Your Digital Marketing Coach with Neal Schaffer

Neal Schaffer
  • 5.0 (64)
  • MARKETING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

As Your Digital Marketing Coach, I am on a mission to provide you marketing professionals, agencies, entrepreneurs, and business owners expert advice, both from myself as well as my expert guests, on how to leverage Digital First Marketing to grow your business, one episode at a time, This podcast will include advice on a broad range of topics all with the commonality of being related to digital marketing and having actionable takeaways for your business. Topics discussed will include digital marketing, social media marketing, content marketing, influencer marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), search engine marketing (SEM), blogging, podcasting, YouTube, video marketing, email marketing, marketing automation, artificial intelligence and Generative AI, as well as how to maximize digital marketing ROI from social media on sites like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest, and TikTok.

  1. 1D AGO

    Stop Using AI Like a Search Engine — Build a Flywheel Instead

    You're using AI every day — but is it actually getting smarter about your business? For most marketers, the answer is no, because they're treating AI like a search engine instead of a workspace. In this episode, I break down the AI Workflow Flywheel that I have developed for my own business — a compound-momentum system that makes every AI conversation build on the last, so your output gets better and faster over time. If you've ever wondered why some marketers seem to get 10x more value from the same AI tools you're using, this is the episode that closes that gap. Tune in to discover: Shift your operating system: Move your daily workflows from your inbox (reactive) into AI conversations (proactive) to change how you approach every projectBuild the four-stage flywheel: Front-load context → AI learns your business → output quality improves → reinvest time savings into higher-value workClose the adoption-integration gap: 91% of marketers use AI, but it touches only 15% of actual marketing activities — learn to go from occasional user to fully integrated operatorAvoid the two biggest AI mistakes: Stop treating AI as a one-off tool (build projects, not prompts) and stop bouncing between platforms without committing to oneMove from prompt engineering to context engineering: Develop project instructions, upload files, evolve conversations over time — and let the AI's accumulated context do the heavy liftingFollow the 5-step action plan: Pick one workflow, open a dedicated project, front-load context, collaborate (don't just request), and come back to the same conversation next timeLinks Mentioned in This Episode: Good to Great by Jim Collins — https://amzn.to/4t5GvXHTurning the Flywheel by Jim Collins - https://amzn.to/4sBy3QjJasper State of AI in Marketing Report 2026 — https://www.jasper.ai/state-of-ai-marketing-2026CMO Survey (Duke Fuqua / Deloitte / AMA) — https://cmosurvey.org/Nvidia State of AI Report 2026 — https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/state-of-ai-report-2026/Typing Mind (multi-model comparison tool) — https://www.typingmind.com/Claude by Anthropic — https://claude.ai/If this episode helped you rethink how you use AI, share it with a colleague who's still treating ChatGPT like a search engine. Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode, and leave a review — it helps other marketers find the show. For more frameworks, strategies, and weekly insights, visit nealschaffer.com. Learn More: Buy Digital Threads: https://nealschaffer.com/digitalthreadsamazonBuy Maximizing LinkedIn for Business Growth: https://nealschaffer.com/maximizinglinkedinamazonJoin My Digital First Mastermind: https://nealschaffer.com/membership/ Learn about My Fractional CMO Consulting Services: https://nealschaffer.com/cmoDownload My Free Ebooks Here: https://nealschaffer.com/books/Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/nealschafferAll My Podcast Show Notes: https://podcast.nealschaffer.com

    24 min

  2. MAR 19

    From Funnels to Pinballs: A Human-First Framework for Building Brand Trust in the Age of AI

