Gary Vaynerchuk's Blog, page 17

No Marketing Budget? Use Sweat, not Coins.

I know there’s a wide variety of people who read this blog. It’s similar to my audience from the Marketing For The Now series; we have everyone from second year art students to CMOs. We also have a lot of entrepreneurs, and a lot of them have the same question when they’re starting out: “how much do I spend on marketing?” They want to know how much to spend, and where. My friends, they should be asking what to spend. My answer to those who are starting from scratch? Sweat, not coins.

1. Leverage Your Relationships

What do I mean by that? I’m a big fan of spending zero dollars at first and using your rolodex to get business. My first move for a new business that has no marketing budget is to go to the address book of their gmail and  their phone–and literally contact every single person you know.

Do a one on one email or text informing them in a fun way, not a spammy Crtl C Crtl V way, so that you use the context of your relationship with that person for your businesses. 

For example, if in 9 years I was emailing Joe S. on my team about something I was doing, the opening line might be a wrestling reference (because I know he loves wrestling). I’d make it about what’s happening in wrestling at that moment. Then I’d go into, “Oh, by the way buddy, I’d love for you to buy some flowers from my new flower shop”. That shows Joe that I actually took the time and appreciated our relationship. 

For any new business owner to do that with every email, from A to Z, in every one of their phones, would take a month to do properly. That’s what I think everybody should do instead of posting on their Facebook, hoping organic reach will get you somewhere. I believe that the first move for any new business is to put deposits using sweat, not coins. 

2. Contact Potential Sponsors Directly

This is important if you have ambitions to monetize your content by getting sponsors or advertisers. Let’s say you have a beer channel on Youtube. Go to Google and type in “beer”. There will be so many ad links related to what you just typed. Let’s say you click on a link for a small business that’s based in Austin, Texas, and sells beer related clothing. If I had a show that had 900,000, 700,000 or even 2,000 subscribers, I would find this company’s phone number and call them. 

You may not be ready for the big companies, but there are plenty of small businesses that would appreciate access to your core audience. Offer an affiliate deal, where they would pay you for any sale that comes from your code or channel. You have to convince them, you can’t give up. 

3. Google Your Way To Success

If I wanted to get sponsors for a blog, podcast, or YouTube channel, I would spend five to ten times the time I spend producing content, going out and finding sponsors. Sell them on the rationale on why they should sponsor your show instead of spending all their money on Google ads. You might have 1800 followers while Google gets an enormous amount of hits–but at the end of the day, what matters is an ad with you would be targeted. An affiliate link with a small business is entirely possible.

You’ve got to go out there and find people or networks that fit your interests. If you’re in technology, look for companies that sponsor tech influencers. Cold call, cold email, or DM people. Google your way into finding the people that are advertising in your space. 

Sell them – if you want it, you’ve got to “grab” it.

If you liked this article, feel free to share it on Twitter

How To Make Quality Micro Content

The term “micro content” is something I started using three or four years ago. The notion was: content made specifically for the platform. You know, the videos, the pictures, the quotes, the written words that work on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok. 

It was the context of the book, Jab Jab Jab Right Hook.  

How You Can Create Good Micro Content



1. Quality Content Is Subjective 

So, you want to know how to make good micro content and how to consistently get your team to do it? First of all, good content is subjective, right? Some people like Game of Thrones. Some people watch Game of Thrones and don’t like it (very few, I think, because it’s a very popular show) but you know it is still clearly subjective. That’s number one.

2. Your Team Will Learn Through Osmosis 

Number two, once you get to a place where you can afford it, how do you get a team to start the process of creating micro-content for your or your brand?

When it comes to building the skills on a team, I wouldn’t say it’s about education. 

I would say that, for me, scaling and getting my team to get there has a lot to do with what I call “osmosis.” That is, putting the knowledge into the “stream” versus making them attend a class.  

Osmosis is also how you ensure your team is executing at the highest level from the top to the bottom – by letting them learn gradually from the environment and not being crippled when they’re “off” a little bit. For example, rather than over impose my will on creative output, I’ll let the market decide and let my employees learn from the outcome. 

By the way, not everyone learns like me. My team and I wasted an enormous amount of time on senior people training junior people through osmosis. When we evolved into providing more products I realized, stuff (products, technology, services) to support people through a more structured learning process could be beneficial. Still, depending on the situation, I usually use osmosis. 

3. Respect your audience 

You’ve got to respect your audience. This means, you’ve got to respect the psychology of what they’re doing when they’re on the platform. I know a 40 year old woman has a different mindset when she’s on Facebook versus when she’s on Pinterest. That is what I keep in mind when I try to tell her a story, because I know I’m on Pinterest. On Pintrest, she has intent to shop and aspiration to shop. On Facebook, she’s keeping up with her world or consuming information. So I strategize around the psychology and the platform itself. 

4. Make It About Them

When I say respect, I put out content that I think she will like versus what I’d like to accomplish. Yes, I’d like to sell rosé, but if I put it in a way that is more interesting to a mom, like five under $10 bottles of wine that help you unwind at the end of a full day with the kids, that would resonate better. Then you target eight-year-old kid moms.

