Maximize Your Social With Neal Schaffer

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

In today's episode of the Your Digital Marketing Coach podcast, I’m diving into something most people take for granted—the social media dashboard. You might still be using a tool built for posting links and photos, but today’s platforms demand more, especially with the rise of short-form video. This is a big deal, because the way you manage and share content can make or break your marketing efforts. I’ll share my personal journey of finding a better tool, and how switching dashboards helped me save time, create better posts, and get more out of my strategy. If you're serious about growing your brand and reaching people with the right kind of content, this is a must-listen.Some Social Media Dashboards Mentioned in This Podcast (affiliate links)BufferSocialBeeVista SocialOcoyaSendibleLaterSprout SocialSocialPilotLearn More: Buy Digital Threads: https://nealschaffer.com/digitalthreadsamazon Buy Maximizing LinkedIn for Business Growth: https://nealschaffer.com/maximizinglinkedinamazon Join My Digital

Your website is your digital storefront — so are you tracking the right things to make sure it's actually working for your business? In this episode of the Your Digital Marketing Coach podcast, I talk with analytics expert Philippa Gamse about what most marketers are missing when it comes to website data. Whether it's unclear calls to action, poor form conversion, or people dropping off your videos early, your analytics hold the key to fixing these leaks. Website analytics aren't just for tech folks — they’re essential for growing your brand, increasing conversions, and turning more visitors into real customers. Philippa helps break it all down so any business owner can start making smart, informed changes today.Guest LinksConnect with Philippa on LinkedInWebsites that WinLearn 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

If you're struggling to create enough content to grow your business, you're not alone. Even after years of podcasting and blogging, I still face this challenge. That’s why this episode is all about showing you a real-world system to scale content without breaking the bank. You'll learn how to use generative AI and trusted freelancers in a smart, repeatable way—all while staying under $1,000 a month. This is an important topic because content is at the heart of digital marketing. It brings people to your site, builds trust, and helps convert followers into customers. Without content, your digital marketing doesn’t work. So if you're looking to build a stronger system, spend less, and still grow faster, you won't want to miss this one.Tools Mentioned (include affiliate links to help support the show!)ChatGPT: For writing and image generation.Elementor: For blog featured images in WordPress.Upwork: For finding good freelance help.Fiverr: Upwork alternative.Trello: For managing my content

In this episode of the Your Digital Marketing Coach podcast, I’m joined by James Hipkin, author of Journey to Success: Digital Marketing for Small Business Owners. James brings decades of experience helping businesses build smarter, more effective websites — and more importantly, explains why websites are still the most important piece of your digital marketing puzzle.We talk about why your website is the only part of your digital marketing you truly own, how to stop treating it like just another design project, and how to start using it as a tool for real connection and trust. Whether you’re trying to improve conversions, make better use of your marketing budget, or understand where AI fits in the mix, this episode will give you the foundation you need. If you’re serious about using digital marketing to grow your business, it all starts with your website — and this episode tells you how.Guest LinksConnect with James on LinkedInJames' agency inn8lyLearn More: Buy Digital Threads: https://nealschaffer.co

In this episode of the Your Digital Marketing Coach podcast, I’m diving into one of the biggest changes to how we show up in Google search results—the AI overview box. If you’ve noticed a drop in your traffic, you’re not alone. These new AI summaries are changing how people click, what links they trust, and which brands get noticed. I went deep into the data—10 studies from the past year—to find the real patterns that help content get featured. From building stronger topic clusters to writing short, clear answers and updating your posts more often, I’ll show you what works right now. This matters because showing up in these AI results can bring the most valuable visitors to your site—people ready to learn and take action.Links to Data Sources Usedhttps://www.wpbeginner.com/beginners-guide/google-ai-overviews-sge/https://www.conductor.com/academy/search-generative-experience/https://www.advancedwebranking.com/blog/how-to-takle-google-ai-overviews-search-generative-experiencehttps://www.resultfirst.com/blog/ai-

