Gary Vaynerchuk's Blog, page 62

4 Common Company Problems and Solutions That Demand Attention

As we go into this New Year, I wanted to round up four problems you may face as a company leader in 2016 and offer my solutions to those problems. Whether you’re a small start up or a Fortune 500, these four pieces of advice have always helped me in growing and maintaining my businesses.

1. How To Motivate Employees When They Don’t Want to Put in the Work

Everybody is motivated by different things. We all have our own dreams, aspirations and beliefs that drive us. Never think for a second that money drives all motivation. It’s simply not true.

People are in the game for multiple reasons and the only way for you to understand that is to listen. Once you understand then you can set them up to be in a place for them to deliver on it. And that gives them incentive to always work their hardest for you, because you did it for them. Get it?

So you need to use your ears and listen to your employees. You need to sit down with them and understand where they want to take their careers. What’s their ambition? What do they want to do with their life? By sitting down with people and actually listening, you’ll be able to set up your employees for success while also motivating them to work hard and fast.

Also, it makes you a good boss. So there’s that.

2. Is the customer really always right?

When I have an angry customer, the very first thing I want to know is if they are right. I talk to the parties involved, and I get all the information possible that I can. In the end, someone has to make a call, and as the boss, that is probably going to have to be you.

Nobody likes a boss who passes the buck.

If the customer is 100% right, you apply something that everyone in sales or customer service needs: empathy. You come in with nothing but empathy. I ask questions and I listen before trying to fix it. I’ve talked in the past about how great leaders are listeners. This applies just as much to this situation as well.

3. Meeting Client Demands and Agency Capabilities

As I’ve been building my agency VaynerMedia over the last six years, there is something I often hear from clients, which is this: “Well, you do social, not digital. So we are going to go with _____.”

I believe that the top seven people are what make any company tick. Now if those top people picked up and went to a new company, that new company would start to like the place they all came from. Think about it. What about sports teams? There is no “The Lakers are great.” It’s Kobe and Jack playing on a team, so the Lakers become good. It’s not the Knicks winning when the Knicks have Willis Reed and Clyde Frasier. It’s the people who make up the team.

Get where I am going with this?

If you’re a decision maker at an agency, or running a company yourself, and you’re disappointed because you’re not as good as some other company, or you’re jealous that they are doing something you’re not…stop it. Stop being jealous of their capabilities and go out and hire for your client’s needs. Find the people that are doing it and make them part of your team.

4. Culture Comes From the Top, Including Bad Culture

I’ve talked a lot about how everything stems from the top when it comes to company culture. The way you act and behave in your company dictates a huge amount of how the culture will be.

Don’t like how some of your leadership is acting? It’s on you. Talk to them. Set an example.

Want to establish a casual dress code? It starts with you.

Think the company needs to have less meetings? Once again, you need to start having less meetings.

Everyone will be looking to you to dictate the situation. Don’t forget that in your day to day around the office.

GaryVee’s First 5 #SnapchatSecrets

Yesterday I started a new content series exclusive to my Snapchat called #snapchatsecrets.

Why did I do this? Because I am super excited to get serious about Snapchat in 2016.

I’m going to be using #snapchatsecrets as a place to lay out little business tidbits that have helped me and others. It’ll be a wide range of topics, from helping my audience create more compelling content to how to get more people to see it.

So here are the first 5 #snapchatsecrets, but be sure to follow me on Snapchat (@garyvee) to hear more in 2016.

#1: Snapchat will be huge in 2016

Remember that attention is the number one asset. You always need to be ready to shift, to go where people are spending their time. In 2016, for an enormous number of people, that place will be Snapchat. The platform evolved very quickly in 2015 and showed their full potential. Get to know Snapchat now.

#2: You Don’t Get ROI

Most people who watch my stuff aren’t understanding what ROI really means. ROI comes from the platform you’re using to deliver your message, and figuring out platforms takes time. You all want the ROI without the time. Make time to give it your best effort or you’ll never get the return you want.

#3: Use Trending Hashtags More Wisely

Many of you want to grow your Twitter accounts, but are approaching it the wrong way. Big tip for you: instead of making a hashtag for yourself, build upon already existing ones. Hashtags are not ownable; but joining conversations in a meaningful way is.

#4: Giving a Fuck Matters

So many people talk talk and talk and never give back. Someone on Twitter might be tweeting out content multiple times a day and then never respond or talk to anyone. Well let me tell you: engagement matters. Giving a fuck matters. Use these platforms for engagement as well as distribution. I spend hours of my day just responding to tweets, YouTube comments, Facebook comments…and it pays off.

