Create Like the Greats

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

In this special episode of Create Like the Greats, Ross is joined by Ethan Crump, a Senior Content Marketing Specialist at Foundation, to unveil the concept of prompt engineering and its significance in leveraging innovative tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity. The conversation delves into how prompt engineering is shaping marketing strategies, exploring its growing influence in the field. Ross and Ethan also discuss the benefits, offering insights into various prompts that can be utilized to enhance AI-driven marketing campaigns. Key Insights 1. Partnering with AI for Enhanced Productivity Treating AI as a collaborator in content creation can significantly enhance productivity. By laying a solid foundation of quality input, AI can expedite the content creation process while maintaining relevance and precision. Effective prompt engineering, particularly when built on advanced prompt-writing techniques, allows for more tailored and goal-aligned outcomes, transforming AI into a powerful tool for marketers. 2. Chain-of-Thought Prompting Chain-of-thought prompting is a technique that enhances the reasoning abilities of AI by guiding it to break down complex problems into smaller, more manageable steps. This method helps the AI provide a clear and logical progression of ideas, leading to more accurate and thoughtful results. By using this approach, you can improve the depth and quality of the AI's responses in your marketing efforts. 3. Leveraging Different Types of Prompts Use a variety of prompt types, such as extraction, summarization, and creation. When used strategically, these prompts can uncover valuable insights, generate engaging content, and effectively connect with your audience. Understanding when and how to use each type of prompt is key to maximizing the impact of AI in your marketing efforts. The AI marketing console has tons of different prompts that people can steal and use. 4. Visual Prompting Visual prompting can yield impressive results in creative fields. Tools like DALLE and Midjourney, enable users to create art or design mockups through well-crafted prompts. By developing a prompt library with specific artists, styles, and techniques, marketers can quickly generate high-quality visuals that align with their brand’s aesthetic and messaging. Resources  Prompt Engineering: A Guide for Marketers and Content Creators - https://foundationinc.co/lab/prompt-engineering-guide-marketers/ AI Marketing Console - https://ross.gumroad.com/l/ai-console — 👋🏾 Let's stay connected — ╰ Subscribe to my channel:  @RossSimmondsTV  ╰ Instagram:  @thecoolestcool   ╰ Twitter / X: @thecoolestcool   ╰ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rosssimmonds — Follow Ethan Crump — ╰ Twitter / X: @EthanCrump9 ╰ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ethancrump94/ ╰ foundationinc.co/team/ethan-crump

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

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

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

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

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

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

In this episode of Create Like the Greats, we delve into the secrets behind how Dialpad, generates an impressive 500,000 visits in organic traffic every month. Ross is joined by Chris Meabe, a Senior Content Specialist from Foundation Marketing, who shares invaluable insights on Dialpad's success. Ross and Chris explore the unique and special approach Dialpad uses to capture traffic and the innovative techniques that set them apart in the competitive landscape. Key Insights 1. SEO and Programmatic SEO Search Engine Optimization (SEO) revolves around identifying relevant keywords and understanding user search intent to improve visibility in search engine results. Dialpad leverages programmatic SEO, using technology to create landing pages and AI to write copy based on variable inputs. This scalable SEO engine, enhanced with a human touch, propels their rankings from the top 5 to number 1. 2. On-site Optimization and AB Testing Dialpad optimizes its pages for conversions and sales by leveraging effective Calls to Action (CTAs). They employ AB testing, a real-time optimization technique, to continuously refine their strategies. By analyzing different variations of their landing pages, Dialpad improves conversions and drives substantial ROI for the business. 3. Programmatic SEO and Exploring Potential Industries Chris and Ross discuss the potential of programmatic SEO across various industries. For instance, the real estate sector can use data from third-party sources to create targeted landing pages for potential homebuyers. Job listing sites can utilize data from platforms like Glassdoor to create hyper-localized listings. In the education industry, landing pages can target topics such as the best schools by state or province. The finance sector requires thorough research to ensure credibility when creating content related to investments and financial advice. They also explore many other industries, highlighting the endless possibilities of programmatic SEO. 4. STAT Tool STAT is a powerful tool, especially when it comes to keeping track of queries and SEO performance. For those building large enterprise sites with hundreds of pages through programmatic SEO, STAT provides comprehensive monitoring of progress in the SERPs. This ensures that optimization efforts are effective and visibility remains high. Resources  Dialpad’s Area Code SEO Moat: How to Rank for 50k Keywords -  https://foundationinc.co/lab/dialpad How Brands Can Use STAT To Thrive Amidst SERP Chaos - https://foundationinc.co/lab/stat-seo-serp/ STAT Search Analytics - https://getstat.com/foundation-exclusive — 👋🏾 Let's stay connected — ╰ Subscribe to my channel:  @RossSimmondsTV  ╰ Instagram:  @thecoolestcool   ╰ Twitter / X: @thecoolestcool   ╰ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rosssimmonds — Follow Chris Meabe — ╰ Twitter / X: @chris_meabe ╰ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/chrismeabe/ ╰ foundationinc.co/team/chris-meabe

In this episode of Create Like the Greats, Ross discusses the significant shift in the business landscape over the past year and how Reddit has emerged as a major beneficiary of this change. He delves into the Google and Reddit partnership, the importance of creating a subreddit, leveraging ads within subreddits, and the value of cross-referencing YouTube videos in search engine results. This episode offers valuable insights for businesses looking to leverage Reddit's growing influence to enhance their digital strategies and engagement. Key Takeaways and Insights 1. The Google and Reddit Partnership Google announced the helpful content update, highlighting their collaboration with Reddit to enhance the content they index. This partnership allows Google to access valuable user-generated content from Reddit, which had previously been overlooked. Reddit's upcoming IPO further solidifies its position as an influential platform for businesses. 2. Creating a Subreddit Encouraging companies with a significant customer base to consider creating their own subreddit ensures control over the subreddit's content and prevents the creation of unofficial subreddits. This allows businesses to engage directly with their customers and establish a community. 3. STAT for Keyword Monitoring - STAT allows users to upload and monitor a series of keywords, providing insights into which URLs and domains are showing up in Google more frequently for these keywords compared to your own. This is crucial because, as a marketer, recognizing your SEO competitors can reveal that many people searching for your product or service are landing on Reddit threads. This insight helps in understanding where dialogues about you and your competitors are happening on Reddit, allowing you to engage more effectively with your audience on this platform. 4. Leveraging Ads within Subreddits A powerful strategy is to run targeted ads directly to specific subreddits where the target audience spends time. This enables businesses to reach a highly engaged and relevant audience, leading to better conversion rates. It is recommended to carefully craft ad content that aligns with the interests and values of the subreddit community. 5. Submitting Content to Relevant Subreddits To increase visibility and reach a wider audience, businesses should submit their content (such as blog posts, articles, or videos) to relevant subreddits. It is essential to research and understand the target audience's interests and preferences within each subreddit to ensure content resonance. Resources  How Brands Can Use STAT To Thrive Amidst SERP Chaos - https://foundationinc.co/lab/stat-seo-serp/ STAT - https://getstat.com/foundation-exclusive Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/ HeyGen - https://heygen.com/?sid=rewardful&via=ross-simmonds — 👋🏾 Let's stay connected — ╰ Subscribe to my channel:  @RossSimmondsTV  ╰ Instagram:  @thecoolestcool   ╰ Twitter / X: @thecoolestcool   ╰ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rosssimmonds

In this episode of Create Like the Greats, Ross unpacks the recent Google leak with expert precision. Discover how the leak's revelations can transform your approach to content creation and SEO. From diving deep into the nuances of crafting quality content to enhancing user experience and leveraging Google’s resources, Ross provides a treasure trove of insights. Whether you're a seasoned marketer or a burgeoning content creator, this episode is packed with strategies to elevate your digital presence and secure that coveted top spot in search rankings. Key Takeaways and Insights:  1. Content Quality: Relevance, Originality, and Comprehensiveness High rankings in search engine results rely on crafting content that is relevant, original, and comprehensive. Ross emphasizes the importance of collaborating with niche experts and industry professionals to infuse your content with diverse perspectives and in-depth insights, aligning with Google’s criteria for valuable content. Ross explains why content must not only meet but exceed reader expectations by providing clear, actionable, and expert-backed information. He discusses the necessity of creating content assets that truly serve and add value. 2. Enhancing User Experience: Streamlined and Intuitive Design Superior user experience significantly boosts SEO performance. Ross recommends optimizing website usability to ensure quick and easy access to information. Strategies include image compression for faster load times, conducting mobile usability tests, and organizing content logically to enhance user engagement and satisfaction. 3. SEO Insights: Engagement Metrics and Anchor Text Diversity Ross explores various SEO factors such as click-through rates, dwell time, and the strategic use of anchor texts. He emphasizes the necessity of creating clickable and diverse anchor texts to avoid penalties and improve link equity, crucial for robust SEO. 4. Leveraging Google's Ecosystem: YouTube Integration and Internal Linking Given Google’s expansive reach, including its monetization of YouTube, Ross advises using this to your advantage by driving organic traffic to Google-hosted platforms. He also underscores the importance of internal linking with relevant keywords to boost site visibility and engagement. 5. STAT Tool Throughout the episode, Ross credits STAT by Moz as an indispensable tool in Foundation’s SEO arsenal. He discusses how STAT assists in competitive analysis and tracking SERP positions, providing crucial data that informs SEO strategies and helps brands maintain a competitive edge in search results. Resources  How to Write SEO Content According to the Google Leaks -  https://foundationinc.co/lab/google-algorithm-leak How Brands Can Use STAT To Thrive Amidst SERP Chaos - https://foundationinc.co/lab/stat-seo-serp/ STAT Search Analytics - https://getstat.com/foundation-exclusive — 👋🏾 Let's stay connected — ╰ Subscribe to my channel:  @RossSimmondsTV  ╰ Instagram:  @thecoolestcool   ╰ Twitter / X: @thecoolestcool   ╰ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rosssimmonds

