Mike Berens

Building Visitor InSites, InMarketIQ & Buzzlist. I talk about AI, data, sales, marketing and what it really takes to build useful software.

[Mike Berens @MikeBerensPro]

I don't want to share a cleaned-up founder story where every mistake magically becomes a lesson.

Sometimes you make the wrong call.

Sometimes it just wastes time.

That's building too.

[Mike Berens @MikeBerensPro]

“Building in public” shouldn't mean turning every feature into an announcement.

Tell me the decision.

What problem did you see?

What did you reject?

What changed your mind?

THAT'S the useful part.

[Mike Berens @MikeBerensPro]

The dangerous AI answer isn't the crazy one.

It's the wrong answer that sounds completely reasonable.

Show me the evidence. Not just the confidence.

[Mike Berens @MikeBerensPro]

AI doesn't need to replace judgment.

It needs to give people BETTER information before judgment is required.

Huge difference.

[Mike Berens @MikeBerensPro]

Software is not useful because it makes one button faster.

It's useful when the whole job gets easier.

[Mike Berens @MikeBerensPro]

Before buying another tool, ask this:

What work will completely disappear if we add it?

If the answer is “none,” you may not be buying efficiency.

You may be buying another login.

[Mike Berens @MikeBerensPro]

One annoying task means nothing.

The SAME annoying task happening 50 times is a business idea trying to get your attention.

[Mike Berens @MikeBerensPro]

Want a better product idea?

Stop brainstorming for a minute.

What part of your work pisses you off every single week?

Start there.

[Mike Berens @MikeBerensPro]

The first job of an AI writing tool should not be writing.

It should be learning enough to know what deserves to be written.

[Mike Berens @MikeBerensPro]

AI can write a beautiful email about the WRONG thing.

Good grammar doesn't fix bad information.

The system needs to understand the business, the offer and the person FIRST.

Then write.

[Mike Berens @MikeBerensPro]

Every sales tool says it saves time.

Cool.

How much work is left AFTER the tool says it's done?

That's the number I care about.

[Mike Berens @MikeBerensPro]

Why did I build Buzzlist?

Because finding data was one job.

Checking it was another.

Researching the person was another.

Writing the email was another.

Following up was another.

One job should not need 5 damn tools.

[Mike Berens @MikeBerensPro]

Not trying to become some “thought leader.”

I'm an owner building products to solve problems I've actually had.

BIG difference.

[Mike Berens @MikeBerensPro]

I haven't posted here in a while.

But I've been building. A LOT.

Visitor InSites. InMarketIQ. Now Buzzlist.

Different companies. Same obsession.

Help businesses find the RIGHT people and actually do something useful with the information.

I'll share the real process here.

[Mike Berens @MikeBerensPro]

Marketers, forget the jargon! Talk in terms your clients understand. Are you solving their day-to-day challenges? Make them think, "This guy gets me. This is exactly what I need!" That's the key to real connection and impactful results. #RealTalk #ClientFocus #MarketingSuccess

[Mike Berens @MikeBerensPro]

Sales Pros: Boost cold call success by focusing on conversational engagement. Are you driving the dialogue by asking insightful questions, or just talking about yourself? #SalesTips #ColdCalling #ConversationalSelling #SalesStrategy #BusinessGrowth

[Mike Berens @MikeBerensPro]

Also Don't say "do you have any questions about my last email" You just wasted valuable space to show more value.

BTW... If I had questions, I would have responded.

[Mike Berens @MikeBerensPro]

📧 ATTN Marketors DO BETTTER! I received this email boasting a 70% open rate. Let's rethink: No one cares about features!! Focus on the value you bring!

Example: ABC co. gets 70% open = 25 leads = 10 sales each month = $50k in MRR. #MarketingSuccess #emailmarketing #GrowthMindse

[Mike Berens @MikeBerensPro]

Want to win in 2024? Get the most mindshare. How many people know who you are? The real competition is for attention. Make your brand the first that comes to mind with proactive solutions. Outshine, outsmart, and be unforgettable. #MarketingStrategy #BrandAwareness #Innovation

[Mike Berens @MikeBerensPro]

Want to win in business? Switch your mindset from "What am I going to sell them" TO "How am I going to help them" #businessgrowth #Mindset #Entrepreneurship