“I told him not to pay a cent—and definitely not to shut his website down.”

What would you do if you got a scary letter using legal language, claiming you owed $700 for a photo on your website? In this episode, I share a true story about an old client who received one of these copyright trolling threats, and how we handled it. From sleuthing image origins to proving usage rights, this is one episode you’ll want to listen to if you’ve ever used photos online.

I'm Trudy Rankin and I am the founder of Online Business Liftoff and a seasoned digital strategist who helps people build sustainable, flexible businesses online. 

I ALSO TALKED ABOUT
What copyright trolling is—and why it’s not quite a scam, but not ethical either.
How to verify image licensing years after a website goes live.
The steps to take if you receive a copyright infringement notice.
Why immediately removing the image can neutralize most threats.
How creating a simple image tracking spreadsheet could save hours of work later.
The importance of demanding proof of ownership before taking any legal-sounding demand seriously.
What to include in a response that shifts the burden back to the sender.

If you've ever published a photo on your website, you need to hear this. Tune in to protect yourself and your clients.

RESOURCES MENTIONED
Wayback Machine: https://archive.org/web/

Get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business:
 👉 https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/

<blockquote>
&ldquo;I told him not to pay a cent&mdash;and definitely not to shut his website down.&rdquo;
</blockquote>
What would you do if you got a scary letter using legal language, claiming you owed $700 for a photo on your website? In this episode, I share a true story about an old client who received one of these copyright trolling threats, and how we handled it. From sleuthing image origins to proving usage rights, this is one episode you&rsquo;ll want to listen to if you&rsquo;ve ever used photos online.
I'm Trudy Rankin and I am the founder of Online Business Liftoff and a seasoned digital strategist who helps people build sustainable, flexible businesses online.&nbsp;
I ALSO TALKED ABOUT
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">What copyright trolling is&mdash;and why it&rsquo;s not quite a scam, but not ethical either.</li>
<li aria-level="1">How to verify image licensing years after a website goes live.</li>
<li aria-level="1">The steps to take if you receive a copyright infringement notice.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why immediately removing the image can neutralize most threats.</li>
<li aria-level="1">How creating a simple image tracking spreadsheet could save hours of work later.</li>
<li aria-level="1">The importance of demanding proof of ownership before taking any legal-sounding demand seriously.</li>
<li aria-level="1">What to include in a response that shifts the burden back to the sender.</li>
</ul>
If you've ever published a photo on your website, you need to hear this. Tune in to protect yourself and your clients.
RESOURCES MENTIONED
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Wayback Machine: <a href="https://archive.org/web/">https://archive.org/web/</a></li>
</ul>
Get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business: 👉<a href="https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/"> https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/</a>

This podcast is for new and emerging online business owners who are determined to do what it takes to reach their financial goals, help people along the way and learn a bunch of useful new skills. Have a love/hate relationship with the tech? We talk about that. Not sure you have what it takes to achieve success? We talk about that, too, plus how to deal with mindset challenges. Trudy Rankin, Founder of the Online Business Program, shares actionable tips that will help you really get your business growing, as well as interviews with experts and inspiring stories so that you can grow your online business with confidence.

This podcast is for new and emerging online business owners who are determined to do what it takes to reach their financial goals, help people along the way and learn a bunch of useful new skills. Have a love/hate relationship with the tech? We talk about that. Not sure you have what it takes to achieve success? We talk about that, too, plus how to deal with mindset challenges. Trudy Rankin, Founder of the Online Business Program, shares actionable tips that will help you really get your business growing, as well as interviews with experts and inspiring stories so that you can grow your online business with confidence.

Online Business Launchpad | Start An Online Business | Online Business Growth

The Online Business Launchpad podcast shares tips, techniques and stories from small business owners who have solved problems and challenges like the ones you face.  This podcast is for you if you want to increase revenue and profits without burning out so that you can have more time for yourself and your family and more choices in how you live your life.

The Online Business Launchpad podcast shares tips, techniques and stories from small business owners who have solved problems and challenges like the ones you face.  This podcast is for you if you want to increase revenue and profits without burning out so that you can have more time for yourself and your family and more choices in how you live your life.

Scared by a Copyright Troll Letter? Here’s What To Do

“Most people think SEO is dead. But it’s not. It’s just evolving into something far more interesting.”



John Horn doesn’t sugarcoat the reality of digital advertising in 2025. In this episode, we take a look at how businesses can stop wasting money on paid ads and how to prepare for the next wave of AI-driven advertising platforms like ChatGPT. Whether you’re running ads now or scared to even try, John brings clarity, strategy, and a calm ‘don’t-panic’ tone to a space full of noise.