In today’s episode, we’re diving deep into a fresh way to look at AI—one that goes beyond writing content or summarizing documents. My guest, Stephen Lewis, a seasoned journalist and copywriter with decades of experience, shares how businesses can use AI not just as a helper, but as a full-blown strategic partner. We explore how to create synthetic personas—AI-powered customer models that give honest, detailed feedback. This isn’t just about tech. It’s about using smart tools to better understand your audience, improve your message, and grow your brand. If you’ve ever wondered how to get ahead in digital marketing with AI, this episode will show you how.Guest Links:Connect with Steven on LInkedInSteven's Copywriting Agency TaleistLearn 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

Monetizing your personal brand isn't just about brand deals anymore. With AI, content creators, entrepreneurs, and influencers now have powerful tools to uncover fresh income streams and build deeper connections with their audience. In this episode, I share advanced strategies pulled straight from my UCLA Extension class, showing how to use AI to grow your influence, better understand your audience, and create new digital products and services. Whether you’re just starting out or already have a growing following, these tips will help you turn your personal brand into a full-on business. It’s all part of building a smarter, more profitable digital presence—and it’s something every marketer should know.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://n

In this episode I talk with David Sidoni, the founder of HowToBuyAHome.com. David took his passion for educating first-time homebuyers and turned it into a digital-first brand and thriving business, built almost entirely from a podcast. This episode is full of lessons on niche marketing, the power of organic content, and how to build trust through education. If you're trying to grow your brand, connect with your audience, or use content to drive your business forward, David’s story will inspire and guide you.Guest LinksHowToBuyAHome.comHow to Buy a Home PodcastConnect with David on LinkedInLearn 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 Chann

Are you spending time on the right things in your marketing? Or just doing more for the sake of it? In this episode, I’ll walk you through the simple but powerful quarterly audit I use to double down on what’s working and ditch what’s not. It’s helped me grow faster and save time—and it can do the same for you. 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 Notes: https://podcast.nealschaffer.com

In today's digital world, where AI can write a blog post in seconds and content is everywhere, the one thing that still sets you apart is your ability to tell a great story. And not just any story—a strategic one. That’s why I’m excited to introduce Cathy Goodwin, a true expert in the field of strategic storytelling. Cathy has built her brand around helping entrepreneurs and small business owners tell stories that connect, convert, and grow their business. In this episode, we’ll dig into why storytelling is more than just a buzzword, how it can shape your brand, and why it's so important that your customer—not you—is the hero of the story. If you’re ready to stop telling stories that fall flat and start sharing ones that truly move your audience, this episode is for you.Guest LinksCathy Goodwin's WebsiteConnect with Cathy on InstagramBuy Your Mess is Not Your Message: Branding Strategies for Solopreneurs on AmazonLearn More: Buy Digital Threads: https://nealschaffer.com/digitalthreadsamazon B

In this episode of the Your Digital Marketing Coach podcast, I dive into a surprisingly powerful but underused tool: LinkedIn newsletters. As more people focus on short-form content, newsletters offer a way to go deep and truly connect with your audience. I’ll explain how newsletters not only get more views and engagement than normal posts, but also help you grow your leads and even improve your SEO. Whether you're just getting started or looking to improve your current strategy, this episode will give you clear and simple ways to use LinkedIn newsletters to grow your business.Also check out LinkedIn Newsletters: Why They are Worth Your Time and 6 Best Practices on How to Create Them for further information on the topic.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

Digital marketing is constantly changing, but one thing remains the same: success requires more than just chasing the latest trends. In this episode, I’m joined by Corey Morris, agency owner and author of The Digital Marketing Success Plan, to talk about how businesses can build a strategic, data-driven approach to their marketing efforts. Corey shares his journey from SEO expert to agency owner, his five-step START framework for creating a winning marketing plan, and his insights on the biggest shifts shaping digital marketing today, including AI, SEO, and diversified traffic sources. Whether you're running a marketing agency, leading a team, or managing your own business, this episode will help you refine your strategy, optimize your efforts, and drive real results.Guest LinksConnect with Corey on LinkedInBuy The Digital Marketing Success Plan on AmazonCheck out Corey's Agency VoltageLearn More: Buy Digital Threads: https://nealschaffer.com/digitalthreadsamazon Buy Maximizing LinkedIn for Busine

