LinkedIn just made a decision that’s about to destroy most creators’ reach. The platform decided faceless education is dead. That means generic business advice gets buried. Safe content gets ignored. Yet most people keep posting like nothing changed.
When I visited LinkedIn’s New York headquarters in September they told me something that should have been obvious. People don’t come to LinkedIn for Wikipedia. They come for connections with real humans who happen to know useful things. The algorithm now reflects this reality. If you don’t adapt, your content becomes invisible.
Stop hiding behind your content: LinkedIn’s new reality
Your face beats your frameworks
I tested this with two identical posts. Same exact advice about scaling a coaching business. One had my face. One had a pretty Canva graphic. The face post got 4x more views. LinkedIn’s algorithm now prioritizes posts where people can see who’s talking.
Upload a simple selfie with your next post. Not a professional headshot. Just you, being you. Show people the human behind the advice. When someone scrolls to your content, they should recognize you instantly, not just your brand colours.
Turn teaching into entertainment
Remember when LinkedIn was all “5 tips for better leadership” posts? Those days died. The platform wants productive procrastination now. People need to be hooked by your content but should feel good about scrolling, not guilty. You’re a teacher, a gameshow host, and their cheerleader.
Share your morning routine disaster that led to a business breakthrough. Tell them about the client call where everything went wrong before it went right. Make them laugh before you make them think. Educational content wrapped in entertainment gets 10x the engagement of straight advice.
Lead with why they should care
Your credentials matter more than ever. Not because you need to flex, but because people need to know why to listen. LinkedIn shows your content to strangers now, not just your network. They don’t know you’re the coach who helped 100 founders scale. Tell them in line one.
“After coaching founders through $50M in raises, here’s what I know about pitch decks.” Beat that. “I spent 10 years making these LinkedIn mistakes so you don’t have to.” Perfect. Skip the wind-up. Get straight to why your voice matters.
Make your quirks your superpowers
Generic Gerald posts about leadership. Boring Barbara shares motivational quotes. Meanwhile, Anna who collects vintage typewriters and relates every business lesson to her collection? She’s memorable. Your weird hobby, your strange morning ritual, your controversial opinion about your industry. These are connection points.
Pick three personality markers that make you, you. Maybe you start every day with fantasy novels. Perhaps you dictate all your content while walking. Whatever makes you different, weave it into your posts. Give people reasons to remember you beyond your expertise.
Create binge-worthy content series
LinkedIn rewards creators who keep people on the platform through rabbit holes of connected content. Think Netflix for business content. One post should make them want to check your profile for more.
Start a weekly series only you could create. “Startup lessons from my disastrous kitchen experiments.” “What my toddler taught me about negotiations.” “Bad marketing emails I got this week.” Make it specific to your experience. People find one post in your series, then they hunt for the rest.
Become the expert people actually remember: LinkedIn in 2026
Enough of the frameworks, hot takes, and platitudes. Your audience craves real connections. They want to learn from someone they’d grab coffee with, not another faceless expert. LinkedIn finally caught up to what humans always wanted. Connection first, content second.
Stop posting like a content machine. Start showing up like the expert you actually are. Be more weird. The algorithm rewards humanity. Your perfectly polished posts are losing to someone’s messy Monday confession that happens to include brilliant advice. Choose which side you want to be on.
Extra 20% off! Factory sale! Last chance! You may have seen these offers while shopping. But are they actually good deals?
To find out, Life Kit spoke with Brian Vines, a reporter at Consumer Reports, and Lindsay Weekes, editor-in-chief of Brad’s Deals, a site that curates promotions from online retailers. They share common marketing techniques that companies use to entice shoppers to buy more — and tips on how to make smarter purchases.
Technique 1: Creating a sense of urgency
When you see words like “buy now” or “flash deal,” while shopping, take caution, say our experts. Retailers use a sense of urgency to push consumers to make quicker shopping decisions, Vines says. They don’t want you to think too hard about the purchase.
This strategy also relies on shoppers’ fear of missing out, Weekes says. It makes people think, “if I don’t purchase this right now, I’ll never get this deal again.”
The next time you encounter an offer like this, take a beat. Remember, companies are constantly making products, Vines says. “You will not miss the boat.”
You may realize that you only wanted to buy something because it felt urgent. Or you might find a better deal, especially if you wait to shop for something at the end of the season, Weekes says.
Technique 2: Calling out the “original price”
When you see a price tag that displays an item’s “original price,” say $200, next to the current price, say $75, that’s called price anchoring.
“It makes people fixate on that [higher] price versus the sale price,” Weekes says. It can also make the product appear higher-value, making you want it more.
A lot of the time, that “original price” was never the original price — or hasn’t been that price for a long time, Weekes says.
Outsmart the gimmick by focusing on the actual price of the item, our experts say. If the tag says it’s $75, then assess for yourself whether you think that’s a good deal, regardless of that original price.
Technique 3: Inflating the base price
Another pricing strategy retailers use is to raise the base price of an item just before the busy season, then offer a steep and enticing percentage discount, like 40% or 50%. But since the base price is higher, the item might cost the same as it did last week, or maybe more. This tactic is called “high-low pricing.”
To get around this gimmick, do a price comparison, say our experts. Look for historical pricing data online, or how much the retailer has charged for this product over time.
You can also see if a product is cheaper at another retailer or a second hand website. That’s a great option for clothing — you can even find the same pair of jeans, new with tags still on, for a fraction of the price when you buy second hand.
If you’re shopping at a store, go online to see if you can find a better price at another store across town, Vines says. Then talk to a sales associate and ask them if they can match that competitor’s price. You can also add an item to your online cart and check on the price over a few days or weeks to see if it changes.
Technique 4: Building a fantasy
Marketers sell you a fantasy: the idea of that picture-perfect holiday dinner where everyone’s connecting and nobody’s fighting. Or the vision of you as your sexiest, most confident self.
“These all play to our aspirational, I’ve-got-my-stuff-together side, based on the amount of things we’re able to gather and put in our carts,” Vines says.
So if you find yourself typing in your credit card information while fantasizing about some idealized version of yourself or your family, pause, say our experts.
That doesn’t mean you don’t get your family any gifts for the holidays. But when you consider a purchase, remember that you don’t have to buy this particular item.
You can also get creative. Bake them their favourite cookies. Plan a group dinner or a family hike. Find a treasure they’ll love at a second hand store. These gifts can be just as meaningful as something you buy from a store.
Feature image credit: Mininyx Doodle/Getty Images
By Marielle Segarra,
Marielle Segarra is a reporter and the host of NPR’s Life Kit, the award-winning podcast and radio show that shares trustworthy, non-judgmental tips that help listeners navigate their lives.
Malaka Gharib is the deputy editor and digital strategist on NPR’s global health and development team. She covers topics such as the refugee crisis, gender equality and women’s health. Her work as part of NPR’s reporting teams has been recognized with two Gracie Awards: in 2019 for How To Raise A Human, a series on global parenting, and in 2015 for #15Girls, a series that profiled teen girls around the world.
