Podcast appearances and mentions of jon benson

Can AI influence what people buy? Marketing expert Jon Benson, founder of BNSN.AI, reveals how artificial intelligence, persuasion psychology, storytelling, and strategic copywriting are transforming modern marketing. Learn how words shape decisions, influence behavior, and help businesses grow faster in the AI era.https://bnsn.ai/https://www.instagram.com/itsjonbenson/https://x.com/itsjonbensonhttps://www.facebook.com/itsjonbensonhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPDvmgurd-rym4pyPjviIuwLinkedInNOTE: This information is for educational and investigative purposes.-------------------------Check out all of our vendors at: https://patriotswithgrit.com/patriot-partners/SPONSORS FOR THIS VIDEOGold, Silver and Precious Metalshttps://NobleGoldInvestments.com/GRIT❤️ Cardio Miracle – One Drink. Endless Benefits.Feel steady energy, sharper clarity, and stronger resilience every day.Own your freedom in health & experience the full power your body was designed for.

Jon Benson — the inventor of the video sales letter and a copywriter responsible for over $1 billion in revenue — joins the show to explore what happens to human creativity as AI takes on more of the work. Jon shares how he accidentally stumbled into copywriting, why ethical persuasion rooted in personal values outperforms manipulation, and how he's built a system of AI "clones" that handle everything from sales pages to email sequences. He explains the frustrating reality of training AI to write like a human (hint: it hates commas), why knowledge remains the ultimate competitive advantage, and how the window to get ahead of the AI wave is closing fast. If you're an entrepreneur wondering where to start, this episode will show you exactly what's possible — and what's at stake if you wait. New sponsor alert: Jason Gagne's Good2GoBody 90-day beginner fitness program - https://good2go.podia.com/?coupon=LIONSJOHN Video Chapters 0:53 — Intro & Sponsor: Good to Go Body 90-Day Program 2:11 — Meet Jon Benson: Inventor of the Video Sales Letter 5:33 — Ethical Persuasion: Writing to People's Core Values 8:03 — How Jon's AI System Works (and Why AI Is So Stubborn) 11:02 — Eliminating AI-isms: Making Copy Sound Human 17:03 — The Role of Humans When AI Can Do Almost Everything 22:43 — Getting Started: youcloned.ai Free PDF & Tools 27:13 — The AI Timeline: You Don't Have a Year 33:10 — The Conversion Lab: Weekly Coaching with Jon & His Wife 36:19 — The Future: Hyper-Personalized Marketing & the AI Economy Links & Resources

Jon Benson — the inventor of the video sales letter and a copywriter responsible for over $1 billion in revenue — joins the show to explore what happens to human creativity as AI takes on more of the work. Jon shares how he accidentally stumbled into copywriting, why ethical persuasion rooted in personal values outperforms manipulation, and how he's built a system of AI "clones" that handle everything from sales pages to email sequences. He explains the frustrating reality of training AI to write like a human (hint: it hates commas), why knowledge remains the ultimate competitive advantage, and how the window to get ahead of the AI wave is closing fast. If you're an entrepreneur wondering where to start, this episode will show you exactly what's possible — and what's at stake if you wait. New sponsor alert: Jason Gagne's Good2GoBody 90-day beginner fitness program - ⁠https://good2go.podia.com/?coupon=LIONSJOHN⁠ Video Chapters 0:53 — Intro & Sponsor: Good to Go Body 90-Day Program 2:11 — Meet Jon Benson: Inventor of the Video Sales Letter 5:33 — Ethical Persuasion: Writing to People's Core Values 8:03 — How Jon's AI System Works (and Why AI Is So Stubborn) 11:02 — Eliminating AI-isms: Making Copy Sound Human 17:03 — The Role of Humans When AI Can Do Almost Everything 22:43 — Getting Started: youcloned.ai Free PDF & Tools 27:13 — The AI Timeline: You Don't Have a Year 33:10 — The Conversion Lab: Weekly Coaching with Jon & His Wife 36:19 — The Future: Hyper-Personalized Marketing & the AI Economy Links & Resources *

This episode features a conversation with Dacia VanAlstine, Project Director of the Evolve Employment Model demonstration project at Minnesota Blind. What began as a brainstorming conversation at a national conference evolved into an innovative Disability Innovation Fund (DIF) project focused on improving employment outcomes, retention, and participant engagement for individuals who are blind, low vision, or facing employment barriers. Dacia shares how the Evolve Employment Model is challenging traditional approaches to vocational rehabilitation through progressive employment strategies, benefits planning, workplace exposure opportunities, and faster, more responsive service delivery designed to keep participants connected and moving forward. The episode also explores the realities of building new models in real time — recognizing staff strengths, embracing flexibility, fostering collaboration, and "building the ship while sailing it." A thoughtful conversation on leadership, creativity, workforce development, and the future of vocational rehabilitation. Listen Here Full Transcript: {Music} Dacia: When we did our brainstorming, we looked at where could we improve and not just improve the customer experience, but the way that the staff do their work. Carol: How has your experience been working with your RSA project officer, and what's that partnership look like? Dacia: Cassandra is amazing. Doctor Deandra too. They are an amazing team. They are very real, which I so appreciate and so responsive and just, they answer the dumbest questions that I have and don't make me feel dumb. So I love it. Intro voice: Manager minute, brought to you by the Vocational Rehabilitation Technical Assistance Center. Conversations powered by VR. One manager at a time, one minute at a time. Here is your host, Carol Pankow. Carol: Welcome to the Manager Minute. Joining me in the studio today is Dacia VanAlstine, project director for the Evolve Employment Model demonstration at Minnesota Blind. And today we're going to dive into innovation, leadership and what it really looks like to take an idea and bring it to life in VR. And I have to say, this one is a little special for me. I had the good fortune to work with Dacia during my time at State Services for the Blind. And one thing that always stood out as her ability to take a concept, sometimes just an idea and turn it into something real, something actionable, and something that makes a difference. So, Dacia, how are things going? Dacia: Thank you for that, Carol. Things are going well. We're moving right along with this project. We are making some great strides, so it is fun to be here today. Carol: Excellent. So before we jump into the project itself, I'd like to start with your story. Can you tell our listeners a little bit about your background and how you found your way into vocational rehabilitation? Dacia: I think like a lot of people, I just kind of fell into it. I started when I was younger working in group homes, and that moved into becoming a program coordinator for group homes, which then moved into the day programming side of things at a, DT&H, which then turned into working with their supported employment license and then finding employers and jobs for people that were actually connected to the VR programs. So then I became interested in VR and started working for State Services for the Blind back in 2008 as a Vocational Rehab Technician. And then with my background, ended up getting some ARRA funding and I moved into employment services and have been working with the Dual Customers ever since. Carol: Wow. I did not know you kind of followed my same path because I did the whole group home work too, and DT&H and the whole shebang. That's pretty cool, I love it. So I know this project did not appear out of nowhere. It really grew organically. Can you talk a little bit about how the idea for Evolve Employment first came about and how it took shape? Dacia: It's kind of funny. A few of us had gone to CSAVR in the spring of 2024, and they had announced the DIF grants that they were going to be doing. It was Natasha Jerde, who's our executive director, and then Jon Benson, our deputy director, myself. We had our quality assurance person, Ashlyn Cahill there, and our fiscal person, Gabby Garcia. And then we had a counselor, Jason Dornbush, and we were all sitting in the back row. And it started with one little, hey, what if we applied for this? What could we do? There's so many different things we could do. And it turned into this whole thing and it just exploded from there. I don't even remember the session that was going on at the time, because we were in the back just brainstorming. It turned into this huge idea spark, and one person fed off the other person and then it just blew into this thing. Carol: I love when that happens. That is super fun. Now, the speaker up front was probably annoyed with you all, but I love when that, you know, you get that idea. In fact, you know, Jeff and I, back in the day, we were at a CSAVR conference and he's like going out trying to do a little interviews with somebody. After that session, I'm like, what are you doing? I'm going to do a podcast. This was way back in the day and I'm like, what's a podcast? And look at now the whole world is podcasting, but it cracked me up. I mean, we started that 11 years ago. Super fun. Dacia: Jeff's been podcasting ever since we went to an NFB conference and sat by the pool and Podcasted. Carol: I know it is super hilarious. It's like those organic kind of ideas really can bloom into something pretty cool. So at a high level, what is the Evolve Employment model and how do you think about the key components or buckets of the project? Dacia: Well, when we did our brainstorming, we looked at where could we improve and not just improve the customer experience, but the way that the staff do their work. The DIF grant allows us to really be in, it's in the title innovative. It allows us to try things. Really the idea is to try different tactics, different strategies, different approaches to things in the VR program that improves outcomes, improves experiences for staff, improves experiences for participants, and really leans into that dual customer approach to delivering services. Carol: Pretty cool, I love that. So what about the buckets in this project? I know there were different kind of fingers that you were looking into doing a lot of different things. Dacia: Well, a couple of the things that we're doing is job retention. We know that it's so much better if somebody can keep a job, it's better for the employer, it's better for the person, it's better for just everyone. So really looking at retention, also looking at how can we use workplace activities in order to help individuals that have limited experience in the workplace, limited experience with work in general, just the idea of work, you know, they may be somebody that's newer to work, maybe somebody that just hasn't worked in a long time, but just giving them some workplace activities under progressive employment. So looking at job shadows, tours, and it's something that VR does anyways, but this is done more intentionally and a little more structured to see if this makes a difference in people's lives, if people will choose better outcomes, because now they're being exposed to different types of careers than they would be normally. And so we have that progressive employment also looking at how can we speed things up for people, not speed things up to where we're rushing people through the process, but speed things up in a way that helps people stay engaged. We know looking at the data, that the longer it takes for somebody to get into a plan to get any services implemented, the more likely they are to drop off. And so looking at how can we make this faster for people, but in a meaningful way. And then looking at other aspects of where in the VR program we might be falling short, and that would be, besides the retention, looking at the training aspect of things, especially in the customer service and technology sectors. So looking at how can we get people into technology based customer service roles and building possibly a training program ourselves that can be passed down to the general program and using the training that already exists for individuals. And we're not looking at degree programs, we're looking at certificate programs, short term training, things that can help people get into a career faster. Not everybody has the luxury of taking a step back. Some people have to provide for their families. Some people just really don't want to go down that path. They want to get into a career as quickly as possible. So how can we lean into that training? Carol: That sounds awesome. I'm excited about this. I know when you and I had spoken before, you talked about this being like, you're kind of building the ship as you're sailing it. What does that look like during this first phase of implementation? Dacia: Well, in the beginning, we had picked up a bunch of staff from the General Vocational Rehabilitation, VRS, when they unfortunately had to have some layoffs. So we were able to grab some of their talent. And when we put together the position descriptions we put together, you know, what we thought we needed. And then as we started hiring them and then more staff, we realized that these staff had amazing talent. Besides what was just what was needed for this grant. So we were able to look at where does their talent lie and how can we help not only advance our project, but set our staff up because this is a short term project, so how can we set them up for their careers after they're done? And so looking at is their leadership ability there? How can we help them lead projects? Is there training opportunities? Are there other things that they can bring? Are there ways to expand this a little bit. You know, one of the things that we decided to do was job retention. The initial intention of that was how can we keep people into positions that they want to stay in? It's working for the employer, but all of a sudden it's not working because the disability changed or the disability appeared. We have Callie our Retention Specialist, who comes with a whole lot of experience and knowledge in working with the Dual Customer, and she's really working hard to build out our retention program. I should actually mention that in this, we have four targeted audiences that people would need to fall into to be eligible. One is they are at risk of losing a job. Another is they are unemployed for 27 or more weeks. Another is at risk of losing a job, unemployed for 27 weeks or more. A new American with a legal right to work. And the fourth one is somebody who acquired their vision loss during their working years. So if somebody falls into those categories, they're eligible for our program. We are doing a Functional model for disability versus a medical model. So with that, we have been able to capture numerous individuals that would normally not qualify for our general program because of the medical model. And so we were able to take people that had nowhere else to go and were going to lose their job. And we've been able to save over half a dozen, probably close to a dozen jobs now for people that would normally not qualify for services. Carol: That's really cool. So what do you think are 1 or 2 innovations within the model that you think are really making the biggest difference so far? Dacia: We knew that retention was important and that it should be done intentionally, and we knew that we didn't have a solid retention program procedure process in the general SSB program. So we started looking at how can we really make this difference? And we actually expanded it not just for people at risk of losing their job, but one of the things that we're doing is for the VR program, expanding on that stabilization period. So those individuals that get their job and they're employed for 90 days, and then they make the couple contacts with the counselor and really close to that 90 days, they quit their job, they maybe get scared of losing benefits. Something happens with the employer and they just haven't really made contact with their counselor. So what we're doing is that we're doing stabilization services. So a counselor can refer somebody in those 90 days, and that Career Navigator becomes somebody that they can connect with. They are the coordinator of all the services. They are able to work with the employer. They are able to, if they're county services involved, pull those in, they are able to pull other resources in. And all of our Career Navigators have all the way to level three benefits planning training so they can look up benefits for people. Which is something that we've never done before, really embedded benefits into everything we're doing. So it helps individuals. They have this person that they can go to, they can ask questions about their benefits. It's just a really a wraparound service. And then after their 90 days, the intent is to allow them to continue to be able to contact that person for the next year. If something comes up, we can get back into services with them right away if we need to. We don't have to open up a new sequence with them. They can just jump in and do stuff. So that's one of the really cool things that we're doing, and we're finding a lot of need for that way more than we even thought. We knew that retention was a huge thing. And looking at our really ambitious numbers that we said we would do, we're going to have no issues at all hitting that because it's turned into a huge thing. I should also mention, one of the other buckets that we're doing is benefits planning. So we have a Benefits Navigator that's able to look up benefits, that's able to do all kinds of things. We even had a situation that somebody, due to a clerical error, had gotten a letter that they owed tens of thousands of dollars in back Social Security, and they were going to quit their job. And there were all these things that were going to happen. And because of the Benefits Navigator is at the top level for benefits planning and has all the credentials to be able to do the work and all the training to do the work, they were able to find the clerical error and that is now being reversed. Carol: That's amazing. Dacia: Because of the work that she did with this individual and us having that, that person now can breathe. Carol: I like that, you know, I was thinking back in the day, we used to have Meredith. She was our benefits person. You know, we had the one person I remember customers talking to me. They were so worried about really staying employed because worried about losing benefits, you know, the whole thing and how to counsel through that. And I think you guys having this embedded in kind of every aspect and allowing that to continue on for the people the year after is really important. It just gives that sense of stability that someone to talk to when you're navigating this crazy, you know, there are big systems with all of that. And to really help you gain that understanding. So you're feeling comfortable with the decisions you make and what you're doing is super important. Dacia: And that really feeds into when I had said, we created these job descriptions and what we thought this was going to be, we had created a position for a Benefits Navigator, okay, And the intent was that they would do benefits lookup and they would do the whole benefits analysis. And that's what their job would mainly be with some training. But looking at that person that was hired, Marcy really has a lot of talent and experience behind her. She worked for the hub. She's done all these different things. So looking at expanding what her talent is and helping her really guide what this looks like for our entire program. It's amazing. And then not just that, you know, the original intention wasn't that our Career Navigators were going to have benefits planning, training. But one of our Career Navigators that came from VRS had that. And so we were able to look at, oh my gosh, look at all these things that they can do. And because we have Marcy, our Career Navigators, Kayla and Alex and our new American career navigator, Alexis are able to work together. She's able to mentor them. She's able to help them get the training that they need. So it's really leaning into all these things that everybody brings with them, not just what we thought, what we needed, and sticking to that, just really being open to letting our staff use the talents they have. We didn't have any intention that Career Navigators were going to be training counselors or training community partners, and then we end up with Alex, who has tons of experience with this, Kayla who loves doing this, you know, so letting them do the things that they love to do and the things that they really have a lot of talent in. So that's really helped us in the implementation of this, really leaning into what they bring and what they want to do. Carol: I know you were talking a little bit about your numbers. You mentioned it like, we're going to be able to blow past that number. What are some of the goals that you have for numbers with this project. Dacia: Some of the numbers are very ambitious. Our number for how many job retentions that we get, I think is 270, which at first I thought, that's really ambitious and I don't know if we're going to do that. I honestly think that we're going to probably hit 270 by the end of year three. Carol: Wow. Dacia: Like it's that much. Especially when we added the stabilization. Carol: Yeah. Dacia: And helping those people retain their jobs. That number is going to be huge. We also our outreach to businesses, we are going to surpass that by quite a bit. I think that number is 500 businesses total. And I think we are a little over a year and a half in. And I think we're already at close to 200. Carol: Wow. Good. Dacia: We have an amazing outreach person that we're sharing him with our employer, Reasonable Accommodation Fund. But Ray is out there and he is making connection after connection. And then we have Alicia, who also came from VRS during the layoffs. And she is our business engagement and training specialist. So she is making the connections with the businesses, the relationships. So really we have this talent that's doing this stuff. And Alicia's out there developing relationships with external training programs. So we're going to easily hit that number. Carol: Very cool. It sounds like you've got quite the team. I love it. You've been able to bring in all these folks that have these other like talents you didn't even know about as they come on, and they've been able to contribute so much more than you even anticipated. Dacia: Even our admin and fiscal person, Morgan, we couldn't do this without just like she pulls everything together, she keeps us all on track. She makes sure that we're focusing on the things that we need to focus on. We are very fortunate. Carol: So I know you're operating under a DIF grant, which can really feel different from a traditional VR program. How has your experience been working with your RSA project officer, and what's that partnership look like? Dacia: I would like to say Cassandra is amazing. Even if I come to her with the world's, and very responsive to. Which is super impressive considering all that she does. And then Doctor Deandra too. They are an amazing team. They are very real, which I so appreciate and so responsive and just. They answer the dumbest questions that I have and don't make me feel dumb. So I love it. Carol: That is awesome. Yeah, they're good people. I know. I hear about Cassandra all the time and the amazing job that she does. This is exciting. Well, she has a fun job too because you're working with these DIF projects, you know, and getting to see all this really cool stuff, innovation happening across the country. So I know you're really early in the implementation. You said you're a year and a half in, but you've learned a lot. What do you think are some of the biggest lessons you've learned so far? Dacia: Well, for sure, one of the things that we have learned is making sure that you look at your talent and making sure that you help them grow, because that was not our original intention and looking at their talent, it really has helped us to be where we're at. Making sure that we're working with the general program, communication with the counselors and the general VR program is so important. Even more important than we thought, keeping that communication open. Also adjusting and readjusting kind of what we're doing, what we're saying. I know that we've been building this as we go, which makes it so some things are very ambiguous, which can be very difficult for people to work within, but really helping people get through that. And part of that is letting the staff use the strengths that they have, because that will help get through some of that building the ship as you go and that ambiguousness. Carol: Yeah, I know, it's always exciting. You go from the back of the room chit chatting about this idea, and you put it on paper and it gets accepted. But as you get rolling along, you know, things come up and things change and evolve a little bit. So I like that it goes along with your title of your project. I like that that's the organic, wonderful nature of these DIF grants, because things do evolve as you're going along, and you're allowed to then expand and kind of contract and grow and shape it as the things happen over time, which is very, very cool. Dacia: It absolutely is. And flexibility is really the key here too. We all know that when you put things on paper and you have the intention of things going one way, that's not necessarily how they're going to go. And so you really have to be open to shifting and adjusting. You know, there are things that I envisioned going one way and then all of a sudden with new information, it's like, you know what? We're going this way and it's okay. It's okay to adjust along the way. But you really have to be flexible in this and not looking at it like I am building this program to be exact and live forever. I am building this program to be flexible, to adjust, to be able to be sustainable, whether it's the whole thing or components of this, to be sustainable in SSB's VR program, or even any other VR program that wanted to try some of these, you know, the lessons that we learn along the way in this, whether good or bad, are all important. Carol: Very true, very true. And it'll be really fun. I know you guys are all getting together this summer in June and there's a DIF Project Officer conference, and so I'm sure you're going to be attending that. Dacia: Oh yeah, I'll be doing that. Yep. I'm excited. I love those kind of things because you really get to know other people and you know, you can learn from their struggles. They can learn from your struggles, you can learn from their innovations. They can learn from you, from yours. So I love those opportunities to connect and just have fun. Carol: Yeah, I think it'll be great. So for other VR leaders listening, what advice would you give if they're thinking about trying something new or applying for a demonstration project like this? Dacia: I would say don't over think it. Start with that small seed of an idea and bring other people into it to really brainstorm and get creative with it. Make sure that you're communicating often with VR. Even if you are not in VR program, VR is going to be a key partner regardless. Communicate often and be very transparent in the communication, I would say. Don't be afraid to make mistakes. I know that anytime I have a question, if I think that we might be, you know, okay, well, can we do this? Or what if we do this wrong? Don't be afraid of that. If you have a Cass, talk to Cassandra will help you through it. Or your version of Cassandra, that's what they're there for. One of the things that we had done was we had decided to change one of our areas that we were focusing on progressive employment based on new information. It was super easy. We said, hey, we decided to go in this area. That was a mistake. We don't have enough people there, but we do in this area. Can we do this? Absolutely. So don't be afraid to make some mistakes as long as you're not doing something illegal. Carol: Yeah, yeah, let's stay away from that. Dacia: Let's stay away from that. Make sure that you're, you know, following the law. But as far as the program goes, don't be afraid to adjust and make mistakes because that's what you're here for. You're here to innovate and you have to take some risk in order to get that reward. Carol: Well, Dacia, this has been such a great conversation. What you're building is not just a project. It's really a glimpse into the future of what VR could look like. So thanks for joining us today. Dacia: Well, thanks for having me. Carol: You bet. And to our listeners, if there's one takeaway, it's this innovation doesn't start with a perfect plan. It starts with the question and willingness to try. Thanks for listening to the manager minute. Outro Voice: Conversations powered by VR, one manager at a time. One minute at a time. Brought to you by the VRTAC. Catch all of our podcast episodes by subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks for listening.

