Create Like the Greats

In this episode of Create Like The Greats, Ross dives into the evolving landscape of digital marketing in the era of artificial intelligence and large language models (LLMs). He challenges brands to rethink their approach by understanding that today's most influential "audiences" aren't just humans—they're machines. Ross outlines how AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google's AI Overviews, and others scrape public content to generate recommendations and answers for users, and how brands can strategically position their content to become part of this intelligence loop. Whether it's SEO, Reddit commentary, or owning bottom-of-funnel content, Ross shares powerful frameworks and tactics to help your brand stay relevant, present, and impactful in the age of AI-driven search results. Key Takeaways and Insights: ​​

In this episode of Create Like The Greats, Ross offers a transparent reflection on a book that has significantly impacted his leadership and personal growth journey in 2025 — The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership by Jim Dethmer, Diana Chapman, and Kaley Warner Klemp. Ross walks through all 15 commitments outlined in the book, sharing real-life examples and insights from his entrepreneurial journey. If you're striving to lead consciously, foster better teamwork, and level up your self-awareness, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways for you. Key Takeaways and Insights: 1. Radical Responsibility Embrace ownership for every situation Avoid blame, shame, and guilt — they stem from toxic fear Replace blame with curiosity: "What can I learn from this?" 2. Learning Through Curiosity Always stay in learner mode “Above the line” vs “Below the line” mentality Stay open, curious, and committed to truth—not being “right” Framework: What I know / What I know I don't know / What I don't know I don't know 3. Feeling All the Feelings  Fully experiencing emotions to completion Use head, heart, and gut to inform decisions Yoga, breathwork, and meditation as helpful tools 4. Speaking Candidly  Tell the truth with kindness Speak unarguable facts and feelings: “I feel ___ because ___” Avoid conflict avoidance and passive communication 5. Eliminating Gossip  Address issues directly with the person involved Gossip is rooted in unmet communication and inability to process feelings Test for gossip: Negative intent or unwilling to say it to the person? Then it's gossip. 6. Practicing Integrity  Express truth, keep agreements, and take 100% responsibility Framework for impeccable agreements: Make clear commitment Keep it Renegotiate if needed Clean up broken commitments 7. Generating Appreciation Practice giving and receiving appreciation fully Celebrate the small things and appreciate yourself and your team Create a culture of gratitude and acknowledgment 8. Excelling in Your Zone of Genius  Identify what you're uniquely talented at and enjoy doing Ross shares his own strengths: presenting, writing, people leadership Reallocate more time to activities in your “genius zone” 9. Living a Life of Play and Rest Incorporate humor, spontaneity, and celebration into work Rest is a challenge, but vital for sustainable leadership Play isn't frivolous—it's a leadership asset 10. Exploring the Opposite Train your mind to challenge your own stories and embrace opposing truth Ross advocates for intellectual debates to stretch perception Ask: “What am I not seeing?” 11. Being the Source of Approval, Control & Security  Identify the root wants driving your behavior Seek internal rather than external validation Approval, control, and security must be self-sourced, not dependent on others 12. Having Enough of Everything  Abundance mindset vs scarcity Perspective: Ross shares personal examples of past financial hardship GRATITUDE = enoughness 13. Seeing the World as an Ally Every person and situation is an opportunity to grow Learn from everyone, regardless of status or age Let go of ego and embrace humility in learning 14. Creating Win-for-All Solutions  Build solutions that serve everyone involved—self, others, organization, and the whole Ross: “I'm rooting for you, whether you're at Foundation or not.” 15. Being the Resolution Don't just wait for change — BE the change Leave the world better because you existed Make an impact beyond yourself  Resources & Tools:

In this episode of Create Like The Greats, Ross returns from the Spring 2025 event buzzing with creative energy, fresh ideas, and deep insights on marketing, AI, community, and consistency. He shares standout conversations, tools worth exploring, and reflections on how face-to-face connections still matter in a digital-first world. Ross also dives into highlights from presenting Distribution.ai, lessons from fellow marketers, and personal takeaways on building sustainable growth—both for business and personal development. Key Takeaways and Insights: 1. Why Spryng 2025 Was Different Spryng 2025 stood out not because of keynotes or sponsors, but because of the human element—energizing conversations and real community vibes. Event offered space to discuss Distribution.AI and validate its pain-point solution. 2. AI is Everywhere—and Still Just Beginning AI permeated almost every discussion at the event. A challenge was issued: talk about the future of marketing without mentioning AI—most struggled to do it. An eye-opening use case: uploading sales calls into LLMs like ChatGPT to extract winning messaging patterns. 3.  The Distribution.AI Problem-Solution Fit Ross introduced Distribution.ai at the event, which helps marketing teams repurpose unused blog content. Most marketers acknowledged they underpromote content. Distribution.ai repackages blog posts, writes emails, and creates usable assets to distribute across channels. “We give you the emails you can upload into HubSpot or whatever it might be.” 4. Reconnection & Real-Life Moments Matter There's unmatched value in face-to-face connections: Breaking bread with peers Conversations that go beyond digital metrics Realizing your followers and connections aren't just leads—they're humans. Key message: Show up for those who show up for you. 5. Fresh Perspectives on Sales & Go-To-Market Sales conversations highlighted outdated vs. effective go-to-market strategies. Topics included: Evolving attribution challenges Differentiation in a saturated agency space The importance of revisiting and returning to fundamentals that once drove success 6. Consistency > Novelty Chasing new trends can pull you away from what works. Foundation's past growth came from sticking to its unique POV and execution strategy—time to return to that place. A reminder that what made you great can still make you greater… again. Resources & Tools:

In this episode of Create Like The Greats, Ross Simmonds, founder of Foundation and Distribution.ai, opens up about his expectations and goals ahead of attending Spryng 2025, a gathering of senior B2B SaaS marketers in Austin, Texas. For the first time in a while, Ross is attending an event not as a speaker but as a participant. He shares how this shift changes his experience and outlines his motivations for attending: learning, connecting, and gathering feedback for his new project, Distribution.ai. Key Takeaways and Insights: 1. Introducing Distribution.ai A new tool/platform from the Foundation team Helps automate, repurpose, distribute, and amplify content Built on strategies the team has manually implemented for years Aims to scale content efforts with the assistance of AI 2. Three Primary Goals for Spryng

In this episode of Create Like The Greats, Ross Simmonds takes us behind the scenes of one of the most exciting AI developments in recent months—ChatGPT's Deep Research feature built on OpenAI's O3 reasoning model. This episode provides a detailed breakdown of how Deep Research can help with competitive analysis, persona building, content strategy, and thought leadership. If you're someone who works with data, content, or digital strategy, this episode is packed with actionable insights. Key Takeaways and Insights:

In this episode of Create Like The Greats, Ross breaks down the massive growth of Reddit and why it has become an essential platform for brands. With Reddit achieving profitability for the first time in nearly two decades and growing its daily active users rapidly, brands can no longer afford to ignore it. We dive deep into actionable Reddit strategies, including how to leverage subreddits, engage in community discussions, and optimize Reddit ads. If you want to turn Reddit into a growth engine for your brand, this is an episode you don't want to miss. Key Takeaways and Insights: 1. The Power of Reddit's Growth Reddit hit profitability in Q3 2024 ($29.9M profit) Revenue increased by 68% to $348M Daily active users grew by 47% to nearly 100M The influence of Reddit on search rankings and online communities 2. Why Marketers Can't Ignore Reddit Google prioritizing community-driven discussions Reddit dominating search results for product and service recommendations Comparison to platforms like Capterra, G2, and Trust Radius 3. Actionable Reddit Strategies for Brands Create & Own Your Subreddit Establish a dedicated space for your brand Engage with customers & provide value beyond self-promotion Align subreddit topics with your audience's interests (e.g., if you sell mattresses, discuss sleep tips) Secure Your Branded Username Prevent brand impersonation Use “BrandNameTeam” for community engagement Avoid “BrandName_Official” (feels out of touch) Engage in Existing High-Traffic Reddit Threads Find Google-ranking Reddit discussions relevant to your industry Provide insightful, non-promotional responses to drive visibility Avoid spamming links; focus on adding value 4. Leveraging Reddit Ads & The Power of Targeting Reddit allows hyper-specific targeting with subreddits Example: Target r/cybersecurity for security software ads Create native-style ads that blend seamlessly into Reddit conversations 5. The Value of User-Generated Content (UGC) on Reddit Encourage discussions about your brand through real conversations Monitor Reddit for unfiltered customer feedback Use Reddit insights to inform product development and marketing strategies  6. Monitoring Reddit Without Daily Posting Set up tracking for mentions of your brand Analyze competitor presence and sentiment trends Use tools to automate monitoring and identify opportunities Resources & Tools:

In this episode, Ross Simmonds conducts an insightful discussion with an AI, answering five crucial questions about B2B marketing strategies. If you're looking to enhance your B2B marketing efforts, this episode is packed with valuable insights on content marketing, lead generation, and evolving buyer behaviors. Key Takeaways and Insights: 1. Key Differences Between B2B and B2C Marketing Decision-Making Factors: B2C purchases are driven by personal emotion and individual financial decisions. B2B decisions involve multiple stakeholders, procurement teams, and higher scrutiny, especially for expensive solutions. Buyer's Journey Considerations: Multiple touchpoints, evaluations, and approvals before a purchase is made. B2B buyers check case studies, references, product documentation, and validate company reputation before making a decision. 2. Evolution of the B2B Buyer's Journey Why the B2B buying process is more complex today: The rise of AI and automation has led to an overwhelming amount of messages, advertisements, and sales outreach, making it harder to stand out. Impact on Buyers: Buyers are more resistant to cold outreach. Personalized messaging and authentic storytelling are key to cutting through the noise. Effective Tactics to Adapt: Hyper-targeted content marketing and personalized messages tailored to the specific needs of decision-makers. 3. The Top B2B Lead Generation Channels Today Why LinkedIn is Dominating B2B Marketing: LinkedIn's algorithm now favors broader content discovery, similar to Facebook and X (formerly Twitter). Its video content capabilities are driving significant engagement. Golden Rule: High-quality, informative, and engaging content is necessary to leverage any platform effectively. Distribution strategy is just as important as content creation. 4. The Role of Content in B2B Brand Building Challenges in Standing Out: AI enables mass production of average content, increasing competition. Brands need to focus on unique insights and high-value content instead of generic "how-to" guides. Winning Content Strategies: Conducting original research and case studies. Crafting stories that resonate with target audiences. Publishing thought leadership content and leveraging community engagement. 5.  Measuring ROI for B2B Marketing Efforts The Importance of Full-Funnel Attribution: Tracking leads from initial engagement to final conversion. Using tools like HubSpot for pipeline tracking and performance analysis. Key Metrics to Monitor: How many leads turn into real opportunities? Which opportunities convert into actual sales? Attribution models that help understand what efforts are driving real revenue. Resources & Tools:

