EP 100 - The Brutal Truth About Startup Success (From a Founder Who Won Every Time) | Eric Litman

EP 104 - How ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews & Claude Are Using YouTube Content | #StartupsUnedited

AI search is changing how buyers discover brands.In this episode of #StartupsUnedited [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/startupsunedited], I sit down with Devin Pickell, Founder of Do I Need SEO, to discuss why YouTube has become one of the most important channels for SEO, GEO (Generative Engine Optimization), AEO (Answer Engine Optimization), and AI visibility.As platforms like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews increasingly cite YouTube videos in generated answers, brands can no longer afford to think about YouTube as simply a social media platform. It is now a critical search engine and knowledge source.We discuss:• Why YouTube is one of the most cited sources in AI-generated answers• The relationship between SEO, GEO, AEO, and AI visibility• Why Reddit and YouTube are dominating AI citations• How AI search is changing the B2B buying journey• The role of video content in modern demand generation• YouTube SEO best practices for startups and enterprise brands• How founders, CEOs, and subject matter experts can build authority through video• The future of search, discovery, and brand visibilityWhether you're a founder, CMO, demand generation leader, SEO professional, content marketer, or growth executive, this conversation provides a practical roadmap for building visibility in an AI-first world.Guest:Devin PickellFounder, Do I Need SEOSubscribe for more conversations on AI, marketing, growth, startups, SEO, GEO, AEO, and the future of digital discovery.#SEO [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/seo] #GEO [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/geo] #AEO [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/aeo] #AIVisibility [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/aivisibility] #YouTubeSEO [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/youtubeseo] #ChatGPT [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/chatgpt] #GoogleAIOverviews [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/googleaioverviews] #GenerativeEngineOptimization [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/generativeengineoptimization] #AnswerEngineOptimization [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/answerengineoptimization] #B2BMarketing [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/b2bmarketing] #ContentMarketing [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/contentmarketing] #DemandGeneration [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/demandgeneration] #ArtificialIntelligence [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/artificialintelligence] #StartupsUnedited [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/startupsunedited]

EP 103 - AEO vs SEO in 2026: How AI Search Is Changing B2B Growth

AI search is changing how buyers discover brands.In this episode of #StartupsUnedited, I sit down with Jake Sotir, SEO & Organic Growth Manager at Practice Better, to break down how AEO (Answer Engine Optimization), GEO (Generative Engine Optimization), AI visibility, and LLM-powered search are reshaping modern marketing.If you are a founder, CMO, growth marketer, SEO leader, or agency trying to understand how ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews are impacting the funnel, this episode is packed with practical insights.Topics covered include:The evolution from traditional SEO to AEO/GEOWhy AI search and LLM visibility matter in 2026How ChatGPT and AI engines influence the buyer journeyClickless search and zero-click attribution challengesWhy branded search is becoming more importantHow Reddit, YouTube, and third-party citations impact AI visibilityHow to structure content for AI search enginesFAQ-driven content strategies for LLM optimizationThe role of schema, summaries, and semantic contentAI search attribution and self-reported attribution modelsTools for tracking AI visibility and LLM search performanceHow growth marketers should adapt their SEO strategies for AI discoveryJake also shares tactical tips on:✅ Building AI-friendly content✅ Structuring blogs for LLM citation✅ Using question-answer formatting✅ Creating hidden AI-readable company pages✅ Monitoring AI search visibility and sentimentWhether you call it AEO, GEO, AI SEO, AI search optimization, or AI visibility, one thing is clear:Brands that fail to adapt to AI-powered discovery risk becoming invisible online.Hosted by Jorge Soto (me!).Brought to you by Gumshoe.ai helping brands and agencies understand how AI search engines discuss, recommend, and cite their brands.🎙️ Follow #StartupsUnedited for more conversations on:AI searchB2B growthStartup GTMSEO & AEOContent strategyAI visibilityDemand generationModern marketing systemsConnect with Jake Sotir on LinkedIn for more insights on SEO, AEO, GEO, and organic growth.#AEO #GEO #SEO #AISearch #ChatGPT #GenerativeEngineOptimization #AnswerEngineOptimization #AIVisibility #B2BMarketing #GrowthMarketing #ContentMarketing #LLM #AISEO #StartupMarketing #DemandGeneration #StartupsUnedited #GumshoeAIFollow me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/startupjorge/Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/startupjorge