    In a marketing world increasingly driven by AI-generated content and data dashboards, it's easy to start treating customers like data points instead of people. Phil Treagus-Evans — founder of UK social media agency Giraffe Social and author of Human First Marketing: The Art of Being Seen, Trusted and Remembered — makes a compelling case for why human-first marketing isn't just a philosophy. It's a competitive advantage. In this episode, Phil and I dig into what it really means to understand your audience (hint: it goes well beyond the customer avatar), why Phil believes the traditional marketing funnel is built on a fiction, and what a pinball machine (for those that remember what one is!) has to do with the modern buyer journey. You'll also hear Phil's take on where AI helps marketers — and where it quietly undermines everything they're trying to build. Whether you're a solopreneur, a corporate marketer, or an agency owner, this episode will give you a new mental model for how customers actually move toward a purchase — and what you can do about it. KEY TOPICS DISCUSSED Why Phil started a social media agency "by accident" and what Giraffe Social does todayDefining human-first marketing and why it's gaining urgency in the AI eraThe EMPATH framework: a customer understanding model that goes beyond the personaA quick, free exercise for mapping customer emotions using reviews and AI analysisThe problem with the traditional marketing funnel — and the Pinball Method that replaces itPersonal branding as a company growth engine, not just a vanity playEmployee advocacy: why "employee hostage" doesn't work, and what doesWhere AI is genuinely useful in a human-first marketing strategy — and where to draw the lineWhy Phil wrote a 92,000-word book as an agency founder, and who Giraffe works withRESOURCES & LINKS Buy Human First Marketing: The Art of Being Seen, Trusted and RememberedConnect with Phil on LinkedInCheck Out Phil's Agency Giraffe SocialLearn More: Buy Digital Threads: https://nealschaffer.com/digitalthreadsamazonBuy Maximizing LinkedIn for Business Growth: https://nealschaffer.com/maximizinglinkedinamazonJoin My Digital First Mastermind: https://nealschaffer.com/membership/ Learn about My Fractional CMO Consulting Services: https://nealschaffer.com/cmoDownload My Free Ebooks Here: https://nealschaffer.com/books/Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/nealschafferAll My Podcast Show Notes: https://podcast.nealschaffer.com

    40 min

  3. JAN 6

    How AI Forced Me to Rewrite My Entire LinkedIn Strategy

    Note: This is Episode 442, published January 6, 2026. You published a book, it hit #1, and the reviews were phenomenal. In the digital marketing world, that’s usually where you take a victory lap. But then the AI revolution happened. Over the last year, the fundamental ways we build relationships and create content on LinkedIn have shifted so dramatically that I knew a simple "tweak" wouldn't cut it. I’ve spent the last several months obsessively updating Maximizing LinkedIn for Business Growth to reflect the 2026 landscape. This isn't just a minor update—it's a 70% expansion featuring five entirely new chapters. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the exact strategies I added to help you stay visible, professional, and profitable. Tune in to discover: The AI "Ask Neal" Framework: My exact process for creating AI content that actually resonates with humans.The CRM Solution: Why your LinkedIn inbox is a "black hole" and how to fix it with a personal CRM system.Paid vs. Free: A definitive breakdown of when you should pay for Premium and when you should save your money.Evergreen ROI: Real-world case studies of professionals who turned simple profile optimizations into five-figure income shifts.Key Highlights: [03:25] The Decision Tree: How to choose between LinkedIn Free, Premium, and Sales Navigator.[04:40] Content Formats: Why some "tried and true" posts are now being deprioritized by the algorithm.[05:55] Beyond Robotic AI: Using headshot generators and LLMs to enhance—not replace—your personal brand.[07:20] The DM Epiphany: Why your next big opportunity is likely already buried in your inbox.[13:10] Expert Endorsements: Why industry leaders like Joe Pulizzi and Jon Ferrara consider this a "Masterclass."Links: Order the New Expanded Edition: [https://nealschaffer.com/maximizinglinkedinamazon]Learn More: Buy Digital Threads: https://nealschaffer.com/digitalthreadsamazonBuy Maximizing LinkedIn for Business Growth: https://nealschaffer.com/maximizinglinkedinamazonJoin My Digital First Mastermind: https://nealschaffer.com/membership/ Learn about My Fractional CMO Consulting Services: https://nealschaffer.com/cmoDownload My Free Ebooks Here: https://nealschaffer.com/books/Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/nealschafferAll My Podcast Show Notes: https://podcast.nealschaffer.com