In this episode of Create Like The Greats, we break down how Anthropic, a leading AI company behind Claude, is revolutionizing the use of customer success stories to drive measurable business results. Despite fierce competition from OpenAI and Google, Anthropic differentiates itself through clarity, simplicity, and strategic storytelling. Learn how they use short yet impactful case studies to elevate their brand, enhance credibility, and attract the right audience. Inspired by research from Ethan Crump at Foundation Labs, we take a deep dive into how Anthropic structures its case studies, why they work, and how you can apply these principles to your own business. Key Takeaways & Insights 1. The Power of Customer Success Stories Anthropic has ramped up investment in customer case studies, adding 67 new pages to their website. These stories increase trust and credibility, addressing the fragmented B2B buyer's journey. Featuring well-known clients, such as DuckDuckGo, GitLab, Brave, BCG, and Assembly AI, boosts authority in their industry. 2. The Business Impact of Case Studies The dedicated case studies subfolder attracts over 60,000 organic monthly visitors, generating what would cost $25,000 in paid traffic. SEO performance: 1,600 ranking keywords 4,600 backlinks from 231 domains 3. Anthropic's Winning Formula for Case Studies Short and Direct: Each case study stays under 1,000 words, challenging traditional long-form SEO norms. Clear Structure: Follows a problem → solution → outcome format. Intent Matching for SEO: Content is designed to match search intent, ensuring customers find relevant solutions quickly. Focus on Business Value: Emphasizes results (e.g., 30% improvement in user satisfaction, 80% cost reduction). Uses client and company expert quotes to strengthen credibility. Avoids overly technical details, making it accessible to decision-makers at all levels, including CEOs and finance executives. 4. Applying These Lessons to Your Business Prioritize clarity and simplicity when crafting customer success stories. Optimize stories for search intent so they're discoverable and relevant. Showcase tangible metrics and real results in your case studies. Structure content for easy readability while keeping it strategic and insightful.  Resources How Anthropic Drives 60K+ in Organic Traffic — With One Simple Strategy —

In this episode of Create Like The Greats, Ross Simmonds dives deep into the common mistakes that SaaS companies are making with their Google Ads strategies. Despite advancements in marketing and AI tools, many businesses are still falling into the same traps they did years ago. If you're struggling to make your paid search campaigns profitable, this episode will help you identify missteps and optimize your approach for better ROI. Episode Breakdown & Key Takeaways Why SaaS Companies Struggle with Google Ads Many SaaS businesses fail to drive ROI from paid search. The solution? Optimize your campaigns by improving efficiency in clicks, conversions, and lower costs. Common Mistake #1: Sending Traffic to the Homepage Why it's a bad idea: Homepages serve too many purposes and introduce distractions. Solution: Create dedicated landing pages aligned with specific user intent. Actionable tip: Remove navigation menus and unnecessary links to keep visitors focused. Common Mistake #2: Poor Above-the-Fold Experience 90% of visitors won't scroll past the first screen—so you need to make an instant impact. Essential components for above-the-fold success: Clear and compelling headline that connects with intent. Highlight a unique value proposition. Call-to-action (CTA) should be immediate and obvious (e.g., “Start Your Free Trial”). Social proof: Use testimonials or logos from recognizable brands. Common Mistake #3: Inefficient Bidding Strategies Ross recommends manual CPC bidding when starting. Test target CPA bidding only after gathering sufficient data. Be prepared to adjust bidding strategies based on real-time performance insights. Common Mistake #4: Running Ads on Low-Intent Keywords Stop wasting money on broad, irrelevant search terms like “sales tips” or “HR advice.” Focus on high-intent keywords, such as: Brand alternatives – Users searching for "Zoom alternatives" or "Slack alternatives" are actively looking for a switch. Solution-focused keywords – Category-driven searches like "best CRM software" indicate potential buyers. Problem-focused keywords – Queries that reveal pain points (e.g., “how to improve sales conversion rates”). Common Mistake #5: Not Using Advanced Audience Targeting Target smarter: Avoid blanket targeting by narrowing ads to key demographics. Enterprise SaaS should avoid targeting younger age groups (e.g., 16-20) as they are unlikely to be decision-makers. Use the "observation" setting first to track audience performance before shifting to specific targeting settings. Common Mistake #6: Weak Ad Copy That Fails to Convert Ross's winning copywriting framework for Google Ads: Headline 1: Match the exact search term (e.g., “Best CRM Software"). Headline 2: State a unique value prop (e.g., “User-friendly design for teams"). CTA Headline: Create urgency (e.g., “Boost revenue—Start your free trial!”). Description: Include social proof (e.g., "Trusted by 10,000+ businesses worldwide"). Leverage customer reviews from G2, TrustRadius, or Capterra for copy inspiration. Final Thoughts & Recap Google Ads can be a goldmine if done right—avoid common pitfalls and optimize for success. Focus on landing page relevance, audience targeting, and high-intent keywords for best results. Adjust campaigns based on performance metrics—don't "set and forget." —

In this episode of Create Like the Greats, instead of breaking down top SaaS and business strategies, Ross is going tactical—real tactical. You're getting 100 practical content marketing tips, tools, and strategies that you can implement starting today. This is an episode to bookmark, return to, and share with your team. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, these insights will help you level up your content game. Key Takeaways & Topics Covered Develop a Content Marketing Strategy Set clear goals, audience personas, and distribution plans. Review and adjust your strategy quarterly. Align your strategy with your organization's goals to maintain focus. Leverage AI to Streamline Content Creation  Use tools like Frase, ContentShake (SEMrush), and Jasper for SEO research and content optimization. Automate SERP analysis and keyword research. Utilize Distribution.ai and HubSpot for content distribution. Quality Over Quantity  Stand out with highly unscalable content—create work that AI can't easily replicate. Seth Godin's wisdom: "Remarkable content is content worth making a remark about." Challenge your team—how can this content be even better? Optimize for Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)  Prepare for the era of AI-driven search, voice assistants, and chat-based search engines. Learn about GEO best practices in this article on Foundation Inc. The Double-E-E-A-T Strategy  Experience, Expertise, Authority, and Trustworthiness (E-E-A-T). Ground content in your unique expertise—not just rehashed insights. Share real-world examples and case studies. Repurpose and Distribute Your Content Adopt a Create Once, Distribute Forever mindset. Reuse past high-performing content across channels. Study Disney's content repurposing for inspiration. Use Video to Build Trust Video is the last frontier of AI—people trust authentic video more than AI-generated text. Leverage tools like Loom, Descript, and HeyGen. Check out Cut30 for short-form video best practices. Content Personalization & Engagement  AI-powered personalization through tools like Singulate and HubSpot. Engage consistently on social media—don't just post and ghost. Build email lists to avoid reliance on social media platforms. SEO is Still Alive—Ignore the Naysayers  Despite what some say, Google isn't going anywhere anytime soon. SEO techniques still apply to AI-driven search models like ChatGPT and Perplexity. Implement pillar content and topic clusters to thrive in 2030 and beyond. Optimize for Mobile & User Experience Ensure content loads fast and is mobile-friendly. Avoid complex UI—users prioritize simplicity and ease of navigation. Resources & Tools Mentioned

In this episode, we're diving into the art and science of content repurposing with some of the sharpest minds in the industry. Ross Simmonds, Anna Furmanov, and Emily Kramer join Riverside webinar host Kendall to break down their proven strategies for content repurposing, from leveraging AI tools to audience research techniques that fuel meaningful engagement. Whether you're trying to grow your audience, sell a product, or simply maximize your content's lifespan, these actionable insights will transform how you think about repurposing. Packed with practical examples, tech hacks, and processes, this episode is your blueprint for creating versatile, high-impact content. Key Takeaways and Insights: 1. What is Content Repurposing? Redefining repurposing versus creating new. The importance of building versatile content assets that can branch into multiple formats. The foundation for long-term audience engagement. 2. Identifying Your Content Foundation: Ross Simmonds explains his go-to strategies for using micro-content as foundational material. Anna shares why podcasting became her primary content pillar and her secret for capturing "aha" moments during recording. Emily breaks down her colorful methods for extracting and extending the life of one big content idea. 3. Practical Steps to Get Started: How pre-planning and distribution pipelines ensure maximum reach. Emily's "GACCS Brief" method for organized content creation: Goals, Audience, Creative, Channels, Stakeholders. 4. The Tech Tools That Power Repurposing: Ross shares his full tech stack: Riverside for recording, Canva for infographics, Jasper for creating auxiliary content, and more. AI in action: Learn about synthetic content using Haygen and 11 Labs. Try Emily's innovative pre-planning LinkedIn poll strategy to build anticipation for big launches. 5. Finding and Understanding Your Audience: Why audience insights and customer research are key to creating meaningful content. Fill your content roadmap with Ross's Reddit and Facebook group mining tactics. Anna's advice for hosting audience calls and surveys. 6. Experimentation & Optimization for Different Platforms: Why each platform deserves unique formats. From long newsletters to TikTok teasers—the diverse distribution playbook. 7. Content ROI: Evaluating Success & Staying Relevant: Why evergreen content is a goldmine, and how to audit your archives for reusability. Ross's case study of repurposing content across multiple formats consistently over three years.  Resources and Links Mentioned:  Riverside.fm – Mark clips while you record and effortlessly create social-ready video highlights.  ElevenLabs – Explore synthetic videos and voice cloning for micro-content creation. Canva - Easily design infographics, templates, and visual assets. BuzzSumo – Analyze top-performing content for insights into trends and format ideas. —

In this episode of Create Like The Greats, we dive into why publishing research can be a game-changer, especially for those in AI, marketing, and SEO. The host uncovers how leveraging research-driven content can generate buzz, backlinks, and unmatched visibility for brands. Using examples from industry leaders like Google DeepMind and NVIDIA, this episode provides actionable steps to create, repurpose, and distribute impactful research. If you're ready to learn how research can transform your marketing strategies and build authority in your field, this is a must-listen! Key Takeaways and Insights: 1. The Rise of AI and Its Impact Across Industries (02:00) AI is influencing professions beyond marketing, including healthcare, education, and law. Google Trends data highlights an 8X increase in searches for AI research over the last four years. Online communities like Reddit's r/Futurology and Artificial Intelligence have seen significant growth since 2022. 2. Why Research-Driven Content Matters (10:42) Major companies like Google and NVIDIA are publishing groundbreaking AI research to generate links, press mentions, and authority. Google's AI research hubs (Google Research and DeepMind) showcase the power of free, accessible industry data. Example: Google DeepMind has journal articles with over 500-2,000 referring domains, driving backlinks, traffic, and credibility. 3. Different Types of Research-Driven Content Proprietary Research: Conduct in-depth studies with your team or academics to develop unique insights. Repurposing Data: Don't let research sit idle in PDFs—turn it into blog posts, LinkedIn infographics, social media videos, and more. Curated Research: Take existing industry studies or journals and reframe them for broader audiences in your niche. 4. Case Study: Unlocking Engagement Through Simplified Research Example: A blog post combining coffee productivity studies with up-tempo music research led to a viral response. Translating complex journals into relatable concepts amplifies visibility and audience resonance. 5. The SEO and Brand Visibility Advantages Research publications draw backlinks from reputable sources (e.g., Microsoft, universities) and are frequently cited in blogs and press. Example: DeepMind's journals generate massive referral traffic due to their accessibility and simplicity. Insights from Stanford's AI Index: The number of AI research articles tripled from 2010 to 2022. 6. Pro Tips for Distributing Research Findings Distribute research summaries via subreddit communities, LinkedIn posts, and news outlets. Convert large datasets into visual aids like charts, infographics, and videos to maximize distribution potential. Leverage PR strategies by pitching your findings to publications and blogs for additional reach. Actionable Advice for Creating Research-Driven Content Create Research: Invest in proprietary studies, user surveys, or experiments in your niche. Repurpose Content: Tailor findings into blog posts, social media visuals, and bite-sized infographics for different platforms. Collaborate: Partner with academics or industry experts to co-create compelling research studies. Translate Research: Simplify complex academic papers into relatable and engaging content for non-technical audiences. Pitch Your Study: Reach out to journalists, bloggers, and influencers who may amplify and share your findings. Resources and Links Mentioned:  Google Research – Explore Google's latest AI publications and studies. DeepMind Research – Access over 183 AI-focused journal articles. Stanford AI Index 2024 – Annual report on AI trends and insights. Tool Mentioned: Distribution.ai – Automate your content distribution processes. Related Subreddits: r/Futurology r/ArtificialIntelligence —

