Marketing School | Digital Marketing | Online Marketing

Growth Newsletter: https://levelingup.beehiiv.com/subscribe On this episode of Marketing School, Neil and Eric break down how to hire A players while scaling, why downturns are the best time to weed out poor performers, and how founder mindset drives culture, acquisitions, and growth. They share real stories from NP Digital, top-grading their team, fixing broken agency cultures, and personally jumping into big sales deals to set the standard for hustle. Hosted by Neil and Eric, this one is all about talent, leadership, and what it really takes to grow a company that actually performs. Chapters: (00:00) Scaling, turnover, and growth milestones (00:37) Hard times reveal true performers (01:02) Vinod Khosla’s hardest-work question (01:30) Why Neil turned down CMO role (03:56) Entrepreneur vs hired gun mindset (05:45) Keeping or exiting founders after acquisitions (07:59) Fixing misaligned agency cultures (11:00) Hiring standards and A-player focus (14:53) Top grading and raising the talent bar (1

To get ad placements on premium websites, go to https://discover.taboola.com/ms. Growth Newsletter: https://levelingup.beehiiv.com/subscribe Need marketing help? Visit: https://www.singlegrain.com/ and https://npdigital.com/ Want to recruit great marketers? Find them here: https://marketingschool.io/hire Neil and Eric break down why Google’s Gemini 3 is a godsend for marketers, how AI Studio, Nano Banana, and VO 3.1 change marketing workflows, and what this means for SaaS founders, AI tools, and the future of marketing. They talk Google vs ChatGPT, TPUs vs NVIDIA, AI startup bubbles, and real-world AI adoption inside their own companies so you can learn how to scale teams, budgets, and output with AI while avoiding “AI slop.” Chapters: (00:00) Gemini 3 is a godsend (02:00) Founder overrides, budgets, and hiring (04:50) SaaS pricing, add-ons, product speed (07:00) Gemini AI Studio and Nexus idea (09:00) Gemini vs Lovable and AI tools (11:00) Google TPUs, NVIDIA, and AI chips (12:40) Is AI a bu

Growth Newsletter: https://levelingup.beehiiv.com/subscribe Need marketing help? Visit: https://www.singlegrain.com/ and https://npdigital.com/ Want to recruit great marketers? Find them here: https://marketingschool.io/hire Neil and Eric break down the three must-have marketing hires for 2026, why influencer marketing is shifting to micro creators, how data and analytics unlock real ROI, and why digital PR and citations matter in the AI search era. They also explore the rise of the vibe growth marketing manager, the changing expectations for modern marketers, the evolving CMO role, and the underrated power of email as a revenue engine. KEY TAKEAWAYS -Micro influencers drive massive ROI -Data clarity beats bigger budgets -Email remains the strongest profit lever CHAPTERS (0:00) Building a 2026 marketing team (01:02) Influencer hire essentials (02:24) Micro influencer ROI (04:20) Data and analytics hire (05:59) Digital PR importance (07:15) Vibe growth marketing manager (08:40) Skills mode

Growth Newsletter: https://levelingup.beehiiv.com/subscribe Need marketing help? Visit: https://www.singlegrain.com/ and https://npdigital.com/ Want to recruit great marketers? Find them here: https://marketingschool.io/hire Neil and Eric break down the surge of AI GEO startups, why funding far outpaces ARR, and how services still outperform SaaS. They compare Profound, AirOps, Peak AI, BrightEdge, Moz, and SEMrush while revealing why compounding, ownership, and real relationships matter more than hype. They also discuss bootstrapped billionaires, declining businesses, and the difference between real friends and transactional ones. Key takeaways: • AI GEO funding is outpacing proven revenue • Services outperform pure SaaS long term • Real relationships drive business success Chapters: (00:00) AI GEO startups funding (02:30) Services vs SaaS scaling (05:40) Bootstrapped billionaire examples (14:20) Compounding wealth mindset (17:30) Real vs transactional friends

