How To Create Content Based On Google Leak Create Like The Greats podcast

17:49

In this special episode of Create Like the Greats, Ross Simmonds explores the monumental changes coming to search, marketing, and SEO in light of Google’s latest announcement at I/O 2025: the launch of AI Mode. Ross delivers a deep dive on the implications of AI-driven, personalized search experiences, task automation, and the end of traditional SEO practices as we know them. Learn how marketers must rethink strategies around intent, trust, authority, and omnichannel presence to stay relevant in a radically transforming digital landscape. Key Takeaways and Insights: Google I/O 2025 & The Birth of AI Mode Google unveils AI Mode, revolutionizing user search experiences Built on Gemini 2.5 (successor to Bard), enabling conversational, multimodal responses The End of the Blue Links Era Traditional SEO (blue link style interface) is being replaced by rich AI responses Blue links are auto-clicked and content is synthesized into a single, AI-curated reply Marketers must transition to understanding content context and intent Rethinking Content Strategy Intent-based content creation is essential Importance of publishing across platforms (e.g., guest posts, syndication) Guest blogging and content distribution regain critical relevance Agentic Capabilities & Task Automation Introduction of “agentic booking” via Google’s Project Marino Users can command Google to complete multi-step tasks like buying tickets or scheduling demos Implications for eCommerce, lead gen, and B2B automation New Business Models: Pay-for-Acquisition Shift from pay-per-click to pay-per-conversion Google may monetize via completed transactions, not ad clicks AI as Analyst: Data Visualization + Summarization AI Mode can generate graphs and compare data on command Removes need for internal teams to do common research or analysis tasks SEO Reimagined: Personalized Search Challenges Search results now depend heavily on user context Traditional SEO tools and ranking metrics may become obsolete Marketers may need to develop hyper-targeted, persona-driven strategies The Rise of Persona-Based Marketing Importance of thinking in micro-audience segments Use industry, geography, and function to craft ultra-specific campaigns Trust, Authority, and Authenticity Matter More Than Ever Google will reward Authoritativeness and Experience (Double E-E-A-T) Original research, author bios, backlinks, media mentions, and reviews are crucial Avoid faking expertise with AI-generated personas/content Where to Shift Budget and Strategy Invest in video content Grow presence on Reddit Emphasize content distribution and repurposing Ungate long-form content to enable AI indexing Resources & Tools: 🔗 Google I/O 2025 Announcement 🔗 E-E-A-T Guidelines 🔗 Distribution.ai — 👋🏾 Let's stay connected — ╰ Subscribe to my channel: @RossSimmondsTV ╰ Instagram: @thecoolestcool ╰ Twitter / X: @thecoolestcool ╰ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rosssimmonds…

1
Behind the Scenes with Ross: A Big New Chapter 10:47

20 days ago10:47

10:47

In this episode of Create Like The Greats, Ross Simmonds shares a personal journal-style update on his business journey and a major new strategic partnership. Ross walks listeners through the evolution of his brand Foundation Marketing, a newly formed alliance with education-sector marketing leader Carnegie, and the power of delivering value in every room you enter. This episode delivers insight into the journey from humble beginnings to significant success and highlights the long-term impact of authentic relationship-building, content creation, and value-driven partnerships. Key Takeaways and Insights: A Major Partnership Announcement Ross announces the new partnership between Foundation Marketing and Carnegie Carnegie Dartlet - Higher Education Marketing Organization The Power of Speaking & Connection Importance of showing up with value in every room The origin story of how opportunities arise from consistent effort and public speaking Ross’s Content Creation Journey Ross’s early days blogging in his basement with little money (and lots of instant coffee) Turning point: speaking invitation to Miami from a reader Lesson: "You can live anywhere in the world, create content, and reach people globally" About the Carnegie Partnership Announcement revisited: Foundation + Carnegie collaboration to serve higher education clients Carnegie’s strength: deep experience with higher ed digital marketing Foundation’s traditional focus: B2B and SaaS, now expanding into higher ed Early wins and the rewarding nature of impacting students’ journeys How the Partnership Came to Be: Storytime Carnegie first approached Ross via a DM inviting him to speak at their Orlando event Ross’s mindset: treat the audience with full value even though it wasn't his target industry Result: strong impact, positive reception, and future opportunity Round Two: The Follow-Up Years Later Ross’s wife encourages follow-up; he DMs Carnegie again They invite him to speak a second time Second session’s topic: content as a competitive edge, SEO as a moat Deeper engagement: internal training, workshops at Carnegie The Partnership Comes to Life The relationship matures into a formal partnership Foundation and Carnegie now jointly create content for higher ed institutions Goal: drive meaningful, measurable results in the education space Collaboration Vs. Scarcity Business lesson: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Value of partnering with aligned people and organizations Nuggets of wisdom from Ross’s grandmother: “There’s enough for everyone to eat” Encouragement for listeners to seek partnerships that drive both impact and personal alignment Resources & Tools: 🔗 Distribution.ai 🔗 Carnegie and Foundation Partnership — 👋🏾 Let's stay connected — ╰ Subscribe to my channel: @RossSimmondsTV ╰ Instagram: @thecoolestcool ╰ Twitter / X: @thecoolestcool ╰ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rosssimmonds…

