Overview - Learning Series: 5 Keys to Digital Marketing That ROCK!
Introduction to my digital marketing learning series that will help you build a lasting brand and create the life of your dreams.
Is your business stuck on repeat? Whether you’re a solopreneur reaching for 6 figures or a small business preparing to scale, mastering the top 5 keys to digital marketing success will help you change your tune and hit all the right notes for your next big breakthrough.
I’m not going to throw around any bombastic claims like SEO is dead, YouTube is dead, Facebook Ads are dead–do this instead! Just scroll Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook a few minutes and you’ll find those types of workshops that provide digital marketing hacks. I’m not saying those hacks don’t work, in many cases if implemented correctly, hacks do work–for a limited time.
Hacks alone won’t build a lasting business and create sustainable success. I’ve gathered my insights from 24 years of experience to bring you this learning series. I’ve used my expertise to help hundreds of small businesses at every stage reach their business goals—from side-hustle dreamers to corporations on the New York Stock Exchange.
Today, it’s never been easier to launch an online business, but in many ways, it’s never been harder to profitably grow your business. According to Forbes Magazine’s Small Business Statistics of 2024, one of the top reasons small businesses fail is the inability to profitably grow. 38% of small businesses run out of money and 42% experience inadequate market demand.
Surprisingly, nearly 1 out of 3 businesses still don’t have a website and many that do don’t have a professional one. Plus, most businesses only invest 9% of revenue on average into marketing.
Not investing into digital marketing might cost you your entire business!
This learning series will help you plan for the future of your business and get a leg up on your competitors who aren’t focused on generating profitable growth through digital marketing. There are foundational digital marketing principles that bring big breakthroughs for any business willing to put in the work.
About Me
As I lead my agency Start Smart Now into its 25th year in business, I’ve become fired up to share what I’ve learned and have a bigger impact in the world beyond the roster of clients my agency serves.
I’m eager to share my experience with you and for this learning series to become a powerful resource that helps aspiring solopreneurs build a lasting business they love to support the life of their dreams.
That’s what I've been doing with my own business. I absolutely love the work I do, and I’m just as enthusiastic as I was back in 2000 when I launched Start Smart Now and signed my first digital marketing client. I’ve experienced the joy of building a lasting business to support the life of my dreams. And now, I’d like to help you!
Start Smart Now has allowed me to live in over 10 exciting cities, including the enchantment of Albuquerque, New Mexico; the thrilling hustle and bustle of NYC, and the quiet beauty of Savannah, Georgia where I founded East Broad Records, an indie music label that has brought in new people, places, and adventures beyond my wildest imagination.
Owning my agency has also allowed me to travel throughout the United States and visit amazing places around the world while working from my laptop, including trips to Amsterdam, Nice, Edinburgh, Dublin, London, St. Ive’s, Mexico City, and more!
I’m here to support like-minded solopreneurs who want to launch, grow, and scale a lasting business they love, too!
5 Keys to Digital Marketing That ROCK! will give you a strong introduction to the 5 essential keys for building a lasting business and consistently generating profitable growth. From there, you’ll be ready to put what you learn into action and continue building your digital marketing foundation.
As a small business owner, you know when it’s time to try something different. What you’ve been doing has stopped working or you’re not getting the results you need to stay in the game. Either way, you’re looking for a solution that’s going to bring profitable growth, but you’re not sure what to do.
It might make you feel better to know you’re not alone. In 2024, Forbes Magazine shared some remarkable data: there are 33.3 million businesses in the United States that qualify as small businesses, making up 99.9% of all U.S. businesses and a vast majority, over 80%, are solo ventures. These are exactly the type of businesses that I’ve been helping over the past 20+ years. No matter where you are on your small business journey, I’m confident this learning series will help you.
Overview
I’m not trying to be clever with this title. I’m also a musician, and I’ve noticed an interesting similarity between what it takes for an artist to make it in music and an entrepreneur to make it in business. This musical metaphor serves a very practical purpose. It will make learning the more complex aspects of digital marketing easier to remember, understand, and apply in your own business.
5 Keys to Digital Marketing That ROCK! will cover the following:
Key 1 - The Singer: Develop Your Brand Voice
Key 2 - The Microphone: Leverage Technology to Amplify Your Brand Voice
Key 3 - The Stage: Reach Bigger Audiences & Get Discovered
Key 4 - The Fan Club: Convert Visitors into Customers & Repeat Buyers
Key 5 - The Game Plan: Build Your Team, Systems & Strategy for Success
From here, I will help you cultivate a sustainable digital marketing practice. Like any foundation, it must be maintained.
I hope you’ll subscribe and follow this series. I’m confident you’ll learn something valuable and gain a new perspective on digital marketing. I’m a lifelong learner and aim to bring a “beginner’s mind” to everything I do. I’ve found that time and time again every person I meet, every book I read, and every loss or win has something to teach me.
Let’s Support Each Other
One of the most important things I’ve learned over the years is that relationships are EVERYTHING! Let’s start building our relationship, so we can support each other.
#2 - Follow Start Smart Now on LinkedIn
With gratitude,
Whit Whitley