The Long Game

In this Kitchen Side episode of The Long Game Podcast, the Omniscient team dives into a wide-ranging discussion on trust, research quality, and marketing visibility in an AI-driven world. They start with epistemology—what makes research “good” or “bad”—and reflect on how flawed correlations can mislead marketers. The team then unpacks their recent Winter study on how B2B buyers use LLMs like ChatGPT in the purchase journey, revealing that while LLMs are common early in research, peer feedback and brand transparency are essential in final decisions. They also explore the evolution of SEO into GEO/AEO, discuss organizational roles and feedback loops, and propose new cross-functional models for digital visibility in a world of probabilistic, AI-generated content.Key TakeawaysNot All Research Is Trustworthy: Internal/external validity and sample bias can distort marketing data—marketers need stronger research literacy.Correlation ≠ Causation: Data trends, especially in AI visibility, often include spurious relationships—interpret with caution.LLMs Are Entry Points, Not Final Decision Tools: While many B2B buyers start with AI search, they turn to peers and review sites before converting.Transparency Beats Perfection: Buyers trust brands that clearly state who they serve, what they do, and where they fall short.GEO Relies on Accuracy: Incorrect or outdated online information can mislead LLMs—fixing this improves visibility and conversions.Sentiment and Product Reality Matter: Negative perception from bad UX or old reviews isn’t a marketing problem—it’s a product and comms one.AEO Needs Cross-Functional Ownership: Teams like PR, content, SEO, and product marketing must collaborate to influence LLM visibility.A New Role May Be Needed: “Digital visibility lead” or a cross-team committee could help unify efforts across brand, SEO, and off-page strategy.Show LinksConnect with David Khim on LinkedIn and TwitterConnect with Alex Birkett on LinkedIn and TwitterConnect with Allie Decker on LinkedIn and TwitterConnect with Omniscient Digital on LinkedIn or TwitterWhat is Kitchen Side?One big benefit of running an agency or working at one is you get to see the “kitchen side” of many different businesses; their revenue, their operations, their automations, and their culture.You understand how things look from the inside and how that differs from the outside.You understand how the sausage is made. As an agency ourselves, we’re working both on growing our clients’ businesses as well as our own. This podcast is one project, but we also blog, make videos, do sales, and have quite a robust portfolio of automations and hacks to run our business.We want to take you behind the curtain, to the kitchen side of our business, to witness our brainstorms, discussions, and internal dialogues behind the public works that we ship.Past guests on The Long Game podcast include: Morgan Brown (Shopify), Ryan Law (Animalz), Dan Shure (Evolving SEO), Kaleigh Moore (freelancer), Eric Siu (Clickflow), Peep Laja (CXL), Chelsea Castle (Chili Piper), Tracey Wallace (Klaviyo), Tim Soulo (Ahrefs), Ryan McReady (Reforge), and many more.Some interviews you might enjoy and learn from:Actionable Tips and Secrets to SEO Strategy with Dan Shure (Evolving SEO)Building Competitive Marketing Content with Sam Chapman (Aprimo)How to Build the Right Data Workflow with Blake Burch (Shipyard)Data-Driven Thought Leadership with Alicia Johnston (Sprout Social)Purpose-Driven Leadership & Building a Content Team with Ty Magnin (UiPath)Also, check out our Kitchen Side series where we take you behind the scenes to see how the sausage is made at our agency:Blue Ocean vs Red Ocean SEOShould You Hire Writers or Subject Matter Experts?How Do Growth and Content Overlap?Connect with Omniscient Digital on social:Twitter: @beomniscientLinkedin: Be OmniscientListen to more episodes of The Long Game podcast here: https://beomniscient.com/podcast/

In this episode of The Long Game Podcast, Alex Birkett interviews Noah Greenberg, CEO of Stacker, a content distribution platform that helps brands turn owned content into earned media. They dive into the paradigm shift from SEO (Search Engine Optimization) to GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) and how brands can optimize for visibility in AI-powered interfaces like ChatGPT and Gemini. Noah shares how earned media, brand mentions, and distribution at scale are becoming the new backlinks, and how the lines between PR, content, and SEO are blurring. From Google's disappearing traffic to ChatGPT's probabilistic answers, this is a deep dive into the future of organic visibility and media strategy in the AI era.Key TakeawaysSEO Is Evolving into GEO: The goal is no longer just ranking on Google—it’s being cited and surfaced in AI-powered responses.Earned Media Drives AI Visibility: PR, brand mentions, and syndicated content now influence whether LLMs cite your brand.Distribution Increases Surface Area: Publishing content broadly boosts the probability of being included in AI-generated answers.PR Is Cool Again: The rise of AI search has revived interest in press releases and third-party citations as visibility tools.SEO, Content, and PR Must Merge: Teams need to collaborate across departments to drive brand visibility in AI environments.Impact Is Visible—Fast: A single article syndicated through Stacker can be cited in AI search results within 24 hours.Measurement Models Are Changing: Traditional KPIs like backlinks and traffic are giving way to visibility, trust, and AI mentions.Founders Should Think Like Media Companies: Being the source of truth—and distributing it widely—is key to staying top-of-mind.Show LinksConnect with Noah Greenberg on LinkedInConnect with Alex Birkett on LinkedIn and TwitterConnect with Omniscient Digital on LinkedIn or TwitterPast guests on The Long Game podcast include: Morgan Brown (Shopify), Ryan Law (Animalz), Dan Shure (Evolving SEO), Kaleigh Moore (freelancer), Eric Siu (Clickflow), Peep Laja (CXL), Chelsea Castle (Chili Piper), Tracey Wallace (Klaviyo), Tim Soulo (Ahrefs), Ryan McReady (Reforge), and many more.Some interviews you might enjoy and learn from:Actionable Tips and Secrets to SEO Strategy with Dan Shure (Evolving SEO)Building Competitive Marketing Content with Sam Chapman (Aprimo)How to Build the Right Data Workflow with Blake Burch (Shipyard)Data-Driven Thought Leadership with Alicia Johnston (Sprout Social)Purpose-Driven Leadership & Building a Content Team with Ty Magnin (UiPath)Also, check out our Kitchen Side series where we take you behind the scenes to see how the sausage is made at our agency:Blue Ocean vs Red Ocean SEOShould You Hire Writers or Subject Matter Experts?How Do Growth and Content Overlap?Connect with Omniscient Digital on social:Twitter: @beomniscientLinkedin: Be OmniscientListen to more episodes of The Long Game podcast here: https://beomniscient.com/podcast/