1
SEO, Reddit & the Future of Marketing 17:07

28 days ago17:07

17:07

In this special episode of Create Like the Greats, Ross Simmonds sits down with SEO expert Garrett Sussman from iPullRank for a dynamic conversation recorded ahead of SEO Week. They unpack the current and future state of search, the increasing relevance of Reddit in SEO strategies, and how marketers must evolve with AI-driven search behaviors. Ross also previews his upcoming SEO Week talk on Reddit, AI, and user-generated content—and shares a tactical gem that every brand should act on today. Key Takeaways and Insights: SEO Week 2026 Preview SEO Week will return to NYC in 2026 featuring top minds in SEO, content marketing, social, AI, and more. The State of Search: Chaotic but Beautiful Search has dramatically evolved; it's no longer just about Google. Fragmented discovery across TikTok, Reddit, YouTube, ChatGPT, Perplexity. Emphasis on first principles: high-quality content, user intent, and storytelling. Marketers must now behave more like... well, marketers, not just SEOs. Creating Content That Scales SEO in 2024+ requires multimedia optimization: Text + video (especially YouTube) for better SERP coverage. Understanding where your audience starts their search journey. Reddit threads and YouTube videos are now ranking in Google results, diversifying content visibility. Reddit + AI + UGC: A Preview of Ross's Talk at SEO Week Reddit is emerging as a powerful and underused SEO platform. Ross's team is scraping and analyzing subreddits, mapping them to keywords and AI outputs. Google & OpenAI have data licensing deals with Reddit—proof of its strategic value. Reddit content is influencing AI-generated responses… and SEO strategies must adapt. Tactical Insight: Own Your Subreddit Brands should immediately create and claim their subreddit—even if not actively using it. Prevent brand impersonation or NSFW sabotage by securing the namespace. “It's as basic as securing your domain or Twitter handle,” 💡 Bonus Tip:If another user claimed your brand subreddit, reach out to the mod team to request control. What's Next: The Future of Search Rise in brand mentions could impact search visibility. Voice search is finally finding a place—via AI assistants and wearable UIs. Search is becoming more immersive—but Google is far from dead. SEOs must balance short-term tactics with long-term strategic brand building. Resources & Tools: 🔗 Distribution.ai 🔗 seoweek.org 🔗 Create Once, Distribute Forever — 👋🏾 Let's stay connected — ╰ Subscribe to my channel: @RossSimmondsTV ╰ Instagram: @thecoolestcool ╰ Twitter / X: @thecoolestcool ╰ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rosssimmonds…

1
Brands Can Influence LLMs 13:37

5 weeks ago13:37

13:37

In this episode of Create Like The Greats, Ross dives into the evolving landscape of digital marketing in the era of artificial intelligence and large language models (LLMs). He challenges brands to rethink their approach by understanding that today’s most influential "audiences" aren't just humans—they're machines. Ross outlines how AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google’s AI Overviews, and others scrape public content to generate recommendations and answers for users, and how brands can strategically position their content to become part of this intelligence loop. Whether it’s SEO, Reddit commentary, or owning bottom-of-funnel content, Ross shares powerful frameworks and tactics to help your brand stay relevant, present, and impactful in the age of AI-driven search results. Key Takeaways and Insights: 🤖Brands Must Market to Machines Brands can influence LLMs like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews. Marketing today isn’t just targeting people—it's also about reaching the machines that influence them. AI-generated answers are impacting consumer decisions more than ever. 🔍Understand How LLMs Source and Surface Information LLMs are trained on public and proprietary web data. Your content must live on platforms that LLMs can access and trust. 📍 The Realization: You’re Marketing to Machines Machines are pollinators of your content to future customers. Brands must understand search intent and align content accordingly. 🧵Why Reddit is a Goldmine for AI Training Reddit is a top source for unfiltered opinions and bottom-of-funnel content. LLMs scrape Reddit threads extensively due to their public availability and authenticity. Tip: Don’t spam Reddit. Instead, add value consistently and transparently. 🪴Practical Example: Plant Delivery B2B Brand Illustrates how niche brands can create bottom-of-funnel content (e.g., comparisons, Reddit engagement). Great content can be repurposed across platforms like Reddit and industry forums. 🔄 Content Repurposing + Distribution Strategy Resurface evergreen content in ecosystems that LLMs crawl. SEO tactics and AI-driven discovery are not mutually exclusive—they are interconnected. 📈 What Kind of Content Should You Create Focus on: Comparison pages Buying guides Objection-handling content Use-case & case-study based content Localized landing pages can help capture region-specific AI queries. 💡 Where to Distribute Your Content Distribute into ecosystems LLMs are known to crawl or partner with. Example: OpenAI Partnerships help identify valuable distribution hubs. 🧠 Build EEAT: Experience, Expertise, Authority, Trust Include author pages, cite real research, and use industry language. Demonstrating trust and authority increases visibility in AI responses. Resources & Tools: 🔗Google: Google AI Overview Info 🔗 Reddit: reddit.com 🔗 Foundation's Generative Engine Optimization 🔗 OpenAI Partnerships: OpenAI Partner Channels — 👋🏾 Let's stay connected — ╰ Subscribe to my channel: @RossSimmondsTV ╰ Instagram: @thecoolestcool ╰ Twitter / X: @thecoolestcool ╰ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rosssimmonds…

