88: How to Succeed with email marketing in 2025 with Jaina Mistry

In today’s episode, I’m diving into the art and science of email marketing with Jaina Mistry, Director of Brand and Content Marketing at Litmus. We unpack how email marketing is evolving to meet changing consumer expectations, discuss the most common mistakes marketers make, and explore creative ways to personalize email campaigns. 

You’ll also hear actionable tips on how to be authentic in email marketing in 2025, leverage AI effectively, and use lifecycle marketing and newsletters to build trust, drive engagement, and boost ROI.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 Introduction to the episode and today’s guest, Jaina Mistry

• 02:00 Jaina’s career journey: From Buffy fan sites to email marketing leadership

• 06:30 How early influences shaped Jaina’s approach to creativity and strategy

• 10:00 What Litmus does and how it helps marketers optimize email campaigns

• 14:30 The challenges of email rendering across platforms and how Litmus solves them

• 18:45 Key features of Litmus: personalization tools, testing capabilities, and analytics

• 20:00 AI in email marketing: How marketers are using it and its current limitations

• 23:15 Practical ways to use AI for ideation and content creation in email campaigns

• 26:00 Changing consumer behaviors: Building trust and standing out through email

• 30:00 Why email marketing is not dead: The long-term impact of consistent email strategies

• 35:00 Personalization strategies that go beyond first-name greetings to create real connections

• 38:00 Lifecycle marketing: Using email to guide consumers from awareness to action

• 42:30 The importance of showing up consistently in inboxes and building brand loyalty

• 46:00 Why newsletters are a powerful tool for thought leadership and relationship building

• 48:00 Final advice: Be curious, creative, and focus on connecting with humans

Key Takeaways for Business Leaders:

Email as a Relationship Builder: Treat email as a tool to foster relationships over time. Consistently showing up in inboxes with valuable, insightful content keeps your brand top-of-mind, even if the recipient isn’t ready to act immediately. Jaina shared how a brand’s steady email presence led her to make a purchase years later.

Focus on Human Connections: Marketing isn’t about speaking to companies; it’s about connecting with individuals. Jaina advises using conversational language, humor, or even playful risk-taking to stand out. As she says, “Talk to people like people, not like a business pitch.”

Rethink Email Personalization: Move beyond basic first-name personalization, which can feel stale and ineffective. Instead, tailor content to reflect the recipient’s company, interests, or behavior. Jaina highlights how using live polls or countdown timers creates a dynamic, engaging email experience.

Ensure Flawless Emails with Testing: Email testing ensures your messages look and function perfectly across devices, preventing broken designs or links and delivering a seamless experience that builds trust and boosts engagement.

Leverage AI Thoughtfully: Generative AI can spark creative ideas and improve efficiency, but it’s not a replacement for human judgment. Use it as a brainstorming partner for ideation or fine-tuning copy, but always review outputs for alignment with your brand voice and accuracy.

Listen on Apple Podcasts here.

Listen on Spotify here.

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts & Spotify

Please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people like you who want to build a stronger business.

On Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

For Spotify, tap here on your mobile phone, follow the podcast, listen to the show, then find the rating icon below the description, and tap to rate with five stars.

Connect with Jaina Mistry

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jainamistry 
State of Email Trends Report by Litmus: https://www.litmus.com/resources/state-of-email-trends
State of Lifecycle Marketing Report by Litmus: https://www.litmus.com/resources/state-of-email-lifecycle-marketing 

Connect with Christie Bilbrey

http://www.christiebilbrey.com

hello@christiebilbrey.com  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christiebilbrey
Instagram: https://instagram.com/christiebilbrey 

Grow Your Business as a Podcast Guest: https://bit.ly/pod-guesting

Create Your Buyer Persona: https://bit.ly/3H4Q2Hw 

76: Mastering Personal Branding for Introverts with Alejandro Sanoja

Personal Brand Series

In today’s episode, we dive into personal branding for introverts with Alejandro Sanoja, a top branding expert and the founder of personal branding agency, Latinpresarios.

We discuss why introverts can and should pursue growing a personal brand based on his own experience, the most common challenges introverts experience with building personal brands and how to overcome them, as well as strategies, frameworks, and a secret weapon everyone can use to build a compelling personal brand that enhances professional presence and attracts business opportunities.

