The SDM Show

The SDM Show

By Rob Cairns

The SDM Show discusses all things Business, Marketing and WordPress. This show was formerly known as The SDM Business, Marketing and WordPress Show.
Available on
Amazon Music Logo
Apple Podcasts Logo
Pocket Casts Logo
Spotify Logo
Currently playing episode

Episode 542 Security With Tim Nash The Human is The Weakest Link

The SDM ShowApr 28, 2025
00:00
32:29
Episode 554 Copywriting With Todd Jones The Leagcy Story Framework

Episode 554 Copywriting With Todd Jones The Leagcy Story Framework

This episode of The SDM Show features Rob Cairns and Todd Jones discussing the importance of storytelling in marketing, specifically focusing on Todd Jones' Legacy Story Framework. They highlight why stories resonate with audiences, citing memorability, emotional impact, and personal connection as key elements. The discussion centers around utilizing different types of stories, categorized into seven "story buckets," to build brand awareness, connect with customers, and drive content creation. The hosts emphasize the practical benefits of this framework, such as the ability to start immediately and its flexibility across various content formats.

Jun 02, 202527:54
Episode 553 All About Plugins With John Overall

Episode 553 All About Plugins With John Overall

This excerpt is from the SDM show podcast, hosted by Rob Cairns, featuring guest John Overall from the WP Plugins A to Z podcast. The conversation primarily focuses on the WordPress plugin ecosystem, discussing its evolution from donation-based models to premium offerings, the impact of support tickets on development costs, and the trend of large hosting companies acquiring plugins. They also touch upon the rise of Shopify as an e-commerce platform, the issue of abandoned plugins and potential solutions like mirrored or federated repositories, and advice on selecting plugins and the importance of website backups. The discussion highlights the complexities and ongoing changes within the WordPress world.

May 29, 202535:36
Episode 552 Research In Copywriting With Chris Silvestri

Episode 552 Research In Copywriting With Chris Silvestri

Rob Cairns has a conversation with Chris Silvestri, a copywriter and founder of Conversion Alchemy, who specializes in B2B SaaS companies. The discussion focuses on the crucial role of research in copywriting, with Silvestri explaining his three-layer research process and how he incorporates AI tools at various stages, from analysis to generating initial copy drafts. They also touch on the challenges of working with certain clients, the typical scope of their projects (often involving website redesigns for growth-stage companies), and the importance of differentiation in copywriting.

May 27, 202532:43
Episode 551 SEO With Warren-Laine Naida - Offpage SEO

Episode 551 SEO With Warren-Laine Naida - Offpage SEO

This podcast episode featuring Warren Laine-Naida shares a discussion on off-page SEO, arguing that it has become more important than on-page efforts in the current digital landscape. The guest speaker suggests that with the rise of AI-powered search results and increasing use of social media for discovery, focusing solely on website optimization is an outdated approach. Instead, he emphasizes the value of being cited and mentioned across various platforms, highlighting the importance of conversational SEO and optimizing for where people are actually finding information.

May 26, 202517:36
Episode 550 Why This Podcast Is Dedicated To Tiz Marrone

Episode 550 Why This Podcast Is Dedicated To Tiz Marrone

Rob Cairns introduces an episode dedicated to Tiz Marrone, explaining why he honors her in this way. He describes their relationship, beginning with meeting on Facebook dating and navigating challenges, including his health issues. Rob expresses deep gratitude and admiration for Tiz, highlighting her unwavering support and the inspiration she provides for his work, including his podcast and book series. He emphasizes how Tiz makes him a better person and considers meeting her a significant blessing. The podcast episode is also dedicated to his parents, acknowledging their influence and celebrating Tiz's impact.

May 23, 202507:34
Episode 549 Copywriting With Todd Jones The Brand Clarity Stack

Episode 549 Copywriting With Todd Jones The Brand Clarity Stack

In this particular episode, Rob interviews Todd Jones about his Brand Clarity Stack, a tool designed to help businesses define their brand and create key messaging, particularly for elements like their "about" page. The discussion highlights the importance of the often-overlooked "about" page in building trust with customers in the current market landscape. They also touch upon the role of AI in developing and utilizing the Brand Clarity Stack, emphasizing the need for human input and discernment when working with AI tools for content creation and business strategy.

