My good friend Mark Schaefer wrote an amazing piece the other day about the future of content marketing. And, across the board, Mark nailed it. So, if he got it so right, why am I also talking about the future of content marketing this time around?

Well, simply, because as is so often the case, there’s a little more to the story. And it starts with understanding that the future of content marketing is already here. Neither Mark nor I are predicting the future of content marketing; we’re talking about it’s present too. Because the future of content marketing is already here. If you want your content marketing to succeed in the future, you need to start right now.

So, what is the future of content marketing? How will it affect your business in the future? And what must you do today to be ready no matter what the future brings? That’s what this episode of Thinks Out Loud is all about.

Want to learn more? Here are the show notes for you.

Thinks Out Loud Episode 350: "The Future of Content Marketing is Already Here " Headlines and Show Notes

* 10 Ideas about the Future of Content Marketing – Schaefer Marketing Solutions: We Help Businesses {grow}

* A Far Too Quick Look at the Metaverse, web3, and the Future of Digital (Thinks Out Loud Episode 349)

* The Metaverse Will Radically Change Content Creation Forever

* A New Era of Content Creation: The Metaverse and Its Opportunities for Creators | Nasdaq

* The metaverse will change the paradigm of content creation

* Is Content Still King or Have the Gatekeepers Won? (Thinks Out Loud Episode 328)

* Stop Outsourcing Your Sales & Marketing to Gatekeepers Like Google (Thinks Out Loud Episode 257)

* Digital Gatekeepers and the Death of Organic Traffic (Thinks Out Loud Episode 247)

* What Do the AGFAM’s Earnings Tell You About the State of Digital in Q2? (Thinks Out Loud Episode 348)

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I’ve been dancing around the topics of the metaverse and web3 all year without talking about what they are and why they matter for your business—or not. And, while this is by no means a comprehensive look at these potentially transformative technologies, it’s far past time for me to take a far too quick look at the metaverse, web3 and what they mean for the future of digital.

What is the deal with the metaverse? Is it something you need to worry about? And what about web3? Will these technologies replace the web as we know it? And if they do, is your business in trouble?

Well… maybe. But there is almost certainly a way you can compete no matter what happens. What is it? What do you need to do? And how much should you worry about the future? Give a listen to our “far too quick look at the metaverse, web3, and the future of digital,” and, hopefully, you’ll get some answers you can work with.

Want to learn more? Here are the show notes for you.

Thinks Out Loud Episode 349: "A Far Too Quick Look at the Metaverse, web3, and the Future of Digital" Headlines and Show Notes

Show Notes and Links

Here are this week’s show notes for Thinks Out Loud with links and news related to this week’s episode. Be sure to check out all the links that matter for your business once you’ve given the episode a listen.

* What Do the AGFAM’s Earnings Tell You About the State of Digital in Q2? (Thinks Out Loud Episode 348)

* Metaverse – Wikipedia

* What Is the Metaverse, Exactly? | WIRED

* The metaverse, explained: what it is, and why tech companies love it – Polygon

* The Metaverse, Explained for People Who Still Don’t Get It

* Why Build in Web3

* Chris Dixon thinks web3 is the future of the internet — is it? – The Verge

* Mobile Payments, Millennials and Voice Computing Make Mobile Commerce Matter More (Thinks Out Loud Episode 199)

* Why I’m Bullish on Mobile Payments and Messaging (Thinks Out Loud Episode 158)

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Thinks Out Loud Episode 348: "What Do the AGFAM’s Earnings Tell You About the State of Digital in Q2?" Headlines and Show Notes

Show Notes and Links

Here are this week’s show notes for Thinks Out Loud with links and news related to this week’s episode. Be sure to check out all the links that matter for your business once you’ve given the episode a listen.

* FY22 Q3 – Press Releases – Investor Relations – Microsoft

* Microsoft (MSFT) Q3 2022 Earnings Call Transcript | The Motley Fool

* Apple (AAPL) earnings Q2 2022

* Apple (AAPL) Q2 2022 Earnings Call Transcript | The Motley Fool

* Apple Reports Second Quarter Results – Apple

* Apple Revenue 2010-2022 | AAPL | MacroTrends

* Alphabet (A shares) (GOOGL) Q1 2022 Earnings Call Transcript | The Motley Fool

* Alphabet (Google) 2022 Q1 earnings release PDF link

* Alphabet (Google) 2020 Q1 earnings release PDF link

* Google parent Alphabet’s Q1 profits dropped by more than $1 billion compared to 2021 – The Verge

* Amazon.com, Inc. – Amazon.com Announces First Quarter Results

* Amazon Earnings: What Happened with AMZN

* Amazon (AMZN) Q1 2022 Earnings Call Transc...

