Justin Brady

Pre-internet, reaching new audiences for your idea meant “renting” space on platforms that held the keys of distribution. TV and radio held FCC licenses. Newspapers and magazines had massive print circulation. They were the gatekeepers, but when the internet ripped away the keys, brands maintained their old “rental” thinking. With unprecedented access to audience, brands…

Last month, two founders approached me after being attacked by two different publications—both disgusting fabrications. Yes, hit pieces are real and they can happen to you. But you have a lot more control than you think. First, bear in mind journalists aren’t out to get you. When I prep founders for interviews, I tell them…

As Apple celebrates 20 years of podcasting and TIME Magazine‘s 100 “best podcasts of all time” list releases, podcasters are having their moment, but how much of it is real? I ask this question, because I cheated Apple’s top 200 business list.  Most people would assume the Apple Podcast “top” lists earned their way into…

Can PR people fail to deliver press wins? Yes. As a founder, you should know PR is no different than many startup-related tasks and project. Risk is involved. PR is about scaling relationships, that’s not easy. Sometimes your message doesn’t resonate no matter how carefully it’s crafted. Press wins (also called earned media) aren’t’ a…

No one wants to pay $5,000 to $10,000 (or more) a month for zero results. And yet, this is the dilemma founders face when hiring a PR company to get them earned media. The uncertainty sucks, so are there any PR companies that guarantee results? Maybe this will surprise you, but as a PR guy,…

As a founder, getting the attention of a journalist isn’t the easiest thing. But if you understand their process, or lack therefore, it’s not as difficult as you might think. It’s important to know, journalists are disorganized. That’s your advantage. I understand this might ruffle a few feathers, but I work for founders, not journalists.…

Have you asked why you’re building an online following? Growing a community through content on social media is valuable, but do you know how to track results or ROI? A simple hack, is to focus on which “R” you want to prioritize: reach or relationships? The likely reason building an online audience through social media,…

Hold off on that webinar. Yeah, I know your marketing team wants to produce content and “thought leadership,” but if you don’t utilize your real experts and fail to ensure their preparedness, you’ll simultaneously burn resources and do brand damage. A few weeks ago I attended a webinar on PR and communications ROI methods. I…

Public relations (PR) and advertising utilize different foundational approaches. This distinction—one founders often miss—makes the difference when pitching journalists to cover your story. After sending dozens of pitches, nothing is more frustrating than hearing absolutely nothing. The disconnect is a tendency to lump advertising and PR together, assuming they work in a similar fashion. Nothing…

There are quite a few snares when pitching a story to the press, but asking ONE question can spare you embarrassment and increase the likelihood you get earned media and a PR win: “Can you prove it?” This simple question boosts critical self awareness as you pitch journalists to cover your story. It also happens…

“Why didn’t I get press coverage?” Good question. Why did that founder get killer coverage in Inc. Magazine while your superior product or company got nothing? Why do journalists never write about your startup? You’re doing cool stuff, you post on social media, but in the end…. crickets. 🦗 What the EFF is going on?…

“If you had to pick one, what marketing channel is best,” she asked me at an entrepreneur event in Nashville. With limited cash and time, this founder wanted to focus on the most beneficial platform to reach her audience. “Easy answer,” I replied, “the channel your ideal customer uses the most.” “And how do I…

Ads are easy. No doubt about it. You can target people, track clicks, and calculate your spend per click. So, do you really need a PR or a messaging strategy? It depends on if you’re prioritizing long term or short term growth, and if your brand is truly unique. If your product is barely different…

Can you get press without a PR person? Absolutely. Also referred to as earned media in the PR world, many founders falsely believe getting press without a PR person isn’t an option. My clients have been in The Wall Street Journal, Fortune, Time, Bloomberg, Inc, and others, but could they have done it without me?…

Many founders and CMOs believe different messaging is required to reach their diverse audiences. But how do you do that properly?

How do founders and CMOs go viral on social media? Whether intentional or not, they may be full of 💩. So how do you know what advice to trust?

One CMO or founder’s marketing tool and success could be your money pit. How does a marketing tactic work so well for one, but not for you? Believe it or not, there’s a pattern.

What personality is best suited to be a podcast host and interviewer? When creating a company podcast, you need to find natural educators with a sense of curiosity. Not “talkers.”

Why people don’t subscribe to your podcast: because you didn’t make it easy. Did you share an Apple Podcast link on LinkedIn and forget Android users can’t click it? Oops. Let’s find a better way.

Why don’t subscribers listen to your podcast? (or new listeners) Because the first 30 seconds are critical. Summarize your show up front!

Why are podcast guests turning you down? How do you get a potential podcast guest to say “yes!” Finding new ideas is enough of a struggle, but reaching out, getting ignored, and dealing with last-minute cancellations can drain you. Having spent 8 years doing the rigamarole, I betcha you’re asking incorrectly. Let’s fix that! Some…

Is AI creative? Will it replace “creatives” like artists, videographers, painters, musicians, and designers? The short answer is no, but clarity is needed here because creativity is misunderstood. The reason for the fear behind an AI creative disruption is due to our low opinion of our own creative potential. Many of today’s “creatives” aren’t really…

Martin Keen, host of the IBM Technology YouTube channel hit one million subscribers, but what’s the business value? You can have millions of subscribers, but if there’s no business value, it’s hard to justify funding. So, how does IBM track it? 🧑‍💻 Watch the interview with Martin Keen » Measuring mindshare and ROI on content strategy…

Martin Keen pictured above What would one million subscribers do for your brand? I asked Martin Keen, host of the IBM Technology YouTube channel how he and his team achieved this milestone and what kind of content is most likely to scale your brand presence. The secret is to take an audience focus vs brand…

Podcasts ultimately end when you fail to connect to your audience and provide the value they expect. The host may have not been relatable, the content poor, or any number of things but the core reason is the same: you didn’t define an audience or purpose. Why aren’t people subscribing to our podcast? Without defining…

In 2025 I’ll be focusing on building podcasts and home grown content for brands. Clients with podcasts have dramatically outperformed clients focused solely on earned media. In fact, I think EVERY brand should start a podcast ASAP. I know you think the podcast landscape is too saturated… but you’re thinking about this the wrong way.…

How long does it take for your content strategy to show results? It typically takes 6 months or more, but the big wins can take years. My conversation with YouTuber Mike Russell aligns with my recent experience on Drucker Forum TV in Vienna.

Imagine my surprise when, writing a piece for The Washington Post, someone who wanted to be interviewed, no-showed the call. “How crazy!” you’re probably thinking, but there’s a good chance you will suffer a similar fate: simple preparation is key. After getting ghosted, I simply moved on to interview their competitor. One week later, Mrs.…