Hey Reader,
Some times you just need to keep things simple.
After publishing Digital Threads and Maximizing LinkedIn for Business Growth in Q3/4 of last year, I was planning to enter the world of ecommerce by launching a Shopify store. In this way, I could provide my books, ebooks, audiobooks and everything else I plan on creating to anyone in the world from one central location.
Turns out it was a lot more complicated than I thought.
Despite working with a Shopify expert to create the website look and feel, there was simply a distinct complexity to working with Shopify as a newbie in order to create the digital storefront that I was hoping to develop. I would have had to devote considerably more time and energy into something than I was expecting.
So I put it on hold.
I didn't want over-complexity to kill my plans, so I kept looking for a simpler solution.
And I found it.
Payhip.
In just a little time I was able to create product pages and I am on my way to be able to create an entire ecommerce website, all on my own, and in little time.
There are other solutions out there that allow you to do this, and I can even sell products right here inside of ConvertKit. The problem is that the paperbook as well as audio/ebook distributors that I work with can only integrate with a few platforms, and Payhip is one of them.
To make a long story short, sometimes the simplest solution is the best solution, and I can't be happier that I will be able to create a store to house my current and future offerings in the not-so-distant future!
Hopefully this inspired you to do the same—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 Video
 B2B Marketers: Stop Ignoring YouTube (Here's Why)
If you're in B2B, especially SaaS, and you’ve been sleeping on YouTube, this episode is your wake-up call. I sat down with Dane Golden, one of my go-to voices for YouTube education, to talk through why YouTube is wildly underused by B2B marketers—and how to change that. From organic how-to videos to hyper-targeted YouTube ads, Dane shares clear steps to get more qualified leads and build trust faster. Don’t miss this one.
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2. This Week's Podcast
3. This Week's News
Gartner 2025 CMO Spend Survey Reveals Marketing Budgets Have Flatlined at 7.7% Of Overall Company Revenue
Marketing budgets in 2025 are holding steady at 7.7% of company revenue, but CMOs are feeling the pinch. According to Gartner’s latest CMO Spend Survey, 59% say their budgets are too tight to fully execute their strategy. The upside? Many are turning to AI and data analytics to drive productivity gains and do more with less. If you’re feeling the budget pressure too, this research highlights exactly where top marketers are cutting—and where they’re doubling down.
4. This Week's News
Google Is Reportedly Planning To Unveil A Pinterest Alternative At I/O 2025
At I/O 2025, Google is expected to unveil a Pinterest-style visual search feature aimed at inspiring users in fashion and interior design—with the ability to save images in themed folders. Why now? As AI tools chip away at search dominance, Google’s making a play to protect ad revenue tied to commercial queries by keeping discovery visually engaging and ad-friendly. This could open a new path for visibility for companies looking for visual marketing opportunities.
5. Social Advice
TikTok Launches TikTok AI Alive, A New Image-To-Video Tool
TikTok just dropped a game-changer: “AI Alive” lets you turn photos into animated, short-form video stories — all with a tap inside the Story Camera. Think skies that move, waves that crash, and selfies that come to life. This isn’t just TikTok catching up with AI trends — it’s TikTok leaping ahead in AI-powered creative storytelling. If you're in content or brand marketing, this opens up a fresh new way to engage with your audience using visuals you already have.
Effortlessly manage all your social media profiles with SocialBee's platform. Create, plan, publish, and analyze your content, while leveraging AI-powered post generation and streamlined engagement features.
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6. AI Advice
Gen AI’s 165x Faster Growth Over Organic Signals A Shift In Search
Generative AI is growing 165x faster than organic search, marking a massive shift in how people find information online. But don’t ditch your SEO just yet—traditional channels still dominate traffic, and that’s not changing overnight. The key takeaway? Brands must embrace an OmniSEO strategy—a blend of traditional SEO and AI platform visibility—to stay ahead. If you want to future-proof your search presence, This is your call to adapt before your competitors do.
7. AI Advice
8 Insights You Can Gain From Competitors’ Top Pages
Want to know how your competitors really drive traffic and win clicks? This post from SEMrush dives into how to use their Top Pages Dashboard from Traffic & Market Toolkit to uncover everything from their top-performing products to their shifting campaign focus. These insights are like a GPS for your digital strategy — helping you spot what’s working, what’s fading, and where you can grab market share before they notice.
8. AI Advice
Email Is The Most Misunderstood Channel In Your Digital Stack
Email isn’t just a box to check — it’s your brand’s most powerful and underused growth engine. In this article, Kath Pay explains why email deserves more than last-minute promo blasts. When treated strategically, email becomes a behavioral lab, a content diagnostic tool, and a long-term customer relationship builder. If you’re overlooking email’s role in retention, personalization, and lifecycle marketing, you’re leaving serious ROI on the table.
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9. Latest From My Blog
TikTok Organic Strategy: Why 80% Of Brands Fail (And How To Join The 20%)
If your brand is struggling to crack TikTok, you’re not alone—80% of brands fail to see traction, while just 20% are finding real success. In this post I break down why TikTok is different, what most marketers get wrong, and how you can flip the script with a strategy built for TikTok’s algorithm, culture, and content style. My guide gives you the exact roadmap to join the winning 20%.
10. Latest From My Blog
The 5 Influencer Marketing Trends You Can’t Ignore (And How To Adapt To Them)
Influencer marketing is evolving fast—and staying ahead of the trends is now a competitive necessity. In this updated deep dive, I break down what’s really shaping the space: the rise of nano-influencers, the growing role of AI, the shift to long-term partnerships, B2B influencer momentum, and seamless social commerce. If you want your brand’s influence to grow with intention (not just trend-chase), this is your playbook for smarter, more strategic campaigns in 2025.
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,
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Fractional CMO / Author / Speaker / Educator
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