{"id":57654,"date":"2025-10-22T07:04:33","date_gmt":"2025-10-22T14:04:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.clearvoice.com\/?p=57654"},"modified":"2025-09-18T10:00:51","modified_gmt":"2025-09-18T17:00:51","slug":"cv-mic-matt-carnevale-b2b-community-exit-five","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.clearvoice.com\/resources\/cv-mic-matt-carnevale-b2b-community-exit-five\/","title":{"rendered":"CV MIC: Matt Carnevale, Head of Community at Exit Five"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

Community isn\u2019t just a buzzword in B2B marketing \u2014 it\u2019s a driving force shaping careers, fueling collaboration, and sparking innovation.<\/p>\n

On a recent episode of the CV MIC (Marketers in Conversation), Matt Carnevale<\/a>, Head of Community at Exit Five, shared his journey from sales to marketing, the evolution of Exit Five, and why community will continue to play a critical role in the future of B2B.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/WRvlrw1onpg<\/a><\/p>\n

From Cold Calls to Community Building<\/h2>\n

Matt\u2019s career began in sales as a BDR, where he made up to 100 cold calls a day. (Sheeessh!<\/em>) The role was challenging, but it provided something many marketers never experience: a first-hand understanding of the sales mindset.<\/p>\n

This foundation became a kind of superpower in his marketing career. Understanding what it\u2019s like to chase quotas, deal with rejection, and stay laser-focused on short-term goals created an invaluable perspective. For marketers, this kind of insight makes it easier to build campaigns that truly align with sales objectives, strengthen collaboration, and support revenue growth.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a reminder that marketing and sales may operate in different lanes, but they\u2019re always on the same track. The more marketers can empathize with sales realities, the stronger the partnership becomes.<\/p>\n

Why Exit Five Resonates<\/h2>\n

Exit Five<\/a> has grown into one of the largest and most engaged online communities for B2B marketers. Its mission is straightforward: help marketers grow their careers through content and connection.<\/p>\n

On the content side, Exit Five delivers insights across every area of B2B marketing, often by tapping into the knowledge of its members and industry leaders. On the connection side, the community helps members find peers in similar roles, industries, or even local cities, forming relationships that extend beyond the digital space.<\/p>\n

This combination is what makes Exit Five unique. Content builds credibility and sparks learning, while connection ensures that the lessons stick through real-world conversations and shared experiences. For B2B professionals, it\u2019s not just another group to join; it\u2019s a resource to grow with.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The Shift Toward In-Person Connection<\/h2>\n

While digital spaces remain at the heart of Exit Five, the demand for in-person interaction has grown significantly. The Drive event in 2024 underscored this point, showing how eager marketers are to connect offline.<\/p>\n

Unlike traditional conferences that often feel transactional, Exit Five events are deliberately different. The venues are chosen to encourage conversation and connection, whether it\u2019s a coworking space with a scenic backdrop or a casual city bar. Attendees can focus on genuine discussion, not sales pitches, and come to the table with shared context as members, listeners, or engaged followers.<\/p>\n

Now, through a local ambassador program, members themselves are hosting smaller gatherings in their own cities. These micro-events help the community<\/a> scale without overwhelming the lean Exit Five team, and they create authentic connections at the local level supported by the larger network.<\/p>\n

Content as the Backbone of Community<\/h2>\n

Content powers Exit Five both inside and outside the community. Free resources like podcasts, newsletters, and LinkedIn posts establish visibility and credibility, drawing in professionals who benefit from insights without needing to become members.<\/p>\n

Inside the community<\/a>, content looks different. It\u2019s member-driven, with questions, discussions, and virtual events happening daily. For example, a member might share how they\u2019ve applied generative AI to streamline workflows, sparking a live discussion where dozens of marketers can learn from real use cases. This peer-to-peer learning is what keeps the community relevant and prevents it from becoming just another Slack group people forget about.<\/p>\n

\"Cutting<\/p>\n

Cutting Through the Noise in B2B Marketing<\/h2>\n

With access to thousands of conversations, Matt has a unique view into what\u2019s working \u2014 and what\u2019s not \u2014 in B2B marketing today.<\/p>\n