Create Like the Greats
Ross Simmonds
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Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Create Like the Greats episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Create Like the Greats for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Create Like the Greats episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
Why Content Distribution Is Important in 2025
Create Like the Greats
09/26/24 • 50 min
In this episode of Create Like the Greats, Ross sits down with Max Branstetter from the Wild Business Growth Podcast to share his journey from a fantasy football blogger to the founder of Foundation, a leading content distribution agency. Ross reveals how his passion for fantasy football led him to build essential skills in writing and content creation, ultimately shaping his path to entrepreneurship. He also dives into the concept of "Create Once, Distribute Forever," offering practical insights into maximizing the reach of your content. Plus, he shares valuable lessons on work-life balance, hiring your first employee, and even the wisdom gained from top deathbed regrets. This episode is packed with strategies and stories that can inspire creators and entrepreneurs alike.
Key Takeaways and Insights:
1. Workcation
Ross explains how a well-planned workcation can boost productivity while balancing work and relaxation. By aligning work hours with team availability in different time zones, he managed to stay connected without sacrificing downtime. The key to a successful workcation, he emphasizes, is having a trusted team and systems in place that can operate smoothly in your absence.
2. From Fantasy Football Blogger to Agency Founder
Ross takes us through his evolution from a passionate fantasy football blogger to becoming the founder of a successful content distribution agency. He highlights how his obsession with the game gave him the writing and content management skills that would later become the foundation for his career. More than just a hobby, fantasy football taught Ross about community building, long-form content creation, and the realization that the internet could unlock global reach and endless opportunities.
3. Create Once, Distribute Forever
Ross outlines his approach to content distribution, emphasizing the importance of sharing content across multiple platforms. His philosophy is simple: If your content has value, it deserves to be shared continuously. In his book, he provides tactical steps on how to leverage different channels like email, social media, and online communities to maximize reach. His goal is to help creators overcome the fear of self-promotion and fully embrace the power of distribution.
4. Hiring Your First Employee
Ross reflects on the challenges and triumphs of hiring his first employee. He offers practical advice on finding the right person, delegating tasks, and building a team that can thrive without you micromanaging. According to Ross, hiring the right people is crucial to scaling your business, and trusting them is key to personal and professional growth.
5. Lessons from Deathbed Regrets
Drawing inspiration from studies on deathbed regrets, Ross shares his thoughts on living a life without major regrets. He encourages listeners to take bold steps in their careers, prioritize experiences, and make the most of their time. For Ross, it’s a reminder to pursue passion projects and not wait for the "right time," because life is too short to live cautiously.
Resources:
- Foundation Marketing - https://foundationinc.co/
- Create Once, Distribute Forever - https://rosssimmonds.com/book/
- Wild Business Growth Podcast - https://maxpodcasting.com/wild-business-growth-podcast/
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The Art and Strategy of Effective Content Repurposing
Create Like the Greats
01/30/25 • 62 min
In this episode, we're diving into the art and science of content repurposing with some of the sharpest minds in the industry. Ross Simmonds, Anna Furmanov, and Emily Kramer join Riverside webinar host Kendall to break down their proven strategies for content repurposing, from leveraging AI tools to audience research techniques that fuel meaningful engagement. Whether you're trying to grow your audience, sell a product, or simply maximize your content's lifespan, these actionable insights will transform how you think about repurposing. Packed with practical examples, tech hacks, and processes, this episode is your blueprint for creating versatile, high-impact content.
Key Takeaways and Insights:
1. What is Content Repurposing?
- Redefining repurposing versus creating new.
- The importance of building versatile content assets that can branch into multiple formats.
- The foundation for long-term audience engagement.
2. Identifying Your Content Foundation:
- Ross Simmonds explains his go-to strategies for using micro-content as foundational material.
- Anna shares why podcasting became her primary content pillar and her secret for capturing "aha" moments during recording.
- Emily breaks down her colorful methods for extracting and extending the life of one big content idea.
3. Practical Steps to Get Started:
- How pre-planning and distribution pipelines ensure maximum reach.
- Emily’s "GACCS Brief" method for organized content creation: Goals, Audience, Creative, Channels, Stakeholders.
4. The Tech Tools That Power Repurposing:
- Ross shares his full tech stack: Riverside for recording, Canva for infographics, Jasper for creating auxiliary content, and more.
