In this episode of the Thoughtful Entrepreneur, your host Josh Elledge speaks to  Content Creator & Marketing Strategist, John Egan. John's journey began with freelancing for a credit card company in Austin, and his expertise has grown exponentially since then. This blog post aims to share the insights and lessons from our enlightening conversation. One of the hot topics we delved into was the role of AI in content marketing. While AI is making waves in the industry, John believes that relying solely on AI-generated content can lead to generic output, similar to what everyone else is producing. He also highlighted that AI-generated content is not immune to errors, much like human-written content. John emphasized the importance of having a unique brand voice and producing content that resonates with the target audience. This, he believes, is the key to successful content marketing. When asked about recent trends in SEO and Google, John highlighted the importance of scannable content. He explained that readers are more likely to engage with content that is broken up into headlines, subheads, and bullet points. This allows them to quickly scan the content and find what they seek. Key Points from the Episode: John Egan's work and impact in the world of content marketing John's expertise in working with personal finance brands The current trend of using AI in content marketing John's cautionary advice on relying solely on AI-generated content John's expertise in writing co nsumer-focused content in the personal finance space The importance of having a unique brand voice and resonating with the target audience Observations and recommendations for content marketers The importance of scannable content and capturing the reader's attention The short attention span of internet users and the need to provide sought-after information Closing remarks, including the mention of John's book and website, and encouraging listener engagement About John Egan: John Egan, a distinguished content creator and marketing strategist, boasts a rich background in journalism and content marketing. He embarked on his writing journey in newspaper journalism and climbed the editorial ranks before transitioning to content marketing in 2010. His expertise led him to pivotal roles as editor-in-chief at Bankrate Insurance, SpareFoot, and LawnStarter. In 2017, he founded Jayhawk Media, becoming a prominent content marketing entrepreneur. John has collaborated with renowned clients like Forbes Advisor, Experian, Bankrate, and The Balance, advising on content marketing strategies and contributing to the launch of personal finance websites. His insights have earned him recognition from esteemed publications, including The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. John's exceptional writing skills have garnered awards from organizations like the Texas Press Association and the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing. With a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Kansas and a master's degree in communication from Southern New Hampshire University, Egan is not only an accomplished professional but also a world traveler holding dual citizenship in the United States and Ireland. Tweetable Moments: 14:02 - "It’s so easy to hop from one thing to another and go down a rabbit hole online that if you're not giving people what they're looking for, they're just going to move on." Apply to be a Guest on The Thoughtful Entrepreneur:  https://go.upmyinfluence.com/podcast-guest...

In this episode of the Thoughtful Entrepreneur, your host Josh Elledge speaks with the Writer, Publisher & Journalist of Catapult Bookwriting, Mike Ulmer.Mike's journey from sports journalism to business storytelling is a fascinating one. After spending three decades in sports journalism, he transitioned into the business world.He noticed a common thread among many people he interacted with in the business network - they struggled to tell their stories or present themselves effectively. This observation led him to develop a formula for writing great business books and assisting others in their writing endeavors.Mike attributes much of his success to networking and word-of-mouth referrals. He believes that writing a book should be an enjoyable and adventurous process, and that every book is a journey of self-discovery. His book, "Show and Tell Writing," serves as a guide for those embarking on the book-writing process.According to Mike, a great business book should have three key elements: a compelling proposition, a meaningful backstory, and practical tips for readers to apply the information. He also advocates for brevity, suggesting that 20,000 words are sufficient to convey a great story and provide valuable advice.He encourages authors to challenge themselves to write just 200 words a day over 100 days, resulting in a 20,000-word book. This would typically translate to around 100-130 pages, depending on factors such as font size and visuals.Key Points from the Episode:Mike Ulmer's background in sports journalism and transition into the business worldThe development of a formula for writing great business books and helping others succeed in writingThe importance of networking and word-of-mouth referrals in Mike's successThe concept of writing a book as a fun and adventurous journey of self-discoveryCoaching and guidance offered by Mike to aspiring authorsThe book "Show and Tell Writing" as a guide for the book-writing processThe importance of a compelling proposition, meaningful backstory, and practical tips in a great business bookMike's advocacy for brevity in book length, suggesting 20,000 words as sufficientThe power of storytelling and finding exceptional stories within ourselvesThe significance of listening and asking the right questions to uncover profound truths in someone's lifeAbout Mike Ulmer:Mike Ulmer is a seasoned journalist with 30 years of experience, specializing in helping clients craft compelling business narratives through the medium of books.Mike Ulmer has conducted over 10,000 interviews and written books on diverse topics, from digital marketing and millennials to sports like basketball and hockey, specifically the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens. His expertise also extends to subjects such as writing, entrepreneurship, Canada, Inuksuks, horses, and medicine.Mike has profiled legendary athletes like Michael Jordan, Gordie Howe, Wayne Gretzky, Serena Williams, Sidney Crosby, and Mario Lemieux. His extensive sports coverage includes events like the Olympics, Super Bowl, World Series, and Stanley Cup finals.Notably, he served as the in-house writer for Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, the organization behind major sports teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, Toronto FC, and Toronto Marlies.About Catapult Bookwriting:Catapult Bookwriting specializes in assisting individuals in crafting and sharing their essential business narratives. With a focus on long-lasting impact, they provide comprehensive services to transform these stories into thought-provoking books.These books serve as powerful tools, enhancing thought leadership and brand authority while also acting as guiding stars for social media...