Hey Reader,
Have you moved beyond Generative AI 1.0?
As AI—and how we use it—continues to evolve, has your usage of AI evolved as well?
I ask this because I think a lot of us have covered the basics of how to use a ChatGPT or Claude and perhaps are even using it to create content on a daily basis. But there is so much more to AI than just that.
One thing I have realized is that AI saves you time, yet actually makes you more busy. Once you realize what is possible with AI, you find yourself using it to do new things or to improve the quality of what you are working on.
I am creating content around this, and just finished a fantastic podcast interview with an expert on Agentic AI and AI workflows, so make sure you are subscribed to my Your Digital Marketing Coach podcast to be the first to know when it drops.
I also will be including my up-to-date advice on AI in a dedicated chapter of my revised and expanded Maximizing LinkedIn for Business Growth! To give you all an update, the content is done and I finally received the final cover for the paperback/hardback edition this morning, so I'll be uploading it to Amazon and ordering proofs right after I send this email! Once I receive those and all is good, I will be flipping the switch and making it available on Amazon hopefully in the next 2 to 3 weeks. If you have already reviewed it, a reminder to email me so that I can give you a free upgrade once it's out!
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 $0 Content Strategy That Generated 2.5 Million Reach (Employee Creator Secrets)
Imagine if every employee at your company became a content creator—that’s exactly what Buffer just did. In this episode of Your Digital Marketing Coach, I share how Buffer trained all 70 employees to build their own personal brands, not just share company posts. The result? 90% participation, 2.5M+ in reach, and a total mindset shift in employee advocacy. If you're trying to scale content without blowing your budget, this case study is a must-listen.
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2. This Week's News
Will Google's Antitrust Search Ruling Impact Marketing SEO Strategies?
Google’s antitrust ruling marks a turning point: it must share parts of its search index and user-interaction data with rivals, including AI search engines like ChatGPT and Perplexity. For marketers, the short-term SEO impact is minimal, but the long-term shift is clear — search visibility is no longer just about Google rankings. Winning means building authority, credibility, and presence across multiple platforms so AI-driven engines trust and surface your brand.
3. This Week's News
Instagram Is Growing At 10X The Rate Of Facebook In EU
Meta’s latest EU transparency report shows a clear shift: Instagram now has 281.8M monthly users, outpacing Facebook’s 263.6M, and it’s growing at 10x the rate. Since March 2024, Instagram rose 6.17%, while Facebook barely moved at 0.65%, even losing users in Germany, Greece, and The Netherlands. For marketers, this signals where attention is moving—Instagram is the growth engine in Europe, and likely beyond, while Facebook’s role continues to stagnate.
4. This Week's News
OpenAI Announces AI-Powered Hiring Platform To Take On LinkedIn
OpenAI just announced it’s building the OpenAI Jobs Platform, an AI-powered hiring service set to launch by mid-2026. The tool aims to match companies with workers more precisely, with a special focus on small businesses and local governments. It will compete directly with LinkedIn, even though Microsoft (LinkedIn’s owner) is OpenAI’s biggest backer. Alongside this, OpenAI will roll out AI fluency certifications through its Academy, with a goal of certifying 10 million Americans by 2030.
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5. AI Advice
The Future Of Marketing Isn’t Humans vs. AI — It’s Humans With AI
If your website traffic is dropping and old tactics no longer work, you’re not alone—AI is changing how people search and buy. But here’s the twist: the same AI that’s disrupting traffic can actually fuel your growth. HubSpot’s Loop Marketing playbook (Express, Tailor, Amplify, Evolve) shows how to combine AI efficiency with human authenticity to win customers. This article is a must-read if you want to adapt, compete, and thrive in the AI era.
6. Search Advice
How AI Search Really Works: Findings From Our AI Visibility Study
AI search doesn’t play by traditional SEO rules—and this new study proves it. Analysis across five industries shows that Reddit and Wikipedia often outrank experts and brand sites, even in sensitive fields like finance. The research highlights four key shifts: community-first authority, Reddit’s dominance, industry-specific competition, and the gap between mentions vs. trusted citations. If you want AI visibility, you’ll need a new playbook focused on community presence + factual content.
7. Social Advice
The Modern Approach To Meta Advertising Strategy
Meta ads today look nothing like they did a few years ago, and clinging to 2018 strategies is a recipe for wasted spend. In this post, Jon Loomer breaks down the modern Meta advertising approach: fewer campaigns and ad sets, conversion-focused goals, broad algorithmic targeting, Advantage+ placements, and—most importantly—creative diversification. The real winners will master ad copy, angles, and offers, not micromanage settings. This is the new playbook for profitable Meta ads.
8. Social Advice
How Legacy CPG Brands Can Crack The Social-First Marketing Code
Legacy CPG brands are under pressure to ditch old-school, TV-heavy playbooks and go social-first to capture Gen Z’s attention. With Unilever now pledging half its ad spend to social and others acquiring viral challengers, the shift is clear: success means faster content, influencer partnerships, AI-powered production, and creative risk-taking. This article shows why waiting is the biggest risk—and how embracing social-first marketing is key to staying relevant.
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9. Latest From My Blog
How Much Does LinkedIn Premium Actually Cost Today?
Thinking about LinkedIn Premium in 2025? My latest guide breaks down pricing and features for Career, Business, Sales Navigator, and Recruiter Lite, plus where each delivers real ROI. You’ll see annual savings, what you get (like InMail, LinkedIn Learning, and AI tools), and how to test with a free trial. Read this to choose the right plan for your goals—and avoid paying for features you won’t use.
10. Latest From My Blog
Facebook For Small Business: 17 Proven Tips To Boost Engagement, Reach, And Sales
If you're a small business owner looking to turn Facebook into a real growth tool (without wasting hours or budget), this post is for you. I walk through 17 practical, proven tips to help you build a high-performing Page, create content that connects, and use smart tools (and ads) to scale your results. Whether you're just starting or ready to level up, this guide breaks down exactly how to make Facebook work for your business.
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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