May 21, 202518:14
Episode 548 Home Service Businesses With Reed Hansen

Episode 548 Home Service Businesses With Reed Hansen

This episode of The SDM Show, hosted by Rob Cairns, features a conversation with Reed Hansen, focusing on home service-based businesses. They discuss the unique marketing needs of these businesses, highlighting the importance of automation for managing leads, booking appointments, and following up with customers. The conversation also covers the strategic use of online presence (websites, Google My Business, and Facebook business pages), the value of reviews and testimonials (especially video reviews), and the potential of AI-powered tools like chatbots and SEO engines to enhance marketing efforts. The discussion emphasizes that while businesses excel at their technical skills, leveraging marketing expertise and technology is crucial for sustained success.

May 19, 202547:11
Episode 547 Ecommerce With Sabir Semerkat

Episode 547 Ecommerce With Sabir Semerkat

The SDM Show podcast hosted by Rob Cairns, featuring guest Sabir Semerkat. The conversation focuses on e-commerce, with Sabir, an experienced e-commerce professional, sharing insights and strategies. They discuss the acceleration of e-commerce growth due to the pandemic and the importance of optimizing for mobile devices. Sabir introduces his "8D method", outlining eight key dimensions for building and scaling a profitable e-commerce business, which include performance, pricing, customer journey, marketing, logistics, tech, and team optimization. The discussion highlights the significance of a multi-dimensional approach and the potential for substantial growth when these aspects are effectively addressed.

May 14, 202501:04:53
Episode 546 Agency Chat With Ryan Waterbury Productised Services and Niching Down

Episode 546 Agency Chat With Ryan Waterbury Productised Services and Niching Down

The SDM Show, hosted by Rob Cairns, featuring a discussion with Ryan Waterbury. They primarily discuss the concept of productizing services and the importance of niching down for agency owners. The conversation highlights the challenges of scope creep and the benefits of streamlining services to improve efficiency and quality. Both hosts emphasize the significance of work-life balance and suggest prioritizing tasks, potentially outsourcing non-core activities, and seeking personal support if needed to enhance overall well-being and business success.

May 09, 202525:04
Episode 545 Copywriting With Todd Jones Trust in Copywriting

Episode 545 Copywriting With Todd Jones Trust in Copywriting

This excerpt from an SDM show podcast, hosted by Rob Cairns and featuring Todd Jones, focuses on the critical importance of trust in business and copywriting. They discuss the increasing filters of distrust people have, especially in digital interactions, leading to a need for more touch points to build relationships. Strategies for building trust are highlighted, including ensuring your business does what it promises, showcasing social proof like testimonials and reviews, and establishing credibility through positive experiences and third-party endorsements. Finally, the speakers emphasize the power of knowing your audience, demonstrating likability, and utilizing tools like storytelling and community to foster connection and reduce friction in the buying process.

May 06, 202530:09
Episode 544 Transparency in Your Agency With Laurie and Betsy of Pursu Agency

Episode 544 Transparency in Your Agency With Laurie and Betsy of Pursu Agency

This episode of the SDM show features a conversation between host Rob Cairns and Laurie and Betsy from the Pursu Agency. They discuss the importance of transparency and collaboration in the agency world, particularly regarding website design and development. The conversation touches upon their backgrounds, the value of clearly defined contracts, and the need for clients to understand the process and the expertise involved in creating quality digital assets. They also explore topics like the ethical use of AI, copyright issues, and the significance of understanding the client's target audience. The discussion emphasizes building trust and long-term relationships through open communication and realistic expectations.

May 05, 202551:56
Episode 543 Marketing With Bridget Willard - Why You Need to Publish on Linkedin

Episode 543 Marketing With Bridget Willard - Why You Need to Publish on Linkedin

This text is a transcript from the SDM show, a podcast hosted by Rob Cairns, who is joined by Bridget Willard for their monthly marketing segment. The episode specifically focuses on the importance of publishing on LinkedIn, particularly for businesses in the B2B sector. Bridget emphasizes the benefits of publishing articles on the platform for visibility, thought leadership, brand authority, and off-page SEO, noting its relevance for reaching decision-makers and C-suite executives. They also briefly discuss the difference between posting and publishing on LinkedIn, the value of building genuine relationships over intrusive sales tactics, and mention upcoming book releases by both Bridget (co-authored with Warren Laine-Naida) and Rob.



Apr 30, 202532:22
Episode 542 Security With Tim Nash The Human is The Weakest Link

Episode 542 Security With Tim Nash The Human is The Weakest Link

This episode of the SDM show features a conversation between host Rob Cairns and guest Tim Nash regarding digital security, with a particular focus on the idea that the human element is often the most vulnerable point. They discuss how even seemingly secure communication apps like Signal can be compromised due to user error, such as accidentally adding unauthorized individuals to private chats, as seen in recent instances involving US politicians. The discussion broadens to encompass other human-related security issues, including falling for scams by clicking malicious links or not thinking critically, and the widespread use of weak or easily compromised passwords, even within professional settings. Finally, Tim Nash announces the upcoming launch of his WordPress security fundamentals course, aimed at helping system administrators and developers improve their knowledge and implementation of web security practices.