1
Conscious Leadership 47:09

6 weeks ago47:09

47:09

In this episode of Create Like The Greats, Ross offers a transparent reflection on a book that has significantly impacted his leadership and personal growth journey in 2025 — The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership by Jim Dethmer, Diana Chapman, and Kaley Warner Klemp. Ross walks through all 15 commitments outlined in the book, sharing real-life examples and insights from his entrepreneurial journey. If you're striving to lead consciously, foster better teamwork, and level up your self-awareness, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways for you. Key Takeaways and Insights: 1. Radical Responsibility Embrace ownership for every situation Avoid blame, shame, and guilt — they stem from toxic fear Replace blame with curiosity: "What can I learn from this?" 2. Learning Through Curiosity Always stay in learner mode “Above the line” vs “Below the line” mentality Stay open, curious, and committed to truth—not being “right” Framework: What I know / What I know I don’t know / What I don’t know I don’t know 3. Feeling All the Feelings Fully experiencing emotions to completion Use head, heart, and gut to inform decisions Yoga, breathwork, and meditation as helpful tools 4. Speaking Candidly Tell the truth with kindness Speak unarguable facts and feelings: “I feel ___ because ___” Avoid conflict avoidance and passive communication 5. Eliminating Gossip Address issues directly with the person involved Gossip is rooted in unmet communication and inability to process feelings Test for gossip: Negative intent or unwilling to say it to the person? Then it’s gossip. 6. Practicing Integrity Express truth, keep agreements, and take 100% responsibility Framework for impeccable agreements: Make clear commitment Keep it Renegotiate if needed Clean up broken commitments 7. Generating Appreciation Practice giving and receiving appreciation fully Celebrate the small things and appreciate yourself and your team Create a culture of gratitude and acknowledgment 8. Excelling in Your Zone of Genius Identify what you’re uniquely talented at and enjoy doing Ross shares his own strengths: presenting, writing, people leadership Reallocate more time to activities in your “genius zone” 9. Living a Life of Play and Rest Incorporate humor, spontaneity, and celebration into work Rest is a challenge, but vital for sustainable leadership Play isn’t frivolous—it’s a leadership asset 10. Exploring the Opposite Train your mind to challenge your own stories and embrace opposing truth Ross advocates for intellectual debates to stretch perception Ask: “What am I not seeing?” 11. Being the Source of Approval, Control & Security Identify the root wants driving your behavior Seek internal rather than external validation Approval, control, and security must be self-sourced, not dependent on others 12. Having Enough of Everything Abundance mindset vs scarcity Perspective: Ross shares personal examples of past financial hardship GRATITUDE = enoughness 13. Seeing the World as an Ally Every person and situation is an opportunity to grow Learn from everyone, regardless of status or age Let go of ego and embrace humility in learning 14. Creating Win-for-All Solutions Build solutions that serve everyone involved—self, others, organization, and the whole Ross: “I’m rooting for you, whether you’re at Foundation or not.” 15. Being the Resolution Don’t just wait for change — BE the change Leave the world better because you existed Make an impact beyond yourself Resources & Tools: 🔗 The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership 🔗 Foundationinc.co — 👋🏾 Let's stay connected — ╰ Subscribe to my channel: @RossSimmondsTV ╰ Instagram: @thecoolestcool ╰ Twitter / X: @thecoolestcool ╰ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rosssimmonds…

