9 Reasons to Use RSS.com for Podcast Hosting

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In this post, I’ll share the nine reasons to use RSS.com for podcast hosting. I’ll also share how you can get started FREE! Full disclosure: This post does contain affiliate links, and I’m a brand ambassador for the company. If you purchase podcast hosting through one of my affiliate links, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks so much for your support!

Why I Use RSS.com for Podcast Hosting

Have you heard of RSS.com? It’s like the cool kid on the block in the podcast hosting space offering the most bang for your hard earned bucks. I talked about them a lot in my podcast hosting guide where I shared the 11 best podcast hosting companies on the market. Three years into my podcast journey, RSS.com continues to be my top pick!

They’re growing crazy fast and have this awesome global community. But here’s the best part: they make podcasting super easy and fun. That’s why I love them so, so, so much! They are hands down the best bargain, and so incredibly so easy to use.

How easy, you ask? With RSS.com, you can launch your own podcast in under five minutes! Just a few clicks and bam, your message is out there for the world to hear. And guess what? It won’t cost you a dime to get started!

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They’re all about empowering podcasters worldwide, making sure everyone gets a shot at sharing their unique voice. It’s their kick-ass mission, and they’re totally rocking it. So, if you’ve ever dreamed of starting a podcast, RSS.com is your go-to partner. Ready to launch your podcast on RSS.com?

Click here to get started, and use code RSSFREEMONTH at check out for a free month of podcast hosting.

Still not convinced? Let’s dive into the nine reasons to use RSS.com!

9 Things RSS.com Offers Podcasters

I’ve already mentioned they are easy and give you the most bang for your buck, but here’s a closer look at what you can expect if you choose RSS.com for your podcast hosting:

1. All-in-one Dashboard

First off, they’ve got this sweet all-in-one dashboard that makes my life so much easier. It’s like a control center where I can manage everything related to my podcast with a few clicks. The interface is not only powerful, but also super user-friendly. It’s a breeze to navigate, and I know you’ll love it too.

From the dashboard you can customize your podcast to make it totally yours! You can create custom cover art, episode art, and even chapter art. How cool is that? Oh, and get this—they make sharing your episodes on social media a piece of cake. But, more on that in a minute.

2. Cross-platform Analytics

9 Reasons to Use RSS.com for Podcast Cross-Platform Analytics Screenshot

They’ve got this killer feature called cross-platform analytics that will blow your mind. Seriously, it’s a game-changer! With these analytics, you’ll be able to dive deep into understanding your audience and take your show to new heights. No more guessing games or shooting in the dark. Once you start uploading episodes, boom! Instant access to all your juicy metrics. It’s like having your own personal data guru right at your fingertips.

We’re talking overall downloads and trends, episode downloads and trends, even an estimated number of followers. But wait, there’s more! You’ll also know where your listeners are from, the type of devices they’re using, and the applications they use to tune in. It’s like having a crystal ball into the minds of your audience. And guess what? You can even export all these sexy metrics into CSV or Excel format.

Related: Read My Post “How to Promote a Podcast: Common Mistakes in Promoting

3. They Make It Easy to Make Money Podcasting

  • First off, they make supporting your show super easy with a custom donation or funding page. Your awesome listeners can effortlessly show their love and support by making donations. And that’s not all! 
  • RSS.com has partnered with the Podcorn ads marketplace to help you find the perfect sponsors for host-read ads. Get ready to monetize like a pro! But wait, there’s more awesomeness coming your way. 
  • For those high-traffic shows, they offer Dynamic Ads Insertion technology. It’s like magic, my friend, because it automatically inserts pre-roll, mid-roll, and post-roll advertisements into your episodes. 
  • Apple Podcasts Subscription Integration: RSS.com lets you offer exclusive content and early access to your fans through Apple Podcasts Subscriptions. It’s the VIP treatment, my friend! 
  • Bitcoin Donations: RSS.com has teamed up with Alby to become the world’s first podcast hosting company that enables Bitcoin donations through the Lightning Network. That’s right, you can receive payments in Bitcoin and create a Bitcoin Lightning wallet, all while keeping track of your balance right from your RSS.com dashboard. It’s Podcasting 2.0 in action! Read my Step By Step Guide to Maximizing Your Podcast Donations!

So, my bloggy friend, if you’re ready to start making money with zero effort, RSS.com is the golden ticket.

Also see: Why Starting a Podcast Is the Perfect Side Hustle

4. Podcasting 2.0 Tags

This might just be the coolest thing to hit podcasting…and RSS.com is on the cutting edge of it. RSS.com podcasts feature Podcasting 2.0 Tags, and it’s a game-changer for discoverability!

You know those moments in your episodes that really grab your listeners’ attention? Well, with RSS.com, you can add chapters and soundbites that make your episodes pop! It’s like adding these exciting bookmarks that keep your audience engaged and wanting more. 

They also provide each episode with an accessibility and discoverability boost with their free episode transcript feature. It’s the real deal. It automatically transcribes your episodes, making them accessible to a wider audience and increasing the chances of discovery. By the way – All plans include free transcripts for all of your episodes! It’s like unlocking a whole new world of listeners for your show.

I’ve played with the free transcripts feature a lot, and you can choose low, medium, or high levels of accuracy. The high level takes the longest, but my friend it is so worth it! It’s more accurate than Otter, Descript, CastMagic and Deciphr! I’ve tried them all, and would choose the FREE RSS.com transcript anyday!

Related: 6 Fun Ideas for Promoting Your Podcast

5. PodViz Integration That Lets You Publish to YouTube

They’ve also unleashed this ahhhhhhmazing technology called PodViz, and it’s awesome! Picture this: transforming your audio podcast episodes into captivating videos with ease.

Yep, RSS.com has integrated this innovation right into their hosting platform, making it a breeze for podcasters like us to convert our episodes and upload them to popular video distribution platforms like YouTube. In fact, if you have an RSS.com podcast hosting plan, you can do this directly from your dashboard too! Connect your YouTube account to the dashboard, push a button and voila! Your podcast episode is turned into a video that is published to your YouTube channel just like that!

But hold on, there’s more to it than just simple audio to video conversion. PodViz also supports those sexy Podcasting 2.0 tags like chapter art, your title, and metadata tags. It’s like adding an extra layer of visual awesomeness to our shows! 

This technology is perfect for podcasters who want to tap into video distribution platforms, expand their listener base, and boost the discoverability of their primarily audio-focused content. Unlike other hosts that charge extra to publish to YouTube, PodViz is available to all podcasters!

Launch your show right now!

6. One-click Social Media and Website Shares

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They’ve made social media sharing a total breeze! Imagine this: with just one click, you can effortlessly share each of your episodes across the most popular social networks including:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn, and
  • Pinterest

You can also grab the embed code to embed an episode player into your favorite content management systems including WordPress, Wix, Blogger.com and more!

It’s like a shortcut to keeping your followers and fans in the loop and super engaged. No more hassle or time-consuming processes. RSS.com has got your back, making sure your episodes reach your audience wherever they hang out online.

Related: The Importance of Branding in Podcasting

7. Automatic Distribution of Your Show

With RSS.com, you can get your show listed on the most popular podcast directories like Spotify, Amazon Music, Podcast Index, and Samsung Podcasts without lifting a finger.

They also offer guided distribution to get your show on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Pandora, iHeartRadio, and Deezer. Then, as all of your new episodes come out, they are automatically distributed to the podcast players you’ve added your RSS feed to. Easy peasy!

It’s like having your own personal distribution powerhouse working behind the scenes. You can focus on creating your awesome content, and RSS.com takes care of the rest. They’ll make sure your podcast reaches the widest audience possible, making waves on all the major platforms.

8. Free Podcasting Website

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Every podcaster that hosts with RSS.com gets their very own free, fully optimized, and customizable website. This website showcases your amazing content, your episodes, and all the cool features that come with it. We’re talking social sharing buttons to spread the word, donation buttons to support your show, and a web audio player to make it easy for your audience to listen in.

Related: Learn How to Use Podcasts to Build Your Personal Brand and Network

9. Host Unlimited Shows in ONE Place

If you’re thinking of starting another podcast, you can add as many shows as you want under the same account, all for an incredibly low price. It’s like having your own podcast empire, all easily managed from your RSS.com dashboard.

No need to juggle multiple accounts or platforms. With RSS.com’s Podcast Networks plan, you can effortlessly switch between your podcasts with a few clicks. Imagine having everything in one neat and tidy place.

Also see: Podcasting for Your Brand – Make Your Business Famous

RSS.com – the #1 Place to Start and Grow a Podcast

Are you starting to see why I chose RSS.com as the place I host my Bloggy Friends Show? I’m also working on launching a few more shows in the very near future, and can’t wait to do it with RSS.com!

To close things out, here are a few more awesome things RSS.com offers:

  • A kickass podcast with many episodes hosted by yours truly and featuring some of the hottest podcasters in the industry! Can you say education on the go? Yep! That’s just one element of what you’ll find on their Podcasting 101 with RSS.com show.
  • A stellar YouTube channel that just keeps getting better. The amazing people they’ve been bringing on board to create videos are truly next level awesome! Veronica and Maribel have been CRUSHING it with the educational vids lately and I can only imagine what’s coming through in the future from them!!!
  • A knowledge base of articles that teach you all the things you about podcasting with RSS.com, and an educational and inspiring blog filled with the latest industry news and ideas every podcaster should know.
  • They’re environmentally friendly with a remote team of rockstars worldwide, and they’re all about supporting Podping on Hive, which is the latest and greatest way to ensure your show reaches podcast apps and directories instantly in the most sustainable way possible. 

With their world class technology and all of these features I’ve shared in this post, I can wholeheartedly say, RSS.com is the number one place online to host your podcast. Click here to get started now! And don’t forget to use code RSSFREEMONTH at check out for a free month of podcast hosting.

Read more posts from my podcasting series:

What are you waiting for? Launch your podcast today!

Expert Roundup – Important Tips for First Time Podcasters

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Thinking about starting a podcast? This post can help! In it I’m sharing a round up of tips for first time podcasters. This post does contain affiliate links. If you purchase a book through one of these affiliate links this website will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!

Starting a podcast can be an exciting yet challenging endeavor. To help you navigate this journey, I’ve gathered essential tips that you should keep in mind when you’re ready to launch a podcast of your own. Here’s a quick overview of the tips you’re about to read:

  • Manage Your Web Presence Effectively
  • Focus on Alternative Revenue Streams
  • Plan it Out
  • Get a Good Microphone
  • Pick the Right Topic
  • Know Your Target Audience
  • Get Clear on Your Ideal Listener 

Manage Your Web Presence Effectively

If I were to time travel back to my first podcast recording, I’d definitely have a heart-to-heart with myself about managing my web presence effectively. You see, podcasting isn’t just about hitting the record button and chatting away. It involves curating your online image, ensuring your podcast website is slick and functional, and taking charge of your SEO. 