Something like, 12 wines somebody who’s 38 will like and then targeting people that were born in 1982, could also work well. These are all strategies that will work. Add a very heavy Facebook or Instagram glamour’ shot of the wine at a nice angle. It’s that kind of stuff, stuff that’s cool and nice. 

Respecting the audience, respecting the platform, and taking your agenda and making it third – that’s how you make great micro content. 

That’s it for now! If you enjoyed that article it would mean a lot to me if you share it on Twitter.

The post How To Make Quality Micro Content appeared first on GaryVaynerchuk.com.

What Is “Day Trading Attention”?

As a leader in the marketing world, Gary’s typically a “first mover” when it comes to the platforms he’s on, marketing strategies he implements, and even the words he uses. Terms like “micro content” and “underpriced attention” might seem daunting at first, but we’re here to help you understand what they mean in the context of your business or career. 

Today, we’re diving deep on another GaryVee term: day trading attention. What does that mean? Well, keep reading and you’ll find out!

The Definition Of “Day Trading Attention“

In order to understand what day trading attention is, and how to do it well, we looked at a conversation between Gary and Jason of 11:FS. 

Jason: One of the metaphors I hear you use is “day trading attention.” Day trading is by definition, always watching, always playing, always looking for that next opportunity. It seems like a very powerful metaphor for always watching and always looking to that edge.

Gary: That’s exactly right. When it comes to day trading attention, I spend an enormous amount of time trying to figure out [new and emerging technologies]. Now, we have people going to football matches, going to Coachella, and taking the train because they want to take a picture and put it on Instagram. We are literally doing things to make a point, to paint a public picture. Therefore, I think as a marketer. If people are now going to do more things and have more experiences, isn’t promoting your company at the Rugby World Cup or at Coachella, or at a vineyard in Tuscany, a better idea now than it was four years ago? The answer is yes. Whether it’s digital or whether it’s traditional, when I day trade attention, I don’t focus on the newest app. Instead, I focus on what the hell people are doing.

How Can I Get Started? 

Gary: People have to pay attention. Many people are reading this on their cell phone– it’s important to understand that. It means commercials are overpriced. These are the things I think about when day trading attention, these are the trends I pay attention to. Whether I pay attention to trends like kombucha, or yoga, or sneakers, or Russ the rapper–it’s just culture trading.

My hyper growth of my micro internet fame didn’t happen by accident, I didn’t stumble into it. I  am obsessed with consumer attention. The reason I worry about a lot of digital marketers is because they’re very quantitative and they’re focused on transactional behavior. What I mean by transactional behavior is like landing page optimization, click attribution, top funnel behavior; quant conversion. That’s great if you care about the outcome in six months or in a year.  If you care about six years or a decade that is [is not the only thing to focus on]. 

Pay attention and act.

Is This Concept New?

Gary: My friends, it’s all about your eyes and ears. It’s about where the customers’ attention is. I don’t care about Tumblr, Pinterest, Instagram or any of [those platforms]. Things come along in our world: radio, television, the internet. Things come along and they’re for the people. Then marketers, much like myself, notice that people’s attention is there. If you, as a marketer, content creator, whatever, are not there–where the attention is–, if you’re not day trading that attention, if you’re not playing properly within that realm, you’re going to lose.

When people were listening to the radio, marketers realized, people are paying attention to the radio. They thought, hey why don’t I stop what they’re listening to and sell them this beer? They’re baseball fans, let me sell them this beer by telling them we make the best beer ever. Interrupt their game and take their attention. That process, my friends, has gone on for ever and ever. 

You can go back to the prehistoric age and see it. There’s a cave, you use it ’cause you don’t wanna get eaten by a dinosaur. If some dude wants to sell you a new club, he might draw some shit in your cave in order to sell it to you. So while your attention was there, in your cave, staying away from the dinosaurs, you think maybe I need a new club? 

There is always an opportunity to take advantage of the new spaces that create attention. 

Wherever there are people paying attention to something, marketers like myself want to take it and trade it. You know it’s gonna happen

That’s all for now! If you liked this article, or want to learn more about day trading attention, let us know on Twitter ! 

Interviews have been edited for length and clarity.

The post What Is “Day Trading Attention”? appeared first on GaryVaynerchuk.com.

Everything You Wanted To Know About Gary Vaynerchuk

Over the past few years, we’ve seen a lot of common questions asked about Gary Vaynerchuk, CEO of VaynerMedia and Chairman of VaynerX. Where did he start his career? What does he do, day to day? Why does he produce so much content across social media? How does he make money?

Recently, the team uploaded a video titled 44 Years In 9 Minutes on YouTube. It’s an overview of his life, career, and how he got to where he is today.

Be sure to check it out if you want a more in-depth look at his life. If you’d like the Sparknotes version, i.e. rapid fire answers to your questions, keep reading!

“What Does GaryVee Do?”

Gary’s the CEO of VaynerMedia, Chairman of VaynerX, co-founder of VaynerSports, investor, and 5x New York Times bestselling author. Gary has invested in companies like Facebook, Snap, Venmo, and Twitter. Plus, he signs all our paychecks – that’s what he does.

