AI for Solopreneurs: The AI Hat Podcast

If you're leading a sales team right now, you're probably wondering how the heck to use AI without turning your team into robots. I get it - you want the efficiency AI promises, but not at the cost of those personal connections that actually close deals.That's exactly why I invited Tamra Moroski from the Marketing AI Institute to break this down for us. She's figured out how to help sales teams use AI tools in ways that actually make relationships stronger, not weaker. And she's got the real-world experience to prove it.In this episode of The AI Hat Podcast, Tamra shares practical ways your sales team can use AI to handle the mundane stuff - like research and repetitive tasks - so they can spend more time doing what humans do best: building genuine connections with prospects and customers. We dive deep into specific AI tools for sales teams, and more importantly, how to implement them in ways your team will actually embrace.The AI Hat Podcast episode takeaways:✨ Stop wasting time on prospect research. Learn how AI for sales teams can cut research time by 75% while actually uncovering better insights about your prospects.✨ Create a balanced approach to sales automation that lets your team's personality shine through. Tamra shows exactly how to maintain authentic connections while scaling your outreach.✨ Build a sustainable AI implementation plan that your team will actually use. No more tools that gather dust - discover how to introduce AI in ways that make your team's life easier, not harder.Learn more about Tamra Moroski Connect with Tamra Moroski on LinkedIn Follow Tamra Moroski on Instagram Resources & Brands mentioned in this episode Marketing AI Institute Paul Roetzer Mike Kaput The Artificial Intelligence Show Cathy McPhillips, “The AI Growth Engine: Accelerating Your Marketing Results”  Ethan Mollick Finding Your Voice with AI – How to Craft a Brand Voice That Resonates with Mike Allton Custom GPTs for Marketers: Work Smarter, Not Harder with Mike Allton Buyer Persona GPT for Sales Jasper.ai Perplexity.ai Lavender.ai Dan Sanchez, “Exploring AI in Marketing: Five Key Applications” MyShowrunner.com Agorapulse Creativity, A Short and Cheerful Guide, by John Cleese Jobs GPT MAICON AI Marketing Primer: A Comprehensive Guide for Marketers SHOW TRANSCRIPT & NOTES: https://theaihat.com/ai-for-sales-teams-a-mindful-approach-to-scaling-without-losing-human-connection/Brought to you by The AI Hat - Get Your AI On. Interesting in sponsoring an episode? Learn more here.AI Training for Business Leaders & Teams: https://theaihat.com/ai-training-for-business/Powered by Magai - why choose one AI tool when you can have them all?Produced and Hosted by Mike Allton, AI Consultant & Trainer at The AI Hat, where he's tirelessly helping businesses and marketers get ahead of the AI Revolution and apply advanced technologies to their roles. He's spent over a decade in digital marketing, bringing an unparalleled level of experience and excitement to the fore, whether he's delivering a presentation or leading a workshop. If you’re interested in helping business owners with AI in an upcoming episode, reach out to Mike. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever feel like you're barely scratching the surface with AI in your business? Sure, you've got ChatGPT churning out blog posts, but what if I told you that's like using your smartphone just to make calls? What if you're missing out on 90% of AI's true potential to transform your business and marketing operations?Here's the thing - while everyone's focused on content creation, the real AI revolution is happening behind the scenes. Business teams are drowning in data, struggling with campaign coordination, and racing against impossible deadlines. And the solution isn't just working harder - it's working smarter with AI.That's why I'm thrilled to welcome Peter Benei to the show today. As the driving force behind Intercept Scale and a veteran CMO/COO who's been leading remote business and marketing teams since 2014, Peter has been at the forefront of operations optimization. He's helped countless B2B tech companies scale their business operations using AI, and his recent study on AI applications in marketing has unveiled game-changing insights that most marketers are completely missing. Based in beautiful Tuscany, Italy, Peter brings a unique global perspective on how AI is reshaping the future of business operations and team productivity.AI in Marketing: Unpacked host Mike Allton asked Peter Benei about:✨Beyond The Content Bubble - AI's true power lies in operational optimization, not just content creation.✨Data-Driven Transformation - AI enables real-time decision making and predictive analytics for better marketing outcomes.✨Operational Excellence - Implementation of AI across marketing operations leads to faster scaling and better resource utilization.Learn more about Peter BeneiConnect with Peter Benei on LinkedIn Resources & Brands mentioned in this episode Intercept Scale EXERCISE: “What does ChatGPT Know About Me?” Intercept Study: “CMO’s Perspectives on AI-Powered Marketing” The AI Librarian: How RAG Can Revolutionize Your Business AI Marketing Primer: A Comprehensive Guide for Marketers Explore past episodes of the AI in Marketing: Unpacked podcast SHOW TRANSCRIPT & NOTES: https://theaihat.com/ai-for-business-toolbox-applications-of-ai-youre-not-using-but-should-be/Start your AI journey with the AI Marketing Primer.Brought to you by The AI Hat - Get Your AI On. Interesting in sponsoring an episode? Learn more here.Powered by Magai - why choose one AI tool when you can have them all? And Descript, the