#AskGaryVee

1. Hustle is the key differentiator in entrepreneurial success

"I will outwork anyone."

Hustle defined. Hustle is about maximizing your energy and effort towards your passions. It means squeezing every last bit of productivity out of your day and making every minute count. Successful entrepreneurs prioritize hustle over natural talent or resources.

Practical steps. To increase your hustle:

• Wake up earlier and work later than your competition
• Eliminate time-wasting activities like excessive TV watching
• Constantly seek new opportunities and connections
• Be willing to do tasks others consider beneath them
• Embrace discomfort and push through obstacles

Hustle isn't just about working hard, but working smart. Focus your energy on high-impact activities that directly contribute to your goals. Remember, in entrepreneurship, there are no shortcuts – success comes to those who consistently put in the work.

2. Create valuable content and engage with your audience to build your brand

"You can't say you understand hustle and engagement, and biz dev, and jabbing, right hooking, and prioritization, but actually don't."

Content is king. In today's digital landscape, creating valuable content is crucial for building your personal brand and business. Focus on producing content that educates, entertains, or solves problems for your target audience. Consistency is key – aim to put out content regularly across multiple platforms.

Engagement strategies:

• Respond to comments and messages promptly
• Ask questions and encourage discussion
• Share behind-the-scenes content to build connection
• Collaborate with other creators in your niche
• Use storytelling to make your content more relatable

Remember that building a loyal audience takes time and patience. Don't focus solely on selling – prioritize providing value and building relationships. As you consistently deliver quality content and engage authentically, your audience will grow organically, leading to more opportunities and potential customers.

3. Embrace new platforms and technologies early to gain a competitive edge

"Extract the value of the platform before its ad product becomes mature so that by the time it becomes expensive you'll be ready to move on to the next new frontier."

First-mover advantage. Being an early adopter of new platforms and technologies can give you a significant competitive edge. When you're among the first to establish a presence on a new platform, you have the opportunity to build a large following before it becomes saturated.

Strategies for early adoption:

• Stay informed about emerging platforms and trends
• Be willing to experiment and learn through trial and error
• Adapt your content strategy to fit the new platform's unique features
• Build relationships with other early adopters and platform creators
• Be patient – it may take time for a platform to gain mainstream traction

Don't be afraid to invest time in platforms that haven't yet proven their worth. The potential upside of being an early mover far outweighs the downside of experimenting with a platform that doesn't take off. Stay agile and be ready to pivot to the next opportunity as the digital landscape evolves.

4. Focus on your strengths and delegate your weaknesses

"Bet on your strengths. It's an underrated business strategy in a world where so many people are obsessed with fixing their weaknesses they give short shrift to the skills they were born with."

Self-awareness is crucial. Understand your unique talents and skills, and focus on leveraging them to their fullest potential. Don't waste time trying to become mediocre at everything – instead, become exceptional in your areas of strength.

Delegation strategies:

• Identify tasks that drain your energy or fall outside your expertise
• Hire team members whose strengths complement your weaknesses
• Invest in training and development for your team
• Use technology and automation to handle routine tasks
• Build partnerships with other businesses to fill skill gaps

By focusing on your strengths and delegating your weaknesses, you'll not only be more productive but also more fulfilled in your work. This approach allows you to operate in your zone of genius while empowering others to do the same, creating a more effective and dynamic team or business.

5. Cultivate self-awareness and gratitude for long-term success

"If there's one thing that's helped me win over the course of my career . . . well, I've said that about hustle and gratitude and all kinds of other traits discussed in this book, haven't I? Whatever. This is another characteristic that has really worked for me."

Power of self-awareness. Developing a deep understanding of your strengths, weaknesses, motivations, and impact on others is crucial for long-term success. Self-awareness allows you to make better decisions, build stronger relationships, and adapt more effectively to challenges.

Cultivating gratitude:

• Regularly reflect on the positive aspects of your life and career
• Express appreciation to those who support and contribute to your success
• Use gratitude as a tool to maintain perspective during difficult times
• Practice mindfulness to stay present and aware of your blessings
• Share your gratitude with others to create a positive feedback loop

Combining self-awareness with gratitude creates a powerful foundation for personal and professional growth. It helps you stay grounded, maintain a positive outlook, and build resilience in the face of obstacles. Remember that success is not just about achieving goals, but also about appreciating the journey and the people who support you along the way.