- AI in action: Learn about synthetic content using Haygen and 11 Labs.
- Try Emily's innovative pre-planning LinkedIn poll strategy to build anticipation for big launches.
5. Finding and Understanding Your Audience:
- Why audience insights and customer research are key to creating meaningful content.
- Fill your content roadmap with Ross’s Reddit and Facebook group mining tactics.
- Anna's advice for hosting audience calls and surveys.
6. Experimentation & Optimization for Different Platforms:
- Why each platform deserves unique formats.
- From long newsletters to TikTok teasers—the diverse distribution playbook.
7. Content ROI: Evaluating Success & Staying Relevant:
- Why evergreen content is a goldmine, and how to audit your archives for reusability.
- Ross’s case study of repurposing content across multiple formats consistently over three years.
Resources and Links Mentioned:
- Riverside.fm – Mark clips while you record and effortlessly create social-ready video highlights.
- ElevenLabs – Explore synthetic videos and voice cloning for micro-content creation.
- Canva - Easily design infographics, templates, and visual assets.
- BuzzSumo – Analyze top-performing content for insights into trends and format ideas.
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Why I Wrote Create Once Distribute Forever - My New Book
Create Like the Greats
04/11/24 • 17 min
In this episode of Create Like the Greats, Ross shares insights on why he wrote “Create Once, Distribute Forever”. This book serves as a comprehensive guide for individuals and businesses striving to effectively distribute their stories and engage with their target audience. In this episode Ross provides a glimpse into the Create Once, Distribute Forever sections and how it can help you master content distribution. Don't miss the opportunity to read "Create Once, Distribute Forever" for a deeper dive into enhancing your content distribution efforts.
Detailed Breakdown
1. Distribution 101
In this section, Ross provides a comprehensive overview of distribution, explaining its fundamental principles and importance in modern marketing. Through clear definitions and illustrative examples, readers gain a solid understanding of distribution's role in amplifying content reach and engagement.
2. Why Many Don't Embrace Distribution
Addressing common obstacles to effective distribution, Ross offers practical insights to help readers overcome these challenges and unlock the full potential of their content.
3. Promoting Your Content
Ross dives into the crucial aspect of content promotion, emphasizing the significance of actively amplifying one's creations. He encourages the readers to confidently promote their content across various channels, understanding that strategic amplification is key to achieving broader impact and recognition.
4. The Sherlock Homeboy Method: Reverse Engineering Content Market Fit
Introducing a systematic approach to content distribution, Ross presents the "Sherlock Homeboy Method" for reverse engineering content market fit. Through a blend of detective work and strategic thinking, readers learn how to align their content with audience preferences and identify optimal distribution channels for maximum impact.
5. Tactical Insights: Remixing and Republishing
This section delves into actionable tactics for content distribution, focusing on the transformative potential of remixing and republishing strategies. By exploring practical techniques for repurposing content across different platforms, readers discover how to extend the lifespan of their creations and reach new audiences effectively.
6. Channel-Specific Distribution Strategies
Offering a tailored approach to content distribution, this section provides in-depth guides for leveraging specific distribution channels. Readers gain valuable insights into optimizing their content for diverse platforms, empowering them to implement targeted distribution strategies that resonate with their audience and goals.
Resources
Create Once, Distribute Forever Book - https://rosssimmonds.com/book/
Check it out on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Create-Once-Distribute-Forever-Creators/dp/1544541279
— 👋🏾 Let's stay connected —
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╰ LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/rosssimmonds
How To Create Content Based on Google Leak
Create Like the Greats
06/27/24 • 33 min
In this episode of Create Like the Greats, Ross unpacks the recent Google leak with expert precision. Discover how the leak's revelations can transform your approach to content creation and SEO. From diving deep into the nuances of crafting quality content to enhancing user experience and leveraging Google’s resources, Ross provides a treasure trove of insights. Whether you're a seasoned marketer or a burgeoning content creator, this episode is packed with strategies to elevate your digital presence and secure that coveted top spot in search rankings.
