{grow} by Mark Schaefer

{grow} by Mark Schaefer explores the intersections of marketing, technology, and human connection. It covers innovative uses of AI in marketing, personal and community brand building, future trends in digital marketing, content strategy, the significance of personal experience in entrepreneurship, and navigating the modern content landscape.

Marketing Strategy Artificial Intelligence in Marketing Brand and Community Building Future Marketing Trends Content Creation and Strategy Entrepreneurship Social Media Marketing

The hottest Substack posts of {grow} by Mark Schaefer

And their main takeaways

Sometimes, marketing comes down to a personal decision

19 implied HN points • 02 Oct 24
💼 Business Marketing Strategy Entrepreneurship Social media Branding
  1. Marketing works better when you follow your own unique path instead of just copying others. Making personal choices can help your strategy stand out.
  2. There’s too much focus on marketing 'best practices,' which can make everything look the same. Doing something different can become your competitive edge.
  3. Instead of worrying about what everyone else is doing, focus on being authentic and sharing your true story. People connect better with real emotions and experiences.

Beyond the Basics: 20 Non-Obvious Uses of ChatGPT for Marketing

79 implied HN points • 08 Feb 23
  1. Marketers are using ChatGPT for non-obvious uses beyond basic tasks like summarizing survey data and fast market analysis.
  2. ChatGPT is helping marketers save time and create new ideas by summarizing complex podcast show notes and generating content like marketing strategies and improved headlines.
  3. Other uses include planning events, finding target customers, calculating key marketing metrics, nurturing leads, optimizing FAQs, and adjusting marketing organizations.

The Blog Post That Shocked the World

19 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
💼 Business Marketing Content Economics Strategy Personal Branding
  1. Content Shock: The world of content marketing became saturated with competition, making it harder and more expensive to stand out.
  2. Spiky Content: Creating bold, unique content with a strong point of view can help cut through the noise and grab attention.
  3. Personal Branding: Focusing on building a personal connection with your audience can be a powerful strategy to navigate and succeed in a world overwhelmed by content.
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The Parasite Economy: An Upside for Creators

0 implied HN points • 16 Oct 24
💼 Business Digital economy Content creation Media industry Entrepreneurship Marketing Strategies
  1. The Parasite Economy consists of big companies that profit from the creativity of others without contributing anything themselves. This includes platforms like Google and TikTok that make money off content created by users.
  2. Even though many creators feel taken advantage of, they can still succeed by focusing on building an audience instead of relying on direct income from their work. Giving away valuable content helps in gaining visibility.
  3. Creators can find diverse revenue streams outside traditional methods, like speaking engagements and coaching, allowing them to thrive in the digital landscape.

DGAF: Why unhinged brands could be the safest marketing path

0 implied HN points • 30 Oct 24
💼 Business Marketing Branding Advertising Consumer behavior Market Trends
  1. Unhinged brands are becoming popular because they grab attention and spark conversations. They prioritize standing out over sticking to traditional marketing rules.
  2. Brands like Liquid Death and Nutter Butter are showing that being weird or edgy can resonate well with consumers. This approach allows them to connect with those who feel disconnected from mainstream products.
  3. Indifference is a big problem for brands. By being bold and different, these brands create their own unique identities and stay relevant in a crowded market.

The biggest threat to free speech and democracy isn't speech, it's amplification

0 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Free speech Social media Disinformation Accountability
  1. Amplification of false information is a bigger threat to free speech than the actual speech itself. Algorithms can spread misleading content very quickly and widely.
  2. Social media companies have a responsibility to control how misinformation is amplified. They shouldn't allow fake news to reach millions without any warning.
  3. It's easier to hold companies accountable for spreading known false information than to regulate what people say. Focusing on stopping amplification can help protect society from harmful lies.

The Nutter Butter campaign explained. Yes, this nightmare makes sense

0 implied HN points • 09 Oct 24
💼 Business Marketing Branding Advertising Consumer behavior Social media
  1. Nutter Butter's new marketing campaign is loud, weird, and grabs attention. They're using strange videos to stand out in a crowded market.
  2. The goal is to evoke strong emotions, whether good or bad, because that makes people remember and share the content. This makes their ads go viral.
  3. Gen Z loves brands that are different and a bit bizarre. Nutter Butter is taking a risk, but it's working because they had nothing to lose and needed to be noticed.