#5: YouTube is the best search engine to learn

A lot of you have told me you don’t understand Snapchat, or don’t get Facebook dark posts. To that I say: YouTube. Right now, YouTube is the greatest place to go to learn for free. There are videos and tutorials on absolutely everything. Whether it’s Snapchat, or Facebook or how to do a proper squat, YouTube has it.

Thanks for reading! Expect way more content like this on my Snapchat in 2016. Follow me to get all the latest updates:

 

What’s the ROI of Your Mother?

A few years ago, I was in a meeting with a very conservative CMO.

And boy, was she grilling me.

She kept asking me over and over, “What’s the ROI of social media?”

I was giving her my best stuff. I threw every metric and number out there that I could to let her know. I gave her engagement rates on Facebook. The analytics available on every platform. The data you have at your disposal.

But she wouldn’t budge. She just kept saying over and over “What’s the ROI of social media? What’s the ROI of social media?”

Finally, I just couldn’t take it any more. I said directly to her face: “What’s the ROI of your mother?”

That got her to stop for a second. Then she just said, “Excuse me?”

“Uh-oh.” I thought.

I assured that I was not making a “yo mama” joke at all. I let her know, for example, that the ROI of my own mother is everything. The reason I am able to do anything I do now, have the success I have, is because of my mother. The way she parented me is the reason I have the confidence and passion to do what I do.

I can’t show you a deck or slides or metrics on that. But I am proof that the ROI of my mother is enormous.

So, when it comes to social media, I can tell you: it will prove it.

Because the thing is, figuring out how to calculate ROI on social media is actually pretty straightforward. There is a huge amount of metrics and data available to you when you’re working with social media platforms. Analytics are priority for the top platforms, because they know there is value in what they’re offering.

On top of that, ask anyone, literally anyone, these days what they always have on hand? Near them? In bed with them when they sleep even? That’s right: their phone. And if you’re watching TV, you’re probably streaming it, and opening a new tab if an ad comes on, right? Even if you are watching it traditionally on a television set, I can pretty much guess that you reach for your phone when the ads start.

Social media is where the attention is, and because of that, it’s where you need to go to find the consumer.

Despite all of this, major Fortune 500 brands want to stick with spending an insane amount of money on TV and print activations. I’m talking millions and millions of dollars. And so the questions about social media ROI are still coming.

ROI isn’t about the tool, it’s about investing the time and effort to use it correctly. The “I”, the investment, isn’t monetary, it’s not about throwing money at something. It’s about investing the hustle into becoming the best. It’s about execution. If you want to make money doing something, you need to be really good at that something in order to see the returns you’re looking for.

So when it comes to social, learn the platforms. Find the perfect combination of creative, copy, and strategy. Understand the insights, iterate and execute against them. Only when you’ve reached that point, my friends, can we start to have a real conversation about social media ROI.

Thanks for reading! I talked about the ROI of social media in this article too , and gave you guys a few more examples, in case you’re looking for more.

#AskGaryVee Episode 172: The Last Episode of 2015

Here it is: the last #AskGaryVee of 2015! Tremendously grateful for all your attention. Can’t wait to keep bringing you guys value in 2016.

#QOTD:

Give me your 2015 recap of #AskGaryVee. I want something to read in the comments!

#TIMESTAMPS

4:04 – How do you deal with employees that slack off but are super talented? Keep or fire?

6:23 – If you had a opportunity to buy Instagram or Snapchat which one would you choose and why?

8:39 – Do you use a meal prep service? What do you think the future of services like that is?

11:10 – Do you think custom apps are now (or are becoming) more crucial/valuable to businesses?

13:07 – Do you think it’s necessary to learn the rules before you can break them?

15:54 – with all the money, time and resources you spend on travel and face to face meetings, how much of that could be effectively accomplished with high quality digital meetings?

#LINKS

BEST MOMENTS OF ASKGARYVEE 2015 https://www.garyvaynerchuk.com/best-of-askgaryvee-2015/

MY NEWEST MEDIUM https://medium.com/@garyvee/new4-new-year-s-resolutions-you-should-make-to-improve-your-career-700ebabb81e4#.rku48w787

 

 

The Top 12 #AskGaryVee Moments of 2015

It was a big year for my YouTube show The #AskGaryVee Show, so I wanted to share a list of my favorite moments with all of you. As always, I’m so grateful for your attention. I hope revisiting these gets you motivated to hustle through the end of the year and into the next.