In this Kitchen Side episode of The Long Game Podcast, the Omniscient Digital team explores the tension between moving fast and making smart decisions. Speed is often praised in startups and growth environments, but it can lead to thrashing, burnout, and wasted effort when misapplied. Through reflections on agency work, in-house roles, and working with clients, they examine how to balance urgency with focus, and how strategic patience—paired with tactical speed—can create real momentum. They also share real-world SEO and AI examples of teams pivoting too fast, chasing trends, and missing out on compounding gains due to lack of prioritization, alignment, or decisiveness.Key TakeawaysSpeed ≠ Thrashing: Speed is powerful—but not when it means jumping between tactics without a long-term direction.Experimentation Requires Discipline: The best teams move quickly within a defined portfolio of experiments, not across constant strategic shifts.AI and SEO Demand New Timelines: Understanding how long it takes to see results from AI Overviews or SEO changes is critical for smart investment.Strategic Decisions Need Time: Channel or strategy-level shifts should have space to breathe—tactical pivots can happen faster.Avoid Becoming the Bottleneck: Leadership speed often comes down to fast approvals, trust, and timely delegation.Portfolio Thinking Beats All-In Bets: High-performing orgs allocate some resources to R&D and experimentation while maintaining core execution.Alignment Enables Flow: Teams that communicate clearly and early across departments unlock faster execution and reduce friction.Show LinksConnect with David Khim on LinkedIn and TwitterConnect with Alex Birkett on LinkedIn and TwitterConnect with Allie Decker on LinkedIn and TwitterConnect with Omniscient Digital on LinkedIn or TwitterWhat is Kitchen Side?One big benefit of running an agency or working at one is you get to see the “kitchen side” of many different businesses; their revenue, their operations, their automations, and their culture.You understand how things look from the inside and how that differs from the outside.You understand how the sausage is made. As an agency ourselves, we’re working both on growing our clients’ businesses as well as our own. This podcast is one project, but we also blog, make videos, do sales, and have quite a robust portfolio of automations and hacks to run our business.We want to take you behind the curtain, to the kitchen side of our business, to witness our brainstorms, discussions, and internal dialogues behind the public works that we ship.Past guests on The Long Game podcast include: Morgan Brown (Shopify), Ryan Law (Animalz), Dan Shure (Evolving SEO), Kaleigh Moore (freelancer), Eric Siu (Clickflow), Peep Laja (CXL), Chelsea Castle (Chili Piper), Tracey Wallace (Klaviyo), Tim Soulo (Ahrefs), Ryan McReady (Reforge), and many more.Some interviews you might enjoy and learn from:Actionable Tips and Secrets to SEO Strategy with Dan Shure (Evolving SEO)Building Competitive Marketing Content with Sam Chapman (Aprimo)How to Build the Right Data Workflow with Blake Burch (Shipyard)Data-Driven Thought Leadership with Alicia Johnston (Sprout Social)Purpose-Driven Leadership & Building a Content Team with Ty Magnin (UiPath)Also, check out our Kitchen Side series where we take you behind the scenes to see how the sausage is made at our agency:Blue Ocean vs Red Ocean SEOShould You Hire Writers or Subject Matter Experts?How Do Growth and Content Overlap?Connect with Omniscient Digital on social:Twitter: @beomniscientLinkedin: Be OmniscientListen to more episodes of The Long Game podcast here: https://beomniscient.com/podcast/

In this episode of The Long Game Podcast, Alex Birkett speaks with Nick Lafferty (Head of Marketing) and Josh Blyskal (AI Strategist) from Profound, an AI visibility platform focused on answer engine optimization (AEO). They explore the shift from SEO to AEO, where brands must optimize for AI-driven search experiences across ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google’s AI Overviews. The conversation covers why agility is the new moat, how brand mentions and structured content shape AI visibility, and how both startups and incumbents can compete. Nick and Josh share tactical approaches—from Wikipedia and affiliate strategies to structured HTML tables—that improve citations in AI-generated answers. The discussion underscores the rising importance of PR, off-site visibility, and concise, high-utility content in the AI search era.Key TakeawaysAEO Defined: Answer engine optimization is about making your brand the chosen answer in AI-driven search experiences.User Experience Wins: Search is converging with chat—people want answers, not links—so engines prioritize utility and ease.Agility as a Moat: Speed and adaptability matter more than long-term content calendars in today’s volatile AI search space.Brand Mentions Beat Keywords: AI models lean heavily on off-site mentions (Reddit, Wikipedia, affiliates) as trust signals.Structured Content Boosts Citations: Bullet points, HTML tables, and concise formatting make content “citation-friendly” for AI.Startups vs. Incumbents: Incumbents benefit from brand equity, but startups can flank them by acting faster and publishing niche, high-utility content.PR Is Back: Media coverage and Wikipedia presence play a critical role in being cited by AI engines.Show LinksVisit Profound on Linkedin and XConnect with Nick Lafferty  on LinkedInConnect with Josh Blyskal on LinkedInConnect with Alex Birkett on LinkedIn and TwitterConnect with Omniscient Digital on LinkedIn or TwitterSome interviews you might enjoy and learn from:Actionable Tips and Secrets to SEO Strategy with Dan Shure (Evolving SEO)Building Competitive Marketing Content with Sam Chapman (Aprimo)How to Build the Right Data Workflow with Blake Burch (Shipyard)Data-Driven Thought Leadership with Alicia Johnston (Sprout Social)Purpose-Driven Leadership & Building a Content Team with Ty Magnin (UiPath)Also, check out our Kitchen Side series where we take you behind the scenes to see how the sausage is made at our agency:Blue Ocean vs Red Ocean SEOShould You Hire Writers or Subject Matter Experts?How Do Growth and Content Overlap?Connect with Omniscient Digital on social:Twitter: @beomniscientLinkedin: Be OmniscientListen to more episodes of The Long Game podcast here: https://beomniscient.com/podcast/

In this episode of The Long Game Podcast, David Ly Khim interviews Michael Walrath, CEO and Chairman of Yext. Known for building and exiting multiple companies—including RightMedia and Moat—Michael shares how Yext evolved from a local lead-gen platform to a digital presence powerhouse. He dives deep into the fragmentation of search, the shift toward generative engines, and the rise of “agentic” AI-powered experiences. With candid reflections on strategy pivots and digital transformation, Michael urges marketers to rethink discoverability, measurement, and structured content in an era where your next customer might not be human, but an AI assistant making decisions on their behalf.Key TakeawaysYext’s Strategic Pivots: The company evolved from call-based lead gen to local visibility, to enterprise search—each requiring bold but risky reinvention.Google Dominance Has Peaked: With 92%+ of search traffic once flowing through Google, that landscape is now fragmenting due to LLMs and AI agents.Structured Data Drives Discovery: Clean, contextualized data remains a marketer’s best lever for visibility—whether on Google or in LLM-powered engines.Brand Visibility Beats SEO Rankings: As AI agents answer more queries, brands must optimize for visibility across platforms, not just search engine results pages.The Agentic Web Is Coming: AI assistants with memory and context will handle more decision-making—marketers must build for both humans and machines.AI Shifts Are Already Here: Yext observed traffic shifts 6+ quarters ago—marketers should act now, not wait, to influence AI results.Reframing Attribution: Zero-click answers and agentic transactions require a shift from traditional web metrics to outcome-focused measurement.Show LinksVisit Visit Yext on Linkedin and XConnect with Michael Walrath on LinkedInConnect with David Khim on LinkedIn and TwitterConnect with Omniscient Digital on LinkedIn or TwitterSome interviews you might enjoy and learn from:Actionable Tips and Secrets to SEO Strategy with Dan Shure (Evolving SEO)Building Competitive Marketing Content with Sam Chapman (Aprimo)How to Build the Right Data Workflow with Blake Burch (Shipyard)Data-Driven Thought Leadership with Alicia Johnston (Sprout Social)Purpose-Driven Leadership & Building a Content Team with Ty Magnin (UiPath)Also, check out our Kitchen Side series where we take you behind the scenes to see how the sausage is made at our agency:Blue Ocean vs Red Ocean SEOShould You Hire Writers or Subject Matter Experts?How Do Growth and Content Overlap?Connect with Omniscient Digital on social:Twitter: @beomniscientLinkedin: Be OmniscientListen to more episodes of The Long Game podcast here: https://beomniscient.com/podcast/

