Social Pulse Podcast: Retail Edition

Hosted by Mike Allton

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Jul 2025

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About the show

Join award-winning marketer Mike Allton as he peels back the curtain with retail social media and community managers just like you, unveils the issues they've been struggling with the most, and explores how they've overcome those challenges. Each episode is an honest and frank look at what marketers go through - from awful algorithms to terrific trends - and ideas that you can apply to your own business. Whether you're leading the department or boots on the ground, Social Pulse Podcast: Retail Edition will help you expand your knowledge, address your challenges, and apply successful social media marketing strategies in the years to come. Ready to get your engagement up? Then it's time to sign up. Subscribe today. Brought to you by Agorapulse: the #1 rated social media management solution trusted by over 3,000 agencies. Learn more at www.Agorapulse.com. Produced and Hosted by Mike Allton

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July 1, 20252 min

An Important Announcement About This Podcast

Thank you for being a loyal listener! In this special, final episode, host Mike Allton shares some big, exciting news about the future of our podcast conversations. We're evolving and bringing everything under one roof to create a single, powerhouse weekly show designed to help social media managers win. Listen to this important announcement to hear all about the new "Social Pulse Podcast" and, most importantly, how you can join us on this new journey. We'll tell you exactly where to find and subscribe to the new show so you don't miss a single future episode. This will be the last episode published on this feed. We can't wait to see you at our new home! Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/social-pulse-podcast-real-conversations-with-top-social-media-marketers/id1822999008 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5reL3RK98RE69svpKXSAy6?si=nmDl3CkvTZGXuwSf5jniGw YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLj761urWw7218XPLpqJ3-WAkBUi-4a5fs Amazon Music & Audible - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a5b04105-e265-442a-91d6-ebb407deb008/social-pulse-podcast-real-conversations-with-top-social-media-marketers

June 12, 202522 min

The Retailer's Playbook: Turning Local Influencers Into Sales Champions

Are you struggling to find influencer partnerships that actually drive customers through your doors? You're spending time and budget on collaborations, but when it comes to real foot traffic and measurable sales impact, the results just aren't there. Maybe you've tried working with bigger influencers only to see lots of likes but empty aisles, or perhaps you're wondering if there's a better way to connect with your actual local community. You're not alone - countless retail marketers are wrestling with how to make influencer marketing work for their specific location and customer base. That's exactly what our guest today is here to help with. Lindsey Naber is the Senior Director of Brand Marketing at Rawlings Sporting Goods, where she leads national marketing efforts while working directly with B2B customers including retailers, team dealers, and catalog/internet accounts to ensure proper brand representation across all channels. She's also an Adjunct Professor at Maryville University, was recently named one of the "Rising Star Women Leaders in Consumer Products & Retail for 2025," and recognized as one of "25 Women to Watch in '25" by Team Insight for her fresh perspectives in team sports business. Social Pulse Podcast host Mike Allton asked Lindsey Naber about: 🛍️ Local Partnership Strategy - How to identify and vet micro-influencers who actually influence purchasing decisions in your community. 🛍️ Retailer Empowerment Framework - The specific systems national brands can create to help individual store locations execute successful influencer campaigns. 🛍️ ROI-Driven Collaboration Models - Moving beyond awareness metrics to partnerships that generate measurable foot traffic and sales results. Learn more about Lindsey Naber Connect with Lindsey Naber on LinkedIn Resources & Brands mentioned in this episode Rawlings Sporting Goods Learn more about Agorapulse with a free demo Maryvale University Rising Star Women Leaders in Consumer Products in Retail for 2025 25 Women to Watch in ’25 by Team Insight Digi MarCon Bill Doak Mark Twain Babe Ruth Stan Musial Show Notes & Transcript: https://www.agorapulse.com/blog/podcasts/retail-edition/the-retailers-playbook-turning-local-influencers-into-sales-champions Brought to you by Agorapulse: the #1 rated social media management solution. Follow Agorapulse on LinkedIn. Produced and Hosted by Mike Allton, Chief Storyteller at Agorapulse. If you’re interested in being featured on an upcoming episode, reach out to Mike.

