Meet Neil, a 28-year-old entrepreneur who’s rocking the world of social media marketing.
Splitting his time between Toronto and Dublin, Neil runs a successful digital marketing agency and an educational company that helps people master digital marketing. His agency specializes in creating direct-response video ads for YouTube, TikTok, and Meta, with a particular passion for working with internet brands.
In this article, we dive into Neil’s fascinating journey from studying aerospace engineering to becoming a powerhouse in digital marketing. We’ll explore how he turned early setbacks into opportunities and built a successful agency that now rakes in six figures a month.
From aerospace to advertising
Neil’s first venture into the digital world was through SEO for his own affiliate websites. He managed to earn about $400 a month from these sites. Although it wasn’t a fortune, this modest income was enough to show Neil that making money online was not just a pipe dream but something entirely possible.
Riding high on his initial success, Neil decided to explore dropshipping, which was a fresh and exciting opportunity back then. However, this adventure wasn’t smooth sailing. He faced several challenges and ended up losing around $2 000, which was a tough blow. Despite the financial setback, this experience was far from wasted. It gave him valuable hands-on experience with Facebook ads, a skill that would turn out to be crucial for his future ventures.
The real turning point came when a friend reached out to Neil for help with Facebook ads for one of his clients. Neil took on the project and achieved impressive results. This success revealed a growing need for his ad management expertise, and word quickly spread. This marked the start of a steady stream of clients coming his way.
Over the past 6-7 years, Neil’s agency has experienced impressive growth. What began as a small project has expanded significantly. Neil and his team have continuously taken on more projects, built a solid client base, and grown their team. Each achievement has paved the way for the agency’s ongoing success, leading to the thriving business they run today.
Getting those first clients
Landing those first clients was quite an adventure for Neil and his team. At the start, they were all about cold outreach — basically, they directly approached potential clients with their offer. They made a real effort to have meaningful conversations in all the right places: Facebook groups, Slack channels, and industry events where their target audience was hanging out.
Their hands-on and personable approach began to pay off over time. As they showed what they could do and delivered solid results, word started to spread. Referrals began to come in, and they also tapped into platforms like Upwork to snag new projects.
One of the biggest game-changers for them was diving into a relatively fresh and exciting area — YouTube ads. Back in 2018-2019, this niche wasn’t crowded, which gave Neil and his team a chance to stand out and reel in those essential first clients.
They also smartly shared their knowledge and successes on YouTube itself. This move not only highlighted their expertise but also helped them build a strong reputation, pulling in even more clients and establishing themselves as top players in the industry.
Marketing and growth
Today, Neil’s main marketing strategy is their organic YouTube channel.
They use this platform to share a wealth of free information, establishing themselves as a leading authority in YouTube ads and other digital marketing areas.
Their goal is clear: they want to be the top resource for anyone looking to up their game in online advertising. Instead of just pushing out content, they’re committed to making their channel the best place to learn and excel in digital marketing strategies.
How the business makes money
Neil’s agency has a smart and effective way of bringing in revenue. They work on a retainer model where clients pay a monthly fee of $5 000, plus a percentage of their ad spend. This setup allows them to manage and optimize ad campaigns while providing top-notch service.
In addition to their agency work, they offer a popular standalone course priced at $1 497. This course is designed to teach individuals how to create and manage their own YouTube ads, giving them the skills to succeed in digital marketing. Not stopping there, they recently launched a TikTok masterclass and have plans to expand their educational offerings even further. They aim to cover more platforms and delve into advanced topics, helping more people become savvy in the world of online advertising.
Right now, the agency is generating impressive six-figure monthly revenues, with a solid profit margin of 40-50%. Neil’s strategy of blending high-value client services with educational products has clearly paid off, proving to be a winning combination in the digital marketing world.
Conclusion
Neil’s story shows how dedication and determination can transform early setbacks into incredible achievements.
Starting with SEO and dropshipping, and mastering Facebook ads along the way, Neil turned a modest side project into a thriving digital marketing agency.
Today, his agency is a leading name in social media marketing, especially known for its expertise in YouTube ads. By sharing valuable tips on their YouTube channel, Neil and his team have built a strong reputation and a loyal client base.
Their winning formula combines top-notch client services with educational resources, making their approach both profitable and sustainable.
For a closer look at Neil’s work and his agency’s services, check out the links below: Linx Digital Case Studies, Instagram (@Neil_Shap), and his YouTube Channel.
