An interview with online marketer Austin Distel on Authenticity, Connection, and Transparency - #032

  Austin Distel is the Chief Marketing Officer for Entrepreneur Alliance, an online company that connects business minded entrepreneurs and business owners. Sure, EA is an online organization but this episode provides valuable takeaways that traditional businesses can apply as well. Authenticity and transparency are fundamental aspects to succeeding in any business.  Episode Discussions: Reasons to get more invested with memberships The importance of authenticity and transparency in business marketing Pros and cons of Bot Marketing The perks of connecting with other entrepreneurs The simple action EA took that increased their conversion rate by 10% Why you shouldn't ignore spontaneous instinct with your biz marketing ideas What's next for Entrepreneur Alliance   3:05 About Austin Originally from Atlanta Moved to Annapolis, MD with other digital marketing entrepreneurs Founding member of the Entrepreneur Alliance Has been a digital marketer for 3 years Went to University of GA and graduated with a degree in online marketing   6:15 Membership model Figure out what works best for your audience and how they learn.   Why get more invested with memberships: Community, camaraderie, support and interaction. The process is more rewarding with friendships that are formed. "I've been on this kick lately of it's not about the destination, it's about the journey, and you've gotta enjoy the process."-Austin If you can find a way to connect with other entrepreneurs, you're going to have a happier existence.   11:03 The process of growing Entrepreneur Alliance All marketing is twofold: internal and external. Internal: your current customers and how you get them to have an affinity for your brand, products, and company that they naturally talk about it. People end up being your best marketing tool. External: video ads, PPC, SEO, etc.   Getting a system in place for your internal marketing is key.    13:18 Bot marketing: an automated response that interacts using pre-programmed information. Could be used to collect an email. Pro: You're going to get an immediate response Con: not authentic and transparency is smoke and mirrors   "While it might be a bit more efficient, people respect it more when it's somebody real. It's not just about how to automate, but how you still bring the human atmosphere to it. "-Austin   15:47 EA increased conversion rate from 22% to 32% after adding testimonials to landing page. Takeaway: It's important to invest into your people.     18:17 Outlook for Austin and Entrepreneur Alliance: Focusing on EA Local: Mastermind events at people's homes every week, monthly cocktail hours, brainstorming sessions, seminars, workshops.     21:19 Always go with spontaneous instinct "I would say that 80% of our best campaigns were thrown up in a blink of an eye. We said 'hey, try it, see if that works." Check out EA'S Facebook post about their giveaway contest benefitting Women Entrepreneurs in India! Don't be afraid to try something, especially with the tools we have available today.   24:33 Be on the lookout for EA'S split test run this month (February 2017). "Entrepreneurship doesn't have to be so serious" running against "serious, lifestyle coolness." "If you really want to be successful, you've gotta have the metrics at hand… Know your numbers every part of the day."-Austin   Contact Austin: Facebook Official Instagram: AustinDistel Twitter: @AustinMDistel   Mentioned in this episode: Entrepreneur Alliance ManyChat Atlanta Mercedes-Benz Stadium Dave Rogenmoser's interview on the Modern Marketing podcast   Contact Adam: [email protected]   Click here to subscribe via iTunes Modern Marketing on Stitcher Modern Marketing on Pocket Casts