Propbox.co

Helping launch an ai realtor so you can keep $20,000 in your pocket when you sell your home.

Fractional CMO

Futr Agency

Turning AI into revenue for agencies and consultants.

Co-Founder

Freelance

Want systems to improve your marketing? Need a team built and trained? Want to empower your existing staff with AI that's simple to implement, easy to adopt, and affordable to use?

Let's talk.

Marketing Strategist

ContentSprout

Topic map research and semantic SEO article writer. Improving agency ROI by drastically reducing editing and research time without a loss of quality.

Helium SEO

As Director of Marketing for Helium, I am responsible for SEO and Digital Ads. I bring in the best vendors for our marketing needs and I hire and train best-in-class marketers. 

I’m the one in charge of transforming Helium from a $10m agency to a $100m agency. In order to do that I improve existing SEO processes to make our clients more money. 

I take every success story and work with the marketing team to transform the story into a marketing asset. 

I work with the sales team to empower them to convert at a higher percentage by teaching them how to talk about each service in a way that positions Helium as a market leader while educating the client and prospects. 

I work with the creative team to build out landing pages for the various Helium brands. 

I am helping develop the AI SaaS product by providing direction on what to create. 

I help develop new verticals for Helium by providing in-depth reports and guidance on various services that could be added to the existing services. 


I test strategies and theories for all things digital marketing. 

Lastly, I research and test various theories by reading an obscene amount of content and by interacting in a myriad of marketing groups. I then apply that knowledge by simplifying the lessons and communicating it with leadership and with the directors and managers for each team.

Director of Marketing

Wesley Financial Group, LLC

My role at Wesley LLC, is to lead SEO, PR, and Content initiatives for Wesley Mortgage and for Wesley Financial Group. Content extend to email, blogs, video shorts, youtube videos, and social media. 

I hire content writers and I train writer to develop the skills to become managers in the realm of SEO and content. 

I find technology solutions and gather data to assist with C-suite executive initiatives. The difficult part of this task is to find a scaleable solution that is cheap or free. It helps being a total tech nerd.

I work with partner agencies to write content, migrate data, run surveys, conduct data studies, implement technical SEO fixes, and to build robust data reporting to track the ROI of our team's efforts.

I manage the reputation of Wesley LLC and monitor the brand through a variety of enterprise SaaS tools to make sure we are on top of anything negative. This tends to happen in the line of work that Wesley Financial is in.

I conduct SEO ROI reports for keyword clusters so c-suite execuatives can make informed decisions on how to invest the company's time and money. 

I conduct marketshare analysis reports for SEO to identify how much of the market belongs to each player and how much it would cost to catch up to any of the leaders. After identifying the market share, I predict (with scary accuracy) the backlink cost associated with the SEO campaign. My CMO knows exactly how much money he needs to spend and how much time it will take to achieve our SEO goals.

After analyzing every keyword in a cluster, I then prioritize the keywords by sorting them in 4 groups. I always target the easiest group first to build momentum that will be used to rank for the more difficult terms.

Lastly, I'm leading an initiative to create a tool that realtors and home shoppers will use in conjunction with tools like Zillow. It will be the most robust content in the space and its truly one of a kind in what it will accomplish.

Director of Content and Communications

Transformations Treatment Center

I manage the SEO efforts and direct strategy for organic growth.

Director Search Engine Optimization

Syndiket Marketing, LLC

I manage all SEO strategy for local and national businesses. I train all SEO team members, create SOPs, and manage the team. I also get clients for the business to grow.

Co-Owner and Director of SEO

Andrew Ansley SEO

SEO agency focused on Local and National search rankings. ROI focused. Where optimization for search engine meets optimization for converting real people.

Owner

Local SEO company that specializes in difficult niches like: roofing, plastic surgery, drug rehab, finance,  etc.

TapClicks

I manage the content for TapClicks and assist in content-based strategies that are aimed at increasing web traffic. I manage a team of content writers, provide edits, gather images, and work with the graphic design team to make a well-produced article or email. 

I also consult and implement SEO strategies for optimizing both RavenTools and TapClicks.

Content Manager and SEO Manager

I increase agency performance and efficiency | Automate 15-25% of your business | SEO, ADS, AI, and everything inbetween

Andrew Ansley

Hays & Associates, Inc.

