The TradeMarke

The Biggest Website Mistakes You Can Make

On this episode, we are joined again by Claire Ficke from CompanyCam! Claire takes over this episode and interviews Eric! They critique the CompanyCam website and talk about the best and worst things you can do for your website and online presence. 
Eric uses Texas Roadhouse rolls as a metaphor, he and Claire discuss why having too many calls to action on your website is hindering, and the mistakes businesses make with marketing agencies. 

Keeping Your Talent Pipeline Full With Nathan Coker

One of the common challenges that business owners in the home services industry have had to manage over the past few years is finding top-talent for their company. 
 
During this bonus episode, we welcome on Nathan Coker from Stanfield Air Systems to chat about different ways that they handle recruitment efforts to keep a predictable flow of new talent each and every year. 
 
This podcast episode was recorded at the ServiceTitan Marketing For The Trades Summit down in Tampa, Florida. Many attendees of the event would agree that this was one of the most hands on engaged sessions they've been to in a long time... and there will be more! 
 
If you're interested in being "in the know" of future marketing summits, head over to Facebook and join the ServiceTitan Marketing Pro group.

Promoting Women in the Trades with the Lady Titans

On this episode we are joined by Lauren, Ashley and Sarah AKA The Lady Titans!
Eric and The Lady Titans cover a lot in this episode, including but not limited to; the importance of the community you build, the biggest challenges contractors will face in 2023, and how to join The Lady Titans.
The Lady Titans want all women to know that they deserve a seat at the table and that you can sit with them.
Interested in joining? Search Lady Titans on Facebook! (it's FREE to join!)

The Power of Proper Planning

On this episode, we are joined again by TJ Hartnett of Fly Wheel. He is a Smart HVAC Marketing podcast guest PRO!
TJ has been in the industry since 1994 (sorry for making you feel old!) and decided to take the coaching and training route in 2015.
TJ hopes to have Fly Wheel be the gold-standard in the coaching business. TJ and Eric discuss setting up specific, reachable goals with trackable metrics, and managing behaviors that drive the results you're after. His advice is to plan for your goals in 2023. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. 

Why You Should Start a Podcast

On this episode we are joined by Tersh Blissett! This guy has several podcasts and an extravagant shoe collection. He is a father of 4 and owns several businesses. 
Tersh talks about his time in the Air Force and how it helped him in the business world. Eric and Tersh talk about gas vs. electric systems, and the importance and significance of podcasting. Tersh and Eric give you a step by step on how and why to start a podcast.
His words of wisdom for fellow business owners is "even if things are going bad, you still have control over your own situation."

The Value of Having Great People

On this episode we are joined by Stephanie Postell from Anchor Heating and Air.
Eric sits down with Stephanie at the Women In HVACR event. Stephanie is the co-owner of of Anchor Heating and Air, along with her husband David, in Charleston, SC.
Eric asks about what it's like to work with your spouse. Stephanie says, "you've gotta stay in your lane!" Their daughter also works in the business as well!
Anchor Heating and Air is in their first year of business, and Eric asks what the biggest challenges were in their first year. Stephanie touches upon scaling too quickly, maintaining a level of service and sometimes having to say no to some jobs. 
Since this interview took place at the Women in HVACR event, Eric and Stephanie also talk about women in the trades.
 
 

BONUS EPISODE: An Uncensored Conversation With Thaddeus & Evan

It's Thanksgiving week, so we wanted to give our valued listeners a bonus episode to enjoy while you inevitably fall asleep after eating too much turkey. During this episode, we are joined by Thaddeus & Evan from HVAC Success Secrets Revealed. 
This episode was recorded during the Women in HVACR event that took place in Phoenix, Arizona. During their discussion, they talk about inspiration for their podcasts, local marketing ideas, the importance of empowering women in the trades, and much more! 
 
Also, Eric reveals a that he will be helping lead a marketing summit in Tampa hosted by ServiceTitan on December 8th. If you are interested in attending, you can register using this link: https://cvent.me/m5z25r?RefId=RD

Automating So You Can Do More

On this episode we have Ryan Fenn, CEO of CHIIRP on the show, recorded from the Women in HVACR event! Eric and Ryan talk about communication automation, automating review requests, while not taking away the human element in your business.
 
Ryan and his brother started a business 12 years ago, and Ryan even made a course on how to grow and build your business. Now, he's focused on growing your business through automation. Automating allows you as the business owner to be able to do more, while automation takes care of the rest. 
 
Check our our affiliate link for CHIIRP here!
 

Hire for Character, Train for Skill

ERIC GOES LIVE FROM WOMEN IN HVACR! On this episode, we are joined by Carrie Fraser from Nexstar Network.
Nexstar is a member-owned organization serving the trades. Carrie says that Nexstar's goal is to coach and train the world's best tradespeople to become the best business people. 
Carrie has been with Nexstar for a little over 5 years. Her advice to those in the trades is to be able to adapt, and be consistent. 
Carrie puts emphasis on the importance of pairing up with a best practices group and putting time and effort into the people on your team.
 

Setting Your Business Up For Success in 2023

On this episode, we are welcoming back Lawrence Castillo from Brody Pennell. Brody Pennell is the longest standing Carrier dealer in Los Angeles. They've been in business since 1945. 
Brody Pennell recently won Best HVAC Company in LA by the readers of the LA times!
Lawrence and Eric talk about the importance of customer service, thought on private equity, memberships and opportunities in quarter four. Lawrence puts on emphasis on memberships by linking reviews directly to an increase in memberships, and stating that "memberships are not dead."
Lawrence puts emphasis on customer service saying "it takes years to gain a customer and only seconds to lose them."
This is Lawrence's third time being on The Smart HVAC Marketing Podcast. We are so glad to have him back to share his insight and experience in this industry.
 
CORRECTION: Lawrence's email is lawrence@brodypennell.com