Clerics of Marketing

In this episode of The Clerics of Marketing, Adam and Brian get real about what makes a business truly stand out in a crowded industry. From the roots of their brand and faith to their love for Dungeons & Dragons and nerd culture, they unpack how authenticity became their “purple cow.” The conversation explores what it means to own your unique identity instead of blending in, how storytelling connects deeper than buzzwords, and why faith and creativity don’t have to live in separate worlds.
 
You will learn:
How to define what makes your brand truly different
Why storytelling is still the most powerful marketing tool
How to balance professionalism with personality
Why authenticity attracts the right clients
How The Marketing Clerics are leaning fully into their faith-driven, fantasy-inspired brand
 
It’s part testimony, part marketing strategy, and all about being bold enough to show up as who you really are — even when everyone else looks the same.

In this episode of Clerics of Marketing, Adam and Brian tackle one of the most misunderstood (and most important) parts of running a home service business: how to calculate your true billable labor rate.
 
Too many contractors pull a number out of thin air — $75/hr, $100/hr — without realizing what it really costs to put a technician in a truck. From payroll burden and non-billable time to trucks, tools, and overhead, this episode breaks down every component that goes into building a profitable rate — one that fuels growth instead of draining your margins.
 
You’ll learn:
✅ How to calculate your true cost per billable hour — including wages, benefits, and inefficiencies
✅ Why non-billable time and callbacks can kill profitability if not priced right
✅ How to factor in trucks, wraps, tools, and marketing into your hourly rate
✅ What a 25% profit margin target actually looks like in your pricing
✅ The math behind going from $75/hr → $413/hr — and why it’s justified
 
If you’ve ever wondered why you’re busy but not making money, this episode will open your eyes to the hidden costs every contractor faces — and how to fix them.
 
🕒 Perfect for electricians, plumbers, HVAC pros, and home service owners ready to scale smart and profitably.
 
Keywords: contractor pricing, billable labor rate, home service profitability, hourly rate calculator, trades business growth, contractor profit margin, field service management, electrician pricing, plumbing business tips, marketing for contractors

In today’s episode of Clerics of Marketing, Adam and Brian tackle one of the most common questions from home service business owners: Do you even need a website in 2025? Spoiler — yes, you do… but not just any website.
 
They break down the essentials of high-performing home service websites — from clear calls-to-action and local SEO to showcasing authentic project photos (not stock images) and building trust that converts. Learn how AI-generated sites are flooding the web, and how your business can stand out by creating a real online presence that reflects your brand, earns higher-paying customers, and scales your reputation.
 
This episode dives into:
✅ The website features every home service business needs (homepage, service pages, about, contact, service areas, and more)
✅ How to make your site “AI-proof” and SEO-friendly
✅ Why tracking calls and form submissions is key to marketing ROI
✅ The secret to charging more — and getting it — through brand authority
 
Whether you’re a one-man electrical shop or managing a fleet of service vans, this episode will help you build a digital foundation that fuels real growth — not just traffic.
 
🕒 Listen now to learn how to make your website your hardest-working employee.
 
Keywords: home service marketing, contractor websites, SEO for contractors, website design tips, digital marketing for trades, AI websites, local SEO, service business growth, marketing podcast, home service business advice

In this episode of The Clerics of Marketing, Adam and Brian dive deep into ClickUp’s AI tool called Brain — and how it’s changing the game for productivity, automation, and communication inside a business. They share the funny challenge of tagging “Brian” vs. “Brain,” then break down real-world ways they’re using it at The Marketing Clerics, from automated client reports to AI-generated project plans and team updates.
 
You will learn:
How ClickUp Brain simplifies executive summaries and client reporting
How to turn a statement of work or proposal into a full project plan with tasks and dependencies
How AI can help non-native English speakers or anyone communicate more clearly
How “Agents” and “Deep Search” make it easier to find and automate what matters
Real use cases for automating workflows, time blocking, and even asset tracking
 
It’s a detailed, honest conversation about where AI helps, where it fails, and how to make tools like ClickUp Brain actually work for your business instead of becoming another distraction.

In this episode of The Clerics of Marketing, Adam and Brian dive deep into how The Marketing Clerics runs projects, clients, and daily operations inside ClickUp. They break down why they switched from Monday.com, how they use ClickUp for everything from task management to automations, and what makes it a powerful tool for small teams that need to stay organized without losing flexibility.
 
You will learn:
How ClickUp helps track client work, time, and internal communication
How automations save hours and reduce errors — even for non-technical users
Why custom fields, milestones, and dependencies matter for project-based work
How contractors can use ClickUp to manage installs, team schedules, and job progress
The pros, cons, and practical lessons from real-world use
 
It’s a hands-on conversation full of real examples, practical advice, and a few laughs — especially for business owners who want to bring order to the chaos without overcomplicating their systems.

Adam and Brian dive into the art of brand messaging and audience targeting using an unexpected example straight from the shower. From men’s and women’s shampoo to home service marketing, they break down how clear messaging connects when you know exactly who you’re talking to. The conversation explores why generalizing isn’t always bad, how stereotypes become strategy in marketing, and why trying to reach everyone means reaching no one. They relate it all back to contractors, explaining how income level, life stage, and local demographics shape effective messaging. The takeaway — don’t be the burlap sack. Define your audience, speak their language, and serve them with purpose.

In this episode, Adam and Brian open up about the lessons they’ve learned from a tough season of growth at The Marketing Clerics. They share how hiring ahead of revenue, relying on credit, and chasing fast growth left them with debt and hard decisions — but also deep faith. Through honest reflection and biblical parallels, they discuss what it means to truly trust God’s provision rather than trying to force His timing. From stewardship and debt to prayer and perseverance, this is a raw look at faith-driven entrepreneurship when the numbers don’t match the vision. The episode closes with a heartfelt prayer for business owners walking through similar challenges.

In this episode, Adam and Brian break down the good, the bad, and the ugly of real-time time tracking for service-based businesses. They share how tracking time accurately creates visibility, accountability, and better decisions about pricing, staffing, and profitability. The conversation digs into common challenges like team resistance, morale dips, and micromanagement fears, and how to roll out time tracking the right way—with trust and transparency. Whether you run a marketing agency or a home service company, this episode shows how to turn data into better leadership, smoother operations, and more sustainable growth.

In this episode, Adam and Brian walk through the five most important steps every home service business should take to build a strong online presence. From setting up and optimizing your Google Business Profile to designing a simple, effective website and mastering local SEO, they break down what really works without the fluff. The conversation also covers smart ad strategies using Google and Meta, how to track ROI so you stop wasting money, and how to create authentic content that builds authority and trust. Whether you’re a one-man shop or a growing team, this episode gives you a clear roadmap for turning online marketing into real-world results.

Adam and Brian talk about how AI has made everyone feel like an expert and what that means for real professionals in the field. They share stories from a car repair shop, the ER, and the home service world to show how “confidence without competence” is becoming more common. The conversation digs into the difference between knowledge and wisdom, why lived experience still matters, and how contractors can respond when clients show up with AI-generated answers. It’s an honest look at expertise, credibility, and what it takes to stand out in the age of artificial intelligence.