1
Reflections from Spryng 2025 12:57

7 weeks ago12:57

12:57

In this episode of Create Like The Greats, Ross returns from the Spring 2025 event buzzing with creative energy, fresh ideas, and deep insights on marketing, AI, community, and consistency. He shares standout conversations, tools worth exploring, and reflections on how face-to-face connections still matter in a digital-first world. Ross also dives into highlights from presenting Distribution.ai, lessons from fellow marketers, and personal takeaways on building sustainable growth—both for business and personal development. Key Takeaways and Insights: 1. Why Spryng 2025 Was Different Spryng 2025 stood out not because of keynotes or sponsors, but because of the human element—energizing conversations and real community vibes. Event offered space to discuss Distribution.AI and validate its pain-point solution. 2. AI is Everywhere—and Still Just Beginning AI permeated almost every discussion at the event. A challenge was issued: talk about the future of marketing without mentioning AI—most struggled to do it. An eye-opening use case: uploading sales calls into LLMs like ChatGPT to extract winning messaging patterns. 3. The Distribution.AI Problem-Solution Fit Ross introduced Distribution.ai at the event, which helps marketing teams repurpose unused blog content. Most marketers acknowledged they underpromote content. Distribution.ai repackages blog posts, writes emails, and creates usable assets to distribute across channels. “We give you the emails you can upload into HubSpot or whatever it might be.” 4. Reconnection & Real-Life Moments Matter There’s unmatched value in face-to-face connections: Breaking bread with peers Conversations that go beyond digital metrics Realizing your followers and connections aren’t just leads—they’re humans. Key message: Show up for those who show up for you. 5. Fresh Perspectives on Sales & Go-To-Market Sales conversations highlighted outdated vs. effective go-to-market strategies. Topics included: Evolving attribution challenges Differentiation in a saturated agency space The importance of revisiting and returning to fundamentals that once drove success 6. Consistency > Novelty Chasing new trends can pull you away from what works. Foundation’s past growth came from sticking to its unique POV and execution strategy—time to return to that place. A reminder that what made you great can still make you greater… again. Resources & Tools: 🔗 Distribution.ai 🔗 ChatGPT 🔗 Claude 🔗 Perplexity 🔗 Singulate — 👋🏾 Let's stay connected — ╰ Subscribe to my channel: @RossSimmondsTV ╰ Instagram: @thecoolestcool ╰ Twitter / X: @thecoolestcool ╰ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rosssimmonds…

1
What I'm Hoping to Learn at Spryng 2025 11:23

8 weeks ago11:23

11:23

In this episode of Create Like The Greats, Ross Simmonds, founder of Foundation and Distribution.ai, opens up about his expectations and goals ahead of attending Spryng 2025, a gathering of senior B2B SaaS marketers in Austin, Texas. For the first time in a while, Ross is attending an event not as a speaker but as a participant. He shares how this shift changes his experience and outlines his motivations for attending: learning, connecting, and gathering feedback for his new project, Distribution.ai. Key Takeaways and Insights: 1. Introducing Distribution.ai A new tool/platform from the Foundation team Helps automate, repurpose, distribute, and amplify content Built on strategies the team has manually implemented for years Aims to scale content efforts with the assistance of AI 2. Three Primary Goals for Spryng 🌐 Step Outside the Speaker Role Without being on stage, Ross must network the “normal” way As a self-described introvert, this brings excitement and challenge 🧽 Embrace Curiosit y Wants to listen and absorb, not pitch Hopes to capture meaningful insight and real-world pain points 🤝 Build a Like-Minded Network Aims to deepen relationships with people who share values around creativity, ambition, and innovation. Resources & Tools: 🔗 Distribution.ai — 👋🏾 Let's stay connected — ╰ Subscribe to my channel: @RossSimmondsTV ╰ Instagram: @thecoolestcool ╰ Twitter / X: @thecoolestcool ╰ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rosssimmonds…

