Your Digital Marketing Coach with Neal Schaffer

Brand awareness isn’t just for big companies with deep pockets—it’s a critical part of growing any business, including startups and small businesses. But many companies focus only on short-term sales and performance marketing, missing out on the long-term benefits of building a strong, recognizable brand.In this episode, I sit down with James Hurman, the founder of Previously Unavailable, to explore the science behind advertising effectiveness. James shares why businesses struggle to grow beyond their initial customer base and how creative, evidence-based marketing strategies can help. We discuss the balance between performance marketing and brand-building, the power of storytelling in advertising, and the critical role of creativity in making campaigns more effective.If you’ve ever wondered why some brands seem to attract loyal customers effortlessly while others fade away, this episode is for you. Get ready to rethink your marketing strategy and unlock the true potential of your brand!Guest LinksPreviously UnavailableConnect with James on LinkedInJames' book Future Demand on AmazonLearn More: Buy Digital Threads: https://nealschaffer.com/digitalthreadsamazon Buy Maximizing LinkedIn for Business Growth: https://nealschaffer.com/maximizinglinkedinamazon Join My Digital First Mastermind: https://nealschaffer.com/membership/ Learn about My Fractional CMO Consulting Services: https://nealschaffer.com/cmo Download My Free Ebooks Here: https://nealschaffer.com/books/ Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/nealschaffer All My Podcast Show Notes: https://podcast.nealschaffer.com

This episode explores the imperative shift from a digital-first mindset to an AI-first approach in marketing, emphasizing how to incorporate AI into internal processes for enhanced efficiency and creativity. Throughout, I discuss strategic alignment, process documentation, custom AI models, training with quality data, and automation for maximum impact. • Discussing the transition to an AI-first mindset • Importance of aligning AI with marketing objectives • Utilizing AI as a second opinion for marketing strategies • Documenting processes for optimized marketing activities • Creating custom GPTs tailored to brand needs • Training AI with quality data for better outputs • Scaling efficiencies through automation for marketing tasksLearn More: Buy Digital Threads: https://nealschaffer.com/digitalthreadsamazon Buy Maximizing LinkedIn for Business Growth: https://nealschaffer.com/maximizinglinkedinamazon Join My Digital First Mastermind: https://nealschaffer.com/membership/ Learn about My Fractional CMO Consulting Services: https://nealschaffer.com/cmo Download My Free Ebooks Here: https://nealschaffer.com/books/ Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/nealschaffer All My Podcast Show Notes: https://podcast.nealschaffer.com

This episode dives into the pressing issue of AI's role in content marketing and its implications for search engine rankings. We discuss the risks of over-reliance on AI while emphasizing the importance of maintaining quality, originality, and a human touch in content creation. • Exploring the balance between AI efficiency and content quality • Google’s stance on AI content and implications for rankings • The role of Originalityai in ensuring high-quality content • Recent trends in AI-generated content and their consequences • Future directions for AI in content marketing and editorial integrityGUEST LINKSOriginality.ai [affiliate]Connect with Jon on LinkedInLearn More: Buy Digital Threads: https://nealschaffer.com/digitalthreadsamazon Buy Maximizing LinkedIn for Business Growth: https://nealschaffer.com/maximizinglinkedinamazon Join My Digital First Mastermind: https://nealschaffer.com/membership/ Learn about My Fractional CMO Consulting Services: https://nealschaffer.com/cmo Download My Free Ebooks Here: https://nealschaffer.com/books/ Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/nealschaffer All My Podcast Show Notes: https://podcast.nealschaffer.com

