Dave Gerhardt

Hey I'm Dave Gerhardt. I created Exit Five, which has turned into the top community for B2B marketing professionals. Before starting Exit Five I had a 10 year career in marketing and grew from PR intern to CMO. I even once had hair! My wife says I'm more handsome now though, and she's quite pretty so that means a lot -- but the internet just boxes me in as the typical bald guy tech bro. So oh look, another bald tech guy writing on LinkedIn! whoopty freaking do.

Anyway. Where was I... OH. Receipts! I wanted to talk about receipts, because in a world of fluff and online influencers, I actually have some receipts and I want to tell you about them here because it signals power, credibility, and makes it seem like I'm super rich, so: I used to be pretty good at marketing, and my work as a marketer played a key role (at least I think so) in helping two software companies to successful exits: Drift for $1B+ and Privy for $100M+. I certainly helped the founders make a bunch of money, and I was able to comfortably purchase a brand new Toyota Sienna minivan for my family in 2021.

Today I spend my time working on Exit Five, and it's actually been super fun and given me a bunch of purpose. We're a team of six full-time team members now, and we have a private online community and host in-person events around the world. Plus there's a popular podcast and newsletter for marketers. We reach something like 20 MILLION marketers with our content every year, and we've got a pretty special thing going on. I hope to keep it going. You can learn more about it all at exitfive.com.

I spent most of my life in the Boston area but now live in the woods in Vermont with my wife, two kids, two cats, and one dog.

You can reach me at dave@exitfive.com if you want, but TBD if I reply. Depends on the message. But please don't send me any more swag or books. But if for whatever reason you do want to send me something, I play the ProV1x golf ball and like the low numbers.

PS. Find my podcast “The Dave Gerhardt Show” on Spotify

Founder & CEO

Exit Five is a media company focused on B2B marketing. We help B2B marketers build successful careers through our content and community. Learn more at exitfive.com

The CEO should put the Product team and Marketing team together. 

In lock step. 

To drive momentum and success for the company. 

I see so much about Sales and Marketing. 

Not enough about Product and Marketing. 

There should be a vision. And a roadmap. And regular launches. Some small. Some big. And this becomes the operating system for the company. 

You can CREATE momentum for your company by doing this. Deadlines drive actions. 

These regular launches give Marketing and Sales regular opportunities to talk to new customers. 

The CEO should be in the middle of this.

PS. If this topic lands with you and you're a CMO: we've been running a super secret group for CMOs / VP Marketing doing $25M+ ARR at Exit Five over the last few months and we're now accepting new members. Community is more important now than ever and it's all about who is in the room. We have curated the right room for you. If you want a peer group like this you can apply for a spot here: tinyurl.com/23h2c5eh

Founder: Exit Five. Community Builder. Former CMO. Building the top community for B2B marketers right now at exitfive.com

I didn't want my team to publish this talk. It was too good. Should have only been for the memory of the people that went to Drive this year.

But I'm also a marketer and understand the power of social media and free content, so fine. 

We published my pal Harry Dry's talk from Drive 2025 yesterday, and if you missed it he gave a masterclass in storytelling.

The long lost art of conflict and emotion in the world of AI, PLEASE GO LISTEN TO THIS MAN.

The first line of this clip says it all "You should know so much about your category you could write a book on it."

You're not creating a category to fit into Gartner or G2. You are creating a category because you are literally inventing a new of way of doing things!

That's the opportunity.

I'll put the recording in the comments (audio only)

Founder: Exit Five. The top community for B2B marketers.

Hardy Marketing

I help digital entrepreneurs, startups, and companies who feel overwhelmed by the strategic, creative, and technical aspects of digital marketing. By assessing and consulting for their social media management, content creation, data analytics, website design, funnel building, and campaign strategy, my clientele can focus on what they’re most passionate about... spreading their impact and growing their business!

Digital Marketing Consultant

Sermo

Direct response copywriting to grow physician membership through e-mails, ads, and SEO articles. Long-form copywriting on healthcare and AI articles. Core member of a small team responsible for over 50,000 new physician members yearly.

Healthcare Copywriter

Check six marketing

Consulted on marketing funnels for agency and for agency clients. Primary niche of local service-based business contractors in the USA. Consulted on B2B lead generation and for the agency and B2C lead generation for small business owners.

Marketing Consultant

Blaze Digital Solutions

Crafting high-converting custom e-commerce email and marketing funnels for some of the biggest outdoor brands in the US and Canada. 🏔️🌲🎣

Direct Response Copywriter and Strategist (Outdoor e-comm)

Practice Acceleration

Healthcare Digital Marketing Consultant

Modoma

Built and led a marketing team of 15 in Dallas, Texas. Responsible for the entire marketing strategy and implementation of 4 medical clinics, generating over $25 million annually. Increased new patient generation by 237% to 1200 per month across the 4 locations.

Healthcare Marketing Director

Rose 4 Results, LLC

Digital Marketing Manager

Hirsh Marketing

Digital Marketing Technician

Dentsu Aegis Network

Analyze, moderate, and engage with marketing
content from global brands including: Unilever,
Applebee's, Quiznos, and Sport Chek.

Coordinated within marketing department on
brand campaigns and messaging.

Social Media Manager

The Community Gym

Organized group where I share my training knowledge and program with friends, family, past and future clients.
Utilized Fitbot software to develop and assign scientific workouts for a balanced and strong body.

