The Revenue-Driven CMO

How can community building in B2B marketing drive customer success, product adoption, and long-term growth?

In this episode of The Revenue-Driven CMO, I have the pleasure of speaking with Derek E. Weeks, the CMO of Katalon and a five-time CMO with an impressive track record of successful exits. Together, we dive deep into the growing importance of community building in B2B marketing and how companies can foster genuine, value-driven relationships with their audiences without relying on direct product pitches.

Derek shares his wealth of experience building and nurturing communities at Sonatype and Katalon. We explore the key principles behind creating authentic connections—whether it’s through consistent, helpful engagement or offering valuable content that doesn’t focus on sales. Derek’s insights shed light on how community-driven strategies can lead to more loyal customers, increased product adoption, and long-term business success.

In our conversation, we also discuss the economic advantages of community-based marketing, including how free training and certification programs can boost customer engagement and accelerate product adoption. Derek emphasizes the importance of building trust through genuine interactions and shares actionable strategies that can help you start building stronger, more engaged communities around your brand.

Key takeaways include:

• How to build authentic communities that don’t rely on direct sales tactics.

• The economic advantages of community-driven marketing strategies in B2B environments.

• The power of free training and certification programs to increase engagement and adoption rates.

• Consistency and genuine helpfulness as core principles for long-term success in community-building.

If you’re a B2B marketer or a leader in the SaaS space, you’ll find this episode packed with valuable takeaways. Whether you're looking to strengthen customer relationships, drive growth, or create a lasting impact, this discussion will give you the tools and insights to implement a successful community-building strategy.

Quote of the Show:

 ” There is no wrong time for community.” -Derek E. Weeks

Connect with Derek:

• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/derekeweeks/

• Twitter: www.x.com/weekstweets

• Company Website: https://katalon.com/

• Book: https://unfairmindshare.com/book

Ways to Tune In:

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/7334aa0c-702a-47aa-8c55-760fa2cf4dda/the-revenue-driven-cmo

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-revenue-driven-cmo/id1444680950

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1OCuYchAG8TlGv82YARRhy?si=60a093a194c64c17

iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-the-revenue-driven-cmo-99614345/

Listen Notes: https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/the-revenue-driven-cmo-chris-mechanic-rdU1oESluqs/

The Revenue-Driven CMO is sponsored by Level Agency. Learn more at https://www.level.agency/

The Revenue-Driven CMO is produced by Ringmaster, on a mission to create connections through branded podcasts. Learn more at https://ringmaster.com/

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