Jeff Bezos released his last letter to shareholders as CEO of the company just over a year ago. It’s an extraordinary document, filled with lessons that demonstrate why the company continues to be successful. The biggest of these lessons is Amazon’s relentless focus on its Day One culture. There’s an old expression that states, "Culture eats strategy for breakfast." And while I’m convinced it’s not quite that simple, there’s definitely some truth in the statement. Amazon’s culture is undoubtedly a key component of the company’s success.

But what’s more interesting is that the same could be said for Google, Facebook, Apple, Microsoft, Uber, Airbnb, and a host of other digital giants — even though their cultures are very distinct. So, maybe it’s not one specific culture, but instead a broader "digital culture," one focused on customers and data and learning that’s at work here. The evidence suggests that’s the case.

In this episode of Thinks Out Loud, we look at "digital culture" and offer some thoughts about what that means. We dive into what you can learn from digital giants, as well as some upstarts too. And we talk about, if culture eats strategy for breakfast, how you can make sure it doesn’t devour you too.

Want to learn more? Here are the show notes for you.

Thinks Out Loud Episode 325: Day One at Amazon and Developing a Digital Culture Headlines and Show Notes

Show Notes and Links

As always, here are the "regular" show notes, detailing links and news related to this week’s episode. Take note, there are a lot of links this week based on the wide-ranging discussion. Be sure to check out all those that matter for your business once you’ve given the episode a listen.

* Digital Transformation is All About Customers (Thinks Out Loud Episode 323)

* Amazon’s 2020 Letter to Shareholders from Jeff Bezos

* Customer Experience is Queen? What Does That Mean? (Thinks Out Loud Episode 190)

* Content is King, Customer Experience is Queen (Thinks Out Loud Episode 188)

* NortonLifeLock’s head of direct acquisition on the competitive advantage of great CX – Insider Intelligence Trends, Forecasts & Statistics

* How to Build a Digital Company (Thinks Out Loud 302) Tim Peter & Associates

* The F...

Netflix had a truly disastrous earnings call the other day, losing more than $50 billion dollars in market cap in just a few hours. But the reasons why it’s struggling should be obvious to anyone with a solid understanding of digital strategy. It’s not that Netflix is a bad company; actually, I think they’re a great company (and, to be abundantly clear, I have zero opinion on their stock). It’s just that lumping them in with Facebook and Apple and Amazon and Google fundamentally misunderstands their value in the marketplace. FAANG doesn’t make sense—and never has. They’re not part of the AGFAM—Apple, Google, Facebook, Amazon, Microsoft—and for good reason.

What is that reason? What separates Netflix from the other major online players? And what can their recent struggles teach you about your digital strategy?

This episode of Thinks Out Loud dives into where Netflix actually fits in the marketplace, why it’s dramatically different from Apple and Amazon (and, for that matter, HBO Max and Disney+), and what lessons you can learn from them to improve your digital strategy.

Want to know more? Here are the show notes for you.

Thinks Out Loud Episode 347: "What Netflix’s Struggles Can Teach You About Your Digital Strategy" Headlines and Show Notes

Show Notes and Links

Here are this week’s show notes for Thinks Out Loud with links and news related to this week’s episode. Be sure to check out all the links that matter for your business once you’ve given the episode a listen.

* Netflix stock plunges after subscriber losses – CNN

* The Marketplace 100: 2022 | Future

* Beyond Metcalfe’s Law for Network Effects | Future

* The Rise of Netflix Competitors Has Pushed Consumers Back Toward Piracy

* Warner Bros. Discovery – Wikipedia

* List of assets owned by Warner Bros. Discovery – Wikipedia

* The Walt Disney Company – Wikipedia

* List of Netflix original programming – Wikipedia

* List of libraries owned by Warner Bros. Discovery – Wikipedia

* Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer – Wikipedia

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We spend a lot of time here at Thinks Out Loud and at Tim Peter & Associates thinking about digital transformation for businesses large and small. And digital transformation at its core is about business transformation, driven by changes in customer behaviors. During the pandemic, we’ve seen enormous changes in those customer behaviors. We’ve also seen huge changes in employee behaviors too, with increased focus on job changes, flexibility, and work-from-anywhere.

