Danny Gavin’s Post

Is 'Family' in Business a Dangerous Myth? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. Note: I've wrestled with this at Optidge (Agency). (P.S. This is a clip from this week's The Digital Marketing Mentor Podcast with Ross Hudgens - catch the full episode on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts)

How does creative writing and a dash of mentorship lead to scaling a top digital PR and SEO agency? Back in 2016, I first reached out to Ross Hudgens after receiving one of the best link outreach emails I had ever seen. It was from someone on his team at Siege Media, and I was so impressed that I had to tell him. (I still use it as an example in my courses at ODEO Academy and University of Houston, C.T. Bauer College of Business!) Now, I’m thrilled to share my latest episode of The Digital Marketing Mentor Podcast podcast, where Ross and I dive deep into his journey from creative writing student to founder and CEO of Siege Media. In this episode, we cover: 💡 Mentorship & Business Growth: How Ross scaled Siege Media and the role key mentors like Wil Reynolds (our memorable guest from episode 63) and Grayson Lafrenz played in his journey. 💼 Delegation for Success: The pivotal moment Ross realized he needed a COO to handle operations and how that changed Siege Media’s path. 🚀 AI & SEO Evolution: How Siege Media is navigating the AI landscape while maintaining the human touch. 📈 Scaling with Systems: Ross’ secrets to growth through incremental improvements, formal training, and process documentation. 🎯 Product-Led Digital PR: Why leveraging first-party data is the future of digital PR and content marketing. If you're into scaling your business OR content marketing, you don’t want to miss this one! Available wherever you get your podcasts. 🎧 #SEO #ContentMarketing #BusinessGrowth #DigitalMarketing #AI #Mentorship #Scaling #Entrepreneurship #MarketingPodcast

What Do These 13 Women Have in Common? Besides for the fact that they are all on this week's "Best of Episode" on The Digital Marketing Mentor Podcast, they are all INSPIRING WOMEN IN MARKETING! It’s been said that the future of digital marketing is FEMALE: creative, data-driven, and unstoppable. Join us for a moving episode as we explore and reflect on past conversations that follow the remarkable journeys of WOMEN who are breaking barriers and redefining the marketing industry. WE COVER: 👩💼 Embracing Career Transitions with Sicily Dickenson, Batli Joselevitz, Shelly F., Akvile DeFazio, and Vicky Charleston 👩🏫 The Importance of Mentorship with Navah Hopkins, Allie Danziger, Martha van Berkel, and Purna Virji 🧗♂️ Overcoming Imposter Syndrome with Tracy Murray, DPT, Adele Beiny, and Avkvile ⚖ Balancing Expectations with Tracy, Akvile, and Emily Ryan 👩🏻💻 ⏭ And Finally, Paving the Way for the Next Generation with Allie, Sarah Chaya Presch, and Navah. Even if you've listened to these episodes before - hear them in a new light as we weave a powerful story and message for each theme. 🔥 Catch this special episode on YouTube or wherever you listen to your podcasts. (Note: in 70 Episodes we've had a lot of amazing Women Guests and Marketers, we weren't able to fit all of you into one episode OR the discussion didn't include thoughts on one of the 5 topics - we hope to get you onto a future "Best Of" Episode) #WomenInMarketing #DigitalMarketing #MarketingMentors #CareerTransitions #WomenInBusiness #MentorshipMatters #ImposterSyndrome #MarketingLeaders #InspiringWomen #FutureOfMarketing #MarketingPodcast #BreakingBarriers #MarketingJourney #MarketingSuccess #WomenEmpowerment #FemaleLeaders #ContentMarketing #MarketingCommunity #PavingTheWay #NextGenerationMarketing #FemaleEntrepreneurs #BestOfMarketing #MarketingInspiration #MarketingMentorship #WomenSupportingWomen

Can you take a look at my Google Ads Account... For Free? I successfully signed a PAID PPC/Google Ads Audit this morning. This comprehensive service also examines their Hubspot instance and the interplay between the two platforms. The goal is to convert this into a Fully Managed Account. At a minimum, it provides the Account Owner with a detailed list and analysis of what is working and what is not working in the account. Do you know why I'm writing about this? In the past, looking under the hood was something I would quickly offer as a Freebee. However, there has been a strong push among the PPC community to work together not to offer free audits. Free audits can devalue the expertise and time invested in delivering a thorough analysis and strategy. AND... clients may not recognize the full value of the insights provided, and it sets a precedent that high-quality work can be done without compensation This is just a reminder :) Sarah, Navah, Amalia Fowler and especially Duane hope this makes you smile :) #GoogleAds #PPC #PaidSearch #HubSpot #DigitalMarketing #MarketingAudit #MarketingStrategy #PPCCommunity #BusinessGrowth #ClientSuccess #ManagedServices #AccountManagement #MarketingOptimization #PPCExperts #NoFreeAudits #PPCBestPractices #DigitalAgency #B2BMarketing #MarketingConsulting

