SaaSy as F**k

Join us as we chat with with Jen Igartua. We kick things off by exploring Jen's unique and humorous approach to content on LinkedIn, challenging the platform's typically serious tone and discussing the importance of authenticity in professional settings. Jen shares insights from her journey as CEO of GoNimbly, delving into the critical role of Revenue Operations (RevOps) in aligning sales, marketing, and customer success to drive business efficiency and growth.

The discussion navigates the evolving landscape of RevOps, the impact of AI on sales, automation, customer service, and go-to-market strategies. Jen offers practical advice for startups on building effective RevOps teams and leveraging personal branding for customer acquisition.

Later, Jen switches gears to share her entrepreneurial experience in the board game industry as a co-founder of Pillbox Games, touching on design challenges and navigating Kickstarter. The episode culminates in a light-hearted and fun board game quiz segment featuring Jen, Jon, and Alex, testing their knowledge of classic and niche games.

Key Topics Discussed:

* Using Humor Effectively on LinkedIn

* Authenticity in Professional Branding

* The Role and Importance of RevOps (Revenue Operations)

* Aligning Sales, Marketing, and Customer Success

* AI's Impact on Sales, Automation, and Customer Service

* Building RevOps Teams in Startups

* Personal Branding for Customer Acquisition

* Entrepreneurship and Side Hustles (Pillbox Games)

* Board Game Design and the Kickstarter Landscape

* Podcast Fun: Board Game Quiz

Key Takeaways:

* Jen's unique humor challenges LinkedIn's serious nature, highlighting the value of authenticity.

* Creating effective humorous content often benefits from collaboration.

* Authenticity enhances job satisfaction and professional connections.

* RevOps focuses on aligning sales, marketing, and customer success for efficiency.

* Overcoming operational silos requires effective cross-team communication.

* Data quality is paramount for successful AI implementation in business.

* AI is evolving RevOps, focusing on strategic growth and efficiency.

* Understanding customer pain points remains crucial, even with automation.

* Adaptability is key in business, as shown in Jen's diverse career path.

* Startups need business-minded operators for effective RevOps foundations.

* Personal branding is a powerful tool for early customer acquisition.

* The board game industry offers unique creative and business challenges.

* Kickstarter is competitive but remains a viable funding source for games.

* Side hustles like Pillbox Games can enhance skills and bring valuable cross-industry insights.

* Board games (classic and niche) provide a fun backdrop for engagement and entertainment.

Memorable Quotes (Sound Bites):

* "I think he should do it now."

* "How do you automate research?"

* "You can look for these people."

* "We started Pillbox Games in 2017."

* "There's technically no time limit."

* "Alex is a music composer."

* "I wrote a f*****g quiz."

* "The lamest of the word games."

* "It's a Beatles song title."

* "The promo code is promo-chode."

* "Thank you so much for joining us."

Chapters:

* 00:00 - Introduction and Humor in Professional Spaces

* 02:57 - The Art of Creating Funny Content

* 06:07 - Navigating LinkedIn and Authenticity

* 08:52 - The Journey to CEO of GoNimbly

* 12:10 - Understanding RevOps and Its Importance

* 14:56 - The Role of RevOps in Business Efficiency

* 17:55 - Challenges and Surprises in RevOps

* 21:00 - The Future of AI in Go-To-Market Strategies

* 25:10 - Automating Efficiency in Sales Operations

* 27:48 - The Impact of AI on Jobs and Customer Service

* 30:17 - Building a Revenue Operations Team in Startups

* 34:24 - Finding Early Customers and Building a Personal Brand

* 37:39 - The Journey of Pillbox Games and Board Game Design

* 48:49 - Board Game Quiz Introduction

* 50:01 - Guessing Classic Board Games

* 52:22 - Exploring Niche Board Games

* 55:22 - Final Round of the Quiz

* 56:53 - Wrap-Up and Promotions

Keywords:

LinkedIn, humor, RevOps, SaaS, business strategy, authenticity, AI, content creation, entrepreneurship, marketing, sales operations, revenue operations, customer service, startups, board games, Kickstarter, personal branding, automation, efficiency, quiz, classic games, niche games, fun, entertainment, guessing game, podcast, Pillbox Games, Jen Igartua, GoNimbly.

In this fun chat, Joel Klettke, a renowned SaaS copywriter, discusses the importance of standing out in the crowded field of copywriting, particularly in the B2B space. He shares insights on the common fears that hold businesses back from being innovative and how to break free from clichés in copywriting. Joel also recounts his personal journey into the world of copywriting, the founding of Case Study Buddy, and the common mistakes companies make when creating case studies. He emphasises the need for a proactive approach and the importance of understanding the audience's needs to create compelling narratives. In this conversation, Joel Klettke discusses the importance of promoting and distributing content effectively, emphasizing the need for customer-centric storytelling. He shares his journey of selling Case Study Buddy, highlighting the personal and professional challenges he faced. Joel reflects on redefining success and fulfillment, exploring new ventures, including a focus on parenting and the potential of AI in business.