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

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

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

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

In this episode of "Create Like the Greats," Ross sits down with Junae Brown, Founder and CEO of Browned 2 Perfection Agency. Junae shares her inspiring journey in the marketing world. Through the lens of authenticity and adaptive strategies, she showcases her deep expertise in crafting impactful marketing campaigns. Junae's insights into the importance of personal identity in marketing and the evolving landscape driven by AI provide valuable takeaways for marketers and entrepreneurs alike. Key Takeaways and Insights 1. The Importance of Authenticity Junae emphasizes the significance of authenticity in creating brand loyalty. Authenticity helps brands connect with their audience on a deeper level and aligns with the purpose of the product or service. By being genuine, brands can build trust and long-lasting relationships with their customers. 2. Junae's "I Am the Marketing Plan" The concept is twofold: it focuses on establishing strong, authentic, lucrative, and impactful personal brands, and on building loyalty-based consumer or company brands. Additionally, it emphasizes personal growth and becoming one's best self. Junae believes that while technical marketing strategies are essential, recognizing and maximizing one's inherent capabilities is equally powerful. 3. The Evolution of Marketing Strategies Junae believes in the necessity of adapting to the ever-changing marketing landscape. She talks about the importance of utilizing modern tools like AI to enhance human creativity and strategy. While AI offers powerful capabilities, maintaining a human touch and being open to change are essential for sustained success in marketing. Resources  Browned 2 Perfection - https://www.browned2perfection.com/home — 👋🏾 Let's stay connected — ╰ Subscribe to my channel:  @RossSimmondsTV  ╰ Instagram:  @thecoolestcool   ╰ Twitter / X: @thecoolestcool   ╰ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rosssimmonds — Follow Junae Brown — ╰ Twitter / X: @JunaeBrown ╰ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/junae-brown-1818253b/

In this episode of Create Like the Greats, Ross sits down with Erica Schneider, an experienced editor and founder of the program Cut the Fluff, who shares her journey as an online writer and entrepreneur. Erica provides valuable insights into the world of writing and editing, emphasizing the importance of clear thinking in writing, the impact of AI on copywriting, and the significance of finding balance in work and family life.  Key Takeaways and Insights 1. Journey to Becoming a Writer Erica discovered her passion for writing in high school and ventured into SEO blog writing through platforms like Upwork. She persevered and gained valuable experience working as an English teacher in Thailand. This diverse background gave her a unique perspective and a solid foundation for her career in writing. 2. A Path to Good Writing Good writing is good thinking, but not all thinking is clear thinking. Many writers make the mistake of trying to edit themselves while writing, leading to confusion and poor-quality content. Erica Schneider's expertise lies in helping writers master the art of editing by separating the writing and editing processes. By stressing the importance of clear thinking, she empowers writers to produce high-quality, concise, and engaging content. 3. The Art of the Hook: Writing Engaging Content Erica shares insights into crafting captivating hooks in writing. By practicing and learning from failures, writers can enhance their ability to create compelling introductions. Erica suggests finding an accountability buddy to review and critique each other's work, a process that helps writers better understand their strengths and weaknesses. Mastering the art of writing effective hooks is essential for capturing readers' attention and encouraging further engagement. 4. AI and Copywriting: Embracing the Future Erica delves into the impact of AI on the field of copywriting. While AI tools can offer valuable assistance with generating ideas and crafting headlines, Erica emphasizes the importance of personal touch and human creativity in writing. By combining the efficiency of AI tools with their own unique writing style, writers can optimize their content creation process and produce engaging and tailored copy. Resources Long to Short - https://long-to-short.com/ Cut the Fluff - https://cut-the-fluff.ck.page/ — 👋🏾 Let's stay connected — ╰ Subscribe to my channel:  @RossSimmondsTV  ╰ Instagram:  @thecoolestcool   ╰ Twitter / X: @thecoolestcool   ╰ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rosssimmonds — Follow Erica Schneider — ╰ Twitter / X: @ericasmyname ╰ LinkedIn:  linkedin.com/in/erica-schneider66/

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

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

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