He’s also involved in a variety of entrepreneurial ventures – including being a founding partner in Resy (acquired by American Express), Empathy Wines (acquired by Constellation Brands), and also released five sneakers in collaboration with K-Swiss.

“Where Did GaryVee Grow Up?”

“I was born in Belarus, the former Soviet Union. [My family and] I came here when I was three,” Gary recalled in an interview with Inc. 

“We were ridiculously poor. I lived with nine family members in a studio apartment. My dad got a job as a stock boy in a liquor store. He eventually lived the American dream and saved all of his money. But, a funny thing happens when you don’t spend any money for four years. You actually accumulate it.  So, he used his savings to buy a small liquor store.”

Gary was a purebred entrepreneur from a young age. He sold baseball cards and ran lemonade stands during his time growing up in Edison, New Jersey.  

“I had seven lemonade stands when I was six years old. When I was 12 years old, I really started learning entrepreneurship because I had already started a massive baseball card business. I was selling $1000 – $2000 worth of merchandise each weekend at the malls in New Jersey.”

In those early days, he learned a lot about business – lessons he still uses to this day. As he grew a little older, however, things changed. 

“How Did GaryVee Start His Career?”

“So, my dad dragged me into the liquor store when I’m 14. Years later, in 1996, I launched one of the first wine centric e-commerce businesses in America.”

Gary started working his family business at a young age. After realizing that people collect wine in a similar way to baseball cards, Gary grew more passionate about the business and fell in love with it.

Over the next few years, he grew his father’s business from a $3 million dollar company to a $60 million enterprise.

“Did GaryVee Inherit Money?”

“I didn’t inherit anything–I did work alongside my father, grow his business, and make a salary,” he says. 

After growing his dad’s business from $3 million to $60 million, Gary eventually left the company with no equity and no ownership, starting over in his 30s in a different industry to build VaynerMedia.

“People think I got something handed, it’s actually the reverse. I gave up … 13 years of my life to build my dad’s business for him and left with nothing,” says Gary. Like a lot of immigrant entrepreneurial families, Gary felt a responsibility within himself to pay back his parents for what they did for him.

The transition from Wine Library to full time CEO at VaynerMedia was not quick. Gary spent a significant portion of his young adulthood working for his father and honing his skill set. 

“When Did GaryVee Create VaynerMedia?”

“I started VaynerMedia in the conference room of Buddy Media’s company because I had no money to pay for our own rent.”

When Gary started the company, VaynerMedia was a “community management shop.” Over time, his vision was to create a communications “Death Star” with capabilities across the board.

“What Does VaynerMedia Do?” 

“We’re an advertising firm…we’re modern day Mad Men,” Gary says.  

Today, VaynerMedia works with Fortune 500 companies on things like creative strategy, paid media, production, e-commerce, influencer marketing, and more. The company has offices across New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, and Chattanooga, TN.

“We understand where the attention is and produce creative that is contextual to each social platform,” says Gary.

“What Are GaryVee’s Businesses?“

Over time,  Gary created VaynerX (a communications holding company) to house his different ventures – such as VaynerMedia, Tracer, Gallery Media Group, The Sasha Group, VaynerProductions, VaynerSpeakers, and VaynerCommerce.

He also co-founded Resy, which was acquired by American Express, and co-founded Empathy Wines (which was acquired by Constellation Brands).

“Where Does GaryVee’s Money Come From?”

Gary’s goal is to be the greatest entrepreneur of all time. That means two things: 1) Building huge businesses (like VaynerMedia, Empathy Wines, etc), and 2) giving back to the community.

A big part of what Gary talks about is spending time on what makes you happy, not what makes you the most money. Gary loves building businesses – as a kid, he sold baseball cards, had lemonade stands – so it makes sense that building businesses is what makes him happy today.

“Like there are so many people who are going to be unhappy making a million a year who would’ve been thrilled making [less],” says Gary. “People say things like ‘I’d rather cry in my Ferrari,’ people say that when they don’t know what crying is. I’d rather be happy as fuck taking the bus.”

Through his personal accounts on social, Gary focuses on the second point above – giving back to the community. It’s why Gary & the team put out so much free content like a 270-page deck on making content, do live stream Q&As,

“Is GaryVee for real?”

“I’m a business operator, but I think my personality and my extrovertedness and my bravado on stage in content definitely creates confusion. But the thing I’m most proud of is that I’m ‘legit’, if you’re talking about being a business operator, being somebody who’s invested wisely and been right about the future, and being kind,” says Gary.

“The closer you are to me and the more you know my truth, the more “legit” you’d think I am. The more 1-minute videos you watch on Instagram or YouTube, the more cynicism and confusion you might have about what I stand for.”

“How Do I Get In Touch With GaryVee?” 

If you’re reading this, you probably already know how active Gary is on social media. We encourage everyone to join his texting platform by texting 212-931-5731. If you’re International (or can’t text), hit Gary up on Twitter.

“At the end of the day, I want to be remembered for giving more than what I took from the world.” – Gary Vaynerchuk

Share this article with someone who needs to start following Gary’s content!

