Hey Reader,

Last week was VidSummit and this week was another incredible conference that I attended: Adobe MAX. While Adobe MAX is mainly for Adobe creators, if you can imagine the convergence of the creator economy, influencer marketing, and digital marketing - and how a tool like Adobe Express allows ANYONE to be the master of their own creativity - and you can see how I literally received one year's worth of inspiration in one week!

Because of these 2 back-to-back conferences I am a day late on sending this out as well as recording my latest podcast episode, but I'll be caught up soon ;-)

I also want to keep you up-to-date on my own marketing activities so that you can apply what I have learned. As you will learn in my new book, which I am still writing but hope to have my manuscript completed in a month, I focus my time and energy on my own SES Framework - listen to my podcast here on my explanation of it - and rationalizing time and money spent for results. After doing an analysis of my Q3 activities I have come to the following conclusion regarding social media based on traffic generated from Q3 of 2023 vs. Q3 of 2022:

• Pinterest is now generating more traffic than Twitter, which is now 2nd with LinkedIn and Facebook following in 3rd and 4th
• Compared to a year ago, despite various optimizations done on each platform and with content, the results in terms of traffic decline speak for themselves: Pinterest -30%, Twitter -73% (despite paying for the blue check!), LinkedIn -37% (despite publishing a weekly newsletter the last 4 months), Facebook -42%, YouTube +52% (but based on very little traffic).

Every year at the end of the year I usually report on these numbers, but with so many changes in social media recently, I felt the need to see for myself based on a gut feel to better rationalize my own time.

So what do you do with the numbers? You can continue to try to change how you operate and further optimize, or you can simply downgrade their priority and use the time and resources spent there elsewhere to improve your efforts.

For now I have decided to simply stop publishing my weekly LinkedIn newsletter, as even from an engagement perspective it wasn't performing nearly as well as other content formats.

As for my Twitter Blue subscription, well, it isn't eating up more of my time, and it is a small price to pay, but I will continue to monitor how things go.

I will continue to monitor where I spend my time and energy and make changes to free up more time for more improvements, but I wanted to share you with my thoughts to help you find areas where it might not make sense to spend your time and shift your resource.

Digital marketing is a never-ending journey of optimization - sometimes it can be hard to stop doing something that you are used to doing, but the only constant in all of this is the need to constantly experiment, monitor, and adapt. Don't be afraid to change!

On to my recommended content for the week!

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​My Latest YouTube Video​

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​The ROI Of Podcasting: Why It's All About The Connections You Make​

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In this video, I explore the ROI of podcasting and why it's all about the connections you make. By interviewing customers, influencers, partners, and potential clients, you can build valuable relationships that can lead to increased revenue and business growth. I'll share examples of how podcasting can help you make these connections, and discuss the long-term benefits of building a strong network through your podcast. Whether you're a seasoned podcaster or just starting out, this video will provide valuable insights into the ROI of podcasting. Tune in to learn more and start making meaningful connections today!

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A.I. Marketing

​All You Need To Know About AI Marketing [2023]​

Artificial intelligence has revolutionized digital marketing, opening up new possibilities and driving significant growth in the industry. According to Grand View Research, the global AI market is predicted to reach $1,811.8 billion by 2030, up from $136.6 billion in 2022. With such potential, it's no surprise that AI is making its way into various fields, including marketing. But is AI marketing a good thing? Let's explore the benefits and drawbacks of implementing AI in your marketing strategy.

​23 Free AI Tools For Marketing To Try Out Today​

I've been on a mission to discover all the incredible AI tools for marketing and integrate them into my own processes and those of my clients. And let me tell you, there are some free AI tools out there that offer amazing functionality. Small businesses and entrepreneurs often ask me if there are any free AI tools available to help with their marketing, so I decided to create the ultimate list of free and freemium programs. These platforms can simplify tasks like creating blog posts and images, as well as checking for grammar errors. I personally use many of them daily to streamline my business tasks, and I'm confident you'll find value in them too. You might recognize some of these from my previous AI marketing blog posts, but let's dive into the world of freemium AI tools together!

