🎙️ Episode Summary: From Camera Shy to AI-Enhanced Video Mastery with Nick Niehaus 🎥🤖 If you’re not leveraging video + AI in 2025, you’re missing out on massive opportunities to build trust, grow your audience, and scale your business. In this episode of The Laptop Lifestyle Dad Show, Jeff Ross sits down with Nick Niehaus, co-founder of Business Video School, to uncover how AI is revolutionizing video marketing and making it easier than ever to create engaging content—even if you’re camera shy. Nick shares game-changing strategies on how to get comfortable on camera, leverage AI tools to streamline video creation, and stand out in a crowded digital space. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, content creator, or social seller, this episode will help you confidently step into video marketing and make AI work for you. 👉 Tune in now to learn how to eliminate video marketing fears, use AI-powered tools, and build authentic connections with your audience! 🚀
Summary:
If you're not using video + AI in 2025, you're invisible! In this episode, Jeff Ross sits down with Nick Niehaus, co-founder of Business Video School, to break down how AI is revolutionizing video marketing. Learn how to overcome camera shyness, create high-impact video content, and stand out in the crowded social space. Plus, get insider strategies on leveraging AI-powered video tools to save time, build trust, and convert viewers into customers.
✅ AI + Video is a Game-Changer – Why video marketing is exploding and how AI is making it easier than ever to create content.
✅ From Camera Shy to Confident – How to ditch performance anxiety, build confidence, and start showing up on camera authentically.
✅ Cut Through the Noise – The biggest video marketing mistakes people make and how to fix them in 2025.
✅ AI Tools That Save Time & Boost Engagement – The best tools to edit, script, and optimize video content effortlessly.
✅ The Power of Relationship Marketing – Why engagement + trust is the secret weapon to standing out in a crowded digital world.
📢 "If you’re not showing up on video in 2025, you’re invisible." – Jeff Ross
📢 "AI is removing all the excuses – content creation has never been this easy!" – Nick Niehaus
📢 "People don’t trust brands, they trust people. Video builds trust faster than anything else." – Nick Niehaus
[00:00] – Welcome & Introduction to Nick Niehaus
[03:00] – How AI has changed video marketing in the last 12 months
[06:30] – The #1 fear holding people back from using video (and how to overcome it)
[12:15] – Why trust is the #1 currency in 2025 and how to stand out in a noisy world
[18:40] – The best AI tools for video creation & editing
[27:00] – How to use faceless video content the right way
[34:00] – The future of AI & video marketing—where it's headed next
🔗 Business Video School – Visit Website
🔗 Shop.ly – The Future of Live Commerce & Social Selling → LLD.Shoply.com/partners
🔗 AI Video Editing Tool: Descript – Try Descript
🔗 AI Video Messaging: Dubb – Check out Dubb
🔗 Teleprompter App: BigVu – Explore BigVu
🚀 Don’t miss an episode! Subscribe to The Laptop Lifestyle Dad Show on:
🔹 Apple Podcasts → Click Here
🔹 Spotify → Click Here
🔹 YouTube → Click Here
🔥 Ready to supercharge your video marketing? Drop a 🚀 in the comments if you're committed to leveraging AI & video in 2025!
💬 What’s your biggest struggle with video? Comment below—we’ll help you get started!
Jeff Ross (00:00) Well, good day legends and welcome back to another episode of the Laptop Lifestyle Dad Show. Hey, this one's probably brought to you by partnership with the Los Angeles Tribune Network. And my name is Jeff Ross. I'm your host, proud father of three energetic boys coming to you from the beautiful island of Tasmania, Australia. This is the show where we help frustrated affiliate network marketers and online entrepreneurs master AI, social selling and attraction marketing.
so you can build a business that works for you instead of the other way around. Now, let me ask you this, are you using video to grow your business? Are you using AI the right way to create content that converts? Because in 2025, if you're not showing up on video, you're invisible. And that's exactly why I'm pumped to have the awesome Nick Niehaus on this show today.
and Nick is the co-founder of Business Video School. A video marketing expert, a leader in helping business owners use video effectively without the overwhelm, he's trained thousands of entrepreneurs on how to leverage video to build trust, attract customers and close more sales. In today's episode, Nick's gonna break down how AI plus video is changing the social selling game in 2025.
the biggest mistakes people make with video marketing and how to fix them and how to go from camera shy to confident, even if you're a total beginner and you're new to this. Hey legends, before we dive into today's conversation, let's talk about something that's completely changed in the game for affiliate marketers, influencers and e-commerce entrepreneurs. I love to introduce you to Shoply. Imagine if TikTok, Amazon and Amway had a baby.
That baby would be Shoply, the world's first decentralized e-commerce platform designed for live commerce, social selling, and affiliate marketing at scale. No more middleman, more profits. Built in the affiliate system so you can earn while you promote and sell or promote any product on the platform with just a few clicks. If you're a network marketer into affiliate marketing or even thinking about launching an online store, Shoply is for you.
Go check it out for yourself, see if it's a fit for you. Head over to LLD.Shoply.com forward slash partners. I'll make sure that link is in the show notes. But let's get into today's episode guys with Nick Niehaus. Nick, thank you very much for joining us and welcome to the show. Yeah, thanks for having me back on Jeff. Looking forward to it. Really appreciate you. So that's right. We had you on for our first round very early days when I first started this whole podcast. So a lot's happened in probably the last six months as you can tell.
Nick Niehaus (02:39)
Yeah, thanks for having me back on, Jeff. Looking forward to it.
Jeff Ross (02:51)
But let's get started with this, you know, diving into your wheelhouse with the video marketing. How did you seem to change over the last 12 months, especially with AI shaking things up even more?
Nick Niehaus (03:03)
Hmm, man, there's a lot more junk out there, unfortunately. I think that's probably the number one thing that's changed. And that's to be expected, right? New technology, people are experimenting with it. A lot of times those early experiments are disappointing the results, but it's moving fast. And I think that there are so many elements to what you can be doing with AI. It's making editing video easier.
Jeff Ross (03:09)
Changed and you know that that's to be expected right new technology people are experimenting with it a lot of times those early experiments are disappointing results, but It's moving fast, know, and I think that there there's so many elements to what you can be doing with AI It's making editing video easier
It's me. I mean, I'll tell you what private number one benefit is that it's a lot easier to come up with ideas now to your videos things like that, right so I think
Nick Niehaus (03:28)
I'll tell you what, probably the number one benefit is that it's a lot easier to come up with ideas now to script your videos, things like that. So I think the
Jeff Ross (03:36)
the bottlenecks are going away, right? think that's probably the biggest thing I've seen change in 12 months is that the excuses that people had 12 months or two years ago to not be using video, I mean, they're just getting kind of knocked down one after another, not just through AI. mean, there's definitely other tools that are making that easier too, but that's a big one, right? And I think that what we're seeing
Nick Niehaus (03:36)
bottlenecks are going away. I think that's probably the biggest thing I've seen change in 12 months is that the excuses that people had 12 months or two years ago to not be using video, they're just getting kind of knocked down one after another, not just through AI. There's definitely other tools that are making that easier too, but that's a big one. And I think that what we're seeing,
Jeff Ross (03:56)
is the beginning and it's crazy to think it's the beginning, but I think we're seeing sort of the beginning of the next wave.
Nick Niehaus (03:57)
is the beginning, it's crazy, I think it's the beginning, but I think we're seeing sort of the beginning of the next wave.
Jeff Ross (04:03)
I think video in a lot of ways was kind of in the early adopter phase still to this day. It's been around for a long time, but it was still kind of the more brave individuals that were using it. And I think the mass market is finally adopting it. So I think we're seeing an explosion
Nick Niehaus (04:03)
I think video in a lot of ways was kind of in the early adopter phase still to this day, it's been around for long time, but it was still kind of the more brave individuals that were using it. And I think the mass market is finally adopting it. So I think we're seeing an explosion of.
