Rogue Startups

Craig is back! Today, he welcomes fellow podcaster Colin Gray back to the podcast. They dive into the ever-evolving world of podcasting, reflecting on how much the landscape has shifted over the last decade and what people are craving now more than ever: genuine human connection. From the tug-of-war between YouTube and podcast growth, to what it really means to build an AI-first product, they explore the trends shaping creators, customers, and the platforms that connect them. Highlights from Craig and Colin’s conversation: How podcasting has changed over the last 10 years  The more we’re pulled toward AI, the more we crave genuine connection Is it easier to grow a YouTube channel or a podcast? Content integration and becoming a centralized hub Spotify’s role in the evolution of podcasting Monetization: ads, donations, subscriptions, and more Balancing and prioritizing feature requests How AI is shaping customer expectations How to make your product AI-first Resources and Links from This Episode: The Podcast Host: https://www.thepodcasthost.com/  Colin on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/colinmcgray?originalSubdomain=uk  beehiiv: https://www.beehiiv.com/  Kit: https://kit.com/ Creator Hooks: https://creatorhooks.com/  Castos Free Tools: castos.com/tools Email me: [email protected] Find me on Twitter: @TheCraigHewitt If you feel like Rogue Startups has benefited you, and it might benefit someone else, please share it with them. If you have a chance, give Rogue Startups a review on iTunes.  Do you have any comments, questions, or topic ideas for future episodes? Feel free to reach out to me: Twitter: @TheCraigHewitt LinkedIn: Craig Hewitt Email: [email protected]  Chapters (00:00:00) - Rogue Startups: 100 Days of AI(00:00:48) - How Podcasting Is Affecting AI(00:05:14) - How To Integrate Podcasts into Your Business(00:09:18) - Is Podcasting The Most Popular Media Format?(00:14:18) - Steve Bartlett on Spotify and Video(00:18:11) - Podcaster on Separation of Podcasting and Editing(00:22:19) - Podcasts: How Do They Monetize?(00:23:20) - Has Alitud added advertising to our Episode Builder?(00:25:24) - How to Make a Living on Podcast(00:27:45) - How is AI Affecting Your Company's Business?(00:32:24) - How To Make a Chatbot Like a Human Being(00:34:08) - 100 Days of YouTube(00:37:43) - How to Grow a Podcast on YouTube(00:40:53) - PODCAST: A Chat With Craig

In today’s episode, Craig sits down with SaaS founder and entrepreneur Brian Casel to talk about the future of software and AI. With years of experience building and growing SaaS companies, Brian shares his perspective on how artificial intelligence is reshaping the industry, from launching in niche markets and creating content that resonates to the challenges SaaS businesses will face in the next few years. They also dive into YouTube growth strategies, monetizing AI tools, and whether today’s AI boom is a lasting shift or just another bubble. Highlights from Craig and Brian’s conversation: Craig’s 100 Days of AI Challenge Growing with content: from weekly AI newsletters to scaling YouTube channels Brian’s current projects – Agent OS, Builder Methods, and the difference between live workshops and online courses How to monetize AI tools and content in today’s market The power of the B2B super niche and what it takes to launch a new SaaS business in 2025 AI challenges for SaaS companies over the next few years Behind the scenes of Craig and Brian’s YouTube workflows How to choose the right content for your audience (and avoid wasting time creating the wrong stuff) Where is AI headed? Is this just a bubble, or real long-term change? Will artificial intelligence replace artists, musicians, painters, and writers? Resources and Links from This Episode: Brian Casel: https://briancasel.com/ Builder Methods: https://buildermethods.com/    Brian on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@briancasel    Find me on Twitter: @TheCraigHewitt If you feel like Rogue Startups has benefited you and it might benefit someone else, please share it with them. If you have a chance, give Rogue Startups a review on iTunes.  Do you have any comments, questions, or topic ideas for future episodes? Feel free to reach out to me: Twitter: @TheCraigHewitt LinkedIn: Craig Hewitt Chapters (00:00:00) - Interview With Builder Methods's Brian Castle(00:00:40) - 100 Days of AI: How to Write a Weekly Newsletter for the(00:04:24) - Building With AI: How To Monetize It(00:08:00) - How Do You monetize AI?(00:08:49) - Bootstrapped SaaS: The Challenge(00:16:33) - How to Bootstrap a Startup at 40(00:23:48) - How to Write a 100-Day Video on YouTube(00:29:54) - How to Write a Scriptment for a Video(00:34:41) - How to Write a Short Video(00:36:23) - How to Edit Video in 2 Minutes(00:38:42) - Do You Think AI Will Cause a Recession?(00:41:49) - What are you most excited about AI in the future?(00:45:58) - Bill Simmons on Art and AI(00:49:55) - Craig Has All The Answers For AI