magic wand for podcasters.Produced and Hosted by Mike Allton, AI Consultant & Trainer at The AI Hat, where he's tirelessly helping businesses and marketers get ahead of the AI Revolution and apply advanced technologies to their roles. He's spent over a decade in digital marketing, bringing an unparalleled level of experience and excitement to the fore, whether he's delivering a presentation or leading a workshop. If you’re interested in helping business owners with AI in an upcoming episode, reach out to Mike.Powered by the Marketing Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever looked at a competitor's polished video content and thought, 'We could never afford to produce something like that?' Here's the thing - that assumption is probably wrong. The rules of video marketing have completely changed. While big brands used to dominate with expensive production crews and six-figure budgets, artificial intelligence has leveled the playing field. But there's a problem: most business leaders don't realize just how accessible professional video creation has become, or they're overwhelmed by the technology. That's why I'm excited to have Eric Liu joining us today.Eric is a video marketing innovator at Wondershare Technology, where he's helping shape the future of AI-powered content creation. He's been instrumental in developing Filmora 14, a next-generation AI video editing tool that's transforming how businesses approach video marketing. His work has helped countless organizations move from basic video content to professional-grade productions without breaking the bank or requiring a degree in video editing.The AI Hat Podcast host Mike Allton asked Eric Liu about:✨ AI Democratizes Video - Professional video creation is no longer limited to big budgets and technical expertise.✨ Start Small, Scale Smart - Begin with basic AI features and gradually expand your video marketing capabilities.✨ Focus on Story First  - While AI handles technical aspects, successful video marketing still requires clear messaging and strategy.Learn more about Eric LiuConnect with Eric Liu on LinkedIn Resources & Brands mentioned in this episode Wondershare Filmora Duolingo Ethan Mollick AI Primer: A Comprehensive Guide Explore past episodes of the The AI Hat Podcast podcast SHOW TRANSCRIPT & NOTES: https://theaihat.com/the-new-rules-of-video-marketing-creating-professional-content-with-ai/Start your AI journey with the AI Marketing Primer.Brought to you by The AI Hat - Get Your AI On. Interesting in sponsoring an episode? Learn more here.Powered by Magai - why choose one AI tool when you can have them all? And Descript, the magic wand for podcasters.Produced and Hosted by Mike Allton, AI Consultant & Trainer at The AI Hat, where he's tirelessly helping businesses and marketers get ahead of the AI Revolution and apply advanced technologies to their roles. He's spent over a decade in digital marketing, bringing an unparalleled level of experience and excitement to the fore, whether he's delivering a presentation or leading a workshop. If you’re interested in helping business owners with AI in an upcoming episode, reach out to Mike.Powered by the Marketing Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Now is the time to unlock the true potential of AI for your business. But here's the catch - you don't need to be a tech wizard or data scientist to do it. What you need is AI literacy, and it's about to become your new secret weapon.AI literacy is more than just understanding the basics of artificial intelligence. It's about developing the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions, spot opportunities, and confidently lead your team in an AI-driven world. For businesses and marketers, focusing on AI literacy means staying competitive, improving efficiency, and uncovering innovative ways to serve your customers. It's the key to turning AI from a buzzword into a powerful tool that drives real results.To guide us through this critical topic, we have an exceptional expert joining us. Angie Carel is a certified AI business leader and educator who's been at the forefront of making AI accessible and actionable for businesses of all sizes. As the founder of AI in Fort Wayne and a sought-after speaker, Angie has helped countless organizations harness the power of AI. She doesn't just talk about AI - she lives it, integrating it into every aspect of her work and life. Get ready, because Angie is about to share the insights you need to boost your AI literacy and transform your business.The AI Hat Podcast host Mike Allton asked Angie Carel about:✨Foundational Understanding: AI literacy provides a crucial foundation for informed decision-making in today's business landscape.✨Competitive Edge: Improved AI literacy can lead to better strategic choices, giving SMBs a significant advantage in their markets.