How can business owners use AI in copywriting, branding, and content creation and still maintain their voice and originality?

AI is shaking things up in podcasting and content creation in ways that both fascinate and freak me out. I know many of you, small business owners and creative service providers, feel the same. That’s why I brought Erin Ollila, a strategist, copywriter, and the host of the Talk Copy to Me podcast, on the show to talk about using AI effectively, where it fits in the copywriting process, and just as importantly, where it doesn’t.

Erin walks us through how she uses AI in an iterative process to help with brand guidelines, what to do when AI “just doesn’t sound like you,” and where the real value lies for copywriters, strategists, and business owners in the era of AI.

The big takeaway: Erin shares the prompt she uses to create a consistent template to have AI help you create content from your podcast episode.

Chapter Highlights

(00:00) How do we use AI in copywriting and still sound human?

(02:25) What business owners get wrong about using AI for copywriting and content

(05:25) How to train AI to help refine your brand guidelines

(06:44) Why using AI is always an iterative process—and why that matters

(08:36) How to stand out as a copywriter or strategist in the age of AI

(12:55) Why AI will never replace the human element in creative strategy

(16:54) How Erin uses AI to audit podcast content and find gaps

(27:59) Where AI actually helps in podcast production, and where to focus your energy

(32:47) How to keep your content authentic and avoid plagiarism with AI

AI tools and applications were used to help produce this episode. Here is a list of tools and apps and some of the ways AI was used.

Riverside.fm was used to record this episode. It will be used in the making of video promo clips for the episode.

Descript was used to edit this podcast. I used their AI for filler word removal. It always needs a bit of refinement to create smooth edits. Sometimes it’s a little aggressive and choppy, but it’s a good place to start.

I used Castmagic to help write these show notes based on the episode transcript. It’s one of my favorite AI tools. Then I rewrote parts of it to sound more like me. It was pretty close on the actual timestamps of the episode.

I’m also using Castmagic to help write the full blog post for my website based on the episode transcript and using the template prompt Erin shared in the episode. I will rewrite it to sound more like me.

Grammarly was used to make my writing better.

The episode artwork was created using ChatGPT.

** These show notes contain some affiliate links for products and services used in the creation of this podcast episode. To learn more about how I use these tools and services, visit brassybroad.com or my Brassybroad Jen YouTube channel for tutorials and reviews.

About Erin Ollila

Erin Ollila is a copywriter, strategist, and host of the Talk Copy to Me podcast. Erin guides savvy businesses and service providers away from confusion and comparison and toward being heard, seen, noticed, and known — well known.

Listen to the full AI Podcast Series

Where can you use AI to streamline your podcast and content creation, without losing the secret sauce that makes you and your message stand out?

If you’re anything like me, you want deeper connections with clients, not just more “content.” But as AI shakes up our creative world, how can we work smarter with AI, while staying true to ourselves and keeping the heart and humanity in our business?

Carol Cox is a speaker, podcast host, and self-proclaimed AI evangelist. We talk specifically about where AI fits in podcasting and thought leadership for folks like us. Learn to use AI as a tool for writing proposals and podcast show notes to unlock value in your episode back-catalog. Most importantly, you’ll hear how to keep your content truly yours, not just another generic ChatGPT output.

Carol talks tools, workflows, and the voice-cloning experiments she’s using in her business today. You’ll hear what’s working, what feels weird, and where the boundaries are being tested in real time.

Chapter Highlights

(00:00) How Do You Use AI in Your Business Without Losing Your Humanity?

(04:00) Why is Carol Cox an AI evangelist?

(05:24) Where Can AI Save You Time in Speaking and Content Creation?

(06:48) How to Train AI to Write and Sound Like You

(09:15) Concerns about Sharing Your Intellectual Property with AI

(12:20) Common AI Mistakes Speakers Make—and How to Avoid Them

(13:41) What Makes a Compelling Speaker

(16:35) Using AI to Supercharge Your Podcast Workflow and Show Notes

(17:42) The Best AI Tools for Podcasters: What’s Worth Paying For

(18:43) Turning Your Podcast Library into an AI Knowledge Base (RAG)

(20:14) Would You Clone Your Voice with AI? Ethical and Practical Concerns

(23:16) Using AI for Smarter Networking and Outreach

(27:58) What to Try Next: Your AI Homework and How to Share Your Results

CONNECT WITH CAROL COX

https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/

DM me if you chat with AI Carol. I want to know what you think!

