A Step-by-Step Social Media Guide For Businesses
Timestamps are as accurate as they can be but may be slightly off. We encourage you to listen to the full context.
Podcast Summary
In this high-energy keynote, Gary Vaynerchuk delivers a masterclass on modern business growth, emphasizing two critical pillars: leveraging social media marketing and building authentic employee relationships. (00:00) He challenges B2B companies to post content daily on LinkedIn and B2C companies to create up to 10 pieces of content daily across platforms like TikTok and Instagram. (00:45) Gary reveals how his agency grew from $0 to $400 million in 13 years primarily through strategic social media content creation. (02:03) The presentation shifts to emphasize the importance of one-on-one employee meetings and genuine care for staff as the foundation of sustainable business growth. (17:59)
• Main themes include the evolution from social media to "interest media," the power of AI-driven algorithms, authentic leadership through employee care, and preparing for an AI-driven future where human connection becomes more valuable than ever.
Speakers
Gary Vaynerchuk
Gary Vaynerchuk is a serial entrepreneur, author, and digital marketing expert who transformed his family's liquor store from $3 million to $65 million in five years and built VaynerMedia from zero to $400 million in revenue over 13 years. He has written multiple bestselling books including "Day Trading Attention" and has become one of the most recognized voices in digital marketing and entrepreneurship, with over 55 million followers across social media platforms.
Key Takeaways
Master the Algorithm Shift from Social to Interest Media
Gary reveals a fundamental change in how social media platforms work today compared to just a few years ago. (04:22) Unlike the old days when you needed followers first to see your content, AI-driven algorithms now show your posts to people interested in your topics, regardless of follower count. This means even someone who has never posted can potentially reach more people than established influencers with their very first piece of content. (25:51) The opportunity lies in understanding that platforms like LinkedIn are acting like Facebook in 2012 - massive reach with minimal competition. This shift makes content creation more meritocratic than ever before, where quality and relevance matter more than follower count.
Embrace High-Volume Content Creation as a Core Business Function
Gary advocates for treating content creation as the primary business function, not secondary. (13:14) For B2B companies, he recommends posting 1-3 times daily on LinkedIn, while B2C companies should create up to 10 pieces of content daily across TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube Shorts. (23:54) This isn't about perfection - it's about volume, testing, and learning from audience feedback. He emphasizes that social media is fundamentally free marketing, unlike traditional paid advertising methods. The key is understanding that 93 posts might do nothing, but the 94th could transform your business. (12:09)
Invest in One-on-One Employee Relationships
Gary reveals that over 50% of his time in the first five years of VaynerMedia was spent with employees, not customers. (16:35) He advocates for regular one-on-one meetings with every employee, regardless of company size. This isn't just about business - it's about genuinely caring for people's growth and development. He shares how he recently advised an employee to quit his company and start her own business, offering to be her first customer. (20:00) This approach builds a "family business" culture that drives retention and organic growth. When employees feel genuinely cared for, they work harder, share more information, and stay longer, creating sustainable competitive advantages.
Provide Value Before Selling
Gary emphasizes that successful social media marketing requires a fundamental shift from selling to serving. (28:03) "Whoever provides the most value for free wins" in social media. (28:09) Instead of making every post a sales pitch, focus on educating, entertaining, or helping your audience. Use content to ask customers questions and gather insights about their needs and preferences. (27:41) This approach builds trust and positions you as a valuable resource, naturally leading to conversions when people are ready to buy. The key is understanding that if you provide consistent value and have your business information in your bio, interested prospects will find you.
Adapt to Technological Change Before It's Mainstream
Gary warns that current social media opportunities won't last forever, comparing it to how Google AdWords is losing effectiveness as people shift to AI chatbots for search. (32:17) He predicts significant societal changes, including people marrying AI avatars within 20 years, based on historical patterns of technology adoption. (29:24) The lesson is to embrace current free marketing opportunities (social media) before they become paid platforms, just as happened with every previous technology wave. Businesses that adapt early gain competitive advantages, while those who resist change get left behind. (32:34)
Statistics & Facts
- Gary's agency VaynerMedia grew from $0 to $400 million in revenue over 13 years, with a significant portion attributed to strategic social media content creation. (02:03)
- Only 5 out of approximately 1,000 attendees at this B2B-heavy conference are successfully leveraging LinkedIn for unlimited business growth, representing just 0.5% of the audience. (10:05)
- Gary predicts that 15% of children under five years old today will marry AI avatars or virtual people in the future, based on changing social norms around digital relationships. (29:24)