LinkedIn Playground | Using "Please" in ChatGPT | AI Webinar next week | In-person Workshop in San Diego!

LinkedIn Tips

Heads up, LinkedIn fam: a brand-new mini “Create on LinkedIn” hub is live!

They built a playground to help you:

• Nail the basics of scroll-stopping content ⫸
• Steal (ahem, borrow) pro tips from LinkedIn’s biggest creators ⫸
• Master formats with our no-fluff strategy guides ⫸
• Leverage the best tools to amplify your reach ⫸

Inside you’ll find three power-packed zones—Create, Optimize, Grow—plus a “Creator Tools” lab with step-by-step cheats for every post style.

And that’s not all…

They just leveled up Company Pages with a new Services tab (complete with a slick “Request Services” pop-up). It’s designed to turn browsers into buyers—fast.

⚠️ Pro tip: the pop-up defaults to “✅ Yes, share my request with additional providers,” so your listing gets sent to up to 10 Premium partners. More eyes, more leads—no extra work.

Ready to play? Check it out and start owning your LinkedIn presence today.

Book a LinkedIn Profile Audit or DFY LinkedIn revamp and Optimization:

PROFILE AUDIT: https://bookme.name/MaryFainBrandt/linkedin-profile-audit

DFY PROFILE REVAMP: https://bookme.name/MaryFainBrandt/lite/linkedinrevampspecial

AI News

🗞️ Breaking AI News 🗞️

OpenAI just dropped a bombshell: politeness in AI interactions is costing them millions. Yep, you read that right.

Here’s the scoop straight from CEO Sam Altman — saying “please” and “thank you” to ChatGPT has racked up “tens of millions of dollars well spent.”

Why should you care? Here’s the tea:

• A random user on X questioned if polite phrases in AI prompts really impact costs
• Altman confirmed, yes, significant resources are used to process that politeness
• Microsoft’s Kurt Beavers backs it up, saying that polite language actually affects the tone of AI responses
• Turns out, being kind to AI isn’t just nice—it changes how it responds to you

This conversation sparked when someone asked about the real cost of those simple pleasantries we use with AI. And Beavers explains that when AI “picks up” on polite words, it’s more likely to reply with a polite tone too.

I’ll admit, I’m guilty of saying things like “please update” or “thanks, that’s perfect” to my AI tools. Do you catch yourself doing the same thing?

This is more than just an energy bill. It’s about how we engage with AI. We’re challenging the belief that every word needs to be super functional. Turns out, being human with our AI interactions matters.

So, now the big question is: Are those extra “please” and “thank you” worth the computational cost?

You decide.

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I just heard something interesting on The Newsworthy Podcast (which, by the way, I listen to every day) — and it’s about the 2026 Oscars.

The Academy just updated their rules, and here's the scoop: generative A.I. and other digital tools won't impact your chances of earning a nomination. That’s right—AI won’t either help or hurt your shot at an Oscar.

But here’s the key takeaway: in a big shift, the Academy made it clear that human creativity is still the gold standard when it comes to judging artistic achievement.

 So, while AI can help enhance and streamline the creative process, it’s still the human touch that will determine if your work takes home the trophy.

What are your thoughts on this? Does this solidify AI as a tool, or is there a bigger conversation brewing about the role of technology in creativity?

 Just some food for thought!

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 Student AI Teams Win $15.5K for Problem-Solving Projects at Penn State

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The EU passed the world’s first comprehensive AI law in 2024, banning high-risk applications like social scoring and deep manipulation.

If you are wondering how you might use AI, let's map it out together. Scan the QR code to secure for a quick chat on how and where you should use AI.

Or click here to book a call.

AI Tools:

I've mentioned this tool before and thought it was worth sharing again.

Napkin.ai  is a tool that uses AI to convert text into visuals, helping users create charts, diagrams, and other visual representations from their written content. It's designed to be quick and easy to use, allowing users to generate visuals with a few clicks. 

I created this easy-to-understand diagram from a social post I wrote. This is a great tool to repurpose some of your text-only posts.

 Sugarwork: Reinventing the wheel is costing your business money. Own your invaluable, intangible, intellectual, and institutional knowledge on an AI-powered technology platform

 Eleven Labs

Agent-agent transfer allows a Conversational AI agent to hand off the ongoing conversation to another designated agent when specific conditions are met. This enables the creation of sophisticated, multi-layered conversational workflows where different agents handle specific tasks or levels of complexity.

For example, an initial agent (Orchestrator) could handle general inquiries and then transfer the call to a specialized agent based on the conversation’s context. Transfers can also be nested:

Copresence says, "Be yourself in the digital world"

Copresence | Capture a Fully Rigged 3D Head Scan with Your Phone

BetterPic.io is an AI-powered platform designed to create high-quality, professional headshots quickly and affordably. It offers a range of features that make it a convenient alternative to traditional photography, especially for professionals seeking to enhance their online presence.

