In 2026, people don’t click one ad, land on one page, and buy.

They research. They scroll. They validate. They watch. They wait.

And only then do they decide.

In this episode of the Digital Success for Business Podcast, Leanne Cohens, founder of Marketing Leap breaks down how the modern buyer journey now works, why it’s no longer a straight line, and what businesses must change if they want conversions without burning money on disconnected marketing.

You’ll learn why today’s buyer journey looks more like a loop, how trust is built across multiple platforms, and how consistency — not volume — is what drives decisions in 2026.

This episode is essential for service-based businesses, consultants, coaches, and founders who want clarity instead of chaos as AI, short-form video, and social validation reshape how people buy.

• Why the buyer journey is no longer linear — and what replaces the funnel
• The 7–11–4 Rule and how many touchpoints buyers actually need
• How AI, search, social and validation now work together
• Why showing up once no longer converts
• How trust is built before a sales conversation ever happens
• What your website, social content, reviews and DMs must reinforce
• How to align your marketing so conversion becomes a by-product of confidence

Conversion doesn’t happen at the click — it happens at the moment of trust.

AI has changed how people find you. It hasn’t changed why they trust you.

• 00:00 Introduction: The Evolving Buyer Journey
• 00:46 Welcome to the Digital Success for Business Podcast
• 01:05 Understanding the Modern Buyer Journey
• 01:27 The Loop: How Buyers Discover and Decide
• 03:51 The Importance of Consistency in Marketing
• 05:25 The Human Rhythm of Client Journeys
• 08:06 The Role of AI and Technology in Modern Marketing
• 10:37 Aligning Your Marketing Strategy for 2026
• 14:01 Recap and Next Steps
• 14:42 Conclusion and Upcoming Episode

If your marketing feels scattered, inconsistent, or disconnected from sales — that’s exactly what we fix at Marketing Leap.

We help business owners:

• map the real buyer journey
• align search, social, content, email and conversations
• remove friction and hesitation
• build systems that support confident decisions

➡️ Book a Strategy Session: https://marketingleap.net

If you enjoyed this please Subscribe & Take the Marketing Leap today... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarketingLeap LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marketingleap/ YouTube: http://bit.ly/SubscribeMarketingLeap Twitter: https://twitter.com/marketingleap Instagram: https://instagram.com/marketingleap Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/MarketingLeap/ My FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/DigitalSuccessWithStyle

AI is moving faster than most business owners can keep up with and in 2026, it will radically change how marketing is executed. But despite the hype, AI won’t replace strategy, leadership, or trust.

In this episode of the Digital Success for Business Podcast, Leanne Cohens breaks down what AI will do brilliantly for marketing in 2026, where its limits are, and how to build a human-first marketing system that scales without losing authenticity. This is a practical, grounded conversation for business owners who want clarity not chaos as AI becomes embedded in every platform.

• What AI should automate in your marketing and what must stay human
• Why AI can execute brilliantly but can’t lead your strategy
• How hyper-personalisation and AI agents will reshape marketing in 2026
• The real risks of over-automating your message and brand voice
• Where businesses lose trust by handing over too much to AI
• How to use AI for efficiency without losing clarity or control

1. “AI can execute the work — but only humans can decide the direction.”

2. “Your competitive edge in 2026 isn’t using AI. It’s knowing where the human still matters.”

3. “AI should reinforce your brand, not replace your voice.”

• 00:00 Introduction: The Future of AI in Marketing
• 00:38 AI's Role in Marketing Execution
• 01:35 The Limits of AI in Marketing
• 02:10 Automation and Hyper-Personalization in 2026
• 03:18 AI in Content Generation and Supporting Intelligence
• 04:07 The Rise of AI Agents
• 04:45 Strategic Use of AI in Business
• 08:52 Practical Steps for 2026 Marketing Success
• 12:32 Final Thoughts and Next Steps

AI isn’t your replacement, it’s your reinforcement. But without strategy, leadership, and clear boundaries, it can dilute your message faster than it scales it.

