How To Succeed in Digital Marketing As a Young Adult

If you’re a young adult getting into digital marketing, you’ve probably seen all kinds of coaching programs promising to make you rich overnight.

They tell you to sell, sell, sell—without ever teaching you how to deliver results as a project manager.

They’ll claim that if you’re confident enough, have the right sales-script and attitude, you can sell your way into getting others to open up their wallets. They’ll claim that’s all it takes to be successful, so you can flex on others with your Lamborghini and live in a high-rise Miami apartment.

That’s not how real businesses work. If you want to build a legitimate digital marketing agency, you need to focus on skill, reputation, and relationships.

In our program, we focus on building the skills, relationships, and reputation that set you apart. We believe in working together, learning from the best, and always striving for the high standards that bring lasting results

I’ve spent decades helping businesses like Adidas, Red Bull, and Starbucks grow, and I can tell you one thing for sure: success isn’t about fancy sales tactics or quick wins. It’s about doing great work, proving your value, and letting your reputation do the heavy lifting.

While some so-called agencies will charge clients $15k for essentially nothing, we want to be a net positive in the lives of people who pay us. Here’s how:

Reputation Over Revenue: Why Relationships Matter

I get messages all the time from young people asking me to coach them one-on-one, hand them clients, and teach them everything I know. They’re focused on what they can get—money, fame, success. But the real question is: what value are they bringing?

The people who win in this business aren’t chasing dollar signs. They’re building real skills and taking care of clients. When you do great work and are an A Player, clients talk about you. They refer to others. Very little “outreach” is required, since churn is so low.

That’s why we’ve never had to chase big-name clients like Adidas or Red Bull, they came to us.

Look at Roger Wakefield. He’s the most well-known plumber in digital marketing because he actually knows his craft. The same applies to Keigan Carthy in roofing or Danny Leibrandt in pest control. These guys became the go-to experts in their fields, and now the business comes to them.

Pick a Niche and Own It

One of the biggest mistakes I see new agency owners make is trying to do everything for everyone. They say, “I don’t want to limit myself.” But in reality, if you don’t specialize, you don’t stand out.

Keigan, went all in on roofing, learning about residential and commercial projects, insurance claims, and lead generation. Now, when a roofing company needs marketing, there’s no question, Keigan is the guy.

The same approach works in any industry: restoration, landscaping, real estate, whatever. When you niche down, you become the expert.

Apprenticeship Beats Instant Gratification

The problem with most young marketers today? They’re impatient. They want to skip the learning phase and go straight to making money. But would you trust a doctor who just watched some YouTube videos? No.

Our program is built on a real apprenticeship model with documented processes. The journey starts with mastering the basics, running ads, creating content, and analyzing data. Once you’ve built a solid foundation, the next step is tackling more complex projects, developing processes, and delivering real results.

Over time, as skills grow and confidence builds, taking on leadership roles and mentoring others becomes a natural progression. This gradual progression ensures you’re not just learning, but also gaining the practical experience needed to excel.

Marko Sipilä’s, demonstrates how focusing on a niche and mastering the craft, supported by our established methods, can lead to a seven-figure business

For instance, Harrison started out by diving into real-world digital marketing challenges. Instead of just reading about strategies, he worked directly with experienced professionals, soaking up practical knowledge. This hands-on process built his reputation as a reliable marketer, and it’s how he became a well-known leader in the industry.

Ben Hammel, and Jack have all followed this process, mastering their skills and building successful agencies

Once you’ve got that down, you move on to more complex projects, developing SOPs and delivering measurable results.

As you grow, you step into leadership roles, mentoring others and expanding your influence. It’s all about progressing through each stage, building expertise, and becoming a true professional.

Marko began his journey while still in high school, running his own small marketing agency. He didn’t start with grand promises, he started by learning the ropes, focusing on a specific niche, and figuring out what actually worked. It helped him grow from a one-person shop into a leader in his industry, eventually scaling his agency to seven figures.

