How to Win in Digital Marketing Without Being a Superstar

Most people think you need to be a superstar to thrive in digital marketing, but that’s not true. 

In this chat with Dustin Riechmann of 7-Figure Leap, we’ll show you how leveraging the power and connections of others can help you win, even if you’re just starting.

Leveraging Mentorship and Dollar-a-Day Advertising for Success

Early in my career, I learned that good grades and being “smart” didn’t guarantee success in business. 

It wasn’t until I had a mentor—the CEO of American Airlines—that I realized the real key to success: relationships. Through this mentor, I got the chance to work on the American Airlines website in the mid-90s, which opened doors to opportunities at Yahoo and beyond.

I’ve seen countless talented people struggle because they didn’t have the right opportunities or guidance. That’s where mentorship comes in. I’ve always believed that success isn’t about being the smartest or luckiest—it’s about having the right connections and being visible. 

This is why I’ve made it my mission to help others leverage mentorship and micro-targeted advertising to get seen.

One of the most powerful tools I discovered early on was Dollar a Day advertising. It’s a simple but effective strategy where you target small, specific groups with ads. For example, I helped a friend who was dealing with a problem at Sears by running Dollar-a-Day ads aimed at Sears executives in Chicago. It worked and resolved the issue.

Another time, I helped a guy who was living in his car and wanted to work at Yelp. I had him create a video about what he would do as a product manager and ran a Dollar-a-Day campaign. Three months later, he landed a job at Yelp.

AJ Cartas got a job at Yelp by using Dollar a Day

These experiences are why I’m so passionate about helping talented people get the visibility they deserve. By combining mentorship with Dollar-a-Day ads, I’ve been able to help many people, young and old, get their chance.

The internet gives us the ability to micro-target and reach people with just a few dollars a day. It’s not about spending a lot of money—it’s about being strategic and getting your work seen.

Digital marketers and content creators put in tons of effort but often go unnoticed. If you’re creating content, investing just a small amount can help ensure it reaches the right people. It’s not about working harder—it’s about working smarter and making sure you’re seen.

The Value of Intentional Relationships

In Dubai, I had dinner with Munawar Abdullah, an entrepreneur who sold his last company for $300 million. A mutual friend, Rehan, introduced us, emphasizing how Munawar had created job opportunities and driven economic growth. 

Though I initially planned to catch a flight back to the U.S. after dinner, the conversation was so insightful I decided to miss my flight.

Munawar shared his experiences and strategies, answering my questions with generosity and candor. When I asked why he devoted so much time to our conversation, his response was transformative: “I spend time with people I like and focus on quality over quantity.”

Munawar elaborated on how he limits himself to one meaningful meeting per day, emphasizing the importance of authentic relationships. He even mentioned Jeff Bezos, who operates on a similar principle by making only one or two critical decisions daily. 

This approach, focusing on people and purpose rather than pure calculations, has allowed Munawar to achieve remarkable success effortlessly.

Munawar’s philosophy challenges traditional notions of networking and hustle. Rather than scrambling to attend every session or collect business cards at conferences, I’ve adopted his approach: focus on making one or two impactful connections. 

This strategy has proven far more effective, often leading to opportunities I couldn’t have planned for.

For example, I flew to Central America to meet Jason Van Blurk, the founder of Human Garage. This wasn’t about chasing deals or checking boxes—it was about investing in a partnership that aligns with my values and interests.

The broader takeaway is that success doesn’t require constant grinding or sacrificing your health, sleep, or personal relationships. 

Instead, it stems from prioritizing meaningful decisions and connections. This isn’t a privilege reserved for the already successful—it’s a mindset anyone can adopt at any stage in life.

Rather than trying to “hustle harder,” consider how intentional choices and genuine relationships can transform your path to success.

The Power of Starting Young in Entrepreneurship

Dustin posed an important question: does the advice about building intentional relationships apply equally to young entrepreneurs as it does to those who have already achieved success? My answer: absolutely. In fact, it’s even more critical for those in the early stages because time is their greatest asset. With years ahead to grow and compound their efforts, young people can create exponential results by starting early and staying consistent.

Take Jack Wendt, for example. At just 19, Jack’s journey illustrates the power of mentorship and intentional action. His story began when he connected with Caleb Guilliams, a mutual acquaintance through his father’s church missions. Caleb himself started as a “nobody” at 21, working a tough job processing chickens for Tyson Foods. 