Alejandro also provides personal brand statement examples to help you create your own: https://latinpresarios.com/personal-branding-statement-examples/ 

Timestamps
00:00 - 01:26: Introduction by Christie Bilbrey

01:27 - 05:08: Alejandro shares his background and journey

05:09 - 06:18: Leveraging personal branding as an introvert

06:18 - 07:10: Benefits of creating long-lasting content

07:10 - 08:37: Importance of online presence in personal branding

08:37 - 10:12: Common challenges in developing a personal brand

10:12 - 11:34: Overcoming imposter syndrome and understanding content competition

11:34 - 13:09: Setting realistic expectations for content creation

13:09 - 14:33: Importance of templates and professional help

14:33 - 16:17: Strategic content creation for bottom-of-the-funnel keywords

16:17 - 18:03: Tactical SEO strategies and competition analysis

18:03 - 19:28: Writing about prices and competition to build trust

19:28 - 21:00: Effective use of pricing information in content

21:00 - 22:33: Managing burnout and balancing energy in networking

22:33 - 23:57: Tips for avoiding burnout and maintaining consistency

23:57 - 25:25: Building personal brand stories and statements

25:25 - 27:02: Structuring personal stories for maximum impact

27:02 - 30:00: Examples of personal branding stories and their elements

30:00 - 33:05: Testing and refining personal stories for engagement

33:05 - 36:38: Importance of a well-crafted personal brand statement

36:38 - 38:12: Crafting and practicing personal brand statements

38:12 - 41:11: Recording and analyzing presentations for improvement

41:11 - 43:00: Using social media profiles effectively

43:00 - 45:19: Final thoughts and additional resources for personal branding

Key Takeaways

1. Leverage Content for Long-Term Impact: As an introvert, creating valuable content online can help you maintain a strong presence without constant social interactions. Invest time in creating quality content that will serve as a lasting asset.

2. Strategic Use of SEO and Keywords: Focus on bottom-of-the-funnel keywords that potential clients use when they are ready to make a purchasing decision. This targeted approach can significantly boost your visibility and conversion rates.

3. Transparency in Pricing: Don’t shy away from discussing prices openly. Providing clear pricing information can build trust and attract clients who are already considering your services, making the sales process smoother.

4. Balance and Self-Awareness: Identify what types of networking and branding activities energize you and which deplete you. This self-awareness will help you maintain a sustainable and effective personal branding strategy without burning out.

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts & Spotify

“I love Christie and The Business That Story Built podcast!” Does that sound like you? Please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people like you who want to build a stronger business. On Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

For Spotify, tap here on your mobile phone, follow the podcast, listen to the show, then find the rating icon below the description, and tap to rate with five stars.

Ways to reach Alejandro Sanoja and Christie Bilbrey

Alejandro Sanoja
www.latinpresarios.com 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alejandrosanoja/ 

Personal brand statement examples: https://latinpresarios.com/personal-branding-statement-examples/ 

Christie Bilbrey

www.christiebilbrey.com

hello@christiebilbrey.com  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christiebilbrey/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/christiebilbrey 

Free guide: Create Your Buyer Persona

62: Content That Moves Your Business Forward with Erika Heald

In this episode of the PR series, I interview Erika Heald on all things content creation and digital marketing. Today, managing your digital marketing can become frustrating and overwhelming. When it comes to content, it's easy to get wrapped up in the idea you’re creating content for the sake of it, but it is crucial to focus on the goals. The goal of today’s episode is to provide you with practical tips and tricks for navigating the world of content strategy that will build your confidence and your business growth. 

Some top tips … 

Thought leadership has become a must-include component of most brands' PR and brand-building efforts. It is so easy to post content for the sake of posting but focus on posting content that is authentic and starts conversations within your online community.  

Staying organized is the best way to reduce stress when planning your content. Utilize tools such as editorial calendars, content templates, and AI to maximize your efficiency and to ensure no aspect of your content strategy or plan is overlooked; even the smallest details matter! 

Make sure your content strategies are rooted in solid goals and objectives. Whether creating content for your next post or trying to determine the channel that best fits you, remember that your goals and objectives are the ultimate destinations for success among your audience and your strategy. 

Going viral should not be your goal! Going viral is a vanity objective, not a business objective, and it will not add monetary value to your brand. Remember, you are trying to share your message with a specific audience, not a giant one.

Commit to avoiding random acts of content marketing. Create useful content that your audience will enjoy consuming; don’t create something to fill your editorial calendar, create content you would spend time engaging with if you didn’t work for your company. 

This episode at glance … 

>>  (2:45-4:13) Thought leadership has become a must-include component of most brands' PR and brand-building efforts. But what exactly IS thought leadership? Thought leadership is conveyed by a person who is unafraid to share their opinions, even the unpopular ones. Thought leaders make a huge difference in your content, stand out from the crowd and truly connect with your audience. 

>>(4:16-5:30) Find different people to be thought leaders for your content. Utilizing various expertise will ensure you can meet all of your content strategy needs and allow your audience to connect with your brand more uniquely and authentically. 

>>(5:40-8:07) Content pillars are essential to marketing on every channel because they help you define what you want to talk about and what you want to be known for. You don’t always need to rely on keywords for pillars; focus on what drives a true connection with your audience. 

>>(8:10-8:59) Content marketing is all about getting to know your audience. Similar to servant leadership, you’re trying to be helpful. Rather than trying to sell your content you’re trying to be relentlessly helpful with your content. 

>>(9:33-13:33) How do I know my content drives business growth? Take a look at Gini Dietrich’s ‘PESO Model’. This model will help you understand that all content is interconnected, and you can create content that works best for your audience, messages, and objectives. 

