In this episode of Digital Marketing Masters, host Matt Rouse welcomes Dan Wood to discuss the intricacies and common pitfalls of Google Ads for small and medium-sized business owners. They dive into the challenges many businesses face with Google Ads, often finding themselves spending money without seeing returns. Dan shares his expertise in troubleshooting and optimizing ad accounts, starting with the crucial step of setting up conversion tracking correctly. He explains how conversion tracking helps Google Ads understand valuable actions taken by visitors, which is essential for optimizing ad performance.

Matt and Dan also explore the importance of proper location targeting in Google Ads. They discuss how businesses can waste money by targeting the wrong geographical areas and provide insights on how to set up location targeting effectively. The conversation highlights the significance of understanding the difference between targeting people "in or interested in" a location versus those "recently in" a location.

Furthermore, they emphasize the importance of having a robust follow-up process once leads are generated. Dan shares real-life examples of businesses losing potential customers due to poor lead management and the lack of a systematic approach to handling inquiries. They discuss the decay of lead value over time and the necessity of quick responses to maximize conversion rates.

The episode concludes with a discussion on the future of AI in lead management and customer interaction, highlighting the potential for AI agents to streamline processes and improve customer service. Matt and Dan agree on the importance of having a well-defined process for managing leads and continuously optimizing it to enhance business performance.

Matt shares his experience using capabilities of Google's Notebook LM to generate a podcast episode based on his book, "PEERtainment," in just minutes. 

The generated podcast delves into his book's insights on the evolving landscape of social media and content creation, emphasizing the shift towards "PEERtainment"—professional quality content created by everyday people. And you won't believe it wasn't written by human hands.

The hosts discuss the democratization of media and how creators no longer need millions of followers to make an impact. They highlight the importance of audience retention, watch time, and session time in the new content world, offering practical tips on how to hook viewers and keep them engaged. The episode also covers the role of AI in content creation, suggesting that AI can enhance rather than replace human creativity.

Listeners are encouraged to embrace their unique voice and connect authentically with their audience. Matt provides actionable advice for content creators, including knowing your audience, leveraging curiosity, comedy, and connection, and using AI tools to expand reach. The episode concludes with a reminder that consistency and authenticity are key to success in the purtainment era.

Welcome to episode 258 of the Digital Marketing Masters podcast with your host, Matt Rouse. In this episode, we are joined by Aaron Ryan, a celebrated voice actor and author of The Dissonance Quadrilogy. We dive into Aaron's extensive career in voice acting, which began in 1993, and discuss how the rapid advancements in AI technology are impacting the industry. Aaron shares his insights on the commoditization of voice-over work, the challenges posed by AI-generated voices, and his transition to becoming a full-time author.

Aaron talks about the emotional nuances and unique qualities that human voice actors bring to their work, which #AI still struggles to replicate. We also explore the ethical and creative implications of AI in the arts, including writing and music. Aaron emphasizes the importance of embracing one's unique talents and adapting to industry changes while staying true to one's creative passions.

We also touch on the practical aspects of self-publishing, the challenges of marketing books in a saturated market, and the importance of maintaining creative control. Aaron shares his rapid publishing timeline and the passion that drives his storytelling. Whether you're an aspiring voice actor, author, or just curious about the intersection of AI and creativity, this episode offers valuable insights and inspiration.

Don't miss this engaging conversation filled with practical advice, personal anecdotes, and a deep dive into the future of creative industries in the age of AI.

** Aaron knows we use a digital voiceover when talking about my book at the end of the show. Don't call me out, it's both ironic and designed to show the future we are moving to while most are unaware. Go read "Will AI Take My Job?" Available on Amazon.

Dissonance Quadrilogy by Aaron Ryan
Hook Digital Marketing

(00:03) Introduction and Guest Overview

(00:46) Impact of AI on Voice Acting

(04:22) Challenges in the Voice Over Industry

(10:35) AI in Creative Fields

(20:38) Adapting to Industry Changes

(28:12) Writing and Publishing Books

(39:28) Music and AI

(44:06) Closing Remarks

https://serve.podhome.fm/episodepage/digital-marketing-masters/the-dissonance-quadrilogy-aaron-ryans-voice-acting-authorship-in-an-ai-world-258

Welcome back to the Digital Marketing Masters podcast! In this episode, host Matt Rouse is joined by returning guest James Hipkin, author of "Journey to Success: Digital Marketing for Small Business Owners." James shares his insights on the importance of marketing strategy and how small business owners can navigate the overwhelming world of digital marketing.

James discusses the principles of marketing that have stood the test of time and how they are still relevant today. He emphasizes the need for a clear strategy to cut through the noise and be relevant to what customers need. The conversation touches on the importance of website performance, clear messaging, and the pitfalls of focusing too much on aesthetics without a solid strategy.

Matt and James also delve into the use of AI in marketing, sharing practical examples of how AI can assist in creating effective marketing strategies and content. They discuss the benefits of using AI tools to generate customer avatars, journey maps, and even color palettes for websites. The episode wraps up with a discussion on the future of AI in marketing and how small business owners can leverage these tools to stay competitive.

Don't miss this insightful episode filled with practical tips and strategies for improving your digital marketing efforts. Whether you're a seasoned marketer or a small business owner just starting out, there's something valuable for everyone in this conversation.

