More than a Few Words

#1009 AI Makes Stuff Up

When it comes to using AI for your marketing, I am reminded of the Russian proverb - Trust, but Verify.  It rhymes in Russian... But it makes sense in any language.  
When you are thinking about using AI, remember that sometimes, AI will make up information to answer a question. There are some really alarming instances where someone used AI. They even cited the information given to it by the robot only to find out at the worst possible moment that the source didn't exist. 
So use the tool to write content, but never never never let it go without looking it over.  Ask yourself, is this up to my standard? Does it sound like me? And, most important, is it accurate.
 

#1008 Profitable Partnerships | Robin Waite

It was a real treat to have Robin Waite back in the guest chair. A business coach and public speaker, Robin share a success story about one interview that lead to 1,500 leads and over £150,000 (approximately $180,000) in business revenue. His story underscores that the journey to overnight success often involves months or years of effort, intentional networking, and value creation.
So how did he do it? Robin shared a simple five step process that helped him create a successful partnership, and is only marketing plan. 
Hyper Intentionality: Be clear about who you want to partner with and what you want to achieve from the partnership. Instead of focusing solely on personal gain, begin by delivering value to the other party and building relationships that benefit everyone. 
Get Out and Meet People: In today's digital age, it's easy to rely solely on online interactions. However, there is real value of attending events, meeting people face-to-face, and making personal connections. 
Be Helpful: When you are willing to provide value and assistance to others without expecting immediate returns you can open doors to future opportunities. 
Find the Inside Person: When dealing with an organization, get to know both the key decision-makers and the gatekeepers who can facilitate introductions and opportunities.  
Be Ready to Seize Opportunities: Sometimes you need to be willing to drop everything for the right opportunity. 
Curious about the podcast interview that opened so many doors for Robin - Listen now 

#1007 Smart PPC for Small Business Owners | Ameet Khabra

Maybe you think your business is too small to take advantage of PPC.  Our guest, Ameet Khabra doesn’t think that is true. You can use this powerful tool as long as remember that Google is not doing something out of the goodness of their heart.  
Google is not a charity, it is a business.  Everything they do to improve search and analytics is ultimately designed to increase their advertising sales.  So use the tools, look at their suggestions, but always remember their goals are not always aligned with yours. 
 
About Ameet
Look up the definition of “obsessed” and you’ll find a picture of Ameet. She has spent the last decade figuring out why people do what they do online, what prompts them to take action, and how to use this insight to make marketing work better. Today she uses that experience to design dazzling campaign strategies for our clients and teach future generations of PPC pros at the university level.
Learn more by following  adwordsgirl on Instagram    

#1006 Thanks, But I Don't Need Your Help | Marketing Minute with Lorraine Ball

So today's marketing minute is a bit of a rant.
Every day people reach out to me on LinkedIn, offering to help me grow my business. I’m sure they genuinely believe (not) they can help me. I’m just not interested.
Don't get me wrong, it isn't because I think I am the leading authority on every subject and have nothing else to learn. I object to their sales process, targeting anyone with a key word in their bio.
Don't be someone I will hate! 
Before you reach out and offer your services to me or anyone else on LinkedIn look at my career path and my experience. Consider where I am on my journey to make sure you are offering a relevant solution. That will make your marketing efforts more productive.
I’ve been podcasting for 15 years and I have released one thousand episodes. I don’t need tips on how to start or promote a podcast. If I haven’t figured it out by now, I never will.
Ask questions about what I’m working on or struggling with before you dive in with your solution. I ran a digital agency for 19 years, so your five years of experience does not impress me.  And I sold three years ago, so I don't need your lead generation, or while label services for my clients. 
Your books and training courses all sound fabulous (maybe not) but I have been teaching marketing to college students and business owners for more than 30 years. So, no,  I don't need a free pass to your introduction to marketing workshop. 
Your solution is not for everyone.
That’s ok. Find people who fit the profile of a typical buyer and approach them. Don’t waste your time, creating less than great impressions on the wrong people.
Not sure how to find your ideal client? Well I can help that!