Through perseverance and strategic mentorship, Caleb transformed his career, becoming a financial services leader and keynote speaker at prestigious events like the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors conference.

Inspired by Caleb’s success, Jack sought guidance and adopted similar strategies, including Dollar a Day. This simple but effective tactic amplifies the visibility of one-minute videos, allowing even small businesses or individuals to reach highly targeted audiences.

Jack has already begun applying these principles to his family’s chain of fitness centers in Utah, showcasing the practicality of combining storytelling with digital marketing strategies.

Dennis Yu with Jack Wendt

The ripple effect of mentorship cannot be overstated. Caleb’s mentorship of Jack is just one example. 

Another is Danny Leibrandt, who initially doubted his ability to make meaningful connections in the SEO world.

Danny, with guidance, overcame his self-doubt and began reaching out to top SEO experts in pest control, his chosen niche. By starting a podcast and leveraging the Dollar a Day strategy to gain visibility, Danny has built relationships with industry leaders and is planning to turn these into a book to expand his authority further. 

His progress shows that even in highly specialized fields, intentional effort combined with the right tools can lead to remarkable outcomes.

These stories underscore that age, location, and background are not barriers to success. Whether you’re 18 and full of ambition or 67 and looking to reinvent yourself, the principles of storytelling, mentorship, and strategic action apply universally.

If you’re ready to take the first step, remember that success starts with connection, storytelling, and consistency. Anyone can start by making one-minute videos, sharing their story, and building relationships that grow over time. The sooner you start, the greater the opportunity for compounding success.

Borrowed Credibility in Action

Growing your reputation doesn’t mean you have to start from scratch. Danny Leibrandt shows how teaming up with trusted experts can help build trust faster. He interviews big names like Darren Shaw, Greg Gifford, and Thomas Ballantyne, using their credibility to boost his own.

For example, Danny made a video with Darren Shaw, a well-known local SEO expert. By targeting Darren’s followers on Twitter and LinkedIn with ads, he got 20–30% of people to click—way higher than the usual 1–2%. This worked because people who trusted Darren started to notice and trust Danny too.

Danny Leibrandt with Darren Shaw on a Podcast

This strategy really works. A pest control business owner reached out to Danny after seeing his podcast with Thomas Ballantyne. The owner said, “Since Thomas trusts you, I know I can trust you too.” That’s the power of borrowing someone else’s credibility—it helps you get noticed and win over new clients.

Even Dustin shared a similar story. After being a guest on a big podcast, he got invited to speak at an important event. People started seeing him as an expert because he was connected to someone they already trusted.

Borrowed credibility works because people trust recommendations from someone they admire. If you align yourself with trusted experts, you can grow your reputation faster and open new doors.

Building Meaningful Connections

To build relationships and grow your network, it’s important to first decide what you want to achieve. Without a clear goal, there’s no basis for mentorship or connections. 

For example, Harrison Govertz, who started working with me when he was 14, wanted to become an affiliate marketer. He and I attended conferences and spoke about Facebook ads, sharing what worked and what didn’t. Even though Harrison wasn’t well known at the time, he demonstrated he was serious about his craft. As a result, people who needed help with Facebook ads reached out to us.

It’s not necessary to be a world-class expert right away. What matters is showing that you’re committed and sharing your honest experiences. Harrison and I shared our results—both successes and failures—with Facebook ads, which led to more connections and opportunities. 

For example, I reached out to Alex Schultz, the CMO of Facebook, and invited him to collaborate. This resulted in us hosting a mini-conference with top clients. It all stemmed from us building credibility by being open and serious about what we were doing.

Dennis Yu with  Alex Schultz

To connect with experts, you need to show you’ve put in the effort. If you want to interview a WordPress expert, for instance, you should have some experience creating WordPress websites. If you’ve never worked with WordPress, the conversation will lack depth and feel awkward. It’s not just about getting an interview—it’s about having a meaningful conversation because you understand the topic.

Once you have your first key relationship, it’s important to amplify it. You can do this by sharing content from the collaboration across multiple platforms, like Twitter and LinkedIn. 

There’s no need to change the content for each platform. The goal is to reach the right people for your business, not to become a viral influencer. You’re building your reputation and growing your business with the right audience, not trying to appeal to everyone.

Crafting Podcast Promos: The Secret to Leaving a Lasting Impression

Many podcast hosts miss a golden opportunity at the end of their episodes. Typically, they wrap up with a generic outro like, “Find me on Instagram, and tune in next time.” Instead, hosts should leverage the energy and insights of their conversation to create compelling promos while everything is still fresh.