In today's episode, we delve into the transformative concept of "doing the thing." This conversation emphasizes how taking deliberate action—not endless preparation or overthinking—is the ultimate catalyst for success. If you've ever felt stuck in a cycle of busy work or bogged down by the noise of daily distractions, this episode will inspire you to focus on what truly matters. We unpack strategies to break free from content fatigue, prioritize the essential, and make meaningful strides toward your goals. Tune in to discover how to channel your energy into actions that drive results. 1. The Daily Grind: Avoiding Content Overload Many content creators get trapped in a cycle of constant posting, from tweets to LinkedIn updates, without considering the long-term impact. This "content treadmill" often leads to fatigue, diluting creativity and focus. Instead, creators should prioritize producing content that aligns with their overarching goals, delivering value that resonates deeply with their audience. 2. Actionable Strategies for Effective Content Creation Set Clear Goals: Understand the purpose behind your content. Are you trying to boost brand visibility, generate leads, or nurture customer loyalty? Clearly defining your goals ensures every piece of content serves a strategic purpose, keeping you focused and efficient. Create a Content Calendar: A well-structured content calendar helps you plan and execute impactful campaigns while minimizing the chaos of last-minute decisions. By mapping out your ideas, you can ensure consistency, anticipate trends, and deliver content that aligns with your audience's needs. Measure Success: Analyzing your content's performance is key to understanding its effectiveness. Use metrics to identify what's resonating and adjust where needed. This data-driven approach allows you to refine your strategy and amplify what works while addressing gaps in engagement.  —

In this special recap episode, I look back at the ten big predictions I made for 2024—and rate how each one actually turned out. From continued tech layoffs to a surge in AI-driven content (and even a bold guess about a marketing conference with good food), I evaluate which predictions nailed it, which ones fizzled, and what surprised me the most. Tune in to hear the year-in-review of AI's rise, the state of SaaS, Hollywood hits, and more! Episode Breakdown 1. Layoffs & Tech Restructuring How many companies really did another round of layoffs in 2024? The role AI and offshoring played in driving deeper cost cuts. Did Apple avoid massive layoffs as predicted? 2. SaaS & AI Acquisition Frenzy Which big SaaS players scooped up AI startups—did smaller companies with little traction get acquired? Why Gong didn't get bought by a giant (yet). The state of SaaS valuations in 2024—did they return to record highs? 3. AI Content Takes Center Stage Checking in on fully AI-generated commercials, shorts, or movies that took the internet by storm. The reality of AI plus human co-creation. How close we got to truly tear-jerking or hyper-realistic AI productions. 4. Rise of the “Head of AI” Role Did companies from every sector really start hiring for AI leadership roles? The mix of responsibilities and how quickly these roles grew in 2024. 5. Marketing Conference Food Miracle A lighthearted prediction that a marketing event might finally serve amazing food—did it happen? Listener stories and personal experiences from 2024 conferences. 6. AI-Generated Super Bowl Ads Which brands used AI in their creative process for the Big Game? How much of the final product was truly AI vs. human-driven editing? 7. AI Companions: Breakthrough or Bust? Analyzing the rise of AI girlfriend/boyfriend apps for companionship and mental-health support. Any major bans or government crackdowns on “fake companion” apps? Surprising ways these tools impacted real people's lives. 8. Mr. Beast's Next Big Venture Did 2024 see Mr. Beast launch a project that pushed him into billionaire territory? A look at how he expanded his brand or philanthropic efforts. 9. Bad Boys 4 at the Box Office Did Will Smith's return pull in the predicted $600M+ globally? Exploring the film's performance and reception post-controversy. 10. Influencer Retires for Politics Did we see a well-known social media star hang up the mic and announce a run for office? The blurry line between internet fame and political ambition. —

In this episode of Create Like the Greats, Ross talks about why having a strong online presence is so important for brands that want to grow and connect with their audience. One platform that's becoming a big part of this is Reddit. With its many different communities or subreddits, Reddit gives brands a great way to connect with people in genuine and meaningful ways. This episode breaks down how to set clear goals on Reddit and use it to build your brand and grow your community. Key Takeaways and Insights: 1. Build Brand Awareness Reddit is a great place to make your brand known in specific communities by sharing valuable content in the right subreddits. Instead of flooding users with promotional links, focus on being helpful and sharing things that matter to the community. Over time, this builds trust and makes your brand stand out. 2. Drive Traffic Strategically Think of Reddit as a way to guide people toward your business naturally. By answering questions, sharing tips, and being a helpful presence, you can encourage users to check out your brand without coming across as pushy. This keeps your content from feeling like spam and makes people more likely to trust you. 3. Generate Sales Lead Reddit offers opportunities to tap into bottom-of-funnel conversations where users are actively making purchase decisions. By creating valuable content or engaging in threads related to your product or service, you can position your brand as a trusted solution. Over time, this content gains visibility, driving more traffic and converting leads effectively. 4. Build Community Reddit isn't just about traffic—it's also a way to build a community of fans who love your brand. When you genuinely interact with people and provide value, they can become loyal supporters who share your message and promote your products or services on their own. These fans can be a huge asset to your marketing efforts. References: Create Once, Distribute Forever - https://rosssimmonds.com/book/ STAT - https://getstat.com/foundation-exclusive —

In this episode, Ross shares an engaging conversation he had with Vince Nero from BuzzStream, diving into content distribution. Together, they discuss practical strategies to help marketers improve their reach and make a bigger impact in today's digital landscape. Ross also highlights key lessons from his book, Create Once, Distribute Forever, offering fresh perspectives on how marketers can rethink their approach to content. Packed with actionable advice and real-world examples, this episode is perfect for anyone looking to step up their content distribution game. Key Takeaways and Insights: 1. The Genesis of Create Once, Distribute Forever Ross takes listeners behind the scenes of writing his book, sharing the persistence and vision that brought it to life. It was a four-year journey full of life changes and the chaos of a global pandemic, but Ross stayed committed to creating something that would leave a mark in the world of content distribution. At its heart, the book is about uncovering the untapped potential in the content you already have. As Ross puts it, “There's so much more juice you could squeeze out of this stuff.” It's a powerful reminder for marketers to rethink how they use and share their content. 2. The Importance of Content Distribution Ross breaks down why content distribution is such a game-changer for marketers. Too often, companies focus solely on creating content and forget about getting it in front of the right audience. Ross sees this as a missed opportunity. He challenges marketers to move beyond simply “selling hours” and instead build systems and processes that keep content moving, circulating, and staying relevant. It's about creating a strategy that ensures your content works harder and smarter for you. 3. Building Relationships Through Outreach In a world where AI and automation dominate, Ross emphasizes the importance of keeping outreach personal. He describes outreach as a bit of a game, encouraging marketers to build relationships first before making any big asks. “There's nothing better than an email that's well-developed and well-researched,” he explains. The balance lies in using AI to streamline some tasks while ensuring that the human touch remains at the forefront. This approach fosters real connections and creates lasting impressions.  4. Understanding Your Audience Ross makes it clear: if you don't know your audience, your marketing is going to fall flat. He stresses the importance of starting with well-defined customer personas to ensure that your content truly connects. To find inspiration, Ross suggests using platforms like Reddit to uncover trending topics and see what's sparking conversations. By understanding what resonates with people, marketers can create meaningful content that hits the mark and distributes it with purpose. References: Create Once, Distribute Forever - https://rosssimmonds.com/book/ How To Create Once, Distribute Forever (Ross Simmonds) BuzzStream Podcast Episode - https://shorturl.at/MzWFZ —

In this episode of Create Like the Greats, Ross shares his personal journey of learning to manage time, energy, and focus with intention. He explores six key areas that have shaped his approach to prioritizing what matters most, emphasizing that focus evolves with life's changing seasons. Whether you're 19 or 65, refining your focus is essential for meaningful growth and success. Key Takeaways and Insights: 1. Building Meaningful Relationships Meaningful relationships thrive on mutual support and genuine connection, not one-sided asks. Ross shares how some only reach out during tough times or when they need something, without checking in or collaborating. Drawing from advice he received years ago, Ross emphasizes the importance of being a “giver”—someone who adds value to those around them. By prioritizing generosity and collaboration, you build trust, foster stronger connections, and create a network rooted in shared success. 2. The Importance of Continuous Improvement Kobe Bryant's philosophy serves as a rallying cry for growth: “You're not good enough just the way you are. You need to keep improving.” Whether at the start of your career or decades into it, the key to success lies in evolving with purpose. Consistent practice and a commitment to learning new skills ensure you stay adaptable and competitive. By embracing a growth mindset, you can continuously refine your approach to challenges and opportunities. 3. Creating Value Through Your Work Ross shares a game-changing perspective on content creation: “Instead of writing 365 blog posts, I focused on creating pieces of content that, when consumed, help someone profoundly.” This insight highlights the importance of prioritizing quality over quantity in everything we do. Whether crafting impactful content or contributing meaningfully to team discussions, value creation should remain at the heart of your efforts. It's a strategy that not only enriches your work but also deepens your connections with others. 4. Embracing Change with Purpose Change, though inevitable, can be a powerful catalyst for growth when approached with the right mindset. Instead of fearing transitions, view them as opportunities to learn, adapt, and thrive. By embracing change purposefully, you can navigate uncertainties with confidence and create new pathways for success—both in your career and personal life. 5. Building When You're Not in the Mood There will always be moments when motivation falters—mornings when you don't want to write, evenings when recording feels like a chore. But pushing through those moments can be transformative. Ross reflects on the satisfaction that comes from building even when it feels hard, emphasizing that consistency in these moments strengthens discipline and moves you closer to your goals. By creating regardless of your mood, you build a mindset that transcends fleeting emotions, setting yourself apart from those who stop when the spark isn't there. 6. Do Not Be Passive with Your Life Passivity can hold you back from growth and opportunity. Ross stresses the importance of being decisive and purposeful in your actions. Analyzing your options and taking swift, deliberate steps can prevent stagnation and regret. Reflecting on past mistakes of playing it safe, Ross underscores that waiting for circumstances to change on their own rarely leads to success. Instead, take charge, make bold moves, and keep progressing toward your goals. —

In this episode of Create Like the Greats, Ross Simmonds dives into the transformative concept of the “Circle of Control vs. Circle of Concern.” In a world where being "too busy" often becomes a badge of honor, Ross challenges this mindset by exploring how the time we save from one distraction is often squandered on another. Drawing on Stephen Covey's timeless framework from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Ross provides actionable advice to help listeners identify what truly matters, focus on what they can control, and let go of what they can't. Whether you're an entrepreneur, executive, or creative professional, this episode offers practical strategies to help you reclaim your time and energy. Key Takeaways and Insights: 1. The “Too Busy” Myth Many people proudly declare they're too busy for unproductive habits like watching TV, yet they often replace it with equally unproductive activities such as endless scrolling on social media. The issue isn't the specific distraction but how we manage our time overall. Ross highlights that truly effective individuals don't just eliminate distractions; they deliberately prioritize activities within their control to maximize productivity and fulfillment. 2. Circle of Control vs. Circle of Concern Stephen Covey's framework divides our attention into two categories: Circle of Concern: These include things we care about but cannot influence, like algorithm changes, celebrity gossip, or others' successes. Circle of Control: These involve aspects within our power to change, such as our personal habits, producing meaningful work, or managing our mindset. Ross emphasizes that the more time and energy we devote to our Circle of Control, the more productive and fulfilled we become. This mindset shift not only reduces stress but also empowers us to achieve meaningful progress. 3. Actionable Questions to Start Shifting Your Focus Ross encourages listeners to ask themselves two key questions to realign their priorities: How often do I focus on activities that genuinely move me forward, such as working on my goals or honing my skills? Are my daily actions aligned with the things I can actually influence?  Resources: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey  —