This one’s for all my digital marketing pros who love to dive deep into the psychology behind SEO! In this week's episode of The Digital Marketing Mentor Podcast, we explore the fascinating intersection of digital marketing, psychology, and neurodivergent inclusion with Sarah Chaya Presch, Digital Marketing Director of Dragon Metrics (A Tool and Company That I Love!!!) From understanding consumer behavior to uncovering the cognitive biases that shape SEO, Sarah offers incredible insights you won't want to miss. 🧠 What role does psychology play in SEO? Sarah’s background in psychology gives her a unique approach to understanding how people think and feel and how that influences their search behavior. 🤝 How can mentorship unlock your full potential? Learn how Sarah views mentorship as a two-way street and why regular check-ins and goal-setting are key to success. (We also talk about some of her amazing mentors Simon Lesser, Tazmin Suleman, and Myriam Jessier.) 🎯 What is ‘psychological safety’ in the workplace, and why does it matter? Discover how creating safe, open environments can foster creativity and inclusivity, especially for neurodivergent employees. 🌐 Why is cultural understanding essential in digital marketing? Sarah shares a thought-provoking case study on how overlooking cultural nuances can significantly impact a brand’s reputation. 🔍 How does confirmation bias influence search results? Get into the nitty-gritty of how cognitive biases shape how users perceive SEO and what you can do about it. ------------ This episode is packed with actionable insights and is a must-listen for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of SEO from a psychological and inclusive perspective. 🎧 👉 Tune in wherever you get your podcasts to learn how the mind shapes digital marketing success. #DigitalMarketing #SEO #Psychology #Mentorship #Inclusion #Neurodivergent #Podcast

To Pin or Not To Pin? Maximizing Ad Real Estate is the Key? Thank you Navah Hopkins for including my thoughts on this eye-opening Optmyzr study! “As the “Chief Strategist” of Optidge, I’ve always prioritized strategies that maximize performance, often relying on data-driven decisions over Google’s recommendations. This study reinforces that approach, especially regarding Ad Strength and pinning. The data confirms that Ad Strength doesn’t reliably predict ad performance, so experienced advertisers should focus on crafting ads that resonate with their audience rather than chasing high Ad Strength ratings. While Google offers pinning as a tool, the findings suggest that allowing some flexibility for Google’s AI can yield better results than over-pinning and that using pinning selectively is not as harmful as I may have previously thought. However, the most surprising insight is the impact of creative length. Contrary to my belief in maximizing ad real estate (which I also push when it comes to Meta Data on the SEO side of things), the data suggests that concise, impactful messaging can outperform longer ads. This challenges the notion that more is always better and highlights the importance of quality over quantity in ad copy. Based on this study, I will push our teams to test creative length more rigorously.” #agencylife #ppc #googleads

Running an agency in 2024 is tough—you're not alone, and here's why. I'm incredibly grateful for the AMA Houston – American Marketing Association Agency Forum, where 10+ agency owners come together in a (virtual and in-person) room to support, learn, and remind each other that we're not alone in this journey. This group meets once a month, and the value we bring to each other is unmatched. For many of us, 2024 has been challenging. Sales are slow, and the growth we’re used to isn’t quite there. Hearing this echoed by most of the group was validating—it’s not just us. We’re not doing something wrong. Maybe it's the state of the economy or the world in general. There’s a saying, "misery loves company," but that wasn’t what yesterday's meeting felt like. Instead of it being a vent session, it became a space for validation, followed by problem-solving. We focused on how to bring in more business, exchanging ideas on what’s working, what’s not, and what we could try. One of the practices I find especially meaningful in these meetings is the Rose, Bud, and Thorn exercise. We each share something going well (Rose), an opportunity we’re excited about but still developing (Bud), and a challenge we’re facing (Thorn). For my Rose, I spoke about our Inc. 5000 win—which celebrates our growth between 2021-2023. Even though this year has been tough, I was mixed about celebrating this. But we worked hard for it, and my Leadership Team felt wouldn’t be fair to take the celebration away from my incredible team. I also mentioned how grateful I am just to be in business. It may sound cliché, but sometimes we need to stop and thank G-d for what we have. After the meeting, I received some wonderful messages that really touched me: "Hey Danny. Great seeing you this morning. I wanted to tell you that I definitely related to your sentiment about not wanting to celebrate your Inc. 5000 win. It’s been rough the last few months and I’ve had a hard time even trying to celebrate small wins over here. I appreciated that you started off with your Rose—that it’s a privilege just to be in business." "I loved that everyone was open and shared their experiences instead of being guarded!" "Hi Danny! It was nice to e-see you this morning. Stopping in to say how much I appreciated your Rose this morning about being grateful to be in business. My partner and I were just talking about that the other day, so that resonated. Thanks for the awesome reminder." I am SO FORTUNATE to be part of such a supportive community. Agency life isn’t easy, but it’s made better when you have a group that truly gets it and pushes you to keep growing. What is the support system that you rely on in your business and/or role? #AgencyLife #BusinessChallenges #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #GrowthMindset #SupportCommunity #BusinessGrowth #Gratitude #Inc5000 #SmallBusiness #Resilience #BusinessOwner #2024Challenges #MarketingAgency #BusinessInsights