B2B/B2C Copy & Content Creator For Health, Technology & Home Improvement Business. 
Most companies invest heavily in marketing. Their messages lack clarity. 

Copywriting is something you use every day in all of your communications. If you can sound authentic, personable, and connect personally, your sales and profits will grow. 

So how do you find the right message for your company that conveys trust and sounds natural? 

One way is to partner with a copywriter who is your ideal customer and understands your business and customers.

I specialize in clarifying your marketing messages, which leads to acquiring new customers every single day like clockwork. 

I have an extensive business background and have written and worked in the medical and technology fields for 28 years. In the past 10 years, we have helped generate over $100 MILLION in revenue in the real estate industry. I’ve been an entrepreneur and online marketer who understands how to increase sales and connect with customers. 

After experimenting and testing multiple copy formulas…

I discovered a better way to write your:

Sales Pages
Case Studies
Emails
Facebook Ads
Autoresponders
Squeeze Pages
Facebook Ads
Web Copy
Advertisements
Blog Posts
And More

This unique approach is personalized based on the type of business and messages needed to get more customers and increase sales.

B2B/B2C Copywriter/Ghostwriter - Lead Generation Specialist

Missing Link Inc.

As a dedicated professional specializing in marketing, copywriting, and social media for a prominent real estate team, I have consistently delivered exceptional results and creative solutions.

Throughout my career, I have been able to craft compelling content for diverse sectors, including healthcare, real estate, natural health, and the golf industry. My versatility and expertise have allowed me to cater to a wide range of audiences and industries, adapting my writing style to suit each unique context.

Moreover, I take pride in my ability to develop engaging Video Sales Letters (VSLs) that have proven impactful for businesses and influencers. My proficiency in understanding audience preferences and effectively communicating brand messages has contributed to the success of numerous VSL campaigns.

►Want more on-line customers?

►We help your business get more local active buyers to call you, rather than your competition. Our fully managed local search and social media solutions help your business stay ahead of the market and generate more customers in the most cost effective way.

►I would be happy to introduce myself and share with you some specific strategies that give you a competitive advantage over your competition. Call Now for a free consultation

📞Phone: (888) 801-5245◄►E-mail: mike@mhays.com

Contact me for a free social media strategy consultation.

Mike Hays, MBA e-business

♦My expertise is in:
♦Internet Consulting
♦Local Search Solutions
♦Facebook Page Design and Marketing
♦Mobile Marketing
♦Webinar/Online Seminar Promotional Manager
♦Video Marketing
♦Search Engine Optimization

Social Media Marketing | Local Search Consulting | Social Media Agency | Coaching and Training

Our company provides social media management to cosmetic surgery practices. Our clients can experience a growing medical practice by building relationships with their targeted patient population.

Full Service Social Media Agency | Social Media Consulting & Management

Pacific Perfusion Services Inc

President

Ghostwriter & Messaging Strategist helping leaders achieve 70% opt-ins with a Microstory Journey using the 3-Minute Story Blueprint to build trust and convert hesitant prospects into eager customers.

Most businesses struggle to convert leads because they rely on forgettable downloads and meaningless discounts that fail to create an emotional connection. 

Prospects don't just need information, they need to feel valued, to trust you, and to experience genuine engagement. 

That's why I created the concept of the Microstory Journey, a 5-day emotional experience that uses the 3-Minute Story Blueprint to touch hearts, build authentic connections, and establish unshakable trust, turning hesitant prospects into eager customers ready to take action.

AWAI Verified Copywriter
Case Studies Certification
Sales Enablement Certification

WRITING SERVICES I PROVIDE:

📨 5-Day Education Email Courses
💲 Ghostwriting on Social Media Platforms
📰  Newsletters
🌐   Web Content
✍️   Blog Posting
📧   Email Marketing
🛒   Sales Pages
📱   Facebook/Google Ads 

WHOM I WORK WITH: I help executives, CEOs, founders, & coaches.

3 Simple Steps to Powerful Messaging
1. Define your goals and messaging. 
2. Develop a customized storytelling strategy. 
3. Execute and refine messaging for maximum impact.

