Marketing Agencies Are Feeling an Artificial Uptick in Business
Agencies face pressure but smart M&A chances emerge. We cover deal math, asset vs. stock pitfalls, ops fixes, “artificial upticks,” and brand-safety risks—plus lessons from Federer, Jerry Jones, and LinkedIn’s SEO surge. Key takeaways Agency deals: Buy assets, check contracts, cross-sell, and use AI. Growth reality: Upticks are old deals; fix ops and hiring to grow. Winning edge: Small gains add up—stay steady and market with flair. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Agencies Are Struggling—M&A Conversations Heat Up (01:16) B2B+B2C Synergy: Community, Creators & AI Leverage (03:58) From Skepticism to Deal Diligence: How It Starts (04:13) Buying Agencies: Asset Deals & Contract Traps (04:46) Fast Filters: Not Every Intro Deserves a Call (05:40) Artificial Revenue Spikes from Delayed Deals (06:43) Growth via New Logos vs Operational Unblocking (08:19) Macro View: Why the Economy Still Feels Weak (08:41) Brand Safety Gone Wrong: Public Backlash Case (12:10) Sponsor Note: NP Digital + Growth Tools (12:29) Federer’s 54% Rule: Winning with Marginal Gains (15:07) Djokovic on Composure: Your Brand = Your Temperament (15:55) Cowboys Case Study: Spectacle as Strategy (20:41) Promo DNA: Jerry Jones Learned from Grocery Hype (21:00) LinkedIn SEO Surge, ChatGPT Referrals Drop (21:45) Final Takeaways & Wrap 𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗟 Welcome to Marketing School, one of the top business podcasts with over 61 million downloads. Each episode delivers actionable marketing tips and strategies from two entrepreneurs who truly practice what they preach. The show is hosted by Eric Siu, founder of Leveling Up and Single Grain, and Neil Patel, co-founder of Neil Patel Digital and recognized by Forbes as a Top 10 Marketer. 🎙️ Learn More About the Hosts Eric Siu – Leveling Up: https://www.youtube.com/@LevelingUpOfficial Neil Patel: https://www.youtube.com/@neilpatel 📩 Free Resources Growth Newsletter: https://levelingup.beehiiv.com/subscribe Ubersuggest: https://www.ubersuggest.com/ Answer The Public: https://www.answerthepublic.com/
24 Syys 24min
This is 100x Better Than Netflix
Need marketing help? Visit: https://www.singlegrain.com/ and https://npdigital.com/ Want to recruit great marketers? Find them here: https://marketingschool.io/hire In this episode of Marketing School, Eric Siu and Neil Patel talk about why building a business can feel “better than Netflix,” the trap of over-reading versus doing, and how to balance philosophy with action. They break down “bet-the-fund” venture capital moments (Andreessen Horowitz, Sequoia, GV, Founders Fund, etc.) and explain how LP co-invest sidecars work. The conversation then shifts to recession odds vs. stock market crash probability, Buffett-style investing and Berkshire’s record cash, and why fundamentals matter more than headlines. Finally, they cover new data showing ChatGPT’s traffic referrals decelerating versus Google, and how that shapes SEO strategy—more bottom-of-funnel, revenue-focused content, especially for enterprise B2B. Not financial advice. Key takeaways Action beats consumption: books and podcasts are useful, but skills compound in the trenches. Use philosophy to stay grounded, then execute. Concentrated bets win: top VCs sometimes allocate 15–70% to a single conviction play; founders should also swing when the odds are in their favor and understand LP co-invest dynamics. SEO reality check: Google still dwarfs AI referral traffic. Prioritize bottom-of-funnel content and measure by revenue/conversions, not month-to-month traffic swings. TIMESTAMPS (00:00) Business vs Netflix: Entrepreneurship as a Game (01:58) Book Trap: Why Reading Might Keep You Broke (02:29) Execution Beats Theory: Tennis & BJJ Analogy (04:31) Stoicism in Business: Lessons from Marcus Aurelius (05:03) B2B ABM Tactics: Personalized Ads + Landing Pages (05:33) VC Risk Bets: Skype, Stripe, Uber, Cognition & More (07:05) Behind the Scenes: LP Co-Investments & Sidecars (08:35) Will a Recession Hit? Crash Probabilities Unpacked (09:20) Buffett-Style Investing: Valuations & P/E in 2025 (11:31) Berkshire’s Record Cash While Markets Peak (12:09) Tech vs Non-Tech: Target's Tough Lesson (13:35) ChatGPT vs Google: AI Traffic Trends from Ahrefs (14:36) Traffic ≠ Conversions: The Shift to Revenue Metrics (15:02) Bottom-of-Funnel Is Back: MoM Traffic ≠ Value (15:26) Enterprise GTM Shift: Attribution & RFPs Rewired (16:20) Blog Leads in Decline: What Works Now (16:47) High-Stakes Deals: Final Thoughts & Takeaways ABOUT THE CHANNEL Welcome to Marketing School, a top business podcast with 61 million downloads! Each episode features marketing tips and strategies from entrepreneurs who practice what they preach and live what they teach. Hosted by: Eric Siu (Founder of Leveling Up & Single Grain) Neil Patel (Co-founder of Neil Patel