Think about your web presence as your podcast’s digital living room, make it welcoming.

Podcast link: TC 034: Dustin Miller – How to Manage Google Ads for Clients – Digital Triggers 

Joe Troyer, CEO and Growth Advisor, Digital Triggers

Ready to Start Your Podcast? Click here and get your first episode for free!

Focus on Alternative Revenue Streams

Do not chase the money. I originally started podcasting thinking it would be a revenue stream based on advertising and sponsors. It was frustrating to see so few downloads compared to others and the sponsors obviously never looked my way. 

However, I quickly learned that I was making revenue in other ways from the podcast. Listeners became clients and clients became referrals.

Here is the landing page for my podcast. This links out to iTunes, YouTube, etc. Marketing Impact PODCAST with Mike Wood 

I also just published an article on Medium that talks about monetizing podcasts if you find it useful.  Ultimate Guide to Making Money Through Podcasting | by Mike Wood | May, 2023 | Medium 

Mike Wood, Digital Marketer, Legalmorning

Plan It Out

  • Create a well-thought-out plan to streamline your podcasting process.
  • Include topics, episode count, and launch dates in your podcast plan.
  • Schedules may seem dull, but they ensure consistent publishing.
  • Clearly define the message you want to convey in each podcast episode.
  • Customize your podcast starter kit to suit your preferences and needs.
  • Find equipment that complements your voice and inflection.
  • Create a schedule that aligns with your lifestyle.
  • Consider marketing strategies to promote your podcast.
  • Following these tips will lead to a better podcasting experience.

Via Dearmedia

Get a Good Microphone

  1. Buying a cheap microphone led to heavy editing to fix poor audio quality, which was a mistake I made.
  2. If you have the budget or can wait, invest in a quality microphone to avoid such issues.
  3. Check out online entrepreneur and podcast expert Pat Flynn’s video for recommendations on the best microphones for podcasting, or research other options available in your area.

Via Shout Me Loud

Pick the Right Topic

When starting a podcast, avoid broad subjects or a wide range of topics. Instead, choose a specific theme or niche that you are passionate about. It should be something you can summarize and make appealing in 20 seconds, while also targeting a specific audience. Remember, people enjoy listening to podcasts hosted by individuals they can relate to.

Via Podlad

Know Your Target Audience

To create engaging content for your podcast, identify your target audience. Avoid trying to appeal to everyone, as this often leads to appealing to no one. Instead, create a buyer persona by considering factors such as age, interests, occupation, location, and life goals of your ideal listener. Having a clear understanding of your audience will enable you to produce content that consistently resonates with and entertains them.

Via Riverside.fm

Get Clear on Your Ideal Listener 

To effectively share your message through your podcast, determine your target audience—just like a business owner identifies their ideal customer. Instead of a general group, focus on one perfect person who you want to connect with. Simplify content creation by catering specifically to this individual. Create an ideal listener persona by considering their gender, age, employment status, social life, aspirations, challenges, and the information they would seek related to your podcast’s topic. The more specific you are, the better, as these answers can become the foundation for your initial episodes.

Via RSS.comStart your podcast with your first episode free by clicking this link!

You’ve got the tips. Now all that’s left is to start your podcast! You can launch your show with a free episode on RSS.com. Click here to get started today!

Got a tip I missed that needs to be added? Tweet me and tell me about it!

11 Ways to Benefit From Participating in a Virtual Summit

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Have you ever considered participating in a virtual summit? In this post, we’re covering how you can benefit from doing just that.

Best Tips for Seeing ROI From Participating in a Virtual Summit

From maximizing ROI with a pre-event marketing strategy for virtual summits to making it as niche-specific as possible, here are 11 answers to the question, “What are your best tips for seeing ROI from participating in or hosting a virtual summit?”

  • Give Sponsors a Seat at the Table
  • Define Clear Goals and Metrics for Success
  • Monitor Everything
  • Make It as Niche Specific as Possible
  • Build Relationships With Attendees
  • Offer Virtual Sponsorships
  • Evaluate Networking Opportunities Gained
  • Bring Value to Your Target Audience
  • Include a Pre-event Marketing Strategy 
  • Optimize Content to Match Summit Topic
  • Choose the Right Platform

Give Sponsors a Seat at the Table

Invite industry experts from up-and-coming companies who would co-sponsor the event with you in order to make a much-needed splash. For a summit, you always need a variety of expert speakers. Why not invite someone who is also seeking a seat at the table? 

Assemble this virtual summit to be an opportunity for them, giving them hard data about who is taking part and why they can build credibility by being seen as an authority alongside the other participants. So long as they have something of value to add when speaking to a topic, they can get your ROI, so you can make it a better overall event.

Jonathan Zacharias, Founder, GR0

Define Clear Goals and Metrics for Success

One tip for seeing ROI from participating in or hosting a virtual summit is to define clear goals and metrics for success. Before the event, determine what you hope to achieve, whether it’s increased brand awareness, lead generation, or thought leadership opportunities. 

Identify key performance indicators (KPIs) that align with these goals and track them throughout the event. This can include metrics such as registration numbers, attendance rates, engagement levels, and post-event follow-up activity. 

By tracking these metrics, you can assess the success of the event and make data-driven decisions about how to improve future events. Additionally, make sure to promote your event effectively through targeted marketing and social media efforts to attract the right audience and maximize ROI.

Brenton Thomas, CEO, Twibi 

Monitor Everything

If you don’t monitor your goals and KPIs, they won’t help you. Thankfully, there are many products available on the market to assist you in doing this. For your events, a virtual event platform, for instance, will automatically track information about audience attendance and interaction. 

SurveyMonkey is a top option for surveying tools and will enable you to create stunning polls and surveys that you can distribute to your audience. The responses you get will give you in-depth perceptions of the thoughts of your target audience, which you can use to organize future virtual and hybrid events that are more successful.

Alice Hall, Co-founder and Creative Director, Rowen Homes

Make It as Niche Specific as Possible

I have been involved several times in organizing virtual summits for our health and wellness start-up. In fact, we have often tried to expand our B2B sales potential by leveraging these summits to network and find clients. 

However, one thing I have realized is that virtual summits only work if they are niche-specific. In other words, you cannot afford to have generic events that are too broad in terms of themes. 

Instead, focus on very specific themes, and it will be much easier to attract a solid group of attendees. This will make lead generation much easier for you.

Logan Nguyen, Co-founder, MIDSS

Build Relationships With Attendees

One tip for seeing ROI from participating in or hosting a virtual summit is to focus on building relationships with attendees. While the ultimate goal of a virtual summit may be to generate leads and sales, building strong relationships with attendees can lead to long-term benefits and a higher ROI.

During the virtual summit, engage with attendees by participating in live chats, Q&As, or breakout rooms. This will help you establish a personal connection with attendees and show them you are interested in their needs and concerns.

After the virtual summit, follow up with attendees to thank them for their participation and offer additional resources or support. This can include sending personalized emails, offering exclusive discounts or promotions, or providing free consultations or demos.

Jason Moss, President and Co-founder, Moss Technologies

Offer Virtual Sponsorships

Including sponsorship opportunities is one way to guarantee that your online and virtual events are financially successful. This has the potential to be a very profitable source of income. The average price of a virtual event sponsorship package, according to studies, is $8,456. 

The question is how can you get sponsors to give you thousands of dollars? You present them with something equally worthwhile. 

If thousands of people have signed up for your event, businesses will clamor to buy sponsorship packages. Giving sponsors access to the analytics data you gather throughout your event can also attract their interest. Other businesses would love detailed information regarding the target market they are attempting to reach. 

Keep in mind that the size of your expo hall isn’t an issue while conducting a virtual event. This implies that you can increase revenue by selling as many sponsorship packages as you can.

Himanshu Sharma, CEO and Founder, Academy of Digital Marketing

Evaluate Networking Opportunities Gained

I gauge ROI from participating in virtual summits in terms of the networking opportunities I gain in the process. I evaluate the number of connections I make through links on social media, LinkedIn in particular, email address exchanges, or someone reviewing my company’s product. The focus is not entirely on the numbers, but on the possibility of future business and collaborations.

Liam Liu, Co-founder and CMO, ParcelPanel

Bring Value to Your Target Audience

As a female founder of one of the largest independent packaging companies in North America, I have participated in and hosted several virtual summits. These events have been a gateway to connect with customers, peers, and fellow industry experts. In addition, they have also helped us to generate a significant return on investment.

An important tip for seeing ROI from participating in or hosting a virtual summit that I have noticed is to focus on providing value to your target audience. 

Focus on creating a program that provides genuine value and experience to your audience. This might involve bringing together industry experts to share insights and expertise or offering training sessions or workshops that teach sought-after skills or knowledge. By focusing on providing value, you will attract a larger audience and build a strong reputation as a leader in your industry.

Kathy Bennett, CEO and Founder, Bennett Packaging

Include a Pre-event Marketing Strategy 

One tip for seeing ROI from participating in or hosting a virtual summit is to create a pre-event marketing strategy. This should include a strategy for engaging potential attendees, creating a presence on social media, and building relationships with potential partners. 

Additionally, creating a pre-event email series to remind attendees of the summit and providing incentives for signing up early can help to boost attendance. Finally, setting up affiliate programs for additional revenue and offering discounts for larger groups or individuals signing up together can also be effective.

Andreea Saveluc, SEO Team Leader, NoN Agency

Optimize Content to Match Summit Topic

Summits look to engage an audience by zeroing in on a particular topic that poses a challenge in the industry, requires urgent addressing, or offers opportunities. This approach draws a larger audience and contributes to the summit’s success. 

So, if you seek to increase your ROI, a dominant strategy is to optimize your content so that it matches these issues that are being addressed and helps the audience understand how partnering with your brand could prove to solve and fight these challenges or maximize opportunities. 

Relevance is of great importance to an informed audience, and in establishing yourself as relevant in a particular situation, you can hold their attention and also steal the limelight at a virtual summit.

Ariav Cohen, VP of Marketing and Sales, Proprep

Choose the Right Platform

After hosting a few successful virtual summits, I have found that the key to maximizing return on investment (ROI) is in choosing the right platform. Choose a platform that will provide you with the necessary features, such as automated emails, simple registration, and easy integration with your website. 

It should also be customizable and user-friendly so you can concentrate on marketing and promotion efforts instead of worrying about technical issues. Do thorough research when selecting your virtual summit platform for maximum ROI.

