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The MANIPURATED PODCAST
THE EPISODES
The ManipuRATED podcast ran bi-weekly until the end of 2016. It is dedicated to both the art and the science of running a business. Each episode features vibrant, rich conversations with business owners who are passionate about what they do for a living. Our conversations explore business strategy, marketing, customer service and naturally a dose of online reviews. Its all from the business owners perspective and its always unscripted. Each episode ends with an important question: whats the single best piece of marketing advice you'd offer other business owners?
You can listen and grab it on your favorite podcast platform or listen to the episodes directly below!
Episode one: how to reimagine auto sales
Guest Andrew DiFeo, Dealer Principal and General Manager of Hyundai of St. Augustine, Fla., is multi-year award winning auto dealer in a competitive market. He shares his insights about reimagining the auto sales process, describes how he uses ratings and reviews to make his business better and shares vital tips for making the most of every customer encounter.
Guest Jessica Payne, founder of Los Angeles-based consulting firm Strategy for Impact specializes in bringing a human, integrative approach to building and cultivating brands. In this episode she discusses why nuturing a strong personal brand complements any small business and shares her techniques for personal brand mastery.
Episode TWO: WHY CULTIVATING PERSONAL BRAND IS GOOD BUSINESS
Guests Greg and Elisa Mohr are the husband and wife team behind Gondola Adventures in Newport Beach, Calif. This top-rated attraction is a fascinating business in a surprisingly competitive local market. Their dedication to managing every detail of their business results in rewarding customer interactions. Custom gondola rides are their specialty, but a relentless devotion to the customer is what sets them apart.
Episode THREE: HOW RELENTLESS CUSTOMER DEVOTION PAYS DIVIDENDS
Guest Bruce M. is a friend of mine, living in Los Angeles. He's a full-time comedy writer and a part-time blogger about hair products. His blog, one of the top rated on Google in his niche, drives thousands of page views every month and with it, a substantial amount of income. How is he using product reviews to make money? Get the episode and learn about the business of reviews, be they real or fake.
Episode FOUR: IS IT FAKE OR IS IT REAL? THE BUSINESS OF FAKE REVIEWS
Episode FIVE: BASK IN THE POST HOLIDAY GLOW
Its early January 2016 and were all suffering the inevitable post holiday funk. It was a busy retail and shopping year, no doubt. What does your business do with all of that review goodwill? Join me as I discuss how to translate all of that customer feedback into reviews with Brian Sparker, head of content marketing at Review Trackers.
Episode SIX: FEEDING THE HUNGER FOR ONLINE REVIEWS
Rev Ciancio and Brad Garoon know a thing or two about the food business. Rev runs digital marketing for Schweid & Sons, a gourmet ground beef purveyor and supplier to restaurants and supermarkets. Brad runs the very popular Burger Weekly blog and is the author of Burger City, a guide to the best burgers in New York City which is available as an ebook on Amazon. Join me as we talk about the digital marketing challenges of the restaurant business where we answer the important question: what should restaurant owners do to better manage their online reputation?
Episode SEVEN: HOW REVIEWS MAKE YOU AWESOME
Survival and adventure gear is awesome guy stuff, and UK retailer Heinnie Haynes has it in droves. They specialize in “the hardest kit on the planet” which is the proper English way of saying this: they sell awesome adventure gear. Knives. Packs. Shelter. They’re based Barry, a small town in Wales, but most of their business is online and as you’ll come to learn in this episode of the podcast, reviews are everything to them. Ben Roberts is their marketing strategist, and joins me to discuss their approach to reviews.
Episode EIGHT: WAITER, THERE'S A FLY IN MY REVIEW
In the restaurant industry and desperate for insider secrets to managing your reviews? Youll want to pay attention to this episode. Brandon Hull, my guest this week, runs the popular NextRestaurants.com site. The site is a free digital marketing resource for restaurants and he will fill your head with practical ideas. We talk about reviews, measuring your marketing efforts and much, much more.
Episode NINE: a fake review heist gone wrong
What happens when you suspect a competitor has pummeled you with hordes of new reviews? You use every tool in the box to fight back. Learn how Longs Jewelers, a Boston-area icon, turned a terrifying fake review swarm into a PR win.
Episode ten: doctors reviews are in
Is the health care industry the next big frontier for online reviews? Many believe it is inevitable, and perhaps for good reason. Join me as I explore this important topic with the real expert on social media and health care, Dr. Kevin Pho (www.kevinmd.com).
An endless supply of glowing 5-star reviews... We all want it, right? But is it possible? Tema Frank, author of the new book PeopleShock, joins me to share some secrets to unlocking that river of goodwill.
Episode eleven: WHY EXPERIENCE IS YOUR MONEYMAKER
Episode TWELVE: BEER GIVES YOU EMPATHY
Kari Embree manages social media for San Diego-based Green Flash Brewing Co. Her career in social media and online communities has taught her one important lesson: the importance of empathy. Learn why this matters, and why a niche review site is the secret to success for her brand.
Episode THIRTEEN: A LEGAL POV
You have questions, and this episode has answers. Jacob Sapochnick, one of the most innovative immigration lawyers in the nation, discusses his approach to client service and addresses some common legal questions about online reviews.
Episode FOURTEEN: A LEGAL POV
The cornerstone of any good online reputation involves listening to customers online. Brand24 is a startup from Poland that aims to make that task a bit easier and more intuitive. On this episode, founder Mike Sadowski shares what's behind his platform and what he's learned starting a new business.
Episode FIFTEEN: A Serial Entrepreneur's Journey
Ajay Prasad is a serial business owner. He currently owns a digital agency in Orange County, a transcription company and is launching a new online reviews business. Join me as we explore the lessons he has learned over 30 years in business, including some powerful online reputation insights.
Episode SIXTEEN: A review power play
When it comes to your customer experience there is no better way to improve it than to ask your customer directly what they love and what's bothering them. Matt Parsons of PowerReviews lays out the method you should follow.