Buying a ready-made business isn’t “cheating;” it’s the smarter, faster and more sustainable way to win.
Key Takeaways
Buying an established online business can leapfrog the trial-and-error phase of starting from scratch, sparing time and money.
Despite popular belief, acquiring an existing ecommerce business offers the advantage of a proven model, allowing for more confident decision-making and less psychological stress.
There’s something romantic about the idea of building a business from the ground up. You picture yourself hunched over a laptop at 2 a.m., tweaking product descriptions, obsessing over logo fonts and testing 15 different shades of blue for your checkout button. You’re not just launching a store — you’re birthing a vision.
But here’s what that romantic notion usually leaves out: the 18 months of throwing money at Facebook ads that go nowhere, the suppliers who ghost you after taking your deposit and the soul-crushing realization that nobody wants to buy hand-poured candles in vintage teacups, no matter how perfect your Instagram aesthetic is.
Starting an online business from nothing isn’t just hard. It’s expensive, time-consuming and statistically speaking, likely to fail. According to various industry reports, somewhere between 80-90% of ecommerce startups don’t make it past their first year. Those aren’t odds most people would accept anywhere else in life, yet we’ve somehow convinced ourselves that starting from absolute zero is the only legitimate path to business ownership.
What if there was a different way?
The case for buying what already works
Imagine walking into a fully functioning business on day one. The website is built. The product suppliers are vetted and reliable. The advertising campaigns have been tested, refined and actually generate sales. Real customers have already voted with their wallets, proving that yes, people do want this thing you’re now selling.
This isn’t some fantasy scenario. It’s exactly what happens when you buy an established online business instead of starting from zero.
The appeal is straightforward: You’re skipping the part where most businesses struggle and fail. You’re not guessing whether your niche has potential or whether your marketing angle works. Someone else already figured that out, spent the money proving it and now you get to walk in and take over a machine that’s already running.
Time is the real currency
Money matters, but time might matter more.
Starting an ecommerce business from scratch doesn’t just cost you capital — it costs you months or years of your life. Six months of testing products that don’t sell. Another six months figuring out why your conversion rate is terrible. A year of learning that your target audience isn’t who you thought it was.
When you buy an established business, you’re buying back all that time. The learning curve still exists — you need to understand how the business operates — but you’re not starting from absolute zero. The store has a track record. The ads have performance data. You can see what works and what doesn’t because someone already ran those experiments.
When you start a business from nothing, every setback feels existential. A slow week feels like failure. A bad month makes you question everything. You’re constantly wondering whether the problem is temporary bad luck or fundamental proof that your idea doesn’t work.
When you buy an established business, you have evidence that it works. A slow week is just a slow week — variance, not verdict. You can troubleshoot with confidence because you know the underlying model is sound. That psychological foundation changes everything about how you operate.
You make better decisions when you’re not constantly second-guessing whether the entire enterprise is viable. You experiment more freely because you’re optimizing something proven rather than validating something uncertain. The difference in stress levels alone might be worth the premium you pay upfront.
What you’re really buying
When you purchase an established online business, you’re not just buying a website and some sales history. You’re buying infrastructure.
You’re getting supplier relationships that took months to establish and vet. You’re getting customer email lists of people who’ve already bought once and might buy again. You’re getting advertising creative that’s been tested against real audiences. You’re getting product descriptions written by someone who figured out which features actually matter to buyers.
All of this exists as intellectual property and operational knowledge that has real value. Starting from zero means you’re paying for all of that education through time, mistakes and money spent on things that don’t work. Buying an established business means someone else already paid that tuition and you’re getting the degree.
The practical path forward
Here’s the best part: You don’t need to become an ecommerce expert overnight. The store is already running. The systems are in place. The money is already flowing.
The beauty of an established store is that it’s already proven it can generate profit with minimal hands-on involvement. The advertising campaigns are optimized and running. The supplier relationships are established. Customer service can be handled through simple systems that are already in place. You’re monitoring a machine that’s already humming along, not building one from spare parts.
You don’t need to master the intricacies of ecommerce logistics or become a marketing guru. The business comes with everything working — your role is more like an owner who checks in regularly rather than someone who needs to understand every technical detail. With support and clear metrics, you can oversee everything confidently without drowning in complexity.
Making the decision
The traditional entrepreneurship narrative says you should start from nothing because struggle builds character or proves commitment or whatever. But that’s just narrative. It’s not a strategy.
If your goal is to own a profitable online business, buying one that already works is often the most direct path there. You’re trading some upfront capital for a massive reduction in risk and time. For most people, that’s an excellent trade.
You don’t need to reinvent ecommerce. You don’t need a revolutionary product idea. You don’t need to risk your savings on an unproven concept. You can just buy something that works, learn how it operates and take it from there.
That might not be as romantic as the founder mythology we’ve all absorbed, but it’s quite possibly smarter. And in business, smart beats romantic every time.
Daria Shaposhnikova is a marketing executive with 15 years of experience leading teams and driving for complex IT and B2B products. As CMO, she brings expertise in brand strategy, market positioning and a proven track record in launching new products and scaling brands.
Archetypes have long been used by marketers to help define a brand’s personality, which in turn allows for a powerful and cohesive digital marketing strategy to be rolled out. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the world of luxury marketing, where story archetypes help brands to define their image and tailor their marketing to a very specific group of individuals.
Relevance explain how story archetypes can be a powerful tool in luxury brand storytelling.
There are 12 archetypes, which were defined by famed Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst Carl Jung. These carefully constructed story archetypes each reflect enduring personas that feed into the human experience, helping a brand to discover its personality and brand voice by anchoring it to a clearly defined story archetype that is already embedded within humanity. This story archetype ultimately defines how and the way that brand communicates to its target audience, helping to make the brand instantly recognisable.
By identifying the specific archetype that a brand embodies, marketers can tap into what that brand’s clients consciously, or unconsciously, desire to experience. Archetypes are, at their very essence, story characters, whose symbolic or personal significance evokes emotional reactions in the listener.
Once a luxury brand has chosen their story archetype, they can create a powerful and compelling story that resonates with individuals’ desires, essentially enabling their target audience to better relate to a brand and their product. And, when you consider that a survey by Meaningful Brands in 2017 highlighted that 84 percent of people expect brands to produce content that entertains, provides solutions, experiences and events, carefully selecting the right story archetype and producing compelling content to appeal to that archetype has never been more important, or powerful.
A brand’s overall digital marketing strategy will also be driven by their archetype, dictating where their marketing focus should lie as well as what social media platforms will work best for them.
Story archetypes run the gamut from those that create excitement, to those that convey comfort to others, and choosing the right one is essential for the success of any brand.
