The Bulletproof Marketer

Episode 01: Marketing in 2025: The Trends That Matter (and the BS You Should Ignore)

Let’s get one thing straight: if you’re still running your 2023 playbook in 2025, you’re not “classic”—you’re behind. In this episode, Christopher Tompkins breaks down what’s actually happening in digital marketing right now—not the LinkedIn fluff, but the real deal trends that are shifting how we work, sell, and grow.
From AI fatigue (yes, it’s real) and the collapse of organic reach, to the rise of video-as-default and marketing automation that finally delivers, this episode pulls back the curtain on what’s working and what’s officially expired.
You’ll hear:
The brutal truth about why your engagement tanked (hint: the algorithm isn’t your friend)
How to stop wasting time on content that doesn’t convert
What 2025’s smartest marketers are doing right now to outpace the competition
This isn’t another crystal ball episode—it’s a tactical, no-filter guide to navigating the chaos and coming out ahead. Chris lays out what to ditch, what to double down on, and how to bulletproof your marketing strategy for the year ahead.
If you’re ready to stop playing catch-up and start leading, let’s dive in.
🎧 Press play. Your future-self will thank you.
 
Episode Highlights:
Intro [00:00]
Organic Reach Decline on Meta [00:08]
AI Fatigue [00:14]
The Shift on LinkedIn [00:18]
TikTok for Brand Awareness [00:21]
Email Marketing Renaissance [00:23]
Paid Media’s Role [00:30]
What Needs to Die in Marketing [00:32]
Bulletproof Takeaways [00:38]
 
🔗 Resource Links
Stay connected and dive deeper:
💥 Subscribe to The Bulletproof Marketer NewsletterGet weekly insights straight to your inbox — zero fluff, all strategy.https://gosalesandmarketing.com/bulletproof-marketer
🚀 Explore The Go! AgencyDiscover how we build bold marketing strategies that actually deliver.www.thegoagency.com
👥 Follow The Bulletproof Marketer on LinkedInJoin the conversation, catch episode drops, and get behind-the-scenes takes.https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-bulletproof-marketer/
🎙️ Connect with Christopher Tompkins on LinkedInThought leadership, unfiltered opinions, and daily digital insights.https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisgomedia

05 - Brand Agility for the Digital World: Accessing the Right Audience

Tune in this week for a conversation with special guest Greg Kihlström from The Agile World! Our hosts welcome Greg to discuss common issues with disingenuous marketing, how to know your audience, the future of work and tips for branding in a competitive market climate. Chris and April also analyze the latest news from the communications industry, including why the pandemic is pushing journalists to quit their jobs, and how the ongoing supply chain crisis has damaged brand loyalty for many consumers. Your favorite dynamic duo also debates the pros and cons of Disney’s new Tik Tok influencer program, and makes a call on whether the recently-announced Hidden Valley Ranch X Crocs Collaboration is a cash move or a trash idea for both brands.
Today’s “BREAKING NEWS”: 
Brand Loyalty - https://bit.ly/3bjRjf5
Journalists -https://bit.ly/3pJ3E4X
More on our “Cash or Trash?” segment: https://bit.ly/3bhGJ8r 
From “Point & Counterpoint”: https://bit.ly/3vQV7hg 
Follow Greg’s work with The Agile World here:https://www.gregkihlstrom.com
April is the president and founder of Trust Relations, a fast-growing and virtual PR agency: https://www.trustrelations.agency/.
Christopher Tompkins is the CEO and head strategist at The Go! Agency, a digital marketing firm: https://gosalesandmarketing.com/.

04 - Post-Pandemic Pivots for Branding and Business (Feat. Justin Knapp)

This week, your hype-busting hosts welcome Justin Knapp, founder of Space Together. Justin is here to discuss his journey as an entrepreneur, lessons learned in business and how his innovative platform is helping communities rent out their unused commercial space to other local groups. Chris and April also share their best advice for the transforming world of agency work post-pandemic, like managing Zoom fatigue, handling internal communications issues and what brands should consider in their public-facing campaigns. They also share the latest trends impacting marketing and PR as 2022 approaches, spar over the industry push for brands to join Tik Tok, and discuss whether Instagram’s Facebook banner ads were a cash or trash move for reviving interest in the platform. Our hosts close things out with an assessment of the state of agency work in a remote world, and how business owners and teams can strike the right balance in their work lives.
Today’s “BREAKING NEWS”: 
PR Trends: https://bit.ly/3aSFL2l  
Instagram Influencers: https://bit.ly/3BLwhS0 
More on our “Cash or Trash?” segment: 
Facebook Banner: https://bit.ly/3BHy1M1
From “Point & Counterpoint”: 
https://bit.ly/3lIsmQE
Follow Justin’s work with Space Together here: https://spacetogether.com/
April is the president and founder of Trust Relations, a fast-growing and virtual PR agency: www.trustrelations.agency
Christopher Tompkins is the CEO and head strategist at The Go! Agency, a digital marketing firm: https://gosalesandmarketing.com/

