Time We Discuss: Start a Social Media Marketing Agency and Make BANK!

Watch/Listen to this Episode Start a Social Media Marketing Agency and Make BANK!

Bank!; Host of Time We Discuss is pointing to a Ashley Mason, owner of Dash of Social, Social Media Marketing Agency.

Ashley Mason, the founder of the social media marketing agency Dash of Social, walks us through her journey in this episode of Time We Discuss.

Starting with a blog in 2012, Ashley's market segments were primarily high school and college-age girls. Over time, she realized that to expand her audience and monetize her blog, she needed to leverage social media. This led her to teach herself social media marketing, which was relatively new at the time, especially with platforms like Instagram. Her expertise grew as she began working with companies as a micro-influencer, reviewing products, attending press events, and ultimately monetizing her blog through these partnerships.

Her passion for marketing, coupled with the realization that many companies lacked a strong social media presence, inspired her to offer pro bono services to businesses she had already established relationships with through her blog. This experience solidified her desire to pursue marketing as a career, eventually leading her to establish Dash of Social in 2016, during her sophomore year of college.

Ashley's entrepreneurial spirit was significantly influenced by a personal event when her mother was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer during her freshman year of college. This life-altering experience made her realize the importance of pursuing her passions without delay, prompting her to accelerate her business plans.

Throughout the interview, Ashley discusses the challenges of balancing college, building a business, and caring for her mother. She also touches on her experiences in hiring her first employee, the sacrifices she made during college, and the support she received from her family and friends.

Ashley emphasizes the importance of blogging in today's digital landscape, arguing against the notion that blogging is dead. She believes that blogs are crucial for driving website traffic, establishing thought leadership, and maintaining control over one's online presence, especially in an era where social media platforms can be unpredictable.

She also mentions her involvement in various entrepreneurial support groups, such as Boston Business Women and local chambers of commerce, which have helped her build a network and gain clients. Additionally, Ashley talks about the importance of diversifying marketing efforts to avoid relying solely on one platform.

In terms of technological advancements, Ashley shares that her agency uses AI tools like ChatGPT for idea generation but insists on producing content internally to maintain quality and authenticity.

Finally, Ashley discusses her passion for supporting small businesses, both through her agency and a side project called Massachusetts Business Network, which offers free or low-cost resources to businesses across the state. She also advocates for community support of local libraries, reflecting her commitment to giving back to her community.

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Dash of Social

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