Building Trust through Content: Nick Bendel’s Proven Tactics for Success | Ep 139 | DevReady Podcast

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, host Anthony Sapountzis welcomes Nick Bendel, CEO, Hunter & Scribe and Co-Founder, RealPR. Join them as they explore strategies for effective marketing, the impact of AI tools like ChatGPT, and valuable insights for small businesses navigating the digital landscape.

 

Nick founded Hunter & Scribe, a copywriting agency, in 2018 after a career in journalism. The agency specializes in creating a variety of content—such as blogs, social media posts, and newsletters—for clients in the finance and property sectors, including mortgage brokers, real estate agents, and financial advisors. Nick explains that their content improves clients' search engine rankings, maintains a social media presence, and engages audiences through newsletters. He expresses his genuine passion for finance and property, making his work enjoyable and fulfilling.

 

Anthony and Nick discuss the impact of TikTok and short-form videos on content marketing, as well as the influence of ChatGPT and AI tools. Nick highlights the effectiveness of TikTok for businesses with relevant audiences but notes that his clients prefer written content tailored to their industry. While acknowledging the impressive capabilities of ChatGPT, Nick emphasizes that it cannot replace the expertise required for news content and in-depth analysis. His team uses ChatGPT for idea generation but maintains a human touch in content creation to ensure quality and value, impressing both audiences and Google for SEO.

 

The conversation shifts to the challenges and strategies of creating content for similar clients, especially in industries like mortgage broking. Nick explains how Hunter & Scribe differentiates content by focusing on unique audience characteristics and using varied angles to cover similar topics. They discuss the importance of tailoring content to reflect clients' personalities and values, depending on their business goals. Drawing from his journalism background, Nick emphasizes the skill of presenting fresh takes on familiar stories. They also touch on the balance between personal branding and scalable business growth.

 

Nick discusses the importance of aligning marketing content with business goals and the nuances involved in positioning content for growth. He shares his experience transitioning from a one-person operation to a team, emphasizing the use of "we" instead of "I" to reflect this growth. The conversation explores the value of different content types based on business needs and the significance of sourcing credible information, a practice Nick developed from his journalism background. Nick also highlights the role of factual accuracy and integrity in maintaining credibility and meeting client expectations. He advises against using controversy merely to attract attention, advocating instead for maintaining authenticity and gradually building a reputation as a trusted authority through steady and credible content.