CONNECT WITH JEN

Book Your Podcast Power Hour

Website: https://brassybroad.com

YouTube: @BrassyBroadJen

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jen-edds-470351b/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/brassybroadjen

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@brassybroadjen

What is AI really costing you when you hand over your creative control?

If you’re a solo or small business owner creating content to grow your business, you already know the pressure to keep up. Between SEO demands, audience expectations, and new AI tools promising shortcuts, it’s tempting to hand over control and “let the robot do it.”

But will your audience feel any connection to you when they finally find your content? Or will you sound like everyone else who is letting AI create their content from start to finish?

I’m joined by Emily Gertenbach, a seasoned SEO content strategist who’s been writing human-centered digital content since 2010. She’s worked with clients ranging from local agencies to internationally recognized companies, and she’s here to help us make sense of AI’s role in content creation. Emily brings receipts, nuance, and a bit of tough love as we unpack how AI can help and hurt your brand voice, your SEO, and your connection with your audience.

This isn’t a doom-and-gloom episode about robots ruining your content. It’s a human-first conversation about how to use AI responsibly while keeping your creative voice at the center.

Listen for These Episode Highlights

• What happens when a brand’s copy feels “off”

• Is your AI-written content quietly tanking your Google rankings over time?

• How can you still show up in Google’s top results without gaming the algorithm?

Chapters

(00:00) Why AI might be costing you more than it saves

(03:15) Meet Emily Gertenbach and her mission to humanize SEO

(04:07) How does generative AI like ChatGPT work?

(05:34) How machine learning is different than generative AI

(07:15) The problem with what generative AI creates

(09:00) A real-world example of AI harming brand connection

(14:48) What happens when Google evaluates AI-written content against quality metrics?

(15:24) What Google actually rewards when ranking your content

(21:18) Emily’s six human-first elements for long-term SEO success

(23:48) Emily’s AI tool recommendations

(28:56) Why you should think twice before feeding AI your blog

(32:30) How small business owners can use AI responsibly

(34:50) Where to connect with Emily and read her blog

LINKS, RESOURCES, AND TOOLS MENTIONED

https://www.egcreativecontent.com/articles/searcher-hierarchy-of-needs

https://www.egcreativecontent.com/articles/dont-use-ai-for-brand-content

https://www.clearscope.io – SEO content research and optimization tool

https://www.semrush.com – SEO and keyword research tool

https://www.notion.so/product/ai – Document organization and internal content search support

MEET EMILY GERTENBACH

Emily Gertenbach has been creating SEO content since 2010. She’s worked with a wide variety of clients from local agencies tinternationally recognizeded software companies considered to be on the leading edge of user experience and design. Emily understands that, as tempting as it is to try to please the ever-changing Google algorithm, the need for real, humanized content remains constant, which is one of the reasons I’m so excited to be chatting with her about AI and where it fits into SEO and content.

CONNECT WITH EMILY GERTENBACH

https://egcreativecontent.com – Emily's website and blog

CONNECT WITH JEN

Book Your Podcast Power Hour

Website: https://brassybroad.com

YouTube:

What if the real secret to getting better results with AI isn’t finding the “perfect” tool, but learning how to work with the tools you already have to create the results you want?

In this episode, I’m joined by Sonya Sigler, an executive coach, attorney, and someone who’s been working with AI technology inside businesses long before AI became the shiny new toy on everyone’s mind. Sonya shares why AI isn’t a magic wand or a shortcut, and how working with it thoughtfully, through training and iteration, can actually enrich your creative process — not replace it.

If you’re a solo business owner or service provider feeling overwhelmed by content demands or frustrated that now there’s “one more thing” you have to learn, this conversation will give you a refreshing and practical perspective. We talk about how to experiment with AI without losing your originality, why evolving with the tools matters more than chasing the latest updates, and how small shifts in your workflow can boost your creativity.

