Matt Astifan - Social Media Educator
I’m happy with the following labels: entrepreneur, tech geek, movie geek turned social media geek, blog author, podcast addict, continuous learner, digital citizen, new media strategist. I don’t like the “social media expert” label however it seems to come with speaking about social media to large groups…
I’ve been messing around with social media before it was even cool to be a social media geek (because it’s cool now, isn’t it?), but did not always see it as a potential career. In fact, I started my career in the film industry where I learn about what goes behind creating stories on film. Later, I ventured into real estate where I got to improve my sales and marketing skills. The problem was that I did not feel passionate about realty, so I moved out of the industry within the first year.
The turning point in my career was when I got noticed by the CEO of an Internet marketing agency. Working as a business to business sales adviser for an online marketing company gave me the opportunity to learn about Internet marketing. In my two years with the company I learned about web development and website promotion, search engine optimization, copywriting, Google advertising, affiliate marketing and email marketing.
I began using social media, first as a tool to learn about Internet marketing and then as a networking tool to find new clients. I later became curious about the use of social media for marketing and started studying every podcast, video blog, blog and book I could find on the subject.
Outside of the social media world, I am highly engaged in real life networking as part of the Internet Masterminds Group. I now help organize speakers for weekly events for hundreds of members from topics ranging from SEO and AdWords to Affiliate Marketing. I am also a contributor at BusinessWeek’s Business Exchange.
My company Web Friendly started as a side project but soon turned into a full-time business with surprisingly skyrocketing demand. Today, I focus on helping businesses reach their marketing goals using digital media strategies. My methods include content creation, crowdsourcing, contests, gamification, live broadcasts, life casting, mobile marketing, personalized interactions and daily deal strategies. I work with clients one on one, though live workshops and corporate mentorship training.
I understand the importance of continuously adding value to the clients and partners I work with. I am always interested in meeting new people online and in person to create new mutually beneficial partnerships.
