In this episode of Imperfect Marketing, I sit down with Melih Oztalay, a veteran marketer and CEO of a 38-year-old digital agency based in Michigan. With roots going back to the earliest days of the internet, Melih brings a seasoned perspective on how marketing has evolved—and where it's headed next.

We dive deep into the realities of marketing in the AI age, practical steps small businesses can take to improve their visibility, and why emotional resistance to change can be the biggest barrier to progress.

The 4 A’s of Change Framework

Melih shares his powerful 4 A’s framework, developed after witnessing how clients struggled to adapt to SEO changes:

Anticipate Change: Understand it’s coming.
Accept Change: Let go of emotional resistance.
Adapt to Change: Adjust your strategies and tools.
Adopt the Change: Implement and move forward.

This mindset shift is essential for staying competitive in a constantly evolving digital world.

The Impact of AI on Marketing

How AI-powered search results may now be 4x more valuable than traditional Google searches
Real-world examples of using ChatGPT and Perplexity to boost productivity—from building Mac backups to creating towel product images
Why schema markup is now more crucial than ever for both traditional SEO and AI sourcing
Tips on using AI to generate Q&A schema from your podcast transcripts and blog content

Common Marketing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Why skipping the marketing foundation sabotages sales
The dangers of keyword stuffing and outdated SEO tactics (like white text on white backgrounds!)
Why every page on your website needs to have a clear focus and intent
The importance of not being afraid to use AI tools—even if you’re just getting started

Actionable AI and SEO Tips for Small Businesses

Use ChatGPT to generate schema markup from blog URLs
Ask AI why your business isn’t showing up in AI search results—and follow the suggestions to improve
Build “notability” by publishing press releases, getting quoted in industry publications, and appearing in directories like Wikipedia
Let AI help interpret your analytics and recommend next steps for improvement

Key Takeaways for Marketers

Marketing is a starting point, not an end point—your job is never truly done
Use AI to learn, test, and optimize, not to replace thinking
Don’t ignore change—lean into it with the right mindset and tools

Whether you’re a marketer trying to navigate AI disruption, or a small business owner seeking practical ways to improve your online presence, this episode offers a wealth of ideas and a grounded approach to digital transformation.

Connect with Melih Oztalay
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melihoztalay/
Website: https://smartfindsmarketing.com/

Looking to leverage AI? Want better results? Want to think about what you want to leverage?

Check and see how I am using it for FREE on YouTube.

From "Holy cow, it can do that?" to "Wait, how does this work again?" – I've got all your AI curiosities covered. It's the perfect after-podcast snack for your tech-hungry brain.

Watch here