​How To Edit AI Content: 9 Tips For Adding A Human Touch To AI Outputs​

Creating content has never been easier thanks to generative AI. Since November 2022, tools like ChatGPT have empowered people to save time, overcome writer's block, and conduct research. However, this convenience comes with a downside. Many creators now produce generic and uninspired content, relying solely on AI. As content consumers, it's frustrating to come across low-quality and repetitive work that lacks human touch. That's why it's crucial for content producers to strike a balance between using AI and editing their work to maintain quality. Likewise, as consumers, we need to learn how to identify content created solely by AI, so we can support worthy content producers. Let’s see what these ideas look like in practice.

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​Recommended Tool For The Week​

​Thousands Of Free Templates Just For You, With PlaceIt By Envato!​

The easiest way to create professional designs for free! Choose from our ever-changing library of free mockups, designs, videos, and logos.

​Click here and start creating for free!​

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Social Media Marketing

​​​How To Run A Social Media Audit In 7 Simple Steps (+ Free Template)​

When was the last time you did a social media audit? If you're serious about your marketing strategy (and you should be), conducting a social media audit is a must. Unfortunately, many businesses overlook this crucial step and end up wasting time, money, and resources. To avoid running your social accounts blindly, we've put together a step-by-step guide to help you run a successful social media audit. Whether you're an agency working with clients or a business looking to revamp your strategies, a social media audit is essential.

​A 5-Step Guide To Repurposing Content For Social Media​

Being a social media manager is no easy task. With so many channels and features to keep up with, it's hard to stay on top of content planning and creation. Coming up with new ideas can be time-consuming, and before you know it, weeks have passed without posting on certain platforms. That's where repurposing content comes in. Imagine being able to consistently post without the pressure of coming up with fresh ideas every day. Let's explore the world of content repurposing for social media!

​15 Best Ways How To Get More Followers On Instagram In 2023​

As algorithms and common practices change, so too does how to reach your target audience. In spite of all of the changes that have occurred in recent years regarding how Instagram works, and how brands and companies can reach their followers, there are clear, simple ways to make sure you are getting more followers, increasing engagement, and growing your social platforms. I have put together 15 of the best practices, including the types of posts that will most effectively bring in new and active followers on Instagram!

​Organic Vs. Paid Social Media: How To Align Your Strategy​

When it comes to social media, many companies wonder whether they should focus on organic or paid content. But here's the thing: that's the wrong question to ask. We all know that it takes multiple interactions for a consumer to decide on a purchase, and a whopping 68% of people have actually bought something through social media. So, it's clear that brands need both an organic and paid strategy. But let me tell you, creating effective social media strategies is no walk in the park. We'll dive into the differences between organic and paid social media, show you some examples, and help you craft a winning strategy that combines both approaches!

​How To Use Twitter For Business: 15 Definitive Tips To Help You Master Tweeting​

As an “oldie but goodie” social network, it’s easy to take Twitter for granted. In recent years, the network has hosted heads of state, journalists, creatives, and ordinary people. However, nowadays it’s more than just a good place to hang out. Instead, Twitter is a great place to do business, mostly through marketing and updating people with brand affinity. With that in mind, here’s how to use Twitter for business.

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​Digital First Mastermind Community​

Have a question or need some help with your digital or social media marketing? Join my mastermind! Click here or on the image below for more details!

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Content Marketing

​​​Buyers Want To Trust Content. But Do They Value Yours? [New Research]​

According to the 2023 Trust in Marketing Index, B2B marketers are doing a pretty good job in some areas but falling short in others. The report shows that three out of five decision-makers generally trust the content they receive. However, a whopping 71% say they're often disappointed with the value of gated content. Timing and targeting also play a crucial role, with 64% rating them as good. But beware of dated or duplicative content and aggressive sales tactics, as these can bust trust quickly.

​​​Is Content Marketing Dead In 2024?

I recently came across an amusing question: "Is content marketing dead in 2024?" Well, let me tell you, that's not the case at all. It actually made me laugh because people have been predicting the death of various marketing strategies for ages. Remember when they said email marketing was dead? Or that Google ads and direct mail were done for? Here's a fun fact: Radio advertising, which some may consider ancient, is projected to surpass $11.7 billion in spending in the U.S. by 2024 (up from $10 billion in 2020). The lesson here is that marketing tactics have a knack for sticking around, despite what the so-called experts say.

