Julian Smit, Expert of Digital Marketing and Multimedia Productions
Julian Smit, Founder of J.D. Nevins Communications Inc., Host of BIYF Marketing (Youtube and Podcast), and Founder of the Marketing Summit Academy
Julian is the Founder of J.D. Nevins Communications Inc. - one of the fastest-growing digital marketing agencies in Toronto (within a year ranked among the top 10 digital marketing agencies in Toronto on UpCity and #1 by customer reviews and among non-paying-member agencies).
He is Host of a fast-growing YouTube channel and Podcast - "BIYF Marketing" which continues to attract distinguished business and thought leaders from around the world. In its first season alone BIYF Marketing attracted 3.7K Subscribers, 180K video views, which amounted to 3.6M minutes watched.
He is also Founder of the Marketing Summit Academy – an online training platform for Digital Marketing and Event Planning.
Thought leader in the field of Digital Marketing recognized for coining phrases such as "the economy of authenticity" and "find your village".
International Keynote Speaker with keynotes at the Global Digital Marketing Summit in Jamaica, May 2019.
Over 20 years of experience in the field of Marketing and Digital Media Production.
An expert in the field of digital marketing and social advertising (with particular expertise in Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube). Multimedia production, content marketing, and SEO.
Winner of a WOI2019 award, and over a dozen IAC and other digital marketing awards for campaigns he's managed on behalf of blue-chip organizations such as Johns Hopkins, Allstate, and Manulife Financial.
Who do you most admire in business?
There are many whom I admire. Some business veterans, such as Bill Gates and Warren Buffet as well as a new generation of business visionaries. Who is changing the business landscape such as Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk.
What companies or brands do you like or do you think are getting it right?
Per the above answer, it’s difficult to ignore Amazon and Tesla!
What is the best advice you have ever received?
“We suffer not from the events in our lives, but from our judgement about them.” ― Epictetus
What drives or motivates you each day?
My children.
What are your thoughts on the future of social media?
As the novelty of social media wanes, I think it will be used less for triviality and more as a tool for constructive development. Also, platforms will increasingly aim to bridge the gap between the virtual and inauthentic connectivity vs authentic human interaction.
Do you have a mentor or do you mentor anyone?
Both and multiples of each. There are direct peers with whom I talk, other industry leaders like Seth Godin, whom I receive mentorship through their content.
How do you network?
I still believe in “traditional networking”. As amazing as new technologies are in connecting people around the world, nothing in my opinion compares to in-person human connections. Even when social media is the point of first content, actual networking requires a direct human to human connectivity.
How did you get into this line of work and What advice would you have for someone looking to get into the same line of work?
After completing my undergraduate degree in Psychology in 1996, I used the University career centre to identify which industries my skills and interests were best suited for. Marketing came out on top, and I started looking for my first position at an agency.
My advice to anyone looking to get into this industry is to be clear about what you most enjoy doing and why. And actively seek out those who have achieved success doing that. Take the time to try to understand the steps they took to achieve that success, and if you can, try to connect with them directly. And ask for help! You’d be surprised how willing people are to help when asked for it.
What do you wish you had known when you started out?
I wish I had appreciated the long-term advantages of taking risks while I was younger.
What’s the most common reason for people failing or giving up?
We have only failed at something once we give up. Regarding a failure as a failure rather than as growth and learning is the number one reason why people fail.
What are you most proud of in your life?
My children.
How do you define success?
Success is a state of optimally integrated being.
What do you think your unique skill(s) is that has helped you become successful?
I think my greatest skill is empathy. It has allowed me to connect with people in meaningful ways.
What valuable lessons have you learned so far that you could share with our audience?
Doubt and curiosity are better than certainty.
Don’t allow the opinions and judgements of others or your fear of those guide you. Trust your gut and measure your success relative to where you were yesterday, not where others are.
Is there anything new you are working on that you would like to share?
My agency has been expanding its local-targeting capabilities. We are also in the process of developing the specifications for a new platform which we believe will be transformative in how individuals and large groups collaborate. I’m also excited by the response to a recent content series “LinkedIn The News”.
Where’s your favourite place?
Phi Phi Island - Thailand
What is your hobby?
Music
Most embarrassing experience?
I don’t concern myself with what others think of me.
What are you not very good at and what are you good at?
I am not good at hard-selling. I feel I only know how to soft-sell. I think what I’m best at is reading people.
Which words do you overuse?
“and so on”
Your social media platform of choice?
When are you happiest?
When I’m in flow – When I lose the sense of the passage of time.
Your favourite writer, author, movie, singer & TV show?
Favourite Book: “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor Frankl
Favourite Writer: J.R.R. Tolkien
Favourite Movie: “Harold and Maude”
Favourite Band: The Beatles (favourite song: “A Day In Life”)
Favourite Show: “WKRP in Cincinnati”
What living person do you most admire?
Joe Rogan
A positive phrase you like to share with people.
“You do you Boo Boo.”