Explore every episode of the podcast The End of Marketing

What started as a $7 rotisserie chicken turned into over 2 million organic views across Threads, Facebook, and TikTok… and eventually triggered a corporate memo at a billion-dollar company.

In this episode, I introduce the concept of Bad Marketing — the idea that some of the most criticized posts on social media are often the ones generating the most attention, engagement, and organic reach for brands.

For years marketers have been told to create polished content, follow best practices, and avoid controversy. But the reality of the internet is different. The content that spreads fastest is often real, relatable, and framed in a way that interrupts the scroll.

In this episode I break down:

• what Bad Marketing actually means
• why “rage bait” style posts often go viral
• how user-generated content benefits brands
• why pattern-interrupt storytelling spreads on social media
• how a simple Publix chicken post turned into a real-world corporate reaction

This story is also a reminder that marketing today doesn’t require big budgets or expensive production. Sometimes all it takes is a smart observation, the right caption, and the courage to hit publish.

Original Threads post referenced in the episode:
https://www.threads.com/@carlosgil83/post/DW_c5JkjhFK

Subscribe to the Bad Marketing Newsletter:
https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/bad-marketing-7448085448096268288/

Connect with me on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlosgilonline/

In this episode I introduce the concept of Bad Marketing — the idea that some of the most criticized posts on social media are often the ones generating the most attention and organic reach for brands.

For years marketers have been told to create polished content, follow best practices, and avoid controversy. But in reality, the internet often rewards something very different: real, relatable moments that interrupt the scroll and spark conversation.

In this episode I break down:

• what “Bad Marketing” actually is
• why pattern-interrupt content spreads online
• how user-generated content benefits brands
• why everyday observations often outperform polished marketing campaigns

I also share real examples of posts that generated millions of views and explain how attention on social media can translate into brand exposure, follower growth, and even new business opportunities.

Subscribe to the Bad Marketing Newsletter:
https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/bad-marketing-7448085448096268288/

Connect with me on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlosgilonline/

Most people are using AI to create content… but that’s just the surface. In this audio drop, I break down how I used AI to turn LinkedIn into a lead generation machine by identifying opportunities inside my own network. What used to take hours now takes minutes. If you’re not using AI to find clients, you’re leaving time and money on the table.

Most creators ignore Facebook… and miss out on real money. In this audio drop, I break down how I generated over $20,000 in a single month and why engagement driven content still wins. It’s not about being liked… it’s about getting a reaction. If your content doesn’t make people feel something, it won’t spread. And if it doesn’t spread, it doesn’t pay.

Most creators are chasing followers… and leaving money on the table. In this audio drop, I break down why building an email list is the difference between vanity metrics and real revenue. Social platforms don’t belong to you… your audience does. If you can’t reach your audience without an algorithm, you don’t have a business… you have a dependency. Start building your list now or risk starting over later.

Most people are stuck trying to be original… and getting ignored. In this audio drop, I break down how to grow faster by tapping into trending content on platforms like TikTok and Instagram and adding your own perspective. You don’t need more content… you need better distribution. Because on social media, it’s not about who creates first… it’s about who shows up where the attention already is.

If I had to start over in 2026, I wouldn’t waste time trying to go viral everywhere. I’d focus on one platform for distribution and one system for ownership. In this audio drop, I break down why Threads is one of the last places to get organic reach and how pairing it with an email list turns attention into something you actually own. If you’re building a brand and relying only on followers… you’re already behind.

For years marketers were told that social media was the future. But algorithms, AI, and an explosion of content have turned the internet into a noisy digital ocean where attention is harder than ever to earn. In this episode, Carlos breaks down the evolution of social media from the AOL chat room era to today’s algorithm-driven platforms and explains why the smartest marketers are shifting their focus to something far more powerful: owned audiences and email.

If you want to go deeper into email strategy and tools:

Best email marketing tools and reviews:
https://bestsends.com

Test your email subject line before you send it:
https://testmysubject.com

Email strategy, consulting, and newsletter growth:
https://sendfocus.com

In this live keynote, Carlos Gil breaks down the realities of modern marketing and why most businesses are gambling their growth away on social media. Social platforms may give you reach, but they control the rules of the game. The real opportunity is learning how to turn attention into owned relationships through email marketing and community building. In this session, Carlos shares practical strategies for creating engaging social content, understanding how algorithms work, capturing audience data, and building an email list that drives real business results. If you're relying only on social media followers to grow your business, this talk will change how you think about digital marketing.

Your LinkedIn profile shouldn’t just exist… it should convert. In this audio drop, I break down how to use ChatGPT to analyze and optimize your LinkedIn profile so it actually attracts opportunities. The goal isn’t more followers… it’s better positioning. Because if your profile doesn’t speak to decision makers, you’re invisible where the money is.

Most people are afraid to stand out… so their content gets ignored. In this audio drop, I break down why provocative, relatable content is what actually cuts through the noise in today’s AI-driven feed. People don’t follow perfection… they follow personality. If your content doesn’t make people feel something, it won’t get seen. Call it rage bait or call it marketing… either way, attention is the game.

Getting clients isn’t about posting more… it’s about positioning. In this audio drop, I break down how a local business owner can use Instagram and LinkedIn to attract high-value clients through clear branding, targeted outreach, and social proof. If people don’t immediately understand what you do and who you serve, you’re losing business before the conversation even starts.

The tipping debate is old news… now it’s about credit card fees. In this audio drop, I break down the growing trend of businesses charging customers extra for paying with a card and why it’s sparking debate online. Should businesses absorb the cost or pass it on to you? There’s no right answer… but there is a conversation. Pick a side.

Most people use AI to write content… and stop there. In this audio drop, I break down how I use ChatGPT as a real-time business co-pilot by speaking my ideas instead of typing them. When you use voice, you give AI more context, more nuance, and better output. If you’re only using AI to write posts, you’re barely scratching the surface.

If your content feels safe… it’s getting ignored. In this audio drop, I break down why most posts blend in and never get seen in today’s AI-driven feed. People don’t want polished… they want real. If your content sounds like everyone else, it disappears. The creators winning right now are the ones with a voice, a point of view, and the willingness to stand out. Safe content doesn’t get attention… human content does.