For fast, affordable business insurance as low as $29/mo, go to http://nextinsurance.com/ms Growth Newsletter: https://levelingup.beehiiv.com/subscribe Ever wonder which podcasts are worth sponsoring for serious business growth? Neil and Eric discuss how to get a podcast sponsor and generate enterprise leads for your business. They explore the nuances of podcast advertising and b2b lead generation, offering insights into podcast monetization and making money podcasting. TIMESTAMPS (00:00) Enterprise leads from podcast sponsorships (04:47) Awards, judges, and RFP opportunities (07:16) Single Grain’s AI marketing pitch (09:05) AI stock analysis fails live (14:14) Semrush vs Ahrefs vs BrightEdge

To get ad placements on premium websites, go to https://discover.taboola.com/ms In this episode, Neil and Eric break down why top leaders like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and U.S. generals ban PowerPoint from critical meetings — and what to do instead. They unpack how six-page Amazon-style memos drive deeper thinking, when slides do make sense for all-hands or client presentations, and the hidden cost of lazy bullet-point culture. They also shift into personal branding, key-man risk, burnout, and how founders can scale beyond their own name while still using content to fuel enterprise growth. TIMESTAMPS (00:00) Why leaders ban PowerPoint (01:00) Bezos memos vs slide decks (03:30) When slides actually make sense (06:30) Six-page memos and deep work (14:50) Personal brand, burnout, and scale

Hosted by Neil Patel and Eric Siu, this Marketing School episode breaks down why their mindset on influencer marketing flipped, how they use influencer deals to fund rising content costs, and the real numbers behind their content budget. Key takeaways: -Use influencer deals strategically to offset growing content production costs -Treat your podcast like a B2B media asset and sell sponsorships directly -LLM SEO will reward real authority, not short term spammy tactics Chapters: (00:00) Why our influencer marketing stance changed (01:00) Using influencer deals to fund content (02:20) What we really spend on content teams (05:24) Turning a money losing podcast into profit (09:51) How marketers game ChatGPT and LLM rankings (12:10) Our blueprint to fix ChatGPT style algorithms (18:49) Final thoughts, lessons and next steps

Growth Newsletter: https://levelingup.beehiiv.com/subscribe Need marketing help? Visit: https://www.singlegrain.com/ and https://npdigital.com/ Want to recruit great marketers? Find them here: https://marketingschool.io/hire Neil and Eric break down the real cost of content teams, why agency work often disappoints, and how nearshore talent, data-driven charts, and intimate in-person events can drive far more B2B pipeline than vanity views. They walk through their content economics, research workflow, and event strategy for landing enterprise SEO. Key takeaways: Build lean B2B content teams that prioritize revenue, not just reach. Use data-driven charts and research workflows to attract high-LTV enterprise clients. Host intimate in-person events to unlock RFPs and multi-million dollar deals. Chapters:(00:00) Content costs explode to $250k (02:00) In-house content vs agencies (04:30) Data charts and research engine (06:10) Events outranking webinars for revenue (08:00) Intimate B2B executive ho

Neil and Eric break down personal brand versus corporate brand. They discuss long term relationship building, when to invest during hard cycles, and why strong teams outlast founders. Packed with insights on scaling, branding, and navigating today’s AI-shaped marketing world, this episode offers real operator perspective without the fluff. Key Takeaways • Personal brand boosts early growth but limits long term scalability • Elite executive programs pay off through deep relationships • Strong teams reduce key man risk and enable real scale Chapters (00:00) Personal brand vs corporate brand (00:22) YPO and EO executive programs (01:00) MIT EO program learnings (01:43) Jason Cohen branding insight (02:30) WP Engine brand vs founder (03:13) NP Digital brand evolution (04:07) Investing during downturns (05:02) AI impact on agencies (05:31) A16Z media strategy (06:26) Founder networks and deal flow (07:21) Can A16Z thrive without founders (08:00) Building teams that outlast founders (09:01) Ea