HERE'S WHAT TO DO NEXT:
Email me at mike@mikehays.net OR
Book a call with me at https://calendly.com/ask-mikehays

Mike Hays

I Spent 10 Years Chasing Recognition 

And Ignoring the Metrics That Actually Mattered

Most professionals chase comfort zones and 
perfectionist standards, but here's what 
actually drives meaningful progress:

Redefining Your Success Framework:

Growth Over Comfort
↳ Comfort zones are productivity killers
↳ Real progress happens in discomfort
↳ Challenge yourself weekly, not yearly

Contribution Over Recognition
↳ Recognition follows contribution, not vice versa
↳ Focus on impact you create for others
↳ Value delivered always returns multiplied

Progress Over Perfection
↳ Perfect is the enemy of done
↳ 80% completed beats 100% planned
↳ Iteration beats procrastination every time

The Measurable Approach:

Set Progress Metrics:
↳ Skills developed per quarter
↳ Problems solved for your team
↳ Revenue or value generated monthly

Track Growth Indicators:
↳ New challenges accepted
↳ Feedback loops established
↳ Comfort zone expansions documented

Monitor Contribution Impact:
↳ Processes improved or created
↳ Knowledge shared or transferred
↳ People helped or mentored

Here’s What’s Really Going On:
Success isn't about arriving somewhere perfect.
It's about consistently moving forward while lifting others up.

True success isn’t found in applause.
 It’s built in the quiet, measurable moments 
where growth, contribution, and momentum meet.
Track that, and you’ll never need permission to feel proud again.

🔔 Follow Mike Hays for more leadership strategies

Mike  Hays

Dear 30-year-old me,

You think “years of experience” will be enough.

It won’t.

No one will hire you just because you've been around.
They’ll hire you because you’ve learned something they need.
Because you can tell a story that makes them feel seen.

Because your past mistakes help them avoid their future ones.

Here’s what I wish you knew:

1️⃣ Experience isn’t value, until you give it context.
→ A 15-year résumé is just noise unless you extract the lesson.

2️⃣ Your stories are your brand.
→ You’ll lose gigs to people with less experience but better storytelling.
→ You’ll win them back when you stop hiding behind your bullet points.

3️⃣ Your relationships are your edge.
→ The people who trust you? They’ll open doors a résumé never will.

You thought experience was your advantage.
But the real edge is what you learned, 
who you helped, and how you share it.

So here’s my advice:
**Don’t just collect years.
**Collect stories.

They’ll take you further than your résumé ever could.

— Future You

What advice would you give your younger self about leadership?

🔔 Follow Mike Hays for more leadership strategies

Visualization without action? 

You're just daydreaming about success.

I used to think positive thinking alone would change everything.
Then, one day, I realized something:

"Fear-based thinking was controlling my decisions."

I wondered why successful people seemed so confident.

They weren't just hoping for the best,
they were actively visualizing their success daily.

It made perfect sense to me.

So, I started practicing daily visualization sessions.

Weeks went by.
And my mindset shifted with every mental rehearsal.

Business decisions? More confident.
Client conversations? Clearer than ever.

And because I directed my imagination toward success,

I stopped getting paralyzed by worst-case scenarios
and started taking action aligned with my goals.

Here's what I learned about visualization:
- What you focus on expands
- Fear-driven "what-ifs" create anxiety
- Success visualization builds confidence
- Daily practice rewires your thinking patterns
- Your brain can't tell the difference between real and imagined experiences

So here's my takeaway for executives and entrepreneurs:

Train your imagination to work for you
or let fear-driven thoughts sabotage your potential.

Comment: "I visualize success," and I'll share my 
daily visualization framework.

If you can take this one small step today, 

you can rewire your brain for growth forever...

I was "busy" but never stretched.
Productive but never challenged.
Respected but no longer evolving.

It hit me when I passed on a speaking opportunity... again.
Not because I wasn’t ready

But because I didn’t *want* to feel exposed.

That was my wake-up call.

So I made a decision:
**Train discomfort like a skill.**

Here’s what actually helped me escape my comfort zone:

✅ **Discomfort Reps**: 1 uncomfortable action per day.
(Speak up, send the bold email, pitch early.)

✅ **10/10/10 Rule**: Will this still scare me in 10 months?
(Almost always: No. And that freed me.)

✅ **Declare → Rehearse**: Share my goal publicly.
(Then practice it privately until it feels natural.)

That combo flipped something inside me.

