Hey Friends,
Kids are home for spring break this week, so I'm keeping this short (kind of). Next week I'll dive into where I'm at with my newest ideas and hopefully show some real validation. Thank you to everybody who has reached out with awesome ideas.
Okay, let's dive into the good stuff!
SMALL BUSINESS AI ADOPTION SOARS
I read a report that 72% of small businesses plan to use AI by year-end, especially for marketing and efficiency. Entrepreneurs are automating personalized email/SMS campaigns and optimizing workflows. The takeaway? If you're not experimenting with AI yet, your competitors probably are—time to jump in.
I've been asked by a few of you if I can run a one-day AI workflow session with your team. Essentially, it's to help you look at your tech stack, understand your process, and see where you can improve efficiency and productivity. It's a good idea, and I'm game for it. If you're interested, let me know.
THE BIG AI PLAYERS JUST GOT MAJOR UPGRADES
1. Claude Finally Got Its Missing Superpower: Web SearchThe AI with the best reasoning just fixed its biggest weakness. Claude can now search the web in real-time, just like ChatGPT and Perplexity can. And unlike those others, it includes citations for everything so you can verify what it's telling you.
How to use it now:
- Generate fully-cited market reports in minutes instead of hours
- Have it track competitor websites and summarize changes daily
- Research potential clients before sales calls and get up-to-date info
Turn it on by toggling "Web Search" in settings (US paid users only for now, but expanding soon).
2. OpenAI's Audio Overhaul Changes The Voice GameOpenAI just quietly dropped three new audio models that are game-changers:
- Two speech-to-text models that beat Whisper (their previous gold standard)
- A text-to-speech model that responds to "vibes" and style instructions
- Audio support in their Agents SDK for voice-enabled AI
Where it's headed: We're witnessing the death of the "robot voice" era. Within 12-18 months, I predict voice will become the primary interface for AI. Expect customer service bots that sound human and AI coaches with perfect emotional delivery.
3. Google's NotebookLM Mind MapsGoogle launched Mind Maps for NotebookLM - drop in your sources and instantly get visual diagrams of key concepts and connections.
How to use it:
- Go to notebooklm.google.com
- Add your source(s): PDFs, Text, Markdown, Audio, website links, YouTube links, or Google Docs from Drive
- Click "Mind Map" when ready
- Open your Mind Map
This is perfect for visualizing your business plan structure or turning dense client briefs into shareable maps in seconds.
4. Grok's Image EditingGrok released text-based image editing that's surprisingly powerful. You can modify images by simply describing the changes you want to make.
This is really cool, and within just 6-12 months, imagine where this photo editing tech is going to be. We're moving toward a world where anyone can create and modify professional-quality visuals without design skills.
5. Krea AI's New Video Training Feature Krea launched a feature that lets you train their video model on your own media. Upload 20-25 high-quality video clips that represent your brand, adjust some settings, and generate new videos that maintain your exact visual style.
I've seen businesses use this to create product demos with consistent branding, social media content at 1/10th the cost, and localized versions of existing marketing videos. Video is about to undergo the same transformation text did in 2023.
MIKE'S TIMED NERD OUT
SEO as we've traditionally known it is dying. One of my good friends in Vancouver built eight-figure businesses off SEO-driven blogs, and even they're seeing traffic plummet. He's adapted though with paid traffic and essentially using an arbitrage play via Facebook.
The game's changed because user behavior has shifted dramatically. People aren't starting with Google anymore - they're turning to AI platforms like ChatGPT or Grok and asking questions directly. Why sift through search results when an AI can synthesize an answer instantly?
Even within Google, tools like Gemini are summarizing top results right at the top of the page, so users don't even need to click through. The old playbook of churning out keyword-stuffed articles just doesn't work anymore. It sucks because I spent two years learning from some of the top guys in the SEO world. Oh well. As the saying goes, "adapt or die."
That said, local SEO still works, and it's a goldmine worth tapping into. If you're targeting a specific geographic area, optimizing for "near me" searches or Google Maps listings can still drive real results.
Let's take a look at what is showing up first on Google now? Gemini summaries, followed by Reddit threads and YouTube videos. Why? Trust.
On Reddit, you're reading real people debating or calling BS. On YouTube, you're watching a face—someone reviewing or demoing something live. Compare that to "Joe's Blog" with its generic listicle, and it's no contest.
This is where Greg Isenberg's ACP model - Audience, Community, Product - becomes the lifeline. Instead of relying on SEO, start by building an audience where trust already lives: social platforms.
If I'm running a business now, I'm doubling down on YouTube for its reach and authenticity, and pouring effort into Reddit where niche communities thrive. These platforms aren't just traffic sources; they're proving grounds for trust. You grow your audience there, turn it into a community, and then deliver a product they actually want.
SEO isn't dead yet, but it's on life support for anything beyond local. The future is about showing up where people already are and earning their attention directly.
Have a great week! Mike
P.S. Random question: Does anybody here ruck or know what rucking is? This trend is growing like crazy and even got exposure on Joe Rogan this week. Funny enough, I've been rucking my whole life. I used to hike up Grouse Mountain three times a week with 20 pounds on my back. Let me know if you're part of the weighted walking club!