Jeff Ross (04:18)
of new people trying it. I love that. I love to see people's earliest videos where they're still uncomfortable and kind of awkward, but they're doing it. They're finally getting out there and getting over their fear and kind of taking it on. So we're seeing a huge increase in that.
Nick Niehaus (04:18)
new people trying it, I love that, I love to see people's earliest videos where they're still uncomfortable and kinda awkward, but they're doing it and they're finally getting out there and getting over their fear and kinda taking it on. So we're seeing a huge increase in that,
and we're seeing people being able to finally take that step, finally give it a try. But the trade-off is there's even more noise and AI, mean, holy cow, some of these video tools are getting good now.
Jeff Ross (04:32)
And we're seeing people being able to finally take that step, finally give it a try. But the trade off is there's even more noise and AI, mean, holy cow. these video tools are getting good now.
Nick Niehaus (04:44)
the way, it's gonna be 10x, 10x from here, right? So much more of this stuff's coming. So I think getting started, you it's like if you haven't yet, now's the time. You gotta get on this before it gets too noisy.
Jeff Ross (04:45)
It's gonna be 10X, 10X from here, right? So much more of this stuff's coming. So I think getting started, it's like, if you haven't yet, now's the time. You gotta get on this before it gets too noisy. Yeah, and there's a couple areas I wanna dive in just in that conversation, how.
AI is really is just a tool and you know, people are, there are a lot of people out there trying to use it as a replacement and hide behind the tool versus leveraging the tool. Like, you know, at the laptop, lots of dads, our mantra is AI plus our heart equals our superpower. And so it's really, it's a, it's a partnership, right? So when I get into that conversation with you too, but let's come back to the video for a second. I remember like even 10 years ago, you know, first time sort of really getting on video.
Nick Niehaus (05:08)
Right.
Love that.
Jeff Ross (05:29)
I thought, right, I'm gonna be brave, I'm gonna be bold, I'm gonna put a YouTube channel up, do all these content videos. And way back then with editing and all that sort of thing, was just a big headache, it was a lot of work. And also, I wasn't that great on camera. I had the green screen, I was trying to fake it till you make it sort of attitude. And I look back now at some of the videos that I did, it's like, they're the most cringe-worthy things, why are they up? But hey.
Nick Niehaus (05:57)
right, it's always fun to
look at the early ones, right?
Jeff Ross (05:58)
to look at the early ones, right? You got
to put that content out there to get good at it, right? So learning is messy, right? Mm hmm. So, sorry, where you going? go ahead, sorry. I was going to ask you, how do we sort of build your confidence up and like, you know, like with anything, you've just got to get it in and you got to get the repetitions and, and build up your experience through there. But for our listeners, right, they're, they're in that space.
Nick Niehaus (06:03)
Yeah. Mm-hmm. It... go ahead, sorry.
Jeff Ross (06:24)
You know, they see everybody on these videos. They realize that if they want to be heard, you know, they need to be in the game playing. So there's a couple of conversations around this, but let's just talk around that whole confidence building conversation first. How do you help empower and equip people to get in the game? That's yeah. I mean, that's a huge one, right? I mean, that's, that's where a lot of people are stuck. unfortunately, I think for a lot of folks, it becomes this kind of insurmountable mountain.
Nick Niehaus (06:25)
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
That's a huge one, right? That's where a lot of people are stuck. And unfortunately, I think for lot of folks, it becomes this kind of insurmountable mountain that
Jeff Ross (06:54)
that they just kind of keep building bigger and bigger for themselves because they thought five, six, seven years ago, you know, I should probably do this, know, videos not-
Nick Niehaus (06:54)
they just kind of keep building bigger and bigger for themselves because they thought five, six, seven years ago, I should probably do this, video's not going away, it's only gonna grow from there. And I think what limits most people is it's performance anxiety.
Jeff Ross (07:05)
What limits most people is it's performance anxiety,
Nick Niehaus (07:09)
I mean, it's just your standard, you're sort of envisioning kind of what it's gonna look like, you're in this public sphere. What I find is a lot of it, a lot of the people struggle with this are folks that grew up with video meaning television or movies, right? So people over a certain age, if you were to say video to them, they grew up with TV and movies, right? And if
Jeff Ross (07:09)
right? I mean, it's just your standard you're sort of in you're envisioning kind of what it's gonna look like or you're sort of, you know, you're in this public sphere what I find is a lot of it a lot of people struggle with this are folks that grew up with video meaning television or movie, right? So people over certain age, you know, if you were to say video to them, they've they grew up with TV and movies, right? And like
Nick Niehaus (07:32)
you were gonna get on TV, would that have helped your business? Absolutely.
Jeff Ross (07:32)
If you were gonna get on TV, would that have helped your business? Like absolutely.
Nick Niehaus (07:36)
Would it have been completely nerve wracking and people would have been talking to you about it for weeks afterwards because they saw you on television? Yeah, it's like this huge, huge thing. And I think a lot of folks, they kind of imagine that that's what video is going to be. Some of our earlier clients, when we first started making video, they had their family members saying things like that to them. Like, what are you trying to be a big TV star? And they're making a Facebook video, right? It's kind of silly. That is the major problem is
Jeff Ross (07:36)
Would it have been completely nerve wracking and people would have been talking to you about it for weeks afterwards because they saw you on television? Yeah, it's like this huge, huge thing. And I think a lot of folks, they kind of imagine that that's what video is gonna be. So for our earlier clients, when we first started making video, they had their family members saying things like that to them. What are you trying to be a big TV star? And they're making like a Facebook video, right? It's just kind of silly. That is the major problem.
Nick Niehaus (08:01)
that we're thinking of what we're doing as a performance.
Jeff Ross (08:01)
Is that not you we're really we're thinking of what we're doing is a performance
instead of a conversation Right video is just a conversation. That's literally all it is now you can get to the performance level You can try to grow a big following you can even try to get on TV. Like that's all so Mr. Beast off
Nick Niehaus (08:05)
instead of a conversation. And I think that's the difference, right? Video is just a conversation. That's literally all it is. Now you can get to the performance level. You can try to grow a big following. You can even try to get on TV. Like that's all still possible. The most, right, yeah. mean, yeah, if you want to get, you want to be Mr. right? Yeah, you can be a top level influencer. You can go try to have millions of followers, but I find most people...
For one, you just don't even want that. I don't personally want that. I don't use social media that way. I'm not trying to go viral and grow a massive following of strangers. I see social media as networking, and I'm very targeted with it. I send friend requests to people that I don't know but who I know are very valuable individuals if I can build a relationship with them, and I try to use it that way. So there's all these different ways to use it, but what I'll say is there's also other kinds of video.
Jeff Ross (08:30)
You know for one you just don't even want that like I don't I don't personally want that like I don't use social media that way I'm not trying to go viral and grow a massive following of strangers. I see social media is networking very targeted with it You know like I I send friend requests to people that I don't know but who I know are very valuable individuals if I can build a relationship with them and I try to use it that way you know so there's all these different ways to use it but what I'll say is there's also other kinds of video
Nick Niehaus (08:58)
Right,
like there are kinds of video that you can make and use that'll help your business that are never public. Like they'll never be seen by strangers. There's no performance element whatsoever. I I love one-to-one video messaging. Right, so like just the easiest example, this is my favorite video to teach people to make. Facebook tells you when it's somebody's birthday. Right, like literally you get a list every day. Here's all the people who have a birthday today, because maybe we shouldn't have, but we all gave Facebook our birthdays at one point. And so.