The post Everything You Wanted To Know About Gary Vaynerchuk appeared first on GaryVaynerchuk.com.

Digital Fundraising During Coronavirus

Recently, interest in fundraising for just causes has increased. Although there are many people who would give money, or time, to support social change, they often struggle to find organizations they wholeheartedly trust. The issue often lies with how nonprofits present themselves and interact with potential donors. We discussed this with Gary Vaynerchuk who expanded on his previous thoughts concerning effective, nonprofit fundraising strategies.

What are common mistakes nonprofits make when trying to secure donations?

Gary: First and foremost, they have to understand that guilt and [charities] feeling entitled to donations is the main reason that most nonprofits are poor marketers and communicators. What a lot of nonprofits tend to miss is: there’s a lot of places people can donate. I’ve had people pitch to me and … anytime somebody basically says, and sometimes verbatim, “you have to”, I always laugh in my mind.

[They] know nothing about me. They’ve asked no questions about me, my background, or the causes I would be passionate to support. For example, I’m very big on Pencils of Promise, [a nonprofit] which builds schools in Ghana, Guatemala, and places of that nature. People find that ironic because I talk about school in a way that makes them miss the point. 

What is your point, when you talk about school and the education system?

Gary: My point is school is not an engine of happiness, success, or fulfilment for an enormous amount of people. Yet we have basically told everybody that this is the machine that takes you there. On the flip side, [school] is for a lot of people. In a lot of places, especially outside of the US, school is the gateway to happiness and fulfillment. So, for me, as an entrepreneur in the United States, it may have not been right. But, for a young boy or girl in Guatemala, who would otherwise be working and not in school or would occasionally meet [with someone who may not be qualified to teach]–a school structure is the springboard to her happiness. I have a lot of passion for Pencils of Promise because I see schools in third world countries almost the same way I see entrepreneurship in America. 

How does this relate to non-profit fundraising?

Gary: I tell that story because 1) you have to reverse engineer the person you’re asking to donate. However,  when you’re reverse engineering, don’t just [write someone off]. It would make sense to me if a lot of school oriented nonprofits wouldn’t have asked for a donation. Yet, the [nonprofit] I’m most active on, and the one that I’ve given the most money to, is [school oriented]. 

2) Volume is so important. Nonprofits have to become dramatically better storytellers on this [mobile] device. The opportunities are unbelievable. The nonprofit that wins TikTok is gonna be one of the biggest nonprofits over the next 20 years. Why? Because they’re going to win the hearts and minds of 15- to 17-year-olds, who eventually become 35-year-olds that donate. 

I want to say this for sure — one of the greatest, admirable aspects of Gen Z is that they’re also the generation that isn’t going to wait until they have a lot of money to give. They’re giving $6 out of their $100 right now. 

How about creating experiences?

Gary: For experiences, I believe the biggest opportunity– in marketing in general, let alone for nonprofits–is access. Many nonprofits have a lot of famous donors. They tend to use them in content, like once a year (to be the MC of their fundraiser or end of the year gala). I think they should be using these celebrities for access. 

For example, if they’re lucky enough to have Leonardo DiCaprio or Beyonce care and be involved in their nonprofit, bring them on a two-hour Zoom where they just answer questions and take virtual selfies. That will bring in a hell of a lot more money than having them featured in your TV commercial. Access, virtually, is the future. 

Do you think it will be easier or harder for nonprofits to fundraise in the digital space?

Gary: I think it would be easier if they understood how to take advantage of it.  You know the reason [we’ve] seen micro growth [of certain companies] during the internet [age] is because we’ve seen companies come along that understand it. Facebook, Twitter, and other brands of that nature–Warby Parker even. The reason we’ve seen people lose market share is because we haven’t seen them take advantage of that infrastructure. Lord and Taylor, which just went out of business as a retailer and Blackberry is another example. 

The answer is yes, I do. If they actually become digitally native. 

Do you think it’s going to be easier or more difficult to fundraise post Covid?

Gary: I think both. I think people have become more empathic between the Covid pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement. There’s an empathy rise and I think people will be more open [to donating]. On the flip side, I think there’s an underling potential for a deep recession and anytime economic things get crushed, people do give a little less.

Do you have an idea on how Charity Water or Pencils for Promise can increase their fundraising during Covid?

Gary: More digital content and more digital access. Period, end of story.

That’s All For Now VaynerNation. If you liked this article, please share it on Twitter

What Is Underpriced Attention?

Out of all the terms CEO and media magnate Gary Vaynerchuk has coined, underpriced attention may be the least understood. 

Gary speaks about this all of the time, yet there are still different forms of media today that remain “underpriced” relative to the attention they could bring. Below, we’ll talk about what the term means, and how to think about harnessing the power of underpriced attention. It’s a handy guide for content creators, entrepreneurs, and anyone who wants to draw attention to a product, cause, or service. 

We start with a conversation between Gary and A$AP Ferg. 

What Is “Underpriced Attention“?

Underpriced attention lies in platforms and areas where most people who make advertising decisions don’t fully understand yet.

