You send newsletters. You post on social media. You attend networking events. You might even track how many people open your emails or view your content. But what happens when someone actually shows interest? Do you follow up, or do you move on to the next marketing activity? In this conversation, I sit down with Vic Ing of Viking Sales Consultants to discuss something we see far too often: Sales and marketing operating separately instead of working together. We talk about: W

You're working hard to attract new customers. But what happens after they show interest? Small business owners spend a lot of time and money trying to generate leads. They invest in websites, social media, advertising, networking, and referrals. But getting someone's attention is only part of the job. What happens when someone fills out a form, asks a question, requests information, or simply isn't ready to buy today? Too often, that's where opportunities get lost. In this co

Before someone calls your company, they may already be asking ChatGPT, Google, or another AI tool about you. What does this company do? Are they a good fit for me? How do they compare with competitors? What should I ask them before hiring them? Vic Ing and I tested those questions on our own businesses. Some of the answers were surprisingly good. Others showed us exactly where our websites and content were leaving gaps. Understanding AI's Role in Customer Research Before a pr

The prospect seemed interested. The conversation went well. You sent the proposal. Then... nothing. Most businesses respond by sending another email, leaving another voicemail, or eventually deciding the opportunity is dead. But another follow-up message may not be what the prospect needs. In this conversation, sales consultant Vic Ing of Viking Sales Consultants and Chris Inman of I.D.E.A. Cleveland look at what happens after the proposal — and why sales and marketing both s