1
Tapping Into the Power of Deep Research in ChatGPT 22:40

9 weeks ago22:40

22:40

In this episode of Create Like The Greats, Ross Simmonds takes us behind the scenes of one of the most exciting AI developments in recent months—ChatGPT's Deep Research feature built on OpenAI's O3 reasoning model. This episode provides a detailed breakdown of how Deep Research can help with competitive analysis, persona building, content strategy, and thought leadership. If you're someone who works with data, content, or digital strategy, this episode is packed with actionable insights. Key Takeaways and Insights: 🔍 Introduction to Deep Research "Deep Research" is the latest tool from OpenAI leveraging the O3 reasoning model. It enables multi-step, web-based research directly within ChatGPT. It rivals the expertise of high-paid consultants at a fraction of the cost. 💰 Cost & Value of Deep Research Priced at ~$200/month as part of OpenAI’s advanced plan. Can analyze web pages, PDFs, forums like Reddit, review sites, and blogs. Capable of returning rich reports using 20+ external sources. 📊 Use Cases for Marketers Comprehensive Competitive Analysis Generate full-stack brand reports in McKinsey-style format. Pulls competitor messaging, tactics, and public sentiment from platforms like G2, Capterra, TrustRadius, SimilarWeb, and Reddit. Case Study: Foundation Marketing’s own deep report generated in 6 minutes from 27 sources. Persona Development and Review Mining Create buyer personas from Reddit threads, product reviews, and social media chatter. Identifies pain points, motivations, and message framing. Case Study: A stealth competitor analysis for Distribution.ai revealed valuable data on solopreneurs and feature gaps. Content Opportunity Discovery Surface high-value keywords with low coverage across your and competitors’ content. Instructions on how to feed a keyword spreadsheet to Deep Research and ask it to identify gaps. Strategic Thought Leadership Development Input white papers from Gartner or McKinsey. Ask Deep Research to extract trends and suggest new ideas aligned with your niche. Synthesizes expert-level content into actionable ideas for upcoming quarters. 🧠 Pro Tips for Using Deep Research Be specific with your prompt—clarity leads to better results. Supply background context, goals, documents, and keyword datasets. Avoid uploading sensitive data, but enrich inputs where possible for maximum output quality. Resources & Tools: 🔗 ChatGPT Plus (includes Deep Research) 🔗 Foundation Marketing 🔗 Distribution.ai 🔗 Review Platforms: G2 Capterra TrustRadius 🔗 SimilarWeb 🔗 Reddit — 👋🏾 Let's stay connected — ╰ Subscribe to my channel: @RossSimmondsTV ╰ Instagram: @thecoolestcool ╰ Twitter / X: @thecoolestcool ╰ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rosssimmonds…

1
Unlocking the Power of Reddit for Brands 19:17

10 weeks ago19:17

19:17

In this episode of Create Like The Greats, Ross breaks down the massive growth of Reddit and why it has become an essential platform for brands. With Reddit achieving profitability for the first time in nearly two decades and growing its daily active users rapidly, brands can no longer afford to ignore it. We dive deep into actionable Reddit strategies, including how to leverage subreddits, engage in community discussions, and optimize Reddit ads. If you want to turn Reddit into a growth engine for your brand, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. Key Takeaways and Insights: 1. The Power of Reddit’s Growth Reddit hit profitability in Q3 2024 ($29.9M profit) Revenue increased by 68% to $348M Daily active users grew by 47% to nearly 100M The influence of Reddit on search rankings and online communities 2. Why Marketers Can’t Ignore Reddit Google prioritizing community-driven discussions Reddit dominating search results for product and service recommendations Comparison to platforms like Capterra, G2, and Trust Radius 3. Actionable Reddit Strategies for Brands Create & Own Your Subreddit Establish a dedicated space for your brand Engage with customers & provide value beyond self-promotion Align subreddit topics with your audience’s interests (e.g., if you sell mattresses, discuss sleep tips) Secure Your Branded Username Prevent brand impersonation Use “BrandNameTeam” for community engagement Avoid “BrandName_Official” (feels out of touch) Engage in Existing High-Traffic Reddit Threads Find Google-ranking Reddit discussions relevant to your industry Provide insightful, non-promotional responses to drive visibility Avoid spamming links; focus on adding value 4. Leveraging Reddit Ads & The Power of Targeting Reddit allows hyper-specific targeting with subreddits Example: Target r/cybersecurity for security software ads Create native-style ads that blend seamlessly into Reddit conversations 5. The Value of User-Generated Content (UGC) on Reddit Encourage discussions about your brand through real conversations Monitor Reddit for unfiltered customer feedback Use Reddit insights to inform product development and marketing strategies 6. Monitoring Reddit Without Daily Posting Set up tracking for mentions of your brand Analyze competitor presence and sentiment trends Use tools to automate monitoring and identify opportunities Resources & Tools: 🔗 Reddit Ads Platform 🔗 Reddit Pixel Setup Guide 🔗Tools for Reddit Monitoring: Brandwatch Sprout Social — 👋🏾 Let's stay connected — ╰ Subscribe to my channel: @RossSimmondsTV ╰ Instagram: @thecoolestcool ╰ Twitter / X: @thecoolestcool ╰ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rosssimmonds…