For example, here’s how Gary defined underpriced attention in this conversation with A$AP Ferg: 

Gary: “If you took all 300 million Americans and asked them to sell bottled water, and they had a budget of one million dollars, how would they sell it? I believe 90 percent of Americans would make a TV commercial. Or do a billboard.” 

In other words, TV commercials and billboards are very established advertising channels. Their advertising costs reflects that. It’s not that billboards and commercials “don’t work” – it’s that in many cases, they can be expensive relative to the amount of people that those channels reach. 

Gary continues on how he would sell bottled water:

Gary: “What  would do with my money is give it to a bunch of influencers on Instagram. Then, I would make one or two great, 3 minute long videos for Facebook.” 

What Gary means is that the ratio of advertising cost to consumption can be better with Instagram influencers. In other videos, he references other channels like Instagram stories, LinkedIn (given its organic reach), TikTok, targeted Facebook ads, YouTube pre-roll ads based on Google search queries, and more.  

How Would You Utilize Underpriced Attention?  

Although Gary previously observed that TV commercials are overpriced, he also considers Super Bowl commercials as underpriced–given the attention they attract.

Gary: “I think the Super Bowl commercial is the most underpriced ad in the world. If I had 25 million dollars to sell something, I would buy a Super Bowl ad first. Then, I would look at Facebook because [then] I’d have all of America’s attention. The sport of watching the commercial is real.

You can either watch [a commercial] on Youtube or you can watch it during the game.  Youtube’s new preroll based on people’s search is really interesting; it’s one thing to run a video of a sports highlight, it’s another thing to run a video in front of someone who searched for Knicks tickets last week. The search thing is fascinating now, I used to make fun of it. 

Social Media Is So Crowded, How Would You Stand Out? 

Gary: What I look for is pure intent and something that brings value in the moment. 

It’s all about fundamentals: picking up the phone, DMing people, doing the research, anything to find out what’s valuable to the [people] you want to engage. Provide value (i.e. your time, [content]) to other influencers you want to collaborate with. You have to “business develop”.  Don’t make your content solely about what you’re trying to sell. 

Also, how many pieces of content are you putting out everyday? The quantity of the content matters as well.  Figure out what brings value and provide it daily. 

What should brands know as they advertise on new channels? 

Gary: When you get to the distribution part, my friends, you have to respect the context of the platform. I’m watching so many people that are in B2Bs try to win on Instagram, but they’re acting like Instagram’s LinkedIn. 

It doesn’t matter if you’re a lawyer, a financial advisor, or you sell concrete. If you treat Instagram like LinkedIn, even though your business is more [akin to] LinkedIn you will lose. You will lose if you do not respect the context.

What’s A Current App That Has Plenty Of Underpriced Attention?

As mentioned above, there’s a lot of opportunity to take advantage of underpriced attention on social platforms today. Gary talked about TikTok, LinkedIn, Instagram influencers, swipe ups, YouTube pre-roll ads, and Facebook ads for those who know how to leverage their targeting capabilities. 

Here’s some insight into his thought process on the underpriced nature of Instagram influencers. 

Gary: I can’t get over how underpriced attention on Instagram is. The conversion rates are like the Wild Wild West.

Here’s what I mean. Just because someone has 800 thousand Instagram followers and  another person has 40 thousand followers, and they both want $1,000 bucks [doesn’t mean the math is simple]. I’m surprised at how basic people are. They think the 800 thousand account is the better deal. I mean, I understand, it makes sense. The math seems pretty clear…but a good affiliate marketer will tell you, the conversion rates really matter. 

If you’re trying to sell something, whether it’s a service or a product, I couldn’t push the culture of DMing influencers harder. Influencers that you think may represent your brand properly or have big audiences–start asking them what they want [in exchange for a] post about your B2B SaaS product, new app, or whatever it may be. Influencers are super underpriced and potentially super overpriced. Not allocating a couple hundred bucks or a couple thousand bucks…or ten thousand bucks (depending on the size of your businesses) into that funnel is a huge missed opportunity. 

What Will You Do If Interest In A Particular Platform Declines?

Gary: Underpriced attention has predicated my career. That’s why I was first on YouTube. That’s why I was earliest on Twitter and Facebook. By the time I was in my thirties, I got smart. I started investing in the companies and not just using them. 

The reason I run VaynerMedia is because I want to be in the dirt. When you’re in the dirt, you know what’s going on. If you’re in the clouds, you’re in an ivory tower and you do not. I stay in the dirt which allows me to deliver the tactical advice that built me. [The platform building on/through] emails, websites, Google Search, YouTube, Facebook, is 100% happening right now on LinkedIn and TikTok.

You could have no profile on any one of those accounts, and later write an article on LinkedIn. No more than four sentences or five sentences that brings value–not a commercial for your business–and by the time you wake up the next morning, complete strangers have now heard of you. Half of them agree with you. You intrigue one or two of them. I just don’t understand why people don’t make content.

I mean it, I’m not throwing around my cell number  for my health or ’cause I think it’s funny. I’m doing it because I believe that we’re in the early stages of social media’s macro decline and I want the first-party data of having my end user’s phone number so I can talk to them directly. I don’t like that I have 7,000,000 followers on Instagram, but when I hit post, a small fraction of those 7,000,000 people see it.

