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In this episode of The Social Shift, Mike Montague (Avenue9) sits down with Katie Brinkley (Next Step Social and Podcast) to unpack how AI is changing social media and why the brands that win will be the ones that sound most human, not most automated. They explore the rise of “AI slop” in our feeds, why going viral isn’t a business strategy, and how local and B2B businesses can use podcasting and authentic content to build genuine relationships, not just rack up views.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by content chaos or unsure how to make AI work without losing your voice, this conversation is your reset button. You’ll learn how to blend AI with authenticity, why smaller audiences often lead to bigger results, and how to turn conversations into your most powerful content engine. It’s a must-listen for marketers, business owners, and creators looking to bring marketing back to life.

Top Takeaways

1. AI Made Social Media Sloppy, Now Authenticity Stands Out More Than Ever:
With everyone posting AI-generated fluff, real human content is easier to spot and more potent than before.

2. Going Viral Is Not a Business Strategy:
Business owners should prioritize relevant reach over random views from audiences unlikely to convert.

3. Influencers Chase Attention; Business Owners Should Spark Conversations:
Social media works best when it leads to fundamental interactions, not just likes or trends that disappear tomorrow.

4. Podcasting Builds Trust, Authority, and Community at the Same Time:
A podcast lets you connect directly with your audience and expand your network by interviewing real people in your space.

5. You Don’t Need a Fancy Setup to Start a Podcast, Start the Conversation:
Most of Katie’s podcasting success comes from consistency, genuine curiosity, and a webcam, not expensive gear.

6. Local Businesses Gain a Competitive Edge by Showing Up Online with a Human Voice:
People want to buy from real people in their community; consistent, authentic content can make you the go-to name in your niche.

7. Repurposing Podcast Content Can Fill Your Entire Marketing Calendar:
One great episode can become blog posts, social clips, emails, and more with AI, making it even easier to scale your message without losing your tone.

8. Trust Comes From Depth, Not Just Reach:
It’s better to build deep relationships with 100 people than be forgettable to 10,000.

The Human-First AI Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Avenue9. We use artificial intelligence to amplify your unique voice, empower your marketing team, and enable your scaling business to achieve big-brand success.

Explore new avenues available with AI marketing at Avenue9.com.

No matter where you’re starting from or how big your goals are, we turn modern marketing challenges into exciting opportunities. Let's get started with a discovery consultation!

Want to be a guest? Send Mike Montague a message on PodMatch here.