1
Questions From The B2B Community 22:28

13 weeks ago22:28

22:28

In this episode, Ross Simmonds conducts an insightful discussion with an AI, answering five crucial questions about B2B marketing strategies. If you're looking to enhance your B2B marketing efforts, this episode is packed with valuable insights on content marketing, lead generation, and evolving buyer behaviors. Key Takeaways and Insights: 1. Key Differences Between B2B and B2C Marketing Decision-Making Factors: B2C purchases are driven by personal emotion and individual financial decisions. B2B decisions involve multiple stakeholders, procurement teams, and higher scrutiny, especially for expensive solutions. Buyer’s Journey Considerations: Multiple touchpoints, evaluations, and approvals before a purchase is made. B2B buyers check case studies, references, product documentation, and validate company reputation before making a decision. 2. Evolution of the B2B Buyer’s Journey Why the B2B buying process is more complex today: The rise of AI and automation has led to an overwhelming amount of messages, advertisements, and sales outreach, making it harder to stand out. Impact on Buyers: Buyers are more resistant to cold outreach. Personalized messaging and authentic storytelling are key to cutting through the noise. Effective Tactics to Adapt: Hyper-targeted content marketing and personalized messages tailored to the specific needs of decision-makers. 3. The Top B2B Lead Generation Channels Today Why LinkedIn is Dominating B2B Marketing: LinkedIn’s algorithm now favors broader content discovery, similar to Facebook and X (formerly Twitter). Its video content capabilities are driving significant engagement. Golden Rule: High-quality, informative, and engaging content is necessary to leverage any platform effectively. Distribution strategy is just as important as content creation. 4. The Role of Content in B2B Brand Building Challenges in Standing Out: AI enables mass production of average content, increasing competition. Brands need to focus on unique insights and high-value content instead of generic "how-to" guides. Winning Content Strategies: Conducting original research and case studies. Crafting stories that resonate with target audiences. Publishing thought leadership content and leveraging community engagement. 5. Measuring ROI for B2B Marketing Efforts The Importance of Full-Funnel Attribution: Tracking leads from initial engagement to final conversion. Using tools like HubSpot for pipeline tracking and performance analysis. Key Metrics to Monitor: How many leads turn into real opportunities? Which opportunities convert into actual sales? Attribution models that help understand what efforts are driving real revenue. Resources & Tools: 🔗 HubSpot – CRM & Marketing Analytics Tool 🔗 Singulate – AI-Powered Email Personalization 🔗 G2 – Business Software Review Platform 🔗 Capterra – Software Comparison Tool — 👋🏾 Let's stay connected — ╰ Subscribe to my channel: @RossSimmondsTV ╰ Instagram: @thecoolestcool ╰ Twitter / X: @thecoolestcool ╰ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rosssimmonds…

1
Mastering Customer Success Stories with Anthropic 11:34

14 weeks ago11:34

11:34

In this episode of Create Like The Greats , we break down how Anthropic, a leading AI company behind Claude, is revolutionizing the use of customer success stories to drive measurable business results. Despite fierce competition from OpenAI and Google, Anthropic differentiates itself through clarity, simplicity, and strategic storytelling. Learn how they use short yet impactful case studies to elevate their brand, enhance credibility, and attract the right audience. Inspired by research from Ethan Crump at Foundation Labs, we take a deep dive into how Anthropic structures its case studies, why they work, and how you can apply these principles to your own business. Key Takeaways & Insights 1. The Power of Customer Success Stories Anthropic has ramped up investment in customer case studies, adding 67 new pages to their website. These stories increase trust and credibility, addressing the fragmented B2B buyer’s journey . Featuring well-known clients, such as DuckDuckGo, GitLab, Brave, BCG, and Assembly AI , boosts authority in their industry. 2. The Business Impact of Case Studies The dedicated case studies subfolder attracts over 60,000 organic monthly visitors , generating what would cost $25,000 in paid traffic . SEO performance: 1,600 ranking keywords 4,600 backlinks from 231 domains 3. Anthropic’s Winning Formula for Case Studies Short and Direct: Each case study stays under 1,000 words , challenging traditional long-form SEO norms. Clear Structure: Follows a problem → solution → outcome format. Intent Matching for SEO: Content is designed to match search intent , ensuring customers find relevant solutions quickly. Focus on Business Value: Emphasizes results (e.g., 30% improvement in user satisfaction, 80% cost reduction). Uses client and company expert quotes to strengthen credibility. Avoids overly technical details , making it accessible to decision-makers at all levels, including CEOs and finance executives. 4. Applying These Lessons to Your Business Prioritize clarity and simplicity when crafting customer success stories. Optimize stories for search intent so they’re discoverable and relevant . Showcase tangible metrics and real results in your case studies. Structure content for easy readability while keeping it strategic and insightful. Resources How Anthropic Drives 60K+ in Organic Traffic — With One Simple Strategy — 👋🏾 Let's stay connected — ╰ Subscribe to my channel: @RossSimmondsTV ╰ Instagram: @thecoolestcool ╰ Twitter / X: @thecoolestcool ╰ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rosssimmonds…