I’m not a crybaby that gets mad that the organic reach is down, because I’m very aware that it is free. I kept trying to remind everybody, it’s free. Instagram does not charge you, YouTube does not charge you. Television, print, radio, and outdoor billboards charge you. [Social Media] is free distribution. 

This will be the next decade of communication warfare. We will separate as organizations and as people as the people that are the haves versus the have-nots. Many of you over the next decade will fire or restructure your businesses to bring in journalists, videographers, designers, cartoonists, animators. You will start slowly but surely understanding how true what I’m saying is.

This is going to be a communication warfare.You will also bring in math-oriented individuals that understand how to navigate organic and paid distribution in whatever the [current social media is]. Whether all [of today’s social media] are there or none of them are there, I could care less. In a weird way, I’d almost prefer it if every social network and content platform disappeared. Whereas everyone else would be stunned, my greatest skill is finding where the attention is. I believe that I could gather the most. 

Whether that is going back to print, going back to radio, I could care less.

That’s all for now VaynerNation! If you enjoyed that article, be sure to share it on Twitter!

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New To Sports Card Investing? Start here.

Many of you have questions about investing and collecting sports cards, but don’t know where to begin. 

Don’t worry–I’ve got the links on everything you need to get started on your journey with collecting and investing. Trust me when I say, sports cards are going through an enormous transformation right now.

My take.

After studying the card market for three years, I have this amazing feeling of conviction. All “cards”, especially the top 5% of vintage and rare cards, will go through a transformation similar to contemporary art’s transformation over the last half century. I wanted to make this list because while I know many of you have already educated yourselves on this topic, it’s not too late for those who haven’t. 

Of course, there’s a lot to learn and there’s risk, as with any investment. However, the joy I’ve felt investing in cards is so remarkable. I feel as confident in cards as I did while betting my professional life on social media back in 2005. From 2006 to 2009 I spent time learning, I went all in, and this feels exactly the same. As always, there will be dips but I am excited about what’s ahead. The macro opportunity is clear. 

This list will be updated with all the latest sports card content we produce, so bookmark this page and let’s jump into it.

Articles



One37pm:

Kareem Abdul Jabbar’s PSA 8 Rookie Card Is Crushing It

Why Kareem’s rookie stands out.

The 10 Best Sneaky Good Deals for Pokémon Cards You Can Find on eBay | ONE37pm Editors

Who doesn’t like a good deal? Pokémon and Ebay, count us in!

‘Data Debates’: Kevin Durant 2007 Topps Base vs. Luka Doncic 2018 Prizm Base | ONE37pm Editors

Comparing the base rookies of a modern legend and rising superstar.

Your Ultimate Guide to Selling and Investing in Sports Cards | ONE37pm

The definitive guide for anyone interested in selling and investing in sports cards.

27 Vintage Cards Every Collector and Investor Should Consider | ONE37pm

If you’re diving into vintage, this list is the place to start.

How to Understand the Value of Your Old Sports Cards

Pricing older cards can be tricky, but this will help.

PSA Qualifiers: 6 Things You Need To Know | ONE37pm

What is a qualifier and why should you be aware of them?

The 16 Most Expensive Trading Cards

If you’re really ready to take the plunge, this list is for you.

The Most Expensive Yugioh Cards of All Time | Matt Ford

Same as above, but Yugioh edition. 

Our Official Pokemon Card Price Guide | Matt Ford

Exploring Pokemon cards made easy with this simple guide

17 Best Basketball Cards To Buy Right Now

The most common question out there … “What should I buy?”



From The Blog:

The $1.8M Lebron James Card: What Does It Mean?

I talk about how the sports card game is changing

9 factors to consider before buying sports cards

Considering getting your feet wet? Check out this list before get into it.

Why I’m Investing So Much Money In Sports Cards (Examples Included)

Here, I explain why I think the future’s so bright for sports cards.

Jordan-LeBron Card Sells For $900,000: Here’s What It Means

Record-setting sales cause ripples and this one is bigger than most.

Why I Believe Sports Cards Are About to Explode in Culture and Value

This was the first post I put out about the sports card explosion and what’s in it for you.



Videos







I answer questions in a much more detailed, slower format on Tea with GaryVee.







If you are deep in the sports card world or just starting to get interested and want to learn more, this is the perfect video for you.







I sat down with the Breakfast Club to discuss the value of sports clubs with “the most dangerous” morning show.







Looking for a push? This video is it.







Want to see how excited I was when I first realized sports cards were going mainstream? This video is for you.







Doing what you love is the key to long term happiness. I spent 4 days in Chicago connecting with other sports cards fans and sharing knowledge.







More of my thoughts on sports cards and breaking down the ROI on certain cards.







A conversation about sports cards, sneakers, and reselling.







I sat down with Rich Wisen to discuss my passions and, guess what came up? Click the video.

The post New To Sports Card Investing? Start here. appeared first on GaryVaynerchuk.com.

