In this episode, we talk about mechanics of successful affiliate partnerships and community-driven marketing strategies. We explore how brands use communities and creative incentives to drive real ROI. From tiered commission structures to gamified rewards.

We discuss how a strong brief with clear expectations is crucial in guiding creators to align with brand goals, and we touch on why bonuses tied to engagement metrics—like views and shares—can amplify brand visibility beyond just direct sales.

This episode also highlights how brands like 75 Hard and Bandit Running leverage long-term commitments and challenges to transform their audience into loyal advocates, creating a powerful emotional connection through shared goals and accomplishments.

Got a brand? Leave it in the comments, and we’ll brainstorm ways to engage your audience with challenges and competitions on a future episode!

📱Follow Us On Social:

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Instagram

Alex https://www.instagram.com/alexgarcia_atx/

Brian: https://www.instagram.com/brian_blum/

Twitter

www.twitter.com/@alexgarcia_atx

www.twitter.com/@brian_blum1

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🔥Want Free Game?

Send us a picture of your Apple & Spotify reviews to podcast@marketingexamined.com and we'll make you a playbook in a future episode.

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📈Growth Playbooks, Directly To Your Inbox

For growth playbooks, deep dives, and marketing case studies, get subscribed at

https://www.marketingexamined.com

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CHAPTERS:

0:00 Intro

01:45 – The Importance of Incentives in Partnerships

03:20 - Different Kind of Incentives: Comissions

05:15 – How to Keep the Appetite High

07:00 - Bonuses Tied to Non-revenue Generating

09:11 – Grow Faster With Wix Studio

09:45 – Intersection Between Brand Marketing and Performance Marketing

13:10 –Having a Strong Brief: Differentiation

14:15 – Having a Strong Brief: Inspiration

16:30 – Including Ideas and Tips for Creating a Strong Brief

18:45 – Setting Clear Expectations with Content Creators

21:00 - Boosting Engagement with Competition/Commitments

22:00 – The OG of Brand Competitions: The 75 Hard Example

24:40 - Commitment-Based Marketing: Case Study of Bandit Running

27:11 - Bandit’s Marathon Training Program: Building Forever Fans

29:20 – Understand What Your Community Buys from You

30:00 – Find the Underlying Goals Behind Your Product

30:58 - Center Your Customers Around a Common Goal

In Episode 52, we dive deep into what it takes to create a brand with a cult-like following. Alex breaks down the four essential pillars of brand loyalty: values, story, community, and characters.

Starting with the importance of clear values and a strong brand story, we share examples of companies like Seed, Yeti, and Muscle Milk and how their origin stories connect deeply with their audience. Next, Brian dives into brand lore, and how your brand cause lore to tell a brand story.

This episode is packed with insights on creating a loyal customer base, with actionable tips on building long-term brand success. Don’t miss it!

Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and support our journey to hit 10,000 subscribers before the year ends!

As always, appreciate you all listening, and don't forget to leave us a review and submit your questions for Alex and Brian at the email address below. See you next week.

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WANT FREE GAME? Or just have a question for Brian & Alex?

Submit your questions here: www.marketingexamined.com/podcast

OR email us at podcast@marketingexamined.com

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WATCH THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE:

For full video versions, and short highlights of every episode, head to

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NEWSLETTER:

For growth playbooks, deep dives, and marketing case studies, get subscribed at

www.marketingexamined.com

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Follow Alex & Brian on Twitter and IG

www.twitter.com/@alexgarcia_atx

www.twitter.com/@brian_blum1

In episode 51, we explore the effectiveness of sweepstakes as a marketing strategy in today's landscape. Brian delves into case studies of HexClad and Ridge Wallet, showcasing how these brands leveraged giveaways and sweepstakes to generate millions in revenue during traditionally slow periods. Alex then shifts focus to middle and bottom-of-funnel content strategies, emphasizing the importance of landing page funnels in nurturing leads and driving conversions. He discusses how to create effective landing pages that guide potential customers through each stage of the buyer's journey, from consideration to purchase.

This is a jam-packed episode filled with bangers! Thanks for watching!

📱Follow Us On Social:

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Instagram

Alex https://www.instagram.com/alexgarcia_atx/

Brian: https://www.instagram.com/brian_blum/

Twitter

www.twitter.com/@alexgarcia_atx

www.twitter.com/@brian_blum1

--------------------

🔥Want Free Game?

Send us a picture of your Apple & Spotify reviews to podcast@marketingexamined.com and we'll make you a playbook in a future episode.

--------------------

🎥Checkout Brians Content Agency

https://www.nibble.studio

--------------------

📈Growth Playbooks, Directly To Your Inbox

For growth playbooks, deep dives, and marketing case studies, get subscribed at

https://www.marketingexamined.com

--------------------

CHAPTERS:

0:00 Are Sweepstakes back?

2:11 Hexclad’s Gordon Ramsay Sweepstakes Strategy 9:06 How Ridge Wallet $10M Giveaway Strategy

16:15 Marketing Examined Ad

16:53 The Content Funnel Strategy

17:54 Creating Middle & Bottom of Funnel Content

19:35 Banter about Diddy LOL

21:23 Creating Middle & Bottom of Funnel Content

23:15 Landing Pages for Middle of Funnel

24:12 How Position Your Brand Against Competitors

26:13 Turning Reviews & Comments into Content

28:47 Organic Content for Testing

29:37 Buying Behavior is Changing

31:38 When a post doesn’t do well…

33:10 Ending Thoughts