Key Takeaways and Insights:
1. Content Quality: Relevance, Originality, and Comprehensiveness
High rankings in search engine results rely on crafting content that is relevant, original, and comprehensive. Ross emphasizes the importance of collaborating with niche experts and industry professionals to infuse your content with diverse perspectives and in-depth insights, aligning with Google’s criteria for valuable content. Ross explains why content must not only meet but exceed reader expectations by providing clear, actionable, and expert-backed information. He discusses the necessity of creating content assets that truly serve and add value.
2. Enhancing User Experience: Streamlined and Intuitive Design
Superior user experience significantly boosts SEO performance. Ross recommends optimizing website usability to ensure quick and easy access to information. Strategies include image compression for faster load times, conducting mobile usability tests, and organizing content logically to enhance user engagement and satisfaction.
3. SEO Insights: Engagement Metrics and Anchor Text Diversity
Ross explores various SEO factors such as click-through rates, dwell time, and the strategic use of anchor texts. He emphasizes the necessity of creating clickable and diverse anchor texts to avoid penalties and improve link equity, crucial for robust SEO.
4. Leveraging Google's Ecosystem: YouTube Integration and Internal Linking
Given Google’s expansive reach, including its monetization of YouTube, Ross advises using this to your advantage by driving organic traffic to Google-hosted platforms. He also underscores the importance of internal linking with relevant keywords to boost site visibility and engagement.
5. STAT Tool
Throughout the episode, Ross credits STAT by Moz as an indispensable tool in Foundation’s SEO arsenal. He discusses how STAT assists in competitive analysis and tracking SERP positions, providing crucial data that informs SEO strategies and helps brands maintain a competitive edge in search results.
Resources
- How to Write SEO Content According to the Google Leaks - https://foundationinc.co/lab/google-algorithm-leak
- How Brands Can Use STAT To Thrive Amidst SERP Chaos - https://foundationinc.co/lab/stat-seo-serp/
- STAT Search Analytics - https://getstat.com/foundation-exclusive
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Why Unscalable Content Is The Future Of SEO Today
Create Like the Greats
01/21/24 • 14 min
In this episode, Ross discusses the importance of unscalable content for brands looking to stand out in search engine results. He explores how AI can be used to create a large quantity of mediocre content but emphasizes the need for marketers to prioritize quality and human creativity in their content strategies. Ross suggests that brands should invest in creating unique and labor-intensive content assets that cannot be easily replicated by AI-driven competitors.
Key Discussion Points:
Unscalable content is crucial for brands that want to rise to the top of search engine results.
The prevalence of mediocre content online
The opportunity for marketers to differentiate themselves from AI-driven content engines
Many brands are producing mediocre content due to a lack of knowledge on how to use AI effectively.
AI can be used to create a large quantity of content, but it often lacks creativity and quality.
The importance of unscalable and laborious content creation. Marketers should prioritize investing in content assets that are difficult for competitors to replicate overnight.
Examples of unscalable content strategies
Unscalable content strategies require more effort and resources, but they ultimately pay off in the long run.
Read Ross’ latest blog post “Why Creating Unscalable Content Amidst The Rise Of AI Is The Right Move” here
Resource Links:
AI Marketing Results Blog Post
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30+ ChatGPT Prompts For Marketers To Steal
Create Like the Greats
01/13/24 • 28 min
In this episode, Ross explores the power of ChatGPT to enhance your content creation process. He shares 30 prompts that can inspire engaging content and increase productivity.
Key Takeaways:
1. ChatGPT's ability to adopt the persona of any author can assist in writing content inspired by their unique style.
2. Utilize ChatGPT to generate a list of 20 titles, but be aware that creating all the accompanying content within seconds may be challenging.
3. Leverage ChatGPT to develop content that drives sales, such as creating posts answering frequently asked questions about your service.
4. Use ChatGPT to generate ideas that stimulate engagement, like sparking a debate on controversial topics such as pineapple on pizza.