All these changes mean that you need to keep improving your skills and learning new ones to stay relevant and in-demand. So, what are the skills you need to compete as your company undergoes its digital transformation? What do you need to know to keep yourself relevant in a rapidly changing environment? In short, how do you deliver the digital transformation of you?

This episode of Thinks Out Loud looks at the digital transformation of you—and the skills you need to compete in the current marketplace.

Want to know more? Here are the show notes for you.

Revisiting the Digital Transformation of You: The Skills You Need to Compete (Thinks Out Loud) Headlines and Show Notes

Show Notes and Links

Here are this week’s show notes for Thinks Out Loud with links and news related to this week’s episode. Be sure to check out all the links that matter for your business once you’ve given the episode a listen.

* The Pandemic Has Accelerated Demands for a More Skilled Work Force – The New York Times

* The Future is Already Here…

* Microsoft launches initiative to help 25 million people worldwide acquire the digital skills needed in a COVID-19 economy – The Official Microsoft Blog

* Microsoft commits to helping 25 million people acquire new digital skills needed for the Covid-19 economy

* Helping 25 Million Job Seekers Get Back to Work | Official LinkedIn Blog

* LinkedIn’s Economic Graph — A digital representation of the global economy

* July Workforce Report 2020

* Digital Blindspot | Markle | Advancing America’s Future

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I’ve long said that "Content is King; Customer Experience is Queen; and Data is the Crown Jewels." But a number of people I respect take different approaches, suggesting that "user generated content is king," or "the customer is king," or even "community is king." And, whenever I run across something that challenges my experiences and assumptions, the first question I try to ask is "Are they right? Am I missing something?"

And, after 11 years of running my own business, I think the answer to the question is somewhat more complicated than a t-shirt-sized slogan. (Oh, don’t worry, it still needs to fit on a t-shirt.)

But the reality is that the point where content, community, and customer experience meet is the axis on which your entire business turns. It’s at the center of everything you do in your business every day. And it’s the subject of this episode of Thinks Out Loud.

Where do content, community, and customer experience meet? What attributes do they share? Where are they different? And what does all this mean for your business? Let’s take a look… as one community.

Want to know more? Here are the show notes for you.

Thinks Out Loud Episode 346: "Where Content, Community, and Customer Experience Meet" Headlines and Show Notes

Show Notes and Links

Here are this week’s show notes for Thinks Out Loud with links and news related to this week’s episode. Be sure to check out all the links that matter for your business once you’ve given the episode a listen.

* What I’ve Learned in 10 Years as an Entrepreneur (Thinks Out Loud Episode 322)

* Content is Still the King – Tim Peter & Associates

* Is Content Still King or Have the Gatekeepers Won? (Thinks Out Loud Episode 328) – Tim Peter & Associates

* Taylor Swift’s Playbook Shows Why the Modern Marketing Team is a Media Company (Thinks Out Loud Episode 324)

* The revolutionary role of customer community in your marketing strategy – Schaefer Marketing Solutions: We Help Businesses {grow}

* What Community Looks Like – Tim Peter & Associates

* Community Managers? Or Community Participants? – Tim Peter & Associates

* Customer Experience is Queen? What Does That Mean? (Thinks Out Loud Episode 190) – Tim Peter & Associates

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It’s time for a (semi) bold prediction: Amazon is going to launch its very own consumer-facing general search engine. Yes, they’ve got search on Amazon.com. Yes, they’ve got Alexa. But the evidence suggests that there may be something bigger in the works. And that’s a really Good Thing for your business even if it doesn’t catch on right away — or ever.

What leads me to think this is coming? Why is it good for your business if Amazon launches its own search engine even if it fails? And what should you do if it comes to pass? This episode of Thinks Out Loud takes a look at why Amazon is going to launch a search engine and uncovers some answers for you.

Want to know more? Here are the show notes for you.

Thinks Out Loud Episode 344: Why Amazon is Going to Launch a Search Engine Headlines and Show Notes

Show Notes and Links

Here are this week’s show notes for Thinks Out Loud with links and news related to this week’s episode. Be sure to check out all the links that matter for your business once you’ve given the episode a listen.