How One Caller Flipped $50 Into A New Mindset and Income

Starting from nothing is a common theme on Tea With GaryVee, but this first-hand account might be the one to inspire you to start flipping. That’s because Shawn started his journey with just $50 and a thought that garage sales and thrift stores might be the answer.

Shawn: Gary, you’ve changed my life man; both financially and mentally.  Last June, I started watching your garage sale videos and I have a story that I think will impact everyone listening. 

[I saw your garage sale flip video and] I was like, fuck, I can do that shit. Although, at that time, I only had 50 dollars in my bank account. I had 50 dollars, student debt, and a part time job.  [Still], I was working and trying to make extra money by flipping things on the side. 

Gary: So, wait, you have 50 bucks, you see the video…and it’s like, fuck. You see the video and you think: that’s not investing in Facebook, that’s not starting VaynerMedia, that’s something I can do.

Shawn: Yeah, exactly.

Gary: I don’t want to get emotional…but the single reason I did that show was because of what you just said. Right now, the only thing I want, the only thing that drives me, is to help other people get happy because I’m so happy. I think the world is so abundant…and I came from dirt too bro. 

Shawn: Same bro.

Gary: I wasn’t given shit. I figured it out with humility and work ethic and education–trash talk is education, by the way. [I’m interrupting you]–keep going!

Shawn: So, I started going to garage sales and thrift stores. I would buy things for a dollar, then I would sell for two or three dollars. 

Gary: Where? Craigslist? Facebook Marketplace? [I’m asking because] two or three dollars on Ebay, with fees and shipping, isn’t much.

Shawn: Well, it was mainly Ebay.

Gary: So, you were learning. Even if you made fifty cents, you were learning.

Shawn: Facts. Plus, it built up my [seller] feedback, which helped promote the other stuff I would sell on Ebay. 

I really think anyone could do what I did since I only had 50 dollars to my name when I started. I was still working a part time job. I’m also a college student; if I can do it, anyone can.

This past school year, I was working three part-time jobs, as a full-time student. So, I’m living proof that the “Oh, I don’t have time” excuse is just wrong.

Gary: Everyone has time. People … tell me they don’t have time as they watch me. It’s like, why are you watching me if you don’t have time? If I was a kid, I wouldn’t be watching Gary Vee, I would be out doing. You have to do!

So, what was your first breakthrough?

Shawn: I found a little Einstein’s play-thing. And it was complete; it had all the pieces and everything. I found it for $5 at a thrift store. Then I sold it for $100 on eBay. From there, I kept learning and learning … then, this last month, I made $10,000 in sales. I grew $50 to $10,000.

The thing is, anyone can do this.

Gary: I know.

We’d love to hear your flip stories, wins and losses. Also leave a comment letting us know what stories you’d like to hear next and don’t forget to tune in to next week’s Tea With Gary Vee!

The post How One Caller Flipped $50 Into A New Mindset and Income appeared first on GaryVaynerchuk.com.

3 Unusual Ways to Start a Career in Marketing

One of the unique things about a career in marketing is there’s no right path to success. Even the definition of success is up to you. So we compiled guests from the Marketing For The Now series who are living proof that if marketing’s your passion, there are countless ways to get there. From national champions to chance encounters, here are just a few of these leaders’ unconventional paths to success.

How did you find success in marketing?

Musa Tariq (CMO, Masterclass): “That’s a great question. [At first], I was adamant I wanted to be a banker. I was growing up in London, I wanted to drive a fast car…unfortunately, halfway through university I lost both my parents. I had to pivot. [Later], I met someone who told me to do something I love with my life, and I would do well. I loved marketing, but there was no one for me to talk to about it. LinkedIn wasn’t around and Facebook had only just started and there was no way to connect with people. 

It was really, really hard. It only happened because one individual who worked in marketing happened to sit next to me while I was in a restaurant. We randomly started talking, and he sort of guided me [into that world]. His name was Michael Inpong and he’s a marketing director in the UK. [Our connection] was as random as him sitting next to me in a restaurant.

I once heard a story: luck is chance versus opportunity. If you don’t put yourself in [ideal] situations, the opportunity will never present itself.

Can you talk about your non-traditional path to marketing? 

Jen Sey (CMO of Global Brands, Levi Strauss&Co.) : Haha, well I’ve certainly had an unusual childhood; I was an elite gymnast. At five years old, with an unnatural combination of discipline, commitment, and a degree of talent I got [on the national team]. I was there for eight years and I was the national champion in 1986. I wrote a book about my experiences and was featured in the Netflix documentary, Athlete A. 

A national championship? You must have been on top of the world.

Jen: Unfortunately, despite my success, I left the sport pretty emotionally broken. There’s a culture of coaching cruelty that, I would say, is pretty dominant in the sport. Not every coach practices it, but it’s way way too common.

So, what drew you to make the switch to marketing?

Jen: It was challenging. I went to college to figure my shit out, [which is hard] when you’ve spent the part of your childhood being told you’re garbage. You [eventually] begin to think you’re garbage. I kind of didn’t know who I was without [gymnastics]. 

