Smartbug On Tap

In staffing, your applicant tracking system (ATS) may feel like both a lifeline and a limitation. It’s great at storing resumes and ensuring compliance—but does it actually help you nurture candidates, align with marketing, or forecast sales? In this episode, host Alexandra Whitmore is joined by Abigail Allen, SVP of Sales at SmartBug, to tackle the big question: Is it time to fire your ATS? Together, they explore:

Managing both candidates and clients in one CRM can feel impossible, but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode of SmartBug on Tap, host Alexandra Whitmore (VP of Sales at SmartBug) sits down with Sandy Moore (Senior Director of Account Strategy at SmartBug) to unpack why staffing firms struggle with “double funnel” operations and how HubSpot helps solve the chaos. You’ll learn: ✅ What the “double funnel” is and why it causes friction ✅ Common CRM mistakes staffing firms make with candidates vs. clients ✅ How legacy CRMs fall short in supporting both sides of the staffing equation ✅ Ways to structure HubSpot pipelines, objects, and dashboards for clarity ✅ Quick wins staffing leaders can implement this week ✅ Long-term shifts to prevent double funnel burnout If your CRM feels more like a data graveyard than a growth engine, it’s time for a reset. SmartBug has helped staffing firms of all sizes optimize HubSpot for recruiting and sales success—let’s do the same for you. Key Highlights: [02:10] What the “double

In this episode of SmartBug on Tap, I, Alexandra Whitmore, delve into the common pitfalls staffing firms encounter with their CRM strategies. Joined by Casey Pedicord, our Senior Director of Channel Sales, we explore issues such as poor adoption, messy data, and ineffective recruiter handoffs that can hinder growth. Casey shares insights on how to transform a CRM from a mere record-keeping tool into a powerful revenue driver. We discuss the importance of executive buy-in, optimizing workflows, and leveraging automation to improve efficiency. If your CRM feels more like a burden than a benefit, this episode provides actionable strategies to reset your approach and unlock your firm's potential for growth. Tune in to discover how to make your CRM a true growth engine.

We’re diving into the concept of second brain systems—how to use custom GPTs (in ChatGPT) and Gems (in Gemini) to scale your marketing team’s productivity, eliminate repetitive tasks, and streamline onboarding, content creation, paid media, and more. You’ll learn: ✅ What a second brain is (and why marketers need one) ✅ How to build your own custom GPT or Gem ✅ What to feed your second brain to get great outputs ✅ Real SmartBug use cases ✅ Tips for maintenance, security, and future-proofing your setup Whether you're new to AI or a seasoned power user, you'll walk away with actionable tips to make AI work for your team—without replacing the human magic that makes your marketing shine. ⏱️ Key Highlights: 00:00 – Intro: Why second brains are changing how marketers work 03:10 – What is a second brain in marketing and AI? 05:00 – ChatGPT vs. Gemini: What makes a “second brain” different from on-the-fly prompting 07:50 – Eliminating information silos and dusty data 10:55 – ⚠️ AI Safety Disclaimer 11:00 – Step-by-ste

Welcome back to SmartBug on Tap, where we dig into smarter, more scalable HubSpot strategy for marketing, sales, and RevOps teams. In this episode, Casey Peddicord sits down with Sandy Moore, SmartBug’s Senior Director of Account Strategy, to unpack one of the most complex—and misunderstood—topics in enterprise marketing: attribution. Whether you’re battling siloed data, long sales cycles, or disconnected touchpoints, attribution reporting can feel impossible to get right. But it can work—and Sandy’s here to show you how. From model selection to executive dashboards to AI’s evolving impact on reporting, this is a must-listen for anyone working in enterprise RevOps or marketing operations.