In this episode of The Long Game Podcast, Alex Burkett interviews Logan Freeman, Global Head of SEO at ManyChat. Together they explore the evolving landscape of SEO in the AI era, particularly the rise of GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) and how it’s changing everything from keyword strategy to attribution modeling. Logan shares tactical approaches for optimizing content for LLMs (large language models), including using FAQ schemas, focusing on off-page visibility, and thinking like a product marketer. They discuss how brand mentions are now more powerful than backlinks, why traditional SEO tools fall short for GEO, and how Logan approaches measurement when attribution is nearly impossible. The episode also explores LLM perception, off-site trust-building, and creative ways SEOs can future-proof their strategies by merging content, digital PR, and productKey TakeawaysSEO vs. GEO: Traditional SEO focuses on keywords, while GEO requires optimizing for hyper-personalized, conversational queries used in LLMs.LLM Perception Is Real: How AI models “perceive” your brand based on off-site mentions can limit (or expand) your visibility in AI answers.Brand Mentions > Backlinks: In the world of AI search, brand visibility across trusted platforms outweighs classic SEO signals like links.SEO as Product Marketing: SEOs must deeply understand users and position content like a PMM would—focused on problems, personas, and differentiation.Dark Attribution Is Growing: Most traffic influenced by LLMs doesn’t click through—making measurement harder and more reliant on referral glimpses and qualitative insights.Go Beyond On-Page Optimization: Embedding schema, FAQs, and latent questions can increase the odds of being cited in LLMs.Get Creative with PR: To influence LLM results, you may need broad digital and traditional PR campaigns that shift how your brand is referenced across the web.Show LinksVisit ManychatConnect with Logan Freedman on LinkedInConnect with Alex Birkett on LinkedIn and TwitterConnect with Omniscient Digital on LinkedIn or TwitterSome interviews you might enjoy and learn from:Actionable Tips and Secrets to SEO Strategy with Dan Shure (Evolving SEO)Building Competitive Marketing Content with Sam Chapman (Aprimo)How to Build the Right Data Workflow with Blake Burch (Shipyard)Data-Driven Thought Leadership with Alicia Johnston (Sprout Social)Purpose-Driven Leadership & Building a Content Team with Ty Magnin (UiPath)Also, check out our Kitchen Side series where we take you behind the scenes to see how the sausage is made at our agency:Blue Ocean vs Red Ocean SEOShould You Hire Writers or Subject Matter Experts?How Do Growth and Content Overlap?Connect with Omniscient Digital on social:Twitter: @beomniscientLinkedin: Be OmniscientListen to more episodes of The Long Game podcast here: https://beomniscient.com/podcast/

In this Kitchen Side episode of The Long Game Podcast, the Omniscient Digital team reflects on one key question: “What should we automate?” The discussion unfolds into a broader examination of agency culture, strategic thinking, and the nuanced costs of automation. They share personal experiments—from HARO email parsing to multi-agent PR systems—and debate the tradeoffs between saving time and losing essential context, mentorship, and learning. The team also explores how AI tools can be both empowering and distracting, and why automation shouldn't come at the expense of human development, team connection, or communication that builds trust. It's a thoughtful, candid look at what AI can't (and shouldn't) replace.Key TakeawaysAutomation Isn’t All or Nothing: Not everything needs full automation—sometimes it's just about streamlining small, repeatable parts of a process.Human Touchpoints Still Matter: Automated communication can lack the warmth, accountability, and nuance of a genuine human message.AI Can Undermine Learning Opportunities: Over-automation risks removing hands-on work that builds junior talent and deep strategic expertise.Remote Culture Needs In-Person Balance: Offsites help rebuild alignment, context, and emotional connection that remote work alone can't deliver.Effort Signals Care: Taking the “harder” route—whether writing by hand or reviewing raw data—can demonstrate thoughtfulness and create deeper understanding.Small Talk Has Strategic Value: Informal conversation often reveals insights and context that structured meetings miss.AI Is Best as an Assistant, Not a Replacement: Tools like Fireflies or ChatGPT are useful for transcription and ideation, but real clarity comes from processing ideas manually.Show LinksConnect with David Khim on LinkedIn and TwitterConnect with Alex Birkett on LinkedIn and TwitterConnect with Allie Decker on LinkedIn and TwitterConnect with Omniscient Digital on LinkedIn or TwitterWhat is Kitchen Side?One big benefit of running an agency or working at one is you get to see the “kitchen side” of many different businesses; their revenue, their operations, their automations, and their culture.You understand how things look from the inside and how that differs from the outside.You understand how the sausage is made. As an agency ourselves, we’re working both on growing our clients’ businesses as well as our own. This podcast is one project, but we also blog, make videos, do sales, and have quite a robust portfolio of automations and hacks to run our business.We want to take you behind the curtain, to the kitchen side of our business, to witness our brainstorms, discussions, and internal dialogues behind the public works that we ship.Some interviews you might enjoy and learn from:Actionable Tips and Secrets to SEO Strategy with Dan Shure (Evolving SEO)Building Competitive Marketing Content with Sam Chapman (Aprimo)How to Build the Right Data Workflow with Blake Burch (Shipyard)Data-Driven Thought Leadership with Alicia Johnston (Sprout Social)Purpose-Driven Leadership & Building a Content Team with Ty Magnin (UiPath)Also, check out our Kitchen Side series where we take you behind the scenes to see how the sausage is made at our agency:Blue Ocean vs Red Ocean SEOShould You Hire Writers or Subject Matter Experts?How Do Growth and Content Overlap?Connect with Omniscient Digital on social:Twitter: @beomniscientLinkedin: Be OmniscientListen to more episodes of The Long Game podcast here: https://beomniscient.com/podcast/

In this Kitchen Side episode of The Long Game Podcast, Alex Birkett and David Ly Khim reflect on the parallels between craftsmanship in daily life and high-quality marketing in the age of AI. They critique the growing dominance of low-effort, mass-generated content and advocate for a return to thoughtful creation—whether that’s cooking a meal, writing a note by hand, or building content that stands out in generative search. The duo also dives deep into GEO (Generative Engine Optimization), sharing a powerful framework: Be the source. Be cited in the source. Or replace the source. They discuss the shift toward brand gravity, proprietary data, and becoming the trusted name in your category—especially as AI models increasingly shape what content gets surfaced.Key TakeawaysCraftsmanship Over Convenience: Great content is like a well-made meal—it takes intention, care, and can't be rushed or fully outsourced to AI.Be the Source, Be Cited, or Replace the Source: To win in GEO, you must create original content, appear in authoritative lists, or become the reference itself.Brand Gravity Is the New SEO Moat: Off-page presence, media saturation, and citations across the web influence your LLM visibility more than keywords alone.Proprietary Data Creates Value: Unique product data, micro case studies, and original research can't be easily replicated—and LLMs favor that originality.SEO Is Converging with GEO: While traditional SEO and LLM optimization are currently distinct, the two are quickly merging into one organic growth strategy.AI Is a Thought Partner—With Limits: LLMs can help challenge assumptions, but they’re persuasive by nature—use them with discernment.Effort Signals Intent: In a noisy content landscape, showing effort is a competitive advantage that builds trust and emotional resonance.Show LinksConnect with David Khim on LinkedIn and TwitterConnect with Alex Birkett on LinkedIn and TwitterConnect with Allie Decker on LinkedIn and TwitterConnect with Omniscient Digital on LinkedIn or TwitterWhat is Kitchen Side?One big benefit of running an agency or working at one is you get to see the “kitchen side” of many different businesses; their revenue, their operations, their automations, and their culture.You understand how things look from the inside and how that differs from the outside.You understand how the sausage is made. As an agency ourselves, we’re working both on growing our clients’ businesses as well as our own. This podcast is one project, but we also blog, make videos, do sales, and have quite a robust portfolio of automations and hacks to run our business.We want to take you behind the curtain, to the kitchen side of our business, to witness our brainstorms, discussions, and internal dialogues behind the public works that we ship.Past guests on The Long Game podcast include: Morgan Brown (Shopify), Ryan Law (Animalz), Dan Shure (Evolving SEO), Kaleigh Moore (freelancer), Eric Siu (Clickflow), Peep Laja (CXL), Chelsea Castle (Chili Piper), Tracey Wallace (Klaviyo), Tim Soulo (Ahrefs), Ryan McReady (Reforge), and many more.Some interviews you might enjoy and learn from:Actionable Tips and Secrets to SEO Strategy with Dan Shure (Evolving SEO)Building Competitive Marketing Content with Sam Chapman (Aprimo)How to Build the Right Data Workflow with Blake Burch (Shipyard)Data-Driven Thought Leadership with Alicia Johnston (Sprout Social)Purpose-Driven Leadership & Building a Content Team with Ty Magnin (UiPath)Also, check out our Kitchen Side series where we take you behind the scenes to see how the sausage is made at our agency:Blue Ocean vs Red Ocean SEOShould You Hire Writers or Subject Matter Experts?How Do Growth and Content Overlap?Connect with Omniscient Digital on social:Twitter: @beomniscientLinkedin: Be OmniscientListen to more episodes of The Long Game podcast here: https://beomniscient.com/podcast/

