Dear Esteemed Connection: In 2005, digital marketing revealed itself because of a personal passion in entrepreneurial endeavors, direct response marketing, psychology, blogging, and advertising. My current career path of digital marketing, with an emphasis in search marketing (SEM) and search engine optimization (SEO) strategy and management began 18 years ago. In my opinion, this industry had the best of both worlds - creative and analytical. Hands-on I learned how to create exposure, traffic, leads, and sales through Google Ads® and Microsoft Advertising®‎ for national and local brands. I received the only training that was available at the time: blogs, forums, and one-on-one consulting with experts. I majored in Journalism with a concentration in Advertising. However, no college degree in "digital marketing" existed at the time. Direct Response Marketing was the closest. I took one class on the subject as an elective my senior year and something clicked (pun intended). I've been fortunate enough to formulate and execute search engine marketing (SEM) and search engine optimization (SEO) plans for brands such as: Starbucks, AT&T Wi-Fi, P&G, Trend Micro, Roots Canada, JM Bullion, Silver.com, Gerber, GORE-TEX®, CURE International, and more than 100 small and medium-sized businesses. Business sectors in which I've created and executed digital marketing and pay-per-click (PPC) strategies include: consumer packaged goods (CPG), precious metals, cybersecurity, luxury apparel, law, educational, medical & non-profit. I cut my teeth on SEO & SEM in 2005, which I continue creating strategies for today. However, in 2006, with the onslaught of social media, I learned how to build brands from the ground up using content marketing methods such as business blogging, as well as organic and paid social media. During my career I've pushed myself to earn a mastery level understanding of digital and search engine marketing (SEM) funnels and what makes people buy online. I've consulted with and created national and local search strategies implementing initiatives resulting in massive returns for the clients of the companies I've worked for as well as my own freelance clients. Over my career, I've voluntarily mentored dozens of professionals, teaching digital marketing methods, application of the Six Laws of Influence, as well as coaching on personal branding for better career opportunities. I did this one-on-one as well as via marketing mastermind groups I built and grew membership into the 1000s via Meetup.com. Feel free to reach out! Neil