If this episode has you realising your marketing needs clearer direction in 2026, that’s exactly what we help with at Marketing Leap. From Fractional CMO support to Done-For-You marketing systems and 90-Day Strategy Intensives, we help business owners stop guessing and start growing with clarity.

👉 Book your strategy session at https://marketingleap.net

P.S. In the next episode, we unpack the new buyer journey in 2026 — how people actually discover, validate, and decide to buy now. If you don’t understand this shift, you’ll miss both the moment and the revenue.

If you enjoyed this please Subscribe & Take the Marketing Leap today... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarketingLeap LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marketingleap/ YouTube: http://bit.ly/SubscribeMarketingLeap Twitter: https://twitter.com/marketingleap Instagram: https://instagram.com/marketingleap Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/MarketingLeap/ My FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/DigitalSuccessWithStyle

Marketing is getting noisier. Audiences are getting smarter. Budgets are tighter. So in 2026, success isn’t about doing more — it’s about doing what actually works.

In this episode of the Digital Success for Business Podcast, Leanne Cohens, Founder of Marketing Leap, walks you through how to build a clear, focused marketing game plan for 2026 by identifying what to keep, what to drop, and where to double down for real results.

Drawing on 12+ years running a digital agency and hands-on experience across finance, tech, health, manufacturing, tourism, and professional services, Leanne breaks down the patterns she sees repeatedly in businesses that grow — and those that stay stuck.

This is a strategic, no-hype episode designed to help business owners simplify their marketing, cut wasted effort, and enter 2026 with clarity instead of chaos.

• The core marketing foundations that still work — and why you should protect them
• The tactics draining your time, energy, and budget that need to be retired
• How SEO, AI, and search behaviour are evolving in 2026 (and what actually matters now)
• Where to double down for the highest ROI without corporate-sized budgets
• How to simplify your tech stack, content, and follow-up systems
• What winning businesses are doing differently as they head into 2026

• “2026 isn’t about doing more marketing — it’s about doing what actually works.”
• “The businesses that grow in 2026 won’t chase trends. They’ll double down on clarity.”
• “If your marketing feels overwhelming, the problem isn’t effort — it’s focus.”

00:00 Introduction: The Marketing Landscape in 2026 00:41 Welcome to the Digital Successful Business Podcast 01:25 Key Marketing Strategies for 2026 02:07 Foundations That Still Matter 02:48 The Importance of Brand Story and Customer Understanding 04:20 SEO and Search Evolution with AI 06:06 The Power of Follow-Up and Email Marketing 07:10 Paid Ads and Offline Integration 08:26 What to Drop in 2026 11:34 Doubling Down on Effective Strategies 15:50 Conclusion: Simplify and Amplify Your Marketing

Your 2026 marketing plan doesn’t need to be complicated — it needs to be clear.

If listening to this episode has you thinking “I need help implementing this”, that’s exactly what we do at Marketing Leap.

Whether you need:

• a Fractional CMO to lead strategy and execution
• a Done-For-You marketing team
• or a 90-Day Strategy Intensive to map your 2026 roadmap

We help businesses move from overwhelm to momentum.

👉 Learn more or book your strategy session at https://marketingleap.net

This episode is intentionally reflective, its a pause-and-plan listen you can come back to between Christmas and New Year as you shape your 2026 priorities.

If you enjoyed this please Subscribe & Take the Marketing Leap today... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarketingLeap LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marketingleap/ YouTube: http://bit.ly/SubscribeMarketingLeap Twitter: https://twitter.com/marketingleap Instagram: https://instagram.com/marketingleap Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/MarketingLeap/ My FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/DigitalSuccessWithStyle

In an age where AI can generate thousands of posts in seconds, the brands breaking through aren’t the ones posting the most — they’re the ones telling the most human stories.

In this episode of the Digital Success for Business Podcast, we explore why emotional connection is still the number one driver of buying behaviour, and why storytelling outperforms even the smartest AI-generated content. Drawing on more than 30 years in business and 12 years running a digital agency, Leanne Cohens explains how human-led messaging creates trust, loyalty, and long-term visibility — and why your story is your most powerful marketing asset.