In this episode of The Long Game Podcast, David Khim interviews Erik Episcopo, SEO Manager at Wiz, one of the fastest-growing cloud security companies (recently acquired by Google). Erik shares his unconventional career path, from answering a Craigslist ad while in Taiwan to building high-scale SEO programs at CrowdStrike and Wiz. They discuss what it takes to be a “super IC,” how AI is reshaping SEO workflows and strategy, and the importance of staying curious and adaptable in a shifting landscape. From experimenting with AI-assisted content to managing massive content refresh cycles, Erik offers a thoughtful, energetic view into what modern growth-focused SEO looks like.Key TakeawaysFrom Craigslist to Cloud Security: Erik began his SEO journey in Taiwan via Craigslist, building scrappy resume content—and now runs enterprise SEO at Wiz.What Makes a Super IC: Top individual contributors creatively solve problems, leverage AI, and own results without waiting for permission.Hiring for AI Fluency: Erik looks for candidates with real-world AI experiments, not just philosophical opinions on LLMs and content automation.SEO Workflows at Scale: At Wiz, Erik scaled content from day one—launching engines, refreshing content, and coordinating localization at speed.Early Career Lessons from Link Building: Writing hundreds of persona-based HARO pitches helped Erik master storytelling, resourcefulness, and outreach.The Value of Scrappiness: A past filled with “gray hat” tactics taught Erik the limits of SEO and how to think like a growth-minded marketer.Learning > Stagnation: A guiding principle for Erik is: if you're not learning or growing, it's time to move—and that's fueled his career pivots.Show LinksVisit Wiz and its Cloud Native Application Protection Platforms pageConnect with Erik Episcopo on LinkedInConnect with David Khim on LinkedIn and TwitterConnect with Omniscient Digital on LinkedIn or TwitterSome interviews you might enjoy and learn from:Actionable Tips and Secrets to SEO Strategy with Dan Shure (Evolving SEO)Building Competitive Marketing Content with Sam Chapman (Aprimo)How to Build the Right Data Workflow with Blake Burch (Shipyard)Data-Driven Thought Leadership with Alicia Johnston (Sprout Social)Purpose-Driven Leadership & Building a Content Team with Ty Magnin (UiPath)Also, check out our Kitchen Side series where we take you behind the scenes to see how the sausage is made at our agency:Blue Ocean vs Red Ocean SEOShould You Hire Writers or Subject Matter Experts?How Do Growth and Content Overlap?Connect with Omniscient Digital on social:Twitter: @beomniscientLinkedin: Be OmniscientListen to more episodes of The Long Game podcast here: https://beomniscient.com/podcast/

In this Kitchen Side episode of The Long Game Podcast, the Omniscient Digital team dives into Google's new “AI Mode” for search and the broader implications of generative AI across content marketing and SEO. They explore the shift toward conversational, zero-click search experiences, the erosion of attribution data, and how marketers need to adapt in a world where AI Overviews and LLMs are changing how users discover information. With insights on content visibility, LLM optimization, brand mentions, measurement challenges, and even some “gray hat” strategies, this episode captures the tension between innovation and uncertainty in the age of AI-enhanced search.Key TakeawaysGoogle’s AI Mode Redefines Search: The new Gemini-powered interface transforms Google into a conversational AI assistant, bypassing traditional search paths.Attribution is Getting Murkier: AI Mode and zero-click searches are making it harder to track SEO performance and justify investment.Brand Mentions Beat Backlinks: LLMs prioritize citations and visibility across platforms more than technical SEO or link-building.SEO is Shifting from Keywords to Visibility: Context, off-site presence, and how content is referenced matter more than keyword density.Marketers Need First-Principles Thinking: Foundational tactics still apply—like voice of customer and content structure—but need reframing for the AI era.Creative “Gray Hat” Tactics Exist: Ideas like editing Wikipedia, acquiring cited domains, or seeding Reddit threads can boost LLM citations.Measurement Will Require New Playbooks: Marketers must blend traditional analytics with self-reported attribution and qualitative feedback.Show LinksConnect with David Khim on LinkedIn and TwitterConnect with Alex Birkett on LinkedIn and TwitterConnect with Allie Decker on LinkedIn and TwitterConnect with Omniscient Digital on LinkedIn or TwitterWhat is Kitchen Side?One big benefit of running an agency or working at one is you get to see the “kitchen side” of many different businesses; their revenue, their operations, their automations, and their culture.You understand how things look from the inside and how that differs from the outside.You understand how the sausage is made. As an agency ourselves, we’re working both on growing our clients’ businesses as well as our own. This podcast is one project, but we also blog, make videos, do sales, and have quite a robust portfolio of automations and hacks to run our business.We want to take you behind the curtain, to the kitchen side of our business, to witness our brainstorms, discussions, and internal dialogues behind the public works that we ship.Past guests on The Long Game podcast include: Morgan Brown (Shopify), Ryan Law (Animalz), Dan Shure (Evolving SEO), Kaleigh Moore (freelancer), Eric Siu (Clickflow), Peep Laja (CXL), Chelsea Castle (Chili Piper), Tracey Wallace (Klaviyo), Tim Soulo (Ahrefs), Ryan McReady (Reforge), and many more.Some interviews you might enjoy and learn from:Actionable Tips and Secrets to SEO Strategy with Dan Shure (Evolving SEO)Building Competitive Marketing Content with Sam Chapman (Aprimo)How to Build the Right Data Workflow with Blake Burch (Shipyard)Data-Driven Thought Leadership with Alicia Johnston (Sprout Social)Purpose-Driven Leadership & Building a Content Team with Ty Magnin (UiPath)Also, check out our Kitchen Side series where we take you behind the scenes to see how the sausage is made at our agency:Blue Ocean vs Red Ocean SEOShould You Hire Writers or Subject Matter Experts?How Do Growth and Content Overlap?Connect with Omniscient Digital on social:Twitter: @beomniscientLinkedin: Be OmniscientListen to more episodes of The Long Game podcast here: https://beomniscient.com/podcast/

In this episode of The Long Game Podcast, David Khim interviews Britney Muller—SEO scientist, AI educator, and former Hugging Face marketing lead—about the practical side of AI in marketing. Britney shares how her obsession with machine learning began in 2014 and how it evolved into creating her course Actionable AI for Marketers. They discuss the overuse of buzzwords like “AI agents,” the shift from backlinks to brand mentions, and the importance of making AI workflows approachable. Britney is passionate about demystifying AI, showing how it can be applied to real tasks like data analysis, strategy, and automation—without needing a technical background.Key TakeawaysAI Should Be Accessible: Marketers don’t need to be technical experts—AI can empower anyone to work smarter with the right guidance and workflows. From Backlinks to Brand Mentions: AI-powered search increasingly prioritizes brand visibility across platforms over traditional link-building strategies. Buzzwords Like “AI Agents” Are Misleading: The term lacks clarity and often masks tools with vague or unproven capabilities. Prompt Engineering Is a Skill, Not Magic: Effective AI use begins with well-structured, specific prompts tailored to clear business goals. AI Is Already Automating Workflows: From cleaning datasets to automating outreach, AI has everyday use cases when integrated thoughtfully. Beware the AI Hype Cycle: Brittany encourages marketers to avoid philosophical hype and focus on practical, ethical AI applications. Start with Your Own Use Cases: The most valuable AI solutions are customized—start small with your real tasks and build from there.  Show LinksVisit Data SciCheck Britney Muller's Actionable AI for Marketers courseConnect with Britney Muller on LinkedIn and TwitterConnect with David Khim on LinkedIn and TwitterConnect with Omniscient Digital on LinkedIn or TwitterPast guests on The Long Game podcast include: Morgan Brown (Shopify), Ryan Law (Animalz), Dan Shure (Evolving SEO), Kaleigh Moore (freelancer), Eric Siu (Clickflow), Peep Laja (CXL), Chelsea Castle (Chili Piper), Tracey Wallace (Klaviyo), Tim Soulo (Ahrefs), Ryan McReady (Reforge), and many more.Some interviews you might enjoy and learn from:Actionable Tips and Secrets to SEO Strategy with Dan Shure (Evolving SEO)Building Competitive Marketing Content with Sam Chapman (Aprimo)How to Build the Right Data Workflow with Blake Burch (Shipyard)Data-Driven Thought Leadership with Alicia Johnston (Sprout Social)Purpose-Driven Leadership & Building a Content Team with Ty Magnin (UiPath)Also, check out our Kitchen Side series where we take you behind the scenes to see how the sausage is made at our agency:Blue Ocean vs Red Ocean SEOShould You Hire Writers or Subject Matter Experts?How Do Growth and Content Overlap?Connect with Omniscient Digital on social:Twitter: @beomniscientLinkedin: Be OmniscientListen to more episodes of The Long Game podcast here: https://beomniscient.com/podcast/

Key TakeawaysWhat Is GEO?: Generative engine optimization refers to tailoring your content for AI-powered answer engines like ChatGPT and Claude—not just traditional search engines.From Keywords to Context: Search is shifting from keyword-based queries to conversational inputs and contextual, semantic understanding.Brand Mentions as the New Backlinks: In LLM-generated answers, offsite presence and brand mentions are becoming more valuable than traditional link-building.Surround Sound SEO Still Wins: Being mentioned across multiple credible platforms increases your chances of appearing in AI-generated outputs.Prompt Design & Data Quality Matter: Feeding models structured data, detailed context, and proprietary insights improves visibility and usefulness.AI Isn’t Replacing Google—Yet: AI tools like ChatGPT expand how we find information, but don’t fully replace deterministic, fact-based search.B2B Buyers Use Both Channels: AI tools may be used for early discovery, but buyers still verify information with Google before making decisions.Show LinksConnect with David Khim on LinkedIn and TwitterConnect with Alex Birkett on LinkedIn and TwitterConnect with Allie Decker on LinkedIn and TwitterConnect with Omniscient Digital on LinkedIn or TwitterWhat is Kitchen Side?One big benefit of running an agency or working at one is you get to see the “kitchen side” of many different businesses; their revenue, their operations, their automations, and their culture.You understand how things look from the inside and how that differs from the outside.You understand how the sausage is made. As an agency ourselves, we’re working both on growing our clients’ businesses as well as our own. This podcast is one project, but we also blog, make videos, do sales, and have quite a robust portfolio of automations and hacks to run our business.We want to take you behind the curtain, to the kitchen side of our business, to witness our brainstorms, discussions, and internal dialogues behind the public works that we ship.Past guests on The Long Game podcast include: Morgan Brown (Shopify), Ryan Law (Animalz), Dan Shure (Evolving SEO), Kaleigh Moore (freelancer), Eric Siu (Clickflow), Peep Laja (CXL), Chelsea Castle (Chili Piper), Tracey Wallace (Klaviyo), Tim Soulo (Ahrefs), Ryan McReady (Reforge), and many more.Some interviews you might enjoy and learn from:Actionable Tips and Secrets to SEO Strategy with Dan Shure (Evolving SEO)Building Competitive Marketing Content with Sam Chapman (Aprimo)How to Build the Right Data Workflow with Blake Burch (Shipyard)Data-Driven Thought Leadership with Alicia Johnston (Sprout Social)Purpose-Driven Leadership & Building a Content Team with Ty Magnin (UiPath)Also, check out our Kitchen Side series where we take you behind the scenes to see how the sausage is made at our agency:Blue Ocean vs Red Ocean SEOShould You Hire Writers or Subject Matter Experts?How Do Growth and Content Overlap?Connect with Omniscient Digital on social:Twitter: @beomniscientLinkedin: Be OmniscientListen to more episodes of The Long Game podcast here: https://beomniscient.com/podcast/

In this Kitchen Side episode of The Long Game Podcast, the Omniscient Digital team reflects on their experiences at SPRYNG, a standout B2B marketing conference in Austin. The conversation blends AI experimentation, prompt engineering, and the future of creativity with philosophical reflections on human connection, authenticity, and the soul of marketing. They explore why many AI users are missing the point by chasing “best practices,” and how real breakthroughs come from first-principles thinking and creative risk-taking. The episode also dives into the power of in-person events, emotional resonance, and inefficient—but high-value—tactics like dinners, meetups, and personal storytelling that can’t be scaled.Key TakeawaysAI and Prompting from First Principles: Real innovation with AI comes not from templates or best practices, but from individual experimentation and intent.Four Modes of AI Maturity: From microtasker to teammate, AI can scale with how deeply users integrate it into their workflow.The Importance of Human Vibes: Tactical content aside, the SPRYNG conference reminded marketers that human connection and emotion matter more than metrics.Don’t Optimize for the Median: Taking every piece of feedback can dilute differentiation—stand firm in your positioning.Community as a Business Superpower: Relationships built at events, meetups, and over meals have long-term impact beyond immediate ROI.Efficient Growth vs. “Inefficient” Magic: Some of the most meaningful, high-ROI activities are hard to measure—like handwritten notes, founder dinners, and late-night talks.Where’s the Soul in AI Content?: As AI floods the web, standout content will come from real human stories, creativity, and nuance—not mass automation.Show LinksConnect with David Khim on LinkedIn and TwitterConnect with Alex Birkett on LinkedIn and TwitterConnect with Allie Decker on LinkedIn and TwitterConnect with Omniscient Digital on LinkedIn or TwitterWhat is Kitchen Side?One big benefit of running an agency or working at one is you get to see the “kitchen side” of many different businesses; their revenue, their operations, their automations, and their culture.You understand how things look from the inside and how that differs from the outside.You understand how the sausage is made. As an agency ourselves, we’re working both on growing our clients’ businesses as well as our own. This podcast is one project, but we also blog, make videos, do sales, and have quite a robust portfolio of automations and hacks to run our business.We want to take you behind the curtain, to the kitchen side of our business, to witness our brainstorms, discussions, and internal dialogues behind the public works that we ship.Past guests on The Long Game podcast include: Morgan Brown (Shopify), Ryan Law (Animalz), Dan Shure (Evolving SEO), Kaleigh Moore (freelancer), Eric Siu (Clickflow), Peep Laja (CXL), Chelsea Castle (Chili Piper), Tracey Wallace (Klaviyo), Tim Soulo (Ahrefs), Ryan McReady (Reforge), and many more.Some interviews you might enjoy and learn from:Actionable Tips and Secrets to SEO Strategy with Dan Shure (Evolving SEO)Building Competitive Marketing Content with Sam Chapman (Aprimo)How to Build the Right Data Workflow with Blake Burch (Shipyard)Data-Driven Thought Leadership with Alicia Johnston (Sprout Social)Purpose-Driven Leadership & Building a Content Team with Ty Magnin (UiPath)Also, check out our Kitchen Side series where we take you behind the scenes to see how the sausage is made at our agency:Blue Ocean vs Red Ocean SEOShould You Hire Writers or Subject Matter Experts?How Do Growth and Content Overlap?Connect with Omniscient Digital on social:Twitter: @beomniscientLinkedin: Be OmniscientListen to more episodes of The Long Game podcast here: https://beomniscient.com/podcast/

In this episode of The Long Game Podcast, Alex Birkett interviews Alice Wyatt, a B2B fintech marketing leader with experience at Codat, Bloomreach, and Adyen. Alice shares how her personal journey of building community and maintaining sanity in a fast-paced city like New York connects with her marketing philosophy: agile, people-first, and impact-driven. The conversation explores person-based marketing (PBM), the limits of MQLs, aligning sales and marketing teams, and embracing adaptability in an AI-disrupted world. Alice also reflects on how her approach to building community mirrors how great marketing is done: with empathy, boldness, and a willingness to challenge the status quo.Key TakeawaysFrom ABM to PBM: Moving beyond account-based strategies to person-based marketing creates deeper personalization and stronger alignment with buying behavior.MQLs Are Outdated: Relying on MQLs limits alignment; marketing and sales need shared, outcome-driven goals instead.Adaptability Over Tactics: Successful marketers focus on business outcomes and adapt tactics as priorities shift—agility trumps specialization.AI Is Redefining Roles: AI is reshaping marketing roles, requiring teams to adopt tools while maintaining strategic thinking and creativity.Community as a Superpower: Whether in marketing or life, building and contributing to genuine communities creates long-term value.Hire for Resilience and Curiosity: Non-traditional backgrounds (e.g., comedy, hospitality) often produce standout BDRs with adaptability and EQ.Thought Leadership ≠ Press Releases: Modern thought leadership means leading with perspective, not parroting trends or relying on legacy PR tactics.Show LinksVisit Alice's Forbes Council for Marketing ExpertsConnect with Alice Wyatt on LinkedInConnect with Alex Birkett on LinkedIn and TwitterConnect with Omniscient Digital on LinkedIn or TwitterPast guests on The Long Game podcast include: Morgan Brown (Shopify), Ryan Law (Animalz), Dan Shure (Evolving SEO), Kaleigh Moore (freelancer), Eric Siu (Clickflow), Peep Laja (CXL), Chelsea Castle (Chili Piper), Tracey Wallace (Klaviyo), Tim Soulo (Ahrefs), Ryan McReady (Reforge), and many more.Some interviews you might enjoy and learn from:Actionable Tips and Secrets to SEO Strategy with Dan Shure (Evolving SEO)Building Competitive Marketing Content with Sam Chapman (Aprimo)How to Build the Right Data Workflow with Blake Burch (Shipyard)Data-Driven Thought Leadership with Alicia Johnston (Sprout Social)Purpose-Driven Leadership & Building a Content Team with Ty Magnin (UiPath)Also, check out our Kitchen Side series where we take you behind the scenes to see how the sausage is made at our agency:Blue Ocean vs Red Ocean SEOShould You Hire Writers or Subject Matter Experts?How Do Growth and Content Overlap?Connect with Omniscient Digital on social:Twitter: @beomniscientLinkedin: Be OmniscientListen to more episodes of The Long Game podcast here: https://beomniscient.com/podcast/

In this episode of The Long Game Podcast, Alex Birkett sits down with Molly St. Louis, an award-winning multimedia marketer with experience in PR, content, and video strategy. Molly shares her journey from theater and journalism to leading marketing at high-growth startups, explaining how storytelling, creativity, and entertainment principles can elevate B2B marketing. The discussion covers how to craft bold marketing initiatives, the changing landscape of PR, and why video remains an underutilized asset in B2B. They also dive into thought leadership, media trends, and how brands can build credibility in a noisy digital world.Key TakeawaysCreativity in B2B Marketing: Borrowing storytelling techniques from entertainment can make B2B content more engaging.The Changing Role of PR: Traditional media placements are less impactful today, requiring an integrated, multi-channel approach.Why Video is Underutilized in B2B: Despite its effectiveness, many brands still hesitate to invest in high-quality video content.Thought Leadership is Not Just About Visibility: It’s about offering unique perspectives, not just repeating industry trends.Earned Media vs. Owned Media: Press mentions help credibility, but companies must distribute and repurpose coverage for real impact.Micro-Audiences Over Virality: Niche content that resonates with the right people is often more valuable than mass exposure.Pattern Recognition in Marketing: Leveraging data and customer insights can help brands make better creative decisions.Show LinksConnect with Molly St. Louis by visiting Mosaic Group MediaConnect with Alex Birkett on LinkedIn and TwitterConnect with Omniscient Digital on LinkedIn or TwitterPast guests on The Long Game podcast include: Morgan Brown (Shopify), Ryan Law (Animalz), Dan Shure (Evolving SEO), Kaleigh Moore (freelancer), Eric Siu (Clickflow), Peep Laja (CXL), Chelsea Castle (Chili Piper), Tracey Wallace (Klaviyo), Tim Soulo (Ahrefs), Ryan McReady (Reforge), and many more.Some interviews you might enjoy and learn from:Actionable Tips and Secrets to SEO Strategy with Dan Shure (Evolving SEO)Building Competitive Marketing Content with Sam Chapman (Aprimo)How to Build the Right Data Workflow with Blake Burch (Shipyard)Data-Driven Thought Leadership with Alicia Johnston (Sprout Social)Purpose-Driven Leadership & Building a Content Team with Ty Magnin (UiPath)Also, check out our Kitchen Side series where we take you behind the scenes to see how the sausage is made at our agency:Blue Ocean vs Red Ocean SEOShould You Hire Writers or Subject Matter Experts?How Do Growth and Content Overlap?Connect with Omniscient Digital on social:Twitter: @beomniscientLinkedin: Be OmniscientListen to more episodes of The Long Game podcast here: https://beomniscient.com/podcast/

