EdTech Marketing Podcast (EdTech Marketing Podcast)

Josh Samuel is the founder of Coins For College, a Digital currency for educators and students.

Josh grew up in foster care and started Coins For College to remove every mental, academic, and financial barrier to college for students from every demographic.

In this episode we learn more about Josh' Entrepreneurial journey and what he is building over at Coins For College.

Connect with Josh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuasamuel600billion/

In this episode of the EdTech Marketing Podcast, our host, Mateo Elvira, is joined by special guests Jacob Kantor and Brett Roar, founders of Edlit, a consultancy focused on bridging the gap between edtech companies and educational institutions. They delve into the discussion of the broken procurement process in education and how edtech companies can effectively navigate the complexities of engaging with educators and administrators. Jacob and Brett share their insights on developing genuine relationships with decision makers, the challenges of accessing the right people, and the importance of valuing educators' time during pitches and interactions. They also shed light on Edlit's mission to empower districts through learning, innovation, and technology, and highlight the value of thoughtful, conversations rather than mere sales pitches. Tune in to this insightful episode to discover valuable strategies for successful engagement between edtech companies and education leaders.

In this episode, we dive deep into YouTube's immense potential for EdTech founders and how leveraging the platform can transform your marketing strategy. Finn breaks down the YouTube opportunity that many EdTech companies are missing out on, emphasizing the platform's role as the world's largest educational hub with over 2.7 billion active monthly users.

We also compare and contrast the benefits of YouTube with LinkedIn, offering insights on when and how to best use each platform depending on your business goals. But that's not all. We discuss the age-old debate of building a personal brand versus pushing a business brand and how authenticity and personal engagement can drive tangible business results. Finn offers actionable frameworks and fun, creative content ideas tailored for EdTech founders to connect better with their audience.

Welcome to the first episode of the EdTech Marketing Podcast.

Today we had an insightful conversation with Kim Garcia, District Strategy Consultant, at Nearpod.  

Nearpod provides real-time insights into student understanding through interactive lessons, interactive videos, gamification & activities - all in a single platform. 

We chatted about Kim's experience from the classroom, how EdTech has changed post-pandemic, and what has led Nearpod to achieve massive success in the SaaS space.

Connect with Kim here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimjurczak/

Join your host, Mateo Elvira, on this illuminating episode of the EdTech Marketing Podcast, where we dive deep into the world of education technology sales with seasoned expert Danielle Alcaraz, Senior Vice President of Sales at Cignition . Danielle brings years of experience and a wealth of knowledge from various high-level roles within the education sector. In this engaging dialogue, she shares her journey from a budding marketer to a pivotal figure in education sales, offering invaluable insights into effective sales strategies, the importance of relationship-building, and the nuances of the edtech sales cycle. Whether you're an edtech startup founder, a marketer, or an industry professional looking to sharpen your approach to this unique market, this episode promises a treasure trove of tips and tactics that you can apply right away. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from one of the best in the business and gain a competitive edge in your edtech endeavors.

Jeff See and I connected on LinkedIn and discovered that he has worked in Education for a large portion of his career.  Thought his insights around how K12 Districts make buying decisions would be extremely valuable for the community.  How many sales emails does Jeff get on a daily basis?  What sparks him to make time to take a demo of a SaaS solution?  How long does it take from the initial discovery call to the final steps of implementation?  All of these questions will be answered!  Jeff is also on the hunt for his next SaaS opportunity in Customer Success.  You can find Jeff on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-see-weston/

In this episode, we have a special guest, Jacob Kantor, an industry expert with over 15 years of experience in the education sales space. Join us as we delve into Jacob's remarkable journey from professional sales in EdTech to his current role as a consultant, supporting startups and founders in the industry. Throughout this engaging conversation, Jacob shares his firsthand insights and expertise on selling in the education technology sector. He provides valuable advice on building strong relationships with decision-makers, navigating the unique sales cycles of the EdTech industry, and crafting effective sales processes from the ground up. Whether you're an early-stage startup or an established EdTech organization, Jacob's experience and wisdom will empower you to overcome challenges and drive your sales and marketing efforts to new heights.

In this episode, we dive into the world of podcasting, community building, and startup strategies. Greg Wasserman shares his journey from a podcast enthusiast inspired by his favorite DJs to a media sales expert and a key player at CastMagic. We'll discuss the true power of podcasting beyond mere download numbers, focusing on building an ecosystem, creating meaningful connections, and leveraging podcasts to fuel a broader content strategy.

Join host Mateo Elvira in this episode of the "EdTech Marketing" podcast as he sits down with Grant Hathaway, the CEO of STEM Forged.

Discover the exciting world of eSports and game-centered learning, and how STEM Forged is revolutionizing education through innovative game design programs for schools.