Jon Benson — the inventor of the video sales letter and a copywriter responsible for over $1 billion in revenue — joins the show to explore what happens to human creativity as AI takes on more of the work. Jon shares how he accidentally stumbled into copywriting, why ethical persuasion rooted in personal values outperforms manipulation, and how he's built a system of AI "clones" that handle everything from sales pages to email sequences. He explains the frustrating reality of training AI to write like a human (hint: it hates commas), why knowledge remains the ultimate competitive advantage, and how the window to get ahead of the AI wave is closing fast. If you're an entrepreneur wondering where to start, this episode will show you exactly what's possible — and what's at stake if you wait. New sponsor alert: Jason Gagne's Good2GoBody 90-day beginner fitness program - https://good2go.podia.com/?coupon=LIONSJOHN Video Chapters 0:53 — Intro & Sponsor: Good to Go Body 90-Day Program 2:11 — Meet Jon Benson: Inventor of the Video Sales Letter 5:33 — Ethical Persuasion: Writing to People's Core Values 8:03 — How Jon's AI System Works (and Why AI Is So Stubborn) 11:02 — Eliminating AI-isms: Making Copy Sound Human 17:03 — The Role of Humans When AI Can Do Almost Everything 22:43 — Getting Started: youcloned.ai Free PDF & Tools 27:13 — The AI Timeline: You Don't Have a Year 33:10 — The Conversion Lab: Weekly Coaching with Jon & His Wife 36:19 — The Future: Hyper-Personalized Marketing & the AI Economy Links & Resources

Jon Benson — the inventor of the video sales letter and a copywriter responsible for over $1 billion in revenue — joins the show to explore what happens to human creativity as AI takes on more of the work. Jon shares how he accidentally stumbled into copywriting, why ethical persuasion rooted in personal values outperforms manipulation, and how he's built a system of AI "clones" that handle everything from sales pages to email sequences. He explains the frustrating reality of training AI to write like a human (hint: it hates commas), why knowledge remains the ultimate competitive advantage, and how the window to get ahead of the AI wave is closing fast. If you're an entrepreneur wondering where to start, this episode will show you exactly what's possible — and what's at stake if you wait. New sponsor alert: Jason Gagne's Good2GoBody 90-day beginner fitness program - https://good2go.podia.com/?coupon=LIONSJOHN Video Chapters 0:53 — Intro & Sponsor: Good to Go Body 90-Day Program 2:11 — Meet Jon Benson: Inventor of the Video Sales Letter 5:33 — Ethical Persuasion: Writing to People's Core Values 8:03 — How Jon's AI System Works (and Why AI Is So Stubborn) 11:02 — Eliminating AI-isms: Making Copy Sound Human 17:03 — The Role of Humans When AI Can Do Almost Everything 22:43 — Getting Started: youcloned.ai Free PDF & Tools 27:13 — The AI Timeline: You Don't Have a Year 33:10 — The Conversion Lab: Weekly Coaching with Jon & His Wife 36:19 — The Future: Hyper-Personalized Marketing & the AI Economy Links & Resources

Summary In this episode, Jon Benson shares his pioneering journey with AI since 2010, exploring how AI is transforming copywriting, content creation, and business automation. Discover how AI tools can be harnessed to clone yourself, create high-converting sales content rapidly, and stay ahead in the evolving digital landscape. Key topics Early AI adoption and pattern recognition in copywriting Cloning systems and AI-driven content creation The impact of AI on marketing and sales processes Misconceptions about AI replacing jobs Future trends in AI and business automation Chapters 00:00 The Journey into AI 02:49 The Value of AI in Content Creation 05:40 Transforming Ideas into Products 08:26 The Role of AI in Marketing 11:34 The Future of AI and Copywriting 14:26 Misconceptions About AI 20:31 The Impact of AI on Jobs 21:39 Embracing AI for Career Growth 23:19 The Role of Creativity in AI 25:47 Balancing Automation with Human Touch 27:05 Understanding AI Beyond Chatbots 29:16 Writing with Personal Values in AI 30:38 The Evolution of AI in Marketing 32:58 The Future of Programming and AI resources: youcloned.ai - https://youcloned.ai Buyer Profile Tool - https://thebuyerprofile.com guest links: Website, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn. The AI for Sales Podcast is brought to you by BDR.ai, Nooks.ai, and ZoomInfo—the go-to-market intelligence platform that accelerates revenue growth. Skip the forms and website hunting—Chad will connect you directly with the right person at any of these companies.