In this Kitchen Side episode of The Long Game Podcast, Alex, David, and Allie continue their in-person discussion in New York City, diving into marketing trends, proprietary data, and the role of differentiation in an AI-dominated landscape. They examine the shifting value of MQLs, how AI is automating SEO and marketing tasks, and why trust and credibility are the new forms of scarcity. The conversation also covers how companies can leverage original data, the intersection of brand and demand, and why marketers must rethink what truly adds value in the era of automation.Key TakeawaysThe Declining Value of MQLs: Traditional lead qualification models are losing effectiveness as buyer behavior evolves.AI and Automation in SEO: AI is automating repetitive SEO and marketing tasks, forcing companies to find new competitive advantages.Trust and Credibility as Scarcity: As automation floods the internet with content, trust and credibility are becoming key differentiators.Proprietary Data as a Competitive Edge: Unique data insights—both structured and unstructured—will be essential for creating valuable, non-generic content.The Future of Content in an AI World: The bar for content quality is rising, making originality and brand-driven storytelling more critical.Brand Affinity vs. Brand Awareness: Companies must focus on deeper brand affinity rather than just broad brand visibility to drive long-term success.Marketing’s Role in Differentiation: Success will come from unique perspectives, creative execution, and human-driven insights rather than automated outputs.Show LinksConnect with David Khim on LinkedIn and TwitterConnect with Alex Birkett on LinkedIn and TwitterConnect with Allie Decker on LinkedIn and TwitterConnect with Omniscient Digital on LinkedIn or TwitterWhat is Kitchen Side?One big benefit of running an agency or working at one is you get to see the “kitchen side” of many different businesses; their revenue, their operations, their automations, and their culture.You understand how things look from the inside and how that differs from the outside.You understand how the sausage is made. As an agency ourselves, we’re working both on growing our clients’ businesses as well as our own. This podcast is one project, but we also blog, make videos, do sales, and have quite a robust portfolio of automations and hacks to run our business.We want to take you behind the curtain, to the kitchen side of our business, to witness our brainstorms, discussions, and internal dialogues behind the public works that we ship.Past guests on The Long Game podcast include: Morgan Brown (Shopify), Ryan Law (Animalz), Dan Shure (Evolving SEO), Kaleigh Moore (freelancer), Eric Siu (Clickflow), Peep Laja (CXL), Chelsea Castle (Chili Piper), Tracey Wallace (Klaviyo), Tim Soulo (Ahrefs), Ryan McReady (Reforge), and many more.Some interviews you might enjoy and learn from:Actionable Tips and Secrets to SEO Strategy with Dan Shure (Evolving SEO)Building Competitive Marketing Content with Sam Chapman (Aprimo)How to Build the Right Data Workflow with Blake Burch (Shipyard)Data-Driven Thought Leadership with Alicia Johnston (Sprout Social)Purpose-Driven Leadership & Building a Content Team with Ty Magnin (UiPath)Also, check out our Kitchen Side series where we take you behind the scenes to see how the sausage is made at our agency:Blue Ocean vs Red Ocean SEOShould You Hire Writers or Subject Matter Experts?How Do Growth and Content Overlap?Connect with Omniscient Digital on social:Twitter: @beomniscientLinkedin: Be OmniscientListen to more episodes of The Long Game podcast here: https://beomniscient.com/podcast/

In this Kitchen Side episode of The Long Game Podcast, Alex, David, and Allie record their first in-person conversation in New York City. The episode revolves around insights gathered from dozens of marketing leaders, discussing SEO traffic declines, AI’s real impact on marketing, attribution challenges, and the balance between brand and demand generation. The team reflects on how companies are adapting to falling organic traffic, the rise of video SEO, and why traditional top-of-funnel strategies are losing effectiveness. They also explore the importance of customer research, the disconnect between social media conversations and real-world priorities, and how teams can align leadership expectations with evolving marketing realities.Key TakeawaysSEO Traffic Declines: Nearly every marketing leader interviewed reported a drop in organic traffic, leading to internal strategy shifts and leadership concerns.AI in Marketing Operations: While AI is not yet a core part of content creation, teams are leveraging it for keyword research, automation, and efficiency improvements.Video SEO on the Rise: Many companies are prioritizing video content as search engines increasingly favor multimedia formats.Attribution & Leadership Education: As traffic declines, marketers are struggling to shift leadership focus from surface-level metrics (traffic) to real business outcomes (pipeline and revenue).The “Traffic Trap” Problem: Some teams have historically been gold on traffic rather than conversions, forcing a reevaluation of SEO and content strategies.Brand vs. Demand Debate: Companies are reassessing how to balance brand-building efforts with performance-driven demand generation.The Shift in Customer Research & Buying Behavior: Many marketing decisions are now happening outside of trackable systems, making traditional attribution models less reliable.Show LinksConnect with David Khim on LinkedIn and TwitterConnect with Alex Birkett on LinkedIn and TwitterConnect with Allie Decker on LinkedIn and TwitterConnect with Omniscient Digital on LinkedIn or TwitterWhat is Kitchen Side?One big benefit of running an agency or working at one is you get to see the “kitchen side” of many different businesses; their revenue, their operations, their automations, and their culture.You understand how things look from the inside and how that differs from the outside.You understand how the sausage is made. As an agency ourselves, we’re working both on growing our clients’ businesses as well as our own. This podcast is one project, but we also blog, make videos, do sales, and have quite a robust portfolio of automations and hacks to run our business.We want to take you behind the curtain, to the kitchen side of our business, to witness our brainstorms, discussions, and internal dialogues behind the public works that we ship.Past guests on The Long Game podcast include: Morgan Brown (Shopify), Ryan Law (Animalz), Dan Shure (Evolving SEO), Kaleigh Moore (freelancer), Eric Siu (Clickflow), Peep Laja (CXL), Chelsea Castle (Chili Piper), Tracey Wallace (Klaviyo), Tim Soulo (Ahrefs), Ryan McReady (Reforge), and many more.Some interviews you might enjoy and learn from:Actionable Tips and Secrets to SEO Strategy with Dan Shure (Evolving SEO)Building Competitive Marketing Content with Sam Chapman (Aprimo)How to Build the Right Data Workflow with Blake Burch (Shipyard)Data-Driven Thought Leadership with Alicia Johnston (Sprout Social)Purpose-Driven Leadership & Building a Content Team with Ty Magnin (UiPath)Also, check out our Kitchen Side series where we take you behind the scenes to see how the sausage is made at our agency:Blue Ocean vs Red Ocean SEOShould You Hire Writers or Subject Matter Experts?How Do Growth and Content Overlap?Connect with Omniscient Digital on social:Twitter: @beomniscientLinkedin: Be OmniscientListen to more episodes of The Long Game podcast here: https://beomniscient.com/podcast/