The following 12 archetypes are typically used by marketers, with each story archetype tapping into the common narrative that individuals experience and see on a day-to-day basis.
The 12 story archetypes
The Creator
Naturally expressive, original and imaginative, the Creator wishes to see new ideas take shape and see visions realised. This is the ideal story archetype for technology brands, in addition to marketing and design brands, companies who believe that anything is possible and that ideas should not be stifled. Novel and experimental digital marketing strategies tend to work best with this archetype, with brands often focusing on their creative and innovative ideas. The multinational technology company Apple ideally fits this story archetype as it constantly pushes the boundaries of technological evolution.
The Everyman
Naturally empathetic, unpretentious and resilient, the Everyman’s purpose in life is to be accepted and belong. This is the story archetype for brands that wish to be known for their reliability and quality. Trust is central to this archetype, along with a feeling of belonging. Digital marketing strategies that offer a realistic down-to-earth view will appeal best. Luxury fashion and beauty brand Fenty appeals to the Everyman, with its no no-nonsense products designed to appeal to a wide range of people.
The Innocent
Idealistic, optimistic and hopeful, the Innocent wishes to live life in harmony and is the archetype for brands that offer wholesome fun, alongside brands that promote wellness, or those selling natural products, for example. Simple, yet cheerful marketing campaigns tend to appeal best to this archetype. Exclusive brand Chanel appeals to this story archetype with its luxurious goods that promote happiness and wellbeing.
The Explorer
Naturally independent, authentic and curious, this archetype craves, freedom, and adventure, with marketing campaigns tapping into this archetype’s desire by focusing on risk taking, travel and discovery. Ambitious and innovative, Explorer brands aim to push the boundaries and embrace anything is possible attitude. The Explorer story archetype is perfect for brands that promote exploration, such as Land Rover and its go anywhere rugged off-road vehicles.
The Caregiver
Compassionate, nurturing and dedicated, the Caregiver’s purpose in life is to help others. Brands that align with this story archetype offer protection, safety and support for their customers, and often includes healthcare, education, resorts, and baby care brands. Emotionally driven digital marketing strategies tend to appeal best to this archetype. The Four Seasons Hotels are ideal for this, with their latest marketing campaigns tapping into how they can help families spend more quality time together.
The Ruler
Confident, competent, and responsible, the Ruler aims to be a role model to others. Digital marketing strategies for brands that align with this story archetype need to have an authoritative voice, infused with a sense of wealth and success. Brands such as Porsche are an ideal fit for the Ruler archetype.
The Magician
Intuitive, insightful and inspiring, the Magician’s purpose in life is to transform the ordinary into extraordinary. Digital marketing strategies should be imaginative and inspiring, aimed at making dreams comes true and turning problems into opportunities. Italian jewellery company Bvglari’s extraordinary and exceptional designs perfectly resonates with the ideals of this story archetype.
The Rebel
Unconventional thinkers who can develop new, cutting-edge approaches, the Rebel’s purpose in life is to shake up the status quo, a great fit for action-orientated brands that want to stand out and be different. Digital marketing strategies should demonstrate the brand as an alternative to the mainstream in order to be successful. Balenciaga’s forward-thinking and cutting-edge designs perfectly align with this archetype.
The Entertainer
Playful, spontaneous, and humorous, the Entertainer aims to make people feel good, lighten the mood, and enjoy themselves. Fun-filled creative marketing strategies that create an emotional response work best. A great story archetype for fun-loving brands that are aimed at encouraging people to have a good time, such as historic fashion house Gucci.
The Lover
Appreciative, passionate and committed, the lover’s purpose in life is to make people feel special. Brands tap into this feel-good attitude by creating compelling digital marketing strategies that pleasure the senses. A great fit for aesthetically beautiful brands, especially very exclusive ones, such as Hermes.
The Sage
Intelligent, knowledgeable and reflective, the Sage seeks to find answers to their questions. This story archetype is a great fit for educational or research-based brands, as well as news outlets. Factual digital marketing strategies that challenge the audience to think differently and discover more about the world will work best with this archetype. Patek Philippe, one of the oldest luxury watch manufacturers in the world, is a great example of an iconic brand that perfectly fits with this story archetype.
The Hero
Determined, achievement-orientated and focused, the Hero’s purpose in life is to improve the world. Brands that align with this story archetype promote themselves as being superior to their competitors, often creating loud and bold marketing campaigns, such as the prestigious watchmaker Rolex.
At Relevance, we use story archetypes to help us craft compelling stories that align perfectly with our client’s brand personality but we also go beyond the traditional story archetypes to develop our own. Based on data and assumptions that we have in-house, we really believe in the power of creating your own archetypes that uniquely characterise a specific brand. For example, we have a huge amount of information on high-net-worth-individuals and ultra-high-net-worth-individuals, from their lifestyles and spending habits, to their education and business profiles. This unique data enables us to identify trends amongst this audience, create our own story archetypes, and then craft innovative digital marketing strategies and campaigns that are based on data and facts, not assumptions.
Contact the team of digital marketing experts at Relevance if you require digital marketing strategies that work coupled with severe standards of excellence. And, for a bit of fun, why not check out our quiz and discover your archetype.
AI is redefining search. Without a strong, reputable third-party digital footprint, your brand risks disappearing in today’s competitive online landscape.
Key Takeaways
Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) is becoming a critical tool for brands to gain visibility and sales via AI-driven platforms.
Strategic press coverage using SEO-driven keywords enhances a brand’s chances of being recommended by AI tools like ChatGPT.
Building an affiliate program and optimizing digital presence are key steps for brands to leverage AI and increase their market share.
There’s a celebration going on amongst PR professionals. In an industry that takes on a lot of “no’s” for the coveted “yes” and takes hit after hit as a result of the dishonest agencies, the good “guys” needed some good news. With the ever-changing landscape of media, from print publications folding to all clients needing an affiliate option if they want press to feature their products, PR is now getting clients discoverable in AI.
In fact, without press, most brands do not exist when it comes to Answer Engine Optimization and Large Language Models (LLMs). Press is after its own SEO and uses coveted keywords based on what consumers are searching for, and now those keywords are linking out to those articles in ChatGPT, Gemini, etc.
Why AEO matters now
AI is changing the way people search. Instead of scrolling through Google, shoppers are asking AI engines directly for recommendations. In fact, Small Business Trends reports that 47% of U.S. consumers are shopping directly via AI tools.
Our long time Everything Branding clients are receiving the benefit of consistent press and, as a result, AI recommends their products. For example, when searching for “the best pepper grinder,” our client MannKitchen consistently appears as the number one option, citing the press our team secured as the source. Within ChatGPT, for example, you can also click on the link to see the original article. This widens the audience and views for that article. Press is strategically writing articles catered to traditional Google search and now also for AI, so they can secure more UMVs and higher advertiser dollars, all the while selling products for brands.