I started chasing challenges instead of avoiding them.

Leaving your comfort zone doesn’t require a dramatic leap.
It requires repeatable friction.

Build a process for small risks.
Reframe fear with perspective.
Let identity shift before your skills catch up.

If you wait to feel ready, you'll never move.
If you track growth like a habit, you’ll never stall.

Stop waiting to feel brave.
Start building systems that make bravery a default.

What’s one discomfort rep you’ll commit to this week?

🔔 Mike Hays Follow for more growth strategies

3 “Harmless” Signs You’re Headed for a Crash

Just make sure you pay attention to number 3.


A few months ago, I thought I was doing fine.
✅ Hitting deadlines
✅ Staying organized
✅ Still "showing up" every day

But little things started slipping:
– Typos in emails
– Rescheduling meetings I actually wanted to attend
– Dreading tasks I used to enjoy

It didn’t feel like burnout.

I wasn’t overwhelmed.

I was just… off.

Then one morning, I finished an entire project before 10 a.m.
And felt nothing.

No relief. No pride. No sense of progress.

That’s when it hit me:

I wasn’t burned out in the loud, messy, fall-apart sense.

I was experiencing quiet burnout

Where everything still works… but nothing feels like it matters.

Burnout doesn’t always look like collapse.
Sometimes it looks like competence without connection.

The signs are subtle:
You’re making small mistakes you never used to.
You’re dreading things you usually enjoy.

You’re productive… but emotionally disconnected from everything.
Rest isn’t just recovery.

It’s reconnection.

If everything feels muted right now —
Don’t push through.

Pause. Rest. Re-enter.

You don’t need to earn rest by breaking down.

Have you ever felt this kind of “quiet burnout”?

Top Brands Don’t Just Tell Stories 

They Let the Customer Star in Them

Brand loyalty doesn’t start with logic.
It starts with a story your brain never forgets.

We used to think stories were just entertainment.
That emotion distracted from learning.

That repetition, not narrative, built memory.
↳That kids forget what they hear.
↳But neuroscience says otherwise.

Stories don’t just entertain.
They encode identity.

They light up the hippocampus, trigger the amygdala, 
and embed emotional context.

Mirror neurons fire. Empathy builds.
The story becomes part of who we are.

This is why brand storytelling works.

Because humans don’t remember facts.
We remember feelings wrapped in narrative.

If your brand only competes 
on features, you’ll be forgotten.

If it connects through emotion and story, 
you’ll live in someone’s mind and memory for life.

The most powerful positioning?
↳Make your customer the protagonist.
↳Make your message a mirror.
↳Make your story stick.


Story isn’t fluff.
It’s neurostrategy.

Use it to build a brand people remember and feel.

🔔 Follow Mike Hays for communication strategies that actually work

The Hardest Thing I Ever Wrote
Nothing prepared me for this.

Writing my mom’s obituary was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to write.

I’ve written reports, marketing plans, keynote speeches.
But nothing prepared me to distill a lifetime, her lifetime
into a few short paragraphs.

Every word had to carry the weight of decades.
What do you say when you only get one 
shot to sum up someone’s entire story?

Somewhere between rewriting sentence three for the seventh time,
and debating whether to include her love of lavender or her fear of flying…
I realized:

The real challenge wasn’t choosing the right words.
It was facing what mattered most.

Writing that obituary forced me to ask:
What do we leave behind that’s actually worth remembering?

→ Not titles.
→ Not achievements.
→ But the small, consistent ways we show up for others.
→ The laughter, the generosity, the quiet sacrifices no one else sees.

It made me rethink how I show up 
at work, in life, in leadership.

Because the way we live 
not what we list becomes our legacy.

If someone had to write your story in 300 words or less...
What would you want it to say?

The Smarter You Sound, 

the Less They Understand

We assume everyone speaks our language, 
but most conversations are lost in translation.

