The Ultimate Blog Podcast - The Future of Blogging: AI, Productivity & Content Creation Hacks with Jenny Melrose

Episode Date: April 22, 2025

If you’ve been in the blogging world for a while, you know how much things have changed—and if you’re just getting started, you might be overwhelmed by everything you “think” you need to do. In this episode of the Ultimate Blog Podcast, Amy and Jennifer sit down with blogging and business coach Jenny Melrose to dive into the future of blogging and how AI can be a game-changer for creators.Jenny, who started blogging in 2010, has seen blogging shift from casual content sharing to strategic, business-building efforts. Now, as the digital landscape continues to change, one of the biggest shifts she’s observed is the rise of AI- and she’s here to help us wrap our heads around how to use it without losing our voice or authenticity.🔗Start your blog today→ Join The Ultimate Blog Roadmap✔️Get our Successful Blogger Checklist💻Connect with Jenny Melrose and grab her Strategic Growth Plan GuideDo you love this podcast? Say thanks by leaving a positive review and/or rating!  🔗Check out the show notes for episode 175

Welcome to the Ultimate Blog Podcast. This podcast is the podcast we wish we had when we started blogging. I'm Amy Reinicki. And I'm Jennifer Draper. Our episodes dive deep into how to monetize your blog, sharing unique insights and practical tips. We bring you in-depth interviews with successful bloggers and experts who offer valuable, actionable advice.

Our mission is to educate, support, inspire, and empower you in your blogging business. Welcome to the Ultimate Blog Podcast. Today's episode is gonna be about AI and entrepreneurship, and Jenny Melrose is joining us here today. And it's really exciting to talk with others in this space who are supporting content creators. And so Jenny, welcome to the Ultimate Blog Podcast.

Thank you so much for having me. I'm excited about this conversation. Yes, we are too. Jenny, do you wanna start out just telling people a little bit about who you are and your business? Sure, of course. So I help women owned businesses create profitable products or services that actually generate income without trading time for money. I started off as a lifestyle blogger and was able to turn that into a six figure income that I then sold in 2019. And I've been in this for a very long time and understand how all the algorithms work

and all the ups and downs that come with running your own business online. We could just go a million different directions there for sure, Ginny. How much time do you have? But really, what you have seen in the many years that you've done this is shifts and changes and things are different today than what they were even when you sold in 2019. So one of those big shifts has been this introduction of AI in recent years. And what do you feel like has been the biggest shift with that? Like with AI coming onto the scene for content creators, what do you think has been the biggest shift with that? Like with AI coming onto the scene for content creators,

what do you think has been the biggest shift? I think a lot of content creators started off with the wrong mindset with it. It immediately became, I'm being replaced. I'm not going to be able to continue doing what I'm doing. I'm going to be obsolete. And I think that when we actually look at it from a standpoint of AI really should just be looked at as your assistant. If you had someone within your business that was a virtual assistant,

you would have to teach it everything about your business, and you would be asking for feedback. That's exactly the way that you should be using AI. I don't believe that you should be using AI to write content. I think that it should help with the research process in everything that you do from pitching brands to creating content to writing YouTube hooks, anything that you were doing in your business, running it through AI and the more that you use it, the better it knows you and the more authentic to you it will become. Yeah, you talked about, you know, one of your goals is to help women, you know, not have to put in more time to be able to make more money and so I know that a lot

of people use AI in different ways and especially like in content creation space and as bloggers, they would like to be able to save some time by using it. But there's also that fear that when you're not used to using this tool, you're kind of creating something that feels like people are going to know this is AI talking, that they're going to know I got this at a chat GPT. So can you address that fear and then some things that people can do to alleviate that and to start to get some real, true and authentic content

and things that they can use for their business? Yes, so I think the first part of that is that you have to understand that AI is going to understand you and your business the more that you work with it. The more information that you provide it with, the better off you're going to be. So if you let's start off with a simple opt-in.

