A lot of creators think writing a book is something you do after you’ve “made it.” In this episode, I sit down with Lauren Vassallo to talk about why that mindset is backwards, and why a book can still be one of the most powerful credibility tools a content creator can have. We get into how books build authority, open doors, and help people take you seriously long before you have a massive audience.

Lauren also breaks down how AI is changing the publishing process, not by replacing writers, but by lowering the friction that stops most people from ever starting. We talk about using AI for structure, momentum, and editing support, while keeping your voice, experience, and thinking firmly human.

Whether your goal is speaking, consulting, better clients, or simply clarifying your message, this conversation is especially helpful if you’ve been sitting on an idea for years and keep telling yourself you’re “not a writer.”

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1. You don’t need to start from scratch: Podcasts, videos, and newsletters can become the foundation of a book.
2. Short books are valid books: Guides, workbooks, and focused niche books absolutely count.
3. Books work best as business tools: They support speaking, partnerships, PR, and higher-level offers.
4. Planning matters more than talent: Clear outlines and realistic timelines prevent stalls.
5. AI reduces friction, not responsibility: Use it to assist, but keep your thinking and voice intact.
6. Writing clarifies your positioning: Many creators sharpen their message just by working through the process.

1. Lauren's Podcast: www.publishprosperpodcast.com
2. Lulu Publishing: www.lulu.com
3. (Check out all their free resources!) www.lulu.com/resources
4. Connect With Lauren On LinkedIn and Instagram!

The Unsinkable Conor Brown: www.vacationkingdoms.com

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If you’ve ever thought, “We’re doing good work… so why is nobody paying attention?” this episode is going to hit close to home. I sat down with Amy Kehs, who’s spent decades helping museums, including the Smithsonian, go from overlooked to deeply loved. And while her background is in museums, everything we talk about applies directly to creators, solopreneurs, and small businesses.

We dig into why marketing alone isn’t cutting it anymore, especially in a world where people are overwhelmed with messages all day long. Amy breaks down the real difference between marketing, advertising, and public relations, and why PR builds trust faster because it relies on relationships, credibility, and other people talking about you. We also talk about brand messaging, customer experience, and why being “a hidden gem” is usually a relevance problem, not a visibility problem.

This episode is all about creating brand love. Not louder promotion, not more content, but clearer messaging, better experiences, and trust that compounds over time.

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1. PR builds trust faster than marketing: People believe what others say about you more than what you say about yourself.
2. Being ignored is usually a relevance problem: If people don’t quickly understand why you matter, more promotion won’t help.
3. Clear messaging beats clever messaging: Repeating a simple, consistent message is how brands become memorable.
4. Experience is part of the brand: Websites, emails, and first impressions shape trust long before someone buys.
5. Earned media validates decisions: Third-party mentions reassure people they’re making the right choice.
6. Relationships compound over time: Long-term trust and loyalty outperform short-term attention every time

1. Amy Kehs: www.lovemymuseum.com
2. Amy's FREE Resources: https://www.lovemymuseum.com/resources
3. Love My Museum Podcast: www.lovemymuseum.com/podcast
4. The Unsinkable Conor Brown: www.vacationkingdoms.com

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Ecamm - Your go-to solution for crafting outstanding live shows and podcasts. - Get 15% off your first payment with promo code JEFF15

SocialMediaNewsLive.com - Dive into our website for comprehensive episode breakdowns.

There’s a lot of noise right now about AI replacing creators, automating everything, and turning content into something fast, polished, and forgettable. In this episode, I sit down with Paul Gowder to talk about why the opposite shift is happening, creators are leaning more human, more personal, and more real, not less.

Paul has spent decades building community online, long before algorithms and AI tools were part of the conversation. We talk about why raw content is starting to outperform polished feeds, why people are craving connection over perfection, and how things like live video, email, and community spaces are becoming trust signals again. This conversation is about relationships, not reach, and why creators who embrace their full personality, interests, and stories are the ones who will stand out as AI continues to flood the internet with generic content.

1. Polished content isn’t the advantage it used to be: Raw, imperfect posts signal that a real human is behind the content.
2. People connect to people, not niches: Sharing parts of your life and interests builds trust faster than one-dimensional posting.
3. Community is not a platform: Your community includes everyone who feels connected to your content, even if they never comment.
4. Live video creates shared experience: Real-time interaction builds deeper bonds than edited content alone.
5. Email is still one of the strongest trust channels: Writing like a person, not a brand, creates real connection.
6. Stories beat surface-level tips: Teaching what something meant to you matters more than explaining how to do it.
7. Doing the “unscalable” work sets you apart: Replying to emails, asking questions, and engaging directly builds loyalty.
8. Creators should stop chasing vanity metrics: Replies, conversations, and feedback are stronger signals than views alone.
9. Offline relationships still matter: Conferences, meetups, and face-to-face interactions strengthen online trust.
10. AI can support creators, but it can’t replace humanity: Personal experience, mistakes, and perspective are irreplaceable.

1. Paul Gowder: www.paulgowder.com
2. On The Way Community: www.onthewaycommunity.com
3. PowWows.com: www.powwows.com/powwow101

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