A mistake many emerging brands make is assuming shoppers will come without the effort to find them. Starting Google ads too soon generally fails because consumers don’t know the brand exists and aren’t googling it yet, nor interested in a brand they have never heard of. Once the brand starts getting press mentions, Google and Meta ads tend to convert better and now AI search is an added bonus.
How do you get recognized by AI?
Step 1: Secure press coverage
National outlets are now writing with AEO in mind, using SEO-driven keywords and structured content that LLMs can easily pull into answers.
Step 2: Build an affiliate program
With print consistently going away, magazines lost a major source of revenue with print ads. Media outlets got savvy and realized if they are telling their audience what to buy, they should be paid on the sale. Many media outlets now require brands to have an affiliate program before considering them for product roundups.
Step 3: Optimize your website for AI
Beyond press, you can improve your AI visibility through technical updates. In fact, I often run client sites through ChatGPT itself and ask: “What would make this brand show up in AI search?” The recommendations usually include adding schema markup, optimizing metadata, and building authoritative backlinks.
Step 4: Choose the right PR partner
Not all agencies are created equal. I’ve spoken with brands that felt burned by PR partners who overpromised and underdelivered. Here’s what brands should look for:
Verified testimonials (with names and businesses publicly mentioned; ignore any that are unspecific, like “Shelia M, Beauty Brand” and trust those that can easily be validated by checking if the personal name matches the brand, for example, “Jonathan, owner of Honeydew Sleep”).
Up-to-date expertise (Does the agency understand affiliate requirements and AEO practices?).
Flexibility to pivot (digital standards change fast, and agencies must keep up).
Doing a quick Google or AI search on an agency before signing can also reveal whether they practice what they preach. Make sure to differentiate between agencies that make over-the-top guarantees versus what is reality. For example, any agency that “guarantees” the Today Show is not being truthful.
Why DIY PR rarely works
I’ve worked with passionate founders who tried pitching editors directly. While their enthusiasm was clear, most outlets ignored them because editors prefer working with PR reps who understand their timelines, workloads and content needs.
One editor once told me, “I’d rather get one pitch from a PR professional than five emails a day from a founder asking why their sample hasn’t been featured yet.” Acting as the middle person builds trust with the press and ultimately leads to more coverage.
The bottom line
If SEO was the marketing differentiator of the 2010s, AEO is the differentiator of today. From my experience, the brands that invest in press, affiliate readiness and AI-friendly optimization are the ones already showing up in AI answers and getting sales directly from them.
The sooner brands adapt, the sooner AI will recognize them as the go-to choice in their category. Just like the internet boom brought more opportunities, now the AI driven boom is doing the same. It’s a win all around — press is being paid to sell products, brands are finding and selling to their customers and PR agencies are becoming the unsung heroes. And loving it.
Chelsea Gladden, CEO and founder of Everything Branding, leads the award-winning agency specializing in commerce-driven PR, AEO and digital marketing. Since 2018, the firm has driven high-authority press to boost brand visibility, including AI-driven and LLM-powered search results.
Your website has three seconds to convince visitors to stay. This reality makes every section of your small business website critical to converting casual browsers into paying customers.
Building a website involves more decisions than most new business owners anticipate. The good news is that successful small business websites follow a proven structure. Whether you are launching a free LLC or expanding an established company, these eight sections form the foundation of an effective online presence.
Home Page Essentials
The home page serves as your digital storefront. Visitors should understand what your business offers within seconds of arrival. A clear headline communicates your primary value proposition immediately. Supporting text explains how you solve customer problems.
Your home page needs a prominent call to action that guides visitors toward the next step. This might be scheduling a consultation, requesting a quote, or browsing your products. Include high-quality images that represent your brand professionally. Avoid generic stock photos that could appear on any competitor’s website.
About Your Business
The About section builds trust through transparency. Share your company’s origin story and explain what motivated you to start the business. Customers connect with authentic narratives about real challenges and solutions.
Include information about your team members and their qualifications. Professional headshots and brief biographies humanize your business. Highlight any awards, certifications, or industry recognition your company has received. This section should answer why customers should choose your business over alternatives.
This section requires detailed descriptions of what you sell. Each product or service needs its own dedicated space with specific information. Vague descriptions leave potential customers confused and unlikely to purchase.
Consider these elements for your offerings:
Detailed specifications and dimensions where applicable
These components remove uncertainty from the buying process. Customers appreciate transparency about what they will receive and how much they will pay. Update this section regularly as your inventory or service menu changes.
Contact Information
Make it effortless for customers to reach you. Display your phone number, email address, and physical location prominently. Many businesses lose sales because contact information is buried or difficult to find.
A contact form provides an alternative for customers who prefer written communication. Keep form fields minimal to reduce friction. Your contact page should include these key elements:
Multiple contact methods including phone, email, and physical address
Operating hours clearly stated with time zone specified
Interactive map showing your business location
Expected response time for inquiries.
These details set proper expectations and demonstrate professionalism. Consider adding a live chat feature for immediate assistance during business hours.
Customer Testimonials
Social proof influences purchasing decisions more than most marketing messages. Display authentic reviews from satisfied customers throughout your website. Include full names and photos when possible to increase credibility.
Video testimonials carry even more weight than written reviews. Ask happy customers if they would record a brief statement about their experience. Feature these prominently on your home page and relevant service pages. Regularly update testimonials to show ongoing customer satisfaction.
FAQ Section
Anticipate common questions and provide clear answers. This section saves time for both you and your customers. Address concerns about pricing, shipping, returns, and service processes.
Organize questions into logical categories for easy navigation. Use straightforward language without industry jargon. Update this section based on actual questions you receive from customers. A comprehensive FAQ reduces barriers to purchase and decreases support inquiries.
Blog or Resources
Regular content demonstrates expertise and improves search engine visibility. Share valuable information related to your industry. Educational articles position your business as a trusted authority.
Topics should address customer pain points and common challenges. Effective blog content includes these formats:
How-to guides that solve specific problems
Industry news analysis and trend commentary
Case studies showcasing successful customer projects
Behind-the-scenes looks at your business operations.
Practical advice generates more engagement than promotional content. Aim for consistency in publishing rather than occasional lengthy posts.
Privacy Policy and Terms
Legal pages protect your business and inform customers about data practices. A privacy policy explains how you collect, use, and protect customer information. Terms of service outline the rules for using your website.
These pages seem mundane but are legally necessary. Many payment processors and advertising platforms require them before approving business accounts. Consult with a legal professional to ensure compliance with relevant regulations in your jurisdiction.
Bringing It All Together
Your small business website needs all eight sections working in harmony. Each component serves a specific purpose in the customer journey. Start with these fundamentals and refine based on user behaviour and feedback. Analytics tools reveal which sections perform well and which need improvement. A website is never truly finished but evolves alongside your business.