>>(13:42-17:57) Editorial calendars help you organize your ideas, objectives, and pillars. This calendar is a flexible way to help you determine what you want to do and when you want to do it; it will also keep you accountable for committing to a specific time and activity. 

>>(18:11-21:30) A common mistake in creating growth-focused content strategies is focusing too much on what your competitors do. If you only focus on sharing your version of what your competitors share, you won’t stand out as a unique voice in your space. 

>>(21:40-24:55) The best way to gain momentum on a small budget is to make sure you’re creating and designing content with all the repurposing options in mind. Utilizing tools such as Copy.ai, Grammarly, Tailwind, and Canva are great AI tools for creating content and copy. 

>> (25:40-33:51) Erika’s Twitter chat and Linkedin live were ultimately inspired by the questions, ‘How can we have a great conversation with an expert while also allowing our community to give their input, share opinions, and ask questions?’ It is a great way to drive brand recognition, engage the audience, and receive helpful feedback.

>>(31:49-31:24) When developing a plan and determining the right channels for your brand, focus on the places where you have a solid audience to engage with. Try a new form of content per quarter and figure out what you’re comfortable with. Be realistic with your expectations and try things that are manageable for you. 

>> (33:55-36:26) While going viral seems exciting, that should never be the main goal of your post. Going viral is a vanity objective, not a business objective. Viral content does not serve your brand because it is a broad approach, not one that is focused around your target market. You aren’t trying to reach a vast audience, you’re trying to reach a specific audience. 

>>(36:56-42:27) When pursuing paid speaking opportunities, start by defining your thought leadership strategy and what you really want to be known for, knowing you can offer something unique to the conversation. Start with pieces that are in your comfort zone and pursue opportunities where you know someone involved in selecting the speakers or where you can get an intro. Taking advantage of low-hanging fruit is a great place to start. 

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

“I love Christie and The Business That Story Built podcast!” Does that sound like you? Please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people like you who want to build a stronger business. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast! Every week I release an episode that helps strengthen the stories we tell ourselves and the stories we tell others. Follow now!

Links Mentioned in Today's Episode

Copy.ai

Grammarly 

Canva 

Tailwind

Ways to reach Erika Heald & Christie Bilbrey

erikaheald.com 

erikasglutenfreekitchen.com

Twitter: @sferika  

Erika’s free download: Tools and Templates to Accelerate Your Work

Erika’s free download: How to Build a Thought Leadership Platform

Erika’s free download: How to share company content in an authentic and meaningful way

www.christiebilbrey.com

hello@christiebilbrey.com  

Instagram: https://instagram.com/christiebilbrey 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christiebilbrey/ 

Download my free guide: Create Your Buyer Persona

Download my free guide: 10 Tips to Grow Your Business as a Podcast Guest

37: Grow Your Business on LinkedIn with Dr. Melissa Henault

Thought Leadership Series

In today’s episode we hear from LinkedIn expert Dr. Melissa Henault. Melissa teaches entrepreneurs and small business owners how to leverage LinkedIn to attract ideal clients and business partners. She leads the Burn Out to All Out mastermind as well as the LinkedIn Method Academy. 

Some top tips …

When it comes to LinkedIn, think of it as your own personal digital storefront. You don’t want to be a business owner or thought leader showing up as an employee. You only have 2 to 3 seconds to catch someone’s attention on LinkedIn which is why branding is so important.

When it comes to reaching out to make new connections on LinkedIn, go the extra mile and write a personal message. When receiving requests to connect, ask what piqued their curiosity about your profile to give you an opening to share what’s currently going on in your business. 

Melissa lists several ways to repurpose content you already have into engaging content to grow your results on LinkedIn, so make sure to take notes.

To avoid burnout, take off the mask and show up as your authentic self. It will be more life- giving for you and refreshing for the right audience who wants to connect with you. 

Tune into today’s episode for more details about growing your thought leadership on LinkedIn. 

This episode at glance … 

>> How to grow your thought leadership on LinkedIn. How your profile and bio should look to catch people’s attention and why the way you brand it matters. 

>> How should the content shared on a personal page differ from the content shared on a company page? 

>> Consistency is key when it comes to any social media platform.

>> Best practices when it comes to repurposing content. 

>> Outreach ideas to use when searching for connections on LinkedIn. 

>> Extra tips on making LinkedIn a positive experience and pursuing it in a way that it doesn’t drain you. 

Links in the episode for Dr. Melissa Henault and Christie Bilbrey

Dr. Melissa Henault
https://www.livethefreelife.co

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissa_henault/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-melissa-henault-7074ab25/

Christie Bilbrey

www.christiebilbrey.com

hello@christiebilbrey.com  

Download my free guide: 10 Tips to Grow Your Business as a Podcast Guest

Instagram: https://instagram.com/christiebilbrey 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christiebilbrey/