Frictionless Growth Marketing

There's a growing number of cases where brands are being sued because their websites are not ADA compliant with regard to accessibility. The goal isn't to make you fearful, it is to get you informed about what you need to know to make your website both compliant and inclusive from an accessibility standpoint. I'm joined by Mark Pound, CEO of CurbCutOS, a web accessibility consultancy. Get the transcript of this episode here CurbCutOS How Google makes their brand accessible How to create an accessible brand with Erin Perkins Join the Inclusion & Marketing Newsletter

Disability impacts more of us than we think. And because of that – focusing on accessibility in your marketing will enable your brand to not only serve more people than you think - but allow you to make a positive impact on their lives. Accessibility is a big topic – and it can feel a bit overwhelming at times. So today, I’m going to give you practical ways to think about how to lean into accessibility in with your brand by walking you through how Google approaches accessibility. Get the transcript of this episode here Inclusive Brand Type are You? Inclusive Brand Type Quiz Google All In - Disability Playbook Building for Everyone Get the Inclusion & Marketing weekly newsletter

In today’s episode, I sat down with Gloria Chou, of Gloria Chou PR. I was super intrigued when Gloria told me that the majority of her clientele - I believe it was upwards of 90% are women of color. I wanted to learn about how she did it – what she did to build such a diverse and loyal customer base that get results over and over again. So I sat down with her, and got the goods – and I’m thrilled to share about what Gloria’s done, so you can think about how to apply it to your own brand. Episode transcript Gloria's Website Get the Inclusion & Marketing Newsletter

There is resistance to inclusion and inclusive marketing, and that resistance is causing some marketers to hesitate and rethink their approach. That’s a mistake. Resistance to inclusion isn't new. We've been here before as a society, and there's already been much written on the topic. In this episode I explore the resistance, and how to deal with it so you can continue to embrace the future of marketing: inclusive marketing. Get the transcript of the episode here Inclusive Marketing Lessons from Bud Light's Dylan Mulvaney Fumble MLK's 'Letter from Birmingham Jail' Audio/Video version of MLK's 'Letter from Birmingham Jail' The Five Heartbeats - "You Sure You Want to Hang with Old Eddie Kane?" What Inclusive Brand Type Are You? Inclusive Brand Type Quiz ---- Join the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter

Data shows one in five people are neurodivergent. That means it is very likely that a number of your customers fall within that spectrum. As a result, it is important to understand more about this community and ways in which your brand can show them they belong with you. In this episode, I chat with neurodiversity experts Ludmila Praslova, Aviva Legatt, and Caroline Stokes -- who share their expertise as well as their own lived experience on this topic. Get the transcript of the episode here Join the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter

Globally, 15 percent of the world's population has some form of disability. And as we think about building a business that includes more people, baking accessibility into what you offer is a smart way to do so. To help you with that, Erin Perkins, founder of MabelyQ is on the show today. She's an accessibility educator, and she's got very practical tips to help you start being more accessible with your brand today. Access the transcript of the episode here Erin's Links: Successible Platform Social media Accessibility Checklist Instagram Website Get the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter

An LGBTQ+ inclusive brand is intentional about showing people from this community that they belong. That goes beyond just showing up during PRIDE month. In this episode I talk with Hank Paul, a Queer Inclusion Strategist, about practical ways you can build a brand that makes the LGBTQ+ community feel seen, safe, and supported. Access the transcript here The Business Allyship Roadmap Hank on Instagram Join the Inclusion & Marketing Newsletter

Twenty percent of the world’s population is neurodivergent. That’s 1 in 5 people – who are diagnosed with dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD, and autism. It is very likely that we work with, have colleagues, and people in our networks who are neurodivergent – so it is important to understand more about it, so we know how to make them feel like they belong with us and our businesses. In this episode I chat with three experts on neurodiversity at work, so you can be equipped with how to better serve your team members who's brains work differently. Get the transcript of this episode here Join the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter

Inclusive marketing can grow your bottom line. But inclusive marketing done right can’t just be about getting people from underrepresented and underserved communities to buy your stuff. That’s extraction marketing, and it can actually do more harm to communities. No good. Here are a few lessons every brand should take from Bud Light’s mistakes from an inclusive marketing standpoint. Access the transcript of this episode here Join the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter

Engaging in conversion rate optimization is a smart way to ensure you're marketing works harder for you. But is there a way to do this with inclusion in mind? To answer this question, I immediately knew I needed to chat with Talia Wolf, founder of GetUplift, a conversion rate optimization agency trusted by high growth brands like Teamwork, Bitly, Sprout Social, Thinkific, Mercedes, and Dario. Talia's thoughts and recommendations on this topic may surprise you. Get the transcript of the episode here Talia's 'We Optimize' Facebook group Talia on Twitter Get Uplift What inclusive brand type are you? Take this quick quiz to find out how Join the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter

These days more brands are leaning into influencer marketing campaigns. The good news is that inclusion is starting to become a bigger part of the conversation in this area. However there are still a few challenges that exist that need to be tackled to do inclusive influencer marketing the right way. To help you navigate how to build inclusive influencer marketing campaigns the right way, I sat down with Tinashe Chaponda, an influencer marketing expert and Sosani Studios agency owner. Get the transcript of the episode here Sosani Studios Tinashe on LinkedIn Tinashe on Instagram Join the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter

There's a lot of moving parts to inclusive marketing. Thankfully, increasingly there are more marketers in many industries and working with brands of all sizes that are coming together to give guidance on how others can engage in inclusive marketing. In this episode, I chatted with Jerry Daykin, a global marketing leader with senior roles at brands including Beam Suntory, GSK Consumer Healthcare, Diageo, and Mondelez, and author of the new book Inclusive Marketing. Based in London, UK, he is a WFA (World Federation of Advertisers) Diversity Ambassador and co-chair of its Diversity Task Force, where he created its framework for representation and inclusion. He also sits on the diversity and inclusion boards at the Advertising Association and ISBA and at the Conscious Advertising Network and Outvertising. A regular conference speaker, he has written for The Drum, AdWeek, Campaign, Marketing Week, and The Guardian. Get the transcript of the episode here Get Jerry's book, Inclusive Marketing from the publisher Get Jerry's book Inclusive Marketing from Amazon Get the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter

Are you capturing and using your own diversity and inclusion data to help you reach your business goals? Many companies do not, and its one of the reasons why so many brands struggle to make real progress with diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Data can help you build an inclusive culture where everyone on your team feels like they belong. And that inclusive culture with a diverse and representative team will enable you to attract and retain the a more diverse customer base that feels like they belong with you. This episode features my chat with Mandy Price, CEO and co-founder of Kanarys – a technology company focused on providing the tools organizations need to create long-term systemic change around challenges associated with diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Get the transcript of the episode here Kanarys More about Mandy's story and Kanarys If you want to see more of Mandy's story, watch her episode of the HubSpot for Startups and LinkedIn documentary series "Spiraling Up: The Journey to Become a Unicorn." It's streaming now: Join the Inclusion & Marketing Newsletter

Publishing inclusive content is a smart way to make more of the people you serve feel like they belong with you. But far too many brands produce content that makes people feel "othered" or where they can't even see themselves or who they aspire to be. No bueno. In this episode, Natasha Pierre, video coach, strategist, and host of The Shine Online podcast covers how to make your content more inclusive so you can make more people feel seen and build a more diverse customer base. Get the transcript here Key points: How video content has changed the way people buy How brands often make consumers feel "othered" which pushes them away How to build a diverse customer base How to create a customer experience that makes the people you serve feel seen How to be inclusive with your video content when you're the face of your brand Why how you talk about things in your content matters in whether or not people feel like they belong with you How to use video content to increase your authority and visibility Why we need more creators from underrepresented communities to show their faces in content Why it's the responsibility of marketers and creators to change the narrative Links: Shine With Natasha Join the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter

Capturing consumer insights are an important part of any brand that wants to serve customers well. It's an important lever in developing a deep degree of customer intimacy that enables you to deliver products, services, and experiences that make the people you serve feel like they belong with you. But all consumer insights aren't created equal. And as you work engage consumers from underrepresented and underserved communities, having a deep degree of understanding of their experiences, their dreams, desires, fears, and frustrations, and how those all may be different from those in the masses is essential. But too often, brands don't adapt their approach to capturing insights to enable them to get both the depth of insights and understanding of them to make effective decisions. In this episode, I chat with Renita Bryant, CEO if Sights Set Consulting, a consumer-centric market research consultancy, about how to incorporate inclusion into your market research processes to ensure you get the insights you need. Get the episode transcript here Key points discussed: The role insights play in building an inclusive brand Why representation matters throughout the entirety of the market research process Why brands need to move away from the general market approach when it comes to research How to ensure you're able to effectively act on the insights you gain in your campaigns with diverse communities Best practices for getting insights from underrepresented and underserved communities How biases negatively impact the insights you capture How to ensure you get a diverse cross-section of people in your research studies Sights Set Consulting Join the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter

Unfortunately, in 2023 gender pay gaps exist. And worst yet, gender pay gaps exist even more so when you look at the data for women from underrepresented and underserved communities. These disparities in women's pay vs. their male counterparts negatively impact belonging for the people on your team, which of course in turn negatively impacts how well they make the customers you serve feel like they belong. In this episode, I walk you through practical ways you can work on closing the gender pay gap both within your company and within your industry. Get the transcript here Join the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter

To build an inclusive brand you have to have an inclusive culture. It’s really hard to authentically attract and retain customers from underrepresented communities, if you do a poor job of attracting and retaining talent from underrepresented communities. Because workplace culture is such an imperative, I am thrilled to bring you this chat with today’s guests, Leanne and Al Elliott, hosts of the Truth, Lies, and Workplace Culture podcast, and co-founders of a workplace culture consultancy, OblongHQ . Leanne is a certified business psychologist and leadership coach, and Al is a serial entrepreneur - a great marriage of theory and practice. Get the episode transcript here OblongHQ Rx7 Foundations of an Inclusive Culture Introducing the Rx7 Truth, Lies, and Workplace Culture podcast Dive deeper into with the Inclusion and Marketing newsletter.

Customer success doesn't happen at the same rate for everyone. The customers you serve with differences, including those who are BIPOC, often have external factors that negatively impact their journey to success. The good news is, you have the power to implement products, services, and experiences that pave the way for a greater degree of success for your BIPOC customers and others with differences. In this episode, Natalia Sanyal, an anti-oppressive copywriter and brand strategist talk about an approach she's taken to make her BIPOC customers feel seen, cared for, and have a greater likelihood of both enjoyment and success with her programs. Her approach is one that can be replicated and adapted to fit your business needs and the consumers you serve. Links mentioned in this episode: Get the episode transcript here Episode 45: Factors That Influence Your Customers' Success You Need to Be Aware Of Episode 38: [Listen to Them] Black Women Are Used to Being the Only Ones Like Them in a Room in Professional Settings. Here's What it's Like Natalia's website Join the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter

Over the past few years more brands have started to lean harder into more inclusive campaigns. As we look at SuperBowl campaigns for 2021 and 2022, inclusion took a more prominent role. That wasn’t the case in SuperBowl LVII. The celebrity filled ads seemed to have different goals. While inclusion didn’t feel like it was actively considered in the majority of ad campaigns, there were still major wins throughout the event that are worth calling out, as well as one noteworthy ad from the NFL that did hit the mark from an inclusion standpoint. Get the episode transcript here Join the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter

We all want the people we serve to be successful. However, there are other customer success factors that influence the outcomes of both your team and your customers -- that have nothing to do with the products, services, and experiences you deliver. And those factors have to do with their differences. Unfortunately, the differences of people on your team and the customers you serve, can cause them to get different results from those in "dominant" groups. I cover what the most common differences are that can have a negative impact on your customers' success, why, and how you can go about closing the gap to support everyone you serve, so they can thrive. I'm hosting a live workshop to help you identify and address these factors on Friday, February 24 at 12pm EST. It's called: How to Build Experiences That Make Underrepresented and Underserved Talent Consumers and Talent Feel Like They Belong. Get registered here at www.listentothem.co. I'll send you the replay even if you can't attend live. ----- Get the episode transcript here Join the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter Links mentioned in this episode: Racial Bias in Healthcare study Sephora Racial Bias in Retail study VC's investment in women and minority owned startups - Diversity VC Data Jereshia Hawk IG reel Negative stereotypes re: Black people - scientific data

Just because a brand decides to engage in inclusive marketing, doesn't mean the consumers they want to attract will automatically respond favorably. Trust needs to be earned before consumers from underrepresented and underserving communities will feel like give their attention, dollars, and loyalty. In this episode Black consumers share what brands have done and should do to earn their trust. Go to www.listentothem.co to listen to all the episodes in this series. There you'll also find details about the live workshops February 22-24, 2023 [Replay is available, you can access once you sign up] to help you develop action plans based upon the insights from this series Get the transcript of this episode here Get the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter

Representation matters. But not all representation is created equal. As more brands are starting to produce more representative imagery, consumers from underrepresented and underserved communities aren't necessarily jumping for joy. Some are actually turned off by it. In this episode, Black consumers share their responses to more diverse visual imagery, and what brands can do to engage in inclusive and representative imagery in a manner that draws them closer to to them. Go to www.listentothem.co to hear all the episodes in this series. There, you'll also find details about the live workshops February 22-24, 2023 [Replay is available if you're coming to it after the live event. Sign up to get instant access] to build action plans based upon the insights from this series. Get the transcript of this episode Get the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter

Brands have a lot of power. Whether you are intentional about how you use it or not, your products, visuals, communications, and the experiences you deliver have an impact on the way consumers feel. Make sure that impact is one you desire to have. In this episode, consumers talk about the power brands have on influencing consumers, and what they can and should do to use that power for good. Go to www.listentothem.co to find all the episodes in this series, and to get details about the live workshops February 22-24 [Get instant access to the replays when you sign-up] to develop action plans based upon the learnings from these episodes. Get the transcript here Get the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter

Soon enough, we'll all work with people who are different from us in some way. And while engaging with people who are different comes naturally for some, for others it isn't quite as smooth. In this episode, Black talent share their experiences and perspectives on working with people different from them, while offering advice on how to engage and interact in a way that is both respectful and effective. The more we know how to interact with others, especially those who are different from us, the easier it will be to make more people feel like they belong with you. You can find all the episodes in this series at www.listentothem.co. There you'll also find details about the live workshops happening February 22-24, 2023 [Replay available. Get instant access when you sign up] where we'll develop action plans to help you apply the insights gleaned from these episodes. Get the episode transcript here Get the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter

There's plenty of research that shows diverse teams out-perform their non-diverse peers. Not only do they outperform them financially, but they also are more innovative. But just because you have a diverse team doesn't mean you'll automatically receive the benefits of having one. You have to be intentional about creating a team culture that enables everyone on the team to thrive, and be better together. In this episode, Black talent share their experiences working in high-performing diverse teams, and offer their perspectives on the environments that existed that enabled those teams to thrive. Go to www.listentothem.co for all the episodes in this series. There you'll also find details about the live workshops being held February 22-24 [get instant access to the replay when you sign up] to help you build action plans based upon the insights from the episodes in this series. Get the episode transcript here Get the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter

Micro-aggressions are like little pinches, slaps, and punches people from marginalized communities all too often at work. Sometimes the people delivering the micro-aggresions are aware that they are committing them, and other times they are both completely oblivious they are delivering them, and of the impact it has on the recipient. Micro-aggressions prevent and ruin inclusive cultures. If you want everyone on your team to feel like they belong -- including your talent from underrepresented and underserved communities, you've got to stamp out micro-aggressions from your culture. A smart starting point is to be aware of common micro-aggressions people on your team could be experiencing. In this episode, Black talent share common micro-aggressions they've experienced, how they deal with them, and how it impacts their working relationships. Go to www.listentothem.co for all the episodes in this special series, and to get details about the live masterclasses happening February 22-24 [get instant access to the replay when you sign up] to help you build action plans based upon the insights gleaned from this special series. Get the transcript here Get the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter here

As a Black woman, I've grown accustomed to being the only one in the room on many occasions. But it's not just my experience. Ask any woman, person of color, or anyone else from a historically underrepresented group, and for most, being "the only" or "one of a few" in both personal or professional settings is nothing new. But we adapt. We find ways to push through the discomfort of those experiences in a manner that enables us to thrive. But there are costs that come with being "the only" or "one of a few." And when you know the experiences, the costs, and the burdens associated -- it equips you with the insight you need to make things better for Black team members and other people from marginalized communities who find themselves in this position far too often. As a result, you'll be able to make more of the people on your team feel like they belong, and create an environment that enables them to thrive. Listen to the entire "Listen to Them" series at www.listentothem.co. There, you'll also find details about the live workshops happening February 22-24 [get instant access to the replay here] to build action plans based upon insights from this series. Get the transcript here Get the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter

This year, I wanted to take the opportunity to do a Black History Month campaign that both elevated voices and shined a light on experiences people within the community have, for the purpose of educating others not within the community on how they can make life better for both Black talent and Black consumers. The result, is a special podcast series I’m dropping for you, you can find right here in the feed. It’s called “Listen to Them: Black Talent and Consumers Share Their Real Life Stories and Perspectives on Working in Teams and Inclusive Marketing.” In it, you’ll hear directly from people I interviewed in a narrative format - about various topics related to working in teams and of course inclusive marketing. We cover micro-aggressions, what it’s like being the only one, or one of a few in the room in a professional setting, what high-performing teams look like, and how to work with people who are different from you. This is beneficial for you to hear for anyone who works with others in a team setting – including leaders and individual contributors – because everyone plays a role in making people feel like they belong. From a marketing standpoint, we covered topics such as representation, authenticity, and the power brands have in how people feel about themselves. Have a listen to the episodes, and then go to www.listentothem.co to register for the workshops being held February 22-24 [get instant access to the replays when you sign up] to create an action plan based upon the insights from the episodes. Get the transcript here Get the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter

We're days away from Black History Month 2023 in the U.S. and Canada. It is a wonderful thing that more brands are celebrating the achievements and contributions of Black people to society, however, there are some missteps I've seen over the years by brands that have cause a bit of backlash from the very community they wish to celebrate. I don't want this to happen to you. So in this episode, I walk you through 7 principles you need to be aware of before going live with your next campaign. Get the episode transcript here Find the examples and visuals referenced in this episode here: https://inclusionandmarketing.com/black-history-month-campaigns/ ----- What inclusive brand type are you? Take this quick quiz to find out Want to go deeper with building your inclusive brand? Check out Inclusive Brand Academy at www.inclusivebrandacademy.com and find out which option is right for you.

More brands than ever are engaging in inclusive marketing. And increasingly, consumers are starting to take notice. And while it is a good thing that marketers are making more of an effort to serve a broader range of people, consumers from underrepresented and underserved communities aren’t just automatically flocking to those brands. Marginalized consumers want brands to prove they are worthy of their attention and dollars. They have higher expectations of the brands that are working to win their attention and get them to swipe their credit cards. In this episode, I cover five expectations diverse consumers have of brands that want to earn their loyalty. ----- Get the episode transcript here Podcast mentioned in this episode: How Consumers Want You to Celebrate Heritage Months with Arturo Gutierrez (Inclusion & Marketing podcast, episode 23) What inclusive brand type are you? Take this quick quiz to find out: www.inclusionandmarketing.com/quiz Want to go deeper with building your inclusive brand? Check out Inclusive Brand Academy at www.inclusivebrandacademy.com and find out which option is right for you.

In this episode – Sarah-Chen Spellings and I and cover a lot of topics ranging from what makes marketing truly inclusive, how to focus your efforts by going narrow to reach a wider audience, as well as best practices for building a high-performing diverse team. About Sarah-Chen Spellings: Sarah is the co-founder and managing partner of Beyond the Billion (BTB), launched as The Billion Dollar Fund for Women, the world's first and largest global consortium of 100+ venture capital funds and limited partner investors that have now pledged to and are actively deploying beyond US$1BN to be invested into women-founded companies. She also hosts the Billion Dollar Moves podcast. Here's what we covered in this session: Why leaning into diversity can be a growth pillar for brands How diversity can be a foundational starting point for building a high-performing team What to focus on when working to build a high-performing team that is representative of the people Why many leaders struggle to find diverse talent How to build a culture that is conducive for team members to share their opinions and experiences Why unconscious bias training isn't what moves the dial in building an inclusive culture (and what actually does) How to ensure you set yourself up for success in reaching your goals as it relates to your diversity and inclusion goals Get the episode transcript here What inclusive brand type are you? Take the quiz to find out. www.inclusionandmarketing.co/quiz Want to go deeper on how to attract and retain diverse customers and talent? Check out my program Inclusive Brand Academy and see which option works best for you. www.inclusivebrandacademy.com

Life is about belonging. And because of that business is about belonging. That's why the businesses that take the time to serve consumers from underrepresented and underserved communities are winning their attention, adoration, and loyalty. In this episode, I chatted with Jacqueline Snyder and Minna Khounlo-Sithep about how product-based businesses are winning more customers by leaning into inclusion in a manner that fits for both their business and their customers. Here are some key points covered in the discussion: The 3 areas product-based business owners infuse inclusion into their businesses Why it doesn't matter where your brand starts in terms of the types of consumers you're able to reach Why representation matters beyond just brand and product photography Why there's no one right way to build an inclusive brand Why feedback (or complaints) are a great opportunity to identify how to become more inclusive in your brand How to be resourceful in choosing how to be more inclusive in your business Why more doesn't equal more About Jacqueline and Minna Jacqueline Snyder and Minna Khounlo-Sithep are the combined force behind The Product Boss Podcast. They have grown a community of high-achieving product-based small business owners and have helped them scale their physical product businesses through masterminds, group coaching and digital courses designed specifically for product-based business owners ranging from start-up conception to multi-million dollar companies. Together their goal is to change the landscape of product entrepreneurship by connecting women around the world through a blend of real-life business tactics, creative strategy and modern leadership. Get the episode transcript here Join Jacqueline and Minna in The Product Boss Best Year Yet workshop series Which inclusive brand type are you? Take the quiz: www.inclusionandmarketing.com/quiz Want to go deeper in how to build an inclusive brand? Check out Inclusive Brand Academy: www.inclusivebrandacademy.com

