“Research is key. There’s no hack for deeply understanding your customer’s decision set.”
In this episode of Growth Talks by Right Side Up, Julia Steele joins host Krystina Rubino to share her journey from journalism to nonprofit marketing and her passion for creating impactful stories that move people to take action. Julia discusses the challenges and rewards of marketing in the education and nonprofit sectors, emphasizing the importance of cultural competency, customer research, and advocacy in driving growth.
Julia also explores how Success Academy works to inspire families and drive enrollment, all while staying true to their mission of providing exceptional education for children of all backgrounds.
🗝️ Key Takeaways:
- Research and qualitative insights are irreplaceable for understanding customer decisions—get to know your audience deeply.
- Marketing must adapt to diverse audiences and meet them where they are, so stay flexible.
- Advocacy and storytelling go hand in hand. Clear, mission-driven communication fuels awareness and impact.
- Branding isn’t just for profit. A strong, authentic message resonates in both nonprofit and for-profit sectors.
- Calls-to-action are critical, so be intentional in your messaging to ensure the audience understands what you’re offering. Highlight your value.
⏰ Timestamps
00:00 Introduction to Julia Steele’s career
02:12 From journalism to marketing
06:30 Balancing branded content and storytelling
11:45 Navigating the complexities of nonprofit and education marketing
16:20 Success Academy’s dual mission: advocacy and access
21:35 Cultural competence in marketing for NYC’s diverse families
28:10 The power of customer research in driving marketing decisions
35:00 Julia’s favorite growth non-hack: research
🔗 Mentioned in this episode:
- Success Academy Charter Schools: https://www.successacademies.org/
- Ed Institute at The Robertson Center: https://saedincubator.org/
👍Did you enjoy this video? Don’t forget to click the like button! And find more episodes of Growth Talks here: https://bit.ly/3xXGJJc
🤝Connect with Right Side Up
Right Side Up is a premium growth marketing agency that has helped more than 1,000+ companies hit their growth goals. Check us out and send us a note at: https://bit.ly/4bfaBQt
‣ Subscribe to our channel: https://bit.ly/3HWiJYD
‣ Subscribe to our marketing newsletter: https://rightsideup.com/resources/growth-marketing-newsletter/
‣ Follow us on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rightsideup/
‣ Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RightSideUpCo/
‣ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rightsideupco
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
Cardiac Cowboys
The heart was always off-limits to surgeons. Cutting into it spelled instant death for the patient. That is, until a ragtag group of doctors scattered across the Midwest and Texas decided to throw out the rule book. Working in makeshift laboratories and home garages, using medical devices made from scavenged machine parts and beer tubes, these men and women invented the field of open heart surgery. Odds are, someone you know is alive because of them. So why has history left them behind? Presented by Chris Pine, CARDIAC COWBOYS tells the gripping true story behind the birth of heart surgery, and the young, Greatest Generation doctors who made it happen. For years, they competed and feuded, racing to be the first, the best, and the most prolific. Some appeared on the cover of Time Magazine, operated on kings and advised presidents. Others ended up disgraced, penniless, and convicted of felonies. Together, they ignited a revolution in medicine, and changed the world.