Send us Fan Mail

Is AI-generated content, automated outreach, and an increasingly unpredictable algorithm ruining LinkedIn? In this episode of the Human-First AI Marketing® Podcast, host Mike Montague sits down with Daniel Disney, social selling expert and founder of The Daily Sales and Social Selling 365, to explore the future of LinkedIn, personal branding, and B2B sales in the age of AI. They discuss the rise of AI slop, changing LinkedIn algorithms, declining engagement, and the growing frustration with automated connection requests and generic sales pitches. Daniel shares why authentic conversations, relevant content, and genuine personalization are becoming essential for standing out and building trust in an increasingly crowded feed.

Mike and Daniel also explore practical ways AI can help salespeople and marketers research prospects, generate content ideas, improve their skills, and grow their businesses while preserving the human touch. From voice and video messages to AI-powered sales assistants and the potential future of autonomous agents, they examine what social selling could look like over the next five years. The biggest takeaway: the future belongs to people who combine strong selling skills, authentic relationships, and AI capabilities to create meaningful connections. Connect with Daniel on LinkedIn and explore his social selling resources at The Daily Sales and Social Selling 365.

Key Takeaways:

• LinkedIn still has a human future. Despite the flood of AI-generated posts, comments, and messages, Daniel believes LinkedIn is moving toward a healthier balance of authentic human content.

• LinkedIn's algorithm is constantly changing. Users are seeing more content from strangers and older posts, making it important to focus on meaningful engagement with your network.

• Social selling happens across the entire LinkedIn experience. Your profile, content, comments, connections, and direct messages should work together to build trust, generate leads, and create sales opportunities.

• Prioritize conversations over content creation. Daniel ranks direct messaging first, content second, and commenting and personal branding third for salespeople looking to generate business.

• Use AI as your social selling assistant. AI can help with research, brainstorming, drafting content, and developing sales skills while keeping your expertise and personality at the center.

• Quality beats quantity in B2B outreach. Mass automation and generic connection requests rarely create the meaningful relationships needed to close significant sales opportunities.

• Authentic personalization requires relevance. Effective outreach connects a prospect's specific situation with something genuinely valuable, which Daniel believes AI-generated personalization often struggles to accomplish.

• Voice and video messages help you stand out. Personalized audio and video messages communicate sincerity, personality, and attention in ways that cut through automated LinkedIn outreach.

• AI gives small businesses powerful new capabilities. Daniel uses AI to create content, develop ideas, build websites, and grow his business as a solopreneur with limited resources.

• AI agents could reshape the future of social selling. Daniel envisions a future where AI agents handle prospect research, meeting scheduling, and sales coaching, while human relationships continue to play a central role.

At Avenue9, we capture your expertise and turn it into content, conversations, and client testimonials, building trust with humans and AI at the same time.

Get your free Human-AI Trust Score report.

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