James

Marketing is hard, or so everyone says. But is it, really?

Get the right message to the right person at the right time.

Awareness → Engagement → Consideration → Decision

The AI Marketing Workflow Build an AI marketing workflow that, like a relay race team, integrates AI tools into a seamless system to deliver quality results faster.

The businesses winning with AI aren’t using more tools; they’re using smarter workflows.

bit.ly/4p0t49s

Yesterday, I invested some time exploring Gemini, the Google AI chatbot. It’s not as good as ChatGPT, as some key capabilities are missing, but it is serviceable for simple tasks. Among the Google AI tools, the winner for me is still NotebookLM. The new reports feature is incredible.

So much winning. I can't stand it.

Demented old man.

How Structured Prompts Unlock GPT-5’s Potential GPT-5 is as powerful as they say, but it requires a more structured prompting. Unlock GPT-5's potential with the CRAFT prompt framework.

AI is an amplifier, not a magic button. If your prompt is broken, your output will be too. ~ James’ism

bit.ly/4mzqMwz

Stop Treating ChatGPT Like a Temp Worker We explore how to unlock the potential of Custom GPTs and Projects to streamline your team collaboration and improve AI performance.

One-off chats can be useful, but real value comes from scalable systems. Learn how to use and combine Custom GPTs and Projects to transform inconsistent results into a repeatable, compounding system.

Start building infrastructure, not side projects: bit.ly/3LTM3UM

I’m not just the marketing guy. Home made Sauerkraut. If you’ve not made this, it’s better than store bought and there are more probiotics in a spoonful of Sauerkraut, than you’ll get from any OTC products.

Democrats asked for ONE THING today to reopen the govt: Keep health insurance subsidies where they are at now for one year. That is IT. Nothing else.

Republicans said no.

So all the lies they tell every day about things Dems are asking for is BS.
Republicans OWN this shutdown.

A gap in the trees through which we can see forests and hills stretching to the horizon.

Happy Friday!

A LinkedIn expert connected with me. "We work with all types of B2B companies, helping them grow their presence by earning new business through LinkedIn messaging and/or unique marketing strategies. It would make sense to have a conversation with us about how we can partner." Generic much?

It’s also b/c he desperately needs everyone to look away from the Epstein files.

He stands there, obnoxious, and in the video, you can see RFK exit the room as quickly as possible. There isn't an ounce of moral fiber in any of them.

Dashboards should clarify, not decorate data. ~ James’ism

It makes me sad to say this, but based on my experience, most marketers are innumerate. I'm working on a post about marketing math that won't solve this problem, but it's making me feel like I'm helping.

“Absolute numbers describe. Relative numbers explain.” ~ James’ism

A 10-Minute Setup That 10x’s ChatGPT’s Usefulness - No Prompt Geekery Required Learn how optimized custom instructions when combined with structured prompting elevates your interactions with ChatGPT.

If you are using ChatGPT and haven't used its personalization feature, you're using the tool with the parking brake on.

Read or post, A 10-Minute Setup That 10x’s ChatGPT’s Usefulness – No Prompt Geekery Required

bit.ly/4hgJyYk

Unfortunately, traditional corporate media isn't "our media", it's "his media" now.

But, so many truly amazing independent outlets and journalists *can* be our media. Please support them however you're able to.

Marketing math, "Absolute numbers describe what happened. Relative numbers explain what it means." ~ James'ism

Our tagline is "If it's not strategic, it's not marketing." We say this because the most common problem I see in digital marketing campaigns and websites is a lack of strategy.

Ask yourself, "Is your marketing breaking through the noise or adding to it."

Strategy is the difference maker.

The Missing Middle The new chasm is about trust adoption. Don't fall in the gap. See how mid-funnel marketing can be a difference-maker.

The new chasm is about trust adoption. Don't fall in the gap. To see how mid-funnel marketing can be a difference-maker, read my post, The Missing Middle, where I quote Rachel Madow in a marketing context.

bit.ly/4ovYYLd

Fall 😊

Six Ways to Convince Website Visitors to Stay, in Six Seconds or Less The application of the six-seconds-or-less principle will result in more effective website pages. Read our six tips.

6 Ways to Keep Website Visitors in 6 Seconds or Less:
- Fast page load.
- Tell them they're in the right place.
- Give them a benefit-oriented reason to stay.
- Make their pathway clear.
- Inspire trust with social proof, high on the page.
- Use visuals, white space—avoid text walls.

bit.ly/4oRzuI5

The Zen Marketing Framework Zen Marketing: a thoughtful approach to marketing for growth that delivers value to your audience and your business.

"In a world of marketing chaos, intention creates clarity. Strategy sets your direction, structure makes your system strong, and measurement keeps you on course." ~ Zen Marketing

bit.ly/4muksX3

“The choice is simple. Keep pushing and hope, or start guiding and grow.” ~ James’ism

"To sell something new, build on something familiar." ~ James'ism

You should add @damemagazine.bsky.social to your list. They are huge champions of democracy and equal rights.

Data without context is noise. Context without data is opinion. Data with context is insight. You need both for growth. ~ James'ism

What a Loss Leader Pricing Strategy Actually Buys Costco's rotisserie chicken is an example of a loss leader pricing strategy that you can apply to your business.

Want to know how losing $40 million is good for a business? Read our post: What a Loss Leader Pricing Strategy Actually buys.

bit.ly/47HODFX

A broken clock is correct twice a day.

There’s a reason real estate is expensive in California 😎 The trailhead for this walk is less than 10 minutes from our house.