* Amazon is shutting down Alexa.com, but don’t worry about Alexa

* Amazon Alexa

* Alexa.com (which is not the same as Amazon Alexa…)

* How Many Orders Does Amazon Get Every Day?

* Google partners with Shopify on online shopping expansion | TechCrunch

* Shopify ($SHOP) Expands E-Commerce Pact With Google ($GOOGL), Facebook ($FB) – Bloomberg

* Google’s New Ecommerce Chief Lays Out An Ambitious Plan To Win In Online Shopping

* The Last E-Commerce Duel Between Amazon and Google

* Study: Most product searches begin on Amazon | Chain Store Age

* Nearly half of product searches start on marketplace

* [Google Shopping TV Spot, ‘Black Friday Deals’ Song by Vaughn Monroe – iSpot.tv](missing value)

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The single biggest challenge facing many organizations at the moment is how to find talent and how to build a digital team. There’s massive demand across marketing and technology for digital talent. And it seems likely that the demand for digital talent will outstrip supply for some time to come. The shift to work from home, the demand for increased wages and opportunity, and the burnout many people are feeling after two-plus years of the pandemic have made finding, attracting, and retaining digital talent even harder than finding, attracting, and converting customers.

What can you do about this situation? How is it affecting your existing talent? And what do you need to think about to build a digital team in a high-demand environment. This episode of Thinks Out Loud digs into the data and offers a few suggestions for what you can do.

Want to know more? Here are the show notes for you.

Thinks Out Loud Episode 344: How to Build a Digital Team Headlines and Show Notes

Show Notes and Links

Here are this week’s show notes for Thinks Out Loud with links and news related to this week’s episode. Be sure to check out all the links that matter for your business once you’ve given the episode a listen.

* Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary – 2022 M01 Results

* ‎www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdf

* It Will Take a While for Hiring to Get Ground Down – WSJ

* American Consumers Are Starting to Hit Their Breaking Point

* The Reimagined Workplace a Year Later: Human Capital Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic

* Planning Back-to-the-Office Messaging: Key Considerations

* Why Working From Home Will Stick | BFI

* One Third of Those Who Changed Jobs Make 30% More

* Pulse of the American Worker Survey: Is This Working? | Prudential

* The Next Great Disruption Is Hybrid Work—Are We Ready?

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Given the recent earnings news from the AGFAM and what those mean for your business, it seemed like a good time to revisit a classic Thinks Out Loud episode, "Are You Destined to Lose to the Frightful Five?"

Here’s what Tim said in that episode:

They’re all set up to win and they listen relentlessly and then they take that data and they use it to improve relentlessly. They’ve followed a very simple path. They created products designed to collect data. They used that data to listen and understand what customers wanted. They improved the product and improved on the amount of data they collected.

They used that data to understand what customers wanted. And so they improved the product again, and the amount of data they collected again and again, and again, lather, rinse, repeat. That’s not evil. That’s brilliant.

Now, why do they do this? Because they really are paying attention to customers.

Tim went on to say:

"…here’s the thing: You’re not destined to lose. I guarantee it. You can follow the same basic playbook and see success for your business as well."

What is that playbook? And how can you put it to work for your business? That’s what "Revisiting Are You Destined to Lose to the Frightful Five?" is all about.

Want to learn more? Here are the show notes for you.

Thinks Out Loud: Revisiting Are You Destined to Lose to the Frightful Five? Headlines and Show Notes

Free Downloads

I’d mentioned during the show that we have a free download for you, which you can find right here:

* A Brief Introduction to Thinks Out Loud. As a bonus, we’ve also included this PDF document that highlights some of our core episodes to help you dig into what the show is about. We think it will help you capture the show’s essence while you’re working your way through the 300-plus episodes published so far. Download it here.

* Digital & E-commerce Maturity Matrix. As a bonus, here’s a PDF that can help you assess your company’s digital maturity. You can use this to better understand where your company excels and where its opportunities lie. And, of course, we’re here to help if you need it. The Digital & E-commerce Maturity Matrix rates your company’s effectiveness — Ad Hoc, Aware, Striving, Driving — in 6 key areas in digital today, including:

* Customer Focus

* Strategy

* Technology

* Operations

* Culture

* Data

Show Notes and Links

As always, here are the "regular" show notes, detailing links and news related to this week’s episode.

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