1. Episode 100 live!

This one was just too much fun. We rented out an event space and held the the 100th episode live. I invited everyone who watches the show with an announcement a few episodes before. Members of the Vayner Nation came from far and wide, and I took questions on the spot with no prep at all. 

2. Vayner employees ask tough questions

I’m consistently impressed with the amazing things the employees of my agency VaynerMedia do, and whenever they come on the show, it’s a tremendous time. They aren’t afraid to ask the tough questions, and this episode proved it.

3. 117 brings the fire

Big fans of the show will remember this episode as being one of the best ones of the year. I was on fire. We got tactful about Twitter and Facebook but also emotional on authentic marketing. Check it out above.

4. Gary has a tender moment with his dad

This episode, I invited my dad, Sasha, to join me and answer questions with me. Needless to say, it became a very special episode very quickly. I shed a tear even, and my dad was just fantastic.

5. The golden era and Gary sneezes

The golden era lasted a solid ten episodes, with the above episode (123) landing right in the middle and being a personal favorite of mine. Plus, I sneeze in it. Pretty sure that hadn’t happened yet on the show.

6. One year anniversary with contest winners

At the one year anniversary of #AskGaryVee, we held a contest: three lucky winners got to join the GaryVee squad for a day and work with us, help us make the show, and spend a day at Vayner with my crew. The day was awesome and the episode really reflects that.

7. Vayner Interns on the show

Every summer, VaynerMedia gets an amazing group of interns who work hard all summer and learn in every different department of Vayner. This year, I brought four of them on the show to ask me questions, and it was awesome. Watch above.

8. First international #AskGaryVee

This year, I announced VaynerMedia would be opening an office in London. Because of that, I took a few trips there this year, and was able to squeeze in an #AskGaryVee during one of the trips. That became the first international #AskGaryVee ever, and I had some very special guests on the show.

9. 360 degrees and Gary reveals his clone

For this episode, we were able to have some fun with a new camera rig that VaynerMedia built to shoot everything in 360 degrees. That made for a few hidden surprise in this episode. See if you can spot them all.

4 New Year’s Resolutions You Should Make to Improve Your Career

As the year comes to a close, people are naturally going to be talking about their New Year’s resolutions. But want to know what I think you should really be focusing on in 2016? Here are four ways to further your career.

1. Become a Deep Practitioner in Something

Whether you do it for your business, or just for yourself as a hobby, practice something on a deep level. One of the reasons my agency VaynerMedia has grown to be such a leader in our industry is because I myself use social media every single day. I understand the trigger points that make things successful in a creative world, and I understand the context of the platforms like Snapchat and Instagram. There hasn’t been a single one of my 135k tweets that I haven’t sent myself.

So, whether it’s Instagram or Snapchat or something emerging like musical.ly, become a practitioner. Stop judging what people are doing or saying it and do it. Engage.

2. Audit Your 7pm to 2am

Back in the days of my first big keynotes, and my first book Crush It, I began to get obsessed with the time period between 7pm and 2am. I do not think that there is a more practical way to bring happiness and joy to your life, whether it’s financial or creative, than to really audit your 7pm to 2am.

I am quite practical about things; it might not be what people expect from me, but I am. That time between when the traditional work day ends and when you fall asleep is the white space for so many people to do great things around businesses. Whether that’s advancing your career by staying in the office late, or going home and building out your cooking blog or SoundCloud account, use that time more wisely in 2016.

3. Practice Self-Awareness

I’ve been on this kick publicly for the last 18 months and, personally, my entire life. I believe self-awareness is the greatest gift a person can have. I tried to tackle this year how to find self-awareness; out of this entire article, if you make this one your 2016 priority, you will grow happier and more successful. I promise that.

4. Eliminate Complaining

Looking at the negative, seeing the glass as half empty, and complaining are the absolute biggest wastes of time a human being can engage in. I highly recommend, whether it is through therapy or just kicking the habit, cut your complaining in half till you are no longer used to just doing it without thinking. Systematically. Post-it notes. Listening to positive podcasts. Doing mediation. Whatever helps you do less complaining. It truly is one of the biggest things that can stand in the way of success, both professionally and personally. I would be remiss not to have it on this list.

#AskGaryVee Episode 171: Pets, Cutting Through the Noise, & Gary Gets Sentimental

On this episode, I talk about cutting through the noise, pet toy brands, and I get emotional about the past. Watch below.

#QOTD:

What are you doing for the holidays? I’m in a surprise and delight kind of mood.

#TIMESTAMPS

2:57 – How would you market a pet toy wholesale brand now looking to build a direct to consumer presence?