In this episode Neil and Eric dive into the “millionaire vs billionaire mindset” exploring how wealth strategies evolve as fortunes climb, and why billionaires aim for monopoly power and pricing control rather than just accumulation. Key takeaways: • Millionaires build, grow and often exit. • Deca-millionaires (tens of millions) may sell or bank for the next cycle. • Billionaires find an unfair competitive advantage, build pricing power, and scale forever. Chapters: (00:00) Millionaire vs billionaire mindset (01:00) Single-digit millionaire reactions (02:00) Deca-millionaire sell mindset (03:00) Billionaire monopoly strategy (05:00) Big tech competitive advantages (07:30) Why compounding beats selling (09:20) Purpose, identity and building (11:00) Closing thoughts

In this episode, Eric and Neil break down how parody personas are becoming a secret growth engine for B2B brands. They analyze CompAI’s fictional character “Henrik Johansson,” how the account generated millions of impressions in days, and why entertainment-driven content can outperform traditional marketing. They also discuss the viral resurfacing of Peter Thiel’s 2020 email, how economic pressure shapes voter behavior, and what marketers can learn from shifting generational sentiment and online narratives. Key takeaways ● Parody accounts can drive real pipeline through high-engagement storytelling ● Viral narratives amplify brand awareness when aligned with product value ● Economic sentiment influences content performance and audience behavior TIMESTAMPS (00:00) How CompAI used a parody account to get 10M+ impressions (04:30) Why humor accelerates B2B brand awareness (08:10) Breaking down Peter Thiel’s resurfaced email (12:45) Generational economics and shifting voter behavior (17:20) Market

In this episode, Eric and Neil dive into the battle between profitability and loyalty, why leads fuel growth, and how to innovate without being first. They reveal how to stand out in an AI-saturated landscape using proprietary data, events-driven B2B strategies, and recruiting frameworks that scale revenue. Key takeaways ● Marketing + innovation compound long-term growth ● Proprietary data and human stories beat AI content ● Role-play hiring and referrals protect your pipeline TIMESTAMPS (00:00) Drucker on marketing and innovation (03:35) Profitability vs. customer loyalty (06:12) Events-driven B2B growth strategies (15:03) Proprietary data storytelling (23:32) Recruiting frameworks that drive revenue

AI slop, viral posts, and why human review still matters. Neil and Eric unpack the dangers of AI-generated content that fabricates facts, the rise of “set it and forget it” marketing, and why guidelines beat hype. Timestamps (00:00) AI slop cold open (00:20) Viral post confession (01:40) Fabricated metrics risk (03:05) Unreviewed AI at work (04:55) AI stocks and valuations (06:30) AI tools vs agencies (08:10) Set clear AI guidelines (08:40) Consultants and CYA insurance (10:40) Cluey growth critique (12:20) Sticky customers over hype (13:25) Wrap up and next topics To suggest a topic, go to ⁠https://www.marketingschool.io⁠. For more content from Eric and Neil, check out Eric’s Leveling Up with Eric Siu YouTube channel and Neil’s Neil Patel YouTube channel. Connect with Us: Single Grain

In this episode Neil and Eric discuss the resurgence of live streaming, standout marketing ideas from Capital Camp, and the power of creative event branding. They unpack key takeaways on AI-driven engagement, SMS marketing innovations like Send Blue, and lessons from top creators like Epic Gardening’s Kevin Espiritu. From faith-based business surprises to remarkable marketing examples, this episode is packed with actionable insights for marketers, founders, and creators ready to level up. TIMESTAMPS (00:00) Live again after years (02:00) Capital Camp and creative branding (05:00) SMS marketing innovations and engagement hacks (07:20) Event marketing ideas and buying towns for branding (10:00) Faith-based business trends and AI-generated virality