Apr 28, 202532:29
Episode 541 E Commerce and PPC With Sam Piliero

Episode 541 E Commerce and PPC With Sam Piliero

"The SDM show" featuring host Rob Cairns and guest Sam Piliero from Moonlighters, a digital marketing agency. The discussion focuses on the evolution of e-commerce and the challenges and strategies associated with digital advertising, particularly on platforms like Facebook and Google. They explore topics such as rising ad costs due to increased competition, shifts in consumer behavior and ad targeting methods, and the importance of a multi-channel approach to advertising. The conversation also touches on the significance of understanding key business metrics and optimizing website user experience, while highlighting the benefits of outsourcing advertising management to allow business owners to focus on core operations. Finally, they discuss the advantages of the Shopify platform and offer practical advice for businesses starting out with digital ads.

Apr 24, 202547:49
Episode 540 When It is Time To Step Back From Social Media With Spencer Forman

Episode 540 When It is Time To Step Back From Social Media With Spencer Forman

Rob Cairns of the SDM show interviews Spencer Foreman about their decisions to significantly reduce their time on social media. They discuss how constant exposure negatively impacted their mental health, leading to anxiety and unwanted emotional involvement in online content. Both found that stepping back allowed them to be more present, engage in healthier activities like reading, and experience reduced anxiety, particularly before sleep. They critique the addictive nature and negativity prevalent on many platforms, contrasting it with more constructive online interactions and the distractions from real-life engagement. The conversation touches on the feeling of being overwhelmed by global issues amplified online and the benefits of focusing on controllable aspects of life. Ultimately, they advocate for a more mindful approach to technology and social media consumption to improve overall well-being.

Apr 22, 202537:32
Episode 539 Copywriting With Todd Jones Humanizing Content

Episode 539 Copywriting With Todd Jones Humanizing Content

This audio excerpt from The SDM Show features a discussion between host Rob Cairns and Todd Jones about humanizing content in the age of AI. They explore the tendency of AI-generated text to sound corporate and lacking in a personal touch. Jones shares insights on prompting AI effectively to achieve a more human tone, referencing advice from copywriting experts and his own experiences. The conversation touches upon the limitations of AI in areas like storytelling, emotion, and originality, emphasizing the ongoing need for human editing and the importance of creating engaging and relevant content. Ultimately, they advocate for a thoughtful integration of AI in content creation, stressing the value of authentic and relatable communication.

Apr 21, 202529:25
Episode 538 Neeto With Neeraj Singh

Episode 538 Neeto With Neeraj Singh

The provided text is an excerpt from The SDM Show, a podcast hosted by Rob Cairns, featuring an interview with Neeraj Singh about his company, Neeto, and its suite of business productivity tools. Singh explains the origins and motivations behind creating Neeto Cal, a Calendly competitor, and Neeto Record, a Loom alternative, highlighting their focus on user needs and affordability. The discussion touches upon the features, pricing models (including a unique free tier for Neeto Cal), and the future roadmap for these and other upcoming Neeto products like a CRM and invoicing system. Singh emphasizes Neeto's approach of offering a comprehensive ecosystem of tools while prioritizing user-friendliness and value over extensive marketing spending.

Apr 17, 202530:33
Episode 537 How I Use Google Gemini AI Daily Practical Examples for Marketers & Creators

Episode 537 How I Use Google Gemini AI Daily Practical Examples for Marketers & Creators

In this episode, Rob discusses his perspective on artificial intelligence, emphasizing its role as a tool rather than a replacement for human expertise. He specifically details various applications of Google's Gemini in his work, including generating podcast show notes, optimizing articles for SEO, creating graphics, and developing content for landing pages and a book series from past episodes. Rob outlines his motivations for using AI, citing its ability to improve his writing, save time, facilitate learning, and allow him to train the AI for specific tasks. The podcast is presented by Stunning Digital Marketing, a digital marketing and WordPress security company. The episode also includes dedications to Rob's late father and living relatives.

