Ep.86 The Truth About Marketing, AI, and Why Most Realtors Are Doing It Wrong

Is running ads really the answer, or are most businesses focusing on the wrong thing?

In this conversation, Jason sits down with Ryan Hayes to unpack one of the biggest misconceptions in modern marketing, the idea that paid ads are the main driver of business growth. Ryan shares a different perspective, one rooted in creativity, brand consistency, customer journeys, email, SMS, and the systems that actually move people toward action.

Rather than focusing on ad buying, Ryan explains why his agency prioritizes brand identity, lifecycle marketing, and strong creative execution. He breaks down how businesses can use customer data, segmentation, and better communication to improve results without becoming wasteful or overly dependent on ads.

A major part of the conversation also centers on AI. Jason and Ryan talk about how AI is already changing the way businesses operate, where it helps most, where it can become lazy or harmful, and why authenticity still matters. Ryan shares how he uses AI inside his agency to improve efficiency, streamline workflows, and create better internal systems, while still protecting the human side of branding and communication.

If you are a realtor, loan officer, entrepreneur, marketer, or business owner trying to figure out growth, lead generation, or how to use AI without losing your voice, this episode gives a strong and timely perspective.

Follow Ryan Hayes!
Instagram: Ryan Hayes
Instagram: apbdagency
Website: https://www.apbd.com/

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Instagram: jasonthibodeauofficial
Website:www.jmj.me/jThibodeau
NMLS 296586

Key Takeaways From This Episode

• Why Ryan Hayes believes ads are not always the best first move
• The real value of creativity and consistency in building a brand
• How email and SMS marketing can outperform what most people expect
• Why open rates are often vanity metrics, and what matters more
• How segmentation helps businesses speak to the right person at the right time
• Why most businesses are ignoring the goldmine in their existing database
• How AI can improve efficiency when used with intention
• The danger of relying on AI without authenticity or context
• Why consistency still matters more than instant gratification
• How real estate professionals can think differently about marketing and growth

At the same time, this episode challenges a common belief in both real estate and business, that more visibility automatically means more trust. Ryan and Jason make the case that what really matters is not just being seen, but creating enough value that people actually remember, trust, and choose you.

#ryanhayes #marketingstrategy #realestatemarketing #businessgrowth #aiinbusiness