Create Content that Counts ft Jessica Nickerson & Andy Pondillo | Hard Corps Marketing Show | Ep 450
How can modern marketers thrive by busting myths, embracing authenticity, and ditching perfection?
In this episode of The Hard Corps Marketing Show, I sat down with Jessica Nickerson and Andy Pondillo, Senior Content Solution Consultants at LinkedIn and co-hosts of The Making of a Marketer podcast. These two bring a fresh, no-nonsense approach to marketing, challenging outdated ideas, calling out the myth of high production value, and pushing for real human connection in the age of AI and social media.
Jessica and Andy break down why chasing perfection or copying big brands isn’t the answer. They discuss the fear that holds many marketers back, the evolution of content on platforms like LinkedIn, and the growing importance of storytelling, vulnerability, and consistency. Instead of polished scripts and vanity metrics, they encourage marketers to focus on audience impact, test-and-learn strategies, and community-driven content.
In this episode, we cover:
- Why high-budget, over-polished content often falls flat and what works instead
- How to overcome fear and analysis paralysis in your marketing strategy
- The shift from formal professionalism to authenticity and storytelling on LinkedIn
- Why marketers should rethink metrics like CPL and focus on broader business outcomes
- How brand case studies (like Chili’s and Duolingo) prove that authenticity wins
- The value of consistent content creation and the power of 100 posts
If you’re ready to drop the filters, rethink your content strategy, and connect with your audience on a real level, this episode is full of bold insights and practical advice you won’t want to miss!
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Connect with Jessica and Andy:
- Jessica’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessleslienickerson/
- Andy’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-pondillo/
- The Making of a Marketer podcast: https://marketingpodcasts.net/category/making-of-a-marketer/
- Company website: https://premium.linkedin.com/
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Hard Corps Marketing is produced and sponsored by Ringmaster, on a mission to create connections through branded podcasts. Learn more at https://ringmaster.com/
Creators and Guests
Host
Casey Cheshire
CEO & Founder of Ringmaster Conversational Marketing. Casey Cheshire is a marketer, serial entrepreneur, and adventurer. He has been in EO for close to 10 years and counts his relationships as a key reason for his continued success. Casey’s passion for podcasting led to him founding Ringmaster Conversational Marketing. Ringmaster helps B2B businesses launch podcasts that drive growth and revenue. Previously, Casey founded and ran Cheshire Impact for 10 years. It became the top Salesforce Pardot marketing automation solutions partner in the world before a successful exit in 2021. He is also a US Marine Corps Veteran where he served in the Infantry and deployed to some very hot climates. In his free time, Casey likes to skydive, climb mountains, and pretend to be a hungry bear for his two kids.