Real Results: From $0 to HALF A MILLION Using Only Organic Marketing
Episode 786: Show Notes
When Boss Project first started, it was very different from what it is today. And, whether I realized it or not, I was growing two business models simultaneously, while using entirely different marketing strategies for each one. Since then, I’ve seen an increasing number of entrepreneurs looking to diversify their revenue streams or even pivot their business models entirely.
In today’s episode, I unpack how you can keep nurturing what you've built and let your business evolve by investigating the countless ways you can leverage organic marketing to grow your brand and fulfill the potential of your business. Stay tuned to learn how you can evolve your existing business while embracing the one you’re dreaming about!
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Don’t Give Up on What You Already Have
Back in March 2015, after being laid off, I transformed my years of freelance graphic design experience into a business venture. It started off super broad. I was working with a diverse range of clients from musicians to airplane part manufacturers. But by fall, I had zeroed in on branding and web projects for food-based companies, some of which had been operating for decades without any online presence. Meanwhile, Boss Project, which began as my passion project, became a reservoir of everything I learned about online businesses. It started as thinkcreativekc.com, evolved into thinkcreativecollective.com, and is now bossproject.com.
Over the years, I've observed many entrepreneurs wanting to diversify their revenue streams or even pivot their business models entirely. Just recently, I spoke to a local psychologist looking to start a digital product shop. While the marketing tactics and efforts for these ventures can vary significantly, it's crucial to understand that you don’t have to discard your current venture to chase a new one. It's not an either/or scenario. You can keep nurturing what you've built and let your business evolve. The trick? Finding that fluid balance between the business you've established and the one you're dreaming about.
Three Companies That Mastered Organic Marketing For Their Niche
When we talk about impactful organic marketing strategies, some companies just nail it, becoming pioneers in their niches. I want to highlight three such companies who've taken different approaches to this, making waves in their respective industries.
Zappos
Zappos, the shoe retailer, reshaped the online shopping scene with a customer-first approach that was radical for its time. Before the era of Amazon and ubiquitous free shipping, Zappos was offering both free shipping and free returns on shoes. In a time when people still preferred brick-and-mortar shopping, Zappos let customers buy shoes without the stress of return fees or hidden charges. It was a bold move, but it positioned them as pioneers and gave them a serious competitive edge. If you want to dive deeper into their culture and journey, I'd recommend Delivering Happiness, the first business book I ever read.
Chewy
Chewy has emerged as a top player in the online pet store industry. Their organic marketing brilliance? Deep emotional connections. They understand the profound connection that pet owners have with their pets. So when a pet owner suffers the loss of their pet, Chewy doesn't just refund their order; they send flowers and a sympathy card. As someone who firmly believes in the power of having a pet and how much happiness it can bring to you, this gesture really hit home for me. They value the emotional bond between owners and their pets, seeing it as profound as any human connection. Another excellent example is their holiday surprise initiative, where they sent out pet portraits to unsuspecting customers. This move is pure brilliance! It got people talking, sharing, and essentially marketing Chewy for free. These viral moments garnered them millions of organic impressions, something that even paid ads can't replicate!
UPS
In the U.S., when we think of shipping, three names come to mind: US Postal Service, UPS, and FedEx. But UPS has an organic marketing tactic that's distinct. Instead of splurging on ads, they're leveraging their own staff. There's been a surge in UPS drivers on social media, sharing their experiences and advocating for fair wages and labor rights. By embracing and not suppressing this, UPS highlights its ethical company standards, creating an authentic and organic brand image.
Each of these businesses showcases the power and impact of organic marketing done right. They're not just about selling; they're about forging genuine, lasting connections.
The Power (And Patience) of Organic Marketing
It's easy to fixate on massive corporations when discussing success stories. Still, the power of personal branding shouldn't be underestimated. At the heart of many ventures, especially the smaller ones, it's the individual behind the brand that often drives a purchase. Their unique character and approach captivate us; some we view as digital friends, while others ascend to almost-celebrity status. A prime example? Mr. Beast, or as some might know him, Jimmy Donaldson.
Mr. Beast isn't just a YouTube sensation with 189 million subscribers. He's arguably one of the most successful organic marketers around. Remember the buzz when he decided to get involved in the chocolate industry last year? Diving into a market dominated by giants like Hershey's and Mars, he launched his Mr. Beast bars. And, in a signature Beast move, he gave them away for free for a limited time, which not only crashed his site due to the rush but also cemented his brand. People weren’t clamoring for the taste; they wanted that social media clout of having snagged a bar. The result? He made a staggering $10 million in just a few months from those chocolate bars.
The takeaway isn't just the astounding figures but the journey. Mr. Beast's rise wasn't instant. Since 2011, he's been nurturing his YouTube channel, reinvesting every earned penny to better his content. It exemplifies that with dedication, time, and the power of organic marketing, there's no ceiling to what you can achieve.
Why You Should Stick With Organic Marketing
I know we've spotlighted big companies with even bigger budgets, but the core message is about breaking boundaries in our thinking. It's not necessarily about posting a reel every day, blogging five days a week, or starting a podcast. While these are valid strategies, marketing is truly a canvas for your creativity. It's the engine that enhances client experiences, cultivates brand loyalty, and crafts memorable brands. Trust me, I've been at this awhile, and I’ve scaled my business into the millions largely through cost-effective, organic marketing. Instead of constantly shifting tactics, I found what worked and stuck with it.
Learn More About The Organic Workshop and Co-op
Looking for a practical, no-nonsense approach to your business journey? Come join my workshop where we'll be real about plans, budgets, and time. Learn more and get registered here!
The Co-Op isn’t just another program, it's a collective. It’s a space I’ve shaped to share tools and strategies — ones I trust and believe in. If you resonated with the workshop, you might find value in diving deeper with us. We’re building a diverse and genuine community, all navigating business at their own pace and in sync with their values. There's an easy access point for just $47 a month, and it’s all about providing genuine support, not marketing gimmicks. I can’t wait to connect with you there!
Quote This
People want to interact with you, and the unique way that you show up, regardless of how it is that you're showing up.
Highlights
Don’t Give Up on What You Already Have [0:02:43]
Three Companies That Mastered Organic Marketing For Their Niche [0:11:25]
The Power (And Patience) of Organic Marketing [0:20:36]
Why You Should Stick With Organic Marketing [0:25:24]
Learn More About The Organic Workshop and Co-op [0:29:43]
OUR HOST:
Abagail Pumphrey
Boss Project on Instagram | Facebook
Abagail Pumphrey, the Co-Founder & CEO of Boss Project, has been a driving force in the creative entrepreneur industry since 2015. With a passion for empowering service-based business owners around the globe, she became internet-famous after the launch of the transformative training, "Trello for Business." This innovative system revitalized the operations of over 10,000 business owners, making a significant impact on the online business landscape.
Under Abagail's leadership, Boss Project has been featured in prestigious publications such as Forbes, Marie Claire, INC, and HuffPost. Her twice-weekly podcast, The Strategy Hour, is a staple in the business community, continuously topping Business and Management Charts on Apple with millions of listeners from around the world.
Abagail's superpower lies in her ability to break down complex concepts into easy-to-implement, duplicatable systems. As an expert in online sales and a data-driven strategist, she has turned a layoff into a 7-figure work-from-home business. Abagail's mission to help more female founders become financially free, without letting their businesses take over their lives, continues to inspire and guide entrepreneurs on their path to success.
Key Topics:
Organic Marketing, Connecting with your audience, Zappos, Chewy, UPS, Mr Beast