✨Accessible Learning: Building AI literacy is an achievable goal for all business leaders, regardless of technical background.Learn more about Angie CarelConnect with Angie Carel on LinkedIn Resources & Brands mentioned in this episode Angie Carel AI Consulting AI Training for Business The AI Revolution is Here: What Every Marketer Needs to Know Play Before Pay: Why Having Fun with AI Leads to Marketing Success with Amy Walters The Artificial Intelligence Show with Paul Roetzer and Mike Kaput MAICON Andy Sack Co-Crafted AI Marketing Primer: A Comprehensive Guide for Marketers Explore past episodes of the The AI Hat Podcast SHOW TRANSCRIPT & NOTES: https://theaihat.com/boost-your-business-iq-why-ai-literacy-matters-for-smbs/Start your AI journey with the AI Marketing Primer.Brought to you by The AI Hat - Get Your AI On. Interesting in sponsoring an episode? Learn more here.Powered by Magai - why choose one AI tool when you can have them all? And Descript, the magic wand for podcasters.Produced and Hosted by Mike Allton, AI Consultant & Trainer at The AI Hat, where he's tirelessly helping businesses and marketers get ahead of the AI Revolution and apply advanced technologies to their roles. He's spent over a decade in digital marketing, bringing an unparalleled level of experience and excitement to the fore, whether he's delivering a presentation or leading a workshop. If you’re interested in helping business owners with AI in an upcoming episode, reach out to Mike.Powered by the Marketing Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever feel like you're trying to pilot the Millennium Falcon through an asteroid field of AI tools? You're not alone. The marketing galaxy is expanding faster than lightspeed, with new AI platforms popping up like droids in a Jawa sandcrawler. But here's the plot twist: what if mastering AI was less about decoding complex algorithms and more about channeling your inner Padawan?You see, there's a disturbance in the Force. Marketers everywhere are scrambling to keep up, worried they'll be left behind in a cloud of Tatooine dust if they don't immediately integrate every shiny new AI tool into their arsenal. This mad dash often leads to frustration, confusion, and sometimes even fear of the very technology meant to help us. But what if there was a better way? A way that's not only effective but, dare I say it, more fun than bullseyeing womp rats in your T-16?Buckle up, because we're about to make the jump to hyperspace with our guest, Amy Walters. Amy isn't just any AI expert – she's the Jedi Master of making complex tech accessible and the creative force behind Bloom Creative. This multi-award-winning speaker and trainer has been leaving audiences more star-struck than a Stormtrooper at a Rebel base, with her ability to turn AI from a daunting Death Star into a friendly R2-D2.Amy's innovative "fun first" approach to AI has been making waves across the galaxy, from major brand headquarters to packed conference halls. She's not just changing the game; she's rewriting the Jedi texts when it comes to AI adoption in marketing.Today, we're going to discover how Amy's playful approach to AI can transform your marketing from a local cantina band to a chart-topping hit across the universe. So, set your coordinates for success – because Amy Walters is about to show us how a little play can lead to some serious pay in the world of AI marketing!The AI Hat Podcast host Mike Allton asked Amy Walters about:✨ Playful Experimentation: Fun AI projects build confidence and skills.✨ Transferable Skills: Personal AI use naturally extends to professional applications.✨ Creativity Unleashed: Approaching AI with curiosity leads to marketing innovations.Learn more about Amy Walters Connect with Amy Walters on LinkedIn Follow Bloomify on LinkedIn Follow Bloomify on Instagram Resources & Brands mentioned in this episode Bloomify Pi Canva Adobe Agorapulse Tamsen Webster Don Miller Goblin Tools AI Marketing Primer: A Comprehensive Guide for Marketers Explore past episodes of The AI Hat Podcast SHOW TRANSCRIPT & NOTES: https://theaihat.com/play-before-pay-why-having-fun-with-ai-leads-to-marketing-success/Start your AI journey with the AI Marketing Primer.Brought to you by The AI Hat - Get Your AI On. Interesting in sponsoring an episode? Learn more here.Powered by Magai - why choose one AI tool when you can have them all? And Descript, the magic wand for podcasters.Produced and Hosted by Mike Allton, AI Consultant & Trainer at The AI Hat, where he's tirelessly helping businesses and marketers get ahead of the AI Revolution and apply advanced technologies to their roles. He's spent over a decade in digital marketing, bringing an unparalleled level of experience and excitement to the fore, whether he's delivering a presentation or leading a workshop. If you’re interested in helping business owners with AI in an upcoming episode, reach out to Mike.Powered by the Marketing Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is your company's AI initiative feeling more like a costly experiment than a game-changing transformation? You're not alone. While 92% of enterprises are investing in AI, a staggering 85% of AI projects fail to deliver on their promises. But why?The truth is, most organizations are approaching AI implementation backwards. They're buying expensive tools and platforms without first establishing the foundation that makes those investments worthwhile - proper training and education. This gap between AI ambition and AI competency is costing enterprises millions.Today, we're joined by someone who's been solving this exact problem. Maryrose Lyons is the founder of the AI Institute and a digital marketing veteran with over two decades of experience. Since 1999, she's witnessed every major digital transformation, and now she's helping enterprises bridge the critical AI knowledge gap. With a Master's in Cyberpsychology and professional certification in AI, Maryrose brings a unique perspective on both the technical and human elements of AI adoption. Through the AI Institute, she's helped countless organizations turn their AI investments from money pits into profit centers, with some clients seeing up to 20% increase in performance after proper training.The AI Hat Podcast host Mike Allton asked Maryrose Lyons about:✨ Training Before Tools - Successful AI implementation starts with education, not software purchases✨ Cultural Integration Matters - Technical knowledge must be paired with