AI is changing the content game—but how do writers keep their creativity, voice, and humanity intact? In this episode of SmartBug on Tap, host Julia Bye chats with SmartBug copywriter Rebecca Corgan about how content creators can embrace AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini without compromising authenticity. From overcoming blank-page syndrome to building powerful second-brain workflows, Rebecca shares how she integrates AI into her writing process—without letting it take over. Learn where AI shines, where it falls short, and how to strike the right balance between efficiency and originality. Whether you're a writer, marketer, or ops leader curious about the future of AI-powered content, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

Integrating HubSpot with your broader tech stack can either unlock operational gold—or become a chaotic mess. In this episode of SmartBug On Tap, host Casey Peddicord sits down with Justine Verrier, Technical Solutions Engineer at SmartBug Media, to demystify what it takes to build enterprise-grade integrations that actually scale. From NetSuite and Salesforce to custom-built systems, Justine shares insights from a decade in the HubSpot ecosystem, walking through what works, what doesn’t, and how to avoid the most common integration pitfalls. They cover key concepts like data governance, source of truth, one-way vs. two-way syncs, and how AI is starting to enhance QA and planning phases. If you're facing integration complexity, this one’s for you.

In this episode of SmartBug on Tap, Tonia Speir dives into the evolving landscape of digital visibility with Mari Boni, an SEO specialist. In "AI Broke the SERP: Here’s How Enterprise Teams Can Still Win with HubSpot," we explore the shift from traditional SEO to Answer Engine Optimization (AEO). As AI-driven search results become the norm, it's crucial for enterprise teams to adapt their strategies. Mari explains how AI tools are transforming search experiences, emphasizing the importance of semantic clarity and brand authority. We discuss the nuances of optimizing for large language models and why enterprises must align content with user needs. Join us to learn how to navigate this new era of digital marketing and ensure your content remains competitive. Don't forget to subscribe for insights on leveraging HubSpot, AI, and SEO to stay ahead.

In this episode of SmartBug on Tap, I explore how understanding human behavior can enhance the effectiveness of your HubSpot system. Joined by Sam Saint-Maur, an expert in marketing operations, we discuss the often-overlooked impact of aligning people and processes with your CRM platform. We delve into why beautifully built systems can falter in practice and how misalignment between tools and team dynamics can cause breakdowns. Sam shares insights on the importance of allowing sufficient runway time for CRM transitions and the pitfalls of overbuilding without considering user needs. We also discuss the value of human-centered design and the importance of starting simple to build a flexible, user-friendly system. Tune in to learn how to make your HubSpot implementation not just a technical success, but a human one too.

In this episode of SmartBug on Tap, “From Guesswork to Greatness: Paid Media in the AI Era,” we dive into how AI is transforming digital advertising—and what marketers need to know to stay competitive. Join Paul Schmidt, VP of Marketing at SmartBug, and Louis-Claude Martin, a seasoned paid media expert at SmartBug, as they unpack the real impact of AI on campaign strategy, targeting, and performance. From the power of first-party data to the evolving role of media managers, this episode reveals how to shift from manual guesswork to data-backed greatness in the age of AI.

With 10,000 Americans turning 65 every day, the opportunity in AgeTech has never been greater. However, AgeTech and senior living organizations face unique challenges in marketing, sales, and customer retention—whether selling to seniors, caregivers, or healthcare providers. In this video, we explore how HubSpot’s CRM, automation, and AI-driven tools can help AgeTech companies overcome these challenges and scale effectively. What You’ll Learn: ✅ The Unique Challenges of Scaling an AgeTech Company – Navigating long sales cycles, trust-driven decision-making, compliance hurdles, and high customer acquisition costs. ✅ How HubSpot Solves These Challenges – Using AI-powered lead scoring, automation, conversational marketing, and pipeline management to improve efficiency. ✅ Customer Retention & Engagement Strategies – Leveraging HubSpot’s Customer Service Hub, automated check-ins, and knowledge base tools to enhance customer experience.

Today we're tackling one of the biggest questions B2B companies face: Should you keep both HubSpot and Salesforce connected—or is it time to fully switch? Join Casey Peddicord, Senior Director of Channel Sales at SmartBug, and Alex Bisaillon (a.k.a. “Biz”), Solution Architect at SmartBug, as they break down how to decide between integrating and migrating, based on real-world experience helping companies align their revenue tech stacks.