Jeff Ross (08:58)
Right like there are kinds of video that you can make and use that'll help your business that are never public They'll never be seen by strangers. There's no performance element whatsoever. I mean, I love one-to-one video messaging, right? So like just the easiest example is my favorite video teach people to make Facebook tells you wanted somebody's birthday, right? Like literally get a list every day. Here's all the people who have a birthday today because maybe we shouldn't have but we all gave Facebook our birthdays at one
Nick Niehaus (09:27)
Got
all this data, right, and it's sharing it with ya. And you can literally, if you pull up that birthday list next to each name, below it is a place you can write on their wall. That's what everybody does, right? Everybody, hey, happy birthday, have a great day, that's great. Next to it though is the messenger button. And if you click that, it'll start a chat with that person who's having a birthday today. And then inside of that, if you're on your phone and you're using the app-based version, there's a button where you can record a video.
Jeff Ross (09:27)
data right sharing it with you and you can literally if you pull up that birthday list next to each name below it is a place you can write on their wall that's what everybody does right everybody happy birthday have a great day that's great next to it though is the messenger button and if you click that it'll start a chat with that person who's having a birthday today and then inside of that if you're on your phone and using the app based version there's a button where you can record a video
Nick Niehaus (09:53)
And so it literally doesn't take any more time. In fact, I got flat
Jeff Ross (09:53)
and so it literally doesn't take any more time in fact I'm
Nick Niehaus (09:56)
thumbs and it's kind of hard for me to type on my phone. I think it's quicker for me to send a 10 second happy birthday video message than it is for me to write something, right? And then you click the back button a couple times, you go to the next person, you send the next video. Those are the kinds of things you can do. They don't require editing.
Jeff Ross (09:57)
It's kind of hard for me to type on my phone I think it's quicker for me to send a 10-second happy birthday video message Yeah, then it is for me to write something right? then you click the back button a couple times you go to the next person you send the next video Those those are the kinds of things you can do they don't require editing
Nick Niehaus (10:14)
Like you're gonna get the reps because you're gonna see yourself. That's one of the more intimidating parts, like hearing your own voice, seeing your own face, getting used to that. There's some elements there.
Jeff Ross (10:15)
Right like you're gonna get the reps because you're gonna see yourself That's one of the more intimidating parts like hearing your own voice seeing your own face getting used to that You know, there's some elements there
Nick Niehaus (10:25)
And you're gonna do something that has a tremendous impact. mean, when somebody gets one of these 10 second happy birthday videos from you, they love it, right? I mean, my God, what a nice thing to do. It's almost like you sent them a handwritten card, but it's better because they're seeing your face and the face is, that's how we think of people is.
Jeff Ross (10:25)
And you just you're gonna do something that has a tremendous impact I mean the the imp like when somebody gets one of these 10 second Happy birthday videos from you. They love it, right? mean, my god. What a nice thing to do It's almost like you sent them a handwritten card Yeah, but it's better because they're seeing your face and the faces that's how we think of people
Nick Niehaus (10:43)
is their faces. You wanna be the face they think of first when they need your product or service.
Jeff Ross (10:43)
is their faces You want to be the face they think of first when they need your product or service?
Nick Niehaus (10:48)
And so that's kinda getting into the weeds there a little bit. I think that's the number one thing, right? Is to tell yourself, look, if the videos you're thinking of making are hard to make because they're a performance, you take a step back, you find a simpler version, you find a more intimate version, something that's not public, and you do that first. And I'll tell you right there's all kinds of video messages. We can go into other examples if you want, but obviously there's
Jeff Ross (10:48)
And so that's kinda getting into the weeds there a little, but I think that's the number one thing, right? Is to tell yourself, look, if the videos you're thinking of making are hard to make because they're a performance, you take a step back, you find a simpler version, you find a more intimate version, something that's not public, and you do that first, and I'll tell you right now, there's all kinds of video messages, we can go into other examples if you want, but obviously there's
Nick Niehaus (11:13)
probably a few people, not a dozen or more people on your Facebook friend list every day with a birthday.
Jeff Ross (11:13)
probably a few people, not a dozen or more people on your Facebook friend list every day with
birthday. You probably have positive feelings towards most of them. You know, if you don't then skip them. And if you just do that for a few weeks, you've now made dozens of videos. Yeah, go from I've never made a video I've been waiting for 10 years to I've now made dozens of videos in a couple weeks. And I think once you know
Nick Niehaus (11:18)
You probably have positive feelings towards most of them. If you don't, then skip them. And if you just do that for a few weeks, you've now made dozens of videos. So you can go from I've never made a video, I've been waiting for 10 years, to I've now made dozens of videos in a couple weeks. And I think once you know that...
Jeff Ross (11:35)
that the excuses are kind of going away. Like, yeah, yeah. To make a one you know, you can say happy birthday. That's not too hard.
Nick Niehaus (11:36)
the excuses are kind of going away, right? Like you really can't, I'm afraid to make a one, you know, you can say happy birthday. That's not too hard, right?
Jeff Ross (11:42)
Right.
And that's a really great place to start, Nick. And there's so much more in that whole conversation. Like we're talking about performance anxiety and expectations right now. But as I'm sitting here listening, like, you know, I'm a brand new expert. I'm can hear the branding points. I can hear the relationship building points and, and, you're unpacking this. So that probably brings me around to my next question. You know, the, first comment that you made there is there's so much more rubbish out there now because of AI and video, right?
Nick Niehaus (12:12)
Mm-hmm.
Jeff Ross (12:12)
So
the world is becoming a very, very noisy place. know, and it says there's more people out there putting content than ever before. And it's, know, the algorithms are designed to really put content out there that has mass engagement or, you know, that's kind of get engagement out there. So what are some of your tips to be able to help people stand out in this very noisy crowd? Like for me, it's not to go be noisier, it's to go and be
Nick Niehaus (12:37)
Mm-hmm.
Jeff Ross (12:41)
a space that builds trust with people, right? To be able to rise above the crowd. Because trust is that number one resource at the moment, I think that is so, so scarce. because of there's so much noise out there, because there's so many people out there being scammed and burned now. So, you know, we've really got to, you know, early, early, early on establish that trust factor. So what are some of your tips around standing out in a noisy crowd and helping to build up that trust through
Nick Niehaus (12:53)
Right.
Jeff Ross (13:11)
you know, video content marketing.
Nick Niehaus (13:13)
Yeah, and I think you're 100 % right, and I think this is what AI is gonna make
so much worse, is the ability to trust people on the internet, right? I mean, and that's partially like, I'm very much against the idea of creating an avatar of myself. Like I have some friends that have done that, right? Like they have a fake version of themselves that they can put on camera. And I'm just like, man, if people find out that it's not you.
Jeff Ross (13:19)
Trust people on the internet. And that's partially like I I'm very much against the idea of creating an avatar of myself Some friends that have done that right like they have a fake version of themselves that they can put on camera And I'm just like man if people find out that it's not you
Nick Niehaus (13:36)
how would they ever trust that it is you in the future? You know what I mean? Like I could do a Zoom meeting with what I think is you and it's not you, you know? And so it could be somebody else behind it. They could hack that account and use your persona. So
Jeff Ross (13:36)
How would they ever trust that it is you in the future? You know, yeah, I like I can do a zoom meeting with what I think is you and it's not you Yeah, it could be somebody else behind it. They could hack that account use your persona
Nick Niehaus (13:47)
just that, yeah, absolutely. I think it is all about trust. And I do think, unfortunately, AI is gonna just further erode that online trust. So how do you combat that? I mean, you know, some of it is, you know, a lot of it is not necessarily the way you make videos or distribute them. It's actually what you do.
Jeff Ross (13:47)
So just that, yeah, absolutely. think it is all about trust. And I do think, unfortunately, AI is gonna just further erode that online trust. So how do you combat that? mean, some of it is, a lot of it is not necessarily the way you make videos or distribute them. It's actually what you
do outside of that, right? So I teach our students, if you're not spending just as much time, sure, make content, but are you engaging with other people's content?