5. Combine different topics with ChatGPT, allowing it to find parallels and create fresh content ideas.
6. Explore ChatGPT as a brainstorming technique for social media content creation.
7. Take advantage of ChatGPT's content analysis and trend prediction abilities to create proactive social media content.
8. Generate listicles effortlessly with ChatGPT, creating top 10 tips and tricks lists for your product or service.
9. Leverage seasonal content to inspire ChatGPT and generate relevant and timely content ideas.
Resources and Tools:
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Reddit Is Dominating SEO Right Now
Create Like the Greats
07/04/24 • 21 min
In this episode of Create Like the Greats, Ross discusses the significant shift in the business landscape over the past year and how Reddit has emerged as a major beneficiary of this change. He delves into the Google and Reddit partnership, the importance of creating a subreddit, leveraging ads within subreddits, and the value of cross-referencing YouTube videos in search engine results. This episode offers valuable insights for businesses looking to leverage Reddit's growing influence to enhance their digital strategies and engagement.
Key Takeaways and Insights
1. The Google and Reddit Partnership
Google announced the helpful content update, highlighting their collaboration with Reddit to enhance the content they index. This partnership allows Google to access valuable user-generated content from Reddit, which had previously been overlooked. Reddit's upcoming IPO further solidifies its position as an influential platform for businesses.
2. Creating a Subreddit
Encouraging companies with a significant customer base to consider creating their own subreddit ensures control over the subreddit's content and prevents the creation of unofficial subreddits. This allows businesses to engage directly with their customers and establish a community.
3. STAT for Keyword Monitoring - STAT allows users to upload and monitor a series of keywords, providing insights into which URLs and domains are showing up in Google more frequently for these keywords compared to your own. This is crucial because, as a marketer, recognizing your SEO competitors can reveal that many people searching for your product or service are landing on Reddit threads. This insight helps in understanding where dialogues about you and your competitors are happening on Reddit, allowing you to engage more effectively with your audience on this platform.
4. Leveraging Ads within Subreddits
A powerful strategy is to run targeted ads directly to specific subreddits where the target audience spends time. This enables businesses to reach a highly engaged and relevant audience, leading to better conversion rates. It is recommended to carefully craft ad content that aligns with the interests and values of the subreddit community.
5. Submitting Content to Relevant Subreddits
To increase visibility and reach a wider audience, businesses should submit their content (such as blog posts, articles, or videos) to relevant subreddits. It is essential to research and understand the target audience's interests and preferences within each subreddit to ensure content resonance.
Resources
- How Brands Can Use STAT To Thrive Amidst SERP Chaos - https://foundationinc.co/lab/stat-seo-serp/
- STAT - https://getstat.com/foundation-exclusive
- Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/
- HeyGen - https://heygen.com/?sid=rewardful&via=ross-simmonds
— 👋🏾 Let's stay connected —
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╰ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rosssimmonds
Work Hard or Smart? How About Both?
Create Like the Greats
03/31/23 • 10 min
“Work smart not hard.” This is one of those ideas that sounds great on a billboard. Sound perfect in a tweet. And might even get someone a few email subscribers for suggest that it’s the truth. But as much as this is a great catch phrase:
It doesn’t speak to the reality of who gets ahead in life.
People who get ahead work both smart and hard. That’s right. You can do both.
And it’s a combination of both working smart and hard that differentiates the best from the rest.
Take two people with the same intelligence, same circumstances, same privileges and understanding of the world and give them the same amount of hours in a day. These people are just as smart as one another on day one.
These people have access to the same resources. But one person decides that they’re going to work two extra hours every single week without impacting their 8 hours of sleep each night.
There are 52 weeks in a year. In year one, the person who puts in an extra two hours has 104 extra hours of training, learning, execution & perspective.
In year two, that person has 208... In year three, that person has 312..
In year four, that person has more than 400 extra hours of experience under their belt in comparison to the person who they started with.
Who do you think will have the bigger advantage?
Let's talk about it.
—--
Join hundreds of content creators, marketers and B2B SAAS brand owners and get content marketing tips and advice delivered straight to your inbox every week >>> https://foundationinc.co/newsletter
Ross Simmonds is the CEO and founder of Foundation, a content marketing agency that partners exclusively with ambitious B2B brands looking to create and distribute content that inspires action and produces sales and leads.
Ross hosts the weekly podcast "Create Like the Greats" and speaks on stages all over the world about the power of content marketing.
Follow Ross on
Lessons Learned While Building a Great Life
Create Like the Greats
08/31/23 • 19 min
On this show, I speak often about creating a life that you consider great. I am committed to making my own life great as well as sharing some of the things that I’ve learned along that way that I know have helped me do just that.