    19 min

  4. JAN 2

    Agentic AI: Build Your "Micro-Agency" of One

    Most people are still "chatting" with AI. They put in a prompt, they get an answer, and they move on. But while the rest of the world is dabbling, the top 1% of marketers are building Agentic Workflows. They aren't just using AI to write; they are using it to act. Today, I’m joined by Matt Collette, founder of Sequencr.ai. Matt has a background at Ogilvy and Edelman, and he’s here to show us how to move from being an AI novice to an AI architect. We’re talking about the "Micro-Agency of One"—a way to use autonomous agents to scale your output and strategy without ever hiring a team. Tune in to discover: The Expert Gap: Why 80% of marketers are "dabblers" and how to join the expert tier.Instruction Layering: The secret to using separate files to hardcode logic into your AI agents.Autonomous Research: Why tools like Manus.im are the new gold standard for deep business analysis.The Synthetic Audience Hack: How to use the Code Interpreter to "game out" your marketing strategy across dozens of segments in seconds.Key Highlights: [08:15] Why most users are severely under-utilizing Gen AI.[16:40] Chat Hygiene: How to prevent your AI from getting "confused" over time.[22:10] Creating "If-Then" logic for reliable marketing execution.[36:20] Using Code Interpreter to scale your message testing 50x.[42:15] The 2026 Edge: How to maintain strategic differentiation in an AI world.Guest Links: Sequencr.aiConnect with Matt on LinkedInLearn More: Buy Digital Threads: https://nealschaffer.com/digitalthreadsamazonBuy Maximizing LinkedIn for Business Growth: https://nealschaffer.com/maximizinglinkedinamazonJoin My Digital First Mastermind: https://nealschaffer.com/membership/ Learn about My Fractional CMO Consulting Services: https://nealschaffer.com/cmoDownload My Free Ebooks Here: https://nealschaffer.com/books/Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/nealschafferAll My Podcast Show Notes: https://podcast.nealschaffer.com

    54 min

  5. 12/08/2025

    AI Slop and the Long-Long-Tail: Your Biggest Missed Opportunity

    Most marketers and creators agree on one thing: “AI slop” is bad for the internet. From hallucinated facts to soulless clickbait, low‑quality AI content is blamed for ruining search results and polluting the web. But what if that narrative is missing the bigger strategic picture—and quietly putting your business at risk of becoming invisible in an AI‑first world? In this solo episode, digital marketing author and consultant Neal Schaffer makes a contrarian case: a specific, ethical form of AI‑assisted content may actually be your only path to discoverability in 2026 and beyond. As search behavior shifts from short keywords to long, conversational prompts, we’ve moved from the classic “long tail” of SEO into what Neal calls the long‑long‑tail—an environment where having just a few great pieces of content is no longer enough. Neal breaks down the three tiers of AI slop, the four guardrails of responsible AI volume, and a practical framework for turning one flagship asset into dozens of ultra‑specific answers that both humans and LLMs can find. If you’re a B2B entrepreneur, marketing leader, or service provider worried about spam, brand damage, or ethics, this episode gives you a grounded, no‑fluff playbook for staying visible without sacrificing your standards. Tune In to Discover: Why AI search and LLMs have exploded the “query space” and what Neal means by the long‑long‑tail.The three tiers of AI slop—garbage, neutral filler, and structured AI-assisted content—and which one you should actually embrace.How to avoid becoming a “ghost to Google and LLMs” by strategically scaling helpful, on‑brand content.The four guardrails of responsible AI volume: source, accuracy, brand voice, and utility.Neal’s fractal repurposing workflow to turn one podcast, webinar, or blog post into 20+ focused answers aligned with real AI queries.How to use tools like Otter.ai and Clearscope to transcribe, extract questions, and see where Google Gemini and ChatGPT are already citing your content.Learn More: Buy Digital Threads: https://nealschaffer.com/digitalthreadsamazonBuy Maximizing LinkedIn for Business Growth: https://nealschaffer.com/maximizinglinkedinamazonJoin My Digital First Mastermind: https://nealschaffer.com/membership/ Learn about My Fractional CMO Consulting Services: https://nealschaffer.com/cmoDownload My Free Ebooks Here: https://nealschaffer.com/books/Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/nealschafferAll My Podcast Show Notes: https://podcast.nealschaffer.com

    24 min

  6. 12/04/2025

    The Storytelling Framework Your Digital Marketing Is Missing (And How to Fix It)