In this episode of Create Like the Greats, we take a deep dive into a common yet critical challenge: how to navigate an overwhelming world of to-dos, notifications, and endless demands, while separating true opportunities from distractions. This journal-style entry gives actionable advice and shares personal reflections on managing focus, setting boundaries, and leveraging self-awareness to achieve greatness. Key Takeaways and Insights: 1.  Distractions vs. Opportunities Distractions divert you from your goals, while opportunities align with and propel you toward them. For example, Americans spend an average of 11 hours daily consuming media, much of which is unproductive noise. To succeed, creators and entrepreneurs must take intentional control of their inputs, focusing on content and activities that support their objectives. 2. The Psychology of Distractions Distractions are often designed to exploit the brain's dopamine-driven reward system, such as through notifications, likes, and comments. To combat this, it's essential to avoid becoming emotionally invested in analytics or social engagement metrics. Instead, focus on long-term objectives and resist the temptation of short-term validation, which can derail your progress. 3. When Distractions Become Opportunities Sometimes, distractions can transform into opportunities. For instance, experimenting with Reddit content in 2017 was initially viewed as a distraction, but it eventually became a competitive advantage. The lesson here is that certain distractions, when aligned with your broader goals, can evolve into valuable opportunities that enhance your success. 4. Actionable Strategies to Stay Focused: Set SMART Goals: Make goals Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely. Conquer Time Management: Use tools like calendars and conduct regular time audits to track how you're spending each moment. Leverage the Eisenhower Matrix: Categorize tasks as: Do First (urgent & important) Schedule (important but not urgent) Delegate (low priority for you to handle directly) Eliminate (neither urgent nor important). The Two-Minute Rule: If a task takes less than 2 minutes, get it done immediately instead of postponing. —

In this episode of Create Like the Greats, Ross sits down with Tommy Walker to dive into his groundbreaking report, The State of Discontent, which reveals critical challenges and emerging trends in the content marketing industry. Through in-depth interviews and data analysis, Tommy highlights the gaps in audience research, the evolving role of meaning in storytelling, and the ethical use of AI in content creation. Together, they discuss how marketers can adapt their strategies, embrace innovation, and foster stronger team dynamics to thrive in a rapidly changing landscape. This conversation is packed with actionable insights for anyone looking to stay ahead in the content marketing world. Key Takeaways and Insights: 1. The Importance of Audience Research in Content Marketing Tommy Walker's report reveals a startling statistic: 40.3% of content marketers fail to conduct sufficient audience research. This oversight undermines the effectiveness of content marketing strategies, as understanding the audience is crucial for crafting impactful messages. Many marketers make the mistake of relying too heavily on assumptions about their existing audience, leading to a disconnect between the content's intention and its reception. The episode underscores that audience research is not just a step in the process—it's the foundation of meaningful engagement. 2. The Shift from Information to Meaning Content marketing is no longer just about disseminating information; it's about creating content that resonates deeply with the audience. Tommy explains that audiences are increasingly seeking narratives that connect with their values and experiences. Simply presenting ideas without context or emotional relevance misses the mark. The discussion highlights how prioritizing meaning over information enables marketers to forge genuine connections that leave a lasting impact. 3. Leveraging AI Responsibly AI's role in content creation is transformative, but only when used responsibly. Tommy and Ross delve into the importance of frameworks that integrate AI without sacrificing quality. While AI can streamline processes and boost productivity, it cannot replace the creative and strategic thinking integral to impactful content. A skilled writer using AI as a tool can amplify their work, but poor foundational skills will still yield subpar results. The key takeaway is that AI should complement, not replace, human ingenuity. 4. The Road Ahead: Long-Term Vision in Content Marketing The episode emphasizes the need for a long-term vision in content marketing, which is often overshadowed by short-term goals. Tommy points out that neglecting thorough audience research not only hampers immediate efforts but also jeopardizes the ability to build sustainable relationships. By focusing on a strategic, forward-looking approach, marketers can attract the right audience and nurture connections that endure, ensuring their content remains relevant and impactful over time. Resources: The State of Discontent - https://www.thecontentstudio.com/the-state-of-discontent/ —

In this episode of Create Like the Greats, Ross shares effective strategies for maximizing the return on investment (ROI) from long-form content. He delves into the importance of repurposing content and building a sustainable content marketing strategy to extract maximum value from a single high-quality piece. From generating micro-content to strategically distributing material across various platforms, Ross outlines essential techniques for extending the reach and impact of your content in today's competitive marketing landscape. Tune in to learn how to create a ripple effect from your original content, turning it into a resource that keeps delivering results. Key Takeaways and Insights: 1. The Race Begins with High-Quality Content Every successful content marketing journey starts with an investment in a high-quality piece of long-form content. Whether it's a comprehensive blog post, a well-researched e-book, or an engaging video, this initial effort creates a strong foundation. By focusing on delivering real value, you set the stage for a content strategy that can go the distance and support multiple marketing goals. 2. Why Long-Form Content? Long-form content is the backbone of a strong content marketing strategy because it offers depth and value that both audiences and search engines appreciate. In-depth articles and resources not only improve your search rankings but also engage readers more effectively and build credibility. A well-crafted, informative piece helps establish you as an authority, attracting more organic traffic and solidifying your place in the industry. 3. The Strategy: Repurposing and Distribution Once your long-form content is live, the next step is to make it work for you through repurposing and smart distribution. Break down your main content into micro-formats, like social media snippets, videos, or infographics, to engage your audience across multiple channels. A strategic approach to repurposing and distributing content ensures you get the most out of your initial investment while continuously reaching new and existing audiences. Resources: Distribution.ai - https://distribution.ai/ —

In this episode of Create Like the Greats, Ross breaks down the essentials of marketing on Reddit—covering the metrics that matter, strategies that actually work, and the mistakes that brands often make when they step onto the platform. Ross lays out actionable steps to help marketers make an impact, from tracking engagement to building genuine relationships and delivering content that truly adds value. Whether you're new to Reddit or looking to level up your approach, this episode is your guide to getting it right on Reddit. Key Takeaways and Insights: 1. Upvote to Downvote Ratio The upvote-to-downvote ratio is a quick yet powerful way to measure content success on Reddit. A high upvote count reflects that your content resonates positively with users, indicating that it adds value or sparks interest. Tracking this ratio helps you understand what works for your audience and fine-tune future content to align with community preferences. 2. Community Sentiment Understanding the sentiment around your brand or content is essential on Reddit, where opinions are often raw and unfiltered. Monitor discussions to gauge whether your posts generate positive engagement or potential backlash. By staying tuned into community sentiment, you can adapt your strategy to better align with audience expectations, ensuring you stay relevant and respected. 3. Authentic Engagement Reddit users prioritize authenticity, making it essential to approach the platform with genuine engagement rather than direct promotion. Instead of hard-selling, participate in conversations, answer questions thoughtfully, and share insights that contribute value. Authentic interactions build trust and credibility, which can have a lasting positive impact on your brand's presence on Reddit. 4. Create Valuable Content Consistency and quality are key to standing out on Reddit. Take the time to create content that is both informative and valuable to the community. Address common interests, questions, and pain points to position your brand as a helpful resource. Reddit's audience is highly discerning, so prioritize quality over quantity to establish a strong, positive reputation. And many more… Resources: Reddit For The Enterprise: The Guide To Reddit Marketing - https://foundationinc.co/lab/reddit-marketing/ 4 Content Marketing Tips To Use When Marketing On Reddit - https://foundationinc.co/lab/reddit-marketing-tips/ —

In this episode of Create Like the Greats, Ross dives into the concept of the "content marketing remix," an innovative approach to amplifying content reach by repurposing and reformatting existing material. By remixing content across different platforms, marketers can engage new audiences while maximizing the impact of their original work. Ross shares actionable insights and examples, demonstrating how to creatively recycle content to keep it fresh and relevant.  Key Takeaways and Insights: 1. Understanding the Content Marketing Remix The content marketing remix is the practice of reimagining and reshaping existing content to fit various formats and platforms. By adapting content to different mediums, brands can tell a cohesive story while connecting with diverse audience segments, ultimately amplifying their message and extending content lifespan. 2. Tactical Approaches for Remixing Content To implement a successful content remix strategy, here are several practical ways to transform existing material: Summarize the podcast discussion into a blog post. Create a YouTube video version of the blog post. Develop short video clips for social media platforms. Turn podcast insights into checklists or downloadable PDFs. Extract key quotes from blogs and design shareable graphics. Use tools like Canva to convert data into infographics. Repurpose long-form articles as microblogs on different platforms. Resources: Distribution.ai - https://distribution.ai/ —

In this episode of Create Like the Greats, Ross explores how marketers and creators can harness Reddit as a powerful tool for growth and community engagement. Packed with actionable insights, the episode breaks down key strategies for effectively engaging on Reddit, from finding the right communities to hosting AMAs and running ads. Listeners will learn how to share valuable content authentically, foster discussions, and use Reddit's unique culture to boost visibility and drive engagement.  Key Takeaways and Insights: 1. Engaging in Subreddits Identify subreddits where your target audience is active, and contribute to discussions with authentic value. Engaging in relevant communities like r/marketing for software topics can help subtly promote your brand while building genuine connections. 2. Hosting Ask Me Anything (AMA) Sessions Host or sponsor AMAs to give Redditors direct access to your expertise or that of an industry leader. An AMA allows users to ask questions about your niche, letting you provide value and establish credibility through open and honest interaction. 3. Strategic Commenting Host or sponsor AMAs to give Redditors direct access to your expertise or that of an industry leader. An AMA allows users to ask questions about your niche, letting you provide value and establish credibility through open and honest interaction. 4. Creating Educational Content Share guides, infographics, or other educational resources that help users better understand your industry. By offering actionable and transparent content, you add value to the community and position yourself as an expert in the field. And many more… Resources: Distribution.ai - https://distribution.ai/ —

In this episode of Create Like the Greats, we dive into the strategic implications of Semrush's recent acquisition of a high-traffic blog and what it reveals about ROI opportunities in digital marketing. We explore how acquiring media entities can transform a company's overall marketing strategy by boosting visibility and creating new pathways for growth. Additionally, we analyze the competitive edge gained through strategic acquisitions, particularly in the SaaS space, and the vital role SEO and backlinks play in maximizing the value of these deals.  Key Takeaways and Insights: 1. The Value of Traffic Acquisition Acquiring high-traffic media platforms presents untapped ROI potential for businesses. Ross emphasized that media entities bring immense value by offering access to vast and engaged audiences. Semrush's acquisition of a blog, which draws over 4.8 million visits, showcases how strategic media buys can enhance a company's reach and strengthen their marketing ecosystem. 2. Strategic Acquisitions in SaaS Ross highlighted that SaaS companies purchasing media properties is a game-changing trend in today's competitive market. As software products become harder to differentiate, acquiring media with a loyal audience provides companies with immediate customer access and credibility. This tactic allows businesses to influence perception and control narratives in ways that traditional marketing can't always achieve. 3. Mastering SEO and Backlinking Successful acquisitions are often underpinned by strong SEO and backlink strategies. Ross pointed out that media platforms with superior SEO performance can propel a brand's online visibility. By securing backlinks from authoritative sources, companies can improve their SERP rankings and drive sustained organic growth—further amplifying the value of their media acquisitions. Resources: Semrush - https://www.semrush.com/ —