Plus, I’ll share how this conversation pushed me to finally commit to using ChatGPT more intentionally, and how I’m building it into my own content creation process to work smarter, without losing soul or connection.

Chapters

(00:00) Introduction to AI and Creative Process

(00:33) Meet Sonya Sigler

(02:40) The Love-Hate Relationship with AI

(04:29) Training AI Tools for Better Results

(06:49) Using AI in Content Creation

(09:37) AI as a Collaborative Partner

(13:10) AI in Career Development and Job Applications

(17:11) Intellectual Property Concerns with AI

(20:07) The Power of Context in AI

(22:30) Iterative Process and Training AI

(25:17) Authenticity in AI-Generated Content

(26:59) Advanced Uses and Customization of AI Tools

(31:46) Ethical Considerations and Validation

(34:59) Embracing AI for Strategic Thinking

(37:14) Conclusion and Call to Action

Connect with Sonya Sigler

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/ssigler

CONNECT WITH JEN

Book Your Podcast Power Hour

Website: https://brassybroad.com

YouTube: @BrassyBroadJen

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jen-edds-470351b/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/brassybroadjen

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@brassybroadjen

What if using AI in your business isn’t just a tech decision—but a values decision? That’s the question I’ve been wrestling with as I try to figure out how to incorporate AI into my business in a way that supports my creativity and integrity.

This is the first episode in a new series in which I’m exploring how solo and small professional services providers can use AI in our processes, workflows, and content creation without losing our voice or compromising our values. I’m bringing my questions and curiosity and talking with folks who’ve been deep in it.

Maggie Patterson, founder of BS Free Business and host of The Staying Solo podcast joins me for the first episode in this AI series. Maggie’s been digging into AI’s impact on solopreneurs—ethically, practically, and creatively. This conversation gets into the nuance, the costs (including some you may not have considered), and what it really looks like to experiment with AI while still showing up with creativity, honesty, and transparency.

Chapters

(00:00) Why I'm doing a series on AI

(03:05) How Maggie describes her current relationship with AI

(04:54) How big is your technology footprint?

(08:02) How AI has been baked into tools we have been using for years

(10:45) Where are we messing up with AI in our businesses

(14:48) How Maggie uses AI to help with podcast scripting

(22:25) Which AI tools has Maggie invested in for her business

(25:45) Ethics, Integrity, and Disclosure around using AI in your business

(30:30) How to avoid letting AI become a distraction

CONNECT WITH MAGGIE

Maggie's AI episode that was referenced in the episode: https://bsfreebusiness.com/boost-efficiency-with-ai/

Website: https://bsfreebusiness.com

Get Maggies Book: https://stayingsolobook.com

The Staying Solo Podcast: https://bsfreebusiness.com/podcast

Instagram: https://instagram.com/smallbusinessboss

CONNECT WITH JEN

Website: https://brassybroad.com

YouTube: @BrassyBroadJen

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jen-edds-470351b/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/brassybroadjen

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@brassybroadjen

Have you ever found yourself standing at the crossroads with your podcast? That quiet, empty intersection where the path forward isn't clear?

The road stretches in three directions. One road continues the miserable soul-sucking journey of producing your podcast even though the spark is gone. Another veers toward a pivot - changing direction while keeping your momentum. And the third... well, that's the road that lets you put it all to bed and walk away.

That once-brilliant bright idea for a podcast that would change the world, or at least get you more clients, has become cumbersome. The thought of sitting down to record another episode fills you with dread instead of excitement.

This has been my dilemma for weeks - loitering at the crossroads of whether to pivot and move in a different direction, miserably move forward, or put this baby to bed.

If you’ve ever felt like you were at a crossroads with your podcast or some other creative project, give this a listen.

Do you need a podcast production partner?