Nick Niehaus (14:05)
outside of that, right? So like I teach our students, like if you're not spending just as much time, know, when you sure make content, but are you engaging with other people's content? You know, are
you leaving comments on their YouTube videos? Are you commenting on their Facebook posts, right? And that's what I mean is like, I have sort of the strategy I use now on Facebook where I'll go out and I'll Facebook, you know, send a friend request to somebody who I've never met, but I know is like a very influential person I'd love to build a relationship with.
Jeff Ross (14:15)
are you leaving comments on their YouTube videos? Are you commenting on their Facebook posts, right? And that's what I mean is like I have sort of the strategy I use now on Facebook where I'll go out and I'll Facebook, send a friend request to somebody who I've never met but I know is like a very influential person I'd love to build a relationship with
because of the friends we have in common, they'll accept it, which is really cool. It's a network I've built over years. But then it's about what do you do next, right? It's not, okay, now that I'm Facebook friend, I'm just gonna put a bunch of videos out they'll see them. That might happen.
Nick Niehaus (14:32)
because of the friends we have in common, they'll accept it, which is really cool. It's a network I've built over years. But then it's about what do do next, right? It's not just, okay, now they're my Facebook friend, I'm just gonna put a bunch of videos out and they'll see them. That might happen, but
if I go comment on their content, now we're getting to know each other, right? And it doesn't take much. mean, know, they post something, they're excited, big, know, a lot of times they're celebrating wins because they're successful people.
Jeff Ross (14:45)
But if I go comment on their content, now we're getting to know each other, right? And it doesn't take much. mean, know, they post something, they're excited, a lot of times they're celebrating wins because they're successful people.
Nick Niehaus (14:57)
know, celebrate with them, right? Say a couple things, you can send them again a video message, that's a huge one. I'll put it this way, if I see a 10 second video and it's personalized to me and it's about something I just posted, the chances of that being fake are basically zero, right? Because like that's just a lot of work to fake something like that. Now,
Jeff Ross (14:57)
know, celebrate with them, right? Say a couple things. You can send them, again, a video message. That's a huge one. I'll put it this way. If I see a 10 second video and it's personalized to me and it's about something I just posted, the chances of that being fake are basically zero. Because that's just a lot of work to fake something like that.
Nick Niehaus (15:15)
couple more years, I don't know, right? I mean, this stuff's continuing to move. But to me, that's a big part of it, right? So that's probably number one is, you know, there's never been...
Jeff Ross (15:15)
more years I don't know right I mean this stuff can continue to move but to me that's a big part of it right so that's probably number one is you know there's never been
there will be people who make some content and they never interact with anybody else and they go viral because they're really funny or they're really attractive or you know whatever that kind of killer angle is but those are those there's less of those yeah than the people who just do the work right so that's that's one thing consistency to me is another one I think that's huge
Nick Niehaus (15:24)
There will be people who make some content and they never interact with anybody else and they go viral because they're really funny or they're really attractive or whatever that kind of killer angle is. But there's less of those than the people who just do the work, right? So that's one thing. Consistency, to me, is another one. I think that's huge.
I think there's a lot of psychological sort of effects here.
Jeff Ross (15:44)
I think there's a lot of psychological sort of effects here
Nick Niehaus (15:48)
where something called the mirror exposure effect, it's also called the familiarity principle, there's literally two names for it. And it just basically states that the more often you see someone, the more you trust them. It's that simple. Like, I mean, that's it. Like, and a lot of it comes from like, it's instinctual, right? It's from those times in human history where we
Jeff Ross (15:48)
where something called the mere exposure effect It's also called the familiarity principle is only two names for it And it just basically states that the more often you see someone the more you trust them. Mmm. That's simple. Yeah It's instinctual right it's from those those those times in human history where
Nick Niehaus (16:09)
had our tribe and the people we could trust and we saw them every day, right? They lived near us, they were in the same village or town or camp or whatever.
Jeff Ross (16:09)
We had our tribe and the people we could trust and we saw them every day, right? They lived near us. They were in the same village or town or camp or whatever.
Nick Niehaus (16:17)
And then if we saw a face that we did not see on a regular basis, it would alert our brains, hey, we don't know this person. They might be trying to kill us. Like we're competing over food, whatever it was. Society has evolved beyond that, but those instinctual effects are still there, right? So the consistency is crucial. I mean, and it's not frequency. This is where a lot of people get confused. It's like,
Jeff Ross (16:17)
And then if we saw a face that we did not see on a regular basis, it would alert our brains, hey, we don't know this person. They might be trying to kill us. We're competing over food, whatever it was. Society has evolved beyond that, but those instinctual effects are still there, right? So the consistency is crucial. And it's not frequency. This is where a lot of people get confused. It's like...
Nick Niehaus (16:37)
how many times should I post a day? Well, okay, you should probably post as much as you can.
Jeff Ross (16:37)
Oh, how many times did I post a day? Well, okay, you should probably post as much as you can.
Nick Niehaus (16:42)
But I would, I see a lot of people, oh, I'm gonna post three times a day, three video, that's the perfect, you know, okay. They do it for a week and then they just disappear and they stop doing it because it was too much work. I'd rather see somebody, you know, one video a week, even once a month to start, but be able to do that consistently, right? And that's, yeah, that's basically subconsciously teaching people that you're dependable because you keep showing up,
Jeff Ross (16:42)
But I would I feel a lot of people they are going to post three times a day, three video. That's the perfect you know, okay, they do it for a week and then they just disappear and they stop doing it because it was too much work. I'd rather see somebody you know, one video a week even once a month to start, but be able to do that consistently. Right? Yeah, long term. that's that's yeah, that's basically subconsciously teaching people that you're dependable. Keep showing up.
Nick Niehaus (17:07)
right? And that's what it is. who?
Jeff Ross (17:07)
Right? And that's what it is.
Nick Niehaus (17:09)
Who do we tend to be friends with? Like the people we keep seeing all the time. People who keep showing up to the same things we go to, right? And so that's it. So I think if you go out and you do the work of engaging with other people, they're gonna return the favor, they're gonna engage with you, your content's gonna go, it's gonna be spread more. I actually got a notification from Facebook yesterday, I like, I earned one of those badges, and it was like conversation starter for the week or something, and I guess just means like you get people to comment on
Jeff Ross (17:09)
Who do we tend to be friends with? The people we keep seeing all the time. People keep showing up the same things we go to, right? Yeah. And so that's it. So I think if you go out and you do the work of engaging with other people, they're going to return the favor. They're going to engage with you. Your content's going to go, it's going to be spread more. I actually got a notification from Facebook yesterday. I like, I earned one of those badges. There's like conversation starter for the week or something. I guess just means like you get people to come.
Nick Niehaus (17:35)
your posts, you
Jeff Ross (17:36)
Yeah, rising
Nick Niehaus (17:38)
Right, yeah, that one is the, so there's a bunch of these batches they give you, again, gamification, right, keep you on the platform. But that's what it is, right? So it's a matter of are you commenting, then you're gonna get the favor returned, and then just showing up. And so then there's all kinds of other tricks, right? mean, good hooks at the beginning of your video, your quality does have an impact, although you don't wanna go too far, because if it's too polished, it's not gonna go, you know, not perform as well.
Jeff Ross (17:39)
rising creator. Yeah, but that's what it is, right? So it's a matter of you commenting, then you're to get the favor returned, and then just showing up. And so then there's all kinds of other tricks, right? I mean, good hooks at the beginning of your video, your quality does have an impact, although you don't want to go too far, because if it's too polished, it's not going to go in and perform as well.