May 29, 202531 min

Pivot or Perish: Transforming Retail Marketing Failures into Unexpected Wins

Have you ever poured your heart into planning the perfect social media campaign or in-person event, only to watch it crash and burn in real-time? That sinking feeling as you realize no one's engaging, no one's showing up, and all your careful preparation was for nothing? It's a nightmare scenario for retail marketers everywhere—but what if these apparent failures could actually become your most valuable assets? What if the very moments that make you want to hide under your desk could be transformed into unexpected marketing wins? That's the challenge that retail marketers face every day: how to pivot quickly when plans go sideways and turn embarrassing moments into golden opportunities. That's exactly what our guest today, Trudi Bartow, has mastered throughout her impressive career. With over 20 years of experience in the gift and home industry, Trudi currently holds a key leadership role at The Unemployed Philosophers Guild, where she oversees sales strategy and team development. As an Executive Board member of the Gift and Home Trade Association and a frequent speaker at industry events, Trudi has transformed countless marketing mishaps into unexpected wins—including the time she turned an embarrassingly empty industry party into a productive photo shoot that filled their next catalog with engaging content. Social Pulse Podcast host Mike Allton asked Trudi Bartow about: 🛍️ The Empty Room Reveal: Trudi shares the full story behind her infamous empty party and how the quick pivot to use the venue for product photography saved the day. 🛍️ Failure As Opportunity: Discover how the most embarrassing social media and marketing mishaps can become your most valuable content and learning experiences. 🛍️ Pivoting With Purpose: Learn the practical framework Trudi uses to quickly reassess situations and transform apparent failures into unexpected marketing assets. Learn more about Trudi Bartow Connect with Trudi Bartow on LinkedIn Resources & Brands mentioned in this episode Unemployed Philosophers Guild Learn more about Agorapulse with a free demo Gift and Home Trade Association Gary Vaynerchuk The New York Gift Fair Harry Abrams St. Louis Business Expo Social Media Marketing World Content Marketing World House of Blues Agorapulse events and webinars Broadway League Social Pulse Community The Morning Brew Show Notes & Transcript: https://www.agorapulse.com/blog/podcasts/retail-edition/pivot-or-perish-transform-retail-marketing-failures-into-unexpected-wins Brought to you by Agorapulse: the #1 rated social media management solution. Follow Agorapulse on LinkedIn. Produced and Hosted by Mike Allton, Chief Storyteller at Agorapulse. If you’re interested in being featured on an upcoming episode, reach out to Mike.

