Should you start a podcast? Find out: https://aidrivenmarketer.com/pod

In this AI marketing podcast episode, Dan Sanchez unveils his "30-30-30" blueprint for becoming a thought leader. If you've ever wondered how to actually grow your authority in a niche without spending years doing it, this episode breaks it down into a simple (not necessarily easy) system: read 30 books, interview 30 experts, and publish 30 content pieces on a single topic. Dan and co-host Ken Freire talk through the step-by-step approach and why it works so well, especially for marketers looking to stand out.

My Favorite AI Tools:

Tella - https://danchez.com/tella
High Level - https://danchez.com/highlevel
Zencastr - https://danchez.com/podtools
n8n - https://danchez.com/n8n

Resources Mentioned:

ChatGPT Deep Research Mode – https://chat.openai.com/
AIDrivenMarketer.com/pod Assessment – https://aidrivenmarketer.com/pod
Google Alphabet Soup Keyword Method – https://www.google.com/
Reddit – https://www.reddit.com/
Quora – https://www.quora.com/

Timestamps:

00:00 – Why everyone secretly wants to be a thought leader
01:55 – The case for becoming a student before becoming a teacher
03:00 – What is the 30-30-30 plan?
04:30 – How to pick a niche topic (and why it matters)
05:48 – Why reading all the books is the first step
07:26 – How Dan accidentally became an authority using this method
10:00 – Alternatives to reading (and why books still matter most)
14:00 – Skimming smarter: how to speed up your book intake
16:30 – What to do if you don’t like reading
18:00 – What counts as a "niche"? Defining the right scope
19:22 – Sequencing: reading, interviews, then content
20:00 – Why interviews are key to deepening expertise
21:43 – The low bar of becoming an expert (and why few people reach it)
25:15 – When to start sharing: Day 1
27:00 – Should you podcast or write? (Pick your medium)
28:46 – How to interview without starting

The Practical Path to Authority: How Real Experts Earn Influence

AI-Driven Marketer: Master AI Marketing To Stand Out In 2026