organizational change management✨ Measurable ROI Focus - Proper AI training directly correlates to improved business performanceLearn more about Maryrose LyonsConnect with Maryrose Lyons on LinkedIn Resources & Brands mentioned in this episode AI Institute courses and AI Institute Programs for enterprise Coupon Code: Mike2025 = 15% discount on courses Udio The Surprising Truth About AI Adoption in Marketing Teams with Corbett Drummey 1Up EU AI Act AI Policy Template AI Marketing Primer: A Comprehensive Guide for Marketers Explore past episodes of the The AI Hat Podcast podcast and Maryrose’s podcast is called Chatting GPT SHOW TRANSCRIPT & NOTES: https://theaihat.com/why-your-enterprise-ai-initiative-is-failing-and-how-to-fix-it/Brought to you by The AI Hat - Get Your AI On. Interesting in sponsoring an episode? Learn more here.Powered by Magai - why choose one AI tool when you can have them all? And Descript, the magic wand for podcasters.Produced and Hosted by Mike Allton, AI Consultant & Trainer at The AI Hat, where he's tirelessly helping businesses and marketers get ahead of the AI Revolution and apply advanced technologies to their roles. He's spent over a decade in digital marketing, bringing an unparalleled level of experience and excitement to the fore, whether he's delivering a presentation or leading a workshop. If you’re interested in helping business owners with AI in an upcoming episode, reach out to Mike.Powered by the Marketing Podcast Network.Music by Tokay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you feeling the pressure to jump on the AI bandwagon? You're not alone. As small and medium-sized businesses race to adopt AI, many are overlooking a critical step that could make or break their success. What if I told you that the key to unlocking AI's true potential for your business isn't in the latest chatbot or predictive analytics tool, but in something you already have – your data?The problem is, while AI promises to revolutionize how we do business, without a solid data strategy, it's like trying to build a skyscraper on quicksand. Many SMBs are rushing to implement AI solutions without first understanding and organizing their data, leading to disappointing results and wasted resources.But here's the good news: with the right approach to your data, you can set your business up for AI success. And that's exactly what we're diving into today with our expert guest, Tim Hayden.Tim is the CEO of Brain+Trust Partners, a strategic consultancy that helps companies navigate digital transformation. With over 20 years of experience in building and managing successful companies, Tim is a pioneering business leader known for his expertise in data-driven marketing, customer experience, and emerging technologies. He's worked with major brands like Dell, Bacardi, and AMD, and is a frequent speaker at industry events. Tim literally wrote the book on mobile commerce and has been at the forefront of digital marketing innovation for decades.Today, Tim is going to break down why a data strategy is the essential first step for any SMB looking to harness the power of AI, and he'll provide practical insights on how to get started. So, whether you're just beginning to explore AI or you're looking to optimize your current efforts, this episode is your roadmap to building a solid foundation for AI success.AI in Marketing: Unpacked host Mike Allton asked Tim Hayden about:✨ Data First, AI Second: Understanding why a solid data strategy is the foundation for successful AI adoption.✨ Quality Over Quantity: Learning how to focus on collecting and organizing the right data for your specific business needs.✨ Start Small, Think Big: Practical steps for SMBs to begin building their data strategy with limited resources.Learn more about Tim HaydenConnect with Tim Hayden on LinkedIn Resources & Brands mentioned in this episode BrainTrust Partners LLC Llama Salesforce HubSpot Agorapulse Marketo Ethan Mollick Constant Contact Lastpass Dashlane Read.ai NotebookLM Gamma AI Marketing Primer: A Comprehensive Guide for Marketers Explore past episodes of the AI in Marketing: Unpacked podcast SHOW TRANSCRIPT & NOTES: https://www.thesocialmediahat.com/blog/why-your-smb-needs-a-data-strategy-before-adopting-ai/Start your AI journey with the AI Marketing Primer.Brought to you by The Social Media Hat - When One More Hat Is One Too Many. Interesting in sponsoring an episode? Learn more here.Powered by Magai - why choose one AI tool when you can have them all? And Descript, the magic wand for podcasters.Produced and Hosted by Mike Allton, AI Consultant at The Social Media Hat, where he's tirelessly helping businesses and marketers get ahead of the AI Revolution and apply advanced technologies to their roles. He's spent over a decade in digital marketing, bringing an unparalleled level of experience and excitement to the fore, whether he's delivering a presentation or leading a workshop. If you’re interested in helping marketers with AI in an upcoming episode, reach out to Mike.Powered by the Marketing Podcast Network.Music by Tokay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this insightful discussion, Ruheene Jaura, founder of heyLevi.ai and a veteran in visual effects and digital marketing, explores how AI is transforming brand strategy. She highlights how AI democratizes branding, making professional-level strategies accessible to businesses of all sizes. Ruheene shares the significance of storytelling in marketing and the blend of AI with human creativity. Listeners will learn about crafting compelling brand narratives, emotional customer connections, and the future implications of AI in marketing.