May 15, 202520 min

How Furniture Fair Tripled Web Traffic Through Trust-Based Content Marketing

Are you struggling to build genuine connections with your retail customers in an increasingly digital world? If you're tired of running endless promotional campaigns that seem to fall flat, you're not the only one feeling frustrated. Many retailers find themselves stuck in the cycle of discount-driven marketing, wondering if there's a better way to attract and engage customers. What if there were a strategy that could not only triple your web traffic but also build lasting customer relationships before they even walk through your doors? That's exactly what our guest Craig Daniels achieved as Marketing Director at Furniture Fair. Taking the helm in January 2020, Craig transformed their marketing approach from traditional promotional advertising to a trust-based content strategy that has revolutionized their customer relationships. Under his leadership, Furniture Fair has become a trusted voice in the furniture industry, producing multiple pieces of educational content weekly and seeing organic traffic grow from 20% to 40% of their total website visitors. His innovative approach to blending educational content with relationship-based selling has not only improved traffic but also increased average order values and customer satisfaction. Social Pulse Podcast host Mike Allton asked Craig Daniels about: 🛍️ Content Strategy Evolution - How shifting from promotional to educational content transformed their marketing results and customer relationships 🛍️ Trust-Building Framework - The systematic approach to creating content that answers customer questions and builds confidence before the first store visit 🛍️ Measurable Business Impact - The specific ways educational content improved web traffic, sales metrics, and customer satisfaction scores Learn more about Craig Daniels Connect with Craig Daniels on LinkedIn Resources & Brands mentioned in this episode Furniture Fair Learn more about Agorapulse with a free demo Marcus Sheridan They Ask, You Answer: A Revolutionary Approach to Inbound Sales, Content Marketing, and Today's Digital Consumer Content Marketing World Yale Appliance Smith Brothers SEMrush Google Analytics Show Notes & Transcript: https://www.agorapulse.com/blog/podcasts/retail-edition/how-furniture-fair-tripled-web-traffic-through-trust-based-content-marketing Brought to you by Agorapulse: the #1 rated social media management solution. Follow Agorapulse on LinkedIn.Produced and Hosted by Mike Allton, Chief Storyteller at Agorapulse. If you’re interested in being featured on an upcoming episode, reach out to Mike.

May 1, 202527 min

From Therapist to Retail Owner: Psychological Secrets for Social Media Success

Have you ever wondered why some social media posts seem to instantly connect with audiences while others fall flat? What if the secret to social media success isn't just about algorithms and hashtags, but about understanding the deeper psychological needs and motivations of your audience? Every day, retail marketers struggle to cut through the noise and make meaningful connections on social media, often focusing on surface-level metrics while missing the fundamental human elements that drive engagement and conversion. That's exactly what we're diving into today with our fascinating guest, Lisa Wells. Lisa brings a unique perspective to retail social media marketing, combining her Master's in Psychology and experience as a Marriage and Family Therapist with her role as owner of Geneva Flooring, a successful retail flooring business in San Diego. As a former therapist who worked with diverse populations in schools, police departments, and halfway houses, Lisa now applies her deep understanding of human behavior to create compelling social media content and build authentic customer relationships. She's also served as President of the San Diego County Floor Covering Association and brings over a decade of retail leadership experience to our conversation. Social Pulse Podcast host Mike Allton asked Lisa Wells about: 🛍️ Psychology of Connection: Understanding how therapeutic communication principles can transform social media engagement 🛍️ Customer Behavior Insights: Leveraging psychological understanding to create content that resonates with retail audiences 🛍️ Strategic Relationship Building: Applying counseling techniques to develop stronger customer relationships through social platforms Learn more about Lisa Wells Connect with Lisa Wells on LinkedIn Resources & Brands mentioned in this episode Geneva Flooring Learn more about Agorapulse with a free demo San Diego County Floor Covering Association Marcus Sheridan They Ask You Answer Jay Baer Talk Triggers: The Complete Guide to Creating Customers with Word of Mouth Vimeo Dropbox Tony Hernandez Show Notes & Transcript: https://www.agorapulse.com/blog/podcasts/retail-edition/from-therapist-to-retail-owner-psychological-secrets-for-social-media-success Brought to you by Agorapulse: the #1 rated social media management solution. Follow Agorapulse on LinkedIn.Produced and Hosted by Mike Allton, Chief Storyteller at Agorapulse. If you’re interested in being featured on an upcoming episode, reach out to Mike

April 16, 202525 min

When Rules Restrict But Creativity Liberates: Brand Building in the Cannabis Industry