Digital, named a Top 10 Marketer by Forbes) 👉 Learn more about the hosts: Leveling Up with Eric Siu: https://www.youtube.com/@LevelingUpOfficial Neil Patel: https://www.youtube.com/@neilpatel Other Free Resources from Eric & Neil Growth Newsletter for top marketers: https://levelingup.beehiiv.com/subscribe Ubersuggest: https://www.ubersuggest.com/ Answer The Public: https://www.answerthepublic.com/ ✅ Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE for daily marketing insights! OTHER FREE RESOURCES FROM ERIC AND NEIL👇 Growth Newsletter for top marketers: https://levelingup.beehiiv.com/subscribe Ubersuggest: https://www.ubersuggest.com/ Answer The Public: https://www.answerthepublic.com/ DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE :)
23 Syys 19min
ChatGPT vs Gemini | The Empire Strikes Back
Need marketing help? Visit: https://www.singlegrain.com/ and https://npdigital.com/ Want to recruit great marketers? Find them here: https://marketingschool.io/hire ChatGPT vs Gemini: who’s really winning the AI race? In this episode, we break down Google Trends data, why Gemini’s “Nano Banana” launch spiked usage, and why Google’s massive distribution still gets held back by weak product marketing. We compare launch playbooks (Google vs OpenAI vs Apple), dig into a new study showing only 62% overlap between Google rankings and ChatGPT visibility, and share how marketers should think about AI adoption: know enough to be dangerous, then hire specialists. Plus, a quick detour on iPhone choices, phone hygiene, and Steve Wozniak’s take on happiness vs wealth. Key takeaways Gemini’s surge shows distribution + a great model matters—but consistent, Apple-style product marketing is the missing piece. SEO ≠ “GEO”: only ~62% overlap between Google rankings and ChatGPT visibility; 95% of ChatGPT users still visit Google, but only 14% of Google users visit ChatGPT. For operators: play enough with new AI tools to scope opportunities, then hire experts to build agentic workflows and ship. TIMESTAMPS (00:00) ChatGPT vs Gemini Showdown (00:42) Gemini Spike: The “Nano Banana” Effect (01:35) Can Google Win the AI War? (02:20) Google's Messaging Flaw Exposed (03:05) Apple’s One-Message Launch Strategy (03:55) iPhone Chat: Air vs Pro Battery Showdown (05:55) Phone Hygiene: Wipes vs UV, ChatGPT Verdict (07:15) Steve Wozniak on Happiness vs Wealth (08:35) Money, Love & the “Enough” Mindset (10:10) Relational Wealth by Life Stage (12:15) Family Views on Work, Stress & Balance (15:00) SEO ≠ GEO: 62% Overlap Explained (16:30) OpenAI Hype vs Google Features (17:25) Why Google Struggles With Product Marketing (18:10) AI Tool Depth: Strategy for Busy Leaders 𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗟 Welcome to Marketing School, a top business podcast with 61 million downloads! Each episode features marketing tips and strategies from entrepreneurs who practice what they preach and live what they teach. Hosted by: Eric Siu (Founder of Leveling Up & Single Grain) Neil Patel (Co-founder of Neil Patel Digital, named a Top 10 Marketer by Forbes) 👉 Learn more about the hosts: Leveling Up with Eric Siu: https://www.youtube.com/@LevelingUpOfficial Neil Patel: https://www.youtube.com/@neilpatel Other Free Resources from Eric & Neil Growth Newsletter for top marketers: https://levelingup.beehiiv.com/subscribe Ubersuggest: https://www.ubersuggest.com/ Answer The Public: https://www.answerthepublic.com/ ✅ Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE for daily marketing insights! OTHER FREE RESOURCES FROM ERIC AND NEIL👇 Growth Newsletter for top marketers: https://levelingup.beehiiv.com/subscribe Ubersuggest: https://www.ubersuggest.com/ Answer The Public: https://www.answerthepublic.com/ DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE :)
22 Syys 23min
GEO is not different than SEO. BUT…
In this episode, Eric and Neil break down the evolution of SEO into GEO, AEO, and LLMO, and why marketers must adapt to shifting client demands. They explore how platforms like Reddit and YouTube now shape search visibility, highlight the risks of short-term SEO hacks, and share lessons from creators like MrBeast on growth, focus, and profitability. (00:00) The future of SEO: GEO, AEO, and LLMO explained (05:00) Why brand mentions, Reddit marketing, and YouTube strategy drive rankings (10:00) SEO hacks, parasite strategies, and Google’s shifting role (15:00) Reddit optimization tips and the dangers of AI-generated content (20:00) Business lessons from MrBeast and Cursor: revenue vs. profitability To suggest a topic, go to https://www.marketingschool.io. For more content from Eric and Neil, check out: Eric’s YouTube: Leveling Up with Eric Siu Neil’s YouTube: Neil Patel Connect with Us: Single Grain << Eric’s ad agency NP Digital << Neil’s ad agency X: @neilpatel, @ericosiu Instagram: @neilpatel, @ericosiu Drop Us a Review If You Enjoyed the Episode!