Apr 15, 202505:37
Episode 536 Conversions On Your Website With Matthew Stafford

Episode 536 Conversions On Your Website With Matthew Stafford

This podcast episode of the SDM Show, hosted by Rob Cairns, features Matthew Stafford discussing website conversion strategies for e-commerce businesses. They explore key elements influencing conversions, such as website speed, checkout processes, button placement and text, and the importance of understanding user behavior through heatmaps and recordings. Stafford shares his journey into conversion optimization and emphasizes the significance of fixing website issues to improve ad performance and overall sales. The conversation highlights that improving the user experience, removing unnecessary website clutter, and focusing on solving customer problems are crucial for increasing conversions. They also touch upon the differences between mobile and desktop conversions and the value of post-purchase feedback. Ultimately, the episode offers insights for e-commerce businesses aiming to optimize their websites for better conversion rates and revenue.

Apr 10, 202533:11
Episode 535 SEO With Warren Laine-Naida Using Ai To Increase Your Search Visibility

Episode 535 SEO With Warren Laine-Naida Using Ai To Increase Your Search Visibility

This podcast episode of the SDM show features a discussion with Warren Laine-Naida about leveraging artificial intelligence to improve search engine visibility. The conversation emphasizes a shift in SEO strategy away from keyword stuffing towards a more semantic and entity-based approach, focusing on understanding the meaning behind search queries. Laine-Naida explains how large language models analyze text and context, highlighting the importance of creating natural, engaging, and informative content that caters to both users and AI algorithms. Practical advice includes defining business entities, utilizing search tools for research, structuring content with schema markup, building topical authority, and optimizing content for featured snippets and AI-powered search. The core message underscores that high-quality, user-focused content remains the most effective SEO strategy in this evolving landscape.

Apr 08, 202518:22
Episode 534 Word Camp Canada With Dan Knauss

Episode 534 Word Camp Canada With Dan Knauss

This audio recording is an episode of the SDM show hosted by Rob Cairns, featuring an interview with Dan Knauss, an organizer of WordCamp Canada. They discuss the upcoming 2024 event, scheduled for October 16-17 in Ottawa at Carleton University, with a potential contributor day. The conversation covers the theme centered around youth, campus life, and reinvention, as well as calls for volunteers and speakers. They also touch on the importance of community building within the Canadian WordPress ecosystem and opportunities for sponsorships.

Apr 04, 202519:37
Episode 533 Analytics With Jeff Greenfield

Episode 533 Analytics With Jeff Greenfield

This podcast episode of the SDM Show, hosted by Rob Cairns, features a discussion with Jeff Greenfield about the complexities of analytics in the modern marketing landscape. Greenfield shares his journey into analytics and highlights the limitations of relying solely on click-based metrics like Google Analytics. They explore the importance of understanding broader marketing concepts, including impressions and multi-touch attribution, and the challenges marketers face with evolving privacy regulations and the rise of non-clickable advertising channels. The conversation touches on the need for a unified source of marketing truth and the role of intelligent automation in providing actionable insights for businesses.

Apr 03, 202549:53
Episode 532 Security With Tim Nash How To Recover From a Website Hack

Episode 532 Security With Tim Nash How To Recover From a Website Hack

In an episode of the SDM Show hosted by Rob Cairns, featuring Tim Nash, the discussion centers on website security, specifically addressing the crucial steps to take when a website has been hacked. They emphasize identifying the signs of a hack versus other website issues and caution against relying solely on backups for restoration due to potential reinfection. Nash details the common stages of a website hack, explaining why immediate detection and clean-up are essential, often recommending a complete rebuild for severely compromised sites. The conversation also covers misconceptions about SSL certificates, the limitations of website malware scanners, and the importance of transparent communication with customers following a security incident. Practical advice includes verifying local devices for malware, the risks associated with shared hosting and public Wi-Fi, and the necessity of securing e-commerce data like order information during recovery. Ultimately, the podcast episode provides valuable insights and actionable steps for website owners facing the challenges of recovering from a hack.

Apr 01, 202540:44
Episode 531 Markeing With Bridget Willard Learning From Your Customer Support Ticket and Customer

Episode 531 Markeing With Bridget Willard Learning From Your Customer Support Ticket and Customer

The provided audio excerpt from the SDM show features a conversation between Rob Cairns and Bridget Willard about leveraging customer support interactions for marketing purposes. They discuss the proactive approach of preventing issues that lead to support tickets by anticipating customer needs and creating readily available resources. The speakers emphasize that support tickets and customer feedback are valuable investments that can inform content creation, improve customer experience, and even educate sales teams. Repurposing solutions to common customer problems as blog posts or FAQs can reduce support burdens and enhance SEO. Ultimately, they advocate for a unified approach between marketing, sales, and IT that prioritizes customer communication and relationship building.