Joe Troyer, CEO and Growth Advisor, Digital Triggers

Want to start a Virtual Summit of your own? This post might help: How To Plan A Virtual Summit For Your Business

Bloggy Friends Chime In – Must-Read Books for Entrepreneurs

20 Must-Read Books for Entrepreneurs - blog banner - woman reading a book

If you’re an entrepreneur, you know that reading is essential for success. But with so many books out there, it can be difficult to choose which ones to grab and which ones to throw in the garbage. That’s why I asked my bloggy friends to send me THEIR top picks for the must-have books for entrepreneurs. This list features several of them. Let’s dive in, shall we?

This post does contain affiliate links. If you purchase a book through one of these affiliate links this website will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!

20 Must-Read Books for Entrepreneurs

From Scaling Up by Verne Harnish to The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber, here are 20 answers to the question, “What are the best books for entrepreneurs you’ve ever read and why?”

Scaling Up by Verne Harnish

The best book for entrepreneurs I’ve ever read has to be Scaling Up by Verne Harnish. This book does a fantastic job of delivering insight into how companies can grow and scale up successfully, by immersing the reader in a three-step process. 

It starts off with getting the right people on board, which covers both hiring staff and creating the right executive team in order to make your dream happen. It also looks at systems and strategies; breaking down key concepts such as setting achievable goals, different funding strategies available, and understanding the market you plan to enter or exist in. 

To top it off, Scaling Up shares stories from successful businesses that give great insight into what made them successful. It’s a must-have for any entrepreneur who is looking to make a mark on their industry!

Antreas Koutis, Administrative Manager, Financer

Duct Tape Marketing by John Jantsch

Many regard John Jantsch, the author of this book, as a leading small business marketing expert. His book is all about implementing low-cost marketing strategies that work. 

He also makes a compelling case for thinking of your marketing strategy as a holistic, integrated system. This book will guide you on how to grow your business without overspending on advertising. Moreover, this book can help you build a stronger relationship between your product and your audience.

Joe Flanagan, Founder, 90s Fashion World

Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman

Thinking Fast and Slow is the first thing that comes to my mind because it stuck to its guns and delivered exactly what it promised. So many supposedly influential books for entrepreneurs try too hard to be interesting, thought-provoking, and a page-turner at the same time. 

Kahneman, on the other hand, wrote a book that you don’t want to read fast because you feel like the wisdom held within, about how we think, should be carefully studied. It’s the best because I will always find an excuse to come back to it.

Natalia Brzezinska, Marketing and Outreach Manager, PhotoAiD

The Lean Startup by Eric Ries

One book that has profoundly impacted my entrepreneurial mindset is The Lean Startup by Eric Ries. This book skillfully articulates that entrepreneurs must prioritize the development of a minimum viable product (MVP) while constantly adapting it based on customer feedback. 

Ries highlights the significance of data-driven decision-making, endorsing that continuous experimentation is the cornerstone of sustainable growth. Furthermore, the author advocates for establishing an innovation-oriented culture within a startup—a crucial aspect that fosters adaptability and resilience in an ever-changing business landscape.

Michael Sena, Founder and CEO, Senacea

Zero to One by Peter Thiel

Zero to One was such an important book for me to read because it revealed that there is still room for innovation and the creation of new inventions that people need. We may think there is nothing new to invent, but Thiel tells us that if we do the research, we can discover new ways to create valuable inventions people need. 

Progress can still be made in every area of business, and what’s most important is that entrepreneurs must be able to think for themselves if they want to succeed. The book is easy to follow and offers practical advice on becoming an independent thinker who can create new and valuable ideas for their customers.

Anthony Martin, Founder and CEO, Choice Mutual

People Buy You: The Real Secret to What Matters Most in Business by Jeb Blount

This book showed me that my biggest competitive edge was myself. You must do the groundwork to build the skills and experiences you need to excel in your field, but there will always be many others doing the same and competing against you for the same customers. 

Entrepreneurs can’t discount the importance of building relationships to drive their businesses to success. Blount explains the three relationship myths that become your roadblocks and advice for making deeper emotional connections faster.

Shawn Plummer, CEO, The Annuity Expert

Rich Woman by Kim Kiyosaki

Rich Woman by Kim Kiyosaki is inspiring and empowering; a true must-have arsenal for any businesswoman. Through this book, I acquired a wealth of knowledge on economics, finance, and overcoming any shortcomings that come my way. 

It had me feeling like I could take on the world with new confidence! Rich Woman taught me how to become smart with money and make it work harder for me, not just survive but thrive in any type of market or industry. The vast amounts of stories Kim shares about her own journey were extremely helpful as well since she seems to have experienced it all—successes as well as failures which she later triumphantly turned into successes. Rich Woman is truly a phenomenal guidebook for entrepreneurs of all levels!

Lorien Strydom, Executive Country Manager, Financer.com

Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport

This book is a good read for anyone living in our modern world, but it’s especially important for entrepreneurs like me who are often trying to make more time in their day magically appear. Deep Work breaks down the basics of focus so you can gain more control over your mind and start strengthening this superpower. 

I can’t make more time in my day, but this book has helped me maximize what I can accomplish every minute, every week, and every year.

Ruben Gamez, Founder and CEO, SignWell

Shoe Dog by Phil Knight

Shoe Dog is a memoir that details the journey of Phil Knight, the founder of Nike, and his team from the inception of the idea to the company’s massive success. What I love about this book is that it’s not just a success story, but it’s a story of perseverance, grit, and resilience. 

Phil Knight takes the reader on an emotional journey, detailing all the difficulties he faced while building Nike into the iconic brand it is today. The book is filled with valuable lessons that apply to any entrepreneur looking to build a successful business. If you haven’t read Shoe Dog yet, I highly recommend it.

Shaun Connell, Founder, Writing Tips Institute

Rocket Fuel by Gino Wickman and Mark C. Winters

Rocket Fuel has a lot of great nuggets of information. For example, the authors suggest setting a few 90-day goals. This is very similar to the “OKR” (i.e., objectives and key results) format for goal-setting. The idea is that if you try to set annual goals, they are too big and don’t feel time-limited. 

In contrast, 90-day goals are more intense, and setting a few of them enables you to put deep focus into achieving them. Another great tip from the book is to define yourself as either an integrator or a visionary. Then, you hire someone to fill the other role. As an integrator, I seek out visionaries as my clients because I enjoy helping them to realize their dreams.

Dennis Consorte, Digital Marketing and Leadership Consultant for Startups, Snackable Solutions

The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz

The Hard Thing About Hard Things offers a candid look at the challenges of entrepreneurship, sharing the author’s own experiences and offering practical advice on how to navigate difficult situations. 

I appreciated the honesty and vulnerability that Horowitz showed in sharing his failures and mistakes, which made the book feel more relatable and authentic. In addition, the practical advice and strategies offered in the book are invaluable for anyone starting or running a business. 

So, I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to learn from someone who has been through the trenches of entrepreneurship.

Will Gill, Event Entertainer, DJ Will Gill

Crush It by Gary Vaynerchuk

The best book I’ve ever read for entrepreneurs, without a doubt, is Crush It by Gary Vaynerchuk. A lot of books written for entrepreneurs can be filled with unhelpful platitudes, but this one contains actionable and tactical advice that you can immediately implement into your business plan. 

It resonated with me in particular because it focuses on building an audience and creating content to build authority and trust. In particular, Gary emphasizes the importance of utilizing social media platforms to build relationships with customers and share your message. He also outlines specific strategies for turning hobbies into profitable businesses based on passion and experience—something I think is at the heart of successful entrepreneurship.  

So, if you’re looking for a practical how-to guide filled with inspiring stories of success, then Crush It is, without a doubt, the way to go!

Maria Harutyunyan, Co-founder, Loopex Digital

The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss

The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich is about outsourcing—delegating many of one’s mundane tasks to another person or organization. 

Ferriss believes that if you focus on optimizing specific tasks to save time, you can live a more fulfilling life with your newfound freedom. His writing style is both informative and entertaining as he mixes personal experience with practical advice and relatable anecdotes throughout the book. 

It encourages readers to be creative in their own business endeavors, inspiring them to be creative when implementing new strategies into their workflows. Overall, this book is an invaluable resource for entrepreneurs who want to master the strategic principles of efficiency and success.

Michael Alexis, CEO, tiny campfire

Grit: The Power of Passion & Perseverance by Angela Duckworth

Entrepreneurs face a consistent stream of peaks, valleys, and everything in between. The term, “grit,” has historically been viewed as a “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” or power-through-the-tough-times type of sentiment. Angela Duckworth reframes the attribute of grit for founders as sustained interest, sustained effort, and a keen focus on long-term goals.

The combination of passion and persistence is required for entrepreneurs to conquer their goals and aspirations. Angela alludes to the psychological assets of grit, including interest, practice, purpose, and hope. Digging into the emotional response side of entrepreneurship in this book yields dividends for anyone who is embarking on starting their own company. Give it a read!

Roman Villard, Founder, Full Send Finance

Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes

Shonda Rhimes shares her own professional experiences with readers in Year of Yes. Rhimes describes her transformation from a timid and anxious introvert who turned down several opportunities to a self-assured public speaker and powerful figure who accepted every opportunity that came her way. People who wish to come out of their shells and make their voices heard should read this book.

Not only does Rhimes give an insight into how a successful person became that way and the things one can do in their day-to-day life that can help to push them in this direction; it reveals a lot about the hardships, which I found most important. A lot of these books portray a story of a few quick tips on seeing immediate success, whereas this more realistically tells of the struggles of changing in order to achieve one’s goals.

Aiden Higgins, Senior Editor and Writer, The Broke Backpacker

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

It’s old, but it’s good. One of the best books for entrepreneurs I have ever read is How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. It may seem odd for a business book, but its lessons on human behavior and effective communication are invaluable for anyone looking to succeed in any field.

The book teaches you to understand and empathize with others, communicate more effectively, and develop better interpersonal skills. It emphasizes showing a genuine interest in people, listening to their needs, and finding common ground. These skills are crucial for building strong relationships and establishing trust, which is essential for business and life success.

Overall, How to Win Friends and Influence People is a timeless classic every entrepreneur should read. Its practical advice and insights are just as relevant today as when the book was first published in 1936.

Shane McEvoy, MD, Flycast Media

The Art of Thinking Clearly by Rolf Dobelli

The Art of Thinking Clearly is a fantastic read that helped me get clear on critical thinking processes so I could meet new challenges with even better decisions. 

Entrepreneurs can’t afford to waste time on ideas that aren’t viable, and this book helps lift the veil on indecision so you can make smart, informed decisions and quit pursuing avenues that won’t end up being worth it. Dobelli spells out the common misjudgments entrepreneurs (and people in general) tend to make and how to best avoid them.

Denise Hemke, Chief Product Officer, Checkr

Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

Rich Dad, Poor Dad offers life-changing insights into building wealth and gives practical advice on how to become financially independent. The book emphasizes the importance of financial education and includes many tips on investments, taxes, and budgeting. 