Had the pleasure of speaking with Samantha Hall, Growth Product Manager at ClassTag.  Sam started her EdTech career as a teacher for Marion County Public Schools.  In today's episode we chat about how her classroom experience has helped her become a better Marketer and apply her experiences to create a meaningful solution over at ClassTag.

Follow Sam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-hall522/

Should schools consider themselves to operate like a standard business?  But what is their offering or service?  Today I had Schola CMO, Carlos Melendez on the podcast to share more about how K12 organizations can leverage the power of digital marketing and lead generation strategies used by B2B companies to help their school attract, retain, and recruit new students across the United States.

Connect with Carlos: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlosmelendezm/

Schola: The School Matching Tool for Pre-K thru 12 https://www.schola.com/

In this power-packed episode of the EdTech Marketing Podcast, host Mateo Elvira sits down with Chris Miller, CEO of GetEduLead, a groundbreaking company aimed at revolutionizing the way education startups obtain and utilize sales leads. If you're an EdTech startup struggling to find accurate, up-to-date information on prospective clients, this episode is an absolute must-listen! Tune in as Chris shares his journey from working in sales and marketing to creating a tool that simplifies lead generation for K-12 education markets. Learn about the common pain points in the industry, such as constantly changing data and inaccurate lists, and hear how GetEduLead solves these issues with a user-friendly SaaS platform. Discover: - The critical importance of quality data for startups - Effective filtering tools to reach the right education professionals - Real-time updates to keep your contact lists fresh and relevant - Tips on the essentials needed before going to market

https://getedulead.com/

24 months ago, Victoria saw her youngest brother almost fail his sophomore year of high school due to lack of time management education.  She made a post on LinkedIn that connected us, and had to have her share her story on why she started Viinko.

Viinko provides an academically informed structure that helps students build essential executive functioning skills.

Victoria shares more about the evolution of agenda planners, and what she has learned building a startup in the growing K12 EdTech market.

Connect with Victoria here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-kinnealey-3a28774a/

Website: https://viinko.org/

Virtual reality is a simulated experience that can be similar to or completely different from the real world. Applications of virtual reality include entertainment, education, and business.  Interplay Learning is taking technical education to a whole new level using Virtual Reality Headsets such as the Oculus Quest 2.  

Austin, TX-based Interplay Learning is the leader in Virtual Reality (VR) training & education for the skilled trades such as Plumbing, HVAC, and more!  

Emily Thompson, Head of Demand Generation shares what the team is building, discusses the cutting edge technology available to modern consumers, and tips for strategizing marketing content for young and growing Edtech startups.  

Connect with Emily here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-slaughter-thompson/ Signup for Interplay Learning: https://www.interplaylearning.com/

In this episode of the Ed Tech Marketing podcast, host Mateo Elvira interviews Demetra Mallios, the founder and CEO of Puberty, a groundbreaking edtech startup focused on revolutionizing health education. Dimitra shares her inspiring journey from working at Adidas in Europe to identifying a critical gap in health education and founding Puberry. Discover the shocking state of sexual education in the US, the impact of Puberry's gamified curriculum, and how they're empowering youth to feel prepared, supported, and confident. Join us in this insightful conversation about the future of health education and Puberry's mission to make a positive change.

In this episode, Mateo Elvira and guest Larry Ricca discuss the evolution of EdTech and the unique tutoring model offered by Intervene K-12. Larry shares insights into their approach, their current district partners, and valuable advice for K-12 administrators evaluating tutoring solutions in 2024. If you're interested in the latest trends in EdTech marketing and innovative approaches to student intervention, you won't want to miss this episode.

Prosperidad para todos - Prosperity for all

Maria Sim is the Founder and CEO of Prospoly Small Business Consulting.

Prospoly’s purpose is to improve the lives’ of immigrant business owners by providing community-driven solutions using a bridge of student collaboration.

Truly an inspiration for any Latino Entrepreneurs out there looking to make a difference in the community

https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-sim-msse-279807125/

Kevin saw his younger sister struggling to build study groups and collaborate with others as a student during the pandemic.  While noticing this problem he was enrolled as a PHD student and UC Riverside.  In this episode Kevin shares what led him to build a SaaS startup, and his challenges with building a company while being a full time graduate student.

Neoboard App Website: https://neoboardapp.com

Connect with Kevin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-educator/

In this episode of the EdTech Marketing Podcast, host Mateo Elvira sits down with Lindsay Semevolos, a senior project manager and video content specialist from Partner in Publishing. Lindsay shares her valuable insights on creating impactful video content for EdTech startups. From marketing promotional videos to how-to guides and testimonial videos, Lindsay walks us through the process of coordinating video projects from start to finish.

We discuss the importance of understanding clients' goals and target audience, as well as the iterative nature of video production. Lindsay highlights the role of video in today's marketing landscape, explaining how it catches viewers' attention and conveys information more effectively than written content.

