Join Daniel and Ciaran for a fast-paced episode where they unpack the latest ChatGPT developments and explore their real-world applications for digital marketers. From image generation breakthroughs to AI-driven research and content production, this episode is your essential briefing on how generative AI is redefining marketing workflows. Staying Ahead in the AI Race The pace of change in generative AI is relentles, and this episode underscores why digital marketers must actively engage with the tools at the forefront. Daniel and Ciaran discuss the strategic value of being early adopters and how leveraging these advancements can deliver competitive advantage. But the conversation goes deeper, exploring what happens once AI adoption becomes widespread. It’s not just about using tools, but integrating them meaningfully into brand ecosystems and operational frameworks. Practical AI Use Cases That Deliver Daniel and Ciaran share hands-on examples of AI tools in action, from generating fully branded, photorealistic visuals with minimal prompts, to automating repetitive marketing tasks and research with GPT-4’s latest capabilities. Daniel's experiment using ChatGPT to generate brand-consistent creative assets even passed the scrutiny of a notoriously exacting brand manager, an achievement many designers will appreciate. Ciaran, once an AI sceptic, now openly admits that generative AI is embedded in his daily workflow, dramatically increasing his productivity and creative capabilities as a solo marketer. New Features Marketers Need to Know About This episode provides an authoritative walkthrough of the newest features: 4o Image Generation: Create detailed, accurate, and on-brand visuals with unprecedented text and style control. In-Context Learning: Upload brand elements for on-brand content creation at scale. Image Editing: Photoshop-like features now baked into AI, enabling precision editing directly within ChatGPT. Task Automation: Schedule content generation from custom sources to maintain marketing consistency and reduce workload. Deep Research Mode: Access iterative, multi-step research capabilities ideal for content strategy, SEO, and thought leadership. Knowledge Integration: Tap into Google Drive as a knowledge base for truly personalised outputs, paving the way for CRM and analytics integration. Facing the Challenges and Embracing the Change Amidst the excitement, the hosts tackle difficult questions. What happens to traditional roles in marketing teams? How do we manage the ethical and emotional challenges of automation? The discussion is candid, acknowledging fears while offering a roadmap for future-proofing your skills and your organisation. The key takeaway? This moment demands a culture of continuous learning, innovation and adaptability. Marketers who invest in understanding and embedding these tools will not only survive but thrive.   -- You'll find all links on TargetInternet.com Show notes:  Have any feedback on the show? Send us your feedback, tell us what you love and what you think could be better. And, if you are really enjoying the show, please leave us a review.

In this episode of The Digital Marketing Podcast, Daniel Rowles sits down with LinkedIn Ads legend AJ Wilcox, founder of B2Linked, for a deep-dive into everything you need to know to run effective, budget-friendly campaigns on LinkedIn.AJ has been living and breathing LinkedIn Ads for over a decade and shares insights honed from managing millions in ad spend. Why LinkedIn Ads Work Differently AJ explains why LinkedIn ads often cost like bottom-of-funnel, but act like top-of-funnel. Understanding this difference is critical to setting realistic expectations and structuring your campaigns for success. Avoiding Expensive Advice From platform recommendations to rep suggestions, AJ breaks down why the default guidance often costs more, and how you can outsmart it. Learn how to bid lower and still reach the right audience with zero drop in lead quality. Smarter Bidding, Better Results Discover AJ’s manual bidding strategy that consistently reduces costs while keeping quality high. AJ explains how to find the sweet spot between visibility and efficiency. Segment for Insight, Not Just Scale Why target your entire audience in one go when you can break it down into microsegments that act like live focus groups? Learn how to build campaigns that teach you as they perform so you improve as you go. Building a Funnel That Actually Works AJ outlines a simple but powerful three-stage funnel: Stage 1: Awareness through video and document ads Stage 2: Engagement with deeper content like podcasts, webinars, or YouTube Stage 3: Conversion via direct CTAs or sales calls The result? Up to 5x better conversion rates without wasting budget on premature CTAs. Ad Formats That Convert Find out why “thought leader” video ads and TikTok-style captions are crushing it at the top of the funnelan, and how to retarget strategically using native lead gen forms or your own landing pages (depending on your goals). Metrics That Matter Impressions and clicks are just the surface. AJ shares the real KPIs you should be tracking, from engagement rates to cost-per-booked-call, and how to calculate custom metrics that LinkedIn won’t show you. Organic and Paid: Better Together Discover where the LinkedIn platform is headed and why your organic and paid strategies will need to work hand-in-hand. From thought leader ads to CRM integrations, the future of LinkedIn marketing is more connected, and more powerful than ever. -- You'll find all links on TargetInternet.com Show notes:  Have any feedback on the show? Send us your feedback, tell us what you love and what you think could be better. And, if you are really enjoying the show, please leave us a review.