Send us Fan Mail"What happens when the inventor of the Video Sales Letter meets AI? Jon Benson joins us for a conversation that will change how you think about creativity, copy, and your business."In Episode 271 of Navigating the Customer Experience, host Yanique Grant sits down with Jon Benson, the pioneering copywriter and entrepreneur who invented the Video Sales Letter (VSL) the format that became the backbone of modern digital marketing. Since 2010, Jon has been quietly working at the intersection of AI and persuasion science, partnering with early AI companies as far back as 2015 to teach machines the nuances of high-converting copy. Today, he's the creator of BNSN (pronounced "Benson"), a proprietary AI copywriting platform built exclusively for ethical marketers who want to attract their ideal customers not just anyone with a credit card.But before any of that, Jon was a graphic designer who nearly lost his life. At 38 years old, he suffered a heart attack a consequence of obesity, stress, and burning the candle at both ends. His recovery led him to write a bestselling book on fitness transformation, which launched him unexpectedly into the world of internet marketing and copywriting. It's one of the most compelling origin stories you'll hear, and it sets the tone for everything Jon has built since.In this episode, Jon and Yanique explore:

Jon Benson, copywriter, entrepreneur, and founder of BNSN AI, joins Sales POP! to explain how marketers can shift from writer to conductor — directing AI agents, injecting human values into copy, and producing in days what once took teams of ten. Learn more and grab the free Buyer Profile at https://bnsn.ai/.

Jon Benson is a copywriter, entrepreneur, and AI pioneer whose work has quietly shaped how the world buys things online. Best known as the inventor of the Video Sales Letter, the format that became the backbone of modern digital marketing, he has spent decades writing words that move people to act—not through manipulation, but through what he calls “persuasion that feels good on both sides.” In 2010, Jon turned his attention to copywriting software, becoming one of the earliest pioneers at the intersection of AI and sales copy. That work eventually evolved into BNSN, a platform trained exclusively on high-converting marketing campaigns and built for small business owners who sell good things to good people. BNSN reflects Jon's core belief that the human element of business—community, coaching, and genuine connection—separates sustainable success from a flash in the pan. To get a  copy of your Buyer Alignment Profile™, click here.

AI is changing copywriting—but not in the way most people think. In this episode, John Jantsch talks with Jon Benson about how AI copywriting tools can strengthen persuasion, improve brand voice alignment, and help marketers test hundreds of campaign variations faster than ever before. They explore the legacy of the video sales letter (VSL), the risks of generic AI-generated content, and why ethical persuasion still matters in modern marketing strategy. Learn how to use AI for copywriting effectively while keeping your message human, authentic, and conversion-focused. Today we discussed: 00:00 VSL Origins and Health Story 05:53 Why VSLs Still Work Today 08:31 AI and the Importance of your Voice 12:12 AI and the Human Element 14:30 Scaling AI Copy the Right Way 16:01 AI Guardrails and Brand Voice 17:40 Common AI Copy Mistakes Rate, Review, & Follow If you liked this episode, please rate and review the show. Let us know what you loved most about the episode. Struggling with strategy? Unlock your free AI-powered prompts now and start building a winning strategy today!