It also provides a comprehensive overview of different businesses and how to best take advantage of them. By understanding the basics of investing and business, readers can equip themselves with the knowledge they need to make sound financial decisions. Rich Dad, Poor Dad has helped countless entrepreneurs become successful by arming them with vital financial know-how.

Martin Seeley, CEO, Mattress Next Day

Wellness Incorporated: the Health Entrepreneur’s Handbook by Jennifer Buchanan

Buchanan’s book is a must-read for anyone in the healthcare profession looking to start a business without burning out or losing their passion. 

While many entrepreneurship books center on success or profit, Wellness Incorporated focuses on the reasons and values behind wanting to start a business. It can be so easy to lose sight of these core values as we try to make our business a success.

Buchanan helps her readers to keep their eyes on their values and their goals. 

This book perfectly balances inspiration with actionable steps to keep you motivated but also constantly moving forward. Buchanan offers insight into her experiences as well as tips and tricks to help kick-start your entrepreneurship journey. 

While this book is catered specifically to healthcare entrepreneurs, every entrepreneur can learn from it. Buchanan provides a unique look at sustainability and your own personal wellness while also building a successful business.

Dr. Shara Posner, Founder, Back To Health Center

The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber

The E-Myth Revisited changed the way I approach my business and how I think through important decisions.

Through this book, I understood that a successful business is a set of finely tuned systems. Your job as an entrepreneur is to develop, maintain, and improve those systems whenever you can. Only then can you find the best people to operate those systems. 

A business should depend on processes, not people, and everything will eventually go back to the creation of these internal systems.

I highly recommend this book be read by any and every person who will learn new things and try out fresh ideas, which should be every entrepreneur.

Yeonsil K., Founder and CEO, Home Spritz

How to Build a Strong Personal Brand on Social Media

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So you want to build a strong personal brand on social media? These tips from the experts might help you do just that!

Today, a strong personal brand on social media is essential for business professionals and content creators to cement themselves as thought leaders and notable individuals within their business niches. This is no easy task, and it can be difficult to find a place to start. These business professionals share valuable insight into how to build out a strong personal brand that will increase your reach on social media. 

Experts Chime In – How to Build a Strong Personal Brand on Social Media

Regularly Share Content

“Consistently sharing valuable content is crucial to building a strong personal brand on social media. This is because sharing relevant and informative content helps establish your authority in your niche and helps you connect with your audience. When you regularly share content, you create a consistent presence on social media that helps you stand out from the crowd. Sharing content tailored to your audience’s interests, needs, and pain points also helps you build a community around your brand. Creating a loyal following of engaged followers will lead to more customers who trust your brand and become brand advocates. In short, regularly sharing content is the best way to build a strong personal brand on social media and establish yourself as an authority in your industry.”

-Saneem Ahearn, VP of Marketing at Colorescience

Keep Social Posts Positive & Engaging

“To build a strong personal brand on social media, it’s essential to create positive and engaging content. By sharing upbeat and informative content, you can attract more followers interested in your message and likely to share your content with others. This is important because the more your content is shared, the more visible your brand becomes. Engaging with your followers by responding to comments and messages can help build trust and credibility, ultimately leading to stronger relationships with your followers. A post that is negative or controversial, on the other hand, can damage your reputation and turn off potential followers. It is important to keep your posts positive and engaging on social media to establish a credible and likable personal brand.”

– Clayton Howard, Director of Analytics at Net Pay Advance

Stay Authentic

“It’s important to stay authentic when building your personal brand on social media. People are drawn to brands that resonate with them by establishing deep connections through their content. This means your brand should be true to its values and what they stand for by sharing personal stories, opinions, and life experiences that are relevant to both your brand and your audiences. This helps your audience truly know that there are real people behind your brand and will ultimately trust it more, building a strong personal brand based on authenticity and credibility.”

– Jonathan Krieger, VP of Sales at Fabuwood

Keep a Positive Online Reputation

“More often than not, people are drawn to personal brands because of its reputation.. Thus, it’s crucial that you build a positive reputation and maintain it as it has a huge impact on how others will perceive you professionally and personally. In order to monitor and maintain your reputation, it’s important to check your social media channels regularly, responding to any comments or reviews in a timely and professional manner. If there is any negative feedback or if someone posts something negative about your brand, you will need to address the issue as soon as you can professionally and respectfully. Not only will this help resolve the issue quickly, but it will also show others that you value your audience’s opinions and want the best for them, overall boosting your reputation.”

– Joe Acosta, Digital Marketing at BBQ Galore

Stay Up To Date With Trends

“A great way to build up your personal brand is by keeping up with the latest trends on social media. The social media landscape is constantly changing and trends come and go in an instant, so it’s important that you stay relevant by keeping a strong online presence by hopping on the most current trends. One way to do this is by following industry leaders and influencers, as these are the people who are always in the know about insights, news, and trends in the industry. Social media algorithms are also key in staying updated, as they will usually automatically adjust your feed to show you what is trending at the moment. Paying attention to anything new or different will help you shape your content strategy so that you can ensure your personal brand stay relevant and engaging to your audience.”

– Bill Lyons, CEO of Griffin Funding

Choose the Right Channels

“To build a strong personal brand, it’s important that you utilize the social media channels where your target audience is at. Different demographics use different social media channels, so you need to meet them where they are. For example, if you are trying to target an audience that consists of millennials, you might use platforms such as Instagram or Twitter more than others. Targeting your audience by meeting them where they are is efficient because you don’t need to waste time on platforms that aren’t popular for your audience. However, you also need to ensure that whichever channel you use also makes sense for your brand, so leveraging this with what channels your audiences uses will help you become successful.”

– Peter Reagan, financial market strategist at Birch Gold Group

Study Influencers

“When building a strong personal brand on social media, one of the best tips is to learn from influencers. By observing successful influencers in your niche, you can gain valuable insights into how they communicate with their audience, the type of content they post, and the strategies they use to grow their following. Studying influencers can also help you stay up-to-date on the latest trends and changes in social media algorithms, which can be essential for maintaining your online presence. Incorporating what you learn from influencers into your brand strategy can increase your chances of success and establish yourself as a trusted and respected figure in your industry.”

– Adrian Pereira, Founder and Ceo of Ecopeaco.com

Know Your Target Demographic for Your Content

“In order to start building a strong personal brand on social media, it’s extremely important for any self-starter to know and understand your target demographic for your content. First off, and obviously enough, you need to ask yourself what kind of content you would like to consistently make. What would you want to produce as content on the  daily that would be important to you and others? Second, you should narrow down which group of people would love to watch the same content you want to produce. Is your content for entertainment purposes or for professionals in a certain field of work? Will it be tailored for kids or will you have an adult audience that will want to watch your content? What are certain trends and styles of content delivery that are popular in what you want to create? By asking these questions and knowing what target audience you want your content to reach, you’ll be able to achieve success off the bat as you’ll have a great idea of what these people want to see. Once your target demographic is found, make sure to stay relevant and on topic with every post, including prioritizing content that aligns with your personal brand. An extra handy tip is to consider clearing off old posts and photos to keep your branding fresh and fully consistent.”

– Chris Hunter, Director of Customer Relations at Service Titan

Consistent Brand Colors

“Using consistent brand colors is an important part of succeeding in social media. Consistent branding helps create trust and familiarity with your followers, shows professionalism in your brand, and makes it easier for them to recognize your posts and content. When you use the same colors across all of your profiles, images, graphics, and other content, people become more familiar with what your business is about and what to expect from you.  This makes it easier for them to remember you and come back for more content.”

-Todd Jensen, Head of Marketing, Nursa

Collaborate with Other Brands and Influencers

“By partnering with other influencers and brands that share your values and style, you can tap into their audience and expand your reach. Additionally, collaborations can help to build your reputation and credibility within your niche, as you are seen as someone who is respected and valued by your peers. Making connections with other brands in your niche can be a learning experience as well. Collaborating with similar brands can make the process of making content more creative, and even more fun by being able to bounce ideas off of each other.”

-Sacha Ferrandi, CEO and Co-founder at Source Capital

Create a Brand Guideline for Consistent Messaging 

“Staying consistent in your brand messaging on social media is key to building a strong and recognizable personal brand. One of the most effective ways to ensure messaging stays consistent across all channels is to develop a brand guideline Create a set of guidelines that outline the language, tone, visual elements, and overall message that you want to convey through your social media channels. Developing a comprehensive brand guideline helps businesses and individuals ensure that messaging is consistent across all channels, helping to establish a strong and recognizable brand identity. Additionally, brand guidelines can be shared with team members, partners, and others to ensure that everyone involved in representing the brand is aligned and consistent in their messaging across the use of all social media platforms.”

-Lev Berlin, Founder of Recipal

Establish Unique Value Proposition 

“Differentiating yourself in a crowded market can be hard but establishing a unique value proposition that differentiates you from your competitors is a critical step in building a personal brand. A value proposition can be just a simple statement that clearly communicates the benefits and added value of your products or services. Once you have identified your strengths and how they benefit the customer, social media can be used to emphasize the value. This means using consistent messaging and providing examples that highlight key elements across all channels. By using your value proposition and personal brand on social media, you can build a strong online presence, connect with others in your industry, and attract new opportunities.”

-Matt Gehring, Head of Marketing at Dutch

Build Your Brand with Groups

“Joining and actively participating in related groups on social media platforms is one of the most effective ways to build a strong personal brand. You can establish yourself as a trusted authority in your industry by connecting with other group members, engaging with their content, and offering help and support. Building relationships with other group members is crucial to building a solid personal brand on social media. By engaging in conversations, sharing valuable content, and offering your expertise, you can gain the trust of other members and build lasting connections. Moreover, being an active group member can help you gain visibility and expand your reach on social media. By consistently providing value to the group, you can attract potential clients or customers and establish yourself as a go-to resource in your field.”

-Jeffery Pitrak, Marketing and Account Manager at Transient Specialists

Interact with Your Audience on a Consistent Basis

“If you are trying to build a strong or stronger personal brand online, the first thing you need to consider is how much you are engaging with your audience on social media. Try to respond to comments as frequently as possible, especially in the early stages of building your brand. This can incentivize your audience to interact with your posts which will help your performance on the social media’s algorithm. Your responses and interactions with your audience also actively show them that you care about what they have to say and that you care about making a connection with them. You also will be able to gather insight about what kind of content your audience is enjoying and what content they may not prefer as much.” 

-Brandon Brown, CEO of GRIN

Building out a strong personal brand on social media is not easy, but with consistent work and dedication, you are sure to carve out a great spot for your brand online. By internalizing the insights and implementing them, you can witness a remarkable upsurge in your personal brand’s impact and influence.

