In this week’s episode of All Things Marketing and Education, Elana got to chat with Lawrence Korchnak, a Founding Partner of BLOQQ, a consulting firm that specializes in helping organizations scale in the education market.Lawrence guides us through the unique challenges of a go-to-market strategy in the EdTech Industry, including how to plan a go-to-market strategy, including defining success, backward planning, and prioritizing marketing channels. He sheds some light on the seasonality and Budget Cycles in Education and don't’ miss the end of our chat, when Lawrence throws down some really candid pieces of wisdom. we talk about some important intangibles on Building an EdTech Go-to-Market Strategy. For any EdTech marketers, but especially those who are new to the EdTech industry or the marketing profession, this episode will help set a solid foundation for your next go-to-market campaign. Questions Covered:Why develop a Go-To-Market Strategy and let’s even back up and define what a typical EDTech GTM strategy is and looks like? What are some key questions for success in building your startup in a crowded, bureaucratic, and complex marketplace?What are some of the things that you turn to to fill your cup? Here's the full transcript of Lawrence’s podcast episode.For even more planning resources, check out our EdTech Marketer's Planner.Mentioned in this episode:The EdTech Marketer's Planner - Extended EditionWant a comprehensive list of timely education events to inform your 2024 marketing plans? Struggling to find the time you need to strategically plan for content and social media? Spending countless hours just trying to aggregate conferences, awards, events, holidays, and famous birthdays is most important to education stakeholders? Our first-ever Extended EdTech Marketer’s Planner was created to help you easily create a marketing and content plan that generates leads. It includes proven templates, strategies, editable calendars, and more.

In this week’s episode of All Things Marketing and Education, Elana and our guest, Kristina Ishmael, get into the nooks and crannies of the National EdTech Plan.They discuss the broader role of the Office of EdTech, the specific goals of the National EdTech Plan in 2024, and how you can use it whether you’re an educator, administrator, or EdTech professional. They highlight the inclusivity and collaboration in the plan, as well as the challenges and priorities it addresses. Looking ahead, they consider the future of the plan and the potential challenges and opportunities in education by 2030.Kristina currently works as an Education Strategic Advisor at her own shop — Ishmael Consulting — but she has formerly served in the classroom, at the state level, and at the national level, and was personally instrumental in the creation of the National EdTech Plan.Episode show notes.Purchase the EdTech Marketer's Planner 2024.Mentioned in this episode:The EdTech Marketer's Planner - Extended EditionWant a comprehensive list of timely education events to inform your 2024 marketing plans? Struggling to find the time you need to strategically plan for content and social media? Spending countless hours just trying to aggregate conferences, awards, events, holidays, and famous birthdays is most important to education stakeholders? Our first-ever Extended EdTech Marketer’s Planner was created to help you easily create a marketing and content plan that generates leads. It includes proven templates, strategies, editable calendars, and more.

In this week’s episode of All Things Marketing and Education, Elana sat down with Milton Chen, author, speaker, and board member of great organizations like the Kellogg Foundation, the National Park Service, The Fred Rogers Center, The Panasonic Foundation, and more. Milton reflects on his journey in education, from his early days at Sesame Workshop to his tenure at the Kellogg Foundation, offering valuable lessons learned along the way. He explores the role of experiential learning, project-based education, and workplace experiences in shaping students' futures, advocating for a more holistic approach to education that extends beyond traditional classroom boundaries.Milton candidly shares his insights into the political nature of education, likening it to a complex system resistant to change. Drawing from his extensive experience, he sheds light on the decentralized structure of American schools, consisting of over 14,000 individual districts, each with its own set of challenges and entrenched interests.No matter who you are in the education industry, this is as inspiring, refreshing, and thought-provoking conversation about the history of K-12 education and its future. Episode show notes + resources.

In this week’s episode of All Things Marketing and Education, Elana sat down with Thor Prichard, President & CEO at Clarity Innovations, a mission-driven, K-12 education-focused professional services and consulting firm that provides education strategy, content creation, engineering, and design solutions. They discuss the importance of designing EdTech products with learning outcomes in mind, the challenges of creating effective EdTech products, and the UX/UI non-negotiables from an educator’s point of view.Thor reminds us of all the considerations when creating effective EdTech tools with the end user, students, in mind, particularly that implementation and professional development programs are essential steps to the process. Thor also highlights some of the current trends in the EdTech space.Episode show notes.

