Let's face it. Industrial webinars can be...forgettable. But what if yours could keep people watching for hours? Aya Takase produces 40 webinars a year. She breaks down how to turn technical expertise into binge-worthy content that educates, builds trust, and leaves viewers coming back for more.

In this episode, Aya Takase, Head of Global Marketing Communications at Rigaku, shares how her team transformed webinars into a powerful, scalable content engine.One of the biggest insights is simple but often overlooked: meet your subject matter experts where they are. Many technical experts struggle to write blog posts, but they’re comfortable presenting. By turning webinars into the primary content format, Aya’s team unlocked expertise that would have otherwise stayed hidden.

Aya emphasized that “binge-worthy” webinars are possible, even in highly technical industries. The key is to understand your audience. For technical audiences, break down complex concepts clearly without oversimplifying. For less technical users, focus on real-world pain points and practical solutions. Engagement is another critical factor. Instead of relying only on polls or chat, Aya recommends using rhetorical questions throughout the presentation. This keeps viewers mentally involved, prompting them to actively think through the content rather than passively listen.

Preparation also plays a major role. Aya goes through multiple dry runs with her team and reviews the structure and flow of the webinar to make sure it applies to the audience’s knowledge level.

Perhaps the most counterintuitive advice is to stop selling. Promotional content erodes trust and reduces credibility. Instead, focus entirely on delivering value. Over time, consistent, helpful webinars build brand recognition and position your company as a trusted authority.

Finally, don’t let your webinar content go to waste. Repurpose recordings into blog posts, summaries, eBooks, and more. A single webinar can fuel an entire content strategy.

Resources

• Connect with Aya on LinkedIn
• Connect with Morgan on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Rigaku
• Explore Rigaku's webinars and videos
• Purchase the Industrial Marketing Digital Pass

Your marketing efforts may be strong, but are you using your sales team to take them to the next level? Many industrial marketers overlook sales as a powerful extension of marketing. In this episode, we show you exactly how to build relationships with your sales team to amplify your marketing efforts.

In this episode, Wendy talks with, Luke Wittenbraker, Sales and Marketing Director at Mactech, about how building strong relationships with your sales team can significantly amplify your marketing efforts.

Luke’s career spans both disciplines, giving him a unique perspective on bridging the gap. One of his biggest insights? Marketers need to understand what truly motivates salespeople. While marketing teams often focus on content and campaigns, sales teams are driven by outcomes like revenue and incentives. When marketers frame opportunities in terms of potential earnings or pipeline impact, they immediately capture attention.

Luke emphasizes the importance of getting in the trenches with sales he advises marketers to attend trade shows, join conversations, and understand their day-to-day challenges. Just like marketers seek to understand customer pain points, they must also invest time in understanding their internal sales audience.

One standout example from Mactech is a simple LinkedIn engagement initiative. By encouraging sales reps to like, comment, and post content, Luke saw not only increased participation, but lasting behavior change. One team member even took ownership of posting regularly, extending the company’s reach organically.

Resources

• Connect with Luke on LinkedIn
• Connect with Wendy on LinkedIn
• Purchase the Industrial Marketing Digital Pass
• Register for the 2026 State of Marketing to Engineers Webinar
• Related Episode: Sales vs. Marketing

Missed the Industrial Marketing Summit? Wendy and Lee recap the biggest takeaways and behind-the-scenes moments from the event and even tease a few plans already in motion for 2027. Tune in to hear what industrial marketers can’t stop talking about this week.

In this episode, Wendy Covey and Lee Chapman debrief the recent Industrial Marketing Summit, sharing behind-the-scenes insights, key takeaways, and innovative strategies discussed at the event.

One of the most notable changes since last year’s summit was the dramatic increase in AI adoption among industrial marketers. While only about 10% of attendees reported using generative AI in their daily work the previous year, roughly 80% raised their hands when asked the same question this year. The discussion extended beyond experimentation to practical implementation, including custom GPTs, AI agents, and workflow automation.

Another major takeaway came from keynote speaker Rand Fishkin, who highlighted how buyer behavior is evolving in the era of generative search. Website sessions may be declining, but revenue continues to rise suggesting that traditional attribution models are becoming less reliable. Instead of focusing solely on traffic metrics, marketers should prioritize high-quality engagement and conversions from more informed buyers.

The Industrial Marketing Summit is already gearing up for its 2027 event, which Wendy and Lee said will be returning to Austin, Texas in late February. After another successful year, the team will review attendee survey feedback to refine the program and continue growing the conference experience. Planning will ramp up in the spring, with calls for presenters and sponsors expected around June. A notable addition for 2027 will be the introduction of the Industrial Marketing Summit Awards, designed to recognize standout work and innovation in industrial marketing. As the conference enters its fourth year, the goal is to build on its momentum while continuing to deliver a highly relevant, community-driven event.

Resources

• Connect with Lee on LinkedIn
• Connect with Wendy on LinkedIn
• Purchase the Industrial Marketing Digital Pass
• Register for the 2026 State of Marketing to Engineers Webinar