In this episode of Create Like the Greats, Ross shares a conversation from The Niche Marketing Podcast with John Bertino, where they dive deep into learning about how to do content marketing for boring industries. From collaborating with influencers to designing a newsletter that drives engagement, they explore actionable strategies to get your message out there. The discussion is packed with insights on influencer marketing, distribution tactics, and leveraging newsletters to tell a brand's story effectively.  Key Takeaways and Insights: 1. The Linear Process of B2B Marketing Ross breaks down the step-by-step approach to B2B marketing, which begins with demonstrating the value of your offering. He explains how selling a story, not just a product, drives transactions and secures sales. But the journey doesn't stop there—Ross emphasizes the need to build continuity in storytelling. By crafting evergreen content, marketers can continually repurpose stories into assets like short-form videos, maintaining relevance long after the sale. 2. Finding the Right Influencers Ross stresses the importance of choosing influencers who align with your brand and audience. Effective influencers create content that educates and entertains, while building trust with their followers. Ross also highlights the power of paid media to amplify influencer content, enabling brands to increase their reach and engagement, especially within niche markets. 3. Ongoing Distribution and Internal Communication Content distribution doesn't end once it's published, that's only the beginning. Regularly redistributing content across multiple platforms is key to sustaining its visibility. He also emphasizes strong internal communication, ensuring that teams like sales are fully aware of new content, like case studies, so they can integrate it into conversations with clients. Resources: Niche Marketing Podcast - https://www.nichemarketingpodcast.com/ —

In this episode of Create Like the Greats, Ross shares his thoughts on the future of AI, inspired by Sam Altman's insights. He dives into how AI is poised to revolutionize our work, culture, and ability to solve complex problems. Ross explores how far human capabilities have come and how AI will continue to enhance our potential. He also reflects on the current state of AI adoption and how those who take advantage of it now will have a significant edge in the future.  Key Takeaways and Insights: 1. People Have Become Dramatically More Capable Over Time  Over the years, human productivity has soared to levels previously thought impossible. Tasks like sending hundreds of emails, creating design mockups, optimizing blog posts, and repurposing content can now be done in minutes, thanks to technological advancements. Yet, many still overlook the full potential of AI. In retrospect, we'll see this moment as a missed opportunity if we don't take action now. No matter your field—SEO, video editing, social media, sales—AI tools should be a core part of your toolkit. Those who embrace AI today will be ahead of the curve tomorrow. 2. AI Will Equip Us to Solve Complex Problems AI is not just an incremental tool; it's a revolutionary one. As we integrate AI into more aspects of work and life, it will allow us to solve challenges that were previously out of reach. Recent reports predict that AI could contribute trillions to global productivity, especially in areas like marketing optimization, lead generation, and personalized outreach. This is just the beginning. Future generations will likely harness AI to achieve things we can't even imagine today. 3. AI Will Improve Lives as It Scales AI's growth is just starting, and while the initial hype has quieted, the true power of AI is just beginning to unfold. As AI scales, it will bring profound improvements to everyday life—especially for those who integrate it into their workflows now. The ROI for early adopters who use AI to streamline communication, personalize campaigns, and analyze data is already extraordinary. The buzz may have faded, but those who stay the course will see transformative benefits Resources: Distribution.Ai - https://distribution.ai/ The Intelligence Age: What It Means For Business & Revenue - https://rosssimmonds.com/intelligence-age/ The Intelligence Age - https://ia.samaltman.com/ Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies - https://www.amazon.ca/Superintelligence-Dangers-Strategies-Nick-Bostrom/dp/0199678111 HeyGen - https://heygen.com/?sid=rewardful&via=ross-simmonds Jasper - https://www.jasper.ai/chat?fpr=foundationinc Frase - https://www.frase.io/?via=ross73 —

In this episode of Create Like the Greats, Ross sits down with Max Branstetter from the Wild Business Growth Podcast to share his journey from a fantasy football blogger to the founder of Foundation, a leading content distribution agency. Ross reveals how his passion for fantasy football led him to build essential skills in writing and content creation, ultimately shaping his path to entrepreneurship. He also dives into the concept of "Create Once, Distribute Forever," offering practical insights into maximizing the reach of your content. Plus, he shares valuable lessons on work-life balance, hiring your first employee, and even the wisdom gained from top deathbed regrets. This episode is packed with strategies and stories that can inspire creators and entrepreneurs alike. Key Takeaways and Insights: 1. Workcation Ross explains how a well-planned workcation can boost productivity while balancing work and relaxation. By aligning work hours with team availability in different time zones, he managed to stay connected without sacrificing downtime. The key to a successful workcation, he emphasizes, is having a trusted team and systems in place that can operate smoothly in your absence. 2. From Fantasy Football Blogger to Agency Founder Ross takes us through his evolution from a passionate fantasy football blogger to becoming the founder of a successful content distribution agency. He highlights how his obsession with the game gave him the writing and content management skills that would later become the foundation for his career. More than just a hobby, fantasy football taught Ross about community building, long-form content creation, and the realization that the internet could unlock global reach and endless opportunities. 3. Create Once, Distribute Forever Ross outlines his approach to content distribution, emphasizing the importance of sharing content across multiple platforms. His philosophy is simple: If your content has value, it deserves to be shared continuously. In his book, he provides tactical steps on how to leverage different channels like email, social media, and online communities to maximize reach. His goal is to help creators overcome the fear of self-promotion and fully embrace the power of distribution. 4. Hiring Your First Employee Ross reflects on the challenges and triumphs of hiring his first employee. He offers practical advice on finding the right person, delegating tasks, and building a team that can thrive without you micromanaging. According to Ross, hiring the right people is crucial to scaling your business, and trusting them is key to personal and professional growth. 5. Lessons from Deathbed Regrets Drawing inspiration from studies on deathbed regrets, Ross shares his thoughts on living a life without major regrets. He encourages listeners to take bold steps in their careers, prioritize experiences, and make the most of their time. For Ross, it's a reminder to pursue passion projects and not wait for the "right time," because life is too short to live cautiously. Resources: Foundation Marketing - https://foundationinc.co/ Create Once, Distribute Forever - https://rosssimmonds.com/book/ Wild Business Growth Podcast - https://maxpodcasting.com/wild-business-growth-podcast/ —

In this episode of Create Like the Greats, Ross dives into Dale Carnegie's timeless principles from "How To Win Friends and Influence People" and how they can be applied to win in business and marketing today. He highlights the importance of building genuine relationships with your audience, making meaningful interactions, and leveraging digital tools to personalize messages at scale. Ross also discusses how listening attentively, showing positivity, and making others feel valued can significantly enhance both personal and professional relationships. These insights are key to not just winning clients, but creating lasting, impactful connections. Key Takeaways and Insights: 1. Show Genuine Interest in Your Audience As marketers, it's easy to think of audiences as simply customers, but real success comes when you truly care about their problems and desires. Engaging deeply with your audience means being present in their communities, learning where they spend their time, and understanding their challenges. By studying their online behaviors and preferences, you can connect with them authentically, offering solutions that resonate with their needs. 2. The Power of a Smile A simple smile can transform the tone of your voice, making your message more approachable and positive. People are naturally drawn to positivity, and brands that exude this energy create a sense of trust and likability. Incorporating optimism into your story and content encourages your audience to associate those positive feelings with your brand, making your message more compelling and memorable. 3. Remembering People's Names In a digital world, personalized interactions go a long way in building rapport. Using tools like email marketing software or AI technologies, you can scale personal messages that address individuals by name. This level of personalization creates a human connection, making your audience feel seen and appreciated, even in large-scale outreach efforts. 4. Be an Active Listener Listening is more than just hearing words; it's about making the other person feel understood. When you actively listen and reflect back what someone has said, it shows them that their voice matters. This builds trust and opens up opportunities for deeper connections, as people value those who take the time to understand their perspectives. 5. Talk in Terms of the Other Person's Interests It's easy to get caught up in promoting the features and technical aspects of your products, but what truly matters to your audience is how it benefits them. Frame your conversations around their needs, showing them how your solutions will impact their lives or businesses. By speaking their language, you'll build stronger, more persuasive marketing messages that resonate. 6. Make Others Feel Important—Sincerely People want to feel valued, and when you show genuine care for someone's well-being or success, it can foster long-lasting relationships. Consistently making others feel important, not just through words but through your actions, strengthens connections and can turn clients into advocates for life.  Resources: HeyGen - https://heygen.com/?sid=rewardful&via=ross-simmonds How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie —

In this episode of Create Like the Greats, Ross uncovers content ideas to help you elevate your LinkedIn strategy and drive meaningful engagement.  From leveraging social media to celebrating key milestones and engaging influencers, Ross dives into practical tactics to optimize your content for maximum impact. Ross also explores personalized marketing tools, the power of building human connections, and how to debunk common misconceptions about content creation. Tune in to discover these actionable strategies and start transforming your LinkedIn presence today! Key Takeaways and Insights 1. Leveraging Social Media to Drive Website Traffic Ross highlights the power of social media as a traffic generator when used strategically. By focusing on sharing industry-specific trends and insights, you can create curiosity and encourage your audience to explore more on your website, driving meaningful engagement. 2. Celebrate Milestones and Share Feedback Celebrating company milestones and feedback from both customers and your team creates opportunities to showcase your achievements. Sharing before-and-after snapshots of campaigns or projects allows your audience to see the tangible results of your strategy and draws them into your brand story. 3. Maximizing Content Through Influencers Engaging with influencers who resonate with your brand is a key tactic to expand your reach. Tagging them in your content not only invites engagement but also increases the likelihood of your brand being seen by their followers. Webinars and thoughtful mentions can further deepen these influencer relationships and enhance your credibility. 4. Leveraging Personalized Marketing Tools Ross delves into the use of powerful tools like Koala and HubSpot to personalize outreach. By analyzing who's interacting with your content, you can craft tailored messages that resonate with individual users. This level of personalization turns casual readers into loyal customers and strengthens your marketing efforts. 5. Building Human Connections Building real human connections is essential in today's market. Ross emphasizes the importance of showcasing the personal struggles and wins behind your brand. By being transparent and relatable, you build a sense of trust and authenticity that resonates with your audience on a deeper level. 6. Comparing Competing Products and Showcasing Insights Ross advises comparing competing products that your team considers for specific tasks to provide valuable insights for your audience. Sharing this process, along with surprising data points, demonstrates your thought leadership and helps establish your brand as a credible source of information. And many more!  Resources: Koala - https://getkoala.com/ HubSpot - https://hubspot.sjv.io/c/5231276/1001264/12893 —

