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Can we trust reviews anymore, or have they become part of the marketing game? In this episode of Mindful Bytes, we discuss the reliability of online reviews. With the rise of fake and paid reviews, can consumers trust what they’re reading anymore? The podcast panel explore how reviews have evolved, and how marketers are manipulating them. From buying fake reviews to the possibility of buying bad reviews to sabotage competitors, this episode asks the hard question: are reviews still trustworthy? Join Brian, Shawna, Olivia, and Ashton as they discuss personal experiences, potential solutions, and some ideas for what might come next in the review landscape.

What to Expect:

• The Shift from Brand Loyalty to Review-Based Purchasing: We discuss how consumers have moved away from relying on brand names to trusting reviews—and whether that trust is misplaced.
• The Problem with Fake Reviews: How marketers are buying positive reviews to increase sales, and the tricky ethics behind incentivizing reviews for untested products.
• Can We Trust Influencers? Olivia raises the question of influencer credibility and the lack of regulation on paid endorsements.
• The Possibility of Bad Reviews Being Bought: Brian explores whether companies might be paying for negative reviews to harm competitors.
• Signs of Fake Reviews: Tips on how to spot repetitive, unnatural, or overly generic reviews that might be red flags.
• A Future of Verified Influencers? Brian shares an idea, could platforms create a rating system for influencers to help consumers determine their trustworthiness?
• Word-of-Mouth’s Comeback: Brian shares another idea based on how consumers are increasingly trusting friends’ recommendations over online reviews, and how social media could play a role in connecting buyers to trusted reviewers.

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Could AI become your close friend? What if becoming “invisible” could help your business stand out? Have your heard about Instagram's new DM features? In this episode of Mindful Bytes, you'll be introduced to a new AI gadget and how it can potentially become your next friend. We'll explore using the private feed to deepen connections with your audience and new DM features coming to Instagram.

What to Expect:

• AI and Connection: Ashton introduces a new AI device called “AI Friend,” which acts like a virtual companion, and discusses the implications of AI in fostering connections.
• Becoming Invisible to Stand Out: Brian introduces a counterintuitive strategy—using DMs and private feeds to build meaningful, one-on-one connections instead of relying solely on public feeds.
• Instagram’s New DM Features: Olivia discusses how Instagram is shifting focus to DMs with new tools like birthday notifications, stickers, and customizable themes.
• The Future of Social Media: The panel discussed the declining impact of public posts and the increasing importance of private conversations in building authentic relationships.

Support the show

Let's Figure This Out Together:

• Schedule a Discovery Call
• Book Brian for a Keynote, Speaking Engagement, Team Workshop or Interview
• Get Help with Digital Strategy, Consulting, or Coaching

Affiliate Links:

• Launch your own podcast on BuzzSprout
• Join us LIVE in VR at the Killer Bee Studios by grabbing an Oculus headset. Plus, earn some reward points from Meta!

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What’s more effective: building a personal brand or focusing on your company’s brand? Are wellness apps really beneficial, or do they pose hidden risks? How can chatbots like ManyChat enhance your social media engagement? Are AI-generated content and deepfakes a threat to online authenticity?

In this episode of Mindful Bytes, we dive into the current landscape of AI regulation, specifically discussing a bill in California aimed at controlling AI's potential to create deepfakes and other misleading content. We explore the pros and cons of using wellness apps, how chatbots like ManyChat are evolving to improve social media engagement, and the ongoing debate between building a personal brand versus a company brand. We wrap up with insights on maintaining authentic connections in the increasingly automated digital world.

What to Expect:

• AI Regulation and Its Impact: Learn about the proposed California bill and its implications for AI developers, especially concerning deepfakes and fake content.
• Wellness Apps: A discussion on the benefits and potential pitfalls of using apps for health and mental wellness, including privacy concerns and the importance of not outsourcing your health to technology.
• ManyChat Overview: Insights into how ManyChat is used to automate social media interactions and whether this tool can replace authentic engagement.
• Personal vs. Company Branding: A look at why personal brands are gaining traction over company brands, backed by surprising LinkedIn data.
• Authentic Connections: The importance of keeping it real in a digital world dominated by automation and AI.

Links Mentioned: (affiliate links used when possible)

• Watch Funny Bill Commercial
• Safe & Secure Innovation (AI Bill)
• Benefits of Mental Wellness Apps
• Rising Influence of Health & Wellness Apps
• ManyChat
• Schedule a Discovery Call with Brian

Support the show

Let's Figure This Out Together:

• Schedule a Discovery Call
• Book Brian for a Keynote, Speaking Engagement, Team Workshop or Interview
• Get Help with Digital Strategy, Consulting, or Coaching

Affiliate Links:

• Launch your own podcast on BuzzSprout
• Join us LIVE in VR at the Killer Bee Studios by grabbing an Oculus headset. Plus, earn some reward points from Meta!