Women in B2B Marketing

**Originally published on August 23, 2023**

This episode is a listener favorite – and it’s one of mine, too. I had the opportunity to chat with the brilliant Shama Hyder, CEO of Zen Media, bestselling author, and four-time LinkedIn Top Voice in Marketing. We covered so much in this conversation, from the evolution of B2B marketing to the rise of influencers and why brand-building matters more than ever. The insights she shares are just as relevant today as they were when we first recorded.

Should we do a follow-up episode with Shama? What should we cover? DM me, comment, or leave a review—I’d love to hear your thoughts! - Jane

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In this episode of Women in B2B Marketing, host Jane Serra sits down with Shama Hyder, CEO of Zen Media, to discuss the evolving landscape of B2B marketing. Shama shares her journey from early social media pioneer to leading one of the top digital PR and marketing agencies. The conversation covers why B2B marketing is more complex than B2C, the importance of brand trust, and how businesses can navigate the shift from traditional sales-led models to a world driven by content, social proof, and dark social.

Shama breaks down:

• Why B2B marketing is more challenging—and rewarding—than B2C
• The biggest mistake B2B companies make when it comes to brand-building
• Why sales-led organizations struggle in today’s buying landscape
• The role of dark social, zero-click content, and modern attribution strategies
• How PR and earned media can fuel demand generation and credibility
• The rise of B2B influencer marketing and why it’s gaining momentum
• Why repetition drives revenue and how to increase brand exposure
• Personal growth: thinking bigger, taking up space, and being unapologetic in your career

Key Links:

🎙 Guest: Shama Hyder – LinkedIn | Zen Media

🎙 Host: Jane Serra – LinkedIn

In this episode of "Women in B2B Marketing," host Jane Serra speaks with Naomi Nuta, Vice President of Marketing at AptEdge. Naomi shares her unconventional journey into B2B marketing, starting from a liberal arts background to roles in political communications and market research. She delves into her work in consumer neuroscience, emphasizing the impact of emotional and physiological responses on decision-making. Naomi highlights the importance of understanding the audience's context and emotional state when crafting marketing messages. The discussion also explores the parallels between B2B and B2C marketing, underscoring the significance of tone and delivery in effective communication.

Naomi talks us through:

• Her unconventional career path into B2B marketing.
• The impact of political communications and market research on her marketing approach.
• Insights from consumer neuroscience regarding emotional and physiological responses in decision-making.
• The significance of understanding the audience's context and emotional state in crafting marketing messages.
• Parallels between B2B and B2C marketing, emphasizing emotional triggers in both sectors.
• The critical role of tone, pitch, and delivery in effective communication.
• Strategies for brand building and the importance of emotional engagement in marketing.
• The concept of "human in the loop" in AI development and the importance of user feedback.

Key Links:

Guest: Naomi Nuta: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naomi-n/

Host: Jane Serra: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janeserra/

** Originally published on February 1, 2023 **

This episode is one of my first few recordings - and still one of my favorites. I hope you enjoy - DM me, comment, or write a review to share feedback. Thank you! - Jane

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In this special REPLAY episode of "Women in B2B Marketing," host Jane Serra interviews Jen Capstraw, a leading email marketing expert and co-founder of Women of Email. Jen shares her career journey from media and journalism to email marketing, emphasizing the channel's critical role in both B2B and B2C contexts. The conversation highlights the challenges and opportunities within email marketing, the importance of investing in professional development, and the need for supportive workplace champions. Jen's insights and personal stories offer valuable lessons on self-advocacy, resilience, and the power of community in navigating the marketing industry.

Jen talks us all through:

• Her career journey from media and journalism to email marketing
• The importance of email marketing in both B2B and B2C contexts
• Challenges faced by women in the marketing industry
• The significance of investing in personal and professional development
• Differences between B2B and B2C email marketing strategies
• Community building and support for women in email marketing
• The role of emotional and professional support in career fulfillment
• Self-advocacy and challenging the status quo in the workplace
• Importance of personal branding and effective communication in job hunting
• Resilience and maintaining a positive mindset in the face of adversity

Mentioned in this episode:

Women of Email - https://womenofemail.org/

Emfluence - https://emarketingplatform.com/

The Ins and Outs of a Strategic Nurture Campaign - https://jen.tips/nurture

Key Links:

Guest: Jen Capstraw: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jencapstraw/

Host: Jane Serra: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janeserra/

Like WIB2BM? Show us some love with a rating or review today! <3

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In this episode of "Women in B2B Marketing," host Jane Serra talks to Kristina Keene, Director of Brand and Content at Flip. Kristina emphasizes authenticity and relatability, advocating for engaging, human-centered content over traditional gated materials like white papers. She highlights the power of video storytelling and shares her disdain for outdated marketing norms. The episode offers valuable insights for marketing professionals seeking to foster genuine connections and drive engagement in today's landscape.

Kristina and Jane talk through:

• Kristina's unconventional journey into B2B marketing.
• Strategies for brand and content activation in the B2B space.
• The importance of authenticity and relatability in marketing.
• The shift away from traditional gated content like white papers.
• The effectiveness of video content and storytelling in engaging audiences.
• How to capture genuine personalities on camera, including techniques for warming up interviewees
• Innovative content formats, such as the "Flip or Flop" series.
• The role of personal branding and online presence in career development.
• Tools and techniques for enhancing efficiency in content creation.
• Navigating change and resilience in personal and professional life.
• The need for greater representation and diverse voices in B2B marketing.

Key Links:

Guest: Kristina Keene: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristina-keene/

Host: Jane Serra: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janeserra/

In this episode of "Women in B2B Marketing," host Jane Serra speaks with Liza Adams, an AI advisor and fractional CMO with over 20 years of B2B marketing experience. Liza shares her inspiring journey from immigrating from the Philippines to becoming a key figure in the B2B Marketing space. She discusses her three passions: elevating marketing's strategic value, advocating for diverse voices, and using business for good. Liza emphasizes the importance of understanding customers, building defensible market positions, and leveraging AI to enhance marketing effectiveness. The episode offers valuable insights for marketing professionals seeking to navigate today's complex business environment.

Liza and Jane talk about:

• Liza Adams' journey from immigrant to B2B marketing leader.
• The significance of elevating the strategic value of marketing.
• Advocacy for diverse voices in marketing teams.
• Utilizing business as a force for good and ethical practices.
• The transformative role of AI in enhancing marketing effectiveness.
• Understanding market positioning and competitive dynamics.
• The evolving role of marketers from tactical operators to strategic leaders.
• How AI can help transform marketers from tacticians to strategists, enhancing effectiveness and innovation.
• Innovative applications of AI in marketing strategies.
• Balancing AI-driven efficiency with the human element in marketing.
• Liza's favorite AI tools
• The importance of ethics and trust in brand building, especially in the AI era.

Key Links:

Guest: Liza Adams: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizaadams/

Host: Jane Serra: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janeserra/

Discussed in Episode:

Disrupt or Be Disrupted: AI's Verdict on Your Product's Defensibility

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