Today on Poetry in Marketing, I’ve got a windy, dramatic backdrop and a pointed little haiku:

Why pay for tactics

If you don’t understand why

You’re paying for them?

In this episode, I dig into a common (and costly) mistake: business owners signing off on a long list of marketing activities without truly understanding what those tactics are supposed to accomplish.

Social posts on multiple platforms. Lots of blogs. SEO. Lead magnets. Press releases. Great. But what job are they actually doing for your business?

There should always be a straight line between the money you spend and the results you expect. If you can’t clearly explain why something is on your marketing plan, it’s time to ask better questions.

In this episode of Poetry in Marketing, we dive into a hot topic with a fresh haiku:

AI can’t achieve

Beyond a user’s skill set—

Just like other tools.

There’s a lot of noise about artificial intelligence replacing marketers, but here’s the truth: AI isn’t a solution. It isn’t an employee. It’s just a tool... One that’s only as good as the person using it.

This week’s episode explores the myth of AI as a magic fix and reminds us why human expertise still matters. I share why AI is powerful only when guided by experience, and why your marketing strategy still needs a smart human at the wheel.

Hey, it’s Erik Wolf, and in this episode of Poetry in Marketing, I reflect on a conversation that happened during a Vistage talk in Philadelphia which inspired this week’s poem:

Marketing’s bigger

Than what most CEOs think

That marketing is.

Spoiler alert: Most CEOs underestimate what marketing really is. It’s not just websites, logos, emails, or trade shows. Marketing — real marketing — is a holistic business strategy. It’s about aligning product, message, and customer insight to drive growth. And yes, it lives way up in the C-suite, not just in Adobe Creative Suite.

This episode dives into why so many business leaders view marketing too narrowly... And how to shift that mindset.

In this pre-workout episode of Poetry in Marketing, I’m dropping a haiku inspired by my time at a conference earlier this week:

Often, the conference

Outside the conference center

Is more valuable.

In this one, I dig into a truth every experienced marketer knows: the best conversations don’t always happen on the trade show floor. The real gold often comes from hallway chats, dinner meetings, hotel bar intros, and those unplanned collisions that happen outside the official event.

If you think success equals business cards and booth traffic, you’re missing the point. Listen in as I talk about how to reframe your conference strategy for deeper connection and better long-term results.

In this week’s episode of Poetry in Marketing, I’m bringing you a rhyming haiku (yes, it rhymes!) and some hard-earned wisdom, all while fending off two affectionate dogs:

Your mindset matters:

Scarcity thinking confines

Where abundance shines.

In this episode, we talk about the mindset traps that sabotage sales and marketing efforts: specifically the desperation that comes from scarcity thinking. That “what can I do to put you in this car today” energy? It reeks of fear. And it turns people off.

Instead, I break down how abundance thinking leads to better outcomes, stronger client relationships, and a whole lot less stress. Sales and marketing don’t have to feel gross. In fact, they shouldn’t.

I’m recording this episode from Mile High Stadium, just ahead of the AFC title game. The vibe? Electric. The poem? A little more serious:

Progress can be cruel:

Pain and stress constantly mount

Differently than growth.

In this episode of Poetry in Marketing, I reflect on the hard truth that progress—whether in football, business, or marketing—is rarely linear. You don’t win every time just because you won last time. And even when the effort is there, the results don’t always show up when or how we want.

Whether you’re managing a team, building a brand, or chasing your next big marketing win, this is your reminder to celebrate the wins and stay steady through the setbacks.

This week’s episode of Poetry in Marketing is a special one. I’m celebrating the release of my new book, Everyone Hates Marketing!, now officially available on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle.

To mark the occasion, we held a launch party in Denver and I closed out the night by doing what I do best: reading a marketing haiku, live on stage (well… on a bench, technically).

Any CEO

With marketing frustrations

Has a chance to change.

In this episode, I reflect on six months of podcasting and why continuing to struggle with broken marketing isn’t just unfortunate—it’s a choice. If you’re ready to make a change, this is your invitation.

This week I’m coming to you live on video from the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas with a poem straight from the speaker lounge:

Trade shows only work

When goals and reality

Converge at your booth.

In this episode of Poetry in Marketing, I reflect on the disconnect that often happens at trade shows—where expectations for lead gen and sales don’t match the reality of what the event actually delivers. Whether you’re walking into a massive industry showcase or a small regional expo, your investment only pays off when your goals align with what the show is truly built to offer.

If you’ve ever left a trade show wondering “was that worth it?”... This one’s for you.