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If AI has you feeling like you’re falling behind or drowning in prompts and platforms, this episode is your reset button. Mike Montague sits down with Ali Schwanke, CEO of Simple Strat and host of HubSpot Hacks, to unpack the real opportunities (and traps) SMB marketers face in today’s AI-fueled landscape. They break down how to stay creative in a world where everyone has access to the same playbooks and why “doing more” isn’t the same as “doing what works.”

You’ll hear smart, honest takes on AI anxiety, content overload, distribution strategies that actually work in 2025, and the underrated power of creative courage. Whether you’re leading marketing for a B2B brand or running the show as a small business owner, this conversation will help you stop chasing tools and start leading with strategy.

Top Takeaways

1. Strategy is greater than Tools.
AI isn’t the strategy, it’s a toolset; your strategy should still be grounded in how real people make buying decisions.

2. Analysis Paralysis is the Real Enemy
With so many AI options, marketers get stuck in overthinking instead of executing aligned, intentional campaigns.

3. Creative Courage is the New Differentiator
In a world where AI gives everyone access to the same ideas, brands win by making bold, untested, human-first moves.

4. Distribution Is Where the Game Is Changing
It's not about where you publish, it’s about who sees it, and trusted referrals and partnerships are outperforming ads.

5. Marketing Has Fragmented, And That’s OK
You don’t need to do everything; you need to do the right things for your audience, consistently and confidently.

6. AI Doesn’t Equal Certainty of Outcomes
Even great AI outputs don’t guarantee results; you still need human judgment to prioritize and refine.

7. Consistency Builds Trust
Many marketers quit too early; trust and results come from showing up repeatedly, not from jumping to the next shiny thing.

8. Live Events and Human Moments Are Making a Comeback
In-person dinners, niche gatherings, and face-to-face conversations are generating higher ROI than mass digital efforts.

9. AI Should Help You Scale Your Voice, Not Replace It
Success comes when AI reflects your unique brand personality, not when it floods the feed with generic content.

The Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.

Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.

We’re not just another AI company trying to build robots to replace you. We will help make you the hero. We’re marketers, too, and we get how important creativity, empathy, and human insight are when connecting with your ideal clients.

No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!

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