​How To Use Content Marketing To Improve Brand Loyalty​

Building loyalty is key to driving sales and engagement. It may take time, but with the right strategies, you can make it happen. One powerful tool in your arsenal? Content marketing. I truly believe it's one of the best ways to foster loyalty among customers. When you get people invested in your brand through compelling content, they're more likely to stick around for the long haul. Ready to boost loyalty and grow your business? Here are a few actionable tips to get started.

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LinkedIn Marketing

​How LinkedIn Thought Leadership Brings In 90% Of Leads For A PR Agency​

The LinkedIn posts are confident. Definitive. They often start with an all-caps pronouncement, like “FACT” or “PR REAL TALK.” And they help bring in roughly 90% of new clients for Crackle PR. But they don’t come from the company’s official LinkedIn page. No, that’s lain dormant for about six months. Instead, the posts come from Crackle Founder Parry Headrick and his team. Here’s how he built a thought leadership platform that brings clients right to his door – and how you can, too: it’s not about you.

​LinkedIn’s AI-Powered ‘Accelerate’ Revolutionizes Ad Campaigns For B2B Marketers​

LinkedIn is making big strides in AI with its latest addition, 'Accelerate.' This game-changing feature automates the entire campaign creation process, easing the burden on B2B marketers who struggle to connect with the right audience. Crafting effective campaigns can be a daunting task, especially when resources are limited. Thankfully, 84% of marketers believe in the power of AI. 'Accelerate' steps in to streamline the process by offering personalized recommendations and optimizations within just five minutes. Say goodbye to countless hours spent on campaign creation and hello to reaching the right B2B audience effortlessly!

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Facebook Marketing

​How To Create And Leverage Facebook Carousels For Business Growth​

Looking to boost your online presence and drive sales? Say hello to Facebook Carousels! These visually appealing and interactive ad formats are the secret weapon your business needs. Swipe left and right to explore each image, just like flipping through a gallery. And guess what? Instagram has the same feature too! With Facebook's targeting options, you can reach the right audience based on demographics, interests, and behaviors. Ready to create captivating Carousel posts? We'll guide you through the process step-by-step!

​Facebook Boost Post: Are You Tempted To Press It? If So, Read This!​

Are you wondering whether or not to press that Facebook Boost Post button? It may seem like a simple solution to the problem of low engagement on your content, especially when starting out on Facebook. But is it really the quick fix you're looking for? In this article, we'll uncover the truth about Facebook Boost, discuss its pros and cons, and provide tips on how to use it effectively. By the end, you'll discover that this tool can be effective when used correctly and in the right context. Keep reading!

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Influencer Marketing

​7 Examples Of Influencer Marketing Campaigns​

In the world of social media marketing, influencer marketing is a total game-changer. According to our Sproutsocial Q3 2023 Pulse Survey, social marketers believe it has a huge impact on customer loyalty, awareness, and reputation. But here's the thing: it's not as simple as just picking any old creator and expecting magic to happen. Our report revealed that 81% of social marketers see influencer marketing as an essential part of their strategy. With 79% of marketers saying influencer content is crucial for customer experiences, brands need to be strategic. Let’s dive into the data from our survey and give you 7 awesome examples of successful influencer marketing campaigns to inspire your own strategy.

​Influencer Marketing Campaign Tips From A Disney Marketing Alum​

Back in the day, influencer marketing used to be a nice bonus. It was new, exciting, and a bit of a wild west. Maybe you tried working with creators when you had some leftover funds or experimented with an affiliate program. But now, influencer marketing is a must-have. Commissioning creator content is vital for successful brand and content marketing teams. So, where do you start? As someone who's been in the game for over 10 years, working with creators at Disney Parks & Resorts, I've gathered some valuable influencer marketing tips to set you up for success.

​The Impact Of Influencer Marketing On Direct-To-Consumer Brands​

Influencer marketing has truly transformed the game for direct-to-consumer brands. With the rise of social media and the growing influence of online personalities, collaborating with influencers has become a powerful way for brands to connect with their target audience. Let’s take a closer look at how influencer marketing has revolutionized the way DTC brands engage with consumers and boost sales. From building brand awareness to fostering trust and authenticity, influencers have become a vital part of the marketing strategy for successful DTC brands.

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Thanks for reading all the way to the bottom. 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
Founder, Digital First​

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!