Nick Niehaus (18:03)
But those two things, I think, are way more important. I think if you're engaging and you're showing up consistently,
Jeff Ross (18:03)
But those two things I think are way more important. think if you're engaging and you're showing up consistently,
that's gonna do a lot of the work for you. And I'll be honest, those are the hard parts, right? I mean, it's easy to say, it's another thing to have that part of your schedule every week where you're making content or getting out there and engaging with other people. But those are the folks that'll win. And I think those are the people that'll have the trust. Yes, totally agree with all of that. And basically what you're summarizing is just relationship building tactics. And they're not even tactics, they're just...
Nick Niehaus (18:08)
that's gonna do a lot of the work for you. And I'll be honest, those are the hard parts, right? I mean, it's easy to say, it's another thing to have that part of your schedule every week where you're making content or getting out there and engaging with other people, but those are the folks that'll win. And I think those are the people that'll have the trust, right?
Exactly.
Jeff Ross (18:32)
They're innate. That's how we built relationships for thousands of years, right? It's showing up and being consistent and being present and becoming friends. And so there's a lot in just in that in the psychology sense. But also, let's just bring this right back to its simplest, purest form. This is why I teach a lot of our students just to sharp and shine and just be there and be consistent. then not, you know, like it's almost like you got to go through this mindset, attitude change.
Nick Niehaus (18:35)
Great.
Jeff Ross (19:01)
from instant gratification, from being attached to the results, to just falling in love with the process and just figuring out what it is why you're showing up, figuring out what's the impact you're wanting to achieve really long term and going deep into your heart. And I think that when you can figure out that driving motivator and the fact that you just gotta show up and put a video up a day or whatever that is or a podcast a week.
Like that's just part of that process. So you fall in love with the process and just commit all in and then just get, know, then you just build amazing connections like this and you, you know, a story I've got for you here just to wrap this up. I closed, I brought on a new student for our Laptop Life Stock Dad's Academy this week. And we get into the story. This guy had been following me for about 18 months, two years. Never engaged once on my post.
didn't even know who he was or anything like that. Yeah. So the silent stalkers they're watching, right? yeah. Isn't that crazy how common that is too? That's part of what keeps me going. Cause I'll put stuff out and I'll get two or three likes, couple hundred views. Like, what was the point of that? And then a month later I'm at a networking event. Somebody's like bringing that specific video up, you know, and they've never, like I said, they never comment. never, you just don't know what's going on. I know there's a lot of like just silent.
Nick Niehaus (19:59)
Really? Yeah.
yeah. Isn't it crazy how common that is too? mean, that's part of what keeps me going. Cause I'll put stuff out and they'll get two or three likes, couple hundred views. You're like, what was the point of that? And then a month later I'm at a networking event. Somebody's like bringing that specific video up, you know? And they've never, like you said, they never comment, they never like, I I know there's a lot of like just silent ghosts
Jeff Ross (20:27)
ghosts out there. But they're paying attention, right? And they're getting the value from
Nick Niehaus (20:27)
out there. just what, but they're paying attention, right? And then they're getting the value from it.
Jeff Ross (20:31)
it. And if you're hearing this, and you're one of those folks, hey, just leave a comment or like every now and then, right? Because we want to know you. I mean, it's two way like, trying to pull your money from your pocket. Like, it's definitely I'd like to have a two sided relationship, right? 100 % Yeah, no, look, I say to everybody, I say to everybody is like, please connect. Let's engage. Let's chat. I love to chat. Yeah, let's go. Let's shift gears. So
Nick Niehaus (20:31)
And if you're hearing this and you're one of those folks, hey, just leave a comment or like every now and then, right? Cause we want to know you. I mean, it's two way. Like we're not just out there trying to pull your money from your pocket. Like there's definitely a, I'd like to have a two-sided relationship, right? You know, we'd like to get to know you as well. So yeah, but that's so common. know.
Jeff Ross (20:57)
Coming back around to the whole conversation around performance anxiety, just a little bit there, because I understand that that is a big, big, big thing that stops people from moving forward in this space. And like you and I, we're comfortable on camera now because we've got the reps under our belt. We've fallen over, we've got a few scars in our knees and we've learned through, you know, trial and error, right? But the whole solution, there seems to be a big gap here. And then there seems to be another solution that's, you know, coming in to try and fill this gap.
and that's faceless video. So AI is coming now and so people can go not have to be on camera anymore and they can use avatars, they can use faceless video. There are some amazing tools out there. I love what Austin Armstrong has done with Celebite and now we've got Sora that's just come on the marketplace with OpenAI. I love to dive into this conversation with you. Do you see...
any potential for faceless video content and how do you see it being leveraged in a powerful way? Yeah, absolutely not. I love syllabi as well. We've had Austin come and show our students how to use it before. Yeah, it's a great tool. it is. Yeah. And I think this is, know, I'm more interested in that than the avatars person. And actually, know a syllabi that that was where syllabi started was kind of the avatar thing. And they found a bigger audience and more interest, I think, in the faceless videos.
Nick Niehaus (22:00)
Yeah, absolutely. I love syllabi as well. We've had Austin come and show our students how to use it before. And I think it is, yeah. And I think this is, you I'm more interested in that than the avatars personally, you know? And actually I know with syllabi that that was where syllabi started was kind of the avatar thing. And he found a bigger audience and more interest, I think, in the faceless videos.
You know, and the reality is everything you share,
Jeff Ross (22:22)
You know, the reality is, everything you share
Nick Niehaus (22:26)
is a conversation, Kind of coming back to what I said earlier, I think if you think of it that way, and it depends on what you're trying to do, right? So somebody who wants to grow a channel, like my goal is I just want to have a YouTube channel that can get monetized and I can maybe do other ads and promotions through it. I want to be able to sell it, transfer it, those don't have to all be true, but some of those kinds of considerations.
Jeff Ross (22:26)
is, a conversation, right? Kind of coming back to what I said earlier. I think if you think of it that way and it depends on what you're trying to do, right? So somebody who wants to grow a channel, like my goal is I just want to have a YouTube channel that can get monetized and I can, you know, I can maybe do other ads and promotions through it. I want to be able to sell it, you know, transfer it like those kinds of, those don't have to all be true, but like some of those kinds of considerations.
Nick Niehaus (22:51)
I think if you went all faceless,
Jeff Ross (22:51)
I think if you went all faceless,
Nick Niehaus (22:53)
That's fine, right? In fact, it might be better because if people see your face and your face is the activator, right? Like this, have a dedicated part of our brain. It's called the fusiform base area that is dedicated to recognizing human faces, right? Cause again, that's, that's how we identify one another. So if you never show your face, you're basically anonymous, right? They might know the name of the channel. That's about it. There's maybe a logo or something.
Jeff Ross (22:53)
that's fine, right? In fact, it might be better because if people see your face and your face is the activator, right? we have a dedicated part of our brain. It's called the fusiform base area that is dedicated to recognizing human faces, right? Cause again, that's how we identify one another. So if you never show your face, you're basically anonymous, right? They might know the name of the channel. That's about it. There's maybe a logo or something.
Nick Niehaus (23:18)
That's gonna make something that can be transferred to somebody else, right? They're gonna follow it very much based on the type of content you share So in fact that can sometimes be an easier way to get subscribers, right? Because they're interested in the topic. They don't they don't have to worry about who the person is Now on the other hand I teach business owners, right? So when I talk to business owners, I say look
Jeff Ross (23:18)
That's gonna make something that can be transferred to somebody else right? They're gonna follow it very much based on the type of content you share So in fact that can sometimes be an easier way to get subscribers right because they're interested in the topic They don't they don't have to worry about who the person is now on the other hand I teach business owners, right? So when I talk to business owners, I say look
Nick Niehaus (23:39)
Not every business owner is the kind of person who's trying to build relationships that lead to sales, but most are, right? And if you're in that kind of role, and I typically are sort of main type of customer and student is a real estate agent, and they 100%, it's all about them and the relationships, right? Like they're the one working with the customer that it's all about, do I trust this person or not? They're gonna help me buy something that costs hundreds and hundreds of thousands of dollars or millions of dollars, it's a big deal.