18 Syys 31min
What to Do If Someone Copies Your Product?
In this episode #3042, Eric and Neil break down the competitive landscape and market positioning, the role of personalization in advertising, and hiring strategies that spotlight candidates with proven growth. They also touch on work-life balance, employee wellbeing, and close with insights into financial trends and major tech performance. TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES (00:00) Competitive Landscape and Market Positioning (07:03) Hiring Strategies for Success (11:54) Work-Life Balance and Employee Wellbeing (15:00) Financial Insights and Market Trends To suggest a topic, go to https://www.marketingschool.io. For more content from Eric and Neil, check out Eric’s Leveling Up with Eric Siu YouTube channel and Neil’s Neil Patel YouTube channel. Connect with Us: Single Grain << Eric's ad agency NP Digital << Neil’s ad agency X @neilpatel, @ericosiu Instagram @neilpatel, @ericosiu Drop Us a Review If You Enjoyed the Episode!
17 Syys 20min
How to Win Big Enterprise Logos
In this episode #3041, Eric and Neil discuss how to win big enterprise logos by focusing on relationships, networking, and long-term trust. They explain the role of RFPs, challenges in tracking leads, and why in-person interactions and events are key to building credibility and driving business growth. TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES (00:00) Winning Big Enterprise Logos (09:09) The Importance of Relationships in Business (12:06) In-Person Connections and Networking (14:45) Leveraging Events for Business Growth To suggest a topic, go to https://www.marketingschool.io. For more content from Eric and Neil, check out Eric’s Leveling Up with Eric Siu YouTube channel and Neil’s Neil Patel YouTube channel. Connect with Us: Single Grain << Eric's ad agency NP Digital << Neil’s ad agency X @neilpatel, @ericosiu Instagram @neilpatel, @ericosiu Drop Us a Review If You Enjoyed the Episode!
16 Syys 18min
AI Doesn't Drive Revenue Today!
In this episode #3040, Eric and Neil discuss how businesses are using AI in marketing but struggling to see real revenue results, pointing out that most companies focus on flashy tools rather than KPI-driven outcomes. They stress the need to push AI experiments into production and spread AI fluency across organizations. The conversation also touches on major corporate layoffs linked to AI adoption, the weakening job market, and the broader economic implications of interest rate changes. TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES (00:00) AI in Marketing: Usage vs. Real ROI (07:28) Corporate Layoffs and AI’s Role in Job Cuts (14:54) Weakening Job Market and Interest Rate Implications To suggest a topic, go to https://www.marketingschool.io. For more content from Eric and Neil, check out Eric’s Leveling Up with Eric Siu YouTube channel and Neil’s Neil Patel YouTube channel. Connect with Us: Single Grain << Eric's ad agency NP Digital << Neil’s ad agency X @neilpatel, @ericosiu Instagram @neilpatel, @ericosiu Drop Us a Review If You Enjoyed the Episode!
15 Syys 20min
Millionaire CEO’s PR Disaster, Elon’s Visionary Skills, and the $28B Pop Mart Lesson From China
In this episode #3039, Eric Siu and Neil Patel discuss a wide range of business lessons, from a viral US Open controversy to Elon Musk’s unique communication style and the rise of Pop Mart in China. They highlight Xiaomi’s customer development strategies, the importance of learning from both large and small competitors, and insights from the Chinese market, including real estate dynamics. TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES (00:00) The Controversial Hat Incident at the US Open (03:00) Visionary Communication: Lessons from Elon Musk (06:01) The Rise of Pop Mart and the Chinese Toy Market To suggest a topic, go to https://www.marketingschool.io. For more content from Eric and Neil, check out Eric’s Leveling Up with Eric Siu YouTube channel and Neil’s Neil Patel YouTube channel. Connect with Us: Single Grain << Eric's ad agency NP Digital << Neil’s ad agency X @neilpatel, @ericosiu Instagram @neilpatel, @ericosiu Drop Us a Review If You Enjoyed the Episode!
11 Syys 19min