PR, By the Basics with Lee Caraher

For a business new to PR and marketing, it can all feel very overwhelming with questions that have no clear cut answer. What is public relations? What social media platform should I be on? On today’s episode, we welcome Lee Caraher to help untangle it all.
Lee Caraher is a CEO, best-selling author, and sought-after speaker. Founder and CEO of Double Forte, a national PR & Communications firm in San Francisco, New York, and Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Lee is an acclaimed communication strategist known for her practical solutions to big problems. Her company works with companies big and small that are making a difference in their categories.
Listen now!
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Connect with The Social Marketing Academy:
www.Twitter.com/GoSocialAcademy 
https://Apple.co/2KnGM8Z
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Connect with Christopher Tompkins:
www.Twitter.com/chrisgoagency 
www.Linkedin.com/in/chrisgomedia/ 
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Connect with Lee Caraher and Double Forte:
Lee’s Website ---> www.leecaraher.com
Double Forte ---> www.double-forte.com
Twitter ---> www.twitter.com/LeeCaraher
Facebook ---> www.facebook.com/LeeCaraher1
LinkedIn ---> www.linkedin.com/in/leecaraher
Instagram ---> www.instagram.com/leecaraher 
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The Social Marketing Academy is powered by The Go! Agency, a full-service marketing and sales agency based in Palm Harbor, Florida. To learn more about us check out the links below:
www.GoSalesAndMarketing.com 
www.Facebook.com/TheGoAgency 
www.Twitter.com/TheGoAgency 
www.LinkedIn.com/company/the-go-agency 
www.Instagram.com/TheGoAgency

Marketing Meets Technology? With John Wall

Marketing, sales, and technology are all separate but integral parts of running a business, but getting the three to come together is often a tricky process. To help sort it out, we’re welcoming author John Wall to the podcast.
John J. Wall speaks, writes and practices at the intersection of marketing, sales, and technology. He is the producer of Marketing Over Coffee, a weekly audio program that discusses marketing and technology with his co-host Christopher S. Penn, and has been featured on iTunes. Notable guests include Ryan Holiday, Debbie Millman, Ty Pennington, Simon Sinek and Seth Godin.
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Connect with The Social Marketing Academy:
www.Twitter.com/GoSocialAcademy 
https://Apple.co/2KnGM8Z
---
Connect with Christopher Tompkins:
www.Twitter.com/chrisgoagency 
www.Linkedin.com/in/chrisgomedia/ 
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Connect with John Wall and Trust Insights:
Website ---> https://www.trustinsights.ai/
Podcast ---> https://www.marketingovercoffee.com/most-popular-episodes/
LinkedIn ---> https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnjwall/
Twitter ---> https://twitter.com/johnjwall
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The Social Marketing Academy is powered by The Go! Agency, a full-service marketing and sales agency based in Palm Harbor, Florida. To learn more about us check out the link below:
www.GoSalesAndMarketing.com 
 

03 - Best Bets for Branding in the Startup Game (Feat. Tom Briggs)

This week, your favorite dynamic duo welcomes guest Tom Briggs. Tom is the founder of epigraph research & branding consultancy, and he’s here to dive into all things branding, including the dos and don’ts of working in the tech startup space. Chris and April also share some recent news from the communications circuit, including actress Ellie Kemper’s recent crisis response, and allegations that Subway’s tuna sandwiches might contain fishy DNA. Our hosts also spar over whether the viral Fox News “singing babysitter” is front page worthy, and dig into the impact of the resignation economy. Finally, Chris and April make the call on whether Sprite’s hip-hop QR code campaign was a cash move or a trash strategy for the brand, and discuss the recent trend of leveraging micro-level Tik Tok influencers for product promotion.
Today’s “BREAKING NEWS”: 
Ellie Kemper: https://bit.ly/2XVxYgK 
Subway: https://bit.ly/3uiqyAr
More on our “Cash or Trash?” segment: 
Sprite: https://bit.ly/3unT6s7
TikTok: https://cnb.cx/39IMETd
From “Point & Counterpoint”: 
Singing Babysitter: https://fxn.ws/3APAQun
 
Follow Tom’s projects here: 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tbriggs
https://twitter.com/HelloEpigraph
https://www.facebook.com/hello.epigraph/
https://www.instagram.com/hello.epigraph/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/epigraphagency 
April is the president of Trust Relations: https://www.trustrelations.agency/.
Christopher Tompkins is the CEO at The Go! Agency: https://gosalesandmarketing.com/