John Horn is the CEO of Stub Group, a digital advertising agency that has helped clients generate over $500 million in revenue through profitable ad strategies. With over a decade of hands-on experience, John is known for helping businesses navigate complexity in a constantly shifting digital landscape.

WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT
Why AI platforms like ChatGPT are reshaping how ads will work
What small businesses need to know about GEO (Generative Engine Optimization)
How to prepare your business for AI-powered ad platforms, even before they’re fully launched
Why traditional SEO is actually more important than ever
How to stand out in AI search results with PR, data, and real human input
Common mistakes that lead to wasted ad spend (and how to avoid them)
A smart tracking tip that helped one B2B company cut out low-quality leads
How to use photos, stats, and content to get picked up by LLMs like ChatGPT
What kind of original content makes you rank in AI-generated search results

Tune in now to get practical, non-hype strategies for growing your business with paid ads and future-proofing your marketing.

And get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business: https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/

RESOURCES MENTIONED
Stub Group website
Stub Group YouTube channel
Blog article on the state of Google ads suspensions in 2025



My newsletter is for people who need a way to make money from home so they can build a better life for themselves and their families: https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/

<blockquote>
&ldquo;Most people think SEO is dead. But it&rsquo;s not. It&rsquo;s just evolving into something far more interesting.&rdquo; 
</blockquote>
John Horn doesn&rsquo;t sugarcoat the reality of digital advertising in 2025. In this episode, we take a look at how businesses can stop wasting money on paid ads and how to prepare for the next wave of AI-driven advertising platforms like ChatGPT. Whether you&rsquo;re running ads now or scared to even try, John brings clarity, strategy, and a calm &lsquo;don&rsquo;t-panic&rsquo; tone to a space full of noise.
John Horn is the CEO of Stub Group, a digital advertising agency that has helped clients generate over $500 million in revenue through profitable ad strategies. With over a decade of hands-on experience, John is known for helping businesses navigate complexity in a constantly shifting digital landscape.
WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Why AI platforms like ChatGPT are reshaping how ads will work</li>
<li aria-level="1">What small businesses need to know about GEO (Generative Engine Optimization)</li>
<li aria-level="1">How to prepare your business for AI-powered ad platforms, even before they&rsquo;re fully launched</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why traditional SEO is actually more important than ever</li>
<li aria-level="1">How to stand out in AI search results with PR, data, and real human input</li>
<li aria-level="1">Common mistakes that lead to wasted ad spend (and how to avoid them)</li>
<li aria-level="1">A smart tracking tip that helped one B2B company cut out low-quality leads</li>
<li aria-level="1">How to use photos, stats, and content to get picked up by LLMs like ChatGPT</li>
<li aria-level="1">What kind of original content makes you rank in AI-generated search results</li>
</ul>
Tune in now to get practical, non-hype strategies for growing your business with paid ads and future-proofing your marketing.
And get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business:<a href="https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/"> https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/</a>
RESOURCES MENTIONED
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.stubgroup.com">Stub Group website</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Stub Group <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@stubgroup">YouTube channel</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Blog article on <a href="https://stubgroup.com/blog/the-state-of-google-ads-suspensions-2025/">the state of Google ads suspensions in 2025</a> </li>
</ul>
My newsletter is for people who need a way to make money from home so they can build a better life for themselves and their families:<a href="https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/"> https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/</a>

How ChatGPT Is Disrupting Ads (and What Smart Businesses Are Doing About It) with John Horn

"I asked Ron if AI was going to eat his job for lunch—he said yes and no.”

That mix of realism and optimism sets the tone for this episode. When AI started disrupting his on-camera spokesperson business, Ron Desi didn’t panic—he pivoted. And he used the same technology that threatened his income to build a completely new opportunity, including an email list of 1300 people in just 55 days using a personality-based quiz that hit all the right notes.

Ron Desi is the founder of Growth Vids and a seasoned video strategist with a background in business education. For over a decade, he's helped companies communicate with clarity and authenticity through video. Now, he's embracing change and leading the way on how to adapt—creatively and strategically—in an AI-powered world.

WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT
The reality of AI’s impact on service-based businesses
Why Ron is pivoting away from video production and toward video strategy
How authenticity beats automation (especially in industries like law)
Ron’s thoughtful use of Gemini, ChatGPT, and Claude to brainstorm, write, and research
The surprising way Dungeons & Dragons is helping autistic teens build confidence
How he created a quiz that deeply resonated with his niche audience
The step-by-step approach he used to design the quiz with AI input
Ron’s long-term plan to build a business around what he loves—and why YouTube is part of it

If you're worried about how AI is changing the game, this episode is proof that you can use it to create new opportunities, not just survive disruption.