What if everything you thought you knew about technology adoption in marketing was wrong? Imagine a world where C-suite executives are more comfortable with AI than digital natives. Well, according to groundbreaking new research from Lightricks and the American Marketing Association, that world is already here.For decades, we've operated under the assumption that new technology adoption flows from the bottom up. Young professionals, fresh out of college, bring new tools and techniques to their organizations. But AI is completely flipping this script, creating an unprecedented divide in marketing teams that threatens both innovation and career growth.The numbers are startling: while 61% of executives use AI weekly, only 42% of entry-level marketers do the same. Even more concerning? 65% of executives have received formal AI training, compared to just 34% of early-career marketers. This isn't just a gap – it's a canyon that's growing wider every day.Today, we're joined by Corbett Drummey, a pioneer in the creator economy and AI space. As part of Lightricks, which recently partnered with the American Marketing Association on this groundbreaking research, Corbett brings unique insights into this shifting landscape. His experience leading Popular Pays through its successful acquisition by Lightricks, and his current work developing AI tools for brand safety, puts him at the intersection of marketing leadership and technological innovation.AI in Marketing: Unpacked host Mike Allton asked Corbett Drummey about:✨ Reversed Adoption Pattern: Traditional bottom-up technology adoption is being replaced by executive-led AI integration.✨ Training Determines Success: The growing training gap between leadership and staff is becoming a critical career factor.✨ Bridge The Divide: Organizations must actively work to democratize AI access and training across all levels.Learn more about Corbett DrummeyConnect with Corbett Drummey on LinkedIn Resources & Brands mentioned in this episode Download The Full Report: https://www.lightricks.com/ama-survey AI Training available for employees Lightricks American Marketing Association Mastering AI Prompting: Advanced Techniques for Success with Ashley Gross Revolutionizing Visual Content: Generative AI in Action with Corbett Drummey AI as Your Co-Host: Unleashing NotebookLM’s Potential in Content Marketing AI Marketing Primer: A Comprehensive Guide for Marketers Explore past episodes of the AI in Marketing: Unpacked podcast SHOW TRANSCRIPT & NOTES: https://www.thesocialmediahat.com/blog/the-surprising-truth-about-ai-adoption-in-marketing-teams/Start your AI journey with the AI Marketing Primer.Brought to you by The Social Media Hat - When One More Hat Is One Too Many. Interesting in sponsoring an episode? Learn more here.Powered by Magai - why choose one AI tool when you can have them all? And Descript, the magic wand for podcasters.Produced and Hosted by Mike Allton, AI Consultant at The Social Media Hat, where he's tirelessly helping businesses and marketers get ahead of the AI Revolution and apply advanced technologies to their roles. He's spent over a decade in digital marketing, bringing an unparalleled level of experience and excitement to the fore, whether he's delivering a presentation or leading a workshop. If you’re interested in helping marketers with AI in an upcoming episode, reach out to Mike.Powered by the Marketing Podcast Network.Music by Tokay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cathy McPhillips, Chief Growth Officer at the Marketing AI Institute, shares her expertise on harnessing AI for marketing success. She discusses how AI enhances targeting and personalization, transforming traditional marketing methods into precise, data-driven strategies. Cathy highlights real-world applications, including case studies from notable brands like Coca-Cola. Additionally, she explores the challenges marketers face in implementing AI and emphasizes the importance of human oversight in leveraging these powerful tools to drive scalable growth.