Founder's Story: Why Most Businesses Will Fail Without AI Marketing | Ep. 204 with Raza Sheikh, Founder & CEO of Identable

Release Date: April 23, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 204 of "Founder's Story", hosted by IBH Media, listeners delve into the transformative world of AI marketing with Raza Sheikh, the visionary Founder and CEO of Identable. Identable is revolutionizing organic marketing by unifying and simplifying the multitude of AI tools and legacy platforms that often fragment marketing efforts. This detailed discussion explores the genesis of Identable, the indispensable role of AI in modern marketing, and the future implications of AI on business and human cognition.

The Genesis of Identable and Founder's Inspiration

Raza begins by sharing the catalyst for creating Identable. Observing firsthand the chaos within organic marketing teams—juggling multiple AI tools, free utilities, and outdated platforms—he recognized a pressing need for simplification.

Raza Sheikh [02:44]: "I saw the talented team spending more time wrestling with the technologies than actually marketing itself. The frustration drove me to create Identable, a single reliable platform that cuts through the noises and fragmentations."

Identable's mission is to reclaim valuable time for organizations, allowing them to concentrate on strategic initiatives rather than getting bogged down by content creation, scheduling, and technical SEO tasks.

Solving Personal and Market Problems

Raza emphasizes the importance of solving real-world problems based on personal experiences. His background in data and technology highlighted the gap between building a product and effectively bringing it to market.

Raza Sheikh [04:08]: "The idea of Identable, the frustration itself, is a first-hand experience of my own. I know how to build the code, but one thing I was really missing was shifting the code into the market and making it present to the target audience."

Through his involvement with Antler VC in Singapore and interactions with over 52 founders, Raza identified that many tech entrepreneurs struggle with making their products visible to their audience. This insight led to the development of Identable, which centralizes and streamlines content creation and SEO optimization.

The Role of AI in Marketing and SEO

A significant portion of the conversation centers on the evolving landscape of SEO and the integration of AI within marketing strategies. Raza introduces the concept of Generative Search Optimization (GSO), a semantic layer that enhances traditional SEO by focusing on content structure and keyword optimization.

Raza Sheikh [08:05]: "SEO is still there. But Generative Search Optimization, what we call it as, is coming up. It is a semantic layer on top of the SEO itself."

He explains that while traditional SEO relies heavily on backlinks, GSO emphasizes the structural organization of content and the strategic use of keywords. Identable integrates both approaches to ensure comprehensive search engine visibility.

Transforming Business Teams with Identable

The discussion shifts to how Identable impacts business teams. Raza addresses concerns about team size in the age of AI, clarifying that AI should augment rather than reduce human roles.

Raza Sheikh [10:42]: "AI is to give you the space to do the valuable thing. When you have AI to do your labor work, you can play smart and do things much better with AI and much faster."

He highlights that AI facilitates increased efficiency and speed, enabling teams to achieve more without necessarily downsizing. This enhancement allows businesses to keep pace with competitors or even gain a competitive edge.

AI's Impact on Human Intelligence: IQ vs. EQ

Raza and the hosts delve into the broader implications of AI on human intelligence. They discuss a perspective shared by a futurist guest about the diminishing importance of IQ in an AI-driven world.

Raza Sheikh [12:25]: "We cannot match the IQ of AI whatsoever. But one thing we can make the difference is working harder. AI cannot work harder to get smarter; you have to work harder as a human to make AI smarter."

Raza concurs, emphasizing the necessity of humans to adapt by leveraging AI effectively. He asserts that ethical usage and strategic application of AI will determine the future dynamics between human intelligence and artificial intelligence.

Future of AI: Excitement and Fears

When asked about his excitement and fears regarding AI, Raza candidly shares his concerns about the Metaverse and the ethical use of AI technologies.

Raza Sheikh [13:31]: "Metaverse scares me the most... Ethical use of anything is very important. Too much is always too bad."

He fears the over-reliance on digital platforms, especially for younger generations, and stresses the importance of balanced and ethical integration of AI in daily life.

Client Testimonials and Roadmap Feedback

Raza highlights positive feedback from clients who have benefited from Identable. One notable testimonial discusses how Identable streamlined content creation and lead capturing, enhancing client engagement and operational efficiency.

Raza Sheikh [15:03]: "One of our customers was able to generate explanatory videos from blog posts, making it easier to convey their message seamlessly. They also appreciated our roadmap features, such as email cadence, which are set to be integrated soon."

Such feedback underscores Identable's value in simplifying complex marketing tasks and the demand for future enhancements aligns with client needs.

Conclusion and Contact Information

Wrapping up the conversation, Raza reiterates Identable’s commitment to supporting SMEs in their marketing endeavors. He encourages listeners to reach out for more information or to connect personally.

Raza Sheikh [20:43]: "You can reach out to our support team or connect with me directly via my personal calendar. We're here to make SMEs successful in the marketing aspect."

Hosts express their enthusiasm for Identable's potential to transform businesses, highlighting the platform's ability to enable individuals to perform multiple marketing functions efficiently.

Key Takeaways

• Identable was founded to address the fragmentation in organic marketing, providing a unified platform that integrates content creation, scheduling, and SEO optimization.
• AI and Generative Search Optimization (GSO) are pivotal in modern marketing strategies, enhancing both traditional SEO and content personalization.
• AI serves as an enabler, allowing businesses to increase efficiency and competitiveness without necessarily reducing team sizes.
• The future landscape will likely see a shift in the importance of human IQ, emphasizing the need for strategic and ethical use of AI to maintain a competitive edge.
• Client feedback validates the effectiveness of Identable, with requests for additional features indicating strong market adoption and trust.

Notable Quotes

• Raza Sheikh [02:44]: "I saw the talented team spending more time wrestling with the technologies than actually marketing itself."
• Raza Sheikh [04:08]: "The idea of Identable, the frustration itself, is a first-hand experience of my own."
• Raza Sheikh [08:05]: "SEO is still there. But Generative Search Optimization, what we call it as, is coming up."
• Raza Sheikh [10:42]: "AI is to give you the space to do the valuable thing."
• Raza Sheikh [12:25]: "We cannot match the IQ of AI whatsoever."
• Raza Sheikh [13:31]: "Metaverse scares me the most... Ethical use of anything is very important."
• Raza Sheikh [15:03]: "One of our customers was able to generate explanatory videos from blog posts."

For more information about Identable or to connect with Raza Sheikh, visit Identable's website or reach out directly through their support channels.