Three Non-Obvious Moves for Creators Right Now (519)

Joe Pulizzi goes deeper into his “three-year window” theory and shares three unconventional strategies creators can use to build real connection before AI changes how audiences find and consume content. These moves — collaboration, physical experiences, and shared memory — create the kind of trust algorithms can’t replicate. Key Takeaways: Turn your audience into collaborators. Your audience doesn’t just want to consume — they want to contribute. From small communities to co-created projects, inviting people into the process builds belonging and loyalty that AI can’t imitate. Take a piece of your content offline. In a world flooded with digital noise, physical experiences become priceless. Whether it’s a print newsletter, local meetup, or tangible product, real-world touchpoints build trust and deepen connection. Create a memory layer. Shared history is your ultimate moat. Celebrate milestones, reference old content, and recognize long-time followers. Nostalgia and continuity form emotional glue that keeps your audience coming back. Mentioned in this Episode: CEX VIP Group — community collaboration project Matt White, GolfCartingTV — blending online presence with real-world experience This Old Marketing 500th Episode — celebrating shared history Quote of the Episode: “AI can copy your style and tone, but it can’t fake history.” 👉 Get Joe Pulizzi's new book Burn the Playbook: https://www.joepulizzi.com/books/burn-the-playbook/ Subscribe to Content Inc. here - https://www.contentinc.io/

This week, Joe shares insights from conversations at MAICON in Cleveland, where leading AI and marketing experts warned that creators have a limited window, about three years, before technology reshapes how audiences consume content. In a world where devices generate or curate content on the fly, traditional audience-building could vanish overnight. But this episode isn’t just a warning. It’s a call to action. Joe explains how independent creators can use this time to build deeper trust, stronger communities, and direct ownership of their audiences. Those who act now will have the most valuable currency in the coming AI-driven era: human connection and control. Key Takeaways The 3-Year Window: AI-generated and AI-selected content will soon dominate consumer experiences...creators must act before that shift fully arrives. Audience Ownership Matters: Algorithms can disappear, but email lists, communities, and owned channels can’t be taken away. Human Connection Wins: Authentic voice, story, and consistency will always beat synthetic content. Now Is the Time: These next few years will define who thrives and who gets left behind. 👉 Get my new book Burn the Playbook: https://www.joepulizzi.com/books/burn-the-playbook/ Subscribe to Content Inc. here - https://www.contentinc.io/

Joe Pulizzi is back from London—and he’s got a story that will change how you think about the future of creation. After traveling overseas (yes, to watch the Browns lose again), Joe and his wife attended ABBA Voyage, a virtual concert where lifelike digital avatars of the legendary band perform with a live orchestra. The experience was so real, so emotional, that it sparked a powerful realization: the line between real and fake content has officially disappeared. In this episode, Joe explores: Why audiences no longer care whether content is created by humans or machines How ABBA Voyage and new AI tools from Meta and OpenAI point to a future where creators can “live forever” through data and digital models The profound opportunity this new world presents for independent creators Joe argues that while AI-generated “fakes” are on the rise, nothing can replace a real human who takes ownership of their work, their audience, and their meaning. This episode connects deeply to the message behind Burn the Playbook: In a world where everything is automated, authentic ownership is your unfair advantage. Listen in and ask yourself: Would you rather connect with the reals… or are you ready to embrace the fakes? 👉 Get my new book Burn the Playbook: https://www.joepulizzi.com/books/burn-the-playbook/ Subscribe to Content Inc. here - https://www.contentinc.io/

This week I’m reflecting on a huge milestone: the 500th episode of This Old Marketing with my friend and co-host Robert Rose. Five hundred weeks without missing an episode. How did we get here? And more importantly—what can you, as a creator, take away from this kind of consistency? In this episode, I break down the keys that made it possible: Consistency builds trust. Showing up week after week, no matter what. Partnership makes the journey sustainable. The right collaborator keeps things fun and accountable. Community comes before content. People return for the connection, not just the information. Evolving with a steady premise. Adapting to new trends while staying anchored in a core promise. Whether you’re five episodes in or fifty issues into a newsletter, this episode will remind you why the long game matters and how to play it. 👉 Listen to This Old Marketing’s 500th episode here: https://www.thisoldmarketing.com/ or watch on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@ThisOldMarketing 👉 Get my new book Burn the Playbook: https://www.joepulizzi.com/books/burn-the-playbook/

For almost two decades, Joe Pulizzi was known as the content marketing guy. Then came fiction writing, creator support, and a mix of new projects that left him wondering—what do I really stand for now? This week, Joe shares how a post from Jonathan Mast reshaped his perspective: “If you can’t explain how you make people’s lives better in 15 seconds or less, you’re invisible in today’s short attention span economy.” That idea forced Joe to simplify his answer, sharpen his Tilt, and land on a powerful, clear statement of purpose: I help entrepreneurs and creators find meaning, freedom, and wealth. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why clarity beats complexity every time How a 15-second message opens the door to deeper conversations The question you need to answer to sharpen your own Tilt Joe also challenges you directly: Can you explain how you make people’s lives better—in 15 seconds or less? If this resonates, you’ll find more like it in my new book Burn the Playbook.  I’d love your support in spreading the word. Burn the Playbook (buy directly from Joe) - https://www.joepulizzi.com/books/burn-the-playbook/ Please leave me a review here: Burn the Playbook (Amazon Kindle) - https://www.amazon.com/Burn-Playbook-Creators-Entrepreneurs-Businesses-ebook/dp/B0FPXQTWDL/

This week’s Content Inc. is a little different. With the launch of my new book Burn the Playbook right around the corner, I wanted to share something I rarely talk about... the “little things” that made the biggest difference in my career. These aren’t flashy moves. They’re small, repeatable habits that paved the way for everything else: Writing down financial goals and reviewing them daily Getting on the same page with my wife from the very beginning Building community through a single non-profit cause Doing the uncomfortable things...introducing myself, going to the event, investing in new skills Creating something every day (even if it’s just a sentence) Sending thank-you notes and always following up Asking my network how I could help them Leading with service first Individually, they seem minor. But together, they created the foundation for every big success I’ve had. If this resonates, you’ll find more like it in my new book Burn the Playbook.  I’d love your support in spreading the word. Burn the Playbook (buy directly from Joe) - https://www.joepulizzi.com/books/burn-the-playbook/ Please leave me a review here: Burn the Playbook (Amazon Kindle) - https://www.amazon.com/Burn-Playbook-Creators-Entrepreneurs-Businesses-ebook/dp/B0FPXQTWDL/    

In this episode of Content Inc., Joe Pulizzi shares a major shift in his work and thinking. For years, Joe was known as “the content marketing guy.” More recently, he’s been called the entrepreneur guy, the creator guy, even the orange guy. But after some reflection, and inspiration from friends Jay Clouse and Jay Acunzo, Joe has distilled his new premise. The only true path to meaning, freedom, and wealth is building something you control. Joe explains why this premise matters today, and why it connects so closely to the idea of a Tilt: the unique angle that makes you irreplaceable. He shares an updated definition of the Tilt, how it applies to his projects (Content Inc., This Old Marketing} and why finding your Tilt is the foundation of a business model that lasts. Joe closes with a challenge: What is your Tilt? What is the unique angle that makes you irreplaceable? If you cannot answer that clearly, you’re at risk. But if you can, you hold the raw material for meaning in your work, freedom over your choices, and wealth that lasts. -------- For more inspiration and a step-by-step guide to building freedom on your own terms, grab Joe’s new book Burn the Playbook (plus a 21-day challenge) at https://www.joepulizzi.com/books/burn-the-playbook/. Resources & Links: Joe's free guide: [Mastering Goal Setting] Joe's new book: [Burn the Playbook] Let’s connect: [LinkedIn]  Subscribe to the Podcast [Content Inc.]  

This week on Content Inc., Joe shares a powerful reminder for every creator: feeling “behind” or “not good enough” is not a weakness. It is often a marker of growth. Fresh off the afterglow of CEX, Joe reflects on a conversation between Jay Acunzo and Ann Handley about imposter feelings and self-doubt. Even when we are recognized and quoted, we can still feel like we are falling short. To bring it home, Joe draws inspiration from the legendary golfer Bobby Jones, who once admitted his game felt like it was in “horrible shape” during a stretch when he was dominating every major tournament. The truth? Champions do not measure themselves against others, but against their own potential. For creators and entrepreneurs, that same gap between perception and reality is where mastery lives. Feeling broken can be the best evidence you are leveling up. 👉 Jay Acunzo’s LinkedIn post: [link] Bobby Jones Book Recommendation Key Takeaways: Everyone feels behind, even top performers. Dissatisfaction can be fuel, not failure. Growth often feels uncomfortable, and that is the point. Thanks for listening, and as always… keep building. -------- For more inspiration and a step-by-step guide to building freedom on your own terms, grab Joe’s new book Burn the Playbook (plus a 21-day challenge) at https://www.joepulizzi.com/books/burn-the-playbook/. Resources & Links: My free guide: [Mastering Goal Setting] My new book: [Burn the Playbook] Let’s connect: [LinkedIn]  Subscribe to the Podcast [Content Inc.]

I just got back from the 4th Annual Content Entrepreneur Expo (CEX) and my notebook is full. In this episode, I share the biggest lessons that every creator needs to hear: Why replies matter more than followers or likes How to craft a clear, powerful premise that makes your audience’s eyes light up The surprising ways your community can create content with you Why breaking patterns and pushing boundaries keeps you unforgettable The trap of playing small—and how to step fully into your power Why slowing down may be the smartest move in an AI-driven world How trust platforms are beating search engines at their own game These insights hit me hard, and I think they’ll do the same for you. Listen in, take notes, and let’s rethink how we build as creators. -------- For more inspiration and a step-by-step guide to building freedom on your own terms, grab Joe’s new book Burn the Playbook (plus a 21-day challenge) at https://www.joepulizzi.com/books/burn-the-playbook/. Resources & Links: My free guide: [Mastering Goal Setting] My new book: [Burn the Playbook] Let’s connect: [LinkedIn]  Subscribe to the Podcast [Content Inc.]

What if you only had 60 days left to live? In this episode, Joe shares one of the most powerful thought exercises he uses to cut through distractions and refocus on what truly matters...both in business and in life. Instead of letting busy work, endless scrolling, or meaningless meetings dominate your days, the 60 Days to Live Mentality forces you to ask: What would I double down on? Who would I spend time with? What would I stop doing altogether? Joe explains how this simple but radical lens creates clarity, strengthens relationships, and drives focus on the projects that actually move the needle. Takeaway: You don’t need a crisis to start living with urgency. By aligning your daily calendar with what matters most, you’ll make better decisions, create more impact, and build a business—and life—that lasts. Challenge for you: Take 10 minutes today. Write down what you’d do if you only had 60 days left. Then compare it with how you’re actually spending your time. The difference will show you what needs to change. For more inspiration and a step-by-step guide to building freedom on your own terms, grab Joe’s new book Burn the Playbook (plus a 21-day challenge) at https://www.joepulizzi.com/books/burn-the-playbook/. Resources & Links: My free guide: [Mastering Goal Setting] My new book: [Burn the Playbook] Let’s connect: [LinkedIn]  Subscribe to the Podcast [Content Inc.]