The 4 Marketing Channels You Actually Control | 7 Steps to Small Business Marketing Success - Episode 5

The 4 Marketing Channels You Actually Control | 7 Steps to Small Business Marketing Success - Episode 5

Author: John Jantsch June 17, 2026 Duration: 14:30

Most businesses think they have a healthy pipeline—until an algorithm changes, ad costs spike, or a platform disappears. This installment of the 7 Steps to Small Business Marketing Success explains the difference between rented and owned marketing channels, and why long-term growth depends on assets you control. Learn how email, referrals, strategic partnerships, and direct relationships create a more resilient lead generation system that keeps working no matter what happens to the platforms around you.

00:00 Own vs. Rented Marketing

04:42 Why Email Isn't Dead

09:08 Build a Referral Engine

10:52 The Most Underrated Lead Source

12:10 Double Down on Relationships

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For anyone trying to navigate the noisy world of small business growth, The Duct Tape Marketing Podcast offers a grounded, practical conversation. Host John Jantsch, recognized as a leading expert in this space, doesn't chase fads. Instead, he sits down with authors, seasoned entrepreneurs, and other practitioners who have actually built something. The discussions focus on actionable marketing tips and sustainable growth strategies you can apply, regardless of your budget. This isn't theoretical; it's a resource built on real-world experience. Each episode of the podcast feels like a direct consultation, breaking down complex ideas into manageable steps. You'll hear about systems that work, tools that save time, and mindsets that shift outcomes. Whether you're running the show yourself, working inside a marketing department, or building an agency, the consistent insight is how to do marketing that sticks and genuinely grows your business. The value comes from John's focused questioning and his guests' willingness to share what they've learned the hard way. Tune in for a clear-eyed take on what effective marketing looks like when the theory meets the road.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Duct Tape Marketing Podcast
Podcast Episodes
7 Steps to Small Business Marketing Success - Episode 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:42
Most marketing problems don't start with tactics. They start with clarity. John Jantsch shares why founders often become the hidden variable behind stalled growth, drifting strategy, and marketing that never seems to del…
Why Trust Matters More Than Marketing Now [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:52
Most businesses spend too much time looking polished and not enough time building trust. As AI changes how customers discover and evaluate companies, generic messaging, safe branding, and surface-level credibility are be…
Build a Business AI Can't Replace [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:06
What does it take to build a business that thrives in the age of artificial intelligence? In this episode, John Jantsch talks with Derek Rydall about why the real competitive advantage in an AI-driven world isn't better…
Why Some Entrepreneurs Keep Growing While Others Stall [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:57
Why do some entrepreneurs keep growing while others hit a wall? Jon Gordon says the difference often comes down to a handful of daily habits that shape mindset, resilience, and leadership over time. In this episode, we e…
How to Know When Your Business Is Ready to Scale [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:58
Most businesses do not fail because they scale too slowly. They fail because they grow before they are actually ready. Mark Roberge, former CRO of HubSpot and author of The Science of Scaling, explains how founders can s…
Why the Smartest Leader Usually Fails [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:49
Most businesses don't struggle because they lack talent or ideas. They struggle because leadership becomes too dependent on one person having all the answers. Jason Wilde explains why the future of innovation depends on…