Colton Schild is the CEO and owner of Colton Schild Marketing, Dave is a thought leader, influencer, visionary, and successful entrepreneur. Dave provides the leadership and energy that has inspired the creation of Colton Schild Marketing.
Colton Schild joins other leading Bestselling Authors, International Speakers & Entrepreneur, CEOs and Founders taking part in our Leader Roundtable Interview Series. The DotCom Magazine editorial team is delighted to have Dave join us for our Leader Roundtable Interview.
Colton Schild is the CEO and owner of Miami-based Colton Schild Marketing. While his company offers multiple marketing solutions, its core specialty is in Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Search Engine Marketing (SEM). Many companies have grown their previously stagnant brands into top market competitors within their industries through their services. By offering such valuable services, Colton has grown his company from a small startup with just one client to a serious market player serving more than a hundred clients of various sizes. Getting to his current level of success has been nothing but passion and lots of persistence. Colton does not have a marketing degree and is an anthropology graduate from Columbia University. This means he had to rely a lot on his passion, tenacity, and desire to learn to get to succeed. After he completed his degree in 2005, he worked for several companies in different capacities just like any other graduate. However, he noticed that there was a disconnect in their performance. Those who made use of SEO and SEM performed much better than those who had no idea of applying these techniques. Armed with this insight, Colton launched his company, and his success is an indicator that he was right about the market gap. Colton continues to expand his market while also using his skills to mentor other entrepreneurs. Many of the entrepreneurs who have gone through his mentorship program have found success and are a testament to his prowess as a mentor. Colton is also into philanthropy and loves sharing knowledge on SEM and SEO through blogs and informational web pages. Besides his work and philanthropy activities, Colton enjoys the Miami outdoor life. He is particularly fond of swimming and surfing. Whenever the ocean is perfect for surfing, Colton can be found at the beach with his friends, preparing to catch the wave. Colton is an inspiration that any entrepreneur can find success if they work hard and persevere the downtimes.
Let’s start by telling us about your business.
My business is based on a straightforward model. I assist brands in advertising their products online, but not in the traditional sense of advertisement. SEO and SEM strategies of marketing are ways in which you help optimize particular brands’ sites using SEO content. The optimization helps enhance those brands’ Google rankings such that a random internet browser can come across their sites if they search for particular keywords. This strategy increases the brands’ exposure and subsequently their sales.
Q: Please tell us how you make sure your customers will become raving fans of your company?
That is quite easy. The secret towards making your customers become my raving fans is giving them excellent service. In my business, I make customers my bosses and my friends. That way, I can give them prioritized services and advise them to the best of my knowledge. Putting customers before everything else makes them feel important and by extension, become my raving fans. I also ensure they get maximum value for their money and address all their issues to the best of my ability.
Q: Please tell us the one thing that separates your business from the competition?
In the digital marketing industry, setting yourself from the rest is an excellent way of winning business. But even then, when setting yourself apart, it must be in a way that is of benefit to your customers and potential clients. It must be in a way that helps solve problems or challenges existing in the industry. As for me, I am not just after business, but providing solutions to customers’ problems. This strategy has helped my business attract more customers than most of my competitors. In addition to solving problems, I have also made professional communication a key element of my business.
Q: And to finish this section, please tell us what is the one major key to your company’s success?
While many things led to our success as a company, one major thing that has been a contributing factor through and through is our ability to work as a team. We value the strength of working in teams as opposed to working as individuals. As a company, we can turn out more completed jobs when we cooperate and work on tasks as a group. I intend to maintain this culture as the company grows.
Q: For our readers just starting to build a company, what advice can you give entrepreneurs just starting out with a new venture?
Entrepreneurship is a fulfilling experience. Though it is not easy to start a company and grow from scratch, nothing should stop you from trying it out if you have that brilliant idea. Never be afraid of failing. You should be afraid of never having tried, because if you never try, you will never know what you could have achieved. Secondly, be consistent when you set to do something. Inconsistency has killed a lot of potential and brilliant ideas. Set your goals, divide them into small milestones, and then work on those like your life depended on them.
Q: For entrepreneurs seeking to build a business as successful as yours, what one big piece of advice can you give them when times get a little challenging
One thing is certain. You will face a lot of problems and challenges when building your business. There is no perfect business plan. When you set up to build a company, it would be suitable for what you set out to do, be your passion. Let it be something that you love doing. Let it be a cause that you desire with your heart to accomplish. When challenges arise, you will not give up since it is something you love. You will look for solutions and make it even better. So my advice here is to be ready for challenges and be ready to look for solutions instead of burying your head in the sand.
Q: In today’s fast changing business environment, how do you stay abreast of things?
It is exciting how the business environment is changing at an accelerated pace these days. The underlying reason for these changes is the technological advancements that are coming up every other day. As a business, we have taken up this challenge to stay abreast with the changing business environment considering our industry’s nature. My company’s culture has seminars and regular training to keep my staff informed and in tabs with advancements in technology. This strategy helps keep the company abreast of things. I also ensure that the company replaces outdated technology now and then keeps staff working with up to date equipment. I intend to maintain this trend.
Q: What is your “Why”? In one sentence, why do you get up in the morning?
My goal is to grow my company into a multinational agency and help as many brands as possible get a footing in their respective industries.
Q: In one sentence, what is the most important thing one has to do to be a great leader?
Being a great leader has to do with how you carry yourself, the examples you show others, and your willingness to sacrifice a lot to benefit those under your wing.
Q: In one sentence, describe how important your customers are to your business?
There would be no business without my customers since they are the drivers and the company’s backbone, without whom the business would not exist.
Q: In one sentence, describe a positive way that technology can make the world a better place?
Technology has significantly transformed life in the 19th and the 20th century compared to the rest of the years combined that humans have been in existence and will continue making our lives easier if we take the positives and do away with the destructive technology.
Q: In one sentence, tell us how something positive to motivate our readers?
Success is not something you just land on; it is a culmination of small achievements and overcoming challenges that result in something extraordinary.
Q: In one sentence, tell us how you start your day to get ready?
I wake up, pray, work out, have a healthy breakfast, then set to work on the day’s tasks.
Q: In one sentence, describe how you handle rejection and setback?
I analyze the reason behind the rejection and setbacks and work on making things better in my next interaction.
Q: In one sentence, describe what your hiring philosophy is?
I look for dedication, the ability to work with a team, and integrity.
Q: In one sentence, describe how you keep your sanity in a competitive business environment?
I focus on delivering results to my clients rather than what my competitors are doing.
Colton Schild, thank you so much for participating in the DotCom Magazine Leader Roundtable Interview Series. We appreciate you participating in this important roundtable interview series, and helping our readers learn more about what it takes to build a great company and become a great leader. We wish you, your family, and of course Colton Schild Marketing, nothing but the best.