This 400th episode of this podcast revolves around insights into 7 pivotal digital marketing themes that have emerged from the top 25 episodes of my recent 100 over the last 2 years. You will learn how to integrate essential aspects like artificial intelligence, content creation, branding, and influencer partnerships to thrive in an ever-evolving digital landscape.• Embracing AI for enhanced marketing efficiency• Importance of authentic content in social media • Developing strategic influencer partnerships for brand credibility• Psychological principles shaping effective branding • Maximizing customer experience through marketing automation • Fostering business growth through leadership and collaboration• Ensuring visibility and discoverability in the digital age Feel free to reach out to me at neal@nealschaffer.com to provide feedback or suggest themes for future episodes!Learn More: Buy Digital Threads: https://nealschaffer.com/digitalthreadsamazon Buy Maximizing LinkedIn for Business Growth: https://nealschaffer.com/maximizinglinkedinamazon Join My Digital First Mastermind: https://nealschaffer.com/membership/ Learn about My Fractional CMO Consulting Services: https://nealschaffer.com/cmo Download My Free Ebooks Here: https://nealschaffer.com/books/ Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/nealschaffer All My Podcast Show Notes: https://podcast.nealschaffer.com

Unlock the secrets of successful small business marketing with insights from Dave Charest, director of Small Business Success at Constant Contact. Discover how even small, impactful actions can create "wow experiences" that fuel word-of-mouth marketing and elevate your brand's digital presence without emptying your wallet. Join us as we promise a transformation in your marketing approach, leveraging email, social channels, and automation to not only engage but also build lasting relationships with your customers.With Dave's expertise, we highlight the timeless power of word-of-mouth marketing, showing its relevance in today’s digital conversations. Learn the art of staying top-of-mind for potential customers by effectively integrating these strategies into your marketing framework and watching your small business compete with larger brands.Our conversation is packed with practical tips, including the strategic use of tools like Instagram, email, and text messaging. We emphasize aligning marketing strategies with specific business goals, ensuring every effort is purposeful and impactful. Whether it's setting personal benchmarks, conducting regular technology audits, or adopting a simple and focused approach to outsourcing, this episode has everything you need to enhance productivity and ensure continuous self-improvement.Guest LinksConstant ContactConnect with Dave on LinkedInBe a Marketer Podcast with Dave CharestLearn More: Buy Digital Threads: https://nealschaffer.com/digitalthreadsamazon Buy Maximizing LinkedIn for Business Growth: https://nealschaffer.com/maximizinglinkedinamazon Join My Digital First Mastermind: https://nealschaffer.com/membership/ Learn about My Fractional CMO Consulting Services: https://nealschaffer.com/cmo Download My Free Ebooks Here: https://nealschaffer.com/books/ Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/nealschaffer All My Podcast Show Notes: https://podcast.nealschaffer.com

Marketing is essential to growing your business, but hiring the right support can be confusing. Should you work with a marketing agency, bring in a consultant, or hire a Fractional CMO? Each option has its pros and cons, and making the wrong choice could mean wasted budget and minimal results.In this episode, I break down the differences between agencies, consultants, and fractional CMOS—so you can decide which is best for your business. I’ll share real insights from my experience in all three roles and explain why a fractional CMO offers the best mix of strategy, execution, and ROI. If you want to get smarter about your marketing spend and grow your business with real results, this is the episode for you!Learn More: Buy Digital Threads: https://nealschaffer.com/digitalthreadsamazon Buy Maximizing LinkedIn for Business Growth: https://nealschaffer.com/maximizinglinkedinamazon Join My Digital First Mastermind: https://nealschaffer.com/membership/ Learn about My Fractional CMO Consulting Services: https://nealschaffer.com/cmo Download My Free Ebooks Here: https://nealschaffer.com/books/ Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/nealschaffer All My Podcast Show Notes: https://podcast.nealschaffer.com