Red8 Interactive with James Hipkin.

Matt Rouse, Hook Digital Marketing, and SMB Autopilot:
https://hookdm.com
https://hookdm.ca

The episode features an interview with Will Smith, a video game streamer, discussing his journey into streaming, challenges faced, and strategies for success. Will shares insights on consistency, streaming platforms, content repurposing, and ad placement on YouTube. He also talks about his favorite games and upcoming releases.

Will's Got Games
Hook Digital Marketing
Matt Rouse

In this episode, we delve into a fascinating conversation between Matt Raus and Vincent Valentine, exploring the intersection of AI, technology, and the future of creative industries. Vincent sheds light on innovative projects such as Cognitive AI and Art AI, offering valuable insights into the transformative power of AI in shaping the realms of music, movies, and language translation. Our discussion navigates through the latest advancements in AI technology, touching on topics like voice generation, character mapping, and the creation of multilingual content.

Join us as we uncover the potential impact of AI on various creative domains and envision a future where artificial intelligence plays a pivotal role in shaping artistic expressions and communication.

https://art.ai
https://girlfriend.ai/
https://matthewrouse.com/
"Will AI Take My Job?" The book. Available on Amazon.

The episode discusses the importance of referrals in business and how to systemize and automate the process to generate more referrals. The conversation emphasizes the value of trust, networking, and creating strong relationships with referral partners. Strategies for building referral networks and the impact of referrals on business growth are highlighted throughout the episode.

https://ravingreferrals.com/brandonbarnum/

https://matthewrouse.com 

(00:18) Introduction to the episode with host Matt Rouse and guest Brandon Farnham, CEO of hoa.com.

(01:00) Discussion on the sources of referrals and the lack of a consistent referral plan in businesses.

(02:03) Importance of investing in the referral process and the higher likelihood of hiring from referrals.

(03:47) Accelerating the trust process through referrals and the impact of trust on business relationships.

(05:17) Creating trust through referral partnerships and cross-marketing strategies.

(07:03) Differentiating networking from creating a referral partner blueprint for effective partnerships.

(08:51) Importance of documenting plans for accountability and commitment in referral partnerships.

(11:27) Marketing ethics and the importance of serving people rather than coercing them in business interactions.

https://serve.podhome.fm/digital-marketing-masters

In this episode, host Matt Rouse interviews Ben Albert about his journey in starting a successful podcast and business in his hometown of Rochester, New York. Ben shares his story of being let go from his corporate job and how he used his skills and local connections to build a thriving podcast and marketing business. They discuss the importance of hyper-localization and adding value to a small audience, as well as the benefits of podcasting for networking and client acquisition.

Show Links
Ben's Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-business-connections/id1537115928
Hook Digital Marketing
"Will AI Take My Job?" book.

(00:49) Ben's podcast and how he got started

(04:27) Monetizing a podcast through service-based business

(06:24) Finding an audience and clients in a local or niche market

(09:49) The importance of adding value and building relationships

(19:54) The long-term commitment and benefits of podcasting

(23:50) The potential of AI-generated content and its impact on marketing

https://serve.podhome.fm/episodepage/digital-marketing-masters/ben-alberts-strategy-for-growth-253

https://serve.podhome.fm/digital-marketing-masters

In this episode, host Matt Rouse interviews Christine Campbell Rapin about the fundamentals of growing a successful business. They discuss the importance of understanding your target audience, developing a marketing strategy, and creating value for your customers. Christine emphasizes the need for clarity and self-reflection in order to build a strong foundation for your business.

Read Matt's new book, Will AI Take My Job?

Hook Digital Marketing

Hook Digital Marketing Canada

In this episode, I have the pleasure of talking with George Allen Miller, author of the science fiction book, Eugene J. McGilliguddy's Alien Detective Agency. George shares his insights into the role of AI in his novel and how it shapes the story. We also delve into the challenges and benefits of traditional publishing versus self-publishing. Join us as we explore the fascinating world of George's book and the creative process behind it.

During our conversation, George discusses the inspiration behind Eugene J. McGilliguddy's Alien Detective Agency and how he developed the concept of an AI-driven detective agency. He explains how AI technology plays a central role in the book, influencing the characters and driving the plot forward. We dive into the ethical implications of AI and its potential impact on society.

George shares his experiences with both traditional publishing and self-publishing. He highlights the advantages and disadvantages of each approach, including the creative control and financial considerations. We gain valuable insights into the publishing industry and the various paths authors can take to bring their work to readers.

If you're a fan of science fiction, AI, or the publishing industry, this episode is a must-listen. Join us as we explore the captivating world of Eugene J. McGilliguddy's Alien Detective Agency and gain a deeper understanding of the role of AI in storytelling.

In this episode, host Matt Rouse interviews Philip Brown from Blu Pitt Automation about project management, AI, and automation. They discuss the benefits of automation for midsize companies, different types of automation, and the future of AI in automation.

(00:43) Introduction to project management and automation

(02:13) Integration of systems in project management automation

(05:04) Automation for midsize companies

(08:32) Productivity and different types of automation

(12:20) Engagement and maintenance of automation systems

(15:50) The future of AI in automation

https://serve.podhome.fm/digital-marketing-masters