Mar 31, 202544:37
Episode 530 Agency Chat With Ryan Waterbury Marketing Your Agency

Episode 530 Agency Chat With Ryan Waterbury Marketing Your Agency

This podcast episode from "The SDM Show" features a discussion between host Rob Cairns and Ryan Waterbury of One Dog Solutions regarding the critical need for businesses, particularly agencies, to consistently engage in marketing efforts. They explore various accessible marketing tactics, emphasizing the value of newsletters, social media engagement, client communication, and obtaining reviews. The conversation highlights the pitfalls of inconsistent marketing and underscores the importance of proactive strategies, even when business is thriving. Furthermore, they touch upon leveraging AI tools and the enduring effectiveness of established methods like DIY content, referrals, and strategically used paid advertising to maintain visibility and growth.

Mar 28, 202530:37
Episode 529 Amazon FBA With Neil Twa

Episode 529 Amazon FBA With Neil Twa

This podcast episode from The SDM Show features host Rob Cairns interviewing Neil Twa about Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon). Their discussion covers Neil's journey into business and physical products, the impact of events like the pandemic on online sales, and the competitive landscape with marketplaces like Temu. Neil shares his strategic approach to launching FBA businesses, emphasizing testing multiple products with adequate capital and focusing on data-driven decisions over the "side hustle" mentality. The conversation also explores the importance of paid advertising in conjunction with organic growth on Amazon and touches on the potential of platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Finally, they discuss long-term business building strategies, including the value of creating multi-channel businesses and the option of selling on an upward trajectory.

Mar 27, 202540:01
Episode 528 Why Do I Podcast?

Episode 528 Why Do I Podcast?

The SDM Show, hosted by Rob Cairns of Stunning Digital Marketing, originates from Toronto and covers topics like business and digital marketing. In this particular episode, Cairns explains his motivations for producing over 500 podcast episodes. His reasons include promoting his business, showcasing his authenticity, expanding his professional network, gaining learning opportunities from guests, and simply his personal enjoyment of the medium, reminiscent of his early interest in radio. The podcast is dedicated to Cairns' late father.

Mar 25, 202504:08
Episode 527 Copywriting With Todd Jones What is The Prompt?

Episode 527 Copywriting With Todd Jones What is The Prompt?

The SDM show features host Rob Cairns and Todd Jones discussing the multifaceted concept of a "prompt," particularly in the context of AI and content creation. They explore how prompts function similarly to triggers or questions, guiding AI to generate text and images, and draw parallels to their use in journaling and human interaction. Jones differentiates between human and AI prompts, emphasizing the need for clear user input to achieve desired AI outputs. The conversation further touches on the limitations and potential of AI in areas like image generation and content refinement, advocating for a thoughtful approach to leveraging these tools. They also briefly discuss the evolving landscape of sports and the creation of content, including Cairns' upcoming eBook project utilizing AI from his podcast transcripts. The overall discussion highlights the versatility of the word "prompt" and its increasing importance in the digital age.

Mar 24, 202528:51
Episode 526 Video With Anthony Luti of Radiant Media

Episode 526 Video With Anthony Luti of Radiant Media

The provided text is an excerpt from "The SDM Show" podcast, featuring host Rob Cairns interviewing Anthony Luti of Radiant Media. Their discussion centers on video production for businesses, covering topics such as equipment recommendations, editing software, the importance of short-form content, and lighting techniques. Luti also shares insights into his company's journey into video, including commercial work and their ventures into feature film production. The conversation further explores strategies for consistent video creation on a budget and the value of partnering with influencers for marketing purposes.

Mar 20, 202545:34
Episode 525 Why You Need a WordPress Security Expert

Episode 525 Why You Need a WordPress Security Expert

The provided text is an excerpt from "The SDM Show" podcast, hosted by Rob Cairns. In this episode, Cairns, founder of Stunning Digital Marketing, argues strongly for the necessity of having a WordPress security expert. He contends that the complexities and constant threats in the WordPress environment overwhelm typical business owners. Cairns emphasizes the importance of proactive security measures like updates, backups, and specialized software, as well as having someone to assist in recovery. He suggests that expert knowledge is crucial for navigating plugin vulnerabilities and implementing effective security strategies, ultimately protecting a business's online investment.

Mar 18, 202504:55
Episode 524 Copywriting With Todd Jones What is Valuable Content

Episode 524 Copywriting With Todd Jones What is Valuable Content

This podcast episode from "The SDM Show" features host Rob Cairns interviewing Todd Jones about valuable content in digital marketing. They discuss how simply providing information may not be enough. Jones argues that content should also entertain, inform, empower, and inspire to truly resonate with audiences. The conversation touches upon the importance of engaging emotions through storytelling and creating memorable content beyond just educational material. They also explore content distribution strategies and the evolving media landscape, including the rise of independent media and short-form video. Ultimately, they emphasize the need for businesses to create remarkable content and deliver it where their target audience is.