In the latest episode of Manager Minute, host Carol Pankow sits down with Michael Mackillop, Executive Director of the Washington State Department of Services for the Blind, to explore how one agency is rethinking how VR services are delivered—and the powerful results that follow. From dramatically shortening the time to services to introducing milestone planning that keeps customers moving forward, Washington DSB is demonstrating what can happen when agencies streamline processes and keep the focus on people. The conversation highlights real outcomes, including customers achieving meaningful careers with wages averaging over $39 per hour, and the cultural and programmatic shifts helping individuals rediscover confidence, expand their goals, and pursue careers they once thought were out of reach. This episode offers an honest, practical, and inspiring look at how VR leaders can rethink processes, strengthen partnerships, and build systems that help people move toward what's possible. Listen Here Full Transcript: {Music} Michael: A lot of customers. The feedback is it's great and a lot of counselors. The feedback is it's great. Carol: It makes brilliant sense because I think people spend so much time. You're letting perfect get in the way of the good. Michael: Learning as an adult is not easy. Learning to do new things, and the frustrations and the anger that can come from having to adapt to the environment that doesn't adapt to you. I think that now is the time, if any time is to show the power and the impact of vocational rehabilitation for the economy and for our communities. Intro voice: Manager minute, brought to you by the Vocational Rehabilitation Technical Assistance Center. Conversations powered by VR. One manager at a time, one minute at a time. Here is your host, Carol Pankow. Carol: Well, welcome to the manager minute. Joining me in the studio today is Michael Mackillop, Washington Blind Executive Director. So how are things in Washington, Michael? Michael: Things are doing good. There's a little bit of Seattle Seahawks fever. Carol: Uh, yes, Seattle, Wahoo, Go Seahawks! Michael: And there's probably some growing excitement for hosting matches of the World Cup. So there's that whole sports thing. And today we're back to rain, which makes us feel it's just this nice gentle drip. It's not an atmospheric river where it's monsoon rain and all the snow from the mountains. It's just a nice, gentle rain. So things are decently good here in Seattle. Carol: Oh, good for you. Well, I have an affinity for the whole Seattle area. I have two brothers out there and lots of nieces and nephews and yeah, all the people I love to come. And I remember, gosh, Michael, I remember meeting you. I feel like it was like 13 years ago or something. Michael: At least, yeah. Carol: At least! (Michael laughs) Carol: You were friends with Jon Benson, my deputy, when I was at SSB. And so we got hooked together. And then I remember I would always tell Jon I'd be like, Call Michael, what are they doing at Washington Blind? Because, you know, you want to see what's going on? And in fact, I remember you guys calling us because we went on an Order of Selection, which is not common for a blind agency. And I remember when Lou Olma was still there, she had called. She's like, oh, you know, asking some questions about that. So I felt like we had some shared experiences together. Michael: Yeah. And we connected, I think, through CSAVR and NCSAB conferences and I mean plug out to them. It's just such an incredible place to really meet people from around the country and become long term supports. Carol: Right. It takes a village to do this job. So the more people you can meet, good shout out for like connecting with other people and just trying to build those relationships, because then you have them way over a decade later, you know, going on two decades later. Michael: And you don't have to go it alone. Right? I mean, to try to go through something like Order of selection, say, alone that... Carol: Yeah. Michael: But when you know, you got people or community of practices that are helping you through it. So it's  my plug to be connected to the national scene because you can't do it alone. Carol: 100%. I'm putting an exclamation point behind that one. Well, I happen to be perusing because I had my knee replaced last month. So as I'm laying and putting my leg up and icing and all the things, I was reading lots of the social media because I kind of was behind a little bit. So I'm in LinkedIn and, you know, accepting requests and connecting with other people. And I read, you're awesome, Michaels posting on LinkedIn, and you posted something and I just went, oh my gosh, it made me then go into your website. And then I'm like, all over your website and I'm watching your YouTube videos. It was super fun. So for our listeners, what caught me was Michael was reporting on this annual report they had done, and he was talking about the North Region team supporting 51 customers to attain their career goals, three of whom were able to retain their established small businesses. And then all the cool kinds of work people were in with STEM careers and education and finance and administrative and human services. And then it really hooked me with the average wage of 39.30 per hour. And then he does this nice Congratulations out to his folks. I'm like, what is happening there? Because that's what we want in VR. You want those family sustaining wages and all the good stuff. So long story short, listeners, I had to get Michael on and go, what is the secret sauce happening in Washington? What are they doing there? Because I thought this was super cool. So, Michael, before we launch into kind of what you're doing, I just want to get a little caught up on how did you start in VR? How'd you get there and how did you come into a blindness agency. Michael: Sometimes accidentally? Uh, perhaps a little bit reluctantly. I've been with this agency for 25 years, and I started as an AT specialist. I had experience in adult education in computers. And then I got a job, actually, at the lighthouse for the blind, Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind as an instructor. Where the supervisor, because I had studied American Sign Language, is a long story about why I did that and got connected in with Seattle's deaf community in the 90s and the Deaf Blind community as well. We have a very robust and vibrant deaf blind community in the Puget Sound area, and there were a number of individuals who were Deaf, Blind that were working at the Seattle Lighthouse that really needed computer skills. And so I didn't know anything about adaptive technologies, but I knew about Sign Language, I knew about computers, and I knew about adult education. And so that supervisor gave me six months. And to figure out the screen readers and screen magnifiers and braille displays and to start training. And so it was lovely to be able to, you know, directly communicate with students that, you know, hadn't touched a computer in their lives. That got me, you know, into the Blindness and Vocational Rehabilitation is a big part of, you know, people at the Lighthouse wanting to promote or work elsewhere. Uh, work out into the integrated community. And so there was experience with DSB. I was reluctant to be a state employee. I promise you that once I gave that up and got hired on a DSB, just the passion for the customer, the mission, the initiative, it kind of dispelled my notions of what a state agency is and who works at a state agency. So obviously I've loved it so much. I've been there for 25 years plus, so. Carol: That is crazy. I had no idea. You're I think you're my first guest, that's come on. That's come from this AT background. Good for you. Very cool. I love it because it's always fun to see people's paths in. We all take a different way, but you come in, and then you stick with it because you love it. Like you just love it. Michael: Exactly. Carol: Well, in your December's report. Oh my gosh, what really stood out I was I love the customer voices. You know, you had somebody on there, I think. I don't know if it's Francis working into her 70s, people that were earning promotions and discovering entirely new career paths. And when you look at all those stories, I just wonder from your perspective, what does success actually mean to you as a VR director? Michael: Yeah, I mean, I really love that the breadth and the depth of those career choices that people find through our services, their personal journey of discovery, finding the strengths that didn't know they had and that that's what excites me. And that's what I hear again and again and again. People not believing in themselves until they get some of those adaptive skills. It's so often the key to expanding their own self-assessment, their self-expectations. Losing your vision is traumatic, there's no question. And acquiring a disability as an adult. And that can really impact your belief in yourself and what you believe you can do. And for me, all those career achievements, they represent that journey of that person who I've heard the story so many times that they sat on a sofa thinking there is no future for them. There is no way to get into work. Their self-value had diminished so much because of the change in vision, and then something sparking that bravery of calling the agency. Whether they hear about the agency the first time or they've heard about it, and they get that courage up to call us, and it's a lot. I mean, to honor that connection, to say, I need to change. I need to get off the sofa. I need to do the work to be who I want to be. It takes a lot. And so honoring that those successes that we hear about the just a ray of education or healthcare or last year we had two physicians. We had two people that were physicians. And there's no career that's not possible for that individual, whatever that individual's aptitude and abilities are. It just takes the adaptations and the adaptive technologies and those the belief in themselves to do it. It's a lot of hard work. I mean, once people make the brave call and get into the work, it's hard. And so keeping people motivated through all the challenges and learning as an adult is not easy. Learning to do new things, and the frustrations and the anger that can come from having to adapt to the environment that doesn't adapt to you and those daily frustrations. Hopefully the agency is helping that individual through and to keep and progress. So those stories all just tell me about the work that that individual has done to get where they're at and knowing what a lot of challenge and determination and grit it took to get there. Carol: 100%! Preach Michael! That was good. That was really good. I know I always have that, I just have that place in my heart from my time at SSB, because I felt like the work we did was so profoundly, not that all the work isn't, but it was so profoundly life changing for these folks because so many of them, you know, came to us later in life. They were losing vision, either something medically was wrong, whatever was going on. But, you know, they had these careers and then they go from this place of utter devastation to absolute, like, you have completely changed someone's life. You just man, you could feel it in you like it was such an incredible deal living through that with our folks and what an impact that VR had. Otherwise they would still be sitting on that sofa, you know. Michael: Yeah. And then the work that they did, they were they're changing their lives and they're taking that direction and they're keeping up with it. We're supporting that... Carol: Yeah. Michael: But they're moving forward. Carol: It's on them. Michael: Yeah. Carol:  But we give them that glimmer like we're able to help point them in the right way. Like, here's some stuff and we can help you do the thing. Well, I know these outcomes your folks are having didn't happen by accident. And of course, people had come from different backgrounds and different careers. Or maybe they were in a business and didn't think they were going to get to keep it, but I feel like there's something going on in your agency as well. Knowing you guys and knowing you at the helm, what do you think are some things maybe you are doing differently, whether it's culturally or programmatically, that are really contributing to this level of your customer success? Michael: Yeah, there's been a lot of restructuring and change in our agency, and I would say that we are looking at that customer experience more closely and trying to really support the customer experience and not necessarily have the system support how we manage the work, but how the customer is making success. There's been a lot of discussion in the national VR community around time to services and the timelines that the federal regulations allow. When you look at that, when you look, when you think about it in your own life, would I be willing to wait 60 days before I know if I'm eligible, would I be willing to wait 90 days after that to start services? I mean, those timelines don't meet our modern needs, and maybe in the past it made sense to go slow. It doesn't. These days, people are brave enough to make that call after three years on the sofa. We need to get them into services so they start believing in themselves and are working. Excited about that path and just don't get frustrated by the process. So really our first thing is time to services. We created internal systems where we've got intake specialists, centralized intake specialists that are really shrinking the time to determine eligibility and to gather the information to convey to our counselors, our local counselors. So there's preparation there. And that's really shrunk the time. I think it was like 28 days on average and now it's 14 days. We'd like it to be a little bit shorter. Uh, even still, we know that observation for 85% of our counselor observation, we can determine that there's a disabling condition and then through that counseling conversation, can understand what those functional limitations are and what services might be useful in determining that eligibility. So our timeline lag used to be waiting for eye reports from eye doctors who it was never a priority when we knew that there was a visual disability. Carol: You can see they clearly don't have eye sockets or something is like clearly, clearly gone, we don't need an eye doctor report to tell you that. Michael: But letting counselors know and the intake specialists know that observation is valued, take it, justify it, document it, but let's move people through. Let's not keep people waiting for no reason. We've also restructured the way that we do our planning and the assessments towards the planning. We created something called Milestone Planning and that is really shrinking down the goals we're working on towards that long term goal of career path that we've got and we keep that in our heads. But what are the things that the customer is able to commit to doing now in the next three months, four months, up to six months? Let's focus on those. Let's shrink that down and let's have our assessment focus on, you know, be included folded into that and our services folded into that. It used to be our old system was we would do all these complete comprehensive assessments, and it would take months to get people in the eight specialists, and they'd write six page reports of all the things that would be useful. And the O&M specialists and rehab specialists would, you know, do the home assessments. And that's months of assessment. And people are like, what am I doing? This doesn't make sense. They're not getting the services. We're creating this five year plan with very detailed services for the entire time of the plan. And then the customer gets one service, they learn to do something and their whole universe expands suddenly. I thought it could only be a customer service, but oh my gosh, I can do this. Let's rethink it. We were doing a lot of work upfront for something that changes almost, almost instantly once we get people services. Well, let's get people services now. Let's have them experience, you know, learning how to use a computer, learning that they can manage their home or learning that focus small. And then the conversations about that long term goal can change. And when we created that really formal long term plan and did all the work, our customers were nervous about saying that they wanted to change. And so they either got stuck and continued that or they just disappeared. The other piece that customers have told us is they didn't know where they were going. They didn't have clarity on what they were doing, what, you know, it's just too vague, that five year plan. So getting more frequent and meaningful engagement between the counselor and the customer has been a goal of ours, and that has required us to shift some of the work and shift some of the administrative work. We took a lot of that upfront work and provided that to the intake specialists. So there's more time for the counselor. And then also talking about how we shrink what we've known as counseling and guidance, where we don't have to schedule an hour, hour and a half for these long term counseling and guidance sessions. But let's understand what our goal is, what we're trying to achieve, and check in at least once a month is our goal now. And to do counseling and guidance. And it may be a ten minute conversation about, you know, what are the obstacles, what's challenging you? What are your frustrations? What supports can we get? How's it going? That's all counseling and guidance that keeps people moving forward. And people often fell out because they didn't know to ask for support. Counselor contact once every 90 days. I mean, there's no relationship built there. Carol: No. They forget who you are. Like they, you know, they totally forget. Like, who are you again? And what are you with? Oh, yeah. That. Michael: And then the, the check in is how are things going? And the person says good, I guess. And the counselor writes, oh everything's great, but is it, right? So getting that more frequent and meaningful connection and conversation, knowing what the next steps are, keeping those goals small so we achieve them within three months from there and we build another goal from there has really been successful for I mean, it's new, mind you, it's new. A lot of customers. The feedback is it's great and a lot of counselors. The feedback is it's great, but it's really hard to change that mindset of the old way of doing everything all at once. Carol: I loved, I was so intrigued because when I, you know, of course, I went down the rabbit hole of your website. So I come in through the link you had on LinkedIn. I'm looking at the report and then I see, oh, what are these Milestone Plans, you know, and then I'm like, what is this? And then I watched the YouTube video and then I'm like, oh, well, this is going really well. It makes brilliant sense because I think people spend so much time, you're letting perfect get in the way of the good, because you're gonna have this beautiful plan and we're going to have it for five years and all these things. And then, quite frankly, I think you get probably a little annoyed because customers go along the way and then they're like, well, I don't really want to do that anymore. I want to pivot. I need to do this because as they're getting their skills of blindness, the world opens up and often they're like, yeah, I don't want to be the customer service person. I want to move now. Well, now you're annoyed. Oh, we're gonna amend the plan, you know, so when you make that kind of the process, things irritating to you that you're going to have to amend and do the things it'll make you crabby instead of just baking this in that we're not going to get so hung up. And we are creating the plan. We've got a goal, but we know these goals change and we're going to do an amendment and the persons involved and they're super engaged. Like it just seems so much more interactive. I'm like, Holy cow, that was you know, how many years has this taken for somebody to think of this, Michael? Michael: Goal and change is slow. But with this change, we are not leaving this. We're not just saying this is the change and then we're on to the next one. Carol: Yeah. Michael:  We are really sitting with this and you said bake it in. That is our mantra for this year is we're baking it in. We've made these changes last year. Now we've got to be sure that we're actually doing them. In the essence, it's not in name only. You know your Milestone Plan, you've got five years worth of services. Let's look at that and let's make sure that it's working. I had a really good conversation with a counselor yesterday who is super excited. And certainly what's helpful is, is getting some examples of how to shrink this down, how to shrink the thinking and how to shrink the, you know, down to something that's manageable and doable for that customer. So they know where they're going, they know what they're doing, and they know what the next step is after that. So yeah. Carol: It kind of leads me to my next thinking, because, you know, again, going back to your report and reading it, and I was so intrigued by people that also came in with kind of one goal. But as they get, you know, you get your skills of blindness, your world opens up and they left with something so much bigger. A big promotion, a new career or something that they had been dreaming about actually happened. How do you guys go about, because I know you're talking about, like, active engagement. You're doing this regularly, you're keeping in touch, but how do you really also create that space for them? So it isn't oh, we did our plan and here's your goal. And we're sticking to that like so that they can pursue the path that's right for them. Even though you might have set out on one way rather than that whole predefined outcome, that it's okay to pivot you're okay. Michael: Yeah. I mean, that is the key that people try things out and then it can change. And that's a value. It's not a negative that when someone tried this and then it they're like oh that's not for me. Well that's exactly what we want. We want that exploration. We want it in short bursts, so we're not investing in something and you realize five years later, oh, it's not for me. We want to know now. Let's figure that out now and let's find out if that's not it. What are some other things? We've had a lot of turnover. I think VR agencies have had a lot of turnover. And you know, since the pandemic, a lot of retirements, huge wave of retirements. And so the past year we've been stable in terms of not adding a whole lot of new people. And our focus is really building those skills and building that awareness and building those high expectations of our customers and not letting our own biases kind of drive where we want to guide the customer, but to be open to that customer and help instill the belief that self-belief for the customer and believe for the customer, because sometimes they come in and they do not believe in themselves. We've got to hold that, right? Carol: Right. Michael: We've got to hold that and then bring that customer up to it. And that's been a lot of our discussion and training for new staff. We also have real strong connections with our consumer organizations that help with that as well, and bring that connection to the blindness community. Even if our, you know, staff are not from that community, to make sure that we're understanding the community and expectations and what's happening. Being connected to the community we serve is critical. And through that, even if people have come from the general agency or come from outside blindness, really building that belief that Blind people can do whatever they're capable of. Right. Whatever that person can do, they can do it. Carol: I love it, I love it. Well, it kind of leads to my whole thoughts about you with collaboration because your report also highlighted, you guys talked about your partnerships, whether it's with employers or the tribal VR WorkSource and others. How do those relationships that you all have been cultivating translate into real opportunities for your customers? And how are you sustaining that, like really nurturing those relationships? Michael: You bet. It takes work and past history. I've been 25 years with a blind agency. We used to keep our heads low, keep under the radar, do everything in isolation. We had this weird notion that we could do it all. We're the only ones who know about blindness and rehab, and we'll do it all, whatever. And that's not true, because reality is. Blindness intersects all communities, and we need to find the ways to support people in where they're at, in their cultural expectations. And individualized services also means that any industry is a goal, is a potential career goal, and we need to keep ourselves on the cutting edge and understanding how to support people in any type of industry, understanding what opportunities exist so we can't do it all by ourselves. And there's the other notion that budgets are really tight. And even though other outside resources are shrinking, we need to do more to get our customers into those generalized programs that are out there for everyone and benefit everyone, and to have other parts of the workforce system be footing the bill, basically, so we can keep our dollars for the things that are unique to us, right? And tribal partners. You know, we've got an amazing relationship in Washington state region. We have ten tribal VR, AIvRS, American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation agencies here and then 29 recognized federal tribes. And we do have government to government relations and train our staff who interact with the tribal VR about government to government expectations and cultural expectations, but also understanding and helping our staff understand the value and the services that tribal VR can provide our customers with tribal affiliation that we're not able to. Those cultural healing practices are so critical for individuals. Tribal affiliations may also be pathways to careers that are on tribal lands or tribal businesses that we would not have access to if we didn't actively partner with our tribal VR partners. There's also, tribal VR does not get a whole lot of money. And so understanding too, that we're here to support tribal VR in all those visual disability sorts of things. We've got the expertise we can partner and provide those needs. So it's maximizing each of our budgets for that customer to have the maximum success. I think as well, the WorkSource, the American Job Center, the WIOA partners, I mean, all that as a blindness agency. We were left out of that for so long. And 2016, where we're part of that through the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act. I for three, four years and still even today, I'm like, I'm from GSB, a title four WIOA partner with rehabilitation. Every time I introduce myself, I had to do that because they're like, who are you? What do you do? Why are you. Why are you. Carol: Why are you here? Yeah. Michael: So we have, particularly through our business relations team, and we just expanded that in the past two years, really have created some strong connections with our Workforce partners and with the American Job Centers and those opportunities that exist we don't have to pay for, there's a six week job readiness workshop that is put on. And the challenge has always been for our customers going to the WorkSource centers and the American Job Centers, we call them WorkSource here in Washington state. And just having no access, having no accommodations that people are clueless about, people with visual disabilities and how to make that accessible. So we've done a lot of work. Our business relations staff did a lot of work with this particular workshop and made it fully accessible, totally integrated. It's not just blind, only, it's all individuals that are eligible for those services. Our customers have been so thrilled with that experience, and even to the point where in front of the consumer organization conventions, they're taking the mic and just crowing about the experience in these job readiness workshops to the Workforce. So we're expanding that. But there are also other opportunities. There are pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship opportunities, work experience, work based experience opportunities through the American Job Centers that we just never had access to, that we're starting to have access to. And it's getting our customers closer to their career goal through the partnership. Carol: I love it because you're really living into WIOA. You know, it's taken a long time across the country. It gets passed in 2014, but you're like, okay, what does that mean? And how is this really going to work and how are we really going to partner together? It's taken a long time for everybody across the country, but you start to see these pearls that are coming out of it, like you're talking about with the WorkSource and that training class, and now it's fully integrated like that is amazing because we still have places where it isn't happening. You know, people will tell you if a person who's blind or visually impaired shows up for a class, they're like, no, you got to go to Blind services. They do stuff over there. They can't come here. But the whole intent of Congress was to leverage all the partners together, because we each have our buckets of money, but we're better together if we can leverage those funds. Michael: Agreed. Carol:  100%. And you are living right into all of that. You need to do a presentation, my friend, at CSAVR or NCSAB, with all the cool stuff you guys are doing, I just think it's really awesome. Michael: It's taken a long time and it's been a lot of work. It's been a lot of effort, but I'm feeling like we're making progress now. Carol: That is so good to hear. So if you could offer a lesson, maybe a lesson you learned or something to other VR agencies, especially people that may be feeling overwhelmed or stuck. And I'll tell you, you have a lot of colleagues out there right now. Stuff's been tough. Based on the experiences you have, what would you want them to take away or what's something you'd just like to share? Michael: The easy one, a lot of things are coming to mind, but an easy one is to be brave. Examine. Really step back. Examine what is and isn't working. Don't. Don't hold on to how we've always been done it. And don't accept that or really shift your mindset to identify what you're really saying internally, as we've always done it that way it doesn't have to be. And so really understand what are your processes are working really well and let's find ways to expand those. But let's also look at the customer experience. And let's be honest about where our processes don't meet that customer need and meeting them where they're at. That's one of our values empathy, meeting people where they're at. Are we doing that? And let's be honest and let's be brave and make the changes. Sometimes you have to fight them. I mean, the whole counselor observation, RSA had some initial concerns, even though it's written into the law, had some initial concerns about what that means for determining eligibility, but it's written into the law, and counselors document that observation. And but sometimes you have to fight a little bit, push back a little bit where it makes sense. Change also is not easy. I mean, there's just been so much change externally, internally, and it's exhausting. But you also need to determine where you want to go and take the time to really mature that and facilitate that change. And we're talking about baking it in. Don't just be kind of shoop shoop, shoop shoop. Figure out what is the big change, what is the change you want to make. And it's going to involve lots of little changes. And people are going to feel like it's still this massive, you know, change after change after change as you tweak things. But let's really focus on that, get it through and then see it through. Do a pilot, get data, get input, analyze it, revise it, implement it more broadly, get data, analyze it, revise it, tweak it, get input from customers, get input from, you know, people. And then as a director, you've got to champion the change and you've got to talk about it. And Carol, I don't know about you or I hate repeating myself. It is a personal thing. I hate repeating myself. But that is the job, right? That is the job to say things and say them again and say them again and find different ways to say them. I mean, you caught some of my videos and that was my goal last year, was my emails that are very detailed and very interesting to me, are not super interesting for all my staff, but they really connect to video sometimes, or they connect to, you know, audios, or they connect to the in person fireside chats where they can come with any question. And we, you know, the executive leadership will discuss what's on their minds. There are different forms and formats for getting our story out and communicating, and we need to really do all those. And it doesn't have to be, I mean, you saw some of my videos in the newsletters and the reports. They're pretty amateur right there. Carol: It was all good. I liked it, though. I liked it because it was authentic. Michael: Yeah. You know, it's taking that TikTok mentality where it doesn't have to be, it's here and it's gone. But it gets the message out and it's supporting the change that you want to make. And it's not me as director talking it, but it's finding other people that are experiencing it and their experience and people connect in different ways. So that whole communication part of telling the story, I'm no social influencer. You found my story on social media, and I know it's important, and I'm doing the work now because it is critically important. we're also, those reports, those monthly reports, were highlighting different programs, and we're sending them out to stakeholders. We're sending out to the congressional representation representatives and their staffers, and we're getting notes back saying thank you for that. And I'm like, it felt very amateur, but I'm glad you appreciated the story and information. Carol: Well, I learned in communications class long ago, seven times seven ways, like for communications, because people all learn differently. Like you said, audio, video, you know, doing more like almost like the TikTok reel. We've got to get way better, snappier, shorter. I mean, we can thank Jeff Bezos for that with Amazon. Like people don't want to read a long thing. They want it quick. We want to get stuff. Now give me the little snapshot about this thing. And really our social media leads to all of that. Because look at you drew me in. I've known you, but you drew me in with your little short clip on LinkedIn. You had the really catchy part. I'm like reading that and I see $39.30 an hour people are making on average. I'm like, I gotta go see what's going on in this report. And I click your link and next thing you know, I'm in your website, I'm looking at your stuff, I'm in your videos and doing all the things. That's how people like think, now they got to get drawn in. What's your quick soundbite, your little piece that gets you hooked in. And we all have to get way better at explaining what is happening in the VR program because we just, I don't think have been very good about telling our message and our story. Michael: Agreed. And I think that now is the time, if any time is to show the power and the impact of Vocational rehabilitation for the economy and for our communities. So, yeah. Carol: Oh thank you, fine, sir. Well, I love talking with you today. I wish you every success in your agency, and I look forward to hearing more fun things and reading more things on LinkedIn. So thanks for joining me. Michael: I enjoyed it. Thanks so much, Carol. Take care.   {Music} Outro Voice: Conversations powered by VR, one manager at a time. One minute at a time. Brought to you by the VRTAC. Catch all of our podcast episodes by subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks for listening.