We’ve all been there. Your screen’s full of tabs, notifications are going off nonstop, and you’re running around all day. But by the end of it, you’re left wondering what you really got done.
We turn to tech to help keep things under control, right? AI helps us write emails, fix grammar, and summarize long articles. But what if your AI could be more than just an assistant, and actually help you think better?
I use ChatGPT every day, and it’s changed the way I interact with it. It’s become a tool that helps me think more clearly, sparks my creativity, and even improves my relationships.
I’m going to share eight ChatGPT prompts I use all the time now. These have completely changed the way I work and live, and made AI way more helpful than I ever expected.
1. Start Your Day with the Motivation Coach
The Prompt:“Tailor my daily schedule to my current mood, energy, and available time.”
We all know how exhausting it can be to just figure out what to do next. That “what should I do now?” decision-making can wear us out before we even get started. This prompt is like having a personal coach who creates a plan that works with your energy, not against it.
Let’s say it’s Monday morning, you’re feeling overwhelmed, and your energy’s low. You’ve got a three-hour block before your first meeting, and you need to tackle a big report, but you’re stuck.
Instead of staring at a blank page, you give ChatGPT the prompt. It might respond with a structured plan like this:
09:00 – 09:10:Ease In – “Grab a coffee or tea, no screens. Let’s honor your low energy. It’s okay to start slow.”
09:10 – 09:30: One Small Task – “Open the report file. Don’t write yet—just read the brief and organize your folders. Small, low-energy stuff to get you moving.”
09:30 – 10:15: Focused Work – “Set a 45-minute timer. Your only goal is to write the executive summary. Don’t worry about anything else.”
10:15 – 10:30: Recharge – “Step away from your desk. Walk, stretch, or listen to a song. You need this break.”
This plan provides the structure your brain craves when it’s feeling scattered. It takes the pressure of planning off your shoulders, so you can focus your energy on actually doing the work. If you’re feeling burnt out, this prompt is a great way to ease back into things.
2. Get a Reality Check with an AI Critic
Credits: FOCA Stock // StockSnap
The Prompt:“Assess my concepts through the lens of a [tech reviewer, literary critic, master cook].”
Honest feedback can be hard to come by. Friends might hold back to spare your feelings, and colleagues could be biased. But an AI? It’s got no agenda and no emotions: it can give you brutally honest, constructive criticism. That’s why I use this prompt every day to test my ideas. It’s a key part of how I stay productive and improve my work.
Let’s say you’ve got an idea for an app: “PlantPal,” which identifies houseplants from a photo and gives you a watering schedule. You ask ChatGPT to evaluate it like a tough venture capitalist.
Here’s the kind of feedback you might get:
Market Saturation: “The plant identification space is already crowded. What’s your unique angle? A slightly better UI isn’t enough.”
Monetization: “Your ‘diagnose my sick plant’ feature is interesting, but how sustainable is the AI behind it? Can competitors copy it quickly?”
Blind Spots:“You haven’t considered community features, which are crucial for engagement in hobbyist apps. Also, who’s training your AI to diagnose plants?”
This kind of no-holds-barred feedback is priceless. It lets you test your ideas in a safe space, without worrying about offending anyone or facing judgment. You can refine your concept privately before it’s ready for the real world.
3. Manifest Success and Beat Imposter Syndrome
Source: iStock
The Prompt:“Rewrite this [email, project plan] like I’ve already succeeded.”
The words we use can totally shift how we see ourselves. If you’re dealing with imposter syndrome, your writing might come off as unsure, lots of “maybe,” “I think,” or “just.” This prompt helps you reframe things from a place of confidence, making you sound like you’ve already succeeded.
And it’s not just about sounding confident; it can actually help you feel more confident too!
Consider this hesitant email draft:
Before: “Hi team, I was hoping we could maybe look into a new marketing strategy for Q4. I think it might be a good idea to explore TikTok. Let me know if you have any thoughts.”
Now, watch what happens when you apply the prompt:
After:“Team, for Q4, we’re pivoting our marketing strategy to target the TikTok demographic. I’ve outlined the first three campaign ideas and will assign roles by EOD Friday. My projections show a 15% increase in lead generation. Let’s make it happen.”
The second version is direct, confident, and clear. It bridges the gap between your inner doubts and the outer competence you need to lead.
By communicating like you’ve already succeeded, you naturally inspire more trust and buy-in from others. Over time, that feedback will help build real, earned confidence.
4. Turn Big Ideas into Actionable Steps
Source: FreepikThe Prompt:“Transform this ambiguous concept into an actionable, prioritized list based on impact versus effort.”
Big goals can feel super overwhelming. Take something like “I want to start a podcast”. it’s exciting but also totally paralyzing. You’re probably wondering, “Where do I even begin?”
This prompt breaks that big idea down into bite-sized tasks and helps you prioritize them by what will make the most impact with the least effort. It’s my go-to move whenever I’m launching something new.
You tell ChatGPT your vague idea, and it gives you a list of concrete steps: like choosing a niche, buying equipment, learning to edit, reaching out to guests, and so on. Then it organizes those tasks into a simple Impact vs. Effort matrix.
Low Effort
High Effort
High Impact
1. Define your niche and target audience. 2. Record your first 3 episodes (using your phone). 3. Choose a name and create simple cover art.
1. Build a promotion and guest outreach strategy. 2. Consistently publish weekly episodes. 3. Secure sponsorships.
Low Impact
1. Spend weeks designing the perfect logo. 2. Agonize over the brand’s color palette.
1. Build a custom website before having any listeners. 2. Purchase expensive, professional-grade audio equipment.
The matrix makes it so clear where to start. You tackle the “High Impact, Low Effort” tasks first. Those quick wins give you the momentum to push through the harder, more time-consuming stuff. Suddenly, that giant mountain of tasks becomes a series of small, manageable hills.
5. Uncover Hidden Patterns with the Habit Detective
Credits: Thought Catalog // Unsplash
The Prompt:“Analyze my calendar and spending from the last week and identify any patterns in what I’m inadvertently prioritizing.”
We often don’t realize what we’re actually prioritizing in life. We might say one thing—like, “I want to write a book”. But when we look at how we actually spend our time, it tells a completely different story.
By giving ChatGPT objective data about your life, like your calendar or spending habits, it acts as a neutral mirror, showing you exactly what’s going on behind the scenes. It’s one of the most eye-opening prompts I’ve used for boosting self-awareness.
For example, you could tell ChatGPT:
“My goal is to write a book. This week, I worked 9-5, went to the gym, and watched Netflix for 3 hours every night. I had brunch with friends on Saturday and did chores on Sunday.”
And the analysis you get might look something like this:
“Looking at your schedule, it’s clear that you’re unintentionally optimizing for stress recovery and low-effort entertainment. You’ve effectively prioritized physical health and social connection. However, your goal of ‘writing a book’ receives 0% of your dedicated time. Your evenings are optimized for passive consumption—Netflix—rather than active creation.”
This kind of data-driven feedback can be a real wake-up call. It forces you to look at your habits without any of the emotional story you tell yourself.
Once you see the truth in black and white, you can make the necessary adjustments to align your actions with your real goals.
6. Sharpen Your Pitch with a ‘Shark Tank’ Drill
Credits: Slidebean // Unsplash
The Prompt:“Imagine pitching this concept as if you were on Shark Tank.”
Whether you’re pitching a new business or just trying to convince your family to try a new dinner idea, you need to be clear, concise, and persuasive. Using the “Shark Tank” approach forces the AI to craft a pitch that’s all about benefits and impact.
As someone who uses ChatGPT every day, this exercise has really helped me get better at communicating ideas quickly and effectively.
Let’s say you’ve got an idea for a subscription box for artisanal coffee beans. You give the prompt to ChatGPT and this is what you get:
“Sharks, 90% of coffee drinkers have never tasted the top 1% of coffee. Why? Access. We’re ‘Global Grind,’ a curated subscription service delivering exclusive, single-origin beans right to your door. We’re not just selling coffee—we’re offering a world tour for your taste buds. For a $100,000 investment, we’re offering 10% of the company and plan to dominate the $80 billion premium coffee market. So, who’s ready to wake up and smell the profit?”
This exercise forces you to stop talking about the details of your product and start focusing on the benefits. Instead of saying “Here’s what I made,” you learn to say, “Here’s what’s in it for you.” It shifts the perspective from creator to audience, and it’s a game-changer for how you present ideas.
7. Level Up with Advice from Your Future Self
Credits: Lala Azizli // Unsplash
The Prompt:“What minor adjustment could I implement today that my future self would appreciate?”
We’re hardwired for short-term rewards, which makes it tough to stick with habits that pay off later. This prompt cleverly sidesteps that by focusing on small, easy changes that add up over time. It’s a simple but powerful way to boost long-term productivity without feeling overwhelmed.
Instead of suggesting something huge like “run a marathon,” ChatGPT will suggest small, actionable tweaks with big impact:
Physical Health: “Place a glass of water by your bed tonight. Drink it first thing tomorrow before checking your phone. This adds up to an extra 18 gallons of hydration each year.”
Mental Health:“Pick one person to say ‘no’ to this week in order to protect your time and energy. This helps you build the habit of setting healthy boundaries.”
Financial Health: “Find one recurring subscription you don’t use anymore and cancel it. It’s a one-time action that’ll save you money every month.”
This prompt reframes positive changes as gifts to your future self, making the long-term benefits feel more immediate and rewarding. It shifts the focus from instant gratification to the bigger picture, helping you make better choices in the now that your future self will be grateful for.
8. Deepen Relationships with Thoughtful Actions
Credits: Surface // Unsplash
The Prompt:“What’s a simple, thoughtful gesture I could make this week to show a friend I appreciate and see them?”
In our busy lives, good intentions often fall through the cracks. This prompt uses AI not to replace human connection, but to facilitate it. It helps bridge the gap between wanting to be a good friend and actually doing something about it. It’s a surprising reason why I use ChatGPT every day.
You can give it some context: “My friend Mark just started a new, stressful job. He loves history podcasts and is trying to eat healthier.”
ChatGPT will offer you a few personalized suggestions, sorted by effort:
Low Effort:“Send him a link to a specific history podcast episode with a message: ‘Heard this and thought of you. Hope the new job is going well!’”
Medium Effort:“Next time you meal prep, make an extra portion of a healthy lunch. Drop it off with a note: ‘One less thing to worry about this week. You got this.’”
This prompt takes the guesswork out of thoughtful gestures. It helps you turn your general feelings of care into specific, easy-to-implement actions, making it more likely that your good intentions will actually become real moments of connection.
Your New Thinking Partner
These eight advanced ChatGPT prompts go far beyond basic tasks. They show that the true power of AI lies in its ability to augment our own humanity.
From my experience, using ChatGPT every day with this kind of intention turns it into something more than just a tool. It helps me break through mental blocks, show up better for the people I care about, and take more intentional action in my life.
How do you use AI to boost your productivity? I’d love to hear your favourite ChatGPT prompts in the comments below, and let me know which of these you’re excited to try first!
Research published in Information Systems Research finds that social media marketing (SMM) does little to help high-quality firms stand apart from competitors. Instead, it often pushes companies of all quality levels toward similar spending and pricing strategies, blurring the very signals firms hope will differentiate them in digital marketplaces.
The INFORMS study, “Signalling Quality to Consumers: The Role of Social Media Marketing,” was authored by Qinquan Cui and Kenan Arifoğlu of University College London and Dongyuan Zhan of the University of Science and Technology of China.
Social media platforms have transformed the way consumers learn about products. Unlike traditional advertising, where firms broadcast one-way messages to increase awareness, SMM allows consumers themselves to generate and share information such as reviews, ratings, comments, and peer recommendations, all of which influence perceived product quality.
As a result, firms increasingly rely on SMM both to expand their customer base and to influence the external information consumers receive.
“Firms often believe that spending more on social media marketing helps signal superior product quality,” said Cui. “However, when we modelled this environment using a game-theoretic approach, we found that high-quality firms cannot reliably use SMM spending to separate themselves from mid- or low-quality competitors.”
Game-theoretic approach is a way of analysing situations where multiple decision-makers (players) interact, and the outcome for each depends not only on their own choices but also on the choices of others. Game theory provides a formal mathematical framework to predict behaviour, identify optimal strategies, and understand incentives in competitive or cooperative environments.
To analyse the strategic interactions in their study, the researchers studied two scenarios: a benchmark case, where SMM only increases product awareness; and an information-revelation case, where SMM also improves the precision of online reviews and other external factors.
In the benchmark case, the researchers found that firms cannot credibly signal their product quality simply through different SMM spending levels. What they found was that two things can happen: first, there can be something called “partial pooling,” where low- and mid-quality firms choose the same level of SMM spending, while at the same time, high-quality firms separate by spending less; second, there can be “full pooling,” where all firms spend the same amount.
“We discovered that higher-quality firms actually limit their SMM spending to maintain a smaller but more profitable customer base,” said Arifoğlu. “Spending more would invite lower-quality firms to mimic them, making separation impossible.”
That said, when SMM does play a specific information-revelation role, meaning it makes online signals like reviews more accurate, the challenge intensifies. The study found that only full pooling or a limited form of partial pooling can occur, and that high-quality firms find it even harder to distinguish themselves from lower-quality firms.
In a sense, when all firms spend at the same level on SMM, a commoditization of messaging and branding can happen.
“In situations where SMM enhances the precision of online reviews, mid- and low-quality firms actually lose some of their incentives to pool with high-quality firms,” Zhan said.
“But high-quality firms also cannot set themselves apart. In the end, the information glut created by SMM spending by mid- to low-quality firms makes it more of a challenge for high-quality firms to differentiate.”
