GREETS! I’m "ScottyD" — a Dayton-based full-time photographer, visual storyteller, studio owner, and creative strategist. My style leans editorial and documentary—less staged, more real. I shoot with intent, focused on Climate, Culture, and Community—what it felt like, who was there, and why it mattered. Whether it’s a live event, brand shoot, or leadership team, the goal is the same: create visuals that connect, carry weight, and actually get used. Over 35 years, leadership and first response level/operator for the American Red Cross - Disaster Services - included, PR, Fundraising, Operations, Marketing - "all" stakeholder engagement - (before, back when "engagement meant, get'n hitched") No fluff, no filler—just honest work built to move people and move the needle.

It stinks. But if you allow it to accumulate. You'll step in it. Then you'll smell just like it. So moral of the story. Pick up after your dog and leave the world a cleaner, happier place. 🤣🫡👌

I went through a Wendy’s drive thru recently … Listen - I know, but sometimes a girl craves a Baconator and some fries… Anyway, I was extremely put off by the fact that a robot was taking my order in the drive thru… Then, ignorantly hoping for human interaction, I waited unusually long… Unusual because I figured with the time saved from taking orders and all. Well, then a person’s arm flung out the window holding a bag of food… no eye contact. no greeting. no acknowledgment. I grabbed my food - checked it to make sure. Then drove off dumbfounded. I can literally picture your face right now because that was the face I made all the way home. I can get over the robot/AI taking my order. I can accept that maybe that helps with efficiency. But, have we completely lost humanity in it? When you solely rely on AI/ChatGPT to crank out your content without adjusting it or training it to match your human voice, THIS is the experience you’re giving people. It’s disgusting and off putting. But I’ve seen more and more businesses using AI to push out content that they literally sound like everyone else. There’s no differentiation or uniqueness. And THIS is a great opportunity for you! Because everyone’s jumping on the “AI Train” and not using it properly, YOU have the upper hand here to use AI as a tool and blow everyone else out of the water. How to Train AI to Sound Like You Most business owners use AI like a vending machine — put in a request, get generic content out. The secret to making it actually useful is to teach it who you are first. Here's how: - Write out your tone in plain words. Describe how you talk to customers — casual or professional? Warm or straight-to-the-point? Funny or serious? Include what you don't sound like. ("Not corporate. Not overly salesy. Not like a robot.") Paste this at the start of any AI session where you're creating content. - Give it real examples of your writing. Past emails, social posts, website copy — anything that sounds authentically like you. Tell AI: "Here are 3 examples of how I communicate. Match this tone when writing for me." Samples beat instructions every time.

If you're feeling like you're spinning your tires or completely blacking out when it comes to marketing your business... then it's time to go back to the foundation. The why you started this. The reason you exist. And the empathy and desire you have to help your customers. 👌 Tell me what your why is. Why did you start? What pulls at your heart when it comes to helping your audience?

As small business owners, you deal with a lot... what is the biggest pain in your butt when it comes to marketing your business?