Have you ever felt like your hands are tied behind your back when trying to market your retail business? Imagine trying to build a brand when traditional advertising channels are closed to you, social media platforms regularly shut down your accounts, and payment processors won't touch your industry. That's exactly what marketers in the cannabis industry face every single day. How do you reach your target audience when the most effective channels are off-limits? How do you build brand awareness when you can't run Facebook ads or Google search campaigns? These challenges might seem insurmountable, but they've forced cannabis marketers to become some of the most innovative and resourceful professionals in the retail space. Today's guest knows these struggles intimately and has developed remarkable strategies to overcome them. Join us as we welcome Roman Nunez, Marketing Director at KANNA dispensary, who brings a fascinating blend of tech startup experience and creative artistry to the cannabis industry. Roman isn't just a marketing professional – he's also a music producer, DJ, skateboarder, and graffiti artist who has leveraged his diverse creative background to build KANNA's brand voice from the ground up. His unique approach to authentic marketing in a heavily restricted industry offers valuable lessons for any retail marketer facing challenges with regulations, platform limitations, or audience targeting. Social Pulse Podcast host Mike Allton asked Roman Nunez about: 🛍️ Creative Problem Solving. Roman explains how his background in music production, DJing, and graffiti art informs his approach to circumventing marketing restrictions. 🛍️ Authentic Brand Building. Discover how restrictions can actually force marketers to develop more genuine connections with their target audience. 🛍️ Transferable Marketing Tactics. Learn which strategies from Roman's tech startup experience successfully translate to the highly regulated cannabis industry. Learn more about Roman Nunez Connect with Roman Nunez on LinkedIn Resources & Brands mentioned in this episode KANNA Connect with Kanna on Instagram Learn more about Agorapulse with a free demo Nike Chanel Apple Yelp Eat 24 GrubHub The Secret Sauce of Retail Social Media: Empowering Employee Voices Show Notes & Transcript: https://www.agorapulse.com/blog/podcasts/retail-edition/brand-building-in-the-cannabis-industry Brought to you by Agorapulse: the #1 rated social media management solution. Follow Agorapulse on LinkedIn. Produced and Hosted by Mike Allton, Chief Storyteller at Agorapulse. If you’re interested in being featured on an upcoming episode, reach out to Mike.

April 9, 202531 min

Micro-Audiences, Macro-Results: Leveraging Niche Markets for Retail Growth

Have you been struggling to break through the noise and connect with customers who truly value what your retail brand offers? Maybe you've been casting a wide net, hoping to capture as many potential customers as possible, only to find that your message isn't resonating with anyone in particular. What if the key to growing your retail business isn't reaching more people, but reaching exactly the right people? This is the challenge facing so many retail marketers today - you're trying to be everything to everyone, and consequently becoming nothing special to anyone. Your marketing budget stretches thinner each quarter while your engagement metrics barely budge. You watch as smaller, more focused brands seem to create passionate customer communities almost overnight, and wonder what they know that you don't. That's exactly what our guest today specializes in solving. Julie Lichtenberg is a marketing powerhouse who has mastered the art of identifying and connecting with niche audiences in innovative ways that drive real business results. As Marketing & Communications Director at Crown Bees, Julie has implemented strategies that increased customer engagement by 30% through her unique approach to audience targeting. She's positioned her company as a leader in the eco-friendly movement by identifying precisely the right audience segments and creating meaningful connections with them. Julie's expertise in finding those perfect micro-audiences and leveraging them for macro-growth is exactly what many retail marketers need to transform their approach. Social Pulse Podcast host Mike Allton asked Julie Lichtenberg about: 🛍️ Beyond demographic basics - How psychographic and behavioral data can reveal niche audience opportunities that traditional demographic targeting misses. 🛍️ Community-building strategies - Methods for converting identified niche audiences into engaged brand communities that drive sustainable growth. 🛍️ Measurement that matters - Approaches to tracking the true business impact of specialized audience targeting beyond standard metrics. Learn more about Julie Lichtenberg Connect with Julie Lichtenberg on LinkedIn Resources & Brands mentioned in this episode Crown Bees Learn more about Agorapulse with a free demo IMDB Hootsuite Washington State PTA Reddit YouTube Channel: Crown Bees - The Solitary Bee Specialists Buzz on Bees Podcast Bee-ware of These Mishaps: Epic Mason Bee Raising Mistakes www.crownbees.com SEMrush Rand Fishkin Spark Toro Zoho CoSchedule Hootsuite Classmates.com MA Puget Sound Show Notes & Transcript: https://www.agorapulse.com/blog/podcasts/retail-edition/micro-audiences-macro-results-leveraging-niche-markets-for-retail-growth Brought to you by Agorapulse: the #1 rated social media management solution. Follow Agorapulse on LinkedIn. Produced and Hosted by Mike Allton, Chief Storyteller at Agorapulse. If you’re interested in being featured on an upcoming episode, reach out to Mike.