The authors conclude that SMM may not be the most effective quality-signalling tool for firms in competitive environments. Rather, high-quality firms may benefit from moderating their SMM spending rather than increasing it, and being more focused and innovative in their marketing to their highest-value market segments.
Have you noticed it too? That friend who disappeared from Instagram. The family member who stopped posting on Facebook. The colleague who’s nowhere to be found on Twitter.
If you’re wondering whether you’re having this mass exodus, you’re not. The numbers are wild: over 1 million people search “how to delete my Instagram account” every single month. Yet Instagram keeps growing.
Confusing, right?
Here’s what’s happening: We’re witnessing the biggest shift in how people use the internet since smartphones took over. It’s not just about “digital detox” anymore. People are getting smart about how these apps mess with their heads—and they’re finding much better alternatives.
Let me show you exactly what’s going down, who’s leaving, where they’re going, and why this matters way more than you think.
The Delete Button is Getting a Workout
Let’s start with some numbers that’ll blow your mind.
Instagram leads the “get me out of here” searches with 1.02 million monthly queries about deleting accounts. That’s roughly 12,678 searches per 100,000 people worldwide. To put that in perspective, that’s like a small city’s worth of people trying to escape every month.
But here’s where it gets interesting:
Snapchat: 128,500 monthly deletion searches
Facebook: 123,000 monthly searches
Twitter/X: 49,000 monthly searches
The weird part? Most of these platforms are still growing their user numbers. So what gives?
It’s called “digital cognitive dissonance.” People want to leave, but they feel stuck. Sound familiar?
Think about it this way: How many times have you opened Instagram “just for a second” and found yourself scrolling for 30 minutes? Or felt that weird anxiety when you couldn’t check your phone? That’s not an accident—it’s by design.
Who’s Hitting Delete?
The patterns are fascinating. Gen Z is leading the charge, with 44% saying they’ve cut back on social media in 2024. But they’re not going offline—they’re just being way smarter about where they spend their time.
Millennials are doing something different. Instead of mindless scrolling, 53% are moving to creator-focused platforms like Substack. They want to choose what they consume, not have an algorithm decide for them.
Even more surprising? Baby Boomers are the most positive about social media, with 83.9% saying it improves their lives. Turns out, the people who grew up with these platforms are the ones most sceptical of them.
It’s Not Just About Mental Health (Though That’s Part of It)
Here’s what most articles get wrong: This isn’t just about people feeling bad after using social media.
It’s about people getting wise to the manipulation.
Remember when former Facebook VP Chamath Palihapitiya said social media was “ripping apart the social fabric of how society works”? He wasn’t being dramatic. He was describing exactly what he helped build—systems designed to capture and hold your attention at all costs.
The Real Psychology Behind the Exodus
Cal Newport (the guy who’s never had social media and somehow has a successful career) talks about something called “attention residue.”
Here’s how it works: Even when you’re not actively using social media, those apps create “open loops” in your brain. You’re thinking about that notification, wondering who liked your post, or mentally composing your next update.
This constant background noise can cost you up to 40% of your mental capacity. No wonder people feel exhausted!
But there’s something even more interesting happening. People are experiencing what researchers call “identity performance fatigue.”
You know that feeling when you post something and immediately start worrying about how many likes it’ll get? Or when you’re at a restaurant and you’re more focused on getting the perfect shot than enjoying your meal?
That’s your brain telling you something’s off.
The Authenticity Problem
Here’s the catch-22 that’s driving people crazy: Social media platforms tell you to “be authentic,” but their algorithms reward fake, performative content.
The result? Constant psychological tension.
You want to share real moments, but the platform pushes you to create content that’s designed to go viral. You want genuine connection, but you’re stuck in what Dr. Sherry Turkle calls the difference between “connection” and “conversation.”
Social media gives you lots of shallow connections but makes real conversation harder. Ever notice how it’s easier to text someone than call them now? That’s what she’s talking about.
Where Everyone’s Going (And It Might Surprise You)
So if people are leaving the big platforms, where are they going? The alternatives tell a really interesting story about what people want from their online lives.
Discord: The Anti-Social Social Network
Discord hit 200 million monthly users and grew revenue by 1,850% since 2019. But here’s the kicker: 80% of users aren’t even gamers anymore.
Why is Discord winning? Because it’s the opposite of what makes traditional social media toxic:
No algorithm decides what you see
Private servers where you know the people
Voice chat that feels like hanging out
Communities built around shared interests, not follower counts
It’s social media that feels… social.
BeReal: The Instagram Killer?
Remember when Instagram was about sharing real moments? BeReal is trying to bring that back with 25 million daily users and 300% growth in 2022.
The concept is genius: You get a random notification, and you have 2 minutes to post a photo using both your front and back camera. No filters, no planning, no perfect lighting.
80% of users are Gen Z, and they’re loving the authenticity. It’s like social media before everyone became a brand.
The Newsletter Renaissance
Here’s something that would’ve sounded crazy five years ago: Email newsletters are cool again.
Platforms like Substack are exploding because people want to choose what they read instead of having an algorithm shove content at them. It’s intentional consumption instead of mindless scrolling.
Think about it: When’s the last time you wanted to see everything in your Instagram feed? With newsletters, you’re choosing to follow specific creators because you genuinely want their content.
The People Who Built These Apps Are Telling You to Leave
This is where things get interesting. The harshest critics of social media aren’t random activists—they’re the people who built these platforms.
Sean Parker, Facebook’s first president, now calls it a “social-validation feedback loop” designed to exploit human psychology.
Jaron Lanier, who’s been in Silicon Valley since the 1980s, puts it even more bluntly: “Social media isn’t about facilitating social exchanges. It’s about behaviour modification.”
These aren’t outsiders trying to kill the industry. These are insiders who made millions from these platforms and are now telling you they’re harmful.
Even more telling? Many of them don’t use social media at all. Cal Newport is a computer science professor with zero social media presence who has written bestselling books and has a successful career.
If the people who understand technology best aren’t using these platforms, what does that tell you?
Some Big Names Are Walking Away (And Thriving)
Tom Holland, with 67 million Instagram followers, publicly announced he was taking a break for his mental health. He called the platforms “overstimulating” and “overwhelming.”
The result? Massive positive media coverage and support from fans. Leaving social media is becoming a power move, not social suicide.
Even companies are figuring this out. Lush Cosmetics left all major platforms in 2021, saying they were tired of environments that “keep you hyper-tense, engaged and anxious.”
Their sales didn’t tank. They got praised for taking a stand.
Bottega Veneta (the luxury fashion brand) deleted its social media and created its digital magazine instead. Creative Director Daniel Lee said he wanted “something joyful instead” of “playground bullying on social media.”
The Business Case for Leaving
Here’s something that should make every business owner pay attention: Social media marketing budgets have dropped from 17% to 11% of total marketing spend—the lowest in seven years.
