Podcast Summary: "Social Media and AI: Where the Future is Headed"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Becoming NEXTonSCENE™
• Host/Author: NEXTonSCENE Media, LLC
• Episode: Social Media and AI, Where the Future is Headed
• Release Date: August 29, 2024

Introduction: In this insightful episode of Becoming NEXTonSCENE™, host Jackie Zook delves deep into the evolving landscape of social media and artificial intelligence (AI). Joining her is the accomplished Adriana Lacy, founder of Adriana Lacey Consulting, a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, journalist, and adjunct professor at Brandeis. Together, they explore how AI is reshaping social media strategies, the challenges and opportunities it presents, and the future trajectory of these dynamic fields.

1. Opening Thoughts: Standing in Your Truth

Jackie Zook opens the episode with a profound discussion on personal authenticity in both life and business:

"It's so important to stand in your truth. If something is not aligning with your truth, it's important to confront it." ([00:00])

She emphasizes the significance of surrounding oneself with supportive individuals who value honesty and vulnerability, asserting that doing so can unlock new opportunities and foster growth.

2. Adriana Lacy's Journey from Education to Entrepreneurship

Transitioning to the Guest: Jackie introduces Adriana Lacy, highlighting her impressive credentials and multifaceted career.

Adriana shares her unconventional path:

"I started off my undergrad career not even in journalism. I wanted to be an elementary education major... but I just kind of started really getting interested in the media... and just made that pivot." ([02:42])

Her transition from aspiring teacher to media enthusiast underscores the importance of following one's evolving passions. Adriana's experience in traditional newsrooms and freelancing laid the foundation for her current role in communications and marketing.

3. Embracing Entrepreneurship at a Young Age

Jackie probes into Adriana's decision to launch her own consulting business at a relatively young age—a move often seen as daunting.

Adriana explains her motivation:

"I was super interested in doing as many things as I could. So the idea of kind of starting my own business was really great for me because then I could have that opportunity to work on a lot of different things." ([04:04])

She contrasts her experience with older consultants, highlighting her desire for versatility and diverse project engagement as key drivers for entrepreneurship.

4. Services Offered by Adriana Lacey Consulting

Jackie invites Adriana to elaborate on her company's offerings, particularly in the realm of AI and social media.

Adriana outlines her firm's comprehensive services:

"We are full service, which means we can either do it or find someone else who can do it." ([05:02])

Her team's expertise spans paid and organic social media, graphic and website design, marketing, press releases, and influencer relations. The versatility of services ensures that clients receive tailored solutions to meet their unique needs.

5. Clientele and Industry Focus

Adriana discusses the diverse range of clients her consulting firm serves:

"We work with some people who are individuals... technology companies, nonprofits, and folks in the journalism media industry." ([06:10])

She notes a recent pivot towards e-commerce and brick-and-mortar businesses, reflecting adaptability in responding to market demands and expanding the firm's reach.

6. The Integration of AI in Social Media Strategies

Jackie steers the conversation towards the pivotal role of AI in social media.

Adriana highlights the multifaceted applications of AI:

"There's so many different things that you can do with it. AI can really be your social media sidekick." ([07:03])

She elaborates on AI's capabilities beyond chatbots, including automation in marketing workflows, drafting social media copy, and constructing editorial calendars. These tools not only enhance efficiency but also empower businesses to maintain a consistent online presence.

7. Favorite AI Tools for Enhanced Productivity

When discussing preferred AI tools, Adriana shares her top picks:

"I've really been interested in Claude... It takes Chat GPT a step further by focusing more on strategy and reasoning." ([08:00])

She also praises Zapier for its automation capabilities, enabling seamless integration of various business processes and reducing manual workload. These tools collectively streamline operations, especially for solo entrepreneurs and small teams.

8. AI in Education: Boon or Bane?

Jackie raises concerns about the impact of AI on academic integrity and creativity.