In this episode of The Long Game Podcast, Alex Birkett speaks with Erik Johnson, an applied behavioral scientist and founder of Behavioral Strategies. Erik shares insights on human decision-making, habit formation, and the psychological forces influencing our actions. The conversation covers the intention-action gap, AI’s impact on attention and productivity, and how behavioral science can optimize both personal and organizational performance. Erik explains why environmental design is crucial for habit formation, how variable rewards in social media and entertainment shape behavior, and why the modern world often works against our best intentions. They also explore practical strategies for overcoming distractions, making better decisions, and using behavioral science to drive business growth.Key TakeawaysThe Intention-Action Gap: Many people struggle to act on what they say they want to do due to psychological and environmental factors.Behavioral Science in Decision-Making: Understanding why we make certain choices helps individuals and businesses design better systems for performance.AI and Habit Formation: AI-driven platforms use behavioral principles to shape user habits, often making focus and productivity more challenging.The Power of Environmental Design: Adjusting surroundings—like removing distractions or changing routines—can significantly improve behavior change success.Variable Rewards and Attention Hijacking: Social media, entertainment, and digital products are optimized to capture attention through gamification and unpredictable rewards.Regulation vs. Personal Responsibility: While individual strategies can help reduce distractions, broader system-level changes may be necessary for long-term solutions.Applying Behavioral Science to Business: Companies can leverage behavioral insights to improve marketing, customer engagement, and decision-making processes.Show LinksVisit Erik Johnson's WebsiteConnect with Erik Johnson on LinkedInConnect with Alex Birkett on LinkedIn and TwitterConnect with Omniscient Digital on LinkedIn or TwitterSome interviews you might enjoy and learn from:Actionable Tips and Secrets to SEO Strategy with Dan Shure (Evolving SEO)Building Competitive Marketing Content with Sam Chapman (Aprimo)How to Build the Right Data Workflow with Blake Burch (Shipyard)Data-Driven Thought Leadership with Alicia Johnston (Sprout Social)Purpose-Driven Leadership & Building a Content Team with Ty Magnin (UiPath)Also, check out our Kitchen Side series where we take you behind the scenes to see how the sausage is made at our agency:Blue Ocean vs Red Ocean SEOShould You Hire Writers or Subject Matter Experts?How Do Growth and Content Overlap?Connect with Omniscient Digital on social:Twitter: @beomniscientLinkedin: Be OmniscientListen to more episodes of The Long Game podcast here: https://beomniscient.com/podcast/

In this Kitchen Side episode of The Long Game Podcast, Alex Birkett and the team discuss the evolving landscape of content creation, AI-powered tools, and the importance of structured thinking. They dive into how automation is making some SEO and marketing tasks easier while increasing the need for differentiation. The conversation covers how marketers must think like product managers, why unique insights and data are critical for standing out, and the barbell strategy for balancing safe bets with high-risk, high-reward experiments. They also touch on vector embeddings, AI-powered SEO strategies, and the future of human-AI collaboration in content marketing.Key TakeawaysAI in Content Creation: AI can enhance content creation, but human intelligence and strategic thinking are still essential.The Power of Structured Thinking: Frameworks and structured approaches help clarify ideas, whether for human communication or AI-driven content.Differentiation in the Age of AI: As automation makes basic SEO and content tasks easier, brands must focus on unique insights and high-value contributions.Marketers as Product Managers: Understanding customer needs and thinking systematically will define the next generation of marketing success.Barbell Strategy in AI Marketing: Balancing foundational strategies with high-upside experiments is key to staying ahead in an AI-driven world.Vector Embeddings and SEO: AI-powered tools can revolutionize keyword research, internal linking, and content clustering for better search results.AI’s Impact on User Intent: While AI tools automate aspects of SEO, true differentiation comes from understanding user needs and providing unique perspectives.Show LinksConnect with David Khim on LinkedIn and TwitterConnect with Alex Birkett on LinkedIn and TwitterConnect with Allie Decker on LinkedIn and TwitterConnect with Omniscient Digital on LinkedIn or TwitterWhat is Kitchen Side?One big benefit of running an agency or working at one is you get to see the “kitchen side” of many different businesses; their revenue, their operations, their automations, and their culture.You understand how things look from the inside and how that differs from the outside.You understand how the sausage is made. As an agency ourselves, we’re working both on growing our clients’ businesses as well as our own. This podcast is one project, but we also blog, make videos, do sales, and have quite a robust portfolio of automations and hacks to run our business.We want to take you behind the curtain, to the kitchen side of our business, to witness our brainstorms, discussions, and internal dialogues behind the public works that we ship.Past guests on The Long Game podcast include: Morgan Brown (Shopify), Ryan Law (Animalz), Dan Shure (Evolving SEO), Kaleigh Moore (freelancer), Eric Siu (Clickflow), Peep Laja (CXL), Chelsea Castle (Chili Piper), Tracey Wallace (Klaviyo), Tim Soulo (Ahrefs), Ryan McReady (Reforge), and many more.Some interviews you might enjoy and learn from:Actionable Tips and Secrets to SEO Strategy with Dan Shure (Evolving SEO)Building Competitive Marketing Content with Sam Chapman (Aprimo)How to Build the Right Data Workflow with Blake Burch (Shipyard)Data-Driven Thought Leadership with Alicia Johnston (Sprout Social)Purpose-Driven Leadership & Building a Content Team with Ty Magnin (UiPath)Also, check out our Kitchen Side series where we take you behind the scenes to see how the sausage is made at our agency:Blue Ocean vs Red Ocean SEOShould You Hire Writers or Subject Matter Experts?How Do Growth and Content Overlap?Connect with Omniscient Digital on social:Twitter: @beomniscientLinkedin: Be OmniscientListen to more episodes of The Long Game podcast here: https://beomniscient.com/podcast/

In this episode of The Long Game Podcast, Alex Birkett speaks with Aashish Krishna Kumar, Director of Go-To-Market at Zuora, about startup pricing strategies, AI-driven changes in SEO, and the increasing importance of high-quality content. Aashish explains why early-stage startups should prioritize survival over pricing optimization and why pricing only becomes a growth lever after product-market fit. He also shares an optimistic perspective on SEO, arguing that traditional tactics like backlinks and keyword stuffing are fading while expert-driven content, multimedia formats, and brand authority will define future success. The conversation explores how businesses should adapt their strategies in the evolving digital landscape.Key TakeawaysStartup Pricing Priorities: Early-stage startups should focus on survival and product-market fit before optimizing pricing.AI’s Impact on SEO: AI-driven search is changing how users engage with content, reducing reliance on traditional SEO tactics.Backlinks Losing Relevance: Google is prioritizing trust signals and content utility over paid link-building strategies.Shifting SEO Metrics: Marketers should move away from traffic as a key metric and focus on business impact and conversions.Rise of Digital PR: Brand mentions and expert-driven narratives are becoming stronger ranking signals than traditional backlinks.Multimedia SEO Growth: Video, images, and interactive content will play a bigger role in organic visibility and engagement.Brand Authority in SEO: Companies with strong brand recognition will have a competitive edge in search rankings.Show LinksVisit Aashish's YouTube channel GMT TalkConnect with Aashish Krishna Kumar on LinkedInConnect with Alex Birkett on LinkedIn and TwitterConnect with Omniscient Digital on LinkedIn or TwitterPast guests on The Long Game podcast include: Morgan Brown (Shopify), Ryan Law (Animalz), Dan Shure (Evolving SEO), Kaleigh Moore (freelancer), Eric Siu (Clickflow), Peep Laja (CXL), Chelsea Castle (Chili Piper), Tracey Wallace (Klaviyo), Tim Soulo (Ahrefs), Ryan McReady (Reforge), and many more.Some interviews you might enjoy and learn from:Actionable Tips and Secrets to SEO Strategy with Dan Shure (Evolving SEO)Building Competitive Marketing Content with Sam Chapman (Aprimo)How to Build the Right Data Workflow with Blake Burch (Shipyard)Data-Driven Thought Leadership with Alicia Johnston (Sprout Social)Purpose-Driven Leadership & Building a Content Team with Ty Magnin (UiPath)Also, check out our Kitchen Side series where we take you behind the scenes to see how the sausage is made at our agency:Blue Ocean vs Red Ocean SEOShould You Hire Writers or Subject Matter Experts?How Do Growth and Content Overlap?Connect with Omniscient Digital on social:Twitter: @beomniscientLinkedin: Be OmniscientListen to more episodes of The Long Game podcast here: https://beomniscient.com/podcast/