Weekly Digital Marketing & Generative AI for Marketing News from Your Digital Marketing Coach
Every Friday I provide a curated newsletter for thousands of marketers, entrepreneurs, business owners and content creators that covers the latest news as well as actionable advice on all things digital, content, influencer, and social media marketing. I try my best to also provide advice on the latest developments of generative AI and how to leverage it for marketing as well as personal branding for your digital presence.
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LinkedIn Wants More TikTok-Like Videos In New Content Push | Instagram Launches Trial Reels For Audience Sampling | How An AI Knowledge Base Can Answer Customer Questions + More!
I want to share with you a true story of what happened to me this week as the future of generative AI and its relationship to content creation became forced me to make a quick decision about my future.
Large language models rely on massive amounts of data, much of which raises questions about legality and quality. As AI evolves, there's growing concern about the scarcity of original content and the risk of AI models cannibalizing themselves by consuming their own outputs. Nina Schick predicts that by 2025, 90% of online content could be AI-generated, amplifying the need for authentic, high-quality content to train these systems effectively.
Beyond content marketing, businesses might soon acquire publications solely for their original material to fuel their own AI models. David Armano has already suggested that every company will eventually build its own large language model, and I agree. This raises critical questions about ownership and compensation, especially when companies begin using employee-generated content to train their models.
Bao Tran, an attorney, founder of PatentPC.com and Digital First member, shared insights with me on this. Similar to patent law, the rights to content often depend on an employee’s role. If hired to create content, the employer likely owns it. This begs the question: Should employment contracts explicitly address AI usage of employee-generated content? And what about user-generated content creators? Should they negotiate LLM rights alongside advertising terms?
Recently, I faced this dilemma firsthand. A publisher of one of my books proposed a deal with an AI firm, splitting licensing fees 50/50 between authors and publishers. But the fairness of this arrangement is questionable. Shouldn't factors like word count, niche rarity, and future value to LLMs play a role in determining compensation? And why are terms dictated without room for negotiation?
As AI companies generate billions in revenue, the value of original content—whether books, blogs, or business materials—will only grow. For now, authors like me must grapple with these issues, but soon, anyone creating content will face similar decisions.
How will you protect the value of your content in the age of generative AI?
Now on to this week's news—and my newest feature, Poll of the week!
What can self-published authors teach us about digital marketing? A lot more than you'd expect! I’ve just returned from Author Nation, the largest conference for self-published authors, and I’m sharing the top 10 lessons that inspired me—and can inspire your marketing strategy for 2025 and beyond. From leveraging AI to creating powerful curiosity gaps in content, this episode is packed with insights to drive your business forward. So stay tuned to this next episode of the Your Digital Marketing Coach podcast!
Google's new AI agent, Project Mariner, is a groundbreaking experiment that lets AI navigate the web for you. Using the Gemini AI engine, it can shop, book travel, and more by controlling your Chrome browser as if it were a person. While still in early testing, this tool could redefine how we interact with the internet—moving from direct engagement to having AI handle tasks on our behalf. It’s a glimpse into the future of online convenience.
Instagram’s new Trial Reels feature offers creators a low-pressure way to test content by sharing Reels with non-followers first. This allows experimentation with new topics or styles without worrying about alienating existing audiences. Creators can review engagement metrics after 24 hours and decide whether to share broadly or scrap the idea. It’s a smart tool for refining content strategy and reaching fresh viewers, rolling out globally soon.
YouTube’s AI-powered dubbing feature is expanding to knowledge-focused creators in the YouTube Partner Program. The tool automatically translates and dubs videos into multiple languages, broadening audience reach with minimal effort. While current AI dubs may lack natural tone, future updates promise improvements in emotion and ambiance. This feature is ideal for creators aiming to make their content accessible globally, with options to review and manage dubs before publishing.
TikTok faces legal challenges in the U.S., but its eCommerce innovations are making waves. With tools like TikTok Shop, livestream shopping, and creator monetization programs, TikTok is transforming social commerce. New features like Smart+ automated ads and TikTok Symphony’s AI tools simplify selling and marketing for businesses of all sizes. These updates reflect TikTok's drive to combine creativity and commerce, making it a must-watch platform for merchants and creators alike.
