Back on T-R-A-C-K

"I call what I do message therapy."

Joel shares his unique approach to messaging, which he refers to as 'message therapy,' emphasizing the importance of clarity, focus, and emotional connection in communication. Part of digital marketing is what, friends?  Great messaging.  

Kerry Guard, host of Tea Time with Tech Marketing Leaders, joins Joel to dive into common pitfalls in marketing, the significance of storytelling, and the need for a strong value proposition.

Joel also highlights the challenges of aligning messaging with audience needs and the importance of collaboration across teams to create effective communication strategies (stop being like everyone else!).

The importance of parallel processing in workshops, the creation of a messaging database, and the iterative nature of messaging that allows for audience testing. The conversation emphasizes understanding pain points in messaging, the significance of unique communication styles, and the balance between technical jargon and human language.  Closing with insights on how to improve messaging and connect with audiences more effectively.

Check out resources from this nerd who talks good: https://messagespecs.com

Joel loves LinkedIn. Sometimes he says smart things. Connect with him to feel smarter-er: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joelmbenge/

This episode is brought to you by MKG Marketing! Meaningful relationships and measurable results while making every impression count: https://mkgmarketinginc.com/


  • (00:00) - Introduction to Messaging Strategy
  • (02:56) - The Journey of Joel Benge
  • (06:05) - Understanding Messaging and Its Importance
  • (08:52) - Challenges in Messaging and Marketing
  • (12:04) - The Philosophy of Messaging
  • (14:46) - Finding Your Unique Value Proposition
  • (18:09) - The Role of Emotion in Messaging
  • (21:04) - Building Credibility Through Stories
  • (24:02) - The Process of Effective Messaging
  • (26:53) - Navigating the Messaging Journey
  • (28:40) - Parallel Processing in Workshops
  • (31:20) - Building a Messaging Database
  • (33:14) - Iterative Messaging and Audience Testing
  • (39:34) - Understanding Pain Points in Messaging
  • (46:54) - The Importance of Unique Communication
  • (50:06) - Balancing Technical Jargon with Human Language

What is Back on T-R-A-C-K?

Back on T-R-A-C-K (formerly Tea Time with Tech Marketing Leaders) is where founders learn how to build a true marketing growth engine — one that runs smoothly, scales sustainably, and supports the business you actually want to lead.

After hundreds of conversations with marketing leaders on Tea Time, one truth kept surfacing: too many founders are stuck chasing what’s shiny and new instead of strengthening the systems that create consistent, compounding growth.

Back on T-R-A-C-K is your reset. Join me and a lineup of fractional marketing leaders and founders who’ve paved the way — or are finding it in real time — as we share honest stories, practical strategies, and proven frameworks to help you get clarity, build momentum, and stay the course. Because growth doesn’t come from doing more — it comes from getting back on track.