Introduction to Daryl Klingaman

Welcome to the Digital Revolution podcast. I’m your host, Eli Adams, and this episode is brought to you by Firous Marketing where SEO solutions equal digital domination.

Today we have Daryl Klingaman, a total rockstar in the marketing and sales world. Daryl’s career is wild, from growing up on a farm in Wisconsin to scaling a top Google premier partner agency Disruptive Advertising.

Table of Contents

• Who is Daryl Klingaman?
• Current Projects that Excite Daryl
• Tactical and Strategic Digital Marketing Advice from Daryl
• Where Does Daryl See the Future Going in Digital Marketing?
• How to Get in Contact with Daryl
• Daryl’s Advice to His Younger Self and Current Inspirations
• What Books, Podcasts, or Leaders Currently Inspire You?
• Conclusion

Who is Daryl Klingaman?

Daryl Klingaman’s career is proof that hard work, determination and adaptability can get you far in the ever changing world of digital marketing.

From Farm to Fortune

Daryl’s story starts on a farm in Wisconsin where he learned the value of hard work and work ethic at a young age. This upbringing gave him a desire for financial stability and success which would later drive him in the business world.

“I grew up on a farm in Wisconsin,” Daryl says. “I always feel like that’s helpful for people to understand. Those that have been there and done that kind of get it and why that’s part of your story.”

Education and Early Career

Daryl’s desire for success took him to Utah for his education where he studied business management with an emphasis on entrepreneurship. During college Daryl showed off his farm boy work ethic by working full time while carrying a full credit load.

“80-100 hour weeks were just the norm,” Daryl says. “Didn’t have a lot of hobbies, somehow managed to date just enough to find my wife and get married during that time. But it was really focused on just getting there, so to speak.”

The Big Switch to Digital Marketing

Daryl’s career changed when he landed a job at a small marketing agency with less than 10 employees. He started in a hybrid role, managing both sales and Google ad accounts. This would be a game changer for him.

“That was a huge move for me in my career,” Daryl says. “Joining such a small agency who had nothing figured out on the sales side and coming in, eventually taking on all of the internal sales and marketing for that agency, growing from under 10 employees to over 150 employees in about 8 years.”

Current Projects that Excite Daryl

Ember: Revolutionizing Men’s Wedding Accessories

One of Daryl’s current ventures is Ember (EMBR.com), an e-commerce company he acquired from a former client of his marketing agency. Ember started as a men’s wedding ring company, but Daryl has ambitious plans to expand its offerings.

“We are in the process of reidentifying ourselves as the place that dudes go to get decked out for their weddings,” Daryl explains. “Grooms deserve to have wedding planning tailored for them. All of wedding planning to date is tailored to the bride and how the bride wants to experience that.”

Daryl’s vision for Ember is to create a one-stop shop for grooms, offering everything from rings to ties, bow ties, and pocket squares. The goal is to make wedding planning more accessible and enjoyable for men, allowing them to shop from anywhere, whether it’s from a golf cart or while watching NCAA football on a Saturday.

Global Staffing for Marketing Agencies

Daryl’s experience in the agency world has led him to his latest venture: a global staffing firm that helps marketing agencies hire talented marketers across the globe. This business addresses two significant challenges faced by marketing agencies:

1. Hiring talented marketers
2. Maintaining profit margins

“What I’m helping other agencies do is figure out that offshoring piece and figure out how to hire talented marketers in Southeast Asia, in Latin America, in Pakistan and Serbia,” Daryl explains. “I’ve talked to extremely talented people in South Africa and Nigeria. It’s incredible. There is talent all across this globe.”

This venture aims to create a win-win situation for both U.S.-based agencies and international talent, allowing agencies to tap into a wider pool of skilled professionals while offering exciting opportunities to marketers in lower-cost economies.

Tactical and Strategic Digital Marketing Advice from Daryl

Drawing from his extensive experience in digital marketing and agency management, Daryl offers valuable insights for businesses looking to elevate their online presence.

1. Focus on Brand Building

In today’s digital landscape, Daryl emphasizes the critical importance of brand building:

“Businesses need to be focused on that as much as ever. There’s no cheap media to be bought right now,” Daryl explains. “You can’t build a business just on that anymore. We’ve kind of taken a step back to the early mid-1900s when it wasn’t cheap to advertise.”

Daryl defines brand as “your unique identity and the reputation behind that identity.” He advises businesses to focus on creating a unique brand that resonates with their target audience and reflects their core values.

2. Cultivate Customer Loyalty

Building a strong brand is closely tied to cultivating customer loyalty. Daryl points out that businesses with high customer retention rates can afford to spend more on customer acquisition:

“Brand is what causes customers to come back as well. And if you have customers who come back, you can play in the more expensive arenas,” Daryl explains. “You can’t go and buy customers today if they aren’t going to come back and buy from you again and again and again.”

3. Embrace Authenticity

Daryl believes that in the post-pandemic world, businesses are returning to authenticity:

“Businesses are coming back to authenticity. And what I mean by that is, who are we at our core and what does that look like and how do we communicate that to our customers in a way that they’re going to connect and resonate with?”

He encourages businesses to take time to reflect on their core values and identity, and to let that authenticity shine through in their marketing efforts.

4. Stand Out and Be Different

In a world where starting a business is easier than ever, Daryl stresses the importance of differentiation:

“You got to be unique. You got to do things differently. You got to do things that your mama would be proud of,” Daryl advises. “Don’t take yourself too seriously and let who you are just ooze out of you. Right. And make that your brand, make that what you’re all about.”

5. Consider Offshore Talent

For businesses looking to optimize their operations, Daryl recommends exploring offshore talent:

“Look for positions throughout your company. It doesn’t need to be just marketing,” Daryl suggests. He advises businesses to look for roles where “70-80% of how it would feel to hire someone in the U.S. you can hire at 25% of the cost and offshore.”