Establish Your Brand Identity and Consistency

“To create a robust personal brand on social media, you’ll want to kick things off by defining who you are and maintaining a steady, recognizable image across your online presence. Think of your brand identity as the essence of what you stand for, your core values, and what makes you stand out in your particular field. It’s like having a unique fingerprint that sets you apart in the digital crowd. This means that when you share content, engage with your audience, or simply present yourself on social media, it should all align with this brand identity, making you easily recognizable and trustworthy in the eyes of your followers. In essence, your consistency in messaging and content is the bedrock of your personal brand’s success in the online world.”

– Phil Sandner, President at Easy Spa Parts

Participate in Relevant Conversations

“Actively participating in relevant communities, forums, and industry conversations is a powerful strategy for building a strong personal brand on social media. Contributing to meaningful discussions allows you to share valuable insights, engage in thought leadership, and form lasting connections within your professional community. By sharing your experiences, showcasing your expertise, and unique perspectives on relevant topics, you strengthen your personal brand while positioning yourself as a thought leader, and an individual at the forefront of industry discourse. Establishing your personal brand and fostering long-term growth is dependent on building a network that is anchored in meaningful conversations. “

– Amresh Singh, CEO at HomeAbroad

Dog-Friendly Charcuterie Boards: Barkcuterie

Dog-Friendly Charcuterie Boards Barkcuterie Header

The newest craze in charcuterie boards is Barkcuterie! These are dog-friendly charcuterie boards. Learn all about them in this post.

This post contains an affiliate link that if used for making a purchase provides this website with a commission at no additional cost to you. For more information, please read my disclosure policy.

Give your dog (and Cat) the love they deserve with these beautiful and fun food boards

Now you don’t have to exclude your fur babies from the festive food with over 25 themed snack boards for holidays, special occasions, milestones, and just because. Barkcuterie is a special take on the classic charcuterie board that is for every human’s best friend.

Curated by social media’s favorite corgis, Hammy and Olivia (@hammyandolivia), each artfully designed barkcuterie board is chock-full of delicious homemade and store-bought dog treats. You’ll have fun making the quick and easy boards and even more fun sharing all the goodies with your dog. For cat owners, don’t worry! Hammy and Olivia have included a cat board for their feline friends. So, dress up your pup, get the camera ready, and celebrate:

  • National Dog Day
  • Halloween
  • Christmas
  • Valentine’s Day
  • Birthdays
  • Gotcha Day
  • Cinco de Mayo
  • and more

I asked Hammy and Olivia’s fur parents a few questions, and here’s what they shared with me:

1. What inspired this Barkcuterie book?

Dog-Friendly-Charcuterie-Boards-Barkcuterie-Book-Cover

I’ve been told my entire life that dogs should never be fed from the table, and you’d probably imagine that, over time, it becomes easier to deny my pets food whenever they give me that look. It hasn’t.

My willpower is tested each time they cozy up next to me, and I have this constant desire to include my dogs in meals whenever we gather around the table, but, sadly, we can only invite them to breathe the same air as us and watch us enjoy our food that isn’t catered to their digestive systems. This has never made sense to me.

My fondest memories are when my family would gather around the living room, indulging in appetizers, clinking glasses, and laughing so much that we forgot the meal we were cooking is now burning in the oven.

Grabbing a yummy appetizer from the charcuterie board felt familial, and everyone in the room was welcome to reach over and dig in! I wanted to make those same memories with my pets, but it required a shift in the food that was being served.

2. How do you choose what to put on a Barkcuterie board?

Dog Friendly Charcuterie Boards Barkcuterie Book Snacks

When we first decided to make “happy hour” a dog-friendly event in our home, we leaned heavily on Alexa to let us know if dogs could enjoy some of the foods that my fiance, Sarah, and I would have with our wine. “Alexa, can dogs have blueberries? cheese? almonds?” You’d be surprised at the amount of everyday snacks we love that can also be shared with dogs. You will also be surprised at the amount of snacks that you can’t share with dogs.

We’ve asked Alexa so much that we can recite her responses by heart. “Blueberries make a healthy snack for dogs. They are a good source of vitamins and minerals for dogs, and most dogs like them. However, you should always consult your veterinarian before giving your dog something new.”

I always loved that last part because, of course, it’s a liability disclaimer for Amazon, but it’s also very real. You should consult your veterinarian about what you’re giving your dog outside of his typical meal plan. So we decided to consult multiple veterinarians on hundreds of ingredients so that any dog lover won’t have to.

We conducted all of the research to ensure that anything offered to your pet on one of these boards will be easy on a canine digestive system (in moderation, of course). We want each board to contain a balanced approach of crisp/starchy, refreshing/comforting, or fresh/savory. So mixing in the right amount of fruits, vegetables and starches create well-balanced experiences for both dogs and humans.

3. Can you share a little bit about Hammy and Olivia?

Dog-Friendly Charcuterie Boards Barkcuterie Book Olivia Hammy Patriotic

Hammy is a super social butterfly that has an endearing passion for the culinary arts. In other words, he’s my shadow in the kitchen! Whenever it’s time to cook, he sports his own apron and hat and enjoys plating food with me (while taking his “nibble tax”).

He’s the first to greet a guest at the door and brings such a vibrant personality into any room he struts into.

His spunky sister, Olivia, can be a very picky eater when she wants to be and very much prefers the finer things in life (silky pillows, gourmet food, etc).

She’s super sassy and adopts the role of a canine Cher Horowitz from “Clueless” around our home. She has her own closet room with over 300 outfits that she sports each day to her social media followers.

The two of them together are like sugar and spice, and the perfect flavor profile for a pair of dogs…and a snack board!

About the Author’s

Hammy & Olivia are social media’s favorite “talking dogs.” Their family-centric, everyday-relatable shenanigans are sure to make you laugh or do an eye roll. Within one year, Hammy opened his own takeout cafe, and Olivia never misses an opportunity to voice her displeasure in any given situation. 

Get Your Copy of Barkcuterie Today!

Advice for Getting Work Done on Difficult Days

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Feeling unmotivated and burnt out? This roundup of advice for getting work done on difficult days might help!

Let’s face it, some days, work sucks. I don’t care if you work for yourself, or someone else. There will come days where you just simply don’t want to work. That’s why I decided to reach out for advice. I asked a bunch on people a simple question:

How do you get work done when you don’t want to? Here’s what they had to say:

Set clear and achievable goals

Set clear and achievable goals – setting clear and achievable goals helps me stay focused and motivated. I make sure to define what I want to accomplish and make a plan to reach those goals in a realistic time frame.

Second, break tasks into smaller, manageable parts – Breaking tasks into smaller, manageable parts makes the workload less overwhelming. I prioritize and schedule my tasks in a way that allows me to take on one task at a time and make steady progress towards my goals.

Chris Muller, Vice President of Money Under 30

Focus on what happens if you don’t do the work

My name is Tanisha Coffey. I’ve been a self-employed entrepreneur for 18 years. Currently, I’m a homeschooling mompreneur of three, running two businesses–The Lofty Entrepreneur and Rock Solid Financial. It’s not easy and there are definitely times when I feel so burnout or frustrated that I do lose motivation to keep going. So, for me, when the going gets tough for me and I don’t feel motivated, one or both of these things work for me:

(1) If I am coming up with excuses left and right as to why I can’t do something or don’t feel motivated to do something, I turn my I don’t want to because… or I can’t because… into I have to because… or I can’t NOT do it because… For me, that statement tends to end with …because my family is depending on me.

(2) The other thing that motivates me is to think of the alternative. Whatever I am doing for business, I am doing so, in most cases, because it’s necessary to continue generating income my family depends on. So, if I don’t do those things, I will still have to generate income in some

way…and the way that typically comes to mind is going to work for someone else. The thought of that–having to clock in, losing power / control, having someone I must answer to and giving up a majority of the freedoms I (and my family) currently enjoy…well, all of that jolts me back pretty quickly into action and motivates me to keep going.

— Tanisha Coffey, The Lofty Entrepreneur and Rock Solid Financial 

Get active and exercise!

As a personal trainer, entrepreneur, and blogger, I have firsthand experience with the challenges of staying motivated, especially on days when it seems like nothing is going right. Here are some tips that have helped me power through and maintain my momentum:

Get active: Exercise can be a powerful motivator, especially when you’re feeling down. A workout can boost endorphins, help you clear your mind, and provide a sense of accomplishment.

Prioritize self-care: Taking care of yourself, whether through relaxation, meditation, or simply taking a break, is essential for maintaining motivation and energy levels.

Evander Nelson

Practice active rest

I work with business owners from many countries — overload and searching for motivation is our global problem. I switch through active rest. If you work with your head and rest inactively (just being at home), your brains will not switch. I am learning to play golf, I ride a motorcycle a lot, I go for walks. You need a physical hobby that requires attention and effort.

Another hobby that energizes me is vocal. I practice 2 times per week. I like it both from an aesthetic point of view and in terms of the fact that it helps me control my voice. After all, I record a lot of content, I talk a lot. I can use it in business and projects. Singing does not take much time and brings great pleasure — so why not?

— Alexander Visotsky, Visotsky Inc

Reframe your mindset

I’m John Willis, the founder of convertfree. I’m a senior software developer on a mission to pursue knowledge and skills to better aid my colleagues and the products we develop. As an entrepreneur in the tech field and going through the situation, I would like to share my thoughts

on this topic. 

To reframe your mindset and focus on the benefits of completing a task, Identify the negative thoughts that are hindering your motivation. Challenge those thoughts by asking yourself if they are based on facts or just assumptions and Focus on the positive aspects of the task, such as the benefits it will bring to you and others.

Also, set realistic, achievable goals and break the task into smaller, manageable parts, use positive self-talk to boost your confidence and motivation. Visualize yourself successfully completing the task and enjoy the feeling of accomplishment.

— John Willis, Founder at Convertfree

Lean on your systems

My name is Donald Williams Jr., adulting coach and founder of Adulting Starts Here, an adulting blog aimed at helping young people transition into adulthood.

Creating systems that help me think less and do more has been extremely helpful in building Adulting Starts Here. I have a certain system that helps me more efficiently and effectively do topic and SEO research. I have another system that helps me streamline my outlining process which directly feeds into my ability to draft my blog posts more quickly.

As I’ve spent more time over the years working on Adulting Starts Here, this system has become less about thinking and more about reaching the markers I have set for myself.

With that said, regardless of my motivation, these systems I have put in place have allowed me to 5x my audience and find a better balance between other passions and my family.

— Donald Williams Jr., Founder of Adulting Starts Here

Go back to basics

Working in the fitness industry, there is a requirement to always project an image full of energy and enthusiasm, even when you are feeling exhausted or unmotivated. When I find myself starting to feel like this, I recognise it as a warning sign that I have been neglecting my own health regime and focussing too much on work.

