You can read every blog post, listen to every podcast, and ask AI every question, but nothing replaces sitting in a room with leaders who are actually doing the work. That was my biggest lesson from attending the New Media Summit in Austin this past February, and it is the reason I almost did not buy a ticket. Today, I am letting you in on a roundtable I recorded with five powerhouse founders to share our most pivotal takeaways. If you want a glimpse into how an evolving marketing strategy is shaping the most successful businesses right now, this is the conversation you do not want to miss.
Why This Episode Has a Different Flair
This is not a typical solo or guest episode. After leaving the New Media Summit, our group of friends agreed we needed to come together and recap what we learned. Dr. Destini Copp took the lead on the recording, and each of us brought a different lens, from fashion and AI to operations and vacation rentals. The reason I am sharing this with you is simple. Operators bring vision to life. If you do not understand what is shifting in the marketing world, you cannot help your CEO build an evolving marketing strategy that keeps the business moving forward.
Why Real-Life Connection Still Beats Anything Online
One of the biggest themes that came up was how irreplaceable the in-person experience truly is. Yes, we could have asked Claude or ChatGPT for most of these insights. But hearing real people share what worked, what failed, and what they are testing right now made everything land differently. Someone at the conference wore a hat that read IRL is greater than URL, and it captures the energy perfectly. As you build an evolving marketing strategy, do not underestimate the impact of getting in the room with people who are also doing the work. Community is still the most powerful growth lever I have seen.
Ryan Deiss and the Adopt or Get Left Behind Reality
Ryan Deiss’s session shook the room. He shared with full transparency that 80 percent of his revenue had been pulled away over an 18-month period, and he had to evolve quickly or fall behind. That kind of honesty from someone of his caliber gave the entire room permission to take our own shifts seriously. His message was clear. AI is no longer optional. The smartest operators are leaning into it, finding ways to integrate it without sacrificing their intellectual property. Your evolving marketing strategy must include AI, not as a threat, but as a tool that allows you to scale your expertise.
Newsletters as a Product, Not a Marketing Afterthought
This was a huge mindset shift for me. I have always treated my newsletter as a nurture tool, but multiple speakers reframed it as a product with its own revenue potential. The session from the health newsletter founder broke down a mini-magazine format that supports sponsorships, contributor models, and longer, richer content. Kate Kordsmeier and I both walked away rethinking how to monetize what we are already producing. If you are sending a weekly email, your evolving marketing strategy should consider how that asset can generate revenue, not just nurture it.
The Return of Smart, Strategic Paid Ads
For a while, paid ads felt out of reach for small business owners. But Meta’s new Andromeda system has changed the game, making it easier than ever to find your audience without spending five figures a month. Jodi, Destini, and I all shared how we are now experimenting with ads in ways we previously avoided. Combined with sponsorships in adjacent newsletters and brand partnerships, paid traffic is becoming a viable and even essential part of an evolving marketing strategy. You no longer need a degree in ads management to make them work.
“At the end of the day, it’s the right hand, it’s the Director of Operations, it’s the second in charge that’s actually bringing this vision to life.” — Natalie Gingrich
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