Some of these lessons that I’ve learned were hard lessons and some of them, I simply have reflected and found the time to articulate them in a way that I hope will help you.
Episodes Mentioned In the Show
- Chase Dimond, The Man Building a Multi Million Dollar Brand on Social Media (https://open.spotify.com/episode/6anH1pazExrRaX5X8cwN8C?si=e5CoPbGfQ4SYStENIr22Xg)
- Deathbed Regrets I Don't Want to Have (https://open.spotify.com/episode/0CEWUe6fYWAAwVAuKeFr6V?si=UXxkaMlZTX6ItgngLcXPSg)
- Tamara Dworetz, Leading Creative Genius as a Conductor (https://open.spotify.com/episode/5kKB6yqqN6ZWXBjbr1pFci?si=bRhVE1CATeiJ35ZpbqD_sQ)
- Circle of Control vs. Circle of Concern (https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Tjx0jlmEYlgfqfKjfrrBN?si=l1nULNWOQx2VB8ZI4lVc1Q)
- Be an Absolute Monster w/Dr. Julie Gurner, Executive Performance Coach (https://open.spotify.com/episode/76tGKoNTJqKOESRr88FKlH?si=Nmz9c49ORQSC7eRnaOQRZQ)
- The Missing Link: How Music Is the Solution to the Mental Health Crisis w/Chris Boardman (https://open.spotify.com/episode/15Y44wpQBPUewxsRmt1Okb?si=rpeyi7VwRq22RzQsQQl7BA)
—
Join hundreds of content creators, marketers and B2B SAAS brand owners and get content marketing tips and advice delivered straight to your inbox every week >>> https://foundationinc.co/newsletter
Ross Simmonds is the CEO and founder of Foundation, a content marketing agency that partners exclusively with ambitious B2B brands looking to create and distribute content that inspires action and produces sales and leads.
Ross hosts the weekly podcast "Create Like the Greats" and speaks on stages all over the world about the power of content marketing.
Follow Ross on
The Strategy Bankrate Used to Build a $76.3M SEO Moat
Create Like the Greats
12/23/23 • 47 min
In this episode, we explore how Bankrate, a leading finance website, has successfully generated millions of monthly organic visits. By investing in high-value content and emphasizing expertise, Bankrate has established itself as an authority in the financial industry. We delve into the history of Bankrate, its content strategy, and the impact it has had on their success.
Discussion Breakdown:
1. The Importance of Expertise in Content
Bankrate's emphasis on demonstrating expertise, experience, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness in their published content.
Trusting a brand that is written by actual experts.
2. History of Bankrate
Bank Rate Monitor founded by Robert K. Heady in 1976.
Transition towards the internet with the establishment of Bankrate.com in 1996.
Bankrate's IPO in 2011 and subsequent acquisition by Red Ventures in 2017.
3. Content Strategy and Results
Bankrate's focus on creating valuable content and becoming an authority in the finance industry.
The mortgage rate piece that drives over 1.3 million monthly organic visits to their website.
Satisfying search queries to capture a wide audience.
4. Investing in Content and SEO
Strategically investing in content and SEO for business success.
The importance of backlinks to boost website credibility and visibility.
Key Takeaways:
Bankrate's success in driving massive organic traffic is attributed to its investment in high-value content and expertise.
The company's long history and trusted reputation have contributed to its authority in the finance industry.
Bankrate's focus on satisfying user search queries through valuable content has attracted millions of monthly website visitors.
Strategic investment in content, SEO, and backlinks can significantly enhance a business's online presence and success.
Resources and Tools Mentioned:
--- 👋🏾 Let's stay connected ---
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╰ Twitter / X: @thecoolestcool
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FAQ
How many episodes does Create Like the Greats have?
Create Like the Greats currently has 117 episodes available.
What topics does Create Like the Greats cover?
The podcast is about Entrepreneurship, Podcasts, Business and Careers.
What is the most popular episode on Create Like the Greats?
The episode title 'Why Content Distribution Is Important in 2025' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Create Like the Greats?
The average episode length on Create Like the Greats is 32 minutes.
How often are episodes of Create Like the Greats released?
Episodes of Create Like the Greats are typically released every 7 days.
When was the first episode of Create Like the Greats?
The first episode of Create Like the Greats was released on Nov 2, 2022.
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