Influencer marketing is no longer about just finding someone with a big following and paying them to promote your brand. It’s about building trust, leveraging content creators, and creating meaningful relationships that drive long-term brand awareness and conversions.In this episode, I speak with Yash Chavan, founder and CEO of the influencer marketing platform Saral, about how brands can navigate the Age of Influence. We discuss the evolution of influencer marketing, the shift from follower-based influence to content-driven influence, and how businesses can harness user-generated content, affiliate partnerships, and even brand ambassador programs to scale their digital presence.If you’re wondering how to adapt your influencer marketing strategy for 2025 and beyond, this episode is packed with actionable insights you won’t want to miss!Learn More: Buy Digital Threads: https://nealschaffer.com/digitalthreadsamazon Buy Maximizing LinkedIn for Business Growth: https://nealschaffer.com/maximizinglinkedinamazon

Marketing isn't just about selling—it’s about purpose, meaning, and engagement. In this episode, I sit down with Minter Dial to explore how brands can align internal culture with external messaging, create meaningful customer relationships, and even incorporate play into work. We’ll also dive into the power of self-awareness and how knowing thyself can transform both business and life. This is an episode filled with inspiration and actionable insights.Guest LinksConnect with Minter on LinkedInMinter's WebsiteCheck Out Minter's Books on AmazonLearn 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 A

Social media has changed, and if you're still using it like a business instead of a content creator, you're falling behind. The truth is, algorithms don’t care about follower count anymore—they care about content. So what does that mean for your business? You have two choices: become a content creator or leverage user-generated content. Which path will you choose? I’m breaking it all down in this episode.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 Notes: https://podcast.nealschaffer.com

Data is everywhere in digital marketing, but are you truly using it to your advantage? In this episode of the Your Digital Marketing Coach podcast, I sit down with Brett Townsend, Senior VP of Strategy at Quester, to break down how brands can go beyond the numbers and uncover real insights that drive action.Marketing analytics is more than just reporting results—it’s about finding the hidden patterns and consumer narratives that can shape better campaigns, stronger products, and deeper customer relationships. Brett shares his expertise from working with major global brands like Pepsi, Doritos, and Walmart, along with insights from his book, Insights on the Brink: Revitalizing the Market Research and Analytics Industry.If you're a small business or marketer looking to turn data into meaningful strategy, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways.Guest LinksConnect with Brett on LinkedInBuy Insights on the Brink: Revitalizing the Market Research and Analytics Industry on AmazonQuesterLearn More: Buy D

If you're trying to grow your business on LinkedIn but struggling to get traction, you’re not alone. What if I told you that LinkedIn content could be optimized just like SEO? In this episode, we’re diving into a brand-new way of approaching LinkedIn content—using AI tools that analyze top-performing posts and provide insights to maximize your reach and engagement. I’ll break down how these tools work, why I’m giving them my official thumbs up (even after recommending sticking to ChatGPT before), and how you can start using them to get better results. If you want to stop guessing and start strategizing on LinkedIn, this episode is for you!Recommended Tools List (affiliate links)TaplioContentInSayWhatLearn 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://ne

Brand awareness isn’t just for big companies with deep pockets—it’s a critical part of growing any business, including startups and small businesses. But many companies focus only on short-term sales and performance marketing, missing out on the long-term benefits of building a strong, recognizable brand.In this episode, I sit down with James Hurman, the founder of Previously Unavailable, to explore the science behind advertising effectiveness. James shares why businesses struggle to grow beyond their initial customer base and how creative, evidence-based marketing strategies can help. We discuss the balance between performance marketing and brand-building, the power of storytelling in advertising, and the critical role of creativity in making campaigns more effective.If you’ve ever wondered why some brands seem to attract loyal customers effortlessly while others fade away, this episode is for you. Get ready to rethink your marketing strategy and unlock the true potential of your brand!Guest LinksPreviously

This episode explores the imperative shift from a digital-first mindset to an AI-first approach in marketing, emphasizing how to incorporate AI into internal processes for enhanced efficiency and creativity. Throughout, I discuss strategic alignment, process documentation, custom AI models, training with quality data, and automation for maximum impact. • Discussing the transition to an AI-first mindset • Importance of aligning AI with marketing objectives • Utilizing AI as a second opinion for marketing strategies • Documenting processes for optimized marketing activities • Creating custom GPTs tailored to brand needs • Training AI with quality data for better outputs • Scaling efficiencies through automation for marketing tasksLearn 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 Consult