Building components in a warehouse does not automatically make you a manufacturer. In this episode of Prefab, Unfiltered, recorded live at Advancing Prefabrication, Todd Weyandt sits down with Jon Benson to explore what it truly means to transition from traditional construction to productized manufacturing in modular construction and prefabrication. As industrialized construction matures, the conversation is shifting from “offsite construction” to serialization, guardrails, and repeatable systems. Scaling prefab requires more than space and labor. It requires product discipline, standardized workflows, and the willingness to protect the system. This conversation dives into how modular construction companies can move beyond project-by-project customization and into scalable manufacturing models that protect margin, schedule, and quality. If you are involved in prefabrication, modular construction, industrialized construction, or productized building systems, this episode offers a strategic look at what real manufacturing maturity requires.   You'll Learn The difference between construction in a warehouse and true manufacturing Why serialization and productization are critical to scaling prefab How guardrails protect repeatability and profitability When to say no in order to protect standardization Why buyer maturity influences prefab adoption How product thinking reshapes modular construction strategy   Meet Our Guest Jon Benson brings more than two decades of experience in modular construction and industrialized manufacturing. With a background rooted in OEM and manufacturing environments, he has helped guide the evolution from offsite construction toward serialized, product-based building systems. His perspective centers on discipline, repeatability, and aligning operational capability with market demand to create scalable prefab strategies.   Todd Takes Prefabrication Is Not Manufacturing Until It Is Serialized. True manufacturing requires repeatability, standardization, and product discipline. Without serialization and guardrails, prefabrication remains project-based and difficult to scale. Productization Requires Saying No. Mature prefab operations protect their systems. Not every customization should be accepted. Guardrails preserve margin, schedule, and quality across projects. Buyers Matter as Much as Builders. Scaling modular construction depends on procurement alignment. When owners and contractors understand and commit to standardized systems, prefab can move from one-off solutions to scalable programs.   More Resources  Thanks for listening! Please be sure to leave a rating and/or review and follow up our social accounts. Bridging the Gap Website Bridging the Gap LinkedIn Bridging the Gap Instagram Bridging the Gap YouTube Todd's LinkedIn Jon's LinkedIn TAS Energy's Website   Thank you to our sponsors! Graitec North America Graitec North America LinkedIn Autodesk's Website  

Is your sales page bleeding money? When you look at your website analytics, do you wonder why you have thousands of visitors and very few conversions? Join Brad Friedman and Trevor Levine as they chat about the mistakes you are making that are killing your conversions. Trevor Levine is a certified Conversion Optimization Specialist, advertising copy wizard, and a protégé of living legends like Ryan Deiss, Jon Benson, and Jeff Walker.  Over the years, he beat dozens of control letters, some of which were penned by famous copywriters. He improved email marketing campaigns and backend revenues for companies like Aweber and MyPoints. He tripled sales of Cigna insurance policies. His magalog for a Re/Max agent generated $250,000 per weekend. And one of his video sales letters generated over $1.2 Million. Today, Trevor boosts conversion rates at every step of a marketing funnel. He develops persuasive offers, collaborates with customers on "WOW" testimonials, and describes in detail the negative ripple effects of not taking action… or worse, choosing the wrong solution. By making the unique advantages of a client's solution more compelling, he multiplies their return on ad spend.   The Digital Slice Podcast is brought to you by Magai. Up your AI game at https://friedmansocialmedia.com/magai And if it's your first purchase, use BRAD30 at checkout to get 30% off your first 3 months. Visit thedigitalslicepodcast.com for complete show notes of every podcast episode.

Patrick Stiles with Vidalytics joins the ClickBank Affiliated podcast to unveil the secrets behind the VSL, and how you can turn your VSLs into money making machines. Patrick alongside Thomas and Kyle dive into key metrics that have never been shared before that reveal how you can create impactful VSLs that convert, how long your VSLs should be, when to drop your CTA, and so much more. Vidalytics makes your VSLs “smart” – where out of the box you get a premium, super fast video player that has the most advanced and effective tactics for VSLs to drive conversions… From grabbing attention to keeping engagement, collecting leads, driving towards a CTA. You also get the most robust video marketing analytics to easily optimize your videos, including seeing the exact spot in your VSL where people convert. You can connect your VSLs to the rest of your funnel, like your ads or CRM which enable advanced strategies that unlock new levels of scale. And you can even make interactive VSLs, so your viewers choose their own adventure, selling themselves. This is why V Shred, Performance Golf, Jon Benson, Frank Kern, Perry Belcher, Todd Brown, Brendon Burchard, USCCA, Mike Dillard, Entrenation (and ClickBank itself) trust Vidalytics. Vidalytics generally sees a 10-25% CVR lift in head to head split tests w/ other players. Grow Your Scalable Affiliate Program TODAY - https://www.clickbank.com/scalable-affiliate-program/?el=podcast Become a ClickBank Media Buyer with Our FREE Course! - https://www.clickbank.com/media-buyer-agency/?el=podcast Learn More about Vidalytics - https://www.stateofvsl.com/ Vidalytics on ClickBank Partners Page -https://www.clickbank.com/partner/vidalytics/ Connect with Patrick - https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickstiles/ Email Us - affiliated@clickbank.com

Welcome back to another exciting episode of "The Art of Making Things Happen" with your dynamic hosts, Steve D Sims and Jon Benson. In today's episode, we delve deep into the world of compelling copywriting and the art of creating Video Sales Letters (VSLs) with none other than Jon Benson himself, a pioneer in the field. Jon shares invaluable insights on why leading with customer benefits is crucial, the pitfalls of rhetorical questions, and the complexities of crafting engaging, long-form content. We'll explore Jon's journey in breaking down language for effective communication, the evolution of AI in replicating human creativity, and how Benson AI simplifies the copywriting process without relying on cumbersome prompts. Expect to hear about Jon's revolutionary approach where he transformed the landscape of VSLs back in 2006, merging advertising acumen with neuro-linguistic programming techniques to create compelling narratives. Jon also discusses the future of AI in copywriting, emphasizing that while AI is a powerful tool, understanding fundamental human psychology remains irreplaceable. So, tune in, share your thoughts, and don't forget to subscribe as we uncover how to disrupt, connect, and grow in the ever-evolving landscape of copywriting and beyond. This is "The Art of Making Things Happen," where we don't play it safe, we make things happen! https://bnsn.ai

Join me for an insightful conversation with world-renowned copywriter Jon Benson, creator of the video sales letter (VSL), and the AI technology BNSN.ai. We explore the impact of AI on copywriting and coaching, the evolution of marketing, and practical tips for coaches to leverage new technologies, no matter how experienced. Jon shares his journey, insights into effective copy, and how coaches can utilize AI to increase their business success. Whether you're new or seasoned, this episode is packed with valuable growth strategies. Tune in now!

Jon Benson, Assistant Recreation Program Manager for the Superior National Forest talks about the MobilizeGreen Youth Conservation partnership, along with Fatihah Muhammad and May Crews, two recent MobilizeGreen interns.Wildlife Biologist Cheron Ferland joins Forest North to talk about studying the American Goshawk, one of our larger birds of prey here in the Northwoods.Time Stamps:(1:17) Mobilize Green(32:27) Cheron Ferland and The American GoshawkShow Notes:https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Goshawk/overviewAccipiter gentilis : Northern Goshawk | Rare Species Guide | Minnesota DNR(state.mn.us)

On today's Lunch With Norm, we are with one of the top copywriters and sales copy strategists in the world, Jon Benson! We discussed 30 Days Of Emails That Sell And Compel. Find out why are prompts not the answer to AI and copy. Our guest is a pioneer in the AI copy movement and the creator of the video sales letter.   This episode is brought to you by Post Purchase Pro   Post Purchase PRO specializes in helping Amazon sellers create more sales, ranking, and reviews through post-purchase marketing. Finally, your email marketing can be actively managed by professionals with over 30 years of experience so you can focus on running your business. Increase repeat purchases, drive better organic search term ranking, get more reviews, and build a real asset.   For more information visit https://www.postpurchasepro.com/lunch   This episode is brought to you by Startup Club   Startup Club is the largest club on Clubhouse supporting the Startup ecosystem.   Startup Club offers an exciting sense of belonging to established and aspiring entrepreneurs, startup businesses, and companies wanting to Learn, Connect, and Grow. Join us for conversations with founders, entrepreneurs, angel investors, venture capitalists, subject matter experts, and more.   For more information visit https://Startup.club   This episode is brought to you by Seller Basics   Seller Basics is the ultimate guardian for account suspensions, ASIN hiccups, and IP headaches. For only $99 per month, Seller Basics provides a dedicated team to safeguard your business. And that's not all! Gain access to free legal consultations with seasoned eCommerce attorneys. With no binding contracts, you can cancel anytime with just a month's notice.   Consider Seller Basics your Amazon account's comprehensive health plan.   For more information visit https://www.sellerbasics.com   In this episode, one of the top copywriters and sales copy strategists in the world, Jon Benson is here. Today, we discussed 30 Days Of Emails That Sell And Compel. He is a pioneer in the AI copy movement and the creator of the video sales letter.   This episode is brought to you by Startup Club, Post Purchase Pro, Seller Basics, and HONU Worldwide...   *All conversations and information exchanged on the Lunch with Norm podcast or interaction on the Lunch with Norm Website is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. Do not confuse this with advice or direction with your business per se. Always do your own research before following advice from any podcast/website. Amazon's Terms of Service is always changing. Make sure you are following relevant up-to-date information.