Adriana acknowledges the complexity:

"Anything that's really homework these days can be done by a robot." ([09:20])

While AI tools like ChatGPT and Apple's updated calculator simplify tasks, Adriana warns against overreliance, emphasizing the need for original thinking and creative problem-solving that AI cannot replicate. She advocates for using AI to handle repetitive tasks, allowing individuals to focus on innovative endeavors.

9. Balancing Creativity and Automation

They discuss the delicate balance between leveraging AI for efficiency and preserving human creativity.

Adriana reflects on the creative limitations of AI:

"When we're thinking about things and we get these really innovative ideas, those are really special and those are things that these chatbots and things can't create." ([10:19])

She stresses that AI should complement, not replace, human ingenuity, serving as a tool to enhance rather than diminish creative processes.

10. Adriana's Innovative AI Tools

Jackie explores Adriana's entrepreneurial ventures in AI tool development.

Adriana introduces two key products:

a. Insight Flow Analytics:

"It puts all your data into one dashboard... You can view all of those things at one time without having to check multiple websites." ([11:11])

This tool integrates various data sources—like Mailchimp, Twitter, Facebook, WooCommerce, and Stripe—into a unified interface, providing automated daily reports to streamline business monitoring.

b. Social Chime:

"It's a social media management system similar to Hootsuite, but with AI tools built in." ([11:11])

Features include AI-assisted writing for social posts, RSS feed integration for automated content sharing, and centralized scheduling, all designed to reduce the time and effort required for effective social media management.

11. Supporting Small Businesses Through Technology

Adriana emphasizes the importance of democratizing access to sophisticated tools:

"This is a great way to start where you're not having to go into Meta Business Manager and Twitter and TikTok all the time." ([13:20])

Her tools enable small businesses to manage their online presence efficiently without the need for expensive agencies, fostering inclusivity and empowering entrepreneurs.

12. Personal Insights and Lifestyle

Transitioning to a more personal note, Adriana shares her passion for travel and lifestyle blogging.

Jackie highlights Adriana's extensive travel experience:

"You've traveled to 48 out of 50 continents." ([13:57])

Adriana advocates exploring within the U.S., particularly national parks, and mentions her new blog:

"Adriana's Almanac is a lifestyle vlog showcasing fun things to do, vacation photos, mindfulness, travel, living." ([14:40])

This platform allows her to connect with her audience on a more personal level, sharing insights beyond her professional expertise.

13. Connecting with Adriana Lacy

Jackie concludes the discussion by providing ways for listeners to engage with Adriana:

"Our website is AdrianaLaceyConsulting.com... Follow us on Instagram at Instagram.com/AdrianaLacey" ([15:38])

Adriana encourages the audience to reach out for consulting services and to follow her for updates on her ventures and personal projects.

Conclusion:

This episode of Becoming NEXTonSCENE™ offers a comprehensive exploration of the intersection between social media and AI, guided by Adriana Lacy's expertise. Listeners gain valuable insights into leveraging AI tools for business efficiency, maintaining creativity amidst technological advancements, and fostering authentic personal and professional relationships. Adriana's entrepreneurial spirit and practical advice serve as an inspiration for aspiring business owners and creatives navigating the digital landscape.

Notable Quotes:

• Jackie Zook ([00:00]): "It's so important to stand in your truth. If something is not aligning with your truth, it's important to confront it."

• Adriana Lacy ([02:42]): "I just kind of started really getting interested in the media... and just made that pivot."

• Adriana Lacy ([05:02]): "We are full service, which means we can either do it or find someone else who can do it."

• Adriana Lacy ([07:03]): "AI can really be your social media sidekick."

• Adriana Lacy ([10:19]): "When we're thinking about things and we get these really innovative ideas, those are really special and those are things that these chatbots and things can't create."

• Adriana Lacy ([11:11]): "Insight Flow Analytics... You can view all of those things at one time without having to check multiple websites."

Contact Information:

• Website: AdrianaLaceyConsulting.com
• Instagram: @AdrianaLacey

Stay Tuned: For more inspiring conversations and actionable insights, subscribe to Becoming NEXTonSCENE™ and follow NEXTonSCENE Media, LLC across their social platforms.