Updated to fix audio gap on Daniels mic! In this episode Ciaran and Daniel Rowles dive into the most exciting new tools that can transform the way marketers work—from AI-powered social media automation to SEO optimisation and content enhancement tools. They also share a whole range of special offers for listeners for each of the tools. Core topics covered include:  AI-Powered Social Media: Powerful Tool or Terrible Content Creator? Explore the rise of AI-assisted tools that promise to make marketing more efficient. From Blaze, an AI-driven social media content creator, to advanced AI-powered image generators like Flux, we uncover how artificial intelligence is reshaping content creation. Mastering SEO with Existing Content Analysis The hosts explore Content Raptor, a powerful tool that analyses your website’s search performance and suggests improvements to maximise organic traffic. Learn how updating your existing content can drive thousands of additional visits. Competitive Intelligence & Market Research Ever wondered what your competitors are doing? Competitors App helps marketers monitor competitors' ad strategies, website updates, social media activity, and even customer reviews—all in one place. Content Creation and AI Detection With AI-generated content on the rise, ensuring quality and originality is more important than ever. We explore Surfer’s AI Detector, a tool that helps identify AI-written content and discuss strategies for making AI content feel more human. The Real Value of Social Media Marketing Is social media still worth the effort? The team discuss why less is more and how businesses can make social content truly impactful rather than just flooding feeds with generic posts. Learn why YouTube optimisation might be a better investment than traditional social platforms. -- You'll find all links on TargetInternet.com Show notes:  Have any feedback on the show? Send us your feedback, tell us what you love and what you think could be better. And, if you are really enjoying the show, please leave us a review.

Join the Target Internet team for a lively debate dissecting three of the most talked-about AI models in marketing today. In this episode, the trio evaluates the capabilities of ChatGPT, DeepSeek, and Google’s Gemini, sharing firsthand experiences and expert takes on where these tools excel, where they stumble, and how you can leverage them in your digital marketing strategy.  Why AI Matters Right Now Shifting Industry Landscape – The unexpected rise of DeepSeek and the ongoing hype around ChatGPT showcase just how quickly AI can upend existing norms. This accelerated pace is driving new opportunities for automating tasks, improving content quality, and enhancing customer experiences. New Skills for Marketers – From prompt engineering to navigating privacy concerns, marketers need to learn new skills to harness AI effectively. The discussion offers insights on how to develop these competencies and stay relevant. DeepSeek: Surprise Contender or Copycat? Powerful Results – The hosts experiment with DeepSeek and discover its reasoning features can rival—and sometimes mirror—ChatGPT’s output. The free version delivers impressively detailed responses, leading many to wonder if it’s using ChatGPT’s own data.  Privacy and Security Concerns – DeepSeek’s privacy policy raises eyebrows by potentially collecting user data ranging from cookies to keystroke patterns. If you’re considering adoption, you’ll want to weigh these risks and possibly opt for local, walled installations. ChatGPT: The Market Leader Evolves Advanced Prompting – ChatGPT’s newest models feature improved reasoning. Tapping into its hidden “chain-of-thought” can offer deeper insight into how it arrives at answers, giving marketers a roadmap for refining prompts.  Consistency and Reliability – Despite stiffer competition, ChatGPT still shines for its stable output and diverse applications—particularly if you have a paid plan offering the latest features. Google’s Gemini: A Work in Progress Early Glitches – While Gemini promises powerful integration with Google’s ecosystem, the hosts encounter errors and incomplete results. Patience and continued experimentation may be needed before Gemini becomes a serious rival.  Sparking Possibilities – Despite current shortcomings, Gemini’s potential—especially with deep research modes and integrated document workflows—could make it a strong contender once refined. Real-World Applications & Tips Enhancing Content Strategy – AI tools can generate everything from quick outlines to fully fleshed-out articles. However, the team stresses that human oversight is crucial to avoid misinformation and to add original value. Recruitment & Resume Screening – Discover how some applicants now rely on AI to craft uniform CVs and cover letters, creating challenges for hiring managers—and opportunities to innovate in the screening process.  Workflow Integration – Explore advanced techniques like building custom GPTs, leveraging keywords-everywhere extensions, and experimenting with local AI instances for improved data security. Tune in now to stay on top of rapidly evolving AI trends. Whether you’re worried about privacy policies or excited by new prompting techniques, this episode will help you navigate AI’s complex landscape and make smarter decisions for your marketing strategy. -- You'll find all links on TargetInternet.com Show notes: Have any feedback on the show? Send us your feedback, tell us what you love and what you think could be better. And, if you are really enjoying the show, please leave us a review.