Here's what we don't realize:
↳ Industry jargon sounds like gibberish to outsiders
↳ What's obvious to us is foreign to them
↳ Our expertise creates blind spots

The Communication Breakdown:

We Say: "Let's leverage our synergies for optimal ROI"
They Hear: Meaningless business buzzwords

We Say: "It's a simple pivot in our strategy"
They Hear: Everything is changing again

We Say: "We need to be more agile"
They Hear: We don't know what we're doing

The Clarity Framework:

1. Translate Before You Speak

↳ Replace jargon with plain language
↳ Explain the "why" behind every decision
↳ Use examples they can relate to

2. Check for Understanding

↳ Ask "What questions do you have?"
↳ Watch for confused faces and silence
↳ Invite them to repeat back what they heard

3. Bridge the Gap

↳ Start with their world, not yours
↳ Connect new concepts to familiar ones
↳ Make the complex feel simple

Remember: Clear communication isn't about dumbing things down
it's about building bridges between different worlds of understanding.

Quick Question:

What's one piece of "code" you use that others might not understand?

⤵️ Share below
🔔 Follow Mike Hays  for more communication insights

Are You Leading With What You’ve Done

or What You’ve Learned?

The biggest mistake I made early in my career wasn't what you think.
It was leading with credentials instead of connection.

For years, I opened every conversation the same way:

"I have 15 years of experience in..."
"I've worked with Fortune 500 companies..."
"My background includes..."

The result? Polite nods and zero engagement.

Then I shifted my approach entirely
I started leading with lessons instead of laurels:

Resume voice:
→ "I have extensive experience in digital marketing"
→ "I hold certifications in project management"
→ "I've managed teams of 50+ people"
→ "I've generated millions in revenue"

Real voice:
→ "I realized that revenue without relationships is unsustainable"
→ "I found that processes without people buy-in always collapse"
→ "I learned that most marketing fails because we forget to listen first"
→ "I discovered that the best teams aren't managed - they're empowered"

The difference was immediate and profound.

People leaned in instead of checking out.
Conversations became collaborations.
Prospects turned into partners.

Here's what I discovered: 

Experience tells people what you've done, 
but lessons show them what you've learned and 
more importantly, what you can help them avoid or achieve.

Your credentials might get you in the room, 
but your lessons keep people listening.

The real question is: 
Are you sharing your resume or your revelations?

If you've been leading with experience 
and wondering why doors aren't opening,
it might be time to start sharing the wisdom behind the wins.

🔔 Follow Mike Hays for more leadership strategies

The most productive people swear by to-do lists.

But, your task list might be draining you. 

Most professionals treat to-do lists like productivity gospel, 
but research reveals a different story.

Let's examine what's really happening:

The Illusion Problem:
↳ You confuse motion with actual movement
↳ Busy work disguises as meaningful action
↳ Checking boxes creates false progress

Here's why traditional to-do lists fail:

1. Priority Blindness

↳ Everything feels equally urgent
↳ Important tasks get buried under trivial ones
↳ You optimize for completion, not impact

2. Cognitive Overload

↳ Long lists trigger decision paralysis
↳ Mental energy drains before you start
↳ Overwhelm replaces clarity and focus

3. Context Switching

↳ Random task order destroys deep work
↳ Constant mental gear-shifting kills momentum
↳ Quality suffers for quantity completion

The Hidden Reality:
High performers don't abandon lists entirely.
They transform them into strategic systems.

Instead of endless task dumps, they use:
↳ Priority matrices
↳ Time-blocked calendars
↳ Outcome-focused planning

The breakthrough happens when you stop asking 
"What should I do?" and start asking 
"What impact do I want to create?"

Your to-do list isn't the problem, it's how you're using it.

Quick Question:

What's one task you've been carrying 
on your list for weeks? 

Share below.

New Era, New Rules: 

If You Don’t Educate to Sell, You’re Invisible


The biggest mistake professionals make on LinkedIn:

(And it's killing their credibility)

Being afraid of looking "salesy."

But here’s what they don’t tell you:
Sales fear isn’t about being pushy.
It’s about forgetting to be helpful.

Reality Check (They Don’t Tell You This):
↳ 87% of buyers research before purchasing
↳ Educational content builds 3x more trust
↳ Value-first approach converts 40% better

Avoiding the pitch? Here’s what it’s costing you:
1. Invisible Authority
↳ You hide your expertise behind generic posts
↳ The audience can’t connect problems to solutions
↳ Competitors fill the gap you left open

2. Missed Connections
↳ People need to know what you actually offer
↳ Clarity attracts the right clients
↳ Confused minds don’t convert

3. Revenue Stagnation
↳ Directionless content = wasted time
↳ Engagement ≠ income
↳ Strategy always beats activity

The Shift:
Everyone shares insights.
Everyone creates content.
But only confident professionals turn expertise into income.