5:54 – I know YOU’RE the brand, but why are VaynerMedia’s social accounts so whatever? Why are those outlets afterthoughts?

8:32 – Would your recommend a white label video player or YouTube for media companies monetizing video content?

9:19 – When you get a new idea, do you have a validation process before actually moving forward with that idea? How do you know which ideas are going to work or not?

14:00 – My industry has stupid amount of noise, senseless shit. Need to cut through the shit to engage. How do I become the number one knowledge leader?

#LINKS

CHECK OUT MY NEW WEBSITE http://garyvaynerchuk.com/

THE FAMOUS FLICKR PHOTO https://www.flickr.com/photos/garyvee/79437123/

DAILYVEE 001 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7K4sax8oJ4

DAILYVEE 002 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv7tm8EjLaM

Gary Talks About Tech Predictions for 2016 on Good Day New York

The Two Strategies Needed to Maintain Corporate Culture During Business Growth

Maintaining corporate growth in your own business, while also reinforcing a strong company culture, is one of the most rewarding things in life.  

I’ve done it twice now.

I helped grow my dad’s liquor store and started an agency with my brother. Seeing those two companies take off has been tremendous.

As companies grow, many things start happening. When building and maintaining a strong company culture, it can be difficult to know where to focus your energies and your time.

For me however, there are two major things I did to facilitate business growth that I would advise everyone do.

#1. Acknowledge the Importance of Corporate Culture 

The first method of maintaining business growth has to do with company culture, and the inevitable shifts it makes. And of course you want to maintain your corporate culture if it’s good; you want to keep that sense of family and respect that came with being smaller. A natural response to that might be to try and instill the love you have for your company in everyone who works there.

But let me tell you this: as the founder of the company, if you think anyone is going to love it as much as you do, you are out of your mind.

You own the business. How can you expect them to love it as much as you do?

Here’s what you do instead.

Get over the fact that the employees will never love it as much as you. If you’re lucky, there will be people who love it half as much as you. Even if someone loves a fraction as much as you do, you’ve won.

#2. Understand Cashing In Hurts Long Term Business Growth

This second method of maintaining business growth is quite simple: don’t try and cash in too quickly. It can be very alluring to start getting yourself nicer things. A nicer lifestyle. But the way to scale and grow is to have the dollars. I run my businesses early on at no profit. Some people say “Easy for you now, you’re rich.” But that’s bullshit. I was twenty-eight years old, running an enormous business, making $40,000 a year. But it let me build a $60 million business. That’s eating your own dog food.

There are so many different directions a company can take. But if you focus on remembering the two ideas above, good things can happen.

Watch me discuss more handling business growth in the video below:

Here are some more tips I have on scaling business growth:

Why You Shouldn’t Take VC Money

The Number One Question to Ask During Periods of Growth

The Difference Between a Company Issue and a Human Issue

The Two Major Things You Need To Do When Your Company is Growing

Watching a business you started grow and flourish is one of the most rewarding things in life.

I’ve done it twice now.

I helped grow my dad’s liquor store and started an agency with my brother. Seeing those two things take off has been tremendous.

As companies grow, many things start happening. It can be difficult to know where to focus your energies, your time.

For me however, there are two major things I did to grow my companies that I would advise everyone do.

Number one

The first has to do with culture, and the inevitable shifts it makes. And of course you want to maintain culture if it’s good; you want to keep that sense of family and everything good that came with being smaller. A natural response to that might be to try and instill the love you have for your company in everyone who works there.

But let me tell you this: as the founder of the company, if you think anyone is going to love it as much as you do, you are out of your mind.

You own the business. How can you expect them to love it as much as you do?

Here’s what you do instead.

Get over the fact that the employees will never love it as much as you. If you’re lucky, there will be people who love it half as much as you. Even if someone loves a fraction as much as you do, you’ve won.

Number two

This second one is quite simple: don’t try and cash in too quickly. It can be very alluring to start getting yourself nicer things. A nicer lifestyle. But the way to scale and grow is to have the dollars. I run my businesses early on at no profit. Some people say “Easy for you now, you’re rich.” But that’s bullshit. I was twenty-eight years old, running an enormous business, making $40,000 a year. But it let me build a $60 million business. That’s eating your own dog food.

There are so many different directions a company can take. But if you focus on remembering the two ideas above, good things can happen.

Here are some more tips I have on scaling growth:

Why You Shouldn’t Take VC Money

The Number One Question to Ask During Periods of Growth

The Difference Between a Company Issue and a Human Issue

Still want to hear more? Listen to me talk about this article in the video below: