Maximize Your Social With Neal Schaffer

Most marketers and creators agree on one thing: “AI slop” is bad for the internet. From hallucinated facts to soulless clickbait, low‑quality AI content is blamed for ruining search results and polluting the web. But what if that narrative is missing the bigger strategic picture—and quietly putting your business at risk of becoming invisible in an AI‑first world?In this solo episode, digital marketing author and consultant Neal Schaffer makes a contrarian case: a specific, ethical form of AI‑assisted content may actually be your only path to discoverability in 2026 and beyond. As search behavior shifts from short keywords to long, conversational prompts, we’ve moved from the classic “long tail” of SEO into what Neal calls the long‑long‑tail—an environment where having just a few great pieces of content is no longer enough.Neal breaks down the three tiers of AI slop, the four guardrails of responsible AI volume, and a practical framework for turning one flagship asset into dozens of ultra‑specific answers that

Most marketers and experts don’t have a conversion problem—they have a messaging problem. Their websites, emails, and content are packed with facts, features, and “I help…” statements that never touch the emotional brain that actually decides to buy. In the age of AI-generated content and endless noise, it’s the human story behind your offer that cuts through and converts.In this episode of Your Digital Marketing Coach, I’m joined by Aurora Winter—Hollywood-trained storyteller, entrepreneur, and author of ten books, including Turn Words Into Wealth and Marketing Fast Track. Aurora has helped entrepreneurs, attorneys, and experts transform their “invisible” expertise into powerful IP, profitable books, and seven-figure opportunities by fixing how they talk about what they do.We dive into the specific messaging shifts that turn flat copy into compelling stories, why your brand will determine whether you compete on value or race to the bottom on price, and how to use books, video, and AI-era search engines (Amaz

Is your business ready for a world where 50% of search queries involve AI?The digital landscape is shifting fast. We are moving from a world of traditional Google rankings to a "Zero-Click" environment dominated by AI Overviews, ChatGPT, and Voice Search. If you are still relying solely on old-school SEO playbooks, your content is at risk of becoming invisible.In this episode I break down the confusion between AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) and GEO (Generative Engine Optimization). I reveal why these aren't just buzzwords, but the two sides of the same coin that will determine your digital visibility in 2025 and beyond.Tune in to discover:The Critical Difference: What separates AEO (Extraction) from GEO (Synthesis) and why you need a hybrid strategy to win at both.The "Zero-Click" Reality: How to measure success when users get their answers without ever visiting your website (and why that actually builds more brand authority).5 Foundational Strategies: The specific steps you can tak

Are you feeling the pressure to build a "Custom GPT" for every aspect of your business? You might be wasting your time. While the hype cycle tells us we need complex bots, the reality for most small business owners is that we just need better organization.In this episode, I sit down with Phil Pallen, Brand Strategist and author of AI for Small Business. We strip away the enterprise-level jargon and focus on the practical, "boring" ways AI can save you 10+ hours a week. Phil explains why he prefers ChatGPT Projects over Custom GPTs, how he automates the emails he hates answering, and why tracking your time is the first step to AI mastery.Tune in to discover:The "Joy" Metric: How to audit your week to find the tasks you should automate or delegate immediately.Projects vs. Custom GPTs: Why Phil believes Custom GPTs are not useful for 95% of the population (and the cleaner workflow he uses instead).The Inbox Zero Stack: The specific tools (like SaneBox) Phil uses to filter pitches an

Are you frustrated that your AI-generated content sounds robotic, generic, or just "off"? You might be suffering from the "Vending Machine Syndrome"—feeding ChatGPT a coin (a prompt) and hoping for a gourmet meal.In this episode, I share the insights from my recent workshop at Chapman University, where I taught future entrepreneurs how to create targeted, compelling content in under 30 minutes. The secret isn't finding a "magic prompt" on Twitter; it's about building a robust Context Framework. I break down the three essential pillars you need to define before you ever open ChatGPT to ensure your content builds authority, trust, and leads.Tune in to discover:The Context Revolution: Why providing background data is 10x more powerful than tweaking your prompt syntax.The 3-Pillar Framework: A step-by-step guide to defining your ICP, Brand Voice, and Core Pain Points for AI.The "Library of Content" Concept: How to use this system to build SEO authority and satisfy

Are you stuck on the social media hamster wheel? Most entrepreneurs feel the pressure to post constantly, chase trending audio, and "feed the algorithm" daily—often with little ROI to show for it. But what if you could cut your content creation time by 80% while actually increasing your leads?In this episode of Your Digital Marketing Coach, I sit down with agency owner and strategist Katie Brinkley to dismantle the "more is better" mythology. We dive deep into her signature 4-Post Strategy, a tactical framework designed to move your audience from passive scrollers to active buyers without burnout.We discuss why "community" is the new currency over "virality," how to leverage the "Donald Miller StoryBrand" approach in your captions, and how to reverse-engineer your social media goals so every single post has a job to do. Whether you are a solopreneur or running a marketing team, this episode will teach you how to treat social media as a strategic digital thread

Most marketers treat YouTube like Facebook or LinkedIn - posting content and hoping to drive traffic back to their website. This approach fails because YouTube is fundamentally different. It's a recommendation engine, not a traditional social platform.In this episode, you'll learn why successful YouTube creators think differently than marketers, discover the research strategy that reveals what content YouTube actually promotes in your niche, and get the framework for creating videos the algorithm wants to recommend.If you've been frustrated with YouTube or haven't started because it seems overwhelming, this episode gives you the strategic foundation to succeed in 2024.What You'll LearnWhy thinking like a marketer kills your YouTube successThe "ghost account" research method from Derral Eves' YouTube FormulaThe 3 elements that determine if someone clicks your videoWhy your first 15 seconds make or break retentionHow YouTube success improves your Google rankingsThe 5-vide

Ever wonder how someone goes from frustrated agency employee to building a trusted content empire? Derek from NapLab shares his remarkable journey of turning a terrible mattress shopping experience into a business that replaced his salary in just two months.In this episode, you'll discover Derek's "create what you wished existed" approach to content strategy, why he started testing mattresses in a cramped one-bedroom apartment with nothing but a cell phone and lamp lighting, and how this humble beginning led to one of the most trusted review sites in the mattress industry.Key takeaways from this conversation:How to identify profitable content opportunities from your own consumer frustrationsWhy starting imperfectly beats waiting for the right equipment or skillsThe simple transparency strategy that builds more trust than any sales funnelHow to monetize content without compromising your integrity or audience trustDerek's approach to weathering Google algorithm updates by focusing on au

Tired of spending hours researching agencies only to end up more confused than when you started? In this episode, I reveal my solution to one of marketing's biggest time-wasters: finding the right agency partner.After years of getting asked "Neal, who would you recommend?" for everything from SEO to video production, I decided to do something about it. I partnered with Clutch, the leading B2B service provider platform, to personally curate 12 specialized directories of agencies I actually recommend.These aren't just random lists—each directory has been carefully vetted based on proven results, verified client feedback, and deep expertise. Whether you're a startup with a limited budget or an enterprise brand with complex needs, there's a trusted partner for you.What You'll Learn:Why agency selection has become such a major pain point for marketersHow my dual role as Fractional CMO shaped my approach to these directoriesThe 12 specialized categories and what makes each one uni

Sales and marketing teams at war? You're not alone. While most companies treat these as separate functions fighting for resources, the winning businesses have cracked the code on true revenue alignment.In this eye-opening episode, I sit down with A. Lee Judge, author of "CASH" and founder of Content Monster, who reveals the uncomfortable truth about why some companies are eliminating CMO positions entirely and replacing them with Chief Revenue Officers. But it's not what you think.Lee, who uniquely served as both a marketer managing Salesforce and a bridge between warring departments, shares the simple meeting strategy that transformed competing teams into unified revenue machines. You'll discover the specific metrics that keep marketers employed when budget cuts come, and why learning to "speak sales language" isn't just helpful—it's survival.Key Takeaways:Why the traditional marketing "handoff" to sales is dead (and what replaces it)The sports team anal

