Arshad Madhani is an expert online marketer, who has attracted global acclaim thanks to his innovative advertising methods. He graduated from the University of Texas with an MBA degree in 2011, and presently operates his own consulting company from offices in Atlanta, GA. We recently had the opportunity to chat with Arshad and get his take on work, life, and everything in between.
How did you start your career?
I wanted to enter the consulting and online marketing industry, due to the dynamic nature of the work – which I thrive on. My career choice is also influenced by my younger years, when I would constantly create products, then attempt to sell these to my school friends and relatives. Almost as soon as I could walk, I was ‘advertising’ things to people, but I did not realize how naturally this came to me until I got older. Once I had my ‘Eureka’ moment, I knew I had found my calling.
What drew you to Atlanta?
In Atlanta, I find that I can manage my time effectively to really zone in on the problems my clients are having. Mainly, this is because the city has plenty of outdoor areas and coffee shops, where I can relax and let my creative juices flow, while taking in the surrounding green views. I go running on a daily basis, so this is key to keeping my life in balance. Whether I run down a secluded wooden path or a busy urban area, I can enjoy the exercise and refresh my mind.
What do you think makes for a successful digital marketing consultant?
Good consultants should constantly add to their knowledge base. Your academic education level is irrelevant. The industry is evolving quickly, so you must keep abreast of current developments and new technology. When you are a college student, you should attend lots of business courses to master the fundamentals, prior to entering the exciting realm of online marketing. Volunteering and work experience placements, while you are in college, are excellent ways to obtain practical expertise.
What services do you offer your clients?
I devise solid advertising strategies to refine their approach to reach their business goals. I give them actionable steps to implement, to increase the visibility of their brand. I help them set up Facebook and Google ad campaigns, which are a great way of targeting their audience. Increasing numbers of businesses are waking up to the benefits of these versatile platforms.
Video marketing is another area I offer advice on. This medium has grown significantly over the past decade, because video holds people’s attention far better than written text. People want results quickly, and video delivers this. Although it takes plenty of effort, my clients enjoy fantastic results by creating a video portfolio. This is a proven way of building trust with customers, while spreading brand awareness at the same time.
I draw on my experience to guide clients through each problem they present to me. There are many moving parts to my consulting, however I always keep a long-term perspective so that clients get the maximum benefit from the ideas I give them.
How does your personal life influence your professional life?
I think my personal life greatly affects my professional life. I love filling my family and friends in on my latest projects and clients. Many times, I rely on my family and friends to tell me if a campaign is working or not. My family, in turn, actually become customers of many of the brands I work with because I turned them on to them.
What is one piece of advice you would give other aspiring digital marketers?
I would tell them not to be afraid to fail. In my youth, I was far too scared about taking risks. With the wisdom that comes with age, I understand now that risk taking and success are natural bedfellows. Failure, setbacks, and obstacles are part of every entrepreneur’s journey. Often, these things teach you more than your successes.
During my teenage years, I had an aversion to failure that affected everything I did. In hindsight, I see how, sometimes, this apprehension sabotaged my efforts and stopped me from gaining vital experience. Anxieties about risk and similar emotions can engulf many youngsters. I paid the price for it in spades.
Connect With Arshad
To receive the latest updates from Arshad, visit his website arshadmadhani.com, or connect with him on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter using the links below:
www.facebook.com/arshadmadhani/