We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Michael Hardy a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Michael, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to start by getting your thoughts on what you are seeing as some the biggest trends emerging in your industry.

The biggest trends I’m seeing in the industry are the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and the increasing importance of data-driven marketing. AI is having a major impact on digital marketing, and it’s only going to become more important in the years to come.

AI tools like ChatGPT and Bard are being used to augment the writing process, which can help marketers create high-quality content more quickly and efficiently. These tools can also be used to generate SEO meta descriptions, summaries, and keyword selection, which can help improve the ranking of websites in search engine results pages (SERPs).

In addition, AI is being used to create more personalized and engaging marketing experiences for consumers. For example, AI-powered chatbots can be used to answer customer questions, provide support, and even close deals.

As AI continues to evolve, it’s likely to have an even greater impact on digital marketing. In the next two years, we can expect to see a loss of organic search traffic to blog and informational sites of 10 to 20%. This is because AI-powered search engines will be able to directly offer content to users, bypassing many websites in the process.

As a result, marketers will need to find new ways to reach their target audiences. This could include using AI-powered tools to create more personalized and engaging content, or using AI to automate tasks like social media marketing and email marketing.

Overall, the rise of AI is a major trend that marketers need to be aware of. By understanding how AI can be used to improve their marketing efforts, marketers can stay ahead of the curve and continue to reach their target audiences.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Thumbwind Publications is a digital marketing agency specializing in helping businesses reach their target audiences through online channels. We offer a wide range of services, including:

Website design and development: We create custom websites that are visually appealing and effective in helping businesses achieve their goals.
Search engine optimization (SEO): We help businesses improve their website’s ranking in search engine results pages (SERPs), which can lead to more traffic and leads.
Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising: We manage PPC campaigns that help businesses reach their target audiences and generate leads and sales.
Content marketing: We create high-quality content that helps businesses attract and engage their target audiences.
Social media marketing: We manage social media accounts for businesses and create engaging content that helps businesses connect with their target audiences.

How We Got Started

Starting in 2015, I established Thumbwind Publications with the goal is to exploring and finding fun all around Michigan with a focus on the Upper Thumb. From Caseville’s famous Cheeseburger Festival, sailing on Saginaw Bay, discovering the art studios in Port Austin, kayaking to Turnip Rock, antiquing in Sebewaing, finding fresh farm-to-table foods, and marveling at expansive wind farms. That mission has grown to help small businesses globally.

What We Offer

Today, Thumbwind is a localized digital marketing agency that offers a wide range of services to help businesses reach their target audiences online. We are committed to providing our clients with the highest quality of service and the most effective results.

What Problems We Solve

We help businesses solve a variety of problems, including:

Low website traffic: We help businesses improve their website’s ranking in search engine results pages (SERPs), which can lead to more traffic and leads.
Lack of leads and sales: We manage PPC campaigns that help businesses reach their target audiences and generate leads and sales.
Low brand awareness: We create high-quality content that helps businesses attract and engage their target audiences, which can lead to increased brand awareness.
Poor social media engagement: We manage social media accounts for businesses and create engaging content that helps businesses connect with their target audiences.

What Sets Us Apart

We believe that what sets us apart from other digital marketing agencies is our commitment to providing our clients with the highest quality of service and the most effective results. We also believe that our team of experienced and knowledgeable professionals is a key asset that helps us deliver on our promises.

What We Are Most Proud Of

We are most proud of our track record of success. We have helped hundreds of businesses achieve their online marketing goals, and we are confident that we can continue to succeed even as the industry changes due to AI technology.

What We Want Potential Clients to Know

We want potential clients to know that we are here to help them succeed. We will work with you to understand your needs and develop a custom marketing plan that is designed to help you achieve your goals. We are also committed to providing you with the highest level of customer service, and we are always available to answer your questions and help you with any problems you may encounter.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Our established follower base is only about 20,000 users. However, it isn’t bad for a niche site like ours primarily covering Michigan’s Thumb region, a rural part of the state. Our growth has been achieved by offering a steady stream of useful and interesting content and reaching out to find new readers. Our monthly online ad budget is low but steady.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Our story is one of showing up every day and looking for new opportunities.

My wife has expanded her 30-year knowledge of teaching technology to children to offering support services to senior citizens. Her business is called “50-plus Tech Coach” and has evolved from a concept to a practical and growing business. Her 1 to 1 support method is successful with an older age group who tends to become frustrated with call center support.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thumbwind.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thumbwind/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Thumbwind
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thumbwind-publications/