I go right back to basics and schedule in my workouts for the week ahead, making completing them non-negotiable. I’ll also look at my diet, and if I think I’m falling back too much on unhealthy convenience foods, I will prep meals for the next few days, so I know I am eating well. It’s basically a case of taking the advice I would give to a client and applying it to myself, then being as strict about sticking to it as I would with a personal trainer checking up on me!

By recognising the signs and taking action, I’m usually back to myself within a few days, proving that diet and exercise really do make all the difference, and even health professionals have to remind themselves of that sometimes.

— David Mason, Founder of Barbells Abroad 

Schedule the day and week ahead

I am both a freelancer and self-employed, as I operate my blog and work on the side as a freelance social media manager for an independent publisher.

Being someone who works remotely and has no boss looking over my shoulder, it’s important for me to power through even on the days I have no motivation.

Here are the things that have helped me…

1. Schedule my day the night before. I time-block my day out so that I can stay on task. That means setting a time table for waking up, beginning my work, specific tasks, and a strict end time. This makes it way easier for me to stay on track with my priorities for the day.

2. Have a to-do list for each week. Having small goals to complete helps me feel purposeful in my work and helps when I lack motivation. Working towards something always makes me feel like my work is meaningful.

3. Create a work area for myself. Since I work at home, it’s tempting to work on my bed, couch, or patio. However, when I set up my desk, it helps me successfully get my tasks done quicker. The right environment = more productivity.

4. Put my phone on “do not disturb” or in the other room when I am working on my main priorities. It’s easy to get distracted by social media, so this has been a huge help for me.

Samantha Kaiser, The Lifestyle Travelers    

Remember where you’ve been

Consider what you were doing before becoming an Entrepreneur – Were you answering 24/7 to a boss who was less than sympathetic? Less than encouraging? Less than cordial even? Take that fear of returning to a world of answering to someone else and fortify your thoughts on maintaining your top level position as answering only to yourself (and then do so)!

Remember that when you do the fulfilling life’s work you are meant to do – you are helping others fulfill their dreams as well. You may be sharing expertise, coaching or simply living by example as a business owner that inspires others.

Do you have a personal theme song? We all have our motivational songs that lift us up out of our mental space. Think of the songs that get you on your feet, get you singing or fist pumping and blast those speakers or earbuds! Music and weather affect our moods more than anything else.

Bundle “have to do” tasks with “want to do” rewards. For example, If you procrastinate invoicing, consider giving yourself a lovely treat once that task is complete – like a special coffee or special spa service.

— Moneen Daley, Get Mo Vibe

Focus on avoiding bad feelings

When I have no motivation, I am able to power through by reminding myself of two things. The first reminder is when my family was homeless and I don’t ever want to feel that feeling of destitute again. It’s not cute and no one cares. The second reminder is, I know my work supports mothers and caregivers experiencing burnout. And when I am able to power through my lack of motivation moments and share my experiences with my audience, it will encourage them to power through too.

— Elease Wiggins, A Farewell to Welfare

Marketing Experts Chime In – Best AI Writing Software Alternatives to ChatGPT

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What are the Best AI Writing Software Alternatives to ChatGPT? I asked a bunch of marketing experts, and this post features their answers!

15 Alternatives to ChatGPT AI Writing Software

I’m a huge fan of asking groups of people questions about tools they are using in their businesses to market their brands, get the word out, and do all the things. I believe that crowdsourcing answers to big questions is the best way to get real advice for making a business work.

With this in mind, I wanted to ask a bunch of marketing experts about AI writing software. Considering everyone is talking about ChatGPT these days, I wanted to know about the alternatives and if there are still businesses that aren’t using it at all.

From pairing Neuraltext with personalization to the human touch, below are the answers I received to the question, “Other than ChatGPT, what are the best AI writing tools you have used for your brand’s blog?”

NeuralText and In-house Personalization

I think AI-based writing tools are the future, and I am a huge proponent of them. However, with that said, I don’t think they’ve quite developed yet to where they are a copy-and-paste type service. 

It is very difficult to just take what they write for you and drop it directly into a blog post. The writing still lacks soul. And it may always, given that it’s not written by a human. But that’s where I think you get the perfect blend of cost efficiency and soul—using an editor to polish and personalize the AI-generated content. 

We use NeuralText to generate the skeletons of articles, which we then flesh out with thoughts and personal touches. It’s a brilliant combination.

John Ross, CEO, Test Prep Insight

The Hemingway Editor

The Hemingway Editor helps me simplify and clarify any written content. It analyzes text for readability, including things like sentence structure, word choice, and passive voice usage, and offers suggestions for improvement. 

This helps ensure that the writing is clear, concise, and easy to understand, which is important for engaging and retaining the readers’ attention. It also offers suggestions for making text more concise and reducing wordiness, which is useful in conveying information in a limited amount of space, such as in blog posts.

Johannes Larsson, Founder and CEO, JohannesLarsson.com

Articoolo

Articoolo uses advanced AI algorithms to generate articles on a wide range of topics, and it produces highly accurate and well-written content that is often difficult to distinguish from articles written by human writers. 

Despite these benefits, I am currently not using AI tools for writing for my brand’s blog. While AI writing tools are certainly powerful, I feel that they are not yet advanced enough to replace the creativity and voice that comes from human writers.

Dustin Ray, Co-CEO and Chief Growth Officer, IncFile

No AI, Lacks Understanding of Technical Concepts

I’m not using AI tools for writing content for my brand blog. They are not always well-suited for writing technical content because they cannot provide the same level of accuracy and customization as a human writer. 

AI technology can produce quality content, but it cannot yet understand complex topics in depth or provide detailed and nuanced explanations. Furthermore, AI tools lack the creativity a human writer can bring to the table. The more complex or specialized the subject is, the less suitable AI tools are likely to be.

Kate Wojewoda-Celinska, Marketing Manager, Spacelift

Copy.ai 

Anyone who has used ChatGPT knows it can deliver some odd results, and now that the platform has become so much more popular, it seems to experience a fair bit of downtime.

I’ve had a lot of success with Copy.ai, which is designed for digital marketers, content creators, and business owners who need high-quality content for their websites, social media platforms, and other marketing channels. 

Copy.ai uses advanced natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning algorithms to understand your input and generate content that matches your style, tone, and desired outcome. You can input a keyword or phrase, and Copy.ai will generate a variety of content options for you to choose from.

With its AI-generated content, you can quickly and easily create product descriptions, blog posts, social media updates, and other forms of written content. It also has a really simple and intuitive interface that makes it very easy to use. We’ve had some excellent success with it.

Shane McEvoy, MD, Flycast Media

No AI, Because of Google’s Helpful Content Update

Late last year, Google introduced its Helpful Content Update. What this update does is look for content that is written by AI and de-prioritizes it in Google search. Google is looking for content that is written for humans, by humans, in its algorithm. 

This is one reason we do not use AI tools for writing. We don’t want to risk being penalized by Google and being lowered in the SERPs. It might be convenient to use AI writing tools, but in the long run, your business will be better off not pursuing them, unless Google changes its policies.

Marshall Weber, CMO, Stor-It

Rytr Writing Assistant

This is one of the AI assistant tools that makes travel blogging easier and more creative. It helps set the tone according to the piece and choose a template according to the content and style. 

The key is to set your primary keyword and select variants accordingly. You just have to press to get instant results. Highlighting certain paragraphs could also get you more information on the relevant topic.

I feel this comes in handy for us when we want to know about what the customer’s opinion and want is on that topic. It helps us shape an outline for the content and work on it with our research.

Sean Harris, Managing Editor, FamilyDestinationsGuide

Grammarly

Grammarly gives you suggestions for grammar, punctuation, context, or other errors. You can change the tone, audience, and formality of the text you write. Depending on your audience, you can change the suggestions. 

You can also use it as an extension on your browser or apps, and it can help you write the perfect message. You can choose to take up their suggestions or ignore them to your comfort. They have a free and premium version. The premium version gives you more acute and refined suggestions. The software is a must for every professional writer.

Isabella Meyer, Editor, Art in Context

No AI, Not Advanced Enough

Real writers create our blogs because that human element is essential. AI tools lack the same level of creativity or the ability to fully grasp creativity in action—”understanding” and “doing” are two very different things.

ChatGPT is churning out content that sounds relatively good, but the quality isn’t high enough to use. We must ensure everything we share aligns with our audience’s needs and perfectly conveys our brand tone and values—too much is at stake to rely on AI.

Maximilian Wühr, CGO and Co-Founder, FINN

Wordtune

Hands down, it has to be Wordtune. It’s superb! Wordtune is an AI-powered platform that uses natural language processing and machine learning to generate content tailored to the user’s specific needs. It has a range of features that allow users to customize the content they need, including custom topics, writing style, and tone. 

Additionally, it has an intuitive interface that makes it easy to use, even for those who are not tech-savvy. For instance, users can select specific topics for their content, such as “Artificial Intelligence” or “Sustainability,” and Wordtune will generate content that matches their tone and style preferences for those topics. 

For example, Wordtune can generate content that is concise and straightforward for a business blog, or more poetic and creative for a literary magazine. So, if you ever need to write a paper about AI or sustainability but can’t think of anything to say, Wordtune has got you covered!

John B. Martyn, Content Manager, BrightestMinds

Hoppycopy.co

I’ve used Hoppy Copy ‌over the last six months and have enjoyed my experience using it. It’s been effective in helping me create content for several channels, including my blog, and it has streamlined things. 

Using smart templates and the ability to customize via specific keywords and goals, Hoppy Copy has helped us pump out more unique content in order to meet deadlines. Plus, the team at Hoppy Copy are complete professionals and solid people who want to create the best platform possible so their clients can benefit from it. I love the platform as it is now, and I look forward to seeing where it goes in the future as well!

Shaun Connell, Founder and CEO, Credit Building Tips

Quill

Quill is a natural language processing platform that provides automated writing help for businesses. It can help generate content ideas and autogenerates content for blogs, press releases, emails, and more. 

It can also suggest edits to existing content to make it more effective. The AI-driven suggestions help to ensure that the content is optimized and aligned with the brand’s tone and style. I find Quill is a great tool to help save time and effort when creating content.

Michael Chen, Growth Director, Notta

Jasper.ai 

I am thoroughly impressed with the impact that Jasper.ai has had on our business. Not only has it helped us to grow, but it has also allowed us to save money and become more efficient. I have never encountered software as powerful as Jasper; it truly feels like a partner rather than just another tool in our arsenal. 

It has been a game-changer for our content creation; we use it for everything from Facebook ads, emails, our website and landing pages, to blogs and so much more. Jasper’s writing skills are superb, and his ability to grasp and understand our brand, as well as our goals, has been priceless. If you’re looking for help with your content or copywriting, I highly recommend Jasper.ai!