Struggling to compete with content creators for attention on social media? What if I told you that one innovative company decided to turn their entire team into creators instead of hiring expensive influencers?In this revealing episode, I break down how Buffer revolutionized employee advocacy by moving beyond "please share our company posts" to "please build your own personal brand." The results? 90% participation, over 2.5 million total reach, and a cultural shift that's making competitors take notice.This isn't your typical employee advocacy program - it's the future of user-generated content strategy, and it perfectly illustrates the Platform Authentic Content concepts from my book Digital Threads.In this episode, you'll discover:✅ Why traditional employee advocacy programs fail (and what Buffer did differently)✅ The three-pillar system Buffer used: Slack community, resource hub, and Creator Café workshops✅ How to shift from promotional mindset to authentic personal

Tired of cold emails that get ignored? What if I told you that sending gourmet cookies could be more effective than your entire digital marketing budget?In this eye-opening episode, I sit down with Corey Quinn, former CMO at Scorpion and author of “Anyone Not Everyone,” who reveals how gift-based outreach became their company’s #1 sales channel - outperforming a $6 million marketing budget that included ads, content, and 100 annual events.Corey shares the exact strategy that helped close seven-figure deals with brands like Lululemon, ReMax, and Hyundai, and how his team scaled this approach to send 15,000+ gifts annually while growing the company to $200 million in revenue.In this episode, you’ll discover:✅ Why traditional cold outreach fails (and the psychology behind gift-based marketing)✅ The “unique, striking, impression” framework for choosing the perfect business gifts✅ How to build a high-quality prospect list that actually converts (it’s not about volume)✅ The 6-step follow-up system that turns gift r

Are you getting generic, robotic outputs from ChatGPT that sound like everyone else's AI-generated content? You're not alone—and you're definitely using AI wrong.In this episode, I'm revealing my ASKNEAL™ framework, a revolutionary 7-step system I developed while revising my bestselling book "Maximizing LinkedIn for Business Growth." This isn't just another AI hack—it's a complete methodology for collaborating with AI tools to amplify your authentic voice across every aspect of your business.What You'll Learn:The 7 steps of my ASKNEAL™ framework and how to implement each oneWhy most people's AI prompts fail (and how to fix them immediately)Real-world examples of the framework in action for LinkedIn, email marketing, and business strategyHow to make AI sound like YOU, not like a robotThe universal principles that work across all AI tools and use casesMy personal story of developing this framework and the dramatic resultsSpecial Announcements:Details on the revi

In today’s show, we’re going deep into one of the hottest topics for any entrepreneur right now: how to really use AI to grow your brand and business. Many of us know the power of AI, but we don’t always know where to start or how to keep our work from sounding robotic. That’s why this talk with John Suarez, co-author of The Marketer’s Manual on Generative AI, is so important. You’ll hear simple ways to plug AI into your daily tasks, tips to avoid overthinking it, and why your brand still needs your human touch to stand out. If you want to compete with bigger companies, save time, and unlock new growth, you won’t want to miss this.Guest LinksConnect with John on LinkedInBuy John's Book: The Marketer's Manual on Generative AI: Harness AI to Lead, Innovate, and Profit in BusinessLearn More: Buy Digital Threads: https://nealschaffer.com/digitalthreadsamazon Buy Maximizing LinkedIn for Business Growth: https://nealschaffer.com/maximizinglinkedinamazon Join My Digital First Mastermind: https://nealsch

Today we’re going to talk about something that can change the way you grow your brand — how you follow up. So many people focus on getting new followers, but the real gold lies in the people you’ve already talked to. It’s easy to lose track of warm leads, superfans, and partners when your messages are buried in your DMs and emails, which is why organizing your contacts and creating a system for follow up is so important. When you have a personal CRM, you stop leaving money and relationships on the table and start to stay top of mind. You also are able to turn connections into real growth for your brand and business.My recommended tool from this episode: KondoLearn More: Buy Digital Threads: https://nealschaffer.com/digitalthreadsamazon Buy Maximizing LinkedIn for Business Growth: https://nealschaffer.com/maximizinglinkedinamazon Join My Digital First Mastermind: https://nealschaffer.com/membership/ Learn about My Fractional CMO Consulting Services: https://nealschaffer.com/cmo Download My Free Ebooks Her

