Eggs 431: Building a better world online, niching down and authentic storytelling with Eric Ressler

Summary

In this conversation, Eric, the founder and creative director at Cosmic, discusses the intersection of digital strategy and social impact. He shares insights on how organizations can effectively engage their communities through authentic storytelling and marketing. The discussion covers the evolution of Cosmic as a niche agency, the challenges of social impact marketing, and the importance of building meaningful connections in a crowded digital landscape. Eric emphasizes the need for organizations to find their unique purpose and to measure their impact beyond traditional metrics, advocating for a more authentic approach to marketing that resonates with audiences.

Takeaways

• Cosmic specializes in helping social impact organizations tell their stories effectively.
• The transition to a niche focus can be challenging but rewarding.
• Authenticity in messaging is crucial for engaging audiences.
• Building a community around a cause is more effective than traditional marketing.
• Digital storytelling plays a vital role in social change efforts.
• Organizations must measure impact in meaningful ways, not just through vanity metrics.
• Finding purpose in marketing can lead to more fulfilling work.
• The balance between marketing and authenticity is essential for long-term success.
• Investing in core channels like websites and email is crucial for sustainability.
• The future of digital experiences lies in fostering genuine connections.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Social Impact and Digital Strategy

02:37 The Evolution of Cosmic and Niche Specialization

05:41 Navigating the Challenges of Social Impact Marketing

08:42The Importance of Authenticity in Messaging

11:34 Building Community and Engagement in Social Impact

13:59 The Role of Digital Storytelling in Social Change

17:21 The Future of Digital Experiences and Community Building

19:59 Measuring Impact and Success in Social Marketing

23:00 Finding Purpose in Marketing and Business Practices

25:21 The Balance Between Marketing and Authenticity

28:27 Conclusion and Key Takeaways

Credits:

Hosted by Ryan Roghaar and Michael Smith

Produced by Ryan Roghaar

Theme music: "Perfect Day" by OPM

The Eggs Podcast Spotify playlist:

bit.ly/eggstunes

The Plugs:

The Show: eggscast.com

@eggshow on twitter and instagram

On iTunes: itun.es/i6dX3pCOn

Stitcher: bit.ly/eggs_on_stitcher

Also available on Google Play Music!

Mike "DJ Ontic":

Shows and info: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠djontic.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

@djontic on twitter

Ryan Roghaar:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rogha.ar