    Most marketers and experts don’t have a conversion problem—they have a messaging problem. Their websites, emails, and content are packed with facts, features, and “I help…” statements that never touch the emotional brain that actually decides to buy. In the age of AI-generated content and endless noise, it’s the human story behind your offer that cuts through and converts. In this episode of Your Digital Marketing Coach, I’m joined by Aurora Winter—Hollywood-trained storyteller, entrepreneur, and author of ten books, including Turn Words Into Wealth and Marketing Fast Track. Aurora has helped entrepreneurs, attorneys, and experts transform their “invisible” expertise into powerful IP, profitable books, and seven-figure opportunities by fixing how they talk about what they do. We dive into the specific messaging shifts that turn flat copy into compelling stories, why your brand will determine whether you compete on value or race to the bottom on price, and how to use books, video, and AI-era search engines (Amazon, YouTube, and beyond) to establish real authority. If you’re serious about building a B2B brand that sells without screaming “buy now,” this conversation is your playbook. Tune in to discover: How to transform “I help…” statements into powerful, outcome-driven promisesThe “hell to heaven” storytelling structure you can plug into emails, sales pages, and videosWhy building a story bank is now a critical IP asset—especially with AI in the mixHow to avoid “credibility clutter” and use fewer, stronger proof points to elevate your authorityA practical method to get your book written quickly by talking instead of staring at a blank pageHow to go from invisible expert to go-to thought leader using Amazon, YouTube, and AI searchThe neuroscience behind why stories stick while numbers and facts get forgottenThe three-step brain-based formula Aurora uses to craft messages that actually move people to actGuest Links Aurora’s Site & Bonuses: https://samepagepublishing.comTurn Words Into Wealth (Book): https://amzn.to/4oFzBpE Marketing Fast Track (Book): https://amzn.to/48CCjWWAurora’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/aurorawinterLearn More: Buy Digital Threads: https://nealschaffer.com/digitalthreadsamazonBuy Maximizing LinkedIn for Business Growth: https://nealschaffer.com/maximizinglinkedinamazonJoin My Digital First Mastermind: https://nealschaffer.com/membership/ Learn about My Fractional CMO Consulting Services: https://nealschaffer.com/cmoDownload My Free Ebooks Here: https://nealschaffer.com/books/Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/nealschafferAll My Podcast Show Notes: https://podcast.nealschaffer.com

    41 min

  7. 12/01/2025

    Ranking in ChatGPT & AI Overviews: The Ultimate AEO vs. GEO Guide

    Is your business ready for a world where 50% of search queries involve AI? The digital landscape is shifting fast. We are moving from a world of traditional Google rankings to a "Zero-Click" environment dominated by AI Overviews, ChatGPT, and Voice Search. If you are still relying solely on old-school SEO playbooks, your content is at risk of becoming invisible. In this episode I break down the confusion between AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) and GEO (Generative Engine Optimization). I reveal why these aren't just buzzwords, but the two sides of the same coin that will determine your digital visibility in 2025 and beyond. Tune in to discover: The Critical Difference: What separates AEO (Extraction) from GEO (Synthesis) and why you need a hybrid strategy to win at both.The "Zero-Click" Reality: How to measure success when users get their answers without ever visiting your website (and why that actually builds more brand authority).5 Foundational Strategies: The specific steps you can take today—from "Answer-Focused Content" to "Entity Optimization"—to make your brand machine-readable and trustworthy.The Local SEO Pivot: Why NAP consistency and Google Business Profiles are non-negotiable for voice search visibility.Actionable Checklist: 7 immediate steps to audit your content and future-proof your digital marketing strategy.Whether you are a marketing professional, an entrepreneur, or a local business owner, this episode provides the roadmap you need to become the trusted source that AI cites and customers trust. Key Highlights: Intro: The confusion between AEO and GEO.Why the old SEO playbook isn’t enough anymore.AEO vs. GEO: Extraction vs. Synthesis explained.The 5 Core Principles for AI Visibility.Specific tactics for Local Business owners.How to measure success in an AI world (Impressions vs. Clicks).The 7-Step Action Plan to implement today.Links & Resources Mentioned: Join the Digital First Group Coaching Membership: nealschaffer.com/membershipContact Neal: neal@nealschaffer.comNeal’s Website: nealschaffer.comThe Ask Neal AI Framework: https://podcast.nealschaffer.com/episode/the-asknealtm-framework-7-steps-to-make-ai-sound-like-you-not-a-robotMarcus Sheridan's "They Ask, You Answer" book: https://amzn.to/48MT4PpSubscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review! It helps me bring you more actionable d Learn More: Buy Digital Threads: https://nealschaffer.com/digitalthreadsamazonBuy Maximizing LinkedIn for Business Growth: https://nealschaffer.com/maximizinglinkedinamazonJoin My Digital First Mastermind: https://nealschaffer.com/membership/ Learn about My Fractional CMO Consulting Services: https://nealschaffer.com/cmoDownload My Free Ebooks Here: https://nealschaffer.com/books/Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/nealschafferAll My Podcast Show Notes: https://podcast.nealschaffer.com

