What you'll learn:Why clarity is more important than consistencyThe 4-part storytelling framework to boost resonanceHow to refine your thought leadership on LinkedInThe right way to test, tweak, and ship your ideasWhy a "signature talk" is really an argument for changeTimestamps:00:00 Introduction: The Key to Effortless Attention00:27 Welcome to Rocky Mountain Marketing00:58 Introducing Jay Acunzo: Master of Clarity06:43 The Importance of Public Speaking14:12 Crafting Memorable Stories19:19 The Four Beats of Storytelling19:54 Align: Understanding Your Audience20:07 Agitate: Highlighting the Problems21:00 Assert: Presenting Your Solution21:32 Invite: Engaging Your Audience22:36 The Importance of Personal Branding23:14 Finding Your Unique Speaking Voice24:28 The Role of Authenticity in Speaking25:59 Developing and Refining Your Ideas28:37 Practical Tips for Nervous Speakers31:17 The Power of a Creative Practice33:31 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsTune in now, and let’s help you build a message that actually moves people.Visit Jay Acunzo online:Website: https://jayacunzo.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayacunzo/Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-stories-happen/id1736586770Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/jayacunzoLearn 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/

In this episode of Rocky Mountain Marketing, I sit down with the incredible Jenn Herman—Instagram strategist, author of Instagram for Dummies, and founder of the Profit Your Profile community. We unpack what’s actually working for organic Instagram growth in 2025 and beyond.If you’ve ever felt like your content isn’t gaining traction or that the Instagram algorithm is working against you, this episode is your wake-up call. Jenn reveals:Why organic reach isn’t dead—it’s just differentThe secret to reels that stop the scrollHow to balance short-form content with authenticityThe growing importance of recommended contentHow to keep trust while leveraging AI in your content strategyTimestamps:00:00 Introduction: Is Organic Reach Dead on Instagram?01:09 Guest Introduction: Jen Herman on Instagram Strategy02:36 The Evolution of Instagram: Features and Functions05:48 Adapting to Algorithm Changes08:31 Creating Authentic and Engaging Content16:56 Leveraging Instagram Stories and AI24:45 Building Private Communities and Memberships29:55 Future Trends and Final ThoughtsWe also talk about how micro-communities, subscriber-only content, and even Stories are still the highest-converting tools on Instagram when done right.Ready to future-proof your Instagram strategy? Tune in to hear how you can grow with less, stay real, and leverage what’s actually working right now.Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you tune in.Visit Jenn Herman online:Website: https://jennstrends.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenns_trends/Profit Your Profile Community: https://profityourprofile.com/Jenn Herman's Books: https://jennstrends.com/books/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/

Running a business on sticky notes, late nights, and last-minute decisions? I’ve been there. In this episode of Rocky Mountain Marketing, I sit down once again with my operational other half and COO, Shawn Quintero, to share the behind-the-scenes journey of turning Next Step Social & Podcasting from a founder-dependent business into a scalable, framework-driven company.We get real about what it takes to stop doing it all and start leading intentionally. From the CEO-COO relationship, to daily huddles, GWC evaluations, and how we use the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) to guide every move—we're pulling back the curtain on the systems and rhythms that power sustainable growth.Whether you're a solopreneur with a team or a visionary ready to scale, this episode is your blueprint.In this episode, we discuss:The turning point when we shifted from solopreneurship to a true business modelHow hiring for growth (not relief) changes everythingWhat it really means to become a CEO vs. just being a founderWhy EOS became our growth frameworkHow we run our business with vision, data, and process clarityDaily huddle structure that keeps our team aligned and efficientChapters:00:00:00 Introduction to Business Scaling00:00:00 Introduction to Business Scaling00:03:00 Transitioning from Solopreneurship00:06:00 Strategic Hiring and Systematization 00:09:00 Understanding EOS and Its Components00:12:00 Building a Strong Business Partnership00:15:00 The Role of Vision and Delegation00:18:00 Implementing Daily Huddles and GWC Test00:21:00 The Importance of Complementary Skills00:24:00 Maintaining Alignment and Communication00:27:00 Scaling with Structure and Systems00:30:00 Conclusion and Call to ActionVisit 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/