This Week's Poll!
Please vote—after which you will be able to see the responses and better understand the state of AI tool usage in our community!
Do you honestly believe TiKTok will be banned in the US in 2025?
Jasper is the purpose-built generative AI platform for marketing. Built on a foundation of enterprise trust, Jasper deeply understands marketing, delivering advanced brand control and an intuitive AI toolkit that allow marketers to build apps and workflows to accelerate their success.
Google’s AI Overviews are reshaping search behavior, now appearing in 47% of results and dominating screen space, especially on mobile. With 60% of searches ending in zero clicks, businesses face reduced organic traffic opportunities. However, content relevance remains key: pages with semantically aligned content to AI summaries are more likely to be cited. This study underscores the need for updated SEO strategies focusing on visibility in AI-driven search and maintaining strong foundational practices.
AI is revolutionizing search, and brands everywhere need to adapt or risk falling behind. Focus on AI Overview optimization by creating high-quality, structured content that answers specific, user-intent questions—prime real estate in SERPs. Embrace Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) by using schema to make content AI-friendly. Lastly, learn from the U.S. market to anticipate trends. These modern tweaks to traditional SEO can keep your brand ahead in an AI-driven world.
Marketing automation is a must-have for modern marketers, with 91% citing its ability to achieve goals like saving time, personalizing campaigns, and increasing ROI. Tools like HubSpot, Mailchimp, and Brevo streamline repetitive tasks like email sequencing, social media scheduling, and customer segmentation. Start small, define your goals, and prioritize workflows that align with your strategy. Automation enhances creativity and efficiency, making it easier to connect with audiences and drive meaningful results.
LinkedIn is leaning into short-form video to rival TikTok and other platforms like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts. Video content on LinkedIn already drives 1.4 times more engagement than text, and the platform has seen a 36% increase in viewership year-over-year. This shift aligns with LinkedIn’s goal to become a daily habit, not just a job-search tool, creating opportunities for businesses and creators to tap into its growing audience.
LinkedIn’s latest research highlights three key creative trends reshaping B2B marketing. First, humanize AI by showcasing its tangible business benefits, not just features. Second, embrace emotional authenticity—content reflecting the full spectrum of professional and personal moments, like casual attire or real emotions, drives higher engagement. Lastly, use bold, vibrant visuals to capture attention but balance them with clarity for critical messaging. Combining these strategies fosters deeper connections and better conversions.
An AI knowledge base transforms static repositories of business information into dynamic systems that learn and adapt. For eCommerce, it powers tools like chatbots to streamline customer support, train employees, and update content in real time. With apps like HelpCenter and BetterDocs, these systems can enhance user experiences, flag gaps in knowledge, and even boost sales. It’s a smart way to save time, improve efficiency, and keep your business future-ready.
Cut through the cookie-cutter marketing bs with research-backed strategies that actually work for your solo business. Delivered once a week, because you've got a business to run.
AI is reshaping blogging, offering tools to generate ideas, outlines, and content while optimizing for SEO. Solutions like Jasper, Writesonic, and Grammarly can streamline your process, while SEO-focused tools like SurferSEO ensure visibility. However, AI content can lack a human touch or accuracy, risking penalties from search engines. Use AI wisely for brainstorming and refining rather than mass production, blending automation with personal insights for the best results.
Email marketing is a game-changer for nonprofits, offering a staggering ROI of 3800%. It builds awareness and loyalty and drives donations cost-effectively. Key strategies include personalizing campaigns, creating mobile-friendly designs, running drip campaigns, and monitoring analytics to improve engagement. By segmenting email lists and optimizing deliverability, nonprofits can strengthen connections with donors and volunteers. With the right tools and tactics, email marketing becomes a powerful, budget-friendly ally for your mission.
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Weekly Digital Marketing & Generative AI for Marketing News from Your Digital Marketing Coach
Neal Schaffer
Every Friday I provide a curated newsletter for thousands of marketers, entrepreneurs, business owners and content creators that covers the latest news as well as actionable advice on all things digital, content, influencer, and social media marketing. I try my best to also provide advice on the latest developments of generative AI and how to leverage it for marketing as well as personal branding for your digital presence.
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