In this episode, Thomas Averre, Managing Director of Tarleton Communications, discusses the critical communication strategies biotech startups must adopt to successfully navigate the fundraising landscape, particularly in overcoming the 'valley of death' between early-stage funding and Series A. He emphasizes the importance of early engagement with investors, crafting compelling narratives, and maintaining a balance between ambitious goals and realistic expectations. The conversation also covers common mistakes startups make in their presentations, the significance of a well-structured communication plan during due diligence, and the role of media in attracting investor interest.📌 Here's what we cover in this episode:00:00 Introduction to Tarleton Communications02:25 Understanding the Valley of Death in Biotech06:31 Crafting effective messaging for startups10:10 Creating a compelling narrative for investors13:32 Common mistakes in early-stage biotech communication19:07 Choosing the right communication channels22:43 Long-term strategies for building investor relationships27:48 Key advice for biotech founders29:37 Recommended resources for effective communication📖 Books recommended by Thomas:The Choice Factory: How 25 Behavioural Biases Influence the Products We Decide to Buy, by Richard ShottonOgilvy on Advertising, by David OgilvyMedia in Focus: Marketing Effectiveness in the Digital Era, by Les Binet and Peter Field🤝 To connect with Thomas:LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-averre/)Tarleton's website (https://www.tarletoncomms.com/)🎤 To connect with Joachim Eeckhout, host of the podcast:LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/joachimeeckhout/)Contact form (https://www.thesciencemarketer.com/contact/)✅ Subscribe to The Science Marketer newsletter: https://www.thesciencemarketer.com/

In this conversation, Dan Sheridan shares his journey from a PhD student to a successful freelance medical writer and agency owner. He discusses the importance of expertise over marketing, strategies for pricing, and the organic growth of his agency. Dan emphasizes the significance of building long-term client relationships and managing expectations effectively. He also explores the role of AI in medical writing, highlighting the value of human expertise in a field that requires deep scientific understanding. 📌 Here's what we cover in this episode:00:00 Starting out as a freelancer during a PhD09:42 Transitioning from freelancer to agency owner16:36 Avoiding the race to the bottom when it comes to pricing18:58 Scaling an agency while staying lean23:39 Finding clients and building reputation as an agency28:06 Navigating difficult client situations30:42 The need for high-value content in life sciences32:38 The role of AI in medical writing35:31 Recommended resources for agency success🧰 AI tool mentioned: Causaly (https://www.causaly.com)📖 Book recommended: The Seven Figure Agency Roadmap by Josh Nelson🤝 To connect with Dan:LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dansheridan01/)Co-Labb (https://www.co-labb.co.uk/)🎤 To connect with Joachim Eeckhout, host of the podcast:LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/joachimeeckhout/)Contact form (https://www.thesciencemarketer.com/contact/)✅ Subscribe to The Science Marketer newsletter: https://www.thesciencemarketer.com/

What does it take to scale biotech communications from a small startup to a successful IPO? In this episode, I sit down with Ariel Kramer, Founder of Klover Communications and former Chief Communications Officer at BICO, to break it all down. Ariel shares what she learned while helping BICO grow from just a few employees to a publicly traded company—covering the biggest communication challenges, PR mistakes to avoid, and why storytelling is key in biotech marketing. We also dive into what it means to become a trusted industry resource, the differences between in-house and agency life, and how to build a career in life sciences communication.In this episode, you'll learn:00:00 Introduction01:24 The communication challenges of a bioprinting startup04:42 How an IPO impacts communication07:38 Creating an educational hub in biotech12:51 The danger of false promises in science communication15:43 Navigating the data drought in life sciences19:56 Misconceptions about PR in scientific startups22:49 Understanding the realities of PR guarantees28:17 Building a career in science communication31:58 Comparing in-house and agency communication roles35:02 Resources for aspiring science communicatorsCompanies mentioned:BICOEvery CureReferences:Article from STAT on AI biotech companiesTicket to BiotechTo connect with Ariel:LinkedInKlover CommunicationsTo connect with Joachim Eeckhout, host of the podcast:LinkedInContact form>>> Subscribe to The Science Marketer newsletter <<<

Podcasting has exploded in popularity across B2C industries, but in B2B marketing, its potential remains underutilized and misunderstood. Too often, companies launch a podcast, produce a handful of episodes, and then abandon it when the download numbers don’t skyrocket overnight.So, how can B2B companies, especially in niche industries like life sciences, make podcasting a powerful tool for thought leadership, relationship-building, and even lead generation?To answer that, I’m joined by Jason Bradwell, founder of B2B Better and a specialist in helping companies turn podcasts into a real business asset. With over a decade of experience in B2B marketing, Jason has worked across multiple industries, refining strategies that make content not just engaging, but commercially valuable.In this episode, you'll learn:00:00 Introduction to podcasting in B2B marketing02:43 How to turn podcasts into a lead pipeline06:05 Tips for branding a B2B podcast07:33 Case study: CorrDyn's Data in Biotech podcast09:55 How to measure podcast success in B2B13:23 What to consider when podcasting in the scientific community16:43 How pharma companies use podcasting for patient advocacy19:48 Common challenges in launching a B2B podcast22:13 How to find the right structure and format for your podcast24:42 Promoting and growing your B2B podcast32:11 Emerging trends in podcasting34:07 Resources for aspiring podcastersBook recommended by Jason: Out on the Wire by Jessica AbelTo connect with Jason Bradwell:LinkedInB2B Better (website)B2B Better podcastTo connect with Joachim Eeckhout, host of the podcast:LinkedInContact form>>>Subscribe to The Science Marketer newsletter <<<

In this conversation, Sheldon Zhai, founder of Supreme Optimization, shares how he landed his first clients, scaled his business, and navigated the challenges of building a high-growth agency. We also dive into his recent acquisitions, his vision for AI in life sciences marketing, and his approach to hiring top-tier talent—including why he insists on hiring PhD-level scientists as marketers. If you're thinking of starting your own life sciences marketing agency, Sheldon has some blunt, no-nonsense advice on what it really takes to succeed.In this episode:00:00 How Supreme Optimization started03:21 Finding your first client as an agency05:32 Common challenges for early-stage agencies08:05 Key milestones in the growth of Supreme Optimization10:13 Building a team of scientific marketers12:33 Scaling up the agency through a strategic investment17:06 Acquiring and integrating other agencies to scale up19:36 Lessons learned from six acquisitions in two years22:03 Scaling up your agency culture25:33 The role of AI in science marketing29:01 The future of Supreme Optimization30:07 Advice for aspiring marketing agency owners32:20 Book recommendation for marketing agenciesBooks recommended by Sheldon:- Who: The A Method for Hiring, by Geoff Smart- The Win Without Pitching Manifesto, by Blair EnnsTo connect with Sheldon:- LinkedIn- Supreme OptimizationTo connect with Joachim Eeckhout, host of the podcast:- LinkedIn- Contact form>>>Subscribe to The Science Marketer newsletter <<<