In this episode of Rocky Mountain Marketing, I sit down with Matthew Rouse—author, agency owner, and AI startup founder—to talk about the real state of AI in business. Forget the hype—Matt and I dive into practical AI tools, how to build better automations, and how small businesses can scale smarter without sacrificing authenticity.We explore:What AI is actually doing for businesses right nowCreative AI workflows that go beyond social media postsWhy automating your reporting could save you hundreds of hoursHow to train AI to support your team without replacing themThe #1 automation every small business should implement before the year endsTimestamps:00:00 Introduction to AI and Job Security00:30 Welcome to Rocky Mountain Marketing01:00 Meet Matt Rouse: AI Expert and Entrepreneur01:26 The Reality of AI for Entrepreneurs06:18 AI Tools and Their Applications14:03 Using AI for Creative Processes18:32 Automating Business Tasks with AI23:28 The Future of AI in Business28:58 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsMatt also shares insights from his book Will AI Take My Job Too?, plus his approach to building powerful AI agents and automations that actually move the needle.Tune in to learn how to stop fearing AI—and start using it to make your business more efficient, impactful, and human.Listen now on your favorite podcast platform and don’t forget to subscribe! Visit Matt Rouse online:Website: https://matthewrouse.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattmrouse/SMB Autopilot: https://smbautopilot.ai/Book: https://www.amazon.com/Will-Take-Job-Predictions-Corporations/dp/B0CL9NWGGLLearn 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 episode of Rocky Mountain Marketing, I sit down with Kelly Schuknecht, founder of Two Mile High Marketing and a personal branding strategist, to unpack what it really means to build an authentic brand in today’s AI-saturated world.Kelly shares how she accidentally built her personal brand over 15 years ago, and how that journey led her to help other professionals turn their expertise into influence. We dive into the importance of authenticity, how AI tools like ChatGPT and Quso can elevate your voice—not replace it—and why your story still matters more than ever.We also explore:What the “Authority X-Factor” is and how to find yoursWhy AI-generated content lacks the human touchHow to use AI tools the right way for repurposing your contentWhether writing a book still holds power in building thought leadership (spoiler: YES)Tactical tips to grow your personal brand using speaking, podcasting, and LinkedInTimestamps:00:00 Introduction to AI and Personal Branding00:24 Welcome to Rocky Mountain Marketing00:54 Meet Today's Guest: Kelly Schuknecht01:25 The Importance of Personal Branding in the Age of AI02:36 Kelly's Journey to Personal Branding04:14 Challenges in Defining Personal Brand08:47 The Role of AI in Content Creation14:56 AI Tools for Personal Branding18:51 The Power of Writing a Book for Personal Branding25:06 Getting Started with Personal Branding28:40 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsWant to know if your personal brand is working for you? Take Kelly’s Thought Leadership Scorecard at twomilehighmarketing.comVisit Kelly Kelly Schuknecht online:Website: https://kellyschuknecht.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellyschuknecht/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/kellyschuknechtLearn 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/

What does it really take to scale your business without losing your sanity?In this episode of Rocky Mountain Marketing, I sit down with my friend, business partner, and COO of Next Step Social & Podcasting, Shawn Quintero. Shawn pulls back the curtain on the systems, strategy, and mindset shifts that have helped us scale Next Step Social & Podcasting —and support clients doing the same.We talk about:How to shift from founder-dependence to system-dependenceWhat makes a marketing campaign actually workWhy our VIP Day is a game-changer for businesses of all sizesWhat it takes to turn your podcast into a lead-generating machineThe one business principle that will eliminate overwhelmTimestamps00:00 Introduction: Scaling Your Business01:02 Meet the COO: Shawn Quintero01:57 The Importance of Systems in Business03:34 Challenges of Founder-Dependent Businesses10:18 Strategic Incentives and Marketing Campaigns12:53 VIP Day: A Game Changer for Businesses17:14 Client Success Stories21:20 Finding Clarity and Solving Problems25:13 Looking Ahead: Scaling in 202626:52 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsWhether you're a solo business owner or managing a full team, this conversation will give you a behind-the-scenes look at the intentional design that drives real business growth.Ready to take the next step? Book your VIP Day now at yournextstep.agency and let’s build your custom growth strategy.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/