#1005 Should I Get a Trademark? | Samantha Bradshaw

Earlier this year, I had a chance to chat with Samantha Bradshaw, a small business and IP lawyer, about how to pick a name for your business.  If you missed that episode, you can find it here.
This is a continuation of that conversation where we focus on whether you should invest in a trademark for your business.   Samantha shared a few things to consider as you weigh the pros and cons.
Consider Your Business Goals:  If you plan to expand your business, work in it long-term, or pass it on to others, trademarking can solidify your reputation and become a valuable asset when selling the business or protecting your brand. On the other hand, if this is a lifestyle business or you don’t expect to grow beyond you local community, you may not need a trademark.
Understand Your Risk Level:  The purpose of a trademark is to protect what you are building.  For a small local business, such as with a single-location restaurant, your risk level may be lower and trademarking may not be necessary. You will still want to run a clearance search to check for potential conflicts with other businesses or brands using a similar name.
Benefits of Trademarking: Trademarking protects against copycats and helps distinguish your brand from others. It also facilitates licensing opportunities and enables smoother expansion, such as opening new locations or entering other markets.

#1004 Social Media is Social | Deidre Tshien

How many times have you heard someone say, “s.ocial media is social”?   When you hear that, what do you wonder what it really means, or how you actually get social on social media?  That was the topic of my conversation with Deirdre Tshien co-founder and CEO of Capsho, the world’s first AI-powered Podcast Copywriter.
Dierdre’s explained a good strategy is based on more than just posting  content.  It is built on conversations and interactions with your audience.  To do this effectively, you need four types of social media posts.
Awareness Post: Start with a question or statement to open a conversation and gauge interest.
Elaboration Post: Dive deeper into the topic you’ve introduced, providing more value and demonstrating your expertise. Mixing interactive and informative content keeps your audience interested and establishes you as authority. 
Community Post: You don’t have to have all the answers. Sometimes the best thing to do is share content from someone else.  Also, build community by letting your audience see the real you. Share information about your life and business and highlight the actions of your network (clients, partners, etc.) .
Action Post: Wrap up with a call to action, inviting your audience to take the next step, like subscribing to your podcast or joining a webinar. Afterall that is why you are posting on social media, right? 

#1003 Don't Write Every Day

So you want to become the expert in your field. and you are writing blogs, crafting seminar slides, recording podcasts.  You’re doing it all. But let’s be real, constantly coming up with fresh angles on the same topic can be draining. And in the fast-paced world of online content, what’s hot today might be forgotten tomorrow. Or, your best piece of content was released at the wrong time, so very few people saw it.
The trick for every professional, trying to build a reputation as a subject matter expert is how do you make the most of your best work without boring your audience to tears?  I will let you in on a secret, it isn’t about creating more and more content.  It is  about repurposing your content smartly. Instead of reinventing the wheel, give your existing stuff a new lease on life.  Then, instead of killing yourself to create a mountain of new content, use some of my favorite repurposing tips  to fill your feed. Then you will have more time to create fewer, better pieces of content. Check out these tried-and-tested tactics:
Roundup Posts: Imagine rounding up all your related posts, images, and podcasts into one neat package. It’s like a highlight reel for your audience, giving them a chance to catch up on what they might’ve missed. Just remember to sprinkle in some fresh descriptions to keep things interesting.
Email Wrap-Ups: Your email list is gold. Keep your subscribers in the loop by sending them the cream of the crop content directly to their inboxes. It’s a win-win—they stay engaged, and you get to showcase your expertise.
Content Resharing: Sometimes a piece of content doesn’t hit the mark the first time around. No biggie. Give it another shot with a fresh twist. Timing is everything, so don’t be afraid to test different schedules and keywords.
Content Calendar: Keep track of your content with a simple calendar. When you’re running low on ideas, revisit and update your old posts. A little refresh can go a long way.
Refresh Existing Content: Maybe you have a great piece of content that once got lots of attention from visitors and search engines, but recently has been ignored. Spend time updating your existing content to breath new life into the piece. Start with your keyword, enhance the content by incorporating into the conversation. Expand on the ideas presented. (Hint this is a great place to turn to Chat GPT for an idea or two) Add a new image, link to other relevant content and create a new social share. 
Compilation or White Papers: Show off your expertise by pulling together your top-performing posts into a polished document. It’s like a greatest hits album for your content. Share it with your audience and watch your authority soar.
Exploring New Media: Mix things up by trying out different formats. Turn your blog post into a podcast or video to reach a new audience. And don’t forget to include a transcript for those who prefer to read.
With these tricks up your sleeve, you’ll be getting the most out of your content without breaking a sweat. Remember, it’s all about working smarter, not harder