During Our conversation, Lindsay recommends two essential tools for video production: Frame.io, a platform that facilitates editing and collaboration, and rev.com, an AI-powered transcription service that helps identify key moments and quotes in interviews.

If you're an EdTech organization looking to leverage the power of digital marketing, this episode offers valuable insights and practical tips to enhance your video content strategy. Tune in to learn from Lindsay's expertise and discover how video can elevate your EdTech marketing efforts.

Edinno is an open learning community created to support and empower emerging edtech innovators.  Today I spoke with Andrew Molchany who started off as a teacher turned EdTech founder.  Hope you find value in today's episode

Connect with Andrew: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewmolchany/

In this episode of the EdTech Marketing Podcast, host Mateo Elvira welcomes Conni Francini, an EdTech expert with extensive experience in education and product development. Connie shares insights on developing successful EdTech products by focusing on the "why" behind the product rather than just the "what." Drawing from her background, Conni discusses the importance of understanding the education landscape, seeking early feedback, and aligning products with market needs. Listen in as Conni's expertise provides invaluable guidance for EdTech founders striving to create meaningful solutions that resonate with educators and students alike.

In this episode, host Mateo Elvira sits down with Vishal Goenka, founder of 2Sigma School. Discover how Vishal's tech journey led him to make computer science accessible to high schoolers. Dive into the importance of early exposure to coding, bridging the education gap, and transforming students' perceptions. Tune in for insights into the innovative EdTech strategies empowering the developers of tomorrow.

Today we had Jericho Apo on the podcast to share more about how UPchieve is leveraging video content to attract Gen Z on the platforms they use the most, and in the context of how they want to consume that content.

Jericho shares more about his journey to the U.S. and how his personal experience as a low-income college student has prepared him to create a marketing strategy to attract the same student profile he once was.

Connect with Jericho: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerichoapo/

UPchieve website: https://upchieve.org/

In this episode of the EdTech Marketing Podcast, host Mateo Elvira interviewed Girija Ramapriya, an EdTech founder building solutions in the K-12 space. Girija discussed her journey leading up to starting her company, Brazen Learning, and the problem it is solving of creating a feedback loop for students to have a say in their learning. She also shared her advice for other educators interested in starting their own EdTech venture, as well as her observations on how the younger generation is engaging with technology-based learning.

Connect with Girija: https://www.linkedin.com/in/girijaramapriya/

https://www.brazenlearning.com/

I met Luke Eggebraaten on LinkedIn nearly a year ago as we both are relatively new to the world of entrepreneurship and agency marketing. Luke runs a Digital Marketing agency exclusively for Excavation companies.  In this episode we talk about our experiences jumping into our craft full time, how we overcome specific challenges of providing ROI to our clients, and hope to inspire anyone out there who is equally as passionate about building a marketing agency in todays age.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-eggebraaten/

https://www.phasermarketing.com/

Had the amazing, energetic, and inspiring Stella Ikhnana on this week's episode!  Stella spent 10 years of her career as a frontline educator, specifically in special education at Glenview Public School District.  She is now a Customer Success Specialist at Stellar Synergy LLC.  Stella shares her in-classroom experience, shares feedback for other EdTech organizations, and the pressing challenges of working in Education in 2022.  Connect with Stella on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stella-ikhnana/

Had the pleasure of connecting with Coach Joe at a CCSA conference early this year.  Coach Joe Marino has an electric personality, you cannot forget him.  In this episode Joe talks about his experience leaving the classroom to working in EdTech for BrightThinker.

Connect with Joe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachjoemarino/

BrightThinker Website: https://brightthinker.com/

In this episode of the EdTech Marketing Podcast, host Mateo Elvira interviews Stephanie Nislow, the CEO and founder of Ogstar Reading. Stephanie shares her journey from being a teacher to becoming a passionate advocate for helping struggling readers, particularly those with dyslexia, through the Orton Gillingham approach. They discuss the impact of Ogstar in various school districts and the positive feedback from teachers and parents. Stephanie also provides insight into the effectiveness of Ogstar for dyslexic students and English language learners. If you're interested in learning more about leveraging the science of reading in your classrooms, this episode is a must-listen.

Welcome to another insightful episode of the EdTech Marketing Podcast hosted by Mateo Elvira. If you're an edtech organization navigating the ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing, you're in the right place. In today's episode, Mateo sits down with Lynette White, a district PR communications professional and author of "The Ed Branding Book."

Together, they discuss the transformative changes in educational branding over the past decade and explore how schools and districts can effectively leverage digital platforms like social media to enhance their outreach and engagement. Lynette shares her journey in writing "Ed Branding," offers practical tips for short-staffed communications teams, and highlights the untapped opportunities for educators on platforms like LinkedIn. Whether you're an administrator, teacher, or aspiring edtech marketer, this episode is packed with valuable insights to elevate your brand in the educational sector. Don't miss out!

This podcast features an interview with Kavitta Ghai, the founder of Nectir, a higher education tech platform for college students. The interviewer is interested in what inspired Kavita to create Nectir, which is essentially the "Slack for higher ed." Kavita explains how her frustration as a college student led to the creation of Nectar and how the platform helps students find their community on campus. Kavita shares her experience as a first-generation student with autism and ADHD and the challenges she faced in navigating college. The podcast provides valuable insights into the higher education experience and how technology can help students succeed.

Connect with Kavitta: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kavittaghai/

Small Giants: Companies That Choose to Be Great Instead of Big

Author Bo Burlingham joins me live on the EdTechMarketing Podcast to chat more about the story behind Small Giants, and what inspired him to write the book and learn more about these types of businesseses.

Hope this inspires you to think about WHY your company exists, and what you define as building a 'Great' company

Purchase the Book HERE: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1591841496/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1%85

Website: https://smallgiants.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/small-giants-community/

In today's episode, your host Mateo Elvira sits down with Vienna Mott, the inspiring founder of Poliquicks. Vienna shares her captivating journey from a young inventor to launching a groundbreaking app aimed at making politics accessible to everyone, from high schoolers to seasoned voters.

They'll explore how Poliquicks can transform political education in schools, engage younger voters, and utilize AI to foster civic participation.

Vienna also offers invaluable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs in the edtech space. Whether you're an educator, a startup founder, or simply passionate about the intersection of technology and education, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss.

Host Janelle Amos on the podcast, she is the Founder of Elevate Growth.

Elevate Growth is a full-funnel demand gen consulting firm that helps B2B SaaS companies hit and exceed their revenue targets.

Led by a former in-house head of demand gen startup gal, you will get years of expertise on how to grow revenue from someone who was actually held accountable to (and met) revenue numbers, understands the startup mentality, and has worn multiple hats so she knows how to partner with other depts. 

In this episode she shares more about her pivot into full time Entrepreneurship, and how Demand Gen compares to the more popular Lead Generation strategy.

Connect with Janelle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janelleamos/

Had one of my good friends Dallas Roark on the podcast who is running growth for Gamify.

Dallas has been in the growth marketing space as a young entrepreneur and has a ton of valuable insights for others looking to build a business on the side.

Connect with Dallas: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dallasroark/

In this engaging installment of the EdTech Marketing Podcast, host Mateo shares tips for professionals navigating the complexities of job seeking without a traditional degree.

Together, they explore the power of LinkedIn as an indispensable tool for personal branding, networking, and job hunting in the tech world.

This episode is a treasure trove of actionable insights for anyone seeking to harness LinkedIn's full potential for career advancement in the edtech industry.

In this episode of the EdTech Marketing Podcast, host Mateo Elvira welcomes Gabriela Lozano, an independent EdTech consultant with a passion for top-of-funnel sales and customer retention. Gabby shares her journey into the world of EdTech and discusses the importance of customer success beyond the initial sale. They delve into the challenges faced by early-stage EdTech companies and provide valuable insights on how to bridge the gap and build strong relationships with customers, even with limited resources. The conversation also explores the unique aspects of the EdTech sales cycle and strategies for navigating it effectively. Gabby offers practical advice for startups, including the use of automation, video emails, and curated messaging to drive success. If you're looking to leverage the power of digital marketing in the EdTech industry, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in and gain actionable tips to boost your EdTech organization's growth and customer satisfaction.

Connect with Gaby: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlalozano/

Always love networking and connecting with other EdTech Startups.  Had the pleasure of connecting with Pashan Sidhwa & Jai Mansukhani who happen to be building an EdTech startup while being enrolled as full time college students!

The Ace It app declutters your college experience by making studying more efficient without compromising on your social experience.

It brings you a smart amalgamation of working hard as well as smart. We use organized intelligent software to cater to students regardless of their age or educational background from tutoring, AI learning, external study resources, we’ve got you covered.

Learn more at: https://ace-it.app/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jai-mansukhani-b748b1142/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/pashan-sidhwa-2783521aa/

In this episode, Mateo interviews Dustin Ramsdell, the creator and host of the Higher Ed Geek podcast, which focuses on higher education technology. Dustin shares his journey into podcasting, the evolution of his podcast, and tips for those just starting out. He emphasizes the importance of consistency and finding a sustainable posting schedule that works for you, while also being open to rebroadcasting past episodes. Dustin also stresses the value of investing in a good microphone to improve the audio quality of your podcast. Tune in to this informative and engaging episode to learn more about podcasting and digital marketing for edtech organizations.

Connect with Dustin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustinramsdell/