Neal 🎙 Schaffer's Recent LinkedIn Posts

Goodbye ChatGPT. Hello Claude (Anthropic)! Who's with me?

I wrote a book about LinkedIn. Then I stood in front of the LinkedIn booth at Adobe MAX to take this photo. 😂 But here's the thing—this isn't just any book anymore. The updated and expanded 2nd edition of "Maximizing LinkedIn for Business Growth" is NOW LIVE on Amazon. What's new? 📘 70% more content (nearly doubled in size) 🤖 A complete chapter on AI—including my ASKNEAL™ Framework for using ChatGPT on LinkedIn 📇 A new chapter on building your personal CRM 📊 Real-world case studies ✅ 5 bonus resources included Whether you're building your personal brand, generating leads, or just trying to figure out what to post—this book gives you the roadmap. Now available in ebook, paperback, AND hardcover for the first time. Link in comments 👇 #LinkedIn #LinkedInTips #PersonalBranding #SocialSelling #BookLaunch #DigitalMarketing #B2BMarketing #ContentStrategy #AI #ChatGPT

The biggest mistake I see professionals making on LinkedIn in 2026? They're still using it like it's 2024. When I published the 1st edition of Maximizing LinkedIn for Business Growth in 2024, I thought it would stay current for a while. I was wrong. The platform has shifted so dramatically that updating it meant rewriting it from the ground up as a fully expanded 2nd edition. The algorithm rewards different behaviors now. AI has changed how content is created and consumed. And LinkedIn itself has evolved from a social network into something closer to a strategic business engine. Here's one shift most people are missing: LinkedIn is no longer about broadcasting your expertise. It's about building a system — content, profile, outreach, and engagement — that works together to generate real business outcomes. The professionals who understand this are seeing results that weren't possible even two years ago. I wrote the 2nd edition to be the practical playbook for this new reality. And apparently the timing was right — this week it hit #1 on Amazon in three categories: Internet Marketing, Social Media for Business, and Business Office Skills. Seeing it ranked alongside authors that I revere like Donald Miller, Brendan Kane, Allan Dib, and Russell Brunson is pretty surreal. If you've been thinking about leveling up your LinkedIn strategy, the Kindle edition is $0.99 for a limited time — so now's the moment. 📖 Link in comments

Stop posting. Start talking. The old B2B content playbook is broken. You know what I mean: → Forcing daily posts no one engages with → Churning out AI-slop that sounds like everyone else → Burning out your team creating content that doesn't convert Here's what the research confirms: 95% of B2B marketers now use AI—but only 39% see better performance. More content isn't the answer. The brands winning in 2026? They're doing something different. They're turning ONE meaningful conversation—a podcast episode, a customer interview, a webinar discussion—into weeks of marketing assets that actually feel human. That's the shift: From: Post more → Hope something sticks To: Have one great conversation → Repurpose it everywhere I'm hosting a free webinar on January 21st with my friends at Riverside where I'll show you exactly how this works: ✅ Why your employees and customers are your most credible storytellers (and how to activate them without adding to their workload) ✅ How podcasting builds trust faster than any content type ✅ Webinar formats people actually want to attend (hint: ditch the slides) ✅ Using AI + video to turn conversations into discoverable content that works for months This isn't theory. It's the framework I use and teach. [🔗 in comments] What's your biggest content struggle right now—volume, quality, or distribution? Drop it below so that I can make sure I cover it in the webinar 👇

Everyone's acting like we've hit a fork in the road. AI on one side. Humans on the other. Pick a lane. I don't buy that. I spend a significant amount of time experimenting with AI tools — testing, investing in R&D, figuring out how to make my work faster and better. As writer and podcaster Joanna Penn puts it, the goal is to use AI to "amplify your intelligence," not replace it. That's the Digital First part of my mindset. But here's what I've also learned: AI without human execution has zero value. Thinking is cheap. Doing is where momentum comes from. For example, I recently used AI to help build the ideal SOP for my podcast workflow to increase efficiency. Every step, mapped out. But executing it at a level that sounds like me? That takes human talent who understands my voice and my brand. And then there's the most important human element of all: your relationships. Your customers, partners, community. AI can't build trust over a handshake. AI can't read the room on a sales call. AI can't decide when to push, when to pause, or when someone just needs you to listen. The marketers and business owners who win in 2026 won't be the ones who use the most AI or the ones proudly ignoring it. They'll be the ones who figure out the right balance — AI for amplification, humans for execution and connection. Where are you on that spectrum right now? #AIMarketing #DigitalFirst #ContentStrategy

As you grow on social media, it can be tempting to cross-promote across all of your channels. But will it be effective? Cross-promotion isn’t just about copying and pasting your posts. It's really about smart adaptation. In this guide from my friends over at Planable, I share my take on how some formats (like short-form videos) can be cross-posted across platforms, while others need tweaks to resonate with each unique audience. I also give my take on what you SHOULDN'T do in cross promoting, as represented in my quote below. The full article breaks down 7 cross-promotion strategies—from influencer collaborations and guest content to long-term partnerships and smarter scheduling—plus tools like Planable to streamline your workflow. 💡 Repurpose content with purpose 💡 Test formats before scaling 💡 Align messages with collaborators 💡 Track engagement across platforms 💡 Stagger timing for extended reach Check out my quote and the full guide 👇 https://lnkd.in/gVXE2xxt What's YOUR take on social media cross promotion?

Honored that Digital Threads was a finalist in the 2025 Readers' Favorite Non-Fiction - Marketing genre! I wrote the book to focus on evergreen aspects of digital marketing, so it is especially satisfying seeing it win an award almost a year after publication. If you still haven't read it, I'm putting the ebook on sale on Amazon USA to celebrate—just do a search for Digital Threads to find it! Here is a summary of the review: "Digital Threads is an indispensable resource for anyone venturing into the complex world of digital marketing. In an approachable yet informative style, Schaffer demystifies the subject, making it accessible to small business owners, entrepreneurs, and even students of the craft. The book is thorough and well-organized, breaking down the elements of digital marketing into manageable sections. He starts by encouraging readers to adopt a winning mindset, which he argues is crucial for navigating the digital landscape effectively. From there, he covers essential marketing channels such as search engines, social media, and email marketing, providing insights into how these platforms can be harnessed to build a robust online presence. His advice on content creation is particularly valuable, offering tips on developing effective lead magnets and creating social media content that resonates with audiences. Neal Schaffer emphasizes practical strategies and actionable insights, offering step-by-step guides and real-world examples to help readers visualize how to apply the strategies he discusses. This practical approach is enriched by his extensive experience, which includes speaking engagements around the globe and teaching positions at prestigious institutions. Moreover, the book tackles the integration of AI and other advanced technologies into marketing strategies. Schaffer illustrates how these tools can enhance marketing efforts and keep pace with technological advancements, making it a forward-thinking guide that equips readers for future trends. Schaffer’s expert insights make Digital Threads a must-read for those seeking to elevate their digital marketing skills." #digitalmarketing #digitalthreads #businessbooks

Your 2026 content problem isn’t “ideas.” It’s your workflow. Most marketers already know video is where attention is. But the reason video still feels “hard” is simple: You’re juggling tools. Record in one place. Edit in another. Clip somewhere else. Hunt down files. Re-export. Re-upload. Repeat. That tool-switching tax is what kills consistency. Here’s the shift I’ve made in my own content workflow: The “One Recording → Many Assets” rule That’s why I use Riverside. If I’m going to hit record, I want that session to produce: ✅ a clean long-form video I’m proud to publish ✅ multiple short clips for social ✅ less time editing… and more time actually marketing Riverside gives me an end-to-end workflow in one browser: ✅ Studio-quality video + audio with local recording (even if someone’s internet is shaky) ✅ Edit inside Riverside (including text-based editing) ✅ AI that helps create clips and promo assets so I’m not starting from zero every week If you’re a marketer trying to show up more consistently with video—without building a mini production studio—this is worth testing. Comment “Riverside” and I’ll send you their free one-page checklist for creating high-quality content in one workflow. And if you want to try the platform, start a free trial (look for link in the comments). #ad #riversidepartner Question for you: What’s the most frustrating part of your current video workflow—recording, editing, or repurposing?

Ad – Sponsored by Adobe Express While attending Adobe MAX as a guest of Adobe Express, I got early access to one of their most exciting new tools: the AI Assistant (beta) in Adobe Express. In this short demo, I start from a ready-made template and use AI-driven prompts to transform the design — background, colors, layout, and copy, all editable and intuitive. What I appreciate most is that you still have full creative control. You can keep or tweak whatever the AI Assistant suggests — it’s a collaborator, not a replacement... ...and for non-graphic designers like me, it is an absolute game-changer! It’s currently desktop-only and available in limited beta for Premium users, but hopefully you'll get access to it soon! How will you use AI Assistant in Adobe Express? Comment below! #AdobeExpressAmbassadors #AdobeExpressAIAssistant #MakeItWithAdobeExpress #AdobeAmbassadorsAtMAX #AdobeMAX #Ad

Half of all search queries now involve AI. But most businesses are still optimizing for a world where the goal is “rank on Google and wait for clicks.” That world is disappearing. We’ve entered zero‑click search on steroids: ✨ Google’s AI Overviews ✨ ChatGPT Search ✨ Perplexity ✨ Bing Copilot Your future customers are getting their answers without ever visiting your website. In my latest LinkedIn newsletter, I break down: ✔️ The real difference between AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) and GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) ✔️ Why they’re actually two sides of the same coin ✔️ The 5 foundations you need to stay visible and trusted in an AI‑driven search world ✔️ A 5‑step implementation checklist you can start using this week If your brand relies on search for leads, this is no longer optional reading. 👉 What happens when you search for your own brand or topic in ChatGPT or Perplexity? Were you happy with what you found? Share your experience in the comments—I read every one.

Ever looked at a photo and thought: "I wish I could just tell it what to change?" As a guest of Adobe Express at Adobe MAX, I had the chance to test their AI Assistant (beta) — and it's as intuitive as it sounds. In this walkthrough, I start with a photo and use a few plain-language prompts to add a playful element and fundamentally transform the background — all without touching a single layer. It’s available on desktop, currently in limited beta, and Premium users get early access. If you're not a designer (like me), this is one of the most approachable creative tools I've seen in a long time. How will you use AI Assistant in Adobe Express? Comment below! #Ad #AdobeExpressAmbassadors #AdobeExpressAIAssistant #MakeItWithAdobeExpress #AdobeAmbassadorsAtMAX #AdobeMAX #ContentMarketing #AIforCreators

After 4.5 years of weekly calls, we finally met This weekend in Orange County, I got to meet Bao Tran in person. Four and a half years. That's how long Bao has been showing up to our weekly group coaching calls in my Digital First Group Coaching Community. Every single week. Always with questions. Always pushing to leverage digital marketing to move his business forward. What started as digital marketing coaching has evolved into something else entirely. I've watched Bao become a pioneer in using AI for patent generation in the legal industry. He now owns a portfolio of companies at the forefront of AI innovation in legal tech. The conversation we had this weekend reminded me why I love this work. Bao shared how he's not just using AI for his own business—he's productizing it for other businesses and industries. His aggressive conference schedule and networking efforts have made him one of the smartest connectors I know. Here's what hit me: Bao inspires me as much as I coach him. Maybe more. His dedication pushes me to work harder, experiment more, and stay at the top of my game in digital marketing. Because if I'm going to serve go-getters like him, I need to be a pioneer too. If you're in the legal industry—whether you're a startup founder, in-house legal team, or practicing lawyer—you should be talking to Bao about how AI is transforming your field. He's literally building the future of legal tech. To four and a half years of showing up. And to many more. This isn't a plug for my community as much as it is for Bao, but If you'd like to inquire about joining, please send me a message!

🔥 UNPOPULAR OPINION: Your AI obsession is making you less influential on LinkedIn While everyone's scrambling to become "AI-fluent," a new LinkedIn study just dropped some truth bombs that should completely shift your content strategy. The data that's making marketers panic: → 43% of professionals trust their NETWORK over AI for workplace advice → 64% say colleagues help them decide faster than any algorithm → 51% feel learning AI is like taking on a second job Here's what this means for YOUR LinkedIn presence: Stop trying to out-robot the robots. Start being more human. The professionals winning on this platform aren't the ones with the fanciest AI prompts—they're the ones building genuine relationships and sharing authentic insights from real experience. Three strategies I'm doubling down on (and you should too): 1. Relationship-first content creation Your network wants to hear from YOU, not ChatGPT-4. Share your actual wins, failures, and lessons learned. Vulnerability beats perfection every time. 2. Community over algorithms LinkedIn's algorithm is important, but peer recommendations are 10x more powerful. Focus on creating content that makes people want to tag their colleagues and share their own experiences. 3. Expert positioning through storytelling With 80% of marketers increasing spend on community-driven content, now's the time to establish yourself as the go-to voice in your niche. But do it through stories, not statistics. The bottom line? While others are chasing AI shortcuts, you can build lasting influence by being the human connection point in your professional community. What's your take? Are you seeing this shift toward human-first networking in your industry too? P.S. - The study surveyed 19,268 professionals across 14 countries. Sometimes the best insights come from simply asking people what they actually want. P.P.S. - Grab my latest LinkedIn advice in my book Maximizing LinkedIn for Business Growth available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited. #LinkedIn #NetworkMarketing #ThoughtLeadership #ProfessionalNetworking #ContentStrategy #B2BMarketing #CommunityBuilding

Most people are using LinkedIn like it’s 2019. They post when they feel like it… connect randomly… and hope the algorithm does the rest. But LinkedIn in 2026 rewards something different: a system—not hacks. In today’s newsletter, I break down the 5-part approach I’m betting on: 1️⃣ When LinkedIn Premium is (and isn’t) worth it 2️⃣ What content formats are actually getting reach right now 3️⃣ How to use AI without sounding like a robot 4️⃣ Why a personal CRM is the missing piece for most professionals 5️⃣ The real reason consistency beats virality every time If you’ve been “doing LinkedIn” but not seeing momentum, this will give you a clearer plan. What’s your biggest LinkedIn challenge right now: content, consistency, or converting connections into real relationships?

I don’t know what excites me more: Where I’m flying to, or digging into Joe Pulizzi ‘s new book Burn the Playbook!

If you’ve ever wished you could hire a smart extra set of hands for influencer marketing + social strategy… this is for you. A good friend of mine, Alexander Frolov, CEO and Co-Founder of HypeAuditor, just opened a beta for a new product called HypeAgent — an AI co‑worker powered by HypeAuditor. It’s built for the stuff marketers and founders are constantly juggling: ✔️ Find creators for campaigns faster ✔️ Analyze an account (audit + insights) ✔️ Compare influencers side-by-side ✔️ Check for fraud / suspicious activity ✔️ Pricing & rates guidance ✔️ Trends & content ideas when you’re staring at a blank calendar ✔️ Outreach support (connecting + next steps) And here’s the bonus for my network: If you sign up by Dec 21, you’ll get a free signup bonus of 500 credits (beta offer). That’s a rare chance to play with HypeAuditor-grade insights without paying first. Try it here: https://hypeagent.io (Just create an account and you should see the credits applied.) If you test it, I’m curious: What would you want an “AI co-worker” to do for your marketing team in 2026 — creator discovery, competitor analysis, content ideas, or reporting? Let me know in the comments! #InfluencerMarketing #CreatorEconomy #DigitalMarketing #MarketingTools #AI #Startups

91% of marketers say they use AI. But it's only touching 15% of their actual work. That gap is the whole story. Most people open ChatGPT, ask a question, copy the answer, close the tab. They're using AI the way we used Google in 2005 — one query at a time, no memory, no momentum. I've been doing something different. I moved my core workflows — content strategy, speaking prep, consulting projects, even this newsletter — into ongoing AI conversations. Not one-off prompts. Living, evolving projects. And something unexpected happened: the AI started getting better at my business. Not in a vague, futuristic way, but something immediately measurable. I call it the AI Workflow Flywheel. Here are its four stages: → You front-load context → The AI learns your world → Output quality goes up, time goes down → You reinvest the savings into higher-value work Each cycle compounds on the last. And the two mistakes that keep most marketers from ever experiencing it are surprisingly simple to fix. I broke down the whole system in my latest newsletter — including a 5-step action plan you can start this week. Read the full breakdown and my homework to help YOU create your own AI Workflow Flywheel here 👇

Here's what surprised me teaching AI marketing at Chapman University last week: The students didn't need help using ChatGPT. They've been using it since high school. They're faster with it than most marketing professionals I work with. What they'd never done? Applied it strategically to build a brand voice, define an ideal customer, and create a content system that actually drives business growth. That gap — between knowing how to use AI and knowing how to use AI for marketing — is the same gap I see everywhere right now. This was my second time guest lecturing for Chapman's Leatherby Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Ethics program, and the workshop focused on AI-powered marketing content creation. But the lesson wasn't "here's how to use ChatGPT." It was "here's how to stop using it like a vending machine and start using it like a strategic partner." The framework I walked the students through: First, define who you're actually talking to. Not "everyone" — your specific ideal customer profile with real pain points and real language. Second, build your brand voice before you ask AI to write anything. Are you professional and data-driven? Bold and disruptive? Fun and casual? AI can't match your voice if you haven't defined it yourself. Third, use AI to go from voice → content ideas → outlines → drafts → refined content. Each step builds on the last. Skip one and the output feels generic. By the end of the session, every student had a defined brand voice, a list of customer-driven content ideas, and a draft blog post or landing page — all in 90 minutes. Same tools. Completely different outcomes. The takeaway that applies to everyone reading this: stop asking AI for content. Start teaching it your context, your audience, and your voice. The output quality difference is night and day. Huge thank you to Dr. Cynthia West, Ph.D. West for inviting me back. Teaching the next generation of entrepreneurs how to think strategically about AI — not just use it — is one of the most energizing things I get to do. If your university or organization is looking for a hands-on AI marketing workshop like this, I'd love to chat. Feel free to reach out. What's the biggest gap you've seen between knowing how to use AI and knowing how to use it strategically? I'd love to hear your experience.

I'm going to say something that might seem counterintuitive coming from a Fractional CMO. Sometimes the best thing I can do for a client is help them find an agency. Here's the context. A lot of the companies I work with are businesses or organizations bringing me in for a specific project. They want smart strategy and they want to make the most of the team, however small, they already have. That's my sweet spot — building the roadmap, getting the right systems in place, making sure the internal team can actually execute. But there's a moment that comes up more often than you'd think. The strategy is solid. The team is executing. Things are working. And then you realize… the business needs more than what their internal team can realistically handle. More channels. More content. More optimization. More of everything, all at once. That's the DIY ceiling. And I've watched businesses stall there because they think outsourcing means they failed at doing it themselves. It doesn't. It means the strategy worked and now you need firepower to scale it. And here's something people don't talk about enough — outsourcing doesn't always mean handing something off permanently. Sometimes there's a new marketing channel your business needs to be on but your team has zero experience with it. Bringing in an agency to run it while your team watches, asks questions, and learns the ropes? That's one of the highest-ROI moves I've seen companies make. You get results from day one AND you're building internal capability for the long run. So whether you need to fully outsource to scale or you want a partner to help your team get up to speed on something new, the starting point is finding the right agency. The tricky part is that the market is flooded, everyone claims to be a "full-service" solution, and most businesses don't know what questions to ask. That's why I worked with Clutch to put together a curated directory of vetted digital marketing agencies — real track records, verified reviews, proven results. If any of this resonated, I dropped the link in the comments. Knowing when to bring in the right partner — and why — is one of the smartest strategic moves you can make. If you currently work with an agency, I'm curious — how did you find them? Or did you inherit them?

Everyone's talking about agentic AI. But here's what I've noticed: most of the conversation is either hype or aimed at large enterprises with six-figure budgets. What about the rest of us? That's why I'm hosting a free webinar with Vugar Javadov, founder of Obsera.com. His team has built a platform that brings AI-driven marketing workflows to marketers, small businesses, and creators — not just enterprise teams. We're talking AI agents that handle copy creation, publishing, inbox management, social listening, and ad management under one unified platform. With you still in control. Vugar will be doing a live demo of how it actually works. That's the part I'm most excited about — because honestly, I plan to get schooled on this right alongside everyone who attends. Here are the deets: 📅 February 24, 2026 at 9 AM Pacific 💰 Free 🔗 In the comments 👇 See you there? #AIMarketing #AgenticAI #MarketingAutomation

As a Fractional CMO, I help companies maximize what they can do with their internal resources. Build the strategy, set up the right systems, get people executing. But I'll be honest — SEO is the area where I most often tell clients to bring in outside help. Not because their teams aren't capable. Because the game has changed so much that keeping up is basically a full-time job on its own. Think about what's shifted just in the last couple of years: AI Overviews are answering queries directly in search results. The old "rank on page one and watch the traffic roll in" approach doesn't hit the same way when Google gives away the answer before anyone clicks. AEO and GEO are rewriting the rules entirely. While there is a lot of overlap with traditional SEO, I believe it's best to think of optimizing for AI engines and generative search as a different discipline than traditional SEO — and many businesses haven't even started _seriously_ thinking about it yet. Google now evaluates your entire site for topical authority — not just whether one page targets one keyword. Scattered content strategies are losing to focused, comprehensive ones. E-E-A-T has real teeth now. With AI-generated content flooding the web, Google is rewarding content that shows genuine experience and expertise. Generic stuff gets buried. And the technical side — Core Web Vitals, structured data, crawl optimization — the bar keeps rising every quarter. This is why specialized SEO agencies earn their money right now. They live in this world every single day, adapting in real time while most marketing teams are working off playbooks from 2-3 years ago. What "bringing in help" looks like depends on the situation. For some companies, it makes sense to fully outsource SEO and let the specialists own it. But for others, there's a smarter play — bring in an agency not just to do the work but to learn from them. Sit in on the strategy calls. Watch how they approach a technical audit. You're paying for results AND an education at the same time. Part of setting the right strategy is being honest about where specialists will outperform generalists. SEO has absolutely become one of those areas. I've been working with Clutch to curate a directory of SEO agencies that are actually keeping pace with these shifts. If your organic traffic has plateaued and you're not sure why, the link's in the comments. With the rise of AEO and GEO, I'm curious — are you trying to build that expertise in-house, outsourcing it, or taking a hybrid approach?

Excited to be speaking TODAY at DigiMarCon San Jose on a topic I'm deeply passionate about: User-Generated Content. But here's the thing—UGC isn't just another marketing tactic to add to your to-do list. It's the connective tissue of modern social media marketing. When implemented strategically, UGC becomes the central force that unifies: ✨ Organic social media marketing ✨ Paid social media campaigns ✨ Influencer marketing ✨ Employee advocacy ✨ Employer branding ✨ Brand community building Instead of treating these as separate initiatives competing for budget and resources, UGC serves as the thread that weaves them into a cohesive, powerful strategy. It transforms your customers, employees, and brand advocates into your most authentic storytellers. This integrated approach is exactly what I explored in my book, Digital Threads—because the future of marketing isn't about broadcasting louder; it's about empowering others to speak on your behalf. If you're at #DigiMarCon today, I'd love to connect and continue the conversation. And if you're not, I'd love to hear: How are you leveraging UGC in your marketing strategy? #DigitalMarketing #UserGeneratedContent #SocialMediaMarketing #ThoughtLeadership #DigitalThreads #MarketingStrategy

Want to become an influencer? A thought leader? It all starts with your personal brand. Eric Eden, on his Remarkable Marketing podcast, asked me what would be my 2 or 3 tips to help you build your personal brand. This is my response. #personalbranding

Most people who pay for LinkedIn Premium are wasting their money.  Not because Premium is bad—because they use it like a slightly fancier digital résumé. When I work with clients on LinkedIn strategy, I make sure they don't follow the same pattern I often see: The many who upgrade, poke around a few features, and then go back to passive scrolling. The real value of LinkedIn Premium appears only when you use a few specific features deliberately to drive business outcomes. Here’s where to focus: 1. Advanced Search Filters Use this to build targeted lists, not just “browse people.” - Find the exact roles, companies, and locations you care about.   - Save these searches and turn them into a weekly prospecting routine. For B2B sales and consultants, this is your starting point for a predictable outreach system. 2. InMail Credits InMail is not an excuse to send mass, generic pitches. - Use it to reach decision‑makers directly when you can’t get a warm intro.   - Reference something specific from their profile or content to earn a response. Used well, InMail response rates are consistently higher than "spray and pray" cold email—especially for high‑value conversations. 3. Profile View Insights & “Who’s Viewed Your Profile” Treat this as a signal dashboard, not a vanity metric. - Look for patterns: which industries, titles, and companies are showing up?   - Prioritize people who view your profile multiple times or after you post. These are often your warmest leads, partners, or speaking opportunities—you just need a simple follow‑up play. 4. LinkedIn Learning If you’re paying for Premium and ignoring Learning, you’re leaving value on the table. - Use it to upskill yourself or your team in areas directly tied to revenue: sales, marketing, leadership, AI.   - Build learning plans around your quarterly goals (not random courses). Continuous learning is still one of the most underrated competitive advantages. The cost vs. ROI, you ask? LinkedIn Premium is not cheap. But one closed deal, one strategic partnership, or one key hire can easily pay for a year—or more. The key is to treat Premium as part of a deliberate LinkedIn system, not as a nice‑to‑have subscription. Here’s a simple workflow I recommend: 1. Define your primary outcome (deals, hires, partners, roles).   2. Build and save targeted searches aligned to that outcome.   3. Reach out with personalized InMails and connection requests.   4. Monitor who’s viewing your profile and engaging with your content.   5. Follow up thoughtfully and nurture the right relationships. LinkedIn Premium is not for everyone. But if LinkedIn is a meaningful channel for your business or career, using Premium strategically can turn the platform from a passive network into an active growth engine. That’s when it stops being a cost—and starts behaving like an investment. What ROI (or missed opportunities) have you seen from LinkedIn Premium?

The best brand communities aren’t built on products. They are built on people. After a week at Adobe MAX surrounded by creators who inspire me, I’m reminded why I’m proud to be part of the Adobe Express Ambassador community. Giving a shoutout to those in my pics ALL of whom you should be following! (and sorry to the others I met but didn’t have a chance to take a selfie with!): Grace Ling 🐰 Charmaine Jennings Nicte Cuevas Yiying Lu Andrew Kan Rob Balasabas Ian Anderson Gray Elfried Samba I’ll be sharing what I learned at last week’s event over the next several days, but I am still buzzing about the amazing people I met and the incredible new technology I witnessed! For those of you using Adobe Express, how will YOU use the new AI Assistant? Comment below! #Ad #AdobeAmbassadorsAtMAX #AdobeExpressAmbassadors

Everyone’s busy dunking on “AI slop.” Almost nobody’s talking about the uncomfortable truth underneath it. If AI search and LLMs are where your buyers now go first for answers, then having only a handful of great posts is no longer enough. In the era of the “long‑long tail,” no content really does mean no discoverability—for both humans and the models that serve them. In my latest newsletter, I break down: ✔️ The shift from traditional SEO to what I am callingthe long‑long tail created by AI search ✔️ The 3 tiers of AI content (and why only one is acceptable) ✔️ The 4 guardrails of responsible AI volume so you don’t trash your brand ✔️ A practical fractal repurposing workflow that turns one flagship asset into 20+ long‑tail answers AI can actually find If you’re a founder, marketer, or creator who wants to show up in AI answers without publishing garbage, this one’s for you. How are you currently using (or avoiding) AI in your content strategy—and what’s holding you back from scaling it?

🎯 I just solved one of marketing's biggest headaches After years of getting asked "Neal, who would you recommend?" for everything from SEO to video production, I decided to do something about it. I've partnered with Clutch to curate 12 specialized directories of agencies and consultants I actually recommend—based on proven results, not marketing budgets. ✅ Digital Marketing Agencies ✅ SEO Companies ✅ AI Development Companies ✅ Video Production Agencies ✅ Social Media Marketing Agencies ✅ Lead Generation Partners ✅ Ecommerce Development Companies ✅ WordPress Development Companies ✅ Content Marketing Firms ✅ Email Marketing Agencies ✅ Influencer Marketing Agencies ✅ Facebook Advertising Partners Each directory includes global options across different price points and specialties. Whether you're a startup or enterprise brand, there's a vetted partner for you. The best part? These are living resources I'll update as the industry evolves. No more endless research. No more disappointing discoveries. Just trusted recommendations from someone who's been on both sides of the agency relationship. What's your biggest challenge when selecting agency partners? 👇 Read the full story and explore all 12 directories in my latest newsletter. #MarketingAgencies #B2BMarketing #DigitalMarketing #MarketingStrategy #AgencyLife #MarketingConsulting

The AI revolution isn't slowing down—and neither should we. That's why I'm heading to Podfest Multimedia Expo in Orlando next month for my third year. What draws me back? Three days of real practitioners sharing what's actually working in content creation and AI—not theory, but hands-on strategies from people in the trenches. This year's lineup has me especially excited. Just look at some of these sessions: → 5 Ways To Use AI To Grow Your Video Podcast by 10X → 5 tips to influence what ChatGPT says about you and your podcast. → Ultimate YouTube Guide to Standing Out in a Saturated Market and Becoming a Destination Channel → Youtube Podcasting Masterclass; 0-50k Subscribers in 12 months → How to build an Application in 15 minutes → AI Tools Every Podcaster Should Be Using Right Now → From Podcast to Profit: AI, Marketing, and Tech Systems That Scale → Why Pay Monthly? Have AI Create Your Own Podcast Apps in Minutes → AI YouTube Ads that Convert: How Podcasters Test and Scale Growth with AI → Train your AI to Think Like You: Build Your Own Custom Content Assistant → No Team? No Problem: AI Hacks for Solo and Small-Pod Teams The best way to stay ahead? Learn from people who are already there. Will I see you in Orlando? Drop a comment below—I'd love to connect in person! 👇

As I continue working with Claude I am finding that conversations get cut off (i.e. hit maximum) really quick making it hard to do cohesive work. As I go back to Chat GPT-5, however, I am finding that I need to say YES 5 times to get it to do what I am asking it to do. I think we have a long way to go in AI development as we get used to and better at using these tools. Do you also hit the wall with these sorts of restrictions and annoyances on a daily basis? Any workarounds to share?

It was an honor to present at Cynthia West, Ph.D. ‘S entrepreneurship class at Chapman University this week. I held an interactive AI workshop for the first time working with student entrepreneurs on how they can use AI to brainstorm, confirm, refine and create content, in their own unique brand voice, which will resonate with their own unique audience and drive action. I look forward to refining this workshop and launching it as one of my standard customer-facing workshops. Stay tuned! P.S. I have a bad habit of forgetting to take photos when I speak, so here I am relaxing over a cup of coffee at a nearby coffee shop after the fact 😎 P.P.S. If you read this far have a great weekend!

Most creators I know are working harder than ever… but they’re not getting enough done. And after working with creators for years, I’ve learned the real issue isn’t effort. It’s the absence of a system. If you want to grow, you have to treat content like a business. That means building operations that make your work easier, faster, and more reliable. Here’s the starting point: 1. Centralize Your Content - One hub for ideas, drafts, and assets - Notion, Airtable, Google Drive — the tool matters less than the consistency - Scattered files = wasted time and mental load 2. Standardize Your Workflow - Define your path from idea → publish - Use templates and checklists to stay consistent - Predictability builds trust with your audience 3. Use Technology Intentionally - Choose a small set of tools - Automate busywork, not creativity - Too many tools create friction, not freedom - Leverage AI intelligently without losing your voice or creativity 4. Repurpose With Purpose - One strong idea becomes posts, videos, threads, newsletters - Track where each asset lives - Multiply your output without multiplying your hours 5. Let Data Guide You - Know what performs — and why - Review analytics weekly - Double down on the formats and topics that move the needle 6. Protect Your Creative Time - Block deep work - Batch similar tasks - Guard your calendar from low-value demands Content operations are the foundation of sustainable creator growth. Systems create space for creativity. And when you run content like a business, you stop burning out and start scaling. Creators who win aren’t the ones who grind the longest. They’re the ones who build systems that compound their creativity and scale their impact. If you want growth, don’t add more hours — add more structure. What part of your content process feels the most chaotic right now? Drop it in the comments — I might be able to help you fix it.

Most people's AI content sounds like it was written by the same robot 🤖 (And their audience can tell...) Here's the brutal truth: While everyone's using the same AI tools, 90% are getting generic, off-brand outputs that scream "ChatGPT wrote this." The difference? It's not the tool—it's HOW you collaborate with it. I recently developed a 7-step framework that transforms robotic AI outputs into authentic content that actually sounds like YOU. When I used it to update my LinkedIn headline, the results were instant—headlines that captured my unique voice, not generic AI copy. I call it the ASKNEAL™ Framework: ✅ Assign a Role ✅ State Your Objective ✅ Kickstart Context ✅ Name Your Inspiration ✅ Expand Upon the Idea ✅ Ask for Clarification ✅ Lead the Iteration This isn't just for LinkedIn content—I use this framework for email campaigns, business strategy, presentations, and solving complex problems. The result? Content that reflects YOUR unique voice, serves YOUR specific audience, and aligns with YOUR goals. I just published a detailed breakdown of the entire framework in my latest newsletter below. Question for you: What's your biggest challenge with AI-generated content? #AI #ChatGPT #LinkedInMarketing #ContentStrategy #DigitalMarketing #PersonalBranding

Have you ever tried using your iPad as your main work device? I am looking to do even more travel, and one way to lighten the load is to ditch my MacBook Pro for the iPad, which I am experimenting with as we speak overseas. It is interesting to see the number of iOS apps that are available for the iPad and I am in the process of seeing how many Chrome tabs I can replace with them ;-) If anyone has done what I am attempting, I’d appreciate your advice! Thanks in advance! P.S. I am using the newest, cheapest iPad (A16) with a Logitech keyboard, and so far so good!

Had an interesting conversation with one of my brothers the other day. He was fixated on how bad some AI results were. Just couldn’t see how anything useful could come from it. To him, the outputs sounded like filler. It reminded me of years ago when my accountant asked why I’d waste money upgrading to a higher‑speed modem to access the internet. (Yeah, that absolutely ages me.) Both moments had the same lesson: most people miss the value of new tools at first. They focus on what’s missing, not what’s possible. Here’s my take: We’re living in a time where you can sit down with four of the smartest “minds” in the world—ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and Perplexity—anytime you want. You’d be crazy not to experiment, learn, and look for ways to use them. Skip the hype. Pick ONE skill or business problem. Get obsessive about using AI to solve it. That’s how real value gets created. Not by expecting perfection, but by seeing the potential and putting it to work. A few simple examples: → Use AI to write stronger social content or marketing copy in less time and with less stress. → Automate repetitive tasks for yourself or your team and save hours every week. → Teach clients or colleagues how to level up their work with generative tools. You don’t need to be technical. You just need a clear vision and a bit more hands‑on experience than most. While everyone else is arguing about what AI can’t do, focus on what it can. We’ve all got access to these “brains” now. The real question is: how are you putting them to use? What’s stopping you?

So honored that my book, a year after publication, is still reaching its intended audience, one reader at a time. Thank you for the kind words, Paul Segreto!

When was the last time your social media scheduling tool actually surprised you? Not a new integration. Not dark mode. Something that genuinely changed how you work. For most of us, the honest answer is: it's been years. Meanwhile, AI agents are starting to replace entire tool stacks — not by connecting disconnected apps, but by making them unnecessary. In this week's newsletter, I break down how to audit your marketing stack through the lens of AI — and why 2026 might be the year your monthly subscriptions finally get a wake-up call. Includes a practical 5-step framework you can use this month.

Let me ask you a quick question 👇 How many marketing tools are you paying for each month? Monitoring. Inbox management. Campaign analytics. Competitor tracking. UTM analysis. Executive reporting. Now imagine AI agents handling all of it — in one platform. Next Tuesday, I'm being joined by my friend, Vugar Javadov (founder of Obsera.com), who will be doing a live demo of 6 AI-powered modules during our free webinar: → Real-time media monitoring with AI spike detection → Unified inbox with AI-assisted response management → Executive dashboard with AI summarization → Automated competitor website change tracking → AI-driven UTM and campaign structure analysis → Performance optimization signals from your ad data This isn't theoretical. These are embedded AI agents running real marketing workflows. Join us? 📅 Tuesday, February 24 at 9 AM Pacific 💰 Free Check out the event page for the registration details👇

Most B2B teams can recite engagement numbers. Few can tell you what social contributed to pipeline last quarter. Social media is only as strong as the KPIs you track. It’s not about likes. It’s about business results. Here’s what I see in the field: Top performers don’t chase vanity metrics. They prioritize KPIs tied to pipeline, revenue, and customer value. Let’s break down the metrics that matter. 1️⃣ Engagement Rate If your content doesn’t resonate, algorithms and audiences ignore it. Examples: - Comments and shares - CTR on links - Saves and meaningful interactions Why it matters: - Signals relevance and trust - Early indicator of conversions Tips: - Track engagement by topic and format - Test multiple LinkedIn formats: text, carousels, video, polls, articles 2️⃣ Conversion Rate This is where social meets business. Examples: - Email signups - Demo requests - Purchases Why it matters: - Shows whether people take action - Connects social to pipeline and revenue Tips: - Use UTMs and dedicated landing pages - For advocacy, assign personalized pages per employee 3️⃣ ROAS and CAC These separate true growth companies from those simply “spending on social.” Examples: - ROAS: revenue per ad dollar - CAC: cost to acquire a customer Why it matters: - Shows spend efficiency - Guides smarter budgets Tips: - Review monthly and shift spend to higher-performing channels - Include organic content costs too 4️⃣ Customer Retention from Social Growth also depends on keeping and expanding customers. Examples: - Repeat purchases influenced by social - Engagement with your community or support content Why it matters: - Increases LTV - Lowers future CAC and builds advocacy Tip: - Track retention by source and invest in content that keeps customers engaged 5️⃣ Cross-Channel Attribution The customer journey isn’t linear; it works more like a custom playlist—shuffled and discovered on the customer’s terms. Examples: - Multi-touch attribution - Assisted conversions Why it matters: - Reveals social’s true impact - Optimizes the entire funnel Tips: - Use analytics that support assisted conversions - Growth comes from turning data into action. Top teams build dashboards, review KPIs consistently, and adjust quickly. They don’t just report numbers—they refine strategy, content, and spend. Social media isn’t a guessing game. It’s a growth engine when you measure what matters. Track the right KPIs. Act on the insights. Watch your business grow. What KPIs do you manage—and which are hardest to tie to revenue?

Shout out to Dorien Morin-van Dam, the person I connected with the most on LinkedIn this year. #YearinReview Have you checked out your year in review yet? Any surprises?

The moment AI clicked for me at Adobe MAX. I was invited to Adobe MAX by Adobe Express, and one of the most surprising takeaways was how powerful — and accessible — Firefly has become. I gave it a single prompt based on a social proof concept I used in a recent talk for DigiMarCon… and in seconds, it generated exactly what I needed. You can now generate visuals using different engines inside Firefly — including Adobe’s own and third-party models like Nano Banana. It’s a complete creative brainstorming space that is accessible for all, including non-designers like me! How have you used Adobe Firefly? Comment below! #Ad #AdobeFirefly #AdobeMAX #AdobeAmbassadorsAtMAX #AIImageGeneration #ContentMarketing #PromptDesign #AdobeExpressAmbassadors

Think your next big opportunity will come from a new follower? It’s probably buried in your DMs right now — gathering dust. This insight hit me hard while revising Maximizing LinkedIn for Business Growth. I realized the missing piece in a LinkedIn success formula is simple: Organize and follow up. In the latest edition of my newsletter, I’m sharing: ✅ The exact mindset shift to stop warm leads from going cold ✅ 6 personal CRM tools (like Kondo, Nimble, Clay, Folk, Relatable, Attio) to bring Inbox Zero to your relationships ✅ A dead-simple routine to turn connections into real opportunities Don’t let your best leads die in your DMs. Start nurturing them now. Read it here — then tell me: How do YOU stay on top of your follow-up? #crm #sales #inbox

Dear LinkedIn, How are there companies out there that are able to offer LinkedIn Sales Navigator at such an inexpensive price? Yours sincerely, One Confused Consumer

Want to be featured in my next LinkedIn book? I’m updating and expanding my book Maximizing LinkedIn for Business Growth (feel free to look it up on Amazon), and I’m dedicating a new chapter to real-life success stories. I’m looking for organic LinkedIn wins—no automation tools, no paid ads, no Sales Navigator. Just smart, strategic use of LinkedIn that led to real business results. Are you an entrepreneur, business owner, or professional who… ✅ Landed a client or collaboration through consistent engagement? ✅ Attracted opportunities through your optimized profile or content? ✅ Built a meaningful network that turned into revenue or referrals? If so, and you can walk me through exactly what you did (and why it worked), I’d love to consider your story for the book. Please send me a DM if we’re connected—or a connection request if we’re not. I’m asking folks not to comment with pitches here so we can keep the thread clean. Looking forward to sharing some of your inspiring LinkedIn wins in print! #linkedin #casestudy #linkedinmarketing

This weekend only, my latest book Maximizing LinkedIn for Business Growth is FREE on Amazon Kindle! It’s already hit #1 in Small Business Advertising, Small Business Sales & Selling, and Home-Based Business Sales & Selling—but my goal is to get it into as many hands as possible. If you want to leverage LinkedIn to grow your business, expand your network, and drive results, now’s the time to grab your copy. https://lnkd.in/gcQda7Cp #LinkedInTips #SmallBusiness #BusinessGrowth

You don’t need to be a tech wizard to run a successful blog. In this new article from MarketerMagazine.co, 8 industry experts—including yours truly (see image below!)—share practical strategies to help bloggers stay focused on what matters most: content creation. My tip? Outsource what drains your energy. For just $69/month, I offloaded all my WordPress tech headaches to a professional maintenance service. The peace of mind and productivity boost? Worth every penny. Whether you're dealing with plugins, hosting nightmares, or just feeling overwhelmed, this article offers a toolkit of smart solutions. 🔧 Simplify your workflow 🧠 Focus on your strengths 🖥️ Let the pros handle the backend If blogging feels more like tech support lately, it’s time to flip the script. Check out the full article 👇 https://lnkd.in/gZ2VhqsM

If you've been looking for a marketing agency, it's hard to cut through the noise. That's why I'm honored to be partnering with Clutch, the leading B2B marketplace helping businesses connect with trusted companies. Check out all of my curated marketing agency directories here: https://lnkd.in/gUu_Mr2r And read Clutch's post below for more details on their "B2B Expert Picks" program.

After 15+ years consulting with businesses from Fortune 50s to startups, I keep seeing the same expensive mistake: Companies treat digital marketing like separate tactics instead of connected threads. → Facebook ads in isolation → Random email campaigns → Disconnected social posts → Content that goes nowhere Result? 90% of web pages get ZERO search traffic. The solution isn't another "guru" telling you to focus on ONE channel. It's understanding how to weave everything together strategically. That's why I'm hosting a free webinar TODAY Tuesday (Aug 12th @ 12PM PDT) with my friends at NISM (National Institute for Social Media) : "Digital Threads: A Small-Business Digital Marketing Playbook" I'll walk you through: ✅ The SES Framework (Search, Email, Social) ✅ Why 98% of traffic doesn't convert + the fix ✅ How to build a content library that works everywhere ✅ My 4-step methodology from scattered to strategic This is the same approach I use with my Fractional CMO clients. Link to register 👉 https://lnkd.in/g3P9Z6dA What's your biggest digital marketing challenge right now? #DigitalMarketing #SmallBusiness #MarketingStrategy #ContentMarketing

When someone locally reaches out to be on my Your Digital Marketing Coach podcast, of course I meet them in person over a cup of coffee! If you are a marketer with a story to tell / lesson to teach and live in or near Irvine, please hit me up! And thanks again for reaching out Ray Hartjen! Can't wait for our podcast interview!

Great to see my friends Jim Wendt and Angelo Ponzi on this list of recommended Fractional CMOs here in Orange County!

Ad – Shared as a guest of Adobe Express during Adobe MAX One of the most impressive things I discovered at MAX this year was how Adobe Firefly has evolved into a full-on creative AI studio. It’s not just Adobe’s own model anymore — Firefly now gives creators access to other industry leaders like Flux, Ideogram, Nano Banana, and even video models like Pika, Ray, and VEO 3.1. I tested the same prompt across different models and the results? Incredibly diverse. It’s like having multiple creative perspectives on demand — all in one place. How have you used Adobe Firefly? Comment below! #AdobeMAX #AdobeFirefly #AdobeExpressAmbassadors #AdobeAmbassadorsAtMAX #Ad