In this episode of Create Like the Greats, with the new Fantasy Football season upon us, Ross revisits an old episode about Fantasy Football and draws parallels between fantasy football strategies and business success. Ross explores how decision-making in the game mirrors the strategies used in the business world. He talks about building your dream team, managing high-performing talent, eliminating bias, and even smack talk—yes, you heard that right! Tune in to discover how lessons from fantasy football can help you optimize your approach to leadership and strategic planning in business. Key Takeaways and Insights: 1.  Building Your Dream Team Just as fantasy football managers carefully select players during the pre-season, businesses must invest time in recruiting the right team members. Ross explains the importance of assembling a cohesive group of high-performing employees, emphasizing that a strong, well-balanced team is crucial for driving the overall success of any business. 2. Balancing Hot Streaks and Consistency In fantasy football, managers often face the dilemma of choosing between a player on a hot streak and a more consistent performer. Ross explores how this applies to managing talent in business, stressing the need to balance short-term gains with long-term potential. Recognizing top performers is important, but understanding their long-term value is key to sustainable success. 3. Removing Personal Bias Personal biases can cloud decision-making, whether you're selecting players for your fantasy team or making strategic business decisions. Ross highlights how removing emotional and personal preferences allows for more objective choices, leading to better outcomes and faster growth in both the business and fantasy worlds. 4. Strategic "Smack Talk" While smack talk is a staple of fantasy sports, it has its place in the business world too—though in a different form. Ross discusses how using competitive banter wisely can help differentiate your business from competitors and draw attention to your unique value. Smack talk in business isn't about targeting colleagues but about positioning yourself confidently in your industry. 5. Planning Ahead Just as fantasy football players must anticipate future matchups and injuries, businesses need to forecast potential challenges and opportunities. Ross emphasizes the importance of being proactive and planning ahead, helping businesses stay agile and prepared for unexpected hurdles that could disrupt operations or progress. 6. Treating Every Week as a New Challenge In fantasy football, every week brings fresh competition, requiring new strategies and adjustments. Similarly, Ross encourages businesses to treat each week as a new challenge, constantly adapting to market conditions, evolving customer needs, and internal goals. This mindset keeps teams innovative and resilient. 7. Embracing Bold Moves In both fantasy football and business, success often comes from taking bold, calculated risks. Ross explains how businesses can benefit from stepping outside their comfort zone and making daring decisions. Whether it's launching a new product or pivoting strategy, bold moves can lead to breakthroughs and drive significant success. —

In this special episode of Create Like the Greats, Ross is joined by Ethan Crump, a Senior Content Marketing Specialist at Foundation, to unveil the concept of prompt engineering and its significance in leveraging innovative tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity. The conversation delves into how prompt engineering is shaping marketing strategies, exploring its growing influence in the field. Ross and Ethan also discuss the benefits, offering insights into various prompts that can be utilized to enhance AI-driven marketing campaigns. Key Insights 1. Partnering with AI for Enhanced Productivity Treating AI as a collaborator in content creation can significantly enhance productivity. By laying a solid foundation of quality input, AI can expedite the content creation process while maintaining relevance and precision. Effective prompt engineering, particularly when built on advanced prompt-writing techniques, allows for more tailored and goal-aligned outcomes, transforming AI into a powerful tool for marketers. 2. Chain-of-Thought Prompting Chain-of-thought prompting is a technique that enhances the reasoning abilities of AI by guiding it to break down complex problems into smaller, more manageable steps. This method helps the AI provide a clear and logical progression of ideas, leading to more accurate and thoughtful results. By using this approach, you can improve the depth and quality of the AI's responses in your marketing efforts. 3. Leveraging Different Types of Prompts Use a variety of prompt types, such as extraction, summarization, and creation. When used strategically, these prompts can uncover valuable insights, generate engaging content, and effectively connect with your audience. Understanding when and how to use each type of prompt is key to maximizing the impact of AI in your marketing efforts. The AI marketing console has tons of different prompts that people can steal and use. 4. Visual Prompting Visual prompting can yield impressive results in creative fields. Tools like DALLE and Midjourney, enable users to create art or design mockups through well-crafted prompts. By developing a prompt library with specific artists, styles, and techniques, marketers can quickly generate high-quality visuals that align with their brand's aesthetic and messaging. Resources  Prompt Engineering: A Guide for Marketers and Content Creators - https://foundationinc.co/lab/prompt-engineering-guide-marketers/ AI Marketing Console - https://ross.gumroad.com/l/ai-console —

In this episode of Create Like the Greats, Ross shares an engaging conversation from his appearance on The Copywriter Club Podcast with Rob Marsh. They explore how content creation is evolving, especially in light of new technologies, and discuss what this means for writers moving forward. The episode dives into the importance of storytelling, the shifting role of content marketers, and practical strategies for making the most of your content. Ross emphasizes the importance of balancing technology with human creativity and strategic thinking in the ever-changing world of content marketing. Key Takeaways and Insights: 1.  The Power of Storytelling and Curiosity Ross emphasizes how storytelling, fueled by curiosity, is key to creating content that resonates. By staying curious and always seeking to learn, writers can craft compelling narratives that capture attention and engage audiences, making their content memorable and impactful. 2. The Rise of AI and Its Impact on Content While AI has allowed for the creation of vast amounts of content, it has also flooded the internet with low-quality and generic articles. Ross highlighted the need for human intervention to elevate the quality of AI-generated content. Great copywriters, content marketers, and writers in general possess unique insights, creativity, and strategic thinking that AI cannot replicate. 3. Evolving Role of Content Marketers Content marketing is not just about producing content; it's about ensuring that content reaches and resonates with the right audience. Ross discusses the need for content marketers to take a broader view, integrating both creation and marketing strategies to maximize the impact of their work. 4. Maximizing the Lifespan of Content Ross shares the importance of getting the most out of your content by resharing and repurposing it over time. By keeping valuable content in circulation and updating it as needed, businesses can maintain engagement and drive traffic without constantly needing to create new material. This strategy helps to extend the life and effectiveness of existing content. Resources: Create Once, Distribute Forever - https://rosssimmonds.com/book/ The Copywriter Club - https://thecopywriterclub.com/podcast/ —

In this episode of Create Like the Greats, Ross shares valuable insights on how to effectively repurpose your content. He emphasizes the importance of constantly thinking about how to repurpose content within your library and highlights the power of turning words into visuals. Ross also discusses the repurposing process, from conducting an audit to utilizing third-party voices. He explores various methods of repurposing content, including transforming ebooks into blog posts and leveraging presentations for multimedia assets.  Key Takeaways and Insights: 1.  Turning Words into Visuals Transform text-based content into visually engaging assets to capture attention and expand your content's reach. Converting blog posts or ebooks into infographics or slide decks not only diversifies your content but also enhances its shareability across platforms. 2. Transcribing Content for Multimedia Adaptation Expand the reach of audio content by transcribing it into written formats. This allows you to create blog posts, video scripts, or other multimedia assets, catering to various audience preferences and increasing the accessibility of your message. 3. Incorporating Third-Party Voices Enhance your content's credibility by collaborating with industry experts or influencers, or by utilizing synthetic voices for narration. Diverse voices in your content not only build thought leadership but also attract a broader audience. 4. Leveraging Event Speaking Engagements Maximize the value of speaking engagements by repurposing presentations into blog posts, videos, or other content formats. Reach out to event organizers for recordings or transcripts to extend the impact of your insights to a wider audience. Resources: ElevenLabs - https://elevenlabs.io/?from=rosssimmonds1914 —

In this episode of Create Like the Greats, Ross delves into the evolving landscape of video marketing, particularly within the B2B realm. Drawing from his experience with the Cut30 program, he explores how these insights have shaped his approach to crafting impactful video content. Ross discusses the power of targeted audience outreach and the need to shake up traditional video marketing methods.  Key Takeaways and Insights: 1.  Targeted Audience Outreach Ross emphasizes that truly effective B2B video marketing starts with a deep understanding of the audience. Through his involvement with the Cut30 program, he learned the critical importance of tailoring video content to specific buyer personas. By addressing the unique needs, challenges, and aspirations of these personas, businesses can create videos that not only capture attention but also drive meaningful engagement and conversions. 2. Shake Up Video Marketing Ross discusses the necessity of rethinking the current state of video marketing in the B2B sector. He identifies video as an underutilized yet powerful tool that holds immense potential for B2B companies. To truly leverage this medium, Ross advocates for applying innovative best practices and stepping away from traditional approaches. His insights challenge businesses to push the boundaries of video content creation, leading to more dynamic and effective marketing strategies. Resources: Cut30 Program - https://cut30.co/ —

In this episode of Create Like the Greats, Ross shares an engaging conversation with Joe Glover from The Marketing Meetup. They discuss the impact of AI on the marketing industry, focusing on various tools and their practical uses. The conversation highlights how AI can enhance efficiency while emphasizing the irreplaceable value of human creativity in storytelling. With a mix of innovative AI insights and the importance of human touch, this episode provides a fresh look at the evolving landscape of marketing. Key Takeaways and Insights: 1. AI Tools for Creative Thinking and Content Creation Ross and Joe discuss ChatGPT as a versatile AI tool that supports event planning, content creation, and marketing material development. By using prompts and personas, ChatGPT generates fresh ideas tailored to specific contexts. They also touch on DALL-E, an AI that creates visual content, enabling marketers to blend unique concepts and explore new creative avenues. 2. AI as a Partner for Efficiency and Innovation The episode highlights various AI tools like Adobe for advanced marketing projects and ElevenLabs for voice manipulation. Descript, a tool that modifies voice tones within transcripts, is also mentioned. Ross and Joe agree that embracing AI as a partner can significantly boost efficiency and productivity, allowing marketers to tackle previously daunting tasks and unlock new opportunities for growth. 3. The Repurposing Power of AI Ross emphasizes AI's ability to transform and extend the lifespan of content. By leveraging AI, marketers can create high-quality content that can be distributed and repurposed over time, reaching a broader audience. This capability ensures continuous value delivery and helps marketers connect with more people effectively. 4. The Role of Human Storytellers Despite AI's advancements, the episode underscores the irreplaceable role of human storytellers. Humans have a unique ability to craft narratives that deeply resonate with audiences. While AI can enhance and amplify storytelling efforts, it cannot replicate the core elements of human creativity and emotional connection. AI serves to augment human creativity, enabling storytellers to achieve new heights without replacing their essential role. Resources: The Marketing Meetup - https://themarketingmeetup.com/podcast/ —

Ross dives deep into the fascinating world of OpenAI and its recent partnerships, exploring how these collaborations are reshaping the landscape of content creation and the implications for marketers. Ross also touch upon some controversial aspects related to OpenAI and shed light on the potential long-term effects on various creative industries. Key Takeaways and Insights: 1. OpenAI's Partnership with Apple On June 10, 2024, OpenAI and Apple announced a groundbreaking partnership aimed at leveraging OpenAI's advanced technology to develop innovative products. This collaboration is set to streamline text creation directly on our devices, simplifying tasks such as email writing and iMessage creation, thereby enhancing user experience and productivity. 2. OpenAI's Partnership with Media Organizations VoxMedia's collaboration with OpenAI and ChatGPT marks a significant step in integrating AI into media production. WAN-IFRA's initiative, in partnership with ChatGPT, aims to assist over 100 news publishers in exploring and incorporating AI into their newsrooms, promising a transformation in how news is produced and consumed. The partnership between The Atlantic and OpenAI, although controversial, highlights the potential and challenges of integrating AI into traditional media outlets. 3. OpenAI's Partnership with Reddit OpenAI's partnership with Reddit to enhance ChatGPT is a brilliant move, bringing together the voice of journalists and the voice of the people. This collaboration provides direct access to the thoughts and discussions of Reddit users, offering valuable insights into public opinion and enhancing the relevance and accuracy of AI-generated content.  Resources: OpenAI Partnerships List - https://foundationinc.co/lab/openai-partnerships-list/ Reddit Is Dominating SEO Right Now - https://open.spotify.com/episode/2wgxKBuWCQuNcce7TGccq9?si=4c9990f3d1294c01 —

