Through Amazon’s podcast, This Is Small Business, producer Andrea Marquez gets what she calls, “a front-row seat in a masterclass on entrepreneurship.” In each episode, she meets with small business owners from across the US to discuss pivotal moments they've experienced. Each episode focuses on challenges these business owners have faced, and what they’ve learned as they’ve scaled their businesses.

Below, Marquez shares, in her own words, some key insights and actionable lessons from the most downloaded episodes of 2024:

1. Your email list is gold.Jenna Kutcher, Author, Podcaster and Digital Marketing Guru, didn’t just remind me that email marketing isn’t dead, she convinced me it’s the most valuable tool. Your email list is your direct hotline to your customers. Unlike social media, you own it, and no algorithm can take it away. Give people a reason to join your list, such as a freebie, a discount, or something else that they can’t resist. Then, don’t ghost them. Keep showing up in their inbox with helpful, fun, or inspiring content.
2. Not all money is good money.Iman Cotton, Business Loan Officer with CDC Small Business Finance, dropped this insight: Loans can help, but only if you know what you’re signing up for. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Always ask yourself, “Will this loan help my business grow, or am I just trying to put out a fire?” If it’s the latter, rethink it.
3. Networking isn’t about hoarding business cards.Robbie Samuels, Author, Business Coach, Biz Book Publishing Hub Founder & Podcast Host, reminded me that networking is about people, not numbers. It’s not about having the most connections; it’s about having meaningful ones. Follow up. Yes, I’m calling myself out here. Send a quick email or share a resource. No, it’s not weird. It’s thoughtful.
4. Preparation is everything.Jay Clouse, Founder of Creator Science, stressed the power of pre-launch preparation. The little things, such as building a buzz and knowing your audience, matter so much. Start talking about your launch early. Use teasers, sneak peeks, or a waitlist to make people feel like they need what you’re about to offer.
5. Marketing isn’t magic; it’s strategy. Liz Downing and Elena Fahrländer from Danish Endurance made one thing clear: Marketing doesn’t have to be flashy to work; it has to be authentic. Think about the story that your brand tells, and make sure it’s consistent across all of your platforms. Focus less on selling and more on connecting.

To listen to all the episodes of This Is Small Business podcast, go to Amazon Music, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.