6. Build a strong company culture by prioritizing employees and relationships

"Everything that happens at VaynerMedia is my fault. Because I empower everybody I work with to create the culture at my company, the responsibility to build that culture is entirely on me."

Culture starts at the top. As a leader, you set the tone for your company's culture through your actions, decisions, and communication. Prioritize creating an environment where employees feel valued, motivated, and empowered to do their best work.

Culture-building strategies:

• Lead by example – demonstrate the values and behavior you want to see
• Invest in employee development and growth opportunities
• Foster open communication and transparency across all levels
• Recognize and reward employees for their contributions
• Create opportunities for team bonding and shared experiences

Remember that strong relationships are the foundation of a positive company culture. Take the time to get to know your employees as individuals, understand their goals and challenges, and support their personal and professional growth. A strong culture not only improves employee satisfaction and retention but also drives better business results through increased productivity and innovation.

7. Adapt your marketing strategy to each social media platform's unique context

"Content is never one-size-fits-all."

Platform-specific approach. Each social media platform has its own unique culture, audience, and content preferences. To be effective, you must tailor your marketing strategy to fit the context of each platform you use.

Platform adaptation strategies:

• Study the types of content that perform well on each platform
• Understand the demographic and psychographic characteristics of each platform's users
• Experiment with platform-specific features (e.g., Instagram Stories, Twitter Polls)
• Adjust your tone and messaging to match the platform's style
• Track and analyze performance metrics for each platform separately

Don't simply cross-post the same content across all platforms. Instead, create native content that feels natural and engaging for each specific platform. This approach will help you build a stronger connection with your audience and increase the effectiveness of your marketing efforts.

8. Develop leadership skills through empathy, communication, and leading by example

"Great leaders aren't born; they're made."

Leadership is a skill. Effective leadership isn't about having all the answers or being the smartest person in the room. It's about inspiring, guiding, and empowering others to achieve their best work. Developing strong leadership skills is an ongoing process that requires self-reflection, practice, and a willingness to learn from both successes and failures.

Key leadership skills to develop:

• Empathy – understand and relate to others' perspectives and emotions
• Clear communication – articulate vision, expectations, and feedback effectively
• Active listening – pay attention to what others are saying and ask thoughtful questions
• Decision-making – make informed choices and take responsibility for outcomes
• Adaptability – be flexible and open to change in response to new challenges

Lead by example by embodying the values and work ethic you expect from your team. Show vulnerability and admit when you make mistakes. By demonstrating humility and a commitment to growth, you'll create a culture of trust and continuous improvement within your organization.

9. Invest in people and ideas with long-term potential

"I'm looking for companies that are built on concepts or ideas that are only about two to three years away from hitting mass consciousness."

Long-term vision. When considering investments or business opportunities, focus on ideas and people with potential for sustained growth and impact. Look beyond short-term trends and quick profits to identify opportunities that align with broader societal shifts and emerging technologies.

Investment evaluation criteria:

• Market potential – assess the size and growth of the target market
• Team quality – evaluate the founders' and key team members' skills and track record
• Competitive advantage – identify unique selling points and barriers to entry
• Scalability – consider the potential for growth and expansion
• Timing – determine if the market is ready for the product or service

Remember that successful investing often requires patience and the ability to weather short-term volatility. Build relationships with the founders and teams you invest in, offering support and guidance beyond just financial resources. By taking a long-term approach and investing in human potential, you increase your chances of achieving significant returns and making a lasting impact.

10. Balance professional ambition with personal fulfillment and family

"I have no interest in making either of my kids become one. If they choose to go a more traditional route, I'll support them."

Holistic success. While professional achievement is important, true success comes from balancing career ambitions with personal relationships and well-being. Recognize that your definition of success may evolve over time, and be willing to adjust your priorities accordingly.

Strategies for balance:

• Set clear boundaries between work and personal time
• Communicate openly with family about your goals and challenges
• Prioritize quality time with loved ones, even during busy periods
• Take care of your physical and mental health through exercise and self-care
• Regularly reassess your goals and make adjustments as needed

Remember that success in business doesn't have to come at the expense of personal fulfillment or family relationships. Strive to create a life that allows you to pursue your professional passions while also nurturing the relationships and experiences that bring you joy and meaning outside of work. By finding this balance, you'll be better equipped to sustain long-term success and happiness in all areas of your life.

Last updated: January 24, 2025