Jeff Ross (23:39)
Um, not every business owner is the kind of person who's trying to build relationships that lead to sales, but most are right. And if you're in that kind of role, and I typically are sort of main type of customer and student is a real estate agent and they a hundred percent, it's all about people, the relationship, right? Like they're the one working with the customer that it's all about. Do I trust this person or not? They're going to help me buy a sudden, you know, something that costs hundreds and hundreds of thousand dollars or millions of dollars. big
deal. Um, in that case,
Nick Niehaus (24:07)
In that case,
Jeff Ross (24:08)
I wouldn't go all faceless. Now that doesn't mean you can't use it, right? So I think in those cases, the faceless content is really good as a supplement. So if I have a good mix of I have a talking head video or I have a neighborhood tour video or something that I'm in, you can see me, but that was a bunch of work and it took me hours to edit and I can't do that every day. And I can go ahead and make some of these faceless videos.
Nick Niehaus (24:08)
I wouldn't go all faceless. Now, it doesn't mean you can't use it, right? So I think in those cases, the faceless content is really good as a supplement, right? So if I have a good mix of I have a talking head video or I have a neighborhood tour video or something that I'm in, you can see me, but that was a bunch of work and it took me hours to edit and I can't do that every day and I can go ahead and make some of these faceless videos.
that again, at least are talking and focusing on the same topics that my customer cares about, you stay on those same kind of content pillars, I think that can be very powerful, right? Because you're still showing up, you're still providing value, you probably have your face in your logo and that kind of thing on your social profile. But if I want to build the relationship, I do need to show up at some point. And that is where people struggle, right? Because they wanna get away from, don't wanna have to do it at all. But if you put those two channels next to each other,
Jeff Ross (24:33)
that again, at least are talking and focusing on the same topics that my customer cares about. You you stay in the same kind of content pillars. I think that can be very powerful, right? Because you're still showing up, you're still providing value, you probably have your face in your logo and that kind of thing on your social profile. But if I want to build the relationship, I do need to show up at some point. And that is where people struggle, right? Because they want to get away from, don't have to do it at all. But if you put those two channels next to each other,
Nick Niehaus (25:02)
I don't know about follower count, but I don't really care about follower count. I care about sales, right? I can basically guarantee you the one where there is somebody showing up every now and then is gonna get the sales, right? Cause there's an actual familiarity developing there. So that would be kind of my take on it. But I think it's an incredible tool. And in terms of kind of keeping your brand and your face and growing more, mean, you can get subscribers from those videos and then they'll see your talking head videos later. Very powerful stuff, absolutely.
Jeff Ross (25:03)
I don't know about follower count, but I don't really care about follower count. I care about sales. I can easily guarantee you the one where there is somebody showing up every now and then is going to get the sales. There's an actual familiarity developing there. So that would be kind of my take on it. But I think it's an incredible tool in terms of kind of keeping your brand and your face and growing more. I you can get subscribers from those videos and then those of you who are talking to videos later. Very powerful stuff.
You got to think about the objective that you're wanting to achieve. you know, and if you're just after followers and essentially, you know, followers for sake of followers, vanity metrics, then yeah, like, you know, go build a faceless YouTube channel and just, you know, build that but like, is it going to be long term sustainable? Probably not without the relationship piece. Unless you're unless you're totally got a product that doesn't require you to, you know, have a face to it. And so I think it's about it's about who are you serving? Who's the audience, right? Exactly.
Nick Niehaus (25:33)
Right.
Well, yeah.
Exactly.
Yep. got I mean that and that is you know, it's sometimes easier sometimes not but it's like it is absolute I mean, that's the problem when you teach this stuff is it's like People are asking like what kind of what kind of human communication should I do and it's like what a broad topic You know, like everybody's different every audience is different and they're all gonna need different things, right? So I think that that is really what it comes down to because what I what we've seen it's been interesting kind of watching his group and the people that are doing this stuff is there's definitely certain niches
Jeff Ross (25:59)
Yep, got, that is, know, it's sometimes easier, sometimes not, but it's like, it is absolute. I mean, that's the problem when you teach this stuff is it's like, people ask me like, what kind of human communication should I do? And it's like, what a broad topic, you know? Like everybody's different, every audience is different. And they're all gonna need different things, right? So I think that that is really what it comes down to because what we've seen, it's been interesting kind of watching his group and the people that are doing this stuff, is there's definitely certain niches
Nick Niehaus (26:27)
where the faceless videos kill it.
Jeff Ross (26:27)
where the faceless videos kill it.
Nick Niehaus (26:29)
know, like the weird history stuff, you know, or I've noticed like the superhero niches, you know, like this little stories from comic books and stuff. Those are all growing like crazy, right?
Jeff Ross (26:29)
Yeah. know, like, like the weird history stuff, you know, or I've noticed like the superhero niches, you know, like this little story books and stuff. can see it. Those are all growing like crazy.
Yeah, I can see them creating, you know, awesome followings. But then my question comes around to is like, okay, how do we monetize that? And there are ways that you can monetize that through, you know, merchandise and, you know, drop shipping sort of business model and all of that sort of thing. But yeah, it's, that's the question I've always got myself here is it's like, it's a great tool, but I feel like
I feel like the sweet spot in this whole conversation is a hybrid. It's not all faceless. It's not all on face. It's, it's somewhere in the middle, right? Oh yeah, absolutely. mean, I think there's, you know, again, whatever's supporting your consistency, I think that's what it comes down to, right? So yeah, if it's, if it's helping you show up more or frequently, but on a consistent basis, you know, I mean, sometimes can be automated, you know, I mean, know a syllabi, like you can basically generate entire months worth of content in one go and schedule all of it.
Nick Niehaus (27:02)
Of course.
yeah, absolutely. mean, I think there's, you know, again, whatever's supporting your consistency, I think that's what it comes down to, right? So yeah, if it's helping you show up more frequently, but on a consistent basis, you know, I mean, some of this can be automated, you know, I mean, know a syllabi, like you can basically generate an entire month's worth of content in one go and schedule all of it. I
mean, that's a huge deal, right? So it's like any tool, any system is gonna kind of help you, you know, consistently showing up, because I'll tell you like,
Jeff Ross (27:28)
Yeah, that's a huge deal, right? it's like any any tool any system is gonna kind of help you You know consistently showing up because I'll tell you
like human beings don't work that way like we kind of work in phases Right, so it's like I'll have one week or I'm all about posting and I'm posting 20 times a day. I'm super active Yeah, I'm guilty Yeah, right I you kind of get in the mood or you're not in the mood so the weeks or you just sort of drop off and just don't feel like doing it
Nick Niehaus (27:36)
human beings don't work that way. Like we kind of work in phases, right? So it's like, I'll have one week where I'm all about posting and I'm posting 20 times a day and I'm super active and in other weeks I'm just not feeling it. Yeah, right? I mean, you kind of get in the mood or you're not in the mood. So the other weeks where you just sort of drop off and just don't feel like doing it. And
I think that is a big area that like these automation tools, these AI tools, like that's where they're helping a lot, right? Is to kind of fill in those gaps.
Jeff Ross (27:53)
And I think that is a big area that like these automation tools, AI tools, that's where they're helping a lot, right? Is it kind of filling those gaps?
Nick Niehaus (28:02)
So I would definitely encourage people to think about it that way. How can I use this to make sure that when I do inevitably drop the ball for period, that this system kind of steps up and takes over for me.
Jeff Ross (28:02)
So I would definitely encourage people to think about it that way. How can I use this to make sure that when I do inevitably drop the ball for a period, that the system kind of steps up and takes over for me? Yeah, cool. Let's just get to tools just quickly. So what's your favorite AI video, sorry, not AI, your favorite video tool?
to help people get in the game. Like right now I'm loving CapCut. know, like record a phone video on my phone and I can get on CapCut and do some editing and I can post it within like 10 minutes. What are some of your favorite tools in that space? Well, second CapCut for sure. I will say we're like a day from or a couple days away from the TikTok ban in the United States right now. And so...