You’ll learn how to move beyond bland, informational content and start sharing stories that resonate, differentiate you from competitors, and convert your audience into long-term clients.

Whether you’re a coach, consultant, founder or service-based business owner, this episode shows you how to use human-led storytelling as a strategic advantage in 2026 ... not just a creative flourish.

• Why emotional resonance drives the majority of buying decisions
• How human stories build trust in a way AI simply can’t replicate
• The psychology behind narrative-driven marketing
• Why facts alone don’t sell — but stories do
• The storytelling frameworks that actually work (without sounding cheesy)
• Real-world client examples that transformed connection and conversions
• How to make your customer the hero of the story — not your brand
• The difference between informational content and emotional content
• How to use storytelling across your website, socials, emails and funnels
• Why consistency in your story builds long-term loyalty
• What to avoid when using AI in your content creation

• “Facts inform people. Stories move them.”
• “Your audience won’t remember your features, but they’ll remember how your story made them feel.”
• “In 2026, human-led storytelling isn’t optional — it’s the only way to cut through the noise.”

• • 00:00 – Why emotional connection drives purchasing
  • 00:33 – Today’s episode overview
  • 01:01 – The power of storytelling in modern marketing
  • 01:38 – The science of emotional resonance
  • 03:20 – Where brands go wrong with AI-generated content
  • 04:30 – Case study: Transforming a financial services business with story
  • 05:59 – How to apply the Hero’s Journey to your own messaging
  • 08:40 – Building emotional loyalty beyond the first sale
  • 11:38 – Episode wrap + next steps

At Marketing Leap, we help founders and SMEs build message-led, human-first marketing systems that generate clarity, visibility and clients.

If you’re done blending in and ready to build a brand people remember:

👉 Book Your Strategy Session https://marketingleap.net

Let’s shape your story into the strategic engine behind your business growth.

P.S. If you enjoy the show, please follow, rate, and subscribe on your favourite platform — and hit Subscribe on YouTube for the full video version each Saturday.

✅ Download the free Social Media Infographic for platform insights: https://marketingleap.net/resources 🎯 Ready to plan your next 90 days? Book your VIP Intensive: 90-Day Roadmap: https://digitalsuccess.global/vip-planning 🎧 Listen to more episodes: https://marketingleap.net/podcast

About The Host: Leanne Cohens is the Digital Success Coach and owner of the agency Marketing LEAP. With over 25 years of experience as a marketer and over 30 years as a business owner, Leanne helps entrepreneurs grow their businesses through proven marketing strategies.

If you enjoyed this, please Subscribe & Take the Marketing Leap today!

Let's Connect: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarketingLeap LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketing-leap YouTube: http://bit.ly/SubscribeMarketingLeap Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marketingleap/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marketingleap

In a world obsessed with 3-second scrolls, fleeting Reels, and AI-generated everything, podcasting has become one of the most reliable ways to build visibility and trust that actually compounds over time. In this episode, I break down why podcasting still matters in 2025 and into 2026 and how to use it as the central pillar of your marketing strategy to grow your authority, nurture leads, and move people towards your offers with confidence.

Whether you're building a brand, growing a service-based business, or trying to generate consistent leads, podcasting is the long-game strategy most founders are overlooking.

• Why podcasting outperforms short-form content for long-term brand growth

• The psychology behind voice, connection, and trust

• How podcast episodes become evergreen visibility assets

• The real reason podcast listeners convert faster than social followers

• How to repurpose one episode into a month of content (the Marketing Leap method)

• Why “influencer culture” is dying — and why expert authority now wins

• How to use your podcast as a strategic funnel, not just another channel

• “Your voice is your secret sauce — don’t outsource the one thing that builds real connection.”

• “Trust doesn’t start at the checkout — it starts with your voice in someone’s ear.”

• “Your podcast isn’t content — it’s your strategy, your sales funnel, and your authority all rolled into one.”

