How Top Marketers Hack Influence with One Simple Equation

In this episode, we sit down with Chandler Lyles—entrepreneur, marketer, and co-founder of High Beam Marketing—to break down the real truths behind digital advertising, scaling businesses, and why most entrepreneurs waste their marketing budget.

💡 Learn how to actually create influence, why emotional resonance trumps flashy graphics, and how Chandler turned a failed restaurant into a powerhouse agency serving e-commerce brands. This is the marketing advice every small business owner wishes they had before burning their budget.

We cover:

• Paid media vs. organic marketing

• When not to follow trends

• Creating emotion-driven ads that convert

• Why being “1 trend behind” is actually a smart move

• Building a brand that scales without wasting ad spend

👉 Whether you're a marketer, business owner, or aspiring founder, this episode is packed with practical insight and battle-tested strategies.

🎧 Subscribe for more interviews and tips for scaling your brand with clarity, creativity, and ROI.

00:00 – Why Emotion x Awareness = Influence
01:12 – Chandler’s background & the BBQ-to-marketing journey
07:03 – The Billboard Mistake: A $2,500 lesson in ROI
11:01 – Why Paid Media Outperforms for Small Businesses
16:08 – The Apple Ad Breakdown: Emotion > Logic
20:11 – How to Wake Up Customers from Autopilot
25:30 – Stop Overestimating New Trends (Clubhouse warning)
31:12 – Why You Should Be One Trend Behind
36:00 – The Marketing Flywheel for Long-Term Success
41:00 – Growth via Acquisition: The Smart (Measured) Way
46:10 – How to Win in a Down Market (Hint: Don't Pause Marketing)
50:30 – Getting Clear on What Problem You Solve
54:00 – Influencer Marketing, Old-School Radio, & Entertainment Value
58:59 – Chandler’s Final Advice for Business Owners

Guest: Chandler Lyles, Co-Founder of High Beam Marketing
Host: Brian Erickson

Topics Discussed:

• Chandler’s crash course in marketing via restaurant failure

• How High Beam Marketing helps brands grow through paid media

• Real talk on failed billboard campaigns and emotional branding

• Why most people misunderstand the true purpose of marketing

• How to use other people’s markets and audiences to grow faster

• Navigating platforms like TikTok, Vine, and Clubhouse

• The surprising advantage of being one trend behind

• Chandler’s marketing pet peeves & the impact of cutting corners

• Tips for entrepreneurs on surviving & thriving through uncertainty

🔗 Connect with Chandler Lyles:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/chandlerlyles

Website: highbeammarketing.com

💁🏼 Connect with Brian:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/u/bwerickson

Instagram: instagram.com/cincybizpod/

TikTok: tiktok.com/@cincybizpod

Facebook: facebook.com/people/Cincinnati-Business-Podcast/

Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/50kMVlyZokuoLwzE2fwAmt?si=pk87NyzsQJGY6iE7OKpzmQ

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