Mar 17, 202530:56
Episode 523 WP Founders and Webhosting With Ahsan Parwez

Episode 523 WP Founders and Webhosting With Ahsan Parwez

The provided text is an excerpt from The SDM Show, Episode 523, featuring host Rob Cairns interviewing Ahsan Parwez, co-founder of WP Founders. Their conversation begins with Ahsan's journey into the WordPress ecosystem, starting with Joomla before transitioning and eventually becoming a WordPress community manager at Cloudways. The discussion then shifts to the origins and mission of WP Founders, a platform highlighting success stories of WordPress business owners to inspire new entrepreneurs. Finally, they explore WP Dots, the umbrella company encompassing ventures like website building, marketing advice, wpdiscounts.io, and their hosting company, hostwp.io, touching upon the challenges and nuances of the web hosting industry, security, and WordPress page builders.

Mar 13, 202535:16
Episode 522 Why You Need Bing Business Places

Episode 522 Why You Need Bing Business Places

The SDM Show podcast episode 522, hosted by Rob Cairns from Stunning Digital Marketing, advises businesses to establish a Bing Business Places profile for improved search engine optimization. Ker highlights that Microsoft's Edge browser, with its integrated AI Copilot, is gaining market share, making Bing a significant search engine. He argues that Bing Business Profiles, similar to Google Business Profiles, can outrank websites in search results, especially locally. The episode explains that setting up a Bing profile is worthwhile as it can sync with Google Business Profile, minimizing extra effort for business owners. Therefore, leveraging Bing Business Places is presented as a crucial step for expanding online visibility and attracting more customers.


Mar 11, 202504:31
Episode 521 Marketing With Bridget Willard Why Your Business Needs To Be On Google Maps

Episode 521 Marketing With Bridget Willard Why Your Business Needs To Be On Google Maps

This podcast episode features a discussion between Rob Cairns and Bridget Willard about the importance of utilizing Google Maps for small businesses, now integrated as Google Business Profile. They emphasize that businesses with physical locations, like restaurants, significantly benefit from having an accurate and regularly updated presence, including details like contact information and menus. The conversation highlights how this increases visibility in local searches, often outranking standard website SEO, and encourages businesses to share their content and even customer reviews on their profiles. Additionally, they briefly touch on the value of setting up a Bing Business Place profile for broader reach and the ongoing relevance of word-based content for search engines, including AI.

Mar 10, 202527:19
Episode 520 Agency Chat With Ryan Waterbury When To Raise Your Rates

Episode 520 Agency Chat With Ryan Waterbury When To Raise Your Rates

Rob Cairns and Ryan Waterbury discuss the complexities of agency pricing in this podcast episode. They share personal experiences about raising rates, managing client expectations, and preventing burnout. The conversation covers strategies for identifying when a price increase is necessary, such as when client workload becomes overwhelming or proposal acceptance rates reach 100%. Waterbury emphasizes the importance of valuing your expertise, time, and overall well-being when setting prices. They also highlight the significance of self-care and mental health for agency owners, noting how overwork can lead to burnout and health issues. Ultimately, the podcast champions charging what you're worth to attract better clients and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Mar 06, 202526:02
Episode 519 SEO With Warren Laine Naida The SEO Journey

Episode 519 SEO With Warren Laine Naida The SEO Journey

This podcast episode from "The SDM Show" features Warren Laine-Naida discussing the SEO journey, comparing it to a long car ride where clients frequently ask about results. The conversation breaks down the SEO process into phases, highlighting the initial research and strategy, the implementation and content creation, and the longer period of seeing significant impact over 6 to 12 months. The speakers emphasize that SEO is a continuous process that requires patience and consistent effort, while also stressing the importance of off-page SEO and social media engagement alongside technical and content optimization. They also note that local SEO can yield faster results compared to broader organic strategies.

Mar 04, 202515:29
Episode 518 CopyWriting With Todd Jones Once Piece Of Content You Need

Episode 518 CopyWriting With Todd Jones Once Piece Of Content You Need

The SDM show, featuring Rob Cairns and Todd Jones, underscores the critical importance of readily available contact information for small businesses. This "NAP" data, encompassing name, address, phone number, email, and social media links, should be prominently displayed on websites, especially on mobile versions, above the fold and in the footer for ease of access. The speakers emphasize the importance of ensuring consistent NAP data across all platforms, including Google Business Profile, Bing Places, Yelp, and other relevant directories. They suggest that businesses ask new clients how they found them to focus marketing efforts. They urge business owners to treat a complete and consistent contact block not as an extra, but as an essential element of successful local SEO and brand-building. Finally, they advise businesses to include schema markup on their websites for enhanced search engine visibility of their contact information.


