In this CG Live episode from our CEO & Premier event in Oceanside, California, I sit down with Eric Gydesen, San Diego-based operator closing 600+ deals a year and the founder of PPC Force. Eric had just stepped off the main stage where he broke down what a fully scaled marketing engine looks like heading into 2026 — and how AI is reshaping direct-to-seller marketing in real time.

We unpack what's actually working right now in direct mail and PPC, why sales cycles are elongating, and why consistency is separating serious operators from those stuck in "spray and pray" mode. Eric also dives into AI-driven Google advertising, speed-to-lead strategies, branded vs unbranded marketing debates, and why protecting your online reputation is becoming critical in the era of AI search overviews.

If you're building the three-legged stool of direct-to-seller — direct mail, PPC, and brand authority — this conversation is tactical, current, and built for scale.

[0:00] – Live from Oceanside at the CG CEO & Premier event

[1:50] – Why Eric presented on marketing and AI integration

[2:07] – What a fully scaled marketing engine looks like in 2025 moving into 2026

[3:01] – The big shift: sales cycles are elongating

[3:36] – Why consistency is beating "spray and pray" marketing

[4:30] – Direct mail: data refinement as the real competitive edge

[5:19] – Stacking product type, velocity, distress, and investor activity

[6:11] – AB testing insights and why most operators can't test at scale alone

[7:21] – Branded vs unbranded mail: national split-test results

[8:53] – Building a long-term competitive moat in your market

[10:20] – PPC realities: bottom-of-funnel intent and speed-to-lead

[11:18] – Winning the first conversation before competitors do

[12:12] – AI Max inside Google Ads and early performance data

[15:40] – AI search overviews and the importance of SEO reputation

[17:35] – Why responding to negative reviews builds trust

[20:14] – The origin of PPC Force and serving high-level operators

[23:20] – Scaling direct-to-seller with structure, systems, and discipline

1. Consistency Wins in a Longer Sales Cycle: Marketing isn't broken — but timelines have shifted. Operators who stay consistent while others pull back are gaining ground.
2. Speed Is the PPC Advantage: High-intent sellers move quickly. If your team doesn't respond immediately, someone else will.
3. Your Reputation Is Now an Asset Class: AI search results, review responses, and social presence are shaping perception faster than ever. Brand authority compounds.

• PPC Force: https://www.ppcforce.com
• Explore CG Membership: https://www.explorecg.com

If this episode challenged the way you think about marketing, speed, and long-term brand positioning, take a minute to rate, follow, and review the Collective Genius Podcast. And if you're ready to scale your real estate business alongside operators like Eric, visit https://www.explorecg.com and apply today.