Hey, marketers! Ever wondered how to build trust in an increasingly skeptical digital world? Well, you're in luck! The Marketing Smarts Live Show, hosted by George B. Thomas, recently featured Marcus Sheridan, a marketing maven who's not afraid to speak his mind.

In this episode, Marcus shares his unfiltered opinions and insights on building trust online, especially in B2B marketing. So grab a cup of coffee and let's dive into the key takeaways!

The Episode: A Brief Overview

In this episode, Marcus Sheridan and George B. Thomas discuss the importance of trust in the digital landscape. Marcus is known for his bold opinions, such as referring to "Call us for a quote" as the "middle finger of the internet." He says B2B marketing can be just as engaging as any consumer marketing, and he's here to tell us how.

The Importance of 'Disarmament' in Building Trust

Marcus emphasizes the need for "disarmament" in conversations, especially when you're selling and communicating simultaneously.

"You have to say something early on in the conversation that throws them off, almost makes them flinch and say, 'What? I can't believe you said that,'" Marcus explains.

That approach helps to build trust by showing that you're not just another marketer trying to make a sale; you're a real person willing to engage in an authentic conversation.

The Year of Video: A Decade-Long Prediction

Both Marcus and George agree that video has been the "next big thing" in marketing for almost a decade. However, Marcus says, vertical format short video is the way to go to get noticed nowadays.

"We're on a 10-year run that this is the year of video," Marcus jokes, but he insists that this year, it's really going to stick.

Next Steps: Your Action Items

1. Be authentic: Start conversations that disarm your audience and build trust.
2. Embrace video: Consider using vertical format short videos in your marketing strategy.

Conclusion: The Final Word