RS350: Authenticity, Content Strategy, and the Future of Marketing with AI episode artwork

EPISODE · Sep 10, 2025 · 57 MIN

RS350: Authenticity, Content Strategy, and the Future of Marketing with AI

from Rogue Startups · host RogueStartups

Startup marketing can feel like a maze, right? In this episode of Rogue Startups, Craig chats with  Brendan Hufford of Growth Sprints about how to cut through the noise and actually connect with your audience. They dig into everything from creating raw, authentic content to dialing in your SEO strategies and uncovering your brand’s real voice. If you’ve ever felt a little lost with your marketing (or just want some fresh ideas to make your plan actually work), this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss. Highlights from Craig and Brendan Hufford’s conversation: AI in SEO: how artificial intelligence is reshaping the digital marketing landscape Why old methods don’t work anymore—and the mindset shift needed to move forward Building new skill sets: why continuous learning is essential for marketers and founders Staying ahead of the curve with new tech, trends, and tools How entrepreneurs can use AI to market their businesses more effectively Content atomization and distribution: breaking big ideas into bite-sized content across multiple channels Maximizing social platforms like Instagram, Twitter (X), and more “Zero-click content”: how to thrive on platforms that discourage external links Optimizing for virtual retargeting and platform-native algorithms Overcoming the “trust recession” and rebuilding credibility with your audience Turning one-star reviews into marketing gold Creating a gravitational pull that draws customers toward your brand and story The power of self-perpetuating content that continues to work for you over time Why founders shouldn’t try to do everything alone—and how to delegate effectively Finding your authentic founder’s voice and building trust through genuine content Resources and Links from This Episode Brendan Hufford on LinkedIn: com/in/brendanhufford Growth Sprints: https://growthsprints.co/ Email me: [email protected] Find me on Twitter: @TheCraigHewitt If you feel like Rogue Startups has benefited you, and it might benefit someone else, please share it with them. If you have a chance, give Rogue Startups a review on iTunes. Do you have any comments, questions, or topic ideas for future episodes? Feel free to reach out to me: Twitter: @TheCraigHewitt LinkedIn: Craig Hewitt Email: [email protected]   Chapters (00:00:00) - The Best Guest for Marketing: Brendan from Growth Sprints(00:00:54) - How to Get Out of Stuck in the Past With SEO(00:05:33) - What Do You Do To Stay Fresh?(00:07:33) - Where Are You on the AI Spectrum?(00:12:32) - How to Leverage AI in Content(00:14:56) - Instagram vs. Twitter: Brand Safety(00:19:14) - PODCAST: Short Form and Long Form(00:19:51) - Facebook, LinkedIn: No More 'Zero Click'(00:20:59) - Content and Zero-Click Marketing(00:24:57) - Content Investment: The Trust Recession(00:30:19) - How to Build a Growth Strategy With SaaS Founders(00:33:10) - There's a better way to sell an SEO(00:36:51) - In the Elevator: Founder Gravity(00:37:55) - How to manage your LinkedIn and YouTube accounts(00:42:39) - How to Start a Business on a Single Channel(00:45:41) - Growthsprints: End of 2021(00:48:16) - Ideas for Digital Marketing...(00:52:46) - How to Build a Content Board with a Single Person(00:56:16) - How to Tell a Funny Story on a Podcast(00:57:00) - Brendan on Talking To Himself

Startup marketing can feel like a maze, right? In this episode of Rogue Startups, Craig chats with  Brendan Hufford of Growth Sprints about how to cut through the noise and actually connect with your audience. They dig into everything from creating raw, authentic content to dialing in your SEO strategies and uncovering your brand’s real voice. If you’ve ever felt a little lost with your marketing (or just want some fresh ideas to make your plan actually work), this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss. Highlights from Craig and Brendan Hufford’s conversation: AI in SEO: how artificial intelligence is reshaping the digital marketing landscape Why old methods don’t work anymore—and the mindset shift needed to move forward Building new skill sets: why continuous learning is essential for marketers and founders Staying ahead of the curve with new tech, trends, and tools How entrepreneurs can use AI to market their businesses more effectively Content atomization and distribution: breaking big ideas into bite-sized content across multiple channels Maximizing social platforms like Instagram, Twitter (X), and more “Zero-click content”: how to thrive on platforms that discourage external links Optimizing for virtual retargeting and platform-native algorithms Overcoming the “trust recession” and rebuilding credibility with your audience Turning one-star reviews into marketing gold Creating a gravitational pull that draws customers toward your brand and story The power of self-perpetuating content that continues to work for you over time Why founders shouldn’t try to do everything alone—and how to delegate effectively Finding your authentic founder’s voice and building trust through genuine content Resources and Links from This Episode Brendan Hufford on LinkedIn: com/in/brendanhufford Growth Sprints: https://growthsprints.co/ Email me: [email protected] Find me on Twitter: @TheCraigHewitt If you feel like Rogue Startups has benefited you, and it might benefit someone else, please share it with them. If you have a chance, give Rogue Startups a review on iTunes. Do you have any comments, questions, or topic ideas for future episodes? Feel free to reach out to me: Twitter: @TheCraigHewitt LinkedIn: Craig Hewitt Email: [email protected]

NOW PLAYING

RS350: Authenticity, Content Strategy, and the Future of Marketing with AI

0:00 57:23

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

The Syndicate Blogcast: Startups | Startup Investing | Tech News | Angel Investors | VC | Venture Capital | Private Equity | Crowdfunding | Fundraising Matt Ward - Serial Entrepreneur | Angel Investor | Startup Advisor | Amazon Ecommerce The Syndicate Blogcast show is an extension of The Syndicate podcast, featuring long form articles on the future technology, ecommerce, business and life. The mini-sodes deconstruct high level startup, business and tech issues to help investors and operators better understand and win the market. Recurring topics include: Facebook, Google, Amazon, Apple, Ecommerce, Blockchains, ICOs, Cryptocurrencies, Marketing, Fundraising, Venture Capital, Startup Challenges, Business Development and more. The Blogcast comes in addition to The Syndicate - the place where investors and startups combine to create crazy businesses and even crazier returns. The Syndicate podcast is a deep dive on the angel investors and VCs behind the big name startups. We interview the best and brightest investors, syndicate leads, GPs, limited partners and startup founders to create an original, off the cuff discussion on startup investing. The Up and to the Right | Small Business | Practical, Actionable, Sustainable Improvements beyond50percent Welcome to Up and to the Right, the no-nonsense podcast where we blend your passion with proven business principles and practical tips, empowering you to create the impact and success you envision.Hosted by Stephen Krausse, the show covers what matters to small business owners, startups, and people interested in becoming entrepreneurs. No buzzwords and no hyped-up trends!A graduate of Colorado State University's College of Business, Stephen has an academic background that compliments over 25 years of business operations and management experience. He started his first business as a freshman in college in 1987, recording and producing demo tapes for local bands. Since that time, he’s been involved with numerous successful small businesses, including the operation and management of a niche high-tech company with customers and suppliers worldwide.As a business professional by education and trade, he works with select business owners to blend their passion with proven principles, givi ChatGTM: Revolutionizing Restaurant Tech & Go-To-Market Strategies Michael Beck Welcome to ChatGTM by Ink Tank GTM, where tech innovation, strategic clarity, and caffeine-fueled chaos collide.Hosted by the dynamic duo of Michael Beck and Chad Horn, this isn’t just a podcast. It’s a pressure cooker for big ideas and practical genius. Michael is a human brainstorm in sneakers, equal parts espresso and electric current. Chad is the philosophical anchor, the strategist who makes sure the rocket ship remembers gravity.They don’t just talk shop. They crack open the engine room of business, startups, restaurants, retail, all of it and tinker until it hums. From AI-powered ordering systems to the operational alchemy that turns good ideas into great companies, this is where high-octane vision meets real-world execution.Guests? Imagine if Elon Musk and Anthony Bourdain had a dinner party. Bold thinkers, mad geniuses, and pragmatic disruptors drop in to turn conventional wisdom inside out with a wink and a war story.If you're a founder chasing scale, a builder breaking For You Leaders Kirk Dando Have you ever thought, "Running a business shouldn't be this hard." Then you need to listen to the For You Leaders podcast. Come listen to Kirk Dando and glean from his experience leading 11,000+ executives and business leaders around the world. From startups to hyper-growth companies, Kirk has seen it all. We'll bring you interviews with some of today's best CEOs. Short on theory and long on practical examples, you will leave every episode equipped to be a better leader.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Rogue Startups?

This episode is 57 minutes long.

When was this Rogue Startups episode published?

This episode was published on September 10, 2025.

What is this episode about?

Startup marketing can feel like a maze, right? In this episode of Rogue Startups, Craig chats with  Brendan Hufford of Growth Sprints about how to cut through the noise and actually connect with your audience. They dig into everything from creating...

Can I download this Rogue Startups episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!