Laura Betterly’s Playbook for Staying Relevant

Sitting down with Laura Betterly , founder of Yada Yada AI, is like having a conversation with a lightning bolt—sharp, charged, and impossible to ignore. She’s been in marketing longer than the internet has been a household necessity, and what stands out isn’t just her knowledge—it’s her adaptability.

When she started in the late ’90s, she wasn’t chasing trends. She was creating them. From being backstage at Madison Square Garden during her early days with PCDJ to becoming the so-called Spam Queen (more on that later), Laura’s career is a masterclass in figuring out what works, pivoting when it doesn’t, and never apologizing for doing things differently.

Why Evolving Isn’t Optional

Laura’s first big move in the marketing world was launching a company called PCDJ, which made the first dual MP3 player for DJs. Back then, the internet was a wild west of opportunities. “We were traveling the world with rock stars,” she told me, grinning. “I’d pinch myself thinking, how did I get here?”

But the dot-com crash hit, and Laura found herself questioning what was next. Most people would’ve been paralyzed by the loss. Not Laura. She took a hard look at what worked in her previous venture and doubled down on it.

“The real money wasn’t in the software or the rock stars,” she said. “It was in the advertising. Selling ad space in our newsletters brought in the cash.”

The lesson hit me like a ton of bricks: the flashy stuff—the rock stars, the big deals—isn’t always where the gold is. Sometimes, the value is hidden in plain sight.

Reinvention is a Constant

If you’ve ever been called something in the press that made you cringe, you’ll appreciate this. Laura ended up on the front page of The Wall Street Journal after giving a journalist a peek behind the curtain of her email marketing business. The headline? Spam Queen.

“I made a joke about it,” she said. “I told them, if all email is spam, call me the Spam Queen. And they did!”

It wasn’t exactly the press she expected, but instead of letting it crush her, Laura turned it into a badge of honor. That press led to speaking gigs, TV appearances, and a thriving business.

“I realized early on that if you’re not willing to reinvent yourself, you’re toast. You can’t cling to what worked five years ago. Hell, you can’t cling to what worked last year.”

She’s right. I’ve seen too many entrepreneurs get stuck because they refuse to pivot. They cling to their old ways, their comfort zones, and wonder why the world keeps passing them by.

AI Isn’t Here to Steal Your Job

Now, Laura’s deep into AI—a topic that either excites or terrifies people. For her, it’s just another tool in the toolbox.

“AI isn’t replacing us,” she told me. “It’s like having the smartest assistant you’ve ever met. It frees up your time so you can focus on the big stuff.”

She uses AI to write proposals, manage customer service, and even help her stay organized across multiple projects. What used to take her days, now takes hours. But here’s the kicker: she’s still the one in control.

“I’ve taught AI to write in my voice, I give it direction, tweak it, and make it mine. It’s not doing the work for me—it’s helping me do the work better.”

I get it. I’ve had my fair share of skepticism about AI, but Laura made a good point. AI isn’t some magic wand. It’s like a hammer—it’s only as good as the person using it.

Critical Thinking is Your Secret Weapon

Here’s where Laura really dropped some wisdom: AI can only be as good as the person guiding it. If you don’t know what you’re doing, it’ll churn out garbage.

“You’ve gotta think critically, just because AI gives you an answer doesn’t mean it’s the right one. You’ve got to fact-check, adjust, and make sure it aligns with what you want.”

She’s seen businesses get burned because they rely on AI without oversight. Whether it’s misinformation or poorly executed strategies, the problem isn’t the tech—it’s the lack of human involvement.

Time is the Most Valuable Currency

One of the things Laura said that stuck with me was this: “You can make money, but you can’t make time.”

For her, AI is about reclaiming time. Instead of grinding out 70-hour workweeks, she’s freed up hours to spend with her family, paint, and even dance in the jungle. Yes, you read that right. Laura recently found herself dancing in the jungle in Mexico, followed by a Rolling Stones concert in Orlando the very next day.

“I wouldn’t have been able to do that five years ago, I was too busy chasing deadlines. But now, I have time for the things that feed my soul.”

It’s a good reminder that success isn’t just about money. It’s about what you can do with the time you have.

Keep It Real

One of my favorite moments from our conversation was when Laura talked about authenticity in business.

“People don’t want overproduced,” she said. “They want real. They want to know who you are, flaws and all.”

She shared how her clients respond better to her unpolished, human moments than to anything scripted or staged. And she’s right. I’ve seen it time and again—people connect with what’s real, not what’s perfect.

Conclusion

Talking to Laura reminded me why I started my own journey. It’s not about chasing trends or trying to be the biggest name in the room. It’s about staying curious, adapting to change, and never losing sight of what really matters.

If you want to hear Laura’s full story—and trust me, we barely scratched the surface here—check out the full podcast episode HERE!?

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