Latest Episodes of Bad Decisions with Jim Banks

If you're a digital marketing professional, agency leader, affiliate marketer, or entrepreneur looking to scale your business, this episode is packed with actionable insights: Affiliate Marketing Essentials in 2026: Learn what it takes to start and scale a successful affiliate business—how to vet advertisers, select profitable offers, and avoid common payment pitfalls. Building a Sustainable Agency: Stas shares his blueprint for transitioning from solo affiliate marketer to leading a 20-p...

In this episode of Digital Marketing Stories Jim Banks sits down with Ivan Janku for an honest chat about running an agency, surviving in the ever-changing marketing world, and the real challenges behind the scenes. If you want a peek into what it truly takes to make it in digital marketing, you don’t want to miss this episode. YouTube - No BS Ads LinkedIn Instagram - No BS Ads Digital Rocket - Full-Stack Growth Marketing Agency I have one small favour to ask. Would you please follo...

Are you ready to elevate your digital marketing in 2025? In this episode of Digital Marketing Stories, Perry Sheraw email marketing expert and automation strategist joins host Jim Banks to dive deep into the latest trends, game-changing tools, and proven strategies for turning your email list into a revenue powerhouse. From leveraging AI for advanced personalization to practical segmentation tactics and platform recommendations (HubSpot, Klaviyo, Shopify), get actionable tips straight from a seasoned pro. Whether you're a marketing manager at a growing e-commerce brand, a B2B leader, or a digital marketing enthusiast, this episode delivers the strategies you need to succeed in the evolving digital landscape.

From conference travels in London, Berlin, and Bologna, to candid discussions about how the world of Pay Per Click advertising has shifted, Kirk and Jim peel back the curtain on everything from early Google Ads hacks to today's AI-driven campaigns. Dive into topics including: PPC Evolution: How the landscape has dramatically changed in the past two years and what digital marketers MUST know to stay ahead. Brand Bidding Masterclass: Should you bid on your own brand or not? Discover the ...

In today’s episode, Jim welcomes John Dwyer (JD), founder of the Institute of Wow, for a dynamic and entertaining conversation packed with real-world marketing wisdom and a few cheeky stories along the way. Jim and John dive deep into the world of direct response marketing, sharing how classic principles from marketing legends like Claude Hopkins are still at the heart of successful campaigns, even as platforms and technologies evolve. With stories of behind-the-scenes secrets of incentive...

Welcome to another episode of Digital Marketing Stories. Today, our host Jim Banks sits down with Young Han, a fractional COO and CFO, entrepreneur, and proud “girl dad.” In this engaging conversation, Young shares his journey from leading venture-backed startups to building service businesses from scratch—including his rapidly growing pool cleaning company. Together, Jim and Young dive into the changing landscape of operations, finance, and marketing in the age of AI, the importance of clean data, and how collaboration between departments is key to business success. Young also offers his perspective on work-life balance (or integration), the realities of acquiring versus building businesses, and how operational systems can help scale companies with minimal owner involvement. Whether you’re a marketing pro, a startup founder, or simply interested in the intersection of business strategy and personal growth, this episode is packed with candid insights, practical advi…

Looking for actionable strategies in digital marketing, event promotion, and social media audience growth? Want the inside story on the power of authenticity and resilience in business? This episode is your go-to guide. Key Takeaways: Event Marketing Secrets: How Benjamin leverages micro-influencers, geographic social media targeting, and eye-catching guerrilla campaigns to fill venues and drive ticket sales. Social Media for Local Brands: Strategic tips for building a hyperlocal au...

Welcome to another episode of Digital Marketing Stories. This week, Jim talks to Joel Bondorowsky, a seasoned digital marketer and founder of PPC Designs, a boutique agency specializing in helping startups and e-commerce brands grow through paid media. Introduced by a previous guest, Anton Shulke, Joel shares his journey from the early days of dial-up internet, when concepts like click-through rates and conversion rates were brand new, to building successful campaigns for well-known brands...

Are you a digital marketer, woman entrepreneur, or aspiring business owner aiming to make a real impact in the online world? This episode is packed with actionable insights you won’t want to miss. Michelle Thames shares her inspiring journey from being fired to becoming a self-taught marketing powerhouse, all while building a thriving online community for women over the age of 42. Discover why carving out your own lane and leveraging your existing skills is the key to sustainable busine...

We are back with the start of Season 3 of Digital Marketing Stories After a much-needed sabbatical, host Jim Banks returns with a fresh perspective and an exciting guest to kick things off. Kirsten Graham, is the co-owner of Six Figure Business Coaching. In this episode Kirsten shares her 15+ years of entrepreneurial experience, diving into the world of outsourcing, automation, and the power of video marketing for small businesses. Kirsten reveals why she believes YouTube is just as cru...