You have an opt-in. You have something that you're growing your list with. You give your people an exchange for their email address. You want to be able to create content that's naturally going to be able to put the opt-in into the content so that you can naturally grow your list. Well, I feed my PDF opt-in to AI and ask it for content ideas. And then based on those content ideas, I then do the keyword research and will automatically start looking to interlink content that I have already written that can correspond with

what I am going to create. So it's this way of it being the research process. I don't turn and ask it to write it. I ask it for an outline. I ask it potentially for a meta description. If there's a YouTube video that goes along with it, I ask it for a hook or any sort of calls to action that maybe I haven't thought of that it may give me different ideas for. Now, oftentimes I am using part of what it is giving me and sometimes I use all of it, especially

now that I have been using it for a good six months. It truly understands my business and who I am trying to attract. I use it for sales pages. Here's the sales page, here are the pain points that I have. Is there anything that I need to add? Is there anything that I'm forgetting? This is the audience that I'm trying to serve. And it will give suggestions that just make life so much easier. And it is quicker that way.

I can remember mulling over sales pages for two hours at a time, trying to think of pain points in that language that my people are going to automatically connect with. Well, why can't I start that process with AI and see what it generates? It's going to give me better ideas of a direction to go in. And it also makes sure that I am in the right lane, hitting those pain points. I'm addressing the assets that are offered in it,

the transformations that are going to be given in that product or service that I'm creating that sales page for. Those are all such great ideas as ways to use it to work for you and your business. And I think that the thing that I want people to understand is if you're starting a blog today, you understand that blogging or content creation is so much more than just sitting down and writing articles on a website. And that I think that can be kind of a catch 22 because I think that's the way it is. And I think that's the way it is. And I think that's the way it is.

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You mentioned right when we started that a lot of bloggers or content creators needed that mindset shift in the beginning with AI. Jennifer and I will raise our hands there. If you've listened to other episodes on the ultimate blog podcast, you know, that we have admitted that, that we were a little anti anti AI when it came out. And I agree with the mindset shift. So what do you say to the person who's listening today and they're listening reluctantly in regards to the time that implementing AI has saved you in your business

over the last six months of utilizing it? I think part of the reason that people, we don't like change, right? We are type A, we want to get out there, we want to put the content out there. We're used to doing things a certain way. So you said 2017, I started my first blog in 2010. It was like back when the dinosaurs from the earth and Instagram didn't even exist. Yeah. So I've seen a lot of change. And one of the things that I have to always emphasize with clients Is you have to be able to pivot you have to be able to stay up with what is working? But most importantly you have to understand your audience because just because something changes and goes a certain direction

Doesn't mean that your audience is going to be there certain direction doesn't mean that your audience is going to be there. So it's really important that when we're looking at everything that we are having to learn and take on different platforms, TikTok and shorts and all the different things that we think about, okay, where is my audience? How are they consuming content? How can I reach them? And that way when you go to now use AI, it's much more streamlined. I also believe that AI gives you the opportunity to repurpose that content.

We do not need to be creating brand new content for every single platform. Figure out what is yours. You have to have one thing that is yours. And it always, in my mind, should be a website. And you should be growing that email list side by side with the website. From there, where is that other piece of content that you're going to be using? And I believe in this day and age, you have to have a podcast or YouTube. You have to have to find a way to speed up the process with your audience.

They have to hear your voice. They need to see your face. They need to know if they like you because otherwise they are just not wasting time. It takes way too long now for people to decide that they need to trust you because of Reels and TikTok. We used to say that it takes six to eight times for people to see your content in order for them to decide To actually purchase take some sort of action with you Now the numbers have changed to seven eleven and four they need to consume seven hours of content

