MCP104: Why Strategy Should Come First in Your Marketing w/ Kristi Mitchell

Today's #MeetCoolPeople episode brings you a practical marketing chat with Kristi Mitchell. If you've ever found yourself frustrated by marketing, wondering what actually works, this episode is for you.




Kristi is a marketing strategist who traded in corporate jargon for clarity. Her focus is pure strategy, helping purpose-driven businesses find their best approach, stop chasing every shiny object, and land on what works for them.




One thing that stood out for me is Kristi's analogy of a marketing strategist as a personal trainer. She's there to guide, plan, and hold you accountable, not to do the “reps” for you. That distinction really hits home for business owners deciding where they need help.




Our conversation covered why the classic marketing funnel still matters in 2025. Tactics and platforms may shift, but you still need to attract, convert, nurture, and close. Kristi explained how strategy, and sticking with tried and true frameworks, beats jumping to the next trend.




Key Takeaways:



• Strategy comes first. Chasing tactics without a plan leads to wasted time and money.
• Know your ideal client. It shapes your messaging and sets you apart from competitors.
• Your message needs to hit real pain points. Get out of your own bubble and speak your clients' language.
• Authentic storytelling builds connection. Personal brand and sharing your own journey create trust.
• Values matter. Kristi said alignment is more important than being “like-minded”. That’s where good collaborations start.



Kristi made a great point: if you’re not sure who your audience really is, start with clarity work before jumping into marketing strategy. Check out her podcast, Unfudge Your Marketing, and connect with her for real stories and lessons learned.




Connect with Kristi:



• LinkedIn: (  / kristimitchellmarketing  )   / kristimitchell  
• Website: https://kristimitchell.com/ (hit the Resources tab for free guides)
• Podcast: Unfudge Your Marketing (https://open.spotify.com/show/2zZ14Qf...)  









====




Want to see how my team and I can help you convert more casual connections into clients? Grab my FREE 8-part audio mini-course at https://buildyourfollowupmachine.com/ and discover the step-by-step flow I help clients with in their email follow up machine!