00:00 — Introduction: Why podcasting is more powerful than ever 01:23 — The evolution of marketing & why attention has changed 02:51 — Podcast episodes as evergreen visibility assets 03:53 — Your authentic voice: the real trust builder 05:17 — Why podcast listeners convert faster than social followers 07:03 — Repurposing: turning one episode into a month of content 09:28 — The shift from influencers → experts 10:37 — Final thoughts: building a brand that lasts

Podcasting works because it gives you what social media can’t: time, trust, and deep connection. If you're ready to turn your ideas into influence — and build a content engine that supports your entire marketing strategy — Marketing Leap can help.

👉 Book your Strategy Session: https://marketingleap.net Let’s build the visibility, systems, and authority your business deserves.

P.S. If you enjoy the show, please follow, rate, and subscribe on your favourite platform — and hit Subscribe on YouTube for the full video version each Saturday.

✅ Download the free Social Media Infographic for platform insights: https://marketingleap.net/resources 🎯 Ready to plan your next 90 days? Book your VIP Intensive: 90-Day Roadmap: https://digitalsuccess.global/vip-planning 🎧 Listen to more episodes: https://marketingleap.net/podcast

About The Host: Leanne Cohens is the Digital Success Coach and owner of the agency Marketing LEAP. With over 25 years of experience as a marketer and over 30 years as a business owner, Leanne helps entrepreneurs grow their businesses through proven marketing strategies.

If you enjoyed this, please Subscribe & Take the Marketing Leap today!

Let's Connect: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarketingLeap LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketing-leap YouTube: http://bit.ly/SubscribeMarketingLeap Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marketingleap/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marketingleap My FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/digitalsuccesswithstyle

The countdown to Christmas isn’t just about decorations and deadlines — it’s about strategy.

In this episode of Digital Success for Business, Leanne Cohens, Founder of Marketing Leap, shares how changing buyer behaviour across generations is reshaping holiday marketing. From Gen Z discovering products on TikTok to Gen X relying on Facebook, Leanne explains how to meet your audience where they are and plan your most profitable Christmas campaign yet.

• How Gen Z, Millennials, and Gen X shop and make decisions differently this Christmas

• Why discovery now starts on TikTok and Instagram ... not Google

• How to align your social content, ads, and funnels for each generation

• The right way to prepare for Black Friday and Christmas promotions

• How to finish the year strong with strategy, not stress

“If you’re throwing up posts hoping for last-minute sales, you’ve already lost the race.”

“Connection is the new conversion — and that starts long before the checkout page.”

“You don’t need more content; you need the right content at the right time for the right people.”

00:00 – Introduction: The New Christmas Countdown 00:10 – Generational Shopping Trends 02:21 – Understanding the Shift in Buyer Behaviour 04:27 – The Role of Social Media in Modern Marketing 07:47 – Effective Paid Ad Strategies 09:29 – Preparing for the Holiday Season 10:54 – Strategy Over Stress: How to Plan Ahead

The end of the year isn’t the time to scramble — it’s the time to strategise. Whether you’re a service-based business or an eCommerce brand, success this Christmas starts with clarity, connection, and consistency.

✅ Download the free Social Media Infographic for platform insights: https://marketingleap.net/resources 🎯 Ready to plan your next 90 days? Book your VIP Intensive: 90-Day Roadmap: https://digitalsuccess.global/vip-planning 🎧 Listen to more episodes: https://marketingleap.net/podcast

About The Host: Leanne Cohens is the Digital Success Coach and owner of the agency Marketing LEAP. With over 25 years of experience as a marketer and over 30 years as a business owner, Leanne helps entrepreneurs grow their businesses through proven marketing strategies.

If you enjoyed this, please Subscribe & Take the Marketing Leap today!

Let's Connect: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarketingLeap LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketing-leap YouTube: http://bit.ly/SubscribeMarketingLeap Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marketingleap/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marketingleap My FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/digitalsuccesswithstyle

AI can start the conversation — but only you can keep it human. In this episode, Leanne Cohens shares how to use conversational AI tools like ManyChat and Meta Messaging to enhance connection instead of replacing it. Learn how to design trust-led funnels that sound like you, build genuine relationships, and automate with empathy and intention.