In this episode of The Digital Marketing Podcast, brought to you by TargetInternet.com, Daniel, Ciaran, and Louise revisit the age-old question: “Is SEO dead?” This time, they look ahead to 2025 and beyond. The hosts examine how search engine optimisation has evolved—and why it’s far from obsolete, despite the rise of AI, generative search, and changing user behaviours. The Big Question: Is SEO Dead in 2025? The team reflect on how this debate has reappeared time and again over the years. Daniel recalls delivering “Is SEO Dead?” presentations for more than a decade. Each new development—like Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE)—prompts marketers to wonder if SEO, as we know it, is on its last legs. The consensus? While the landscape is changing, SEO is definitely still alive. The Evolution of Search Search Everywhere Optimisation (SEO?) Daniel mentions a Neil Patel reference to “Search Everywhere Optimisation,” suggesting marketers need to ensure their content is discoverable across multiple platforms—search engines, social media, and beyond. While Ciaran pokes fun at the buzzword bingo, this concept points to the wider reality that people no longer rely solely on Google for answers. Search Journey Optimisation (SJO) Daniel also sarcastically floats another acronym—“Search Journey Optimisation”—to emphasise that effective SEO now involves guiding users throughout their journey, from discovery to conversion, across numerous touchpoints. Whether it’s a blog, social channel, or AI-driven tool like ChatGPT, the goal is consistent: be where your audience is searching. Generative AI and the Future of Results Google’s Business Model A student on Daniel’s MSc programme queried whether Google’s focus on generative AI answers might undermine its core income from search ads. Daniel counters that because advertising revenue is so vital, Google will simply evolve how it integrates AI responses in order to preserve those crucial ad clicks. AI is more likely to be blended with paid search than to replace it. User Behaviour in Social and AI From Instagram’s rise as a “second largest search engine” to ChatGPT’s quick-fire Q&A approach, people’s searching habits are increasingly diversified. Still, the principle of discoverability remains paramount: marketers must ensure their content can be found wherever potential customers are looking. Why SEO (Still) Matters While AI-driven summaries and direct answers may reduce clicks for basic queries, the hosts point out that deeper engagement and conversions happen when people actually visit a website or platform. Organisations that offer in-depth, high-quality information will continue to attract meaningful traffic. In other words, SEO is still fundamental—just with a renewed focus on user-centric, valuable content across all relevant channels. If you’re intrigued by the latest acronyms (SJO, SEO, SGE) or want a clearer understanding of how AI might reshape our industry, this episode is a must-listen. Join Daniel, Ciaran, and Louise as they discuss AI’s influence, Google’s motivations, and practical steps to stay competitive. Listen now to find out why SEO keeps being declared ‘dead’—and why, in reality, it’s more vital than ever. -- You'll find all links on TargetInternet.com Show notes: https://targetinternet.com/resources/how-to-rank-in-chatgpt Have any feedback on the show? Send us your feedback, tell us what you love and what you think could be better. And, if you are really enjoying the show, please leave us a review.