Schedule a "Let's see if we should work together chat"

https://tidycal.com/brassybroadcastingco/should-we-work-together

Connect with Jen

Download Your Ultimate Guide to My Favorite Podcasting Tools and Resources

https://brassybroad.com/

LinkedIN

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jen-edds-470351b/

Instagram @brassybroadjen

https://www.instagram.com/brassybroadjen

TikTok

https://www.tiktok.com/@brassybroadjen

YouTube Channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/brassybroadjen

Visit The Brassy Broadcasting Company Channel on Apple Podcasts for more shows from Jen

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/brassy-broadcasting-co/id6442570108

The Brassy Broadcast on Audible

https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Brassy-Broadcast-with-Jen-Edds-Podcast/B08K56267R?

Is hopping onto the video bandwagon necessary for your podcast success or just an overhyped distraction?

This episode has some key considerations to get you thinking about strategically adding, or not adding, video as a podcast format.

Chapters

(00:00) Are you feeling pressured to add video to your podcast? (01:53) Questions to ask yourself BEFORE adding video (03:47) Strategic considerations for starting a video podcast (05:01) An alternative approach to a video podcast

Do you need a podcast production partner?

Schedule a "Let's see if we should work together chat"

https://tidycal.com/brassybroadcastingco/should-we-work-together

Connect with Jen

Download Your Ultimate Guide to My Favorite Podcasting Tools and Resources

https://brassybroad.com/

LinkedIN

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jen-edds-470351b/

Instagram @brassybroadjen

https://www.instagram.com/brassybroadjen

TikTok

https://www.tiktok.com/@brassybroadjen

YouTube Channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/brassybroadjen

Visit The Brassy Broadcasting Company Channel on Apple Podcasts for more shows from Jen

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/brassy-broadcasting-co/id6442570108

The Brassy Broadcast on Audible

https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Brassy-Broadcast-with-Jen-Edds-Podcast/B08K56267R?

How do I grow my podcast audience? First, you ask a different question. If you're tired of "experts" selling you magic bullet solutions, SEO tricks, and social media hacks that promise the world but deliver nothing – this episode is for you. I'm about to give you a 3 part growth strategy that has nothing to do with trying to please an algorithm.

Yes, you need to optimize for SEO and promote your show, and video clips are great, and be a podcast guest. Yes, all of those tactics are helpful for attracting new listeners, but how do you get listeners to come back and bring their friends?

I’m sharing a Grateful Dead approach to building your podcast audience. The Dead didn’t rely on an algorithm to build an audience. Learn how to stop trying to please the algorithm and focus on what to create for your audience that will inspire them to share your work.

The song I’m playing in this video is Deep Elem Blues. One of my favorite covers by the Dead.

How do I grow my podcast audience? First, you ask a different question. If you're tired of "experts" selling you magic bullet solutions, SEO tricks, and social media hacks that promise the world but deliver nothing – this episode is for you. I'm about to give you a 3 part growth strategy that has nothing to do with trying to please an algorithm.

Yes, you need to optimize for SEO and promote your show, and video clips are great, and be a podcast guest. Yes, all of those tactics are helpful for attracting new listeners, but how do you get listeners to come back and bring their friends?

I’m sharing a Grateful Dead approach to building your podcast audience. The Dead didn’t rely on an algorithm to build an audience. Learn how to strop trying to please the algorithm and focus on what to create for your audience that will inspire them to share your work.

The song I’m playing in this video is Deep Elem Blues. One of my favorite covers by the Dead.

Chapters

(00:00) The question do you need to ask to grow your audience

(01:31) How are you delivering on the promise of your podcast?

(03:27) Creating a community of fans

(05:57) How to expand your audience

Do you need a podcast production partner?

Schedule a "Let's see if we should work together chat"

https://tidycal.com/brassybroadcastingco/should-we-work-together

Connect with Jen

Download Your Ultimate Guide to My Favorite Podcasting Tools and Resources

https://brassybroad.com/

LinkedIN

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jen-edds-470351b/

Instagram @brassybroadjen

https://www.instagram.com/brassybroadjen

TikTok

https://www.tiktok.com/@brassybroadjen

YouTube Channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/brassybroadjen

Visit The Brassy Broadcasting Company Channel on Apple Podcasts for more shows from Jen

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/brassy-broadcasting-co/id6442570108

The Brassy Broadcast on Audible

https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Brassy-Broadcast-with-Jen-Edds-Podcast/B08K56267R?