Social Media Examiner

86% of marketers believe AI will change how work is done in their industry. Want to see the full report? See the link in the comments to download your copy of the 2024 Generative AI Marketing Industry Report.

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At Social Media Marketing World, we're all about giving marketers like you an unfair advantage. Here's how: ✅ Four game-changing tracks designed with small businesses in mind:  Marketing strategy AI and marketing  Paid social marketing Organic social marketing ✅ Hands-on training sessions covering: Driving sales with Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Boosting productivity with AI tools  Content marketing strategies for personal brands ✅ Plus, dive into 6 expert-led sessions on paid social media to maximize your advertising budget! You’ll also learn from industry legends like Molly Pittman, Mari Smith, Pat Flynn, and Sean Cannell—each ready to share their secrets for small business success in this fast-paced digital world. "I'm more inspired than ever, armed with new marketing tactics and strategies, and a whole roster of potential friends and collaborators. The time and money invested in this conference was well worth it, and I look forward to next year - I'm also bringing a friend who I convinced to sign up!" - Amanda Long Want to learn more about #SMMW25? Link in comments.

Why Marketers Need to Master AI Many marketers report feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of tasks they need to accomplish with limited time, talent, and budget. Artificial Intelligence (AI) solves this common challenge by allowing marketers to automate repetitive tasks, generate ideas more quickly, and predict trends before they happen. By mastering AI, marketers can keep up with the increasing demands of their roles and unlock new possibilities for creativity and innovation. AI proficiency isn't just an optional advantage anymore; it's becoming a necessity that helps marketers scale their efforts and do more with limited resources, enhance creativity and productivity in various marketing tasks, and gain a competitive edge. “AI can help you scale like you've never been able to before. You could do more and you can even do better with AI if you learn how to leverage it properly,” says Dan Sanchez, founder of AI Solopreneur and host of the AI-Driven Marketer podcast. In this week's AI Explored podcast with Michael (Mike) Stelzner, Dan shares the steps to becoming highly proficient in AI. Read the notes here: https://lnkd.in/gk-3UpBf #AIMarketing #SocialMediaExaminer

Welcome to our LinkedIn-first edition, where you get an exclusive first look at new content before anyone else!

Yesterday, 544 marketers joined me live. I shared surprising insights about AI and marketing from our newest research. Here's some of what I had to say. First, I want you to ask yourself this question. What if you could go back in time—to an earlier version of yourself—and offer up some advice to yourself? Would you do anything differently given what you now know? Would you get early on YouTube? Would you start a podcast or start a newsletter? Because if you would go back in time and you would tell yourself to get started a little bit early on some of these things, then you're gonna wanna pay attention to what I have to share. And I'm here to tell you that we are in the very early days of something that's going to be quite monumental. You likely recall November 30th, 2022 as the day your mind was blown because of this thing called ChatGPT. Forbes said it may have been the most important news event of 2022.  I'm here to tell you that it may turn out to be the most important news event of the decade. In March of this year, Sam Altman said, "95% of what marketers use agencies, strategists, and creative professionals for today will be easily, nearly instantly and at almost no cost handled by AI." Let that sink in for a second. Now, what did Sam Altman know? What did Sam Altman see? Here's the thing that you need to understand. It's possible that Sam saw things that were at the early stages of development inside of his company. And maybe he knows things that the rest of us do not know. So let's take a look at what marketers feel today about generative AI. Our most recent research shows that 59% of the marketers do not see AI as a threat to their job security. But here's the thing, us marketers, we have no idea what Sam Altman knows. Now, here's something else that I think is really fascinating. Eighty-six percent of marketers believe that AI will change how work is done in their industry. Now personally, I'm an AI optimist. I believe that there is a big opportunity for marketers who embrace this trend now. And our data shows that 90% of marketers feel they need to embrace and learn AI. This data is just scratching the surface of what is available in our new ungated 2024 Generative AI Marketing Industry Report. In it we explore how marketers are putting AI to work and what their future plans are. Simply head over to Social Media Examiner and grab a copy. What do you think? Will AI change the way work is done in your industry? Do you see it as a threat? I'd love to hear from you. - Michael (Mike) Stelzner

Over 1,250 marketers shared how they’re using AI right now… and what’s coming next might surprise you! 🤯 We just finished an exclusive study on how AI is changing the game for marketing, and the results are mind-blowing. Want to see the insights for yourself? If you’d like to attend our free masterclass, let us know in the comments, and we’ll reply with the registration information. ____ Live masterclass takes place on Tuesday, October 15 at 1PM/PT (4PM/ET). A replay will be available, but you must register in advance.

Why Product Positioning Matters for B2B Companies Product positioning defines how your product is the best in the world at delivering value to a specific set of customers. It's an input to almost everything in marketing and sales, from messaging to sales pitches. Weak positioning leads to confusion, longer sales cycles, and lost deals. Weak positioning can manifest in several ways during sales conversations: Your customers will look confused and ask the salesperson to “go back to the beginning” of the pitch. Your prospects misunderstand your product and compare it to irrelevant competitors. Potential customers may fail to see the value of your product. For example, they may ask why they can't just use a spreadsheet or interns instead. On the other hand, strong positioning leads to sales meetings where customers quickly grasp your value proposition and are ready to discuss pricing and implementation details. In a recent episode of the Social Media Marketing Podcast with Michael (Mike) Stelzner, April Dunford shares her 5-step process for developing powerful B2B product positioning. “When you get positioning right, it feels like a cheat code. Great positioning just feels like everything's easy,” says April. Watch the episode here: https://lnkd.in/geqF3PH7 Read the notes: https://lnkd.in/gxMt4wh6

Welcome to this week’s LinkedIn-first edition, where you get an exclusive first look at new content before anyone else!

Today We Celebrate 15 Years! As we reach our 15th anniversary, we're reflecting on the incredible journey we've shared with you, our community of marketers. It’s appropriate that a symbol of a 15th anniversary is a timepiece. Like a watch, which symbolizes steadfastness and precision, we’ve been honored to serve as your guide through the ever-changing marketing jungle. Over the past 15 years, we've witnessed seismic shifts in the digital landscape—new platforms, algorithm changes, and the rise of trends that have redefined how businesses connect with audiences. Through it all, our mission has remained constant: to provide you with the tools, strategies, and insights you need to succeed. We're deeply grateful for the community we've built together: To the millions of readers who’ve turned to our site for guidance, thank you for trusting us. To our podcast listeners and video viewers, we appreciate your loyalty and engagement. To our incredible writers, guest experts, and speakers, your knowledge and generosity have been vital to our success. And to our staff, volunteers, and customers, your dedication makes everything we do possible. We don't take our role lightly, and we’re committed to continuing to deliver valuable content, insights, and opportunities to learn. Here’s to the next chapter in this exciting journey—one where we'll continue to grow, adapt, and help you navigate the future of marketing! Thank you for being part of our story as we move forward, together.