Hey Reader,
I am excited to announce that I will be speaking at DigiMarCon San Diego next week. If you plan on attending or are based in San Diego let me know so that we could potentially meet up!
I will be presenting on a topic that I have found great demand for: User-generated content. By itself the topic has been around for awhile, but once you see it as a strategic way to transform your social media strategy as I do, you will rethink your entire approach to social media marketing! I also talk about this in Digital Threads, if you were curious on my views!
Now on to this week's Top 10 news!
Please note: Some links in this newsletter are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you.
1. This Week's News
Meta Launches A Stand-Alone AI App To Compete With ChatGPT
Meta just launched a standalone AI app to compete with tools like ChatGPT—but with a twist: it taps into what Meta already knows about you from Facebook and Instagram to offer more personalized responses. That could mean smarter, more tailored help—but also raises privacy questions. If you're curious how social data might shape your AI experience, this is definitely worth a look.
2. This Week's News
ChatGPT Goes Shopping With New Product-Browsing Feature
ChatGPT just got a shopping upgrade—now it can recommend products from sites like Amazon and Walmart, all without sponsored placements (yet). This feels a lot like Google Shopping, but with a conversational twist: recommendations adapt to your preferences, past chats, and trusted reviews. If you’re in e-commerce or affiliate marketing, this shift could reshape how people buy online—and who gets the credit for the sale.
3. This Week's News
Some Performance Marketers Explore New Channels To Offset Diminishing Returns On Social
Social media ad fatigue is real—nearly 8 in 10 performance marketers say their ROAS drops as spend increases. For many, diminishing returns hit early, often before half the budget is even used. The main culprits? Audience saturation, user fatigue, and rising costs. To fight back, marketers are testing new ad formats, shifting targeting, and expanding to new platforms and channels. If your social spend feels stuck, this is a must-read.
4. This Week's News
Google AI Mode: Search Just Got Smarter
Google’s new AI Mode is here, and it’s a big deal. In this post, Neil Patel breaks down how it goes beyond AI Overviews by offering richer, follow-up-friendly answers and even using photos as context. It’s changing how search works, potentially lowering click-through rates for top-ranking content. If you rely on SEO or content traffic, you’ll want to understand how this shift could reshape your entire strategy.
5. Search Advice
How To Track Visibility In GenAI Platforms
As search shifts toward generative AI, tracking keywords alone won’t cut it. This post explores three smart tools—Knowatoa, Essio, and Waikay—that help brands understand how and where they show up in AI-generated answers. If you're trying to stay visible in AI search and beat the competition in emerging platforms like ChatGPT and Claude, this is your starting point for adapting your strategy.
Most podcast hosts and guests spend hours researching connections, coordinating interviews, and working on administrative tasks while only spending 10% of their time on what matters, recording impactful podcast episodes! PodMatch enables podcast guests and hosts to reclaim their time through automations and streamlined processes, so they can focus on creating content that serves listeners! Is PodMatch right for you?
|
6. Search Advice
How to Get a Google Knowledge Panel for Your Business (+Tips to Optimize It!)
Getting a Google Knowledge Panel is like earning your brand’s gold star on Google—it boosts trust, visibility, and authority all in one smart move. In a guest blog post on Wordstream, Kristen McCormick breaks down exactly how to get one, from optimizing your Google Business Profile to building authority through structured data, press mentions, and citations. If you're serious about online credibility, this guide is your must-read roadmap.
7. Email Advice
100 Spammy Words And Phrases To Exclude From Your Email Subject Lines
If your emails keep landing in spam, your subject lines might be the culprit. In this guide, Benchmark shares 100 spam-trigger words to avoid—like “free money” or “urgent”—and gives tips to craft subject lines that boost deliverability and open rates. If email is part of your marketing strategy, this post is your go-to for writing subject lines that get noticed for the right reasons.
8. Social Advice
Effective Social Media Tactics That Will Help You Grow Your Brand
Too many social media marketers mix up strategy and tactics, and it’s costing them growth. This post clears that up and gives you 13 actionable tactics—from outbound engagement to short-form video to employee-driven content—all backed by real brand examples. If you’re ready to turn social from a checklist into a true growth engine, this one’s packed with value.
Recommended Newsletters of the Week
|
Strategic AF
by Adriana Tica
Tired of marketing advice that’s either obvious or outright shady? Strategic AF flips the script. It's the only newsletter that treats solopreneurs, founders, and marketers like grown-ups, not toddlers looking for the next shiny toy. Subscribe to get sharp, no-nonsense strategy advice without the cringe. No bro-marketing, no fluff — just real, sustainable growth tactics. Subscribe if you want results. Scroll past if you prefer gimmicks. |
|
Julia Campbell
Named as a top thought leader and one to follow by Forbes and LinkedIn for Nonprofits, Julia Campbell is a nonprofit digital consultant, speaker, and author on a mission to make the digital world a better place. Host of the acclaimed Nonprofit Nation podcast, she’s written two books for nonprofits on social media and storytelling, and her online courses, webinars, and talks have helped hundreds of nonprofits make the shift to digital thinking. You can learn more about Julia at www.jcsocialmarketing.com/blog
Check out the resources I offer below and sign up for my newsletter! |
|
Brian W Piper
Husband, father, author, speaker, adventurer
If you're a content marketer or content creator who wants to know how to make the most of your time and optimize your content. |
|
Clearly YOU!
By Kim Scaravelli
Every second Wednesday, I share fresh ideas to help you rise above the noise and communicate more clearly, confidently, and YOU-ly (Yes. That’s a word now). |
|
Boss Responses
Treasa Edmond
For freelancers ready to take control of their business and thrive! Get actionable advice on client management, a balanced life, and business growth in every newsletter. Expect practical tips, mindset shifts, and strategies to become the boss of your freelance career. |
9. Latest From My Blog
How To Effectively Use LinkedIn Hashtags For Better Engagement
LinkedIn isn’t just another social platform—it’s a professional visibility machine. But if your thoughtful content keeps getting ignored, your hashtag strategy might be the problem. In this deep dive, I break down exactly how LinkedIn hashtags work today, why they’re not like Instagram’s, and how to use 1–3 niche, relevant tags to help your posts reach the right people. If you’re serious about building your presence, this guide is a must-read.
10. Latest From My Blog
The 15 Best Free Video Editing Apps For The iPhone In 2025
If you're looking to level up your iPhone video game in 2025, this post I wrote breaks down the 15 best free video editing apps—from beginner-friendly picks like iMovie and InShot to pro tools like Filmora and PowerDirector. Whether you're creating for TikTok, YouTube, or your business, there’s an app here to fit your style, skills, and goals. It’s the guide I wish I had when starting out.
Thanks for reading all the way to the bottom. I hope you enjoy the new high-contrast white background and that the text is easier to read! Please let me know what you think!
If I can be of any help to you or your organization please consider joining my Digital First Group Coaching Membership Community or considering hiring me as a Fractional CMO.
Warm regards,
|
|
Fractional CMO / Author / Speaker / Educator
|
P.S. Pressing the unsubscribe button at the bottom will remove you from all communication from me. If you'd like to keep in touch and only receive monthly, instead of weekly, newsletters, please click here. Thank you!
