Beth Trejo, founder and CEO of ChatterKick, joins Mike LaVista on The Digital Transformist to talk about why trust is the word of the year -- and what that means for your brand's digital presence. From the dangers of AI-generated content flooding social media to why picking up your phone and recording a 30-second video is still the most powerful move a CEO can make, Beth shares 14 years of hard-won social media strategy insights.
Whether you're a B2B leader wondering if LinkedIn even matters, a brand trying to figure out AI content without destroying trust, or a CEO who's been avoiding social media entirely -- this episode is for you.
Beth Trejo is the founder and CEO of ChatterKick, a social-first agency helping mid-market companies scale their social media programs. Find her on LinkedIn or at
[email protected].
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Episode Summary
In this episode of the Caxy podcast, CEO Michael LaVista sits down with Beth Trejo, founder and CEO of Chatterkick, to explore the evolving landscape of social media and AI in business. With 14 years of experience helping mid-market companies navigate complex social media strategies, Beth shares valuable insights on building trust through authentic online presence, the challenges of AI-generated content, and practical strategies for business leaders who are hesitant to engage on social platforms.
The conversation delves deep into the mid-market space, where many CEOs remain reluctant to establish a meaningful social media presence despite its growing importance for business credibility. Beth emphasizes that in today's digital landscape, the absence of a social media presence is itself a strategic decision -- one that allows others to control your narrative. The discussion also covers the balance between leveraging AI tools for efficiency while maintaining the human authenticity that builds genuine connections with audiences.
Key Takeaways
- Trust is the word of the year -- businesses must show up authentically to demonstrate reliability in an era of digital skepticism
- Not posting is a decision -- avoiding social media means letting others control your narrative rather than owning it yourself
- Imperfection signals authenticity -- ums, ahs, and minor spelling errors actually prove you're human in an AI-saturated world
- Test, deploy, repeat mindset -- successful social strategies require constant experimentation rather than rigid annual planning
- Fill the digital space -- multiple platforms and varied content types help ensure visibility in LLMs and search results
- Keep tone approachable across all platforms -- consumers want to interact with humans, even in B2B contexts
- Always proof AI output -- automated content without human oversight can seriously damage brand trust
Notable Quotes
"I think when you make the avoidance or you don't post, that also is a decision. And so that is a risk. And I always say you got to know what you're saying no to."
"I have joked with my team that my horrible spelling is now totally in style because it shows that I'm not a robot. And the ums and ahs actually prove that we're humans."
"Most people that are using last year's strategy to get next year's results are the ones that are really pulling their hair out right now."
"Just because people aren't engaging, doesn't mean they're not seeing it. And I think it really does create some brand trust issues and it just feels as a consumer like you want to hide it."
About the Guest
Beth Trejo is the founder and CEO of Chatterkick, a social-first business she established 14 years ago. Specializing in helping mid-market companies navigate complex social media challenges, Beth and her team focus on B2B organizations dealing with compliance issues, multi-layered audiences, and other sophisticated social media requirements. Her expertise lies in scaling social programs while maintaining authentic brand personality across digital platforms, making her a trusted advisor for companies when social media strategies become complex and demanding.
Topics Discussed
- The importance of trust in modern business social media strategy
- Why mid-market CEOs avoid social media and the risks of that approach
- Authentic content creation strategies for business leaders
- Balancing personal and company social media presence
- The role of AI in social media content creation
- How social content impacts search engines and LLMs
- Common social media mistakes and how to avoid them
- The test-and-deploy mindset for social media success
- Brand voice consistency across multiple platforms
- Real-time marketing opportunities and knowing when to engage
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