So why should a business trust you with their marketing if you haven’t put in the work? That’s why LDT (Learn, Do, Teach) is crucial. 

If you’re a young adult who wants to make a lot of money the right way—by believing in apprenticeship and working in teams. then our program is designed to help you grow a successful agency.

We focus on teaching real skills, building strong professional relationships, and earning a reputation for excellence.

Leaders such as Marko Sipilä, Harrison Gevirtz, Keigan Carthy, Ben Hammel, and Jack Wendt stand out as industry A Players.

These accomplished professionals didn’t rely on shortcuts; instead, they achieved success through hard work, deep expertise, and a consistent track record of delivering outstanding results.

Marketing is a trade, just like plumbing, electrical work, or veterinary medicine. You have to learn from those who are already successful.

Unfortunately, because the barrier to entry is so low, anyone with an internet connection and a bit of confidence can claim that they’re a “marketing expert”. Why should we be surprised then, when companies hate working with agencies?

This is a skills issue rampant in the industry, not one of selling or confidence.

That’s why I tell young marketers to start by working under someone more experienced. Learn how to run ads, create content, and optimize campaigns before trying to sell services.

Execution Matters More Than Sales

Selling is easy. Delivering results is hard. If you land five clients but can’t get them real results, they won’t stick around. Our approach focuses on helping participants become execution experts who stand out because of their reliability and results-driven mindset.

By setting the bar high and supporting each other, we create an environment where everyone rises to the challenge. Worse, they’ll demand refunds and tell others you’re a fraud.

Before you start pitching businesses, ask yourself: can you actually do the work? If I gave you a Google Ads account right now, could you improve its performance? If not, you need to focus on learning, not selling. That’s what separates the amateurs from the real players.

Too many people focus on selling first, thinking they’ll figure out the execution later. But that’s a losing game. Digital marketing is about tangible results, more leads, more sales, and measurable ROI. If you don’t know how to track conversions, optimize ad spend, or adjust campaigns based on performance data, you’ll quickly lose credibility.

A real marketer isn’t just a salesperson—they’re a problem solver. They can diagnose issues in a website’s SEO, pinpoint why an ad isn’t converting, or identify where a company is wasting money in their marketing budget. If you can’t do that yet, don’t panic—just take the time to learn.

For example, I’ve gotten on countless coaching calls with so-called “SEO” agencies, who after learning about their practices, don’t even know what EEAT is. How can you expect to help others, if you yourself don’t know the basic fundamentals of the thing others are paying you for?

Leverage a Network Instead of Going Solo

The fastest way to grow? Don’t do it alone. By pairing our participants with A Players like Jack Wendt, Harrison Gevirtz, we ensure that every new agency owner has a direct line to industry-leading expertise and mentorship.

For example, if a pest control company needs marketing, we know Danny Lee Brandt has the expertise. If it’s a personal brand, that goes to Jack Wendt. When you work within a network, you get clients based on your proven skills, not your ability to cold pitch strangers.

The world is a small place. Any marketer claiming there’s “not enough business to go around” is lying. There are thousands of businesses willing to pay you thousands of dollars, assuming you can deliver results.

By tapping into a network, you’re able to leverage trust from others.

Play the Long Game: The Only Path to Sustainable Success

If you’re looking for a shortcut to $10K a month and a Lamborghini, this isn’t for you. But if you’re willing to put in the work, build a real reputation, and focus on results, you’ll create a business that lasts.

Success won’t come overnight. But when we come together, share our wins, and learn from our challenges, we build a community that helps every member reach their potential. This shared commitment to excellence is what separates our program from others.

Digital marketing is easy – but maintaining relationships, learning solid SOPs, being reliable in Weekly MAA Reports, and following the 9 Triangles requires dedication and focus.

If you’re serious about learning through apprenticeship and not just another course, consider reaching out to Seth Jordan, Parker Nathans, or me. Let’s see if you’re a good fit.