81 episodes

An investigation & observation of some of the greatest ideas, backgrounds, and strategies used by influential and innovative thinkers. Find insights into what it takes to create things that last, stories that spread, and ideas that move people for decades to come.
A proud member of the HubSpot Podcast Network.

Create Like the Greats Ross Simmonds

    • Business
    • 4.9 • 12 Ratings

An investigation & observation of some of the greatest ideas, backgrounds, and strategies used by influential and innovative thinkers. Find insights into what it takes to create things that last, stories that spread, and ideas that move people for decades to come.
A proud member of the HubSpot Podcast Network.

    OpenAI Partnerships: What They Mean For Marketers

    OpenAI Partnerships: What They Mean For Marketers

    Ross dives deep into the fascinating world of OpenAI and its recent partnerships, exploring how these collaborations are reshaping the landscape of content creation and the implications for marketers. Ross also touch upon some controversial aspects related to OpenAI and shed light on the potential long-term effects on various creative industries.

    Key Takeaways and Insights:

    1. OpenAI's Partnership with Apple
    On June 10, 2024, OpenAI and Apple announced a groundbreaking partnership aimed at leveraging OpenAI's advanced technology to develop innovative products. This collaboration is set to streamline text creation directly on our devices, simplifying tasks such as email writing and iMessage creation, thereby enhancing user experience and productivity.

    2. OpenAI's Partnership with Media Organizations
    VoxMedia's collaboration with OpenAI and ChatGPT marks a significant step in integrating AI into media production. WAN-IFRA's initiative, in partnership with ChatGPT, aims to assist over 100 news publishers in exploring and incorporating AI into their newsrooms, promising a transformation in how news is produced and consumed. The partnership between The Atlantic and OpenAI, although controversial, highlights the potential and challenges of integrating AI into traditional media outlets.

    3. OpenAI's Partnership with Reddit
    OpenAI's partnership with Reddit to enhance ChatGPT is a brilliant move, bringing together the voice of journalists and the voice of the people. This collaboration provides direct access to the thoughts and discussions of Reddit users, offering valuable insights into public opinion and enhancing the relevance and accuracy of AI-generated content.
    
    Resources:

    OpenAI Partnerships List - https://foundationinc.co/lab/openai-partnerships-list/


    Reddit Is Dominating SEO Right Now - https://open.spotify.com/episode/2wgxKBuWCQuNcce7TGccq9?si=4c9990f3d1294c01



    — 👋🏾 Let's stay connected —
    ╰ Subscribe to my channel:  @RossSimmondsTV 
    ╰ Instagram:  @thecoolestcool  
    ╰ Twitter / X: @thecoolestcool  
    ╰ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rosssimmonds

    • 18 min
    How MasterClass Built a $2.8 Billion EdTech Empire in 7 years

    How MasterClass Built a $2.8 Billion EdTech Empire in 7 years

    In this special reupload episode of Create Like the Greats, Ross dives into the impressive success story of MasterClass and its winning formula. He dissects MasterClass's innovative content strategy, their mastery of video and animations, their focus on search intent, and their success in generating backlinks. Ross underscores the critical importance of knowing your audience, consistently offering value, embracing outbound marketing, and leveraging remarketing and reactive storytelling techniques. The episode's main takeaway is the power of creating and distributing high-value content.

    Key Takeaways and Insights
    1. Leveraging Video Content
    MasterClass places a significant emphasis on video content, weaving it seamlessly into their SEO-driven pieces. This commitment to high-quality video and engaging animations captivates their audience and boosts their search engine rankings.

    2. The Power of Backlinks 
    By producing exceptional content and collaborating with industry experts, MasterClass has become a powerhouse in generating backlinks. This strategic approach has resulted in over 640,000 backlinks, enhancing their online visibility and authority.

    3. Understanding Search Intent: The Key to Effective Content Creation 
    MasterClass excels by deeply understanding search intent, ensuring their content aligns perfectly with what users are seeking. This alignment not only increases visibility but also drives higher engagement in search engine results.

