059: Conversations That Convert With Mary Kathryn Johnson

What if the most powerful sales strategy wasn’t another funnel or ad  –  but an authentic conversation that builds trust at scale? In this episode of the Health and Wellness Marketing Show, Uli Iserloh sat down with Mary Kathryn Johnson, automation strategist and founder of Messenger Funnels, to discuss how to design conversations that convert. Known as one of the early pioneers of chatbot and conversational marketing, Mary shares how blending empathy with automation can transform how health practitioners connect, nurture, and enroll clients online. From the psychology of micro-commitments to creating congruent, human-centered automation, this conversation reveals how conversational design is reshaping the way practitioners attract, qualify, and convert patients  –  without feeling salesy or robotic. If you’ve ever wondered how to build trust digitally or how automation can actually make your marketing feel more personal, this episode will show you the path forward.

Listen To Learn:

• Discover why marketing has shifted from a one-way monologue to an authentic dialogue  –  and how to make your automation sound more human.
• Learn how to apply Mary’s LEAP Framework (Listen, Empathize, Ask, Present) to create conversational experiences that naturally lead to enrollment.
• Understand how to use micro-commitments to build momentum and engagement throughout your automation journeys.
• Explore the concept of congruent conversation flow  –  ensuring every automated touchpoint matches the tone and expectations set at the start.
• Find out how to blend chatbots, SMS, and personalized messaging to create seamless, high-converting communication across your marketing ecosystem.

Quotes to Remember:

• “Marketing used to be a monologue  –  now it’s about creating a dialogue that makes people feel seen and heard.” (07:42 | Mary Kathryn Johnson)
• “Automation doesn’t replace human connection  –  it amplifies it when done right.” (11:18 | Mary Kathryn Johnson)
• “Every ‘no’ is still a form of engagement  –  it’s a sign someone is paying attention.” (19:36 | Uli Iserloh)
• “The end of your automation journey should feel as personal as the first message.” (25:27 | Mary Kathryn Johnson)
• “When you build conversations that serve first, sales become the natural outcome.” (31:12 | Mary Kathryn Johnson)

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Thank You For Listening!

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review! Your positive review helps others find this podcast and increase its visibility. Resources: For business owners looking to understand the power of conversational design:  https://chatbotmom.com For agency owners or freelancers to learn how to create conversational marketing flows: https://botacademy.com/learn

Connect With Uli Iserloh Website: https://bigboost.marketing Facebook: https://facebook.com/uliiserloh Instagram: https://instagram.com/uliiserloh Youtube: https://youtube.com/uliiserloh  Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@uliiserloh  Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/uliiserloh/ Connect With Mary Kathryn Johnson Website: https://callmemkj.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CallMeMKJ/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/callmemkj/