In this episode of the Human-First AI Marketing Podcast, host Mike Montague sits down with Michael “Buzz” Buzinski, author of The Rule of 26 and host of the Buzzworthy Marketing Show. Together, they unpack what it really takes for small and midsize businesses to thrive in today’s AI-driven marketing world. From avoiding “random acts of marketing” to building scalable strategies, Buzz shares how SMBs can cut through the noise, optimize their websites, and focus on the metrics that truly drive revenue growth.
Listeners will discover why AI isn’t replacing marketers anytime soon, but instead reshaping their roles into smarter, more efficient strategists. Buzz explains how to harness AI for micro-tasks, improve conversions, and increase average revenue per client, without wasting time or budget. Whether you’re a business owner or a marketing director, you’ll walk away with actionable tactics to double your website revenue, stop wasting effort, and make AI work with you, not against you.
AI in marketing is here to stay, but it’s not the silver bullet that some hype makes it out to be. On a recent episode of the Human-First AI Marketing Podcast, I had the chance to sit down with Michael “Buzz” Buzinski, author of The Rule of 26 and host of the Buzzworthy Marketing Show. Together, we explored how small and midsize business owners can cut through the noise and use AI as a tool for smarter, not lazier, marketing.
What stood out in our conversation was how grounded Buzz’s advice is. He’s not about chasing shiny objects or getting lost in “prompt engineering.” Instead, he focuses on practical, proven steps SMBs can take right now to grow their businesses online. Here are the big lessons you can use today.
1. AI Isn’t Replacing Marketers, It’s Making Them Smarter
Buzz put it bluntly: AI won’t steal your job, but it might change it. Repetitive tasks like drafting copy or testing headlines are now easier than ever with AI, which frees up marketers to focus on strategy, storytelling, and building authentic customer relationships. Think of AI as your assistant, not your replacement.
2. Break It Down Into Micro-Tasks
Instead of dumping a big project on AI and expecting magic, Buzz recommends breaking work into smaller chunks. Want better copy? Feed it a headline to optimize. Need research? Ask for summaries on one narrow topic at a time. The smaller the task, the more accurate and useful the results.
3. Context Beats Prompts Every Time
Forget about memorizing “perfect prompts.” What matters more is the context you give AI. Upload your research, define your brand voice, and provide background on your customers. With the right context, AI delivers outputs that sound like you and resonate with your audience.
4. Do the Homework Before the Marketing Work
One of my favorite lessons from Buzz was this: do the homework before you do the work. Clean, relevant research is the foundation. If you skip it, you’ll get weak results from AI and from your campaigns. The better your inputs, the better your outcomes.
5. The Rule of 26: A Simple Path to Doubling Revenue
Buzz’s book, The Rule of 26, lays out three key metrics that matter most for SMB websites: traffic, conversions, and average revenue per client. Increase each one by just 26%, and you’ll double your website revenue. It’s simple math with powerful implications, and far more useful than chasing 100+ vanity KPIs.
6. Fix Conversions Before Buying Traffic
Too many businesses waste money driving traffic to a website that doesn’t convert. Buzz’s advice? Nail your offer, your messaging, and your calls to action first. Once your site is set up to turn visitors into customers, then you can step on the gas with traffic.
7. B2B Services Require Clarity and Trust
For SMBs in the service space, especially B2B, it’s less about flashy branding and more about trust. Prospects need to know who you are, what you do, and that you’ll deliver. Clear messaging, a strong offer, and consistent follow-up will always beat personality alone.
8. Stop Random Acts of Marketing
Perhaps the most important lesson: SMBs can’t afford to waste time and money on disconnected tactics. Every dollar and every hour should point toward strategies that directly impact revenue. If it doesn’t move the needle, don’t do it.
Final Thought
At Avenue9, we believe SMBs can punch above their weight with AI, but only if they use it strategically. Buzz’s lessons are a reminder that marketing is about clarity, focus, and execution. AI is a tool to help you get there faster, not a shortcut around doing the real work.
If you’re ready to stop random acts of marketing and start building scalable strategies with AI, let’s talk.