    4. Connecting with Influencers and Industry Experts 
    MasterClass extends its reach by featuring influential figures across various industries. This strategy not only adds credibility but also broadens their audience base, making their platform more appealing and relevant.

    5. Creating Compelling Stories that Resonate 
    MasterClass distinguishes itself through storytelling that profoundly impacts people's lives. By consistently understanding their audience and delivering valuable content, they foster a strong connection and engagement with their users.

    Resources 

    Foundation Content Marketing Playbook - https://content.rosssimmonds.com/stand-out-guide1


    How to Write for the Web - https://foundationinc.co/lab/writing-for-the-web/



    — 👋🏾 Let's stay connected —
    ╰ Subscribe to my channel:  @RossSimmondsTV 
    ╰ Instagram:  @thecoolestcool  
    ╰ Twitter / X: @thecoolestcool  
    ╰ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rosssimmonds

    • 56 min
    Insights from Chris Meabe: How Dialpad Generates Massive Organic Traffic Using Programmatic SEO

    Insights from Chris Meabe: How Dialpad Generates Massive Organic Traffic Using Programmatic SEO

    In this episode of Create Like the Greats, we delve into the secrets behind how Dialpad, generates an impressive 500,000 visits in organic traffic every month. Ross is joined by Chris Meabe, a Senior Content Specialist from Foundation Marketing, who shares invaluable insights on Dialpad's success. Ross and Chris explore the unique and special approach Dialpad uses to capture traffic and the innovative techniques that set them apart in the competitive landscape.

    Key Insights

    1. SEO and Programmatic SEO
    Search Engine Optimization (SEO) revolves around identifying relevant keywords and understanding user search intent to improve visibility in search engine results. Dialpad leverages programmatic SEO, using technology to create landing pages and AI to write copy based on variable inputs. This scalable SEO engine, enhanced with a human touch, propels their rankings from the top 5 to number 1.

    2. On-site Optimization and AB Testing
    Dialpad optimizes its pages for conversions and sales by leveraging effective Calls to Action (CTAs). They employ AB testing, a real-time optimization technique, to continuously refine their strategies. By analyzing different variations of their landing pages, Dialpad improves conversions and drives substantial ROI for the business.

    3. Programmatic SEO and Exploring Potential Industries
    Chris and Ross discuss the potential of programmatic SEO across various industries. For instance, the real estate sector can use data from third-party sources to create targeted landing pages for potential homebuyers. Job listing sites can utilize data from platforms like Glassdoor to create hyper-localized listings. In the education industry, landing pages can target topics such as the best schools by state or province. The finance sector requires thorough research to ensure credibility when creating content related to investments and financial advice. They also explore many other industries, highlighting the endless possibilities of programmatic SEO.

    4. STAT Tool
    STAT is a powerful tool, especially when it comes to keeping track of queries and SEO performance. For those building large enterprise sites with hundreds of pages through programmatic SEO, STAT provides comprehensive monitoring of progress in the SERPs. This ensures that optimization efforts are effective and visibility remains high.


    Resources 

    Dialpad’s Area Code SEO Moat: How to Rank for 50k Keywords -  https://foundationinc.co/lab/dialpad


    How Brands Can Use STAT To Thrive Amidst SERP Chaos - https://foundationinc.co/lab/stat-seo-serp/


    STAT Search Analytics - https://getstat.com/foundation-exclusive




    — 👋🏾 Let's stay connected —
    ╰ Subscribe to my channel:  @RossSimmondsTV 
    ╰ Instagram:  @thecoolestcool  
    ╰ Twitter / X: @thecoolestcool  
    ╰ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rosssimmonds

    — Follow Chris Meabe —
    ╰ Twitter / X: @chris_meabe
    ╰ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/chrismeabe/
    ╰ foundationinc.co/team/chris-meabe

    • 43 min
    Reddit Is Dominating SEO Right Now

    Reddit Is Dominating SEO Right Now

    In this episode of Create Like the Greats, Ross discusses the significant shift in the business landscape over the past year and how Reddit has emerged as a major beneficiary of this change. He delves into the Google and Reddit partnership, the importance of creating a subreddit, leveraging ads within subreddits, and the value of cross-referencing YouTube videos in search engine results. This episode offers valuable insights for businesses looking to leverage Reddit's growing influence to enhance their digital strategies and engagement.

