How would you go about starting your marketing career? Most people go to college, get their university degree, start an internship, and work their way up.
This old-school mentality did not apply to Vincent Nguyen! He quit university at 19 to travel across the world and join Empire Flippers as a marketing apprentice.
His winning video application is still online, so you can watch it to get inspired and see how creativity can set you apart from other candidates!
From Empire Flippers To Agency Owner
Today Empire Flippers has become the most prominent online business marketplace, and they are employing hundreds of employees. Meanwhile, Vincent also created his own Facebook Ads agency, Growth Ninja, which has been successfully running since 2015.
Vincent’s story is more than a success story for aspiring marketers or CMOs. Vincent has shown how to practice critical thinking while staying grounded in the world of misleading online influencers!
“There is a lot of bullsh!t out there. There are always contradictions, and you must stay skeptical of what people say online. Many want to sell you things, so they would say anything to get your attention.”
Vincent Nguyen also reminds us to stay creative and stick with the hard work when we “get lucky.” He acknowledged that getting into Empire Flippers was a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” he reminds us to work hard, stay grounded, and be curious to increase our odds of winning in the long run!
Killer Application Sets You Apart
Why should they choose YOU? Didn’t you hear this question all the time? 99% of people emphasize their interpersonal skills, which are vague as heck:
“I’m very self-motivated!”
“I am a great team-player!”
“I am an excellent communicator!”
When Vincent applied, he did not miss a single thing. He already had a website with a blog, he already knew how to do simple video editing, and how to reach out to important people to get their answers!
Don’t wait for opportunities to work. Create opportunities for yourself!
Do a lot but master one thing
As a marketing intern, you will be put into different positions. You might need to do copywriting one day, then switch to podcasting and start some PPC. That is all fine! The concept of “do a lot but master one thing” emphasizes how to specialize and become an expert in a specific area of your digital marketing career.
By focusing on one aspect of digital marketing, such as Facebook ads, you can develop deep knowledge, skills, and experience that set you apart from generalists.
Be aware of the conversations around you
Surround yourself with high-level people who are successful, self-starters, and confident. While it is crucial to maintain diverse relationships and appreciate individuals from all walks of life, there are specific advantages to cultivating a network of high-achieving individuals. Here are some reasons why paying attention to the group you surround yourself with matters:
You get inspired and motivated: Being in the presence of accomplished individuals can inspire and motivate you to strive for greatness. Seeing others achieving their goals and pushing their limits ignites a sense of possibility within you. Their success serves as a reminder that you too can reach new heights and pushes you to work harder to achieve your own aspirations.
Expand Your Horizons: High-level individuals often possess a wealth of knowledge, diverse experiences, and unique perspectives. Engaging in conversations with such individuals exposes you to new ideas, different ways of thinking, and alternative approaches to problem-solving. This expanded worldview can enhance your own creativity, decision-making abilities, and overall personal growth.
Networking Opportunities: Surrounding yourself with successful individuals increases your chances of forming valuable connections. Building relationships with high-level people can lead to networking opportunities, partnerships, mentorship, and even access to resources or opportunities that may not have been available otherwise. Your network can play a pivotal role in opening doors and propelling your own success.
Positive Energy and Support: High-level individuals often exude confidence, positivity, and ambition. Being around such individuals can create an environment filled with optimism, enthusiasm, and determination. They understand the challenges and setbacks of pursuing ambitious goals, and their support and encouragement can be invaluable during tough times. Surrounding yourself with a positive and driven community can significantly impact your own mindset and belief in your capabilities.
Cut the Bullsh!t: People ahead of you have more experience cutting out all the B.S. on the internet. Before you get tricked into another “quick tip” or “fast results” these people around you can help you vet and filter.
Episode Chapters
2:00 From a 19-year-old Intern to Marketing Director
4:50 Surround yourself with SMART people
7:40 What did Vincent do as a Marketing Director?
8:55 How did Vincent start his company?
10:32 Facebook Ads from an Facebook Ads Expert
12:30 Using ChatGPT, Building AI Tools during Vincent’s 2-Month Attention Policy
20:00 Don’t fix mistakes!
20:34 Vincent’s advice for people who are starting out
21:20 Stay with the hard-work!
22:00 How did Vincent Get the Job at Empire Flippers?
25:00 ADHD To Your Advantage
29:00 Learn to prioritize with ChatGPT (when feeling overwhelmed)
32:02 Getting over FOMO (from social media hype!)
36:10 Abundance Mindset vs Spamming Social Media
37:12 Beginners Position Themselves as Experts
40:30 Don’t be too quick to recommend people
46:25 Vincent’s Biggest Takeaway for our listeners ☺️