Takeaways

* Standing out in a crowded market is crucial.

* Fear of being different often stifles innovation.

* Most companies settle for safe, cliché copy.

* Proactive planning is key to effective case studies.

* Understanding the audience is essential for impactful storytelling.

* Case studies should focus on one big win.

* Sales teams prefer concise, actionable content.

* The journey into copywriting can be unexpected.

* Building a team can enhance service offerings.

* Mistakes in case studies often stem from lack of strategy. Promotion and distribution are crucial for content success.

* Customer stories should focus on the customer's journey, not the company's achievements.

* Selling a business can be driven by personal happiness and market conditions.

* It's important to recognize when to step away from a venture for personal well-being.

* Success is subjective and can be redefined at different life stages.

* Exploring new opportunities can lead to personal growth and fulfillment.

* Parenting support for dads is a needed area of focus.

* AI presents new opportunities for businesses and should be embraced, not feared.

* Joy should be an indicator of whether you're on the right path in life.

* You have the power to define your own career trajectory.

Titles

Chapters

00:00

The Importance of Standing Out in Copywriting

06:01

Breaking the Mold: Copywriting Beyond Clichés

12:11

Transitioning into Copywriting: A Personal Journey

18:09

Common Mistakes in Case Studies and How to Avoid Them

33:42

The Importance of Promotion and Distribution

39:45

Navigating Personal and Professional Challenges

Keywords

copywriting, SaaS, B2B, case studies, marketing, innovation, storytelling, business strategy, unique voice, personal journey, promotion, distribution, customer storytelling, Case Study Buddy, personal challenges, success, fulfillment, new ventures, AI, parenting

In this engaging conversation, Jon and Jane Portman discuss the multifaceted journey of building a SaaS business while balancing personal life. Jane shares her experiences transitioning from a UI/UX consultant to co-founding User List, an email automation platform. They explore the challenges of slow growth in the SaaS industry, the importance of niching down, and the realities of technical hurdles. Jane emphasizes the significance of continuous learning and adapting in the ever-evolving tech landscape, while also offering insights for aspiring podcasters. In this engaging conversation, Jane Portman discusses the long-term benefits of podcasting, emphasizing the importance of networking and learning from guests. She highlights the necessity of delegating production tasks to focus on content creation and shares insights on investing in quality equipment for better audio production. The conversation culminates in a light-hearted quiz segment, showcasing the fun side of podcasting while reinforcing the value of collaboration and creativity.

Takeaways

* Balancing personal life and entrepreneurship is challenging but possible with support.

* The journey from consultant to co-founder involves leveraging existing skills.

* Evolving a product is a gradual process rather than a sudden pivot.

* Technical challenges are significant, and having a reliable team is crucial.

* Slow growth can be beneficial, allowing for steady learning and adaptation.

* Narrowing down the target market can help in finding ideal customers.

* Limited resources force prioritization and focus in product development.

* Understanding the market and customer needs is essential for success.

* Building a SaaS business requires patience and resilience.

* Advice for podcasters includes finding a niche and staying consistent. Podcasting is a long game, focused on enjoyment and learning.

* The primary benefit of podcasting is networking with interesting people.

* Delegation of production tasks is crucial for efficiency.

* Investing in quality equipment can significantly improve audio quality.

* Learning from guests is a unique privilege of podcasting.

* Quality production can be outsourced affordably.

* The right tools, like a boom arm, can enhance the podcasting experience.

* Editing can be time-consuming; consider hiring help.

* Engaging with guests in-depth is a rare opportunity.

* Podcasting can be both fun and a valuable learning experience.

Titles

* Navigating the SaaS Landscape: Insights from Jane Portman

* From Consultant to Co-Founder: A SaaS Journey

* Balancing Life and Business: The Reality of Entrepreneurship

* The Evolution of User List: A SaaS Success Story

* Slow Growth vs. Overnight Success: The SaaS Dilemma

Sound Bites

* "It's always been like a mix of things."

* "The product itself did not pivot."

* "Just keep going. That's the lesson."

* "It's always a game of limited resources."

* "What advice would you have for them?"

* "It's a long game."

* "You can't get people to do that generally."

* "Please, please delegate the production."

* "It's a spectrum of costs."

* "I was doing deep audio editing."

* "Use a boom arm, please."

