TDC 072: How to Become A "Category of One" Thought Leader.

Three questions that separate thought leaders from everyone else in their market.

Episode Summary:

In this episode of The Digital Contrarian, host Ryan Levesque reveals the Category of One framework that's made his consulting practice oversubscribed and generated 24 speaking invitations in 18 months.

You'll learn the three critical questions that establish thought leadership positioning, discover why timing and novelty matter more than credentials, and understand how to make all roads lead naturally to you.

Question of the Day 🗣️

Which of these three questions is hardest for you to answer powerfully in your market?

Key Take-aways:

• Category of One positioning requires answering three questions in your market's mind
• "Why now?" establishes urgency by showing the old paradigm is obsolete
• "Why this?" positions your novel solution against conventional approaches
• "Why you?" creates natural authority where no other provider is worth considering
• Strategic content ecosystems can syndicate across 37 formats and channels

Timestamped Outline ⏱️

00:53 – Results from the framework approach
01:14 – Agency work and strategic content ecosystems
02:09 – The three questions framework introduction
02:13 – Question 1: Why NOW?
02:29 – Question 2: Why THIS?
02:47 – Question 3: Why YOU?
03:05 – Reflection prompt for your business

Links & Resources 🔗

• Priority waitlist for agency clients → https://www.ryanlevesque.net/apply
• Subscribe to The Digital Contrarian newsletter → https://thedigitalcontrarian.com

Connect & CTA 🎯

👉 Enjoyed this? Subscribe & leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

🎁 Join 100 000+ digital entrepreneurs who get Ryan's "Strategic Insights for Digital Entrepreneurs Who Think Differently" every weekend: https://ryanlevesque.net/join-the-digital-contrarian/

Credits

Host: Ryan Levesque
© 2025 RL & Associates LLC. All rights reserved.

TDC 071: How to Get Your Website to Show Up in ChatGPT…

The 2025 version of ranking #1 on Google—master these AI concepts before your competition does.

Episode Summary:

In this episode of The Digital Contrarian, host Ryan Levesque dives into Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) and the advanced AI concepts determining which brands get recommended by ChatGPT.

You'll learn how to optimize for vector embeddings instead of keywords, discover entity graph gap analysis techniques, and master information gain rate principles that make AI systems choose your content over competitors'.

Question of the Day 🗣️

Have you tested whether ChatGPT recommends your brand when asked questions in your niche? Try it and share what you discover in the comments!

Key Take-aways

• ChatGPT usage doubled to 16 min/day while Google search time declined to 18.2 min/day
• Optimize content for concepts and semantic meaning, not just keywords
• AI models often stop after reviewing just 100 lines of content
• Vector embeddings measure semantic similarity using cosine angles between text
• Entity graphs reveal how AI connects your brand to relevant concepts and competitors

Timestamped Outline ⏱️

00:00 – Cold open & hook
01:14 – The data proving ChatGPT is eating Google's lunch
02:09 – Why AEO is the new SEO
03:01 – Key Concept #1: Vector Embeddings explained
04:22 – The paradigm shift: Keywords → Concepts
04:53 – Key Concept #2: Entity Graphs
06:33 – How to do an Entity Graph Gap Analysis
07:00 – Key Concept #3: Information Gain Rate & Time to Answer
08:46 – How to optimize IGR and TTA for your content
09:30 – Final thoughts: The first mover advantage
10:22 – Building your strategic content ecosystem

Links & Resources 🔗

• Apply for Strategic Content Ecosystem → https://www.ryanlevesque.net/apply
• Google Natural Language API → https://cloud.google.com/natural-language
• Subscribe to The Digital Contrarian newsletter → https://thedigitalcontrarian.com
• Private Advisory (7-8 figure business owners) → https://ryanlevesque.net/1-1-vip-waitlist/
• Strategic Mastermind (6-7 figure entrepreneurs) → https://ryanlevesque.net/strategic-advisory-group-mastermind-waitlist

Connect & CTA 🎯

👉 Enjoyed this? Subscribe & leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

🎁 Join 100 000+ digital entrepreneurs who get Ryan's "Strategic Insights for Digital Entrepreneurs Who Think Differently" every weekend: https://ryanlevesque.net/join-the-digital-contrarian/

Credits

Host: Ryan Levesque
© 2025 RL & Associates LLC. All rights reserved.

TDC 070: Seven "Non-Obvious" Email Lessons I've Learned Writing This Email Newsletter Each Week.

Episode Summary

In this episode of The Digital Contrarian, host Ryan Levesque reveals the seven most impactful lessons from writing 70 consecutive weekly newsletters by hand.

You'll learn how less AI usage led to higher engagement, why creative volume beats perfectionism, and discover the custom dashboard metrics that actually matter for email success.

Question of the Day 🗣️

Which of these 7 lessons resonates most with you? Drop a comment and let me know!

Key Take-aways

• Custom AI dashboards beat vanity metrics – track engagement scores, not just opens and clicks
• Less AI in writing process correlates directly with higher reader engagement scores
• Creative fecundity is essential – you never know which piece will break through
• Buffer days between writing and sending prevent newsletter stress and missed deadlines
• Make it great before you make it grow – optimize for impact, then scale

Timestamped Outline ⏱️

01:26 – Lesson #1: Let data drive decisions (AI dashboard reveal)
05:03 – Lesson #2: Less AI = More engagement (the shocking data)
06:38 – Lesson #3: Creative fecundity is the key to success
08:38 – Lesson #4: Keep your cutting room floor
09:20 – Lesson #5: Build in a buffer day
11:25 – Lesson #6: Make it non-negotiable (decide to win)
13:25 – Lesson #7: Make it great before you make it grow
14:26 – All 7 lessons recap

Links & Resources 🔗

• Issue 001 of The Digital Contrarian – "An Embarrassing Confession" → https://ryanlevesque.net/authentic-business-communication-confession/
• Issue 027 of The Digital Contrarian – "Your Strategic Content Ecosystem" → https://ryanlevesque.net/strategic-content-ecosystem/
• Issue 058 of The Digital Contrarian – "Bombshell Week in AI" → https://ryanlevesque.net/bombshell-week-in-ai/
  • Related video: "Bombshell Week in AI" → https://youtu.be/BAnNrTQC47M
• Issue 062 of The Digital Contrarian – "Is the AI Bubble Bursting??" → https://ryanlevesque.net/is-the-ai-bubble-bursting/
  • Related video: "Is the AI Bubble Bursting??" → https://youtu.be/153Y_LP2oYc
• Issue 066 of The Digital Contrarian – "A Crazy Person's Guide to Living Life" → https://ryanlevesque.net/a-crazy-persons-guide-to-living-life/
  • Related video: "A Crazy Person's Guide to Living Life" → https://youtu.be/tbDx0R2j0GQ
• Private Advisory (7-8 figure business owners) → https://ryanlevesque.net/1-1-vip-waitlist/
• Strategic Mastermind (6-7 figure entrepreneurs) → https://ryanlevesque.net/strategic-advisory-group-mastermind-waitlist

Connect & CTA 🎯

👉 Enjoyed this? Subscribe & leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

🎁 Join 100 000+ digital entrepreneurs who get Ryan's "Strategic Insights for Digital Entrepreneurs Who Think Differently" every weekend: https://ryanlevesque.net/join-the-digital-contrarian/

Credits

Host: Ryan Levesque
© 2025 RL & Associates LLC. All rights reserved.