Quick Question:
What’s holding you back from sharing your solutions?

⤵️ Drop it in the comments
🔔 Follow Mike Hays for story-based strategies that sell without sounding salesy

Would you like a companion post that shows how to pitch on LinkedIn without triggering that “salesy” feeling? Could be a great follow-up.

Everyone shares insights.
Everyone creates content.
But only confident professionals turn expertise into income.

Quick Question:
What’s holding you back from sharing your solutions?
⤵️ Drop it in the comments
🔔 Follow for story-based strategies that sell without sounding salesy

It Took 12 Seconds to Confuse Them

and 3 Hours to Cut to the Point

I once thought being clear meant using more words.
Boy, was I wrong.

Here's what happened:

I was crafting an email course for a CEO client. 
My first draft was 847 words of "comprehensive clarity." 
I explained every nuance, covered every angle, anticipated every question.

The result? 
↳ One very confused client
↳ 3% open rate
↳ Zero replies

Then I remembered something a mentor told me:
"Clarity isn't about saying more, it's about saying less, better."

So I rewrote it. Same message, 127 words.

The difference was striking:

Version 1 (847 words):
↳ Left readers overwhelmed
↳ Used 12 different concepts
↳ Buried the main point in paragraph 4

Version 2 (127 words):
↳ Led with the core insight
↳ Immediate understanding
↳ One clear action step

The rewrite delivered:
↳ 34% open rate
↳ 18 direct replies
↳ 3 new client conversations

The lesson hit me hard: 
More words don't create more 
clarity, they create more confusion.

True clarity comes from:
↳ Cutting ruthlessly
↳ Leading with impact
↳ Respecting your reader's time

Now I ask myself: "What's the one thing they need to know?"

Everything else gets deleted.

Quick question:

What's one message you've been overcomplicating that could be simplified?

⤵️ Share your thoughts below
🔔 Follow Mike Hays for more communication insights

Ever wish you could read your customer’s mind?

Turns out… there’s a tool for that.

It’s a popular one
but almost no one uses it to its full potential.

Most treat AnswerThePublic like an SEO hack.

Smart businesses?
They use it to decode what customers actually care about.

Here’s how to turn it into a customer research engine that drives results.

Step 1: Map Questions to Sales Stages
↳ “What is…” = Awareness stage content
↳ “How to…” = Consideration stage content
↳ “Best…” = Decision stage content
Align your content calendar with buyer intent.

Step 2: Find Content Gaps Competitors Miss
↳ Export all relevant questions
↳ Cross-check with competitor content
↳ Identify and own the conversations they’re ignoring

Step 3: Turn Questions Into Lead Magnets
↳ “Why” = Email courses
↳ “What is” = Beginner resources
↳ “How to” = Tutorial guides
Gate high-value answers behind strategic opt-ins

Step 4: Validate Product Ideas
↳ Repeated pain points = new product opportunities
↳ High-volume questions = market demand
↳ Seasonal patterns = launch timing signals

The Real Power Move:
↳ Repurpose questions into high-performing LinkedIn content
↳ Build trust by answering before you pitch
↳ Create evergreen email sequences that educate and convert
↳ Become the go-to expert in your niche

Most people see search data.
Strategic marketers see conversations waiting to happen.

What questions is your audience asking…
that you haven’t answered yet?

Drop one below. Let’s build content that actually connects.

Follow Mike Hays for communication strategies that actually work

They Yawned, They Skimmed, They Deleted  

All Because the Email Was ‘Professional’

I once had a client send me a sales 
email so boring I couldn’t finish it.

Not because the product was bad.
Because it read like a terms and conditions page.

Most business communication isn’t persuasive, it’s painful.

It’s written for compliance, not connection.

And it shows.

Let me rate the entertainment value of typical business messages:

Corporate Emails: 2/10
↳ “Please advise at your earliest convenience…”
↳ Zero personality, maximum boredom
↳ “Per our previous conversation…”

LinkedIn Requests: 1/10
↳ Instant delete material
↳ Copy-paste templates
↳ “I’d like to add you to my professional network.”