    35 min

  8. 09/29/2025

    Custom GPTs vs. Projects: The New AI Workflow You Need

    Are you feeling the pressure to build a "Custom GPT" for every aspect of your business? You might be wasting your time. While the hype cycle tells us we need complex bots, the reality for most small business owners is that we just need better organization. In this episode, I sit down with Phil Pallen, Brand Strategist and author of AI for Small Business. We strip away the enterprise-level jargon and focus on the practical, "boring" ways AI can save you 10+ hours a week. Phil explains why he prefers ChatGPT Projects over Custom GPTs, how he automates the emails he hates answering, and why tracking your time is the first step to AI mastery. Tune in to discover: The "Joy" Metric: How to audit your week to find the tasks you should automate or delegate immediately.Projects vs. Custom GPTs: Why Phil believes Custom GPTs are not useful for 95% of the population (and the cleaner workflow he uses instead).The Inbox Zero Stack: The specific tools (like SaneBox) Phil uses to filter pitches and draft responses automatically.The "Perfect Prompt" Lie: Why treating AI like a conversation beats trying to be a "prompt engineer."Physical AI: How Phil uses a physical recording device to capture ideas on the go without opening an app.Key Highlights: 05:30 How a single YouTube video about ChatGPT led to a major book deal.16:45 The 3 questions you must ask yourself at the end of every week.19:15 How to automate "No, thank you" replies to sales pitches.26:00 Why "Projects" are the single biggest revolution for productivity.33:00 The hidden downside of Custom GPTs (testing time).34:40 Privacy warning: When to use Adobe Firefly vs. OpenAI.Links Mentioned in This Episode Phil Pallen's Book: AI for Small Business (Available at all major bookstores) Time Tracking Tools: EverHour: everhourRize: rizeEmail Organization Tools: SaneBox: saneboxAI Tools Discussed: ChatGPT Projects: chat.openai.comClaude Projects: claude.aiAdobe Acrobat AI: adobe.com/acrobatAdobe Firefly: firefly.adobe.comAdobe Express: express.adobe.comMagai: magai.coConnect with Phil Pallen YouTube: YouTube.com/PhilPallen (2-3 AI videos weekly)Instagram: Learn More: Buy Digital Threads: https://nealschaffer.com/digitalthreadsamazonBuy Maximizing LinkedIn for Business Growth: https://nealschaffer.com/maximizinglinkedinamazonJoin My Digital First Mastermind: https://nealschaffer.com/membership/ Learn about My Fractional CMO Consulting Services: https://nealschaffer.com/cmoDownload My Free Ebooks Here: https://nealschaffer.com/books/Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/nealschafferAll My Podcast Show Notes: https://podcast.nealschaffer.com

    42 min
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About

As Your Digital Marketing Coach, I am on a mission to provide you marketing professionals, agencies, entrepreneurs, and business owners expert advice, both from myself as well as my expert guests, on how to leverage Digital First Marketing to grow your business, one episode at a time, This podcast will include advice on a broad range of topics all with the commonality of being related to digital marketing and having actionable takeaways for your business. Topics discussed will include digital marketing, social media marketing, content marketing, influencer marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), search engine marketing (SEM), blogging, podcasting, YouTube, video marketing, email marketing, marketing automation, artificial intelligence and Generative AI, as well as how to maximize digital marketing ROI from social media on sites like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest, and TikTok.

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