1
Google Ads Mistakes To Avoid 18:10

15 weeks ago18:10

18:10

In this episode of Create Like The Greats , Ross Simmonds dives deep into the common mistakes that SaaS companies are making with their Google Ads strategies. Despite advancements in marketing and AI tools, many businesses are still falling into the same traps they did years ago. If you're struggling to make your paid search campaigns profitable, this episode will help you identify missteps and optimize your approach for better ROI. Episode Breakdown & Key Takeaways Why SaaS Companies Struggle with Google Ads Many SaaS businesses fail to drive ROI from paid search. The solution? Optimize your campaigns by improving efficiency in clicks, conversions, and lower costs. Common Mistake #1: Sending Traffic to the Homepage Why it’s a bad idea : Homepages serve too many purposes and introduce distractions. Solution : Create dedicated landing pages aligned with specific user intent. Actionable tip : Remove navigation menus and unnecessary links to keep visitors focused. Common Mistake #2: Poor Above-the-Fold Experience 90% of visitors won’t scroll past the first screen—so you need to make an instant impact. Essential components for above-the-fold success: Clear and compelling headline that connects with intent. Highlight a unique value proposition . Call-to-action (CTA) should be immediate and obvious (e.g., “Start Your Free Trial”). Social proof : Use testimonials or logos from recognizable brands. Common Mistake #3: Inefficient Bidding Strategies Ross recommends manual CPC bidding when starting. Test target CPA bidding only after gathering sufficient data. Be prepared to adjust bidding strategies based on real-time performance insights. Common Mistake #4: Running Ads on Low-Intent Keywords Stop wasting money on broad, irrelevant search terms like “sales tips” or “HR advice.” Focus on high-intent keywords , such as: Brand alternatives – Users searching for "Zoom alternatives" or "Slack alternatives" are actively looking for a switch. Solution-focused keywords – Category-driven searches like "best CRM software" indicate potential buyers. Problem-focused keywords – Queries that reveal pain points (e.g., “how to improve sales conversion rates”). Common Mistake #5: Not Using Advanced Audience Targeting Target smarter : Avoid blanket targeting by narrowing ads to key demographics. Enterprise SaaS should avoid targeting younger age groups (e.g., 16-20) as they are unlikely to be decision-makers. Use the "observation" setting first to track audience performance before shifting to specific targeting settings. Common Mistake #6: Weak Ad Copy That Fails to Convert Ross’s winning copywriting framework for Google Ads: Headline 1 : Match the exact search term (e.g., “Best CRM Software"). Headline 2 : State a unique value prop (e.g., “User-friendly design for teams"). CTA Headline : Create urgency (e.g., “Boost revenue—Start your free trial!”). Description : Include social proof (e.g., "Trusted by 10,000+ businesses worldwide"). Leverage customer reviews from G2, TrustRadius, or Capterra for copy inspiration. Final Thoughts & Recap Google Ads can be a goldmine if done right —avoid common pitfalls and optimize for success. Focus on landing page relevance, audience targeting, and high-intent keywords for best results. Adjust campaigns based on performance metrics—don’t "set and forget." — 👋🏾 Let's stay connected — ╰ Subscribe to my channel: @RossSimmondsTV ╰ Instagram: @thecoolestcool ╰ Twitter / X: @thecoolestcool ╰ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rosssimmonds…