Shumail Ur Rehman, Founder, SEO Boost

Frase 

ChatGPT, as a content writing tool, is really overrated. We mostly use Frase for AI content creation and/or content inspiration, and it’s absolutely great. Instead of inputting a query like with ChatGPT, you can try 30+ different content-specific tools like meta description generator, introduction writer, and so on. It’s simpler to use, and the output is better, too.

Nick Zviadadze, Founder, MintSEO

No AI, We Need the Human Touch

Instead of using AI tools for writing, we prefer to create our own content. I believe AI tools can be useful in industries where there are dedicated data points and pieces of information. AI, after all, does lack a certain nuance that only humans can provide. 

In the food industry, I don’t believe AI would provide great personal reviews and recipe recommendations. When writing reviews, suggestions, or other content, we provide our readers with both factual and personal comments. This allows them to gather all details and opinions, as well as form their own opinions, before pursuing a purchase or trying a new recipe. 

We write everything ourselves because we believe that the human touch and opinion will provide better, more rounded information than AI-generated content.
Shawn Hill, Owner, The Grilling Dad

Marketing Experts Chime in: How to Make a Brand Popular

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So you wanna be internet famous? This post might help. In it, marketing experts share their advice for how to make a brand popular!

15 Ideas for How To Make a Brand Popular

From just being great at what you do to not taking the easy way out, here are 15 answers to the question, “What are the best marketing tips you used to make your brand popular?”

  • Provide Outstanding Service 
  • Create Auxiliary Products
  • Build Respectable Backlinks
  • Give Others a Platform
  • Try Affiliate Marketing Promotions
  • Focus on UGC
  • Get a Google Billboard
  • Jump into Email Marketing
  • Write a Consistent and Interesting Brand Story
  • Collaborate With Influencers
  • Balancing Tradition With Trends
  • Be Real
  • Post on TikTok
  • Make Interactive Videos
  • Avoid Gimmicks and Hacks

Provide Outstanding Service 

This tip may seem clichéd, but in all my years of experience as a professional, I have learned that there is truly no marketing tactic that can replace the level of service an organization offers. 

And this is one marketing tip I would ask every entrepreneur and professional to count on without hesitation. 

Consider my role as the managing attorney of our firm. I know well that there is nothing more influential or impactful than the hard work my legal team puts into ensuring that every step we take is for the betterment of our clients and to win them the case they have entrusted to us. 

If ‌our team cannot deliver optimum service, no marketing ploy would be enough to make up for the damage caused. Therefore, for our legal business, the only thing we count on each day to ensure the popularity of our brand is building an excellent reputation through hard work and dedicated service.

Riley Beam, Managing Attorney, Douglas R. Beam, P.A.

Create Auxiliary Products

Our primary service is tutoring, but one of our most successful marketing avenues has been through our website’s blog page.

Our blogs provide supplementary test prep information and drive most of our website’s traffic. To make your brand popular, think about other auxiliary products you can offer that appeal to different customer segments and that ultimately drive attention and clients to your primary product.

Adam Shlomi, Founder, SoFlo Tutors

Build Respectable Backlinks

Building respectable backlinks ensures that my clients’ brand will become visible online, which increases its chances of becoming popular. Also, when customers build a relationship with high-quality sites, it builds trust and can improve the reputation of their brand. 

As a bonus tip, I also strive to build relationships and seek partner businesses to help build credibility for my ongoing projects. This strategy reinforces the branding presence that ultimately results in customer trust and increased visibility of my client’s brand.

Jim Campbell, Owner, Camp Media

Give Others a Platform 

Brands don’t thrive alone. Rather, brands can get more visibility when they provide value to others. One way to do this is to give others a platform through your own brand. 

For my freelance writing business, I welcome other freelancers to guest post on my blog. They can share their expertise and get in front of more people. This gives my brand more exposure when they share the article on their own channels. I do the same for expert round-up pieces by collecting thoughts and insights from other freelancers to publish on my blog and linking to their websites. Most times, they return the favor and will share my articles with their audiences. 

Creating win-win situations is a great way to build brand exposure. It gives people a reason to care about your brand and makes them feel more like a part of its success.

Alli Hill, Founder and Director, Fleurish Freelance

Try Affiliate Marketing Promotions

Affiliate marketing is a great way to promote your brand. It allows businesses to build third-party trust and create partnerships with other brands or influencers. This type of marketing strategy can help increase brand awareness and sales, as well as generate more leads. I may be biased with over a decade of experience, but it has helped us to be competitive. 

Affiliate marketing has become increasingly popular over the past few years, because of its ability to reach a larger audience and build relationships with potential customers. By partnering with other brands or influencers, businesses can leverage their collective networks and increase the visibility of their product. 

Cross-promotions are also an effective way to boost sales and visibility, as they allow two brands to share each other’s content and reach new audiences. This works for us when you’re selling a high-ticket purchase consumers need some level of trust in the brand to purchase.

Brian Hawkins, Marketing Manager, GhostBed

Focus on UGC

Over the years, I’ve realized that, with technology and especially with UAV products, customers are more inclined toward people with positive experiences rather than fancy branding and extensive marketing tactics. 

If an unmanned vehicle has proved good for other users, they are more likely to buy it since a high-ticket product requires a 70% trust factor in the buyer’s journey. That’s why most of our marketing has shifted the focus to creating more user-generated content (UGC) and including it in our marketing to instill the trust factor. 

UGC videos are shot by a current customer using the product, from their point of view of what they think about the product. While there are several UGC marketing agencies that provide us with several influencers to sing praises for our products, we believe in transparency. We prefer video testimonials from our actual clients, such as the security firm that used our drones or real estate companies using our services for their mapping.

Walter Lappert, CEO, Triad Drones

Get a Google Billboard

Building authority through SEO and content marketing is one of the most powerful ways to increase brand visibility and grow your business. By becoming an authority in your industry in the eyes of Google, you can position yourself at the top of search engine results. That’s equivalent to having a billboard on the busiest street in town. 

When people are searching for products or services in your niche, Google essentially recommends the first few results that appear, and they get most of the traffic. So, consistently create high-quality content that provides value to your audience and optimizes your website for search engines. 

Using this strategy, you’ll be well on your way to capturing the attention of potential customers and establishing your brand as a trusted authority in your industry. In a world where attention is currency, appearing high in searches is a surefire way to get noticed, build brand awareness, and, ultimately, drive more sales and revenue.

Derek Sall, Founder and Financial Expert, Life and My Finances

Jump into Email Marketing

This kind of marketing is direct. It involves sending messages to potential and existing customers to either sell or create affinity. Since the content and distribution are controlled here, you can be as creative as you want.

For us, this kind of marketing was pretty cost-effective and had a positive return rate. The best part is it can easily be automated and divided into sections. We often use transactional, promotional, and lifecycle emails. These cover the transaction process and create awareness of the service. 

Generally, a customer’s shopping cycle can also be determined and utilized here. Get a free email service, build your list, and see the revenue change for yourself.

Cynthia Hamilton, Marketing Director, OGLF

Write a Consistent and Interesting Brand Story

The key to making a brand popular is with a brand story that resonates with your audience. This requires a deep understanding of who your target audience is and what drives their purchasing decisions. 

In my business, we use a combination of digital and traditional marketing strategies to build brand awareness and create a strong brand identity. One of the most effective strategies we use is influencer marketing, where we partner with influencers in our industry to promote our products to their followers. This allows us to reach a large and engaged audience, while also leveraging the credibility and trust that influencers have built with their followers. 

Another important aspect of our marketing strategy is focusing on customer engagement. This includes creating and sharing high-quality content that resonates with our target audience, actively engaging with our followers on social media, and regularly gathering feedback and insights from our customers.

Adam Garfield, Marketing Director, HairBro

Collaborate With Influencers

Influencer marketing is not always the most popular tool in the toolbox for most marketers. But if we do it correctly and target it to the right audience, it can help generate huge amounts of leads and enhance brand visibility at a fraction of the cost.

In fact, over the past year, we have built long-term relationships with key influencers in the health and wellness niche. We highly integrated our strategy with the rest of the marketing team, and it solely focuses us on generating quality organic traffic to our site using these influencers. 

So far, things have worked, and our brand is getting better engagement. We intend to continue these collaborations as we build our network of relevant influencers for our business.

Logan Nguyen, Co-Founder, MIDSS

Balance Tradition With Trends

Marketing ideas have always been swinging back and forth between the traditional and the trending, and the best marketing tip I give my marketing team is to maintain a balance between the two. 

The reason is simple. While nothing can take away the impact of traditional marketing strategies on a business, it would also be marketing sacrilege to steer away from trending strategies with limited shelf lives. 

Take social media trends, for example. While ignoring the marketing mileage that these trends offer a business can prove detrimental, even worse would be if every marketing campaign only revolved around these trends. Striking a balance, therefore, is the best way forward.

Brendan McGreevy, Head of Strategy, Affinda

Be Real

Don’t hide your weird side. For us, our best marketing tip is to be authentically yourself. Doing so attracts others like you. 

Trying to copy others does nothing but limit the impact you can have by revealing who you really are. If you’re silly, be silly. For example, use bright colors even if they don’t go together if your business is fun. In the end, you’ll never regret being who you really are. If you’re weird, you will regret hiding it!

Kenneth Lin, CEO, BOOP Bakery

Post on TikTok

TikTok is an incredible social media platform for business owners. Your organic video posts have the potential to get in front of thousands of people who do not follow you. For this reason, it’s great for both service- and product-based businesses that want to strengthen brand awareness. 

Because the app focuses on video content, creators can build trust with their audience much faster. There’s more visual opportunity for creators to show different mannerisms, facial expressions, etc.

Personally, I’ve been creating videos on TikTok since 2020, and I can say that it has completely changed my business. I’ve been able to build my email list, cultivate a close community, and connect with amazing business owners around the world (some of which have become clients).

Megan Gersch, Owner and CEO, Megan Gersch

Make Interactive Videos

Using interactive videos is extremely effective for increasing popularity and putting different products in front of them. While the video can focus on the brand message, clickable cards can hold vital information for those who want to learn more about the brand. These elements are fun and engaging to interact with too. 

From the cards viewers click on, we can get insight into what our customers are most interested in. It can help us understand which message or services connect with our audience and what they like or least like about our brand. 

As a result, we can further optimize our marketing efforts. We promoted these interactive videos across various platforms and websites and noticed a sizable increase in brand awareness. Our interactive videos generated a buzz around our brand, and people loved interacting with them and sharing them.

Richard Baugh, Founder and CEO, COTU

Avoid Gimmicks and Hacks

I grew my Twitter page from 0 to 4,000 followers in about three months, so here’s a tip on how I made that happen. DON’T go for “tricks” or hacks like follow/unfollow, using engagement groups, buying followers, etc. You want to focus on building your own audience that loves engaging with your brand, not getting bot followers who never like your posts. 

