My Takes

We often get stuck in a loop of feeling like every piece of content needs a heavy-handed CTA or call to action. But have you ever looked at your YouTube stats and wondered why viewers drop off exactly when you start your pitch?  0:00 - The "Disney Model" of Content: Applying the experience-first approach to your brand strategy. 0:18 - The Problem with Constant CTAs: Why aggressive "calls to action...

Welcome back to My Takes! Today, we’re talking about creating magic—not just content. Have you ever wondered why some brands just "get it" without constantly pushing a hard sell? I’m drawing inspiration from my time at Mount Pisgah in the beautiful Adirondacks to explore what it really means to create a "Disney-like" experience for your community. If you’re tired of chasing sales and want to start...

A quick follow-up about the importance of disconnecting and a lesson learned. I recently caught myself feeling a bit frustrated seeing everyone on their devices, and found myself being a bit negative. We all know the importance of disconnecting, but it’s also harder than it looks. So I want to take a step back and switch the script to be more positive. If you can get out there! Now let me put my d...

Have you ever tried to enjoy a beautiful day outside, only to find yourself constantly checking your devices? Today, I’m coming to you from the stunning Chedoke Rail Trail in Hamilton, Ontario, but my mind is on something a little heavier: the struggle to truly disconnect. Are we suffering from a digital "disease" of being too tied to our devices? Let's talk about why unplugging is so hard—and why...

Hey, it's Jonathan Saar, and today's thought was inspired by Roxette's "Dress for Success." But this isn't just about what you wear—it's about the attitude or mindset you bring to your clients every single day. Are you truly dressed for success even when dealing with a challenging customer?  How much does your attitude impact your final work, and how can you ensure you're always putting out your v...

This week, I want to clear up a few things about how I feel about AI, one major mistake I see marketers make, and, of course, some tips to streamline your marketing content plan.  Key Timestamps and Show Highlights 00:00 Why I am not anti-AI, but how it must be used as an incredible assistant. 01:17 The biggest content marketing mistake  02:21 Leveraging AI for the pre-production phase and generat...

Have you been caught up in the noise about making your content marketing "AI friendly?" In today's episode, I'm sharing some reassurance and simplicity behind using AI to assist you, not replace you. If you're already creating content, you're ahead of the curve—but are you answering the right questions? Plus, I'll share simple tweaks you can make today, like auditing your cornerstone content. Don'...

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the thought of content marketing or the high costs of a marketing agency? Today, I’m following up on my recent post to show you how investing in your content strategy can be easier than you think, especially when you use simple tools and AI to support—not replace—your efforts. We discuss an example of how to turn a short video into a website-supporting blog post, giv...

Ever wonder what the secret is to content marketing that actually pays off? I'm stepping out of the office for a quick, important take today on why you need to stop thinking of content as a task and start treating it like a long-term investment. Is "AI search" the new buzz, or is the old wisdom about consistency still key? Stick around—I'm sharing the perspective that small to medium businesses ar...

Good day, awesome, cool people! I'm Jonathan Saar, and on today's My Takes, I was mistaken for a complete stranger—and it got me thinking. How easily can your brand be misrepresented? We recently dealt with a major client issue involving copycats and brand protection. Stick around to hear why protecting your intellectual property is more critical than ever, and how you can make sure your audience...