| | I blinked, and I think I missed it 😳I think one of the reasons this happens (besides getting older) is how busy we are at times. I seem to have taken on an amazing number of personal tasks this month, far more than I’m used to, from building LEGO studios in the studio 😁 to going back to basics and writing with a fountain pen, switching off from the digital world - Yes, that’s a thing. Not sure whether it was the need to get a new pen to accomplish this, or the time-out that came with a writing session, but either way, it is proving a nice change. Oh, and I went to support the family by watching them compete in the Edinburgh Marathon during the heatwave that suddenly hit!☀️ | | | |
|
|
|
| |  | | | |
| | Google’s AI Search Guide Isn’t Reassuring. It’s a Warning About Generic ContentGoogle just published an official guide on how its AI search decides what content to surface, and the headline message is this: stop chasing new AI tactics and focus on content that only you could have created.
Google's guide makes clear that optimising for AI search is still just SEO, and it takes direct aim at the wave of consultants selling AEO frameworks and llms.txt files as the next must-have fix. Google states plainly that llms.txt receives no special treatment in its systems, and that chunking content into short AI-friendly paragraphs or rewriting copy in "AI-friendly" language are equally pointless for Google visibility.
The sharpest idea in the guide is the distinction between commodity and non-commodity content. The test is simple: could ChatGPT produce an essentially identical version of your page in 90 seconds? If the answer is yes, that content is at structural risk, not because it is badly written, but because AI Overviews can simply synthesise and serve it directly without sending anyone to your site.
For those of us creating content rooted in real experience, first-hand knowledge and genuine expertise, this is actually good news. The content with a durable future is original data, specific case studies, and perspectives that require having actually done the work, none of which AI can generate from thin air.
Worth a full read if you want to understand where search is heading, and if you want to chat about it, then drop me a message. | | | |
|
|
|
| |
Mind Maps are a familiar tool, but I’ve relied on this app for over 20 years. It's available for Mac and PC, iOS and Android. I purchased a single license and haven't paid anything since. Now, it runs on a Mac - no subscriptions, no upgrade fees. They've kept their promise, and the app is continuously updated. | | | |
|
|
|
| | | | Photography of a special needs toy makerTFH Special Needs Toys is a Kidderminster-based company with a product catalogue that reaches schools, care settings and families across the UK. They are one of those clients that remind you why local connections matter. We found each other simply because we are both based in Kidderminster, and what started as one project has grown into an ongoing working relationship built on trust and mutual understanding.
| | | |
|
|
|
| | | | Introduce a friendI’ve been doing photography and video for 17 years now, and in that time, I’ve come across a number of people who I’ve worked with or who have helped me along the way. So I thought that it would be a great idea to introduce one of them every month in this newsletter, who knows, they may be able to help you ☺️ PS. I am only doing 1 a month, and I plan on doing it for quite some time, so if you haven’t made the newsletter yet, then just be patient 😂 | | | |
| | Anthony YoungAnthony is a freelance 3D artist capable of producing realistic 3D visuals that animate your ideas, concepts, or products, making it easier for your audience to engage with and comprehend them. He also works on various other projects in the same field. For more details, check out his LinkedIn or simply watch his showreel. | | | |
|
|
|
| | | | Behind The ScenesJust a few photos from on location so that you can have a peek into my world. | | | |
| | No wine was drunk during this shoot, honest 😁 | | | |
| | Little Rory showing off his photos (NO, I won’t grow up) | | | |
| | Autocue is being used with the Leica, which was surprisingly good. | | | |
| | Doughnuts, lots and lots of doughnuts 🍩😋 | | | |
|
|
|
| | | | | Previous newsletters are available, providing a treasure trove of marketing advice and some delightful pictures, too! Take your time to check them out and enjoy a few extra minutes of reading. | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
| | | | This month's Landscape‘Peak District' The Peak District landscape shows rolling hills and fields with scattered trees, under a clear sky, creating a serene view. | | | |
|
|
|
| | | | Well, that’s it for this month and I hope there has been something in this which has sparked an interest for you. If there is something you would like to see in future, then just let me know. | | | |
|
|
|
| | | |
“ It’s not about ideas. It’s about making ideas happen."
Scott Belsky
| | | |
|
|
|
|