Ready to start infusing AI into your life? Jump on a call with me to learn more.

Business Toolkit Spotlight:

1. Fathom: AI-powered meeting assistant that records, transcribes, highlights, and summarizes video calls. No more note-taking! Try Fathom here.
2. HoneyBook: Manage projects, book clients, and send invoices seamlessly. Get 50% off your first year.
3. Quso.ai formerly Vidyo.ai: Repurpose long videos into 42 shareable clips for social media, complete with captions and AI descriptions. Check it out here.
4. ClickUp: All-in-one productivity platform for teams to brainstorm, plan, and collaborate. Start here.
5. Buzzsprout: Launch or upgrade your podcast easily—tools, audio clips, and more. Get $20 credit when you upgrade.
6. Sticker Mule: Order custom stickers, magnets, buttons, and more in 60 seconds, with free proofs and shipping. Order now.
7. SendSpark: Record personalized videos to boost outreach and schedule more meetings, using AI to tailor them to each prospect. Explore SendSpark.
8. Airtable: No-code app platform to accelerate critical business processes. Perfect for non-tech builders. Learn more here.
9. Pickaxe: Simplify data extraction and analysis with this easy-to-use data mining tool. This platform can be used to host your custome GPT's behind a paywall. Check out Pickaxe.
10. Claude: Supercharge your writing with AI assistance—create content that resonates. Explore Claude.
11. FlyMSG: Streamline repetitive tasks by creating text templates to quickly insert with shortcuts. Try FlyMSG here.
12. CapCut: Create vertical video reels with auto-captions and branding in minutes. Try it for free.
13. Social Media Scheduler with built-in AI. Meet SocialRocket! It's a game changer. You train it on your business, client pain points, and your solutions and it creates posts that are uniquely formatted for EACH DIFFERENT platform.
14. Gamma - Create stunning, interactive presentations effortlessly with Gamma—AI-powered, beautifully designed, and easy to use. Try it now for free!
15. HiHello is a digital business card platform that enables seamless networking with customizable cards, QR code sharing, and contact management. Explore HiHello here!

Where Mary is Speaking:

Join me and Laura Bashore , along with our partners at Graphy, for an informative and fun webinar:

LINKEDIN + AI: THE ULTIMATE POWER MOVE FOR BUSINESS GROWTH

We’re ditching the old playbook and teaching you how to:

• Polish your LinkedIn profile to attract the right people and opportunities
• Use AI to save time and enhance your content creation
• Nail the 12 marketing touchpoints that actually matter in 2025

Date: 1st May 2025

Time: 11:00 a.m. PDT

Register Now!

Quarter two has me speaking to private Mastermind groups, some amazing local networking groups [hello Collab Culture Phoenix -Flaggstaff group hosted by the incredible Kara (Davis) Noble, Esq, Estate, Business, VA Attorney ],hosting a workshop in San Diego this June, and 2 joint events with Laura Bashore! I love it when things line up for Laura and I to be in person together and since I'll be in San Diego we are hosting an in-person workshop.

Laura Bashore and I are teaming up when I am in San Diego for a live workshop! We are spilling the tea on what's working on LinkedIn and how to use AI—I'll be sharing my own strategies and workflows! And we have some amazing bonuses for all the attendees!

Come join us in June!

Save your spot here!

Let’s add some spice to your event! I’m booking now for Q3 and would love to bring a dash of zest to your stage or group. I am available for both online and in-person events. Slide into my DMs or drop me a line to book your dates. Let’s make your next event not just informative but unforgettable!

Meet Mary:

For over two decades, Mary Fain Brandt has been a powerhouse in the training and facilitation world, amassing a wealth of experience that speaks volumes. With a portfolio of over 500 clients, Mary's ability to unlock LinkedIn's full potential is unmatched, making her the go-to expert you need.

Mary’s professional journey is a testament to her exceptional skill in transforming LinkedIn profiles into dynamic career assets, resulting in career advancements, client acquisitions, speaking engagements, and more. Not one to stop at LinkedIn, Mary is also a certified AI consultant, diving deep into AI to deliver cutting-edge insights and strategies for her clients. Her excellence was recently recognized with the Women with Vision award from NAWBO PHX in March 2024.

As the co-host of the Scale Up Strategies Podcast and a sought-after speaker at summits, conferences, and mastermind groups, Mary captivates her audience with her energetic and engaging style. She’s the creator of the “3C Method” and has graced the stage and screen as the past host of LinkedIn Local PHX and San Diego, along with her live shows, “15 Mins of FAIN” and “Bite-Sized Tips for Busy Entrepreneurs.”

But Mary isn’t all business. She finds joy and adventure kayaking in the Pacific Ocean or the Salt River. A daily coffee enthusiast, she considers herself a home barista, expertly crafting peppermint mochas and vanilla lattes. Mary loves hosting happy hour gatherings at her new home, attending concerts, and taking road trips with her husband Joseph.

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To good coffee & great conversations!!