Human-First AI Marketing Podcast by Avenue9
Discover how to harness the power of AI without losing the human touch. Hosted by Mike Montague, Founder of Avenue9, this podcast delivers actionable insights to help small and mid-sized businesses market like big brands. With expert interviews, relatable success stories, and practical tips, we show you how to amplify your marketing efforts with AI tools that enhance—not replace—human creativity and connection. Whether you're a business owner, marketer, or curious about the future of AI, this is your go-to guide for building smarter, more authentic marketing strategies.
Human-First AI Marketing Podcast by Avenue9
Boring Marketing Is Your Biggest Competitor in the AI Era with Jay Schwedelson
If your marketing blends in, it’s already losing. In this episode, Mike Montague sits down with @schwedelson , CEO of Outcome Media, founder of SubjectLine.com, and host of the Do This, Not That podcast, to talk about why “boring” is the silent killer of your campaigns. Jay shares why AI isn’t the enemy, but a partner for amplifying creativity, and how SMBs can use it to produce attention-grabbing ideas that cut through the tidal wave of generic content.
From meme-powered event promotions that generated millions of organic views, to practical tips on balancing “feed the beast” consistency with big creative swings, Jay gives a masterclass in marketing that stands out without burning you out. You’ll hear how to avoid the trap of overcomplication, why focusing on simple, human ideas works, and how to create moments that make your audience stop scrolling and start engaging.
Key Takeaways
1. Boring is the real competition – In a crowded market, blending in is more dangerous than making mistakes; safe content gets ignored.
2. AI is your partner, not your replacement – Use AI as an editor, idea generator, and assistant, not as a content factory that strips away your humanity.
3. The tidal wave of generic content is an opportunity – The more AI slop out there, the easier it is for authentic, human-centered marketing to stand out.
4. Niche down to the basics – Most people don’t need cutting-edge tactics; simple, easy-to-implement ideas resonate with a far wider audience.
5. Make your own GPT – Training a private GPT on your own content and voice can unlock faster idea generation and better alignment with your brand.
6. Create “firehose moments” – Big attention spikes from events, stunts, or campaigns are essential for staying top-of-mind throughout the year.
7. Feed the beast consistently – Maintain baseline activity on key channels so your brand never sends a “we’re out of business” signal.
8. Mix quantity with creativity – Send more emails, post more often, but focus on good-enough consistency while saving energy for bold, high-impact ideas.
9. Leverage cultural formats like memes – Repurposing familiar templates with your message can spark massive organic reach for very little cost.
10. Simplify your focus – Limit email checking, avoid constant reaction to “noise,” and go deep on the channels and formats you actually enjoy.
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.
We’re not just another AI company trying to build robots to replace you. We will help make you the hero. We’re marketers, too, and we get how important creativity, empathy, and human insight are when connecting with your ideal clients.
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!