EP 102 - AI Is Destroying SaaS Margins - Most Founders Don’t See It Coming

AI is changing more than software.It is changing the entire economics of SaaS.In this episode of #StartupsUnedited, I sit down with pricing and go-to-market expert Roee Hartuv, Senior Pricing Advisor & Head of GTM Expertise at Willingness to Pay, to discuss why traditional seat-based SaaS pricing is breaking, how AI is destroying margins, and what founders need to understand before they accidentally price themselves into a disaster.We cover:Why seat-based pricing no longer works in the AI eraWhy AI companies have lower margins than traditional SaaS businessesThe rise of usage-based, credit-based, and outcome-based pricingWhy outcome-based pricing is harder than most people thinkHow companies like Salesforce are experimenting with AI pricing modelsWhy some AI startups are losing millions because of bad pricing decisionsHow founders should think about packaging, pricing, and unit economicsWhy AI companies need to obsess over costs, not just revenue growthIf you are building, investing in, or operating an AI startup, this episode will completely change the way you think about pricing strategy.#AI #SaaS #PricingStrategy #ArtificialIntelligence #B2B #Startups #StartupAdvice #GTM #Salesforce #UsageBasedPricing #ProductLedGrowth #VC #Founders #StartupsUneditedRoee Hartuv, Jorge Soto, Salesforce, OpenAI, Anthropic, Fin.aiFollow me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/startupjorge/Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/startupjorge

EP 101 - This CEO Sold to Salesforce.com: The REAL Playbook Behind Building a Successful AI Company

What does it really take to build a company that wins - and gets acquired by a giant like Salesforce?In this episode of #StartupsUnedited, I sit down with John Andrews (Co-Founder & CEO of Cimulate, now part of Salesforce.com) to break down the real playbook behind building, scaling, and exiting a category-defining AI company.We go deep on:Why your co-founder choice is everything (and how to get it right)The truth about building world-class startup teamsHow top CEOs stay calm under pressure when everything is on fireWhy agentic AI is the biggest shift since the internetHow AI is rewiring e-commerce, search (GEO/AEO), and buying behaviorWhat founders and execs MUST understand about AI-driven discoveryJohn has built and exited multiple companies, worked with organizations like Nike and Oracle, and now sits at the center of one of the most important shifts in commerce: agentic AI.His take?👉 “The future is agentic - and it’s happening faster than anyone realizes.”🧠 Key Takeaways-Startups don’t fail because of ideas - they fail because of team composition-The next wave of growth isn’t SEO… it’s GEO (Generative Engine Optimization)-AI agents will become the new front door to your business-The best founders are emotionally steady, not reactive⏱️ Chapters00:00 Intro02:15 The #1 mistake founders make when building teams08:40 How to pick the right co-founder15:10 Staying calm as a CEO (when everything breaks)22:30 What “agentic commerce” actually means31:45 AI vs SEO: The rise of GEO/AEO40:10 How AI will change how customers buy forever48:20 What founders should do right now🔥 Who This Is ForStartup founders (0→1, 1→10)GTM leaders & operatorsAI / SaaS buildersE-commerce & retail executivesAnyone trying to understand what AI actually means for business📈 Why You Should WatchBecause this isn’t theory.This is from a CEO who:Built multiple companiesSold to enterprise giantsIs actively shaping the future of AI-powered commerce👇 Connect & FollowSubscribe for more unfiltered conversations with top founders and operators.Follow me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/startupjorge/Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/startupjorge

EP 100 - The Brutal Truth About Startup Success (From a Founder Who Won Every Time) | Eric Litman

What does startup success really look like?In this episode of #StartupsUnedited [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/startupsunedited], I sit down with serial entrepreneur Eric Litman, a serial founder whose companies have consistently led to major outcomes, to unpack the real, unfiltered truth behind building companies, managing pressure, and staying grounded through it all.This isn’t a highlight reel.This is what founders actually go through.🔥 What You’ll Learn:-Why startup success is never linear (even if it looks that way)-The hidden reason most founding teams fail (and how to avoid it)-How to handle conflict, ego, and pressure as a CEO-The mental shift required to detach your identity from your company-Lessons from building a robotics company used by brands like Equinox & Four Seasons-Why kindness and emotional intelligence might be your biggest competitive advantage💡 Key Takeaways:-“Every day is a fight.” - the reality behind “perfect” founder journeys-Founders don’t fail because of product - they fail because of people and relationships-The hardest problems in startups are interpersonal, not technical-Success isn’t an outcome - it’s the discipline of continuously improving as a human👤 About Eric Litman:-Serial entrepreneur with multiple successful exits-Early experience working with Steve Jobs’ NeXT-Built and scaled a robotics company to 100+ locations-Known for tackling hard, complex problems that create real-world impact🎙 About #StartupsUnedited [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/startupsunedited]#StartupsUnedited [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/startupsunedited] is hosted by (me) Jorge Soto - a 25+ year GTM operator, founder, and advisor - bringing raw, unfiltered conversations with founders, operators, and investors building the future.No scripts. No fluff. Just real conversations.🚀 If You’re a Founder, Operator, or Investor…This episode will challenge how you think about:SuccessIdentityLeadershipAnd what it actually takes to build something meaningful🔔 Subscribe for MoreIf you’re building, investing, or thinking about startups in the AI era - subscribe for weekly conversations designed to give you an edge.