Instead, focus on publishing a LOT of valuable content. Think, three or four tweets a day, every day, for a few months. For inspiration, use Twemex to find the top-performing Tweets in your niche, and reverse-engineer them. 

Nick Zviadadze, Founder, MintSEO

How to Make Your Brand Go Viral With AI Tools

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In this post we’ll explore how to make your brand go viral with AI tools. Around these parts we’re all about working smarter, not harder!

Rather than doing a bunch of research and guessing about how to make a brand famous, I decided to ask marketers what they were doing to get their brand out there to the masses. Whether you hope to have a viral clothing brand, a viral brand shampoo, or just want more people to know about your business, keep reading.

From Sentiment Analysis to ManyChat to ChatGPT, below are 14 answers to the question, “What is one AI tool that you are using to market your business that is actually working? “

14 AI Tools to Help You Become Famous Online

  • Sentiment Analysis Helps You Understand Customer Behavior
  • Textio Helps Us Market to the Right Job Candidates.
  • Trymaverick.com For Personalized Videos 
  • Semrush Streamlines My Marketing Process
  • Uizard.io Creates Stylish Landing Pages 
  • Fullstory Records The User Journey 
  • Copy.ai Helps You Generate Content Quickly 
  • ManyChat Helps You Manage Complex Customer Journeys 
  • Neauraltext Takes Content From Ideation to Execution 
  • Marketo Engage Automates Marketing Tasks 
  • Adcreative.ai Generates Unique Versions of Ads
  • Netbase Quid Analyzes Large Amounts of Unstructured Data
  • Smartwriter.ai Specialized in Personal Emails
  • ChatGPT Cab be Used for Ai-powered Content Inspiration

Sentiment Analysis Helps You Understand Customer Behavior

How to Make Your Brand Go Viral Michael Alexis

One surprisingly effective AI tool I’m using to market my business is sentiment analysis. In a nutshell, sentiment analysis measures user sentiment from natural language to quantify a customer’s emotional response. This helps me better understand consumer behavior and their wants and needs so that I can tailor my campaigns for better engagement on social media, email campaigns, or even in person. By analyzing consumer sentiment, I have been able to develop more targeted strategies and adjust existing marketing techniques to encourage increased engagement with my business.

Michael Alexis, CEO, swag.org

Textio Helps Us Market to the Right Job Candidates

We use Textio to help market ourselves to prospective employees. Initially, we were impressed with the fact that huge corporations like Twitter and Microsoft use it. Since we incorporated Textio, we’ve seen a quantifiable uptick in promising talent leads. The tool uses AI to score job descriptions so we know what the likelihood is that our listing will attract the right applicants. The AI functionality also helps eliminate gender bias, which is important for our diversity and inclusion efforts.

Jae Pak, MD, Jae Pak MD Medical

Trymaverick.com For Personalized Videos 

Made for e-commerce, but the use cases are endless. Has anyone ever wanted to get some video content done only to get sticker shocked at the price for a couple of one-minute short videos that you can send links for? I went through that until I found trymaverick.com. You record two or three scripted videos that you script. Then you can email out personalized videos to customers or whoever your target is, where you say their name. Deepfake AI learns your voice and can substitute a different name in your voice.

How to Make Your Brand Go Viral Matthew Jones

In an e-commerce context, imagine a thank you video from the CEO of whatever company you just bought from; he looks you right in the eye and says, “Hey Matt” (or Steve or Tom, or whatever), “I wanted to personally thank you for purchasing our product,” then your recorded video message. So much more personal than generic emails. Much higher engagement and far fewer abandoned carts. I use it in recruiting to tell candidates about myself and what to expect working with me. One hundred dollars a month for one thousand videos.

Matthew Jones, Senior It Recruiter, VIP Tech Consultants

Semrush Streamlines My Marketing Process

I’m a big fan of SEMrush because it has a suite of AI features for SEO, PPC, content marketing, social media marketing, analytics, and more! It’s almost like a Swiss Army knife for marketers. For example, one of my favorite features is its position tracker, which allows me to see how my competition ranks for certain keywords. The Content Marketing Toolkit is also handy since it lets you perform topic searches, and the AI will find out what’s trending so you can create content around it. So if you’re looking to boost Google rankings and optimize your marketing campaigns, consider SEMrush.

Scott Lieberman, Owner, Touchdown Money

Uizard.io Creates Stylish Landing Pages 

How to Make Your Brand Go Viral Daniel Foley

Uizard assists in creating eye-catching and stylish landing pages that improve marketing by drawing users to the website and giving them a better user experience. Users can quickly adapt the landing page to meet their needs with the help of its drag-and-drop components. 

Additionally, the wireframe mode in Uizard offers a fantastic user flow. In my opinion, it doesn’t just develop landing pages; it also creates desktop software, web apps, and mobile apps in a matter of minutes. It also features a sizable selection of themes that can be manually modified according to your marketing plan using various styles and patterns.

Daniel Foley, Founder, Daniel Foley Consultancy

Fullstory Records The User Journey 

When discussing the digital experience, Fullstory refers to a user’s steps, from landing on a page to making a purchase (or dismissal). They emphasize that unexpected user behavior can teach you something you otherwise wouldn’t have known.

Fullstory uses artificial intelligence to record a user’s every mouse click, scroll, and page view throughout their entire session, allowing unprecedented levels of insight into their behavior. To gain further understanding, this can be compared to the experiences of thousands of other site visitors. Fullstory takes advantage of the speed and scalability of AI automation to spot flaws and gains in a far shorter amount of time than a human observer could.

Customers will be retained at a higher rate, costs will be reduced, and the site’s user experience will be vastly enhanced, according to the makers of Fullstory. The Gap, Zipcar, Icelandair, and Forbes are just a few of their current clients.

Nathan Hughes, Founder, Art Ignition

Copy.ai Helps You Generate Content Quickly 

We have tried Chat GBT, and it is good, but we feel Copy.AI is better. You can generate high-quality written content quickly and easily. You enter a prompt or keyword, and the tool generates relevant content that can be edited and customized to meet your needs.

How to Make Your Brand Go Viral Shane McEvoy

Copy.ai offers a range of features, including content templates and pre-written content snippets, as well as analytics and reporting capabilities. It’s designed to be user-friendly and can help save time and effort in content creation. It also has a large library of pre-written content snippets that can be used as inspiration or incorporated into your own content, and I found this saves an immense amount of time if you’re stuck for inspiration.

Shane McEvoy, MD, Flycast Media

ManyChat Helps You Manage Complex Customer Journeys 

As a business owner, I have found ManyChat to be an invaluable tool for marketing my business. ManyChat is artificial intelligence (AI) software that helps build relationships with customers through conversational marketing and can assist in automated customer service. It has enabled me to use text messages, image content, and more to reach out to both prospective and existing customers.

One thing I especially love about ManyChat is its ability to manage very complex customer journeys depending on the profile of each individual customer. This tool has really helped me nurture my clients’ interactions and made it easier for them to find the information they need, leading to increased engagement and a positive sentiment toward our brand.

Ludovic Chung-Sao, Lead Engineer and Founder, Zen Soundproof

Neauraltext Takes Content From Ideation to Execution 

How to Make Your Brand Go Viral Spencer Reese

The AI tool we are currently using to market our business is Neuraltext. It is an automated copywriting and SEO content tool. This software has made producing content much easier for us, as it can handle the entire process, from ideation to execution. All you have to do is produce one copy of your content, and this tool will create multiple compositions with slight variations. We can use any of its 50 templates, which can be implemented any time we want. It can also be used for keyword research, which helps us generate well-researched content.

Spencer Reese, CEO, Military Money Manual

Marketo Engage Automates Marketing Tasks 

We’re using Marketo Engage by Adobe to automate our marketing tasks. With the help of predictive AI, it can segment customers and prospects, which brings great results for our UX/UI design agency. The ability to get leads and prospect them with minimal effort has certainly helped us gain more creative freedom, which is the main currency for creative niches like us. The rich behavioral data analytics helps to engage with potential customers to get the most value. Plus, they are also used by some of the top brands to save time and get results.

Arsh Sanwarwala, Founder and CEO, ThrillX

Netbase Quid Analyzes Large Amounts of Unstructured Data

Our health and wellness start-up has had a lot of marketing success on social media. One of our key strategies is to do extensive content research to know what potential customers are reading and the content they regularly interact with. However, we couldn’t have done all this without Netbase Quid.

How to Make Your Brand Go Viral Logan Nguyen

This is basically an AI-powered market intelligence platform that provides insights and analysis to help companies make data-driven marketing decisions. The tool uses advanced natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning algorithms to analyze large amounts of unstructured data from social media, news, and other online sources.

Netbase Quid can help companies understand consumer sentiment, brand perception, and market trends in their specific areas of operation. This gives you a considerable head start when you are trying to optimize your social media campaign for better results.

Logan Nguyen, Co-founder, MIDSS

Adcreative.ai Generates Unique Versions of Ads

I consider this AI software to be the most effective one for business-to-business marketing. AdCreative.ai is an AI-automated advertising platform that can produce high-quality ad creatives quickly and in large quantities. It uses millions of successful ad campaigns to train a robust Machine Learning (ML) model that gets better with each iteration. The trained model is familiar with the process that leads to effective advertising. It determines where in the advertisement each individual advertising component will appear.

The AI-generated ad creative intelligently positions the product image, company logo, and ad copy content to boost conversion rates. In a matter of seconds, the AdCreative.ai advertising platform can generate hundreds of unique versions of an ad. This expedites the process of creating and executing effective advertising campaigns, which in turn boosts the return on investment for the company.

Timothy Allen, Sr. Corporate Investigator, Corporate Investigation Consulting

Smartwriter.ai Specialized in Personal Emails

How to Make Your Brand Go Viral Hitesh Gupta

We’ve been using Smartwriter.ai as a marketing tool for three months now, and have seen some impressive results. The tool specializes in personalized emails, which we use for outreach marketing. It creates personalized headers that the target audience is more likely to click on, and integrates backlinks into the copy it writes for you. This means my small marketing team has more time to focus on strategy, and a great tool to implement their strategies.

Hitesh Gupta, Dentist, The Smile Factory

ChatGPT Can be Used for AI-powered Content Inspiration

I don’t rely much on AI tools for content creation. The end result usually requires a lot of heavy edits, and the output is just not very good. That said, I often use ChatGPT for content inspiration. When I’m not feeling particularly creative, and I’m trying to write a section of an article that has a simple answer, I consult ChatGPT for some ideas. More often than not, the tool can actually give great answers when the prompt is something basic like “What is X? Explain in Y Words” or “What are the top X benefits of Y? Explain in Z words.” Of course, I still always end up editing the AI output, but this way, I manage to get more writing done faster.
Nick Zviadadze, Founder, MintSEO