From eleven different pieces of content blog blog posts, podcasts, whatever, on four different platforms. So if you don't offer them that ability to do that, it's going to take so much longer for them to turn into a paying customer. Wow. I really did not know that. And so I've learned something new, but it makes sense and it's interesting to think about because we're kind of on information overload

to some extent. And so every time you open your app, your Instagram app, your TikTok app, whatever, you're being inundated with people selling you something. They're trying to sell you a better life, a course, whatever it is, make money tomorrow, all that kind of stuff. And so we have to get better about being able to understand the data and knowing what people are selling and if they're being honest and if they

really know what they're talking about. So that makes total sense. And in terms of like shifting, I feel like especially with blogging, we're so in alignment about, you know, a blog and having your email list and all of that. And blogging has changed so much over the last just few years because it was for so long about just pumping out content that was keyword researched SEO optimized. but it was a struggle I think for a lot of people because it stripped out that personality and I feel like even with the introduction of AI and so much content out there, it's actually becoming important again to add back that personality so that people know what you stand for, who you're helping, and all those kinds of things. So can you just talk a little bit about what are some of the important components

to make sure that you include when you are talking about your business, when you were talking about your brand, so that people can get to know you a little better? Yes, so that really comes from your positioning, understanding how you are going to be able to stand out to everyone else out there. What is your unique value proposition? What are your brand values? All of these things need to come across. So for me personally, I'm a former inner city school district teacher and that has always come across in my content. It is the way that I talk to people. I just naturally want to educate someone on how to do something.

So back when I had the Melrose family, it was how to create quick and easy recipes. I was primarily a food blogger and I was trying to let them see that they were going to get the time back with these easy recipes to be able to spend time with their families because that was me. That was what I wanted for myself when I was teaching. And now that I've gone into the business coaching side of things, it's even more prevalent for me to show how I am an educator. I think I believe this day and age, you can put the word side by side, expert or educator.

I know a lot of women are not comfortable with the word expert. Who am I to talk about this? I'm not the smartest person in the room. So think of yourself more so than as an educator. You're showing them how to fix their problem, and you have to create the complete solution for them. That's what Google is looking for. It still is important to be doing keyword research. It is still important to be having SEO optimized content. But it all needs to show how you are that expert or educator, and it gives them the complete solution,

so that you're interlinking pieces of content that can naturally flow into each other and answer that problem for them. And then that is how they see you then as that expert educator so that they will then want to purchase a product or service from you. Because if they're getting value from your free content, of course they're going to continue to get value from a paid product. Hey, Ultimate Blog Podcast listeners. Are you ready to take your blog to the next level? We've got something special for you. Introducing Redefine Success, your blogging checklist.

This free guide is waiting for you to change your blogging game. Whether you're a newbie or you're looking to refine your strategy, this will help you navigate every step with confidence. You're gonna get a comprehensive list of Muscle and Podcast episodes that we believe are foundational for your success

based on our top four tips to grow a successful blog delivered right to your inbox. If you have ever wondered if you are focusing on the right thing, this is your answer. Head over to theultimateblogpodcast.com slash success to download it now. Redefine Success, your blogging checklist is completely free and was created just for you. You can start today and turn your blogging dreams into reality. That's theultimateblogpodcast.com slash success. It's time to redefine success and make your blog shine. Let's kind of dive into that, the free content versus the paid content that somebody may or may not have yet. So let's just say that a

listener is, you know, obviously, their minds probably going a little bit listening to us talk here today. And they just have a website right now. And they're building their email list. And they're not really sure yet if they want to dive into that other piece of having digital products or services or maybe coaching or something like that. How do they begin to kind of refine that idea of like, how can I serve?

How do they learn? And this, obviously, I don't have a specific niche in mind because there's so many different ones to choose from. But what could be some, some exercises that they could do to say, okay, how could I serve in a different way that could start generating revenue in my business? Yes. So if they already have content, I would tell them, look at the content that you have and

what do you feel most called to? I think that it's still important that we are led by passion. Most of us are creatives that have started websites. We want to be able to get our message out there. We want to be able to help people, but we want to be creative in that aspect. So what do you feel most called to? What would a friend on Facebook or in real life ask you? If you are continually getting the same questions from your friends or family, that is a product or service. If you were getting it on same questions from your friends or family, that is a product

or service. If you are getting it on a particular blog post with tons of questions or YouTube video or an Instagram reel, questions that are relevant to what you educate on amongst your website, then that is your product or service. Those listening that have blog and are thinking, I'm just going to monetize via ads, I'm sorry, but you need to create a product or service. And people are, those listening that have blog and are thinking I'm just going to monetize via ads, I'm sorry, but you need to create a product or service. You cannot expect to rely on ads this day and age. You have to figure out ways to diversify.