March 19, 202537 min

Fast-Track Your Industry Knowledge: A Marketing Leader's Guide to Quick Adaptation

Have you ever stepped into a new role in an unfamiliar industry and wondered how you'll ever get up to speed? You're not alone. This is a challenge many marketers face, and it requires acquiring mountains of industry knowledge quickly. How can you immerse yourself effectively in the ways of a new segment when every industry has its unique traits, and every audience its distinct needs? Learning to read the market winds, understanding your customer’s desires, and navigating this transition are no small feats. The pressure to deliver results can feel insurmountable when you're still finding your footing. But that's exactly what our guest today, Staci O’Prey, excels at. With her extensive background in diverse industries and a proven aptitude for rapidly adapting marketing strategies, Staci is here to shed light on this pivotal challenge. As a Field Marketing Manager at Coldwell Banker Realty, she has mastered the art of getting into the nitty-gritty of new sectors swiftly and effectively, all while maintaining her signature creative problem-solving approach. Staci's journey offers remarkable insights and strategies for any marketer stepping into new territories. Social Pulse Podcast host Mike Allton asked Staci O’Prey about: Rapid Industry Insight: Staci's proven methods for quickly gaining deep industry knowledge and understanding customer bases. Customer-Centric Adaptation: Her strategies for aligning marketing efforts with audience motivations and pain points in new sectors. Efficient Testing: How Staci approaches testing different platforms and strategies, ensuring effectiveness within budget constraints. Learn more about Staci O'Prey: Connect with Staci O'Prey on LinkedIn Connect with Staci O'Prey on Facebook Connect with Staci O'Prey on Instagram Resources & Brands mentioned in this episode: Coldwell Banker Realty Learn more about Agorapulse with a free demo Deep research ChatGPT Gemini. Mari Smith Social Media Examiner Google Alerts Episode: The Future of Facebook Marketing for Retail Ft. Mari Smith Jen Herman Show Notes & Transcript: https://www.agorapulse.com/blog/podcasts/retail-edition/fast-track-your-industry-knowledge-a-marketing-leaders-guide-to-quick-adaptation Brought to you by Agorapulse: the #1 rated social media management solution. Follow Agorapulse on LinkedIn. Produced and Hosted by Mike Allton, Chief Storyteller at Agorapulse. If you’re interested in being featured on an upcoming episode, reach out to Mike.