What I love about marketing, specifically branding, is that it intersects art with science. Data analytics and gut perspective [intertwine]. You’re able to understand how the content can connect to the broader culture. I am competitive, I want to “win” in the market. But, I [truly] enjoy being a part of a team.

I avoided sports after gymnastics. [Now], I learned to manage my competitiveness and work for an awesome brand. 

What was your path to a career in marketing, Thomas?

Thomas: [Actually], I had a pretty unconventional past. I often wonder how I got into marketing…what am I doing here? When I was a kid I wanted to be an actor. 

How did you make the switch?

Thomas: I spent a lot of time working in policy and government. Soon, I became the CMO (Chief Marketing Officer) for the state of New York. Then, I went to the dark side — I started working for [big marketing agencies and financial firms]. You learn from those hardcore institutions that you can do anything if you break a problem down to its pieces. Those were some of the most painful years of my life but also some of the most incredible learning experiences. 

What do you enjoy the most about marketing?

Thomas: I admire the process so much. [Balancing] humanity with clear and measurable business results. It’s like how you can break down [and study] the process of basketball [even though] not everybody is going to be Lebron James, you can still be pretty good. You get to redefine the roles of businesses and brands in the community, society, and policy. It’s true, businesses and brands can play a strong role in positive change. 

That’s all for now, Vaynernation. If you liked this post, be sure to share it on Twitter with the #MarketingForTheNow.

The post 3 Unusual Ways to Start a Career in Marketing appeared first on GaryVaynerchuk.com.

Arianna Huffington and Gary Vaynerchuk on Sleep and Work

In today’s modern society, your wellness should be on the forefront of your mind. However, in the lives of many, the importance of wellness often takes a backseat to success and financial gain. With everything that’s been going on in the United States and abroad, it can be easy to neglect your mental health and physical well being. For that reason, we revisit a conversation between Gary Vaynerchuk and Arianna Huffington — two mavericks in their respective media niches — about how they think about wellness.

On Sleep

Gary: Arianna, for the four people who don’t know, can you describe who you are?

Arianna: I’m Arianna Huffington and I was not born in this country, I was born in Greece. I’m an immigrant, a naturalized immigrant (whatever that may mean). In 2005, I launched the Huffington Post with Kenny Lerer. I have two daughters and I have written 15 books. 

Gary:  Excuse me, did you say 15? Geez, I was proud of my four. That’s a real number. I got a lot of work to do. 

Arianna: You have plenty of time to catch up.

Inspiration for Arianna’s book The Sleep Revolution

Arianna: I had collapsed from sleep deprivation and burnout; I hit my head on the way down from my desk. It [was] a terrible wake-up call. I broke my cheekbone and [I woke up] in a pool of blood, asking myself: is this really what success looks like? Not just I, but millions of people have bought into this collective delusion. 

Gary: People know I work a lot. [However], I say this often: I’m a huge believer in sleep. I always [talk] about hustling 18 hours a day, and [working] those kinds of crazy numbers, but boy, I am all in on sleep. It’s just math; you need to sleep. In the same way, I started taking care of my health a couple of years ago. 

Sleep Habits 

Arianna:  Eight hours each night, 95 percent of the time.

Gary: I think, people think, four or five hours. [But], I’m rarely five. I sleep mainly six, sometimes seven, hours. It’s [harder] when I travel,  [but] I’m a much bigger fan of sleep [than] I think than people realize. 

Fighting Sleep Deprivation

Arianna: Try to take a nap [whenever possible]. It will make you more productive [because naps] reset your system.

Sleep Transitions 

Arianna: [Yes], we need a transition to sleep. If anybody has children you know that you don’t just drop your baby and your young child to bed. You give her a bath, you put her in PJs, you sing her a lullaby….modern men and women have dropped the transition.

The transition is: you are texting, emailing. You put your phone by your bed and you turn off the light. Then, what happens is that you may be exhausted enough to go to sleep but your brain has not been given the opportunity to wind down. So, it’s going to wake you up in the middle of the night with all this innate chatter that is completely and utterly unproductive.

Sleep and Productivity 

Gary:  If you wake up fully recharged, it means you wake up ready to take on the world. You know that feeling? You wake up and say, “Come on, bring it on.” It won’t matter how many obstacles, challenges, or setbacks [you encounter].  

So, get your sleep in, but don’t watch four hours of “House of Cards”, or play Candy Crush for an hour, or play video games for six hours if you want to build a business. I’m not [talking] about how much you sleep, I’m [talking] about what you do when you’re awake. 

Arianna: Hard work is not the problem. We’re talking about being your most efficient, best self when you show up to work. 

Work/Life Boundaries 

Arianna:  You’re not going to be much use to your children, your patients, or anybody if you let yourself burn out. Nobody should be able to reach you at all hours, unless you have what I have. [I have] a dumb phone that has no data. [It’s] for my daughters and for an overnight news editor [to contact me] if there is a crisis. My regular phone is outside my bedroom [when I sleep].

Gary: The same thing for me. I have [my emergency phone] by my bed but it is completely silent. It never wakes me up.

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The post Arianna Huffington and Gary Vaynerchuk on Sleep and Work appeared first on GaryVaynerchuk.com.