Way back in 2012, when I started with Cube Creative Design, my business partner introduced me to podcasts. At the time, I resisted them because, frankly, I hated talk radio, and I thought that was all they were. People were going on and on about nothing! I, however, came around to the idea and started listing to a few here and there.
As time went by, I became more and more obsessed with them. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was participating in “Automobile University.” Automobile University isn’t a university that you learn about automobiles but rather a phrase coined by Zig Ziglar. Zig Ziglar was an author, salesman, and motivational speaker who encouraged people to use their drive time to listen to “books on tape” or CDs. Podcasts were and still are a modern way of listening to relevant topics to me.
Now, like anything else, I have seen shows come and go, and as my position has changed over the years here at Cube Creative Design, so have my podcast choices. However, here is my current must listen to podcast list, along with links to the show themselves:
The Top 12 Podcasts for Digital Marketing, Local Marketing, and Sales Professionals
Book Reviews
The Marketing Book Podcast
Host Douglas Burdett interviews an author of a recent sales or marketing book each week. This podcast is one of my all-time favorites. I have often started listening to an interview and ordered the book before it’s finished. I love this podcast because Douglas not only interviews the authors, but he reads everyone, and he is always willing to help a listener looking for a book on a topic. He is a cross between Google and the warm-hearted local librarian who wants to help you out.
Sales
Selling From The Heart Podcast
Co-hosts Darrell Amy and Larry Levine interview some of the world's best sales thought leaders in this short but informative podcast.
Modern Sales - B2B Selling Podcast
Hosted by Liston Witherill, Modern Sales podcast with some of the best sales advice with actionable advice based on the psychology, behavioral economics, and neuroscience of how people buy.
Digital Marketing
This Old Marketing
Joe Pulizzi and Robert Rose, two of the most well-known content marketing experts, discuss the most recent content marketing trends and how organizations can utilize content to attract and keep consumers. Each podcast episode includes a discussion of content marketing headlines and Joe and Robert's rants and raves.
This show rarely runs more than an hour, and you can usually skip over the banter at the beginning and get to the meat of the podcast.
Inbound Success Podcast
Each week, host Kathleen Booth interviews front-line inbound marketers with the purpose of "peeling back the onion" and learning what works, what doesn't, and what you need to do to move the needle with your inbound marketing approach.
Content Inc, with Joe Pulizzi
Content Inc. is for entrepreneurs and startups that want to make a name for themselves not by making and selling more products and services but by building a dedicated audience via great content. Joe Pulizzi dubbed the "godfather of content marketing," talks about one inspirational idea that can change your business.
Inbound Backoffice
Amy Foley, the Inbound Back Office Podcast host, chats with marketing agency owners about their challenges and focuses on a relevant sale or marketing topic each week.
Local SEO and SEO in General
Last Week In Local Search
Cohosts Mike Blumenthal and Carrie Hill discuss relevant news articles and current trends related to Local Search and Local Search Optimization. To be warned, they get a little colorful with their language, so this one isn’t one you can listen to with little ones around.
Search Engine Journal Show
The Search Engine Journal Show features top industry professionals and authorities discussing SEO, PPC, social media, content marketing, and digital marketing. This one is often ad-funded, so be ready to hit the skip forwarding button (about 2-4 times) to skip the ads.
Local SEO Tactics
This podcast discusses digital marketing strategy ideas and tactics for getting your businesses noticed online. You'll learn search engine optimization for your local business from Jesse Dolan and Bob Brenann.
Local SEO in 10
This podcast is a good one for DIYers who are looking for basic answers about how they can grow their local business online.
HubSpot
HubShots
This is billed as the *unofficial* HubSpot podcast for APAC. However, it is the best HubSpot-focused podcast period. Hosts Ian Jacob and Craig Bailey carefully craft not only the show but the show notes. If you are a HubSpot user, you should definitely listen to this one!
Final Thoughts
There you have it, my top podcasts. I encourage you to make the most of your drive time or time spent sitting around doing nothing. I can’t recommend the use of podcasts enough as you can turn that time into Automobile University!
