In this episode of The Digital Marketing Podcast, Daniel, Ciaran, and Louise take a deep dive into the often-misunderstood world of keyword research - one of the most foundational yet complex elements of digital marketing. What starts as a seemingly simple task ("just pick some keywords, right?") quickly unravels into a minefield of audience intent, brand positioning, search behaviour shifts, and the sometimes soul-crushing reality of traffic that doesn't convert. The trio break down the full process with real-world insight, humour, and some very candid reflections on what not to do. From teaching postgraduate students at Imperial College to running real commercial SEO campaigns, Daniel shares his evolving approach to keyword strategy - highlighting how brand clarity, buyer personas, and mapping the full user journey are essential to getting keyword research right. What you'll learn in this episode: Why volume-based keyword selection is a trap How to balance traffic, intent, and competition in your keyword choices Why middle-of-the-funnel content is often your secret weapon How to prune and optimise your existing content for better conversions The problem with vanity metrics (and what to track instead) How new AI-powered tools like Content Raptor and Keywords Everywhere are changing the game The role of search across Google, YouTube, social and even email What to look for in competitor analysis and how to use keyword clustering effectively Louise brings sharp insight into modern search behaviour and the growing importance of voice, conversational search, and featured snippets, while Ciaran opens up about years of chasing traffic volume before realising conversions are what truly count. (Spoiler: a blog about banana peels and Botox might bring in traffic—but probably not sales.) The episode ends with a step-by-step process for approaching keyword research in 2025, including content ideation, testing, SEO hooks, and how to integrate what you learn across multiple marketing channels. Key Takeaways: Keyword research isn't about finding more keywords - it's about finding the right ones. Strategic alignment between brand, content, and intent is critical. Most marketers overinvest in top-of-funnel traffic and neglect conversion-focused content. Updating and optimising your existing content can often move the needle more than publishing something new. A good keyword is one that drives results - not just visits. With tools, frameworks, and honest advice, this episode is your ultimate keyword research sanity-check. Whether you're building a content strategy from scratch or refining an existing one, this is the guide you didn't know you needed. 🎧 Listen now and get your complete step-by-step guide. You'll find all links on TargetInternet.com Show notes: https://targetinternet.com/resources/complete-guide-to-keyword-research 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 dives into the world of agile marketing, exploring how a new methodology is helping marketers launch strategic, high-impact campaigns at pace, without compromising on quality. Joined by Peter Abraham (former Econsultancy leader and founder of Crank), alongside Katherine Torrance and Claire Pankhurst, the creators of Supercharged Marketing Sprints, Daniel unpacks a new approach to growth marketing that blends the speed of agile with the strategic rigour marketing has been missing. The team explain how their 5-day sprint framework works in practice - coaching marketing teams to develop and launch live, multichannel campaigns in just a week. Unlike traditional brainstorming workshops that leave great ideas gathering dust, this sprint ends with a live campaign in market, backed by real data and customer insight. Together, they explore how this approach helps businesses: Build high-performing campaigns under intense time constraints Cut through campaign chaos and internal delays Deliver strategic focus without sacrificing speed Align stakeholders quickly around a shared goal Create minimum viable campaigns (MVCs) that actually launch More than just a framework, this is a practical, tested process grounded in real-world experience. Peter shares his initial scepticism, and eventual surprise, at seeing these sprints succeed where other methods stall. Catherine and Claire outline how their structure gives marketing teams space for deep thinking and rapid deployment. They also share how AI tools (like headline generation and campaign planning assistants) are used to speed up the creative process, while still relying on human judgement and strategic thinking. This episode is packed with lessons for marketers frustrated by slow timelines, campaign bottlenecks, and chaotic execution cycles. Daniel and his guests lay out how to shift away from "tactics-first" thinking and instead build campaigns rooted in buyer insight, stakeholder alignment, and clear, testable outcomes. Key Takeaways: Why agile principles need evolution for modern marketing How 5-day sprints help teams go from messy ideas to market-ready campaigns The crucial role of stakeholder alignment and constrained planning How AI can complement (not replace) creative strategy How to build minimum viable campaigns with maximum impact Why fast isn't enough—campaigns must be focused and aligned Whether you're a CMO looking for a faster way to deliver results, or a team lead trying to cut through the clutter, this episode offers an inspiring look at what marketing agility really looks like in action. 🎧 Listen now and get your complete step-by-step guide. You'll find all links on TargetInternet.com Show notes: https://targetinternet.com/resources/agile-marketing-hands-on 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, Ciaran and Daniel explore the next evolutionary leap in artificial intelligencs - Agentic AI. As tools like ChatGPT and Gemini become more capable, we can go beyond content generation and enter an era where AI can reason, plan, take action, and even deploy code on your behalf. Daniel shares his experience building an interactive Google Algorithm timeline, without any developer or designer help, and explains how tools like Manus (powered by DeepSeek) are revolutionising the way we build websites, visualise data, and even simulate digital marketing campaigns. The duo dive into how agent-based systems can: Solve complex, multi-step problems Deploy fully interactive content and tools Autonomously analyse, design and publish assets across platforms The hosts expplore how this isn't about using AI to do what you've always done, faster. It's about reimagining what's possible. They challenge marketers to embrace the creative freedom these tools offer. From timelines and simulations to real-time research visualisations, this episode offers practical insights and inspiration for how to lead anbd not follow the next AI wave. Key Takeaways: Why ChatGPT Operator is a game-changer The future of interactive content powered by AI How to build a personal culture of learning and experimentation Why creativity and human curation matter more than ever 🎧 Listen now and discover why AI Agents will change how you work. You'll find all links on TargetInternet.com Show notes: https://targetinternet.com/resources/ai-agents-hands-on-guide 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 dive headfirst into a topic that's reshaping the way brands grow online: creating brand advocates vs. hiring influencers. 💬 How do advocates impact GEO and SEO? 🤝 What makes a true brand advocate? 🧠 How do you build authentic loyalty that actually moves the needle? You'll learn why genuine, passionate brand fans are now more powerful than ever and how their voices cut through the cynicism surrounding traditional influencer marketing. From the rise of Reddit and forum-based recommendations, to the impact of AI-generated summaries and Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO), we explore why building trust and community beats buying attention every time. Expect plenty of insight, some dubious banter, and even a few host mishaps (including a missing Daniel edit!) that prove just how engaged our audience really is. Also covered: Micro-influencers, creators, and the blurry lines between fame and influence Practical strategies to encourage advocacy (without bribing people with mugs… or maybe with them) Real-life stories from Liz Earle Beauty and other brands who nailed word-of-mouth Why being a great friend might just be the best marketing strategy of all 👉 Whether you're growing a startup or managing a global brand, this episode will get you thinking differently about influence, advocacy, and how to win hearts - not just clicks. 🎧 Listen now and discover why your biggest brand win might be sitting quietly in your DMs. You'll find all links on TargetInternet.com Show notes: https://targetinternet.com/resources/infuencers-vs-advocates-building-brand-advocacy 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 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: https://targetinternet.com/resources/chatgpt-for-marketing-latest-updates 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: https://targetinternet.com/resources/complete-guide-to-linkedin-ads 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: https://targetinternet.com/resources/latest-digital-marketing-tools-and-techniques 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: https://targetinternet.com/resources/what-is-the-best-ai-chatgpt-vs-deepseek-vs-gemini 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 TargetInternet.com Show notes: https://targetinternet.com/resources/social-media-trends-and-trip-hazards-for-2025 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.