Ross Simmonds, founder of Foundation Marketing, has built a reputation for helping ambitious SaaS and B2B brands stand out online with data-driven growth strategies. In this episode, Craig sits down with Ross to dive into the future of marketing, SaaS growth, and social media in the age of AI. Marketing has transformed dramatically over the past decade, and with the rise of AI-powered marketing methods, it feels like the Wild Wild West. But within all that chaos are opportunities that we shouldn’t miss out on.. Ross and Craig explore how founders and marketers can leverage AI to create content, reach the right audience, and scale profitably in today’s fast-changing landscape. Highlights from Craig and Ross’s conversation: Why traditional B2B marketing tactics are failing and what actually drives SaaS growth in 2025 Create exclusive, high-value content that your target market can't find anywhere else AI marketing parallels the mobile revolution  We're only at the beginning of the AI marketing cycle, and why the long game matters  Which social media platforms actually work for B2B in today's landscape Every platform has your audience, but no one's cracked the code Monetize your existing high-performing pages and don't abandon what's already working Search behavior has evolved beyond Google  Stop ignoring Reddit for B2B marketing Elevenlabs and Manus case studies. Plus, why Google will dominate long-term AI marketing Resources and Links from This Episode: Ross Simmonds on X (Twitter): https://x.com/TheCoolestCool  Ross Simmonds on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosssimmonds/  Foundation Marketing: https://foundationinc.co/  Ross Simmonds online: https://rosssimmonds.com/  Email me: [email protected]  Find me on Twitter: @TheCraigHewitt Chapters (00:00:00) - Ross Simmons on Marketing in the Era of AI(00:01:31) - What's Working For B2B & SaaS?(00:04:53) - In the Elevator With Tim Ferriss(00:05:24) - Marketing Cycle: Is It Really Different This Time?(00:10:52) - Will AI Change Your Life?(00:16:27) - SooooO(00:16:33) - Is LinkedIn the Place to Start Your Business?(00:24:13) - B2B Content: The Best Channels(00:28:49) - Instagram's Paid-For Content(00:29:42) - Traditional SEO vs AI SEO(00:33:21) - Content Marketing in SaaS: The Rise of AI(00:36:55) - The Internet's Most Overhyped(00:38:50) - What's The Business of Quora?(00:40:24) - How to start a blog on Reddit(00:40:55) - Biggest Disappointment in AI Tooling(00:43:50) - What I'd Be Most Disappointed In About Gmail(00:45:26) - I Think Google Will Win In The End

Today on the podcast, Craig sits down with Reddit marketing expert Paul Xue to explore how brands can tap into one of the internet’s most engaged and skeptical communities. Reddit can be a tough nut to crack, but when approached with authenticity and a strategic approach, it can become a powerful driver of trust, visibility, and growth. Paul, founder of his own marketing company specializing in Reddit campaigns, breaks down the principles, tactics, and future trends you need to know. Whether you’re curious about launching your first campaign or wondering if Reddit should be part of your overall growth strategy, this episode is packed with practical insights, not to mention a few insightful predictions on the future. Highlights from Craig and Paul’s conversation The fundamentals of Reddit marketing: why content and value must come before sales. How authentic reviews and real conversations build credibility with both competitors and customers. Proven strategies to run successful Reddit campaigns without getting downvoted. Ways to make your brand stand out in Reddit’s crowded, skeptical landscape. The future of AI models and how they’ll shape online marketing. Big-picture insights on AI, robotics, and what a fully autonomous future could look like. Resources and Links from This Episode Paul’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pxue/ Paul on X (Twitter): https://x.com/pxue?lang=en Castos Free Tools: com/tools Email me: [email protected] Find me on Twitter: @TheCraigHewitt If you feel like Rogue Startups has benefited you and it might benefit someone else, please share it with them. If you have a chance, give Rogue Startups a review on iTunes. Do you have any comments, questions, or topic ideas for future episodes? Feel free to reach out to me: Twitter: @TheCraigHewitt LinkedIn: Craig Hewitt Email: [email protected] #AI #marketing #reddit Chapters (00:00:00) - How to Market Your Brand on Reddit(00:00:59) - Paul on Reddit Being Soulless(00:01:30) - Are You a Reddit Marketer?(00:05:45) - Multiple Reddit Accounts: How to start a community(00:12:53) - How to Get your Website and Brand Images indexed on Reddit(00:19:56) - Reddit Marketing: The B2B Content(00:22:46) - Is AI Eating Its Own Content?(00:29:07) - Top Tech Executives: Where Do You Think the World Will(00:30:39) - GPT5: When Will It Drop?(00:32:16) - Underrated AI Companies(00:37:00) - Will AI Agents Replace Jobs?(00:43:46) - How to get a job in the tech world

