Neal Schaffer's Top 10 Weekly News

April 4, 2025

​Double Down Or Ditch It: The Power Of A Quarterly Audit​

"There’s more upside in trying something new than repeating what isn’t working."

Every 90 days, I hit reset on my marketing with a simple audit. In this episode, I walk you through how I review what’s working, stop what isn’t, and double down on what drives real growth. Listen in and start building your own quarterly habit.

​Instagram Chief Says Edits App Coming Soon, Will Be Available For Free​

Instagram is about to drop its long-awaited “Edits” app, and according to Adam Mosseri, it’ll be free—at least at launch. Think of it as Instagram’s take on CapCut, with built-in AI tools like animated stills and background generation. A simple version is just weeks away, and while advanced features may eventually cost, this new app could level up your content game without switching platforms. If you’re a creator, this is one to watch.

​Maximizing LinkedIn For Business Growth​

Explore and learn key strategies to leverage LinkedIn effectively, based on my latest book, Maximizing LinkedIn for Business Growth.​

​Small Businesses Planning To Expand Their Marketing Knowledge​

If you’re a small business owner, this new report highlights a clear trend: expanding marketing knowledge is now a top priority. While customer acquisition remains the biggest challenge, 38% of SMBs plan to tackle it by learning new strategies and tools. Even though AI isn't a silver bullet, 72% say they’ll use it this year—mostly for content creation, customer insights, and personalization. It’s a smart move toward scaling smarter, not harder.​

​What Video Will You Create Today?​

Create engaging videos in minutes using the power of AI. Pictory is the easiest way to create professional videos. For everyone!

​Google On Scaled Content: “It’s Going To Be An Issue”​

If you’re using AI to scale content just to rank in search, Google’s not having it. In a recent discussion, Google’s John Mueller and Danny Sullivan made it clear: low-effort, unoriginal AI content = lowest quality in their eyes. It’s not about how content is created—it’s about why and what value it offers. Want to use AI well? Focus on original insights, real user value, and not just traffic grabs.

​ChatGPT Gained One Million New Users In An Hour​

ChatGPT just hit one million new users in a single hour, and it’s all thanks to its new image generation feature—so popular that it's breaking signups. But while users are flooding in, concerns are rising too, especially from creators upset about their styles being mimicked without credit. It’s a moment of massive growth and heated debate, reminding us that AI’s creative power still comes with ethical complexity.

​The 15 Best Keyword Research Tools In 2025 (Free + Paid)​

If you're trying to level up your SEO game in 2025, this guide is a must-read. I break down the 15 best keyword research tools, from free starters like Google Keyword Planner to powerhouses like Semrush and Ahrefs. Whether you're just starting or managing big campaigns, this post helps you pick the right tool for your goals and budget—so you can stop guessing and start ranking.

​How To Optimise For Social Search In 2025: A Platform-By-Platform Guide​

If you’re still only thinking about Google for SEO, you’re missing the real-time shift to social search. In 2025, platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Pinterest are where users actively search for recommendations, tutorials, and reviews. This platform-by-platform guide shows you how to optimize your content for each network—with keyword-rich captions, Reels, threads, and more—so your brand stays discoverable where it matters most. Search is now social—are you ready?

​Why Gen Z Demands A New Approach To Digital Marketing – 5 Ways To Rethink Your Approach​

Gen Z is rewriting the marketing playbook, and if your strategy still leans Millennial, it’s time for a reset. With $360B in spending power, this digital-native, values-driven generation craves authentic, short form content, omnichannel experiences, and real influence over celebrity hype. This guide breaks down five must-know tactics—from TikTok to IRL—to actually reach and resonate with Gen Z. If they’re in your target market, this is your cheat sheet to staying relevant.

​What Does A CMO Do? A Look At The Chief Marketing Officer’s Role In Business Success​

If you want to understand why marketing leadership is now mission-critical, this is the deep dive for you. In this blog post that I wrote, I break down the evolving role of the Chief Marketing Officer, how CMOs today drive real business impact, and why aligning them with your CEO is non-negotiable. Whether you're a CMO or work with one, this guide shows how to unlock their full strategic value.

​21 X / Twitter User Statistics For 2025 To Guide Your Marketing Strategy​

If you’ve been sleeping on Twitter—now X—this post will change your mind fast. I break down 25 eye-opening stats that prove the platform is still very much alive and packed with marketing potential. From its 611 million users to high ROI ad performance, the numbers show why Twitter deserves a spot in your strategy. If your brand’s not active here, you’re probably missing out on real-time influence.