    Key Takeaways and Insights
    1. The Google and Reddit Partnership
    Google announced the helpful content update, highlighting their collaboration with Reddit to enhance the content they index. This partnership allows Google to access valuable user-generated content from Reddit, which had previously been overlooked. Reddit's upcoming IPO further solidifies its position as an influential platform for businesses.

    2. Creating a Subreddit
    Encouraging companies with a significant customer base to consider creating their own subreddit ensures control over the subreddit's content and prevents the creation of unofficial subreddits. This allows businesses to engage directly with their customers and establish a community.

    3. STAT for Keyword Monitoring - STAT allows users to upload and monitor a series of keywords, providing insights into which URLs and domains are showing up in Google more frequently for these keywords compared to your own. This is crucial because, as a marketer, recognizing your SEO competitors can reveal that many people searching for your product or service are landing on Reddit threads. This insight helps in understanding where dialogues about you and your competitors are happening on Reddit, allowing you to engage more effectively with your audience on this platform.

    4. Leveraging Ads within Subreddits
    A powerful strategy is to run targeted ads directly to specific subreddits where the target audience spends time. This enables businesses to reach a highly engaged and relevant audience, leading to better conversion rates. It is recommended to carefully craft ad content that aligns with the interests and values of the subreddit community.

    5. Submitting Content to Relevant Subreddits
    To increase visibility and reach a wider audience, businesses should submit their content (such as blog posts, articles, or videos) to relevant subreddits. It is essential to research and understand the target audience's interests and preferences within each subreddit to ensure content resonance.

    Resources 

    How Brands Can Use STAT To Thrive Amidst SERP Chaos - https://foundationinc.co/lab/stat-seo-serp/


    STAT - https://getstat.com/foundation-exclusive


    Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/


    HeyGen - https://heygen.com/?sid=rewardful&via=ross-simmonds



    — 👋🏾 Let's stay connected —
    ╰ Subscribe to my channel:  @RossSimmondsTV 
    ╰ Instagram:  @thecoolestcool  
    ╰ Twitter / X: @thecoolestcool  
    ╰ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rosssimmonds

    • 21 min
    How To Create Content Based on Google Leak

    How To Create Content Based on Google Leak

    In this episode of Create Like the Greats, Ross unpacks the recent Google leak with expert precision. Discover how the leak's revelations can transform your approach to content creation and SEO. From diving deep into the nuances of crafting quality content to enhancing user experience and leveraging Google’s resources, Ross provides a treasure trove of insights. Whether you're a seasoned marketer or a burgeoning content creator, this episode is packed with strategies to elevate your digital presence and secure that coveted top spot in search rankings.

    Key Takeaways and Insights: 
    1. Content Quality: Relevance, Originality, and Comprehensiveness
    High rankings in search engine results rely on crafting content that is relevant, original, and comprehensive. Ross emphasizes the importance of collaborating with niche experts and industry professionals to infuse your content with diverse perspectives and in-depth insights, aligning with Google’s criteria for valuable content. Ross explains why content must not only meet but exceed reader expectations by providing clear, actionable, and expert-backed information. He discusses the necessity of creating content assets that truly serve and add value.

    2. Enhancing User Experience: Streamlined and Intuitive Design
    Superior user experience significantly boosts SEO performance. Ross recommends optimizing website usability to ensure quick and easy access to information. Strategies include image compression for faster load times, conducting mobile usability tests, and organizing content logically to enhance user engagement and satisfaction.

    3. SEO Insights: Engagement Metrics and Anchor Text Diversity
    Ross explores various SEO factors such as click-through rates, dwell time, and the strategic use of anchor texts. He emphasizes the necessity of creating clickable and diverse anchor texts to avoid penalties and improve link equity, crucial for robust SEO.