Have you ever wondered how AI could TOTALLY transform your content creation? Listen to the secrets that led this remarkable woman from freelancing to a seven-figure success! It's exciting times in digital marketing as AI transforms how we craft content and optimize SEO strategies. Personally this is a very mixed bag for me... (I will soon have a post/podcast on how relying too heavily on AI for content can destroy your SEO.) But in our latest episode of The Digital Marketing Mentor Podcast, I speak to one of the good and honest people who is approaching (IMHO) Content and AI the right way. I had the pleasure of speaking with Julia McCoy, President of BrandWell's Content at Scale, about her incredible journey from nursing school to building a seven-figure content business. If you’ve been wondering how to integrate AI into your content creation process without losing the human touch, this episode is for you! Julia explores the power of mentorship, shares insights on AI's role in content and SEO, and even addresses those nagging fears about AI replacing jobs. Tune in to hear: 🛠️ How Julia transitioned from freelancing to leading a multi-million-dollar content agency. 📈 Why AI is more about enhancing your work than replacing you. 🎨 The CRAFT and TAP frameworks Julia uses to ensure AI-generated content is top-notch. 🔍 The future of content creation and SEO in an AI-powered world. 🤖 Why AIO (Artificial Intelligence Optimization) is the next big thing and what it means for SEO professionals. Take advantage of this game-changing episode! You can catch it wherever you consume your podcasts. #DigitalMarketing #AI #SEO #ContentMarketing #Mentorship #OptidgeOfficeHours

"I was just wondering about creating a LinkedIn account. I don't have one and I was thinking that it would probably be helpful professionally to create one, but what would you suggest I write about my jobs/education.  I have 30 years of work experience in an entirely different field..." I just received this question from one of my students at ODEO Academy, where I teach digital marketing primarily to women from various backgrounds who are pivoting into the field. It’s a question I hear often, especially from those with (a lot of) experience in a different industry. Here’s what I shared with her—and what I want to share with anyone else who might be in a similar situation: Emphasize Transferable Skills: Your previous experience is valuable. Think about the skills you've honed over the years—management, strategic thinking, problem-solving—and how they apply to digital marketing. These are your strengths. Create a Strong Headline: Your headline isn’t just a job title; it’s a snapshot of who you are and where you’re going. Something like "Experienced Professional Pivoting to Digital Marketing | Leveraging 30 Years of [Previous Field] Experience" can clearly communicate your journey. Write a Compelling Summary: Use the summary to tell your story. Share your journey from your past career to your new passion for digital marketing. Explain why you’re making the switch and what you bring to the table. Authenticity goes a long way. Highlight Relevant Roles: When detailing past roles, focus on achievements and responsibilities that are relevant to your new career. Even if the industry was different, highlight what you accomplished and how those skills will help you succeed in digital marketing. Show Your Commitment: If you’re learning new skills or earning certifications (like through ODEO Academy), make sure to include them. It demonstrates your dedication to your new path and keeps your profile current. -------- LinkedIn is a powerful tool for career transitions. If you’re in the midst of a pivot, remember that your experience is an asset, not a hurdle. Would you add anything to this list? #CareerPivot #LinkedInTips #DigitalMarketing #ProfessionalDevelopment #CareerAdvice #TransferableSkills #WomenInMarketing #CareerTransition #PersonalBranding #OnlineLearning #MarketingEducation #OdeoAcademy #LifelongLearning #MidCareerChange

I'm now able to ✅ another item off my bucket list... Please join me in DFW this October 28-29th, when I'll speak for the first time at an SEO-focused conference: the one and only State of Search by DFWSEM - Nonprofit. State of Search was the first SEO/SEM conference I attended in the mid-2010s (listening to giants like Wil Reynolds, Rand Fishkin, Duane Forrester, Purna Virji, Kirk Williams, and so many others), so it's a huge privilege that I'm now going to be presenting there. My talk focuses on some nifty custom reports my agency Optidge has created using GA4 and Search Console Data to better understand the ROI of SEO efforts, especially when it comes to e-commerce and, even more importantly when clients don't want to give you credit for ANY Branded traffic. If you plan on attending, I'd love to meet up—send me a direct message or leave a message in the comments below. #stateofsearch #dfwsem #seo #sem #ppc #agencylife #conferencespeaker