Chapters

00:00

Introduction and Awkward Beginnings

03:05

Balancing Life as a Founder and Parent

06:07

The Journey from Consultant to Co-Founder

08:58

Evolving the Product and Business Model

11:59

Navigating Technical Challenges and Team Dynamics

14:52

The Reality of Slow Growth in SaaS

18:01

Lessons Learned from Building a SaaS Business

21:08

Future Aspirations and the SaaS Landscape

23:57

Narrowing Down the Target Market

27:01

Overcoming Fears of Niching Down

29:52

Advice for Aspiring Podcasters

37:08

The Long Game of Podcasting

38:02

Networking Through Podcasting

39:45

The Importance of Delegation

40:55

Investing in Quality Production

42:51

Learning from Experience

44:12

The Right Equipment Matters

46:45

Fun and Games: The Surprise Quiz

Keywords

podcasting, SaaS, entrepreneurship, user list, email marketing, business growth, co-founder, balancing life, niching down, startup challenges, podcasting, networking, delegation, production, equipment, learning, user list, marketing, audio editing, guest interviews

Episode Summary:

After 18 months, Alex Radford and Jon McGreevy have returned, brimming with the usual SaaS and a dash of nostalgia. In this comeback episode, they chat candidly about what they've been up to, the evolution of their careers, and the future of SaaSy as F**k. Expect laughs, tangents, and a peek into their renewed vision for the podcast.

Highlights:

00:00 - 03:30 | Technical Chaos: After wrestling with tech, Alex and Jon kick off with a “cold open” in classic, chaotic SaaSy as F**k fashion.

03:30 - 10:45 | Reflecting on the Hiatus: Alex and Jon reflect on their evolution, sharing why they’re ready to get back in the saddle.

10:45 - 22:00 | Origins and Growth: Jon recounts his shift from software testing to full-time SaaS copywriting, while Alex shares his journey to becoming a multimedia wizard.

22:00 - 32:00 | The Future of the Show: They lay out plans for a casual yet informative format, with insightful guest interviews balanced by lighthearted banter.

32:00 - 40:00 | Content Direction and AI’s Role: They vow to keep it real, free of overly “AI-driven” content and affiliate shilling, keeping the focus on quality insights.

40:00 - 47:00 | Behind the Scenes: Jon and Alex discuss the process of running a podcast, using WordPress, and the power of simplicity in content.

Key Takeaways:

Focus on SaaS Insights – Expect valuable insights from experts in SaaS marketing, branding, content creation, and more.

Non-Traditional Format – The podcast remains casual and conversational, aiming for genuine discussions rather than scripted Q&A.

Connect with the Hosts:

Jon McGreevy: heyreadthis.com | LinkedIn: ThatWriterJon

Alex Radford: alexradford.uk | Instagram: alex_theproducer

Stay tuned for upcoming episodes featuring insightful guest interviews, industry tips, and, as always, plenty of SaaS!

SaaS copywriter Gill Jones joins us to discuss story-driven copy, the pros and cons of being a copywriter with ASD, and her hatred of cruises.

• Follow her on Twitter
• Visit her website

This is our last episode for a while, as we focus on other projects, but we hope to be back towards the end of the year!

For the first episode of a new season, we're joined by inbound marketing expert—and host of the Tiny Marketing podcast—Sarah Noel Block.

We discuss inbound marketing, coping with small marketing budgets, and her journey into freelancing.

Check out her work here: https://www.sarahnoelblock.com/

In the final episode of Season 1, we're joined by Peter Loving, Senior Product Designer at UserActive.

We chat about his journey from designing physical products to digital products, common UI and UX mistakes, and the future of SaaS.

Show notes:

• UserActive - https://www.useractive.io/
• Todoist - https://todoist.com/
• Notion - https://www.notion.so/

In the latest episode of SaaSy as F**k, we chat all things AI with TagTeam AI founder CK Lee. We discuss his globe-trotting history, how he first founded TAGGUN, and how that turned into Tagteam AI.

AI is a big buzzword nowadays, so it was great to get CK's honest feeling about AI's potential for helping businesses (and probably not killing us all).

Key talking points:

• Can CK's receipt-scanning AI become a killing machine?
• What is the difference between AI and machine learning?
• What is Taggun?
• Companies that faked AI
• The future of AI
• What led CK to create his own business
• The value of marketing
• Jumping from full-time work, to working for himself
• CK's new venture, TagTeam AI
• Using NLP to improve AI
• Marketing at developers being different from digital marketing

Sites mentioned:

• KNOCK THE MIC – https://www.knockthemic.com
• TAGGUN — https://www.taggun.io
• TagTeam AI – https://tagteam.ai

After a short break from the podcast, we return with a brilliant and inspirational interview with copywriter and Terrain.io founder Eman Zabi.

We discuss building and growing a no-code SaaS, the importance of accessibility, and much more!

Show notes: 

• Adventurers Playlist – https://adventurersplaylist.carrd.co
• Terrain – https://www.knowtheterrain.io
• The Scribesmith – https://www.thescribesmith.com