Mastering Authentic Content Creation: Insights from Podcasting Expert Jeremy Slate

In the ever-evolving world of content creation and digital marketing, authenticity and depth have become more crucial than ever. Recently, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jeremy Slate, a podcasting expert and founder of Command Your Brand, about the changing landscape of content creation, the importance of authenticity, and how to leverage AI tools effectively.

The FTC Crackdown on False Metrics

Jeremy kicked off our conversation by discussing a recent development in the influencer marketing world. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has begun cracking down on false metrics and vanity numbers in the industry. This move aims to bring more value and authenticity to the surface.

The FTC's actions are targeting influencers who have been misleading their audience with inflated follower counts and engagement metrics. This crackdown serves as a wake-up call for content creators and marketers alike, emphasizing the need for genuine connections and authentic engagement.

Impact vs. Vanity Metrics

One of the key takeaways from our discussion was the distinction between impact and vanity metrics. Jeremy emphasized that while many content creators focus on follower counts and download numbers, these figures don't necessarily translate to real impact or business success.

Instead of obsessing over vanity metrics, Jeremy advises focusing on creating content that genuinely resonates with your target audience. He shared an example from his own experience:

"Our most successful clients are those who focus on speaking to a specific audience's reality and needs. We have a financial management firm that targets dental practices and veterinarians. They might only get 150 listens per episode, but it's been an incredibly productive campaign for them because they're speaking directly to their ideal clients."

This approach underscores the importance of quality over quantity when it comes to audience engagement.

The Power of Authenticity in Marketing

Jeremy highlighted a crucial shift in marketing effectiveness: "Marketing speak doesn't communicate to people as well as it used to. Reality does." This observation reflects a growing trend where audiences are increasingly drawn to authentic, relatable content rather than polished, overly-produced marketing messages.

To create more authentic content, Jeremy suggests:

1. Sharing both successes and failures
2. Using language that your audience can relate to
3. Focusing on solving real problems rather than just selling
4. Being yourself and letting your personality shine through

Avoiding Common Content Creation Traps

Jeremy identified two major traps that content creators often fall into:

1. Obsessing over large audience numbers
2. Trying to monetize too quickly through advertising

He advises against these approaches, stating, "People try to rig the system to get listens and then get advertising money. It's shortsighted because brands aren't going to have any ROI with you anyway."

Instead, Jeremy recommends focusing on creating valuable content and building genuine relationships with your audience. He's found more success with affiliate marketing of products he truly believes in rather than traditional advertising.

Leveraging AI Tools for Content Creation

While discussing the role of AI in content creation, Jeremy shared some of his favorite tools:

1. Riverside.fm for recording high-quality audio and video
2. Autopod for quick video editing
3. Adobe Enhance for improving audio quality
4. Video.ai for creating short-form content and chapters
5. Taja AI for YouTube optimization
6. Canva for AI-powered image editing
7. GPT for Work for process documentation

However, Jeremy cautioned against relying too heavily on AI-generated content. He emphasized that while AI can be a useful tool for generating ideas or streamlining processes, it's crucial to maintain a human touch in your content.

"AI creates content that's very interesting, but it often lacks the human element," Jeremy noted. "It's good for giving you a base to work with, but you need to put it in a way that's useful to your audience."

The Importance of Understanding Your Audience

One of the most valuable insights Jeremy shared was about the importance of taking your audience's viewpoint when creating content. He stressed that content creators need to develop the skill of seeing things from their listeners' or viewers' perspective.

"If you can learn to take the viewpoint of the person listening to you, then it's useful to them," Jeremy explained. "It goes back to the interested versus interesting thing. You want to be interested in their success rather than just trying to be interesting yourself."

To better understand your audience, Jeremy recommends:

1. Conducting regular surveys
2. Paying attention to the language your audience uses
3. Focusing on solving their specific problems
4. Breaking down complex concepts into easily digestible information

Creating Content for Different Stages of the Customer Journey

Jeremy also touched on the importance of creating different types of content for various stages of the customer journey. He explained that content should serve one of three purposes:

1. Gaining visibility
2. Nurturing relationships
3. Converting to a conversation or sale

Each piece of content should be tailored to its specific purpose and the stage of the customer journey it's targeting. This approach ensures that your content strategy is comprehensive and effective.

The Role of Team and Company Culture in Content Creation

Towards the end of our conversation, Jeremy emphasized the importance of building a strong team and company culture to support your content creation efforts. He shared that his current focus is on improving training for his employees and developing better processes.

"It's different than just starting out," Jeremy explained. "When you actually have a group, they have to get along together, work well together, and know how to do things without you."

This focus on team development and process improvement is crucial for scaling your content creation efforts and maintaining consistency in your brand voice across all platforms.

Key Takeaways for Content Creators

To summarize the wealth of knowledge Jeremy shared, here are the key takeaways for content creators:

1. Focus on creating authentic, valuable content rather than chasing vanity metrics.
2. Use AI tools to streamline your processes, but maintain a human touch in your content.
3. Take your audience's viewpoint when creating content.
4. Create different types of content for various stages of the customer journey.
5. Invest in your team and processes to scale your content creation efforts.
6. Stay true to your brand voice and values across all platforms.
7. Continuously educate yourself and your audience.

By implementing these strategies, content creators can build stronger connections with their audience, create more impactful content, and ultimately achieve greater success in their digital marketing efforts.

Remember, as Jeremy aptly put it, "Putting your people listening to you first is the number one thing you can do, and creating that depth of knowledge is what's actually going to give you legs in the long run."

For more insights from Jeremy Slate, you can visit commandyourempire.com or follow him on social media platforms as Jeremy Ryan Slate. His wealth of knowledge in podcasting, content creation, and digital marketing is sure to provide valuable guidance for anyone looking to improve their online presence and connect more authentically with their audience.

Article created from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ar_qwbcswsY