Sales Pitches: 3/10
↳ Feature dumps without stories
↳ Sound like everyone else
↳ Zero emotional resonance

Educational Email Courses: 8/10
↳ Stories that stick
↳ Value wrapped in personality
↳ People look forward to them

The biggest unlock?
Entertainment value isn’t fluff, it’s fuel.

If your message can’t hold attention, it can’t drive action.
And attention goes to the content that connects 
not the content that conforms.

You don’t need to be funny.

You need to be human.
→ Stories beat stats
→ Clarity beats jargon
→ Emotion beats structure

When I write email courses for clients, 
entertainment isn’t optional, it’s essential.

Because boring content gets ignored.

But the right story? 

That gets remembered, shared, and acted on.

Quick gut check:
What’s the entertainment score of your last business message?

⤵️ Drop a number below
🔔 Follow Mike Hays for communication strategies that actually work

The media isn't broken.

You're just looking in the wrong place.

[Note: Here's a peak into my writing style~Mike]

[This is a LinkedIn microstory post based on the concept of legacy gatekeepers fading and new influencers rising, written in clear, accessible language without tech-speak:]

HOOK-Headline above

RISING ACTION
For decades, credibility came from being quoted in newspapers…
…or landing a segment on TV…
…or getting a press release picked up.

But here’s the shift most professionals haven’t caught up to:
The new gatekeepers aren’t in newsrooms 
they’re in DMs, podcast studios, and LinkedIn comment sections.

Today, trust is built through
→ Helpful posts
→ Niche podcasts
→ Honest behind-the-scenes content

CLIMAX
The audiences didn’t disappear.
They just stopped waiting for the 6 o’clock news.
They follow people, not press releases.
They learn from peers, not panels.

LESSON
If you're still chasing legacy attention…
You're likely overlooking the platforms where 
genuine trust is being built.

Modern credibility looks like:
→ Being known in your niche
→ Showing up consistently
→ Sharing value, not spin

TAKEAWAY
The mic is in your hands now.

The question is: what are you saying?

Would you like to learn how to capture attention
using Microstories? DM me, Mike Hays

Want to Stay Relevant in Your Field? 

There’s Only One Option: 

Adapt Now

The biggest disruption in your career isn't what you think.
It's something far more powerful than any previous technology shift.

"AI is the new electricity" 

Just as electricity transformed every industry over 
a century ago, artificial intelligence is poised to reshape 
the entire business landscape within the next 3 years.

But here's what most people don't realize about this transformation:

What's Actually Happening:

↳ Entire business models will become obsolete
↳ Early adopters will dominate their markets
↳ 33% of current jobs will be eliminated

Here's why AI adoption separates winners from losers:

1. Speed Advantage

↳ AI tools accelerate decision-making by 10x
↳ Automate repetitive tasks instantly
↳ Free up time for strategic thinking

2. Competitive Moat

↳ First movers capture market share
↳ AI-enhanced services command premium pricing
↳ Traditional competitors can't keep pace

3. Future-Proofing

↳ Build skills that complement AI
↳ Become irreplaceable through human AI collaboration
↳ Position yourself as an industry leader

What No One's Saying:
This isn't about replacing humans.
It's about humans becoming superhuman.
But only those who embrace the change.

Remember Studebaker?

They dominated the automobile industry until 
they refused to adapt to changing technology.

Today's resisters will face the same fate.

The question isn't whether AI will transform 
your industry is whether you'll be leading 
that transformation or watching from the sidelines.

What's your first step toward 
becoming AI-enhanced in your field?

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While Other Brands Chase Perfection, 

This Deodorant Brand Chose Sweat and Won

It didn’t rely on high production.
No influencers. No perfect lighting.

Just a guy on the street getting called out…
for his sweat stains.

What followed was uncomfortable, authentic, and utterly brilliant.

Instead of backing away, the “confronter” reveals:
“I work for a deodorant company.”

      Boom.

Tension diffused. Trust created.

The founder explains that most deodorants just mask odor
They don’t stop sweat.

He hands over Carpe, a sweat-blocking deodorant.

The person tries it on camera. 

Smells it. Loves it.

Then comes the knockout punch:
↳ 56% off.
↳ Free gifts.
↳ Free shipping.
↳ Plus a human line to end it:

“I have a girlfriend.”