As we arrive at 40 years of celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and work as an official holiday, many will revisit some of Dr. King’s most famous speeches, and reflect on how far we’ve come. Others will dedicate their time engaging in acts of service. If you are looking for additional ways you and your team can honor Dr. King and his legacy, consider going beyond just taking a pause on a day meant to commemorate him and his message. Honor him by focusing on continuing the work he started, but wasn’t able to finish. This episode covers how. Get the episode transcript Get the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter

As more leaders focus on building diverse teams, they often resort to a common practice of focusing on the percentage of diverse candidates you interview. While this may feel like you're making progress, it actually doesn't often work to significantly move the needle to build a diverse team. In fact, it really is just a vanity metric. In this episode, I cover what you should focus on instead to actually hire the diverse team your customers need you to have. Get the episode transcript here Episode 19: The Critical Link Between Equity and Customer Success with Deborah Pickett Episode 22: Common Ways Brands Treat Diverse Talent Like Unpaid Consultants (And What To Do Instead) What Inclusive Brand Type are You? Find out by taking this short quiz: www.inclusionandmarketing.com/quiz Want to dive deeper? Check out www.inclusivebrandacademy.com to see if the program is right for you

Visual imagery, and making it more representative is the on-ramp for many brands into inclusive marketing. And while in recent years, a broader range of stock photography and videos has come available showcasing more diverse faces, body types, and families – simply changing up your imagery to include more diverse people isn't automatic in terms of making them feel like they belong. So to help you know how to ensure the stock photography you use is inclusive, I chatted with Deyra Jaye Fontaine, an inclusive marketing strategist and certified diversity, equity, and inclusion practitioner who has done a lot of work in the area of inclusive stock photography, and has even created a handy guide on it. We cover lots of important topics in this discussion, so you definitely don't want to miss it. Key Points: The power visual imagery has on shaping perceptions Why marketers play a role in influencing society with the visual imagery they produce How inclusive stock photography is different from traditional stock photography Common negative stereotypes that are perpetuated with stock photography used in marketing campaigns The biggest mistake brands make with trying to diversify their visual imagery Best practices for choosing inclusive stock photography How to avoid tokenism in your visual imagery Here's a free guide on resources for sourcing inclusive stock photography Get the episode transcript here Get the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter More on how to make your visuals more inclusive in my program Inclusive Brand Academy. Get more details at www.inclusivebrandacademy.com.

Every inclusive brand doesn't have to look and sound the same. They don't have to speak on the same issues, serve the same customers, or show up in the same way. That'd be pretty boring -- and would seem kind of odd with the lack of diversity of approaches. So just because Rihanna's brands serve everyone, that doesn't mean that you have to as well. Just because Ben & Jerry's is deep in the trenches from a social justice standpoint, that doesn't mean that you have to too. Do you Boo. Inclusive marketing is all about being intentional about choosing who you will serve, and how you will show up. That means you also get to choose which type of inclusive brand you will be. Not sure how to do that? Take this quick quiz to discover what inclusive brand type you are: www.inclusionandmarketing.com/quiz Get the episode transcript here Get the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter

Building an inclusive brand is a lot like tending a garden. For both, having the right mindset is essential to enable you to not only weather any challenges, but to also get the results you're looking for. Here are a few key lessons to embrace to give you the mindset you need to build an inclusive brand. Get the episode transcript here Find out what your inclusive brand type is: www.inclusionandmarketing.com/quiz

When it comes to cultural events and celebrations, particularly those honoring underrepresented and underserved communities, your brand’s participation is a great way to make these communities feel seen by you, and a way for you to demonstrate that they do indeed belong with you. Now, I'm not saying that you have to celebrate these events to communicate and send signals of belonging to the people you want to serve. But this is one way that you can do that. Creating an inclusive marketing calendar is a smart way for you to be intentional about figuring out which celebrations your brand will take part in, and which ones you won’t. Get the episode transcript here Get the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter

Key points covered in this episode: The role of inclusion in performance marketing Where many performance marketing campaigns fall short with regard to inclusion Why so many people are often excluded from performance marketing campaigns Why inclusive marketing is a solution to ad fatigue The key question you should ask to enable you to include more people in your ad campaigns The data you need to build more inclusive campaigns and the caution you should use when analyzing it How to ensure your partners in performance marketing have an inclusive mindset Get the episode transcript here Links and resources mentioned in this episode: www.apiarydigital.com Algorithms of Oppression The End of the Majority, and What it Means for Your Brand with Julye Williams - Inclusion & Marketing podcast episode 11 About Karen Amundsen: I'm a white lady named Karen, passionate about racial equity. As the Founder and Chair of Apiary Digital, the area I'm able to have the biggest impact is in business and marketing. Apiary Digital is a full-service performance marketing collective headquartered in the cloud. We believe that humans are greater than business, and that inclusive performance marketing is one and the same as succeeding in our client's customer acquisition goals. What inclusive brand type are you? Take this quick quiz to find out: www.inclusivemarketing.co/quiz