#1002 Women in Technology | Denzil Eden

I spent some time with Denzil Eden, the founder of Smarty AI, an AI productivity assistant that aims to enhance routines and automate tasks. Denzil shared her experience as a female entrepreneur in the tech space.  Throughout our conversation, she had great insights and advice for other women looking to play in the tech space.  Here are the key points from the interview:
Challenges in the Tech Space: Denzil shares her journey as a young, female founder in the tech space and highlights the uphill battle she faced due to the crowded productivity market and the subconscious biases against women in tech. Her perseverance and resilience helped her navigate these challenges, ultimately leading her to success.
Advice for Aspiring Founders: Denzil emphasizes the importance of validating ideas and understanding customers' needs before building a product. She suggests using landing pages, prototypes, and user interviews to gauge interest and gather feedback before investing significant time and resources, which can save founders from pursuing ideas that may not have market demand.
Investor Relationships: Denzil advises that founders should carefully vet potential investors, treating the relationship like a marriage. Finding investors who align with the company's vision and the founder's values ensures a smoother partnership and greater support for the business's long-term goals.
Cultivating Networks: She stresses the importance of building and maintaining a strong professional network, as it can greatly benefit a founder's career and the success of their business. Denzil notes that networking helps founders access resources, advice, and potential collaborators, all of which can be crucial for growth.

#1001 Create 30 Days of Content in 90 Minutes | Aaron Witnish

I don't know about you,  but I spend way too much time creating content. I'm always looking for a faster way to get it done so I can get back to the part of my business that actually generates revenue.  If you're struggling with those same issues this conversation with Aaron Witnish is just for you.
Aaron introduces a three-step process for generating thirty days of content in just ninety minutes. To start the process, do a bit of research.  Use Google’s "People Also Ask" feature to identify questions real people are asking about your product  or service every day. 
Once you have the questions record the answers.  You can gather a wealth of material in a short video that can be repurposed into  clips for social media or longer written posts.  Using AI Tools like Opus Clip you can easily cut long videos into short clips, saving time and effort in the editing process. Using Chat GPT to summarize the transcript  creates content that is still authentic because it started with your words, not a generic search 
Aaron also shared some of his favorite production tips and suggestions for collaborating with podcast hosts.  
About Aaron 
Aaron Witnish is the Co-Founder of contentonly.au which specializes in an extraction system that creates 30 Days Of Content In 90 minutes a month.

#1000 - Celebrating 1,000 Conversations.

If you had told me fifteen years ago, when I was running around recording conversations on my iphone that I would still be doing it a thousand episodes later, I would have told you you were crazy.
But here I am, celebrating 1,000 episodes. I have had an amazing ride meeting interesting people from all over the world. I have learned so much from them about marketing and marketing trends and I have enjoyed sharing that information with you, my audience.
So instead of asking for anniversary presents, I want to give you one.  I have a special thank you offer.  If you comment on post and tag me, anywhere on social media, share a screen grab of a review, or simply drop me a note, I'll send you a code for unlimited, free access the toolbox.
That is a lifetime membership so you'll have the ability to access all of the training programs, all the workbooks, all the content, forever.
So drop a review, send me a note or leave a comment and you're in.
And, if you're curious about any of the conversations you've missed  you'll find them in the archive
Subscribe now, so you never miss another episode.