This ad works because it follows a formula 
every brand should study:

1️⃣ Start with social tension, a real, awkward moment.
2️⃣ Use the founder as a trust bridge, authentic, low-ego, informative.
3️⃣ Stack the offer, make the deal feel generous, not desperate.

It’s not about budget. It’s about emotional sequencing.

Tension → Relief → Education → Proof → Value → Humanity.

That’s how you earn attention in a crowded feed.

Want to make people stop scrolling?
Start with sweat, not polish.

What’s the most uncomfortable ad idea you’ve seen actually work?

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What Can You Really Say in Six Seconds? 

Turns Out, Everything.”

We only get six seconds.
That's all the time we have to make someone care.


Not long ago, communication relied on time and depth:

→ 30-second elevator pitches
→ Long-form demos
→ Multi-paragraph emails
→ Detailed decks

But the game has changed.
Now we’re competing with:

→ Infinite scroll
→ Swipe-trained reflexes
→ TikTok pacing
→ Instant gratification habits
→ Notification chaos

And in this compressed window, most messages vanish before they even register.

Six seconds is the new attention battleground.

It’s not about shouting louder or dumbing things down.

It’s about delivering immediate value with surgical precision.

We’ve trained our brains to decide in a blink if content is worth our time.
Miss that moment?
You miss the message.

This isn't just a social media insight, it's a professional imperative.

Whether you're pitching, presenting, emailing, 
or networking, the same rule applies:

If you can't front-load your message 
with value, it likely won't land.

We’re not simplifying, we’re clarifying.

Modern communication rewards clarity, speed, 
and relevance over depth for depth’s sake.

Those who master the six-second window?
They don’t just get noticed.
They drive action.

The first six seconds make or break your message.
How are you using yours?

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Introducing: A Positioning Framework 

Built for the Attention Economy

The #1 marketing mistake?
Spending before you can say why you're different.


Most entrepreneurs skip a critical step:
Defining what makes them irreplaceable.

They dive into content, ads, and campaigns…
But struggle to explain their unique value in a single sentence.

The assumptions?
→ “Our product speaks for itself.”
→ “We’ll figure it out as we grow.”
→ “People will understand what makes us special.”

But without clarity, your message gets lost,
and your budget gets burned.


If you can’t explain your edge clearly,
don’t expect your audience to figure it out.

You’re not just competing for market share,
you’re competing for milliseconds of attention.

And vague positioning doesn’t win that battle.


Here’s what sets standout brands apart:
→ They lead with relevance.
→ They craft messaging that cuts through noise.
→ They anchor every campaign in a crystal-clear answer to:
“Why should I care?”

Compare that to those stuck in the spin cycle of 
generic slogans, feature lists, and “we’re better” claims.

One approach resonates.
The other fades.

Before your next campaign, pause and ask:
What makes us the only choice for the right people?

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I’m Still Searching for the Perfect To-Do App

I Haven’t Found It Yet

Is It Too Much to Ask for One App That Actually Thinks Like I Do?

I'm hunting for the perfect productivity app…
(And my requirements might be impossible)

But here's what most productivity apps get wrong:
They focus on features rather than workflow integration.

Here's my non-negotiable list:

1. Daily Task Loading

↳ Import my to-dos and active projects
↳ Include courses I'm currently taking
↳ One central command center

2. Smart Prioritization

↳ Automatically rank my tasks
↳ Factor in deadlines and importance
↳ No more decision paralysis

3. Calendar Integration

↳ Load tasks based on available Google Calendar time
↳ Real-time sync between platforms
↳ No double-booking disasters

4. Flexible Time Adjustment

↳ Easy task duration changes
↳ Drag-and-drop time modifications
↳ Adapt to reality, not rigid schedules

5. Daily Planning Ritual

↳ Built-in daily review meetings
↳ Task confirmation and setup
↳ Start each day with clarity

6. Travel Time Intelligence

↳ Auto-calculate drive time for appointments
↳ Buffer time between meetings
↳ Never be late again

7. Delegation Features

↳ Assign tasks to team members
↳ Track delegated work progress
↳ Maintain accountability

The Reality Check:
Most apps do one thing well.
I need one that does everything seamlessly.

Quick Question:

Am I asking for too much, or does this unicorn app actually exist?

Could you post your favorite To-Do/Project Tracker?

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