Nick Niehaus (28:26)
Yeah.
Yeah, yeah, for sure. Well, second CapCut for sure. I will say we're like a day from or a couple of days away from the TikTok ban in the United States right now. And so by
the time you're listening to this, TikTok, you know, might be gone in the U.S. and CapCut might be gone with it. It's like completely nobody's really sure right now. So we'll see what happens. So if CapCut goes away, then, you know, at least in the U.S. that might not be as relevant anymore.
Jeff Ross (28:44)
By the time you're listening to this, TikTok might be gone in the US and Capcom might be gone with it. It's like completely, nobody's really sure right now. So we'll see what happens. So if Capcom goes away, then at least in the US, that might not be as relevant anymore.
Nick Niehaus (28:57)
But I'll say another one I really like that's really interesting is called Descript. This is a Descript, I mean it's got really cool tools. It's got one of the features it has that's really nice is it has
Jeff Ross (28:57)
But I'll say another one I really like that's really interesting is called Descript. This is a Descript. mean, it's got really cool tools. It's got one of the features it has that's really nice is it has...
An eye contact correction tool. Okay. So if you record a video where you're not looking at the screen, you know, you're kind of looking over at your computer screen reading a script, things like that, it will adjust it. So it'll make it so your eyes are looking into the camera. That's cool.
Nick Niehaus (29:10)
an eye contact correction tool. So if you record a video where you're not looking at the screen, you you're kinda looking over at your computer screen reading a script, things like that, it will adjust it. So it'll make it so your eyes are looking into the camera, which is pretty cool.
Yeah, so that's kind of just one feature of it. That's one thing, of its kind of claims to fame. It's also, it kind of started out as an editing tool for editing based on your transcript. So
Jeff Ross (29:26)
Yeah, so that's just one one feature of it. That's one thing kind of claims to fame. It's also it was kind of started out as an editing tool for editing based on your transcript.
Nick Niehaus (29:38)
you can look at the words you were saying and you can use that to go in and kind of cut it and remove ums and ahs and things like that. So if you're not used to video editing, that can be really helpful because you don't have to go through and learn how to navigate the timeline and things like that. So Descript, that's one.
Jeff Ross (29:38)
So you can look at the words you were saying and you can use that to go in and kind of cut it and remove ums and ahs and things like that. So if you're not used to video editing, that can be really helpful because you don't have to go through and learn how to navigate the timeline and things like that. So Descript, that's one.
Another one that's a teleprompter app that we teach a lot is called Big View, but the view is VU, so V-I-G-V-U.
Nick Niehaus (29:56)
Another one that's a teleprompter app that we teach a lot is called Big View, but the view is VU, so B-I-G-V-U.
That one is gonna be mostly for recording, teleprompter, but does have some editing features on the back end. And then I also mention a video messaging tool that we're big fans of, and it's called Dubb, so D-U-B-B.
Jeff Ross (30:04)
That one is it's gonna be mostly for teleprompter for recording teleprompter but does have some some editing features on the back end And then I also I'll mention a video messaging tool that we're big fans of is called dub. So DBB
Yeah, dub is for sending one-on-one video messages, but it's got I mean this thing, you know since since we signed up a couple years back The amount of features they've added is really impressive
Nick Niehaus (30:21)
Dubb is for sending one-on-one video messages, but it's got, I mean this thing, since we signed up a couple years back, the amount of features they've added is really impressive.
So it's really more of a comprehensive sales tool at this point. You can use it as a CRM, it's got a lot of AI features. One of the cool things about it is that when they go to watch your video, they basically are seeing, first of all they'll see a preview of your video.
Jeff Ross (30:32)
So it's really more of a comprehensive sales tool at this point. You can use it as a CRM. It's got a lot of AI features. One of the cool things about it is that when they go to watch your video, basically are seeing, first of all, they'll see a preview of your video
Nick Niehaus (30:45)
in the text or email that they get so they see your face, right? It kind of increases that trust factor, they're not just clicking a link. But then when they do see the video, it'll open up and there's a landing page. So you can include like calls to action and you can link to offers and things like that.
Jeff Ross (30:45)
in the text or email that they get. So they see your face, right? Kind of increases that trust factor after clicking the link. But then when they do see the video, it'll open up and there's a landing page. So you can include like calls to action and you can link to offers and things like that.
So I really like dub I think I think that's a great tool as well Should I stop there because there's a million of these things that you talk about and we can do a master
Nick Niehaus (31:00)
So I really like Dubb, think that's a great tool as well. Should probably stop there because there's a million of these things that you could talk about, right? But you don't wanna have too many of them.
Jeff Ross (31:10)
We could do a whole master class just on that. So Yeah, well definitely got me interested in double have to go check this out but cool last question. That's how I wrapped this interview up. So I've got a 13 year old son 11 year old son an 8 year old son I'm always looking at you know, this wisdom on to them for the next generation
Nick Niehaus (31:12)
For sure.
Jeff Ross (31:30)
So if you had to start all over again, you know, it was like day zero for you, knowing what you know now, and all of a sudden you're transported back, you're now 13. What would you do? Where would you start and how would you get in the game? Yeah, wow, that's a good one. You know, it's so hard to answer that right now because AI has just changed so much, you know? mean, cause if this was two years ago, I probably would
Nick Niehaus (31:41)
Hmm, man.
Yeah, wow, that's a good one. You know, it's so hard to answer that right now because AI has just changed so much. know, mean, because if this was two years ago, I probably would talked
about learning to code, right? Or trying to, I mean, obviously I still would get on social media. Like, I think that is a mistake I made is I actually grew up right in the sweet spot in a lot of ways. know, like I remember Facebook came out when I was a senior, I think I was a senior in high school.
Jeff Ross (32:00)
know, learning to code, right? You know, or trying to, I mean, obviously I still would get on social media. Like I think that is a mistake I made is I actually grew up right in the sweet spot in a lot of ways, you know? Like I remember Facebook came out when I was a senior, I think I was a senior in high school.
Nick Niehaus (32:17)
I was dating a girl who was a freshman in college. So she was like one of the first people to have that, you because you'd only be yet to be a college student at first. And so she had the EDU email address, she was able to register for an account.
Jeff Ross (32:17)
I was dating a girl who was a freshman in college. So she was like one of the first people that had that, you cause you'd only be yet to be a college student at first. And so she had the EDU email address. She was able to register for an account.
Nick Niehaus (32:27)
And so I mean, I didn't dive in, I kind of like put it I don't like this is weird. I'm an introvert. And it was never really, you know, into this stuff. But in hindsight, I wish I had just dove in headfirst from day one. So that that's obviously part of it is
Jeff Ross (32:27)
And so, I I didn't dive in. kind of like put it, I don't like this, it's weird. I'm an introvert and I was never really into this stuff. But in hindsight, I wish I had just dove in head first from day one. So that's obviously part of it
is, again, it's iffy with teenagers. If you're under 18, it's like, how much can you tell them to get out there and do this stuff? Because they're not an adult. But if it was me making that decision for myself, that probably would have been a good thing. A lot of it though right now is just.
Nick Niehaus (32:41)
Again, it's iffy with teenagers. If you're under 18, it's like how much can you tell them to get out there and do this stuff? Because they're not an adult, but if it was me making that decision for myself, that probably would have been a good thing. A lot of it though right now is just
Jeff Ross (32:55)
It's just trying to learn as many of these AI tools as fast as possible I think that is because I'll tell you another five or ten years from now I don't even know what a job is gonna be anymore, you know, mean there's so much of this even just in the two years I've been using
Nick Niehaus (32:55)
trying to learn as many of these AI tools as fast as possible. I think that is, because I'll tell you, another five or 10 years from now, I don't even know what a job is gonna be anymore. There's so much of this, even just in the two years I've been using it.
