Hey Reader,

"Neal, if AI—and people—will be able to copy what you do, why do you continue to write books?"

This is a question I was asked on a recent webinar. It's a good question, because as you know, we're only in the early days of AI, but we already see it impacting what we do as marketers and businesses. If you think AI can do most—if not everything—you do, and only better, it might be time to take a step back and do some deep thinking about where you and your business might be 5 years from now.

Another way to think about it is if your competitors can use AI the exact same way that you do with the same results, you might need to change your thinking.

I just finished reading AI-Proof Manifesto and it sparked this thinking for me. The book's premise is simple: AI is good at tasks, but humans are good at other things that AI struggles with. That's why I decided long ago to embrace AI not to replace me, but to empower me to do more of what I do best.

I see this shift happening already—my college-age children face a flattening of corporations and fewer entry-level jobs. I believe those who act now to embrace AI while leaning into the work that humans excel at will be most successful.

This means we should begin by describing ourselves not by our roles—"Fractional CMO"—but by the business impact we provide: "Help companies develop an infrastructure for low-cost, high ROI digital marketing." It's not about what we can do, but what impact we can make.

If you're thinking through these same questions, I highly recommend giving AI-Proof Manifesto a read.

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 Podcast Episode

​The ASKNEAL™ Framework: 7 Steps To Make AI Sound Like YOU (Not A Robot)​ If you’ve ever felt like AI tools give you more generic fluff than useful content, this episode is going to change everything. I introduce my ASKNEAL™️ framework—a 7-step process I developed while updating my LinkedIn book that helps you collaborate with AI to sound like you, not a robot. Whether you’re writing posts, emails, or building strategy, this framework is your guide to authentic, goal-driven AI results. Let’s upgrade how you use AI—starting now. Click here to listen to the full episode →

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2. This Week's News

​Instagram Launches Video Education Series For Edits App​

If you're using Instagram's Edits app or want to up your video content game, this new 20-part tutorial series is for you. Hosted by creator Adrian Per, it dives into everything from camera framing to keyframe editing, making pro-level tools easier to master. With new episodes dropping throughout the year, it’s a smart move by Instagram to help creators stand out—especially as video continues to dominate the platform.

3. This Week's News

​LinkedIn Study: Professionals Trust Their Networks Over AI & Search​

A new LinkedIn study shows that when it comes to workplace advice, professionals trust their networks more than AI or even search engines. With 64% saying colleagues help them decide faster, and 51% feeling overwhelmed by learning AI, the message is clear: people still matter most. This shift is driving marketers to invest in creators, employees, and community content over polished brand messaging. If you’re in B2B, this insight should reshape your entire content strategy.

4. This Week's News

​Survey: Only 4% Of Searchers Don't Click From Google AI Overviews​

A new survey from NP Digital reveals that 96% of people click on links within Google AI Overviews, at least occasionally—only 4% say they never click. While 13% always click and 30% often do, the majority engage with these results in some way. This highlights how AI Overviews are quickly becoming prime digital real estate, making it essential to factor them into your content strategy to avoid losing a major visibility opportunity.

​The Leading AI-Powered Marketing Platform​ Powered by one of the world’s largest AI-driven marketing databases, our scale and speed reveal insights your competitors will never see coming. Click here to start Semrush for free! →

5. This Week's News

​Google Wants To Show More Links In AI Mode​

Google is rethinking how it shows links in AI Mode, aiming to make them more visible and useful. New embedded link carousels and smarter inline placements are rolling out—meaning links will now appear within the AI answer itself, not just below it. Why does it matters? This could seriously shift how users engage with your content in search. If you care about visibility and clicks in the AI-driven SERP, these changes are ones to watch closely.

6. This Week's News

​ChatGPT Traffic To Websites Is Down 52% In A Month​

Referral traffic from ChatGPT to websites has dropped 52% in just a month, as OpenAI shifts its citation weighting toward answer-first sources like Reddit (+87%) and Wikipedia (+62%). Together with TechRadar, those three now make up 22% of all citations. The takeaway? ChatGPT favors direct, helpful answers over conversion-driven content, meaning sites that lean too heavily on sales CTAs instead of providing real answers risk losing visibility—and clicks—in AI search.

​Digital Threads​ This comprehensive playbook demystifies digital marketing, offering a clear roadmap to building and growing your brand on a realistic budget. Click here to get your copy now →

7. Email Advice

​Email Marketing Best Practices For 2025: A Fractional CMO’s Guide​

If you’re still sending email blasts and hoping for the best, it’s time to rethink your strategy. In this post, I share the email marketing best practices I use as a Fractional CMO to help clients drive real results in 2025. From permission-based list building to smart segmentation and irresistible CTAs, this guide is packed with actionable insights to boost your email ROI and build lasting trust with your audience.

8. Social Advice

​How Often Should You Post On LinkedIn In 2025? Data From 2 Million+ Posts​

How often should you post on LinkedIn in 2025? Buffer analyzed 2M+ posts, and the data is clear: more posts = better results. The sweet spot? 2–5 times/week for sustainable growth, or 6–10+ if you want to accelerate. No, LinkedIn doesn’t penalize high frequency—it rewards it. And carousels? They crush every other format for engagement. If you’re ready to grow on LinkedIn without burning out, this post gives you the roadmap.

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9. Latest From My Blog

​How To Use Facebook Ads To Promote Facebook Groups And Increase Engagement​

If you’re looking to grow your Facebook Group with purpose, this post I wrote breaks down exactly how to use Facebook Ads to reach the right people and actually get them to join and engage. I go beyond theory and show you targeting strategies, ad types, and real tips for measuring success—all based on what’s worked in my own experience. This is your step-by-step guide to building real engagement and impact, not just collecting "likes."

10. Latest From My Blog

​Blogging Tips That Actually Work: Insights from 15+ Years Of Digital Strategy​

After 15+ years of blogging, I’ve seen what actually moves the needle—not just theory, but tested strategies that build trust, traffic, and authority. In this post, I break down real-world blogging tips that go beyond fluff: from finding your "why" and building SEO muscle to creating consistent, evergreen content that converts. If you’re serious about using your blog as a strategic business tool, this one’s for you.

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,

​Neal Schaffer​ Fractional CMO / Author / Speaker / Educator

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