#128 Are Virtual Summits Worth It? The Real ROI of Collaboration with Lauren Tilden

2025-11-11

Everyone says hosting or speaking at a summit will “explode your audience” — but do they really work? In this episode, marketing strategist and Making Good podcast host Lauren Tilden pulls back the curtain on what summits actually deliver, what most people get wrong, and how to use them as a powerful, intentional growth strategy — not just another marketing experiment. Whether you’re summit-curious, collaboration-shy, or simply ready to grow your email list without social media burnout, this conversation will change how you think abo...

Everyone says hosting or speaking at a summit will “explode your audience” — but do they really work?

In this episode, marketing strategist and Making Good podcast host Lauren Tilden pulls back the curtain on what summits actually deliver, what most people get wrong, and how to use them as a powerful, intentional growth strategy — not just another marketing experiment.

Whether you’re summit-curious, collaboration-shy, or simply ready to grow your email list without social media burnout, this conversation will change how you think about marketing forever.

💡 You’ll Learn

What makes a summit succeed (and what instantly kills results)
How Finola used a summit to grow her email list and convert new clients
The one thing every speaker must have to turn visibility into subscribers
Why intentionality beats hustle every single time
The 3 jobs every piece of marketing must do if you want consistent sales

⏱️ Episode Chapters

00:00 – Why Summits Beat Social Media for Growth
Lauren shares how virtual summits skyrocketed her email list and why email remains the highest-converting marketing channel.

02:15 – From Corporate Burnout to Purpose-Driven Marketer
Lauren’s leap from corporate America to small business owner — and what she learned about authentic marketing along the way.

07:24 – The Power of Intentional Marketing
Stop copying others — here’s how to clarify your goals, focus on results, and design marketing that feels good and works.

14:20 – Why Marketing Feels Scary (and How to Do It Anyway)
How courage and repetition build confidence — plus Finola’s sea-swim metaphor for showing up bravely.

18:09 – What a Virtual Summit Really Is (and Isn’t)
The anatomy of a summit: how it works, what it costs, and why it’s still one of the smartest list-building tools around.

24:46 – Should You Host or Speak at a Summit?
Lauren’s checklist for finding the right summit to join or the right audience to host for.

29:24 – Collaboration Over Competition
Why being in a room with “competitors” is actually one of the fastest ways to grow your brand.

32:34 – Finola’s Summit Results: What Actually Worked
Finola shares how alignment, intention, and a clear freebie turned her summit appearance into conversions.

36:17 – The Clear Next Step That Converts
Lauren’s top advice: give every viewer a reason to join your email list — and nurture them well once they do.

38:23 – Avoiding Summit Overwhelm
How Lauren designed shorter, more actionable summits to keep participants engaged and excited.

42:33 – The Three Jobs Every Piece of Marketing Must Do
Lauren’s final framework: reach new people, build relationships, and make the sale — intentionally.

🔗 Resources & Links

Connect with Lauren Tilden
🌐 laurentilden.co
🎧 Making Good Podcast
📸 Instagram: @laurentilden

Connect with Finola Howard
🌐 finolahoward.com
💌 Subscribe to The Joyful Million Playbook for deeper insights on building a Million Euro Business without burnout
📸 Instagram: @thisisfinolahoward
🎧 Listen to all episodes of Your Truth Shared wherever you get your podcasts

🎧 Listen Now

If you’ve ever wondered whether summits are worth it — or how to make your marketing finally click — this episode will give you the clarity (and courage) to grow on purpose.

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