Today on
this blog we would be doing something different as we always do once every
month where we take a look at the life of a successful entrepreneur. This month
on discovering the secrets of the successful, we would be looking at a very
important person in the marketing industry.
She is the
reason why many businesses are still on their feet today and she is no other
person than SUSAN PAYTON. Yes! Susan Payton *cheers* they call her the ‘San
Diego’s finest’. I have read over 50 articles written by this lady.
She is not
only beautiful but also a guru in marketing. She is an author, blogger and
entrepreneur with extensive knowledge in social media, and public relations,
qualified marketing and communications professional with experience in wide
range of industries. She is a clear definition of success.
When one of
my readers first told me about Susan Payton, I was like “who the heck is she?”
I did not take her seriously until I stumbled on one of her 'breathe-taking’ articles early this year and since then I have been an avid
reader of her articles.
Susan Payton
speaks marketing fluently and she is the president of Egg Marketing; marketing
and communications firm specializing in internet marketing, where she enjoys
helping her clients realize the benefits of social media, internet marketing
and communications. Her specialties are press releases, copywriting, email
marketing, social media, social networking, blogs, web copy and marketing
strategy
She has
written several books and e-books. She also contributes to small business
trends, mashable, lead 411 amongst others where she inspires entrepreneurs and
small business owners.
If you need
to take your business or start-up to the next level, or you want to reach a
wider target market, Susan Payton is the right choice for you.
Fasten your
seat belts and take a cup of coffee or ………….. Just sit back, relax and read on
as she tells us how she made it this big, challenges she faced and how she
overcame them. Enjoy!
! Discovering the secrets of the
successful:
Who is Susan Payton?
At heart, I
am a writer. I help small businesses find their voice through my company, Egg
Marketing & Communications
What is Egg Marketing all about, what
inspired it?
Six years
ago, after working in marketing for several private firms, I realized there was
a need for small businesses to have marketing, even if they couldn’t afford to
hire a full time employee to handle it. We’ve evolved over the years, but
currently focus on providing content—primarily on blogs—and social media
management.
As the brain behind Egg Marketing,
how do you balance both Egg Marketing and Susan Payton as a brand? Because I
believe Susan Payton is a brand itself, how do you balance both?
I consider
us one and the same. I am my business. When I blog as Susan, I’m representing
my brand. I tweet as @eggmarketing and occasionally share personal things but I
don’t separate the two.
Since Egg Marketing helps
organizations build their businesses online, how is that different from what
SEOs does?
We use SEO
in everything we do: blog posts, web copy, press release, and social media. But
you’ve got to be careful in hiring a SEO expert: if they say they can guarantee
you position 1 for a given search, don’t believe them. You can’t guarantee
placement short of paying for advertising.
What is the greatest challenge you
have had to face over years (Egg Marketing & Susan Payton)
Letting go.
Because people know me as a writer, they want to hire me. But I can only write
so much! Hiring other writers to help out (and finding quality writers) has
been difficult, but ultimately rewarding.
How did you recover from this
challenge?
I realized I
wanted more “me” time, and the only way to get that was to branch out and hire
writers.
You are a great writer. When did you
start writing, how did you start and what has been your source of inspiration?
I’ve been
writing since I could hold a pencil. I initially thought I would end up in
magazines, but my English degree wasn’t what magazines were looking for. When I
got my MBA, I realized: marketing is writing. I’m inspired by small business
owners who may not have the writing skills I have; I’m honored that I can help
them.
In your article- ‘lesson from
successful entrepreneurs’. You told your readers that they have to learn from
those in the game (CEOs, founders and presidents that have successfully run
their businesses). So can you tell us your role model(s)?
I’ve had
many mentors. I like learning lessons from people in diverse industries to see
what they have done and avoid their mistakes. Reading-wise, I admire David
Meerman Scott, Tim Ferriss and John Jantsch.
When did you start your first
business as an entrepreneur?
My first
business was in college. I made gift baskets for people. I think I made a total
of two before I decided it was far too much work for little income! I never
considered myself an entrepreneur… until I fell into starting my marketing
firm.
What do you consider to be the most
outstanding achievement of your career?
Starting a
business and keeping it running as long as I have. It’s a challenge for any
small business owner to stay in business, especially with the volatile US
economy. I’m proud of that every single day.
What is the most effective tool you
have ever used in the world of entrepreneurship and marketing?
Communication.
Whether that’s blogging or social media, it’s been instrumental in helping me
find new clients and market my brand
How would you apply this technique in
a real life situation?
Communication?
I’d say thinking carefully before saying anything and being aware of the power
of words.
What is your take on Start-ups that
don’t last long? Inadequate planning or what?
It is on a
case-by-case basis but planning is a huge part of the equation.
What is the most valuable advice you
can offer an aspiring entrepreneur and writer?
Think that
you can do it. When we put up barriers to what we can do, we limit ourselves.
Thank you for your time
Glad I could
help.
I hope you
have gained a lot from this piece. Feel free to share with your friends by
hitting the share button below.
Sadiq Daniel