Mar 03, 202516:50
Episode 517 How To Offboard a Problem Client Like A Pro

Episode 517 How To Offboard a Problem Client Like A Pro

Rob Cairns from Stunning Digital Marketing shares advice on ethically offboarding clients. The podcast episode focuses on providing ample notice, exceeding contractual obligations, and maintaining open communication. Cairns emphasizes offering support during the transition, like providing website backups and restoration instructions. He also discusses when it is not appropriate to recommend other professionals. The goal is to ensure a smooth and professional departure, even when ending a business relationship is necessary.

Feb 27, 202506:53
Episode 516 Business Development With Spencer Foreman

Episode 516 Business Development With Spencer Foreman

The podcast features a discussion between Rob Cairns and Spencer Foreman about business development, particularly within the WordPress ecosystem. They explore the challenges of WordPress, including security vulnerabilities and the overwhelming number of plugins, advocating for a curated approach. Foreman emphasizes the value of specialized services and trusted experts, drawing analogies to concierge services and curated experiences. The conversation also touches on the impact of AI, its potential benefits, and the emerging security risks. They stress the importance of genuine human connections, ethical business practices, and staying present in a technology-driven world. The speakers then consider future business approaches and methods. Ultimately, they share tips for building successful WordPress businesses, focusing on solving specific pain points and establishing direct relationships with customers.

Feb 26, 202551:13
Episode 515 Security With Tim Nash - Smartphones

Episode 515 Security With Tim Nash - Smartphones

The SDM podcast features Rob Cairns and Tim Nash discussing smartphone security. They examine risks, like lost devices and vulnerabilities in apps like WhatsApp, and debate Android versus iOS security. The conversation covers location tracking, the dangers of third-party apps, and the importance of keeping devices updated. They also touch on physical security measures like hardware keys and passcodes, and the ethics surrounding device access and data privacy. The podcast concludes with actionable tips for users to better secure their phones, emphasizing fewer apps and stronger passcodes.

Feb 24, 202547:01
Episode 514 Security Issues With Link Shortners

Episode 514 Security Issues With Link Shortners

Rob Cairns from Stunning Digital Marketing discusses the security risks associated with using link shorteners like bit.ly. He argues that these shortened links can conceal malicious websites, making it difficult for users to assess the safety of a link before clicking. Cairns shares his agency's policy of avoiding link shorteners due to these potential security concerns and the importance of trust in online interactions. He suggests exploring alternative methods for obtaining statistics without compromising user security. The podcast is a production of Stunning Digital Marketing and expresses appreciation for family members.

Feb 21, 202504:27
Episode 513 Copywriting With Todd Jones Story Gap

Episode 513 Copywriting With Todd Jones Story Gap

The podcast features Rob Cairns of Stunning Digital Marketing interviewing Todd Jones about the concept of "story gaps." Jones explains that story gaps are intentionally or unintentionally omitted details in a story that allow the audience to fill in the blanks using their own experiences. This technique, along with "neural coupling," helps create a connection between the storyteller and the audience. They discuss how this applies to various mediums, highlighting the importance of storytelling in business and personal branding. They touch upon vulnerability, authenticity, and the power of shared experiences in building connections. They suggest engaging in real-world interactions outside of work to promote connectedness.

Feb 18, 202524:59
Episode 512 OOPSpam 2024 Spam Report With Onar Alili

Episode 512 OOPSpam 2024 Spam Report With Onar Alili

The SDM Show podcast features Rob Cairns interviewing Onar Alili from OOPSpam about their 2024 spam report. The report analyzes 20 million spam samples, revealing SEO, political, and financial spam as top categories, with a significant portion targeting WordPress websites. They explored the rise of sophisticated spam tactics including the exploitation of AI, IoT devices, and crypto scams. They discussed the importance of multi-layered security solutions for websites, especially for small businesses often targeted due to lax security practices. OOPSpam utilizes data analysis and models, plus IP and email lists, to identify and filter spam, offering geo-restrictions and unlimited website plans. They also touched on emerging AI-driven threats such as voice scams, which is a growing and scary trend.