Companies are realizing that social media isn’t the marketing goldmine it used to be. Engagement rates are dropping, algorithms are getting harder to crack, and people are getting better at ignoring ads.
Meanwhile, retail media (think Amazon ads) is expected to overtake TV advertising by 2028.
The Economic Earthquake You’re Not Hearing About
The money numbers tell a crazy story about how fast things are changing.
Twitter/X lost 79% of its value after Elon Musk’s takeover—dropping from $44 billion to $9.2 billion. The platform is bleeding advertisers and users while facing $1.2 billion in annual debt payments.
Snapchat’s stock fell 88% in 2024, despite maintaining strong teen engagement. Investors are nervous about the long-term future of social media advertising.
Even Meta (Facebook’s parent company) had its first-ever quarterly revenue decline and lost 500,000 daily active users for the first time in its history.
The platforms know they’re in trouble. That’s why Meta is betting everything on the metaverse (spending $13.7 billion in 2022 alone) and why every platform is desperately copying TikTok’s features.
What This Means for Your Future Online Life
Here’s what I think is coming next, based on all this research:
Platform Fragmentation
The days of one or two platforms dominating everything are ending. We’re moving toward a world of specialized, smaller communities built around specific interests and values.
Think Discord servers, Substack newsletters, and BeReal friend groups instead of trying to maintain one massive social media presence.
Creator Independence
The creator economy is exploding as people realize they don’t need platforms to build audiences. Direct relationships between creators and fans (through platforms like Patreon, Substack, and OnlyFans) are becoming more valuable than viral moments.
Regulation Reality
New York City is suing major platforms for “fuelling the youth mental health crisis,” and the U.S. Surgeon General wants warning labels on social media.
Translation: The free-for-all days are ending. Platforms will have to prioritize user well-being over engagement, which fundamentally changes their business models.
The Most Surprising Truth About Social Media Deletion
Here’s the thing that surprised me most in researching this: When researchers actually measure social media usage objectively (instead of asking people to estimate), the mental health effects are tiny or non-existent.
So why are people still leaving?
Because it’s not really about measurable harm. It’s about autonomy and intentionality. People want control over their attention instead of having algorithms decide what they see and when they see it.
It’s about wanting authentic relationships instead of performance metrics.
It’s about choosing quality over quantity in digital interactions.
What You Can Do Right Now
30-Day Digital Transformation Plan
You don’t have to delete everything tomorrow, but here are some moves that can make a huge difference:
Start Small
Turn off all non-essential notifications
Remove social media apps from your home screen
Set specific times for checking platforms instead of constant scrolling
Try Alternatives
Join a Discord server about something you’re genuinely interested in
Subscribe to a few newsletters from creators you actually want to follow
Use BeReal if you want authentic social sharing without the algorithm
Audit Your Digital Diet
Ask yourself: Does this platform make me feel good? Am I learning something valuable? Am I connecting with people I care about?
If the answer is no, why are you there?
Build Real Connections
Instead of broadcasting to everyone, focus on maintaining relationships with people who actually matter to you. Text friends directly. Make actual plans. Have real conversations.
The Bottom Line: You Have More Power Than You Think
Here’s what all this research really shows: You’re not crazy for feeling weird about social media. The platforms are designed to be psychologically manipulative, and more people are recognizing that every day.
The good news? You have way more control than you think. You can choose where to spend your digital time. You can prioritize authentic connection over algorithmic engagement. You can build a digital life that actually enhances your real life.
The great social media migration isn’t about going backward—it’s about moving toward something better.
The question isn’t whether you should delete your social media accounts. The question is: What kind of digital life do you actually want?
Once you figure that out, the rest becomes a lot clearer.
If you’re not already using artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance your digital strategy, fear not. Tug’s Elliot Gray has you covered.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the media industry. It’s opened up a huge range of new possibilities for digital marketers, helping them gain competitive advantages and engage with customers in new and exciting ways.
Here, we cover seven things digital marketers can do with AI to speed up workflows, boost ROI on ad campaigns, and more.
1. Automate repetitive tasks
While the role of the digital marketer is forever changing, there are some repetitive admin tasks we haven’t been able to shake – until now. Sending emails, posting on social media, conducting research. AI can automate all of these, freeing up time for marketers to focus on higher-value work.
Robotic Process Automation (RPA) software like Zapier can integrate with 5,000 apps and platforms to create automated workflows, automating the process of lead-generation campaigns, for example.
2. Create personalized content
AI can also be used to create more personalized content. Businesses have utilized this for many years. In 2016, Starbucks used predictive analytics to create customized emails by leveraging loyalty card and mobile app data. By analysing data about consumer behaviour, AI can help marketers better understand what kinds of content are most likely to resonate with the audience they’re trying to reach.
3. Conduct audience research
Conducting audience research can be tedious, but AI can speed it up by collecting and analysing data about potential customers. It can also support marketers in identifying new audience segments they might not have considered before.
At Tug, we use ChatGPT to help identify new audience interests to target on Meta when planning a campaign by feeding the platform as much relevant information about the company and its products or services as possible, then asking it to provide around 50 options. Admittedly, it can spit out a lot of nonsense, but by asking for a large list of options, you have a better chance of finding hidden gems.
4. Improve customer service
Digital marketers can’t be on standby for their clients all hours of the day. By using chatbots, businesses can provide their customers with 24/7 assistance, even outside regular business hours.
Chatbots can answer FAQs or give product recommendations. Implementing a chatbot can help reduce the time employees spend answering simple questions. When something more complex comes up that the chatbot can’t answer, it can escalate the issue to an actual human.
5. Analyse data
AI can assist digital marketers with collecting and organizing data from various sources, reducing the time spent on obtaining and arranging the data, as well as making the process more streamlined overall.
If we take something like ‘sentiment analysis’ as an example, a company might use AI tools to gauge customer attitudes toward a specific brand, product, or ad campaign. This can be done by reviewing social media posts, reviews, and other online feedback in order to help understand public perception and adjust accordingly.
6. Analyse performance
Even better, AI can be adopted to analyse the performance of campaigns across multiple channels. By analysing data from multiple sources, marketers can better understand how each channel contributes to overall success and adjust their strategies accordingly.
7. Predictive analytics
AI can predict future trends and consumer behaviour more accurately than manual analysis. Predictive analytics uses machine learning algorithms to analyse large customer datasets and identify patterns that indicate future trends. For example, AI can determine which products or services are likely to soon become more prevalent, or which customers could be more likely to remain loyal customers.
8. Automate media buying processes
Through automation, AI can make the media buying process more efficient. By sifting through consumer behaviour and market trends data, AI can help businesses find the best deals for their media campaigns, preventing them from overspending on ad buys. For example, AI can identify the best times and channels to run ads in order to maximize their reach while saving on costs.