Get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business:
👉 https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter

## RESOURCES MENTIONED
GrowthVids.com – Ron’s site for video strategy and spokesperson services
Dungeon Noob – Ron’s D&D YouTube channel
Gemini, ChatGPT, Claude – AI tools Ron uses to strategize and create

My newsletter is for people who need a way to make money from home so they can build a better life for themselves and their families:  👉 https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter

"I asked Ron if AI was going to eat his job for lunch&mdash;he said yes&nbsp;and no.&rdquo;
That mix of realism and optimism sets the tone for this episode. When AI started disrupting his on-camera spokesperson business, Ron Desi didn&rsquo;t panic&mdash;he pivoted. And he used the same technology that threatened his income to build a completely new opportunity, including an email list of 1300 people in just 55 days using a personality-based quiz that hit all the right notes.
Ron Desi is the founder of Growth Vids and a seasoned video strategist with a background in business education. For over a decade, he's helped companies communicate with clarity and authenticity through video. Now, he's embracing change and leading the way on how to adapt&mdash;creatively and strategically&mdash;in an AI-powered world.
WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">The reality of AI&rsquo;s impact on service-based businesses</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why Ron is pivoting away from video production and toward video strategy</li>
<li aria-level="1">How authenticity beats automation (especially in industries like law)</li>
<li aria-level="1">Ron&rsquo;s thoughtful use of Gemini, ChatGPT, and Claude to brainstorm, write, and research</li>
<li aria-level="1">The surprising way Dungeons &amp; Dragons is helping autistic teens build confidence</li>
<li aria-level="1">How he created a quiz that deeply resonated with his niche audience</li>
<li aria-level="1">The step-by-step approach he used to design the quiz with AI input</li>
<li aria-level="1">Ron&rsquo;s long-term plan to build a business around what he loves&mdash;and why YouTube is part of it</li>
</ul>
If you're worried about how AI is changing the game, this episode is proof that you can use it to create new opportunities, not just survive disruption.
Get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business: 👉<a href="https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter"> https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter</a>
## RESOURCES MENTIONED
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="GrowthVids.com">GrowthVids.com</a> &ndash; Ron&rsquo;s site for video strategy and spokesperson services</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@DungeonNoob">Dungeon Noob</a> &ndash; Ron&rsquo;s D&amp;D YouTube channel</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://gemini.google.com">Gemini,</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://chat.openai.com">ChatGPT</a>, <a href="https://claude.ai">Claude</a> &ndash; AI tools Ron uses to strategize and create</li>
</ul>
My newsletter is for people who need a way to make money from home so they can build a better life for themselves and their families:&nbsp; 👉<a href="https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter"> https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter</a>

AI Forced a Pivot So Here’s How He Made It Work with Ron Desi

“It feels like we’re standing on the side of the interstate naked, holding a sign that says ‘Look at me!’”
That’s how visibility expert Tracy Beavers describes what it’s like to show up online when you’re building a business. If that sounds uncomfortably familiar, this episode is a must-listen. Tracy breaks down how to grow your audience and email list authentically—without the ick.

Tracy Beavers is a visibility and list-building strategist with over 25 years in corporate sales and marketing. She helps entrepreneurs cut through overwhelm and fear so they can grow an online business that actually supports their life, not the other way around.

WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT
Why being everywhere online is a fast track to burnout—and what to do instead
How Tracy used podcast management to help her son start his own freelance gig
Practical visibility tactics that don’t require dancing on TikTok
How to repurpose a single piece of content into an entire week’s worth of posts
The importance of building your email list—and why social media alone won’t cut it
Ways to start DM conversations that aren’t spammy, salesy, or awkward
Why vanity metrics don’t equal sales—and how to track what actually matters
The power of treating your business like a real CEO—even before it’s profitable

Ready to stop hiding and start growing? Tune in now and discover how to show up consistently, build trust, and grow your email list the smart way.

Get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business:
👉 https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter


RESOURCES MENTIONED
Tracy’s free guide: Social Media Made Easy – https://tracybeavers.com/social
Free guide: DM Conversations That Feel Good – https://tracybeavers.com/dm
Tracy’s podcast: Create Online Business Success - https://www.tracybeavers.com/podcast

Her Facebook Group: Be a Confident Entrepreneur - https://www.facebook.com/groups/beaconfidententrepreneur 
Descript(affiliate link) – Audio/video editing software Tracy and her son use for podcast production.
CapCut – Easy-to-learn video editing app used for social media content.
Canva(affiliate link) – Graphic design tool for creating social posts, visuals, and more.
YouTube – Used as a free learning resource for Descript, CapCut, and Canva tutorials.
Facebook – Tracy’s main platform for visibility and client attraction.
Instagram – Secondary platform, auto-posted via Facebook Business Page integration.
LinkedIn – Recommended for B2B or corporate-facing entrepreneurs.
TikTok – Mentioned as optional, but not required; Tracy replaced it with automation tools.
Opus Clip – AI tool for repurposing long-form videos into short-form clips for Reels, YouTube Shorts, etc.
Buzzsprout – Podcast hosting platform Tracy’s son uses to manage and publish her episodes.
Metricool(affiliate link) – Social media scheduling tool that posts to Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Pinterest.