Ralph and Kasim explore the fascinating world of AI in copywriting with Jon Benson, a pioneer in the field known for his significant contributions, particularly in the creation of Video Sales Letters (VSLs). Jon introduces Benson AI, a groundbreaking tool designed to revolutionize copywriting by leveraging AI to generate high-quality, persuasive content quickly and effectively. Jon shows us how Benson AI works, demonstrating its ability to dissect and understand the core elements of a product or service to create compelling copy. Jon showcases the tool's capabilities by applying it to various scenarios, including generating ads and VSL leads, illustrating its versatility and power in crafting messages that resonate with target audiences. Kasim expresses his concern about the potential homogeneity in copy generated by widespread use of AI tools like Benson AI. Jon addresses this and you'll have to tune in for his answer. Overall, Jon gives us a compelling look at the future of copywriting, showcasing how AI can augment human creativity to produce impactful marketing materials. Benson AI represents a significant leap forward, promising to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in the ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing​​.Chapters:00:00:00 - AI Meets Copywriting: Introducing Jon Benson00:01:07 - From VSL Innovator to AI Pioneer: Jon's Journey00:03:22 - The Genesis of Video Sales Letters (VSLs)00:06:15 - Enter Benson AI: Revolutionizing Copywriting00:09:04 - The Mechanics of Benson AI: Understanding Product Essence00:12:38 - AI in Action: Generating Engaging Ads00:15:20 - The Versatility of Benson AI: From Email Campaigns to Social Media Content00:19:06 - Live: Unveiling Benson AI's Copywriting Magic00:21:14 - Generating Ads with AI00:23:47 - Real-Time Creation: Creating Compelling VSL Leads00:26:32 - Addressing Copy Homogeneity: Ensuring Distinctiveness in AI-Written Content00:29:55 - Merging Creativity with AI for Copywriting Excellence00:35:41 - Masterclass: Crafting Video Sales Letters with Benson AI00:38:54 - Creativity x AI: Keeping Copy Fresh and Original00:42:43 - Beyond Text: Expanding AI's Copywriting Horizons00:50:37 - Looking Ahead: The Impact of AI on Future CopywritingLINKS AND RESOURCES:BNSNJon Benson's WebsiteDriven MastermindSales Copy SecretsTier 11 JobsPerpetual Traffic on YouTubeTiereleven.comSolutions 8 Perpetual Traffic SurveyPerpetual Traffic WebsiteFollow Perpetual Traffic on TwitterConnect with Kasim on Twitter and Connect with

America's Land Auctioneer is joined by Jon Benson, Vice President at Heartland Trust, live in Naples Florida this week. He discusses the importance of proper succession planning and he talks about estate tax limits while explaining some of the important changes taking place in 2025. Jon also explains how to differ and minimize tax liability. America's Land Auctioneer is also joined by Christian Miller, Equipment Auctioneer at Pifer's. The two discuss the equipment market and how equipment prices are starting to stabilize as inventory starts to increase.Kevin and Christian also discuss some upcoming equipment auctions and highlight some of the premier equipment they have for sale. They also discuss the marketing strategy Pifer's uses to help buyers get the best results on auction day.Follow Kevin at www.americalandauctioneer.com and on Instagram & Facebook

Why you've got to check out today's episode:Find out why doing your copywriting doesn't actually save you any moneyUnderstand how you can get your ideal buyers to say yes to anything you offerLearn more about the sales-changing roadmap that will get your copywriting game up on the boardsResources/Links:Want to get the Buyers' Roadmap? Click here: https://www.jonbenson.com/roadmapSummary:Do you really think doing your own copywriting can save you tons of money? Spend your time and effort on something else, and let someone do your copywriting for you. Or even now, in our techno-centric world, try incorporating AI into your sales copy. Words are just as vital as anything else, especially when you're trying to sell. Say the best words, secure your ideal clients, and sell more with the right sales copy.Jon Benson is one of the top copywriters alive, plus is the Founder of BNSN.AI, the “magic button” app for sales copy.Listen in to Jon's magical words on how you can persuade your ideal buyers to always say “YES” to you through the power of the right words and excellent copywriting magic.Check out these episode highlights:01:39 - Jon's ideal client: Small business owners, marketers, and entrepreneurs.01:56 - The problem he helps solve: We give them words that sell. These words are used in everything! I mean, this is the one thing that I'm talking about. 03:17 - The symptoms of the problem: They have an offer or an idea for an offer, and they have no idea how to sell it, or they have no idea why it isn't selling04:41 - Clients' common mistakes before consulting Jon: It's like trying to fix your car by yourself without being a mechanic. It's not a good idea. Unless you're broken down on the side of the road, you should call a mechanic. 06:19 - Jon's Valuable Free Action (VFA): I can send them to free training that I have that's something they would start. And what that training does is help people understand what I'm talking about when I say understanding the words that their ideal buyer needs to know. 07:05 - Jon's Valuable Free Resource (VFR): Want to get the Buyers' Roadmap? Click here: https://www.jonbenson.com/roadmap08:54 - Q: Why are words more important than say a video or something else? Why are words so vitally important? A: Everything is centered on words. And the ultimate form of persuasion is when people hear something, and they see it.Tweetable Takeaways from this Episode:“Copywriters are both scientists and artists combined in a sense. We understand persuasion, so there's a psychology to it.” - Jon Benson

From harnessing new technologies and fostering a culture which embraces change, to exploring emerging skillsets, there are multiple ways legal teams can future-proof themselves. Libby Jarvis, HSF Director of Legal Operations Advisory, is joined by Jon Benson, Matt Zaba and Hannah Shillson from National Australia Bank (NAB) to discuss this and more in our latest podcast. Read our Global Bank Review here: https://insights.hsf.com/global-bank-review-2023/p/1?utm_source=soundcloud&utm_medium=podcast&utm_term=Legal-team-ep-launch

In the tsunami of open-source AI that has engulfed us all, who's riding the wave's crest with the right prompts to generate in-context learning from models like ChatGPT4 that creates effective copy? Arguably, it's Jon Benson, inventor of the VSL (Video Sales Letter) and founder of CopyPro, an AI-driven app that is so intuitive it promises that it will soon be promptless.Jon has been pioneering the art of copywriting in video content for the better part of his career and learning AI for the past six years. In today's episode of TDM with host Mark de Grasse, Jon is trumpeting the importance of copywriting and riffing on its evolution since Mad Men and its halcyon heydays. There is a vanguard he describes where brilliant, human copywriting meets eager-to-learn AI. Here, at this cutting edge, sits a quiet appreciation for the art and science of persuasion. A skill AI has yet to master. This is good news for copywriters that are out there, learning AI in the dark, figuring out how AI thinks through the structure of language, and so becoming ever practical and valuable for everyday folk like us digital marketers.Jon promises that the launch of his application is indeed going to be better than working in the mines of ChapGPT and other open-source AI apps that are just warp-speed predictive text engines, still lacking the finesse of people-powered persuasion. All of this makes for compelling TDM content and frankly, it's hard not to be persuaded by his passion, his perspective, and his prompt(less) arrival in AI copywriting country. This one's for all you diehard copywriters out there! Disclaimer: This copy was written by a human.Jon Benson is The Billion Dollar Copy Coach, the CEO of CopyPro.ai, and ChatVSL which promises to write persuasive, direct-marketing Video Sales Letters in under an hour. To find out more about what Jon does, visit copypro.ai and jonbenson.com. You'll be sure to find great sales pitches, a love of words, personal music videos, VSL testimonials, and more. Key Takeaways:01:18 How did Jon and Copy Pro get started with dissecting copy for AI?03:30 How ChatGPT4 has flipped the switch on writing accurate copy04:36 The advent of direct response copywriting06:20 Appreciating the art and science of copywriting07:44 Why (human) persuasion still matters08:30 Why AI has a problem 'opening a loop' 10:06 Mad Men and direct response marketing14:25 Why it's so important to be able to distill your copy16:54 Why copy needs to be simple and persuasive with attention spans waning19:15 Promptless AI and what BNSN will be able to do21:40 How BNSN is starting with emails and then VSL 22:20 What is prompt creation going to look like for average folk?28:00 Introducing Chat VSL Connect with Jon Benson:Website - https://go.copypro.ai/Chat VSL - https://jonbenson.com/LinkedIn - Jon Benson - Creator of CopyPro.ai - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonbensonBe sure to subscribe to the podcast at: https://www.digitalmarketer.com/podcast/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/digitalmarketerInstagram:...

In the tsunami of open-source AI that has engulfed us all, who's riding the wave's crest with the right prompts to generate in-context learning from models like ChatGPT4 that creates effective copy? Arguably, it's Jon Benson, inventor of the VSL (Video Sales Letter) and founder of CopyPro, an AI-driven app that is so intuitive it promises that it will soon be promptless.Jon has been pioneering the art of copywriting in video content for the better part of his career and learning AI for the past six years. In today's episode of TDM with host Mark de Grasse, Jon is trumpeting the importance of copywriting and riffing on its evolution since Mad Men and its halcyon heydays. There is a vanguard he describes where brilliant, human copywriting meets eager-to-learn AI. Here, at this cutting edge, sits a quiet appreciation for the art and science of persuasion. A skill AI has yet to master. This is good news for copywriters that are out there, learning AI in the dark, figuring out how AI thinks through the structure of language, and so becoming ever practical and valuable for everyday folk like us digital marketers.Jon promises that the launch of his application is indeed going to be better than working in the mines of ChapGPT and other open-source AI apps that are just warp-speed predictive text engines, still lacking the finesse of people-powered persuasion. All of this makes for compelling TDM content and frankly, it's hard not to be persuaded by his passion, his perspective, and his prompt(less) arrival in AI copywriting country. This one's for all you diehard copywriters out there! Disclaimer: This copy was written by a human.Jon Benson is The Billion Dollar Copy Coach, the CEO of CopyPro.ai, and ChatVSL which promises to write persuasive, direct-marketing Video Sales Letters in under an hour. To find out more about what Jon does, visit copypro.ai and jonbenson.com. You'll be sure to find great sales pitches, a love of words, personal music videos, VSL testimonials, and more. Key Takeaways:01:18 How did Jon and Copy Pro get started with dissecting copy for AI?03:30 How ChatGPT4 has flipped the switch on writing accurate copy04:36 The advent of direct response copywriting06:20 Appreciating the art and science of copywriting07:44 Why (human) persuasion still matters08:30 Why AI has a problem 'opening a loop' 10:06 Mad Men and direct response marketing14:25 Why it's so important to be able to distill your copy16:54 Why copy needs to be simple and persuasive with attention spans waning19:15 Promptless AI and what BNSN will be able to do21:40 How BNSN is starting with emails and then VSL 22:20 What is prompt creation going to look like for average folk?28:00 Introducing Chat VSL Connect with Jon Benson:Website - https://go.copypro.ai/Chat VSL - https://jonbenson.com/LinkedIn - Jon Benson - Creator of CopyPro.ai - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonbensonBe sure to subscribe to the podcast at: https://www.digitalmarketer.com/podcast/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/digitalmarketerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/digitalmarketer/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digital-marketer/This Month's Sponsors:

Can you use AI for email marketing? Everyone is talking about ChatGPT at the moment. Unless you live under a rock, you'll have seen or heard something about AI or even tried it yourself. So can tools such as ChatGPT help with your email copywriting? Let's dive into all this! SOME EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: (0:48) Join our FREE Facebook Group. (5:55) Should you use AI software like ChatGPT for email?(9:29) Can this new AI software create stories for your emails?(16:04) Where could you use AI for your email marketing?(21:04) What is the best AI email marketing copywriter?(24:25) What are the drawbacks of using AI email marketing software?(26:35) What happens when you combine our powerful email templates with AI?(28:01) Writing your own emails makes you a better marketer.(29:48) Only you can craft better messaging for your marketing.(33:32) Subject line of the week.Should you use AI software like ChatGPT for email? Last year we did a podcast episode about AI called Write Emails Using Artificial Intelligence (AI). But AI is such a hot topic right now that it felt it needed revisiting. Are emails written by AI 'good enough'? The fact they're written by a computer is great, yes. Only a few years ago, the thought of this happening would have been ludicrous. But now these things are possible, and that's amazing. The real question is - if you'd paid an email marketing agency to write an email for you, and you got something along the lines of what you get from an AI tool, would you be happy? The answer is no. Because it's amazing that a computer can take a prompt and write an email for you that not only makes sense but also covers the topic appropriately. But is it as good as what a human could write? Is it as good as what an agency could produce? Or even as good as something that you could write yourself with our teachings and frameworks? No. To borrow an expression from our friend Jon Benson, when you read an email out loud that was written by AI, it's a bit like hearing the radio announcer's voice in your head. You know that tone - it sounds artificial. And humans connect with other humans. They connect with your personality. So as soon as you put AI in the mix, you're taking that humanity away. And that's a big loss. Can this new AI software, such as ChatGPT, create stories for your emails?We're not saying AI has no place in marketing – it's actually extremely useful. But can it create the stories we include in our emails? A lot of our approach is based on storytelling because stories are compelling and persuasive. And yes, AI can help you find stories.In fact, Rob did a little experiment and asked ChatGPT to come up with a story that happened to him that day that he could tell his friends down the pub. And when the software started typing about elephants dancing in the streets, Rob had to stop it. The tool was writing a dream. So Rob asked the tool to try again, but this time to make the story believable. It had to be something that could happen in real life, be logical, and follow the laws of physics and nature.In the end, the tool came up with the story about Rob seeing a cat in the street. Initially, the cat seemed a bit shy and cautious. But then Rob found something in his pocket and fed the cat, and the cat became friendlier. All good here. Then Rob asked the tool to relate that story to a lesson about email...