Virtual Coach and Influencer

AI Marketing Funnels & AI Systems Consultant For E-Comm, Wellness & Agencies

WHAT I DO: I help small businesses, agencies, and entrepreneurs attract, engage, and sell to their ideal clients online with funnels. 

You get 100% unique digital marketing content including ads, emails, lead magnets, social media posts, funnels, webinars, websites, and VSLs. 📈

WHO I WORK WITH: I've spent the last 10 years serving clients including:
🥼Sermo
👩‍💼Forbes
🏃‍♀️Custom Health Centers
📈Dentsu Aegis Network
👫Dr. Vivianna Coles
🏋️Gym Launch
👩‍💻Hirsh Marketing
🧠Integrative Concussion Therapy
💦Le Sweat
🏥Modoma Clinics
🩺Neuropathy Relief Project
🧑‍⚕️Practice Acceleration
💊Prestige Labs
🗣️Simon Sinek Inc.
🏒Sport Chek
🍹Tropical Smoothie Cafe
🧼Unilever

WHAT MAKES ME UNIQUE: I have consulted on marketing strategy for over 2,500+ small businesses, e-comm, and coaching entrepreneurs over the last 10 years. I DO NOT offer a one-size-fits-all strategy or 'templated' content to clients, but instead provide 100% done for you custom, data-driven campaigns pulled from my experiences of working with some of the most successful companies in their respective niches. With me, you will stand out AND reel in a positive ROI predictably without needing to hire a whole army of freelancers.

WHY IT WORKS: The majority of content agencies and providers online merely 'copy and paste' what they see others doing and then significantly upcharge you for it. I refuse to do this, but instead, conduct thorough research of your specific sub-niche, and create (or optimize your current) digital marketing strategy based on data you can easily understand. You'll be able to pivot faster than your competition and attract your perfect patients / customers without being spammy or shady. In fact, they won't be able to get enough of the killer content you'll be sending their way, resulting in a positive ROI on your marketing campaigns.

SERVICES I PROVIDE (Design & Copy):
Ads (videos & images for FB/IG/LI/Tok/YT)
Ebooks
Emails
Lead Magnets
Organic Social Media Posts
Sales Funnels / Landing Pages
SMS / Text sequences
Video Sales Letters
Webinars
Websites

READY TO TALK? 
Connect with me here on LinkedIn or visit me online at www.hardymarketing.biz

Justin Hardy

I dissected 50+ high-converting funnels.

10 steps that separate $10k from $1M funnels:

Most funnels fail in the first 3 seconds.

Not because of bad products.
Because they miss the fundamentals.

The funnel king and Charlie mapped out what actually works:

Step 1: Hero Banner

Your headline makes ONE promise.
Not three. Not "we do everything."

One transformation they desperately want.

Subheadline reveals your unique vehicle.
How you deliver that promise differently.

CTA should speak to value, not action.
"Get Your Custom Strategy" beats "Click Here."

Step 2: Social Proof Bar

Awards, logos, results, reviews.
Stack your most impressive work.

But here's what most miss:

Specificity beats quantity.
"Featured in Forbes" < "Our Method Featured in Forbes"

Step 3: Audience Call Out

Stop describing demographics.
Start reading their minds.

List their exact thoughts:
↳ "I've tried everything"
↳ "Nothing seems to work for me"
↳ "Maybe I'm just not cut out for this"

Use their language. Not yours.

Step 4: Introduce Your Solution

Don't jump straight to features.
Tease the possibility first.

"There's a new way"
"What if you could"
"Imagine having."

Lead with transformation benefits.
Then highlight what makes you different.

Step 5: Show Expertise

Why should they trust YOU?

Not your credentials.
Your shortcut to their success.

"After helping 500+ founders, I discovered..."
"My 10 years in X taught me this one thing..."

Experience that directly benefits them.

Step 6: Full Offer Stack

3D render everything they get.
Make it tangible, visual and real.

Each element of your offer:
↳ What it is
↳ What it does
↳ Why they need it

Add scarcity and urgency that's genuine.
Not fake timers. Real constraints.

Step 7: Future Pacing

Paint their life after transformation.

Not features. Feelings.
Not process. Outcomes.

"Wake up to"
"Finally have"
"Never worry about"

Sell the destination, not the flight.

Step 8: Testimonials

Full name + title + company.
Video beats text. Text beats nothing.

The more specific, the more believable.
"Increased revenue 47% in 6 weeks" > "Great results!"

Stack them. Overwhelm objections with proof.

Step 9: FAQs

Every unspoken objection lives here.

Accordion-style for skimmability.
SEO keywords for discoverability.

Answer what they're really thinking:

"Is this another..."
"What if I don't have time..."
"How is this different from..."

Step 10: Final CTA + P.S.

Summarise the entire offer in 2 sentences.
Remind them what they're getting.

Big, bold CTA with movement.
Video background or subtle animation.

P.S. adds one final nudge.
Bonus, urgency, or transformation reminder.

That's the anatomy.

Your funnel is your 24/7 salesperson.
Build it right. Watch it convert.

Which element is your funnel missing?

Save this blueprint. Test it on your funnel.

Repost ♻️ this to help fellow marketers.



#digitalmarketing #funnelmarketing #funnels #marketing

AI Marketing Funnels & AI Systems Consultant For Startups, Small Biz & Agencies

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Dave Gerhardt

Justin Hardy

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The Battle

Dave Gerhardt

Justin Hardy

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Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Dave Gerhardt's LinkedIn Performance

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