Uncomplicated Marketing
"Marketing Uncomplicate - It" is your ultimate podcast destination for entrepreneurs and industry experts supporting small businesses. Join us as we explore the world of marketing, especially for businesses just launching or facing challenges. Hosted by Sacha Awwa, this podcast serves as a beacon for the resilience of entrepreneurs and business owners navigating their industries. Our guests share hard-fought battles, invaluable lessons, and innovative strategies that have reshaped businesses. With a blend of humor and insightful wisdom, we challenge conventional approaches and offer out-of-the-box marketing strategies. Tune in for behind-the-scenes insights into the entrepreneurial journey, filled with laughter and transformative discussions. Welcome to "Marketing Uncomplicate - It," where we simplify marketing for your success.
Uncomplicated Marketing
#77 Marketing: An Investment, Not an Expense
The Digital Marketing Success Plan — Building Predictable, AI-Ready Growth in 2025
In this week’s episode, Sacha sits down with Corey Morris—award-winning marketer, best-selling author, agency CEO, and creator of the Digital Marketing Success Plan®—to break down what most companies get wrong about digital marketing (hint: it’s not the tactics… it’s the lack of a real plan).
From early SEO days and the rise of social to today’s AI-powered search landscape, Corey shares insights from 20 years of building ROI-driven strategies for brands across North America. His work at VOLTAGE, a premier search & web agency, has helped companies align their marketing, analytics, and execution for sustainable, revenue-focused growth.
We dig into:
- Strategy vs. tactics: why most teams jump straight into doing instead of aligning on business outcomes
- The START Planning Process®: the 5-step framework (Strategy, Tactics, Application, Review, Transformation) that makes marketing accountable
- The hidden cost of random acts of marketing: why posting “just because” drains time, clarity, and ROI
- SEO in an AI world: zero-click searches, AI overviews, and why “SEO is dead” is still a myth
- Content overload & quality control: how to use AI without creating junk that damages trust
- Reporting that leaders actually believe: tying marketing → pipeline → profit instead of stopping at clicks
- Trigger events: CEO drive-bys, rebrands, algorithm shifts & how to stay agile without losing direction
- Scaling predictably: why diversified tactics + disciplined planning beat shiny-object growth
- The real risks of tool overload: subscriptions, automation traps, and the false promise of shortcuts
- Building credibility in your niche: how to differentiate, not commoditize, your marketing
🎯 Key Takeaways:
Strategy > tactics:
Most marketing fails because businesses start doing before deciding why or how success will be measured.
Clarity beats chaos:
The START Framework gives teams a documented plan, clear definitions, and unified KPIs that connect to revenue.
SEO isn’t dead—it’s evolving:
AI changes how people search, but the need to be discoverable is timeless.
Data is your truth-teller:
If your reporting stops at impressions and clicks, you’re flying blind.
AI is a multiplier, not a replacement:
Use AI to scale thinking, repurposing, and planning—not to pump out low-value content.
Consistency compounds:
Success comes from disciplined execution, not one-off heroics or sporadic bursts of activity.
Agility matters—but guardrails matter more:
Trigger events should shift priorities thoughtfully, not derail your entire strategy.
🔗 Connect with Corey:
📘 Digital Marketing Success Plan® Website (START Framework + Book)
🧩 Free Strategy Blueprints: https://thedmsp.com/blueprints
⚡ Agency: VOLTAGE — Your digital partner for search & web
LinkedIn: Corey Morris
Company LinkedIn: VOLTAGE
#DigitalMarketing #MarketingStrategy #SEO #ContentMarketing #AIinMarketing #MarketingAnalytics #UncomplicateItPodcast #VOLTAGE #PredictableGrowth #STARTFramework #MarketingPlan #ROI
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Follow Us:
📸 Instagram: Uncomplicate It!
▶️ YouTube: Uncomplicated Marketing - YouTube