In this episode, Neil and Eric unpack how ChatGPT’s upcoming ads—powered by its memory feature—are set to redefine digital marketing. They discuss OpenAI’s aggressive hiring of ex-Meta talent, a projected $25B ad revenue opportunity by 2029, and how memory-driven personalization could make every chat a conversion funnel. Discover how “Big Mario marketing” helps brands sell results, not products, and why directness is the secret to winning in both ads and business strategy. TIMESTAMPS (00:00) ChatGPT ads and memory targeting (03:11) OpenAI’s Meta hires and ad strategy (07:12) Monetizing 800M active users (13:50) Why directness wins in business (21:02) Big Mario marketing principle

In this episode, Neil and Eric discuss why founders and CEOs must stay hands-on across every part of their business. Drawing from Brad Jacobs’ leadership style and examples from Jensen Huang and Elon Musk, they explain how direct involvement builds clarity, culture, and control. The duo also explores the “fruit fly” mindset—why hovering everywhere can be both a strength and a weakness—and how consistent leadership visibility, like speaking at All Hands meetings, can drive alignment and motivation. TIMESTAMPS (00:00) Brad Jacobs: Hands-on leadership (01:23) Founder involvement across functions (06:01) The power of All Hands visibility (08:22) Jensen Huang, Elon Musk, and QDSSA (13:45) Repeating the company vision

In this episode, Neil and Eric unpack the surge in corporate layoffs across UPS, Amazon, Intel, Nestle, Accenture, Ford, Novo Nordisk, Microsoft, and PwC — revealing whether AI-driven efficiencies or pandemic-era overhiring are to blame. They analyze ADP’s job report, explore how AI impacts enterprise ROI, and discuss how consulting and tech giants are retooling for the next wave of automation. Plus, surprising insights from Disney’s and Google’s latest marketing moves. TIMESTAMPS (00:00) Layoff numbers across UPS, Amazon, and Intel (03:24) AI efficiency or overhiring? (06:10) Labor market trends and ADP data (10:42) AI ROI and corporate productivity (15:44) Consulting firms in an AI-driven era

In this episode, Neil and Eric explore the real ROI of selling online courses — from how tripwire offers drive conversions to the difference between being a “course creator” and using courses to build brand authority. They share a viral YouTube case study revealing how great packaging and craftsmanship fuel growth, discuss why going live is essential as YouTube evolves, and debunk the myths around AI SEO and “geo” optimization hype. TIMESTAMPS (00:00) Why you shouldn’t give up on courses (04:11) Tripwire offers and customer acquisition (08:00) Course creation vs. community building (20:13) YouTube craftsmanship and virality (31:02) The truth about AI SEO and geo optimization

In this episode, Neil and Eric break down new AirOps data revealing why listicles dominate AI search and what it means for marketers. They explore how algorithmic visibility favors authority, not spam, and debate the future of AI-driven rankings, remote work performance, and pricing resilience in a shaky economy. The duo wraps up with strategies for long-term brand durability and growth. TIMESTAMPS (00:00) Listicles dominate AI search (01:16) Algorithms will refine sources (07:06) Human nature fuels spam (09:53) Remote done right takes work (15:31) Playing the bigger business game

In this episode, Eric and Neil unpack Similarweb’s latest data showing ChatGPT’s traffic share drop from 87.1% to 74.1% as Gemini climbs to 12.9%. They explore how Google’s ecosystem fuels Gemini’s rise, why ChatGPT’s memory may improve user retention, and how expert-verified AI research enhances accuracy in complex accounting topics like NOLs. They also discuss global marketing nuance, creative risks in Japan, and why the best companies often grow slowly before compounding. TIMESTAMPS (00:00) ChatGPT vs Gemini traffic share (02:53) ChatGPT retention and memory effect (06:16) AI in accounting: NOLs and verification (15:27) Global marketing nuance and Japan risks (19:36) Why great companies grow slow before compounding