Here’s how you can elevate your podcasting game:

1. Capture the Highlights: Before officially ending the recording, ask your guest something like, “What’s the one reason people need to watch our episode?” Summarize the key points together: “In this episode, we covered how to grow your audience and maximize your content’s impact.” Your guest can chime in with their unique perspective, amplifying the excitement.
2. Record a Natural Trailer: Use this time to create a dynamic, conversational promo. For instance, you can say, “I just spent an hour with [Guest Name], and they shared groundbreaking strategies on [topic]. You can’t miss it!” Let your guest add their enthusiastic remarks for authenticity.
3. Avoid Scripted Intros: Reading bios and dry intros at the start can kill the vibe. Instead, focus on organic energy by recording a trailer at the end, capturing the best moments of the conversation in just a couple of minutes.
4. Ask the Big Questions: As your second-to-last question, ask your guest, “What’s one question you wish people would ask you?” Their answer often leads to meaningful and impactful insights, giving you additional standout content.

By following this strategy, you’ll create magnetic trailers that hook potential listeners, boosting the reach and impact of your episodes.

SEO Isn’t About Tricks, But Real-Life Experience

The biggest mistake people make in digital marketing is thinking SEO is some kind of trick, like waving a magic wand. But SEO is really about your reputation—what people see when they search for you online. 

It’s not about manipulating search engines; it’s about showing the truth of who you are and what you’ve done in a way that Google can understand. Think of it like a car mechanic. If someone claims to be an expert but doesn’t even know what a transmission is, would you trust them to fix your car? That’s how some people approach SEO—skipping the basics and trying to take shortcuts.

Your reputation is built on everything you’ve done: the podcasts you’ve been on, the articles you’ve written, and the videos you’ve posted. But here’s the catch: if you don’t connect those pieces properly, Google can’t figure it out. It’s like you’ve done all this work, but it’s scattered across different places, and Google is left confused. 

Even experienced marketers sometimes fall into this trap. They’ve been in the game for years but haven’t taken the steps to link their achievements to their online profiles.

Take Dustin as an example. He’s been a digital marketer for 15 years and has done tons of podcasts, guest appearances, and projects. But when I checked his digital presence, his knowledge panel—the summary Google creates about him—was almost empty. 

Google had a confidence score of only 24 for him, meaning it barely had any idea who he was, despite all his accomplishments. Why? Because he hadn’t connected the dots.

Fixing this is simpler than people think. 

First, claim your social media accounts and make sure they’re consistent with your professional identity. Then, use tools like the BlitzMetrics Knowledge Panel Tool to see what Google already knows about you. This tool lets you add missing details, like your job roles, projects, and relationships, so Google can build a more complete picture. 

It’s like following a recipe for chocolate chip cookies—when you add all the right ingredients in the right order, the result turns out great every time.

Imagine someone Googling your name and seeing a beautiful knowledge panel pop up, showing exactly who you are and what you’ve done.

An example of a knowledge panel (Dennis Yu’s Knowledge panel)

 It’s not just for celebrities; anyone can have this. And when people see a clear, professional representation of you, everything else you’re doing—like ads, content, and outreach—becomes more impactful because it builds trust.

Think of your digital presence like the moon reflecting sunlight. The moon doesn’t produce its own light; it reflects the sun’s rays. Similarly, the work you do in real life—your relationships, experiences, and achievements—needs to be reflected online in a way that’s organized and visible. When you do this, your online reputation becomes a true reflection of who you are, and your SEO becomes not just powerful but authentic.

Key Takeaways

• Mentorship is the Secret to Success: Early in my career, I learned that success isn’t about being the smartest or luckiest—it’s about relationships. Having the right mentor can open doors you never knew existed.
• Dollar-a-Day Ads Change the Game: With just a few dollars a day, you can micro-target the exact audience you need to reach. I’ve used this strategy to help people land dream jobs and solve tough business problems.
• Focus on Quality Connections: Instead of trying to hustle nonstop, I focus on building one or two meaningful relationships each day. Real success comes from intentional, authentic connections—not from collecting business cards.
• Leverage Borrowed Credibility: Partnering with trusted experts lets you build trust faster. I’ve seen firsthand how aligning with industry leaders can elevate your reputation and open new doors.
• SEO is About Telling Your Story: Forget the shortcuts—SEO is about showing who you are and what you’ve done. When you connect your achievements online, you build trust and make everything else you do more impactful.