Affiliate Disclaimer: If you click on links on this page and then make a purchase, I may earn a commission (at no extra cost to you).  I am a proud affiliate of these resources because I use them in my own life and business.

&ldquo;It feels like we&rsquo;re standing on the side of the interstate naked, holding a sign that says &lsquo;Look at me!&rsquo;&rdquo; That&rsquo;s how visibility expert Tracy Beavers describes what it&rsquo;s like to show up online when you&rsquo;re building a business. If that sounds uncomfortably familiar, this episode is a must-listen. Tracy breaks down how to grow your audience and email list authentically&mdash;without the ick.
Tracy Beavers is a visibility and list-building strategist with over 25 years in corporate sales and marketing. She helps entrepreneurs cut through overwhelm and fear so they can grow an online business that actually supports their life, not the other way around.
WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Why being everywhere online is a fast track to burnout&mdash;and what to do instead</li>
<li aria-level="1">How Tracy used podcast management to help her son start his own freelance gig</li>
<li aria-level="1">Practical visibility tactics that don&rsquo;t require dancing on TikTok</li>
<li aria-level="1">How to repurpose a single piece of content into an entire week&rsquo;s worth of posts</li>
<li aria-level="1">The importance of building your email list&mdash;and why social media alone won&rsquo;t cut it</li>
<li aria-level="1">Ways to start DM conversations that aren&rsquo;t spammy, salesy, or awkward</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why vanity metrics don&rsquo;t equal sales&mdash;and how to track what actually matters</li>
<li aria-level="1">The power of treating your business like a real CEO&mdash;even before it&rsquo;s profitable</li>
</ul>
Ready to stop hiding and start growing? Tune in now and discover how to show up consistently, build trust, and grow your email list the smart way.
Get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business: 👉<a href="https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter"> https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter</a>
 RESOURCES MENTIONED
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Tracy&rsquo;s free guide: Social Media Made Easy &ndash; <a href="https://tracybeavers.com/social">https://tracybeavers.com/social</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Free guide: DM Conversations That Feel Good &ndash; <a href="https://tracybeavers.com/dm">https://tracybeavers.com/dm</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Tracy&rsquo;s podcast: Create Online Business Success - <a href="https://www.tracybeavers.com/podcast">https://www.tracybeavers.com/podcast</a> </li>
<li aria-level="1">Her Facebook Group: Be a Confident Entrepreneur - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/beaconfidententrepreneur">https://www.facebook.com/groups/beaconfidententrepreneur</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/Descript">Descript</a> (affiliate link) &ndash; Audio/video editing software Tracy and her son use for podcast production.</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.capcut.com/">CapCut</a> &ndash; Easy-to-learn video editing app used for social media content.</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="http://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/Canva">Canva</a> (affiliate link) &ndash; Graphic design tool for creating social posts, visuals, and more.</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="http://youtube.com">YouTube</a> &ndash; Used as a free learning resource for Descript, CapCut, and Canva tutorials.</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="http://facebook.com">Facebook</a> &ndash; Tracy&rsquo;s main platform for visibility and client attraction.</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="http://instagram.com">Instagram</a> &ndash; Secondary platform, auto-posted via Facebook Business Page integration.</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="http://linkedin.com">LinkedIn</a> &ndash; Recommended for B2B or corporate-facing entrepreneurs.</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="http://tiktok.com">TikTok</a> &ndash; Mentioned as optional, but not required; Tracy replaced it with automation tools.</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.opus.pro/">Opus Clip</a> &ndash; AI tool for repurposing long-form videos into short-form clips for Reels, YouTube Shorts, etc.</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/">Buzzsprout</a> &ndash; Podcast hosting platform Tracy&rsquo;s son uses to manage and publish her episodes.</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/metricool">Metricool</a> (affiliate link) &ndash; Social media scheduling tool that posts to Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Pinterest.</li>
</ul>
Affiliate Disclaimer: If you click on links on this page and then make a purchase, I may earn a commission (at no extra cost to you).&nbsp; I am a proud affiliate of these resources because I use them in my own life and business.

Scared by a Copyright Troll Letter? Here’s What To Do

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