Elevate your marketing strategy by understanding the transformative power of public relations. Michelle Garrett shares expert insights on integrating PR with marketing efforts, emphasizing collaboration, authenticity, and the importance of writing in crafting compelling narratives. • PR as a game changer for brand visibility • Core writing skills as foundational for PR success • Understanding the role of AI in content creation • The evolving importance of press releases today • Integrating PR with social media and content marketing • Challenges in measuring PR success • Effective media outreach and building relationships • The growing role of authentic influencers in PR • Necessity for collaboration between marketing and PR teams • Long-term commitment required for PR effectivenessGuest LinksBuy B2B PR That Gets Results: A Guide to Simple and Targeted Public Relations Practices by Michelle GarrettGarrett Public RelationsConnect with Michelle on LinkedInLearn More: Buy Digital Threads: https://nealschaffer.com/digitalthreadsamazon Buy Maximizing LinkedIn for Business Growth: https://nealschaffer.com/maximizinglinkedinamazon Join My Digital First Mastermind: https://nealschaffer.com/membership/ Learn about My Fractional CMO Consulting Services: https://nealschaffer.com/cmo Download My Free Ebooks Here: https://nealschaffer.com/books/ Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/nealschaffer All My Podcast Show Notes: https://podcast.nealschaffer.com

Twitter has always been a major player in social media, driving traffic and engagement for businesses. But things, as you well know, have changed. In this episode, I reveal why I believe Twitter is no longer a true social media platform and why I now classify it as "political media." Using my own data and observations, I break down how Twitter's algorithm prioritizes political content over business conversations, why engagement is dropping, and what this means for marketers. Most importantly, I share my advice on where you should be focusing your time and resources instead. If your brand still relies on Twitter for visibility and traffic, this is an episode you can’t afford to miss.Learn More: Buy Digital Threads: https://nealschaffer.com/digitalthreadsamazon Buy Maximizing LinkedIn for Business Growth: https://nealschaffer.com/maximizinglinkedinamazon Join My Digital First Mastermind: https://nealschaffer.com/membership/ Learn about My Fractional CMO Consulting Services: https://nealschaffer.com/cmo Download My Free Ebooks Here: https://nealschaffer.com/books/ Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/nealschaffer All My Podcast Show Notes: https://podcast.nealschaffer.com

In today’s episode, we’re diving into the exciting world of e-commerce with Neil Twa, co-author of Almost Automated Income with FBA. Neil has spent over a decade helping businesses go from nothing to building scalable, profitable brands that thrive on platforms like Amazon, TikTok, and more. E-commerce is one of the fastest-growing opportunities in digital marketing, offering incredible potential for entrepreneurs who are ready to identify profitable niches, connect with their ideal customers, and leverage multiple sales channels. Whether you’re new to the game or want to scale your current business, this episode is packed with insights to help you grow your brand and even prepare for a lucrative exit. Get ready to learn how to turn your ideas into income!Guest LinksBuy Almost-Automated Income with FBA on AmazonVoltage (Neil's Company)Connect with Neil on LinkedInLearn More: Buy Digital Threads: https://nealschaffer.com/digitalthreadsamazon Buy Maximizing LinkedIn for Business Growth: https://nealschaffer.com/maximizinglinkedinamazon Join My Digital First Mastermind: https://nealschaffer.com/membership/ Learn about My Fractional CMO Consulting Services: https://nealschaffer.com/cmo Download My Free Ebooks Here: https://nealschaffer.com/books/ Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/nealschaffer All My Podcast Show Notes: https://podcast.nealschaffer.com

Navigating the complex landscape of startup marketing presents unique challenges, from building brand awareness to defining audience and managing budgets. By adopting strategic approaches, startups can transform their marketing hurdles into opportunities for growth and success. Inspired by the books I have written, including my recent Digital Threads and Maximizing LinkedIn for Business Growth, here is my definitive guide to startup marketing, including advice on:• Building brand awareness through digital channels • Defining ideal customers with data-driven decisions • Overcoming budget constraints with resourceful spending • Prioritizing quality leads for targeted engagement • Competing with established brands through creativity and agility • Strategies for scaling marketing efforts sustainablyLearn More: Buy Digital Threads: https://nealschaffer.com/digitalthreadsamazon Buy Maximizing LinkedIn for Business Growth: https://nealschaffer.com/maximizinglinkedinamazon Join My Digital First Mastermind: https://nealschaffer.com/membership/ Learn about My Fractional CMO Consulting Services: https://nealschaffer.com/cmo Download My Free Ebooks Here: https://nealschaffer.com/books/ Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/nealschaffer All My Podcast Show Notes: https://podcast.nealschaffer.com