Cyber Security with Scott Schober

Digital innovation has made all of our lives easier—including those of cybercriminals. Now, it takes more than a tricky password to keep your information safe. How has cybersecurity become more important amidst the COVID pandemic with millions more people working remotely from home? What are some best practices we can all take to guard our personal information? To answer these questions and more, we welcome security expert Scott Schober to the podcast.
Scott is the President and CEO of Berkeley Varitronics Systems, a provider of advanced, world-class wireless test and security solutions and the author of three best-selling security books: Hacked Again, Cybersecurity is Everybody’s Business, and Senior Cyber. 
Connect with The Social Marketing Academy:
www.Twitter.com/GoSocialAcademy 
https://Apple.co/2KnGM8Z
Connect with Christopher Tompkins:
www.Twitter.com/chrisgoagency 
www.Linkedin.com/in/chrisgomedia/ 
Connect with Scott Schober and Berkeley Varitronics Systems:
ScottSchober.com
www.linkedin.com/in/snschober/
twitter.com/ScottBVS
twitter.com/bvsystems
The Social Marketing Academy is powered by The Go! Agency, a full-service marketing and sales agency based in Palm Harbor, Florida. Learn more: www.GoSalesAndMarketing.com 

The Power of the Press Release with Mickie Kennedy

You need to get the word out about your business to thousands of potential customers. The easiest way? A well-timed press release that generates buzz around your brand. But for a business owner with no PR experience, what does that entail? What is a press release and how can it guarantee your business a wider audience?
Our guest Mickie Kennedy is an expert at helping small businesses, authors, and startups increase their visibility and credibility. Mickie founded eReleases 22+ years ago after realizing that small businesses desperately need a press release service they can actually afford, giving them access to the media and to a national newswire – all with a personal touch!
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Connect with The Social Marketing Academy:
www.Twitter.com/GoSocialAcademy 
https://Apple.co/2KnGM8Z
Connect with Christopher Tompkins:
www.Twitter.com/chrisgoagency 
www.Linkedin.com/in/chrisgomedia/ 
Connect with Mickie Kennedy and eReleases:
www.ereleases.com/plan 
www.twitter.com/ereleases 
www.facebook.com/ereleases.press.release.distribution 
www.instagram.com/ereleasespr/ 
www.linkedin.com/in/publicity/ 
www.pinterest.com/ereleases/ 
www.youtube.com/user/ereleases
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The Social Marketing Academy is powered by The Go! Agency, a full-service marketing and sales agency based in Palm Harbor, Florida. Learn more: www.GoSalesAndMarketing.com 

02 - Know Your Brand: Tips to Consider Before Your Campaign Kickoff

The Hype Busters are back! This week, hosts Chris and April are tackling some must-know tips for companies to consider before starting a new campaign. They’re chatting about launch timing, PR prep work and solidifying your brand identity. Chris and April also deliver a double dose of “Cash or Trash?” as they make the final call on whether Tiffany & Co. was wise to introduce yellow to its iconic color palette, and assess the strategy behind Australia's “pet-ernity” policy. Our hosts touch on authentic brand activism during Pride month, and shine the “Startup Spotlight” on Immersion Neuroscience, a personal neuroscience app and rising star in the biotech space. In a brand-new segment, “Just the Tip,” they also offer their advice for managing client expectations in terms of marketing and PR timelines.
More on our “Cash or Trash?” segment: 
https://bit.ly/2Xm4acT
https://bit.ly/3kcsuXD
About Immersion Neuroscience: https://www.getimmersion.com/ 
April is the president and founder of Trust Relations, a fast-growing and virtual PR agency: https://www.trustrelations.agency/.
Christopher Tompkins is the CEO and head strategist at The Go! Agency, a digital marketing firm: https://gosalesandmarketing.com/.

Being AGILE with Greg Kihlstrom

Are you AGILE? Many companies are switching to this new way of project management and restructuring their companies in the process.  But what does it mean to really have an AGILE workforce, and is it the right move for every company? This week, we’re joined by author and AGILE expert Greg Kihlstrom.
Greg is a best selling author, speaker, and entrepreneur. He has worked with some of the world’s leading organizations on customer experience, employee experience, and digital transformation initiatives, both before and after selling his award-winning digital experience agency, Carousel30, in 2017. Greg’s newest book, The Agile Workforce (2021) explores the current and future state of the workforce and envisions a world where individuals thrive in a new world of work opportunities enabled by technology, decentralization, and a shift in the power dynamics between employers and employees. 
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Connect with The Social Marketing Academy:
www.Twitter.com/GoSocialAcademy 
https://Apple.co/2KnGM8Z
---
Connect with Christopher Tompkins:
www.Twitter.com/chrisgoagency 
www.Linkedin.com/in/chrisgomedia/ 
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Connect with Greg Kihlstrom:
LinkedIn ---> https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom 
Instagram ---> https://www.instagram.com/theagileworld 
Facebook ---> https://www.facebook.com/theagileworld 
Twitter ---> https://www.twitter.com/gregkihlstrom
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The Social Marketing Academy is powered by The Go! Agency, a full-service marketing and sales agency based in Palm Harbor, Florida. To learn more about us check out the links below:
www.GoSalesAndMarketing.com 
www.Facebook.com/TheGoAgency 
www.Twitter.com/TheGoAgency 
www.LinkedIn.com/company/the-go-agency 
www.Instagram.com/TheGoAgency