In this episode of the Digital Marketing Podcast, hosts Ciaran Rogers, Louise Crossley, and Daniel Rowles unpack the latest insights from Hootsuite's 2025 Social Media Trends Report.  Creative Content: Breaking Boundaries Without Breaking Your Brand The discussion kicks off with an exploration of the shift towards entertainment-driven content. Over 60% of organisations are creating content designed to entertain, educate, or inform rather than promote directly. The hosts debate the pros and cons of pushing creative boundaries, citing examples of effective emotional engagement. They also warn of the risks of losing brand consistency and highlight strategies to stay innovative while staying true to your brand identity. Proactive Engagement: Opportunities and Risks The team discusses the growing trend of proactive engagement, where brands interact directly with creators and audiences in real time. With statistics showing that proactive engagement can drive 1.6 times more interaction, they explore how brands can add value to conversations without appearing intrusive or opportunistic. This segment is packed with insights on building meaningful connections while avoiding common engagement pitfalls. Social Listening and Trend-Jacking: Striking the Right Balance The hosts delve into how brands can use advanced social monitoring tools to identify trends, refine their strategies, and increase ROI. They caution against the dangers of "trend-jacking" and the race to viral content, urging marketers to focus on creating authentic, original campaigns that align with their brand values. Generative AI: Creating Better (Not Just More) Content With 83% of marketers using generative AI to accelerate content production, the episode highlights how AI is reshaping the industry. The hosts stress the importance of leveraging AI for quality rather than quantity, emphasising the value of thoughtful, well-crafted content over sheer volume. They also share examples of using AI tools for planning, customer analysis, and segmentation to enhance campaign effectiveness. -- You'll find all links on  Show notes: Have any feedback on the show? , tell us what you love and what you think could be better. And, if you are really enjoying the show, please

In this episode of the Digital Marketing Podcast the team explore five essential email marketing stats to boost your campaigns. Highlights include: Crafting Captivating Subject Lines: Discover the magic of "power words" and how small changes can significantly impact open rates. Learn why overusing certain words, like "discover," can diminish their effectiveness over time. Seasonal and Trendy Keywords: Explore data-driven insights on using seasonal terms like "trends" or "forecasts" to boost engagement. Strategic Capitalisation and Personalisation: Learn how mid-line capitalisation can enhance scannability. Insights into using personalisation effectively without breaking trust. The Art of Invitation: The power of phrases like "You're invited" to increase open rates, with advice on maintaining integrity. Comparison Subject Lines: Why comparisons like "How do you measure up?" spark curiosity and engagement. The team also shares practical tools to test and optimise email performance, plus plenty of tips on maintaining audience trust and balancing creativity with authenticity in email campaigns. -- You'll find all links on  Show notes: Have any feedback on the show? , tell us what you love and what you think could be better. And, if you are really enjoying the show, please

In this first episode of 2025, Ciaran, Daniel and Louise discuss some essential new years resolutions for marketers in 2025. Covering the impact of generative AI, junk content, aggressive social media algorithms, never ending brand desperation to go viral and much more, they explore the essential techniques to help your digital marketing succeed in 2025. You'll also learn about why Ciaran's energy levels should never be at a 10, how much Daniel sounds like Marvin the Paranoid Android and how Ciaran had no idea his face had been printed n 10,000 mugs! The team are also giving away loads of podcast merchandide, sharing the schedule for our free 2025 live sessions, and we have free copies of Daniel's latest book to give away. -- You'll find all links on Show notes:   Have any feedback on the show? , tell us what you love and what you think could be better. And, if you are really enjoying the show, please

In this solo end of year episode, Daniel explores the opportunities and challenges facing digital marketers in 2025 and how to set a strategy for success! From shifting search algorithms to the takeover of generative AI, Daniel shares how to stay ahead in an increasingly competitive environment. He also shares insights into his recent AI panel discussion, highlights key industry trends and offers actional advice for fostering a culture of learning and innovation within your organisation. Tune in today. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and we look forward to seeing you back in 2025! -- Show notes:   Have any feedback on the show? , tell us what you love and what you think could be better. And, if you are really enjoying the show, please

In this episode of the Digital Marketing Podcast, Louise and Daniel discuss the key insights that Louise took away from Semrush's Spotlight conference, their first ever in-person conference in Amsterdam this October. From the future of search to disruptive marketing strategies, content optimisation to the evolving role of authenticity in branding, this episode unpacks actionable strategies and trends for 2025. Tune in today! -- Show notes:   Have any feedback on the show? , tell us what you love and what you think could be better. And, if you are really enjoying the show, please