Can you use NLP for marketing to get more of your emails opened? This week we talked to Jon Benson from Copy Pro and EPIC Email about using NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) in your email marketing to grab your audience's attention and get more of your emails opened.Ready to find out a handy trick or two to sell more and ethically? SOME EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: (0:18) Join our FREE Facebook Group.(3:00) Is Jon really allergic to pollinated fruit?(4:47) Who is Jon Benson?(6:47) What is NLP and why does it matter in email marketing?(8:15) Creating a pattern interrupt.(9:50) How to grab people's attention. (12:04) How to 'promote' in your emails.(16:50) How to create links people will want to click on.(19:26) You don't need to create new content all the time.(21:52) Subject line of the week with Jon Benson.Who is Jon Benson? Jon Benson is known as the person who invented the video sales letter and was the first to sell copyrighting software. Somewhere along his business journey, Jon also started thinking about ways he could apply the same NLP and persuasion tactics to emails. Known for successfully employing and teaching techniques such as pattern interrupt and future pacing, Jon introduced these concepts into the world of email marketing. And that's how EPIC Email was born. What is NLP and why does it matter in email marketing?But first thing first, what is Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)? Jon sees NLP as a tool to help you make sales. It's based on the idea that human beings can be persuaded to take action through simple language commands - all without being manipulated.We all know that the word 'manipulation' has a negative connotation, but it's not necessarily bad. Parents 'manipulate' their children into eating their vegetables all the time after all! For Jon, selling is the art of ethical manipulation or persuasion, and NLP is a building block for that.Creating a pattern interruptOne of the things we have to do at the beginning of every sales conversation (no matter the medium) is to grab attention. Because without the attention of your audience, you're shouting into a void!When it comes to emails, grabbing attention is not as active as it would be if you were standing on stage. So to grab the attention of your subscribers and get them to pay attention to your emails, you want to create a pattern interrupt.Jon will typically start an email with just one or two sentences that either seem out of place or that direct someone into something they're not normally used to seeing in an email. For example, an email that converted well for Jon started with the phrase “Look around your room”. That's not a request – it's a command.How to grab people's attentionThe idea here is that you can use words that create patterns where you engage someone's mind without them knowing you're doing it. This is NLP, and it works because it's unusual - it's not something you tend to write at the start of an email. Another email starter Jon used in the past is “What's the one thing you remember the most about your father?” So it's all about starting your emails with something interesting or a story, so people want to click on the email and read more.What we just described with this idea of grabbing your...

This episode answers a Twitter follower's question about breaking through the $3k - $5k ad spend barrier she's stuck at...  My exact process for scaling businesses and offers with ads is revealed in this one! Plus, a promotion for my newest video on YouTube with Jon Benson which you can watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDux87FOoks  Be sure to get all of Jon's brilliance from the YouTube video... I've never heard it broken down so simply and powerfully, before!

Kevin Pifer, America's Land Auctioneer, has Jon Benson in studio this week. Jon is Vice President and Senior Trust Officer at Heartland Trust. Jon provides incredible insight in estate planning, transitional strategies, and reminds all of us that planning now will eliminate conflict later and manage tax liability.  Follow Kevin at www.americalandauctioneer.com and on Instagram & Facebook.

When it comes to selling your product, you need to connect with people. And to show people why they should buy your offer, you need to write an effective and influential copy. It is the impact that will have the biggest bang for your buck, so if you want to learn how to write an effective sales page, ad, or copy, this week's guest is here to help.  Jon Benson is a copywriting genius and the creator of the Video Sales Letter and CopyPro. He has systems for something that everybody else believes to be an art form and he joins me this week to share how you can improve your copywriting skills and learn to create a high-converting video sales letter for your business. Tune in to hear what the video sales letter is, how he pioneered it and goes about writing his copy, and how to master it to generate a lucrative income for your business. Jon shares three things that will enable you to write quickly and powerfully, and some vital concepts you need to consider when it comes to copywriting. “I apply the same principles I use in bodybuilding to writing. It sounds ridiculous but it works..” - Jon Benson In This Episode: - Wondering what the difference is between a good headline and a clickbait headline? Here's what it is… - Jon shares why you need to connect with your reader over their feelings, situations, or problems. - Hear the 5-step VSL process Jon created. - Discover how to create a good headline without lying to your audience. - Jon shares what a hook is and how they have made companies billions of dollars. - Discover one of the best things you can say when building a rapport with somebody. - Want to know how Jon writes so quickly? Here's one of the tricks he uses… - Find out the number one reason anybody buys anything. And much more… Connect with Jon Benson: - Website:  https://jonbenson.com/ (https://jonbenson.com/) - CopyPro:https://copypro.ai/ ( https://copypro.ai/) - VSL:https://nowvsl.com/ ( https://nowvsl.com/) Connect with Adam Lyons: -https://thesmartblueprint.com/ ( Website) - https://uk.linkedin.com/in/adam-lyons-210670166 (LinkedIn) - https://www.facebook.com/TheAdamLyons (Facebook) - https://www.instagram.com/TheAdamLyons/ (Instagram) - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXrYi3GXQ7OtJ6urs8w3CBQ (YouTube)

On the evening of July 2nd, 1873, a visiting Scottish lord, Lord Gordon Gordon, was kidnapped from James McKay's Silver Heights home and rushed towards the American border. The events that followed would spiral into a full-scale international incident involving both the Canadian and American governments and the discovery that Lord Gordon Gordon was not who he seemed. A huge thank you to Jon Benson with The WRENCH for joining us for Collecting Conversations! Visit thewrench.ca/archive-project/ to learn more about The WRENCH's efforts to build a cycling archive.

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Jon Benson, Vice President and Trust Officer for Heartland Trust Company, and Bob Pifer, Pifer's Regional Real Estate and Auction Manager in Grand Forks, ND, joins Kevin Pifer, America's Land Auctioneer.  The trio provide a glimpse into Pifer's popular upcoming land seminars throughout the country.  Jon Benson will speak on Trusts and Estate Planning.  Bob Pifer and Kevin Pifer will provide dynamic data on farmland values, trends and current valuations.At Heartland Trust Company, they provide  professional asset management, trust services and 401k plan administration. If you are retiring, in need of a financial plan, rolling over your IRA, or investing for the future they have experienced professionals to help guide you. Follow Kevin at www.americalandauctioneer.com and on Instagram & Facebook.

Jon Benson, Vice President and Trust Officer for Heartland Trust Company,  joins  America's Land Auctioneer.  Jon Benson describes the differences between estate planning and succession planning and the importance to have both plans and strategies in place.Preserving capital, managing taxes, maximizing retirement plan contributions and creating wealth are all part of smart estate planning as Jon Benson explains on America's Land Auctioneer.  Follow Kevin at www.americalandauctioneer.com and on Instagram & Facebook.

The iconic portage between Duncan Lake and Rose Lake in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness will take on a new look in 2022 when two sets of wooden staircases will be replaced with stone steps. Stone used in the project will come from the land located between the lakes in the federally-designated wilderness area. Hand tools and other non-motorized instruments will be used to shape the new look of the portage. “We are planning to replace the wooden stairs on the stairway portage with stone steps during the summer of 2022,” said Jon Benson, an assistant ranger for recreation and wilderness on the Tofte and Gunflint ranger districts of Superior National Forest. “Great Lakes Trailbuilders is the contractor with whom we will be working.” The 80-rod portage between Duncan and Rose is among the most highly trafficked areas on the eastern side of the BWCA. Two sets of stairs, with more than 90 steps each, make up most of the portage between the two lakes. The portage largely parallels a set of falls dropping from Duncan down to Rose near the Canadian border in the Mid-Gunflint Trail area. The current look of the portage was built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conversation Corps using logs to create a staircase of sorts. Due to the harsh environment in the BWCA, wooden steps or set logs do not hold up well as weather and humans wear on them, according to Willie Bittner, the owner of Wisconsin based Great Lakes Trailbuilders. For example, the wooden steps of the Stairway Portage have been replaced three times in the past 30 years, he said. Rather than continually replace the wood, Bittner had a vision to place stone steps on the portage. Not only will the stone have a more natural look, they should last much longer than the wood version. “This should be there for many generations,” Bittner said of the forthcoming stone staircase between Duncan and Rose. After securing the bid, Bittner and his company are spearheading the project in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service and the Conservation Corps of Minnesota. The project comes under the umbrella of the Great American Outdoors Act. Bittner and his team will use rifting hammers to split large rocks weighing up to 200 lbs. each to create the steps, he said. They'll also use a device that he describes as a ‘zip-line for rocks' to set the stones in place. Bittner plans to start the project in May not long after the ice vanishes from West Bearskin Lake and Duncan Lake. The goal is to complete the new Stairway Portage by the Fourth of July, he said. WTIP Boundary Waters Podcast host Matthew Baxley spoke with Bittner about the project. The audio to their conversation is shared below.

In this episode, I'm going to be talking to Jon Benson from copypro.ai. Jon's going to share some critical ideas about the importance of copywriting, great copywriting, and perhaps most importantly how to sell services, especially marketing services using copywriting. The greatest marketing funnel blog on the internet bar none-

We're back with Craig Dave Carbol and today we're going to really dig into his secrets about writing exceptional copy for eCommerce landing pages. Craig was with us last week. He has written for such well-known clients as Jon Benson and Mind Valley. But what really sets him apart are his accomplishments in eCommerce, where he has written for big brands in consumer markets like apparel, athletic gear and outdoor living. His copy has raked in more than $33 million in sales in the last year and a half. Craig has come up with a system for writing copy just like he's writing. The system is teachable, and it's called Cashvertorials™. He's told us about it today and walk through a promotion he did using this very renegade and very profitable form of copy. To get free access to Craig's course, go to: https://www.cashvertorials.com/Download.

Jon Benson is a best-selling author, Neuro-Linguistic Programming practitioner, copywriter, and creator of the Video Sales Letter or VSL. Jon also created NowVSL, the world’s first software-driven VSL copywriting system, and Copy Pro, which is doing for email what NowVSL has done for the Video Sales Letter.On this episode of the Perfectly Mentored Podcast, Jon and Jason jam on the evolution of Internet marketing, what makes for compelling copy, and what people are doing wrong about online sales.Topics Covered:Who is Jon Benson? [00:17]How do you handle the fact that many gurus are popping up left and right and how do you stand out? [06:51]If you're a business or a personal brand, how needed is “brand” today for long-lasting success? [10:08]What's your copywriting method? How do you plan? [17:10]What are some ways you use NLP in your copy or your videos and ways that the listeners can kind of do the same? [21:09]What makes a headline great? [25:22]What do you recommend – long-form ad copy or short-format ad copy? [30:00]Why do you think people are sleeping on copywriting as a skill? [30:43]When it comes to VSL, email, and ad copy, what are the main differences? [41:34]Do you have any tricks for when you're writing email copy like the spacing, number of lines, etc.? [42:40]What are some top-secret tips on writing copy? [45:20]What’s your take on people who exaggerate or lie to write compelling copy? [49:00]What is Copy Pro and who needs it? [52:29]If you could go back in time and tell yourself something about copywriting that you wish you knew back then, what would it be? [56:56]Connect with us:Perfectly Mentored InstagramWatch the Interviews on YouTubePerfectly Mentored FacebookConnect with Jon BensonCopyProConnect with Jason Portnoyjportnoy.comInstagramFacebookWant to see how Jason and his team can help you grow your business? CLICK HERE to book your Free Business Assessment CallLike the episode? Come visit us on Apple Podcasts - don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! We appreciate your feedback and would love for you to help spread the word! See all Podcasts HERE

On this episode of the onPurpose Growth Podcast one of the most highly skilled masters of the written word, Adil Amarsi. Adil Amarsi is a copywriter who has generated over $700M in sales from his writing skills. That is only the number he has tracked and it's assessed that the actual number is at or above $1B based on the consultations he does. For example, one person told him that they made $100k in 3 weeks from a 15 minute consultation Adil did. We cover how Adil writes copy as well as how his own personal growth has allowed him to connect with his potential buyers in the deepest way possible. We have a lot of fun during this episode and hope you do too when you watch or listen. Welcome to the Business Lounge! We are a shared office space, a podcast channel, and a way to enhance your business and expand your network. On our first episode back, we talk about what the Business Lounge is and what we have coming up in our relaunch. Stay tuned for weekly episodes! The Business Lounge will be bringing you business advice and conversations from real entrepreneurs on real experiences that we have throughout our businesses. Each week, we welcome a guest from a variety of industries to join us in our conversations about the business world. Let us know what you want to see next! To get in touch with our host and for more information on how to join the Business Lounge and be a guest, visit https://www.oflaherty-law.com/business-lounge-tv/on-purpose-growth Adil Amarsi has been writing sales copy professionally since he turned 18 in late 2007. During that time he has broken countless records and developed an infamous reputation for the effectiveness of his copy. Having started writing copy from age 12, Adil has been able to see how industries and markets have evolved and since then, he's gone on to use his talents to help his clients generate over $700 Million in sales from his work (and that's what he can track). Adil's passion for breaking down strategies and copy - and verbalizing it at lightning speed - has earned him a huge amount of respect from legendary copywriters such as Jay Abraham, Jon Benson, Roy Furr, Bob Stirling, Mark Joyner, Trevor "ToeCracker" Crook, and many more. Get in touch with our guest: Website: https://www.adilamarsi.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adiltheawesome https://www.facebook.com/adilamarsi Instagram: https://Instagram.com/adilamarsi YouTube: https://youtube.com/adilamarsiofficial LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adilamarsi/ Follow us on our social accounts to stay connected with all things Business Lounge! - Website: https://www.oflaherty-law.com/business-lounge-network - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BusinessLoungeNetwork/ - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/seizeyourbusiness-com *None of the content in The Business Lounge series is intended as paid legal advice.

