💸 Friends, hello!
In Episode 91 of the Sales Mates Podcast, we talk about why simply “posting pictures” no longer works. Our guest is Vlad Koval, an expert who turns chaotic SMM into systematic sales.
We break down why reach does not equal profit and why blindly following “trends” can kill your marketing. You’ll learn how visuals influence the average deal size (and why you won’t sell for a million if you look like a thousand), how to properly interview customers, and why strategy matters more than creativity. An honest conversation about brand “meaning,” Mercedes vs BMW, and the realities of today’s market.
00:00:00 – Intro
00:01:37 – How strategy differs from “posting just to post”
00:05:08 – How to understand your target audience
00:09:51 – Why big reach doesn’t always mean sales
00:12:31 – How high-quality visuals can increase your deal size by 3x
00:13:35 – Positioning using fashion brands as examples (Zara, Massimo Dutti, Loro Piana)
00:16:18 – Why the design of a commercial proposal affects the deal
00:18:50 – Visual differences between startup and enterprise websites
00:20:49 – The psychology of car choice: BMW vs Mercedes
00:26:46 – What brand “meaning” really is (cases: Monobank, Volvo, Nova Poshta)
00:29:13 – How to find uniqueness in a complex B2B product
00:33:56 – Niching: why it’s a mistake to sell “everything to everyone”
00:37:44 – SMM trends vs brand consistency
In this podcast episode, Vlad Koval shares his experience in communication strategies and SMM. He talks about the importance of the visual component in marketing, how to position a brand correctly, and how to attract the right target audience. Vlad emphasizes that successful brands have a clear understanding of their audience and use visual elements to increase the perceived value of their products.
The conversation also covers key aspects of product management, the emotional impact of brands, the importance of brand meaning in marketing, how customers make decisions, visual identity and positioning, as well as current marketing trends. The speakers share their hands-on experience and insights on how to build the right strategy to achieve long-term business success.
The importance of communication strategies for business growth.
Strong SMM expertise helps drive higher sales.
A strategic approach to SMM must include a strong visual component.
The audience defines how a brand is perceived.
Visuals directly influence brand positioning.
Successful brand examples highlight the importance of visual identity.
Social media is a primary sales channel for small businesses.
Understanding a company’s uniqueness is critical for effective communication.
Content must align with the needs of the target audience.
Visuals can significantly increase the perceived value of a product.
A new era in product management requires constant adaptation to change.
Emotions play a key role in brand choice.
Brand meaning (“sense”) shapes how a product is perceived.
Analyzing customer decision-making improves marketing strategies.
Visual brand identity directly impacts customer trust.
Marketing trends are often short-lived; strategy should come first.
Brand positioning must be clear and easy for the target audience to understand.
Communication should be consistent across all channels.
Deep understanding of your audience and its needs is essential.
A strategic marketing approach ensures long-term success.
🎙 Guest – Vlad Koval
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Hosts: Anton Fedulov & Oleksii Sinichenko
Practical insights from two successful sales leaders who share their secrets of success, personal experience, and proven strategies plus interesting guests and funny real-life sales stories.
Watch and listen online on our Sales Mates Podcast YouTube channel.
Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel: Sales Mates Podcast.
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