Episode 162 Frederick Dudek (Freddy D)

Performance marketing takes center court as Jake Tlapek of Finch breaks down demand-side platforms (DSPs), TikTok SEO, and conversion optimization playbooks that win customers on every channel. He shares his journey from Air Force IT to agency leader and founder-creator, including how posting twice daily sparked 100K+ TikTok followers and a steady stream of leads. You’ll learn why DSPs let brands place ads where buyers actually are—from Hulu to digital billboards—without juggling a dozen dashboards, plus why search isn’t dying, it’s moving (hello, Reddit, Pinterest, and TikTok). Jake caps it with two slam-dunk case studies: a landscaper scaling from 3 to 9 crews and a simple button-color change that 5x’d conversions.

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• DSP dominance: Use demand-side platforms to reach buyers across Hulu, Pandora, podcasts, and digital signage—meet fans where they play.
• TikTok SEO is real: Search is shifting—1 in 4 TikTok sessions starts with a search; optimize captions, hooks, and on-screen text.
• Founder-led content wins: Twice-daily posting built Jake’s 100K+ audience and inbound pipeline. Consistency > complexity.
• Conversions are a game of inches: A button color change lifted a landing page from ~1.2% to 6.5%—micro-tweaks, macro-results.
• Messaging mismatch kills deals: Most sites speak to the owner, not the customer—rewrite copy to the buyer’s “benefit of the benefit.”
• Search isn’t dead—just moved: Blend SEO + social search (Reddit, Pinterest, TikTok) to capture intent beyond Google.
• ROAS that scales: Finch’s DSP programs target money-in/money-out efficiency, with cited 17x ROAS examples.
• People over pixels: AI is the cream in the Oreo—useful in the middle, but humans bookend the brand experience.

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Jake Tlapek is a performance marketing strategist at Finch, known for DSP-driven omnichannel campaigns and no-fluff SEO + CRO execution. He grew a 100K+ TikTok audience by posting twice daily and turns that attention into qualified demand. His wins range from doubling crews for a Chicagoland landscaper to 5x conversion lifts with surgical UX tweaks.

Jake plays full-court press on performance marketing—open lanes via DSP buys, fast breaks via TikTok SEO, and high-percentage shots with on-page conversion. His stance that “search moves” reframes strategy: build content for platforms where your buyer already searches, then use DSPs to...

161 Frederick Dudek (Freddy D)

n this episode of Business Superfans®, Freddy D Take dives into the power of gratitude marketing—how saying “thank you” can transform your business ecosystem into a community of loyal superfans. Using real-world service examples, Freddy breaks down how appreciation emails, anniversary cards, and automated check-ins can drive referrals, retention, and revenue. Discover how gratitude isn’t just good manners—it’s a competitive advantage that fuels growth and connection in every direction. November’s not just for Thanksgiving—it’s your month to thank and grow.

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• Gratitude = Growth: Saying thank you strategically keeps you top of mind and builds loyalty that competitors can’t touch.
• Differentiate with Appreciation: Sending a “thank you for the opportunity” sets you apart before the contract is even signed.
• Story Marketing with Photos: Before-and-after project images turn clients into brand storytellers—free word-of-mouth power.
• Automate Thoughtfulness: Schedule follow-ups at 1, 6, and 12 months to show you care—without adding to your workload.
• Birthday Surprise Effect: A simple birthday card from a contractor can create lasting buzz and emotional connection.
• From Referrals to Introductions: Gratitude nurtures warm introductions that shorten sales cycles and boost conversions.

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Freddy D (Frederick Dudek) is the founder of Business Superfans®, a global authority on ecosystem-driven growth. A bestselling author of Creating Business Superfans, Freddy helps service businesses turn their teams, clients, and partners into loyal promoters who drive sustainable success.

Freddy D reminds us that championship teams win with fundamentals—and in business, gratitude is the ultimate fundamental. By transforming “thank you” from a formality into a growth system, service providers can build powerful ecosystems where every touchpoint—client, employee, partner—feels valued. This is exactly the type of strategy Freddy coaches inside the SUPERFANS Framework™ within his Prosperity Pathway™ coaching. When businesses lead with appreciation, they activate emotional loyalty that no discount or ad campaign can match. The playbook? Gratitude, automation, and storytelling—your winning trio for 2026.

This podcast is hosted by Captivate, try it yourself for free.

The Action: Send personalized thank-you notes this week.

Who: Clients, employees, suppliers, and partners.

Why: Gratitude strengthens relationships and sparks repeat business.

How:

• Write 3 heartfelt thank-you messages.
• Automate one follow-up in 30 days.
• Capture a story or photo to share.
• Recognize a team member publicly.
• Repeat monthly.

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Episode 160 Frederick Dudek (Freddy D)

B2B marketing with Richard Levy centers on aligning sales and marketing to win today’s 5% in-market buyers while educating the 95% who aren’t ready yet. In this episode, Richard shares 25 years of lessons—from Santander’s graduate scheme to leading Sophera Marketing—on building demand without racing to discounts.

You’ll hear why thought-leadership newsletters outperform hard sells, how to use global cultural nuance in messaging, and why AI is a true business revolution to embrace—not fear. He explains “market in the gap” thinking, anti-discounting discipline, and the power of warm introductions to create lifelong superfans and compounding referrals.

If you want practical B2B marketing that compounds trust, this conversation gives you the frameworks and field examples to get started now.

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• Sales–marketing alignment: Use field feedback to shape messaging and offers so both teams pursue the same ICP.
• Win the 95%: Create consistent, helpful content for out-of-market buyers; save hard sells for in-market moments.
• “Market in the gap”: Validate demand before building; a gap may exist simply because nobody wants it.
• Thought-leadership newsletter: One BIG monthly question, zero pitching, long-term trust > short-term clicks.
• Anti-discounting stance: Discounts pull demand forward, crush margins, and train buyers to wait. Hold the line.
• Global marketing nuance: Adapt tone to culture (e.g., UK indirect vs. Dutch direct) while keeping fundamentals constant.
• Embrace AI: Treat it like the internet shift—learn it, pilot it, and lead the pivot.
• Introductions > referrals: Warm intros collapse sales cycles and transfer trust instantly.

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Richard Levy is a marketing consultant and mentor at Sophera Marketing with 25+ years in B2C and B2B. He began on Santander’s UK marketing graduate scheme and now guides SMEs globally on strategy, measurement, and executive mentorship. Richard is known for his “95% out-of-market” approach, anti-discounting discipline, and a no-pitch monthly newsletter that compounds trust.

Ninja Prospecting

Richard’s operating system is pragmatic: align sales and marketing, respect buying timing, and earn future demand with useful ideas. His “95% not in market” lens reframes content from lead-grabs to trust-building—exactly what turns ecosystems into business superfans who advocate long after the campaign ends. Global examples reinforce that fundamentals travel, but tone must flex by...