Dive into how AgeTech companies can build effective, ROI-driven paid media campaigns—even with a lean marketing budget. SmartBug's Senior Sales Executive, Tonia Speir, sits down with Briana Greer, Director of Paid Media at SmartBug, to explore how to prioritize platforms, optimize spend, and avoid common pitfalls in early go-to-market (GTM) efforts. Whether you’re targeting adult children, seniors, caregivers, or B2B buyers such as healthcare professionals or senior living execs, this conversation offers a blueprint for smarter advertising decisions.

In this episode of SmartBug on Tap, titled "Setting Up HubSpot for AgeTech Organizations," I delve into the intricacies of configuring HubSpot to meet the unique needs of AgeTech companies. Joined by John Suarez, SmartBug's Director of HubSpot Strategy, we explore the importance of setting up HubSpot correctly from the start to ensure data integrity and operational efficiency. John shares insights on managing parent-child company relationships, handling multiple buyer personas, and maintaining clean data. We also discuss how to leverage HubSpot's features for tracking referrals and managing operations across multiple locations. Tune in to learn how to create a robust HubSpot foundation that supports your business goals and enhances trust with your audience.

Join us as we unpack one of the most common questions new HubSpot users ask: Do you begin with Marketing Hub or Sales Hub? This episode features a tactical discussion between Tonia Speir, Senior Sales Executive at SmartBug, and John Suarez, Director of HubSpot Strategy at SmartBug, diving into how to make the right first move in HubSpot based on your business model, team structure, and long-term goals.

Take a deep dive into how private equity firms are streamlining reporting, reducing inefficiencies, and driving portfolio-wide growth using HubSpot. This episode features an insightful conversation between Paul Schmidt, SmartBug’s VP of Marketing, and Casey Peddicord, Senior Director of Channel Sales, breaking down how private equity firms are overcoming fragmented tech stacks, manual reporting, and siloed data by using HubSpot as a single source of truth.

Let's dive deep into how healthcare organizations can leverage HubSpot to modernize their marketing, sales, and service operations while staying compliant with ever-evolving healthcare regulations, including HIPAA. Join SmartBug HubSpot experts Paul Schmidt and Casey Peddicord as they explore: ✅ Why more healthcare orgs are adopting HubSpot now than ever before ✅ What HubSpot’s HIPAA compliance means for storing PHI and building forms ✅ Real-world examples from medical device companies, vein clinics, and more ✅ How healthcare CRMs integrate with EHR/EMR systems like Epic and Athena ✅ What to look for in a HubSpot partner (including compliance credentials) ✅ Implementation timelines, permissioning best practices, and success metrics Whether you’re a marketing leader, IT stakeholder, or operations exec in healthcare, this conversation is packed with insights on how to reduce tool sprawl, improve visibility, and scale securely with HubSpot.

Creating messaging that resonates with older adults, care partners, and influencers is a critical yet often overlooked factor in the success of senior-focused technology. In this episode, SmartBug’s Paul Schmidt is joined by AgeTech expert Tonia Speir and Senior Director of Copy Erin Hardy to explore the branding and messaging strategies that drive engagement and adoption in the AgeTech space.

The senior tech industry is rapidly growing, with new innovations designed to improve the lives of older adults, caregivers, and healthcare providers. But how do you successfully market and sell senior tech solutions to a diverse audience that includes seniors, adult children, and healthcare professionals? SmartBug Media's AgeTech expert, Tonia Speir, joins host VP of Marketing Paul Schmidt to break down: ✅ What AgeTech is and the biggest misconceptions about seniors and technology ✅ The decision-making process in AgeTech purchases: seniors, caregivers, and adult children ✅ How to build trust and drive adoption in an industry where security and usability are top concerns ✅ The best marketing channels and go-to-market (GTM) strategies for reaching this unique audience ✅ How AgeTech startups can differentiate themselves in an increasingly crowded market If you're working in senior tech, digital health, or healthcare marketing, this is for you. Paul Schmidt: pschmidt@smartbugmedia.com Tonia Speir: tspeir@smartbu

On the season finale of SmartBug on Tap, Hannah Shain shares some useful tips on how to get started with TikTok as a B2B marketer. If you’re thinking TikTok is just for teens and gen z-ers, think again. Brands are growing, recruiting is flourishing, and more leads than ever are being generated from this platform. So if you haven’t started yet - it’s time to jump in!