Jeff Ross (33:10)
it. It's gotten so much better I mean even the naysayers I mean there are definite drawbacks but like, you know that a lot of things people have suggested are gonna not work out have worked out so far
Nick Niehaus (33:10)
It's gotten so much better. I mean, the naysayers, I mean, there are definite drawbacks, but like, you know, a lot of things people have suggested are gonna not work out, have worked out so far.
So, I mean, if it was me, I'd be trying to just absolutely dominate the ability to write really good prompts. you know, I I do this for an hour or two almost every day now. I'm like, just going to these Facebook groups and what's the latest tool? And there's always something new. It's totally overwhelming.
Jeff Ross (33:21)
So I mean, if it was me, I'd be trying to just absolutely dominate the ability to write really good prompts. you know, I I do this for an hour or two almost every day now. I'm like, just going to these Facebook groups and what's the latest tool? there's always something new. It's totally overwhelming.
Nick Niehaus (33:37)
But if you can figure out a way to sort of consistently internalize that and learn how to use each of them, I'd probably be creating content around how to use each one, because that's a good way to kind of solidify the knowledge.
Jeff Ross (33:37)
But if you could figure out a way to sort of consistently internalize that and learn how to use each of them, I'd probably be creating content around how to use each one, because that's a good way to kind of solidify the novel.
Nick Niehaus (33:49)
They always say if you can teach something to somebody else, that's how you know you've mastered it, right? And that would be it. And the truth is, where does it go from there? What does that skill set get you? I don't know, right? mean, that's where it's like...
Jeff Ross (33:49)
You know, they would say if you can if you can teach something to somebody else, that's how you know, you've mastered it. And that would be it. And the truth is like, where does it go from there? Like, what does that skill set get you? I don't know. Right. That's where it's like,
we could get in a whole other conversation about sort of the economic impact and how things might need to change in the next five or 10 years. But I think you're going to future proof yourself super well if you were you were to go that route. Yeah. Well, just like just like the attracted.
Nick Niehaus (34:04)
I mean, we could get into a whole other conversation about sort of the economic impact and how things might need to change in the next five or 10 years. But I think you're going to future-proof yourself super well if you were to go that route, right? Yeah.
Jeff Ross (34:18)
Yeah, and just like the tractor back in the agricultural revolution took away jobs. The computer in the 90s, it did transform the corporate scene and jobs got more efficient and that type of thing. I really do feel AI is going to transform the job network space. And the thing I believe is going to happen is what it's really going to do is AI is going to step in and replace those boring as bat poo roles.
Nick Niehaus (34:31)
Right?
Jeff Ross (34:47)
You know, the ones that just people don't really want to show up. And so I feel that's actually a good thing because then it's going to allow humanity to get more creative and really tap into our imagination. And I'm excited for the future. I believe the future is very bright. Yeah, I have mixed feelings. I think it's both very bright and also potentially very dark, you know, but I, you know, again, it's always like that, right? Yeah.
Nick Niehaus (34:48)
Sure.
Yeah, I have mixed feelings. I think it's both very bright and also potentially very dark, you know? again, it's always like that, right? mean, there's always been,
we invented nuclear weapons and the Earth was gonna end or we were gonna have unlimited power. mean, any of these things you see, there's always gonna be potential negatives and positives. I'm sure we'll see some of both. But I will say, I mean, it's definitely clear that if you're learning to use these things,
Jeff Ross (35:14)
we invented nuclear weapons and know, the earth was gonna end or we were gonna, you know, have unlimited power. mean, you know, any of these things you see there's always gonna be potential negatives and positives. I'm sure we'll see some of both, but I will say, I mean, it's definitely clear that like, if you are, if you're learning to use these things,
Nick Niehaus (35:32)
you're gonna be in better shape than the people that aren't, right? And I think that's 100 % clear.
Jeff Ross (35:33)
you're gonna be in better shape than the people that aren't. Right? You're gonna get left behind. It's a hundred percent clear. Yeah. Yeah. Look, you know, like anything, right? It's sort of the yin and the yang, the light and the dark. It's a...
before we find the sweet spot. So we're in that chaotic scenario at the moment before we find the sweet spot. Well, mate, thank you very much for your time. It's been amazing just digging into your wisdom gems. Before we go, I've got to hit you with a classic dad joke. Otherwise, this wouldn't be a laptop lifestyle dad show without one. So my dad joke for you, mate, and this one is actually generated by AI. Chatty, come up with this one.
Nick Niehaus (36:10)
Okay,
Jeff Ross (36:11)
So
Nick Niehaus (36:11)
nice.
Jeff Ross (36:11)
why did the video market and go to therapy?
Nick Niehaus (36:14)
man, hmm. I don't know, why did they?
Jeff Ross (36:17)
because he had too many repressed reels. I think Chadi's getting worse. Man, the jokes, I don't know. They're just making up shit now. I know, the things that ChadiGBT considers to be a joke are interesting. But look, that's actually perfect for this whole episode, talking about AI content and that.
Nick Niehaus (36:22)
Nah, shit. man. It's, yeah, it, man, the jokes that, I don't know. I know that the things that ChatGBT considers to be a joke are interesting.
Right.
Jeff Ross (36:44)
And
that's just a perfect example of AI getting it wrong, really. Right. Yeah. No, I know. It's the job, the comedians are safe for the the time being, Their jobs are okay. Cool. Right. Mate, well, thank you very much for, you know, joining us. How can our listeners connect with you? Well, you know, I love connecting with folks on social. I'll give you our website. It's probably a good starting point. So if you go to www.biz.
Nick Niehaus (36:49)
Right. Yeah. No, I know. It's the the job the the comedians are safe for the time being we'll put it that way Right
Earth.
Well, you I love connecting with folks on social. I'll give you our website. It's probably a good starting point. So if you go to www.bizvideoschool,
Jeff Ross (37:13)
awesome
Nick Niehaus (37:13)
so B-I-Z-videoschool.com. We have free trainings we do every couple weeks. We've got some free downloadables on there. Follow us on social and all that good and stuff. And then yeah, if you just wanna look me up, I mean, I'm most active on Facebook and probably LinkedIn.
You can find me on other platforms. just probably won't respond to you anytime soon because I don't log in as often. So I'd say Facebook or LinkedIn are great places to connect.
Jeff Ross (37:38)
Well, thank you, Nick. Really appreciate you. legends, an incredible episode here. Nick has just dropped some absolute gold on video marketing, AI and the future of social selling. The insights and strategies that we have unpacked today, these aren't just for listening. They're for taking action. I know one tip that I'm gonna do is I'm gonna go jump on that dub, D-U-B-B, straight away. Go check that out and implement that into my marketing strategy. So Nick, I really appreciate you for.
point me in the right direction there. So what's the one idea that you're gonna take away from today's episode and start applying it to your 2025 to help you to make the most impactful year yet? Hey, make sure that you let us know in the comments, whether it's on YouTube, Spotify or Apple Podcast, let us know what you're taking away from this episode and how you're gonna apply that lesson and help you to crush this year. As always, if you found this episode value,
valuable, please share it with someone who needs it and subscribe to our Spotify, Apple podcast or YouTube channel so you never miss another episode. Hey Nick, massive thank you and to the Los Angeles Tribune podcast network for making this happen. Let's make it, yeah, thank you very much for that too. So let's make 2025 the year that we show up, take action and use video to help create a massive impact. But let's just not add to the noise. Let's go add value.
and build relationships with people and start a conversation. Guys, see you next time on the Laptop Lifestyle Dad Show. Until then, stay caffeinated and keep bouncing towards your dreams.
Â