In this episode, I’m bringing you an eye-opening conversation with Bruce Clay, the man many call the Father of SEO. We explore how search engine optimization has evolved over nearly three decades and how AI is changing the rules once again. Bruce shares why SEO is more than just keywords — it’s about owning your place on the search results page, understanding intent, and working across teams to grow your traffic. If you want your business to stay visible and keep driving results in this new era, this episode will show you how important it is to think beyond just organic search and embrace a bigger picture. This is a must-listen for any marketer or business serious about staying ahead in digital marketing.Guest LinksBruce Clay's WebsiteConnect with Bruce on LinkedInPreWriterLearn More: Buy Digital Threads: https://nealschaffer.com/digitalthreadsamazon Buy Maximizing LinkedIn for Business Growth: https://nealschaffer.com/maximizinglinkedinamazon Join My Digital First Mastermind: https://nealschaffer.com

Welcome to a very important episode of the Your Digital Marketing Coach podcast. Today I’m diving deep into one of the biggest changes happening in digital marketing right now: the silent collapse of traditional SEO. For years, search engines—especially Google—have been a major source of traffic for businesses. But with the rise of AI tools and new ways people search for information, that traffic is shrinking. This episode will help you understand what’s going on, why it matters to your business, and what you can do about it. If you care about growing your brand, staying relevant, and building trust in the age of AI, this is a must-listen.Learn More: Buy Digital Threads: https://nealschaffer.com/digitalthreadsamazon Buy Maximizing LinkedIn for Business Growth: https://nealschaffer.com/maximizinglinkedinamazon Join My Digital First Mastermind: https://nealschaffer.com/membership/ Learn about My Fractional CMO Consulting Services: https://nealschaffer.com/cmo Download My Free Ebooks Here: https://nealschaf

In this episode of the Your Digital Marketing Coach podcast, we’re taking a deep dive into a platform that’s often overlooked in digital marketing — YouTube. With so much talk around LinkedIn, TikTok, and even AI-driven search, it’s easy to forget that YouTube is the second largest search engine and a massive opportunity for both B2C and B2B marketers. My guest, YouTube expert Dane Golden, shares why YouTube is more than just a place to post videos — it's a powerful engine for growing trust, building relationships, and driving real business results. If you’re not using YouTube strategically yet, now’s the time to rethink how it fits into your digital marketing mix.Guest LinksConnect with Dane on LinkedInDane's Agency VidActionDane's YouTube Ads PodcastLearn More: Buy Digital Threads: https://nealschaffer.com/digitalthreadsamazon Buy Maximizing LinkedIn for Business Growth: https://nealschaffer.com/maximizinglinkedinamazon Join My Digital First Mastermind: https://nealschaffer.com/membership/

If you’re creating content without repurposing it, you’re leaving value — and reach — on the table. In this episode, I break down my complete framework for turning a single piece of long-form “anchor content” into over 50 separate pieces of content across social, blogs, newsletters, and video platforms. Content is your most powerful digital marketing tool, but only if you treat it like the asset it truly is. This episode is for anyone who wants to grow their online brand, expand their reach, and save time by working smarter, not harder.Learn More: Buy Digital Threads: https://nealschaffer.com/digitalthreadsamazon Buy Maximizing LinkedIn for Business Growth: https://nealschaffer.com/maximizinglinkedinamazon Join My Digital First Mastermind: https://nealschaffer.com/membership/ Learn about My Fractional CMO Consulting Services: https://nealschaffer.com/cmo Download My Free Ebooks Here: https://nealschaffer.com/books/ Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/nealschaffer All My Podcast Show No

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Mary Beth McCabe, a university professor and co-author of one of the most widely used mobile marketing textbooks in the world. We dive deep into what it truly means to have a mobile-first mindset in your digital marketing. This isn't just about having an app—it's about how mobile impacts everything from messaging, email, and social to analytics and even AI. Whether you’re a small business owner or an experienced marketer, understanding mobile can help you connect faster and more directly with your customers. This is a must-listen if you want to future-proof your digital strategy and grow your brand.Guest LinksConnect with Dr. Mary Beth McCabe on LinkedInLearn More about Mobile Marketing EssentialsLearn More: Buy Digital Threads: https://nealschaffer.com/digitalthreadsamazon Buy Maximizing LinkedIn for Business Growth: https://nealschaffer.com/maximizinglinkedinamazon Join My Digital First Mastermind: https://nealschaffer.com/membership/ Learn about My Fractio