Startup marketing can feel like a maze, right? In this episode of Rogue Startups, Craig chats with  Brendan Hufford of Growth Sprints about how to cut through the noise and actually connect with your audience. They dig into everything from creating raw, authentic content to dialing in your SEO strategies and uncovering your brand’s real voice. If you’ve ever felt a little lost with your marketing (or just want some fresh ideas to make your plan actually work), this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss. Highlights from Craig and Brendan Hufford’s conversation: AI in SEO: how artificial intelligence is reshaping the digital marketing landscape Why old methods don’t work anymore—and the mindset shift needed to move forward Building new skill sets: why continuous learning is essential for marketers and founders Staying ahead of the curve with new tech, trends, and tools How entrepreneurs can use AI to market their businesses more effectively Content atomization and distribution: breaking big ideas into bite-sized content across multiple channels Maximizing social platforms like Instagram, Twitter (X), and more “Zero-click content”: how to thrive on platforms that discourage external links Optimizing for virtual retargeting and platform-native algorithms Overcoming the “trust recession” and rebuilding credibility with your audience Turning one-star reviews into marketing gold Creating a gravitational pull that draws customers toward your brand and story The power of self-perpetuating content that continues to work for you over time Why founders shouldn’t try to do everything alone—and how to delegate effectively Finding your authentic founder’s voice and building trust through genuine content Resources and Links from This Episode Brendan Hufford on LinkedIn: com/in/brendanhufford Growth Sprints: https://growthsprints.co/ Email me: [email protected] Find me on Twitter: @TheCraigHewitt If you feel like Rogue Startups has benefited you, and it might benefit someone else, please share it with them. If you have a chance, give Rogue Startups a review on iTunes. Do you have any comments, questions, or topic ideas for future episodes? Feel free to reach out to me: Twitter: @TheCraigHewitt LinkedIn: Craig Hewitt Email: [email protected]   Chapters (00:00:00) - The Best Guest for Marketing: Brendan from Growth Sprints(00:00:54) - How to Get Out of Stuck in the Past With SEO(00:05:33) - What Do You Do To Stay Fresh?(00:07:33) - Where Are You on the AI Spectrum?(00:12:32) - How to Leverage AI in Content(00:14:56) - Instagram vs. Twitter: Brand Safety(00:19:14) - PODCAST: Short Form and Long Form(00:19:51) - Facebook, LinkedIn: No More 'Zero Click'(00:20:59) - Content and Zero-Click Marketing(00:24:57) - Content Investment: The Trust Recession(00:30:19) - How to Build a Growth Strategy With SaaS Founders(00:33:10) - There's a better way to sell an SEO(00:36:51) - In the Elevator: Founder Gravity(00:37:55) - How to manage your LinkedIn and YouTube accounts(00:42:39) - How to Start a Business on a Single Channel(00:45:41) - Growthsprints: End of 2021(00:48:16) - Ideas for Digital Marketing...(00:52:46) - How to Build a Content Board with a Single Person(00:56:16) - How to Tell a Funny Story on a Podcast(00:57:00) - Brendan on Talking To Himself