In this special reupload episode of Create Like the Greats, Ross dives into the impressive success story of MasterClass and its winning formula. He dissects MasterClass's innovative content strategy, their mastery of video and animations, their focus on search intent, and their success in generating backlinks. Ross underscores the critical importance of knowing your audience, consistently offering value, embracing outbound marketing, and leveraging remarketing and reactive storytelling techniques. The episode's main takeaway is the power of creating and distributing high-value content. Key Takeaways and Insights 1. Leveraging Video Content MasterClass places a significant emphasis on video content, weaving it seamlessly into their SEO-driven pieces. This commitment to high-quality video and engaging animations captivates their audience and boosts their search engine rankings. 2. The Power of Backlinks  By producing exceptional content and collaborating with industry experts, MasterClass has become a powerhouse in generating backlinks. This strategic approach has resulted in over 640,000 backlinks, enhancing their online visibility and authority. 3. Understanding Search Intent: The Key to Effective Content Creation  MasterClass excels by deeply understanding search intent, ensuring their content aligns perfectly with what users are seeking. This alignment not only increases visibility but also drives higher engagement in search engine results. 4. Connecting with Influencers and Industry Experts  MasterClass extends its reach by featuring influential figures across various industries. This strategy not only adds credibility but also broadens their audience base, making their platform more appealing and relevant. 5. Creating Compelling Stories that Resonate  MasterClass distinguishes itself through storytelling that profoundly impacts people's lives. By consistently understanding their audience and delivering valuable content, they foster a strong connection and engagement with their users. Resources  Foundation Content Marketing Playbook - https://content.rosssimmonds.com/stand-out-guide1 How to Write for the Web - https://foundationinc.co/lab/writing-for-the-web/ —

In this episode of Create Like the Greats, we delve into the secrets behind how Dialpad, generates an impressive 500,000 visits in organic traffic every month. Ross is joined by Chris Meabe, a Senior Content Specialist from Foundation Marketing, who shares invaluable insights on Dialpad's success. Ross and Chris explore the unique and special approach Dialpad uses to capture traffic and the innovative techniques that set them apart in the competitive landscape. Key Insights 1. SEO and Programmatic SEO Search Engine Optimization (SEO) revolves around identifying relevant keywords and understanding user search intent to improve visibility in search engine results. Dialpad leverages programmatic SEO, using technology to create landing pages and AI to write copy based on variable inputs. This scalable SEO engine, enhanced with a human touch, propels their rankings from the top 5 to number 1. 2. On-site Optimization and AB Testing Dialpad optimizes its pages for conversions and sales by leveraging effective Calls to Action (CTAs). They employ AB testing, a real-time optimization technique, to continuously refine their strategies. By analyzing different variations of their landing pages, Dialpad improves conversions and drives substantial ROI for the business. 3. Programmatic SEO and Exploring Potential Industries Chris and Ross discuss the potential of programmatic SEO across various industries. For instance, the real estate sector can use data from third-party sources to create targeted landing pages for potential homebuyers. Job listing sites can utilize data from platforms like Glassdoor to create hyper-localized listings. In the education industry, landing pages can target topics such as the best schools by state or province. The finance sector requires thorough research to ensure credibility when creating content related to investments and financial advice. They also explore many other industries, highlighting the endless possibilities of programmatic SEO. Resources  Dialpad's Area Code SEO Moat: How to Rank for 50k Keywords -  https://foundationinc.co/lab/dialpad How Brands Can Use STAT To Thrive Amidst SERP Chaos - https://foundationinc.co/lab/stat-seo-serp/ STAT Search Analytics - https://getstat.com/foundation-exclusive —

In this episode of Create Like the Greats, Ross discusses the significant shift in the business landscape over the past year and how Reddit has emerged as a major beneficiary of this change. He delves into the Google and Reddit partnership, the importance of creating a subreddit, leveraging ads within subreddits, and the value of cross-referencing YouTube videos in search engine results. This episode offers valuable insights for businesses looking to leverage Reddit's growing influence to enhance their digital strategies and engagement. Key Takeaways and Insights The Google and Reddit Partnership - Google announced the helpful content update, highlighting their collaboration with Reddit to enhance the content they index. This partnership allows Google to access valuable user-generated content from Reddit, which had previously been overlooked. Reddit's upcoming IPO further solidifies its position as an influential platform for businesses. Creating a Subreddit - Encouraging companies with a significant customer base to consider creating their own subreddit ensures control over the subreddit's content and prevents the creation of unofficial subreddits. This allows businesses to engage directly with their customers and establish a community. STAT for Keyword Monitoring - Using a tool like STAT, created by the folks at Moz, to identify relevant keywords. STAT allows users to upload and monitor a series of keywords, providing insights into which URLs and domains are showing up in Google more frequently for these keywords compared to your own. This is crucial because, as a marketer, recognizing your SEO competitors can reveal that many people searching for your product or service are landing on Reddit threads. This insight helps in understanding where dialogues about you and your competitors are happening on Reddit, allowing you to engage more effectively with your audience on this platform. Leveraging Ads within Subreddits - A powerful strategy is to run targeted ads directly to specific subreddits where the target audience spends time. This enables businesses to reach a highly engaged and relevant audience, leading to better conversion rates. It is recommended to carefully craft ad content that aligns with the interests and values of the subreddit community. Submitting Content to Relevant Subreddits - To increase visibility and reach a wider audience, businesses should submit their content (such as blog posts, articles, or videos) to relevant subreddits. It is essential to research and understand the target audience's interests and preferences within each subreddit to ensure content resonance. Resources  How Brands Can Use STAT To Thrive Amidst SERP Chaos - https://foundationinc.co/lab/stat-seo-serp/ Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/ STAT - https://getstat.com/ HeyGen - https://heygen.com/?sid=rewardful&via=ross-simmonds —

In this episode of Create Like the Greats, Ross sheds light on the leaked Google report and its implications for content creators and brands. He emphasizes the importance of relevance, originality, and comprehensiveness in content quality. To stand out in search engine rankings, brands must prioritize utility-driven content creation. Additionally, he highlights the significance of user experience (UX) and provides valuable insights on optimizing websites for improved SEO. Key Takeaways and Insights:  1. Content Quality: Relevance, Originality, and Comprehensiveness To gain a competitive edge in search engine results pages (SERPs), it's crucial to ensure content relevance, originality, and comprehensiveness. Ross advises reaching out to niche experts and industry professionals to gather diverse perspectives and create in-depth content. Google values thorough and informative content that meets users' needs. 2. Enhancing User Experience: Clean and Logical Content Improving user experience plays a vital role in SEO. By enhancing your website's usability, user satisfaction increases. One way to optimize user experience is by compressing images that might slow down loading times. Allow users to access desired information quickly and effortlessly. Additionally, conducting mobile usability tests and ensuring logical and cohesive content structure contribute to a positive user experience. 3. SEO Insights: Clickability and Diverse Anchor Texts Ross highlights several key factors that impact SEO, including click-through rates (CTRs), bounce rates, dwell time, and user engagement. Utilizing clickable text in hyperlinks is essential, and anchor texts should incorporate relevant keywords. However, excessive optimization may result in penalties. Maintaining a diverse range of anchor texts is key to a successful SEO strategy. 4. Leveraging Google's Reach: YouTube and Internal Linking Google is not only the most popular search engine but also monetizes YouTube through ads. Ross suggests capitalizing on this opportunity by driving organic traffic from SERPs and redirecting it to Google-hosted platforms. Additionally, incorporating internal links with appropriate keywords can further enhance your website's visibility and drive engagement. Resources  How to Write SEO Content According to the Google Leaks -  https://foundationinc.co/lab/google-algorithm-leak STAT Search Analytics - https://getstat.com/ —

In this episode of Create Like the Greats, Ross delves into the intersection of AI and SEO, exposing the misinformation spread by major media publications within the industry. He discusses recent articles by journalists and experts that misleadingly advocate for the use of ChatGPT in keyword research, keyword difficulty estimation, and subreddit selection. Ross highlights the significant errors in these claims and emphasizes the dangers of relying on AI for such critical SEO tasks. This episode is unique as Ross shares a comprehensive presentation on the topic. Tune in to this eye-opening episode and discover why following these misguided recommendations could be one of the biggest mistakes in your SEO strategy.  You can also check out Ross' presentation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5cytgJgFMI&t=2s Resources How Content Is Evolving Thanks to AI — Whiteboard Friday - https://moz.com/blog/content-evolving-with-ai-whiteboard-friday HeyGen - https://heygen.com/?sid=rewardful&via=ross-simmonds RossSimmonds.com - https://rosssimmonds.com/ Foundation Marketing - https://foundationinc.co/ —

In this episode of Create Like the Greats, Ross shares valuable insights into the world of marketing, SEO, and content creation. He discusses how businesses can boost their online presence, attract new customers, and foster growth by integrating these strategies. He talked about the fundamentals of marketing, utilizing AI-driven tools, optimizing content for search engines, and tailoring strategies to suit different business types and platforms. By implementing these tactics, you can successfully navigate the ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing. Key Takeaways and Insights 1. The Power of Communities Many people overlook that the evolution of SERP is driven by changes in how humans interact online. We now trust people more than robots, always have and always will. People are looking to get their answers directly from other people, and communities like Reddit have become prime sources. Over the last few months, there has been a significant increase in content from Reddit appearing in SERP due to licensing deals with OpenAI and Google. This trend is set to continue, positioning Reddit as an increasingly important player in search results. 2. AI-Powered Platforms LLMs (Large Language Models) are revolutionizing the way we conduct searches and interact online. Platforms like OpenAI, Perplexity, and Claude are at the forefront of this change. Users engage in conversations with these AI systems, asking questions and receiving detailed responses. These AI-powered platforms are significantly altering the landscape of search, providing more interactive and intuitive ways to find information. 3. The Fundamentals of Successful Marketing Ross highlights the four key fundamentals of marketing: research, creation, distribution, and optimization. Conducting thorough research helps identify target audiences and their preferences. Content creation involves developing valuable and engaging content tailored to these audiences. Successful distribution involves employing various channels to reach a wider audience, while optimization ensures that content is discoverable on search engines. These fundamentals form the backbone of a successful marketing strategy, helping businesses grow and succeed in the digital age. Resources  OpenAI - https://openai.com/ Perplexity - https://www.perplexity.ai/ Claude - https://claude.ai/ —

In this episode of Create Like the Greats, Ross sits down with Jason Barnard, CEO of Kalicube to delve into the fundamentals of search engine optimization (SEO) and and Google's evolving understanding of search engine results pages (SERPs). They talked about the importance of educating Google to represent your brand, the role of content in SEO,  building a knowledge graph, the significance of branding, the use of AI in SEO, and the impact of Google's NLP. Key Takeaways and Insights 1. Understanding Google's Evolution Google is no longer solely about SEO strategies but rather about comprehending the context and purpose behind content. Google's focus has shifted from keywords to understanding the intent and meaning behind the words used. This means that businesses can now influence how Google represents their brand by effectively educating it. 2. Balanced Digital Marketing Strategy While some believe that flooding the internet with content can boost their rankings, Jason discusses that a balanced approach is key. Google aims to present a comprehensive overview to its users, so it's important to have a digital marketing strategy that engages your audience effectively while maintaining quality and relevance. 3. The Importance of Branding Branding should take priority over marketing. Establishing a strong brand identity allows businesses to market effectively and package their marketing materials for search engines like Google and Bing, conveying who they are, what they do, who they serve, and their credibility as a solution. 4. The Role of AI in SEO Fundamentals of marketing and SEO should be prioritized over using AI to manipulate search rankings. SEOs possess unique insights and skills, and Google serves as a valuable indicator of digital marketing performance. Resources  Kalicube - https://kalicube.com/ —

