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Hey there - it's Brian 👋

Happy Thanksgiving!

Since I’m in the US for this Thanksgiving I wanted to share how grateful I am for having you in this Outlier Growth community.

Without you, I wouldn’t be able to help business owners get customers with digital marketing.

But today’s issue will be different than typical marketing lessons.

To honor Thanksgiving: we’ll cover a personal reflection on life and business.

I’ll share my transformation story: How I went from Fortune 500 corporate consultant to a backpacking CMO traveling the world.

And most importantly, why I’m so grateful for every one of you who help make this a reality.

Personal reflections aren’t for you? No worries, enjoy the holiday and we’ll get back to our regular marketing emails next Thursday.

So let’s start in 2017 when I was in a board room, but craved sharing helping business owners around the world: 👇

I needed to break out of the board room bubble

In 2017 I wheeled my carry-on from hotel-to-hotel around the US.

I survived on two suits.

I loved that lifestyle. I didn’t need much.

I was a growth strategy consultant at Deloitte and got to help the biggest companies solve their growth problems.

I lived that way for 6 years (and loved every moment). But I started to feel I was in a corporate bubble.

I’d seen all the major cities in the US. I’d been in the boardrooms of 30+ big companies. It felt like there was more.

On weekends, I’d help founders with their growth problems too. I loved seeing how excited they got when I’d hand them the tools to fix their frustrations. I felt like I was helping each person reach their dream.

I loved helping people.

I also loved seeing the different cultures in each city I went to. But felt like I was missing cultures from so much of the world outside the US.

So I knew I needed a shift.

I’d work with small business owners. From different countries around the world.

But I had one problem.

See, I helped big marketing teams with their strategy.

But to really help business owners I needed marketing tactics (SEO, ads, socials etc).

The only way to truly be an expert is to get skin in the game and experience it yourself.

I had to learn digital marketing (or sink)

So I started writing on Twitter to get customers.

But I never imagined using digital marketing to get my customers would force me to build out EVERYTHING:

But then this magical reaction happened.

As I advised business owners, I’d show them the strategy frameworks they needed to grow.

Then, I’d screen share and show the marketing systems I used to build my own business.

I never expected their response…

I started to get business owners asking:
I NEED this. Can you be my CMO?

Enough asked. So I made it a formal offer and the response has been incredible.

Today, I get 4 - 6 business owners a week who ask me to be their CMO (I’m just as shocked as you are).

I’m so grateful for every one.

A lot of business owners I speak with feel burned by hiring marketing agencies/consultants that give bad advice:

• “Change your website URL”
• “Change your slogan/logo”
• “Run brand awareness campaigns”

Business owners make all these changes (and more). Which delay them testing with real customers. Then get surprised when they need to re-do everything because it’s not what customers want.

So when I screen share to show the systems I built and how they can use them, I can’t describe how amazing it feels so see their eyes light up.

And that excitement feels so fulfilling.

Business works best when you genuinely want to help others.

And the other thing I’m grateful for? Helping people globally.

From corporate suit to backpacker

See, I’m a backpacker, yet I advise CEOs of $5 - $25M businesses how to grow.

How’s that for complexity?

So I’ve been traveling the world helping business owners use digital marketing to grow their business. The fun part is, when you’re good at digital marketing, you can reach a lot of people.

A few months ago, we hosted an event in Bali to teach business owners to use digital marketing. The venue sat 45 people.

84 showed up.

We had to move speakers to the balcony to let people listen in from outside!

As part of last year’s tour I got to work with business owners all over SE Asia including:

• Thailand

• Bali

• Malaysia

• Vietnam

The culture is amazing. The people are amazing. And the food is incredible.

But I’m especially excited for where I’ll be backpacking this year…

So half of my family is from Ecuador. I’ve been there 23 times.

(I know… a name like Brian O’Connor, but I’m half latino. Surprise!)

But… I’ve never seen any other part of South America.

I’m grateful that I get to work from Central/South America and understand more of where I come from.

In 2024, I’ll be working with business owners around:

• Puerto Rico

• Costa Rica

• Argentina

• Colombia

Backpacking and sharing my CMO lessons from the trenches.

Not many people get to work with people from so many cultures so I’m incredibly grateful.

Thank you.

Anyway. Thanksgiving came at a great time since business has been incredible the past few months.

But I especially want to thank you.

I’d never be able to reach so many businesses owners without your support.

So thank you.

We have so many more people to reach so we can help fight against marketers who sell bad growth advice.

All your engagement helps spread proven marketing lessons and give hope to business owners who just want to find customers.

So happy Thanksgiving to those in the US.

And for everyone else, take the opportunity to be grateful.

See you next Thursday 👋

Brian
Twitter
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P.S. Want live feedback on your marketing (for free)?

I give free marketing tips to 4 - 6 business owners every week.

I’ll take a look at your socials, ads, funnels, email campaigns etc.

I’m grateful for all the demand for my CMO business. We currently have a waitlist, but click here to get free advice with actionable steps to fix your customer demand.

Chat soon!

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