March 13, 202527 min

Stop Playing It Safe: A Retail Marketer's Guide to Purposeful Innovation

Are you stuck in a comfortable routine with your social media marketing? Sure, your current strategy works fine, but deep down, you know you're playing it safe. Every day, you see other brands pushing boundaries and capturing attention while you stick to the same tried-and-true formulas. You worry that if you don't innovate, you'll eventually become invisible to your audience, but the fear of changing what's working holds you back. How do you break free from this cycle and push your marketing to new heights without risking everything you've built? Today's guest knows exactly how to navigate this challenge. Joining us is Nathaniel Jones, Director of Marketing at Farm & Home Supply, where he's built a reputation for bold, innovative campaigns that consistently capture customer attention. With nearly two decades of experience in marketing and digital strategy, Nathaniel has transformed multiple retail brands through his creative approach to consumer engagement. From viral Super Bowl commercials to breakthrough social media campaigns, he's mastered the art of calculated risk-taking in retail marketing, and today he's here to share his insights on how you can do the same. Social Pulse Podcast host Mike Allton asked Nathaniel Jones about: 🛍️ Strategic Risk-Taking: Learn how to identify and execute innovative marketing ideas that push boundaries while maintaining brand integrity 🛍️ Innovation Framework: Discover a practical system for consistently generating fresh content ideas that capture attention without alienating your core audience 🛍️ Measurement Mindset: Understanding how to evaluate the success of innovative campaigns and use data to refine your creative approach Learn more about Nathaniel Jones Connect with Nathaniel Jones on LinkedIn Resources & Brands mentioned in this episode Farm & Home Supply Learn more about Agorapulse with a free demo Gary Vaynerchuk Chat GPT AI for Business Leaders: The AI Hat Podcast AI Work Buddy: The Ultimate AI-Powered Assistant for Professionals How to Turn C-Suite Skeptics Into Social Media Champions CapCut Bytedance TikTok TikTok Trends Opus Clip Wondershare Filmora The Hustle Stacked Marketer Show Notes & Transcript: https://www.agorapulse.com/blog/podcasts/retail-edition/a-retail-marketers-guide-to-purposeful-innovation Brought to you by Agorapulse: the #1 rated social media management solution. Follow Agorapulse on LinkedIn. Produced and Hosted by Mike Allton, Chief Storyteller at Agorapulse. If you’re interested in being featured on an upcoming episode, reach out to Mike.

March 5, 202539 min

Converting the C-Suite: How to Turn Social Media Skeptics into Champions

Are you tired of hitting a wall every time you try to get leadership buy-in for your social media initiatives? If you're managing social media for a retail brand, you've probably experienced that frustrating moment when you're passionately explaining the potential impact of a new campaign, only to be met with skeptical looks and questions about ROI. You know the value is there. You see the engagement, the community building, the customer service wins. But translating those metrics into language that resonates with the C-suite? That's where things get tricky. Maybe you've heard responses like 'Social media is just for kids' or 'We can't measure the real impact on our bottom line.' The disconnect between what you know social media can achieve and what your leadership believes it can do creates a constant uphill battle. But what if you could bridge that gap? What if you could transform those skeptical executives into your biggest social media champions? That's exactly what we're diving into today with our expert guest. With over 15 years in the outdoor and hunting industry, Adam Buchanan has mastered the art of building internal support for social media initiatives. Starting with organic content and community management, and now focusing on paid, owned, and earned media at Camofire/BlackOvis, Adam has successfully navigated the journey from social media skepticism to strategic investment. His experience in transforming leadership perspectives and building data-driven cases for social media investment makes him the perfect guide for this crucial conversation. Social Pulse Podcast host Mike Allton asked Adam Buchanan about: 🛍️ Data-Driven Persuasion: Learn how to use metrics and analytics to build compelling cases that resonate with leadership. 🛍️ Strategic Communication: Master the art of translating social media success into business impact language that executives understand. 🛍️ Building Champions: Discover proven techniques for transforming skeptical leaders into social media advocates. Learn more about Adam Buchanan Connect with Adam Buchanan on LinkedIn Resources & Brands mentioned in this episode BlackOvis.com Camofire Cabela's Learn more about Agorapulse with a free demo Walmart Target Neiman Marcus. Kendall Card Dick's Sporting Goods Sitka Mystery Ranch Crispi Boots Patagonia Google Analytics Magento platform Hunt Expo Hydro Flask Columbia Sportswear, Convince and Convert An ebook: Talk Triggers by Jay Baer Show Notes & Transcript: https://www.agorapulse.com/blog/podcasts/retail-edition/converting-the-c-suite Brought to you by Agorapulse: the #1 rated social media management solution. Follow Agorapulse on LinkedIn. Produced and Hosted by Mike Allton, Chief Storyteller at Agorapulse. If you’re interested in being featured on an upcoming episode, reach out to Mike.