In this episode of Create Like the Greats, Ross sits down with Gregory Kennedy from BrandZen shared some game-changing insights into the world of B2B marketing. Their chat revolved around Kennedy's report, "New Paradigms in B2B Marketing," unpacking crucial ideas resonating with marketers navigating the digital landscape. Gregory highlighted the transformative role of AI, the importance of optimism in online interactions, and the enduring relevance of classic marketing frameworks.  Key Takeaways and Insights 1. AI-Driven Personalization as a Trend The growing importance of AI-driven personalization in marketing strategies. Traditional methods like using first names are becoming basic expectations, and marketers need to explore the substantial opportunities that AI offers in tailoring content to individual consumers. This trend can lead to enhanced connections with customers and better overall campaign results. 2. Social Media Optimization Gregory emphasized the essence of genuine audience engagement over mere social media clicks. While marketers previously focused on maximizing clicks, there is now a shift towards 0-click social media optimization. This approach prioritizes impressions and reach over click-throughs, leading to a strategic realignment that better fits current trends and audience behaviors. 3. The Value of the Funnel and AIDA Despite emerging paradigms, the traditional marketing funnel and the AIDA framework (Attention, Interest, Desire, Action) continue to be valuable tools for marketers. Understanding these mental models helps marketers create effective copy and guide consumers along the buyer's journey with precision. 4. Brand Advocacy and Employee Participation Gregory and Ross talked about the importance of brand advocacy and suggests that organizations should invest resources in measuring and promoting employee participation. Employee advocacy not only enhances a company's reputation but also benefits individuals' career growth and attracts customers, creating a win-win scenario for both the organization and its employees. Resources  New Paradigms in B2B Marketing - https://www.wearebrandzen.com/research/ —

In this episode of "Create Like the Greats," Ross sits down with Junae Brown, Founder and CEO of Browned 2 Perfection Agency. Junae shares her inspiring journey in the marketing world. Through the lens of authenticity and adaptive strategies, she showcases her deep expertise in crafting impactful marketing campaigns. Junae's insights into the importance of personal identity in marketing and the evolving landscape driven by AI provide valuable takeaways for marketers and entrepreneurs alike. Key Takeaways and Insights 1. The Importance of Authenticity Junae emphasizes the significance of authenticity in creating brand loyalty. Authenticity helps brands connect with their audience on a deeper level and aligns with the purpose of the product or service. By being genuine, brands can build trust and long-lasting relationships with their customers. 2. Junae's "I Am the Marketing Plan" The concept is twofold: it focuses on establishing strong, authentic, lucrative, and impactful personal brands, and on building loyalty-based consumer or company brands. Additionally, it emphasizes personal growth and becoming one's best self. Junae believes that while technical marketing strategies are essential, recognizing and maximizing one's inherent capabilities is equally powerful. 3. The Evolution of Marketing Strategies Junae believes in the necessity of adapting to the ever-changing marketing landscape. She talks about the importance of utilizing modern tools like AI to enhance human creativity and strategy. While AI offers powerful capabilities, maintaining a human touch and being open to change are essential for sustained success in marketing. Resources  Browned 2 Perfection - https://www.browned2perfection.com/home —

In this episode of Create Like the Greats, Ross sits down with Erica Schneider, an experienced editor and founder of the program Cut the Fluff, who shares her journey as an online writer and entrepreneur. Erica provides valuable insights into the world of writing and editing, emphasizing the importance of clear thinking in writing, the impact of AI on copywriting, and the significance of finding balance in work and family life.  Key Takeaways and Insights 1. Journey to Becoming a Writer Erica discovered her passion for writing in high school and ventured into SEO blog writing through platforms like Upwork. She persevered and gained valuable experience working as an English teacher in Thailand. This diverse background gave her a unique perspective and a solid foundation for her career in writing. 2. A Path to Good Writing Good writing is good thinking, but not all thinking is clear thinking. Many writers make the mistake of trying to edit themselves while writing, leading to confusion and poor-quality content. Erica Schneider's expertise lies in helping writers master the art of editing by separating the writing and editing processes. By stressing the importance of clear thinking, she empowers writers to produce high-quality, concise, and engaging content. 3. The Art of the Hook: Writing Engaging Content Erica shares insights into crafting captivating hooks in writing. By practicing and learning from failures, writers can enhance their ability to create compelling introductions. Erica suggests finding an accountability buddy to review and critique each other's work, a process that helps writers better understand their strengths and weaknesses. Mastering the art of writing effective hooks is essential for capturing readers' attention and encouraging further engagement. 4. AI and Copywriting: Embracing the Future Erica delves into the impact of AI on the field of copywriting. While AI tools can offer valuable assistance with generating ideas and crafting headlines, Erica emphasizes the importance of personal touch and human creativity in writing. By combining the efficiency of AI tools with their own unique writing style, writers can optimize their content creation process and produce engaging and tailored copy. Resources Long to Short - https://long-to-short.com/ Cut the Fluff - https://cut-the-fluff.ck.page/ —

Welcome to "Create Like The Greats," where we delve into the burgeoning world of Generative Engine Optimization (GEO). This episode explores the transformation from traditional SEO to GEO, a necessity in today's AI-driven digital landscape. We examine how the rise of AI search engines is reshaping content creation and digital marketing, offering insights and practical strategies for engaging both human and AI audiences effectively. Key Insights  The Evolution from SEO to GEO: Understand the shift from Search Engine Optimization to Generative Engine Optimization, and why it matters. Foundations of GEO: Discover the origins of GEO, its defining features, and how it differs from traditional SEO. Strategies for Success: Learn the key strategies that influence AI-driven search engines, including language uniqueness, authoritative content, and the use of citations and statistics. Practical Applications: Gain insights into how to apply GEO principles depending on the intent of the query—whether informational, navigational, or transactional. Future of Digital Marketing: Consider the future implications of GEO and how it represents the next step in the evolution of digital content strategy. Resources  What's Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) & How To Do It - https://foundationinc.co/lab/generative-engine-optimization GEO Targeted: Critiquing the Generative Engine Optimization Research -  https://sandboxseo.com/generative-engine-optimization-experiment/ —

In this episode of Create Like the Greats, Ross Simmonds and Alessandra Colaci of Humans + AI delve into the world of AI and its vast potential in marketing. They explore how AI can elevate productivity and drive innovation in marketing strategies. They discuss various aspects of integrating AI into marketing practices, from harnessing existing data to overcoming resistance. Additionally, they delve into specific applications such as AI in sales, creativity, e-commerce, and content creation. Throughout the conversation, they highlight the importance of understanding AI's capabilities and embracing its role in shaping the future of marketing. Detailed Breakdown  1. Harnessing Existing Data for AI: Leveraging customer data, use cases, and personas can inform AI-driven decisions, enhancing marketing strategies through valuable insights. Chat GPT facilitates data conversations, enabling analysis and extraction of information based on natural language patterns, thereby improving insights. 2. Sales and AI: AI tools empower salespeople by enhancing efficiency, identifying the right contacts, and analyzing successful approaches for improved results. 3. Standing Out with AI: AI-powered marketing serves as a unique differentiator, augmenting human efforts to achieve greater success and productivity. Shifting from repetitive tasks to strategic and creative work is essential. AI can free up time for deeper and more meaningful endeavors. 4. Overcoming Resistance to AI: Resistance to AI often stems from fear or uncertainty, which can be overcome through education and understanding of its capabilities. 5. AI in Creativity: AI assists agencies in generating a high volume of creative ideas. Tools like Runway and Mid Journey enable image animation for creative projects. While voice-over tools enable storytelling, meditation audio, and creation of company spokespersons. 6. Mailshake's AI Content Creation: Mailshake offers AI-powered content creation tools for email marketing, emphasizing the importance of continuous improvement in outreach and marketing efforts. Resources: ChatGPT: chat.openai.com/ Midjourney: midjourney.com/ Runway: runwayml.com/ —

In this episode of Create Like the Greats, Ross shares insights from his recent interview on the podcast Distribution First, hosted by Justin Simon. They explore how marketers can use AI to enhance distribution strategies, emphasizing its role as an augmentation too rather than a replacement tool. The conversation also touches on the impact of AI on plagiarism, the value of communities in career development, and the power of repurposing content for efficient distribution. Detailed Breakdown  1. AI as an Augmentation Tool, not a Replacement: Ross emphasizes that AI should be viewed as a tool to augment human capabilities rather than a complete replacement. Many people make the mistake of relying solely on AI-powered tools for creating and distributing content, expecting instant success. However, Ross points out that AI works best when integrated into a thought-out system, whether in audio, video, or written format. 2. Streamlining Content Creation with AI They explore how ChatGPT can be utilized to generate SOPs for various content formats such as video production. By feeding ChatGPT specific prompts related to content creation workflows, users can efficiently streamline processes and create comprehensive SOPs tailored to their specific needs. This approach not only saves time but also ensures consistency and quality across content production endeavors. 3. Collaboration with AI They discuss the approach to using AI as a partner rather than a mere task executor and highlight the importance of bouncing ideas off AI and using it as a colleague, encouraging marketers to view AI as a valuable resource in the content creation process. 4. The Power of Communities They emphasize the significance of being a part of communities to grow and excel professionally. Building connections within communities can help marketers gain insights and knowledge, with AI being one such area where being well-versed can set individuals apart in their careers. 5. Plagiarism and AI When it comes to plagiarism in the realm of AI, Ross presents two trains of thought. Firstly, conducting plagiarism checks at the end of producing any asset is important. Secondly, acknowledging the ideas AI generates and giving credit where due is crucial, just as one would with human-generated ideas. 6. Amplifying Distribution Strategies They discuss how content creators often overlook the importance of distribution, celebrating the creation of content without incorporating effective distribution strategies. By understanding how to leverage distribution, organizations can unlock unlimited potential and opportunities for their content. Resources  Distribution First Episode —

In this episode of Create Like the Greats, Ross takes us on a journey through the highs and lows of his book launch for "Create Once, Distribute Forever." With a behind-the-scenes look at his launch strategy, Ross shares the excitement, challenges, and successes he's encountered. From podcast interviews to social media engagement and lessons learned along the way, Ross leaves no stone unturned. Despite a few hiccups, Ross's gratitude for his community and determination to make a difference resonate deeply Detailed Breakdown  1. Getting on Podcasts Ross talks about how he planned and pulled off getting on lots of different podcasts. These podcasts were all about stuff like marketing, business, and how things grow. He explains how he reached out to the people who run the podcasts and why it was super important to do this to let more people know about his book. 2. Making Noise on Social Media Ross shares how he used social media to make a big deal about his book. He made videos and shared parts of the book to get more people interested. He made sure to spread the word across different social media sites to reach as many people as possible and get them excited about what he had to say about spreading stories. 3. Overcoming Challenges with Transparency Ross talks about some things that didn't go as planned during his book launch, like messing up with emails. But instead of trying to hide it, Ross was honest about the mistake. He talked openly to his followers about what happened and turned it into a chance to connect even more with them. Resources  Create Once, Distribute Forever Book - https://rosssimmonds.com/book/ Check it out on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Create-Once-Distribute-Forever-Creators/dp/1544541279 Create Once, Distribute Forever Webinar - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1-bmDmbjIo&t=59s —