• The right way to use conversational AI tools like ManyChat & Meta Messaging • The four trust-killing mistakes most brands make with automation — and how to fix them • How to make your chatbot feel like an extension of your brand voice • When to hand over from bot → human for higher conversions • How to create a lead-gen funnel that builds connection and credibility

1. “AI isn’t your voice — it’s your assistant.”
2. “Automation should enhance the human experience, not replace it.”
3. “If your AI messages don’t sound like you, they won’t build trust.”

00 : 00 – Introduction: Why “human-first” automation wins 01 : 12 – The right way to use conversational AI tools 03 : 19 – Four mistakes killing trust in automation 05 : 55 – Practical steps to integrate AI into your funnels 08 : 04 – AI as your digital assistant, not your voice 10 : 38 – Closing: Human connection > tech perfection

Smart funnels don’t just automate — they connect. If you’re ready to build marketing systems that work while you sleep — without sounding robotic — Marketing Leap can help. We design trust-led funnels, email sequences, and AI workflows that sound like you and convert with clarity. 👉 Book your strategy session → www.marketingleap.net

About The Host: Leanne Cohens is the Digital Success Coach and owner of the agency Marketing LEAP. With over 25 years of experience as a marketer and over 30 years as a business owner, Leanne helps entrepreneurs grow their businesses through proven marketing strategies.

Want to learn more?

https://marketingleap.net/ https://marketingleap.net/marketing-resources/ https://marketingleap.net/contact-marketing-leap/

If you enjoyed this, please Subscribe & Take the Marketing Leap today!

Let's Connect: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarketingLeap LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketing-leap YouTube: http://bit.ly/SubscribeMarketingLeap Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marketingleap/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marketingleap My FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/digitalsuccesswithstyle

Overnight success is a myth. In this episode, Leanne Cohens, Founder of Marketing Leap, shares the real story behind building sustainable marketing success. From handing out flyers at Pacific Fair to rebranding a global company and creating Marketing Leap, Leanne reflects on the timeless principles that have stood the test of time: consistency, clarity, and human connection.

You’ll hear personal lessons, client stories, and practical insights on how to play the long game — no gimmicks, no hype — just authentic marketing that compounds over time and creates lasting results.

✅ Why “overnight success” is a myth (and how to build real momentum) ✅ The three habits that keep your marketing working year after year ✅ How trust, relationships & consistency create lasting results ✅ Lessons from Leanne’s early ventures in beauty & retail — and how they shaped Marketing Leap ✅ The simple mindset shift to stop one-off campaigns and start long-term growth

• “Marketing that actually works isn’t about chasing the next shiny thing — it’s about playing the long game.”
• “The tools might change from flyers to Facebook, but the fundamentals stay the same: trust, clarity, and connection.”
• “Real marketing success doesn’t come from hacks — it comes from habits.”

• • 00:00 The Myth of Overnight Success
  • 01:13 Core Marketing Principles
  • 02:02 The Long Game in Marketing
  • 04:06 Lessons from Past Experiences
  • 06:00 Adapting to Change
  • 06:32 Advice for New Marketers
  • 08:55 The Importance of Consistency
  • 09:46 Case Study: Financial Services
  • 10:37 Conclusion & Next Steps

Marketing is a marathon, not a sprint. The brands that win aren’t the ones chasing trends — they’re the ones that show up with clarity, consistency, and purpose.

If you’re ready to stop the “start-and-stop” chaos and build a marketing system that compounds over time, that’s what we do here at Marketing Leap.

👉 Book your VIP Intensive: 90-Day Content Roadmap → marketingleap.net/vip-planning

About The Host: Leanne Cohens is the Digital Success Coach and owner of the agency Marketing LEAP. With over 25 years of experience as a marketer and over 30 years as a business owner, Leanne helps entrepreneurs grow their businesses through proven marketing strategies.

Want to learn more?

https://marketingleap.net/ https://marketingleap.net/marketing-resources/ https://marketingleap.net/contact-marketing-leap/

If you enjoyed this, please Subscribe & Take the Marketing Leap today!

Let's Connect: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarketingLeap LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketing-leap YouTube: http://bit.ly/SubscribeMarketingLeap Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marketingleap/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marketingleap My FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/digitalsuccesswithstyle