Feb 14, 202533:44
Episode 512: OOPSpam 2024 Spam Report With Onar Alili

Episode 512: OOPSpam 2024 Spam Report With Onar Alili

The SDM Show podcast features Rob Cairns interviewing Onar Alili from OOPSpam about their 2024 spam report. The report analyzes 20 million spam samples, revealing SEO, political, and financial spam as top categories, with a significant portion targeting WordPress websites. They explored the rise of sophisticated spam tactics including the exploitation of AI, IoT devices, and crypto scams. They discussed the importance of multi-layered security solutions for websites, especially for small businesses often targeted due to lax security practices. OOPSpam utilizes data analysis and models, plus IP and email lists, to identify and filter spam, offering geo-restrictions and unlimited website plans. They also touched on emerging AI-driven threats such as voice scams, which is a growing and scary trend.



Feb 13, 202533:44
Episode 511: Are QR Codes a Security Risk?

Episode 511: Are QR Codes a Security Risk?

Rob Cairns, from Stunning Digital Marketing, presents a podcast episode discussing the security risks associated with QR codes. He explains that security hinges on trust, questioning the reliability of QR code sources in public places. Cairns highlights the danger of users blindly scanning QR codes without verifying the destination URL, potentially leading them to malicious websites. Due to these vulnerabilities, he personally avoids using QR codes, suggesting caution, especially with publicly displayed ones susceptible to tampering. He believes openly displayed QR codes are a security risk and advises users to be careful.

Feb 11, 202504:27
Episode 510 Marketing With Bridget Willard The Power Move Hit Reply

Episode 510 Marketing With Bridget Willard The Power Move Hit Reply

The SDM podcast episode features a discussion between Rob Cairns and Bridget Willard about leveraging the reply button on social media as a powerful business development tool. Bridget emphasizes the importance of engaging with others' content to build relationships, increase visibility, and demonstrate humanity. They outline strategies for commenting authentically, offering valuable insights, and connecting with individuals in parallel industries. The conversation also shifts into related areas, underscoring the necessity of business development activities such as networking and niching down to find your market. Ultimately, they advocate for building genuine connections and providing value, which will then lead to increased business opportunities.

Feb 10, 202545:57
Episode 509 Security With Tim Nash What To Do With These WordPress Vunerabilities

Episode 509 Security With Tim Nash What To Do With These WordPress Vunerabilities

This podcast episode features a conversation between Rob Cairns and Tim Nash about recent WordPress plugin vulnerabilities. Tim, a WordPress security expert, discusses the challenges of managing numerous security alerts and the limitations of relying solely on automated vulnerability reports. He emphasizes the importance of proactive patching, a well-defined software stack, and the use of web application firewalls (WAFs) for robust website security. The discussion also highlights the risks associated with relying on free, often poorly configured, security plugins and the increasing speed at which vulnerabilities are exploited. Finally, they stress the importance of paying for professional security services to protect against these threats.

Feb 07, 202535:52
Episode 508: Copywriting With Todd Jones - Credibility Enhancers

Episode 508: Copywriting With Todd Jones - Credibility Enhancers

This podcast episode discusses credibility enhancers for businesses, focusing on building trust with potential customers. **Social proof**, including **testimonials**, **case studies**, and **media appearances**, are highlighted as key strategies. The speakers also explore the importance of **word-of-mouth marketing**, **logos of well-known brands**, **awards and certifications**, and **data-driven results**. The discussion emphasizes the need for genuine and verifiable information to establish credibility, advising against fabricated data or exaggerated claims. Finally, the importance of responding to both positive and negative customer feedback is stressed.

Feb 03, 202527:37
Episode 507 Lessons Learned From Over 500 Podcasts

Episode 507 Lessons Learned From Over 500 Podcasts

Rob Cairns, founder of Stunning Digital Marketing, shares ten lessons learned from creating over 500 episodes of his podcast, "The SDM Show." Key takeaways include the importance of consistency, incorporating emotion, utilizing video, and efficient pre-recording techniques. He emphasizes the value of continuous learning, collaboration with other podcasters, and pre-recording advertisements and dedications. Finally, Cairns highlights the unexpected benefit of securing free masterclasses from podcast guests. The podcast covers business, life, productivity, digital marketing, and WordPress.

Jan 30, 202505:49
Episode 506 Being a Social Media Manager With Zachery Mimbs

Episode 506 Being a Social Media Manager With Zachery Mimbs

This podcast features Rob Cairns interviewing Zachery Mimbs, a social media manager, about his career and insights into the field. Mimbs discusses his career path, the challenges of navigating ever-changing social media algorithms, and the importance of authenticity and engagement over follower counts. He also recommends specific tools like Publer and shares his strategies for creating effective content, including prioritizing video and short-form content. Finally, the podcast emphasizes the need for consistent engagement and responding to comments.

Jan 28, 202530:13