In this episode of the Human-First Podcast, Mike Montague interviews Eric Eden, CMO at Workforce and host of the Remarkable Marketing Podcast, about how CROs and B2B leaders can cut through the noise of vanity metrics, bots, and fake engagement—and use AI to scale trust, not just clicks.

Eric shares how he uses over 25 AI tools to create a full podcasting and content engine by himself, and why platforms like LinkedIn are broken for business growth. The conversation explores how to build verified communities, use AI like a director (not a robot), and create marketing that actually resonates with real humans.

The Problem with Vanity Metrics

Eric didn’t mince words: Most social media metrics are garbage. Fake followers, bot comments, and inflated views. They look impressive, but they don’t move the needle. If your content “goes viral” and no one buys, you didn’t win. You just burned the budget chasing ghosts.

It’s a warning sign we can’t ignore: “If you’re building your growth engine on platforms that reward attention over intention, you’re scaling noise, not revenue.”

AI Isn’t Replacing You. It’s Replacing Busywork.

This was one of my favorite parts of the episode: Eric shared how he uses over 25 different AI tools to produce a weekly podcasting under two hours. Booking guests, editing audio, writing show notes, and generating video clips are all automated.

But here’s the kicker: none of it replaces the human story. Eric remains the driving force behind the narrative, asking questions, building relationships, and showing up with purpose.

As a CRO, your job is to keep your team in the zone where they add the most value. AI can write a subject line, but it can’t read the room. It can generate content, but it can’t build trust. That’s on us.

Platforms Built for Ads Aren’t Built for You

One of the most jaw-dropping moments was when Eric broke down the business model behind social platforms like LinkedIn and TikTok. It’s not about helping you grow; it’s about keeping you on the platform. Their real customers are advertisers, not creators. That’s why your links get throttled and your YouTube videos don’t get traction.

His point: If you’re building an audience you don’t own, you’re always playing someone else’s game, and losing slowly.

Workforce, the platform he’s building, flips that script. No bots, no ads, no algorithm warfare. Just verified humans and real opportunities to showcase your personal and company brand. Honestly? It’s refreshing.

Trust > Traffic

Here’s the bottom line: AI won’t replace CROs. But CROs who understand how to pair AI with human connection will replace those who don’t.

What we need isn’t another funnel. We need a framework that amplifies our message without compromising our authenticity. We need systems that bring us closer to our customers, not just louder in their feeds.

The lesson for revenue leaders is clear: don’t optimize for visibility. Optimize for value.

Your Human-First CRO Playbook

Here are three quick shifts you can make this quarter:

• Audit your metrics. If it doesn’t tie to the pipeline, pause it.
• Equip your team. Choose AI tools that free them to have better conversations, not more tasks.
• Own your voice. Start building your audience on platforms that reward authenticity, not just ad dollars.

Ready to Scale Trust?

If this resonates, you’ll love the whole episode with Eric. We discuss podcasting at scale, smart AI workflows, and what it truly takes to build a brand that people trust.

Let’s chat. Avenue9 helps SMBs go to market like big brands without losing their soul.
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