Representation matters. It isn’t enough to just have representation of the talent in front of the camera. It is just as important to have representation and or expertise behind the camera that is poised to capture diverse talent in the proper light (pun intended). Remember, the people you serve need to see themselves or who they aspire to be reflected in the visual imagery your brand puts forth. If your brand regularly publishes imagery of diverse communities that they don’t think is flattering, then they will get the message that they don’t belong with you. The effort you put into securing representative talent won’t yield the results you like if people are disappointed with the imagery. The next time you and your team start preparing for a photo, video, or content shoot that features and includes diverse talent, it is imperative that you take the time to give proper thought to these roles behind the camera to ensure you get a final product all can be pleased with. Get the episode transcript here ElleUK Wakanda Forever Cover: https://twitter.com/ELLEUK/status/1575763902121803776/photo/1 Elle Brasil Viola Davis Cover: https://twitter.com/ellebrasil/status/1570475582160240640/photo/1 Vogue Simone Biles Cover: https://twitter.com/BritniDWrites/status/1281713398963564544/ ------ What inclusive brand type are you? Take the quiz here to find out. www.inclusionandmarketing.com/quiz

A big barrier to effectively engaging with diverse consumers and communities is the way we think. In many instances, we default to our own frame of reference, perspectives, and ways of doing things. However that limits your ability to practice empathy and to give consumers who are different from you exactly what they need from you. In this episode, I walk you through the essential practice of decentering yourself, they key areas you need to focus on doing it, and of course, I offer up practical ways to do it as well. Get the episode transcript here Get the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter

Some brands do really well when it comes to celebrating communities during their heritage months, like Black History Month, Women’s History Month, PRIDE, Hispanic Heritage Month, Asian-American and Pacific-Islander Month. However, there are plenty others that struggle. And there’s also a large group of brands that stay on the sidelines, because they aren’t sure how to engage, or even if they should. So as we get closer to a new year, and it’s time to decide about what your brand will celebrate and what you won’t - I thought it’d be helpful for you to bring in some reinforcements to help guide you. That’s why I chatted with Arturo Gutierrez, the SVP of Strategy at Codeword, an integrated marketing agency. Arturo and his team at Codeword did a survey to find out what consumers want with regard to these types of celebrations – and the insights, and the discussion we have around them is relevant and applicable for you – no matter your size, your budget, or your experience engaging with communities in this manner. Get the episode transcript here Key Points: Why brands should consider celebrating heritage months for diverse communities How you should be thinking about the people who are buying your product Why so many diverse communities are indifferent to heritage month campaigns, and what to do about it What you should and shouldn’t be measuring as it relates to heritage month celebrations How brands should think about the objective of heritage month campaigns How to ensure your heritage month celebrations leave a lasting impact What diverse communities want from brands during heritage months and beyond About Arturo Gutierrez Arturo Gutierrez is the SVP of Strategy at Codeword, an integrated marketing agency that develops smart marketing strategies, manages editorial and social channels, and drives news coverage for tech clients both big and small. A former management consultant having advised Fortune 500 clients across The Americas, Europe and the Middle East, Arturo’s expertise include leadership, marketing strategy, and organizational growth. Links https://twitter.com/Art_Gutierrez https://www.codewordagency.com/ Get the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter

"Hire a diverse team" is often the advice and cry people tout when brands struggle with being inclusive with their marketing. So common practice, is to tap into diverse talent to get them to provide their feedback and expertise on various topics related to campaigns and internal initiatives. But this isn't always the right thing to do, and can impede your efforts to make your diverse talent feel like they belong with you. No bueno. In this episode, I walk you through common challenges with this approach, and what you should do instead to get the feedback you need, tap into the power of having a diverse team, while also making them feel like they belong. Get the episode transcript here Get the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter

Cultural appropriation happens more often than in should. And inappropriate use of a culture not your own happens even more often. Both of these practices are harmful, and in this episode I'm walking you through clear examples of both, and giving you practical guidance on how not to engage in them. In addition, you'll walk away with practical guidance on how you as an individual and consumer can play a role in shutting down these practices as well. Get the episode transcript here Here are the links mentioned in the episode: Hailey Beiber make trend rant - Shantal Smith The cultural appropriation of yoga - Blair Imani The Maasai People Take Back Their Brand Dia de los Muertos Barbie Walks a Fine Line Between Cultural Appropriation and Appreciation Kim Kardashian West's Kimono underwear meets Japanese backlash How Disney redeemed itself with 'Coco' after the Dia de Muertos trademark fiasco Get the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter

All over the world, but specifically in the United States, there has been a lot going on in the past few years. From the Black Lives Matter movement that gained momentum in the wake of George Floyd's murder just two years ago, to the surge of Asian hate during the pandemic, and now another hate crime in Buffalo. And to be frank, I am disappointed in the responses to this event, or lack thereof from many businesses. With this uptick in interest in social justice matters, it is more important than ever for businesses to stand for what they believe in. In the season finale of the Inclusion and Marketing Podcast, I share: The importance of brands expressing their beliefs and taking action around important social and political issues affecting the current climate How to get started on brand advocacy How to be authentic when shaping your brand advocacy Get the episode transcript here Get the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter

Today we’re going to explore the critical link between equity and customer success with a very special guest! My sister Deborah Pickett, a middle school math instructional trainer and coach, will share her valuable words of wisdom for those who are ready to embark on the lifelong process of being dedicated to equity. Our conversation will cover: What is the difference between equity and equality? From a business standpoint, what happens when equity isn’t prioritized? How to start using data to analyze potential equity issues in your business? What is the link between equity and access? What do equitable practices look like? What does it mean to say that justice is in the details? What is the relationship between equity, empathy, and compassion? What is the water vs the fish principle, and what are some real world examples of this way of thinking? Get the episode transcript here Get the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter

Why should business leaders consider text communication as part of their digital marketing strategy? In this episode, we’ll have an enlightening discussion with Bianca Blake, co-founder of Klickrr, about best practices for text marketing, and how text messaging can help brands develop a deeper degree of intimacy with the people they want to serve. We also cover: What are the advantages of text marketing? The relationship between inclusive marketing and customer experience The importance of taking your audience’s preferences into account when developing brand communication strategies Realizing that inclusion isn't always about demographics--sometimes it's about giving people the option to engage with your brand according to their personal preferences Get the episode transcript here Get the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter here

What does it mean to be antiracist? Today we’re going to cover what antiracism is, what it looks like in business, and how you can work to embody antiracist principles on a daily basis. To help us with this, I brought in an expert on the topic, Dr. Nicole Charles. Nicole is a wellness entrepreneur as well as an intersectional feminist and antiracist educator, author, researcher and professor of women and gender studies. We’ll talk about: The concept of antiracism as a whole, and specifically in the business world Examples of racist practices that permeate business that are more common than you might think The importance of investing in and learning from Black, Indigenous People of Color After making the commitment to antiracism, where do people commonly get tripped up? The challenges that arise when society and businesses lean towards centering only the most privileged identities Recommended resources for further reading and learning Nicole’s delicious recipes at healmedelicious.com (Check out the pumpkin spice cake donuts!) Nicole's Embodying Equity Course It’s important to really think about your values and how they can guide your business decisions. As you work on applying what Nicole and I covered today in your own life and business, take the time to think about a specific scenario in your life where you could decenter the predominant narrative. Get the episode transcript here Get the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter here

Business is about belonging, and identity is a critical aspect of belonging. As you work to build an inclusive brand, it’s essential to think carefully about identity and what types of categorizations are necessary. As we dive into this complex topic, I’ll go over challenges, real-world examples and strategies to help you approach your customer’s various identities. Identity matters. Don't take shortcuts with it! The people you serve will reward you when you take the time to get it right. This episode will also cover: Common questions including the difference between ethnicity and race The various challenges that can arise when categorizing groups of consumers How categorizations and the data associated with them can help companies identify equity concerns and gaps Get the episode transcript here Get the Inclusion and Marketing newsletter

Words matter! They have the power to uplift and include, as well as tear down and exclude. In your quest to make your audience feel like they belong with you, it’s essential to use inclusive language. But how do you start creating written content that creates a culture of belonging? Nailah King, founder of The Content Witches, shares insights into how conscious business leaders can learn to craft messaging that helps foster transformative change and create a sense belonging within their communities. My conversation with Nailah also covers: What is inclusive language and what is its connection to belonging? Idioms, binaries, appropriation and other examples of language that can be harmful How can you determine if your content isn’t inclusive or needs an update? How can you maintain transparency throughout the process? How to use tools like etymonline.com Essential forms of content governance including inclusive language policies and brand style guides Get the episode transcript here Get the Inclusion & Marketing newsletter