The Hop - A Marketing Podcast

Are you stuck doing everything in your business; marketing, IT, bookkeeping, AND the actual work? 😅

In this episode of The Hop Podcast, Matt chats with Jamin from Conetix about why small business owners need to stop wearing all the hats and start focusing on what really matters.

👉 We cover:

• Why doing it all yourself can actually hold you back

• The hidden costs and risks of DIY-ing your IT & marketing

• What you should ...

In this episode of The Hop Podcast, Matt Taylor-Farrington sits down with cybersecurity expert Martin von Stein from BizGuard to explore the complex and rapidly evolving relationship between artificial intelligence and business security. As AI tools become more integrated into everyday business operations, many are asking: are we handing over too much control and exposing sensitive data in the process? Martin breaks down the real r...

Automation doesn’t have to be overwhelming, it just needs to be smart. Matthew Taylor-Farrington chats with Sam from Purple Bunny Marketing about practical ways small businesses can use automation to save time, streamline admin, and improve client experiences. From automated onboarding emails and chatbots to smart scheduling tools and follow-ups, Sam breaks down what business automation really means and how to start i...

Matthew Taylor-Farrington is joined once again by Kira from River 94.9 to break down a real world client success story. Kira discusses how one business used a focused, high frequency radio campaign to grow their client base and expand their team all within a tight three month timeline.

Kira explains why clarity around goals, audience, and outcomes is essential to any campaign’s success. You’ll hear how k...

AI is everywhere but how can businesses actually use it in practical, meaningful ways? In this episode of The Hop Podcast, Matthew Taylor-Farrington speaks with Jamin Andrews from Conetix about the real-world applications of AI for small and medium-sized businesses. From using tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot to streamline emails and scheduling, to implementing AI-powered call handling that mimics human interaction, Jamin s...

Social media is becoming an increasingly hot target for cybercriminals and businesses need to be ready. Matthew Taylor-Farrington sits down with Martin von Stein from BizGuard to unpack why hackers are targeting social media, the biggest vulnerabilities business owners overlook, and the critical steps to strengthen your defences.

Martin shares practical advice on must-have security measures like multi-fa...

Sports sponsorship goes far beyond logos on jerseys, it’s about building real connections between brands, teams, and communities. In this episode of The Hop, Matt Taylor-Farrington sits down with Richard Hughes, CEO of the TAE Aerospace Ipswich Jets, to explore what makes sports sponsorship such a powerful marketing tool. Richard shares insights on how businesses can maximise their sponsorships beyond game-day exposure, integrate w...

Radio advertising is more powerful than ever, if you know how to use it right! In this episode of The Hop, Matt Taylor-Farrington sits down with Kira from River 94.9 to discuss how businesses can make the most of radio’s unique strengths.

They explore how brands can tap into the trust between radio hosts and their loyal listeners, the latest trends in listener habits, and the best times to place ads for maximum impact.

Plus, Kira s...

As we close out 2024, the team at The Hop is reflecting on the trends, insights, and surprises that defined this year in marketing. From the evolution of AI and its role in supporting—not replacing—human creativity, to the rise of lead automation and unexpected podcast highlights, this wrap-up episode covers it all. Join Matt Taylor-Farrington, along with Martin, Nick, and Sam from Purple Bunny Marketing as they share their top tak...

In this episode of The Hop, Matt sits down with Martin from Purple Bunny Marketing to explore the secrets to achieving standout email open rates. They dive into crafting irresistible subject lines, the power of segmentation for small businesses, and the importance of timing your sends for maximum impact.

Martin also shares how advanced personalisation techniques (beyond just using a name) can transform y...

Matt Taylor-Farrington is joined by Nick from Purple Bunny Marketing to explore the concept of “Don’t Blame the Channel” in social media marketing. They dive into common mistakes brands make when they attribute poor performance to the platform rather than their content. Nick shares practical advice on how businesses can identify if the content itself is the issue and avoid the temptation to jump to the latest trends j...

This week Matt sits down with Kira from River 94.9 to discuss how businesses can supercharge their radio ads for the year’s biggest shopping events: Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Christmas. Tune in as they explore effective strategies for making your radio ads stand out, from capturing the excitement of holiday sales to crafting messages that resonate amid the holiday noise. Kira shares expert insights on creating urgency, design...

Matt sits down with Sam from the Purple Bunny Marketing team to dive into the world of user generated content (UGC) and why it’s transforming modern marketing. Sam breaks down what UGC is and how it differs from traditional marketing content, making a compelling case for why businesses, especially small and medium-sized ones, should embrace it. He also addresses common misconceptions that may hold businesses back from...

In this episode of The Hop, Matt Taylor-Farrington teams up with marketing expert John Dwyer from the Institute of Wow to unveil The Facebook Contest Blueprint — a proven strategy that can guarantee leads for your business. John explains why running a Facebook contest is one of the most effective tools to drive engagement and build brand loyalty. They discuss the the benefits and challenges that come with it. Plus, Jo...

In this episode of The Hop, Matt Taylor-Farrington is joined by Kira Colledge from River 94.9 to explore how businesses can leverage radio in their branding and strategic advertising efforts. Kira dives into the 60/40 mix, explaining how to balance brand building and short-term activations through radio.

They also discuss the latest data from Deloitte, revealing that with shrinking attention spans, brands now need up to 19 interact...