Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Dan Shinder, Founder of Advanced Social Marketing, located in Globe, AZ, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I have two businesses: The first is Drum Talk TV (founded Jan. 2013), which in its first year, became the largest media company in the music industry covering the world of drumming. When I learned in month 7 that we were achieving 900% more online reach and engagement than all our competitors combined. I did this 100% organically without ever spending money on ads or boosting posts.
That milestone inspired me to open my marketing training company, Advanced Social Marketing, with a series of courses and workshops called Social Media On Steroids. However, I teach content marketing, guaranteed to improve results on any social channel, blogging, podcasting, and email marketing.
My customers are entrepreneurs and businesses in any industry who are smart enough to know there is always more to learn in the ever-changing space of digital marketing and want to learn from someone who has a solid track record of achieving great results.
I have worked with the above in health and wellness, authors, speakers, top trainers in real estate, dental tech, automotive dealerships, food service, gold and platinum artists, makers of musical instruments and audio gear, and more. (I spared the name-dropping, ha-ha!).
Tell us about yourself
Regarding Advanced Social Marketing, it was that epiphany I had when it was pointed out to me we were achieving 900% more online reach and engagement than all our competitors combined that gave me the reason to start the marketing training company.
I knew I had accomplished something very special. There are still many legacy brands in many industries whose numbers don't come close to ours. I started ASM to share the wisdom and knowledge from my hands-on experience of getting great results with others, so they could thrive in helping others with whatever their product or service is.
It's that last element that keeps me motivated every day to keep training people in an area of business that is so convoluted. And quite frankly, there is a lot of bunk information out there based on herd mentality. Everyone is doing what everyone else is doing because that's what everyone is doing. THAT'S NOT A STRATEGY.
I love teaching from over 55,000 hours of getting it right and seeing the lightbulbs go on above my clients' heads, on their faces, and seeing the results when they put what I teach into action. I LOVE that! That's why I do it and don't keep all of it to myself as a selfish secret.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Bringing a brand to the leader in its space within its first year. I started Drum Talk TV with an idea, some couch change, and belly button lint, and I have a lot more belly button lint than couch change! Now we are valuated at 8 figures, on pace to reach 9 within five years. Again, that's the experience I teach from.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
One of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner is being THE BUSINESS OWNER. The biggest lesson I learned and had to work through was balance in my life. I am the type who is never late, is always pragmatic, and truly cares about my work and outcomes. It's all about results.
I have two businesses, my wife has two businesses, and we have a blended family of eleven adult kids and nineteen grandkids (so far). I understand being busy. They all need our attention, and they are all still our babies. We do our best to spread our time between businesses and all of them.
But I learned a hard lesson that I was not leaving time for just ME. To take more breaks during the day, to slow down when my body and mind tell me to. I had a BIG health scare from this in April of 2017 because I was pushing too hard. No business outcome is worth compromising your health. Thankfully, my wife was a nurse for 23 years and recognized what was happening, and came to the rescue. A cat and two dogs later, I have "forced balance" in my life, ha-ha!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Follow my advice from the lesson I learned from pushing yourself too hard. Too much thinking can do that, not just physical work. Work balance into your life and take care of yourself.
- Surround yourself in life with people who have great energy and will support you. Not tell you what you want to hear, but who truly believe in you and supports what you want to do. Anything else is sabotage, and that's on one's self.
- Surround yourself in business with people who are much better than you in areas you are not yet expert. This goes for people who are with/for you, as well as with people you can call mentors and influencers. You are who you roll with and become what you think about. Feed your mind, heart, and soul thoughtfully.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://advancedsocialmarketing.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dan.shinder
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danshinder/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.