A client came to me frustrated. He'd been producing genuinely good content consistent, useful, the kind of thing that makes people nod and even comment on LinkedIn. And nothing was coming back. No inquiries, no conversations, no work.

So I asked him: are you asking for the business?

I've been running a little experiment on my clients lately: asking AI who they are. What it says — and what it leaves out — has become one of the most useful positioning diagnostics I know. Last month, on a June afternoon, I finally turned it on myself. Incognito window, no account, no history. Just my name and a question: What can you tell me about Nancy Sheed?

Let's be honest — we're all swimming in AI-generated content right now. Every feed, every inbox, every search result. Some of it's useful. A lot of it reads like the average of a million other posts (because, technically, it is).

And something interesting is happening in response: the most human content is winning.

Earlier this June, Publishers Weekly gathered 700 publishing professionals in NYC for the US Book, two days on the future of books. AI came up in nearly every session. And yet every panel — agents, community, podcasts, even the one about AI search — kept arriving at the same conclusion.

The human relationship is the asset.

I am not comfortable talking into a camera. I don't love being a “talking head.” I'd much rather ask the questions than answer them or feel like I am talking into a void. 

And yet — five months into a quiet commitment to show up on Instagram (almost) every week, here we are.

This is not about going viral. It's not a playbook. It's an honest accounting of what I've learned from doing something uncomfortable, consistently, for the first time in a long time.

Heading to back to SXSW this year, I went armed with an official badge, a Google Sheet event tracker, a playlist (obviously)— and my wing woman (and sister) Holland Saltsman of The Novel Neighbor. For those of you who've been following along, Holland, among many other things, is the person who makes movies, books and generally everything significantly more fun when she’s around. 

This month’s issue of Westport Magazine from Moffly Lifestyle Media published a piece by editor Samantha Yanks spotlighting female “power podcasters” shaping conversations across Connecticut — and The HAYVN Hubcast made the list! 

The start of a new year always brings a mix of energy and pressure.

Many of us are sitting down right now to think about our marketing, communications, and content plans for 2026 — what to start, what to keep, what to change, and maybe even what to finally let go of. And if we're being honest, that planning process can feel even heavier than it used to.

There are more tools. More platforms. More advice. And now, more AI — promising speed, efficiency, and scale, while adding another layer of decisions and noise.

As I’ve been working with AI this year, here’s where I’m landing (for now): AI isn’t the enemy — it’s a thoughtful partner. Discover how to use AI intentionally for productivity, creativity, and amplifying your expertise.

Recently I had a truly insightful conversation with a friend who's navigating the world of communications for a wonderful nonprofit. We chatted about the unique challenges of sharing impactful stories, especially when the organization’s work involves sensitive situations and clients privacy is paramount. It made me reflect on how many purpose-driven organizations are doing incredible work but might feel stuck when it comes to effectively communicating their mission and building engagement online.

As we head into a new season, I wanted to share a few incredible upcoming events and conversations designed to spark inspiration, foster connection, and ignite action. If you’re looking to surround yourself with bold thinkers, purpose-driven leaders, and meaningful conversations… don’t miss these!

How often do we overcomplicate our messaging, our services, and even our sense of purpose, when the real magic lies in embracing what comes naturally? We realized that the simplest phrases often carry the greatest clarity, helping us to see how our varied experiences connect under a single, authentic belief and vision.

While South by Southwest (SXSW) calls itself a festival and was originally focused on the music scene back when it started, it is now much more like a Lollapalooza + Sundance + TedTalk spread over 10 days over a mostly 10 x 10 block radius in downtown Austin.

It's never a fair question to ask “who did your website?” because it's typically a collaboration involving many people's time, talents, and resources. My new site is no exception, and I want to ensure everyone involved gets credit for transforming nancysheed.com into what it is today.

I was so honored to moderate HAYVN’s inaugural HerStory evening earlier this week. Chatting with Felicia Rubinstein and Kristen Rzasa was a most inspiring time as we heard of their journeys, challenges, and successes as thriving entrepreneurs.

If you have been curious about how podcasting might serve you and your business – you are not too late as the podcasting game is still on the rise. And if you’re not leveraging this medium to amplify your voice and connect with your audience, you’re likely missing valuable opportunities.

Even in this era of social media proliferation, your website is still a key marketing tool for you and your business. As it is controlled by you (not a mega platform that changes the rules of engagement frequently and unexpectedly), it makes sense to regularly check that your website is working as hard as it can for you.

No surprise: what’s good for the bookseller is good for the book author. At this year’s ABA Winter Institute, I attended a conference session called “The New Marketing and Media Strategy” hoping to get caught up on the latest tips and trends.