What is the most important tool in marketing? If you ask Jon Benson, and even our CEO Ryan Deiss, they'd both say it's copywriting. In this episode, we're replaying one of our favorite copywriting episodes featuring legendary copywriter Jon Benson. Listen to learn the biggest mistakes marketers make when they write copy, copywriting best practices, and Jon's audit of a 3 million view headline. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE WP Engine Open Click Buy: 21 Ways to Cash In on Emails While Avoiding the Information Apocalypse CopyPro Sellerator Jon's Website Jon on LinkedIn Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to The DigitalMarketer Podcast? Have some feedback you'd like to share? Connect with us on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review! Apple Podcasts not your thing? Find us on Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, or at DigitalMarketer.com.Mentioned in this episode:Generate Leads on Instagram via AutomationLearn how to make money with automated bots even if you don't have a business or product! Visit https://botwebinar.com[Free Download] DigitalMarketer's Canva Holiday Promo PackGrab These 195 Ready-To-Use Canva Templates For 5 Upcoming Holiday Promotions!Holiday Promo Pack

Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with Hana Maui Resort GM Jon Benson.  In this podcast Jon talks about his journey with Hyatt that has lasted 34 years (and counting), working at the Hyatt Regency in Ka'anapali 20 years ago, what it was like to move back to Maui for his current job, how the Hana Maui Resort has been the largest employer in Hana, the challenge the community faces with limited health resources, the reopening on the property this Friday November 20th, their approach to the restaurant and cultural components of the property, protocols that have been put in place to keep the staff and community safe, the advantage of being a property with large amounts of open air spaces, how their mask policy is non negotiable, and how 2020 has been a reset on how we can approach tourism in the future.  

Today's guest is Jon Benson. He is a Senior Designer at Rooster Teeth in Austin TX. During this episode we talk about:-how Jon grew up in a creative family and what he was surrounded by. -how when he first got into design he was very close-minded about what a true "designer" was. -his time at Hobby Lobby where he started doing more hand lettering and how that influenced him. -the print he produced for Hobby Lobby and the feeling he had when his designs were out there and available across all of their stores. -the brand refresh project he was a part of at Hobby Lobby and why is so proud of that. -the freelance project where he was accidentally included on an internal client email and what that taught him. Jon also shares some current struggles that he is having in his career and how he is working through them. Open, honest, and easy to talk to! @jonbensondesigns

Jon Benson is the father of the VSL and one of the world's top copywriters. He is the author of Open Click Buy and about a gazillion best-selling books on fitness. From relationships to sanity to subject lines - Jon Benson is raw & uncut on List Building Lifestyle

This week Ken Rochon takes his personal expectation of character to another level when he interviews Hyrum Smith, aka The Father of Time, co-founder of Franklin Covey, Co., and inventor of the Franklin Planner. Hyrum shares the 5 aspects of character based on our belief models of how our world works according to what we believe. Additionally, Ken shared highlights of Guerrilla Marketing led by Jason Myers & Jeannie Levinson including fabulous speakers Jon Benson, Matt Bacak, and more... A special pop in guest Paul Fuggle, the lead organizer for the A Bug Free Mind Mastermind headed up by Andy Shaw and Peter Halm. This 7 day Mastermind is made up of 120 top internet marketers in the world! Ken Rochon and his co-host Andrea Adams-Miller are participants and sponsors a 3rd year.

This week Ken Rochon takes his personal expectation of character to another level when he interviews Hyrum Smith, aka The Father of Time, co-founder of Franklin Covey, Co., and inventor of the Franklin Planner. Hyrum shares the 5 aspects of character based on our belief models of how our world works according to what we believe. Additionally, Ken shared highlights of Guerrilla Marketing led by Jason Myers & Jeannie Levinson including fabulous speakers Jon Benson, Matt Bacak, and more... A special pop in guest Paul Fuggle, the lead organizer for the A Bug Free Mind Mastermind headed up by Andy Shaw and Peter Halm. This 7 day Mastermind is made up of 120 top internet marketers in the world! Ken Rochon and his co-host Andrea Adams-Miller are participants and sponsors a 3rd year.

Jon Benson, the creator of the Video Sales Letter, joins the show to talk copy writing. Jon gives out some tips on key words to focus on when you're writing, the mindset you need to influence your customers, and some specific steps you can take to boost your online sales by 100%. Key Takeaways: [2:18] The power of the word "you" [5:33] How one word can change the dynamic of your copy dramatically [7:50] The big secret of copy writing to influence your customers [10:43] How you create your customer avatar that you write your copy for [12:01] THE biggest problem advertisers have today [14:43] People want to follow people who have the guts to take a position [18:47] Honesty is missing in copy writing today [22:21] The importance of modality marketing [24:46] Even the decisions we make that we think are rational are driven by emotions [30:22] Jon's challenge that will help you double your online sales Website: www.Sellerator.com

Jon Benson is a marketing guru and has some great tips on how to capture your target audience. He is the creator of the 3X Video Sales Letter Formula and the 3X Sellerator. Jon talks to Jason about the importance of improving your copy writing, having an ideal avatar, why he loves video sales letters, and much more.    Key Takeaways: [2:30] When writing a sales letter or copy, don't be afraid to overuse the word 'you' and break the rules of grammar.  [8:55] Write to your audience like you're writing to a family member.  [13:40] People love to back people who have strong voices and opinions.  [17:50] Niche down on your topic and you will make more money. [21:20] 3X Sellerator is as easy as you can get when generating a video sales letter.  [24:00] What is modality marketing?  [29:30] Use both a video sales letter and a traditional text-based sales letter to sell your product.  [32:10] Jon has some special offers for Jason's audience.    Mentioned In This Episode:   HartmanMedia.com/VSL

Welcome to the Online Marketing News, it's the 2nd of March of and here is my round of digital marketing news that has caught my eye during the month of February. 1. I got a very promising email the other day from Infusionsoft saying they are soon to release an app so we can use InfusionSoft on mobile, which is obviously excellent news for InfusionSoft users. I believe it will be free for current users and available on both IOS and Android. 2. OP2 released their copy and paste a row feature. This was previously enabled within the same page but now you can take a row from one OptimzePress page and put it into another. A handy time saver and more definitely brownie points earned, they are getting into a lot of peoples good books again! 3. Leadpages as always have been innovating. In my opinion their most exciting update is automatic pre-population, so when someone lands on your page and decides to opt-in, this new feature will automatically have the opt-in form filled out with their details! Making the opt-in process even more frictionless. They also recently added the ability to split test & add images to leadboxes. 4. The big news over at Facebook last month was of course Facebooks $19 billion dollar acquisition of What's App. This was worldwide news so I'm sure you already saw this. Early rumours that the monetization strategy for What's App would be advertising like they did with Instagram were quickly downplayed however, Mark Zuckerberg himself announcing that their initial focus would be on growth rather than monetization. When the time comes for monetization it may or may not present a new opportunity for us online marketing folk, we'll have to wait and see on that one. 5. In other Facebook news, Facebook have announced that they are discontinuing sponsored stories. These are the ads that page owners can use to show a users that one of their connections has liked their page or checked-in, in the hope that they might do the same. As of April 9th however, this kind of ad will be gone. 6. Facebook ads have a new update coming on the 4th of March will be to add another level within their ad structure. They used to have 2 levels which was campaigns and ads but this made for a quite messy and unorganized way to keep track of your ads. The new level they are adding inbetween campaigns and ads is, ad groups. This means you can group certain types of ads together within your campaigns and will make it much more organized. Welcome news for FB advertisers. 7. Facebook will also be rolling out new targeting features available thanks to their 3rd party partner categories, this data will now be available in the regular FB ad platform giving better location,interest, behavior and demographic targeting. 8. In more excellent FB ads news, Facebook announced they will be adding job titles to their ads targeting. LinkedIn ads have given this option for years and now Facebook wants a piece of it too, I can't wait for that to happen. 9. Finally on Facebook, Facebook page tagging just got a little more interesting too. When you tag another page in a status update from your fan page, their fans may see your update in their newsfeed meaning you can tap into almost any other fan pages audience by using tagging. I think this could be easy to abuse but done correctly it could help you grow your fan page audience for free. 10. LinkedIn has opened up their publishing platform, where you can publish long-form content to the site. This used to be a feature only available to top influencers like Richard Branson, Bill Gates, Tony Robbins, Gary Vaynerchuk and other high level people but now all users will be able to use this tool. 11. LinkedIn has also recently added a block feature just like Facebook has. It means you and the other person will no longer be able to see each others accounts on the site. So don't go spamming people or using any weird black hat marketing tactics, you'll simply be blocked! 12. Google has added usage rights to it's image search tools. This has been around a while but wasn't included as an option in it's main menu. You still need to be careful when using it though, it's not 100% accurate. So you could use an image thinking you have permission when you do not. My advice is where possible create your own images or purchase stock images. 13. Twitter advertising took another big step forward by introducing the ability to target ads based on email addresses and user ID's. This is similar to custom audiences on Facebook and it means you can retarget your email list through Twitter or even have the ability to avoid those users, depending on your marketing goals. Great option to have. Twitter ads continue to rise in my estimations. 14. Adroll has just beta launched mobile retargeting for cross device campaigns. Meaning desktops users can now also be followed up on the mobiles and tablets too. For example someone who enters your website on their desktop, may then see your retargeting ads whilst using FB or Twitter using their mobile phone. 15. A few big upcoming events that have caught my eye... On the 11th of March, Marketing Land's Digital Marketing Summit will be held in San Jose, California. Top speakers include Googles Search Chief, Amit Singhal, Copybloggers Brian Clark and Rand Fishkin of Moz. Also on the 11th -13th of March, The Joint Venture Summit is being held in Atlanta, Georgia. Speakers taking the stage include Robert Allen, Alex Mandossian, Joel Comm, Spike Humer, Mike Filsaime, Lorrie Morgan-Ferrero, Daven Michaels and whole list of other excellent speakers too. On the 22nd and 23rd of March, Brian McLeod and Sam England are hosting the Spring 2014 Warrior Networking Event in Raleigh, North Carolina. Joel Comm, Matt Bacak, E Brian Rose and a whole line up of top speakers will be sharing their best stuff. Social Media Examiner are hosting the Social Media Marketing World event in San Diego, California on the 26th -28th of March. They have a huge list of amazing speakers, Chris Brogan, Mari Smith, Patt Flynn, Michael Hyatt, Michael Stelzner, John Jantsch, Amy Porterfield, Joel Comm, Brian Clark, Cliff Ravenscraft and bunch more. If you're listening to this on the podcast, you can get links to these events over at my blog. 16. A few new podcasts that I'm excited about have been announced Jon Benson the king of VSL's has just recently started his podcast called The Sales Copy Samurai. Colin Theriot of the cult of copy has also he will be starting a new podcast sharing his copywriting wisdom so keep an eye out for that one, and last but not least Clay Collins and the team over at LeadPages announced that their new podcast called conversion cast will start soon and they will be diving deep into split testing and what's working now in online marketing. You won't want to miss that either. Both Colin and Clay have been on previous episodes of the online marketing show are always good value. Jon is set to come on the show in a few weeks time too so stay tuned for that. 17. Tim Castleman has released his Traffic and Conversion Summit 2014 notes. I attended this event and it was brilliant. His notes have all the golden nuggets from the presentations for just a fraction of the cost of going to the event. Grab a copy, it's well worth it. 18. Todd Brown is launching his latest product this week, it's called Six Figure Funnel Formula. Todd has been on the podcast before and he is my recommended go to guy when it comes to marketing funnels. His last flagship program has been locked down for quite some time so you'll want to jump on this if you want to learn how to convert leads into paying customers. There will be a lot of buzz over the next week or so and Todd will be releasing a ton of free premium content during the launch. Again if you're listening to this on the podcast, head over to my blog you can get the link for Todd's free videos there. And that's the online marketing news, 2nd of March 2014.

For more episodes and free goodies, visit https://abeljames.com/

For more episodes and free goodies, visit https://abeljames.com/