1
100 Content Marketing Tips You Can Steal Today 52:07

16 weeks ago52:07

52:07

In this episode of Create Like the Greats, instead of breaking down top SaaS and business strategies, Ross is going tactical—real tactical. You're getting 100 practical content marketing tips, tools, and strategies that you can implement starting today. This is an episode to bookmark, return to, and share with your team. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, these insights will help you level up your content game. Key Takeaways & Topics Covered Develop a Content Marketing Strategy Set clear goals, audience personas, and distribution plans. Review and adjust your strategy quarterly. Align your strategy with your organization’s goals to maintain focus. Leverage AI to Streamline Content Creation Use tools like Frase, ContentShake (SEMrush), and Jasper for SEO research and content optimization. Automate SERP analysis and keyword research. Utilize Distribution.ai and HubSpot for content distribution. Quality Over Quantity Stand out with highly unscalable content—create work that AI can't easily replicate. Seth Godin’s wisdom: "Remarkable content is content worth making a remark about." Challenge your team—how can this content be even better? Optimize for Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) Prepare for the era of AI-driven search, voice assistants, and chat-based search engines. Learn about GEO best practices in this article on Foundation Inc. The Double-E-E-A-T Strategy Experience, Expertise, Authority, and Trustworthiness (E-E-A-T). Ground content in your unique expertise—not just rehashed insights. Share real-world examples and case studies. Repurpose and Distribute Your Content Adopt a Create Once, Distribute Forever mindset. Reuse past high-performing content across channels. Study Disney’s content repurposing for inspiration. Use Video to Build Trust Video is the last frontier of AI—people trust authentic video more than AI-generated text. Leverage tools like Loom, Descript, and HeyGen. Check out Cut30 for short-form video best practices. Content Personalization & Engagement AI-powered personalization through tools like Singulate and HubSpot. Engage consistently on social media—don't just post and ghost. Build email lists to avoid reliance on social media platforms. SEO is Still Alive—Ignore the Naysayers Despite what some say, Google isn't going anywhere anytime soon. SEO techniques still apply to AI-driven search models like ChatGPT and Perplexity. Implement pillar content and topic clusters to thrive in 2030 and beyond. Optimize for Mobile & User Experience Ensure content loads fast and is mobile-friendly. Avoid complex UI—users prioritize simplicity and ease of navigation. Resources & Tools Mentioned 📌 AI & SEO Tools: Frase – AI-powered content optimization. ContentShake AI by SEMrush – Keyword research & content planning. Jasper AI – AI content creation. HubSpot – Marketing automation & content distribution. Distribution.ai – Automate content repurposing. 📌 Video & Personalization Tools: HeyGen – AI-powered video creation. Loom – Video messaging & tutorials. Descript – AI-powered video editing & transcription. Singulate – AI-driven content personalization. 📌 Educational & Event Resources: Cut30 – Master short-form video content. Foundation Inc. GEO Guide – Learn about Generative Engine Optimization. — 👋🏾 Let's stay connected — ╰ Subscribe to my channel: @RossSimmondsTV ╰ Instagram: @thecoolestcool ╰ Twitter / X: @thecoolestcool ╰ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rosssimmonds…

1
The Art and Strategy of Effective Content Repurposing 1:02:51

17 weeks ago1:02:51

1:02:51

In this episode, we're diving into the art and science of content repurposing with some of the sharpest minds in the industry. Ross Simmonds, Anna Furmanov , and Emily Kramer join Riverside webinar host Kendall to break down their proven strategies for content repurposing, from leveraging AI tools to audience research techniques that fuel meaningful engagement. Whether you're trying to grow your audience, sell a product, or simply maximize your content's lifespan, these actionable insights will transform how you think about repurposing. Packed with practical examples, tech hacks, and processes, this episode is your blueprint for creating versatile, high-impact content. Key Takeaways and Insights: 1. What is Content Repurposing? Redefining repurposing versus creating new. The importance of building versatile content assets that can branch into multiple formats. The foundation for long-term audience engagement. 2. Identifying Your Content Foundation: Ross Simmonds explains his go-to strategies for using micro-content as foundational material. Anna shares why podcasting became her primary content pillar and her secret for capturing "aha" moments during recording. Emily breaks down her colorful methods for extracting and extending the life of one big content idea. 3. Practical Steps to Get Started: How pre-planning and distribution pipelines ensure maximum reach. Emily’s "GACCS Brief" method for organized content creation: Goals, Audience, Creative, Channels, Stakeholders. 4. The Tech Tools That Power Repurposing: Ross shares his full tech stack: Riverside for recording, Canva for infographics, Jasper for creating auxiliary content, and more. AI in action: Learn about synthetic content using Haygen and 11 Labs. Try Emily's innovative pre-planning LinkedIn poll strategy to build anticipation for big launches. 5. Finding and Understanding Your Audience: Why audience insights and customer research are key to creating meaningful content. Fill your content roadmap with Ross’s Reddit and Facebook group mining tactics. Anna's advice for hosting audience calls and surveys. 6. Experimentation & Optimization for Different Platforms: Why each platform deserves unique formats. From long newsletters to TikTok teasers—the diverse distribution playbook. 7. Content ROI: Evaluating Success & Staying Relevant: Why evergreen content is a goldmine, and how to audit your archives for reusability. Ross’s case study of repurposing content across multiple formats consistently over three years. Resources and Links Mentioned: Riverside.fm – Mark clips while you record and effortlessly create social-ready video highlights. ElevenLabs – Explore synthetic videos and voice cloning for micro-content creation. Canva - Easily design infographics, templates, and visual assets. BuzzSumo – Analyze top-performing content for insights into trends and format ideas. — 👋🏾 Let's stay connected — ╰ Subscribe to my channel: @RossSimmondsTV ╰ Instagram: @thecoolestcool ╰ Twitter / X: @thecoolestcool ╰ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rosssimmonds…

1
The Power of Publishing Research: SEO, AI, and Marketing Insights 15:22

18 weeks ago15:22