And one of the absolute best ways to do it is to create your own product or service in something that you are passionate about. This is something where you can actually do something with AI and utilize it that way. I've had plenty of clients do that, where they will go to AI, tell them who they serve, and they'll say, this is content.

They'll feed them a blog post right into AI and say, this is content that my audience is really drawn to. What could be a possible product or service that I could create around this? And you will be so shocked at what it comes up with. Things that you never thought of, planners or workbooks or a video training. It can be so simple. It can be a digital download, but you have to start with something that is yours, making sure that your audience is teaching them

so that they understand this isn't about just getting free content. You are here because we are going to serve you with a full solution and it's paid. Because if you only serve them up free content, they come to learn that and they expect that from you. Yeah, and it can be hard to overcome that hurdle as well. So just getting started as soon as possible,

I think is helpful, even if you're not selling to a large audience, at least you're getting some of that practice because it can be hard to know exactly, even though you may have some good ideas and a good starting point, it can be hard to know exactly what's going to be the thing that really resonates. So getting that tested early is, I think, helpful. And I think one of the things that people struggle with is like, okay, well, but how

different is my idea than the other products that are out there on the market that are similar? And so I think some people just hold themselves back. I've been guilty of that as well. You're like, well, who am I to put something out? Why is it any different than what somebody else has? And can you talk about, is there still room in the market for new people who are passionate about something

that they wanna share, but there are similar things out there. Is there still room for them? And if so, like, what can they do to kind of get their name out there as well? Yes. Oh, I love this question because it's something that I'm very passionate about and I truly, truly believe that every single person has a different perspective and a different voice.

They're going to deliver content in a different way. All three of us could have the same exact course on how to pitch brands for sponsored content, but someone is going to react differently to me than they are to Amy and to Jennifer. I talk fast. I am formerly from New York, but now have this crazy Southern thing that comes in. So my accent can be annoying to people. I get, oh, you're from the Midwest all the time. No.

That you're meant to attract some people and you're meant to repel others because someone else is meant to serve them. We all have people out there that are going to connect with us. It's just finding those people. And the only way that you can do it is to create content in your authentic voice with personal branding included in it.

And when I say personal branding, I don't mean colors and fonts. I don't mean any of that. What I'm talking about is who are you? What do you stand for? Who are you ultimately trying to serve and why? One of the most important things to me is the reason that I turned around in 2019 and sold the Malvarez family was because I was getting called to start helping women

run their businesses and instead of it being a hobby, I was able to do that. I wanted to show them how to do it. And for me, it really became about not just them, but the girls in their lives. I want young girls to see successful business women. I recently had a friend who has a kid going off to college, and she said to me how they're able to take all these courses, even in high school, about social media and marketing and all the things that we have learned because we've been in it.

And she said to me, wouldn't it have been great if they had taught us that when we were in high school? And I'm like, girl, do you realize how old I am? I didn't even have a cell phone until I was in college. These things didn't exist back then. So sure, that would have been wonderful, but that's just not the world that we then lived in. All that to say, I didn't understand

that women could own businesses. I was around women that were teachers, and that was it. They were either teachers or they were stay at home moms. That was all I was surrounded by. Never thought a business could be something in my future. And I make sure that my daughters know, but I also make sure that their friends know. It's a big piece for me, for my clients.

I want you to be a successful because I want the girls in your lives to see that. I really love that, Jenny. I really love that for like a lot of different reasons and just personally, like I needed to hear that today and I know somebody else listening probably did too. So just thanks because this is not easy. Like having your business and growing this thing is not easy. And we could sit here and sugarcoat it all, but at the end of the day, it's not.