    4. Leveraging Google's Ecosystem: YouTube Integration and Internal Linking
    Given Google’s expansive reach, including its monetization of YouTube, Ross advises using this to your advantage by driving organic traffic to Google-hosted platforms. He also underscores the importance of internal linking with relevant keywords to boost site visibility and engagement.

    5. STAT Tool
    Throughout the episode, Ross credits STAT by Moz as an indispensable tool in Foundation’s SEO arsenal. He discusses how STAT assists in competitive analysis and tracking SERP positions, providing crucial data that informs SEO strategies and helps brands maintain a competitive edge in search results.

    Resources 

    How to Write SEO Content According to the Google Leaks -  https://foundationinc.co/lab/google-algorithm-leak


    How Brands Can Use STAT To Thrive Amidst SERP Chaos - https://foundationinc.co/lab/stat-seo-serp/


    STAT Search Analytics - https://getstat.com/foundation-exclusive



    — 👋🏾 Let's stay connected —
    ╰ Subscribe to my channel:  @RossSimmondsTV 
    ╰ Instagram:  @thecoolestcool  
    ╰ Twitter / X: @thecoolestcool  
    ╰ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rosssimmonds

    • 33 min
    ChatGPT For Keyword Research & Marketing Research: Why You Shouldn't Trust It (Experiment)

    ChatGPT For Keyword Research & Marketing Research: Why You Shouldn't Trust It (Experiment)

    In this episode of Create Like the Greats, Ross delves into the intersection of AI and SEO, exposing the misinformation spread by major media publications within the industry. He discusses recent articles by journalists and experts that misleadingly advocate for the use of ChatGPT in keyword research, keyword difficulty estimation, and subreddit selection. Ross highlights the significant errors in these claims and emphasizes the dangers of relying on AI for such critical SEO tasks. This episode is unique as Ross shares a comprehensive presentation on the topic. Tune in to this eye-opening episode and discover why following these misguided recommendations could be one of the biggest mistakes in your SEO strategy. 

    You can also check out Ross’ presentation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5cytgJgFMI&t=2s

    Resources
    How Content Is Evolving Thanks to AI — Whiteboard Friday - https://moz.com/blog/content-evolving-with-ai-whiteboard-friday
    HeyGen - https://heygen.com/?sid=rewardful&via=ross-simmonds
    RossSimmonds.com - https://rosssimmonds.com/
    Foundation Marketing - https://foundationinc.co/

    — 👋🏾 Let's stay connected —
    ╰ Subscribe to my channel:  @RossSimmondsTV 
    ╰ Instagram:  @thecoolestcool  
    ╰ Twitter / X: @thecoolestcool  
    ╰ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rosssimmonds

    • 15 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
12 Ratings

12 Ratings

Sarah Chen-Spellings ,

Tactical marketing insights you need!

Love Ross’ deep-dives on the different marketing strategies that some of the greatest brands deploy. Well-researched and exceptionally delivered. Excited to immediately implement the tips shared in my own work!

Top gear bugatti ,

Can be slow, but solid

Sometimes I think there is too much fluff but overall the idea is correct and useful.

Troy | @FindTroy ,

One Of The Best Storytellers & Strategists For Entrepreneurs!

Ross always brings such an intense level of insights, energy, perspective, and a dynamic range of storytelling to his episodes. Unlike many, it feels you are listening to him live. From entrepreneurs to founders and agencies and beyond, all can find value in his content.

Top Podcasts In Business

George Kamel
Ramsey Network
The Ramsey Show
Ramsey Network
Money Rehab with Nicole Lapin
Money News Network
REAL AF with Andy Frisella
Andy Frisella #100to0
The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway
Vox Media Podcast Network
The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
DOAC

You Might Also Like

Marketing Made Simple
Powered by StoryBrand
Business Made Simple
BusinessMadeSimple.com
Marketing Against The Grain
Hubspot Podcast Network
The Smart Passive Income Online Business and Blogging Podcast
Pat Flynn
Perpetual Traffic
Tier 11
Online Marketing Made Easy with Amy Porterfield
Amy Porterfield