6. Embrace Failure and Take Risks

Drawing inspiration from Theodore Roosevelt’s “Man in the Arena” speech, Daryl encourages businesses and individuals to embrace failure as part of the journey to success:

“It’s better to fail, but fail daring greatly than to have not tried at all. And even if you fall flat on your face, how much better is that than never having even taken a chance?”

Where Does Daryl See the Future Going in Digital Marketing?

As someone deeply entrenched in the digital marketing world, Daryl offers his perspective on future trends in the industry.

1. Increased Focus on Brand and Creative

Daryl predicts that marketing will become increasingly centered around brand building and creative expression:

“I think that marketing is going to become more and more about brand and how you portray that brand, which is creative,” Daryl explains. “The businesses that are going to win big in the next few years are going to be those that step in with something new and unique to offer, focusing on the brand and how they communicate that to the customers through their creative.”

2. Return to Authenticity

In the wake of recent global events, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic, Daryl sees a shift towards authenticity in business:

“I think there’s a huge opportunity to do that in most spaces right now. I also think that there is a very real businesses are coming back to authenticity,” Daryl observes. He believes businesses are trying to rediscover their core identities and communicate them effectively to their customers.

3. The Role of AI in Marketing

While acknowledging the impact of AI on the marketing industry, Daryl doesn’t see it as an immediate threat to jobs:

“I think we’re a little ways away from that,” Daryl states. He draws parallels to the introduction of machine learning in Google Ads over a decade ago, noting that while it changed the nature of some tasks, it didn’t eliminate jobs but rather required marketers to adapt and level up their skills.

4. The Importance of Global Talent

Daryl sees a continued trend towards leveraging global talent in the marketing industry:

“We are so much tighter as a global community now than we’ve ever been. Technology has made that possible,” Daryl observes. He believes that businesses that can effectively tap into this global talent pool will have a competitive advantage in the future.

How to Get in Contact with Daryl

For those interested in learning more about Daryl’s work or seeking his expertise, you can find him through the following channels:

1. Ember – Check out Daryl’s e-commerce venture specializing in men’s wedding accessories.
2. LinkedIn – Connect with Daryl professionally on LinkedIn (Note: Specific LinkedIn URL was not provided in the transcript).
3. The Digital Revolution Podcast – Stay tuned for potential future appearances by Daryl on this podcast.

Daryl’s Advice to His Younger Self and Current Inspirations

As we wrap up our conversation with Daryl, we delve into two final questions that offer further insight into his mindset and sources of inspiration.

If You Could Go Back to Your Younger Self and Give Advice, What Would That Be?

Daryl offers two pieces of advice to his younger self:

1. Don’t Worry So Much: “Just don’t worry. Just do the dang thing and don’t worry. It’ll all shake out and it won’t shake out how you thought it would or how you wanted it to, but it could be a million times better and just allow that to happen.”
2. Just Show Up: “Show up. There are times when I haven’t shown up for a variety of reasons because I was tired and so I didn’t attend that event. I was worried about what someone would think. So I didn’t do that thing and so forth. And as I go on, that’s something that I’m really trying to live true to is just show up.”

Daryl emphasizes the importance of being present and taking opportunities as they come, even if they seem daunting or unappealing at first. He believes that showing up can lead to unexpected connections, experiences, and growth opportunities.

What Books, Podcasts, or Leaders Currently Inspire You?

Daryl shares some of his current sources of inspiration:

1. Podcast: “The Hard Way” by Joe DeSena Daryl has been enjoying this podcast, which features short episodes with fascinating guests. He particularly appreciates it following his recent experience at the Spartan farm with Joe DeSena.
2. Book: “The Motive” by Patrick Lencioni Daryl is currently reading this book and describes it as a potential game-changer for his approach to business, leadership, and life. He highly recommends it.

These resources reflect Daryl’s commitment to continuous learning and personal growth, aligning with his advice to “just show up” and embrace new experiences and knowledge.

By sharing these personal insights, Daryl not only offers valuable advice but also demonstrates the importance of reflection, continuous learning, and personal growth in achieving success in both business and life.

Conclusion

Daryl Klingaman’s journey from a Wisconsin farm to a successful digital marketing entrepreneur is a testament to the power of hard work, adaptability, and embracing change. His insights into brand building, authenticity, and the future of digital marketing offer valuable guidance for businesses navigating the ever-evolving digital landscape.

As we wrap up this enlightening conversation with Daryl, there are several key takeaways for businesses and marketers:

1. Invest in your brand: In an era where cheap advertising is no longer a sustainable strategy, building a strong, authentic brand is crucial for long-term success.
2. Embrace authenticity: Let your true identity shine through in your marketing efforts. Authenticity resonates with customers and helps build lasting relationships.
3. Be willing to take risks: As Daryl puts it, “Just show up.” Be willing to step into the arena, try new things, and learn from both successes and failures.
4. Leverage global talent: Consider exploring offshore talent to optimize your operations and tap into a diverse pool of skills and perspectives.
5. Adapt to change: Whether it’s new technologies like AI or shifting market dynamics, be prepared to evolve and upgrade your skills continually.
6. Focus on customer loyalty: Building a brand that encourages repeat business allows you to compete effectively, even in expensive marketing arenas.

As we navigate the future of digital marketing, Daryl’s experiences and insights serve as a valuable guide. By focusing on authenticity, embracing change, and continually striving for innovation, businesses can position themselves for success in the dynamic world of digital marketing.

Thank you for joining us on this episode of the Digital Revolution podcast. Remember, in the words of Daryl Klingaman, “Just show up” – you never know what opportunities await when you’re willing to step into the arena.