Elana sat down with Miriam Romais, Director of NewsLitNation at The News Literacy Project, Documentary photographer, nonprofit leader, and all-around misinformation super-fighter, to talk about all things News Literacy.Miriam discusses the importance of news literacy in education and how it can be integrated into various subjects. She addresses misconceptions about news literacy and highlights the role of critical thinking in evaluating information. Miriam also shares resources and strategies for educators to teach news literacy effectively. The conversation emphasizes the power of community and the long-lasting impact teachers can have on their students.View the episode's show notes for all of the resources mentioned.Here's the full transcript of Miriam’s podcast episode.

In this episode of All Things Marketing and Education, Elana welcomes Henry J. Turner, an award-winning high school principal and co-author of Change the Narrative: How to Foster an Anti-Racist Culture In Your School. Henry, whom you might remember from our previous episode on fostering an anti-racist classroom, shares his wealth of experience in education, spanning 22 years as both a teacher and principal in Massachusetts.Today, Henry delves into the intricacies of education leadership, discussing his priorities for the school year, how he selects specific EdTech products, and whether these priorities evolve annually. We explore his insights on the buying cycle, providing valuable information for marketers and EdTech professionals. As the 2020 K-12 Principal of the Year, Henry's perspective is grounded in a unique blend of classroom and leadership experience.Join us as we navigate through the challenges and priorities of education leadership, with Henry J. Turner as our guide. View the episode show notes.

In this week’s episode of All Things Marketing and Education, our host Elana Leoni sat down with Ian McCullough, the Director of Marketing for Global Campaigns at Turnitin. Ian took us on a journey into the fascinating intersection of ChatGPT, AI writing, and academic integrity, giving insights from the history of plagiarism and the need for plagiarism detection to academic integrity in the world of AI today. Join Elana and Ian as they share lighthearted anecdotes, discuss the collaborative nature of EdTech, and explore the transformative power of networking in the field.View the episode show notes.

Welcome to another episode of All Things Marketing and Education! We had the pleasure of sitting down with Shelby Danks, Ph.D., founder and principal advisor at ARKEN RESEARCH, who has the unique ability to make complex topics like research, evaluation, and efficacy not only approachable but also inspiring. Shelby delves into the crucial role of efficacy studies in K-12 education, unraveling misconceptions about evaluation and impact. We touch on practical strategies for brands to measure their impact effectively while ensuring it's a manageable process. We also explore why understanding and engaging with these studies is vital from an educator’s perspective.If you've ever wondered about the metrics and data behind student outcomes, especially with the influence of ESSA funds, this episode is a must-listen. Join us as we navigate through the intricacies of evidence in K-12 education and learn from Shelby's insights.

In this week’s episode of All Things Marketing and Education, we sit down with Shawn McCusker, Senior Director of Professional Learning at EdTechTeacher, to explore his fascinating journey in the field of education technology. Shawn shares insights on EdTech trends, separating hype from reality, and how he, in leadership positions, selects and prioritizes technology for educational impact. This episode is not just a tech conversation; it's a marketing goldmine. Don't miss this episode filled with passion, inspiration, and a wealth of experience within the EdTech industry.

Join Elana Leoni on All Things Marketing and Education as she delves into the unique world of EdTech sales with CEO and founder of Fuel Sales, Dan O'Reilly. In this episode, they explore the intricacies of selling to schools and districts, emphasizing the mission-driven nature and the collaborative culture within the education space. Dan offers valuable insights for successful sales in EdTech for both newcomers and industry veterans. Don't miss this episode that sheds light on the distinctive nuances of EdTech B2B sales and how to navigate them effectively.

In this episode of All Things Marketing and Education, Elana welcomes Henry J. Turner, an award-winning high school principal and co-author of Change the Narrative: How to Foster an Anti-Racist Culture In Your School. They discuss the importance of tackling systemic racism in educational spaces, setting boundaries, and the role of educators and EdTech in promoting diversity and inclusion. Discover how education professionals are collaborating, sharing, and making a difference in this mission-driven field. We hope you enjoy this inspiring conversation on creating a more inclusive education environment.

This week, we sit down with Jeremy Dulle, Founder and President of Spring Rock Partners, and a growth strategist, go-to-market advisor, and business developer with over 25 years of experience.Join us as we dive into the unique business of EdTech, exploring strategies for growth, the importance of diversification, and the delicate balance between educator perspectives and business objectives. We’ll unpack the language of the EdTech industry, stakeholders and pressures that affect the education environment, and strategies for brands seeking partnerships with districts.Here’s the full transcript of Jeremy’s episode.

In this week’s episode of All Things Marketing and Education, we’re joined by Katie Boody Adorno, CEO and Founder of Leanlab Education, a nonprofit research organization dedicated to studying and advancing transformational education innovations. Katie guides us into the fascinating world of co-designed education innovations and unpacks the power of community-building in the education space. She also explores topics such as educator voice, the role of research and development in K-12 education, and the effectiveness of EdTech. Show Notes: Leoniconsultinggroup.com/52The EdTech Marketer's Planner: leoniconsultinggroup.com/23

In this week’s episode of All Things Marketing and Education, we sit down with Samia Zaidi, the Managing Director of Program for Along, a free online platform that strengthens teacher-student relationships and highlights student voice in the classroom. During our discussion, Samia explores helpful tactics to create impactful teacher-student relationships, how these dynamics shape school culture, and the empowering influence of student voices.Show notes: leoniconsultinggroup.com/51EdTech Marketer's Planner: leoniconsultinggroup.com/23

In this week’s episode of All Things Marketing and Education, our host Elana Leoni sits down with AnnMarie Baines, founder and executive director of The Practice Space, which helps youth and adults in the Bay Area speak in a clear, engaging way that represents who they are and what they care about. AnnMarie also recently coauthored a book, “Amplify Student Voices,” which explores how to cultivate student voices and facilitate equitable participation so that young people are prepared to speak up and lead when the moment calls for it. Throughout the conversation, AnnMarie Baines brings us into the world of building classroom confidence using public speaking, oral communication skills, and project-based learning as tools for equity - all while exploring the intersectionality of social justice.Show notes: leoniconsultinggroup.com/50

In this episode of All Things Marketing and Education, your host, Elana Leoni, sits down with the brilliant and compassionate Salleha Chaudhry, former Head of Education Modernization at Meta. We follow Salleha's incredible career journey, where neuroscience, nonprofit work, and tech collide in the realm of education initiatives. They explore the vital significance of bringing educators to the forefront of technology, ensuring their voices are heard and elevated. They also unpack the essence of co-creating thriving communities and the power it holds in making education equitable and accessible for all. Like she did for us, we hope Salleha will leave you inspired to transform your marketing efforts into a force for positive change and lasting impact.Episode show notes: leoniconsultinggroup.com/492023 EdTech Marketer's Planner: leoniconsultinggroup.com/23

In this episode, Austin Rhodes, the president and co-founder of Rhodes Branding, explores the world of branding in the education industry and delves into what it means for educators and EdTech brands to create and invest in their own brands.For resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes here: leoniconsultinggroup.com/48Link to our 2023 EdTech Marketer's Planner: leoniconsultinggroup.com/23

We chat with Thomas Rodgers, Vice President and Head of K-12 Communications at Whiteboard Advisors. Thomas is an expert in leveraging earned media, brand storytelling, and influencer engagement to advance educational missions, with a particular emphasis on K-12 education. This conversation delves into how EdTech companies can effectively collaborate with the media, exploring successful strategies and potential pitfalls. Additionally, Thomas offers tips for pitching to conferences and securing visibility in panels and events.Show notes: leoniconsultinggroup.com/47EdTech planner: leoniconsultinggroup.com/23

During Teacher Appreciation Week, the LCG Foundation launched an initiative aimed to support and recognize U.S. educators by using the #ClearTheList to fulfill as many teacher wishlists as we could. In this very special bonus episode of All Things Marketing and Education, Elana sits down with Porter Palmer and William (Bill) Trinkle, LCG Foundation team members who were the boots on the ground of this initiative. Porter and Bill celebrate the impact of this initiative, reflect on some challenges, and explain why doing this work is sometimes bittersweet.

Elana sits down with award-winning digital innovator, educator, speaker, and author Shelly Sanchez Terrell, covering topics such as AI, ChatGPT, technology integration, teacher time-saving tips, and digital wellness. Shelly's expertise and extensive experience in training teachers globally make her insights invaluable as we explore the transformative power of EdTech. Don't miss this engaging discussion with a true leader in teacher-driven professional development.