And it takes a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to ask yourself who you are, who you serve, and how you're going to continue doing it and why it matters. Why it matters because it does matter. And so before we sign off today, I think the one thing I would love for you to share would be to the person maybe who feels maybe they've been building for a little bit and they're not gaining some traction. Maybe they need to pivot like you mentioned earlier. What would be a couple of tips that you could provide to them

to get more visible? Because I mean, we can, they're listening to this podcast, so they know that content creation is going to be key there. But what would be a way that they could become more visible? What's something that you would tell a client who is kind of in that space, what do I do and how do I become more visible? Because there are a lot of voices right now in this space. So how do you stand out?

And I know you said use your voice and all that, but how can they do that? You have to get really clear on who you serve. You have to be tired of trying to serve everyone. You are not meant to serve everyone. Get niche down. As much as it scares people to say, oh, I can't just talk about one topic, it will make all the difference because you will be seen as that expert. You will be seen as that educator that people will continue to come to you for that answer. And by simply saying, I create quick and easy

recipes and projects, which was what I used to be able to say for the Melrose family back in 2010, you can't say that anymore. You have to be specific about who you are trying to serve. So if you talk about budgeting, who do you create budgeting for? Is it that 20 something that is just starting to get, wants to buy a home and has a little bit of student loans and maybe a job, but isn't able to save a ton of money. You have to get that specific.

Understand who that avatar is, that person that you're trying to speak to, and it should be one person, and you should be clear on that. Because you will have outliers. I do have clients that are men. They're potentially pretty much all women, but again, you will have outliers. I do have clients that are men. They're potentially pretty much all women. But again, you will have outliers

that are attracted to your message and understand how you are going to be able to serve them. You have to get clear on who you serve. And the second thing that I would say, and I know a lot of women are not going to be pleased about it, you have to pay attention to your numbers. I know a lot of us as creat going to be pleased about it. You have to pay attention to your numbers. I know a lot of us as creatives don't like the numbers.

I don't care. You don't run a business if you don't know your numbers. You just don't. And when I say numbers, I'm not talking about your views or your sessions or your impressions from Pinterest. That's important to kind of keep an eye on. But I want to know, how are you growing your list? How many subscribers do you have? What is their open rate? What is the click-through rate?

What are they engaging with the most? What subject lines are even more or even better? If you're using a podcast, if you're using YouTube, looking at the time that is spent on those episodes, are they coming in for a minute and then clicking away? Or are you not even keeping them for a minute? Because when you look at the numbers and actually use data, you're not throwing spaghetti against the wall. You are actually using and seeing what is working and understanding how to pull those levers.

Because as your business continues to grow, you have to know what lever needs to be tightened up and what one you may need to just let go of and let it sit on the shelf for a little while. And you have to know that with your numbers. That's the only way you can. I love it. That was such great advice.

And I hope it inspires all of you listening to just look at your numbers and look at them objectively. I've been saying that a lot lately. Look at things objectively and try to leave emotion out of it. Because emotion, yes, we're women. We have all kinds of emotion. But when we're making business decisions and how we're moving forward, sometimes emotion can get in the way a little bit. And just having those like solid numbers can can be really insightful To help us understand what is the next best step for you in your business? So thank you for for just sharing that Jenny I think it's gonna be really impactful for a lot of people

So I would love for you to share with everybody how they can connect with you, especially listening to you on your podcast It's very very helpful. Yes. I have the podcast influencer, entrepreneurs with Jenny Melrose. There are over 400 episodes. I've been doing that for a very long time as well at this point. Um, but I also have a strategic growth guide that is going to walk you through some of the things that we talked about with your positioning and content strategy, really understanding how to make sure that you can

set yourself apart. It's just jennimauros.com forward slash strategic growth plan. And that will give you kind of that guideline so that you can make sure you're really setting yourself up to attract the right audience. Awesome. Thank you so much, Jenny. We will put all of those links in the show notes. And thank you for tuning in today, Jenny. Thank you for sharing your expertise. It's so appreciated. Thank you so much for having me. Thanks for listening to the ultimate blog podcast. If you'd like to learn more about building your blog, visit the ultimate blog podcast.com

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