In this episode, host Margaret P. Bouse sits down with Mark DiFraia for an in-depth discussion on the art and science of messaging and positioning.

Mark explains how he helps companies “find their frequency” — tuning their message so that every stakeholder, from investors to customers, hears the same clear, consistent story. Drawing on his background as both a musician and a messaging pro, he shares why alignment, clarity, and repetition are the keys to turning brand noise into a performance that resonates.

🎯 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to develop a messaging framework that unifies your team and drives all communications
• Why it’s important to train founders and teams to communicate on-message
• How to measure messaging success
• Why patience and consistency are essential

💬 Key takeaway:
Messaging isn’t about saying more — it’s about saying the right things, consistently, to the right audience, so that every word moves your buyers closer to action.

📎 Resources Mentioned

• 440 Marketing Blog: http://4fortymarketing.com/blog/
• Mark on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markdifraia

🎥 Related Episode: “Customer Marketing: Turning Happy Clients into Growth Engines” with Jackie Bouse

How do YOU make sure your team stays “in tune” with your brand message? Share your tips or challenges — we’d love to hear from you.

#MessagingStrategy #BrandPositioning #MarketingPodcast #B2BMarketing #Leadership #440Marketing #MarkDiFraia #ConversationsWithMargaret #BrandMessaging #CommunicationsStrategy #GoToMarket #MarketingFramework #EmpathyInBusiness

Sopra Solutions LLC www.soprasolutions.com https://www.linkedin.com/company/sopra-solutions

executiveedgecast.com

Listen/watch in video form: Youtube.com/@ExecutiveEdgecast

In this episode, host Marg Bouse welcomes back her daughter and customer marketing strategist Jackie Bouse for a deep dive into Customer Marketing — one of the least understood and most powerful functions inside a growing business.

Jackie, who has spent years specializing in customer marketing, explains how companies can leverage existing client relationships to drive retention, growth, and advocacy — turning satisfied customers into the most credible marketers a business can have.

Together, Margaret and Jackie explore how small to mid-sized businesses and nonprofits can apply these same strategies, even without large marketing teams or budgets.

🎯 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What “Customer Marketing” really is — and why it’s powerful
• How to build trust-based relationships that foster renewals, referrals, and upsales
• Best practices for case studies, customer advisory boards (CABs), and onboarding experiences
• How to ethically use customer logos, testimonials, and stories in marketing
• Why “meeting customers where they are” builds loyalty and community
• How AI and automation will reshape authentic customer engagement

💡 Key takeaway:
Customer Marketing is about relationships — listening, learning, and co-creating value. For businesses ready to scale sustainably, it’s not just a retention tool — it’s a differentiator.

📎 Additional Resources

• Creating a Customer Advisory Board: https://customeradvisoryboard.org/
• Playbook for CAB success: https://www.customermarketingalliance.com/fine-tuning-your-b2b-customer-advisory-boards-for-maximum-success/
• Creating a Customer Community: https://influitive.com/blog/customer-community/

What customer marketing strategies have worked best in your business? Do you run a CAB or customer community? We’d love to hear your experiences.

#CustomerMarketing #MarketingStrategy #CustomerSuccess #B2BMarketing #Retention #Advocacy #CustomerExperience #SMBMarketing #Leadership #RelationshipMarketing #EthicalMarketing

Sopra Solutions LLC www.soprasolutions.com https://www.linkedin.com/company/sopra-solutions

executiveedgecast.com

Listen/watch in video form: Youtube.com/@ExecutiveEdgecast

In this episode, host Marg Bouse sits down with her daughter and customer marketing professional Jackie Bouse for a candid, insightful conversation about building internship programs that truly matter.

Together, they explore how companies and teams can design internship experiences that create real value — for both the intern and the employer. Jackie shares her experiences managing and mentoring interns, while Margaret brings her perspective from decades of developing structured, purpose-driven internship programs.

You’ll learn:

• ✅ How to design internships with real learning outcomes and measurable results
• ✅ Why paid or for-credit internships attract the best candidates
• ✅ How to balance structure with creativity and autonomy
• ✅ The importance of mentoring, recognition, and supporting interns after the program
• ✅ Ways to partner with universities and comply with Fair Labor Standards guidelines

This discussion is packed with real-world advice, empathy, and humor — including how to manage hundreds of internship applications, tailor learning plans, and foster confidence in young professionals entering today’s challenging job market.

🎓 Whether you’re a business owner, nonprofit leader, or student preparing for your first internship, this episode will help you rethink what makes an internship truly successful.

📎 Show Notes & Resources

• Fair Labor Standards Act Internship Guidelines: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fact-sheets/71-flsa-internships
• Massachusetts Workforce Development Programs: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/executive-office-of-labor-and-workforce-development
• LinkedIn Career Resources: https://www.linkedin.com/learning

#Internships #CareerDevelopment #SmallBusiness #NonprofitLeadership #WorkforceDevelopment #Mentorship #StudentSuccess #MarketingCareers #Leadership #ProfessionalGrowth

Our Host: Margaret Bouse / Marg Bouse https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaretbouse

Our Guest: Jackie Bouse https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackiebouse

Our Producer and Director: Jesse Walsh https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-walsh/

Sopra Solutions LLC www.soprasolutions.com https://www.linkedin.com/company/sopra-solutions

executiveedgecast.com

Listen/watch in video form: Youtube.com/@ExecutiveEdgecast