Venture X’s premium coworking spaces offer the flexibility that many startups, entrepreneurs, small and medium-sized businesses as well as many freelancers need in terms of their workspace. Marc Meyer, a Digital Marketer/Strategist/Consultant for Digital Response Marketing Group is a member at Venture X Naples in Naples, FL. We took some time to get to know Marc and his role at Digital Response Marketing Group.
What does Digital Response Marketing Group do?
Digital Response Marketing Group is a marketing and communications agency that strives to design, build, and deploy agile marketing programs with their client’s goals in mind.
We asked Marc some Q & As to get to know him a little better and learn about the journey he’s been on, career-wise. Here’s what Marc had to say:
- What made you want to get involved in this line of work?It’s been an evolution of about 16 years. I had always been curious about marketing on the Internet but my initial jumping off point was in web design. From there, I got involved in Search Engine Optimization and Search Engine Marketing and was extremely successful through trial and error. That success caused me to look around at the types of vehicles that lend themselves to online marketing. One of those was social media. In 2007, I became one of the early adopters and I embraced it with both arms. That experience propelled me into the management consulting world where I have essentially written and collaborated on the digital and social media strategies for some of the largest companies in the world. Some of my clients/relationships include Accenture, IBM, JLL, Ernst & Young, Wipro, Tata, Dow Chemical, Diageo, Oracle, and SAP.
- What has been the most rewarding aspect of your job?This might not seem like that big of a deal, but to do what I do in Naples is huge. Normally, I would have to be in a large metro area but I got lucky. Given the global nature of what I do, the ability to not only be home but also to attend my kids’ games, events, and other milestones, has been nothing short of a blessing. I’m lucky.
- What’s the biggest challenge that you have faced in business and how did you overcome it?Without getting into the details, eleven years ago, I had to essentially start from scratch. I was let go from a company that I made a lot of money for. It was during the 2008 financial meltdown. I felt it was coming, but still didn’t expect it. I thought I might be safe, but just like that, I had to make things happen quick. I started my own company. I focused on what I knew which was digital marketing and I made calls, I sent emails, and took whatever work I could get no matter how outside of my comfort zone it was. One of the keys back then was social media. I used it and leveraged it to create my brand. I was visible and I was active and slowly but surely, I clawed my way out. I essentially used every conduit there was to prospect and land business. Things were tight and tense but we survived. It is and was incredibly humbling and I use that experience to motivate me every day.
- What business tips would you like to share with others?A couple of things. First and foremost, it’s all about the funnel. You have to keep it full and you can’t put all your marbles with one client. It will always be about the next project, client, and or engagement. Also, this may sound odd but getting paid on time even by large companies can sometimes be daunting. So, you have to stay on top of it. Next, the relationships you have, you need to cultivate them and nurture them. They can turn into more work Lastly, it’s important to maintain relevancy and value. In this world, there is constant pressure to deliver and there is constant heat from competitors and believe it or not, from people that you work with. Everyone has an agenda, you just don’t know what it is. Proving your value, especially in a world that’s becoming more automated by the day, might be the biggest obstacle that you can never quite overcome. You can stay ahead of it, but you can’t conquer it. Keep your eyes and ears open and when you can, improve your skillsets.
- What has been your favorite part about working at Venture X?I love the environment. It’s so conducive to work and getting work done. Amanda and Bri bring an infectious attitude of community and support to a pretty diverse group which can sometimes be tough and yet, their attitudes never waver. They are the face of Venture X Naples and they bring it every day. I think I’ve been here for 3 or 4 years at this point.
A Personal Look at Marc Meyer
Marc shared his inspiration and motivation with us, “I have three people and a really ornery dog that solely rely on me.” In his spare time, he is busy working on a screenplay, he’s a fledgling artist, and “of course, I binge watch.” When he’s away from the office, Marc is a basketball and baseball coach at Seacrest High School and Naples High School. Marc, a man of many talents, co-founded a non-profit geared towards parents, teachers, and children to help them all navigate the perils of digital, mobile, and social media. The goal is to create more responsible digital citizens. He added, “We now have over 500 instructors in all 50 states delivering the curriculum. The whole thing born out of a social media panel I sat on back in 2014 with the Collier County Public Schools.”
Looking for that perfect office space that is flexible enough to suit your business’s changing needs? Venture X is the place to be. Perks and amenities abound at every Venture X location and each has been designed to foster community and growth. It’s a worry-free workspace – when you arrive, the coffee is ready, the offices are clean, the copiers and printers are stocked with paper, and you can get down to business. Sharing ideas, networking, and getting the job done is easy when you are surrounded by like-minded professionals across countless industries. Venture X locations are making a statement across the country; book a tour and you’ll see what all the buzz is about.